Thoughts...

[StrawberryFields]

My son will be getting married in the Salt Lake Temple in just a few days.

As I reflect over the last year I think of many things. I think about the heartache of losing my mother suddenly to cancer. I think of a "vulture" that came to my mom's viewing to hit on my dad. I think of the agony that I felt when my son made the choice not to go on a mission. I think about the months I stayed away from church because I felt so abandoned by HIM. Those days were filled with so much confusion, and loneliness. I had not peace nor serenity I had lost my foundation...the gospel.

I have learned so much this past year. I have learned I have no control over others actions. I have learned that this life is short and we should live every day as if it were our last. I have learned that I need to trust in HIM because I can't see the whole picture. The "vulture" is still in my dad's life but I have learned that I am not responsible for his happiness.

My brother-in-law who has been serving in Iraq was been granted a 2-week leave and I was able to see him last night at a family reunion. We were all so surprised to see him and we each took our turn holding him for as long as we wanted. We are all so grateful to see him but we know he must go back. This war is so scary.

Life is so short... don't waste time being angry. We can't change people we can only be an influence of good. Cherish the ones you love and always be kind to another.

[Jenda]

This must be one of those years for a lot of us, Strawberry. I really feel for you, but I am glad you have come to some peace in your life. :)

Two years ago, I went from being fairly liberal in my spiritual life to being staunchly conservative, a change I didn't know I was going to make, but that has brought me more joy than I have ever had before (except when I was staunchly conservative in my early 20's.) But it has also brought me more pain than I ever dreamed I could have, too, because it opened my eyes to the nature of my church to see, not just the direction it was heading, but that it would run over anyone and everyone who stood in it's way. And I have struggled with that for the majority of a years time. I feel cast off, set adrift. There are times I wonder if I made the right decision.

Lately, though, I have been listening to an Amy Grant CD, Legacy, and on it is one song she wrote called "What You Already Own". Listening to that song makes me feel less adrift.

"WHAT YOU ALREADY OWN"

I give you my heart broken and bruised

It's still beating strong and wanting to trust you

I know I'm unfaithful

I know I do wrong

Do you protect what you already own?

I give you my body

Naked and meek

Burning with passion

Human and weak

What You Already Own

...as sung by Amy Grant

I try to be faithful

then I go wrong

Can you protect what you already own?

Can you protect what you already own?

I know I'm unfaithful

I know I do wrong

Do you protect what you already own?

I give you my life

Precious and rare

Knowing wherever I've been, you were there

Sometimes I'm faithful

Sometimes I'm strong

Will you protect what you already own?

I will be faithful

Help me be strong

'Cause you will protect what you already own

You still protect what you already own

[Guest Starsky]

Originally posted by Strawberry Fields@Jun 22 2004, 12:26 PM

My son will be getting married in the Salt Lake Temple in just a few days.

As I reflect over the last year I think of many things. I think about the heartache of losing my mother suddenly to cancer. I think of a "vulture" that came to my mom's viewing to hit on my dad. I think of the agony that I felt when my son made the choice not to go on a mission. I think about the months I stayed away from church because I felt so abandoned by HIM. Those days were filled with so much confusion, and loneliness. I had not peace nor serenity I had lost my foundation...the gospel.

I have learned so much this past year. I have learned I have no control over others actions. I have learned that this life is short and we should live every day as if it were our last. I have learned that I need to trust in HIM because I can't see the whole picture. The "vulture" is still in my dad's life but I have learned that I am not responsible for his happiness.

My brother-in-law who has been serving in Iraq was been granted a 2-week leave and I was able to see him last night at a family reunion. We were all so surprised to see him and we each took our turn holding him for as long as we wanted. We are all so grateful to see him but we know he must go back. This war is so scary.

Life is so short... don't waste time being angry. We can't change people we can only be an influence of good. Cherish the ones you love and always be kind to another.

Congratulations on the wedding and...way cool about your brother getting two weeks...hope he stays safe!

[srm]

Originally posted by Jenda@Jun 22 2004, 02:14 PM

This must be one of those years for a lot of us, Strawberry. I really feel for you, but I am glad you have come to some peace in your life. :)

Two years ago, I went from being fairly liberal in my spiritual life to being staunchly conservative, a change I didn't know I was going to make, but that has brought me more joy than I have ever had before (except when I was staunchly conservative in my early 20's.) But it has also brought me more pain than I ever dreamed I could have, too, because it opened my eyes to the nature of my church to see, not just the direction it was heading, but that it would run over anyone and everyone who stood in it's way. And I have struggled with that for the majority of a years time. I feel cast off, set adrift. There are times I wonder if I made the right decision.

Lately, though, I have been listening to an Amy Grant CD, Legacy, and on it is one song she wrote called "What You Already Own". Listening to that song makes me feel less adrift.

"WHAT YOU ALREADY OWN"

I give you my heart broken and bruised

It's still beating strong and wanting to trust you

I know I'm unfaithful

I know I do wrong

Do you protect what you already own?

I give you my body

Naked and meek

Burning with passion

Human and weak

What You Already Own

...as sung by Amy Grant

I try to be faithful

then I go wrong

Can you protect what you already own?

Can you protect what you already own?

I know I'm unfaithful

I know I do wrong

Do you protect what you already own?

I give you my life

Precious and rare

Knowing wherever I've been, you were there

Sometimes I'm faithful

Sometimes I'm strong

Will you protect what you already own?

I will be faithful

Help me be strong

'Cause you will protect what you already own

You still protect what you already own

We (the lds here) would welcome you into our fold with open arms

[StrawberryFields]

And It Was GOOOOOOOD!!!

He was married Today and boy am I pooped!

This day couldn't have been any better! :)

Jenda,

Thanks for also opening your heart to others. I think I will go and buy that Amy Grant CD this weekend!

If there is one thing that I have learned it that even though I can't see it at the time I grow the most in the valleys of life. Ya know, I still prefer the peaks!

SRM is right we would welcome you.

Starsky, Thanks for your continued support.

[Guest lt]

Strawberry,

Congrats..............I'm so happy for you, I agree...Living each day as it is your last makes it much more worth while and you appreciate everything much more...............

Laureltree

[Jenda]

Strawberry, it is sooo good to hear the great news! I hope the marriage is long and prosperous. You go and take your much-needed rest.

SRM and Strawberry, thanks for your support. I am lucky to have so many friends here. :)

[StrawberryFields]

Originally posted by LaurelTree@Jun 25 2004, 10:58 PM

Strawberry,

Congrats..............I'm so happy for you, I agree...Living each day as it is your last makes it much more worth while and you appreciate everything much more...............

Laureltree

Thanks LT!

I am also happy to see that you are doing WELL again.

As they say "Everything In Moderation!"

[StrawberryFields]

Originally posted by Jenda@Jun 26 2004, 07:50 PM

Strawberry, it is sooo good to hear the great news! I hope the marriage is long and prosperous. You go and take your much-needed rest.

SRM and Strawberry, thanks for your support. I am lucky to have so many friends here. :)

Jenda,

The honeymooners are off to a resort in Southern CA.

As I was telling Lindy tonight we have talked with them everyday (except today )! Having cell phones sure makes communication much more convenient these days.

I did escape this past weekend to St. George and had some down time. This place (S.G.) is about 3.5 hours from our home and I was busy cutting the edges of the flannel rag quilt that I will be giving the kids when they get home. :)

[Guest Chell]

How wonderful for them, and you! :)

[Lindy]

Originally posted by Strawberry Fields@Jun 22 2004, 12:26 PM

Life is so short... don't waste time being angry. We can't change people we can only be an influence of good. Cherish the ones you love and always be kind to another.

I am glad that you posted this SF....it's something very important that we all need to think about in our lives.

This is a good thread...and I'm glad you all are the people you are....good people, caring people...kind people. That is what Christ want's us to be....and you all make me happy ....you make Him happy ....

Enough tears for the day... I didn't think I had anymore left in me.....I guess I was wrong.

I love you guys,

Lindy

[StrawberryFields]

Testing 1 2 3 ..

Where did it go?

[StrawberryFields]

Now that WAS WEIRD!

I was finished making a reply to this thread and I was talking about trying to live every day being in tune with the spirit and then my computer screen clicked off and I had no choice but to reboot. When I came back here THIS thread was gone! I went back into my history and found it and then did the "Test" reply and now it is back????? Unfortunately that reply was so good I just can't duplicate it again.