Quote for the week of 2-23-2009

"Someone or something is forever telling us we need to be more handsome or more wealthy, more applauded or more admired than we see ourselves as being. We are told we haven’t collected enough possessions or gone to enough fun places. We are bombarded with the message that on the world’s scale of things we have been weighed in the balance and found wanting.

No one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another. He loves each of us—insecurities, anxieties, self-image, and all. He doesn’t measure our talents or our looks; He doesn’t measure our professions or our possessions. He cheers on every runner, calling out that the race is against sin, not against each other. I know that if we will be faithful, there is a perfectly tailored robe of righteousness ready and waiting for everyone, robes … made … white in the blood of the Lamb.” May we encourage each other in our effort to win that prize..."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

Remembering Luke

I miss my cowboy friend. He passed away on February 24, 2007 ... two years ago. With Susan always by his side, Luke dedicated his life to serving the Lord - cheerfully giving his all.

Some men leave their mark on the world by the way they live and the difference they make.

Elder Savage It was a few years ago, you know, A call to serve came To Hong Kong he would go And a mission would be the aim. The time went by so fast Helping others with Susan always near. Their missionary service would soon be in the past, Time to leave behind people who became so dear. Home to Highland ... a time to rest? Luke felt so blessed and knew one mission would never do! Despite broken ribs and cuts, he was ready to give his best. A promise to a dear friend he would be true. Off to sunny California and others who are in need, Seeking out the "lost sheep" as the Lord did command. Showing love in action and in deed. Feeling blessed to visit Marines and lend a helping hand. Your example shows others the way. We want to follow in your footsteps. And so we honor you today, For giving, serving and teaching - each and every day.

We had a wonderful visit with Elder and Sister Savage while they were serving a mission at San Clemente, California. - July 2003 I made this quilt in honor of their missionary service. They came to love the Marines that were stationed at Camp Pendleton. Semper Fi - "Always Faithful" It took us 30 hours to get to Hong Kong but oh it was worth it. We enjoyed another amazing time together with Luke and Susan. Chinese Emperor Luke! Susan and Luke gave a wonderful presentation at Relief Society about their experiences in Hong Kong. Another quilt I made to honor Susan and Luke for their missionary service in Hong Kong. I used pictures that Susan had sent me. My favorite is the one where Luke accidentally put on 2 different cowboy boots. At least they were both black!! One of our many trips to Lake Powell with Luke and Susan. George got to go with us this time. We were actually there during the 9/11 tragedy and had no idea it had happened for a few days. These vacations will always be Chris and Mark's favorite!

It's not difficult to see why Chris and Mark enjoy Lake Powell so much!!

So many sweet memories. We will always be grateful for Luke and Susan's generosity!

Quote for the week of 2-16-2009

"How do I love thee?" (Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Sonnets from the Portuguese [1850], no. 43.) I am not going to "count the ways", but I am impressed with her choice of adverb--not when do I love thee nor where do I love thee nor why do I love thee nor why don't you love me, but, rather, how. How do I demonstrate it, how do I reveal my true love for you? Mrs. Browning was correct. Real love is best shown in the "how," and it is with the how that Paul helps us the most.

In Paul's final witness, he declare that "charity [pure love] never faileth" (1 Corinthians 13:8). It is there through thick and thin. It endures through sunshine and shadow, through darkest sorrow and on into the light. It never fails. So Christ loved us, and that is how He hoped we would love each other. In a final injunction to all his disciples for all time, He said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you" (John 13:34). Of course such Christlike staying power in romance and marriage requires more than any of us really have. It requires something more, an endowment from heaven. Remember Mormon's promise: that such love--the love we each yearn for and cling to--is "bestowed" upon "true followers of Christ." You want capability, safety, and security in dating and romance, in married life and eternity? Be a true disciple of Jesus. Be a genuine, committed, word-and-deed Latter-day Saint. Believe that your faith has everything to do with your romance, because it does. You separate dating from discipleship at your peril. Or, to phrase that more positively, Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, is the only lamp by which you can successfully see the path of love and happiness for you and for your sweetheart. How should I love thee? As He does, for that way "never faileth."
-Jeffrey R. Holland

Happy V-Day!!

Happy Valentine's Day

My Valentine's ... have brought me happiness in ways I never dreamed of and in ways that I find difficult to express. My family, I love you all so much!

For Tim ...

My Valentine

If there were no words
No way to speak
I would still hear you

If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I'd still feel for you

And even if the sun refuse to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart
Until the end of time
You're all I need
My love, my valentine

All of my life
I have been waiting for
All you give to me
You've opened my eyes
And showed me how to love unselfishly

I've dreamed of this a thousand times before
In my dreams I couldn't love you more
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time
You're all I need
My love, my valentine

And even if the sun refuse to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart
Until the end of time
Cuz all I need
Is you, my valentine
You're all I need My love, my valentine

Life is just like an old time rail journey ...

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only by occasionally beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank to Lord for letting you have the ride." -(Jenkins Lloyd Jones) as quoted by Gordon B. Hinckley

The sweetest experience I know in life...

Sweet picture of President Monson as a child.

After President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away on January 27, 2008, the First Presidency was dissolved. Members of the Quorum of the Twelve met in the Salt Lake Temple on February 3, 2008. On that day they set apart and ordained Thomas S. Monson as President of the Church. He has had a very busy year traveling, speaking, dedicating new temples and so much more! He is very much a prophet among the people and has a quick and ready smile. There is something about his demeanor that makes people feel they know him, that he is "one of them" and that he understand and cares about them.

This is my favorite quote from President Monson (thanks for sharing Mark!!):

"The sweetest experience I know in life is to feel a prompting and act upon it and later find out that is was the fulfillment of someone's prayer or someone's need. And I always want the Lord to know that if He needs an errand run, Tom Monson will run that errand for Him."