Happy New Year

I haven't posted on my blog for a while because my life has been a whirlwind of activity. I finished my accounting class, which I am happy to say I scored a 99% on the final and I'm glad I persevered and stuck it out. I hosted a baby shower for my daughter-in-law and was a sewing maniac making baby gifts and Christmas gifts. My husband, Mert, and I are now proud grandparents to a precious baby boy, Landon Merrill Foltz, and I must say that he is perfect in every way. Who knew that becoming a grandparent would be such a joy and the instant expansion of love you feel for this newest member of your family? Just holding this healthy beautiful boy brings back tender feelings I had when I held his father 27 years ago. I am now reflecting on this past year and express my gratitude for both the trials and the joys. I know that 2011 will be a wonderful year full of promise and possibilities.

Simply RetroGrand

I was made aware recently that one of my favorite movies, The Sound of Music, is celebrating it's 45th anniversary. Upon hearing this news I sat down and watched our VHS (remember them???) movie and was once again moved and reminded as to why this is such a wonderful, endearing, and classic movie. It was also brought to my attention that this movie won 5 Academy Awards. I could really go off on a tangent right now as to my thoughts on why I don't watch the Academy Awards any more (the Academy has gone downhill in my opinion) but I will save that for another forum. I chose the title of this post to remind the reader and myself of the simple times, in retrospect and how grand they really were. When a family could go to watch a movie, such as The Sound of Music, on a big screen. like I did with my family in 1965, and walk away feeling like we really could "climb every mountain." The messages in this classic movie speak to the good in all of us and if reminders of these qualities are presented with re-visiting this delightful musical, so much the better.

Advocate for Education

I was one of those "older" (or should I say more mature) graduates from college. It wasn't until my kids were in their teens that I went back to school to obtain my bachelor's degree. As such, I had not only a greater appreciation for my professors trying to teach the classes but also a greater appreciation for the learning process and the knowledge I was picking up in these classes. I am one of those students who absolutely loves school. With that in mind, I am back in school with some Adult Ed classes. One of the courses I am taking is computers, which absolutely fascinates me. My other class, however is Accounting and I have to say that I am struggling. I unfortunately do not operate on that side of the brain too well---math and science and accounting is indeed a science. As challenging as this course is for me though I am tenacious and I am not going to let it defeat me or my purpose. I am told that having this accounting skill will be appealing in the job market but aside from that I am determined to persevere. Thankfully we have wonderful instructors in this adult education system who are patient and supportive of their students trying to grasp everything they are teaching. I graduated from college in 2004 and have not gone back to school until this past spring in 2010. The moment I stepped back onto the campus I realized how much I missed the world of academia. I truly love learning new things and want to continue educating myself the rest of my life...no matter how difficult a course could be, like accounting.

Slipping Through My Fingers

I am a fan of the musical, Mama Mia, and enjoy the songs along with the cinema photography of the beautiful Greek island where the story takes place. One of the songs that never fails to bring tears to my eyes is, Slipping Through My Fingers. It is a song that the mother, Donna, sings to her daughter, Sophie, as they prepare for the wedding ceremony. The message of this song speaks of moments slipped by that they shared with each other and plans they had made, which never materialized. It is a powerful reminder to me to cherish moments shared with friends and family. Our 3 kids are now grown and living their own lives. I was an extremely lucky mother who had the honor and joy of being home with them during their growing up years but I realize that I let many moments "slip through my fingers" and there is no "going back" to recapture them...they are gone. It is my prayer that my kids come to this knowledge now so they can capture as much as they can with their own children. I have no regrets because I shared many happy times with my family...I could have shared more though. I try to practice this with my dear friends too. Each time we are together I love sharing laughter, wonderful talks and outings with them to tuck away in my heart and cherish. Life is comprised of moments and as they slip through our fingers we should use them wisely so we can reflect on them with joy and love.

Seasons

The weather man on our local news station announced on September 1, 2010, that this day starts the Fall season. I look out my window and smile as I see the sun shining and appreciate the summer (albeit very short this year) now ending. My husband's favorite season is the summer but unlike him every season is my favorite. Each season brings it's own variety of fruits, vegetables and holidays, to name a few. I am an eternal romantic so I embrace the "hibernating" instinct of cuddling indoors with a fire glowing in the fireplace with candles lit throughout the room. My spirit is calmed and soothed as I prepare cinnamon pumpkin bars in my kitchen. As our home is filled with the mouth-watering smell of Turkey baking in the oven I offer thanks for all of my blessings. My heart delights as I sing along to my favorite Christmas hymns. Yes, the years do pass along too quickly now but they also bring memories of joy and appreciation for each season to me.

My Books, My Friends

I saw a commercial last night for the Kindle, a wireless reading device. We are now offered this new technology of reading books on a small screen.

I am an avid fan of antiques and I enjoy being the custodian of these sentimental pieces of our past but I also love and enjoy using my microwave oven. I am a woman who lives in and appreciates both worlds--the past and the amazing inventions of the present. As much as I marvel at this new technology and way of reading on a small screen I don't think I will ever completely embrace this in lieu of physically touching my books---my friends. There is something so peaceful and calming as I sit down for my morning devotion and opening up my Bible to study the word of God. I love the tactile feel of the fine thin paper as I turn the pages in my Bible. It gives me pleasure to see the scriptures that I have marked with my red scripture pencil, which speak the messages for Susan. I thoroughly enjoy cuddling up in my favorite chair to peruse my inspiring decorating books with their colorful glossy pictures. Just like a well-loved friend my books bring comfort and feed my soul---the likes of which I don't think I'll find on a small screen. Our society is now speeding along accompanied with technological advances that affect our lives but there is something to be said about the simple pleasure of sitting down with a favorite book and visiting that friend on a more personal level by touching the pages again and again.

Chapters

One of the leisure activities I enjoy is reading. I can get really engrossed in a novel with memorable characters and a powerful story. Often times just before I fall into my REM sleep at night thoughts come to me, which on many nights I forget what they are by the next morning; however a couple nights ago the word "chapters" entered my mind. Just as chapters in a book take the reader along in the story, I related this to my life. I look back on the chapters in my life thus far and remember joy, teen-age angst, first love, true love, giving birth to our three beautiful children and raising them--each with their own chapters dove-tailing into mine. Now, as I enter a new chapter in my life I face a new set of trials but while I remember the trials of yesteryear I know that this chapter will have lessons and joy to cherish in its own unique way.

Cast Out Fear

Along our path of life we all encounter "bumps in the road" and upon reflection I have often allowed fear to visit me during those bumps in the road. I heard somewhere recently that fear is just the absence of faith so wouldn't it be prudent to cast out the fear to allow faith to grow? I had this question answered to me this morning as I studied Mark 9:23 where it reads; "Jesus said unto him, 'If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.'" Webster's defines believe as; to have religious faith. We must not, or in other words I must not, allow fear to hinder progression in life. I must foster faith with the belief that these "bumps in the road" are teaching moments and continue on my journey with joy.

In the Tablets of my Mind

In Romans 2:15, the Apostle Paul taught that we ourselves are a record of our life. In the March 8,1865 edition of the Deseret News, President John Taylor said, "The individual tells the story himself, and bears witness against himself...That record that is written by the man himself in the tablets of his own mind, that record that cannot lie will in that day be unfolded before God and angels, and those who shall sit as judges."

This profound lesson I learned in church yesterday has caused serious soul-searching for me as I reflect on my life thus far. I pray with a fervent and humble heart that the "tablets of my mind" will show a pleasing picture before God and his angels and those who shall sit as judges. I know I fall short but with the power of the Atonement and HIS mercy I pray I can repent and try to do better each day starting now.

Glad Passages

While enjoying my walk/jog this morning I had an epiphany. Recently, I have had reoccurring thoughts of my amazing Bishop that served in our ward when we first moved to San Clemente years ago. One of the reasons he was so impressive is because of his memorization of scriptures. He would be able to stand at the pulpit and recite scripture like no one I have ever seen. One of his practices that impressed on my mind was this clever idea he implemented in his life. He would carry around this key-ring like holder, which had little index cards of scripture he had collected over the years. Then, while he was in line at the bank or waiting for an appointment he would take this little ring out of his pocket and read them. This has enabled him to memorize a lot of scripture. I have been studying the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) every morning. This is where my epiphany came into play this morning. When I was exercising I thought of the classic movie, Pollyanna, which stars Hayley Mills. In this movie Pollyanna introduces the idea of Glad Passages to the town minister played by Karl Malden. Essentially Glad Passages are messages of Joy written throughout the Bible. When I was jogging this morning I felt prompted to begin my own key-ring like holder like my dear Bishop carried, containing my own Glad Passages, so-to-speak. I knew there were already scriptures in Matthew I wanted to write on these cards. I am very excited to begin this new project and I now have something new sitting beside my scriptures....index cards and a pen. I will write down the scriptures that speak to Susan and then when I am waiting in line somewhere I can take my ring out and feast on my own Glad Passages.

Land of the Free

I just returned from a program entitled, America: A Promised Land, and I wept because it was so powerful. Songs were performed, including all of the Armed Forces theme hymns, and I thought of all of the brave men and women who have fought to keep America the Land of the Free. The program ended with the lights going out in the room, the choir sang America the Beautiful accompanied by a PowerPoint slide presentation showing the landscape across America. I noticed that I was not the only one with tears flowing down my cheeks. I am a native Californian and have only been out of this gorgeous state a couple of times. It is my goal and my prayer to be able to visit and see this great country of ours instead of seeing pictures of it. As we celebrate the birth of the United States of America we must (and should) remember our fellow countrymen (and women) who have fought, and continue to fight, for our freedoms we enjoy.

Prayer for Divine Vision

I marvel at different perspectives seen (or heard) from people. Yesterday at church I listened to two talks on the subject of love. As I was listening the message the spirit wanted me to hear was a powerful lesson for Susan, which has caused me to repent and to pray for more Divine Vision. A few weeks back I returned to an old email address I had a long time ago. I wanted to delete basically junk mail. I was surprised and saddened to find a message sent to me from one of my participants from a pool class I taught six years ago informing me that one of our dear friends (Mike) from that class had died. Not only did I feel sad for this sweet man's passing but I also felt regret for not responding to this participant until that very day when I went back into that old email address. I had often thought of Mike because even after I stopped teaching this class we would write emails to each other catching up on our lives. I periodically wondered why I had not heard from Mike but that was as far as I got....just thinking and wondering about him. The last three years have been challenging for me and my faith has been tried but I realized during these talks yesterday that my misery is no excuse for not having divine vision and leaving myself to serve others. My lesson yesterday struck a deep chord in my heart and it is my prayer that I can, and will, act upon the promptings I receive (regardless of any personal trials I may be facing) and serve HIS children with the love HE has given me.

Sanctuary

May I suggest to the reader to find sanctuary somewhere in your home. I have found that my sanctuary (or my secret place) is of great importance in my day-to-day living. I go to this place, light a candle, and I sit and pray and just meditate while gazing into the soft candlelight. Sometimes this can only be for a few minutes while other times I have perhaps fifteen or twenty minutes. The thought I would like to share with you though is how calming this small ritual has become in my life. This simple action gives me pause to center myself and just "Be."

Thoughts to Accompany that Smile

I read recently that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile so if that's the case, shouldn't that be a goal of ours to smile more often? I walk-jog every morning and while I am exercising I use this opportunity to pray. After reading this article on smiling I have decided to really concentrate on smiling (even during the grueling hill I must climb in our neighborhood). Now, you may wonder; "What kinds of happy thoughts can I form to accompany this smile?" I will share with you some that I incorporate like; "I am thankful I have this body to exercise," or "I enjoy the sound of the birds greeting me this morning," or "I am thankful I have eyes to see this beautiful sunrise." While driving my car and smiling I think thoughts like; "I love this music playing on my CD player," or "How much I love my family," or "How grateful I am to have such incredible friends." It's really amazing how these two simple things; smiling and thoughts can change your perspective of the day. In my morning prayers, I always ask that I can be "wise with my moments" because that's what we truly have...are moments and I am finding that since I have begun this practice of smiling and uplifting thoughts it has improved my outlook. Try it and see if it makes a difference in you and share your thoughts with me if you would like.

Weeding in the Garden

Just as weeding is a constant activity in the garden, the same truth applies to life. I must focus on pulling the weeds of; negative thoughts, anger, frustration or anxiety in order to allow the flowers of; contentment, gratitude, peace or joy to bloom.

Welcome to my Garden

For as long as I could remember I have loved the Stargazer Lily. I love it for it’s most heavenly fragrance and it’s gorgeous beauty, not to mention it’s name because I love gazing at the stars and pondering this beautiful world created for us. It wasn’t until recently that I learned that my name, Susan, means lily so the name of this blog represents me, Susan, and also my favorite flower.

Why “thought and prayer?” I refer to Galatians 6:7 where it reads; “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” In keeping with lilies and a garden theme of thoughts and prayers, I wanted to send out (or sow) seeds of uplifting thoughts and prayers to the readers. It is my humble prayer that you will be able to leave my blog with a peaceful heart and uplifted spirit.