Got Inspiration?

This amazing group of elementary school kids and their even more amazing teacher (I LOVE THIS GUY) from PS22 in New York are as talented as can be. I only wish we had more men and women with the ability and dedication this man clearly has for working with our youth. Just check out the looks on their faces, to say nothing of their incredible voices. They are completely engaged in every way. Don't miss these two videos, because both of them are inspiring to the max.

I'm only going to put nature sounds on my playlist today, but you may want to go over to the right sidebar and click it off anyway.

Did you like that one? Well, I bet you'll like this one even better! (If they showed it to Congress, we might even get them to start acting like responsible adults...)



Thanks, Nik!

Friends, Funerals, and Forever

Well, I'm sitting in my sister's kitchen, and everyone's gone to bed. I know I should do the same, but I can't quite seem to let go of this day. With all its highs, lows, hugs, handshakes, heartaches and memories, it was about as sweet, sad and emotion-filled a Saturday as I've spent in recent years. I still haven't come down from it all. And that's as it should be.

After every last good-bye was said, we were about to head home to Northern California when my son decided to drive nearly two hours across town with his family to meet us for dinner. Oh, how I love my grandchildren! And their parents ain't bad, either. (Thanks for braving the traffic, guys.)

My oldest grandson brought me a gift...a shell he had found on the beach. It was small but perfectly formed, and when I put it up to my ear, I heard a sea of love, love, love.

Thanks, J. Sweet dreams.

=)

A Sheltering Tree of Friendship

We're driving to Southern California today to join some old friends from our Northridge ward days in celebrating the life of a very fine man. The service is scheduled for tomorrow morning, so we'll be spending the night with my sister before heading home in the afternoon. That's a lot of driving for two consecutive days, but a little car time with the bishop as a captive audience sounds pretty good to me. (And I don't even have an appointment!) Besides, just being there will be worth the miles.

Northridge ward was our first as a married couple, and we had all four of our children under its watchful eye. The ward felt like a sheltering tree for two new parents; and strangely enough, it still does. We haven't lived in the area for over 20 years, but the last time we went back, it was as though we'd never left.

The reason is the saddest one imaginable. The reunion will be joyful. And isn't that how it goes in life?

"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one..."(2 Nephi 2:11).

Wading in Wildflowers

How would you like to take a little trip with me?

Or, actually, with my two youngest grandchildren.

Destination? Wildflower heaven...

AKA, a lovely field near their home.

There may be a child more inherently lovable

than this one,

But if so, I've yet to meet him.

His sister's pretty swell, too. Wildflowers, anyone?

She's got more than enough to spare...

And then some!

(poor jeremiah...he was at school)

Photos by Heather at TendershootZ

So Much to Say Today...

Woke up this morning, read the comments on yesterday's post, and am completely moved by each one. I love starting off the day with moist eyes and a warmed heart. Usually that comes from spending some humbling time with the Lord, but this morning, you have humbled me. What a great bunch of women––and mothers––you all are! And how glad I am to know you through the wonderful blogs you write. To say nothing of your thoughtful comments on mine.

Anyway, sorry to go mushy on you, but that's how it hit me. And what I'd wanted to do was say how much I loved Crystal and Siobhan and liked Chicago Lee on American Idol last night. But most of all, I needed to talk about a few lines that were pointed out to me the other day from Mitch Ablom's book, "Have a Little Faith." I thought it was a pretty good book when I read it, but these lines resonated with me more when I heard a friend quote them. Here they are, from the mouth of the character who is a rabbi:

"I had a doctor once who was an atheist. Did I ever tell you about him?"

No. (Ablom, the auhor, speaking)

"This doctor, he liked to jab me and my beliefs. He used to schedule my appointments deliberately on Saturdays, so I would have to call the receptionist and explain why, because of my religion, that wouldn't work."

Nice guy, I said.

"Anyhow, one day, I read in the paper that his brother had died. So I made a condolence call."

After the way he treated you?

"In this job," the Reb said, "you don't retaliate."

I laughed.

"So I go to his house, and he sees me. I can tell he is upset. I tell him I am sorry for his loss. And he says, with an angry face, 'I envy you.'

"Why do you envy me?" I said.

"Because when you lose someone you love, you can curse God. You can yell. You can blame him. You can demand to know why. But I don't believe in God. I'm a doctor! And I couldn't help my brother!'

"He was near tears. 'Who do I blame?' he kept asking me. 'There is no God. I can only blame myself.'"

The Reb's face tightened, as if in pain.

"That," he said softly, "is a terrible self-indictment."

Worse than an unanswered prayer?

"Oh yes. It is far more comforting to think God listened and said no, than to think that nobody's out there."

I'm grateful for my knowledge that God is out there to say no...and on occasion, yes.

One of our old friends from Southern California died this week, too young. I don't know why he had to suffer like he did, or why his wife (who loves him dearly) has to be alone now, or why his children and students and loved ones won't be able to gain strength and humor and inspiration from him, for a season. But I'm glad that God is out there.

And I'm glad all of you are, too.

=)

PS. Hope St. Patrick's Day treats you well!

Missionaries Move Me

Tomorrow, the seventh missionary from our ward will hit the MTC. For those who are not members of my church, these are young men and women in their late teens and early twenties, who serve at their own expense. My congregation has one in the Dominican Republic, two in Brazil, one in Argentina, one in West Virginia, one in Colorado, and one on the way to Peru. Every month, in our ward newsletter, we look forward to reading a few letters from these amazing young people, offered up by their parents for our enjoyment and inspiration. We also hear occasional reports from the pulpit during talks or testimonies.

One such report, a story that I think you'll like as much as I did, is this:

The second of our missionaries serving in Brazil (he is still in the MTC) has befriended a native of that country. Apparently, the two of them have really hit it off, despite the language barrier, which is still pretty difficult to cross at this point. Still, they manage to mime and gesture their way through most conversations with a fair degree of understanding. They must be on the same wavelength!

The Portuguese-speaking missionary has only been a member for five years, and when he was sharing this information with the elder from our ward, he went on and on about the great missionaries who taught him the gospel. Finally, after extolling their virtues to the best of his limited English, he proudly showed our favorite son (who actually belongs to our bishop) a photo of his favorite missionary, the one he credits with converting him. Lo and behold, this Brazilian elder pulls out a picture of a lovely young woman from our ward! As if that weren't enough of a "coincidence," she also happens to be our elder's cousin! Yep, it was our elder's own cousin who taught this new friend the discussions and arranged for his baptism and that of his family. Pretty cool.

Last Sunday, we had a farewell talk from another really exceptional young man. He leaves Wednesday for the MTC. (Destination: Peru.) This strong, silent, football-playing guy broke every stereotype to write a touching poem, only the second he has ever attempted. When asked for permission to publish it on my blog, he agreed. I only wish you could hear his tender voice that accompanied it.

Missionary Mom

By: Gibran Meza

I have truly been blessed with such a reward,

to have been born in a house dwelling with the Lord.

Although I have not always seen this blessing,

I am grateful for knowing the truth instead of guessing.

Having a mother so close to perfection…

as I follow her, she leads me in the right direction.

From what I can remember as a little boy,

she would tell me to stay strong, and I would have infinite joy.

I recall meeting many different missionaries as I grew;

my mom would say that would be me one day, if I stayed true.

It seemed like a million miles away from then;

from my shoes, I was still a boy, and they were grown men.

I was still learning how to simply pay the 10 perecent;

I could not grasp the thought of teaching far away and paying rent.

Even still, I had my mom to tell me how great I will be,

I could see the belief in her eyes when she said I will be an amazing missionary.

I could not catch any doubt in her tone;

when she would speak to me, I could feel the love down to the bone.

Never have I known someone to talk with so much belief and power;

she lives and breathes the gospel everyday and every hour.

This poem may appear to talk less about me and more about another,

but not even I would know who I am, without my mother.

Everyone knows that, with a blink, time flies by,

now I have reached a million miles…ready to say goodbye.

Just as I have learned to tithe for the money that I earn,

I shall do the same to give 10 percent of my life lived in return.

I owe thanks for all the things I have received to the Lord,

so in return, I will use His scripture as a shield and voice as a sword.

I'm not exaggerating when I say we were all in tears. His humility, gratitude and love––for his mother and for the Lord––really brought the Spirit.

The Creation, in All Its Glory!

Here is the poem I wrote to sum up my Relief Society lesson yesterday.

I wish I could have done this as a slide show, because the photos add a lot.

The Gifts of Creation

©2010 Susan Noyes Anderson

How bless'd are we by all of God’s creation!

What miracles attend His outstretched hand!

Adoring is our gaze across the mountains,

Appreciative, our feet upon the land.

In reverence, we observe the sparkling waters,

The creatures that adorn both sky and sea;

In wonder, we embrace the lamb and lion…

And other living things, earthbound as we.

Who does not thrill to hear the sounds of nature:

The babbling brook where bullfrogs sing along…

The aspen leaves, aflutter in the treetops…

The soul-reviving glory of birdsong?

Who cannot hear the whisperings all around us?

Who fails to see the majesty of earth?

What heart must not o’erflow with sweet submission,

Awestricken by the privileges of birth?

When hearts wax cold, I would not be among them.

My own is small, beside His offering…

But ever is it His, in love and honor…

A gift to my Creator, Lord, and King.

Solace in the Sea

Seascape

©2010 Susan Noyes Anderson

If life is art, brush all my days

in colors of the sea.

The symphonies of gull and wave

lull cares away from me.

When thought is caught in city haze,

when songs of hope grow faint,

the steady rhythm of the ocean

soothes my soul’s complaint.

Sea sights and sea sounds weather well,

like sunlight in the heart––

warming and uplifting every

sacred, inner part.

My son brought several friends down to spend the night with us and hang out in Santa Cruz this weekend. With his public accounting busy season just ending, he needed a beach fix! (As evidenced by my new poem, I strongly relate to this need.)

=)

PS. My Relief Society lesson tomorrow is on The Creation. I am grateful for what is surely one of the Lord's most stirring accomplishments...the ocean!

A Messy Kitchen Is A Sign of Happiness!

We had a little "welcome to the ward" dinner last night at our house

for the dynamic group of young adults pictured below.

Pretty good-looking group, huh?

Fascinating company, too.

It would be safe to say that they had good appetites.

(Our artichoke chicken fusilli went over BIG.)

See my empty chair next to the bishop?

I was in the kitchen cleaning up a pretty crazy mess.

When he cooks this special pasta dish, he dirties

nearly every dish in the entire house.

Even messier than Thanksgiving dinner!

But oh, so delicious.

Thanks for coming, everyone!

=)

Shower the People You Love...

A beautiful bride

A lovely hat

A BLUSHING bride

Imagine that

Good friends all round

And center, too

A room full of love

With plenty to do

And lots to eat

Now, ain't showers sweet?

(This is what we did at my house last night...)

=)