OUR LILAC BUSH AND FLOWERS

This is the story of the Lilac Bush miracle. This story occurred at the first part of October of 2008. This is a repost with a picture that I took of the tree this week. 

 I was feeling sad that my Lilac Bush was dying. We had planted this bush in 2007. It was not growing well and had never produced blossoms.  It is the only bush that I had requested to be planted in our backyard. I have always loved Lilac Bushes. My Grandmother's yard had more than one Lilac Bush and I loved the fragrance of the blossoms. These bushes bring back sweet memories of my grandmother.  
When Willie our beloved cat of 18 years passed a way in the spring; we buried him next to the Lilac Bush with a few other flowers surrounding it. When our dear little dog, Dollie was ran over by a truck, we were devastated. We buried her next to Willie on August 15, 2008. At that point the bush was not thriving at all. By end of September the bush looked like it was dying. The leaves were turning brown and falling off the bush. One day when I was outside looking at the bush, I said a silent prayer that this bush could be saved in remembrance of our two pets that we had buried there. We had been watering the plants and bushes on a routine basis; but I promised then to water them daily. Lilac bushes do not bloom in the fall; they only bloom in the spring and rarely in the summer. The first few days of October the Lilac bush looked alive again and a few days later it had blossoms on it
As I have told people of this miracle, they are amazed. I had some friends over to show them this miracle bush.They too marveled at this. I know that Heavenly Father answered my simple prayer and we were blessed to have this Lilac Bush bloom at an unusual time. I feel like this was a sign that our sweet pets were doing well. I have always believed in miracles; those sweet tender mercies from the Lord.



Sammy

My Hubby and our Sammy

A Letter To My Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren~

A Letter To My Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren~

I have been thinking a lot about my precious grandchildren and great grandchildren. I have 13 granddaughters and 2 great granddaughters along with 18 grandsons and 1 great grandson. It is often difficult to have one and one moments with each of them because many of them live far away. I do have a blog entitled: Grandpa and Grandma's Twitterings. This blog is in the development stage and I hope it will be a fun way to connect with them all.

When we visit our grandchildren, I can tell which one of these spirited children will give their parents a run for their money. Through the years while raising my own children I have gained wisdom through the process of struggles and trials that go along with parenthood. However, to me my grandchildren are wonderful and each one is unique and very special spirit. I know that all of them have been reserved to come to come to earth; each with an assigned purpose in the winding up scenes before the 2nd Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Today, I thought I would write a letter to them all. There are only a few of them that are at an age to read and understand the feelings of my heart.

Dearest and beloved Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren:

Here are some thoughts from my heart to yours.

Babies are such a miracle. How could anyone not know that they have come to this earth from a pre-mortal realm where they left their Heavenly Parents and their Elder brother Jesus Christ. The veil was drawn at birth and you cannot remember that wonderful pre-mortal life. I know that in that state I knew you all and that you were assigned to come into our earthly family.

When I have held each of you adorable and precious grandchildren and great grandchildren in my arms; I can see in your sweet little faces that you had just freshly left the courts on high. I like to think that perhaps you received a blessing from our loving Heavenly Father as you left for this great adventure. Here you came to earth to fulfill your divine and chosen earthly mission. How I loved to kiss your little cheeks, necks and tiny little feet and hold you close to my heart. You were and are so precious and innocent to me. I know that you are truly Sons and Daughters of our Heavenly Parents. As I looked into your angelic little faces I know that you have strong spirits that were prepared to tackle your earth life experiences. At that moment I prayed that your earthy parents and we as your grandparents could provide the support and teachings you will need as you sojourn through life.

So dear grandchildren and great grandchildren this is my hope and prayer for you. Here are some thoughts that come from my heart and hopefully to yours.

In the beginning as you are taught to pray; I pray that you will always know that you have a kind wise Heavenly Father and your Elder Brother Jesus Christ who are there to listen to your prayers. I myself like to picture that I am at the knees of my Father in Heaven as I praise Him, give gratitude for His countless blessings and pray for my everyday needs. There will come emergencies into your life when only prayer can give you that comfort, peace and direction that you seek. I know beyond doubt that our Heavenly Father and our Savior knows your name; you are his child and He knows your needs.

Our Father in Heaven wants us to return to Him clean and pure and He will help us accomplish this if we but reach up through prayer for Him. God is our 911; Prayer is our emergency line. Use prayer to reach Him wherever you are and in whatever situation you find yourself in.

I pray that you will love the scriptures. I hope that you will find within the scriptures answers to your prayers and a closer relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that as you read the stories, prophecies and counsel within those pages that you will feel the Spirit of the Holy Ghost whisper into your ears that these are eternal truths. Perhaps you will feel like you have heard some of these thoughts somewhere before. Feast upon the words of Christ especially found in "The Book of Mormon".

Another thing that I pray for is that you will be given opportunities and teaching experiences when you will feel the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. I pray that you will understand, feel and obey that special gift that you have been given at your baptisms. This is a priceless gift; learn to let it guide you.

The question is asked; what else can you do to bring more happiness and joy into your lives? I found that the answer is to serve one another. Finding opportunities to serve your family, friends and neighbors will bring into your soul great happiness. I pray that you will think outside of yourself and what you think you need and look for opportunities to serve others. When your heart is troubled, when you are alone and afraid; go out and serve someone. Those troubles will just slip away. It is one of the greatest sources of help for depression and those down days we all have.

Many years ago I was quite ill and at the time was working as a Hospice nurse. I had to drag myself to work. However, once I visited my first patient I would lose that feeling of hopelessness in my physical distress. I would think to myself; this dear person I am working with will die soon and I still have time to live. When you don't feel like serving another is the exact time to do just that. Look for opportunities to serve and your life will be greatly blessed.

Learn to work; work is a principle of power. By working and accomplishing tasks you will find more satisfaction in your life. Perhaps your work in the beginning will be helping at home, then working a job to prepare for going to college or on a mission. Have a goal to work towards and you will find that your happiness will multiply.

You will one day want to find an eternal companion. I pray that you will choose well. I pray that you will go to your Heavenly Father in prayer to verify that this young man or woman whom you love is the one you should marry. This one decision will be the biggest decision you will every make in this life.

I pray that I might live to see you all married in the Temple of our Lord. The temple is the crowning joy of this life. To be an eternal family is so important to me. I pray with all my heart and soul that all of our families will be in the Celestial Kingdom together. I desire with all my heart that there will be "No Empty Chairs" in our family.

The temple is a oasis. It is the fountain of Living Water. Here you will learn of eternal truths. Here you will provide saving ordinances for ancestors who are waiting to receive their blessings though you. Here if you come prepared you can receive answers to prayers and revelation for all of the important decisions that you will make in life.

Last of all here are a few moments in my life that have filled my heart with joy. The kind of joy that I would term exceedingly great joy; an exquisite joy. The first was when I knelt across the alter to be married and sealed to your grandfather many years ago. What a very good man I chose to be my eternal companion. I hope you will look to him as a true disciple of Jesus Christ. He is there to support you in any way he can. Another moment was the day that our last child was married and sealed in the temple to her chosen companion. In that beautiful temple sealing room sat all of my children and their beloved spouses. We were together as one family with "No empty Chairs". Finally, but not least the moments when I held each of you sweet ones in my arms and welcomed you into the world; just as I had held my own sons and daughters.

This kind of joy is indescribable and you have to experience it to know.

I pray you will.

With great love to you all; I send these thoughts to you all today.

My three precious Great Grandchildren: Lilly, Jadyn and Sagan ~

The True Story of Androclus And The Lion....

 

Here is a interesting story with a valuable moral to it; just for my dear Grandchildren~

The true story of Androclus and the Lion . . .

 

With his heart racing and his legs aching from the effort, Androclus finally reached the forest. He had been running for days, but the forest was a place where he knew he would be safe. There was no place else he could go that would be as fine a place to hide. In the forest he would be able to survive. There would be roots and berries to eat and it would be a lot easier to avoid the wild animals than it would be for him to hide from the Romans which were looking for him as a runaway slave. If caught, he knew he faced execution.

Within the forest he would live with the terror of being discovered, but he would be alive. Every pine cone which dropped softly to the moss which carpeted the forest floor was enough to make him jump, his head jerking around . . . his eyes searching for soldiers.

He badly needed shelter. The air was filled with the promise of rain and darkness would soon be falling. As he peered through the trees of the forest, he could see an opening in the rocks. It might be large enough to sleep in for one night, and so Androclus ran towards it. Just as he got to the mouth of the cave he stopped short. Lying to the right of the hole in the rocks was a large lion. Still . . . his fear of discovery was much larger than his fear of the lion. Praying that the huge beast had already eaten, Androclus ran closer to the open gap in the side of the mountain.

He slowed and stopped . . . having noticed that the lion had not chased him. The only movement from the large beast had been a roll of it's head to look at him, rather sorrowfully. This made Androclus stop to think, and then . . . he slowly retraced his steps.

It became clear to him that the lion was in a great deal of pain. Although he was afraid Androculs reached down to the large cat, speaking softly and stroking his hand down it's mane and back, gently searching for an injury . . . which he found at last in a nasty gash on the lion's hind leg. It was apparent that it had been bleeding for some time and showed no signs of stopping. The man tore cloth from the hem of his tunic and cleaned the wound. The lion shuddered and groaned, but finally slept.

Just then the clouds which moment before were full of rain, let go of their load and the rain fell to the earth in a torrent of drops. Androclus crawled into the cave in the side of the mountain and fell asleep immediately. He was exhausted. It had been a long and tiring journey from the city walls and he was so very tired. Minutes later, he was awoken as the lion crawled into the cave, dragging it's injured leg. It collapsed next to him with a wheezing sigh . . .

The cave was a large space, and Androclus and the lion were able to live there together in a strange companionship for several weeks. They were able to find a fresh spring not too far away to drink from and the two hunted and gathered the food needed each day.

One day as Androclus knelt scooping water from the stream, he felt something sharp press into his neck. The centurions had found him at last, and he was forced back to the city. As he went back into captivity he thought of his friend the lion, knowing that they would never meet again. Taken to stand in front of the Emperor in court, he was sentenced to death and was then taken to a stone cell in the lower halls under the area to be kept until his time of execution, death being his prize for being a runaway slave.

Finally the day came and he as led into the arena. All around him the crowd jeered and spit at him, their vile hatred of him filling the very air around him. His heart filled with dread, as their jeers turned into a thunderous cheer and he witnessed a lion being loosed. A lion which had not been fed for several days and had been poked and prodded into a fierce anger by the Roman soldiers. It roared as it saw Androclus and bounded headlong towards him.

He knew he didn't stand a chance against the great beast and so Androclus braced himself, his body tensed for the fight, ready for the pain which he knew would follow. How different things had been when he had befriended a lion in pain . . . instead of facing a lion which had been poked and prodded towards anger. He closed his eyes, steeling himself in anticipation of the weight and first slashing blow from the angry beast.

But wait . . . what was this. Instead of searing pain, Androclus felt the tongue of the lion wash over his face as it knocked him to the ground. Opening his eyed, Androclus came face to face with his friend from the forest. Instead of pouncing to kill, even after days of hunger and torment, the lion, once so gently cared for, fawned over the man like a friendly dog to it's master after his return home.

The crowd lay stunned in silence. Even the Emperor was silent. Finally he called Androclus to him whereupon Androclus related to him the story of this amazing friendship which had been formed in the forest outside of the city walls.

When Androclus had finished speaking the Emperor thought for a few minutes, and then he stood to face the crowd.

"Both Androclus and his lion are to be hereby freed," he announced. "Such amazing kindness and gratitude between fierce enemies should be greatly rewarded."

"The quality of mercy . . . is twice blessed. It blesseth him that gives and it blesses him that takes."

~Shakespeare

This story was provided by Marie Rayner~

Be sure and look at the Living Waters post for a letter written just for all of you.

Looking Back At 1955 When Grandpa and Grandma Were 10 Years Old~

`That’s only 58 years ago - Grandpa and Grandma were 10 years old at that time~ 
These were wonderful days filled with lots of outdoor and indoor fun. We didn't have the technology of this day so we just enjoyed being outdoors when the weather was good. We enjoyed playing games and sports outdoors. In the summer we played outdoors as soon as we finished chores in the morning until evening when we were called into dinner with the family. We walked and rode our bikes to get where we wanted to go.
Grandma spent her days in the summer on her Dad's farm studying Ants and playing cowboys and Indians with her homemade bow and arrows. She spent time at home too playing with the neighborhood girls her age. She loved to make dolls out of flowers and toothpicks. She loved playing with paperdolls. We would also make up plays and put them on for other children nearby. Grandma loved to play dress up with her Mom's old dresses and heels. Her mother kept a drawer full of dress-up clothes. Grandma also played with the neighborhood boys. She was kind of a Tom Boy. She loved playing sports. She loved to climb trees and play Tarzen and Jane with her cousin.
Grandpa spent his time playing with the neighborhood children and also worked in a large family garden. He also went around the neighborhood selling donuts and salt and pepper shakers his Dad had invented. Life was simple then with not as many places to go and events to attend. Grandpa did enjoy playing Little League baseball and later on football.
Grandma didn't have a TV in her home until she was 11 years old. It was a small TV and there were not remotes to change the channels; you had to walk over to the TV and do it. Grandpa had a TV when he was about 10 years old. Some of the neighborhood children had TVs before then so he would escape to their homes to watch afternoon cartoons. Just a side note on TVs; they were in black and white and not color. This was just some fun things we did about 58 years ago.

Comments made in the year 1955!

‘I’ll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it’s going to be impossible to buy a week’s groceries for $10.00. ‘

‘Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won’t be long before $1, 000.00 will only buy a used one.’

‘Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging 7 cents just to mail a letter.’

‘If they raise the minimum wage to $1.00, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store.’

‘When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 25 cents a gallon. Guess we’d be better off leaving the car in the garage.’

‘I’m afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying DAMN in ‘GONE WITH THE WIND’, it seems every new movie has either HELL or DAMN in it.’

‘I read the other day where some scientist thinks it’s possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call ast ron auts preparing for it down in Texas .’

‘Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $50,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn’t surprise me if someday they’ll be making more than the President. ‘

‘I never thought I’d see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now. ‘

‘It’s too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet. ‘

‘It won’t be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work.’

‘I’m afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business.’

‘Thank goodness I won’t live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to government.’

‘The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.’

‘There is no sense going on short trips anymore for a weekend. It costs nearly $2.00 a night to stay in a hotel.’

‘No one can afford to be sick anymore. At $15.00 a day in the hospital, it’s too rich for my blood.’

‘If they think I’ll pay 30 cents for a haircut, forget it.’

I hope you enjoyed learning about what it was like when we were 10 years old.

Love and hugs!

Grandma

Happy Valentine's to Our Sweet and Wonderful Grandchildren~

Wishing all of you a wonderful Valentine's Day. We wish that you feel loved by your grandparents and Great Grandparents

 We are sending you lots of love and hugs today.

Here are two stories one for the younger grandchildren and one for the older grandchildren. I hope you will enjoy these~                       

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For the Wee Ones~ 

 

 

Valentine From The Heart

 by Patricia Jones

(Based on a true story) Feed my sheep (John 21:17).

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Desiree carefully glued her picture in the book. Using her best first-grade handwriting, she wrote, “I love you, Teacher. Happy Valentine’s Day. Love, Desiree.” She smiled at how even the letters looked.

“I’ve finished, Mom,” Desiree called. “Do you want to see it?”

Desiree’s mother lifted baby Micah from his high chair and came to the table where Desiree was working.

“How do you like it?” Desiree asked. Her smile showed the gap where her two front teeth would soon grow in.

Mom ran her fingers over the words as she silently read them. She looked at Desiree. “Well, you’ve done a nice job, but …” She looked at the book Desiree had glued her picture in—the Book of Mormon.

Desiree became worried that she might have done something wrong. “Mom, you told me that my teacher isn’t a member of our church. The prophet said we’re supposed to tell people about the Church and give them the Book of Mormon, right?”

Mom sighed. “That’s right.”

“I’ve tried to show her how happy we are,” Desiree continued. “Now I want to give her a Book of Mormon. I love her. I want her to join our church.”

“I guess I’m just afraid that your teacher won’t like it,” Mom said. “I know you love your teacher and I think you’re very brave to do this for her.”

Desiree smiled. “Is it OK, then?”

“Yes. Let’s remember in our prayers to ask the Lord to bless her with a desire to learn more about the gospel,” Mom said.

“She’ll like it,” Desiree assured Mom.

On Valentine’s Day, Desiree took the Book of Mormon to school for her teacher. The teacher got valentine gifts all day long. She got chocolate hearts, flowers, pens, and cards. Desiree began to worry. Maybe she shouldn’t give the Book of Mormon to her teacher. Maybe Mom was right. Maybe her teacher wouldn’t like it.

When the bell rang for the children to get ready to go home, Desiree took the Book of Mormon out of her backpack. She walked to her teacher’s desk and gently placed the book in front of her.

“Here’s my valentine for you,” she said softly.

Her teacher put down her pencil and asked, “Well, what can this be?” She picked up the book and read, “The Book of Mormon.” She looked at Desiree with questioning eyes. “You want to give this to me for a valentine?”

Desiree opened the book to her picture and note.

The teacher read the note and smiled. “Thank you, Desiree. I love you too.”

“What did your teacher say about your valentine?” Mom asked when Desiree came home.

“She said thank you, and she loves me,” Desiree told her. “She wasn’t mad at all.”

Mom nodded. “Well, I guess we’ll know for sure when I go to see her next week.”

“Are you still afraid, Mom?” Desiree asked. “It’s OK.”

Mom smiled. “You have strong faith.”

The next week, Desiree, her mother, and baby Micah went to school for parent-teacher conferences. When they got there, Desiree waited on the playground where her mother could see her, and played with some of the other children. Desiree wondered what her teacher and mother would talk about.

After what seemed like a long time, Mom and baby Micah came outside and Desiree ran to meet them. “What did my teacher tell you about me?” she asked.

“Your teacher sure thinks a lot of you,” Mom said. “She told me your valentine was one of the best she’s ever received.”

“Really?” Desiree beamed. “That’s because I gave it with my heart.”

Mother looked intently at Desiree. “That’s almost exactly what your teacher said.”

Desiree smiled. “Maybe she will read it and want to be baptized.”

“You know, Desiree,” Mom said, “she might not join our church right away. But maybe someday she’ll be ready to turn the pages past your picture and start reading.”

“I hope so,” Desiree said.

“Whatever happens, I know the Lord will bless you for obeying the prophet and sharing the gospel.”

“I’ve already been blessed,” Desiree replied. “I

I’m not afraid to tell people the Church is true.”

Mom squeezed Desiree’s hand and smiled.

 

 

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 For the Older Ones~

Love, Anonymous

 by Ashley Eggers

My sister’s small, simple gift reminded me of the far greater gifts I’d been taking for granted.

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I sat at the table in my new apartment and glared at my noodles. It was raining, and it was Monday. I had just gotten the results back from a biology test and was not very pleased with myself. Furthermore, I had tripped in the crowded library as I was running to my next class. Now I was eating the last thing I had in the cupboard—bland noodles.

This is not the college experience I had imagined, I thought. I had pictured myself as a triumphant Joan of Arc figure, out to rid the world of injustice. At the end of my first month away from home, I was feeling like the noodles in my bowl of soup, tangled and limp. I was just one in a sea of thousands of college students, and I could not help but feel a little alone.

“Package!” my roommate yelled as she came in with the mail. I looked up to see a brown box flying across the kitchen.

Someone is sending me a package? It wasn’t my birthday. I curiously opened the package and found a note and a small rectangular object wrapped in one layer of colorful paper and then wrapped with a solid layer of tape. I read the note first. Written in 10-year-old cursive, the note read, “I hope you will enjoy your present. This is a short letter, but I miss you. Love, Maria.” As if on second thought, “Maria” had been crossed out several times and the “anonymous” sender instead had carefully drawn a heart with a question mark inside. I unwrapped the colorful rectangle and found a candy bar—my favorite kind.

I sat at the table and studied the note, realizing that I wasn’t just another face. Far away from my college dorm room, I had a sister who knew who I was, who missed me, and who loved me. She cared how I was feeling and sent me a reminder that I was important.

She now became a reminder to me of the power of service. This simple, thoughtful act had changed my entire attitude that afternoon and had a tremendous impact on my week. As I sat at the table, her example spoke of the blessings that come to both the doers and the receivers of service. I felt loved, and my sister was coming to know the Savior.

This act of service reminded me of another family member: a Father who sends me everyday reminders that He knows who I am, misses me, and loves me. I have a Heavenly Father who selflessly sent to me and to everyone in this world a wonderful gift that shows just how much He loves us. He sent the Savior to show us how to return and just how important the worth of souls is. Every Sunday I have the same reminder, and it does indeed change my attitude for the entire week.

To You All~ We Love You!!