BELIEVE (word #4)

I BELIEVE! I BELIEVE that happiness is a decision. I BELIEVE people are inherently good. I BELIEVE that freedom is what makes the country I live in the the "promised land". I BELIEVE in families. I BELIEVE in love. I BELIEVE in prayer. I BELIEVE in the POWER of both love and prayer.

And all of this....I believe... comes from my belief in Jesus Christ, I believe he is the Savior of the World, and I BELIEVE he knows and loves me and that he is my redeemer. Because the tomb was empty on the morning of the third day...because HE LIVES, I BELIEVE that life and love are eternal.

I feel that I have always known this. My parents taught me that "Jesus Loves Me" from a very young age. I remember as a little child, spending the night at my Grandma's house in Pennsylvania, laying in the dark (with I believe my older brother, sister and a cousin) and someone was teaching us the Bible verse John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begotten son...."

My faith grew and at the age of eighteen I read the Book of Mormon. I BELIEVE the Book of Mormon is ALSO a witness that Jesus Christ is the literal son of God. This book also witnesses of his coming, of his birth, of his life, of his death and of his resurrection. It testifies of God and of his incredible love for all of his children.

Reading and studying the word of God, whether from the records written of his life and teachings in the Bible or the Book of Mormon can bring great joy and meaning to life, I BELIEVE this to be true. This is based on faith. I can write of my faith and hope, I can not prove anything, but I know this to be true.

Recently there has been much media coverage over the question: are Mormon's Christian? (I'm guessing much of this stems from the fact that Mitt Romney is running for president of the United States and people want to attack him politically, which means personally, so let's go after his religion) The answer is yes, and if someone wants to debate this, please hold on while we pull out our SECOND witness of this fact and explain the Book of Mormon....again.

I BELIEVE religion is very personal. I BELIEVE in personal revelation. I BELIEVE that God does listen to our prayers and answers them. I know first hand that it may not be how, or when we want our prayers answered, but he does answer.

I BELIEVE peace comes from faith in Jesus Christ. He paid a price for me, this is something I can hardly comprehend. My gift back to him is my heart....."that whosoever BELIEVETH in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life".

OK - so I believe in this guy too ;) life is too short NOT to BELIEVE!!

MOTIVATE (word #3)

This past summer Gary and I were asked to participate in a "Pioneer Trek" for the youth of our stake as a "Ma & Pa" couple. Which means we were to dress up like pioneers and more or less try to re-enact the journey of the early Mormons as they were driven out of Illinois and headed west to settle the Salt Lake Valley. In other words we walked, and walked, and pulled handcarts over hill and vale and stream for three days with our "children". Our family was made up of youth from our home ward, twelve young men and young women ages 14 - 18. Twelve of the finest individuals you would ever want to meet!!

I could write a million things about this trek. About how inspiring it was to participate in this event with hundreds of youth and leaders from our stake. This quote from Elder M. Russell Ballard is what it was all about:

"Their (the pioneers) journeys parallel our own. There are lessons for us in every footstep they took. Lessons of love, courage, commitment, devotion, endurance, and most of all FAITH."

So Gary and I were asked to lead, to parent....shall we say "motivate"? The kids were required to leave behind their cell phones, Ipods and music and friends (their life)...and come walk and walk and sleep on the hard ground for several nights with no showers or indoor bathrooms!! You get all psyched up as an adult as to what you are going to do to help these kids have a good experience....and what do you find?

They teach YOU! Their amazing attitudes, their willingness to participate and grow, their humor... well, it MOTIVATED me! If ever I face something hard, something challenging, all I need to do is think of our "Trek Family" and I'll keep going, keep moving forward. The memories I have from lessons shared with these young people will "MOTIVATE" me to "keep the faith" and not be weary!

RELAX

This word can be thought of as a noun, a place. There are certain people, certain settings and things that lead me down the path to "relax". It can also be a verb, meaning to slow down, chill, I will blog about both.

I can think of two places in general...the MOUNTAINS and the BEACH that bring relaxation to my life. What is it about the mountains? (I have previously blogged about the cabin in Greer, located in the White Mountains of Arizona.) Is it the green, green trees and meadows, the wild flowers in August, the soothing brooks and streams (that we love to hike along and throw in a fishing line now and then), or is it the clear blue crisp air? Perhaps its a combination of all of these, away from the city and busy schedules and specifically, at least for many years...away from the phone. Blast those cell phones.

The ocean aka "the beach".... I'm hooked, so is Gary and I'm realizing that this addiction spreads throughout our children as well. Sitting in our beach chairs, toes in the sand, cool breeze, with the lulling sound of seagulls, combined with waves rolling in and breaking on the shore...result....relax. I forgot to mention yummy food....that helps too! For over 25 years the extended Rogers family has met every summer for a week of strictly sand, surf and sunshine, we always come home from this reunion rested, relaxed and real tan!

The fact of the matter is, as much as I love going to the cabin, we spend half a day cleaning and closing it up when we leave. As much as the Rogers' trip to the beach is ingrained in our lives as a family tradition, I failed to mention that we are camping the entire week....need I say more?

We have cruised the Caribbean as well as the Mediterranean and as much as a cruise is luxurious and you are treated like a special guest, the schedule of touring and excursions can be exhausting...we seem to arrive home overfed and tired! There was a week in 2005 that Gary and I stayed at the Kaanapali Hyatt on the island Maui. This trip was the perfect balance of a little business, (so the trip was paid for), along with lots of time to play, explore and what's that word...relax! The crazy thing is...when you're on a trip like that how often do you think to yourselves...."the kids would LOVE this".

Speaking of kids...I have one in particular that is very intense! She sat on our kitchen counter as a junior in high school, talking to her Dad and me (all worked up) about what she was going to do as a career....for the rest of her life. Really? Who's child is this?? How many times has she called home from college, wound up so tight, that all you could say is RELAX!!! Her response is, either you worry about this stuff or you're one of those people who just throws up their hands and doesn't care....no, this is where that word "balance" comes in. (I have to throw in this picture of Emily at college....does this picture symbolize that she has college by the tail - or that life is dragging her along whether she likes it or not??? I know she'll end up on top!)

So how do you relax when real life has you in its grip, when you are NOT away for a week in Hawaii? A couple of suggestions... hold a sleeping baby. It helps you to relax. Well, it helps Grandma's to relax, Mom's may not really do that for about eighteen years...or so? OR find a place in your very own house and read a book...(warm water and bubbles help)...it works for me!

ADVENTURE

First word on the top of the list is "adventure". Truth be told that word alone is one of the reasons we have this graphic in our house. As soon as I read the word I thought of Tyler, I smiled, and then I bought it.

This is why;

Tyler loves to sit in "the boat". We are co-owners of a "Super Air Nautique", a water ski boat, which we keep in an RV garage attached to the house. There was a phase...I learned from babysitting Tyler that we seem to go through "phases", phases of playing the same thing every time he comes over. We went through a phase where Tyler wanted me to put him in the boat and he would play there, very happily. I laughed, it was like putting him in a grown up playpen because he couldn't get in or out without my help. So I would hoist 3 year old Tyler up into the boat and let him play away. As you can imagine it didn't take long for him to ask me to "join him" "come on Grandma", he would beckon me, "get in the boat"??? You know me, I can't say no, so in the boat I would climb. Picture me sitting in the back of the boat, Tyler in the "captains" chair and I would ask him "where are we going"? His response, "on an ADVENTURE" I absolutely adore that child. Just hoping to hear him say it again I would ask him....where are we headed? His repeated reply would be "on an ADVENTURE"! What joy his enthusiasm and vocabulary bring me!

I hope I learn from my Grandson, its not just living life, or pretending to go on a boat ride..... life can be an ADVENTURE... it's all in the "attitude".

I snapped a picture of him playing in the boat one day...the others are actually being at the lake!!

INSPIRATION

I have an idea for direction for this blog. It comes from a picture or decorating item I have in our home. I suspect I am like every home decorator in that the pictures, art, photography etc. I choose to hang on the walls in my home mean something to me. I could walk you through my house and explain why I chose every item that hangs on my walls. When looking back at my last post, I noticed behind the picture of me and my children you can see the canvas graphic I bought (because it fit so perfectly in the groove we have above our fireplace) and, because of the WORDS! I thought it was filled with GREAT WORDS! In the meantime I have been trying to decide the direction I want to take this blog, thus the thought, use the 14 words that hang so prominently in my home and apply them to my life. It makes sense to me. I'm going to take them in order, starting at the top, so I won't spend time stewing over what word appeals to me that day, rather I'll stretch a little and think a little and keep this blog going....

As ye have done it unto the least of these....

"It is more blessed to give than receive" I feel that every person I know would agree with that statement, I do. We all want to be on the GIVING end, yet, this summer we found ourselves on the RECEIVING end of many acts of kindness and service. I feel so very humbled, and reassured of the incredible GOODNESS and LOVE of others. I want to wrap up summer blogging by sharing the following:

When I got "the" phone call in June and was told by paramedics that they were taking my husband to the hospital I would say that I reacted with inner shock and panic. My first thought....was "what do I do?? Call Mom" Isn't it funny that a grown woman's first reaction is to call her Mom? I honestly thought of my Mom and Gary's Mom simultaneously, both of these women, whom we love so much, have been gone for a number of years. For a moment I had a sickening feeling of aloneness and panic. Then two thoughts: Do not fear, your angel mothers are with Gary, then of course, call our children!!

OUR KIDS How does a mother describe the feeling of turning to her adult children and their spouses and finding instant love and strength. Somehow I blinked and they were in the emergency room beside me. How did they get there so fast?

(me with our kids on Mother's Day 2011, a few weeks before Gary's stroke))

OUR SIBLINGS As I was in bumper to bumper traffic trying to get to the hospital I called Gary's siblings one by one, and I believe I talked to every one of their voicemails. And yet, before I knew it each of them AND their spouses were gathered with us in the emergency room. Gary has shared with me that one of the most poignant moments of all of this, for him, was, when he "woke up" and saw his siblings gathered around his bed. He said he felt amazed and he thought..."I think they love me" Several hours later my sister, Amy was headed up from Tucson and the next day, Gary's brother, David and Jayne were here as well. Emily told us she learned in a human relations class that the longest relationships you are most likely to have in life are with your siblings. I would like to add to that, siblings can offer immeasurable support and strength.

(Gary and his sibs, July 4th 2010) (Amy with her family, Rick and Erik)

OUR FRIENDS The love, concern and acts of kindness that our friends have shown to us has been nothing short of incredible! Do I begin listing names....or do I list the acts of kindness and service? Visitors in the hospital, phone calls, texts, meals, treats, homemade bread, cookies and lemon meringue pie (which Emily still claims was TOO perfect to have come out of someone's kitchen).

GARY'S GUY FRIENDS I mention this because I am used to observing service performed so lovingly by women. These acts often includes culinary arts and flowers and of course visiting. This summer I learned what men do: mow the lawn, (probably the single most appreciated act that anyone has ever done for Gary, thanks Bruce)! Men also drop by to visit, and they tease and laugh...great medicine by the way..... and show genuine concern. I observed first hand that men and women are alike, they are loving and concerned and want to sit and chat with a friend who's hurting.

About five years ago we moved into this house. With that move came a whole new group of friends as they welcomed us into our new ward and extended genuine friendship. Some of these couples we knew from the past but most of these friends were new. We joined five of these couples a few years ago and embarked on a cruise through the Mediterranean where great memories and bonds were made. As I look back at this summer and Gary's stroke I realize that each of those couples either rushed to the hospital, or came to our house to see Gary and extend love and service to us. This is an amazing and wonderful thing.

(The Francis's, Harrisons, us and Allens) (Mannes's, Brimhalls and us)

Then there are the long time friends. The friend who you know SO well, that comes over and "gets things done". Megan's baby shower was to be held at our home a few days after Gary was released from the hospital. I wanted things to look "just so" and it only happened because of a friend who came and decorated. Then there were friends and family members who prepared food, baked cup cakes, we had a dear friend offer to bring Jamba Juice for the whole shower, now THAT made the party legit!!

(my niece Holly's darling cupcakes, the wreath designed and hung by Bobbi Rogers)

Bottom line, how do you say THANK YOU?? They say "imitation is the greatest form of flattery" I want to BE a friend to others like all these amazing people have been to us. I hope this summer I have learned to reach out and help others when they face a life crisis. I hope we have changed this summer, not because of suffering a stroke, but because of learning and growing into more compassionate adults because of the love which has been extended to us.

He's a KEEPER!!!!

LITTLEST FISHERMAN EVER!!

The saying is "less is more" but I can not pick just ONE of these pictures to post in the blog. Here are a few of my favorites.

There is a whole new genre of baby pictures thanks to the incredible photographer Anne Geddes. When I was taking photography classes an actual class assignment was called a "copy cat" photo. The idea was to try to duplicate a photo. We were trying to duplicate a "style" here. I think one day Megan and Steve will find these photos SO PRICELESS and amazing because who can remember your baby EVER being this small? When we had our first baby I remember a friend telling me to just stare at him and implant the newborn look in my brain because this look is gone so quickly....I think these photos will help us remember.
Megan had this idea for a newborn photoshoot. I think she was really clever as she LOVES the fisherman in her life! One of the special purchases they made before the baby arrived was this vintage fishing basket...my job was to set it up and get the shot. We were told the keys to getting a newborn shot was to:

1. have the baby well feed

2. keep the baby warm

Obviously a concern when having a photo shoot of a naked baby is the very simple possibility that something may get wet do to no diaper. Cannon was a champ and this did NOT happen. However...I guess I have no shame to journal this next part of the story. Megan and I occasionally have an effect on each other that we start to giggle and can not stop. Embarrassingly this has happened more than once, usually in church....well....of course, where else? Gary gets really annoyed by us when it happens. We don't really know why it happens, but one of us gets going and then, the other amd somehow we get out of control, sometimes we don't really know what we're even laughing at? It's terrible :) Well, we started to laugh one of the times when we were trying to position Cannon in this fishing basket.....Megan and I laughed SO HARD....that well...it was Grandma not the baby that wet her pants!!! I was SO embarrassed since Steve was there. He was very considerate about it and said NOTHING, but I'm sure he thinks....oh my.....my MIL is wacko!!

One Word....

BEAUTIFUL....."stirs emotion by its suggestion of perfection....suggests beauty because of purity" I looked up the definition of the word BEAUTIFUL because this seems to be the word of choice when referring to Megan, her pregnancy, and the birth of her new little son. Sharing these moments, when someone "other than family" has used this word is how I'm going to write of Cannon's birth.

The FIRST time was several weeks ago when Bobbi, a dear friend of mine and a life long dance teacher, and mentor to Megan wrote of Megan in her blog and posted a picture. She referred to Megan as "beautiful" It just really touched me that she would use such a wonderful word when describing pregnant Megan. It was perfect as Megan just seemed to "glow" throughout her entire pregnancy. She loved this season of her life and everyone around her felt that love.

Then....when things began progressing for Megan a little earlier than she had anticipated her OB doctor suggested that she check in with "Sabrina" the P.A. that Megan works with. Megan did this and when she was telling me about their visit Megan humbly explained that Sabrina told her...."You are a BEAUTIFUL pregnant woman". I was so touched at Sabrina's choice of words. How supportive is that, for a young Mom-to-be to hear those kind words from a professional whom Megan holds in such high regards.

After Cannon was born I texted a picture, (similar to the one posted in this blog) to several of my friends announcing that our new little grandson had arrived! Two of my dear friends, Barbara and Elizabeth both replied back to me with one word: BEAUTIFUL! again I was so moved!

Later, when Megan was recounting all the details to us regarding her delivery, she said when the doctor who delivered Cannon was ready to leave, (her own doctor wasn't on call that night), she turned to Megan and said "that was a BEAUTIFUL delivery"!!

So... as I count our many, many blessings I am thankful for a beautiful baby boy, and for the feeling that we associate with many amazing people that express themselves with such a lovely, sensitive word. BEAUTIFUL says it all when describing Megan and the birth of her son Cannon.

By the way....the first few pictures in this post were taken by the hospital photographer. Let me tell you what...newborn baby pictures have come a long way from the pictures we took home from the hospital twenty some years ago!!! Aren't they simply.....beautiful!!

Still Standing!

"We didn't start the FIRE"....one of our family's favorite songs....(FYI) However tragically, needlessly, carelessly SOMEONE did, and as a result hundreds of thousands of acres of the Sitgreaves National Forest have burned down this summer. It was absolutely overwhelming to listen to the reports and watch the charts of the progression of the fire and to think of it encroaching upon the little mountain town of Greer, and "THE CABIN".

The CABIN is like a life long friend....A friend that you know is ALWAYS there. Waiting there for you. For whenever you are ready to turn to it and find, peace, fun, relaxation. It is a very sentimental spot for the entire extended Rogers/Kesterson family. Talk about memories! In the early years of our marriage this is THE PLACE where we vacationed. period.

"Grandpa Kesterson" built this cabin because of bears and a best friend! His best friend sold him a little corner of his lot in the "Northwoods" of Greer so they no longer would have to take their wives camping near Big Lake and deal with BEARS. Evidently Grandma said "build me a cabin or I'm not coming up here any more"! In my opinion....only those who actually stayed at the cabin with Grandma and Grandpa Kesterson can truly claim charter heritage, however let it be known that EVERYONE in the extended family says "Our Cabin" when talking about Greer.

Anyway...this little old cabin is growing old and a little "worse for the wear". We have talked about redoing and rebuilding, we never do....HOWEVER the thought of it burning to the ground was just awful. Our nephew Jeff and his little family were actually at the cabin for a little get-away when the forest service knocked on the cabin door and said it was time to evacuate. As they drove away the next morning and they saw the enormous clouds of smoke rolling in, they honestly didn't know if they would be the last ones to ever lock the door behind them and say goodbye to the cabin.

It was interesting to watch the kids. Jonathan was our informant and correspondent as he followed the news of the fire's progression. I guess he knew one of the most beautiful and precious spots in the state of Arizona, and a big part of his childhood was in great danger and he didn't like it.

So - all's well with the cabin. As soon as they opened the roads we went up to "check it out" and to work on it......(which leads to the next post). By the way....how fitting that Jonathan and his boys joined us as we pulled in on that crunching gravel drive by the cabin and said HELLO FRIEND!!