Mother's Day

This was a special day for me. I had the privilege to talk in Sacrament Meeting on motherhood. I think I did good. Here it is without my extras:

I had a great Mother. She taught me well. She taught me by her example how to work, play, honesty and integrity. She didn't lecture. She just lived the part.

All things seem to be a type that turn us to Jesus. Becoming a mother is one of those types. Jesus Christ gave his life blood that we might live. A woman also gives her blood to bring life to a child. Then she is responsible to give her life in neutering, teaching, loving and caring for that child for the rest of her life. Some say they are not responsible after that child becomes an adult. True it is that a mother is not guilty of choices that adult children make – if – she has taught that child well. However, when a child, young or grown, does well, parents are blessed and feel joy… the same when an offspring chooses wrong paths, parents feel sad and sometimes responsible, saying, “What did I do wrong?” even if they did nothing wrong, it brings pain and sorrow. There is never a time in the life of a mother (or father) that they don’t want to guide and protect their children. Sometimes to the detriment of that child. It is sometimes hard to let go and let them learn the way we learned.
A woman starts mothering as soon as she is old enough to hold a baby doll and dress it and rock it and sing to it…She learns to care for others by watching her mother. As she grows, she learns from the examples set by her mother and other mothers along the way. The desire to be a mother comes naturally as she becomes older. She consciously and unconsciously seeks for that young man who will help her achieve the goal of motherhood. Then as she holds that first tiny person in her arms, she is amazed at the miracle of being a mother. She realizes the great blessing of being a co-creator with God bringing this child into the world. What an awesome thing. The man may hold the power of the priesthood that makes it possible for him to do many miraculous things….But a woman is a co-creator with God himself. What can be better than that?
Why Women Cry
Watch her eyes


A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" "Because I'm a woman," she told him.

"I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will."

Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?"

"All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry..

Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do women cry so easily?"

God said

"When I made the woman she had to be special.

I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world,

yet gentle enough to give comfort.

I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.

I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.

I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.

I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.

I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.

And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed."

"You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."

Wendy told me the night before that we would be going to Gay's for dinner and she was bringing fruit...but it wouldn't be till 5pm because of thier church schedule. Barry called me on Saturday and asked me to pick up some dam material at IFA's and he would pick it up Sunday when he came in. I questioned it a little in my mind, because Temi had gone to Texas, but didn't worry about it. I did think that I would have to leave a note for him if he came when we were to Gay's. Well. Everything changed because Gay and Duane both got food poisoning from some tortillias (?) that a little Mexican girl sold them the day before. So dinner ended up here. Barry, Chelsie and Joshua came first. I got to go walking around the cemetary with Josua. There is a headstone of a man who was a fireman and his picture was on it and a toy firetruch by it. He was really impressed and told his grandpa that "There's a man over there that's a fireman and has a real fire truck!" He is so cute. He usually doesn't talk much, so that was special. Carl Ray went to his house and got a gunbelt, pistol and caps for him and he had a ball. Layne, Pam & Landon showed up too, and then I decided that this was supposed to be a surprise for me! It was and it wasn't. But it sure was nice...except for missing Gay and Duane. She sent wonderful chicken and beef for the BBQ. We ate on the porch and had a great time. I cannot believe why I deserve such wonderful families. When I think of each of my children, grandchildren and great greats and all the in-laws, I am so greatful and proud of the lives they are living.

May 12, 2009

I had a Catalog party. I invited alot of people but only eight came other than family. I cooked all day marinating meat for shish-kabobs, cutting fruit and veggies, made a pasta salad and hot rolls. We are still eating from that night. Those who came really enjoyed themselves visiting and looking at my SMC catalogs. They made orders for over $400! I have gotten a few orders since and expecting some others. Maybe this will be a good thing for me. There is a little bit of everything for everyone.

May 13, 2009

I had a new lady for painting today. Pearl Sheffer came with her three cute kids. They were very quiet and well behaved...except the two year old was busy playing with Shay and being here and there. One time he was behind me and I didn't know it. I turned and stepped backward and tripped over him. Wow! I made a big crash on the cement - flat on my back. My head really crashed. But it didn't break! I had an emu egg...bigger than a goose egg. But I'm okay. Didn't even get a headache. Pays to be hard headed..

Manti Temple Trip

Yesterday, May 2nd, I and Wendy went on a bus trip to the Manti Temple. I had been there before when I went with Jeanett and Buz. I just remembered that Barry and Gaye were sealed there too, but I don't remember much about the temple itself. When Jeanett went the man who played the part of John took us all over and showed us the spiral staircase, solomn assembly room, the doors to the Holy of Holies, about the handclasps on door knobs and best of all, the little room off the celestial room where Jesus appeared to Wilford Woodruf. At that time I had the most wonderful sensation, to be standing near the place where Jesus actually stood. I was anxious to see it again and was not dissppointed. It is the most beautiful room I have ever seen. It is white and powder blue with gold touches. It is impossible to describe.
We were supposed to have time there for the Temple President to talk with us, but it didn't happen. There were so many people there I guess there wasn't time between groups. In our session there must have been over one hundred people. That temple is huge! The colors are values of pink and salmon with the soft white and touches of gold. One chandelier I saw in a sealing room off the celestial room was so big... I think it must be at least four feet in diameter.

It was a long ride there and back. It rained all the way there. I forgot that we were to bring a lunch so there I and Wendy sat with our little breakfast bars etc. Mike Miles and Dixie were prepared for such as us and shared their ham & cheese, chips and grapes so we fared fine. Kind of embarrassing though.

I have been struggling to get rid of a few cats before they all have babies, but Wendy heard little kitty sounds under the porch. I think it is the blue-eyed simese momma. I have another that looks like a little baloon. I love little kitties, but they grow up and multiply like rabbits.

That's all for now..Time for church.

The 50's Night

Wow! What a wild night! Everyone dressed the part and acted the part too. It was at Wanda's this time and she was so cute in her pink poodle skirt,plaid shirt tied at the front over a pink under blouse. She wore white anklets and missy shoes. She had a scarf tied at the neck and looked sooo 50ish Her red hair was flipped up at the bottom and I realized that she really looks good with orange-red hair. She fed us hambugers with all the good stuff and made chocolate malts with lots of that squirty whipped cream on top with a cherry. There was a picture of a 50ish car on the table decorated with big dice you hang on the car mirror, bubblegum twinkies and candy bars.

Wendy tried to look like I did then...my hairstyle, shirt tied in the front, rolled up jeans and tennis shoes with white socks. I hope I looked that cute. Wanda had that era of music playing and it just put everyone in the mood to jitterbug and do the twist. Wendy and Gay really got into it...Brandi too.

Gay dressed in a white blouse and bright red print poodle skirt with white anklets and saddle oxfords. She and Wanda even had cute poodles on thier skirts. Gay wore her hair ratted on top and curled up at the tips. It really should wear it that way. She looked so cute.

Brandi was John Trivolta with black hair and side burns, big eyebrows and a black spot on her chin that I think was supposed to look like a dimple? She had dark tennis shoes, rolled up jeans and white shirt.

I came as June Carver in a midlength aqua blue flary dress, lots of jewlry and a black shoulder scarf that I actually knitted out of fuzzy yarn to go with my high-healed black boots. I wore my curly wig with a rose on the side. In case you youngsters don't know who June Carter was...she was Johnny Cash's wife who sang and played the autoharp. So I sang The Wildwood Flower and Who will Shoe Your Pretty Little Foot? I didn't get a standing ovation though.

We watched the old version of Bye Bye Birdie and loved it. Then layed on our tummies on the floor with our feet crossed and our hands under our chins and had a bubble blowing contest. Wendy blew the most big ones, but Wanda got the biggest one. I found out later that they chewed two bubblegums. I only did one.

We danced and sang and laughed the whole night long..What fun!!


Saturday:

I got up, turned the water off that I forgot to do last night and realized that Shay was left out in the garage. I had thought that Wendy must have him in bed with her so didn't worry about him. Also, the garage door was wide open. I know I closed it when I drove in because the cat stopped it and I had to run it out to shut it again. I must not have watched it clear down and something- cat or Shay?? came through again. Ah, the misteries of life!

I planted some flowers and veggies in the garden this morning and transplanted some strawberry plants so I have one whole row instead of here and there. I am going to put more flowers out there this year and not so much food. It is hard to not plant stuff when there is all that dirt out there just crying to grow more than weeds.

My Ancester Dream

I dreamed about my Aunt Toot this morning. It seemed that she and Uncle Sam were dead and people were cleaning out thier house. I went in the living room and there on a shelf was a beautiful set of antique looking dishes..vases etc. I saw immediately that they resembled the tiny figurine I have that was my mother's that she found in the ashes of thier house that burned. It was the only thing saved. It is a little scorched and broken, but I treasure it. I was so surprised to see other things that seemed to be of the same make. I was wondering if the family would give them to me...and I woke up. But it made me think of my Dad's side of the family. They were all very special to me. They had three sons, Boyd, Eugene and Marvin who died young. They went to the temple late in life. When asked why they didn't go sooner, Aunt Toot (Flora Mae) said, "Nobody asked us to." Aunt Toot and Uncle Sam always made you feel welcome and loved. She was funny. Her real name is Flora. When she was small everyone would say how cute she was, so when people asked her name she would say "I'm Toot". It stuck. She always had good food smelling up her house. Uncle Sam was so mild and kind. He would just smile when Aunt Toot would scold him for something. She always had pretty flowers and grapevines. We went to thier house more than any other. My Dad died in thier home.
I don't remember much about Uncle Lyman (Lyme). He didn't live here until later in life when he had a stroke and just laid in bed. He couldn't talk. It was so sad. He had five kids:Enid, Chrystal, Lyman, Lela, Charlie and one more I can't remember the name. His first wife was Nina Atwood. He married Mary and had more children, I can't remember any names but Billy.
Aunt Wealthy was deaf and hard to talk to. I was a little afraid of her..for no reason except she couldn't hear me. She would walk from Vernal to our place in Dry Fork and stay a couple of days till my Dad would take her home. Every morning she would be out early sweeping the porched and walks. Her kids were not good to her. She had Martin, Mandy, Lola and Thomas.
I don't remember much about Uncle Lyman (Lyme). He didn't live here until later in life when he had a stroke and just laid in bed. He couldn't talk. It was so sad. He had five kids:Enid, Chrystal, Lyman, Lela, Charlie and one more I can't remember the name
Aunt Lonie and Uncle Birt Caldwell had a big family, Evs, Chellus, Morris, Hugh, May?, Edith and June. She was a cute round little person. Always good natured and sweet. She was religious in the church and Uncle Burt smoked..but never where she could see him.
Aunt Roxie was the fun one. She sang and played the guitar. She lost her first husband, ? Alexander who was father to Everett, Zina and Thursa. Then married
Uncle Mac McQuarry. I loved to have them come visit because they were all funny. Thursa, especially. She loved to sing, dance and play the guitar. Her voice was not pretty, but she sure could raise her voice in singing funny stuff. My favorite was "Frankie and Jonnie".
My dad, Joshua Chellus Hall III, played the spanish guitar before I remember. I only remember him playing a couple of times, but I guess he played for dances when younger. Ijust remember him playing, "Old Dan Tucker." My dad was the most loving, kind person you'ld ever meet. He always had pink mints or some other candies for what ever children he might encounter. He was called "Uncle Josh" by many, many people.

EASTER SUNDAY

Today is Easter Sunday. Church was special. We had Stake Conference and General Conference the last two weeks so today was Fast Sunday..except I didn't know it till I got to church. Testimonies were good. Gospel Doctring was on the United Order. Thier was much discussion on how hard it would be for a bishop to be in charge of taking property and handing it out. Then, How hard it would be for someone with alot of property to give it all up and be happy with what the bishop gives back. Sounds a little like what Obama wants to do, if you think about it. He wants to tax the rich and give to the poor. The rich man had to work to get what he has (usually) and some poor people are poor because they don't want to do the work and are open to recieve welfare. This is going to be an interesting time. I sure wouldn't want to have the responsibility of figuring it out fairly and have everybody happy.

I play the harp and sing in the Nursery. Today they were so cute. I did spring songs..Popcorn on the Apricot Tree, etc. We always have to do Old MacDonald. When I go, I tell them goodbye and "I love you" They wave and say 'Thank you..bye..Ilove you....All together over and over.

ReliefSociety was taught by a Sister Hacking. Her first time and she did a really great job on Tribulations....Relating Joseph Smith in jail How really terrible it was for him and his family and yet he was still able to have inspiration for two issues for the Doctrine and Covenants. We all have trials but the important thing she stressed was to not stay down and wallow in our problems.

Gabe and Parker went home. Justin and April came last night. Tegan has been here with his Grandma & Grandpa for a few days. Tonite Gay, Duane & Brandi are there at Wanda & CR's playing games. I am trying to figure out how to do this correctly. Gay gives me directions, but somehow, they don't quite click. Hope I did things right this time.

Easter Celebration

Well, yesterday was warm and nice. I spent the day pulling grass out of flower beds and preparing cup cake Easter baskets for the little kids. Today is cool and rainy. But it didn't slow down that Bunny. There were eggs scattered all over the place and kids didn't seem to mind either. Even Zacary had fun finding eggs. I had bunnies and the Cup cake baskets for Parker, Colton, Abbi and Jaxon hid in my house. They came over and hunted and then I put the old old Bugs Bunny videos on for them till the coast was clear to go hunt the yards. It waw fun watching all the little guys running to and fro with thier baskets.
Barry, Temi, Chelsie, Josh and Gary came and Terrell & Sherril came with some of thier family. Gay, Duane and Brandi & Zacary were here too. Carl Ray roasted the wieners on the grill and we had lots of salads and good stuff to eat.
Gary picked up the black Lab pup from Meghan Rupp's place to take home. It was so good to have us all together.
I asked the kids what Easter was about and Jaxon God cames alive again. They all knew that it was all about the Resurection of Jesus. What special children.

I'm Mumbling for a Bit

YoYo! I'm here!