Beneath the Wraps

                I have been quite lame about posting to my blog this summer.  The weather wipes me out.  Either I am so hot that I can’t think or I’m being sent to a coma by the a/c or fans . . . . or winds.  I have been feeling blessed with the lack of smoke that we have seen this month – although the last two days have brought a haze that I can barely see.  Richard and Jaime can smell it but I cannot.  I’ve had the windows open and just thought it was overcast.                I’ve been checking the fire map and have not noticed any fires along I5.   Richard says this is blowing from the east of us and is the worst fire in all of Oregon history.   All the fires have been given names – usually after the area it is burning.   This one is called the Durkee Fire – just west of Boise, Idaho ( here ).   Oh, my heck!     ...

             The last ward we attended in Utah was called Granger 14 th .   Boundaries were exceptionally weird, but we did have enough activity that there were two adult Sunday Schools. I don’t recall anyone having multiple callings.   It was a good ward.           We had only been here for a couple of years when we returned to Utah for my late daughter-in-law’s funeral.   We had been invited to stay for a linger longer at the Granger 14 th .   A lot of people had moved out of the ward in that two years time.   A LOT.   I asked someone if a lot of members were on vacation.   Looking around she claimed that most of the ward was in attendance.   The ward had shrunk.           When Jaime and I had gone back for a visit last year we were told that the Granger 14 th had dissolved. That's too bad.  Understandable, but s...

  According to my Cryptogram puzzles Pope Francis said “God Never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving . . .” referring to the gift of Christmas, but I took it to another level and posted the following to the RS page: “ God never gives us gifts that we are not capable of receiving. He never gives us a calling that we are unable to fulfill. If we are willing and ask in faith for His loving guidance we can perform as an instrument in His hands. We can go from an unpopped kernal to desirable popcorn that we were meant to be. ” The last part of the quote comes from Ben Wilcox “Come Follow Me” lesson for next week ( here )           I know that there are people who struggle with their callings as they feel inadequate in the position due to their lack of knowledge or being able to relate to those they serve or those they serve with.   I do not foresee that in my current position or presidency, but I know when I was...

             Our Saturn was such a good car and I hated to see it in non-driving, special (and expensive) repair state – especially after all the money we sunk into it.   Brand new tires.   Our cars have a way of getting “killed” right after the tire investment.   So unfair.           Our Saturn was a very good car.   Outlived its 22 years I think.   We put many   miles on that car going from Utah to Arizona and back.   Climbing hills of Nevada and Oregon.   Roseburg and back.   Medford and back.   Many miles. Over 100,000.             In my mind I can hear “taps” being played.   My eye sheds a tear for our beloved car.   I’m sorry that you’re gone now.   My mom is the Saturn's original owner.  Today is her birthday. Happy Birthday, mom.  Miss you.  Look forward to reuniting w...

               One of my uncle’s funeral is tomorrow.   He passed away on the 12 th . It is in Utah, thus I won’t be attending.   I feel bad that I am unable to attend as I look back on the year that we had moved to Oregon.           I had another uncle pass away on the 6 th of June.   He had been battling cancer off and on and finally decided to throw in the towel. My cousin had wanted to have one last Christmas in July party.   She told everybody it was because Richard and I would be moving to Oregon – and who knew when we’d return.   But it was really for her dad – who had passed the week before the scheduled event.   From what I remember more than half the family would be out of town due to other commitments.   And yet the day of his funeral all of the family returned even though so many had said they’d be out of town that day.   Every family member ...

             Someone hacked the facebook account of a friend of mine.   The person than changed her profile to the name of another.   The account that was hacked belonged to a married sister.   The change made was that of a male with profile pic and location created.   That is far as I got.   I didn’t know him but the friend section said that we had two friends in common.   Before taking the opportunity to inquire of each of them I got the word that the account had been hacked. In the RS page a guy’s name was coming up on things that she had posted or commented on or liked.   I deleted a lot of it but some of the likes still remain – I don’t know how to change them.   Meanwhile I have blocked him and sent the word out for my friends NOT to accept any friend requests.   I had tried to report the incident to facebook but couldn’t seem to get passed a certain step.   Why do people do that?   Why g...

               Our Relief Society lesson last week was taken from Shayne Bowen’s talk on miracles, angels and priesthood ( here ).    The same talk was used for one of the talks given during sacrament meeting. An inactive member made the comment that she was meant to be there that day as the message was given twice.   It was a good lesson and I reflected on miracles past and present.   Miracles happen every day. Some are obviously more powerful than others.             When Jaime was still a baby Richard and I had been called as ward missionaries.   Primary baptisms were done at a stake level, but if for some reason only one ward had youth being baptized when the head position was out of town, the ward missionaries were asked to fill the font.   The font took roughly two hours to fill.             One Satu...