Pennies

You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about. Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than their house. The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoyin g herself immensely. As the three of them w ere about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up? Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his
pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this? 'Look at it.' He said. 'Read what it says.' She read the words ' United States of America ' 'No, not that; read further.' 'One cent?' 'No, keep reading.' 'In God we Trust?' 'Yes!' 'And?' 'And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful! When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, 'In God We Trust,' and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message. It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient..

Thought for the Day:

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.

He sends you flowers every spring.

He sends you a sunrise every morning Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!

Send this to every 'beautiful person' you wish to bless.

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Read this line very slowly and let it sink in...

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Happy Birthday To Mom!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Jennifer asked me yesterday if I felt any different being 60 instead of 59. I told her I didn't feel any different being 61 instead of 60. She couldn't believe that I had turned 60 on my last birthday. I mentioned this to Terressa and she said that she thought I was turning 60 as well. Funny!? While Tess was shopping yesterday the lady helping her wondered if Tess & I were twins--now THAT was funny!!!

Anyway, I had a wonderful birthday yesterday. I had a sweet call from Nathan in New York. He told me about going to school and then he sang "Happy Birthday" to me. I talked to Jennifer for a few minutes and she was excited because she said she knew what I was getting for my birthday.

Jim took me to the Sizzler for late lunch/early dinner --I was craving steak and didn't want to go to Lone Star. (They don't serve my favorite combo anymore--Salmon & petite sirloin steak & sweet potato--besides I get too full there). I had the Steak lunch with a side salad and a drink--Pepsi of course! Jim had the same with the salad bar. By the time he made 2 trips to the salad bar and had 2 sodas he was too full to eat his steak and baked potato so we brought that home and he ate it after everyone went home last night.

Boy, was I surprised by my gift from Jim! A brand new computer system with a flat screen monitor. I can watch & record television programs. It has a CD/DVD burner player, 4 unused USB ports, lots of memory ( 2 Gigs, I think), very fast, VISTA operating system. It will probably take me forever to learn how to use it it is so different from XP. I need Mike to help me some more setting everything up like I want it to look and run. Mike videod my reaction when I saw it and as soon as I figure how to post the video I will put it on this blog.

Tess, Lacy, Jeff, Rachel, Mike, Cherylee, Landon, &Lileean were here to spend the evening with me last night. Rachel called Jenn and her bunch in New York and put them on speaker phone to sing "Happy Birthday". Lileean helped me blow out my candles.

Jim got a cake from Dick's bakery that was twice as large as we needed. Chocolate cake with raspberry filling and white frosting with pastel colored roses. He said they asked if he wanted chocolate or white frosting, he said my wife would probably like chocolate but he wanted white. Didn't matter to me, I love Dick's bakery whatever!!

Today I have been going through all of the papers, lists, notebooks, etc. that Mike had to move out of the way to set up my new computer system. I trashed papers that I had been moving from one place to another for years. Thanks for the push Mike!

Solemn Assembly

Another General Conference began this morning Saturday, April 5, 2008. The first session of general conference is always an opportunity to sustain the leadership of the Church. This morning was different than most conference sessions because it was a "Solemn Assembly" we had the opportunity to sustain our new prophet and first presidency. Different groups of members were asked to stand and sustain by the uplifted hand--all in attendance personally or watching 0r listening at other locations. I felt chills, and the hairs on my arms, legs, and neck stood on end when in our turn, all Relief Society sisters were asked to stand and bring arms to the square in sustaining vote of Thomas S Monson, Henry Eyring, and Deiter Uchdorf .

I was blessed at that moment to have the Holy Ghost reaffirm the testimony I already had that the Lord had called these good men as well as the other General Authorities. I am so grateful to live at this time and to have had this opportunity to again witness the perfect organization of the Lord's Church on Earth in operation.

Sad News/Happy News

Our friend and neighbor Bob had surgery for his bladder cancer. Doctor thinks that they caught it early. His bladder was scraped clean and he was told that he would need to go in for scoping every three months to check for reoccurance. Bob is already back to normal--out working morning til night in his own yard and working on the flower beds at the church.