Sunday, December 28, 2008

You Are Enough!


One morning, as I was studying my scriptures to prepare myself for the day at Bwafwano Compound, I read in 3 Nephi of Christ visiting the people here on the American Continent. He had just issued the Sacrament to them and told them to "Remember..Rembember...Remember Him... and His spirit would always be with them."

As we stepped into the compound, I wanted to remember Him and to walk the dusty road as the Savior had, bringing hope, our love, and God’s love to them. We went out visiting the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, the dying and destititute. As we approached the porch where a man was lying, dying of AIDS, a hush overcame us all, including the multitude of children following. A few of us encircled around him and his family, visiting and assessing their needs. Skin hung from his fragile bones, flies crawled over his chapped lips and sunken face. He lay only on a dirty, straw mat.

What was I doing here? What can I do? I've never seen a man die like this! I had nothing to give him, nothing to ease his suffering and pain. I had no medication. I had not even a pillow to lay his weak head. All I could provide was my love and a song... was it going to be enough?

"Heavenly Father you are wonderful! You are marvelous! You are excellent! We worship you Lord, because you’re wonderful, and you make us sing this song! He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got the whole world, in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands. Heavenly Father you are wonderful! You are marvelous! You are excellent! We worship you Lord, because you’re wonderful, and you make us sing this song!"

As I sang this and looked at this listless man, lying on the ground, I became so overwhelmed with compassion, tears flowed to my eyes, and I knew what I was singing was true. Heavenly Father is Wonderful and He knows the sorrow of these people, they do not go unnoticed. The veil, seemed so thin, and as I knelt down by his side, I held his frail arm and thin hand in mine. I was so overcome and felt that I needed to tell him that God loved him, because he does! I tried to keep the flies from off of his face, but to no avail.

It was an interesting experience for me to hold a dying mans hand that I had never met and to feel the love and compassion I had for this man. I felt like I was truly living up to my baptismal covenants.... mourning with those who mourn and comforting those that stand in need of comfort.

Sometimes we feel like we have nothing to offer, nothing to give .... but a lesson I learned over and over again in Zambia was that...
We Are Enough!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Emmanuel

If all children are of infinite worth, why are there so many suffering? What is my role in all of this? What is my reason for being here?
As I held two month Emmanuel in my arms, his closeness pierced through my heart. This beautifully dark skinned baby, whose smooth features were pure and defined, lay staring back at me with those innocent eyes of a newborn. "Why are you here little one?"..."Why did your mother have to die at childbirth from AIDS?"..."What is your future?"..."Who will take care of you?"...As these thoughts of dread came into my mind, my eyes brimmed with tears of sorrow for all twenty eight of these infants and toddlers around me. "Why must all you know is suffering?"..." Oh, Emmanuel. Sweet, sweet Emmanuel."
Emmanuel continued to look up at me as if he had some message to relay. "Emmanuel"..."Emmanuel"...his name replayed over and over in my mind..."Emmanuel!!!"...that name means something..."God with us". As that thought entered, it was followed by an incredible and undeniable feeling of peace and calmness. That was the message that he was trying to tell me, "God is with us! He knows us individually and He is here!" In deep humility and a healed heart, I wondered who am I to question God's love for ALL of His children.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Africa Alive -

Some say that a picture is worth a thousand words, yet it is the stories behind these pictures that holds the most value...

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Rock Out!

It's official. I got my license to hunt!
I've heard of a lot of people getting a deer hunting permit, a fishing permit, and even more getting a driving permit......but you know me, I wanted to get something different, something not many people get. So I got a rock permit.
Shanna, her parents, her aunt and uncle and I went down to the San Rafael Swell and went rock hunting. Oh, man! Did we ever bag our buck! Shanna's miner (rock hunter) dad, found most of the rock. We pick axed, shoveled, prybarred and hauled out the illusive sandstone without too much of a fight, except for a smashed and broken third finger.
Caught our limit - - gritty, rippled, sandstone.
One and a half ton of solid earth...
After our hunting excursion, we did what all good people do in the San Rafael.... Look at dinosaur tracks...
look at past records of other hunters and gatherers...
shoot plastic bottles with a Ruger.357 mag...
(my ears are still ringing... did you say something?)
and of course, enjoy the beauty of the harsh desert.

The prize rock now sits on the back patio, waiting for its future use.... I'm debating whether I should just lay it or if I should use it as some awesome taxidermy!

Friday, August 29, 2008

36 and still in the Mix!

This year for my birthday, I was outsourced to India with a computer problem. Carlton, my IT guy, was very helpful and also very flattering. (read with your best Indian accent) "Tarali...... what a beautiful name...... a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.... when I have a girl, I will call her that name.... if that is ok with you?......it is not copyrighted is it?...... Tarali, do you like music?..... because your voice is like music to me..... I love the inflections in your voice....you sound so beautiful.....now let's get on with your computer problem.... I am sure you would like that."

While waiting for my computer to reboot, we had some small chit chat about my past trip to India, and then came the whammy...."Tarali when you come back to India..... come to the south.... and remember me.... my name is Carlton...... and I will introduce you to my mother and my father...... they would love to meet such a beautiful and wonderful woman such as you!"

I hung up the phone amazed. Shook it off. Snapped my finger three times with a little head shuffle and said to myself.......
36 and still in the Mix!

Friday, August 22, 2008

How does your Garden grow?

Before


During

After

Tarali, Tarali, quite contrarily

how does your garden grow?

With working hands and watering cans

and no free time to show!

Love

Love is a wonderful thing...... so others tell me!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Shannon

I'll do anything for a dear friend.....







It was an enchanting evening!


Even though the cake didn't cooperate...



...

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Right Side Up and Up Side Down







Do you remember that feeling long ago of doing your first Cart Wheel? The whoosh of the stomach, the strength of the arms, the dizzying of the head, the lightness of the legs, then the return of feet on solid ground.
Exhilerating!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

The Wish

How would it be, to be sitting in Miami Beach as a four year old, and the only wish you had for your fifth birthday was to go to Gramma and Pappa's house in Utah and go play in the snow............
at the end of June...........

Well, Indigo..... your wish is granted!!!

Oh to be young again and to get the wishes of your heart!!!!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mother's Day



When lilacs come into bloom, my mind automatically turns to my mom. A wonderful woman who loves her family more than anything else. A woman who is a mother to more than her own children and grandchildren. She has affected many lives through her love and patience. She has a deep concern over those she loves. She is a woman of service, of selflessness, a woman of faith. My mom is an amazing person, she is a great cook, a great gardener, a great nurse, a great confidant, a great ally, a great friend. Thank you mom for your consistant love, your support and great example.


I love you!







Sunday, May 04, 2008

Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face

Be glad your nose is on your face,
not pasted on some other place,
for if it were where it is not,
you might dislike your nose a lot.

Imagine if your precious nose
were sandwiched in between your toes,
that clearly would not be a treat,
for you'd be forced to smell your feet.

Your nose would be a source of dread
were it attached atop your head,
it soon would drive you to despair,
forever tickled by your hair.
Within your ear, your nose would be
an absolute catastrophe,
for when you were obliged to sneeze,
your brain would rattle from the breeze.
Your nose, instead, through thick and thin,
remains between your eyes and chin,

not pasted on some other place--
be glad your nose is on your face!

by Jack Prelutsky

Double AA's keep going....and going.....and going

A couple of weeks ago, Angie and Abby came to visit. We had to pack a lot in, in a short amount of time. On the list of things "to do" was a photo shoot of Abby. Well..... over 200 pictures later...here are a few!


Abby's first lime experience
Abby's first Gateway fountain experience
her second lime experience?
her first reflection
her second reflection

her third reflection


Her attempt to be Grandpa



her attempt at Darth Vader

her attempt at Rapunzel

her attempt at Tarzan

her attempt at being the American Idol

her Bells Canyon hike

her once perfectly formed piece of cake

her sweet moment with the Grand Fins

Come back any time, Angie and Abby. We loved having you here. You might even think about bringing Chad next time!