Out with the old...

Ring in the New!!!

In April of 2011 I was preparing for major facial reconstruction surgery the following month. Basically, the doctors were going to restructure the bones in my face and jaws to allow better air-flow so I wouldn't stop breathing when I slept. Eventually, they decided to do 11 separate procedures in one surgery. To say I was scared would be an understatement.

That April I was listening to General Conference when I heard a talk about "becoming a Saint through the Atonement of Christ". Elder Kent F. Richards spoke of being a surgeon and the part that pain plays in the treatment and healing of physical injuries. Then he tied that to the part pain plays in our spiritual growth and repentance. His talk spoke directly to my fears about this surgery. I knew that the bones in my face would be deliberately broken, moved, and reset. I knew that soft tissue inside my mouth would be reshaped and changed surgically. Most of all I knew that all of these things would cause me great pain.  Elder Richard's talk gave me a lifeline. It reminded me that Jesus Christ had already walked this path of pain for me. It gave me something to hang on to during the long, dark hours I spent in the ICU - often in excruciating pain. I learned that if I was willing to allow Him in, Jesus Christ could sustain me in my trials - and that I would become better acquainted with Him because of it. I learned first hand, to "lean on Him". I felt His peace and comfort throughout that whole ordeal. When I initially heard Elder Richard's talk, I felt Heavenly Father asking me if I was willing to endure the pain that was coming my way so that I could become better acquainted with my Savior and become more like Him. Of course my answer was yes.

Little did I know that taking such a leap of faith would lead to so many other lessons in my life. I thought that accepting the challenge to become better acquainted with my Savior applied only to this particular event in my life. Silly me!  Since then I've discovered that this event was just me opening the door and allowing Father to test and try me to a level of faith I've never dreamed of. I learned that He wants my surrender. He wants me to willingly and cheerfully submit my will to His.

In the last six years, I've had life lessons I never imagined in my wildest dreams or nightmares. I've had physical challenges, health challenges, parental challenges, and many more. I've seen family members suffer similar experiences and much worse. I've cared for family members with dementia, and others with mental illnesses I would not wish on anyone. Through all these experiences, I have drawn strength and faith from my Savior, Jesus Christ. There have been nights when all I could do was lay my burdens at His feet and beg for a modicum of peace to carry me through the next day. EVERY time, He took my burdens and gave me peace.

The year 2017 has not been without these same trials. However, I can say that I have been tutored at the feet of the Master. I can say that only through Him have I been able to endure these challenges in my life. I am so grateful for a Father-in-Heaven who loves me enough to take me by the hand and teach me through my life experiences, how to be the daughter of God He wants me to be. I wouldn't go seeking these trials and tests (who would???); but when they come, I know from "whence cometh my strength". 

So as we ring out the old...I do so with a grateful and humble heart. I am looking forward to ringing in the new with happy anticipation and  hope for joy, peace, and love for myself and all of you.  

Happy New Year!!!

New Year - New Beginnings...

I know I said this in my last post, but...Happy New Year!!!

I love celebrating the New Year!  It's like opening a brand new book or pulling out a fresh sheet of paper to write on, or starting a new project....it's all about possibilities.  I'm all about possibilities! I look at people, and I see potential and good possibilities! It makes me happy!

For me, the New Year is about choice. It's an opportunity for me to openly and HONESTLY reflect on my life, my character, and my choices from the year before (or from the years before). In that open and HONEST reflection, I try to let go of things I don't like. Things that cause me (or someone else) hurt or discomfort. Things that are preventing me from becoming the daughter of God my Heavenly Father would like me to be. 

Sometimes that HONEST reflection is painful. It's in our human-nature not to like criticism, even self-criticism. But the ability to see ourselves as we truly are, be honest about it, and make it better is - I believe - one of the main reasons we come to this earth. So for me, the New Year provides me an opportunity to become better.

The nice thing is that Heavenly Father does NOT expect us to become better all at once. Thank goodness!!!  Line upon line, here a little, there a little - steady upward progress is what He looks for. 

So it's the New year! Let's evaluate ourselves and see what we can shed. Get rid of things that bring you down and make you sad. Let go of anger, negativity, and sadness. Shed some baggage, shed some pounds! lol It doesn't have to be a HUGE thing, just change one thing, stick with it, and see how much better you feel. 

Do you want to lose weight? Change something about how you eat or drink. Cut out one soda a day and drink water instead - or make it two! You want to feel productive? Learn a new skill, develop a new hobby, or volunteer. Serving others is a great way to feel better!  Are you depressed, anxious, or sad??? Get help!!! Let go of the things in your past that drag you down. Learn from what you've experienced and move on to a lighter, happier you! If you can't do it yourself, find professional help that REALLY helps! 

Embrace the possibilities! Embrace the New Year! Go out there and make a happy, healthy, wonderful life for you! It's your choice! Choose to be happy!  ...and have a wonderful new beginning of a WONDERFUL New Year!  

Love to you all!!!!

Happy New Year!

It's been a wonderful year here at Happy Acres... It has not been without challenges, but those just add flavor to an already full banquet of life.

We started this year with me recovering from shoulder surgery. I am happy to say my shoulder feels better than ever. The water heater, which rolled over and died at the beginning of this year got replaced, we lived without a dishwasher for most of this year, but that was recently replaced as well. Hallelujah - just in time for the huge load of dishes from Thanksgiving! lol

Kev recovered fully from pneumonia. Jackie graduated from High School a full year early! Smart, talented, and driven, that's our girl! We had a MARVELOUS vacation to Oregon as Jackie's graduation gift. What a blast we had spending time with Kevin's brother Steve, and his wife Debbie. LOVE those two SO much!

We had the BEST veggie-garden we've ever had, and a bumper crop of tomatoes. 

I learned to preserve things that I never had tried before. Learning new skills was fun! I had a little health scare during the summer and fall, but am getting better every day. I'm learning to live with it as I improve each day. 

Kevin and I have enjoyed our time together as our kids have grown up and become more independent. We've "run away" together to visit our dear Price-family after they moved to Idaho. Then we "ran away" for a weekend at the Anniversary Inn in Logan, UT. More and more, we're rediscovering how much we love spending time together!

Kevin is discovering a love of carpentry and building shelves all over "Happy Acres". He's having such a good time!  I am discovering new talents and interests as I watch and learn from friends and family who know SO much more than I do! Guess we're never too old to learn new things!

Both our girls are moving on with life. Amanda and Chris are in college and working hard to get through. 

Jackie has been working at a local department store and loves it.She's almost saved enough money to buy her first car. Next year she hopes to start college, too.

In the end, we learned a lot, struggled some, and been blessed beyond measure. We are incredibly grateful for family and friends who enrich our lives and bless our days. We give thanks for a loving Heavenly Father who watches over us and helps us through it all. 

God bless each of us with love, joy, and happiness in the coming New Year! Here's looking forward to good and happy things for all of us!  Happy New Year y'all!