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.

Fun Happenings!

Tom and Zoe, Saturday, April 26, 2008


Lancaster High Prom

Pinewood Derby,

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Entry: The Matchstick

Last Place :( BUT. . . . Most Original Design :)

Good Sport Sam! "Do Your Best." - Cub Scout Motto

GO INDIANS!!!

Since March, Sam has had baseball practice
and games usually four times a week.

"Character, Courage, Loyalty." - Little League Motto

A "WICKED" 16TH BIRTHDAY!

We’re celebrating another birthday at our house. Janna is 16 today. To honor her we finally went to see WICKED. Last night 12 of us converged on the Pantages Theater nosebleed section for the evening performance. Our enthusiastic group of friend and family still had a good view of things in spite of being in the last two rows of the theater. (Ohhh.....Mommy is always trying to save a buck!) Janna was pleased and we all had a nice time.

We plan to do some more celebrating tomorrow. Chicken Tetrazzini (Janna‘s favorite), asparagus (that was my choosing), and chocolate cake. Happy Birthday Janna! I love you!

"A daughter may outgrow your lap,

but she will never outgrow your heart."

--Author Unknown

5 p.m. - not quite "witching hour". We're heading out the door for WICKED. Scott Reynders (one of our fun Clovis, CA cousins) and Janna - READY TO GO!!!

Busy Doings!

Thursday Hugh and I drove to St. George, Utah. On Friday we
went to the St. George Temple to attend our niece's sealing -
Amy Shirley Ellington, her husband Adam, and baby son, Wesson.
We then headed home. It was nice to be there, but it was a
whirlwind trip. We were gone a total of 34 hours.

Saturday was our stake women's conference. I was busy helping
with one of the workshops most of the day, so I didn't have the opportunity to attend any other classes; but I did get to hear
the closing remarks of Bonnie D. Parkin, the former General Relief Society President. It was a thrilling experience. I didn't have any problems falling asleep that night. I was so worn out from
my busy day, my busy week, my busy life.

~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~

"Do we frequently reject the Lord's love that He pours out upon us in much more abundance than we are willing to receive? Do we think we have to be perfect in order to deserve His love? When we allow ourselves to feel 'encircled about eternally in the arms of his love,' we feel safe... His love is there for us every day. Remember, it's constant—even when we don't recognize it. I love Nephi's description of this great gift: 'The love of God . . . sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things . . . and the most joyous to the soul.' I testify that this is true. "

Bonnie D. Parkin, “Eternally Encircled in His Love,”

Ensign, Nov 2006, 108–10

Sustaining the Prophet of God

I was able to participate in a solemn assembly today, even though I viewed general conference at home. This gave me, along with everyone else in the Church, the opportunity to sustain President Thomas S. Monson as the prophet. I believe in prophets. It is a miraculous thing to think a man could be the spokesman for God here on earth. Can mortal man be trusted with such a responsibility? God must think so, for he has had prophets proclaiming His word from the beginning. Of course, it's not just any man.

What a wonderful blessing to have a mouthpiece in place declaring God's word. I am grateful. There is so much malevolence and pervasive meanness in the world. If that's what I had to hang on to, I would have little hope. Instead, my confidence and peace are strong knowing that God has provided me with sure guidance.

For some reason, it's easier to believe the Bible stories of Noah, Moses, and other ancient prophets; but to follow a prophet, here and now, is another story. Those that crucified Christ are evidence of that; their "King of Kings", and "Lord of Lords", was before them. He walked with them, performed miracles, all along declaring truth; and yet, they did not see, and had him crucified.

History reveals that prophets were scorned in their day. What do people picture a prophet of God to be like? Pride can take over humble thinking. If we study the scriptures, pray, have faith, do the will of the Father, we will see things clearly, we will follow the living prophet, and know that he speaks today and stands as a witness of Christ.

Ezra Taft Benson spoke at BYU and gave "Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet". Check yourself, Do you sustain the prophet and follow his counsel?

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.

2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.

3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.

4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.

5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.

6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.

7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.

8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.

9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.

10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.

11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.

12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.

13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.

14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.

Ezra Taft Benson, “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet,” Tambuli, Jun 1981, 1

It is my testimony that we need to keep our eyes on the prophet. God loves us, that's why we have a prophet. There is no need to be left to the perverse opinions of the world. We need to listen and do the word of God. Following the prophet means following the Savior. I know from experience and the Spirit has confirmed my understanding, do the will of God and blessings come. There is beauty, joy, and happiness to be found through Jesus Christ. I know Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God on earth today. I pray we will follow him, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Are We Having FUN Yet?

Tuesday, March 25th, Sam, Becky, and I headed to Orange County to see Cassie and Ruben's new apartment, visit with the grand kids, and go to Knott's Berry Farm. We had Jeremiah, my eldest grandson, join us on our venture to Knott's.

Now let's face it, I'm not theme park material. I haven't been for a longtime, my age and weight being the main deterring factors. My children question why I even bother going, it's not like I ride anything. Of course, me riding something adds to their thrill. It makes them feel better because they equate having fun with going on rides and certainly their mother is deserving of some fun.

Rides are not my thing; but I did go on one ride yesterday, the Ferris wheel, and only because they wouldn't let Jeremiah on without me. The pressure was on because he kept telling me how much he wanted to ride. I told him it might be scary, but he reassured me that he was brave. Who can argue with that? I trudged on to the Ferris wheel sitting between Jeremiah and Sam in the hope of keeping our cart somewhat balanced. True to his word, Jeremiah was very brave. He fared much better than Sam or I.

I use to be all about rides; but I've taken on a new position, one that has evolved with the more children I have had and has culminated with the addition of grandchildren. It is one that other grandmothers who have gone before will completely understand. Let me explain, I'm the one who watches purses and belongings as the family takes on another roller coaster ride. I'm the one who sits with the tired child that naps while everyone climbs on another roller coaster ride, again. I'm the one who acknowledges with the wave of my hand and a smile, the bright eyes and cheerful expression of a wee one's first experience on a carnival ride. Parents may well do the same, but I am another helping hand in the mix of things. I'm another person that's pleased to hear about how fun the ride was and maybe I'm just a little more animated with my pleasure in hearing about it. I'm the one with a little extra cash in my pocket for some candy, fun photos, a drink, or a souvenir t-shirt.

In my younger mothering days I was glad just to come up with the cash to go to an amusement park; don't even think about asking for a souvenir; water to drink will do just fine; and, of course, we'd take a break for lunch by walking back to the car to have our own private tailgate party followed by a nap. With Grandma leading the way on this excursion if we go back to the car, we're leaving. We'll eat inside the park and pay twice the price for food because I'm too tired to do anything different. If I was a regular at any theme park, I'd probably soon learn to work the system so we'd get more fun for our dollar; but we rarely go, so the philosophy is - RUN UNTIL YOU DROP!

Sam and Jeremiah had a great time. We were run amok for nine hours; albeit, Jeremiah was a bit whiny today because he was tired and Sam took a nap in the car as we drove home to Lancaster. They didn't seem too worse for the wear. They both claim they want to go back again. Becky did have to accommodate the little kid agenda on our play day at Knott's. There was a lot she didn't get to see or do. She was a definite help, but still had plenty of fun enjoying many of the rides with Sam and Jeremiah. She too wants to go back. Now the great proverbial question: Did I have fun? Well.....let me put it this way, "I'm HAPPY to be of service!" No doubt I'll be going again, the issue is, WHEN? I'm guessing it will be sooner instead of later because Cassie lives in Anaheim and because I'm the GRANDMA.

"Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting."

-- Author Unknown

California Poppies

We took a Sunday drive to see the Poppies!

"If you take a flower in your hand

and really look at it,

it's your world for the moment."

Georgia O'Keefe

BUT DON'T PICK THE POPPIES!