Life is So Short

I just returned from the viewing for a BYU colleague, Gary. He died unexpectedly last week from cancer. When diagnosed they gave him a year to live. He lived two weeks. He was the most kind man. Whenever I had a computer or media problem or request he would be there to help. He always had a smile on his face and treated everyone so well. A few months ago I was on one of my walks down to Borders Bookstore. Gary was there and suggested that I read "Weight of Silence." I put it on my to read list. Last night I went and bought the book and am reading it in his honor. I can't believe he is gone.

I also just received an email with the news that my friend from Atlanta, Patsy, has died. Her funeral is tomorrow too. Patsy was a relative of my friend Randolyn. Before I moved to Atlanta, or had even met Patsy in person, Patsy found me an apartment to live in. She was so kind to me while I lived there. I went to church with her at the Mt. Paran Church and she came to church with me too. I last saw her in October when I was in Atlanta on business. We went to dinner. She was so thin and frail from the cancer. I didn't know it would be the last time I would see her. I should have emailed her a couple of weeks ago when I was thinking about it. Lesson learned-- again-- never surpress the impression to do a good deed.

How grateful I am for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the plan of Salvation. I know that one day I will see Gary and Patsy again.

Life is Good because the Gospel is the Good News!

Grateful for Wendi

My friend Wendi is in town from New York. Last night we went to the movie "Young Victoria." It was fun because we met on a trip to Europe and one of the things we did was ditch our tour group and took a tour Kensington Palace.

After a very long, stress-filled week, a night out with Wendi was just what I needed. She is an amazing woman with great life perspective and she makes me laugh. I am grateful for her friendship. And I am grateful for life experiences that have allowed me to meet incredible people like Wendi (and all the other amazing women I know).

Life is Good.

Fan-Email

Yesterday I received lots of fan-email from my women's conference friends-- all about my upcoming devotional talk. It was such a boost to my spirit. I love these women. I feel of their love and strength. Here are few of the comments:

Rosemary, I'll bring the oxygen and chocolate for you tomorrow. Hang in there honey!

Congratulations Rosemary! I've got matching cheerleader uniforms for the committee as well as a black sharpie for autograph signing and a red convertible for the ticker-tape parade down University Avenue:) Can't think of anyone better I would want my college kids coming to hear than President Thackeray! What's your topic? Do you get paid cause I really wouldn't mind my tithing dollars going towards it:)!!! Deep love, admiration and good luck wishes!

I saw the announcement for your Devotional Miss Rosemary and started jumping up and down (in front of my entire office) shouting, "I know her! I know her" =). I CAN'T WAIT for next Tuesday!! And your picture looked GREAT on the big screen! =). Please put me down for a seat in the Marriott Center so we can support you that much more!!

You can be sure that all of the Committee's power is behind you all the way! We will also be praying for you tomorrow while at the temple.
Jean- please count me in for a seat on the floor. I definitely do not want to miss being there in person!

Wow!!! Congratulations! From a Rosemary who will be "cheering you on"....to a Rosemary who will be "imparting spiritual wisdom" to thousands in the BYU Marriott Center - I'll take the "cheering you on" assignment without a question. It will be fabulous!!! Seriously, I am thrilled to simply know you and will be praying for you on Tues. Feb. 2nd. Can you feel the angels hovering to bear you up?

You are awesome and I am so excited for you. I know this is a huge work put on your cute little shoulders, but I agree with Chelita. "Angels will attend you." (and your W.C. Sisters will pray for you and cheer you on.)

Life is Good!

Grateful once Again

Last fall when I received the invitation to speak at devotional I pondered, prayed, and picked my topic from Alma 2:28.

Little did I know at the time what would be going on in my life right now. I've been Relief Society president for one month and 7 days (known about the call for one month, 21 days but who is counting?); have a very heavy load at the university, with additional assignments; and then am trying to write this devotional talk. I've had lots of long days, late nights, and sleepless nights.

Though I have had real-life experience with feeling strengthened by the hand of the Lord, I will be so grateful when Tuesday is over.

If you want to tune in: Tuesday, February 2nd, 11:05 .m. BYU Campus Marriott Center; or BYU-TV; or www.byubroadcasting.com

Whew. Life is Good. Overwhelming, but good.

January 23, 2010

This was beautiful but heavy, wet snow. I'm grateful to be on the list of "people who need their driveway shoveled." Someone was up early with their snow blower. Thank goodness for good neighbors!
A good day to stay home and read a book. Wish I could do that.

Simplifying

My mother is a wonderful cook. When I was growing up she made everything from scratch. We grew a large garden and she preserved lots of fruits and vegetables. We had our own cows, chickens, and occasionally pigs. The Ranch provided us with beef. The only packaged thing I remember having in our food storage was jell-o; and we were not big jell-o fans, so we didn't eat that very often.

As a result, I have embedded in my mind that if I take food somewhere, it should be homemade. I love to bake (more than cook). It is relaxing. I love window shopping at stores like Williams-Sonoma. I love discovering really good cookbooks. But of late my life is just a bit too busy to do much cooking or baking. The eggs in my fridge expired a month ago, so that tells you how long it has been since I've been very domestic-- though I did made chicken noodle soup over the weekend.

Anyway, today I made major progress in simplifying my life. I offered to take treats to book group tonight. I thought about coming home and whipping up a batch of cookies (after I stopped at the store to buy fresh eggs). But instead I stopped at Costco, and paid $6.50 for two dozen cookies. It was the best investment I've made in a long time. I did pull some homemade grape juice off the shelf and served that, so I consider my contribution as "semi-homemade." And the best part is that I don't feel the least bit guilty about not baking cookies.

Life is Good. Very stressful until at least February 2nd, but good.

Life

When I first started this blog it was to share my Italy trip pictures. I kept going, thinking that the blog would force me to have a life and have something to share that was non-work related. Well, this week there is nothing to report.

I am working. The semester started full-force with a bang. In addition to my regular responsibilities of teaching, research, and serving on committees I have two major university assignments (one of which I love) that take time.

I am also trying to write a devotional talk for February 2nd. I am starting to panic. I had a talk written and then scrapped 3/4 of it this week and started over. Who knows what I will say, but the deadline is looming.

At night I come home from work and focus on my duties as Relief Society president. There is always something that needs to be addressed or thought about.

And with all of this I am not sleeping well. I learned this week that taking a sleeping pill at 3:30 a.m. is not such a good thing when you need to be to a 8:45 a.m. meeting.

So, that's about it. All in all, life is good but extremely busy.

Families....Are Forever

Last fall, my sister and I took my mom to see her sister who was in a care center in Vernal.


Today we returned to Vernal for the funeral. I am grateful to know that families are forever!


This is the birthday bouquet that my parents and sister sent this week. Beautiful. I LOVE flowers!
Life Is Good.

Happy New Year