We were so excited to learn last Saturday that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be rebuilding the Provo tabernacle and turning it into a temple! It is indeed a happy day! Our tears have turned from tears of sorrow to tears of joy! This temple will be a great boost to downtown Provo. The Church has bought up the property south of the old tabernacle and the redevelopment will add so much to downtown Provo. Now a certain someone can WALK to the temple in his beloved Provo. Great, great news!
I've mentioned this great organization before. Check it out here and here and here and here. I won't be able to attend the annual gala this year. I'm sorry to miss. Jenny Oaks Baker and Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller will be performing. I'll be headed out of town to tend three of my four grand girls for a week. Here is a shout out to a wonderful organization that does a lot of good in the world. I guess someone else will just have to win one of the beautiful centerpieces this year since I won't be there to claim it. Best of luck! I hope everyone gives generously. Check out this great video.
2 1/2 years ago I shared that Rick and I were trying to visit all 50 states sometime in our lives. I'm happy to report that we've made some progress. I think we will need to take three more trips to polish all 50 off. We need to go through the mid-west to pick up 5 states, to the great lakes area for 4 more and finally go back to new England to pick up the last 4 states we're missing. 13 to go! I wonder which one will be the last?? Maybe Rhode Island or Maine. We decided that in order to check off a state, that we had to actually step foot in that state or country. Going through an airport doesn't count. I love this web site that lets you fill in the states you've visited. You can also do it with foreign countries. I'd love to visit at least one country on each continent. Four down, three to go. My map:
I will never look at these little flowers the same again. Now when I will see their five little blue pedals I'll be reminded of the five important points that we as women need to be reminded.
First, forget not to be patient with yourself. Second, forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice. Third, forget not to be happy now. Fourth, forget not the “why” of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Fifth, forget not that the Lord loves you.
"Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.
Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!
He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name—you are the daughters of His kingdom."
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Thank you for a very uplifting message that touched me deeply.
"It is a wise father that knows his own child." ~ William Shakespeare
Had he lived, my dad would have been 90 years old today. Happy Birthday Dad! He's been gone for over 28 years now but his influence lives on. I've been thinking a lot about him lately. About all he accomplished in his short 61 almost 62 years on this earth. About his influence on my life and the lives of my six siblings, my mother and well, just about every person who came in contact with him. He was like that. He influenced people. He was outgoing and he loved to engage people in conversation. He showed an interest and he remembered names and events that were important to different people. He encouraged. He complimented. He had a great sense of humor. He love me. He loved us all.
I have a bunch of letters he wrote me while I served my mission in Argentina during the years of 1976-1978. Here is a little look at the kind of man he was: Dear Sister G: That is what I'm to call you, isn't it? Hi Von - I'm here at the office, so thought I should drop my two missionaries a line (my brother Paul was serving at the same time in England.) I'm sure mother told you we received a letter from the Elder. Now she can sleep nights. I'll have to go through that again when you leave (that mother!) We were happy to hear that Paul is now in his place and ready to go. I know he will do well, but have a fun time. I understand you put in a full day. Don't you just love it? Time goes by fast when you're busy. I know it's hard, but I also know you can do it, so I don't worry. This experience will be some thing that will live with you always and will be one of the high lights of your life. You only have one chance for this and it's now so even though it's hard work you are learning some things that will help you all your life. In a few years you won't think of how hard you worked, but how happy you were and what enjoyment you had from the experience. We look forward to your letters and reports of progress. Everyone asks about you and everyone says "That Von is something."I know that. Keep up the good work. We are all with you. I've been playing a little golf. We had a nice time over to Bear Lake. I lost "ten" to your mother. I didn't think that party would get off the ground, but it did. I'm even going the extra mile this week. I'm taking her to the Johnson reunion at Ogden on Saturday. I'll try and be nice. We look forward to hearing from you. Keep happy and enjoy yourself. We think of you and send our love. Dad.
The title of this blog is dedicated to my Dad who taught me to "Keep up the Good Work" I've tried through the years to do just that. I wouldn't want to disappoint my dad in any way and I hope that I can be successful in that goal. I love you dear Dad. Happy 90th.
Here's a couple more links to previous posts on EHG.
