Days 117 - 121 Cacthing Up

Catching Up

117 - 121

Wow, time is flying by so fast.

I went to Idaho to pick up Ciara on Friday.

Saturday, we went to Provo, to see Katie & Tom.  I also got to spend

some time with my friends Connie and Julie. And I got to see

 some of my favorite missionaries....Elder Brimhall,  Yagi & Kelly.

Then on Monday, we drove back home to California.

It's been back to work yesterday and today.

Seems like I was just posting on here yesterday.

Christmas is just a few days away!

I am not quite ready.

But I am so thankful for all my blessings.

My heart still aches for all those families who lost loved ones

in the school shooting in Connecticut.  I don't understand and I

just can't stop thinking about it.  

It makes me really appreciate the gospel and my family.

Hopefully, now I can get back on track.

I love having my house full of family again.

Just wish my Courtney was here.

Day 116

Day 116

today i am so thankful for the peace the gospel

brings and for my family.

my heart aches for all the families affected

by the senseless shooting in Conneticut today.

I pray that they will feel the love of their Heavenly Father.

And know their loved ones are with Him.

Day 115

Day 115

I'm so thankful today is over because tomorrow I'm 

Leaving on a jet plane and its taking me to see my Idaho girl.

I'm looking forward to a long traveling weekend but lots of good

things happening.

I'm also going to get to see my best friend.

It's a good day and tomorrow will be even better.

Day 114

Day 114

I'm thankful for

Christmas music

Christmas lights

Friends

Family

Online shopping

Furry slippers

Diet Dr Pepper

Popcorn

Texts from friends

Day 113 - Letters

Day 113

Letters

Got a letter from a dear friend today.

Went to the mailbox and was so surprised to see a letter for me!

Isn't that just the best feeling to get a letter.

A handwritten letter...there is nothing like it.

Emails are great, messages are good but there is something

about seeing a letter in the mailbox for you.

I just smiled all day.

Thankful for friends and letters!

Day 112

Day 112

Sunday Again

Seriously, the weeks fly by.

How is it possible that it is Sunday again?

I love Sundays.  I love how they help renew me for the upcoming week.

I love Christmas music.  I have been playing it all week.

This is going to be a wonderful Christmas.

Writing this blog has helped me to see how many great things I have

in my life.  And helped me to focus on the positive things in my life.

I'm really thankful for all I have been blessed with.  My life is far from

perfect but it is still wonderful.

Day 111 - party

Day 111

ParTAY!

So, yesterday we had a semi-surprise party for my sister in law Caryn.

It was really fun.  

I am really thankful for my all my sisters in law.

I have been blessed with 6.  And not having any sisters its pretty awesome.

I love my family and how much fun we have when we are together.

I hit the jackpot when it came to inlaws.

Last night was just so much fun.  

I stayed up till 3:30 a.m. 

And that's saying something for me.

We played games, we ate, we made christmas ornaments, we talked and laughed but I think the most memorable part was the 

Dance party!

Just cuz we are Mom's doesn't mean we don't know how to have fun.

Happy Birthday Caryn!

Day 110 - Happy Birthday

Day 110

Happy Birthday
(yes, this is late but I started writing this on her birthday)

This beauty is 20 years old today and I am so thankful for her.

Where to begin...Ciara is just the best.

She has been my shopping buddy for these past 20 years.

From the very beginning she has always been happy to accompany me on my errands and shopping adventures.  Ciara is just the most mild mannered and 

calm person.  It takes a lot to ruffle her feathers.  I think it might come with being a third child.  They just know from the beginning that they have to be patient.  Ciara is so patient and kind.  She has a loving heart and dosen't have unkind words to say about anybody.  She strives hard to always do her best.  She is honest and has more integrity then most people I know.

She is such an example to me.  She has a very strong sense of right and wrong and is not a follower.    She is happy to let others have the spotlight but that doesn't mean she doesn't shine.  She has a quiet strength.  She is a great friend and better listener.  And she is great at one liners.

Sarcasm is second nature and she is the queen of imitating people.

She makes me laugh so much.  

Ciara never complains.  And to prove this point she has been in pain pretty much everyday for the past 4 years but most people don't know.  And even if you do know she will always say she is fine or say she feels better then she does.

Ciara is one of the best.  People like her are hard to find.

She has never given me one minute of worry.  

I feel so blessed to be able to be her Mom.  I love her more

than I can ever express.

Thank you Ciara for being you.  You have been a blessing to our family from the moment you arrived.  I don't know what I did to deserve you but

I'm thankful everyday for whatever it was I did.

Day 109 - Hmmm

Day 109

HMMMM

Well today was pretty uneventful.

And well this is one of those days when I struggle to come up with something.

I am really thankful for this guy.

He is such a sweet boy.

I love him and and really glad he is a part of my family.

Thanks David for being so awesome.

Day 108 - Peace

Day 108

I'm just feeling happy and content which is so great because I haven't felt this 

way for a really long time.

I'm am very blessed.

Day 107

Day 107

I'm so thankful my Christmas cards are done!

Today was a good day.

106 - Count your Blessings and other inspiring words from one of the Lord's missionaries

Day 106

Count your blessings and other inspiring words from one of the Lord's Missionaries

So, I read lots of letters from missionaries every week.  And I love it.  Usually, there is something in every letter that inspires me.  But today I read one that just spoke to me and I wanted to share it.

The following is from Elder Matthew Hodgson.  He is serving in the Washington DC South Mission

and is the son of some dear friends.

"Some news from this week is interviews. I went first with President, and he at first asked how my testimony was doing, what I was doing to keep it growing, and what 3 things I KNOW about the gospel. He then shared why: We NEED to know those. He said to imagine how Satan must be feeling now. For the first time in history, the Lord's prophet is no longer praying for more time. Rather, he is hastening the work. He is calling for more laborers. Satan must be irate! Our testimonies are suddenly becoming even more dear to us, as his strategies will soon become more pointed."

What are the three things I KNOW about the gospel?  1.  I know Jesus is the Christ 2.  I know the Book of Mormon is true and can bring us closer to God then any other book. and 3.  I know families can be together forever.  ....and I do believe he is so right on about Satan being angry about the hastening of the work and the explosion of youth getting ready to serve missions....he is probably shaking in his boots and re-doubling his efforts to find ways to test our faith and make us doubt.

"The other day, I heard a song from White Christmas (very likely the best Christmas movie of all time) and I thought I'd try something from it. "When I'm worried and I can't sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep. I fall asleep counting my blessings." I tried it that night, because I had a lot on my mind. (mission life can be stressful. Lots of things up in the air, and all these worries of things you want people to do, yet they still have agency, etc.) So, I fell asleep counting my blessings, and not only was I able to fall asleep before I hit the end of the list (not hard), I found myself waking up with the best nights rest I'd had in weeks. It was a great reminder to me of the blessings that come from gratitude. Just stop for a moment and think of everything that's going RIGHT rather than what's going wrong, and all will be well."

This is one of my all time favorite movies...and I love that song.

Day 105 - Fast Sunday, Family dinner & French fries

Day 105

Fast Sunday, Family dinner & French fries

Fast Sunday today.  I heard some touching testimonies today.  

Had the monthly Jensen family dinner where we (Ben, Stephen and I) made homemade fries. They were pretty yummy.  I have a great family.  We all love each other.  That's a great blessing.  

Day 104

Day 104

Had a lovely Saturday.  Slept in, did some cleaning, laundry, errands, in an out for lunch, baked some yummy cupcakes, watched some revenge and now it's time or bed.

I'm thankful or peaceful stress free day.