Sunday, November 29, 2009

DOT MAC

Dorothy McMullin Reynders
April 22, 1929
to
November 29, 2009



If at first you don't succeed,
do it the way your mother told you to.
-- Author Unknown
(This says "Author Unknown",
 but doesn't that sound just like my mother!?)

  • My mother passed away peacefully this morning in her home at approximately 3 a.m.
  • View a slideshow of my mother on my sister's blog:  Beth's Notebook
  • Also, I have a mother who KNEW.  Read the words of Julie B. Beck:  Mothers Who Know

Friday, November 20, 2009

I'm Thankful for . . .

THANKSGIVING!

We're coming up on Thanksgiving week.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.
It has always been my favorite for as long as I can remember.

Watch this video and start counting your many blessings:

  • I'm thankful for God the Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ, and for the power of the Holy Ghost.
  • I'm thankful for my family.
  • I'm thankful for my home.
  • I'm thankful for employment for my husband and myself.
  • I'm thankful for the opportunities I have to serve.
  • I'm just plain thankful.  I know I have been very very blessed.
What are you thankful for?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!


"As we express our gratitude,
we must never forget
that the highest appreciation
is not to utter words,
but to live by them."

Sunday, November 15, 2009

It's All About the Grandkids!

The Dedman Boys

Jeremiah, Joseph, and Ammon
Their brother is due January 9, 2010
This weekend Cassie and fam came by to visit Grandma and Poppy.  I got a photo of the boys fun happy faces.  They never get to stay as long as they want.  They love spending time with Uncle Sam.  We're hoping for a good visit over the Thanksgiving holiday.

"We plead with you to take time for your children and your grandchildren while they are young. Special moments may come only once. Before we are aware, they have grown older, and our best opportunity for teaching them how to live happy and fulfilling lives is past."

Elder M. Russell Ballard,
"Teach the Children" Ensign, May 1991, 78

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Special Moments

It has been nearly three weeks since stepping into the realm of hospice with my mother.  Her decision to go the way of all the earth has changed things.  Many good friends and family have stepped forward to serve and say good-bye.  She has had wonderful visits and phone calls that have distracted her from her sick feelings and pain.  Mom is off all her medication except for the occasional pill providing her with comfort and relief.  She's not eating, but has been taking fluids.  She is surprisingly alert and has been a delight to her visitors.  She's starting to quiet down, but through it all her humor and advice come shining through.



Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

Karen Lynn Davidson from Hymn 293

For some inspired insights read:
"Lessons in Love" by Karen Ann Anderson.  She tells the story about the hospice experience of her friend Marie Holley. (Ensign, April 1986, 60)

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Compassionate Service

Coach, Teresa, and Mom

Teresa is our caregiver.  She's the one that does all the work tending to my parents while the rest of us senior sit.  She's the BEST!  She's OUTSTANDING!  It's not "just a job".  She renders service from her heart.  You don't get any better than Teresa.  My parents love her and we love her too.

Thank You Teresa 
Glitter Graphics
from the bottom of our hearts!

"Being compassionate is [a] great work of our Heavenly Father and a fundamental characteristic of who we are as a people. We are commanded to 'succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees' (D&C 81:5). Disciples of Christ throughout all ages of the world have been distinguished by their compassion. Those who follow the Savior 'mourn with those that mourn . . . and comfort those that stand in need of comfort' (Mosiah 18:9).

"When we reach out to bless the lives of others, our lives are blessed as well. Service and sacrifice open the windows of heaven, allowing choice blessings to descend upon us. Surely our beloved Heavenly Father smiles upon those who care for the least of His children.

"As we lift others, we rise a little higher ourselves. President Spencer W. Kimball taught, 'The more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls' (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 254).
"Dieter F. Uchtdorf,
Ensign, Nov. 2008, 119

Friday, November 6, 2009

Growing Up

The Birthday Boy
Sam celebrated his 11th birthday
Wednesday night, Nov. 4th

I'm not only late in reporting Sam's birthday, but also of his recent advancement. He received his blue belt October 1st. He also was invited to participate in another class that will include archery, swordsmanship, learning Japanese, and calligraphy. It's a little different than just the punching agenda and he's always wanted to do it and was pleased that he could participate. It will be a while before he advances to his green belt and this will provide him with some experiences that are well rounded in gaining a better understanding of the martial arts.





Four-character Idiom:

花鳥風月
Kachou Fuugetsu

Literally:
Flower, Bird, Wind, Moon

Meaning:
Experience the beauties of nature,
and in doing so learn about yourself.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Weekend Reunion


The Reynders Kids
Mark, Martha, Beth, and Adam
and our parents
Bill and Dorothy Reynders
It's been a long time since we were all together.  My mother going on hospice care is what brought us together last weekend.  It was a nice experience enjoying one anothers company.  My mom has been amazingly alert.  She's been happy to visit with us and talk to other family and friends on the phone.  It was a great weekend.

“Through the restored gospel we learn there is an ideal family. It is a family composed of a righteous Melchizedek Priesthood bearer with a righteous wife sealed to him and children born in the covenant or sealed to them. With a mother in the home in an environment of love and service, the parents teach their children, through example and precept, the ways of the Lord and His truths. They fulfill their divinely appointed roles mentioned in the family proclamation. Their children mature by living teachings instilled from birth. They develop characteristics of obedience, integrity, love of God, and faith in His holy plan. In due course, each of those children seeks a companion with similar ideals and aspirations. They are sealed in the temple, bear children, and the eternal plan continues, with generation strengthening generation.”

Richard G. Scott,
“First Things First,” Ensign, May 2001, 6