MILLIE'S MOTHER'S RED DRESS ~ HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Many years ago, I was gifted a book of poetry. In it was a poem that has stuck with me ever since. It was authored by Carol Lynn Pearson, an LDS author and playwright. I think it touched me because somehow the idea of the mother always sacrificing for the kids - and I mean ALWAYS being the ONLY one sacrificing - always taking the burnt piece of toast, made me feel like that mother was teaching her daughters and sons that mothers are only good for giving their all to their kids, without them ever having the duty and responsibility to learn how to sacrifice and give back - and most especially how to be grateful for what they receive.

I do believe that mothers should sacrifice. It is part of what motherhood is all about. And most of the time those sacrifices are, in reality, "blessings in disguise", for we mothers end up being the ones that grow immeasurably from it and are blessed tremendously for it. We should sacrifice for our husbands, for our children, for our God, for our nation, for our friends, and even for our own selves at times. However,  to me there is something inherently wrong with ALWAYS sacrificing for the kids WITH the attitude that "we don't deserve", or that "I should never have something for myself" ... teaching the kids, through that behavior and attitude, that they should never sacrifice for the mother (and by extension for others), and by extension teaching them to not feel gratitude.

I feel that in a family everyone should sacrifice together, without "keeping score." Everyone should take turns sacrificing for the others almost without thought, but from sheer love, and 'who' sacrifices 'when' is determined by the circumstances of the moment as well as the circumstances of eternity. In other words, keeping a balance in all things. In addition, many times, the sacrifice is not in "giving up" something, but in "sharing", wherein you don't get "as much" as you selfishly wanted, but you DO get "some" plus the joy of knowing that your loved ones got some too - and being grateful you have someone to sacrifice for and someone to share with.  Sacrifice and sharing with gratitude- a delicate, healthy balance.

So... in honor of Mother's Day, which for me is always on May 10th, and for the rest of the U.S. is on May 11th this year, I share this poem. One of my favorites.

Happy Mother's Day Mama and all my dear and sweet female friends and relatives! We are all mothers by our sheer natures - regardless of bearing children ourselves. We are the mothers that "mother" the world!

MILLIE’S MOTHER’S RED DRESS

It hung there in the closet

While she was dying, Mother’s red dress,

Like a gash in the row

Of dark, old clothes

She had worn away her life in.

They had called me home

And I knew when I saw her

She wasn’t going to last.

When I saw the dress, I said

“Why, Mother – - how beautiful!

I’ve never seen it on you.”

“I’ve never worn it,” she slowly said.

“Sit down, Millie – - I’d like to undo

A lesson or two before I go, if I can.”

I sat by her bed

And she sighed a bigger breath

Then I thought she could hold.

“Now that I’ll soon be gone,

I see some things.

Oh, I taught you good – - but I taught you wrong.”

“What do you mean Mother?”

“Well – - I always thought

That a good woman never takes her turn,

That she’s just for doing for somebody else.

Do here, do there, always keep

Everybody else’s wants tended and make sure

Yours are at the bottom of the heap.”

“Maybe someday you’ll get to them.

But of course you never do.

My life was like that – - doing for your dad,

Doing for the boys, for your sisters, for you.”

“You did – - everything a mother could.”

“Oh, Millie, Millie, it was not good – -

For you – - for him. Don’t you see?

I did you the worst of wrongs.

I asked for nothing – - for me!”

“Your father in the other room,

All stirred up and staring at the walls – -

When the doctor told him, he took

It bad – - came to my bed and all but shook

The life right out of me. ‘You can’t die,

Do you hear? What’ll become of me?’

‘ What’ll become of me?’

It’ll be hard, all right when I go.

He can’t even find the frying pan, you know.”

“And you children – -

I was a free ride for everybody, everywhere.

I was the first one up and the last one down

Seven days out of the week.

I always took the toast that got burned,

And the very smallest piece of pie.”

“I look at how some of your brothers

Treat their wives now

And it makes me sick, ’cause it was me

That taught it to them. And they learned,

They learned that a woman doesn’t

Even exist except to give.

Why, every single penny that I could save

Went for your clothes, or your books,

Even when it wasn’t necessary.

Can’t even remember once when I took

Myself downtown to buy something beautiful – -

For me.”

“Except last year when I got that red dress.

I found I had twenty dollars

That wasn’t especially spoke for.

I was on my way to pay extra on the washer.

But somehow – - I came home with this big box.

Your father really gave it to me then.

‘Where you going to wear a thing like that to – -

Some opera or something?’

And he was right, I guess.

I’ve never, except in the store,

Put on that dress.”

“Oh Millie – - I always thought if you take

Nothing for yourself in this world

You’d have it all in the next – - somehow

I don’t believe that anymore.

I think the Lord wants us to have something – -

Here – - and now.”

“And I’m telling you , Millie, if some miracle

Could get me off this bed, you could look

For a different mother, ’cause I would be one.

Oh, I passed up my turn so long

I would hardly know how to take it.

But I’d learn, Millie.

I would learn!”

It hung there in the closet

While she was dying, Mother’s red dress,

Like a gash in the row

Of dark, old clothes

She had worn away her life in.

Her last words to me were these:

“Do me the honor, Millie,

Of not following in my footsteps.

Promise me that.”

LDS CHURCH INSTRUCTS LEADERS ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

This is good to know.  And I agree with it. We cannot serve two masters at the same time. We either serve God, or we serve His adversary by following the modern cultural inclinations. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Salt Lake City — 

Following recent court actions bearing on same-sex marriage, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles today sent the following instructions and guidance to congregational leaders throughout the United States. Leaders were asked to share this information with their members in appropriate settings.

On December 20, 2013, a federal district judge in Salt Lake City issued an order legalizing same-sex marriage in Utah, striking down century-old state laws and a state constitutional amendment that defined marriage exclusively as between a man and a woman. The United States Supreme Court has put that ruling on hold pending consideration of the issue by an appellate court. During the interval between the district court ruling and the Supreme Court stay, numerous same-sex marriages were performed in Utah. Legal proceedings and legislative action in some other states and countries have given civil recognition to same-sex marriage relationships.
As we face this and other issues of our time, we encourage all to bear in mind our Heavenly Father’s purposes in creating the earth and providing for our mortal birth and experience here as His children. “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:27–28). “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Marriage between a man and a woman was instituted by God and is central to His plan for His children and for the well-being of society. Strong families, guided by a loving mother and father, serve as the fundamental institution for nurturing children, instilling faith, and transmitting to future generations the moral strengths and values that are important to civilization and crucial to eternal salvation.
Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society. His law of chastity is clear: sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We urge you to review and teach Church members the doctrine contained in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”
Just as those who promote same-sex marriage are entitled to civility, the same is true for those who oppose it. The Church insists on its leaders’ and members’ constitutionally protected right to express and advocate religious convictions on marriage, family, and morality free from retaliation or retribution. The Church is also entitled to maintain its standards of moral conduct and good standing for members.
Consistent with our fundamental beliefs, Church officers will not employ their ecclesiastical authority to perform marriages between two people of the same sex, and the Church does not permit its meetinghouses or other properties to be used for ceremonies, receptions, or other activities associated with same-sex marriages. Nevertheless, all visitors are welcome to our chapels and premises so long as they respect our standards of conduct while there.
While these matters will continue to evolve, we affirm that those who avail themselves of laws or court rulings authorizing same-sex marriage should not be treated disrespectfully. The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to love and treat all people with kindness and civility—even when we disagree.
As members of the Church, we are responsible to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to illuminate the great blessings that flow from heeding God’s commandments as well as the inevitable consequences of ignoring them. We invite you to pray that people everywhere will have their hearts softened to the truths of the gospel, and that wisdom will be granted to those who are called upon to decide issues critical to society’s future.

Source

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE 9 FAMILY!

Click on the photo of the newsletter to enlarge it for reading

"LIPS" BY EMILY

Emily LOVES an application I have on my iPad called PAPER.  Here is just one of her thousands of awesome drawings she's made on there.  She's really developing her "digital art" skills.

C'MON CARDINALS!!! YOU CAN WIN THE WORLD SERIES!!!!

Please. Please. Please. Please. WIN.

My Daddy is watching from heaven.

He was a Cardinals fan since he was about 5 years old. He and I had a daddy/daughter trip back east in '87, when the Cards played in the World Series in their Home Stadium!  My daddy was sooo excited. He was worse than a kid in a candy store!!

We stayed in a hotel about 3 hrs away because we were just "winging" it. The only room left in the hotel was the President's Suite. Awesome!

He bought scalper tickets from the Concierge. Won't tell you how much he paid for each, 'cuz you'd pass out!

We arrived about 2 hrs early for the game, and daddy  just had to buy things for everyone in the family - hats, mugs, sweatshirts, caps, key chains, you name it!!! :)  It was so fun watching him be this excited. 

While sitting in our nose-bleed section over 1st base, he told me something I had never known, and which I tried to memorize right there, knowing I'd treasure that info one day. He said ever since kindergarten, you know how you doodle on your paper in class? Well, his doodle was the "STL" for the St Louis Cardinals (like the picture here.) He perfected it, he did drew it so often. He drew it right there in front of me, in the stadium, on a napkin. He said he always dreamed of playing for them one day. My daddy had sports inside his veins instead of blood. He had no support for his love of sports, other than a sister who would help him practice at pitching and batting. His dad would cuss him out for "wasting" all his time on sports and listening to the radio to hear about all the teams everywhere. He kept up with baseball, football, basketball, tennis, you name it. But mainly baseball, basketball, and football.  He went on to play those three sports in high school, and then in college, with basketball ending up being his #1 sport.  But he played most all sports throughout his life.

He told me that October night in St Louis that he was being scouted out by the Red Sox, White Sox, Blue Jays, Cubs, and Twins.  But he had already made a "deal" with God. He wanted to play pro-baseball. But he also believe in getting a college education. So he made a deal with God that if he was supposed to play pro ball, then please let the St Louis Cardinals scout and draft him. And if they didn't, then he'd go to college.  He ended up hurting his shoulder, and thus ended up going to college, where he met my mother. But his love for the Cards continued throughout his life. Above all other teams, in all other sports, the Cards came first.

That night in '87 the Cards would lose in a what was a GREAT game. And I walked away from that game with tender and precious memories of my daddy, his life, and the love we shared that night and on that trip. I'll cherish them forever.

For my daddy's 77th birthday, the Cardinals celebrated a World Series Win against the Texas Rangers.  (My daddy's birthday is at the end of October)

I am hoping that this year, for my Daddy's 79th birthday which was just a few days ago, the Cards will grace him with another win against the Red Sox. Time to reverse the score from 2004.  I know my daddy is looking down from heaven watching his team. Sports were so much a part of him, that I know God allows him to still "partake" when he can.

GO CARDINALS!!!!!

A CENTURY OF HONOR

An amazing celebration of 100 years of service to God and country - and how God is the sure foundation for all morality and integrity, as well as the hope for our future. If we honor Him, He will honor us and our nation.

CALIFORNIA BAKERSFIELD MISSION WELCOME

The Bakersfield Mission is brand new as of July 1, 2013.  They received their very first influx of missionaries to begin serving in this mission.  There were 50 missionaries that arrived this day, Monday, August 5, 2013.  My son, Elder Jonathan Nine, was supposed to be with this group, but ended up taking a later flight. It wasn't until later that I found out that he and two other Elders had held back for the later flight in order that the Sister Missionaries could take the earlier flight and not arrive into Bakersfield so late.  That made me proud of him.  At the same time, after watching this video, it made me a bit sad that he missed such an historic and welcoming arrival into his mission. C'est la vie.

I apologize to those of you who receive updates on my blog. You probably got like 100 of these. I had to keep resizing the video until it fit properly.

Here is a write-up done by the Church's local Public Affairs person:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2013
For further information: Angela Frehner
Phone: (661) 664-8510 Cell: (661) 213-7741

                                               Bakersfield on the ‘Missionary Map’

The newly-created California Bakersfield Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints just experienced an historic influx of young missionaries recently, with some
fifty young men and women arriving at Meadows Field on one day, Monday, August 5th.

An enthusiastic throng of some three hundred members and friends filled the terminal to
welcome the new arrivals. Jim and Jan Wilson of Cedar City, Utah, called to preside over the
new California Bakersfield mission, expressed great amazement at the size of the welcoming
throng. President Wilson was enthusiastic at the warm Bakersfield welcome. “We’re very
excited to have such great support here today to welcome these young men and women, who
come from all over the world at their own expense to serve right here in Bakersfield.”

Formerly part of the California Ventura Mission, Bakersfield is now headquarters for
missionaries serving in all Kern County communities, as well as high desert communities from
Palmdale up to Mammoth Lakes.

Missionaries' lives are completely dedicated to service and sharing the gospel of Jesus
Christ. Young missionaries forego education, dating, and work opportunities in order to focus on
their duties, which include spending several hours of their week serving communities. Locally,
missionaries that serve in Bakersfield have regularly participated in the Great American Cleanup
and Keep Bakersfield Beautiful projects, worked with the Bakersfield Police Department and
Kern County Sheriff’s Office to fill and deliver food baskets to the needy.

President and Sister Wilson embrace their new roles with enthusiasm. “We’re serving as
the mom and dad to two hundred and fifty missionaries as they are away from home, and we’re
very anxious for them to teach a special message and at the same time provide service to
individuals and communities.”

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to emulate
Jesus Christ’s example of missionary service as recorded in biblical accounts of his ministry.
Church members today respond to the command given to the apostles to "Go ye into all the
world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

LOVING THESE TWO

Just wanted to share these two pictures because I thought they turned out so perfect. (minus the "shadow" over Orli from holding the camera directly above her! lol!)

On the left is our granddaughter, Orli, at 1 month and 1 week old, whom I wish I could hold all day long, every day. :)

On the right is our son, Elder Jonathan Nine's missionary photo. How I miss him!!  There is definitely a huge void in our home with him gone. We miss all his "Jonathan-isms", his spirit and humor, his friendship, and just doing things with him (and maybe his help around the house too!)  But we wouldn't want him anywhere else in the world than where he's at. He will have the best two years of his life these next two years, and we are so excited for him!

It's weird to think that Jonathan held and kissed Orli goodbye the last time he saw her, and that the next they see each other she'll be a walking-talking-toddler who will have no idea who this strange man is that just joined our family!! 

SIX WEEKS OF BIG CHANGES

Well, the past month and a half has certainly been filled with big, and happy changes for our family.  As noted previously, our granddaughter, Orli, was born on June 20th. That was a happy adjustment we learned to make. Prior to, during, and after the time of her birth we also had to prepare for our son's 2-year voluntary mission.  A mission in our church is somewhat like a right-of-passage.  Young men and women cover their own expenses to serve missions throughout the world to invite people to come unto Christ and learn of His Plan of Salvation and the restoration of the Church He organized while upon the earth. The majority of young men and women who serve certainly experience great changes and growth during those two years, the greatest of which is real spiritual maturity and a true and deeper relationship with God that lasts an eternity.

Jonathan received his mission call toward the end of May. On Sunday, May 26th, we held a small open house for him to open his call in front of our closest friends.  He was called to serve in the California-Bakersfield mission and was to report to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, UT, on July 24th.  It was a great night, and Jonathan was almost overwhelmed with joy as it "hit" him that he was really doing this! :)

After the call was opened we were able to begin buying all his clothers and needful items. We couldn't do it prior since we didn't know if he'd need summer or winter clothing, as he could have been called to serve anywhere in the world!

Well, he's done preparing, shopping, and even done flying to UT, staying at my sister's and brother-in-law's for the night, (which we are so thankful and happy they were able to do that,) and checking in to the MTC on July 24th (which for us Latter-day Saints is a special day known as "Pioneer Day", the day we remember and celebrate our Latter-day Saint ancestors who paid the ultimate price to travel across the plains of the United States in what has come to been known as the Great American Exodus in 1845-1847.)

Now, here are some pictures to remember this wonderful time in the life of our son!

Close friends that came to support Jonathan . . . .

. . . . So glad they could be here for this special moment!

Here is our Missionary, reading his call!

Our family - missing Nate, who had to work :(

Jeff and Jonathan grew up together since they were 8 yrs old - they both received calls within the same week and report to the MTC the same day - so they flew to UT together and stayed at my sister's that night, then checked in to MTC together the next day. They were actual "Missionary Companions" for 36 hrs - something our families had wished for 11 years and never thought would actually happen!

How can it be that time flew by so quickly?  This boy of ours holds my heart in his hands and forever he will be my little "Lovebug" that I'll love for always and forever:

A NEW ERA

We are Grandparents!!

Can you believe it??  We hardly can. It has been surreal and exciting all at the same time. This little angel girl made her debut appearance June 20, 2013. Her name is Orli Ninette and she is a pure, innocent, sweet little girl that has blessed our family.  We have loved her from the moment we laid eyes on her, and we feeling blessed and thankful to have her in our family.  I feel that she will be a true blessing to her family in many great and important ways. May the Lord bless her always and may she be part of our family forever! 

Orli's First 24 Hours of Life