Thanksgiving Time Again!

Wow! I think I first started this blog to keep up a gratitude journal. I have been reading a few blogs out there in cyber world, and it's amazing how people's experiences can touch your life! I have a full heart at the blessing My heavenly father has seen fit to bestow upon me! Sometimes we forget to look at our trials as blessings.
Last month brought a significant scare into my life. It was the first time in my life I thought one of my children was going to leave this world before me. For those of you into "numbers", it happened on 10/10/10. Exactly one year after his father had to go to the emergency room. He had a severe gran mal seizure, which caused him to turn grey and quit breathing. I had never experienced anything like this before. I was sure I was losing this beautiful spirit Heavenly Father had entrusted to me.
Without going into unnecessary detail, the month of October has been a very long stressful one for me as I have contemplated my responsibility to this child. The doctor wanted to immediately put him on medication without any guarantee of it helping. As Randy and I thought about it we didn't have a good feeling. I actually felt quite sick as I looked at side effects and contemplated the road we should take. I prayed with a heavy heart that night. Many told me just listen to the Spirit, but I wasn't sure how to interpret what I was being told.
Interestingly enough, I had just finished reading the Book of Mormon. As I was thinking about how to make my scripture study take on more meaning in my life, I decided to look up subjects and find as many scriptures as I could related to the particular topic. I started with the Holy Ghost, gifts of the Spirit, the Spirit, etc.
The first scripture to play in my heart was 1st Nephi 10:17. To sum it up, it said to me if I diligently seek him - He will manifest himself unto me. First key - DILIGENT! Honestly, the first key really is to be believing - have faith! But I think Heavenly Father knew I knew that already and being diligent was the next thing I needed to work on.
As I mulled this over in my mind, not only did I study what Heavenly Father said about receiving the Spirit, but I studied a great deal about doctors, medications and the types of medical tests Jordan would be subjected to. In the meantime, I needed to be studying for my school. I went to bed with a brain on overload! When I woke up the next morning, I felt the Spirit whisper to me in a still small yet pierce to the bone voice that this child was Heavenly Father's before he was mine and He knew what he needed. I was to let it go for the time being and give the worry to Him.
It was amazing to me the calm I felt and the ability to let it go for the moment. Most likely we are not through with doctors and possibly not with the medicine route, but how thankful I am for the Spirit to rest upon my heart and give me the peace I need until we are able to work with the physicians and work through the affliction.
One thing I know - no one gets through this life without trials and affflictions. They make up who we are. It's how we deal with them that determines our character. It is my wish for this first Thanksgiving Post of 2010 to express my humble appreciation for the testimony I have of my Savior, and the gospel here on earth. Without this precious gift of the Holy Spirit, I feel I would be a failure!

The Miracle of Birth!

So can anyone ever describe the beautiful feeling of witnessing the miracle of birth! On March 23, 2010, Brooke Anona Bitner entered this big beautiful world. Her parents Brandon and Alisa Brooke chose to share this moment with me. All I can say is WOW! What a sacred and beautiful experience. This was the first birth I experienced where I was not the one delivering. You forget how totally draining this experience is on the mother. It is hard to watch your own child have to be in so much pain, but so rewarding to watch them be strong and work through to the end! What a miracle it is! You can't help but feel that larger than life Spirit enter the room in such a tiny little body! Of course, 8 lbs 12 oz 21 inches long isn't exactly tiny for a newborn baby.
Of all the searches for happiness and joy, none quite compare to bringing a child into the world! Children truly do fulfil the measure of our creation - and they keep on giving and giving! Thanks Alisa and Brandon for sharing this heart stopping thrilling miracle of birth!

WOW! Where Does the time Go!

Okay, life has gotten the best of me and I haven't blogged or kept up my journal in a while. I have been keeping my blog for a journal - so I guess I better get off facebook and write a few thoughts here. I started back to college in January! Wow, what a ride! I am loving it! Even if I am the old lady in the class. There are a lot more non traditional students than I expected, but I am pretty much a "raisen" among grapes! It has taken up quite a bit of my time and I am not the brightest kid in the class! But I really have a thirst for knowledge and experience. It's hard to study when your 18 month old grandson calls and says "Sweep ovah (Sleep over?) Grawma?" But those are the most precious times! So far I have been able to keep up and still enjoy my family. There are days though when I think I will have time for nothing but ALGEBRA!!!! But wait, I did algebra 35 years ago! That's right, you have to take it again!!! So to my posterity I say - get that degree while you can - so you don't have to revisit MATH!

The Pursuit of Education!

Okay the question is, can an almost 52 year old survive the rigors of college life? Especially when she has to start all over???? I have felt a need for some time to pursue my education - the problem has been finances, time and what to pursue? Well I think I have solved the first two, but I am still questioning what to pursue! But I pretty much have to start from scratch - so back to those "General Studies" I have had a few people tell me you can petition for some "life experience" credits, - But Right now I am just trying to figure out what classes to take! And of course, trying to find all the math and English skills I once possessed! I must admit - I am extremely NERVOUS! yet very EXCITED! So Wish me luck! Or think of me in a prayer now and then!

YELLOWSTONE - It's beauty never ceases to Amaze me!

So we found this awesome deal for military families to stay at Flaggs Ranch just south of the South Entrance to Yellowstone. We rented a couple of trailers and tried to take the whole clan to Yellowstone. We planned a very bad time for Steve's business - so we didn't have the Hanson's with us. We did have Nathan and it has been a while since he has been with all of us. We traveled from the South End up to Mammoth Hot Springs in one day. We wanted to swim in the boiling river, but by the time we got there, we decided we better head back to camp. Long day - but I really enjoyed having the experience with the kids. It's such a beautiful place and it can't help but calm the soul. We saw moose, bear, elk and bison. Great fun! We hiked up and down some of the trails and tried to take pictures galore. Rylie called the mud pots the "smoking dragons" She was a little trooper and hiked with the best of them. When we got to Teton National Park, we took the boat across Jenny Lake and did the hike into hidden falls, she said, "I'm going to climb that mountain" And she did! If we tried to carry her she would say, "No, I'm fine!" Pretty cute!

All in all I think we all had a pretty good time! Brad said he thought we should make it a tradition - so at least we didn't scare off the one son-in-law we brought along! The older our children get and the more spirits that join us really help me understand "the measure of your creation" and finding "joy in your posterity." They truly are my joy. They can wear me out, but I wouldn't trade any one of these 13 spirits in our Lowe Trooper Clan!

WOW! Where does the time go!

Well I have been busy having a great summer and now I see I haven't even blogged for almost two months. Considering I am using this as a form of journaling, guess I better get on the ball! We enjoyed the peaches and grapes from our yard this year, but most everything else struggled. Way to many bugs! We need to figure out a way to control them next year. They even affected my rose bushes, despite my efforts to spray and fertilize. So...sure hope he have better luck next year. For the last four years Randy has missed going up to Idaho to pick huckleberries. This year we went twice. We took Em and her boys up the first day in our shorts and flip flops and decided we needed to go back a little better prepared! We recruited some more "pickers" and headed back up Mink Creek on Labor Day. In the end we had close to a gallon - and Alisa and Brandon were ready to keep their own. Randy felt a success because he had some of his kids and grandkids there so he was just like a kid in the candy store. I think the only thing that would have made him happier was to have Nathan and Rachel's family with us. I decided it's not the huckleberries he likes, but getting his family out and away from all the electronic gadgets and in the woods he loves - so thanks kids for humoring him! I wasn't smart enough to put on long pants - they are way too hot - so I still have scratches up and down my legs!

FREEDOM!

Well maybe if I blog at least once a month I can keep somewhat current! I do love this time of year. My legacy of love is filled with American Soldiers, and today I have felt a real need to somehow show my gratitude for them. My grandfather was a WWI Veteran and my dad was a WWII Veteran.
I am sure I am a little more misty eyed than usual as this is my first 4th of July without him. Most of you reading this blog know my husband has served in the military for 35 years and I have a son who has now been in the National Guard for nine years. WOW! I have been thinking about these men who I love more than any other and their service to our country. It's men like them who have kept this country a country where I can worship my Heavenly Father in the way my heart dictates. I have felt a little of the sacrifice families feel when their men serve in the armed forces and feel grateful to have had the opportunity. I keep telling Jordan I have given my quota to the armed services and he needs to serve elsewhere, but how could I refuse him if his heart drew him to serve His God and country. Hurray for the opportunity to reflect and celebrate this great nation! May we not forget and fill our hearts with gratitude as we celebrate the significance of the flag waving freely above our heads!