Blessed are the Peacemakers

I was substituting Friday when another teacher came into my classroom. I knew who she was because I remembered substituting for her the month before. She didn't see me at first, so I made a point to say hello. She immediately recognized me and told me that the children she works with liked me as their substitute. I was pleased, but I also thought it was interesting when she said, "The children said you were . . . PEACEFUL." I could tell by the way she said it, that she thought peaceful was an interesting description for a substitute. I was a bit surprised too, it was in that classroom a little boy said I was abusing him. I'm grateful that the children felt peace in spite of that disturbing interaction.

"While those around us may not choose to taste the sweetness and peace of the fulness of the restored gospel for themselves, surely they will be blessed by seeing it in our lives and feeling the peace of the gospel in our presence. The message of peace will grow and expand through our example." - M. Russell Ballard, “The Peaceable Things of the Kingdom,” Ensign, May 2002, 87

The Last Pinewood Derby

Sam and Hugh at the final event.

It was a fun evening and the end of an era for our family. Sam raced his last pinewood derby car at pack meeting tonight. He was good at being the best of sports. He was sure his car was getting faster as the evening wore on. His theory is the graphite takes a while to circulate around the wheels. I told him he needs to remember that tip when his son participates in a pinewood derby.

The Magic Wolf

Children are one third of our population
and all of our future.
~Select Panel for the Promotion of Child Health, 1981

Janna and Jake

Janna celebrated her birthday with the requested dinner of lasagna, tossed salad, and crusty bread. We also had cake and ice cream. Too bad the working mom didn't go the homemade route, I was even home today. I ended up serving store bought lasagna and cake in the interest of time, YUCK! In spite of the food downfall there were a few highlights, like the Peruvian hat Jake gave Janna. She's 17 years old today.

"...Happy Birthday Dear Janna..."

It's also our last meal with Jake before he leaves to see Cassie tonight. He's going to Disneyland tomorrow and then heading to Provo on Wednesday. We're glad he came to visit and stayed for Janna's birthday.

"Miss you."

"It was fun!"

“The great gift of family life

is to be intimately acquainted with people

you might never even introduce yourself to,

had life not done it for you."

Kendall Hailey

JAKE'S HELPING HANDS

Jake, my nephew, my sister Beth's son, pulled in late last Sunday night. He's essentially homeless until April 25th, that's when his BYU housing becomes available. He decided to take the opportunity to come our way and spend some time with us and visit Grandma and Poppy.

We've been busy with everyday living and haven't spent a lot of time entertaining Jake. He blended right into our family routine. He just finished a semester in Peru and had some assignments to finish up. He's been puttering around the house trying to keep things in order for me, doing the dishes and such. I really appreciated it because I've been working, same with Hugh, and Janna has been gone with school and musical rehearsals. Becky and Sam have been sick all week, but they're on the mend. Anyway, I was grateful for his help during our busy week and he made a point to be particularly attentive to his grandparents.

One of the activities Jake participated in was a service project for the city of Lancaster. Members of the Church from all three stakes in the Antelope Valley joined together, Saturday, April 18th from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, picking up trash in the Amargosa Creek bed.

Getting ready to get to work.

Jake, Hugh, and Janna

in their Mormon Helping Hands vests.

Getting the job done.

"Service makes us strong in our faith and useful in His kingdom. Service gives us purpose and courage in life. It brings us closer to God and helps us refine our divine nature. It teaches us to love and understand our fellowmen, and it helps us forget about our personal desires, eliminating selfishness, pride, and ingratitude. It teaches us to think of the needs of others, which allows us to develop the virtues that the Savior possesses.

"Kindness, love, patience, understanding, and unity will increase as we serve, while intolerance, jealousy, envy, greed, and selfishness decrease or disappear. The more we give of ourselves, the more our capacity to serve, understand, and love will grow.

Carlos H. Amado,

"Service, a Divine Quality," Ensign, May 2008, 36-37

SURPRISE FROM TEXAS

Tommy worked for Steven's Construction before he went on his mission. Cindy, the secretary for Steven's, and her husband are both originally from Texas. They recently made a trip home, sadly for a funeral, but happily they rendezvoused with Tommy. Elder Blair and his companion, Elder Fiefia, were able to make arrangements to have lunch with our Lancaster friends. They met last Monday. We're so grateful to Cindy for sharing these pictures and giving us a firsthand report.

Chris & Cindy picked up Elders Blair and Fiefia for sushi. Afterwards, they came back to their apartment complex, took some pictures, read the scriptures, and shared testimonies.

They also sang - Elder Fiefia on the guitar and "what a voice!"

Cindy also said Tommy looked great. They got to hear about some of the experiences he has had serving as a missionary.

Tommy is loving Texas and doing well! We pray everyday for him, Elder Fiefia, Sister Kate Reynders, and all the missionaries every where. We pray for their safety. We pray they will serve valiantly, and we pray that the gospel of Jesus Christ will go forth throughout the world.

"And I saw another angel

fly in the midst of heaven,

having the everlasting gospel

to preach unto them

that dwell on the earth,

and to every nation, and kindred,

and tongue, and people"

Revelation 14:6

EASTER GREETINGS!

This little girl makes me think of my Cassie as a child. She came to visit this weekend with her children. We went to the Ercek's Annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday morning. We decorated Easter eggs, cut hair, and watched movies.

We had our own Easter egg hunt Sunday morning. Hughie spoke at Church. Later we had our Easter dinner. We've talked and spent time together. Cassie left last night. I'd say we had a very busy and fulfilling Easter weekend. It was nice.

Janna with our visiting Cassie.

Janna holding Ammon with his new haircut.

Sammy with his three nephews,

on the hunt for Easter eggs and treasure.

Our Real Treasure

He is risen! He is risen!

Tell it out with joyful voice.
He has burst his three days' prison;

Let the whole wide earth rejoice.

Death is conquered; man is free.

Christ has won the victory.

Cecil Frances Alexander (1818 - 1845)

Did I say "HATE"?

Subbing has been good, but this week really didn't start out very promising. It seems like I've been sick ever so long. Spring is that time of year when my allergies become so unbearable. At times I can hardly talk let alone sing. I use to just hunker down in my house and try and cope with my condition, but I'm employed now - exposed to the public. I take lots of medication trying to keep the weirdness at bay, but I still find myself overwhelmed by pollen.

I get discouraged when I'm like this. I woke up Monday morning and dragged myself out of bed to get ready for work. Later Hugh was sitting at our dining room table reading a magazine while eating breakfast. As I prepared to leave, I stood in front of him mournfully. I did not want to go to work. I took a big breath and let out a sigh. With my head bowed I quietly said, "I hate subbing." He looked up at me wide-eyed and said, "You don't have to do this, you know?" I shook my head. I did know. I told him that it wasn't that I "hated" subbing. I don't really hate anything (except . . . maybe split pea soup). It's just that when my sinuses get so hampered and I'm so miserable that it's hard to keep upbeat functioning through the daily rigors of a classroom let alone life. Ugh!

You're probably wondering why I'd even go to work feeling so terrible. What you don't know is that I am the Allergy Queen. I always have a sinus issue! The debate is - how bad am I today?

It was a second grade class I would be facing for the next two days. I already had them once the week before. I wasn't feeling good then either so I was by no means excited or motivated about the coming prospects of the week. Anyway, as my workday began I wasn't greeted by the usual school secretary, but one of the office clerks who was filling in. I introduced myself and told her what class I was taking for the day. She talked in a confident happy tone, as if she didn't need an introduction to me, "I know who you are," she said. "You're the Singing Sub." I was surprised at her declaration. I had never heard of such a thing. A smile came across my face as I thought and wondered about the accuracy of the statement. In conclusion I verbalized my agreement and said, "You know, I guess I am the 'Singing Sub'." I took my key and walked to class. Even though I had been trounced by an allergy barrage, becoming aware of my new designation lifted my burden. My countenance became a little brighter and my step a little lighter. What can I say, "I love substituting!"

"He who sings frightens away his ills."

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

ORANGE Promotion

FOCUS

READY

ACTION

Sam happily received his orange belt yesterday.

April 2, 2009

What is Shindenkan Budo All About?

GOT KIDS? GOT BOOKS?

I have a distant cousin working on his master's thesis. I say, distant, because he currently lives in New York; distant, because he's not my 1st cousin, but one of those 2nd type, removed or whatever, a kind of kiss'n cousin; and, distant, because I'm really just related to him by marriage.

Anyway, his current schooling endeavors are in publishing. He's doing a survey and could use your help with his research. If you fit the following parameters, click on the link below and take a few minutes to fill out a brief survey. He needs mothers who have children under the age of 14 to participate.

GO FOR IT AND PASS IT ON!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=v8TV98eIbLySThKc5rfCKg_3d_3d

You may have tangible wealth untold:
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be–
I had a Mother who read to me.

from "The Reading Mother" by Strickland Gillilan

SPRING BREAK

We're back from Arizona. Our spring break is done. This post displays some of our doings during our vacation.

March 21, 2009


Jedidiah came to visit us our first weekend off. Hugh, Sam, and Jed went to Devil's Punchbowl for a hike.

March 21, 2009

Janna went to Ventura Beach for the day with the Sierra Ward Young Women

Later that night Janna was off to a party. It was there that she borrowed TWILIGHT from a friend. She soon returned it and borrowed the second book, NEW MOON, before going on our Arizona trip. Reading has occupied a lot of her time during the break.

March 26, 2009

Our arrival in Arizona meant everyone

had to take a turn holding Baby Ryan.

March 27, 2009

Hugh took the opportunity to visit one of Billy's Seminary classes and observe him in action.

Later that morning, Hugh and I went to the Mesa Arizona Temple for the first time. My parents were sealed in this temple nearly 57 years ago.

March 28, 2009

In the morning a group of us went on a hike in the Superstition Mountains.

Later that afternoon Sam, Becky, Hugh, and I played a round of minature golf at Golfland.

After discussing TWILIGHT with Janna, Bill, and Chelsea - Becky purchased the saga. Becky started reading it and so did I. Janna happily moved on to book three, ECLIPSE.

March 29, 2009

Billy and Ryan Mae Blair on her blessing day.

It was a great visit to Arizona. We came home March 30th with the kids missing an extra day of school. We visited with family and friends. We ate great food and enjoyed walks to the park every day. We played some games, played music, listened to music, watched basketball, and enjoyed each others company. We might not get to see Ryan in a while. She'll grow up so fast, but we have some great memories to keep.

"When you look at your life,

the greatest happinesses

are family happinesses."

Joyce Brothers

GOT PIE?

Last night I taught a pie making class to our ward Laurel's, the 16 & 17 year old girls. I have done pie making demonstrations before, but this time I notched it up and assisted every girl in actually making a pie they could take home to their families.

I brought three pies I had made earlier. They were prepared to help the girls choose which kind of pie they would like to make: Chocolate Cream, Apple Crumb, and a Fruit Pie that had a pastry top, which was a Peach, Cherry, Apple Combo. Of course we ate them too, but the point was to illustrate the different ways you could use your crust in making a pie.

There were only five girls in attendance. The small number was why I braved such an undertaking. Barb Kellogg their Young Women's President was a great gofer for the evening. In spite of her being busy helping me stay on track with our limited time, she made a pie too.

When I got home last night I made three more pies with all the leftovers plus we had the one Janna brought home that she had made. I'm giving at least one to my parents and we have Jedidiah coming to visit for the weekend. We'll celebrate his coming by having a slice or two.

I'm on a roll with more pie crust in hand. Any suggestions you Lurkey-Loos?

“A mother is a person

who seeing there are only four pieces of pie

for five people, promptly announces

she never did care for pie."
Tenneva Jordan

"Or maybe I'll just make another one."

Martha Blair

My Pie Crust Recipe
(I got this recipe at a Tupperware Party when we lived in Provo, Utah back in 1976.)

2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup shortening
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/4 cup cold water
1 Tablespoon vinegar

With pastry cutter blend flour, shortening, and salt. I eventually use my hands to make sure everything is integrated. Mix egg, ice water, and vinegar together. Make a well in your blended flour and pour your egg mixture in the center. With hands, combine. WARNING: DO NOT OVER DO IT! IT'S NOT LIKE KNEEDING BREAD DOUGH! Just get the two combined. It should be ready to roll.

This recipe makes 2 single pie crusts and is easily doubled.

HAPPY PIE MAKING!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to Ye!

We are two days into our Spring Break. So far we've had four dentist appointments and one Green Feast. Our teeth our clean and we're all about green.

Last night our family attended a gathering at a friend's home. We had to follow some requirements: wear green and bring something green to eat. I brought lime finger jello cut into shamrock shapes. We had a nice evening visiting with old friends and meeting new ones. It was getting late so we didn't stick around for the "Catch the Leprechaun" activity, even so, we had an enjoyable time.



Don't forget to wear green today!

"May your home always be too small
to hold all your friends."
--Irish saying

"You're Abusing ME!"

Oh what I go through some days at school. Just yesterday morning a belligerent little boy was tipping precariously in his seat and causing quite a commotion in our little resource class (the class designed to pull students out of their regular classroom to give them special help). I thought maybe his actions had something to do with me being the substitute, that usual testing behavior I'm daily subjected to. The para-educator I was working with assured me that was not the case.

This little boy was on the verge of hurting himself and maybe someone else. I'm sure he wanted to claim he was being funny. I asked him to sit correctly in his chair several times. He kept at it in spite of my instruction. So on the umpteenth verge of catastrophe, I grabbed him and maneuvered him to a different seat that wasn't so easy to tip. What I thought was a strategic move to safety for him and for others was then proclaimed as an act of violence, "You're abusing me! You're abusing me!" he shouted. He wanted to make it perfectly clear that it was my behavior that was inappropriate not his.

The next day I had him again and I made it perfectly clear to the entire little class of six that they needed to sit correctly in their chairs because they or someone else could easily get hurt. We got through the reading segment safely and without any screaming of abuse. But later when I had four students for math he was back. This time I was going around the table giving individual help, but he treated me like a bugaboo moving in for the kill. He rebuffed me. He didn't want me near him and the other students weren't cooperating either. Two adults, four fourth graders and they weren't letting us make any headway with any of them. The para-educator sent them all back to class. They obviously needed help, but they weren't going to let anyone help them today.

I was beside myself, it all seemed very strange. I wanted to help and they wouldn't let me. The para-educator attributed it to our coming spring break. Of course, not every child responded that way during the day. In fact, I even had some "golden moments" when I knowingly see and feel I've been an influence for good. But still, I was feeling afflicted by the negative.

As I was leaving class, I saw two boys on the playground in matching "Transformer" t-shirts. I made a point of commenting about them. You could tell the shirts were brand new and I asked them if they were twins. I guess it was possible, but they certainly didn't look alike. They were very pleased at my question. They claimed to be twins, but they were obviously the best of friends displaying their unity. Suddenly another little boy, not wanting to be overlooked for attention, quickly jumped into the conversation, "You want to see me hit the ball really high?" I did, and he hit it amazingly high up against the handball court. I stated my praises as I walked on waving good-bye to their smiling faces as I headed toward the office.

They were so delighted that I had talked with them, but what they didn't know was how discouraged I was by the earlier fiasco in class. They thought I was so nice, but what they didn't know was that I desperately needed someone to be nice to me. While talking about t-shirts, twins, and hitting balls high, their sunny smiles lifted me. Undoubtedly, they didn't know how I found great comfort in their sincere and happy kindness.

DELIRIOUS!

I was happily looking forward to working the entire week with a fourth grade class. The teacher indicated over Subfinder that she had a "good class". Maybe they were just extra good because their teacher was on campus. She was doing GATE testing and made it clear that she was available if I had any special needs or concerns. Anyway, they were great! I was able to talk to the teacher after school on Monday. She was so pleased I was going substitute her class for the whole week. Me subbing for a week was certainly better than a different sub everyday.

I felt alright on Monday, but as many of you know, I'm constantly dealing with ears, nose, and throat issues. I'm always a little swollen, a little sniffy. I have a cough and a drip on a regular basis. I'm always fighting it with some kind of medication or healthy angle in my attempt to breathe. It's rare to feel exceptional. Allergies are a part of my daily living. It's just plain normal for me to have some kind of congestion. Things have to get a lot worse though for me to recognize that I'm really sick and need help.

I had worked in my garden over the weekend and I assumed the pollens and dirt were getting to me. I got through my work day on Monday okay even though I was hampered a bit by an increase in discomfort from my usual norm. By the time I got home I felt so chilled and achy. I took some flu/cold remedy and went to bed early hoping to head this overwhelming malaise off at the pass. I thought I'd feel better in the morning, but I wasn't. I was obviously running a fever and was hard-pressed to even function. I couldn't sub. I felt bad about it. Those kids were looking forward to me coming back. I reluctantly made the phone call to get a substitute for the substitute for Tuesday. I was sure I'd be on the upswing after seeing the doctor that morning and would be able to do the rest of the week.

The nurse took my temperature. She kept looking at the thermometer pierced between my lips because it was taking so long to beep. My body felt so cold to me. It was trying to stay cool in spite of my fever. To both of our amazement it registered at 106 degrees. I said somewhat concerned, "Uhhh . . . shouldn't I be dead with a temperature like that?". . . My doctor stepped into the room while the nurse hurriedly tried to take my temperature again. He informed me that if I really had a temperature of 106 I would at least be DELIRIOUS.

In the past, my allergist has made it perfectly clear to me that I'm just too common place about the fact that I can't breathe. Sometimes I can't sing because of choking on phlegm. I can't have a conversation without constantly clearing my throat. I'm always at odds trying to read a book to a child because coughing inevitably ensues. These are just some of the everyday occurrences that I've gotten use to.

So when the doctor said I should have been DELIRIOUS. Me, knowing of my common place reactions to sometimes extreme situations. Me, the woman that doesn't put enough drama behind what she has to endure. I, decided I was going to get it right this time in spite of my nonchalant demeanor. I said, "Maybe I'm more DELIRIOUS than you think?" My temperature soon came in at 103.

He rattled off my symptoms to me like he was some kind of psychic. I said yes to it all and then he pronounced that I had the flu in spite of me having had a flu shot early in the season. Evidently they only last about four months. No antibiotic was given and I followed all other instructions explicitly because I oh so felt terrible and I so wanted to feel better. I finally relented my golden subbing class and contacted the school. The substitute for the substitute was happy to take the rest of my scheduled week.

My agony doesn't stop there. In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, my once achy body turned into excruciating pain. My mild sore throat was now on fire. I couldn't eat or drink it hurt so bad. I was somewhat buffeted by the office staff that morning when I called in with my complaint. "The doctor will be in tomorrow," the voice reported. I mumbled a few words back and hung up the phone because I was just too DELIRIOUS.

After being nonfunctional the rest of the day, as I was the day before, laying on the couch, sleeping, and then periodically waking up or maybe I should say, coming and going in and out of consciousness. My neck was swollen and hard as a rock because of my inflamed glands. I started thinking maybe I had been misdiagnosed and that my outcome was far more sever than the doctor had obviously anticipated. I'm telling you - I was DELIRIOUS!

Finally I got a grip and that afternoon I called the doctor's office and said, "I want to talk to the doctor. He told me to call Thursday if I was getting worse. Well, it's not THURSDAY. It's WEDNESDAY and I'm getting WORSE!"

I didn't talk to the doctor, but within minutes I got a phone call back informing me that a prescription for an antibiotic had been called into my pharmacy. I've been on the mend since my first pill.

Because I had canceled my scheduled work my name automatically kicked back into Subfinder as being available. A teacher who likes me to take her class was specifically submitting me work through the Subfinder system. I said NO on Wednesday. I said NO on Thursday, but she sent a message through the "special instructions" mode indicating that she was putting these substitute days in one day at a time instead of the block days which were needed, Wednesday thru Friday. I could see she was hoping I could get in there somewhere. I committed to Friday. I am feeling better, at least I'm not DELIRIOUS.

DELIRIOUS

Definition:

• Having a delirium - irrational through illness as a temporary result of a physical condition such as fever
  
• wandering in mind
  
• light-headed
  
• insane
  
• raving
  
• wild