Merry Christmas Eve!!

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care...

The tree is alight and brimming with cheer...

...and while all these things make me smile, this is what fills my heart with peace in this Season of Joy!

The gift of His birth and mission on earth give me such joy and hope. Having all my kids home for Christmas Eve will be the best gift I receive... I know that because of the gift of His life and mission, we can be together forever.

May the wonder and awe of that first Christmas so long ago, bring to you and yours peace, hope, and good will towards all men.

Merry Christmas with love from all of us here at Happy Acres!

Annette, Kevin, Amanda & Chris, and Jackie & Jairen

We The People....

The United States Constitution begins with a preamble that states:

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Further in the document, regarding the election of President of the United States, it reads:

"The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed;"

This past Tuesday, November 8, 2016, the majority of voters made their choice and Donald J. Trump was elected to be the 45th President of the United States of America. 

Yesterday and today, here are some of the reactions to those results:

Thousands across the USA protest Trump victory - USA Today

American Flags Burned, Mexican Flags Waved in Post Election Protests

'Not Our President': Protests Spread After Donald Trump's Election

Cornell University students held a "cry-in." Loyola University and Byrn Mawr College students demanded the cancelling of classes, citing exhaustion, depression, and safety concerns,

Schools Offer Counseling, Professors Postpone Exams After Trump Win

I understand the feelings of helplessness. I get that those who did not support Trump are feeling powerless and possibly afraid. I have felt that way myself.

In 2008 and in 2012, Barrack Obama won the election. He was not my choice. In fact, he was not the choice for thousands of Conservative Americans. However, we did not riot in the streets. College and High School classes continued just as before. We went to our jobs, attended school, and went about our business just as we did every other day. 

For some of us, Barrack Obama's election was a call to action. We didn't like his policies or the things he imposed on our Nation. So we went out and tried to make a difference. For example, I got more involved in my community. I served on a local school board. I learned more about the issues of the day. I attended caucus meetings and gained an education in local politics and government. I tried in every way I could, to be a better informed and more active citizen of this great Nation.

Here are the electoral maps for the last three elections:

Obama won 365 electoral votes - McCain won 173.

In 2012, Obama won 332 - Romney won 206

In 2016, Trump won 279  - Clinton won 228

This is how democracy works. The majority of the people chose Donald Trump. Now is not the time for MORE contention and violence. Now is not the time to promote more hate and divisiveness. Haven't we all had enough of that?

The Constitution was created to "ensure domestic Tranquility" and "secure the Blessings of Liberty"

In life, we encounter many disappointments. Perhaps we don't get the job we worked for. Maybe we study hard and still bomb a test. Sometimes a relationship doesn't work out as planned. ...And sometimes our candidate doesn't win the election. That's life. What you do about it and how you handle it are what build your character. 

If you're disappointed or upset because your candidate didn't win, then go out and be a force for good in your community. Make a difference! Find a way to serve and make your community and neighborhood a better place. If you have causes in which you believe strongly, go out and serve in those causes. If you see social injustices, find positive ways to right them. Be a force for good in this world. Do your part to promote the "more perfect Union" that prompted the formation of this great Nation in which we live. 

Destruction, violence, wringing your hands in despair, and throwing a tantrum are never going to be the answer. Kindness, tolerance, cooperation, and understanding are a better way of getting things done. We don't all have to agree or believe exactly alike in order to get along and be civil.

Let's all put on our grown-up pants, roll up our sleeves, and get back to the work living in harmony together as citizens of these United States of America.

 

How???

She sits...knees drawn up, arms around them, head buried in them, sobbing. 

How?? How did this child about whom, on the anniversary of her adoption I once wrote: "It used to scare me how Jackie dove into life head-first and full-speed! She had such an exuberance for trying new things!" Now new things terrify her. The thought of meeting new people can bring on a panic attack that leaves her curled in a ball, as though desperately trying to hold herself together.

The event that triggered this one was her first visit to a therapist where she had to relive the nightmare that is the root of all of this trauma. The "how" of all this is a young man...one we trusted - one by whom we were all deceived and manipulated. One, whose seemingly innocent face and demeanor hid a malice, addiction, perversion, and evil, none of us could imagine. Clever and intelligent, he used those gifts to manipulate, control, and beat into submission; our bright, lovely, sunshine-girl. His addiction to violent pornography led to his abusing her in horrible ways. In this sea of psychological control, he turned the most precious and meaningful parts of her life against her. Her Faith became a weapon with which to control her. Her loving and supportive parents - he told her would never love her if they knew what was going on. Little by little, he stripped her of all that she could have turned to for help. He turned all that was precious, good and wholesome against her.

Now we sat in the car...me, desperately searching for anything to say that would help. Her, desperately clinging to what control she had left in order to not collapse under the weight of it all... She didn't want to talk - asked me not to talk to her; so I turned where she no longer would. I pleaded with Heavenly Father for help. Truly, if I love this precious daughter, He loves her infinitely more. After all, she is His first. I don't know what to do to help - but I have absolute faith that He does.

After we got home, she closed herself upstairs...leaving me feeling helpless, scared, and lost - thinking that I would do anything to take this pain and suffering from my beloved daughter. Again, I pleaded for help from above. I was prompted to listen to General Conference. The first talk I came to was "The Master Healer" by Carol M. Stephens.

As it was the first time I heard this talk, it seemed directed at me. Even more-so after the events of the morning. She quoted Elder Richard G. Scott who said: 

"When you have done what is reasonable to help one you love, lay the burden at the feet of the Savior. … As you so act, not only will you find peace...Complete healing will come through your faith in Jesus Christ and His power and capacity, through His Atonement, to heal the scars of that which is unjust and undeserved.”

Then she concluded with: "Sisters, I testify that—You don’t have to continue to carry the burden of sorrow caused by sin—alone. You don’t have to carry the pain caused by the unrighteous actions of others—alone. You don’t have to experience the painful realities of mortality—alone.

The Savior pleads:

“Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

“… If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come … will I receive.”

“He would do anything to take this from you.” In fact, “He already has.” In the name of Jesus Christ, the Master Healer, amen."

How??  How did we come to this point in our lives? Through the unrighteous actions of another. How will we get through this? Patience, love, and faith in the Master Healer. Right now my daughter has lost that faith - but that's ok. I may not be able to bear the burden for her - someone else already has. But I have faith in the Master Healer and I can lend it in her behalf until at last she is whole and healthy again. The road of healing will be long for all of us. But I testify that we are NEVER alone. We have a loving Father who will send help - angels of light from both sides of the veil to lift us up, to heal our broken hearts, minds, and spirits; and ultimately to bring us home to Him. We, all of us - even those whose unrighteous actions have caused our pain - can come home to Him; through Jesus Christ - The Master Healer.

October....

Welcome Fall...welcome October!!! 

This is my favorite time of the year! The leaves are changing and painting our mountains in glorious, warm, vibrant colors.

There's a crispness to the air that seems to enliven everything. It's harvest-time and time for pumpkin fests and pumpkin-flavored everything...

...and my personal favorite...all things apple!!  YUM!!!

The air is rich with the warmth and spice of the last hurrah before winter!

Then there's Halloween. 

It hasn't been my favorite holiday, but in the last 6 years that has changed. That's when we met the Warren and Marnee Price family. (Thanks to our daughter, Amanda and their son, Matthew.) The first few years of our friendship, on Halloween, we headed up to Marnee's brother's house to help with his annual Haunted House. Each year his haunted house had a different theme. One year was a "Haunted Circus" with everyone's favorite terror CLOWNS!!!!!

Then there was the year when all the characters of  "Alice in Wonderland" went a little crazy and had to be committed to the asylum...

Those days were crazy and fun. Since then, the kids have grown up and moved on. The Haunted House has been scaled down to accommodate the lack of helpers and the Prices have moved to their farm in Idaho.

Which has led to a new tradition...it wouldn't be Halloween if we couldn't spend it with our Price-Family. So every Halloween since they moved, Kevin and I have packed our bags, loaded up on fun new recipes to try, stocked up on Halloween candy, and headed up north for Halloween on the farm. We talk, we laugh, we eat, we enjoy the local Ward's activities, we play games and watch movies.

It's a typical Price/Webster fun-fest, and one our favorite places to be!!!

With all the fun, food, foliage, and frolic, is it any wonder that I love this time of year??? In fact - for me, it's the beginning of "The MOST Wonderful Time of the Year"!!!

So, here's to Autumn...stoke the fire, rake up the leaves for jump-in-them fun, bob for those apples, carve the pumpkins, gather up the ghouls and boys and let the festivities begin!!!

PS: What's your favorite Autumn adventure???

Broken...

She's broken...

Without even knowing what we were witnessing, we watched it happen. 

Bit by bit, a little at a time, he broke her down. 

A little coercion, a little manipulation...

A bit of abuse - add some subjugation...

Start it early, continue it slowly at first. Break her heart....

Dim her light, Shake her confidence....

Isolate her. Scare her... 

Make her feel like she's utterly alone....with only you to depend on.

Now you've got her....break her spirit.

...and without knowing what we were seeing...we watched it happen.

The light that shown so brightly dimmed. The soul that leaped at life stumbled, faltered...almost fell. The light that blazed with joy and hope almost went out...almost.

But, what strength! What a warrior spirit! Somehow, some way...she fought her way free! 

...and came home to us.

Now the healing begins. Now the hope arises. 

Now the light..oh, the precious light that is her beautiful, blazing soul flickers....it's coming back.

Time and patience and love...that will bring her back to us. That will heal her soul.

Her beautiful, vibrant, joyous, unique, and precious soul....that wasn't completely broken, after all.

It's not about guns...

...and it's not about Muslims vs. Christians, or Gay vs. Straight, or us vs. them. It's about hate and pride and selfishness.

The Book of Mormon tells of two separate civilizations which destroyed themselves down to the last man, woman and child. They did it with bows and arrows, swords, and rocks and slings. No guns. Just hate and selfishness and pride.

Guns aren't the problem. People are the problem. Take away all the deadly weapons - guns, knives, tanks, bombs, etc. and people will still find a way to kill one another. Until we change our hearts, the violence will not end.

It's not about guns. It's about a way of thinking:  "My lifestyle is better than yours. My religion is better than yours. The color of my skin (black, white, red, yellow, or brown) makes me just a little more special than yours because yours is different. You are different...you look at the world in a strange way that I don't understand - therefore you are not as good as I am. You love your spouse or significant other in a way I don't agree with, so you deserve bad things. You are not my gender (male or female) so you don't deserve the same things that I do." I could go on and on...all you have to do is look at the world around you. For that matter, look at the news-feed on your Facebook page.

God made us unique and different. He gave us the ability to choose our own path in life. He allows us to find our own way in life based on those choices. Just because someone makes a choice you may not agree with does not excuse or justify hatred or unkindness.

"But..." you say, "Annette, I don't believe in God. I don't believe in religion." That's ok. Belief in God and having a Faith are not exclusive clubs for goodness, kindness, and charity. Human decency is something we can each strive for.

My beloved family and friends. My fellow travelers in this journey we call life...we can end this cycle of evil, hatred, pride, envy, selfishness and violence. One by one, a little at a time, we can make a difference. Drop by drop of random acts of kindness can spread until we flood the earth with it and wash away all this intolerance. It's not difficult. Even a child can do it.

All it takes is thinking beyond ourselves. Get out of your own head and comfort-zone. See with better eyes and look around you. There are opportunities for doing good everywhere. Slow down and let the car next to you go merge ahead on the freeway. Let someone go ahead of you in line at the grocery store. Say something kind to the mom struggling with her fussy baby. Give someone a smile and say hello. Post something positive and happy on Facebook. It works, I promise!

"But," you say, "Annette, how can these little things possibly work?" I once heard a talk about the contribution of each honeybee in a hive of bees. Each bee only contributes a 12th of a teaspoon of honey to the entire hive. That doesn't seem like much until you multiply it by thousands of bees. I believe that if each of us would try to do one kind act a day - to think of others before ourselves, AT LEAST one time a day (I'd hope for more, but start with one...lol); we could make a significant difference in this world. Think of how much happier we'd all be.

The Book of Mormon also tells of a group of people who did just what I am talking about. They took care of each other. They gave to those in need and loved and served one another. The result was peace and happiness. It says;  "And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness, and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God."

It's not about guns. It's about changing hearts. Let's each start with our own - let go of hate, resentment, envy and malice. Look for the good in those around you, and soon you won't see the bad. We can be the change that makes us the happiest people among all the people who have been created by the hand of God.

Who's with me???

Beloved...

What does it mean to be beloved? The dictionary defines the word "beloved" as: very much loved; dearly loved. 

The Family, A Proclamation to the World states that each of us is a "beloved son or daughter of Heavenly Parents".  

Lately, I've had some experiences with my Heavenly Father that have made me feel beloved. These experiences have helped me understand that there is nothing about me, my life, my feelings, my needs, wants, desires, or insecurities; that is too small or beneath His notice. He knows me by name and loves me in spite of all the stupid, thoughtless, hurtful or neglectful things I do. In my weakness, His love gives me strength. In my fear, His love gives me courage. In pain or sickness, His love gives me comfort. In every aspect of my life, His love gives me confidence, faith, and peace. 

Conversely, there is another man in my life to whom I am beloved. My Kevin loves me this same way. Yesterday I was really struggling. I had just had enough of everything and wanted to quit. Everything simply seemed to hard to handle and I was done. This kind, gentle, strong, devoted...yes, beloved-man held me as I cried. When I said I couldn't do anymore, he said, "That's ok, I'll do it for you." When I said I wanted to quit, he said I wasn't allowed because he couldn't do this thing called life without me. He said he loved me and I responded that I couldn't imagine why on earth he did. Then he said, "Because I wouldn't be the man I am without you."

That's what it means to be beloved....and I am...and I am grateful.

Will you be my Valentine?

Kevin;

Remember when?

The week before Valentine's Day? When was that? 

...28 years ago??? Could it possibly be that long ago?

Seems like yesterday....

A cold February night. 

You asked the question and received the answer

that would begin our first steps into our eternal family.

What on earth was a flower-seller doing on the street corner 

in downtown Mesa at midnight?

Call it serendipity...

Call it fate...

I call it the magic of a beautiful moment...

my first dozen roses and they were magical...

at least to me. 

"Remember when...

Thirty seemed so old

Now lookin' back, it's just a steppin' stone

to where we are, where we've been

Said we'd do it all again...

Remember when...

Remember when we said when we turned gray 

(that's already happened...lol)

When the children grow up and move away

We won't be sad, we'll be glad

For all the life we've had...

And we'll remember when..."

Every moment of everyday since 

that first magical moment - that cold February night

so long ago...I've been glad for all the life we've had...

I'd say yes and I'd do it all again!

I love you, my wonderful, handsome, sexy, loving husband.

Will you be my Valentine?

All my love,

Netty