I think it's important to keep in touch with family and others. Uncle Jack Dyet is so very lonesome since Renie has passed away. He misses her so much. He lives with his son, Cliff in Sandy and they get along very well together. He is in Hemmet, California right now and close to Jolene his daughter. He will stay there for the winter then come back to be with Cliff. I call him and chat with him and I know he enjoys hearing from Aunt Ruthie and I. It cheers him up and I know this is an important part of serving others. I also call the older sisters in the ward every so often and chat with them. They don't come out to church anymore and some are home-bound. But they appreciate the fact that they are not forgotten. I also call sisters that I miss when they are not in Relief Society. Sometimes they are home sick or whatever. But they feel good when they know they are missed. These are things that we all do almost every day, but with the attitude of serving others it's very fulfilling to think of others and do what comes naturally, but you're doing it and feeling the rewards of it.
A few weeks ago we had a young couple speak in our ward. The husband talked about writing down your blessings of the day. So as you kneel for prayer at the end of the day you can thank Heavenly Father specifically for our blessings; for our physical abilities, the beauties of the season, the warmth of our homes at this winter time. As we count our blessings daily, we become a more thankful people.
I love you all.
Mom
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Miles' News
Ewell's Cleanup
On Saturday, December 1st, our family went to Grandma and Grandpa Ewell's in Genola; they were out of town. We remodeled their bedroom and also cleaned up their house. What I did was cleaned off all the blinds in the house and hung them back up. After I vacuumed a lot of the house. I thought it was fun but it feels really good that they loved it and was happy. It was a surprise for them.
On Saturday, December 1st, our family went to Grandma and Grandpa Ewell's in Genola; they were out of town. We remodeled their bedroom and also cleaned up their house. What I did was cleaned off all the blinds in the house and hung them back up. After I vacuumed a lot of the house. I thought it was fun but it feels really good that they loved it and was happy. It was a surprise for them.
Dallas's news
I went to the Christensen's and we gave them food and I felt really good and they were very happy and liked it alot. The other day I gave the Walters a lesson and we gave them a very nice dinner and it was very nice. Then we went and gave food to 3 older people and you could see their gratitude and happiness. We did it as a family. I liked that. I also helped a kid with his math today.
Spencer's news
The looks on the Wrights faces and the smiles that came to their faces was all the blessings I needed. When we went into the Pearces and the Wrights home it was like they hadn't had a visitor in years. It felt great to listen to these great people who have lived long great lives; people who have given of themselves to their families and communities and their beliefs. It's been a great honor to serve in a bishopric that oversees these good people. It's been even a greater honor for me to have grown up around these people and learned from them and know and be able to look back and also look forward and see what a great an impact these people have had on my life. Taking over a dinner was a very small jester on our behalf, but it let them know how much we notice and care for them.
It also felt really good to take dinner to one of our younger couples who are just starting a family and are following the prophet in all his teachings. They have decided for the mom to stay home with the young ones, while the dad, who is a school teacher, be the provider. They work hard and have great faith. I can see them fifty years from now being just like the Pearces and the Wrights. We have so many special people around us and so little time to really to get to know them or recognize them.
We have also had a couple of Family Home Evenings with the Armstrongs and the Walters. The Armstrongs have been in our ward about 2-1/2 years. I think Scott Armstrong is a sports nut and I've really enjoyed his friendship. Most of all I've enjoyed his love for the Savior. He is great with the young men. He's been a great example no matter how competitive he gets and he is a competitor. Chelsea, his wife, has been in Young Women for a while and is always so well prepared and always seems so in tune with the Spirit and what the Y/W need to hear. The ward will miss their leadership. We will miss their friendship. They are moving to Kansas to be with family and to buy them a home. They have worked hard and been best friends through the schooling and working and just making it in their little apartment right by the church. I'm very happy for them and hope that they feel our love and wishes that we have for them. The Walters was the other family we had over for dinner and Family Home Evening. This family has had it's trials and tests. They lost a boy about 4 or 5 years ago to a freak accident and now Brian the father is at his second go around with brain tumors. They have been a semi-active family until Brian was diagnosed with brain cancer about 1-1/2 years ago. I remember the night that Melanee, his wife, called us at the church on bishopric night and told us the news. We went right up to the hospital. When we arrived Brian wanted a blessing and he asked me to give it. What an honor it was for me. Brian was directed by the Spirit to get to know the Savior and to rely on Him and to make that his focus. He has. It's been great watching this man and his family rally together and get to know the Savior and see the blessings and the Spirit pour into their lives. Again it makes me feel so good to be able to be a part of these people's lives and I hope that I'll always be able to help others in some small way.
It also felt really good to take dinner to one of our younger couples who are just starting a family and are following the prophet in all his teachings. They have decided for the mom to stay home with the young ones, while the dad, who is a school teacher, be the provider. They work hard and have great faith. I can see them fifty years from now being just like the Pearces and the Wrights. We have so many special people around us and so little time to really to get to know them or recognize them.
We have also had a couple of Family Home Evenings with the Armstrongs and the Walters. The Armstrongs have been in our ward about 2-1/2 years. I think Scott Armstrong is a sports nut and I've really enjoyed his friendship. Most of all I've enjoyed his love for the Savior. He is great with the young men. He's been a great example no matter how competitive he gets and he is a competitor. Chelsea, his wife, has been in Young Women for a while and is always so well prepared and always seems so in tune with the Spirit and what the Y/W need to hear. The ward will miss their leadership. We will miss their friendship. They are moving to Kansas to be with family and to buy them a home. They have worked hard and been best friends through the schooling and working and just making it in their little apartment right by the church. I'm very happy for them and hope that they feel our love and wishes that we have for them. The Walters was the other family we had over for dinner and Family Home Evening. This family has had it's trials and tests. They lost a boy about 4 or 5 years ago to a freak accident and now Brian the father is at his second go around with brain tumors. They have been a semi-active family until Brian was diagnosed with brain cancer about 1-1/2 years ago. I remember the night that Melanee, his wife, called us at the church on bishopric night and told us the news. We went right up to the hospital. When we arrived Brian wanted a blessing and he asked me to give it. What an honor it was for me. Brian was directed by the Spirit to get to know the Savior and to rely on Him and to make that his focus. He has. It's been great watching this man and his family rally together and get to know the Savior and see the blessings and the Spirit pour into their lives. Again it makes me feel so good to be able to be a part of these people's lives and I hope that I'll always be able to help others in some small way.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Maryann's Service Work
The last weekend in November we arranged for my parents to go to Idaho so we could suprise them with a new bedroom. Wednesday as soon as I was done with work, I headed down to Genola, Utah and started taking everything out of her bedroom. That evening with the help of a few other family members we had everything out of their bedroom, their carpet pulled up and we removed the closet entirely. We didn't go to bed until 1 a.m. The next day got up we sanded all the wall previous to texturing. I primed the entire bedroom. I got home that evening about 10 p.m. that night. I returned on Saturday after work where we starting to put the bedroom back together along with cleaning the entire house including scrubbing the walls, ceilings, lights, and pictures on the walls. Parents reaction was they sure felt the love of their children. My dad actually started crying. They got new carpet, paint, molding, baseboards, new headboard for their bed, their closet was completely remodeled, a new bed set, new chair for their room.
Every Sunday for the month of December except for the Christmas Party at the Olsen's, we invited someone from our ward family over for dinner and Family Home Evening. Everyone contributed to the meals and the lessons! We used the general conference talks and then played games and enjoyed each other. We invited the Walters family, played the game signs, and had a great time visiting and not even a week later the father passed away. This was a treat for us to be able to share time with him before he passed away. Spencer picked the families that we invited to come to our home.
On Monday's we prepared dinner, soups, salad, bread, and a dessert. We would take it to two families each of the Monday nights. Maryann made sure all food was put into containers that could be kept.
Maryann has a lady friend that she cleans house for. The last time I did it I left a little note, "this one's on me" and left the money there. She had a big t.v. that was a piece of junk and Spencer helped me to get rid of it for her.
There is not anything funner or more rewarding than to be able to do something for someone else. To give someone your time is the coolest thing to do.
Every Sunday for the month of December except for the Christmas Party at the Olsen's, we invited someone from our ward family over for dinner and Family Home Evening. Everyone contributed to the meals and the lessons! We used the general conference talks and then played games and enjoyed each other. We invited the Walters family, played the game signs, and had a great time visiting and not even a week later the father passed away. This was a treat for us to be able to share time with him before he passed away. Spencer picked the families that we invited to come to our home.
On Monday's we prepared dinner, soups, salad, bread, and a dessert. We would take it to two families each of the Monday nights. Maryann made sure all food was put into containers that could be kept.
Maryann has a lady friend that she cleans house for. The last time I did it I left a little note, "this one's on me" and left the money there. She had a big t.v. that was a piece of junk and Spencer helped me to get rid of it for her.
There is not anything funner or more rewarding than to be able to do something for someone else. To give someone your time is the coolest thing to do.
Ronald McDonald House
Dear Dirk and Daryl
On behalf of the board, staff, and guests I would like to thank you for your generous donation of eight game boards that you recently gave to the Ronald McDonald House. Each year we provide housing for an average of 1,500 families, so as you can imagine the tremendous amount of food, cleaning supplies and other household items that are needed. We truly rely on the community to help us provide a safe, clean, affordable "home away from home" for families with critically ill and injured children who need to travel to Salt Lake City for medical treatment. The donations that come in each day mean so much to the families who stay here and they are often surprised by the generosity of people in our community. signed, Bonnie Billings
We did the same for a Boys and Girls Club in Midvale and Sugarhouse. They in turn were appreciative of our generous gifts to them. This was our privilege and great opportunity to help others.
On behalf of the board, staff, and guests I would like to thank you for your generous donation of eight game boards that you recently gave to the Ronald McDonald House. Each year we provide housing for an average of 1,500 families, so as you can imagine the tremendous amount of food, cleaning supplies and other household items that are needed. We truly rely on the community to help us provide a safe, clean, affordable "home away from home" for families with critically ill and injured children who need to travel to Salt Lake City for medical treatment. The donations that come in each day mean so much to the families who stay here and they are often surprised by the generosity of people in our community. signed, Bonnie Billings
We did the same for a Boys and Girls Club in Midvale and Sugarhouse. They in turn were appreciative of our generous gifts to them. This was our privilege and great opportunity to help others.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Sheet--rock for Christmas
Well, Hi there Olsens!
The Henke's and the Hatch's had a fun experience just before Christmas. We had the opportunity to help out our friends with a project they ran out of money on. They were fixing an old shed into a livable space for their son that needs a place to stay. They are on a pretty tight budget and we found out there was a need and really wanted to help out. We had so much fun delivering sheet rock to their doorstep without them seeing us. Sheet rock is heavy and large, and they have a large glass window right in front of their house. Heber, Ben, Trevor, and Reilly quietly set it down (which wasn't easy)on their front porch.It was great fun! Russell Davy and I watched from the truck, Boston supervised. It felt so good to help others. This was one of my most favorite days! I will get pic later from Bossy. Thanks to all the Olsen clan for working so hard to help others this Christmas!! I hope you all have felt a little more Christlike.
The Henke's and the Hatch's had a fun experience just before Christmas. We had the opportunity to help out our friends with a project they ran out of money on. They were fixing an old shed into a livable space for their son that needs a place to stay. They are on a pretty tight budget and we found out there was a need and really wanted to help out. We had so much fun delivering sheet rock to their doorstep without them seeing us. Sheet rock is heavy and large, and they have a large glass window right in front of their house. Heber, Ben, Trevor, and Reilly quietly set it down (which wasn't easy)on their front porch.It was great fun! Russell Davy and I watched from the truck, Boston supervised. It felt so good to help others. This was one of my most favorite days! I will get pic later from Bossy. Thanks to all the Olsen clan for working so hard to help others this Christmas!! I hope you all have felt a little more Christlike.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)