Women's Meeting with Jill and Polly

Last night Jill, Polly and I streamed the Women's General Meeting last night in Polly's cozy office.  Juniper joined us.

One of my favorite parts from President Uchtdorf:

Delightful Greek at Yanni's in Sugarhouse afterwords.  We closed up the place.  I love hearing my children visit with each other.  Their conversation goes at such a fast pace I understand now why it was that Grandma P mostly listened.  I'm there!

My children are doing significant things!

To My Grandchildren

Sometimes women and maybe even men get out of joint about gender-specific messages.  I learned a long time ago in the early years of my widowhood that gender-specific or marital-status-specific messages ought not to be regarded strictly for the stated audience.  In learning that important principle I've been blessed. 

I shared a priesthood message video this morning.  Just now I found a temple message addressed to the women of the Church.  I see these messages universally for everyone.

The Priesthood in Our Lives

While browsing for videos for my mission use this morning I came across this one that touched my heart.

First I thought of my grandsons and granddaughter in their teenage years and all of my grandchildren on their ways to become teens and the influence for good that you are.  Then I thought of the great influence the priesthood has been in our family life and my personal life. 

Perhaps you will find a use for this story in your family home evening or when teaching youth.  Its a wonderful example of sanctifying ourselves. 

That word "sanctify" has been a word that I'm beginning to better understand and appreciate.  I'm beginning to see it is within our grasp.  It is not something entirely for the future, but it is a journey that is very much now. 

Best to you all.

GramME

10th Anniversary, 9/11

One of the thoughts I've had coming home this evening from the Sandy 10th anniversary commemoration was prompted by a radio program of children that had been very young ten years ago -- what did they remember, or even younger, what have they known about 9/11.  Most of the comments revolved around the children's concern that they are finally coming to know what happened on that day.  They had been so young many of their parents had shielded them from much of the events of those days.  I was interested in Karen's account just now of what their children remember having lived in NYC until kindergarten and 1st grade prior to 2001. 

My day began with the Tabernacle Choir broadcast featuring beautiful music, visuals and some interviews and commentary from Tom Brokaw.  It was an inspiring program. 

It was meaningful to peruse the facebook postings of many friends remembering 9/11 on both sides of the Atlantic.  

Attending sacrament meeting at Highland 14th Ward was meaningful.   Max and Claudia Simmons spoke prior to their departure for their 23-month Lima Peru Temple mission.  As each of them spoke I remembered their personal influence on our lives in Bozeman.  They each began with meaningful comments on the 9/11 anniversary.  Claudia's comments then focused on joy.  Our own efforts are not enough.  We need to change and we need the Atonement.  Max also then focused on joy, the small and simple acts.  "Good can come from trouble." 

They'll be leaving their new home of a year.  They had been living in Scottsdale, AZ for about ten years.  Mike lives in their stake and will look after their home while they're away.  

Mike and his oldest of four, his only daughter.

Mike works for a medical device company that develops and and manufactures heart devices.  They lived in Paris for about nine months with the company their first year.  The company  has completed clinical trials for one device and are beginning to market it in Europe.  He does PR and marketing.  Their daughter was born at St. Luke's when they lived in Boise for about four years. 

Everyone asked about each of you.  Everyone meaning:  Rex Dahl (Anna had stomach flu),  Virgil and Cheryl Spencer,  Marge Cunningham and her husband that used to sell Subaru (he said he's getting closer to becoming a Mormon, starting to meet with the elders reminding me I had promised I would come to his baptism), Mike and Dawn Wright (former FBI guy, they did security for the church in Africa for their mission and live in Eagle, ID), Kirsty formerly Wright (their daughter) about a year older than Jill with her husband and four children, youngest a set of twin boys that looked very capable of the mischief their grandparents and mother described, currently settled in their double stroller.  I enjoyed getting acquainted with some of Max' extended family over lunch.  Came home with a Danish recipe for cucumber salad (thinly sliced English cukes in a sweet vinegar brine reminiscent of our 21-day gherkins).  A great condiment I'd like to try. 

New Sandy City Hall 9/11 bronze. 

The last several years I've appreciated the meaningful commemoration of the 9/11 in Sandy.  There is a large grassy mall south of city hall on which is placed more than 3,000 flags, one for each casualty of 9/11.  

The more than 3,000 American flags.

This year the flags were organized by airplane flight #, then the Pentagon and then the Trade Center Towers. 

Each flag pole was tagged with a brief description of a person who had been killed.

At first I stopped and read a tag for each row and then every second row and finally every third row.  3,000 people is huge.  It seemed most were in their 30's.  There was one investment company whose name appeared frequently as an employer.  It was startling and meaningfully sobering. 

This program honored Utah public service emergency personnel who had died the past decade and Utah military personnel who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  As each name was read the tower bell tolled and the military posted a Utah state flag in their honor.  Another sobering hour concluded with bugle and cannon firing.

It has truly been a day of remembering.

Mormon.org Profile--Emme

 http://mormon.org/me/5R2C/

At first I used a pseudonym, but I've now changed my moniker to Mary Etta.  You might consider posting your profile.  I heard the encouragement in Minnetonka Ward and then in Lakeside Park, KY.  It wasn't until I was at a missionary meeting recently with our full-time missionaries (one of which was born in Alice's hometown in AL) that I decided to do this also. 

After I read "Timmy" and "Brandon" I saw how authentic and real they became.  I still call them Elder Grow and Elder Burkhardt but I know they have more to them than their name tag and white shirt and tie. 

I realize that the http://mormon.org/ profiles that I first read a couple of months back, though they were "featured" profiles, they were profiles that were unique and not like the cookie-cutter image that some Mormons might have striven for.  I liked them and felt relieved to know that "some" LDS members were no longer dominating the representation of my faith.  I loved the breadth of variety in appearance and personality and interests.  Through it all was a common thread. 

Those "some" are just that some and now globally speaking they are a few.  Mormons are much more than the few I had felt crowded by in the past in some settings.  Hopefully, our common thread in our personal diversity will be our faith in Jesus Christ.  Perhaps, I'm at last maturing.

Love my new mission!

Shorelands Preserve

Tours begin next week till mid-October, then again in the spring.  The following videos just became available.  They show what we do.  I sure like doing this.  This fall season finishes my third year. 

Also, the Shorelands Preserve was featured in The Nature Conservancy Magazine this issue, citing the preserve as one of TNC's "10 Kid-Sized Adventures"
http://magazine.nature.org/features/outdoor-adventures-for-kids.xml

Thanks to Griffin for wanting to go back after his school trip one spring.  It was very hot but we all liked our mile walk on the boardwalk.  Then a Bozeman library friend, Vickie York, heard about volunteer opportunities and suggested we do it.  The evening before my interview I was scared stiff, "How would I learn to do this stuff?  I don't think my poor brain can grasp all this science."  They were encouraging, "Just give it a try.  Take your time.  Lead when you feel ready to lead."  Not till the end of the fall season did I feel ready to lead.  I've never regretted it.  Now we are going to partner with the Botanical Center not far from the Preserve.  They have an indoor facility we can use for when the weather is too severe at the preserve and some more hands-on science activities that will improve our tours.

Invitation for comments

Hi, All.


This morning while working on my mission international temples facebook project, I got sidetracked and discovered this collection of videos, "Chefsters".  I'm intrigued.  I wonder how it plays to children.  So, . . . .

Would you mind showing  these to your children and let me know what they think and what you think.

http://vimeo.com/11909545  Hamburgers
Hint:  If you just want to start at the food prep without the advice, history, etc.  slide the time bar to about 11 minutes. 


http://vimeo.com/11849927    Pizza

Hint:  If you just want to start at the food prep without the advice and history, etc.  slide the time bar to about 9 minutes. 

The history and other info is interesting and informative but may be a bit tedious for some.  The questions at the beginning give thoughts to look for which may help. 

Thanks.