One More, Then That Will Be All

I can’t remember which kid it was, but that was their famous line so they could talk me into one more cookie. I thought it applies here because I’ve been on a "miracle” kick. But I had another one happen yesterday that I’m so tempted to share. I know, maybe I’ll disguise it by calling it a “tender mercy” or a “merry musing” as Sarah suggested (love it). But whatever you call it, it definitely fits the theme of my recent posts. So if you just can’t take another one, leave now. Here it comes; can’t say I didn’t warn you! This happens every January. I have to “fly blind” for a few weeks at the start of every year in my music chairman/ choir director callings. I carefully and prayerfully select the music for sacrament meetings, based on subjects for talks assigned by the bishopric, but it always takes the bishopric awhile to get me the subjects for the sacrament meetings for the new year. So, I have to just close my eyes and point at a song, and hope it works out because we have to begin our rehearsals. Ready or not . . . Yesterday, it did work out beautifully. It made me realize (again) someone else is in charge. I looked at mounds of music and prayerfully decided on “Dearest Children, God is Near You.” I have a pretty arrangement and felt really good about it, so we started rehearsing. I emailed the bishopric and humbly and subtly suggested that they could build the theme around that hymn, but then found out that the high council was coming that day. They usually come on the third Sunday, but for some reason it was switched to the fourth this month. After the choir sang beautifully, the high councilor stood and thanked us. He said that the hymn reminded him of a special experience he had as a missionary many years ago. He had a young man committed to baptism and everything was arranged. But in the last meeting before his baptism, the young man told them he wasn’t going to do it. He said his wife was angry about it all and he just couldn’t do it. They got out the hymnbook and, talk about close your eyes and point, they opened the hymnbook and started singing. Guess what hymn? He said he didn’t think he’d even ever sung it before, but they sang it perfectly – every note on key. A sweet spirit filled the room. When they finished the young man was crying and told them he would be baptized. A few weeks later, his wife was baptized, as well. That sweet story led perfectly into his talk which was based on Elder Andersen’s talk of last conference on “You Know Enough” which was basically that we don’t have to know everything- just that God is near, and He loves us. Having had a copy of the talk he would give, I couldn’t have chosen a better song. It was perfect. I don’t know if anyone else but he and I noticed, but I was indeed humbled and grateful. So whatever you call it- a cookie’s a cookie. And, much like the kid with the cookie, one more probably won’t be all. Sorry, I’m out of control. Somebody stop me!!!!!

Mini Miracle

Okay, I know, enough with the miracles. Maybe it's like Pres. Eyering says, when you look for them you see them more. But I have to share one more: It's no secret that cleaning out stuff: drawers, closets, cupboards . .. is not my favorite vegetable. I think it's all the decision-making- just drives me crazy. But I've set a goal to do one a week, and I've been pretty faithful for the last few months. I've dreaded doing my "sock" drawer though. It was a mess- so stuffed I could barely open and close it. But, finally last week, in a fit of I'm going to do this or else, I dumped it on my bed and started sorting. The problem is that there is a lot in there besides socks. It's my "I don't want to throw it away, so stick it in here" drawer. I found all kinds of stuff, including gifts I bought for my daughters in Austria 1 1/2 years ago(you have that to look forward to ladies! Do I sound like my mother?) and sweet notes from people. Among those, was a sweet thank you note I received from Jill, a gal that I used to visit teach when we first moved here about 23 years ago. Though neither of us has moved, and only live about a mile away from each other, I literally never see her. I'll bet it's been ten years. We got split into different wards years ago. It's one of those different ward/different planet examples. But, out of the blue, about six or so months ago, she went to get her temple recommend interview from Ken and brought with her a note for me. Ken brought it home. It was a thank you note for my service to her as a visiting teacher all those years ago. She claimed that my partner and I filled her freezer with meals after she had her baby boy who just turned 23. I honestly have no memory of that, but I do remember enjoying visiting her. It was one of those sweet, blast from the pasters that make you feel so happy. I should have called her and thanked her, but didn't. I must have stuck the note in never-never land drawer and forgot about it. Really, forgot about it. I'm not sure even seeing her would have triggered the memory- the way my mind doesn't work these days. Last night, I was exhausted (Wednesdays are big days) but I felt compelled to attend a stake RS enrichment on using food storage. When I think about it, it's really funny that I would want to go. I'm sort of out of the use your food storage phase of life, I was tired, AND American Idol was on, AND I'd spilled on my shirt so that meant I had to change . . .well, anyway, I got in the car and went. The first person I saw when I walked in was Jill. And the first thing I could say to her was "Thank you for that sweet note," and express to her what it meant to me. We reconnected and reminisced and it was sweet. Coincidence that I'd clean that particular drawer right now and attend that class? Maybe . . . but I choose to call it a "Mini Miracle."

Two Miracles!

In October, I posted about how I killed my Dad's shamrock plant. It was gone, kaput! In a comment on that blog, Shonna encouraged me to not throw the plant away- give it a chance. "Plants want to live, Mom" she told me. So, I kept the dirt and pretty much ignored it. When she was home at Christmas, Shonna does what she always does- cleans up and inspects my plants (For months before I was telling the plants, "Don't worry, Shonna is coming for Christmas; she'll take care of you.") In her inspection, she discovered that the shamrock had four little leaves coming up. You can see it's even more now. It's a miracle! AAAAAHHHHHH! (sing that high and with much vibrato- it's the angels singing) Then my "Eyeore Post" last week told of losing my pearl earring. It troubled me all week. On Friday night, as Ken and I were driving to go out to dinner, I brought it up (AGAIN!) He made the comment, "I think it's either under something or in something." That got me thinking. "In something . . . hmmmmmm" The first thing I did (well, second, first I put my leftovers in the fridge) when we got home was go check "in" my shoes. Nope. Then I remembered what I had on, my new orange sweater. It is new, so I didn't even realize it had pockets, but, sure enough, it does, and yep, that's where my earring was, in one of the pockets. When it dropped, I dropped another earring at the same time- that's what I heard drop. I picked it up immediately, and just assumed the other went to the floor, too. I'd make a terrible referee or eye witness to a crime- I have a hard time reconstructing in my mind what just happened. Anyway, I'm so very happy! Two miracles! The moral of the story: If you have something troubling you, blog about it. Heavenly Father must read these posts, and He fixes stuff. Amen.

This Is Good Because . . .

I had kind of a rough day yesterday. . . lots of mishaps. It started as I was getting ready for Keynotes in the morning and went to put on my chocolate pearl earrings that I got in Hawaii last summer (remember, Blake and Shonna?) I dropped one of the earrings and it went, who knows where? I heard it hit, but didn't see it, and I have no idea where it went. I was in front of my jewelry armoir when it happened. I pulled all the furniture out, checked under the bed, Daddy's dresser. Not there. But I had to leave, so left the bedroom torn apart. When I got home, I resumed my search, but still nothing. I put the dinner on (crockpot chicken- it's really good- I'll have to post the recipe) and heated leftover chicken stir fry for my lunch. I took it in to the computer room to eat so I could check my email, etc. I had a few bites when the plate slipped and dumped the whole thing all over the floor, my lap, and the computer keyboard. So now I had a huge mess to clean up and no lunch to eat. I began picking rice kernels out of the keyboard and carpet, and scrubbed and cleaned. I had to teach all afternoon, and was now really hungry and frustrated. Wednesday is my long teaching day- 7 students- and by the end, I was starving. We had a delicious chicken dinner. In cleaning up, I wanted to save the chicken stock the recipe produces. So I poured the stock in a quart bag. The bag collapsed, sending delicious stock all over the counter, under the mixer and blender, down the crack between the stove and counter. Yuck! I cleaned it all up, but couldn't get down the crack, of course. Ken checked everywhere for my earring, too, putting on his headlamp, he got under the bed and dresser, but he couldn't find it either. It is just gone. I even sorted through the garbage nearby (that was fun- gooky stuff like used dental floss and cherry chocolate juice) but it wasn't in there. So, I decided I need to play Michelle's game of "this is good because" I don't know how she started this game, but since she was in high school, maybe junior high, she's done it. Whenever she suffered disappointments, frustrations, sadness, she would say, "But this is good because . . ." and give a reason why this bad thing is good. Now, it's not really a game anymore, but who she is. I'm trying to remember examples . . . some of them have been really funny. A recent example is her being nauseous and not feeling well with her pregnancy. She's struggled, but she says, "But it's good because my book says that means the baby is growing and it will probably be a viable pregnancy." I wish I could think of other examples. . .anyway, let's play: Spilling stir fry is good because . . . I need a new keyboard, anyway, so sticking keys will help us get one faster. Spilling chicken stock where it can't be cleaned will make the kitchen stink, and we'll want to remodel and I'll get my granite counter tops! Losing my earring is good because . . . hmmmmmm . . . I'm going to need some help on this one. Melli, anyone? Don't say because we'll have to go back to Hawaii to get a new one. I don't want a new one . . . I want that one. The day wasn't all bad, though. I was teaching a brand new student- my last one- when Ken got home and brought in a beautiful arrangement of flowers for me . . . "Because it's Wednesday"

Happy Hinton Holidays!

We had such a happy time with family over the holidays! Lu(Kristen) and Jar arrived first, on Thursday. Friday, Jared tended all day so Kristen and I could have a fun day together-thanks, Jar! We did Sub For Santa shopping, went to lunch, and attended a Keynote rehearsal. On Saturday, Jared and Ken spent the day with Don and Darren on the Zion Bird Count. Kristen and I had fun wrapping and delivering Sub For Santa and attending the ward Christmas party with the kids on Saturday morning. Brielle was a sheep in the nativity play there, and the kids got to visit with Santa. Michelle and Brian arrived that night (in the middle of the BYU game) and announced that they will be having a baby in June by wearing tell-tale t-shirts. (We already knew, but were sworn to secrecy) We are so excited to have a baby Prince!!! Sunday was a big day with the ward Christmas program (thanks Lu, Ken and Brian for joining the choir)that I led and then my Keynote concert at the St. George tabernacle that night. Michelle and Brian sang a number for that, too. It was beautiful. Monday was the huge Hinton family party at our house(forgot to take pictures). It was fun to see so many cousins! Then Shonna and Blake flew in from Ohio that night. Ken and Brian picked them up in Vegas, climbing in bed around 3am. Tuesday, Blake's family came through on their way to Disneyland and had lunch with us. Family pictures in the afternoon, and pizza party that night. Everyone won prizes in our Match Mate tournament. Wednesday, Christmas eve, was our big turkey dinner and our Christmas eve program and nativity that night. Blake and Brian gave me the best Christmas present ever. I took a nap after our afternoon dinner(I was up early-wrestling with a turkey), and came out to find them both on their hands and knees, scrubbing my floor! We had planned to go caroling with neighbors that evening, but it was freezing cold, windy and snowing, so we cancelled(Southern Utahans are wimps!) The Christmas pageant was so fun. Everyone is so creative (thanks Jared for the great donkey costume!) Brian was a little sad that he didn't get to throw aluminum foil balls at Samuel the Lamanite. . . maybe next time. After kids were in bed, and Santa had done his job, the adults watched "It's a Wonderful Life!" Other than snippets on TV, none of us had ever seen it all the way through! Great movie! Christmas was the best. Santa found our house and was way too generous. Brian and Blake both enjoyed conference calls with their missionary brothers. Kristen, Jared, and Nathan left in the afternoon to fly out to attend Jared's brother's wedding in Denver(on the 26th). We enjoyed having Brielle stay with us until they returned on Sunday. Six adults/one kid - Pretty good odds! On Friday and Saturday, we shopped, had a bowling tournament, and enjoyed a beautiful hike at Snow Canyon. Sunday was another big day: Michelle, Brian, Shonna, and Blake formed a quartet and sang "Love at Home" in sacrament meeting, then Shonna was my food network assistant as I taught the RS lesson and used our famous Key Lime Pie as an object lesson. Lu and Jar got back just in time. We had dinner(Jared's favorite roast lamb with mint sauce) and sent the Camerons and Princes on their way to SLC (for Camerons to spend the week with Blake's family, and Brian to get back to work) We enjoyed the Mackrorys for the rest of the week. We shopped some more, took down Christmas (thank you SO much Lu for your help!) and shopped some more, played games and watched movies, and shopped some more. They left after Jared and Ken's New Year Day hike- a beautiful, but treacherous snow hike at Zion's National Park. Kristen's job while they were gone of packing up all the stuff to go home was nearly as treacherous! It was so fun to have everyone together for a short time. Happy Hinton Holidays!

Hinton Holidays!

Christmas Eve Nativity