On Edith

We met Edith in 2010 when she came to take care of Grandpa Miller.  Ben knew of her in Winslow and offered her the job.  At first she turned it down.  She had worked nights at Arby's for 18 years cleaning the restaurant.  A few days after she told Ben no, the manager at Arby's made her mad so she decided she better accept the offer.  She packed up her clothes in her little Toyota Corolla, left everything she owned in her trailer and moved in with Grandpa.

The first few months were very hard.  She would come to my house crying and telling me she was going to quit.  He was mean, he was obscene, he was....well, out of his mind.  And Edith had no experience caring for elderly people.

She stuck it out and eventually she and Grandma became best of friends.  And she became part of our family.  That is where I want to take this post today.

Edith left Mexico about 25 years ago.  She left in hopes that she could get a better paying job in the US, then send money home to her family to help support them.  Her mom is over 90 years old and she has many nieces and nephews there.

During Edith's stay with Grandpa, she became very attached to my kids.  Mexicans just love blonde headed little kiddos!  "Aaaddie, Keember, Lutchie, and Poppi."

We tried our best to be missionaries to her but she didn't show much interest until Grandpa died.  She was very touched at his funeral, which we held in our ward building.  A short time later she started meeting with the missionaries but still wasn't interested in committing.  One day she asked, "Kobie, do I need to give them an answer right now?  They keep asking me if I want to be baptized.  What is the rush?"  I assured her that there was no rush, because really, what difference would a few days, weeks or months make in the eternal picture?

We invited her to Kimber's baptism and the very next day, she called Jared and asked him if he would baptize her!  I guess she just needed to see it for herself.

About five months later she received her Patriarchal Blessing.  I was so honored that she would invite me to join her.  

Two days after that, she went to the temple for the first time to do baptisms.  It was so special.  She is such a humble lady and that was evident in her reaction to the beauty and sacredness of the temple.

On her 61st birthday (April 14th) Edith will become an endowed member of the Church.  I am so thankful for her example, diligence, desire to do good and for the special Aunt she is to our family.

Edith learns to use a selfie stick.  Pretty hilarious.

Edith's 60th birthday.

At the family party she threw for Grandpa Miller in 2014.

Edith and Poppi.

taking wisdom from the wise

I absolutely adore Marty Call.  She is a middle aged woman in my ward who always know the right thing to say and when.  She is the BEST teacher, speaker, hugger, jokester, etc.  She spoke in church a few weeks ago and the spirit hit me hard that she was the one who could help me make my final decision about something that has been weighing on my mind.

For two years now I have served as PTSO president at Taylor Intermediate.  Last year about killed me and I threw in the towel after the first semester only the take it all back and finish out the year.  I learned a lot about myself, being a leader, limits and other people.

I decided to give it one more shot, this time with two great new gals who brought fresh air to the group.  Unfortunately, even with a pretty decent committee I still haven't enjoyed the experience.  It finally dawned on me that it wasn't the girls that were bringing me down and ruining the experience, it is the faculty at the school.  The principal is a dud and the attendance secretary is very low on my list of favorite people.

I decided that I could not longer carry the burden so I talked to Addie and Kimber about me leaving.  They burst into tears and begged me to stay to which I said I would reconsider.  It's weighed on my mind for months now.  I knew I wanted out but I just couldn't completely tell myself to let go of the reigns.

Fast forward to Marty's talk in church.  The spirit strongly urged me to sit down with her and talk it over.  Today that happened.  She is so wise.

I laid it out for her and told her how my girls felt.  She was quick to tell me that it is not my girls' decision.

I read her my list of pros and cons.  She listened carefully, interjecting where appropriate.

When I told her that one of the cons was that it doesn't really bring me much joy, she said "it's a volunteer thing.  It should bring you lots of joy!  It shouldn't be something you dread."  Amen, Marty!

She told me that instead of "doing everything" I just needed to be the Room Mom.  Volunteering once a week and being with my girls then; in their classroom and interacting with them.

She also told me that if the Breakfast with Santa brought so much joy to me, I could volunteer to run it, do the job, feel good about it then walk away and be done.  Genius!  Why didn't I think of that??  Although, come November, I'm not sure I'll feel like taking that on ;)

She told me that when she spoke in church, she sat on the stand, looked at every face and thought, "I want to hear from every one of you before you hear from me again!"  She said we all take turns and it is someone else's turn, so pass the baton.

Marty, thank you for telling me what I already knew but saying it so simply.  Sometimes we just need to hear it form someone with more life experience than we have.

starting fresh in twenty sixteen

I love new beginnings!  I love the feeling of starting fresh!  For the new year I've decided to set a few resolutions that will help me grow closer to my Father in Heaven; improve my prayers and read my scriptures with a physical copy in my hands, not on my phone.

First of all, about prayer.  I want to use prayer and the power that lies within as the gift that it is.  For a long time I've wondered why my Grandma Richardson had so many clear and powerful answers to her prayers.  I want that!  I want my desires to be directly in line with those of my Heavenly Father.  I've decided to make mine more powerful and meaningful than I ever have.  I'll choose twelve areas, one for each month, that I can work on.

January is just to say them!  I've always prayed but this month I am focusing on really taking the time to say them.  Instead of rolling out of bed to my knees, I now wait until I've done my workout and I'm awake!  I was worried about it at first but once I tried it, I realized what a big difference it made.  I've also been trying to incorporate new terms and names for Heavenly Father into my prayers.  What a difference it has made already!

A few other things I'd like to focus on throughout the year-
asking for my faith to be strengthened
taking time after my prayers to listen
praying for experiences that will help me be more in tune with the Spirit
praying for experiences that will help me refine myself
merge my will with the Father's

As a way of helping me remember my goal throughout the year, I purchased a customized bangle with the word "pray" on it.  I'll wear it all year long as a reminder of my goal.

It looks like this but of course says "pray" instead of Annabel ;)

My second goal is to use my physical set of scriptures for the year.  This is my third year following BofM365 and using their daily reading and questions as my scripture study.  It helps me read daily as well as seek for answers to the questions they pose.  In the past, I've always gone between their post and the Gospel library but this year, I am going to hold the scriptures in my hand!  

I love what Elder Richard G. Scott said about this: “There is nothing like hefting the book in your hand, reading and marking your own volume of scriptures. If that isn’t happening – if people are using only scriptures that are in a computer, they are missing the richness of the feelings that come, the ability to write in the margins the impressions that surely come as we read passages of scripture.”

What wise counsel!

I hope that when 2017 arrives, I'll feel closer to my Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ.

Rexburg 2015

It's been a while since I've posted any pictures!  Here are a few from our October Girl's Trip to Idaho.

The anticipation of the flight was almost too much for these girls.

 It didn't take long for them to realize that flying isn't all it's cracked up to be.

The Hymas' live in a great neighborhood with lots of kids.  It made us a little sad that we don't have that, but sometimes we feel grateful not to have little friends dropping in on us all of the time :)

The kids were all perfectly matched.  They got along great and played their little hearts out.

 Raygon's garden was overrun with tomatoes.  We ate and ate!

 We had s'mores that night.

The next day we headed to Yellowstone!  What a fun treat!

 Sunday was so great!  I surprised Cami and dropped in for a visit.  It was so fun to see her face when I knocked on the door.  What a sweet reunion.

You know you have a great friendship when you can pick up right where you left off after so many years.

After our time with Cami, it was back to business at the Hymas house.  Games, Pokeman, playing house, Legos and M&M's.

 Monday came too fast.  The kids got in every last bit of fun they could.

We made quick stop to Holden's school where Addie and Kimber were the guest readers

before making  stop at M'kayla Ellsworth's apartment for a quick visit.

Then it was time to leave.  It was so sad and hard to go.

Next time, we are staying much longer!

Did you think to pray?

Heavenly Father, are you really there?

And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer?

Some say that heaven is far away,

But I feel it close around me as I pray.

Heavenly Father, I remember now

Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:

"Suffer the children to come to me."

Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.

Pray, he is there;

Speak, he is list'ning.

You are his child;

His love now surrounds you.

He hears your prayer;

He loves the children.

Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heaven

If there is anything I want my children to be able to say about me when they are older, it is that their mother taught them to pray.  And to pray over everything.  I don't know if I'm doing as good of a job as I hope to do, but I am trying.

We had a neat experience a few months ago that I feel prompted to record.  Maybe we will share it in a talk or lesson someday.

The girls and I had just arrived in Idaho Falls and were waiting at the curb for my friend Raygon to pick us up.  She was running a few minutes late so we just hung under the shade and watched the people come and go.  A young lady was obviously running late for her flight.  You could tell as she scurried with her suitcase lagging behind.  A few minutes later she hurriedly exited the airport and went to her car, which happened to be parked in our view.  She looked quite frazzled as she fumbled around, then before I knew it, she was laying on the ground- one shoe came off and her belongings scattered around her.  She fumbled to get her shoe back on while I told the girls to stay put.  I rushed across the parking lot to check on her.  "Are you okay?  Are you hurt?" I asked.  I'm late for my flight and I forgot my ID in the car.  I am pretty sure I am going to miss my flight because they already boarded."  Tears and distress ran down her face as we rushed back toward the entrance.  I wanted to know if there was anything I could do, but she said no and hurried back inside. 

Her face would not leave me.  I made my way back to my girls and told them to pray very hard that she would make her flight.  And pray we did!  We (or at least I) prayed all weekend.  "Oh Heavenly Father, please help that girl to have made her flight", "it was obviously a terrible day for her.  Please let her be to the destination she was headed to."  Oh, how I prayed for that stranger!  And how badly I wished to know if she had made it.  I don't remember praying specifically for that, although I very well could have, but I wanted to know so badly.  I wanted it to be an experience that my girls could have closure to; to know if their prayers had been answered.

That happened on Friday.

On Monday, we were back at the airport for our return flight.  I about died of a heart attack when I saw the same girl standing just feet away from me!  Wearing the same pink sweater and black pants so I could recognize her!  I about knocked her over as I made a beeline towards her to see how she was and if she had made her flight.  A very kind and loving Heavenly Father had answered the prayers of three little girls, a mom and no doubt a very stressed and worried young lady, because she made it!  She said she made her flight!  I told her that we had prayed so hard for her and that we worried all weekend.  It was such a tender mercy to see her.  

Surely Heavenly Father knows of my desire to teach my children to pray over everything.  He blessed me so greatly the day he let me run into her.  I mean, c'mon, what are the chances??!!  

Now, a few person thoughts on prayer and things I want my kids to know:

We do a lot of praying over lost items in this house.  I mean, almost daily.  In fact, just today I could not find my house keys.  After some futile attempts on my own, I finally knelt down and asked for the help I needed.  Within a few minutes, I had the keys in my hand.  They were in a box of Christmas decorations in the laundry room.  I would have never found them!  

I hope my girls know by now that when we pray for help finding something there is a method to it:

Kneel

Pray for help

Be still and quiet

Begin searching

Follow any promptings

Know that you mom is praying you will find it just so you can gain a testimony of the power of prayer- that isn't part of the method but I do pray for that

I am always so proud when my girls tell me they have done this on their own :)

We have also done a lot of praying over friends in this house.  Seasons in life change and new friendships need to be made while old ones are severed.  

Jared and I pray together for this as well as praying individually with the struggling child. 

Just tonight Kimber told me she needs a new friend.  I told her we needed to pray about it and that a new friend would come.  I know one will because it happens every time.  Heavenly Father is so kind.

I never want my kids to feel awkward about praying individually with myself or Jared.  I hope we do it often enough that there isn't room for awkwardness.

It is important to pray over anything and everything.  Today I prayed over doing makeup for M'Kayla Hall's makeup.  She had asked me to do it for her for Winter Formal.  A lot of prayer went into it and I think it turned out okay.

Be sure to show gratitude in your prayers.  Every night when I kneed to pray, I begin with thanking Heavenly Father for the thing I am most grateful for that day.  Sometimes it comes easily to me and other times I spend little time in peaceful reflection of the day.  Either way, it is a nice way to focus on your prayer.

Most importantly, I want my kids to know that when prayer is the thing that gets me through every day, every trail, every illness, every worry, every tiny challenge, every big challenge, every THING.  If we have such a kind and loving Heavenly Father who is willing to help us, why not go to him and seek the help he wants to give?

learn to listen // listen to learn

I think I used to be a bad listener.  Recently, I wanted to change that and try to be better and I think my handwork is paying off.  In order to be better it has taken about six weeks and lots of study, concentration, effort and prayer.

First of all, I prayed.  I prayed frequently to be better and also to have opportunities to practice.  Every time I prayed for the chance to listen to someone my prayers were answered.  I listened to friends who: had lost her job, was told their baby had miscarried and they would need a D and C, was concerned about where to move, (another friend) who had a miscarriage, whose kids had been sick for weeks, and more.  I was always so thankful that Heavenly Father knew I was sincere in my effort and put people in my path who really needed a listening ear.

Next, I listened to a great talk by Russell M. Neilson many times as well as podcasts.  It turns out, most the world is pretty bad a listening.

As one of my weekly ponderizing scriptures, I memorized Proverbs 19:20, "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise."

A few of the greatest things I learned are:

mimic the other person's body language.  I have a habit of folding my arms but I've worked hard at putting my hands at my side or resting them in a similar position to the person I am listening to.

don't think about what you are going to say next.  This is where concentration came in for me.  I'm a rescuer.  When someone tells me of a problem, my mind instantly goes into rescue-mode.  How can I help?  How can I take their problem away?  Not thinking of what I will say next has really changed the listening game for me.

being a good listener is something you learn to do, not necessarily something you are born to do.  It takes A LOT of practice!

follow up.  Ask questions about the conversation you had a few days ago.  They will know that you really listened!

Last week I sat on a friend's couch while she told me of a very difficult experience she was going through.  She commented to me that I am a good listener and I felt like I had finally done it!  I had finally proved to myself that I could be a good listener.

the most important things in life

This blog of mine has taken a turn over the last few month.  It has gone from documenting everyday life to deeper thoughts and feelings that I want my kids to know I have.  Today, I want to tell them about some of the most important things in my life.

First and foremost is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It comes before anything.  It is also the reason I have everything.  I may not have loads of money, but I have the security of an eternal family.  I may not have a big house but I have a mansion in heaven.  I may not have the perfect body, but all things will be made right at the resurrection.  I may not be the smartest, but I have knowledge of his perfect gospel.  I may make mistakes but I know I can repent and try again because he has paid the price for those mistakes.

My family; my husband then my kids.  No group of people can cause me more stress and anguish or more love and joy- sometimes in the same day!

My family; my parents, siblings, in-laws, grandparents, and ancestors.  I am so blessed to come from a rich heritage.  I hope I live my life in a way that makes my progenitors proud.

The scriptures and prayer.  I read the scriptures and pray daily.  I am so thankful for each scripture that touches my heart and each prayer that is answered.

Living prophets and apostles.  Can you imagine a life without this?  I can't and don't want to!

Laughter, good friends, memories, time well spent, patience, charity and forgiveness.  Add these to the other important things and you will be alright!