Because of Him

As I have pondered this Easter celebration, I thought about what Jesus Christ did for all of us, and what it means for me personally.

Before Him, there was darkness, fear, despair, anguish, and torment of soul. We were trapped by the consequences of our choices while in this mortal sphere. Until He came and broke the bands of death, we would never be able to return to our Heavenly Father. Darkness, fear, and pain were all we had...

But He did come! He showed us the pathway home by how He lived - perfectly obedient to the will of His Father - of OUR Father. Because He came and fulfilled His mission, we can be forgiven for our mistakes through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Because He came and atoned for us - because He gave Himself as a ransom for us, we can be washed clean. He died and was resurrected, breaking the bands of death.

The greatest message ever shared was shared by the angels at the Lord's empty tomb: "He is not here; for he is risen as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." *Matthew 28: 6*

What JOY!!!  What WONDER!!!  From grief and despair came hope, joy, peace, and awe! He who was dead, lived again!!!

"This is what we celebrate on Easter Sunday - we celebrate life! Because of Jesus Christ, we will rise from the despair of death and embrace those we love, shedding tears of overwhelming joy and overflowing gratitude. Because of Jesus Christ, we will exist as eternal beings, worlds without end. Because of Jesus Christ, our sins can not only be erased; they can be forgotten. We can become purified and exalted. Holy. Because of our beloved Savior, we can forever drink from the fountain of water that springs up into eternal life. We can dwell forever in the mansions of our eternal King, in unimaginable glory and perfect happiness" * Deiter F. Uchtdorf*

Because He lives; everyone I love and value most in this life will be mine throughout eternity. I get to live with those I love in an eternal family - because of Him. 

"His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son." *The Living Christ - The Testimony of the Apostles*

Days Never To Be Forgotten...

Wow! I didn't realize I haven't written anything since Christmas. I'm such a slacker...lol

Looking back, I realize that the world looks so much different today than it did a short three months ago. These can be frightening days if we let the fear and anxiety in.

For me, the thing that keeps any fear at bay is faith. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 1: 7, "For God hath not given us  the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love...".  We are the sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. He knows each of us by name. He is aware of all of our concerns and everything we experience in this life. There is great strength that comes from the knowledge that you and I are children of God. Within us is a spark of divinity. There is comfort and peace in knowing that no matter how difficult and yes, scary, the world looks; He will not leave us to deal with life alone.

In the Doctrine and Covenants section 6: 34, 36-37, the Savior says: "Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. … "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven." When Jesus performed the atonement, He didn't just suffer for our sins. He endured all that we must endure in our mortal journey.  He did this so that in times like these when we are faced with trials and difficulties; He would know with PERFECT empathy, EXACTLY how to help us through it. What you're feeling RIGHT THIS MINUTE, He felt for you so He would know what you need to endure these trials.

It's ok to be a little overwhelmed. As far as I know, none of us has endured anything like this global pandemic before. It's ok to feel sorrow for things we are not able to do. There's an entire graduating class who are missing some milestone events right now. There are first time mommies who are missing baby showers. Weddings that have been planned for months are being postponed. Jobs have been lost and people are left wondering how they'll pay their bills. Feeling bereft at these events is normal. But let's also be aware of how blessed we are. We have the ability to shelter in our homes and stay safe and keep others safe as well. There is hope and help available. 

There are incredible acts of kindness and generosity playing out all over the world. People are reaching out (from a safe social distance) to help, support, and uplift one another. There is goodness, gratitude, compassion, and love all around us. 

I have faith - not fear - that we will get through this as we bless and serve one another. Even if it IS from a distance, we can help each other through this. God is on our side and will not leave us comfortless. D & C 123: 17 reads: "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

The world is still a beautiful place. People are generally kind and helpful. Life is worth living and experiencing with joy. Like Louis Armstrong said so eloquently "...and I think to myself, what a wonderful world..."

PS: If you want to feel the peace and love Heavenly Father can offer you; I invite you to tune in this weekend Saturday and Sunday - to the General Conference broadcasts of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can view them at www.churchofjesuschrist.org  I promise that as you watch and listen with a sincere desire to find peace; your desires will be fulfilled and your heart will be comforted.

"...that baby in the manger..."

“I think it’s appropriate this time of year to just think 

about that baby in the manger. Don’t be too overwhelmed 

or occupied with what is to come; just think about that little baby. 

Take a quiet, peaceful moment to ponder the beginning of 

His life—the culmination of heavenly prophecy

 but the earthly beginning for Him.” *Elder D. Todd Christofferson

“But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby – that's how Christmas began.” Elder Jeffery R. Holland

For me, it's this simple. Life can become so hectic and fraught at this time of the year. But for me, Christmas is distilled down to the elements of this first Christmas. The baby, His parents, those who heralded His birth and came to worship Him. All the rest is just "stuff" and "stuff" can be set aside if we focus on the essence of this sacred time of year.

So, join me, if you will; and cling to the Spirit of love and peace that were introduced on that first Christmas Eve so long ago. Let's feel the Spirit, embrace the peace, and share the love.

Merry Christmas with all my love and best wishes for a safe and blessed New Year!

Love,

Netty

The many faces of YOU!!!

...Kevin, aka "The Birthday-Boy!!!

In thinking about what to post for Kevin's Birthday, I started collecting photos. As I did, I realized that THIS was my post to honor my sweetheart on his special day. Kevin is many things - smart, funny, talented, honorable, handsome, kind, hard-working, dedicated, faithful, faith-filled, loving, disciplined, and patient.

So without further ado, no fanfare whatsoever, and in no particular order, I give you the many faces of Kevin William Webster - The Birthday-Boy!!!

Happy Birthday to my sweetheart and the love of my life. I hope you know how very loved and appreciated you are!!!  ...and you're SOOO HANDSOME!!!!

Oh Brother...

...Where Art Thou?

Laugh if you will, but that was a legit question being asked last Fall. To make a long story shorter, Kevin's cousin, Christine Mooney, had her DNA tested through Ancestry DNA. The results turned up a male relation on her mother's side of the family. This relation was a half-brother to Kevin, Steve & Mike. His name is David Potts. Kevin's dad and David's mom gave him up for adoption at birth.

David's wife, Jory, had been instrumental in searching out his birth-mother. Christine and Kevin's oldest brother, Mike, made the connection on the Webster side of things.

Once we all made contact, plans were initiated for a get together so the two younger Webster-boys could meet David (Mike already had). Steve, the middle bro...lol said we couldn't call it a reunion because we hadn't met yet. So we called it the:

Labor Day weekend was the date. Happy Acres Cottage - Eagle Mountain was the location. Debbie & Steve came early to help us plan and prepare.

David and Jory brought their daughters, Shelby & Sable as well as Sable's husband, James. What a wonderful family!!!  From the moment they stepped in the door, we felt comfortable with them. It felt as if we had known them forever!

Shelby, Jory, & David

James, Sable & Ozzy

For five wonderful days, we talked, ate yummy food, asked questions, explored the area, ate yummy food, answered questions, played games, ate more yummy food, got acquainted, told family stories, and did I mention the food????? lol One thing the Websters do well is food!

By the time everyone left, we were not strangers or acquaintances - we were family - and it was wonderful!!! In fact, as wonderful as we all hoped it would be, it was a million times better.

Here are a few highlights from our "New-Union"

Visiting Jackie at work...

Ice Cream stop in Heber 

(See? more yummy food)

Cousin-time!!!

(Mandy & Chris had to leave to tend a sick fur-baby
Chelsea, Shane, and Brea couldn't make it and were sorely missed!!!♥♥♥)

Salt Lake City

Beautiful Jory!

Brothers...

Throughout our time together, we laughed about Kevin's dad - the gift that keeps on giving...lol  The thing is, that's exactly what this turned out to be - an unexpected and very precious gift.

So here we are again - just me and Kevin - in our cozy Happy Acres Cottage. It's quiet, but our hearts are full and our lives are changed by the unexpected gift of a wonderful addition to our Whacky-Webster Family!

Turning the page

...and a new chapter begins!

It's been a little bit since I last posted. So much has happened and so much has changed. 

For the last 12 years, we've lived in what we jokingly called "Happy Acres". Our house was big and at one time full of family. Times changed and family moved on. Soon the big-ol' house at Happy Acres was too big and a little too empty. Kevin and I came to the realization that it was too much house for us in many ways. Too big, too much yard, and too expensive.

Not that we're OLD or anything, but we ARE about 10-15 years from retirement. At some point, it would be nice to have paid-off our home. That was NOT going to be possible with the BIG house at Happy Acres; so we made the decision to sell and move to a smaller place.

That decision led to changes for all the inmates at Happy Acres. Marc found and purchased his own little slice of Heaven in a new condo-complex.  Jackie is "technically" living with us, but mostly stays with Jairen and his family.  Kevin and I - after a long search (we've been looking off and on for 5 years), finally found our own new place.  It's certainly not what we expected or even what we were looking for. It wasn't until we quit telling the Lord what WE wanted and expected and listened to what HE was trying to tell us; that we found our place in paradise.  We're calling our new place "The Cottage at Happy Acres".

Our new house has a very cottage-like feel to it. It's much smaller, but bright and airy. It's funny that being so much smaller, it doesn't make us feel hemmed in.  We love our new neighborhood and Ward. We're looking forward to many new adventures as we make this place our own.

It's a little weird being here - just the two of us. It's VERY quiet...lol We haven't lived alone with just each other for almost 26 years. We've either had kids or extended family with us for most of our married life. I'm surprised at how seamless this adjustment has been. We're really having fun making the Cottage at Happy Acres into our home. We're really looking forward to many adventures as we begin this new phase of our lives!

Alan Jackson's song "Remember When" has a line that fits our situation so well!

"Remember when
We said when we turned gray
When the children grow up and move away
We won't be sad, we'll be glad

For all the life we've had..."

So, here's to a new home and new experiences with my forever Sweetheart! Let the adventure continue!!! We have so many things to look forward to!  I'll be sure to keep you posted!!! 

*Stay tuned to your local Whacky-Webster's channel* 

Waiting for "Happily Ever After"

Last time I blogged, I wrote about after "Happily Ever After". Because of events in the lives of friends of mine, today I want to write about waiting for "Happily Ever After".

Let's begin this story with "Once Upon a Time", because so many of the best stories start that way...

Once upon a time, there was a young man named Ken Harris. Kenny was raised in a good and loving home by parents who loved the Lord and taught their children to do the same. Around the time Kenny was 21 years-old, our paths crossed and we became good friends. Over the years things changed, we moved on with our lives, but always stayed in touch and our friendship endured.

In a different place, there lived a beautiful, effervescent woman named Sonja Nelson. Sonja was also born to good and loving parents who taught her to love the Lord and keep His commandments.

Ken and Sonja each lived their lives, unknown to each other. Both served missions and served faithfully in the Church. Both went to school and had careers that they loved. Both longed to find "the one" and receive the blessing of marriage. Both longed for it, but neither found it...

Years passed...not one or two...not even five or ten. Decades passed and the dream of Temple marriage only seemed to get farther and farther out of reach. Now, don't think that Sonja and Ken were miserable. They had moments of sorrow and loneliness, but both remained steadfast and filled with faith. Honestly, effervescent is truly a word that described Sonja - and it still does! 😊

Call it fate, call it serendipity... I call it Divine Intervention. Life and circumstances brought Ken to Utah for a change in his job. That is where it all began, because Sonja was also here in Utah and working at the same place. That was it...Ken  and Sonja met... It makes me think of the Brady Bunch song. "...One day when the lady met this fellow - and they knew that it was much more than a hunch".

Love spoke and two hearts that had at times despaired, now beat in time with each other. "Whirlwind" is a word that could be used to describe their courtship. lol ...and just like that, they were engaged!!   💍

Oh, what a joyous day their wedding day was. I don't think there was a dry eye during the beautiful ceremony. If my heart was overflowing with joy for my friends, I can only imagine how theirs felt!

With this joy in their hearts, Sonja and Ken took their first steps into their "Happily Ever After".  

Continuing the manner in which they had both lived before marriage, Ken and Sonja continued being faithful to their covenants and serving the Lord. Starting a family became a new dream for them. As with many longed-for blessings, this one did not come without cost. The joy they felt in each other was tempered with the loss of several pregnancies. They too, "were newlyweds and now had to learn to go through grief and sorrow together..." *Happy Acres blog 'After...Happily Ever After...' May 21, 2018*  

Still they held on to their faith, and each other and did their best to endure it well.  Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: "Moreover, we find that sorrow can actually enlarge the mind and heart in order to 'give place,' to expanded space for later joy." The Apostle Paul wrote: "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness." *Hebrew 12:11*

And so it was with our dearest friends, Ken and Sonja Harris. 

On August 16, 2018, just in time to give Kenny the birthday gift of his life; Sonja gave birth to a beautiful baby boy whom they named James. How could two hearts stretch to hold all the love that filled them on that miraculous day????

I look at my wonderful friends and give thanks for the miracles and blessings in their lives. I look deeper and see the love of a concerned Heavenly Father who led each of them through their faith-filled lives and blessed them so abundantly for that faith. As I watch Ken and Sonja begin this adventure we call parenthood, I am grateful for their example of "enduring well". 

When you spend time with this new little family, their joy is palpable! The love and happiness they exude is contagious!!!  When you look at the Harris family, you see that God DOES answer prayers and miracles still happen!!! 

So, Ken, Sonja, and Baby-James....congratulations!!!  We wish you love, joy, and every good thing.

  

...And may you all live "Happily Ever After"!!!!!