Have you ever...

Have you ever had a day that several things went wrong and yet all you felt inside was a feeling of joy and love?  That is what my day was like.  If you asked me, I would tell you that I had a great day.  Several things happened that should have caused me stress, and yet all I feel is the love of my friends and family around me, most of all I feel my Saviors love.  Inside I feel joy.  What an amazing feeling....

Dear Knitting,

Dear Knitting,

I have been thinking that the reason you and I haven't gotten very far on the projects this past Summer was that I lacked motivation, but to my surprise it isn't that at all!  Apparently we just needed to go to a football game.  Yes my little pointy friends, a football game. 

Last school year, we blamed me going back to school, not even thinking about the fact that there were not any children in band for the first time in well over a decade.  Jessica had to choose between a class she wanted to take and one she needed to take as they were both taught at the same time--she chose the one she needed.  See no football game--no knitting at said football game to fill the time when the band is NOT on the field. 

Therefore, it is very important that we attend the football game so that we can knit while the players do whatever it is that they do with that little brown ball.  Last Friday we embraced the football game and knit a baby hat.  I can't wait until next week when we start the birdcage covers at the football game.  Yep, to knit we need football......Oh dear, what will we do when Daniel graduates and there is no more football while waiting for the band to play?

I saw this pansy (they are my favorite you know) and had to share it--the center looks like an angel waiting to bless our day!  Reading in the scriptures we are taught about angels and how Heavenly Father sends angels to help us.  Remember that sometimes the angel Heavenly Father sends to help you, is the person standing next to you, asking "how can I help."  I hope everyone has a beautiful weekend filled with family and friends.

Moment to Moment

A few days ago, I watched one of the Mormon Messages found on http://www.lds.org/  about making moments count.  Neal A. Maxwell said "Moments are the molecules that make up eternity."  The entire point is to slow down and appreciate what is always around you. 

Sometimes I feel that life is moving at mock 4, and I wonder if I will get everything done.  After watching this clip, I realize that it is the moments that count and that we will remember in our later years.  This has been reinforced by listening to Ethel during our visits.  The things she remembers through her senior dementia are small moments in her life.  Some of the bad, but surprisingly most of them good.  Having a number of friends who are in the "senior" catagory, I have discovered that this holds true for most of them.  Thier lives were at a slower pace.  Sometimes I have heard that it is technology that drives our faster pace--I wonder though if it is not more of the "want it all" attitude so prevelant today.  Just a thought.

So for us here at Helm Haven, we are going to slow things down a bit.  Make the moments togther count more for eternal things, and less for transient joys.  To those of you who read this....I wish you joy in your journey of life this week.  Remember to find the joy in each day. 

My little warriors...

Each Sunday I teach 6-9 Sunbeams.  And while my body gets quite a workout each week, they are a joy!  I love teaching these young children.  They are so honest.  A few weeks I was trying to explain my church calling to a friend who is a non-member.  When last we spoke of church things and what I was doing, I was Relief Society President.  She thought I had been demoted, when in fact I feel just the opposite.  So was trying to explain why I felt promoted instead, and had to borrow a term from Mandy.  I told her that I taught little 3 year old warriors for God.  Her reply?  "Good grief Cheryl, you are getting them while they are pretty young!"  To all my parents.....Thank You for sharing your little ones with me each Sunday! 

If ye are prepared....

The day started like any other day, with Bill getting the children up for school at 5:30 am (seminary doesn't start until next week).  The storm last night was fierce, however the sun was up.  It was a bright new day.  The children went to school to find the power was out and some classes could run on the generator--up until the cooks discovered that the freezers how gone out and there was no food to feed the 1200+ always hungry teens.  So they sent them home. 

As I have run my errands, I found that there are many still without power living and working here is St. Joseph.  They say that there 70,000 people in St Joseph and out lying areas without power.  With all of the limbs and lines down, they don't know when the power would be back on.  I feel very blessed that we are not of that number, while just 2 blocks in any direction are feeling the effects of no power and above 90 degree tempratures. 

My home has been opened to those who need a place to stay, and my freezer is being filled with other's food (carefully marked) so it will not spoil.  It is times like this that make me grateful for all I learned growing up.  Preparedness wasn't just something we talked about, it was something we lived and breathed each day.  However that being said--I do not yet have a generator, and if our power goes, it will NOT be a good thing.

I trimmed and set Ethel's hair, adding new earings for the week.  We spent time visiting as we do each week.  She likes it when I read to her from my vast collection of fairy tales on my Kindle.  With her living in the nursing home, I have been able to rediscover the joy of visiting with her rather than the constant difficulty of trying to take care of her needs.  I feel there is a balance to all of that.

Lastly I went to purchase my books for the upcoming semester--oh my, talk about sticker shock.  Even with most of the books being used, it was still almost $600.  As there is still one more class to buy as yet (the books are still in printing).  How much more will it be this semester, I wonder?  Yet, I look at these books with wonder.....I am living my dream of going  school.  Each day is as a long awaited gift that I treasure.   

Until We Meet Again...

On May 8th my Uncle Mike died.  He was a man I had a bond with, that for me was deep, abiding and strong.  He taught me so much, but mostly how to give of myself or serve others with a joyful heart.  It is still too raw for me to write much, so I will borrow from my cousin Mike Bess, (known in the family as lil Mike, because his son is young Mike--we have lots of Mikes in our family)who writes eloquently what I am feeling.  I wish all of you could have known the great man my Uncle Mike was--for me he lives on, and the best way to honor his memory is to pass on his stories and his love.

Uncle Mike--always a smile!

Dearest all... the final sitrep from the Pacific.

Of all the finest men, ...the finest father, the finest grandfather, the finest friend, the finest husband, the finest companion, the finest person,... he made the list. Chief Michael R. McComb. For me, my Dad. To you, your loved one. Our so very much loved one. The man who took me under his caring kindness from the days of my youth until the day of his final sail of the Pacific he loved; who taught me directly over and again what charity means by his example. He loved me, he loved us, with the deepest kindest love. Such a heart, such a tremendous heart.

I have considered over the years what I would be, what I would not have now were it not for him. So much...I would not have my wife, my children, grandchildren; for it was by him I crossed the globe to the Islands of the Philippines where I met my future wife. It was by him that my mother was convinced to let him and I bring her to the states for me to marry even though I was still young.  If there was ever a question of any kind about life matters, he was there. He has always been there. Always.


It is written that Charity never faileth, and indeed, his never did. Neither failed his love. His love of family and friends. Oh how he loved us, and us him!  Please consider him now... and all the wonderful reasons you love him; for he surely loved you. And yes, he still does.  My faith is that he lives now on the other side of the veil and I know I will see him again and I so, ...so very much already, ...long for that day.  What joy I will have again then, to see that ever smiling face and feel that so loving embrace... of my Dad.  It is my faith that you too shall see him again. Remember him throughout your lives now in the best way; be as loving and charitable to all.


Collect your pictures, your memories, your stories. Tell them to your children and your children's children.

May we never forget this sailor... Chief Michael R. McComb


He sails ahead of us and no doubt will be working some way of preparing and arranging great things for us. You know he will. He always did.
Carry on Chief, carry on McComb, carry on Dad, carry on Gpa, carry on GGpa, carry on dear brother, carry on dear beloved of us all who remain...With tears, and smiles and hearts overwhelmed with love for you,.. as you did with us,... we bid you Adieu


Michael R. McComb January 15, 1946 - May 8, 2011.


May the wind always be at your back and may you have following seas


Adieu

Uncle Mike



Uncle Mike and Aunt Jeannine