I found this quote from President Ezra Taft Benson when he was president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
"Today, with the abundance of books available, it is the mark of a truly educated man to know what not to read...
"Feed only on the best...
"As John Wesley's mother counseled him: 'Avoid whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, increases the authority of the body over the mind.'"
In other words, ask yourself, "Do I feel like reading my scriptures and praying right after this book, movie, TV show, song....?" Not that we always need to be spiritually minded (or do we?), but these things should make us feel like doing good things afterwards.
Love,
Mom
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Momming
This is one of the best articles I've read about mothering, relaxing, and (for me) turning away from that electronic thing to my family! http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_voices/tiffany_gee_lewis/?id=11174
I Know
Hey,
Last night I gave the family home evening lesson on President Monson's talk to the Young Women of last conference. (May 2009 Ensign, pp. 123-127 or http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsphideNav=1&locale=59&sourceId=914c230bac7f0210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD )
It was so strong in its wording for the future that I woke at 4 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep. So here I am sharing some of the prophet's words with you.
President Monson said, "As I contemplate all that you face...you...will need...courage....courage to: 1. Refrain from judging others; 2. Be chaste and virtuous, and 3. Stand firm for truth and righteousness."
A couple of very strong quotes are:
1. Refrain from judging others
"Cease to find fault one with another." D & C 188:24
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." --Mother Teresa
2. Be chaste and virtuous
"Many voices are telling you that you are far too provincial or that there is something wrong with you if you still believe there is such a thing as immoral behavior. Isaiah declared, 'Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.' Isaiah 5:20." --President Monson
"Great courage will be required as you remain chaste and virtuous amid the accepted thinking of the times." --President Monson [I was a virgin at marriage, and you need to be, too. It's one of the greatest gifts to give your future husband. --Susan]
Ted Koppel (Of ABC's Nightline): Should I do drugs; have sex with anyone? "No. The answer is no. Not no because you might end up in jail or dying in an AIDS ward--but no, because it's wrong... What Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai were not the Ten Suggestions, they are Commandments. Are, not were."
President Monson said, "Help in maintaining the proper perspective in these permissive times can come to you from many sources. One valuable resource is your patriarchal blessing. Read it frequently. Study it carefully. Be guided by its cautions. Live to merit its promises." [This is one thing that helped me a lot before marriage. Mine said, "...keep your life clean and pure...." --Susan]
The First Presidency, 1942; quoted by President Monson: "To the youth..., we plead with you to live clean [lives], for the unclean life leads only to suffering, misery, and woe physically,--and spiritually it is the path to destruction. How glorious and near to the angels is youth that is clean; this youth has joy unspeakable here and eternal happiness hereafter. Sexual purity is youth's most precious possession; it is the foundation of all righteousness."
3. Stand firm for truth and righteousness
"...You will almost certainly be called upon to defend that which you believe. Unless the roots of your testimony are firmly planted, it will be difficult for you to withstand the ridicule of those who challenge your faith." --President Monson
"The adversary would like nothing better than for you to allow derisive comments and criticism of the Church to cause you to question and doubt. Your testimony, when constantly nourished, will keep you safe." --President Monson
[Then I was the rod of iron in Lehi's dream and Dad was the adversary. Kallie held on to me and Dad tried to pull and intice her away. What she spontaneously said applies to all of us, "No, it's safe and warm here." IT IS. HOLD ON. --Susan]
"And then Mordecai added this searching question [to Queen Esther]: "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?' Esther 4:14 ...You will probably not be called upon to put your life on the line, as did Esther, for that which you believe. You will, however, most likely find yourself in situations where great courage will be required as you stand firm for truth and righteousness." --President Monson
"You are some of our Heavenly Father's strongest children, and He has saved you to come to the earth 'for such a time as this.' With His help, you will have the courage to face whatever comes. Though the world may at times appear dark, you have the light of the gospel, which will be as a beacon to guide your way." --President Monson
I know what the prophet says is true. YOU are the strong ones; the ones to defend all. I pray you will have to the strength and courage to always do it.
Love,
Mom (Susan)
Last night I gave the family home evening lesson on President Monson's talk to the Young Women of last conference. (May 2009 Ensign, pp. 123-127 or http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsphideNav=1&locale=59&sourceId=914c230bac7f0210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD )
It was so strong in its wording for the future that I woke at 4 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep. So here I am sharing some of the prophet's words with you.
President Monson said, "As I contemplate all that you face...you...will need...courage....courage to: 1. Refrain from judging others; 2. Be chaste and virtuous, and 3. Stand firm for truth and righteousness."
A couple of very strong quotes are:
1. Refrain from judging others
"Cease to find fault one with another." D & C 188:24
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." --Mother Teresa
2. Be chaste and virtuous
"Many voices are telling you that you are far too provincial or that there is something wrong with you if you still believe there is such a thing as immoral behavior. Isaiah declared, 'Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.' Isaiah 5:20." --President Monson
"Great courage will be required as you remain chaste and virtuous amid the accepted thinking of the times." --President Monson [I was a virgin at marriage, and you need to be, too. It's one of the greatest gifts to give your future husband. --Susan]
Ted Koppel (Of ABC's Nightline): Should I do drugs; have sex with anyone? "No. The answer is no. Not no because you might end up in jail or dying in an AIDS ward--but no, because it's wrong... What Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai were not the Ten Suggestions, they are Commandments. Are, not were."
President Monson said, "Help in maintaining the proper perspective in these permissive times can come to you from many sources. One valuable resource is your patriarchal blessing. Read it frequently. Study it carefully. Be guided by its cautions. Live to merit its promises." [This is one thing that helped me a lot before marriage. Mine said, "...keep your life clean and pure...." --Susan]
The First Presidency, 1942; quoted by President Monson: "To the youth..., we plead with you to live clean [lives], for the unclean life leads only to suffering, misery, and woe physically,--and spiritually it is the path to destruction. How glorious and near to the angels is youth that is clean; this youth has joy unspeakable here and eternal happiness hereafter. Sexual purity is youth's most precious possession; it is the foundation of all righteousness."
3. Stand firm for truth and righteousness
"...You will almost certainly be called upon to defend that which you believe. Unless the roots of your testimony are firmly planted, it will be difficult for you to withstand the ridicule of those who challenge your faith." --President Monson
"The adversary would like nothing better than for you to allow derisive comments and criticism of the Church to cause you to question and doubt. Your testimony, when constantly nourished, will keep you safe." --President Monson
[Then I was the rod of iron in Lehi's dream and Dad was the adversary. Kallie held on to me and Dad tried to pull and intice her away. What she spontaneously said applies to all of us, "No, it's safe and warm here." IT IS. HOLD ON. --Susan]
"And then Mordecai added this searching question [to Queen Esther]: "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?' Esther 4:14 ...You will probably not be called upon to put your life on the line, as did Esther, for that which you believe. You will, however, most likely find yourself in situations where great courage will be required as you stand firm for truth and righteousness." --President Monson
"You are some of our Heavenly Father's strongest children, and He has saved you to come to the earth 'for such a time as this.' With His help, you will have the courage to face whatever comes. Though the world may at times appear dark, you have the light of the gospel, which will be as a beacon to guide your way." --President Monson
I know what the prophet says is true. YOU are the strong ones; the ones to defend all. I pray you will have to the strength and courage to always do it.
Love,
Mom (Susan)
Saturday, October 10, 2009
New Car
We got a new old car for Lauralee to drive in Provo (I miss it already). It's an 01 Chevy Lumina with 125,000 miles. $1600. Can't beat that!
Baptism and Swine Flu
Well Kallie survived swine flu. She fevered last Monday, Tues, & Wed. Her fever would get high in the mornings, well, all day, I guess. She coughed, head hurt, ached all over, not so fun. BUT she loved being home with Mom and reading a lot and being forced to watch then enjoy "Anne of Green Gables".
Today Kassidy got baptized. She's such a cutie. 'Twas great to see Kit (Kris' sister) and some of her kids and some of Camie's (Kris' other sister). Devin and Morgan were there, too. YEA! It was so noisy after the baptism at their house with all those little Andersens everywhere. I couldn't hear my phone ring and I was by it peeling pears! We missed Heather and new baby Kevin, but will catch up with them sometime. Lauralee was in a self-imposed isolation with a cold, so she didn't come. We served pears and apples from our trees. The pears were a bit hit.
I'm glad to be home. YEA, BED!
Today Kassidy got baptized. She's such a cutie. 'Twas great to see Kit (Kris' sister) and some of her kids and some of Camie's (Kris' other sister). Devin and Morgan were there, too. YEA! It was so noisy after the baptism at their house with all those little Andersens everywhere. I couldn't hear my phone ring and I was by it peeling pears! We missed Heather and new baby Kevin, but will catch up with them sometime. Lauralee was in a self-imposed isolation with a cold, so she didn't come. We served pears and apples from our trees. The pears were a bit hit.
I'm glad to be home. YEA, BED!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
My Cousins
I just started a new blog for my Hilton cousins: hiltoncousins.blogspot.com
I posted some photos on my facebook of the graveside service for Doran Whitaker, my cousin Joye's husband. He was on his bike and was hit and thrown 45 feet in June. His body recovered in these three and a half months, but not his brain. So they let him go. I know he'll watch over his family.
I posted some photos on my facebook of the graveside service for Doran Whitaker, my cousin Joye's husband. He was on his bike and was hit and thrown 45 feet in June. His body recovered in these three and a half months, but not his brain. So they let him go. I know he'll watch over his family.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Gardens
Oh, how I love the garden eating time of year! We've had much corn on the cob, potatoes, tomatoes (from others so far, just a couple from ours), raspberries, beans, carrots, blackberries. I don't think I'd ever get tired of eating this fresh stuff. I'm not yet, and it may freeze soon. We have many quarts of beans, lots of raspberry and strawberry jam. Yesterday Kallie and I picked 3 full 5 gallon buckets of big beautiful pears. We've had some peaches and nectarines. UUUUUUMMMMM!!!!!!
The girls and I weeded the garden every day for 1/2 hour for a while and haven't had to for about a month now. That worked well. Dad's watering system worked well, too.
Love ya,
Suz
The girls and I weeded the garden every day for 1/2 hour for a while and haven't had to for about a month now. That worked well. Dad's watering system worked well, too.
Love ya,
Suz
Thursday, September 10, 2009
10 HONEST THINGS ABOUT ME
My daughter did this and I thought I would, too:
1. I stash chocolate in the cupboard just for when I need it!
2. I like to treat myself out to eat when I go places.
3. Deseret Industries is a money trap for me--it's my favorite store.
4. I will take naps EVERY time I can get one.
5. I like to read on the pot for a long time.
6. I really like to sing at the piano all alone in the house to Heavenly Father and Jesus.
7. My poor house plants have been resurrected so many times--they're incredible.
8. Sometimes I don't brush my teeth at night.
9. I yell with joy the first day of school when everyone's gone.
10. I wish I could live in the temple.
1. I stash chocolate in the cupboard just for when I need it!
2. I like to treat myself out to eat when I go places.
3. Deseret Industries is a money trap for me--it's my favorite store.
4. I will take naps EVERY time I can get one.
5. I like to read on the pot for a long time.
6. I really like to sing at the piano all alone in the house to Heavenly Father and Jesus.
7. My poor house plants have been resurrected so many times--they're incredible.
8. Sometimes I don't brush my teeth at night.
9. I yell with joy the first day of school when everyone's gone.
10. I wish I could live in the temple.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Green Cousin Campout
It was SO fun. Kinzi, Ken and TreVonn (10) were there; Lance, Tracy, and their 5 littles (Arian goes into 8th grade!); Gill & Kath; Grandma & Grandpa; Dave, Mo, Seth & Levi, and US! We drove 3 hours to Grandpa's Thursday night; met up with Lauralee before we headed off. It took a little extra time to get there, because we passed DeAnne's driveway (I wasn't watching) by about 5 slow miles and had to come back. We 'bout ran out of gas--'twas exciting.
The funnest thing of all turned out to be HAMMOCKS. Grandma and Grandpa gave me one back that I supposedly had given them. We hung it up and it was an instant hit. It bucks kids off very easily. So the kids created a game that two would get in facing each other and try to kick and turn the other person out first. Aysha was a little stronghold. Then Seth and Levi got their hammock out. It didn't have a wooden stick in each end to hold it open, so the kids would cocoon it around themselves and get swung in all kinds of positions. Some times they'd even go all the way around, upside down.
The only other people there were some of DeAnne's kids, Mary and Harley Gillman, and my cousin, Bonny Thornton and her husband, Gordon, from Las Vegas.
Dave and Grandpa were so good to let us use their 4 wheelers and motorcycle. The prettiest spot was when both sides of the trail had blue flowers about 5 feet high.
I mostly liked gabbing to everyone. We had our trailers in a circle (like circling up the wagons at night) and it was really fun. Saturday morning Aubrey, Rich and his three, Jaxon, Hunter and Makin came. Gladene and Keith showed up right as we were leaving. We made it home in 5 hours; Dad drove the whole way. It's so fun and time efficient to walk, watch movies lying down, use the bathroom, or make food while we're traveling.
It's funny that the driver can't even hear our new stereo system for the noise of the traveling motor home. Maybe we can put in some speakers right by the driver.
On the way down my right foot COOKED by the engine. I smelled my rubber shoes melting. So when Dad drove he figured out that he'd better take the hood off, so more air could enter. He put it in the motor home, and then his foot didn't cook.
On the way driving into the cabin on the dusty road, one of the back windows was open a little. The air inside the motor home filled with dust, and we had a nice layer everywhere (including my head) when it settled. It was so nice to just get it clean here at home.
So very fun and nice with a motor home.
Oh, and Lance and Kree rode on a horse with Zaya and Kiya alone on a horse behind him. We all immediately stressed out when we saw them. Well, some other person's loose horses spooked the one with the little girls. It trotted a tiche and they slid off. Kiya fell on Zaya (who probably weighs more though she's a year younger). Zaya may have hurt her arm (so I told her the Lauralee 2 arm story) and I put a sling on her--she thought she was the coolest thing, and I think Kree was disgusted she didn't get one (she's the more dominant of the two).
The funnest thing of all turned out to be HAMMOCKS. Grandma and Grandpa gave me one back that I supposedly had given them. We hung it up and it was an instant hit. It bucks kids off very easily. So the kids created a game that two would get in facing each other and try to kick and turn the other person out first. Aysha was a little stronghold. Then Seth and Levi got their hammock out. It didn't have a wooden stick in each end to hold it open, so the kids would cocoon it around themselves and get swung in all kinds of positions. Some times they'd even go all the way around, upside down.
The only other people there were some of DeAnne's kids, Mary and Harley Gillman, and my cousin, Bonny Thornton and her husband, Gordon, from Las Vegas.
Dave and Grandpa were so good to let us use their 4 wheelers and motorcycle. The prettiest spot was when both sides of the trail had blue flowers about 5 feet high.
I mostly liked gabbing to everyone. We had our trailers in a circle (like circling up the wagons at night) and it was really fun. Saturday morning Aubrey, Rich and his three, Jaxon, Hunter and Makin came. Gladene and Keith showed up right as we were leaving. We made it home in 5 hours; Dad drove the whole way. It's so fun and time efficient to walk, watch movies lying down, use the bathroom, or make food while we're traveling.
It's funny that the driver can't even hear our new stereo system for the noise of the traveling motor home. Maybe we can put in some speakers right by the driver.
On the way down my right foot COOKED by the engine. I smelled my rubber shoes melting. So when Dad drove he figured out that he'd better take the hood off, so more air could enter. He put it in the motor home, and then his foot didn't cook.
On the way driving into the cabin on the dusty road, one of the back windows was open a little. The air inside the motor home filled with dust, and we had a nice layer everywhere (including my head) when it settled. It was so nice to just get it clean here at home.
So very fun and nice with a motor home.
Oh, and Lance and Kree rode on a horse with Zaya and Kiya alone on a horse behind him. We all immediately stressed out when we saw them. Well, some other person's loose horses spooked the one with the little girls. It trotted a tiche and they slid off. Kiya fell on Zaya (who probably weighs more though she's a year younger). Zaya may have hurt her arm (so I told her the Lauralee 2 arm story) and I put a sling on her--she thought she was the coolest thing, and I think Kree was disgusted she didn't get one (she's the more dominant of the two).
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Pinewood Derby for Gents
We just got back from an Elders/High Priests Pinewood Derby. There were no rules. One guy had a 3 foot dowel sticking out the front so it would win every time. John Kezele (in the bishopric) had a remote control propeller on the back of his--boy could that thing zoom! One guy is handicapped and he got so excited when he'd win. I took my 4 cub scout derbies plus got 1/3 way through making a snowmobile one for my man. It was fun. Very weirdly, it was the first church dinner I've been to without a dessert. I really felt the lack, so I'm ready to get one right now!
Love,
Suz
Love,
Suz
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
ON OUR WAY
We are preparing for our intimate family reunion in DC! Stephanie and Hopkins are there. We'll meet Alan. Kallie and Sheena will fly for the first time. A mean cold/flu has been trying to get Kallie and me, but we'll rest up and be ready! I hope I can walk mega miles!
Spring is here with lots of rain to make things green. I so love not moving the hoses around. Starting this month we will pay for extra water. Doesn't sound good.
I continue with the eye laser saga. Last August I had my right eye lasered for close vision and my left eye for distance. Both were a mess and wrong. I made it through 3 months with different reading glasses and the girls' old glasses until the doc could surgery them again. After the November surgery I could finally read with my right eye, even quite small print. But my distance eye still couldn't see well far. It's now been almost 7 months and the far eye is still pathetic. I can't read road signs till I'm up to them. Luckily, driving glasses help the right eye see fine. Hopefully in the next month or two I'll have my left eye done again. And to think I paid for mapping of the left eye that should have made it perfect! My home eye doc said I'm the rare wrong one. Am I stupid to go again or wise?
EVEN SO, every night when I get into bed and don't have to take off glasses and I can still read the clock I'm so grateful for what great vision I do have now. I can get along quite well about 98% of the time without any extra glasses. I just got some real driving glasses now and will see well on the trip.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
THE EASIEST SITE OF ALL
http://homefront.bonneville.com/carousel/catalog.cfm Watch 'em like apple tv ; )
You'll want to watch them all.
Hey People,
It's past time I wrote. We have a new grandbaby, a BOY even. He is the sweetest little sweetheart in the world. Camie loves him, but loves her mama, too, and drives her crazy at times--very normal for a barely one-year-old.
I SO loved to go to Texas to be with them, to tend, to chase Camie, to let Lukey have an afternoon nap lying on me, to go to Goodwill, and to almost see the Dallas temple (but I wanted to hold babies more).
Sheena had a band concert last night. I'll try to upload stuff.
Love,
Me
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Here's our end-of-December family picture. It was so fun to have everyone home for Christmas. It's been especially fun to have Eric, Kristen and Camie here since Thanksgiving. They will leave this week for Ft. Worth, Texas. The end of next month I'll fly down to help with the new baby. Wish we all could fly in, stay at a motel, and PAR-TEE!!! We all could take care of Camie & I could help with new baby Luke.
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