Turn, Turn, Turn

To every thing there is a season. . .  how I love those words. They are so true.  I had a season for being a child, a season for being a young wife and then mother to four beautiful girls.  A season to enjoy the births of 12 grandchildren.  I have just ended my season of the most challenging service I ever did for the church.  I leave it with a great sense of relief, but also wishing I could have served under different circumstances.  The circumstances were such that I was unable to do what I would have liked to do, but then again, if I were programmed different, I could have changed those circumstances!  I have no doubt the calling as Relief Society President was not FOR me, but rather to benefit another one, and help them understand their role.

 

Now, after almost two years of being consumed by “Church”, I find my self wondering just what to even think about!  Sounds odd I know, but this will pass.  I am going into my second day following my release, and know when I am going into my second week or month, this will look and feel a lot different!

 

We now find our daily lives being somewhat guided by the fear of the H1N1 (Swine) Flu.  Most are taking extra precautions in their daily lives, washing hands more frequently, using hand sanitizer and in general, just being more aware of their surroundings and others around them.  As long as I was president, I felt this type of event was the number one thing to prepare for.  I know we have – for years – been “warned” to have food storage and water.  But I think we, as people living where we do, have this to fear about more than anything.  We are not prone to earthquakes, hurricanes, or even tornadoes. But the weather, such as snow, floods and the event of a pandemic is certainly something to fear.  Interesting, a month ago, this was not something on anyone’s radar, the flu – it’s almost summer, who would worry about the flu.  And I doubt if we will have to worry about this perhaps until about September.  This could very well be just a warning of what’s to come.  I try to preach to my kids about being prepared for isolation, not being able to leave their homes for week, weeks, maybe month or more.  We are all so used to running down for a gallon of milk, loaf of bread.  Could we go without this??  Might be a good learning curve to just go two weeks without stopping in a store!  I know we buy milk and bread on a regular basis.  I could make bread, but do I have enough yeast??  Don’t know when I have checked my yeast supply!

 

My health is good, and now I think it’s time to spend some time on me.  Sunday, Becky Jamison gave a testimony about the joy found in service. That is so true, for all those people in this world who are struggling with depression, if somehow they could believe that and do it, it would sure cure a lot of depression!  God gives us each other to serve, in serving them, we serve Him.  It is so true.  She was given a precious gift, that knowledge of the joy of service.  It’s a gift few ever glimpse. But for me, I think I will see where I can serve my family now, and myself.  Doing some walking is high on my priority list. Getting back into some semblance of shape!!  Renewing some friendships. . .  In many ways, I think serving as RS President is much like serving a mission, many things of life are put on hold.  I can only imagine what it must be like to be released as a Bishop – wow.  Like I told Bishop Tedrow many times, I am so glad I am NOT a man, I will never be called to serve as a Bishop!!

 

Till later!

March Events

Our daughter, Beth and her husband Mark Lenz, competed in the NM State BBQ competition in Rio Rancho this weekend. They won Grand Champion out of 67 teams. What an incredible win! This gives them an invite to the World Championship in Lynchburg, Tennessee this fall. At the competition in Rio Rancho, several former World Champions were there. Many of who you would know from the Food Network if you were a “cooking show” junkie! These teams come from all over the United States to compete in this event. I won’t go into their winnings, but it made it all worthwhile (and some!!). The kids compete in several categories, including pulled pork, chicken, beans, beef brisket, ribs. Sometimes they do oddball things like desserts, soups – all at the discretion of the host. This event is not something that is widely known, so few understand the effort, time and money it takes to do this. But many people have gained fame from this start. Many great BBQ sauces got their start here!

We may have to attend the World Championships, take motorhome and all! Beth and Mark – we are proud of you!! Congratulations.

In other bragging about this daughter, she works for the Council of Governments (Upper Arkansas Area) and was recently named program manager. Huge promotion! Yea Beth.

I am going to try to do this blog more often. I find as I sit down to use computer, the phone rings, or laundry calls, or dishes, or or or!

Yep, it's two or three hours later than when I started this. As with almost all women - am I this much busier than I was a few years ago - or are things speeding up??? I know why I love spending time in the motorhome - there are so fewer interuptions, no washing machine, no phones, (well - cell phones) so LESS of all these things that require my attention. OR is it that I try to get things done "now" rather than putting off until tomorrow?? Maybe it's all because I spend too much time thinking about the lack of time!

On to more serious things. . .! Carol was helping me with genealogy the other evening, we were chatting on the phone - both looking at Ancestory.com. I was giving her names and dates and she was filling in the blank spots. I got to the name of my g.g.grandmother and grandfather (Bennett and Sarah Swearingen). They had 12 children that we know of, of those, 7 died in childhood. As I read those dates to Carol, my heart broke for the pain these two parents must have seen. Some of the dates don't really look realistic to me, but I know dad did a lot of research on his family. But none-the-less, this family buried seven of their children, some only weeks before the next one was born. One baby (the first born) was just days shy of being one year old, one at ten years, one on the same day as birth (has a name so presume it lived for a time?) one at 5 years, one at 6 years, one at 10 months and another at 1-year of age. How did these kids die, what of?? Questions I really would like to find the answers. I know the ache of losing a grandchild at a young age - what must this have been like.

Genealogy is so fun, very addictive, frustrating and other emotions! I am so proud of my daughter who keeps finding more and more names and dates. I always seem to hit dead ends, where Carol knows other places to look I guess.

Original Fence

This is the fence that surrounds the Abington Parish Church where G. Washington attended church along with my gggggrandfather. The fact that my ancestors attended church on this very spot, walked through this gate in this very fence is wonderful to me, but to make it really impressive to others, I throw in the part about Washington! ; ) True story though. Now I need to figure out how to resize these pictures, and "wrap-around" text!

A huge thank you to Becky for instructions for this!

"Gloss-ter" County, Virginia 1653

I am doing this particular blog only as a test. Thanks to Becky, I may be able to figure some of this out. Funny, a few years ago I was the one everyone came to for help with computers. And now I have been away from it for so long, I about have to have someone turn the durn things on for me! Back in the “old days”, if some program was needed, no problem, I used DOS and did my own. Now I don’t think I can even get to DOS! (Do we even use DOS anymore??!)

The picture I am also attempting to send is the church in Gloucester, Virginia that my GGGG Grandfather (? Not sure of how many G’s) attended church with George Washington. The first church actually burnt and this was its replacement, where the bench is located in front is where the original church stood. But the fence and graveyard on the other side are original and I treasure this. I treasured my time there also. I feel I walked where my ancestors walked and they knew I was there.

Until then!

This is on Becky's Blog, I borrowed it from her, think it's neat! Thanks Becky! We could add some of our own questions to this!


99 Things Meme
Things you’ve already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven’t done and don’t want to - leave in plain font

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland/world.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden a gondola in Venice. (Does Las Vegas count??!)
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David in person.
41. Sung Karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a cheque.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swum in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.

2009

A new year is here, I really should "blog" something I guess. I find I have so little time for this, so few hours to just sit here and write. Went out and took a few pictures today then this evening I have been out shooting the moon since it's the biggest full Moon of 2009. It's a 'perigee Moon' as much as 30% brighter than lesser Moons we'll see in the months ahead.



I love space, the moon, the stars, the planets. I wish I could just fly around out there and really look at things. I would love to belong to a "Star Club" or even better, have my own deep space telescope. One of my most wonderful memories is attending a "Star Party" and looking through many scopes - all night long! The best though was the deep space. All those pictures you see in books, and was taught in school - that is just how they look. All those beautiful colors, and designs. When we were in Del Norte this summer, I found out they have a very active club with a good observatory. A small town like that - but at one time they had one of the biggest scopes in the state, in a large observatory. So that interest has been in that little town for many many years.

I just realized that when a comment is made, unless I look for it, I don't see it. Still trying to figure this program out. As I looked back over the few I have done, I am wondering where and when I get to see "Ego Trip" or "It's all about ME"??! Think both titles are so good! I asked Tom is he would like to "blog" and he said: No. Knew that answer! I love Becky's, what a lady she is. I honor her and respect her for all the genealogy work she does and all the knowledge she has and more than willing to share. And Trenya, I wish she had more time to write, what gifted ladies we have in our ward!

Until next time.