GIVING UP CHOCOLATE

I was walking down the street when I was accosted by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking homeless woman who asked me for a couple of dollars for dinner.
I took out my wallet, got out ten dollars and asked, 'If I give you this money, will you buy chocolate with it instead of dinner?'
'No, I had to stop eating chocolate years ago', the homeless woman told me.
'Will you use it to go shopping instead of buying food?' I asked.
'No, I don't waste time shopping,' the homeless woman said. 'I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive.'
'Will you spend this on a beauty salon instead of food?' I asked.
'Are you NUTS!' replied the homeless woman. I haven't had my hair done in 20 years!'
'Well, I said, 'I'm not going to give you the money. Instead, I'm going to take you out for dinner with my husband and me tonight.'**
The homeless Woman was shocked. 'Won't your husband be furious with you for doing that? I know I'm dirty, and I probably smell pretty disgusting.'
I said, 'That's okay. It's important for him to see what a woman looks like after she has given up shopping, hair appointments, and chocolate.'

RED ENVELOPE DAY

There's always been one thing about President Obama that has really bothered me, and that is the abortion issue. I received this from a friend, and thought it a great idea. Normally I don't participate in political whims, but I think speaking for those who have no voice to do so themselves is important. So, get red envelopes and mail them on March 31st to the White House. You can buy them at Kinko's, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave
NW Washington , D.C. 20500
On the back, write the following message: This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion. It is empty because the life that was taken is now unable to be a part of our world.
Mail the envelopes out on March 31st, 2009. Share this event with your friends.
I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died [in the U.S.] before having a chance to live. It may seem that those who believe abortion is wrong are in a minority. It may seem like we have no voice and it's shameful to even bring it up. Let us show our President and the world that there are voices who do not believe abortion is acceptable. Do not remain silent. Be heard. Together we can change the heart of The President and save the lives of millions of children.

Contest-- Tower of Strength

Anne Bradshaw is having a contest. The prize this week is a copy of Annette Lyon's new book "Tower of Strength".

click here

for contest details and rules

Book Review Lockdown

Only twice had she set foot inside the building since the massacre. The first time had been just a month after the tragedy .. . . The second time she had returned to the scene of the crime had been two days ago when she forced herself to enter the building to check on the temporary office for the SEAL team. The counselor she had seen in the months after the shooting had encouraged her to face her fears, but now . . . Riley wasn’t sure she was ready to face them after all.
Caught up in a hostage situation that is hauntingly familiar, Riley Palmetta once more finds her life hanging in the balance. What starts out as a well-organized and highly intensive training course for the prevention of random acts of terror quickly turns into a real-life nightmare of suspense and intrigue that will test the faith and finely honed skills of Tristan Crowther and his elite group of LDS Navy SEALS. For Tristan, this is not only a race to save lives; it is a deeply personal mission that moves relentlessly toward an irreversible crisis. And life—as well as love—is on the line.

This is another exciting book by Traci Hunter Abramson. This book was written shortly after the Virginia Tech Massacre. The story is a little predictable, in that you can easily identify who the bad guys are, but there is still a lot of suspense about what they will do next. There is also a bit of romance. The Navy SEAL team- called "The Saint Squad" will be familiar to anyone who has read "Freefall".

If you like romantic suspense stories I would recommend this as well as Traci's previous books. These books are available at LDS bookstores or www.Amazon.com

Traci Hunter Abramson, Me & Kerry Blair

taken at the books signing for "Freefall" March 2008

Recommended Shopping-- The Fruit Stand

If you live in the Tolleson Area you have probably seen it. It looks like a hole in the wall shack, BUT

inside are the best fruits and vegetables around. The owner goes every morning to pick his fruit and vegetables fresh.

We get strawberries there. They are the best Strawberries in the valley. They are a little more expensive than at the grocery store, but totally worth the extra money. The other fresh fruits and vegetables I have purchased there are also well worth the extra cost.

If you live in the area I highly recommend a stop at the nameless fruit stand on 75th Avenue & Van Buren.

FOR ST PATRICK'S DAY

I know St Patrick's Day is over, but this was just too cute to save until next year.

Family Day 3/14/09

Saturday we were able to spend time with our family for 2 events

KAELA'S BAPTISM

Kaela turned 8 at the end of February and made the decision to be baptized. Saturday was the big day.

This is Kaela in the dress her Grandma Karen made her.

Kaela was confirmed by her Dad Randy with the help of her Uncle's Kirt & Tom, Cousin Kendall & Grandpa Max.

The Baptism was attended by several family members including all of her brothers and her sister

Darrin, Lyndi, Kim, Randy, Logan, Trevor, Kaela, Ryan & Kyle

After we left the Church we gathered at Randy & Kim's for lunch.

Randy cooked Hot Dogs & Hamburgers on the grill.

We also celebrated birthdays.

Caralie was 1st, she turned 5 in January, but was in Hawaii with her parents at that time.

Kaela turned 8 in February

Shari turned 42

Lori (lost in candle smoke) turned 47.
Of course we spent a lot of time visiting

Click on the title to see more pictures.

Book Review-- The Authorian Omen

When a Celtic scholar finds a clue to a priceless fifth-century manuscript that will prove the real identity of King Arthur, she is brutally murdered. Determined to find the manuscript and avenge her sister's death, Maren Southcott begins a quest that puts her own life in danger. Overt and covert seekers weave in and out of the tale as she travels through the castles and monasteries of ancient Wales, seeking the document that could rival the The Book of Kells. Who are all these people? Which one is her psychopathic stalker plotting death and revolution? Which one wants her dead? Did the Celtic professor with the extraordinary eyes kill her sister? Can she risk death and find the manuscript before MI5, Scotland Yard, and impassioned Celtic scholars?

I read this book a few weeks ago and loved it, in fact I couldn't put it down. it is fast moving and filled with twists and turns that left me guessing right up to the last page. If you like Mary Higgins Clark you will love this book.

Arthurian Omen can be purchased at http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.borders.com/ or you can borrow it though Inter library loan for those outside of Utah.

The Crosswalk

We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot.

Whatever your cross,

Whatever your pain,

There will always be sunshine, after the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble,

perhaps even fall;

But God's always ready, to answer your call....

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,

A word from His lips, can calm every fear...

Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,

But suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light...

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,

To give you His grace, and send you His love.

May God fill your day with blessings!!

Nursery--The Best Calling in the Church

As most people who know me know I love children. They also know I love the Nursery. I have worked in the Nursery in 5 different Wards over a span of more years than I want to admit to. My 1st calling was in the Worcester Branch, just after my 12th birthday. In Worcester Branch any one over 12 was fair game for Primary callings. There was no lesson manual, it was babysitting at its finest.

Over the years the program has changed, to recognize our smallest Saints can learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus and their love for us. They love learning and our lessons are now very simple, geared to their attention spans.

A few years ago at a Stake Primary meeting in Salt Lake City, attended by a member of the General Primary Board we were reminded that these little children are most likely going to be the leaders that lead us into the Millennium.

In our Nursery group our day is very simple and very predictable. Small children need structure and to know that the same thing will happen in the same order every week. It is part of what builds trust for the Nursery leaders, and it gives the kids a way to tell the time til Mom & Dad come back.

For us we start with Puzzles, lesson, coloring, snack, singing, playtime, cleanup, bubbles and Ring Around the Rosie.

I feel bad for the people who don't get to serve in the Nursery. They are missing out on the very best calling in all of the Church.

"Counting the Cost" Publication Party

Friday Night I had the privilege of attending the publication party at the Rockin R Ranch in Mesa, AZ.

For Liz Adair's

new book

"Set in Depression-era New Mexico, Counting the Cost is about a working cowboy and the socialite from back east who comes west and pulls his inner moral compass a few degrees off kilter. It’s a story of two people dealing with choices and consequences during hard times in a hard land, and only when tragedy strikes do they realize the price of redemption." From Liz Adair's Blog.

Liz Adair was a very gracious lady. With each book she signed she interviewed the person for whom she was signing to get to know a little about them. I was privileged to get a copy signed, I am looking forward to reading it soon.

It was a fun night, put together by Cecily Markland owner of Inglestone Publishing.

There were great refreshments by the authors of The Fat Sister's Cookbook

Cory Carpenter author of "Last Man Standing" made a special guest appearance.

Musical entertainment was provided by Debbie Coon and her friends

All in all it was a fun evening with food, prize drawings, entertainment and good friends both old and new.

"Counting the Cost" is available at http://www.inglestonepublishing.com/

More pictures are available on http://www.neighborhoodandfriends.com/