Tragedy or Destiny?

Living by Fort Bragg has given me a greater appreciation for those that serve in the military. I have seen a lot of soldiers come and go from our area. I've seen some tragedies where families have had to suffer the loss of loved ones to war but surprisingly enough I've seen a lot more near misses. I've seen where a lot of men and women have been put in harms way but miraculously have come back to their loved ones unscathed. One might ask, how could this be? but I'll never forget the writings of Spencer W. Kimball's "Tragedy or Destiny"

"I am positive in my mind that the Lord has planned our destiny. Sometime we’ll understand fully, and when we see back from the vantage point of the future, we shall be satisfied with many of the happenings of this life that are so difficult for us to comprehend.
We sometimes think we would like to know what lies ahead, but sober thought brings us back to accepting life a day at a time and magnifying and glorifying that day. …"

"God Bless Our Troops,

God Bless America"

Mom & me

I don't have many pictures of my mom when I was young but someone in the family found this photo and sent it to me which I cherish now. I called my mom yesterday for Mother's Day and I think she's doing as well as can be expected for an 80 year old. She still has her sarcastic wit but is a little melancholy because she can't do all that she would like. She's been debilitated somewhat from diabetes and she goes to the doctor today to see what is going to happen to one of her feet that isn't getting much circulation. Its times like this that makes me wish I lived closer to family and I'm grateful for the family and friends that live close to my folks and do what they can to make their life comfortable in these twilight years. I pray that all will be well with them and I have faith that the Lord does knows their situation and that His will, will be done.

Some favorite mother quotes:

"God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers."

~Jewish Proverb

"A man works from sun to sun but a mother's work is never done."

~Author Unknown

"There is nothing like a mama-hug"

~Adabella Radici

"One good mother is worth a hundred schoolmasters."

~George Hurber

“[Mothers] cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones"

~Jeffrey R. Holland

"There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood."

~M. Russell Ballard

Got Prom Dress Stress?

When my daughter Angie was in high school, prom was the biggest stress. Besides dealing with finding nice dress shoes for her size 12 foot, getting a cute modest dress for her 6 ft. stature (taller than that wearing heels) was a pure nightmare. When Angie was in 7th grade and 8th grade, she grew 12 inches. Clothing her was pure madness. Sister Jessica isn't far behind, I just bought her size 10 dress shoes and she's at the end of her 7th grade year in school. She's just a little bit shorter than me--I'm 5'8". So anyway, hopefully I'll be ready for her in three years. Especially after seeing what some of my favorite teens have worn to prom this year. I've seen some great dress altering by talented moms this year so hopefully I'll be ready but who knows... maybe Jessica will be like me and not want to even go to her prom. Wouldn't that be great!!! We'll, I better not get too excited.

Beautiful Cousin Kellee--her mom added sleeves to a spaghetti strap dress
My niece Janna in brown, made her "look" modest by just adding a shrug
My niece Janet in yellow--her talented mom made her dress