Called to Serve

We've been on pins and needles waiting for Tommy's mission call. It finally arrived today. Check out the "Let the Game Begin" post to see the winning guess.

Tommy has been assigned to serve in the Texas Houston South Mission - English speaking. He reports to the MTC (Missionary Training Center - Provo, UT) August 20, 2008 - 10 days after his 19th birthday.

You will bless the lives of those you teach and their posterity after them. You will bless your own life. You will bless the lives of your family, who will sustain you and pray for you.

And above and beyond all of this will come that sweet peace in your heart that you have served your Lord faithfully and well. Your service will become an expression of gratitude to your Heavenly Father.

You will come to know your Redeemer as your greatest friend in time or eternity. You will realize that through His atoning sacrifice He has opened the way for eternal life and an exaltation above and beyond your greatest dreams.

If you serve a mission faithfully and well, you will be a better husband, you will be a better father, you will be a better student, a better worker in your chosen vocation. Love is of the essence of this missionary work. Selflessness is of its very nature. Self-discipline is its requirement. Prayer opens its reservoir of power.

And so, my dear young brethren, resolve within your hearts today to include in the program of your lives service in the harvest field of the Lord as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

President Gordon B. Hinckley
"Words of the Prophet: Forget Yourself and Go,” New Era, Oct 2002, 5 and "Of Missions, Temples, and Stewardship", Ensign, Nov. 1995, 52

The Next American Idol

I may be a bit partial, but oh well. Move over David Archuleta, get out of the way David Cook, here's my niece, Janet Reynders - the REAL next American Idol!

Buchanan High School Spring Concert - Clovis, California

Janet Reynders, soloist, with Matt McLelland on the guitar

“Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?”

--Benjamin Franklin

Three Little Kittens

Janna, Sam, me, and Becky.

My three little kittens.

These were the only kitties at home with me today. I got a Mother's Day greeting from everyone else by phone. Tom was gone too visiting Billy in Arizona.

I have a poem to post. You've probably heard it before. It has always been a favorite of mine. It also illustrates what I want for Mother's Day. Every year my children ask me what I want and my reply is always the same, "I want you to be obedient." Hence, the scripture that is continually displayed on my blog: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John 4

Which Loved Best
by Joy Allison

“I love you, Mother,” said little John;
Then, forgetting his work, his cap went on,
And he was off to the garden swing,
Leaving his mother the wood to bring.

“I love you, Mother,” said little Nell;
“I love you better than tongue can tell!”
Then she teased and pouted half the day,
Till Mother rejoiced when she went to play.

“I love you, Mother,” said little Fran;
“Today I’ll help you all I can.”
To the cradle then she did softly creep,
And rocked the baby till it fell asleep.

Then stepping softly, she took the broom
And swept the floor and dusted the room;
Busy and happy all day was she,
Helpful and cheerful as she could be.

“I love you, Mother,” again they said,
Three little children going to bed.
How do you think that Mother guessed
Which of them really loved her best.

Make Mother’s Day Merry with MamaBlogga

Let the Game Begin!

"I hope they call me on a mission..."

Tommy Blair

"A mission becomes as much a part of a boy's program for life as is an education."

Gordon B. Hinckley

"There Must Be Messengers," Ensign, October 1987

Tommy’s mission application has been submitted. I’m guessing we'll know where he's going in a matter of weeks. When my other boys submitted their applications to serve a mission we played a little game. Friends, family, and anybody for that matter, would guess where they thought he might go. So...

Let the Game Begin!

If you would like to guess, just let me know by sending an email to blairmom@gmail.com or you can leave a comment. I will add your name and guess to this entry. I’m even going to give a prize, but I’m not sure what the prize will be. Therefore, you will probably not be motivated to guess because the prize will be undoubtedly of little consequence, even so, a prize will be given. Please join the ranks of guessers just for the fun of it. This is an exciting time of anticipation wondering where Tommy will serve. Your guess can be as general (Japan) or detailed (Florida Ft. Lauderdale/Spanish-speaking Mission) as you want and you can change your guess up until Tom’s call arrives. You can even have the same guess as someone else. All winners and prizes are awarded at the sole discretion of me, the MOM.

Happy Guessing!

Martha Blair - Washington, D.C.

David Lockhart - North Carolina

Cassie Dedman - Dominican Republic

Ruben Dedman - Argentina

Sammy Blair - Paris, France

Kim Roarke - Africa

Cliff Roarke - Mississippi

Portia Dedman - Spain

Janna Blair - France

Rebecca Blair - Japan

Houston Blair - Philippines

Tommy Blair - Nashville Tennessee, Spanish-speaking

Billy Blair - Jacksonville, Florida

Chelsea Blair - New Jersey

Ricky Blair - New Jersey

Emma Reynders - Brazil

Michael Reynders - Portugal

Adam Reynders - South Africa

Dorothy Reynders - Anaheim, California

Bill Reynders - Arizona

Bob Dunn - Argentina

Pam Dunn - New York

Jessie Dunn - Peru

Paige Reynders - Taiwan

Rita Black - South America, Brazil

Lisa Burgess - USA, East Coast

Jacque Woolley - Latvia, Riga

Lynn Hatch - Eastern Canada, Toronto

Joan Stott - Canada

Beth Lockhart - Scotland

Carson Lockhart - Brisbane, Australia

Jessica Lockhart - Spain

Kenny Hermansen - Dublin, Ireland

Lee Ann Hemingway - Chile

Jacob Briggs - Uraguay

Rulon Beesley - Florida

Mark Reynders - Boston, Massachusetts

JoLinda Reynders - Denver, Colorado

Scotty Reynders - Armenia

Yvonne Murphy (soon to be Reynders) - Australia

David Reynders - West Indies

Nancy Hermansen - Jacksonville, Florida

Jacob Martinez - England

Veronica Martinez - Tonga

Kayla Martinez - Germany

Mike Martinez - Brazil

Debbie Martinez - Hong Kong

Jill Bentley - New Jersey

Logan Kowallis - Frankfurt, Germany

Kwang Betzer - Korea

Michelle Tweedy -Saskatchewan, Canada

Gerri Smith - Italy

Meagan Tweedy - China

Matt Tweedy - Mexico

Beth Tweedy - Tennessee

Jacob Tweedy - Hershey, Pennsylvania

Larry Alsip - USA, The South, Texas

Evelyn Blair - Brazil

Luke Leishman - Africa, Madagascar

Angie Lockhart - Panama

Jake Lockhart - Argentina

Stephanie Larsen - Eastern Europe

Terry Hermansen - Australia

Malissa Martinez - India

Harold Stevens - Hawaii

Chuck Ferrarri - Mississippi

Judy Ferrarri - England

Zoe Burgess - Massachusetts

Beth Ercek - Austin, Texas

Ali Ercek - Sydney, Australia

Susie Ercek - New York, New York

Johnny Ercek - Rome, Italy

Ron Ercek - Paris, France

Alex Burgess - Kentucky

Sydney Burgess - Illinois

Errin Rust - Albuquerque, New Mexico

John Meadors - Puerto Rico

Donna Meadors - China

Gloria Berrious - El Salvador

Cassie Anderson - Guatemala

Mike Axley - San Diego, California

Terri Fiske - Honduras

Cathy Escamilla - Kentucky

Paul Escamilla - Ecuador

Marla McEwan - Siberia

Mike Andrews - Colorado

Norm Andrews - Florida

Nancy Andrews - Tennessee

Mary Smith - Austria

Morris Smith - Quebec, Canada

Gary Black - South of the border

Don Jensen - Brazil

Russ Mohun - Peru

Ashton Seaver - Eastern Idaho

Kellie Hermansen - Russia

Paul Thorsen - England

Fred Thorsen - Arizona

Ashley Thorsen - Australia









Glitter Word Generator

Drama Queen

Saturday night at Lancaster High School we saw Janna in her last of four performances of "Bye Bye Birdie". It was an enjoyable and entertaining evening!

Jessica (friend and cohort in "Bye Bye Birdie) and Janna (high school drama queen - on stage and off.) Just two of the great kids in this fun production.

"There was never yet an uninteresting life.

Such a thing is an impossibility.

Inside of the dullest [and cutest] exterior

there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy."

--Mark Twain

MAY FLOWERS

"In all things of nature

there is something of the marvelous."

--Aristotle

It's been over two years since we moved into our house. This time of year, the spring flowers definitely enhance its appearance.

My front garden is called “Grandma’s Garden”. I have stepping stones placed throughout so little children can meander through and explore. Along with the plants and flowers that please the eye, there are other elements to discover like little bells, statuettes, and an old birdbath that once belonged to my grandmother. Of course, there are plenty of sticks, rocks, and bugs to find too.

I like to garden. I get a certain satisfaction in my digging. For some reason I benefit some enhanced therapeutic pleasure in my daily picking, watering, and weeding. I may revel with contentment, but my skin and old body often find it offensive. Nevertheless, I hope this habit will help me carry on in my aging years.

Garden Explorer's - Jeremiah, Ammon, and Joseph.

(Their family came to visit this weekend.)

GRANDMA'S FLOWERS

by Pauline S. Walker

Each time I go to Grandma's place

To spend some summer hours,

She lets me pick a big bouquet

Of pretty garden flowers.

I've learned the names of almost all

The flowers Grandma grows:

Carnation, Iris, Pansy, Phlox

Petunia, and Rose.

The Sweet Pea is my favorite;

It has a lovely smell.

The flower Grandma likes the best

Is Canterbury Bell.

I think my Grandma's wonderful

And hope that when I'm grown,

I'll have a "green thumb" just like hers

And flowers of my own.

Happy Birthday! Ammon Dedman, 1 year old today.

"One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism" - Eph. 4:5

Portia, Joseph, and Jeremiah
April 27, 2008, Sunday

Portia's Baptism Day

Portia and Ruben

"We are all welcome to come
into the waters of baptism."
Robert D. Hales,
"The Covenant of Baptism: To Be in the Kingdom and of the Kingdom,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 6–9

We went to Anaheim last Sunday afternoon. Of course, we got to see Cassie, Ruben, and the kids; but our min reason for going was to attend Portia Dedman's baptism. Portia is Ruben's cousin. She moved out here from Florida after graduating from high school. Ruben and Cassie offered her a place to stay. Portia got a job at Knott's Berry Farm and is establishing residency in preparation to enrolling in college here in California; but the most wonderful news of all is her baptism. We were so glad to attend and be a part of this great moment in her life. She has truly been prepared by God for this significant time. She so keenly feels the Spirit an understands that baptism is her next step in following the plan of happiness. She truly is happy, she told me so; but it's not just her words, but her countenance that's the real indicator of the joy she' feeling. It's another confirmation that she's doing the right thing.