Yard work has begun in earnest at our home for all of the summer fun coming up. With a missionary farewell at the Sixth Ward Chapel for Skylar in July and then a luncheon at our home this will be one of the first events.
Brandon and Jordan will be getting married on July 14th ---- tentatively in the yard. Then next will be Burt and Heidi's wedding also in the yard. We are happy for these children and look forward to their day when they enter the temple.
During the summer we will also be blessed with two new great grandchildren. Shaylee and Cassidy will be having a little boy in June and Kelsey and Dusty will welcome a little girl in July. In between all of these fun times I will spend some vacation time with the Despain family.
FAMILY IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Temple Devotional
Brad and I spent a beautiful Sabbath afternoon in the Assembly Hall on the upper floor of the Logan Temple. What a marvelous afternoon and blessing.
It has been thirty three years since I was last blessed to sit in this room and be taught.
It has been thirty three years since I was last blessed to sit in this room and be taught.
It was a warm spring day and the temple grounds are so very beautiful with the spring flowers. The daffodils are gone but the tulips are coming into bloom and the magnolia trees are breath taking. The fountain is now alive and bubbling. In the evening when we leave the temple it is light with such pretty colors.
As we met in the large Assembly Hall they had the windows open so that the breeze could cross through the room. It was not hot nor cool. Just the stuffiness of about 800 people. Not at all uncomfortable for me. President Taylor also told the men that it was a white shirt day if they so desired. That meant they were welcome to take of their suit jackets.
The music was breath taking. Sister Vivian Blanchard, one of my favorite teachers, was the pianist for the meeting and the choir that sang. Brother Carl Ashby was the choir director. He brings such great sounds from those that participate. It was so neat to see this beautiful choir made up of temple workers in our age category. Their voices were so solid and firm as they raised testimonies in song.
When we sang the opening hymn "High on the Mountain Top" I had goose bumps in this room that was not a bit cold. The ceiling is so tall that the music just resounded. I thought about the people that were sitting on the temple grounds when we went in and wondered what they thought when they heard this beautiful music coming out of the temple. The choir sang "O My Father" for an intermediate musical selection and "The Spirit of God" for their closing number. The tears were so close to the surface as I listened and thought of the message that the words delivered. So amazing.
President Taylor conducted. He recognized the former temple presidencies that were in attendance at our session. President Rolfe Kerr was asked to bare his testimony. The speakers with Sister Lynette Taylor, the temple matron, President Ward Taylor, the current temple president and Elder Vaughn Featherstone. The messages were inspiring and touching. The testimonies were strong and sure. The afternoon was sweet.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Brigham City Temple Open House and Dedication Announced
The First Presidency has announced that the dedication of the Brigham City Temple will take place on Sunday September 23, 2012.
If you go to the Brigham City Temple Blog listed on my Blog you will find the open house dates and where to get the tickets.
I am so excited for the wonderful event that is going to be taking place and the opportunities that it will bring to all of us.
Sid it is Complete
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to open my heart and share. I look forward to your thoughts and testimony. Sid you are truly a giant in Gods Eternal Plan. I thank Him for you and that you were brought into my life. My love to you and all of your family.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Happy Birthday to Lisa
Today is Lisa's birthday. I think it must be a rather quiet one for her with Jeff gone and Carli at work. It is so funny how a house can be so full one minute and empty the next.
Lisa is such a special daughter in law. She has such a positive attitude all the time even when I know she is facing challenges. She is such a strong example of following the Savior's teaching. I have been so blessed to share a small portion of her life.
Lisa has worked hard at learning and progressing in her occupation and is now a great asset to her company. She is such a sharp lady. I sometimes wonder how she keeps going with all of her support and service to others. She is a very special grandmother to Kinley, Kaden and Gracie. When they see grandma they light up. No mother could ask for a better companion for her son than Lisa. She is truly and special daughter of our Heavenly Father. May she always be blessed in all that she does and have peace and joy.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Twenty One ---- "FINALLY"
That is what Kelsey said yesterday about her birthday today. Twenty one is always kind of a milestone in our lives but for most it makes little change. At twenty one Kelsey has accomplished so much. She has always been a young lady with high goals. Soon she will complete her Bachelors Degree at Utah State University, she has developed some sewing skills and now enjoys doing crafts, she is a great older sister, she and Dusty will be celebrating anniversary number two, they have survived being apart many days when Dusty's work takes him to the middle of no where, they will soon be first time homeowners, and best of all soon they will be first time parents. Not bad for being just twenty one. I am sure that in the years to come she will continue to move forward and at year birth milestone she will look back and say "life has been good."
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Elizabeth Jane Soria
Today was Elizabeth Jane's special blessing day. Her parents have prepared for this for some weeks now. Natalie wanted Elizabeth to be blessed in the same dress that she wore when she was blessed thirty seven years ago. With Aunt Tonya's help we were able to remove the stain that was on the dress from Natalie and I sewed a new little slip to go under the dress. It was such a delight for me to have this little dress for a few days as I worked to have it nice for the blessing. Natalie had knit her a delicate little pair of white slippers for her feet, a cute headband and had a new pair of tights for her to wear. She looked so angelic.
The blessing was given during Sacrament meeting at the Hunter Creek Ward Building. It was a very special meeting for me. I was blessed to be sitting by Brad and have some of my wonderful family surround us. I am so very grateful that the children support one another to the best of their abilities. It is harder to have us all together as much because of work schedules, church times and commitments, but they do their very best. I am blessed.
Sid gave his little daughter a very special blessing. He blessed her that she would know that her Heavenly Father loves her and will always help her. He blessed her that she would desire to receive her education. He blessed her that she would seek good friends. He blessed her that she would be married in the temple to a worthy mate. He blessed her with good health. He blessed her that she may always know that her parents will always love her. How wonderful it was to listen to this sweet father share his heart in a blessing for his daughter. At one point I thought maybe he had lost his train of thought because he hesitated for some time but not lost thoughts just little Lizzie letting "tooters". Sid was just trying to suppress a giggle. Grandpa said it was so funny.
The men standing in the circle were Daddy Sid, Grandpa Brad, Uncle Dan, Uncle Paul, cousins Justin Nesbit, Dusty Dansie and Skylar Isaacson (alias Big Brother), family friend Jeremy Petersen and the ward Bishopric.
The sacrament meeting was very inspiring. The men were asked to talk about "Prophets." They really approached this subject with unique ideas. They asked us if someone ask you what the Prophets message was to us today what would we answer. I am afraid I would have to answer I do not know. I listen and I read conference messages and I read the Ensigns but I was not really reading them and pondering what they are saying. I do want to do better.
After the meeting we went to the Soria home and enjoyed a lovely lunch. Natalie and Sid had worked hard to make everything just right. With the help of all our families and the food that the Sorias had prepared with are lots of good food. Natalie had hoped for a bit warmer weather but we survived. It was a great day.
The men standing in the circle were Daddy Sid, Grandpa Brad, Uncle Dan, Uncle Paul, cousins Justin Nesbit, Dusty Dansie and Skylar Isaacson (alias Big Brother), family friend Jeremy Petersen and the ward Bishopric.
The sacrament meeting was very inspiring. The men were asked to talk about "Prophets." They really approached this subject with unique ideas. They asked us if someone ask you what the Prophets message was to us today what would we answer. I am afraid I would have to answer I do not know. I listen and I read conference messages and I read the Ensigns but I was not really reading them and pondering what they are saying. I do want to do better.
After the meeting we went to the Soria home and enjoyed a lovely lunch. Natalie and Sid had worked hard to make everything just right. With the help of all our families and the food that the Sorias had prepared with are lots of good food. Natalie had hoped for a bit warmer weather but we survived. It was a great day.
Isaacsons on Tornado watch
The Isaacsons are on a tornado watch until 11:30 tonight. Jeff Firth is also in Minnesota and on tornado watch. So many more gray hairs.
Sister Missionaries at the Isaacsons
The Isaacson family hosted the sister missionaries for dinner today. Such a great experience. However, the greatest surprise was that Sister Fink is from Syracuse. She was a senior when Sky was a sophomore at Syracuse High School. She lived close to the high school. It is such a small world anymore. They loved the picture of the prophet and were in awe that the brother in law had drawn it. (Great work Dan!)
Saturday, April 14, 2012
For Sid
Sid has given me a challenge ----- To write how my temple calling has increased my testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel and His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. He in return will write the story of his conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I have been thinking on this now for nearly two months when he asked me to do it. So here goes a beginning -------
I have been thinking on this now for nearly two months when he asked me to do it. So here goes a beginning -------
I am approaching what little Heather has lovingly called "old age" (that is because my hair is white). Each experience that has come to me during these years of my life have had a profound effect on who I am and my testimony.
As a child in my parents home I was tutored by my parents by example and by word the teachings of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I was taught that my Heavenly Father loved me. Ours was a home where family prayer was said, attendance at our church meetings was faithful, service was always given to others and to the organizations of the church. All in all my parents truly raised me to believe in the gospel. Days came and went and I grew into a young women who had to learn for herself if she truly had a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that this is His church restored to earth through the Propeht Joseph Smith. I had depended so much on my parents to help me chose the right paths. Some would call this a "borrowed testimony".
With the help of good Seminary teachers and Church teachers a limited study was began of the scriptures and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and my testimony was growing. Soon I would leave the security of my home and my little community of Ucon and head to school in Logan. Now strength would have to come from me to be faithful to gospel teachings. My own faith that my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ were with me and would help me in this new experience would be tested. Were they real. Would I continue to follow His teachings as a member of His church or would I falter. Was my testimony of the truth sure enough to keep me on the right path. College was such a new experience for me. My home, family and friends in Ucon had been my life for eighteen years. They were good and helped me to be good.
It was while at the University that I would meet the young man who would become my husband and the father of my children. He was a young Latter-day Saint man from Bothwell, Utah. He was a good man but was being a bit rebellious to his family. I guess just trying to grow up and figure out who he was. Our love was quick and sure. We desired a temple marriage and we worked toward this goal. On July 28, 1960, we were married in the Idaho Falls Temple.
We would make our home in Bothwell, Utah. Dale would continue on with schooling at the University and I would become an employee at the new company in our valley called Thiokol.
We did well together and we found great joy and peace in being married. We were faithful in our church callings and attendance and attended the temple often. I really felt that I was on solid ground and my testimony was sure. We were blessed with children and so enjoyed being a family. I soon became a stay at home mom and Dale had became a farmer and cattleman.
Funny how things can change so quickly. Ill health started to take a very great toll on Dale and on our family. I felt like I was riding on a roller coaster that was out of control with no one to stop it. My faith that Heavenly Father heard me and loved me was slowly fading. I felt alone in a situation that was slowly destroying me and my family. Why didn't my Heavenly Father hear me, why didn't he answer my prayers and take this pain away? Please just make it better. Please make him better. Please don't let him hurt anymore. This was my fervent plea. Why?
I remember so clearly even today the night when I poured my heart out in prayer. I need help. Dale needs help. The children need help. Please don't let him hurt anymore. I loved him too much to see him suffer so much ----- both physically and emotionally.
Six weeks later I knew that my plea had been heard and answers came to me. It was not the answer I had expected or wanted but I knew that for this man that I loved so deeply and completely it was the only answer. He would not get well on this earth. That day when I found him lying dead in one of the buildings at the High School I thought my heart would break. Such an overwhelming feeling of "alone" came to me. We were husband and wife, we were companions, we were friends, what was I going to do without him by my side. Those precious seven children and the little baby I was carrying loved him so. They needed him. I needed him.
It was at this time that Heavenly Father gave His answer to me. A peace was wrapped around me that He was there. That He would always be with me to give me strength and peace if I would trust and believe in Him. From that day on I have always known this. I have never doubted for one moment that my Heavenly Father has lifted me up and helped me through the rough times. That He has smiled with me for all the great and wonderful times. I know that he weeps when I weep. I know that He loves me and I now that I love Him, my eternal Father. I KNOW THAT HE LIVES.
Now I am serving my Savior Jesus Christ in the Logan Temple. Has my testimony been strengthened?
I am not sure if strengthened is the word I should use. I know that my testimony has been sure for a long time.
What my temple service is doing is adding to my testimony with a sure knowledge that God has an eternal plan for all of His children. From the beginning of time when He became the Father of our spirits His only desire is for our worthy return to His presence. The same love and desire that I feel for each of my own family. As I am blessed to officiate in the sacred ordinances the wonderful blessings of the temple give they become more clear and beautiful to me. There eternal meaning is more joyous to me. I am becoming more in tune with my life and its purpose and meaning.
In the outer foyer of the Logan Temple is a beautiful painting of the Savior with out stretched hands. In my thoughts He is calling to me, Come Unto me (Deanna), ye that are heavy laden and I will give you peace. (It was preserved when the temple was completely renovated. I remember it in the old temple.)
Each Saturday evening when I have completed my assignements and have dressed in my outside cloths I will sit on the sofa facing this picture as I wait for Brad. It is a time of reflection and thanks for me as I think of the gift of the atonement that He freely gave to me. He loosed the bonds of death. My life and those I love will never be lost to the grave. We will rise again as He did. We will reunite in great love and rejoicing. We will be made whole. We will feel love and joy so great our hearts will be full. I know this is true. I know that He stands beside His father our Heavenly Father and their purposes are the same. The eternal salvation of man.
As Brad and I walk through the doors of the temple as we begin our work for the evening it feels so wonderful to leave the busyness of the outside world behind. It is as if we have entered a corner of Heaven that is so beautiful. So filled with peace and love. As we pass through the temple doors to the outside world at the end of our evening I feel fortified by His power and spirit to meet the challenges that may come our way during the week. Bless your lives my dear children with this same power. Enter the temple often and you will find peace and you will gain a greater understanding of God's plan and His and the Savior's great love.
My dear family ---- eternal life is NOW. We do not prepare for it tomorrow. We live it today. We live it in the way we fulfill our covenants that we have made with Him. Whether we are at the beginning of our lives, mid way through or on the closing hours of life we need to be living an eternal life now. This life is part of our eternal life we are not just passing through to the next part. My prayers are with each one of you. You are precious in my sight. Being a mother in Zion has been my greatest blessing. I pray for you always that your lives will be eternal. That our homes will be as Heaven. That our love will be like the Saviors. "As I have loved you love one another."
As a child in my parents home I was tutored by my parents by example and by word the teachings of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I was taught that my Heavenly Father loved me. Ours was a home where family prayer was said, attendance at our church meetings was faithful, service was always given to others and to the organizations of the church. All in all my parents truly raised me to believe in the gospel. Days came and went and I grew into a young women who had to learn for herself if she truly had a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that this is His church restored to earth through the Propeht Joseph Smith. I had depended so much on my parents to help me chose the right paths. Some would call this a "borrowed testimony".
With the help of good Seminary teachers and Church teachers a limited study was began of the scriptures and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and my testimony was growing. Soon I would leave the security of my home and my little community of Ucon and head to school in Logan. Now strength would have to come from me to be faithful to gospel teachings. My own faith that my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ were with me and would help me in this new experience would be tested. Were they real. Would I continue to follow His teachings as a member of His church or would I falter. Was my testimony of the truth sure enough to keep me on the right path. College was such a new experience for me. My home, family and friends in Ucon had been my life for eighteen years. They were good and helped me to be good.
It was while at the University that I would meet the young man who would become my husband and the father of my children. He was a young Latter-day Saint man from Bothwell, Utah. He was a good man but was being a bit rebellious to his family. I guess just trying to grow up and figure out who he was. Our love was quick and sure. We desired a temple marriage and we worked toward this goal. On July 28, 1960, we were married in the Idaho Falls Temple.
We would make our home in Bothwell, Utah. Dale would continue on with schooling at the University and I would become an employee at the new company in our valley called Thiokol.
We did well together and we found great joy and peace in being married. We were faithful in our church callings and attendance and attended the temple often. I really felt that I was on solid ground and my testimony was sure. We were blessed with children and so enjoyed being a family. I soon became a stay at home mom and Dale had became a farmer and cattleman.
Funny how things can change so quickly. Ill health started to take a very great toll on Dale and on our family. I felt like I was riding on a roller coaster that was out of control with no one to stop it. My faith that Heavenly Father heard me and loved me was slowly fading. I felt alone in a situation that was slowly destroying me and my family. Why didn't my Heavenly Father hear me, why didn't he answer my prayers and take this pain away? Please just make it better. Please make him better. Please don't let him hurt anymore. This was my fervent plea. Why?
I remember so clearly even today the night when I poured my heart out in prayer. I need help. Dale needs help. The children need help. Please don't let him hurt anymore. I loved him too much to see him suffer so much ----- both physically and emotionally.
Six weeks later I knew that my plea had been heard and answers came to me. It was not the answer I had expected or wanted but I knew that for this man that I loved so deeply and completely it was the only answer. He would not get well on this earth. That day when I found him lying dead in one of the buildings at the High School I thought my heart would break. Such an overwhelming feeling of "alone" came to me. We were husband and wife, we were companions, we were friends, what was I going to do without him by my side. Those precious seven children and the little baby I was carrying loved him so. They needed him. I needed him.
It was at this time that Heavenly Father gave His answer to me. A peace was wrapped around me that He was there. That He would always be with me to give me strength and peace if I would trust and believe in Him. From that day on I have always known this. I have never doubted for one moment that my Heavenly Father has lifted me up and helped me through the rough times. That He has smiled with me for all the great and wonderful times. I know that he weeps when I weep. I know that He loves me and I now that I love Him, my eternal Father. I KNOW THAT HE LIVES.
Now I am serving my Savior Jesus Christ in the Logan Temple. Has my testimony been strengthened?
I am not sure if strengthened is the word I should use. I know that my testimony has been sure for a long time.
What my temple service is doing is adding to my testimony with a sure knowledge that God has an eternal plan for all of His children. From the beginning of time when He became the Father of our spirits His only desire is for our worthy return to His presence. The same love and desire that I feel for each of my own family. As I am blessed to officiate in the sacred ordinances the wonderful blessings of the temple give they become more clear and beautiful to me. There eternal meaning is more joyous to me. I am becoming more in tune with my life and its purpose and meaning.
In the outer foyer of the Logan Temple is a beautiful painting of the Savior with out stretched hands. In my thoughts He is calling to me, Come Unto me (Deanna), ye that are heavy laden and I will give you peace. (It was preserved when the temple was completely renovated. I remember it in the old temple.)
Each Saturday evening when I have completed my assignements and have dressed in my outside cloths I will sit on the sofa facing this picture as I wait for Brad. It is a time of reflection and thanks for me as I think of the gift of the atonement that He freely gave to me. He loosed the bonds of death. My life and those I love will never be lost to the grave. We will rise again as He did. We will reunite in great love and rejoicing. We will be made whole. We will feel love and joy so great our hearts will be full. I know this is true. I know that He stands beside His father our Heavenly Father and their purposes are the same. The eternal salvation of man.
As Brad and I walk through the doors of the temple as we begin our work for the evening it feels so wonderful to leave the busyness of the outside world behind. It is as if we have entered a corner of Heaven that is so beautiful. So filled with peace and love. As we pass through the temple doors to the outside world at the end of our evening I feel fortified by His power and spirit to meet the challenges that may come our way during the week. Bless your lives my dear children with this same power. Enter the temple often and you will find peace and you will gain a greater understanding of God's plan and His and the Savior's great love.
My dear family ---- eternal life is NOW. We do not prepare for it tomorrow. We live it today. We live it in the way we fulfill our covenants that we have made with Him. Whether we are at the beginning of our lives, mid way through or on the closing hours of life we need to be living an eternal life now. This life is part of our eternal life we are not just passing through to the next part. My prayers are with each one of you. You are precious in my sight. Being a mother in Zion has been my greatest blessing. I pray for you always that your lives will be eternal. That our homes will be as Heaven. That our love will be like the Saviors. "As I have loved you love one another."
A Baby Shower for Shaylee
Mary and Heidi hosted a baby shower for Shaylee. They prepared such lovely food and decorations. Many lovely and helpful gifts was received to help with baby boy Ryder when he arrives. I made dollar rolls to help Mary. They are fun to make and was able to make a pan of cinnamon rolls with half of the dough.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Tithing Crop
Once again the beautiful field behind our home is prepared for hopefully another good year. Brad is a good farmer and most of all he truly enjoys it. IFA has done the fertilizing and now the watering will begin. Brad's schedule has him starting at four on Saturday afternoon. Hopefully the Lord and Cody Hart will help us with this problem as we are working in the temple at this time. Brad really feels that Cody will swap times with him. It is a great joy to watch the wheat get greener and taller. We are truly grateful for the wonderful blessings of the land. The fall will bring the harvest and the annual payment of tithes. We are blessed.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Easter at Our House
How grateful we are for family. We met today at four, after the last church meetings. We shared a wonderful dinner and conversation. Then it was time for the annual Easter Hunt. The little ones look forward to this fun time. We were missing only five. Our Isaacson family in Minnesota, but were very glad Skylar was with us. In all their was 52. We are growing in numbers. It is terrific.
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