New Beginnings

My mom is getting remarried this Saturday, and my head and heart are so full right now!  Memories of my dad are becoming more intense, and sadness in the loss of an expectant future is overwhelming at times!  But I am so happy for my mom & Brad.  He is an amazing person!  It’s truly a miracle the two of them found each other.    

What is an effective example of managing grief?  I think my mom would definitely be an effective example of managing grief.  Last spring my mom took the courageous step of attending the LDS Widows/Widowers Conference in SLC.  There she met Brad - a widower of three years.  So here we are.  The two of them will be married for time in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple on February 6th.  Common griefs knit two hearts together in a sacred way.       

I’m getting better at recognizing my loss as a revolution rather than a deprivation.  Certain habits have terminated while other ones - good ones - have developed.  Indeed, I am a better person!  It is true that there is a tinge of misery in my heart, and I rendezvous with it every day.  But just enough to remind me that I’ve the privilege of happiness, and I’ll create it.  A new chapter is on the rise, an old one waiting to be closed.  

How grateful I am for new beginnings, memories, the reality of life after death, and all that awaits in life everlasting.             

A Glimpse of Thanksgiving 2015

Thanksgiving 2015 was spent in Idaho at the Wolfley homestead.  My mother-in-law always does a great job making everything feel fancy and comfortable all at the same time.  All 19 of us were there which was a first!  Jared’s older sister, Kristen, from Utah; her husband, Richard, and their four kids - Kate, Will, Drew, and Claire; and Jared’s younger brother, Clint, from Boise; his wife, Katie, and their three kids - Max, Christian, and Charlee. 

Everyone pitched in to make it a success.  Jared did a great job carving the turkey, Katie made the most delicious rolls, my father-in-law gave a prayer of thanks, and the kids ate & ran around like wild monkeys.  AnnMarie nonchalantly imposed my dad’s favorite Thanksgiving tradition before the prayer which was always for everyone to say one thing they're thankful for - something that starts with the first letter of their name.   

^^^ Drew enjoying himself ^^^

^^^ Carlie extra happy to be able to spend time with her cousin Claire ^^^

After a very filling feast, we loaded up the kids and sang "over the sagebrush and through the fields to Grandmother Julie’s house we go,” haha!  My mom hosted a Thanksgiving Feast of her own, too, so we were able to share some pie with extended family in the house that built me...and play some good ole Turkey BINGO.  Oh my goodness, it was so funny!  I wish I would’ve taken a few pictures of that; it was pretty entertaining.  It brought tears to my eyes hearing a house-full of laughter from the edge of the driveway as we pulled up that cold afternoon.

^^^ Marley, Madi, and Carlie ^^^

I love having opportunities to be surrounded by family.  It’s one of the great joys of my life and something I look forward to creating as the years go by.

On Being Unselfish

I came upon these quotes this morning that I want to hold on to forever.  Our Savior gave Himself to unselfish service; I want nothing more than to be like Him.  I pray that my husband & I can always be wise in our decisions - in order that we may lose ourselves in the unselfish service of others and build the Kingdom of God on earth!  It isn’t always easy to give up our personal desires or dreams when called to His work, but from my experience - at the end of the day - it’s impossible to feel peace & sincere happiness in the pursuit of personal gain.      

"We live in a time when sacrifice is definitely out of fashion, when the outside forces that taught our ancestors the need for unselfish cooperative service have diminished.  Someone has called this the “me” generation—a selfish time when everyone seems to be asking, what’s in it for me?  Even some who should know better seem to be straining to win the praise of those who mock and scoff from the “great and spacious building” identified in vision as the pride of the world.” - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"People that know they are important, think about others.  People that think they are important, think about themselves.” - Hans F. Hansen

“Selfish persons are incapable of loving others, but they are not capable of loving themselves either.” - Erich Fromm

"Selfish people often mistake selfishness for strength.  It takes no talent, no intelligence, no self-control, and no effort to sacrifice other people for your ego.”  - Anonymous