The Automobile

I was driving the other day and spotted a minivan much like the Wilson's had in Paris. I had a few memories come to me...driving the Wilson children and tulip to Church out at the conference center, making sure to use the choke button so it didn't die, hitting someone's car in the parking lot there..I think the branch president's car..driving through the narrow streets of Marly Le Roi, driving Abe to the swimming pool to do lessons and having him teach me about the quarters of the moon. P=premier and d=dernier. Cool Abe. It was a happy moment as I rolled down the road in my minivan. xoxo I remember having sweaty knuckles going through L'etoile with Sunflower the first time. Parallel parking her car in Le Vesinet. Roadtripping to Rouen with Jason A. with our box of cereal that I think I gave away to some poor lady on the street...

Judgement and Taking offense, two great evils

You know, whenever I look at the camparison of the single vs married dilema in the church I just can't help but come to the conclusion that Satan plays a big hand there. Why should so much jealousy exist? Why should anyone feel guilty or belittled for doing what the Lord has set out for them to do? I am a believer in teaching the rule and letting the Lord dictate exceptiong-FOR THE MOST PART. BUT! if people insist on being judgemental ON EITHER SIDE it doesn't work very well. There are so many issues like this in the church where there is a doctrine or a "right way" of doing things but yet we as people tend to either get offended or judge others and it brings the need for saying things like "oh but it's ok for this and that and blah blah blah". The whole beauty of personal revelation is that we have it! Wouldn't it be great if we could only use what we see in others to help ourselves, to learn from the good and the bad and not to tear ourselves and others apart?

I love who your are Wysteria in the part of your life that you're in and I know the Lord loves you too. I love the way that you take life by the horns and welcome so much with open arms and I know that's Divine in you. The Lord has blessed you with so much. I see that you have a huge power for good.

Ivy-I love your amazing way of fitting it in and getting it done bag and baggage. Your uncomplaining self inspires me every time I think of you. You see through such Christian eyes and I don't fully understand how to do that yet. WOW!

Sunflower, the Lord can use you every day because you keep your composure under every circumstances. You've come so far since the days we first met you. I feel so much kinship for your earthy peaceful self. I always have since I met you!

I hope I'm not being hypocritical too much because I haven't exactly overcome my "fear of men" or rather fear of their judgement. I just know it's a truth. I know that it's one of the great evil's of the world. MMMm, here's a thought. Are the movers and shakers of the world motivated more often by the good in people or the bad? Comments?

It's been a while

It must be a busy time of year. I know it is for me. Ivy! How was your trip? We want a report.
Matt and I head out for Boston next week. Have any of you been there?
So here's a little thought for you all in your business.

'And what's a life? The flourishing array
Of the proud summer meadow, which today
Wears her green plush, and is tomorrow hay.'

So to me that can be what it is but also, being hay as lowly as it might seem, is living up to the measure of it's creation. So might we.

I have arrived!

Well ladies, it is great to be amongst you once again in the garden.  Sorry I'm such a pooper scooper at getting it all together.  I've read all your random thoughts, opinions, insights and precious memories.  What an inspiration it has all been to me.  Hooray for friendships that inspire!  It rather reminds me of when I first walked into the Wilson's front room for our first ever meeting of the Secret Garden.  Do you all remember?  It was a Sunday evening, it was cold out, and I'd just come from my interview with Beth.  I walked into the living room and there you all were.  At that moment I felt such peace and familiarity amongst you, and excitement.  Somehow coming late into our new garden brings back those same feelings.  Here I stand able to see all of you, partake of your thoughts and wisdom, and feel that same sense of peace, familiarity, and excitement as well as a profound appreciation for the history we share and the friendships we've kept.  I'm thrilled at the chance of once again exchanging those precious thoughts and ideas with one another that have long been a blessing to me.  

A Paris Encore!

I just got word that I'll be going to Paris from July 31 to August 4! Put in your orders! Does anyone need adorable baby clothes, shoes, hats? I wish I could bring you all back some yogurt! Does anyone need pictures of something they just didn't quite capture? I know I'll be getting some of Le Vesinet's main square, including the church in the center, I don't have a picture of that, or of my fence. I'm also going to eat some crepes at our old place in Le Vesinet.

I get to go for a conference, they are paying for everything, plane ticket, food et al! I love how this amazing city keeps coming back into my life!

I need to freshen up on my French!

I'll also be in New York from May 8-12....Amber, if you can steel away for an evening I'll treat you to dinner? I know it's hard for you to get in, but I would love to have some city time with you! I could treat you to a museum if you would rather, or a walking tour of Greenwich Village?

We need to all see each other soon.

The flowers are starting to bloom. Happy Spring!

It's love-hate thing

Today it rained and of course I had my windows wide open. My shades are always open. It's the first thing I do in the morning after I get dressed. I don't see very many people w/ their windows wide open and I'm told it's not the most socially normal lifestyle. "I mean people could very well be looking at me". My bedroom got a shower since I also had most of my windows open to welcome this randomly placed spring day.
I was thinking-tell me if this is way off-but I was thinking that it's kind of ironic that I don't care if people stare at me as they drive by. I don't care if it makes my neighbors uncomfortable. But yet, I'm scared to death to actually invite people over. I seem to get some turn-downs but not a 100% turn-down rate. It's this thing that I hate about myself. I procrastinate inviting people over because I'm afraid they won't want to come. I'm scared stiff to do it. I would rather they just invited themselves over. I wish they would drop in. I LOVE to have people over but I'm really REALLY scared to invite them. I love my openness, I hate my fears! I feel like I'm the only person in the whole world that has this.

A memoir to my Grandmother

My Grandmother will soon be celebrating her 90th birthday. I was asked to contribute to a book for her. This is my entry. Since I have been lacking on posts, here is one made with love for her and you too. :)
Grandma is a magical woman. I can’t think of a time when I have not been confident of her love for me. When we were together, upon meeting one of her many acquaintances, old or new, she would politely introduce me by saying something like, “This is my granddaughter; she is my very special birthday present!” She is a magical woman with her care for others. I remember sleeping over and kneeling with her and Grandpa for evening prayers. I can remember being impressed at how in every prayer, they remembered many people by name, including people I didn’t even know. She lovingly and faithfully spoke and prayed for others, even those not in our immediate family circle, this strengthened my assurance of her love for me. She and Grandpa have served us all who make up the ever-growing family, with all of our memories together. I enjoyed playing games at their home, games like Rummy-O (1983 Dutch game of the year J), Othello and Skip-Bo. I also loved looking through at her framed pictures and art, and especially her photo albums. I loved all of them, vacations that she and Grandpa had taken together (like the picture where Grandpa was on both sides of the group photo in front of the capital!!), time spent at the pool, St. George, Vail, Jackson Hole, and on and on. I remember the furniture that she and Grandpa shipped home from Asia and how cool and unique they always were. I admired her travels. I also love how fun she made it to be in her home. She always has had the magical candy dish. Sleepovers always had the official breakfast table setting even when it was cold cereal, with the glass for milk and orange juice. Grandma’s way was always a magically sweet. She was even sweet when she didn’t quite agree with your conduct or way of dress. One time I was wearing a skirt that was a bit too short, she lovingly said, “You better put some sugar on your toes to coax that skirt down.” An important point on modesty had been made but the feelings of the culprit had not been injured. I am thankful for her example of church membership. Many of my first trips to the temple were with Grandma and Grandpa, participating in baptisms for the dead in the Jordan River Temple. I knew temple service was important to both of them. Now, it is important to me. I admire her diligence in keeping records, both her own and by compiling those of her ancestors. I am thankful to have copies of many of those records accessible to me, even in the far northern reaches of the earth! Grandma is magical with her optimism. I have talked about her many times to my acquaintances about her independence and optimism despite her poor eyesight. I hope that I can be like her in my sunset years. Recently she joined us for a picnic. She was tired and I walked with her back to the car to rest. In her loving, magical way she thanked me, praised me and then said, “Oh, I.L., keep smilin’.”
So, is that your secret, Grandma? Is that how you have become so magical in my eyes, by smiling your way through the sun and shade of life?
Well, you have given me the challenge, and I accept.
I will keep smiling, through sun and shade, and hopefully, I will have your same magic in me to push and pull me along.