Memorial Day

Yesterday at church we had talks about memorial day and I've said before, how blessed I feel to live near Fort Bragg and be reminded constantly that there are men and women who serve courageously for our country. We have some great families that come and go in this area that I know the Lord and angels are attending. I'm so gratful for them and thankful that we still live in a country that desire freedom for all.

On a lighter note...General Richard Petraus recently spoke at Brigham Young University and gave his:

Top 10 Reasons

BYU Graduates make Good Soldiers

10 — They have already been on many a mission.
9 — Army chow is no problem for folks accustomed to eating green Jell-o and shredded carrots.
8 — It's not a problem if they don't know what rank someone is, they just refer to them as Brother or Sister so-and-so.
7 — They never go AWOL. They just call it being less active.
6 — They will seize any objective swiftly if you tell them refreshments will be served.
5 — They know how to make things happen. In fact if you ever need a base built quickly in a barren wasteland, stride out to where you want them to start, plant your walking stick down and say in a loud voice, "This is the place."
4 — They have innovative ideas for handling insurgents — like assigning them home teachers.
3 — They always have a years' supply of provisions on hand.
2 — They are the world's most reliable designated drivers.
1 — They understand how far Iraq has come over the last seven years, and they think that Iraq's old spot in the "Axis of Evil" can now be filled by the University of Utah.

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife.

Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

America! America!

May God thy gold refine

Till all success be nobleness

And every gain divine!

~Katherine Lee Bates

Young Women's Graduation Party

Kellee

gifts from Young Women Leaders
Beautiful decorations

(Sis. Kim B., Sis. Jackie W., Kelsey B., Sis. Allison R.,
Kellee B., Sis. Leana A., Sis. Ashley G., Sis. Maria S.,
Caroline S., Sis. Jackie D., Melissa G.)
Young Women Graduates
and all the leaders throughout
their Young Women's Experience

Last night was a wonderful event for our young women graduates in the ward. They had a dinner, girls singing karaoke, games and remarks from the Bishop. Graduating girls received in their favorite color a laundry basket, towel, photo box, hot chocolate and cup, picture frame, name plaques, favorite recipes from the Relief Society sisters, parting notes from parents and leaders. It was a wonderful event. I liked that they invited all Young Women's leaders past and present that had been in the lives of these Young Women and you could tell all were thrilled to be there. All girls are going to college and have lots to look forward to.

"Be strong, and of good courage..."

~Joshua

St. Louis Trip, Angie's Graduated

We just got back from witnessing Angie's graduation at St. Louis University. She's now got her bachelor's in nursing and is planning on getting her license in North Carolina and working in the Raleigh area. Watch out!

"Nurses call the SHOTS!"

~Anonymous

Called to Sing

My very talented niece, Janet Reynders, is going to Historic Nauvoo Illinois to be a Young Performing Missionary where she will sing, dance and testify. She leaves today and will be there all summer. She will get to participate in the performances for Historic Nauvoo and we are all excited for her. You can follow Janet's mission on her blog, "Summertime in Nauvoo"

http://janetreynders.blogspot.com/

If any of you plan to visit Nauvoo this summer, tell her that Aunt Beth said Hello.

"For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart..." ~Doctrine & Covenants 25:12
(Historic Nauvoo Website)

Grandma & Me

Since this week we celebrate Mother's Day, I've been thinking about how this will be the first Mother's Day since my mom has passed away. I've been pondering about the special women in my life besides my mom. The first one would have to be my maternal grandmother, Grandma Cassie. I feel blessed because not all grandchildren get to live close to their grandma. We didn't always live in the same town, but soon after my grandfather died when I was about eight years old, my grandmother moved to our town, Lancaster, California. She lived there with her older sister my "Aunt Pearl" for awhile. I loved going and spending the night with them. We would bake cookies and watch Lawrence Welk and the Doris Day Show on TV. Later, Grandma moved near the high school and I can remember walking to her apartment during lunch time and she'd have a bacon and tomato sandwich waiting for me. It was my favorite. She loved to serve. As she got older and she would think about death, I can remember telling her, "Grandma, I don't want you to ever die, I need you. Don't talk about dying." Years later when she had a stroke and had broke her hip a couple of times and really couldn't get around anymore, Grandma had one last special gift for me. It was when we had lost our infant son, Steven and I was grieving a lot. The veil was very thin with my Grandma and most of the family knew that it was getting near for her time to pass on. I can remember going to my grandmother's bedside. In our conversation, it seemed like she had been hanging on to those words from when I was younger..."I don't want you to die..." I can remember telling her how much I loved her and even with all the knowledge of knowing that my baby had gone to a safe place, I knew I would feel better knowing that this wonderful woman that I cared for so very much would be there with him...Well, within a few weeks from that time, Grandma Cassie passed away. I love that woman. She was so good to me.

"You give me a kiss,

You give me a hug,

You smile when you see me too.

I wish every child

in the whole wide world,

had a grandmother

just like you."
~Nonie Nelson Sorensen

(Link: More about Grandma Cassie)

Potato Cheese Soup

• 3 cups chicken broth
• 5 cups diced potatoes(about 6)
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1 tsp. salt
• dash of pepper
• 3/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 quart milk
• 15 oz. Cheez Whiz
• Directions: Boil potatoes, celery and onion in chicken broth for 10 minutes or until tender. In another pan, mix melted butter with flour. Add milk and cook until thickened. Add sauce to vegetables, then add cheese. Heat until warm.