Simple things for a Simple Life

Today I had an occasion to go get some Kangen water at Hank and Lori's this evening. It was just before they were ready to sit down for their dinner. They invited me to sup with them.

We had Belgian waffles and some other waffles that looked like heart-shaped waffles out of wheat flour with homemade maple flavored syrup that Lori made. We had pleasant conversation and enjoyed one anothers' company.

I had another place to go for class I wanted to get to shortly after we ate. But somehow that didn't seem as important as spending those next few precious moments with Hank, Lori and their children.

Hank sat on the overstuffed chair in the family room, with the others seated around the room. Lori, I notice held little Klarissa in her arms, with Karoline snuggled up under her Mommy's other free arm. It was an angelic site and I looked for my purse to take a picture, but remembered I left it in my car. I had carried in my three-gallon water container and left my bulky purse. Oh, well it is embedded in my memory bank how they sat so attentive as Hank read in Alma about Abinadi and his sermon before the wicked King Noah.

It was a little bit of heaven to spend those few moments in there home as their guest and be able to see them do what they do and take time for nurturing their spirits by daily supp from the Book of Mormon. We had family prayer, Lori was voice.

Just as I left, Konner help carry my water jug out to the car; Hank was headed over for meetings at the Church and the others old enough were headed to YM, YW.

Kris was absent and had gone to play his favorite sport, Frisbee.

One announcement that pleased me was that the computerized mission papers for Kris are almost completed and we should here in the next month or so, of where he will be called to serve. It is a milestone for their family to experience this at this time in their lives. I pray for my grandson and his ability to rise to the call and become an ambassador of the Lord in the mission field.

He has no idea of the many blessings that await him in those two years of service. Blessings, not only to him but for each of his parents and siblings and how much it will mean to them to have him in the field. It is a unique time and brings many great memories of when his dad, Hank went to serve in Venezuela on his mission.

Funny thing, Kris looks a lot like his dad, in maturity and youthful frame when he went into the field, very young looking. It seems that these young men go out boys and come make grown men. I don't know how the Lord does it but he does it well, and for their sakes.

Remember, we will all be here to pray for you Kris, and what an Army of the Lord that you will become a part sooner than you may be ready. But, way to GO!!!


"When good men and good women face challenges with optimism, things always work out! Despite how difficult circumstances may look at the moment, those who have faith and move forward with a happy spirit will find that things always work out."
-- Gordon B. Hinckley

Build Your Vocabulary Before it is Too Late~

God Bless, Grandpa Carlos.

Did you know He was a stickler for proper speech, and public speaking? In fact, I think he was King! Enunciation was his trademark. He had very good diction and had the ability to express himself. He has no idea how he effected the generations of his posterity now and yet to come. My grandfather, Ricardo is the one who encouraged him to take courses in speech preparation in an effort to help him speak clearly and distinctly to be understood.

My children learned how to speak correctly in my home and as the years go by, some have mentioned how others notice their speech and ask where they are from. To their surprise, Traci's co-workers marvel that she is from UTAH!! And she doesn't say, "gonna" for "going to do something," either, or "sleepin" for sleeping.You get the idea That pleases me, her mother to no end that her speech is distinct, clearly pronounced and uses good diction. I did do something good!

I notice we ALL in the family use words that are sometimes over people's heads. Tanise,is the mistress of that, even when she was only five years old! Hank is very good at his enunciation too and makes him self understood in one short sentence. And the military cannot get all the credit. As is Tara, as well gets to the point. She is very proper and uses good diction all the time.

The younger boys, Michael, Aaron, and Matt I am sure have gotten to their stages in life by communicating in like manner. I see grandson, Parker following in his dad's footsteps and able to make himself understood as a thirty year old, so his Daddy Nursery leaders in our old ward used to tell me. Aislyn, was two years old, her Aunt Beth states would spell her unusual name as A-I-S-L-Y-N. And our Miss America, Tana, now earned a degree in English and has NO problem communicating either. Tracie's, young Adam and Drew follow suit too.

I think we all belong to the Family Club here. Their dad, Hank would also come out with the most detailed scientific explanations for something as simple as to what makes water into steam!

So there you go, the pears do not fall far from the tree.

I found this article on my MSN homepage. It is a Good thing! It will no longer be published as Encarta as such :(--... and sad I just rediscovered it. However this article is about increasing your vocabulary. I am all for that.

Ten tips to build English vocabulary

Feeling overwhelmed trying to memorize so many vocabulary words? It doesn't need to be a daunting task! Check out these top strategies and practical pointers that can help you build your word power!

Connect: It's easier to memorize words based on a common theme. Make your own connections between words and possibly organize them in a spider diagram.

Write: Practically using vocabulary can help it stick in your mind. Write sentences with new vocabulary words or compose a story using a group of words or expressions.

Draw: Expose the artist in you by drawing pictures related to the words you study. Your drawings can help trigger your memory in the future.

Act: Get your moves on by acting out words and expressions you learn. Or, imagine and act out a situation where you would need to use them.

Create: Design flashcards in English and study them in your spare time. Each week make new ones, but continue to review all of them.

Associate: Assign different colors to different words. This association will help you recall vocabulary later.

Listen: Think about other words which sound similar to the words you're learning, especially complex words. Associate the other words with this new word to help you remember the pronunciation.

Choose: Remember that topics that interest you will be easier to learn. Therefore, carefully select words that you will find useful or interesting. Even the process of making the choice is a memory aid!

Limit: Don't try to memorize the dictionary in a day! Limit yourself to 15 words per day, and you'll gain confidence instead of feeling overwhelmed.

Observe: Keep an eye out for the words you're studying when reading or listening to English.

I hope this article was helpful and a review how important it is to speak clearly, directly and appropriately.

"Thy speech [can] betrayeth thee. . " Wm. Shakepeare

Relief Society's General Women's Conference

This is my new friend, Clemencia Berteaux. She is from Pleasant Grove, UT. She works at the temple on Saturdays. I used to see her when I attended the temple in the afternoon shift. I would visit on an off day of my own shift, and also check out the shift staff to see if I wanted to be on their shift when I started back at the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.

The sisters are so kind and sweet. I met Clemencia and we became fast friends. I, on occasion would substitute for her and she would for me as well. We'd help each other out when we went out of town. It is always a pleasure to help someone else if they are willing to return the favor. She has for me and it makes it nice to have someone you can depend on in those cases.

We ended up visiting and I invited her to go up with me to the Relief Society meeting in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. She had never been and was thrilled to go, she said she never thought she would ever get the chance to go by herself. We had a great visit, I drove. She is eighty-four and very spry for her age. She is a sweetheart! She talks like my mother, with a Spanish accent and is petite, like Elena. She does so many things as acts of service and loves people.
Clemencia and Me at the Conference Center, Sept 26, 2009, Salt Lake City.



We have a lot in common and will keep in touch. She told me when I first met her, that she had a daughter who passed away at 24 years old, whose name was Ana Maria, like mine. We have a kinship toward each other. Her husband used to be a temple worker, only he has Parkinson's now, and cannot work in the temple anymore as a regular temple worker.

The Mt Timpanogos Temple Just before Dawn's Early Light

This is the temple at 4:44 am when I go into my shift on Thursday's. I decided to take a picture just before entering for my files. It is so peaceful and lovely. The temperature is moderate, about 65'. Perfect for the weather for fall.

I am amazed each time I go for the beautiful Spirit that is there. If you think about it, each week I get to walk the halls that the Savior perhaps has walked, before me.

This week I was seated in the Celestial room. I felt something very warm and the light seem brigher in there than usual. I looked around and saw the sun coming in one of the long windows to the East. I moved myself to sit on a sofa facing East.

The light that shone was brighter than noon day light. I was drawn to it. I noticed there was a place on the sofa with the sun shining a reflection from the Sun on it around my face. I had just read the account of Joseph Smith in the Introduction to the Book of Mormon of his description of Moroni's visit and the radiance about Moroni when he visited Joseph Smith. I was in awe at the similarity of the warmth and the light in the room.

It made my day and felt like another tender mercy to remember this day. I drank from the waters of eternal life, and my cup was filled to overflowing.

Recollections of Little Sister Martha joins our Family

Me, Anna Maria age 4, at Portland Road, San Antonio. Washing diapers outside in the back of the house, my sister, Martha's. I was a good little helper. My mother used to use Ivory Bar Soap. It has a distinct fragrance, and I washed the diapers by hand on a washboard for my baby sister, Marty. I recall how my hands would get shriveled up from the water and make funny wrinkles on them. The sweet innocence of being a four-year old. This was shortly after she was born and I was fascinated by her newborn babyhood. I watched my mother nurse her and take care of her. I also remember her applying Johnson & Johnson baby cream from a white jar with a pink lid. The scent of mineral baby oil and the familiar baby lotion scent was also pink. The perfumed sachet scent Cotillion is also something that I loved to smell that scent and was an Avon product. Strange how I never forgot about these baby products and used them for my own children, the Cotillion sachet powder as well.

Martha with brother, Beebe. below. Marty was about eight months old here.



I also remember my mother had crocheted her little undershirts edging them in pink. She also crocheted edgings around her white flannel receiving blankets. She wore cloth diapers of course. This was also before baby carrier seats for the car. My mother put my sister to lie on the back seat of the car whenever we went anywhere to pick up my brothers from school. We moved to Chicago when Martha was six months old.

Martha at one year old.

Happiness versus Joy

When God's hand touches ours and blessings upon our heads.



It is time to take an inventory.

What is it that brings one happiness?

What is it that brings one JOY?

This question was posed this week in a discussion in a meeting at church.

It gave me pause to think what the difference was between the two.

I am happy when. . . ?

I experience joy when. . . ?

Suggestion: Make a list and head each one with the two words in two columns at the top of the page.

Now go through and think just what is it that brings happiness?

Then, decide what is it that brings JOY? It may surprise you.

The list for happiness is in the "now," and the state we find ourselves on a day to day level.

On the other hand, list if you will, all the things that are more lasting and appear to be eternal as the Savior stated: My Joy is full. Completeness in embracing the principles of the gospel in the arms of his love.

Webster's dictionary defines happy as a state of contentment; well being, glad, joyous or pleased. Whereas, joy is defined as a state of great happiness; delight; a state or source of contentment or satisfaction; anything which makes one delighted or happy. This kind of contentment is fleeting.

It appears that the two are almost the same. However, except that the joy one feels in the eternal blessings of the temple are more long lasting and transcends into the eternities. That must be the difference between happiness and joy.

My children bring me joy, the joy of knowing they are mine forever and I am their parent as long as I am worthy of those eternal promises and blessings.

" I have no greater joy, than to see my children walk in truth." The truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and adhere to the principals taught them in their youth. I was faithful and obedient to bring to pass their joy in serving missions, and marrying in the temple. I have been truly blessed to embrace the goodness and mercy of God in my family's blessings.

I know that I find great joy in serving in the House of the Lord each week. I am the recipient, as well as my children for that service given. The sacrifice I make is worth all the spiritual blessings I receive each time I am there.

I walked into the Celestial room this past week and marveled at the beauty of that room. The serenity I felt enveloped me and was simply beautiful. I observed the many couples who were there as seemed to glow with peace in their hearts and countenances. I walked over to the mirrors that face and saw the incredible crystal chandelier reflected upon those mirrors that represent eternity and have no beginning nor end. The image was infinite, and went forever in eternity.

I thanked the Lord for his goodness to allow me the tender mercy to be where I was and serving Him in his holy house. My cup runneth over. I pondered, prayed and read scriptures for about fifteen minutes. Anytime I have some extra time between assignments, I go into the Celestial Room to pray. It is so comforting and I feel so un-rushed. My gratitude for just being there is increase each time that opportunity is mine to embrace. How sweet it IS!!

When I keep myself centered in Christ, my day and experiences are heightened and it feels like I walk on clouds. There is no other place to feel that for which I am most humbly grateful. How I wish my siblings knew what JOY is and how I feel in that special room. It is heaven on Earth and the closest we can ever get being in the Lord's Holy house. What a privilege too. God bless you all, my love ones and athose I care so much about. I am a better person knowing each of you. Thank you.

A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way

This week in sacrament meeting our high councilor spoke on the subject of kindness. He quoted some of a talk given by Joseph B Wirthlin.

Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others.

Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.

Kind words not only lift our spirits in the moment they are given, but they can linger with us over the years. One day, when I was in college, a man seven years my senior congratulated me on my performance in a football game. He not only praised how well I had done in the game, but he had noticed that I had showed good sportsmanship. Even though this conversation happened more than 60 years ago, and even though it’s highly unlikely the person who complimented me has any recollection of this conversation, I still remember the kind words spoken to me that day by Gordon B. Hinckley, who would later become President of the Church.

The attributes of thoughtfulness and kindness are inseparably linked with President Hinckley. When my father passed away in 1963, President Hinckley was the first person to come to our home. I’ll never forget his kindness. He gave my mother a blessing and, among other things, promised her that she had much to look forward to and that life would be sweet for her. These words have brought comfort to her and to me, and I’ll never forget his kindness.

Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others. Kindness should permeate all of our words and actions at work, at school, at church, and especially in our homes.

Jesus, our Savior, was the epitome of kindness and compassion. He healed the sick. He spent much of His time ministering to the one or many. He spoke compassionately to the Samaritan woman who was looked down upon by many. He instructed His disciples to allow the little children to come unto Him. He was kind to all who had sinned, condemning only the sin, not the sinner. He kindly allowed thousands of Nephites to come forward and feel the nail prints in His hands and feet. Yet His greatest act of kindness was found in His atoning sacrifice, thus freeing all from the effects of death, and all from the effects of sin, on conditions of repentance.

The Prophet Joseph Smith exemplified kindness in his life to everyone, old and young. One child who benefited from the Prophet’s kindness remembered:

“My older brother and I were going to school, near to the building which was known as Joseph’s brick store. It had been raining the previous day, causing the ground to be very muddy, especially along that street. My brother Wallace and I both got [our feet] in the mud, and could not get out, and of course, child-like, we began to cry, for we thought we would have to stay there. But looking up, I beheld the loving friend of children, the Prophet Joseph, coming to us. He soon had us on higher and drier ground. Then he stooped down and cleaned the mud from our little, heavy-laden shoes, took his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped our tear-stained faces. He spoke kind and cheering words to us, and sent us on our way to school rejoicing.” 1

There is no substitute for kindness in the home. This lesson I learned from my father. He always listened to my mother’s advice. As a result, he was a better, wiser, and kinder man.

My Comment:

One of the house rules we had as my children were growing up was to be kind. I am grateful that my children strive to be KIND all the time. Were they perfect? No, of course not. By and large, they did make the effort to be kind to each other, and there were fewer disagreements. How thankful I am for their Christ-like attitude toward me and to one another as well as conduct themselves in the same manner.

Come Thou Font of Every Blessing--

I am swimming. . .in so many blessings. This time of year is wonderful. The summer heat is beginning to subside and the weather is perfect, for fall that is. I notice the leaves are changing up on the mountains. The mornings are a little cooler too.

I must be dreaming, that October is just around the corner. Michael is coming out to shoot a wedding for a former missionary in his ward. The wedding couple are flying him out here for their wedding. So we get to see Michael, again! I pick him up Sunday, October 4. He has tickets for Sunday afternoon conference. So we will go right from the airport to Temple Square. Amazing time of year. I am looking forward to that.

I talked to him the other day. I hope he can get an extra ticket in case I have a guest to go with us. Time will tell.

I also look forward to a nice drive up the canyon to see the foliage turning bright yellow and orange up and around Sundance.

New bedroom Set Up for the Girls

This is Princess Ella's suite, all decked out for royalty. Nice color coordinated with their bedspreads and blankets. Warm fuzzies.


This is Aislyn's, fit for a {Princess) Her colors are also coordinated with her bedspread. Grandma got them coordinating warm fuzzies blankets to match their bedspread, Electric blue and Hot Pink...Yeah!!

Sweet Grandkids with Grandma at the mall

Just a glimpse of the toys and dolls organized by Lindsay. Thanks again for helping.



Kaitlyn in the mall sitting in one of the play cars.
All four of the kids into one space for the picture. They wanted to go down and see their luck to land a bouncing ball with glitter inside in a machine with a metal claw to catch their ball. After many tries they decided to stop feeding the machine their quarters. Not worth the effort for what was gained. . . nothing.

Great to be Back "Home" Again

This is the front view of the house. I like it for the lovely green lawn and the half acre back yard! I know it is a lot more work but it is roomy and great for having the family over for dinner and special occasions.

It is time to plant spring annuals, pansies and ground cover. I have room for some flower pots at my downstairs entrance and want to plant some pansies there. I have a lot of boxes to unpack and organize. You know? I almost dread unpacking, but sorting through would be a good idea. I have more than I need anyway and know I won't miss what is packed. Hush. Did I really say that?

I already unpacked some and had a special box just for gifts to give to the grand kids for their birthdays, treasures from Grandma. I practically have a store in them, a variety of collectibles. It is a good feeling to clear the space and have gifts ready to hand out when needed. I also have a large box of clothes to give to the Women's Center at UVU, and more to donate soon.

I have always been blessed to have what I need and more. I am grateful for the bounteous blessings that pour out in my behalf and recognize the hand of God in my life each day.

Like Grandma Used to Do, Cook, Say

I have fond memories of my grandmothers. Although I spend more time with mine
(grandchildren) than I was able to with my own grandmother, it made me more aware of the things that leave impressions on grandchildren from their "grandmas." Spending several days with my Hallows' grands is what triggered the memories of the powerful influence I have on my children's children.

Anita was my maternal grandmother, and Maria was my paternal grandma. My grandmother, Anita followed us around the country when we moved from Texas, she followed us to Chicago. Then we up and moved five years later. She stayed to finish out her retirement ten years later.
Due to the fact that my mother chose to not teach us Spanish while we were growing up, we did not communicate with our Nane like some of our cousins. We moved away to Chicago, so spent less time around our Texas roots growing up.


Nevertheless she did have some time with us. She worked full time in Chicago at a dept store like ZCMI's. She always found nice clothes for me especially when school started. I sure love my grandmother for doing that for now I realize what she sacrificed on her small salary to buy the extra clothes she sent me. I loved her choices of dresses. I had one that was pink and white. I was in about the sixth or seventh grade. When I wore that dress I felt so good about myself.

Another time, in eighth grade she sent me a jersey striped knit sheath dress. I was in the school Spelling Bee from my class and missed a word, "bounteous" and have never forgotten since how to spell it right. I wore that classy sheath dress and felt so grown up in it. It gave me confidence at that young age to be in front of people, like the school and student audience. I think I did that twice. I was and still am very good at spelling.

My grandmothers were excellent cooks. They knew each other and used to attend cooking classes together at the local adult ed classes. They introduced my parents as teen agers. Imagine that. Anyway, I learned a lot from the both of them. My paternal grandmother, I called "Nane" like Nahn nee, phonetically.

Today I fixed a vegetable medley for the Hallows' and cooked zuccini, yellow squash, with frozen corn and a little pork seasoned sausage. It was delicious, and the grands kind of liked them and decided to give it a try. I had some fresh grown vegetables, red potatoes and made mashed potatoes to go with a chuck beef roast. Goma, aka Anita could go into the kitchen, take out leftovers and mix them up and give a dash of this n' that and have a tasty meal. I felt like that is what I was doing today. The kids wanted tuna, but there wasn't any that I could find so opted to have what I listed above. It was tasty anyway.

Anita was always creative like that. Nane always had a big meal ready whenever we went there for vacation visits.

This is about all I will put for now. I am going to take a much deserved NAP!!



So

It Must be in the Air, or the Planets . . .

Would that we could look like this Grecian Goddess!

Life. Lately, it seems to become a challenge meeting the opposition squarely. It has its ups and downs. There appears to be a certain feeling of upheaval when moving from one residence to another.

One of my dear friends pointed out something to me that I really needed to hear.

She told me how so many times, I pulled her up and gave her hope and peace to move forward no matter what the challenge. I realized how dependent I should be (more) in my depths of the challenges in my own life. It is my refinement at best.

She went on to encourage me to let God empower me and magnify me so that I could conquer all to have the ability to "do hard things."



She also pointed out to me, which I, in deed needed to acknowledge, of how my children have triumphed as well. She pointed out how intelligent they all are, are a legacy from me and a mirror of myself. She said, "Remember who you are", Have I not said that same thing to so many, so many times ignoring how it might apply to ME TOO!

Well, she also said, "Remember who you are, the Goddess and Daughter of God." I listened even though I didn't feel like one (a Goddess) at the moment. Frankly, sometimes I get so beat down and forget who I AM too! Good lesson to comprehend and cherish that "I AM a Daughter of GOD" and worthy of His love and blessings like the ones I say the same things to as well. It is so close to home, so I repented and honor myself; and honor my Heavenly Father and vow to remember to thank HIM for loving me and giving me my wings to fly and realize my dreams ARE so close and all around me. I am enveloped in the arms of His love and am most grateful for who I AM.

So I thank my kind friend, (Janet) for reminding to not give up on myself or be too harsh, even though I am not perfect. I trust in the Lord that he will make me equal to the tasks yet ahead.

When I was a little Girl and my mother took me to buy shoes

I was watching a commercial on TV of the Afflack duck trying on shoes. It was kind of cute to see him dance when he looked in the mirror at the different shoes he tried on. Humorous.

I had a recollection of buying shoes with my mother in Chicago at a department store. In those days they had a large machine that did an instant ex-ray of your feet in the shoes you tried on. The ex-ray appeared green in color. I had not remembered that for a lot of years....almost sixty! Pretty good memory, wouldn't you say?

This is an exact ex-ray machine. The three scopes to see the fit were one for the salesman, the parent and the one whose shoes were being tried on. I had not idea there would be an image to find online! I struck pay dirt with this little historical memory.

My mother would take us to a department store like Sears, or Goldblatt's and the sales person would fit the shoes. However after a while the government agency that regulates those kinds of things took them off the market because of the exposure to the ex-ray and radiation waves. I think this was about the late 1940s. It was quite the apparatus and it was kind of neat to see my feet and wiggle my toes. It was an amazing process to see them instantaneously like a movie film.