Heavenly Father cares about lawns

 Two stories I want to tell. Our lawn was very very tall since we didn’t have a lawnmower. My husband found a mower last week and came home to try to get through the jungle of grass. He mowed the front and one side then decided to go do the orchard. It died and he couldn’t get it going again. After a couple hours of working on it, he gave up for the night and came inside. 

That night we said prayers together and it was my turn. I prayed and gave thanks for the affordable mower and for him to be able to figure out the problem so he could finish the lawn. 

The next day he told me that the mower was fixed and that it was a direct answer to my prayer. 

Tonight we had a similar thing happen. We had been at my in-laws all afternoon. We went to leave and at the stop sign my husband decided to go look at my brother’s pickup. We turned right instead of left (#1). We left my brother’s and went around the block instead of doing a uturn as usual. (#2). We stopped to say hi to a fellow my husband used to work with and then his wife a little down the road. (#3..hubby was going to go on by which is a long story but I hollered hi to each of them.) 

She asked us if hubby knew anything about mowers. The mower quit working as her husband was mowing. They were going out of town and needed to mow the lawn before they left in the morning. He told her we had 20 minutes to try to figure it out. She told us that she had prayed some man would come along and help them fix the mower. She was not going to water the plants along the road tonight but decided to go do it (#4). It took all those decisions to answer her prayer. 

Heavenly Father does care about us and even our lawns. 

Burley Temple Groundbreaking

 Today is easy. I am so grateful that I got tickets to the groundbreaking today. I wanted good seats and I thought people would be lining up at 9:00. Soooo, we pulled in the parking lot at 8:52. We talked to the first sister and she told us we were on the front row in assigned seats. I started crying. 

We made our way to the front and we’re able to watch a lot of the behind the scenes action. They leveled the pulpit. Did mic checks. Anchored the picture easel and the musicians’ music stands. Checked the camera. 

I’m trying to remember all the phrases I wanted to remember from the talks. President Nielsen said he and his wife had “a name and a standing” in the Twin Falls temple because they attended the temple every Tuesday at 5:30. I want to have a weekly appointment when the Burley temple is finished. 

I have thought for a long time that a ground breaking was the first dirt scooped from the area. Today I learned that during the groundbreaking, the dirt is turned symbolically. It symbolizes planting a seed. That fits with all the other symbolism in the temple. I am grateful to learn that.

President Nielsen, his wife, Mike and Sheri, Malia Manning, the little girl that bore her testimony, and several others were in the first rotation to turn dirt.  There were three more planned rotations. After the four rotations of dirt President Nielsen brought his kids and grandkids up to turn a shovel full of dirt. 

When they were done it was announced to line up on the east end to turn a shovel full of dirt if the participants wanted to. Mike asks us if we wanted to and with an affirmative answer, he ushers Klay, Andra, Kelly and myself up there first. 

It was a wonderful day. I hope at some point I can remember the other things taught today.

I am so excited for a temple so close. I saw gas at $4.99 a gallon today. I can only imagine what it will be in 2-3 years when this temple is done. 

I just remembered another thing. The word expedited was used in the dedicatory prayer. The construction was blessed to have the materials it needed when needed. Also, that there would be few if any obstacles in this construction. I’m hoping for closer to two years. 

Missed one again

Yesterday I was grateful for wonderful sharing in our class last night. 

Today I was grateful for all the tasks that got done at work. I still have tons to do before I leave but I’m getting closer.

Tickets

 I’m grateful I got tickets to the Burley Temple groundbreaking. 

Work

 I’m grateful I’ve been able to catch up at work a little. 

Bit by bit

 I’m grateful to be able to work in the quiet today and get some filing done. I wish it wasn’t such a time consuming process. 

Finally home

 I’m grateful that I got to see all my kids and grandkids this weekend even though it was camping. I’m grateful camping is over. 

Still not camping

 I’m grateful for safety. We’ve had all these kids around the water (Vander floated away in the wind on the water in a kayak.) and the fire. I pray for continuing safety for the rest of the camping trip. 

Not camping

 I’m out camping. Not grateful for camping at all. I am grateful for hanging out with my kids. 

Graduation! Listening ears.

 I’m grateful to have another graduate this year. Seven down, one to go. Last night was graduation for Minico. She was in the Top Ten of her class. 

Tonight I’m grateful for listening ears and sharing hearts in class. 

Lucky boy

 Kade sent us a text that he had jacked up his 4-wheeler and was using a grinder on it. He realized his eyes were burning and then smelled gas! The tank was full and when he jacked it up, the gas was leaking out of the cap and running down the machine. I am grateful for a mother’s prayer of safety that was answered. 

Stumped

 I worked almost 13 hours today. I’m tired and my brain may have already gone to sleep. I’m grateful that my laundry got done this weekend and it is no stress laying out my clothes. 

Changes

 I grateful for changes in church callings. I’m sad I was released but glad to see the new teacher step into the responsibility. She did a great job. 

Slacked so here’s two.

 I had a crazy busy day yesterday. I worked till 2:00 and had to figure out the recipe for our Girls’ Night with ladies from work. I’m grateful that the party turned out nice. The food was great, too. I went to relieve Kassy babysitting. They got back and I still had to go to the gym. 

Today I’m grateful for a quiet day mostly by myself. I’m grateful to have slept in until 10:00 and even a nap! I’m grateful for all the cleaning and laundry Klay and I got done.

Awareness

 I need to be looking for things to be grateful for instead of searching my brain late at night to remember. 

Today I’m grateful that my headache I woke up with went away and I could feel pretty good the rest of the day. 

Communication

I got upset with a coworker today. I’m grateful for communication to get things worked out. 

Work and seminary

 It’s late and I missed yesterday. 

1. Work…grateful the platform switchover wasn’t more painful than it was. 

2. Seminary…Kassy graduated tonight and gave a great talk. I’m grateful that seminary taught her some great life lessons. 

So busy-3 in one

 This weekend has been a blur. We went to Caldwell and back on Friday. Grateful for good food!

Saturday we tried to buy a fridge (gone) and then found a freezer (not for sale).  That was disappointing but found a newish turkey roaster. I’m grateful for inexpensive replacements. We use turkey roasters several times a year. 

Sunday…church was good. I’m grateful for a talk on temples. Burley’s temple seemed so far in the future when it was announced. The ground breaking is happening in a couple weeks so I’m guessing the dedication is only a couple years away. 

Good books

 I have found audiobooks lately. I’m grateful for them and the love of reading (listening) that is coming back. 

Pampered Chef

 I’m grateful for Pampered Chef. I was within hours of losing my business. I squeaked out an order to stay in and now have almost $200 in orders afterwards. Crazy. 

It was what got me through the loss of Kris. I’ve met so many people. It’s been good for me.