Happy Birthday Sister!!!

Beckie, Bob, Marianne and Carianne






















I have always been thankful for such a great sister. Once I started having babies I was even more grateful for her. When my babies were crying and I was sick of them, she would hold them and they would just stop crying. It sometimes made feel a little insecure that my babies seemed to like her better than they liked me. Then as my girls got older she became the most awesome aunt. We all love you, Beckie!!!

Nathanael's Song

When I read Carianne's blog last week about her wonderful son, Nathanael a song kept running through my head. It is such a joy to know him and I was so proud of him and his wonderful example.
Today, in Relief Society at the MTC, Janice Kapp Perry spoke. She had us sing some of the songs she has written and one of them was the very song that reminded me of Nathanael. Then we sang the song again for a closing hymn. As we sang I just felt so strongly that I needed to let Nathanael know that he lives this song so well.
I am sure some of you have guessed what the song is by now. Here are the words.

I’m trying to be like Jesus;
I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

I’m trying to love my neighbor;
I’m learning to serve my friends.
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938
© 1980 by Janice Kapp Perry. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use.

I also looked up the scriptures that went along with the song.

John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Nathanael came to this earth with the gift of a sensitive spirit, prepared to follow Jesus. Heavenly Father blessed him further by sending him to a home were this gift would be nurtured and encouraged to grow.

I love you, Nathanael and I love you, Carianne and Carl

Curling

Ok. I decided I should blog and I can't think of anything at all to blog about.
Annie says I should say that I have decided I would enjoy curling. I would love to try it. I think it actually looks like a fun game-not necessarily an olympic sport. It would be so fun to gently glide across the ice and try to hit the "bulls-eye." I am also pretty sure I will never actually get to try curling-where do you go to do it?
I don't even mind watching curling because the stone moves so slowly I can see where it is going and I can understand the strategy behind it. I never have any idea what is really going on in ice skating. Can you tell the difference between a triple lutz or a quadruple toe loop? The only thing I can tell is if they don't fall down. I can't even tell if it is a good landing. And where is the strategy in skiing. Just go as fast as you can. Apparently there is some strategy in waxing your skis but I can't see that.
And of course there is Olympic Hockey. I am pretty sure that the only sport more boring and less watchable than Hockey is the summer sport of water polo.
Also, there is some leeway with the uniforms in curling so you can actually make a fashion statement. What other sport lets you wear a modest skirt?
Maybe someday I too can be an Olympian-in the sport of curling.

Everyone tells me it is time for me to blog again. I talked to my sister, Beckie, tonight and she thinks I should blog, too. So here it is. I love talking to Beckie. She is the best sister.