Christmas Party and Testimony

I am never sure who reads this blog, but I want to share my thanks and testimony with whoever might read this. I am so thankful for the great friends that I share this life with and awesome family as well as the experiences I have with my children. I have had a wonderful Christmas so far with a caroling group made up of some of my grandchildren and their other grandma and grandpa, a gift from the ward of a lovely basket, cards from all over the country written by friends and family that I love; and to each of you my "thanks for making a wonderful Christmas Holiday." I wrote this note to by children, but the testimony part is for all. Following is my note:
Christmas & my Testimony
First, let me say thank you Jim and Ireland for hosting our Christmas party/get together. For all the weather problems and challenges each family faced to get there, the spirit of family was alive and for those who did not make it, you were missed tremendously. NOW I JUST HAD A BRAIN WAVE: There is always a hole in the circle of our family when a member is missing or unable to attend, kind of like the "Spudnut" circle. Interesting that we could use that as an illustration.............OK, back to the party:The pizza and salads were great and our last bottle of cider was still a little frozen, but what a way to say goodbye to an old year.The gift exchange was very nice as each child received something just for them. Thanks parents for doing such a great job. Jacob, I will mail your gift first thing in the morning from Christian.
MY Gift. What can a mother say when she now is wrapped, warmed and protected by 2 coats. I can now be the sporty, on the hill styling grandma and the classy old missionary style woman at the girly activities with my friends and the ward. I love you all very much and each time I put them on, I will remember that each of you have your arms around me hugging me tight. Thank you so very much.
My Gift to you: As I sat out your gifts it didn't appear to be much of an offering; however, I realized that those jars of jams and syrup are witnesses of miracles and blessings. They are a gift made with arms that work, body that moves, eyes that can see, and a heart full of love and a desire to serve you and my Heavenly Father. It is a testimony to each of you and myself of how blessed I have been and the miracles that have been performed in my life. I can never take for granted the ability to walk, lift an arm, read a book, or hug my grandchildren. SO, please remember how blessed we are as a family with each bite.
MY Testimony. I had hoped when we all were at temple square that I could take a minute to bear my testimony as I will be released the first of February and we won't be together before that time. With some missing, I didn't do it but I would like to take a minute to do it now.I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. That he has put together a marvelous plan for each of us to succeed. I have been blessed to teach a group of individuals that each month demonstrate to me how blessed we and I have been in this life. We all face challenges of heath, wealth or lack of it, work schedules, hard individuals to work with, abilities to learn, or even motivation to do more or better. But, when I see the challenges of life that some of my students have faced to just be there in class each day, I say a large prayer in my heart to Heavenly Father that none of us face those challenges. We are a blessed family who has survived trails or challenges, but with each one, a larger blessing has replaced the pain or obstacle. Our Father in Heaven knows each one of us. He knows our hearts. He knows what our wishes and secret fears are and yet, he daily provides us with comfort and Peace. If we do what is right kids, and make good choices, we need not fear. I am learning that more and more each day. That if I do what I am asked to do, his spirit will be there day and night. Life is going to be hard in the future. The things we have thought that we were owed or needed, are not going to be available. We may be eating different, wearing clothing with patches, or even walking to and from somewhere (I will hate that part personally), but because of the lives each of you have chosen to live, you will NOT FEAR. As a mom, it is beautiful to see you each live the gospel and to teach your children to love their Father in Heaven and to let each of my grandchildren know that he loves them too. Joseph Smith sacrificed so much of his and his family's lives to bring us the gospel. He is truly a prophet of our Father in Heaven. The gospel is true, its guidelines are simple if we just choose to live by them. We will have no fear and never have to look over our shoulder or doubt our choices. I love each one of you and so appreciate all (and I mean all) you do for me. I know I sometimes whine and show fear, but you are the people I have to share them with, and I can't always be strong but together as a family we are. You are the circles of my life. You balance me, care for me, and serve me and I am so grateful. I love each of you and want each of you to know that my love is true, it is tested and strong for each of you and for my Savior. I bear this testimony to you and close in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

To anyone out there, I wish you all a Very Merry Christ mas, and a wonderful New Year.

Blessings realized this holiday

I was looking for something in the dresser by my bed and found the story of "You are Special" by Max Lucado. It is an easy reader and so whatever, I'm retired, I can take 10 minutes to read this, so I DID. Page 27 caught my attention and drew me in. It read:
Punchinello (Janet) laughed, "Me, special? Why?
I can't walk fast. I can't jump, My paint is peeling, Why do I matter to you?"
Eli looked at Punchinello (Janet), put his hands on those small wooden (steal) shoulders, and spoke very slowly. "Because you're mine. That's why you matter to me." Punchinello (Janet) had never had anyone look at him (her) like this-----much less her maker. She didn't know what to say!"
Well, after an awesome weekend and day of giving thanks, this is what my heart felt like. I don't know just what to say. My heart is full, and my life and family are so blessed. Who ever thinks at age 18 when they marry that life will pass so quickly, and that you will go from a family of 2 to a family of 34 (Jessica and Preston make 36) in a time that seems like a twinkling of an eye. When you have your first child you will wonder how you can ever ever love another child as much, but you do. Six kids later you think you can never love a child that isn't yours as much as you do your own, but you find out when you get a special addition added to the mix, that "yes" you can love additions to your family without giving birth.
Each year that passes, I watch as the children grow, and each year they teach me so much. I always thought that the parent was the "knowledgeable" leader, but not in my family. As they mature, they have become the teachers and the leaders.
Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing my life so much. Thank you for loving me and entrusting me with such beautiful spirits. Thank you for the additional blessings of each grandchild and for the joy, love and the peace they bring to me and their families. Each day I am reminded how much you love me by the acts of kindness shown to me through great friends, family members and the children. I am reminded that even with my paint chipping, and not being able to jump or run, you still love me for me.........What else can we say but "Thank you oh great one" for your love!

ThanksandGiving

I got that title from my niece on her blog and thought that is was a beautiful way to remember the day. (Thanks Mique).
Anyway, what an awesome day or group of days. Let it be said up front that the only thing missing or that could have made the weekend better was if Marci and family could have joined us. Otherwise, it was just to good to be true. The food was fantastic, but the company we kept was the best. Each family helped in the fixing of the meal. Melissa did horses'd'overs (check the spelling of that one) and the ham, Kelly outdid her self with the spinach salad and jello salads, Raelyn had the mashed potatoes, there is a story here. She cooked them and was using my Bosh mixer to mash them. She didn't get the lid screwed on tight and turned on the mixer. The potatoes flew everywhere. We were having flying potatoes, not the usual mashed. She had plenty, so we just cleaned up the mess and kept going. She had the sauerkraut and yams as well, Amanda did rolls (good job Amanda), Jill purchased the ham for Melissa to cook, Ireland did great pies, I had the turkey, broccoli salad, gravy, dressing and 1 cherry pie. Holly molly for a great dinner. All the family pitched in and set up the tables, took the furniture outside to make room, got out my moms china and glasses and away we went. We snacked on the awesome treats that Mel brought while we got everything ready. Aaron worked as the photographer and took some great pics. Trevor used his unique way of whistling to call us all to dinner. You have to see and hear this one to believe it by the way. It is really a combination of fingers like movements with screaming at his top notch scream. Anyway, he got us together.

After a beautiful meal, we enjoyed a great visit, watch Dirty Jobs on and off, worked on the family calender, and played cards.

Nothing is better than visiting with those you love. Aaron and Zach stayed over that night, Jill was hitting the sales with her family at 3 on Black Friday morning and Munch and Jake headed home so he could do his stores Black Friday sales about 10 PM. They didn't get home until after 1 AM due to traffic accidents. I am so honored that each family took time to come and share this special day with me. More in another blog on being thankful, but I wanted to share te family dinner photos will you all. Friday's activities are the next addition to blogging.

SHOOTING ON FRIDAY:
Val Jay mentioned that on Friday we could come out and do some shooting on the ranch. No questions on whether my family would enjoy that. Eleven AM the Alders were at the Rigbys. It was the most beautiful weather. Cold but not bad enough that a heavy sweatshirt or jacket and some gloves were all you needed. Val Jay had 4 boxes of clay pigeons and lots of shells and Rob had bunches of shells as well. I have decided that my children own arsenals. Holly cow. Jim and I worked with the 22's and Rob and ValJay took the older kids on the other side of the trucks and did the shotguns and rifles. What great shots. I know, they take after their grandma. I loved shooting and this was me in heaven. All my kids, outdoors, and checking out our aim at the targets. Kelly is a born shot, Zach is awesome, Wes is really learning how to kick some butt, and of course, Rob is great because his mom taught him how to shoot. (HEHEHEHE). ValJay and the girls took their turns too. Ear plugs were needed most of the morning. Val Jay also had his 4 wheelers there so the kids took rides all over the mountain area. The view from the top is one to remember. What a lucky family we are. Aaron again took Pics of the kids and family shooting. Here you go:

Live'n and Leave'n Halloween Traditions

The Party Begins!

Well, after 28-29 years of the most fantastic experience a family can have, I am closing my doors to Halloween Spudnuts. Now, before you panic, that doesn't mean I won't make some for friends, relatives and neighbors upon request when I feel like it, or that I can't help the family members next Halloween if they choose to carry on the tradition. It means that the tradition needs to move to the next generation. Each of us in the family has wonderful memories and it has united us as a group. There is no way that one human could do all that by themself. It has been through the efforts of the children that this has been such a success.

The neighbor called our local paper and they came over to take pictures and wrote an awesome piece for the front page of this years Halloween paper. What an honor. I tried to round up all the grandkids, but the only ones free were Raelyns younger three and thank goodness I had them. Keaton loves to roll out the dough, and "bang it and put it frozen on the trays" and he was excited to come help. McKenna and Breanna are getting really proficient in doing the sugaring as they were taught by their sister Rachel all these years. Rachel started being the master sugarer when she was only 3 years old. Like I said, it took everyones help no matter how old and their abilities.

While talking to the paper, I realized that I had "specialists" in the field. Rob and ValJay were the experts for cooking with helpers moving up on their tails of Kelly, Amanda and Jake. Raelyn has always been the Kitchen supervisor and director. She organizes the pots/pans, plates, and washes dishes until she has the kitchen spit-spot. Chelsea has always been daycare provider and child specialist. We always asked her to "monitor and supervise the kids and make sure they didn't step or crawl into the trays of spudnuts laying on the floor by the fire place. This year, she and her boyfriend took the little ones downstairs and played with them. What a relief knowing they were taken good care of and none came up missing when the hundreds of people left. She would also take them out tricker treating as the parents were all busy cooking. Then we have Jim, supervisor of entertainment. This year was so awesome as it came full circle in his tenure as a specialist. Jana Harrison was about 4 or 5 years old and they came to the home in Providence. Jim was dumping the dummy (his name was Aldernator) off the roof with a fork stabbed in the chest and catsup on the front, and Jana was so freighten she peed her pants right there on the porch. This year she came again (their family has never missed a year) and brought her daughter Mikaha. Jim scared her and she cried so hard. We took a picture to show the new generation and then Jim took off his burlap covering and spoke to her until she calmed down and they gave each other hi-5's. We have always had outside help from friends and sometimes strangers. Last year, the crowd showed up before the kids got here and a couple of families jumped in and manned the cookers until the help got here. This year we were blessed with the help from Dillian Moffatt and Jakes sister Jessica and her husband Cameron, and of course the Bayles family. Yes, that is about 15 people moving doughnuts in and out of warming ovens, cooking, sugaring, washing up some of the pans as well as greeting hundreds of tricker treaters. It is great to see people that followed us from Providence each year. Sometimes, this is the only time we cross paths. Many of the Newton families want to have this tradition over there and have offered to help Raelyn and ValJay pull it off. Rob and Kelly have even considered taking it on back at the old home front. Jake and Amanda had a great idea to take it to Price and use it for a caroling party with families and serve hot doughnuts with hot chocolate when the people returned. They have a great carport that would work PERFECT for this. SO, the tradition moves on. It was only to be done this year because the family donated money, fire extingusers, burners, pots, and the Bently family gave us some oil to help out. I truly have been blessed that I had a mother that started this tradition 50 years ago. It has been a great blessing in our lives. It has cemented us together in memories and work. If you are one of the great friends who has helped us over the years or one of the family that will carry on this great tradition, I will always be grateful and blessed that you have. Each time you make them, it will be honoring me and my mother Rachel. I am a blessed lady.

I would like to give some facts about what this year was about:

Total made: 2800 +

Served 350 to DI. Another first, Rob figured out how to "Move" the spudnut while they were raising with the warming ovens and hauling the dutch ovens and cookers as well in his work trailer. Worked great, and we had a ball. The management was able to "serve" their workers.

Served about 500 + to various business, friends, and neighbors on Wed and Thursday

Gave over 100 away frozen to various people

Served 1800 that night

Used 250 pounds of four

Used 243 eggs

Used 100 lbs sugar

Used 6 containers of crisco

16 gallons oil

5 large boxes of potato flakes

and other miscellaneous ingredients...............

I made 27 batches which make about 110 each batch

The PERFECT WAY TO END WITH A PERFECT SPUDNUT!

What an awesome experience and what great rewards.

Rich or Poor

This last two weeks as the stock market has taken the "dive" and we watch the world change and panic, we can look at life in several ways. I have talked lots lately with family and friends about being poor (money wise speaking) now as my 401K has turned into a very limited amount. I read this story or thought today and it gave me a jump start to change my thinking:
Rich Or Poor - How Rich Are You?It All Depends on the way You Look At Things

One day a rich father took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be. They spent a day and a night on the farm of a very poor family. When they got back from their trip the father asked his son, "How was the trip?""Very good Dad!""Did you see how poor people can be?"the father asked."Yeah!""And what did you learn?"The son answered, "I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden, they have a creek that has no end.We have imported lamps in the garden, they have the stars.Our patio reaches to the front yard, they have a whole horizon."When the little boy was finishing, his father was speechless.His son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are!

How rich are YOU? How much do you have in your account. I have decided that I have many accounts in this life. I have an account of money, an account of stuff (material things), an account of family, and an account of friends and a spiritual account, and a personal "me" account. I get to choose how much I have in each account. I also get to decide what I take out of each account.

I can deposit in my spiritual account by attendance at church, my personal prayer and study and temple attendance. I can feel the spirit if I put myself in places where it can be. I can loose that feeling and spirit even more quickly when I fail to continue to make deposits. Life will deduct from it each day with little things like stuff we see on tv, movies, or radio, the friends we associate or even the places we work and the people we work with. Where is my account and where is yours?

My personal account is all about me. This is not a selfish me, but a me that is accountable for the care I give my physical body, the things I eat, the things I do each day. It is the anger that I may have towards the "things" that happen to me or by me. It can be the good feelings for doing something for someone else that no one knows of. It can be the call or card from a family member just saying hello, an invite to go to lunch from a friend, the joy of watching the sunrise or set, my yard and my view from it as the seasons change. Each minute of my life and the way I am making a positive or negative difference in my account balance here on this earth?

My family account is the one I feel is the most important one for me to make the best deposits. It is the account that I never want to run into a negative balance. It is the account that is the working account. It is my every day deposit and draw from account. It is busy, and full of action. I must work hard to keep it with a positive balance. On days that I have not been able to add to that account however, many times my family has made deposits for me. They have given me physical, financial, moral, spiritual and emotional deposits. How awesome is that. I hope that I am making deposits in their accounts as well. They are my worldly and eternal accounting and reward.

My friends are an account that I have also been blessed to have an abundance of. My account runs over in that field. Along with family, my friends have always added to my account. I have been blessed with friends whose values and standards have lifted me up and added to my account. They too make big deposits into my life. This is also my eternal account. I hope and pray that I am leaving deposits of good deeds, and spiritually lifting them in their lives and making a positive deposit as well. They brighten my day, they will always be eternal deposits.

So, as I look at these accounts, which account takes on the least in value. The accounts of money and material things. Oh yes, I have been so blessed in this field as well, but what value are them in the long run. They make life better, sometimes easier, and some things are musts to have, but will they be an eternal want or need.

I am so glad to have read that little story and realized that I need to "visit the farm of the poor family more often" so that I can be reminded of how much I have and I realize the importance of those blessings.

Count Your Many Blessings

I went to church this morning at the Glendora 1st ward here in California. Scott called the old neighbor and friend to find out what time the church was. I just happened to be showered and so I jumped at the chance of going with Jolin. I did not find her until after church had started but met her after. Great meeting. Fantastic talks. I loved the opening song. Count your many blessings. Interesting enough, Scott and Teresa and I had been talking the night before about how blessed my life is. Here is my question for today: How many people do you know that are Aunt's who are invited to stay for a week almost with a niece and nephew, and then go to dinner at a beautiful Italian restaurant in Santa Monica by the pier. NOW I HAVE TO CONFESS RIGHT HERE THAT "I" yes me chickened out of going on the ferris wheel. That was the whole purpose of going down there was so I could ride the ferris wheel with Joel whose party we were celebrating. It was the Santa Ana winds were blowing and I have always hated the chairs swinging while they go around. Too much motion for me. However, now that I have confessed, I will continue the story.

I was privileged to meet with my nieces, nephews and their children for a wonderful evening. Joel was in an accident (and some day I will relate the strong person he is and his teaching me about taking responsibility for ones decisions) a couple of years ago. It resulted in the loose of his leg, and a severely cut and broken arm requiring a metal plate. He was found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol and was sentenced to jail time as well as community service. He offers his services to teach youth and others about the wrong decision to drink and drive and takes total responsibility for his consequences. We were celebrating his completion of his time served. What started as just a little dinner turned into a celebration of blessings.

I am so honored that I can be a part of a family (Alder side by the way) that allows me to be loved and to love. I was joined by a niece Syndea and her husband Randy and their daughter Mique and her husband Josh, Scott and Teressa and their son Jason and his wife and Cindy Alder, Joel and myself. Back to the question, how many people do you know that have extended "X" family by legal laws, who love them and include them in their lives. Well here is the answer, ME. I am the lucky, honored and loved person. All these children whose lives have touched mine for 40+ years have given me a glimpse into the eternities. It is people we love, the people who we share time with and who support us that will be there for all eternity. It will be a privilege for me to greet each of these beautiful people any time on this earth that I can or on the other side of this life. I am by far the most lucky, blessed lady in the world and that means for all eternity. Yes, I have counted my blessings this day, and they are many.

Uplifted Spirit

Wow what a wonderful conference weekend. OK, I know that I get preachy sometimes, however, I believe I am not the only blogger out there that thought Brother Dieter Uchtdorf's talk on Hope was absolutely one for the history books. I listened to it 3 times this weekend.
One of the hardest struggles I have is to keep HOPE alive in my life. I took notes on the 3rd time around and here are some thoughts that hit home with me:
1. Hope is one leg of a 3 legged stool, the other two being faith and charity
2. Discouragement and lack of hope leaves the heart sick, it kills ambition, drains all that is vibrant and hopeful, advances sickness, pollutes the soul and deadens the heart. Despair feels as if it leads forever downward.
3. Hope is like a ray of sunlight, It pierces the darkness,
4. Hope sustains us daily and leads to good works
5. Hope sustains us through despair
6. Sometimes we have to hope when all around us presents doubt.

His story about his mom leaving the children on the train while fleeing the Czech republic during the war and having the train gone when she returned ripped my heart from my chest. Karly and I were driving when we heard that story, and she had to run into a home and missed the rest of the story and that was the first thing she asked when she entered the car, Did she find them. His words were so sure and so reassuring that no matter how hard life may seem, we must keep HOPING and keep moving. His theme was: Move forward and put hope into action.

What a moving thought for all of us. Each person feels despair, discouragement, pain, and grief and how often do we want to give up. It is the hope of a new tomorrow that keeps us going.
Last week Syndea gave me the book the Last Lecture by Randy Pausch to read. I had heard his lecture on Oprah so I was familiar with the story. It has the same message of never giving up or giving in, but to live life the best you can and the most you can each and every day. There is no tomorrow, there's only today now has a new meaning when I sing those words.
Other thoughts that were terrific and hit home were:
One of the brothers talked about angels and how each of us is given the assignment to be an angel on this earth, to give hope and lighten the burdens of others. Others talked about our example of living and actions and how others learn from what we do more than what we say (that was William Oswald's on the jumping the rope story), and then there was Russell M Nielsen talk of Patterns of a shopper. How many of us make many of our choices using one of his examples of
study and find the best choice,
or bargain choice,
or splurger choice and jump in,
or steal what we need.
I thought about this analogy and how it applies to many of us as we make choices for all we do in life. I have made decisions in life using each of these choices (luckly the steal one has been very rare, but it has happened)

Needless to say, awesome weekend, so lucky to have a living prophet and leaders that inspire me to hang in there, to do my best, and to look forward with hope.