Feel Great in Eight! is the diet I have been on for the last 8 weeks... final weigh in was this morning and I lost 2.5 inches and 7 lbs. I know that isn't great but the diet was easy and fun. It is a team effort and although my team mates were not so excited about it (Dave, Pete and team leader Jay of the dino-mights) I felt like it was a perfect plan for me. I had to exercise every day, read my scriptures, say my prayers, not eat after 8 and have atleast 5 helpings of fruits and veggies every day. I also had a list of healthy and unhealthy foods to abide by and I had a calendar of good projects to focus on. It kept me on the straight and narrow and I always enjoy checking off a list. I am talking Susan into doing it next time around - I think it will be helpful therapy for her!
Well, I need to get on to work but thought I would just put my thoughts down on this last exercise of my life. Jim and I are heading for California at the end of the week - we'll be going to Disneyland and then on a cruise to SF, Santa Barbara, Catalina Island and Ensenada - I hope I can keep that weight off!
Monday, October 8, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
THE BOOK OF MORMON
Tomorrow, Sunday October 7th, I will finish reading the Book of Mormon. I have read the Book of Mormon many times and about 9 times since 2002. That year I was in the Relief Society Presidency and I made up a chart that I used to encourage the sisters to do a summer read-a-thon. I completed my reading that summer by filling out the chart and have filled out the same chart for all of these times since marking a notch for each additional reading. This time however I have been reading on the Kindle and so I got a new chart... I just checked on my old yellow chart and this was my 10th reading. I am pleased that I have been able to do that. I will take breaks in between or read the D&C or other scripture and that is good but I always feel best when I am reading in the Book of Mormon and I like it when I read several chapters a day so that I get some fluency. I wish I could say that I know it so well now but I don't and actually I don't know that I need to because I feel it is the spirit of the book that makes such a difference in my life. I love the doctrine and I learn more each time, but the spirit whispers comfort and guidance to me each time I read it. I do not know what I would do without the blessing of the scriptures.
This morning I listened to the first session of the 182nd semi annual conference of the church. It was an especially wonderful session. President Monson announced that missionaries would be able to leave a 18 for men and 19 for women. Having just served in the university stake I see such wisdom in that. So many of these kids are drifting during that year and this will help them just get ready and go. I remember my boys - Jim, John, Pete and Mike all went shortly after the graduated and I guess Dave did also (within 6 months) and they just planned on their missions after graduation. I don't know Jay's feelings, I know he had a year of college before he went because his birthday was in July but I think he would have been ready and willing to go.
Brother Bowen talked on loss of a loved one and it was a special talk - I think because of Richard's recent passing and my heart being tender toward Susan at this time. I am sure his talk gave her comfort. Also Sister Dibb talked about the young woman she met with a tee shirt that said :"I'm a Mormon - are you?" and she created a statement: I'm a Mormon - I know it, I live it, I love it. It was a great talk. Also a talk on the Holy Ghost was amazing as well as talks by Elder Nelson, Elder (can't remember his name but I can see his face, and President Ukhdorf who spoke on no regrets - love life, live for others etc. All were so good - look forward to the next sessions!
This morning I listened to the first session of the 182nd semi annual conference of the church. It was an especially wonderful session. President Monson announced that missionaries would be able to leave a 18 for men and 19 for women. Having just served in the university stake I see such wisdom in that. So many of these kids are drifting during that year and this will help them just get ready and go. I remember my boys - Jim, John, Pete and Mike all went shortly after the graduated and I guess Dave did also (within 6 months) and they just planned on their missions after graduation. I don't know Jay's feelings, I know he had a year of college before he went because his birthday was in July but I think he would have been ready and willing to go.
Brother Bowen talked on loss of a loved one and it was a special talk - I think because of Richard's recent passing and my heart being tender toward Susan at this time. I am sure his talk gave her comfort. Also Sister Dibb talked about the young woman she met with a tee shirt that said :"I'm a Mormon - are you?" and she created a statement: I'm a Mormon - I know it, I live it, I love it. It was a great talk. Also a talk on the Holy Ghost was amazing as well as talks by Elder Nelson, Elder (can't remember his name but I can see his face, and President Ukhdorf who spoke on no regrets - love life, live for others etc. All were so good - look forward to the next sessions!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
A Long Month - A Great Friend
This has been a long, long month and it really only started getting long and hard on the 15th. I will never really forget the moment. Jim got a phone call from Bishop Lundquist. He was actually still in bed. I heard him say "Richard Jensen?" and I had the worst feeling ever.
Richard had been in Idaho working on the school house. He went for an early morning walk or jog and was found on the side of the road about 6:40 am. He had a massive heart attack. I do not think that words could ever express how profoundly this affect our lives and how much it will affect us for so many years to come.
Richard and Susan are surely our closest friends ever. Jim and Richard have always enjoyed each other's company and this was a blessing since Susan and I hit it off so well right from the beginning. Susan and I worked in Relief Society together and then in Young Women. Jim and Richard enjoyed music and started their trio with Zhailaa and then later with Abi. We loved to play Hearts and other games together. We took a number of trips including the California Coast in Cuyucas one winter, cruise to Mexico, cruise to Alaska, several weekend trips to Salt Lake City during Christmas and also a week in Hawaii, several days in Park City and a week in Southern California. We were planning for some time in Hilo, Hawaii at a beach house that the Jensens had access to. We often said that we were glad we took those trips together even though we couldn't really afford them - and we especially appreciate that time now that we can no longer do it.
My heart has hurt so badly these last weeks: for Richard of course and yet I know that he is in a better place and is happy. I grieve for those of us left behind... Susan will suffer for forever I am sure. She is going to be sad every day and no one will ever be able to replace her husband in her life.
I know that Jim is feeling such a great loss. Richard was his best friend ever. I can remember hearing him often on the phone calling just to chat and laughing with Richard about something or other. They both enjoyed their times on the stage and even their times when we would just be together and Richard would bring out the guitar or uke and start playing and they would start singing "The Fish Song" or some other favorite. It was a source of great joy for Jim.
All of our kids have expressed thoughts of love and appreciation for the Jensens. Uncle Richie was always so interested in them and took time to express how he cared whenever he saw them. He was Laura's first Sunday School teacher in New Harmony and she has loved him ever since. He always cared about Amy and David as well as the other boys. He just had a way of making others feel important and cared about. We spent some great times with the Jensens and I am glad for Amy's wedding at their house where we were able to gather as a family at their home and enjoy such a beautiful setting for the reception.
I have thought about how being with Richard has had an affect on my life as well. We kidded each other a lot. He liked to see me get riled up with Jim and would often laugh when the teasing started. I don't know that I ever really let my guard down around other men except my family and being with Richard and Susan let me be me comfortably. They are like family and will forever be so. I always knew he loved us... not just Jim but me and Jim. He was a great friend whose memory I will cherish and reverence. He set a great example of service and kindness.
I do not believe that he thought of himself as any great man. He didn't acknowledge his great talents as anything special and yet he created such beautiful items, he sang with such a clear and lovely voice, he played the guitar and ukelele without ever making a mistake. He was a great teacher and a good leader. He was willing to serve no matter what the need. He enjoyed people and they were drawn to him because of his sincerity and brotherly love.
I guess life will go on without him but not without his influence and the blessings we have received from knowing him. I will forever be grateful for the times we have spent over these last years. We will watch over Susan and try to help fill her lonely moments. We will try to bring some joy to her life and help her in any way we can. She is as dear as a sister to both Jim and I. It will be our pleasure to share our time with her... we are planning on a round of 5 Crowns this week. At least we won't have to worry that Richard will whoop us like he usually did!
Richard had been in Idaho working on the school house. He went for an early morning walk or jog and was found on the side of the road about 6:40 am. He had a massive heart attack. I do not think that words could ever express how profoundly this affect our lives and how much it will affect us for so many years to come.
Richard and Susan are surely our closest friends ever. Jim and Richard have always enjoyed each other's company and this was a blessing since Susan and I hit it off so well right from the beginning. Susan and I worked in Relief Society together and then in Young Women. Jim and Richard enjoyed music and started their trio with Zhailaa and then later with Abi. We loved to play Hearts and other games together. We took a number of trips including the California Coast in Cuyucas one winter, cruise to Mexico, cruise to Alaska, several weekend trips to Salt Lake City during Christmas and also a week in Hawaii, several days in Park City and a week in Southern California. We were planning for some time in Hilo, Hawaii at a beach house that the Jensens had access to. We often said that we were glad we took those trips together even though we couldn't really afford them - and we especially appreciate that time now that we can no longer do it.
My heart has hurt so badly these last weeks: for Richard of course and yet I know that he is in a better place and is happy. I grieve for those of us left behind... Susan will suffer for forever I am sure. She is going to be sad every day and no one will ever be able to replace her husband in her life.
I know that Jim is feeling such a great loss. Richard was his best friend ever. I can remember hearing him often on the phone calling just to chat and laughing with Richard about something or other. They both enjoyed their times on the stage and even their times when we would just be together and Richard would bring out the guitar or uke and start playing and they would start singing "The Fish Song" or some other favorite. It was a source of great joy for Jim.
All of our kids have expressed thoughts of love and appreciation for the Jensens. Uncle Richie was always so interested in them and took time to express how he cared whenever he saw them. He was Laura's first Sunday School teacher in New Harmony and she has loved him ever since. He always cared about Amy and David as well as the other boys. He just had a way of making others feel important and cared about. We spent some great times with the Jensens and I am glad for Amy's wedding at their house where we were able to gather as a family at their home and enjoy such a beautiful setting for the reception.
I have thought about how being with Richard has had an affect on my life as well. We kidded each other a lot. He liked to see me get riled up with Jim and would often laugh when the teasing started. I don't know that I ever really let my guard down around other men except my family and being with Richard and Susan let me be me comfortably. They are like family and will forever be so. I always knew he loved us... not just Jim but me and Jim. He was a great friend whose memory I will cherish and reverence. He set a great example of service and kindness.
I do not believe that he thought of himself as any great man. He didn't acknowledge his great talents as anything special and yet he created such beautiful items, he sang with such a clear and lovely voice, he played the guitar and ukelele without ever making a mistake. He was a great teacher and a good leader. He was willing to serve no matter what the need. He enjoyed people and they were drawn to him because of his sincerity and brotherly love.
I guess life will go on without him but not without his influence and the blessings we have received from knowing him. I will forever be grateful for the times we have spent over these last years. We will watch over Susan and try to help fill her lonely moments. We will try to bring some joy to her life and help her in any way we can. She is as dear as a sister to both Jim and I. It will be our pleasure to share our time with her... we are planning on a round of 5 Crowns this week. At least we won't have to worry that Richard will whoop us like he usually did!
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