May 27, 2008

Memorial Day by Coby

Yesterday was a great day to be with family and to remember those who are currently serving our military and those who have lost their lives in service. We went to a Memorial Day Ceremony at a National Cemetery at Ft. Sill, OK. As I had time to ponder before, during and after the service it brought many thoughts to my mind. I thought of my family members who served from my dad, my uncles, and aunt. Then there was my father-in-law and my two brothers-in-law and one of my friends currently in Iraq. I also remembered all the experiences that I had during my eight years of service between active duty and the reserves and all the friends I had made and great times we shared. Most of all there were two moments that I remember the most from yesterday, the first being the song "I'm proud to be an American" by Lee Greenwood. A gentleman sang this song at the ceremony and it brought a few tears to my eyes. This was a song that was played for us during Basic Training during a very tough time for our Platoon and Unit. We were not getting things done collectively as a unit and the Battalion Chaplain had us join him one night away from the Drill Instructors and spoke to us and at one point he played this song and it made us all stop and think, and that was the turning point for our Platoon and Unit. Plus, there was not a dry eye in the room after that because we came to a realization, or at least I did, that fighting for the freedom of our beloved country is more important that I am as an individual and we can not complete a mission as an individual or group of individuals but as a team.

The second moment that hit me yesterday was when my brother-in-law Clint was speaking during an interview that was done on our family. He was relaying one of the reasons service in the military is so important to him and one of his driving factors. He had a very dear friend growing up at Ft. Sill who died in Iraq about five years ago and Clint is now attached to the same unit that Jeff was when he died. Jeff's dad was my Battalion Commander when I was stationed at Ft. Sill so it touched me deeply when I heard that Jeff had died because it was as if a member of our family had died. In the military you usually become very tight with those whom you serve with and I had a chance to serve next to Jeff's dad and be around him and grow to appreciate what a great man he was. So you take it hard when one of your "family" loses a member of their own.

Even though it is no longer Memorial Day, take a moment to remember those who have died in the service of this great country and thank those who have served or are serving to defend this powerful strong nation.

God Bless our Troops and grant them protection.

May 20, 2008

So Blessed...

So I don't write too much on the blog because I feel like some of what I have to say wouldn't be too interesting. I guess when you think about it, that is relative to each person - so here goes on some of my thoughts for the past couple of weeks.

Coby has been traveling - lots - lately which means that I'm a single parent. This isn't as bad as it used to be since the kids are getting older and they are able to do more for themselves. I love that my kids are growing up! Sometimes I feel lonely when he is gone...I get into a self-pitty mode, but last week and again this week when the quiet nites and quiet mornings leave me with time to think I have felt the overwhelming love of the Lord! Last week I was studying about Abinadi in the Book of Mormon (Mosiah 12-17) in prep for subbing in the Gospel Doctrine class. Abinadi tells King Noah and his wicked priests about the Savior, His atonement and love for all men. When I was reading Mosiah 15 - I felt so loved!

Elder Merrill J. Bateman gave an excellent quote about Mosiah 15 and Alma 7 in a talk when he was BYU President that helps me to better understand the atonement and the Saviors ability to succor, heal, mend, and take on our infirmities and afflictions!

"May I share with you my witness of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. His atonement in the meridian of time is the most important event in human history. I know that in a garden Adam and Eve fell that you and I might experience mortality. I also know that in another garden and on the cross, the Lord and Creator of this earth suffered our sins so that we can return home if we will exercise faith in him and repent. There are many scriptures that have helped me understand the personal nature of the Atonement. Two are exceptional. The first is from Alma 7:11-12.
And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
"And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
"Alma reveals to us the process by which the Master learned perfect empathy in the flesh. He experienced not only our sins but also our pains, sufferings, temptations of every kind, sicknesses, infirmities, and weaknesses. He also experienced death in order to loose the bands of death for his people. Consequently, if one of us has a special problem, it is not possible for him or her to say, "No one knows what I am experiencing. No one understands my pain or suffering." The Lord knows! He not only knows the depth of your experience, he knows how to succor you because of his suffering.
"The second passage comes from Mosiah, where the prophet Abinadi quotes chapter 53 of Isaiah to the wicked priests of King Noah:
"And now I say unto you, who shall declare his generation? Behold, I say unto you, that when his soul has been made an offering for sin he shall see his seed. And now what say ye? And who shall be his seed?
"Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets [and has] hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people . . . are his seed. [Mosiah 15:10-11]
"For many years I envisioned the Garden of Gethsemane and the cross as places where an infinite mass of sin and pain were heaped upon the Savior. Thanks to Alma and Abinadi, it is no longer an infinite mass but an infinite stream of people with whom the Savior became intimately acquainted as he suffered our sins, pains, and afflictions. I testify that he knows each of us, is concerned about our progress, and has the infinite capacity not only to heal our wounds but also to lift us up to the Father as sanctified sons and daughters. “A Precious Treasure” Sept. 1996 – BYU Speeches

I love this quote!!

The other reason I feel blessed is because of the sisterhood of the church. Tonite I co-hosted a baby shower for a wonderful friend in the ward that has waited 9 years to have a baby! They are over the moon as she is due in July and everything is going great! We had so many ladies come to the shower to show support and love! It was terrific! After the shower died down there were 6 ladies that stayed after and talked - until 11pm - some are still out in the cul-de-sac talking. What great friendship! What love for others! What FUN!! We come from different places, lifestyles, backgrounds, cultures, but when we become a sisterhood there is a strong bond! I had a friend come help me clean today since Coby was gone. The ladies tolerated my kids as they mingled during the party and all was well. I reorganized my furniture, cleaned a bit (there will be more to do tomorrow) and just felt blessed!

What a blessed woman I am!!!

May 4, 2008

It Made My Day!

I don't know if anyone else "suffers" from this, but sometimes I feel like I'm a total dork and everyone else is really cool. I wonder how people - especially those who as so skinny, beautiful, smart, nice, etc. - will hang out with me. I got a call from two friends on Thursday to include me in a WAY TOO MUCH FUN night at Minute Maid Ballpark (home of the Astros). It was about 14 ladies and we had club seats with food, dessert, drinks, and excellent seats all provided.

I was so grateful to be invited and get to "hang" with people that I totally admire and hope to be like one day. It sure made my day - ok, my week or even month!

Thanx ladies!!!