The Right to Write

We should write because it is human nature to write.  Writing claims our world.  It makes it directly and specifically our own.  We should write because humans are spiritual beings and writing is a powerful form of prayer and meditation, connecting us both to our own insights and to a higher and deeper level of inner guidance as well.

We should write because writing brings clarity and passion to the act of living.

-Julia Cameron

People like to say "Salsa"

We are a salsa loving family! (have you ever seen that Seinfeld episode when Jerry says,"people like to say "salsa"?) We always have salsa on hand in the fridge.  We especially love fresh salsa.  So, when we were in Utah, my sister in law Coleen gave me this recipe and I do love EASY recipe's so we've been making this salsa every week sometimes twice a week since, and we all love it!
Aunt Coleen's Salsa
2 cans diced tomatoes with mild green chilis
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 small yellow onion
1 bunch cilantro
1 juice of lime

So, that's it!  You take and put in all (except the petite diced tomatoes Stephen likes it a little chuncky) in the food processor or in my case the blender.  Then add the petite diced tomatoes and just stir them in then if you'd like, chop up an avocado and add that in for a little extra somethin.   Enjoy!  Thanks Coleen!

Grandma Emily

Today I was honored and privileged to take my Grandma to the temple. 
Ermalinda Cabral, my Dad's Mom,was born on August 21, 1919 and died on April 18, 2001.  My mother has been encouraging me for months to finally get her work done for her.  I have wanted to do it but I also wanted to get myself signed up and learn how to get around the family history sites to do it myself.  Then one day, about a month ago, Mom called me again and encouraged me to start...so I did.  She helped me get online and start adding my family names to PAF.  So, then I got excited....but again I procrastinated.  Then one night I had a dream.  I dreamed that I was wide awake(you ever have those kind of dreams?) and walking down the street, and coming towards me was my Grandma Emily exactly like you see her in this picture.  As we got closer to eachother I looked at her and said "is it really you?" and she looked at me and began to speak and then the alarm went off and I woke up.  I thought that was pretty interesting for a couple of reasons.  First of all, I have never dreamed of my Grandmother before in my life and second of all, I think it is interesting how I saw her in this particular outfit...."all white".  After that dream I made an appointment at the family history center and got her name ready. That was a week ago.  It was a really wonderful day today taking her name to the temple.  Mike was able to perform the baptism and we asked Sophia(a sweet young friend of ours) to stand in for Grandma, then Mike confirmed her and then I got to take her name and do the rest.  It was a very humbling and sweet experience for all of us.  Next step is for Mike and I to go back and do the sealing. I love my Grandma Emily!

People

Barbara Striesand sings..."People, people who need people....are the luckiest people...in the world....."


So, this subject has been on my mind for the past couple of days.  Since I've been working my new job as a substitute clerical worker for the school district, I have been meeting lots of new people.  I really enjoy seeing the students at the school and just seeing all the different personalities.  I really love the youth, they make me think about when I was that age and I just want to hug them.


So, "People"....I am a believer that people are the most important thing in this life....afterall...our relationships with the people in our lives are really the only thing we will be taking with us after we are done here...right? So, the relationships we have with the people in our lives is really the most important thing we have in this life....so, I think it is so interesting the people that come in and out of our lives.


Some people come into our lives for just a short time and yet they can have a huge impact on our lives.....for good or for bad....I believe there is something good to learn about everyone of them even if the experience with that person may have been a bad one..... maybe because of our experience with a particular person we become more aware of ourselves and what to look out for ya know...and maybe they were there to help you know what to look for too.


Then there are those people who come into our lives to stay...those are the ones who are like "gold" those who become true friends, who love you no matter what....who you have been your whole real self with, the good, the bad and the ugly, and they still love you and accept you because they really get you and they see you for who you really are no matter how mixed up you may become or no matter what you go thru...they are rare, they believe in you and you feel safe with them.  Those who feel you are worth investing time in getting to know...because these kinds of relationships take time.


Then there are those people who come into your life and it is as if the Lord planted them there and they make you think....WOW!  Heavenly Father really is aware of me... these people are like little "jewels"like "diamonds".... they can be like little angels who bless your life with tender moments of unconditional love and acceptance.... they can also be the kind of people who you know that God put there for you to share what you absolutely know...the truth....about Him...in fact I met someone like this just recently..."...no more hunger and thirst, but first be a person who needs people, people who need people...are the luckiest people...in ...the ...world".


We all need "People" we are all in this together!

Setting Goals

On Wednesday night I attended our Relief Society Activity for the month.  We had 3 classes to choose from and I chose the one on Setting Goals.  We had a speaker who spoke to us about how we are the Leaders of our own lives.  He gave us a formula for setting goals and the process for acheiving them.  He told us to pray about it and then brainstorm and write down everything we could possibly think of that we wanted to do or achieve this year, then to choose 3-12 categories and then narrow each category to one in each area and underline that one.  He encouraged us to write a plan as to how we will acheive these goals this year.  It was a very motivating presentation.  He said that he honestly feels that we can achieve anything we set our minds to do because that is the potential we have as children of the greatest creator in the universe.  It reminded me very much of the message I shared earlier by Elder Utchdorf about being creative.  He also said that, "People of Character are those who do what they committ to do even after the emotion of making the committment is passed".  So, I really want to put his ideas into action this year.  We are the creators of our own lives....what will we accomplish in 2010?

Mission Memories

Before I forget I wanted to mention that last week I had the privilege of speaking to our group of young Activity Days girls about my mission.  Along with 3 other return Sister Missionaries in our Ward, Kristy  Smith, Sherida Raddigan and Kelsey Hogge.  And I just have to say what a great experience that was for me.  It has been years since I have been able to share some of my experiences regarding my mission with people.  It truly was the best 1 1/2 years of my life.  I believe that my Heavenly Father always planned for me to serve a mission as he just led me in that direction.  It was something I always wanted to do but never thought I would have the opportunity to do, and he made it happen!  With Michael on his mission now it is even more meaningful.  I am eternally grateful to my Father in Heaven for the most awesome experience of serving a fulltime mission.  Thanks Ashlie, for the opportunity to speak to your girls. I had fun!

Create

The desire to create something is within each of us. I have been thinking about this a lot this past week...I've never considered myself a creative person, however, creativity comes in many different ways. We are children of that great Creator...so of course it makes sense that we too have that potential. This is a great message...
Okay, so for some reason I just cant get that link to post...so go to You Tube and type in "Create" and view the Mormom Messages by Elder Utchdorf...if you want to watch. But the bottom line from the video is this...."The more you trust and rely upon the spirit...the greater your capacity to create"...I really love that.