Tired...

Up at 3:30 (Oregon time)... FOURTEEN HOURS of steady driving in a tightly packed car...two kids who tried REALLY hard to be patient (and made it 'til hour 12 & 1/2)...one tired-nerve-frazzled hubby...one fully unloaded car...two unpacked suitcases...and one prepared-lesson for Primary, tomorrow.... MIX it all together and you have...

one tired me...
G'night!

It's early, but...

I won't be near a computer for Father's Day, so here it is.

I had a wonderful Daddy. He's been gone for 7 years, now. I miss him everyday. However, the lessons he taught me, and the love I felt from him stay with me everyday, too. It helps.

Now, I teach my children the things he taught me, and somehow it helps keep him close to all of us.

Dad taught us the value of hard work - if you're going to do a job, do it right the first time. (or he'd make you do it again and again and again! haha)

He taught the importance of integrity. Say what you mean and mean what you say. If you say you'll do something, do it. Honesty is ALWAYS the best policy, and "A man's (or woman's) word is his bond".

Dad taught me to love the Lord and live a good life. He taught me to love my country. He taught me to stand my ground by standing up for what was right and good. (Caline and Marc, feel free to jump in and add some stuff; I'm sure I missed a few)

Most of all, he gave me a strong foundation on which to build my life.

In time, I was blessed to marry a man who exemplified so many of the wonderful qualities my dad had. Now my daughters have a Daddy who teaches them all the great lessons I received from my beloved Daddy.

So, in honor of this Sunday's upcoming Father's Day... I have a wish for all the Daddies out there, including mine in Heaven and my children's ... All of you who keep working hard to take care of your family, to teach them valuable lessons, who play and have fun, and work and love and support those who love you so much...

I wish for you to know how loved you are, and for you to be celebrated on this special day that was set aside just for you. Kick back, relax, and let yourselves be spoiled rotten by your families. And have a VERY Happy Father's Day!!!!!!

Artful-Jackie

My Jackie has a gift. She sees life with an artist's eye. It makes her perspective on the world around her unique and entertaining. We enjoy seeing life and the world around us from Jackie's creative perspective.

Here is a pencil drawing she did just this week. It's one of my favorites.

But THIS one is a drawing she did as an assignment for her art class at school this year. It was chosen for the big Lehi City Art Show that runs in conjunction with the Round-up Days festivities leading into the 4th of July. We submitted it to the Art Council, today.

*I apologize for the blurry picture. It's my poor photography, NOT her drawing*

We'll keep you posted as to how she does! Keeping our fingers crossed for our girl!

When Your Hut Is on Fire...

When Your Hut's On Fire

The only survivor of a

shipwreck was washed up

on a small, uninhabited

island. He prayed feverishly

for God to rescue him..

Every day he scanned the

horizon for help, but none

seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually

managed to build a little hut

out of driftwood to protect

himself from the elements,

and to store his few

possessions.

One day, after scavenging

for food, he arrived home to

find his little hut in flames,

with smoke rolling up to the

sky. He felt the worst had

happened, and everything

was lost. He was stunned

with disbelief, grief, and

anger.

He cried out, 'God! How

could you do this to me?'

Early the next morning he

was awakened by the sound

of a ship approaching the

island. It had come to rescue

him!

"How did you know I was

here?" asked the weary man.

"We saw your smoke-signal"

they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's

easy to get discouraged

when things are going bad,

but we shouldn't lose heart,

because God is at work in

our lives, even in the midst of

our pain and suffering.

It may just be a smoke signal

that summons the Grace of

God.