Sunday Sermon

Matthew 7 is filled with so many wonderful stories and wisdom. The first scripture I ever memorized (besides the Lord’s Prayer) was Matthew 7:1. It was a hard taught lesson from a girl who felt wronged by some of her friends. I have never forgotten that. And I have never forgotten the lesson taught of the foolish man who built his house upon sand.

Matthew 7

24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it

No matter what our foundation is, if it is not firm and strong it will crumble beneath us and wash away in troubled times. Whether your foundation is your children, your spouse, you faith, your knowledge or whatever you choose, make sure it’s strong and you continue to build on it. You never know when you will need its strength to hold you up.

We saw this house, that was actually built upon a rock, in Couer d' alene, Idaho while we were on our honeymoon two years ago this past Tuesday. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to get a shot of it. Have a wonderful Sunday. It's sunny and beautiful here in Utah and I am off celebrating my 2nd anniversary with my wonderful semi perfect hubby. One of the strong foundations of my life.

Wordful Wednesday

To celebrate the 4th of July my hubby and I took a trip on the Heber Valley Railroad. It was a beautiful day. Sunny and warm with a breeze.

The round trip took 3 hours. We both had such a relaxing time.

We saw these birds nesting on a telephone pole and couldn't figure out if they were eagles or hawks or possibly something else.

Then the Bad Guys robbed the train. The robber above got caught with his pants down!

This guy was looking right at us and REALLY wanted to shoot us. Lucky for us he took pity on us and passed us by.




And a trip to Heber City is never complete unless you eat at the Dairy Keen. I swear these are the best burgers in the whole world...OK, maybe in Summit County (oops, Wasatch County. Sorry)!


I also looked for Amy , Park City Girl, the whole time I was there. I was hoping we bumped into each other.

For other Wordful Wednesday's stop by Angies.

Wordful Wednesday

Before the loss of innocence!

This picture was taken Easter Sunday in 1959 or 1960. My Grandmother was visiting us this morning. She had brought her boyfriend Harvey. I loved Harvey and thought Grandma should have married him. I still do. I think she may have been happy.

My mother had made my sister Marrla and me matching dresses. I did have gloves but they probably got put into my purse.

I always loved Easter.

I loved getting a new dress, new shoes and new gloves. I always felt like so girly. I was able to pretend I wasn't really a tom boy at heart.

More Wordful Wednesday's over at Angie's!

Wordful Wednesday

After almost a month of rainy days, yesterday was beautiful and sunny and actually felt like summer. I decided I better inspect my attempts at gardening. I was pleased to see I have tomatoes on my veins.



I was also pleased that my Violas were still hanging in there. My older sister calls these little guys Monkey Faces because they look like little monkeys to her and I have always loved them. They only have a few weeks of life left in them which makes my hubby so happy. He happens to dislike my pretty little violas. It could be because they like to take over every spot of the garden. And that is why I love them. They grow fast and spread out and just make me happy.



Then I stumbled upon these things. They look like weeds but are supposed to be "wildflowers". We shall see.




Check out other Wordful Wednesday posts at Angies.

Sunday Sermon

A long time ago I had a missionary (not going to mention which denomination) come to my door and tried to convince me that my then spouse should be the head of me.

It seems I understood the scriptures just a little differently then she did. I asked if she was married and she told me no. I told her to come back and we’d talk about this when she had been married for a while and had some children of her own.

I believe the scriptures are right when they say a father should lead righteously in his family. But that is a lot different then him being the head of me. I want a husband who is my partner and who treats me with love and respect. Not a husband who treats me like his property.

But more important then that, I want a husband who treats my children with the same respect. Some one who is a good Dad. A good example of a man who helps his family become better and grow stronger.

My Father in Ft. Hall Washington about 1957.

This song relays just how I feel a Dad should be.

I got sent home from school one day with a shiner on my eye

Fighting was against the rules and it didn't matter why

When Dad got home I told that story just like I'd rehearsed

And then stood there on those trembling knees and waited for the worst

And he said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love
A secret that my Daddy said was just between us."

He said, "Daddies don't just love their children every now and then

It's a love without end, amen, it's a love without end, amen."

When I became a father in the spring of '81

There was no doubt that stubborn boy was just like my father's son.

And when I thought my patience had been tested to the end

I took my Daddy's secret and I passed it on to him

I said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love

A secret that my Daddy said was just between us."

He said, "Daddies don't just love their children every now and then

It's a love without end, amen, it's a love without end, amen."

"Last night I dreamed I died and stood outside those pearly gates

When suddenly I realized there must be some mistake

If they know half the things I've done, they'll never let me in

And then somewhere from the other side I heard these words again

And he said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love

A secret that my Daddy said was just between us."

"You see, Daddies don't just love their children every now and then

It's a love without end, amen."

Thank you George Strait!

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dad’s in my life. My Dad and my step father, my Grandfather, my brothers, my uncles, my cute hubby and even the father of my children. Enjoy your day and know that even when you make mistakes in being a parent, your kids still find love for you! For you children of Dad's, please give them a call and tell them how you feel before they are gone from your lives and you no longer can.

My Father at the end of the Vietnam War, about 1974.

Have a beautiful Sunday and a wonderful Fathers Day!

Hometown Swap

Shannon at Welcome to the Nuthouse, recently sponsored a Swap. This was to be a chance for Bloggers who wanted to visit different areas of the country to swap with someone who wanted to visit their area.

This was the first swap I had ever joined in on and what a fun time I had.

I chose to "visit" the Northeast area of the US. And this is the package of goodies I received from Sarah at In The Trenches of Mommyhood. Sarah lives in Massachusetts, I place I would someday love to visit.


Here is my Boston Package. There were wine bottle tags, the cutest watermelon candles, salt water taffy, a lobster sucker (which Alex now has), napkins and plates, a Sea Breeze Yankee Candle and a postcard showing Fenway Park that my co worker Jim is totally jealous of.

This was a package filled with things for a great party, celebrated the way they do in Boston. (We will supply our own Lobster, of course!)

Thank you so much to Sarah. It was so fun opening up our box and seeing all the treasures she sent!

Wordful Wednesday

Fifteen years ago I was in a local hospital watching the LAPD chase O.J. Simpson around the LA freeways. All in slow motion. There were only 5 TV stations plus the hospital station and those 5 stations were showing the OJ chase. The hospital station was showing "How to breastfeed your baby." I was in the hospital because I had just had a baby. And I already knew how to breastfeed and I was SICK of OJ! But I had a treasure that helped take my mind off the boring TV.

When I got pregnant in the fall of 1993 I was not a happy camper. Things were "complicated". Having a baby was the last thing I needed or really wanted. This came from me, a person who had tried everything to even have one child. This baby came along with no drugs, no surgery no temperature taking...nothing. This baby came because he wanted to and he was supposed to be here. He was another miracle to add to the other two miracles in my life.

I was old and tired and sick. I did not want to be pregnant.

My boy decided he wanted to be born a little early and tried to force his way out about 3AM the morning of June 17th. My water broke and I started into labor dreading what was to come.

Around 7AM Alexander James entered my world. I was pretty doped up from the C Section so I didn't get a good look at him plus later in the recovery room someone handed him to me and I almost dropped him since my arms too were numb.

BUT.....

Later one of the nurses brought him to my room. She picked him up, turned him to face me and my heart melted. I remember saying to him, "Oh, it's you!" And it was him. I knew he was supposed to be with me. This baby who came at one of the worst times of my life was a blessing that day and continues to be a blessing today.

Happy 15th Birthday to my chubby, curly headed baby and the best boy (teenager) in the world....please stop growing up!

More Wordful Wedneday over at Angies.