Monsters!

Thanks to this pin:

Source: expressivemonkey.com via Andrea on Pinterest

Carter and I played a fun game drawing monsters, which also was a fun way to help him recognize numbers. For some reason, he always has a hard time with the number 1 and the number 5.  But he's learning!

We played the game a few times.  This is his monster after the first round, when he tried the hardest:

This is my monster

 I really think he did a great job!

In the Garden

I had never heard of this song until my grandma's funeral this past summer (July 2012). It was a favorite of hers, which we later learned she had sung at many funerals in her time.  I had the opportunity to sing it with many of my cousins at my grandma's funeral.  I, of course, held my emotions well, until we were in the moment and singing the song.  And then, I really just stood there and cried while listening to my cousins sing (they sounded great!). I did pull it together just enough to finish the last verse with them.


And now I love this song because it reminds me of my sweet Grandma Betsy.  And I love it for the memories its given me of working with so many of my cousins to be ready to sing the song...we haven't all been together since Christmas when we were little kids.  We even sat in Grandpa's backyard to be together and have dinner the day after the funeral, another tradition that has not happened in years, but felt so good to be able to do.

Grandma Long, she really looked good. Love her so much!

Grandpa Long, he stood next to her throughout the viewing, as if protecting her, or showing her off, or just wanting to be near her.  He is a quiet man, but he has his convictions.  Someday I'll write about the lesson he taught me about faith during the week preparing for the funeral

All but one of the "girl cousins" practicing "In the Garden" the night before the funeral.
We missed Megan, but we knew she was where she needed to be, and where Grandma would have wanted her to be too.
But without Megan, this picture is only almost perfect.

I have great memories of my extended family.  I love every single one of them! I feel so privileged to be a part of the legacy created by my grandparents.  I have always wanted to live a life that would make Grandma proud, but I feel it even more so now. And I feel like she's watching me now so I'd better step it up! =o)

PS Some of the boy cousins sang too, I didn't forget about you guys, and I am absolutely including you when I say I have a great extended family.

Revelatory Experiences

The lesson in Relief Society today was so good I have to post about it so I can remember it always.

I loved the organization and format of her lesson (am I the only one who thinks about the format of lesson?). It is the perfect way to teach by the spirit for many topics because it is so flexible.  She based her lesson on two questions. She 1st took a few minutes to share her thoughts and feelings on the topic and by so doing, brought the spirit into the room.  She then turned it over to the sisters in the room, allowing them to bare testimony of the gospel in a less intimidating way. I'll bet many of them didn't even know they were bareing testimony, they simply thought they were answering her questions or sharing a story.  I love lessons like this...I love them!

Here are the questions, which I am still trying to answer...

• What spiritual truths have you learned or learned better in the past year? (see 2 Ne.26:13)
•  speaking of Jesus, Nephi teaches that: "he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith."
• Now that you have learned these truths, what are you doing to act on this knowledge?

And, in the fast and testimony meeting today, a woman mentioned she had begun calling church meetings a "revelatory experience," as instructed by a church leader.  She found as she did so, she was doing more to prepare to receive revelation, and she was receiving more revelation.  She felt she was led and inspired by the Lord more often.  Such a simple change of perspective opens up doors and windows of blessings and opportunity. Even that simple change shows faith.


I could really use guidance in my life right now.  So many changes, so many decisions, so many wishes to be balanced with reality...I could use a few more revelatory experiences just like our Relief Society lesson today. See how it's working already?