From Fast & Testimony Meeting

 Rachel was her name and this is what she shared.

And, I loved it....

Remembering to be Grateful

An experience this week reminds me how important it is to ALWAYS be grateful for my blessings to God and to people on the earth who share their time or talents or visits or texts or anything.

 Doris and I minster to a young college girl (don't ask why WE go to a college girl,  but we have been assigned and so we go to her home!)  She is never there, responds sporadically to texts, which is all okay.  But, since the month is almost over, we went after working/school hours to her home.  She was, not unexpectedly at home, but we left her the loveliest little plant and a home-made card.  Later that evening, I texted her to say that we were sorry we had missed her.  She sent an emoji back...but NO MENTION of the lovely little flower.

Now, here's two things about this little insignificant event.

1.  I was not very grateful as a child/teenager/young adult, so I get it.  I deserve this kind of indifference.

2.  I do not do things to be thanked or praised or get accolades.  (At least, I shouldn't do it for those purposes.)  

Bottom line; is for ME TO TRY TO BE MORE GRATEFUL and appreciative of what happens in my life.

Best Family Ever!

 

Latest Zoom call.  I love these great people.  Good, good GOOD.  How did I get so blessed?!?!?!

A Different Kind of Joy Today....

 Look what was on the door of my car this morning when I got out of the gym.  It really thrilled me.  I was so happy some Christian person is spreading the message of Easter and the Saviour.  

Jesus on the Red Sea.  HAHAHHAHAHA.  

FEELING JOY!

 

This picture causes me GREAT JOY! 

Two sons; six grandsons, three girlfriends and one beloved wife!  Jeremy and Sayre are going skiing for a couple of days in Northern Utah, so they are staying with Justin and Amy, who invited all these people for dinner!

According to Amy, a great time was had by ALL!  Including dinner, a whiffle ball game and a game of TABU!

Thanks, AMY, for making this happen!  I LOVE this event.

Here's another significant event from a few years ago;  Mother's Day at Janessa's in 2022.

Half Broke Horses

 

Okay, this book was intriguing.  It's the story of Jeannette Walls' grandmother, who is a true character.  She's hard working, determined, just remarkable.  Her life was never easy, but she didn't shrink from any of her challenging situations.  She as always giving advise to her children, most of which her daughter never followed.  

Lots of years ago, I read the book The Glass Castle, which is a tragic story of Jeannette Wells' mother and father and their nomadic, mixed-up life.  So, it was interesting to read the story of Jeannette's grandmother, who is so different from the daughter's life. 

The story takes place in Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and is about the hard scrabble life of people in the desert in the West in the 30's, 40's and 50's.  It's a story of hard work, survival, battling the elements, and it's based on actual events and real people.  

I give it 4 stars.  I liked it.  And, it's a much easier read than The Glass Castle.  In terms of their lives and their priorities.  

The Art Forger

 

Margo recommended this book.  

It was interesting and I got a lot of insight into the art world.  BUT, in a few places, it was a little crude, which I didn't like....not a lot, but somewhat, crude that is.  Also, I couldn't always follow what was happening.  

Having said that, however, the book is about WHY people do things.  What motivates them?  Is it greed, ego, principles?  This is the story of a woman whose job is to replicate famous works of art.  When she is asked to reproduce a work of art stolen from a famous art museum in Boston, she agrees.  Even though she had previously been involved in a forgery scandal.  

Her boyfriend promised her that what she was doing was a GOOD THING.  After the reproduction was completed, he said, he would return the stolen art work to the museum.  So, Clare agreed to paint the treasured painting.  The author did her research into HOW modern paintings are made to look old, which went completely over my head, but to interested people, it would be helpful.  

When her boyfriend is arrested and while in jail,  he admitted that he had no intention of returning the stolen painting; selfishly he wanted to keep it for himself.

It's longer than I like, so that was also a down side.  The author is a doctor of human behavior and so those are the principles she explores in this book.

I give it 3 stars.  Not my favorite - not my worst.

MEMORABLE AFTERNOON

 So many great ladies; so many GOOD, GOOD people.

My heart was full as I sat in the room with these marvelous women from Rexburg.  Oh, they are so good; they have lived lives rich with service, devotion to God and families.  It was a marvelous experience.

Bottom row: Jeanine Marcum, Barbara Gleave, Jean Brown (age 99 and just as sharp as ever!), Colleen Archibald, Ilene Olson, Marjorie Bennion, Sheri Schwab

Back Row: Caroline Downey, Jackie Terry, Barbara Mann, Nancy Richards, Loni, Tammy (?) Deanna wade ? ?? and Marie Parkinson.

I was so happy to be a part of this short event.  We have all gotten old, but at one time, they were young vibrant, rising marvelous children, doing such great things in Rexburg, Idaho.  What a blessing to have been part of that all those years ago.

Let's Hear it for the Grandkids

Surprise Birthday party for Bridger thrown by Monica, his girlfriend. 

Monica and Bridger March 2025

Miles after the preview of his movie where he composed the music.  

Love seeing them happy and achieving things that matter to them.  

FRAMED!

 This book just made me madder and more mad!  In fact, it makes me so mad that I am not going to finish it.  

It is exactly what the cover says; true stories of wrongful convictions.  The last one I read was about three innocent men who have been in jail for 25 YEARS for a murder they did not commit!  

The book tells over and over about over eager sheriffs, police officers, etc. who are eager to make a conviction and arrest.  With no evidence they frame totally innocent people.  It is so SAD!  

So, I'm done; it's the same old sad story told over and over; mostly racist, but ALWAYS the innocent suffer.  I'm done.  

A Sabbath Day

 1.  Heading to Sunday School, Linzi Hansen said, "Loni, do you know what my daughter JUST NOW told me; I want to be like Loni when I grow up and have a pink streak in my hair!"  Made me laugh!

2.  As I sat down in front of Brandon Comstock, he said, "You have made a difference in the lives of my daughters (Brooklyn and McKenzie)!'  Your name comes up frequently in our home.  They are always talking and Loni this and Loni that.  My wife (Carli) really wanted you in that calling!"

3. Came home to a post on Instagram belittling Christian families and the beliefs of women being in the home.  It had been posted by a family member.  Really broke my heart and made me feel very sad in my heart and soul.  Right now, CHRISTIAnS and particularly Mormons are being attacked on every corner.  It's so hard to see that.

4.  Went to dinner at Stockton and Morgan's.  Had a wonderful meal - Cafe Rio pork burritos....only they were better than Cafe Rio's.  After dinner, there was a baby reveal which revealed that Halsey and Landon are having baby girl #3.  It was delightful to watch the 4 little grandkids interact and play.  JOYFUL sights and sounds.  Morgan then gave us a loaf of her delicious home-made sour dough; so MIGHTY FINE!

5.  Came home to find this note by my door;  (I had talked in Young Women last week - about being KIND to people and the long term effects it can have on others.)

So, here's the deal; sometimes, life just throws you a sad heart bomb, and you just have to try to focus on the positives when they come along.

It was an interesting Sunday.

LIFE - With Its Drama and Joy and Just Daily Stuff

 

It would be hard to describe the PROBLEMS Jenni and Brent have encountered as they have remodeled their kitchen, living areas.  SO MANY SETBACKS, DELAYS, WRoNG ORDERS ARRIVING, COUNTERTOPS BROKEN in delivery, etc.  They started in July and had hoped to be done in DECEMBER.  It's MARCH, and it's still going on.

Valentine Letter from Allen.  

BEFORE.....

AFTER

Somewhat better, I should say, but how long will it stay?  And, we hardly have any real food.  If we need to eat our food storage, we are going to be in a pickle.  

Actually, that reminds me, I need to buy some more pickles.  

DEE and Me

 

He's 99; I'm almost - in six weeks - 81; he goes everyday, six days a week; I go -lots of day - some days - maybe I'll go today, type of thing.  

He eats oatmeal or cracked wheat for breakfast; I eat a protein smoothie with spinach ground up in it, he is Virginia, Idaho, I'm from Pocatello Idaho, he was married to a Japanese lady from Hawaii, I married an Idaho boy.  

He has heart problems and neuropathy, I have stomach issues and very wrinkled skin (as you can see in this picture).  He inspires me as he works very hard while at the gym.  I go to talk.   And, that is Dee and me.