1. Being warm inside my house even though outside the world is frozen.
2. My sweet husband who is sitting in the boys room playing legos with them right now.
3. Garrett's job which provides a very comfortable living for our family.
4. An upcoming trip to AZ to visit lots of cousins, looking forward to it is exciting
5. Our cars and readily available gasoline
6. Heavenly Father's Plan
7. Music, especially when sung by my two little boys
8. My boxes of papers (I love looking back through old letters and school papers, somehow it brings me joy...though I am trying to minimize the amount of boxes I have)
9. Missionaries - when ever I am around missionaries it makes me feel hopeful about the future of the church and of the world. They are all such good kids!
10. My Parents -they were here over Christmas, and it was great to be with them again!
(Thanks Alena for giving me the idea to do a gratitude list)
About Me
- Jeanie Anderson
- Branson, MO, United States
- Our little family is having a blast in our new home! We love Branson. The people are so friendly, the entertainment is wonderful, the schools are the best in the midwest and my husband loves his job. We have had several visitors already and look forward to many, many more.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday, January 01, 2010
Friday, December 18, 2009
Stephanie Nielson - an inspiration to all mothers everywhere
Stephanie Nielson: Plane crash survivor regains hope
(this article has ten chapters to it, I reccomend reading them all in sequence to get the full impact of the story.)
This woman is absolutely amazing to me! Whenever I start feeling sorry for myself, or discouraged about anything, I go back to her blog and feel humbled. If she can do it (life I mean), so can I. She survived the fiery flames of a plane crash, and has to deal with the pain of the burns every day. Yet she goes on, thank you Stephanie for being an inspiration to us all!
(this article has ten chapters to it, I reccomend reading them all in sequence to get the full impact of the story.)
This woman is absolutely amazing to me! Whenever I start feeling sorry for myself, or discouraged about anything, I go back to her blog and feel humbled. If she can do it (life I mean), so can I. She survived the fiery flames of a plane crash, and has to deal with the pain of the burns every day. Yet she goes on, thank you Stephanie for being an inspiration to us all!
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Sending my love to Africa
This picture is of some friends who I met in Africa back in 1999 when was living in Zimbabwe teaching at Camelot School. Ian, the dad in the picture, became a very good friend to all of us American students. We got to know him through church, and he soon became our protector and our taxi cab. He was such a good friend and we really enjoyed spending time with him and his family.
At the end of my stay in Africa, he was the one who accompanied me on the bus trip down to Johannesburg, South Africa on my way home. His trip was mainly for the purpose of attending the temple for the first time. Garrett, who was on an internship in Mozambique, Africa at the time met up with us at the temple and served as Ian's escort in the temple. It was a very special day.
When Ian met Patience (his wife) a few years later and decided to get married, we were very happy to hear the news. We assisted him in getting a wedding ring for her from here in the States because inflation had skyrocketed so badly over there. We stayed in contact with them and enjoyed getting updates and sending gifts when they had their children. I never officially met Patience, but felt like I knew her from seeing pictures and reading Ian's updates.
The purpose of me telling you about them is to ask for your prayers on behalf of this family. Yesterday I got the news that Patience died a few days ago. She leaves behind an adoring family and three young children. I am very sad for Ian at this time, but I am also extremely thankful for the knowledge of eternal families
They have been sealed in the temple, and I know that they will see each other again and will be together as a family eternally. It may be many years of separation until that time, but knowing of the eternal plan God has for families gives us hope, and motivation to go on during times of sadness. We love you Ian and will be praying for you and your children.
With Love, Jeanie and Garrett Anderson
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thankful Hearts
We are so thankful this Thanksgiving for answered prayers. Our sister-in-law Teresa is recovering well from the awful infection than ravaged her body about a month ago now. For a few days there we were all afraid we might lose her. But, many prayers were offered on her behalf, a family fast occurred and the good Lord intervened. She is back home again now, working to regain her strength. We are happy that Garrett's mom was able to go to Arizona to help be a support to the family as Teresa continues to recover.
As we approach the holidays, we reflect back on all that our own little family has been through the past year. I have come to appreciate my health and strength, after going through so many months of sickness in 2008. Also, the miracle of the two healthy boys we have in our lives has become the focus of our gratitude. After not successfully bringing their two little brothers here to earth, we know how blessed we are to have realized the miracle of parenthood with Solomon and Jeremiah. We still feel a void in our lives, as our family still feels incomplete without Abraham and Elias (those are the names we intended for them). But, we know that the Lord is the great Completer, and he will bless us with the gift of a complete eternal family in Heaven if we will put our trust in Him and follow His teachings.
As for the present, we will enjoy each day of this life with Solomon and Jeremiah and will look forward with hope and anticipation to all the God has in store for us. We are thankful to be living in a place now where enjoyment is so very easy to find. It would be great to live closer to family, but since that is not possible for us at this time, we are happy to be in a city surrounded by good people. Last night, we were invited to the Dutton's Christmas party and talent show that they have each year for all their employees. Though we don't know them too well yet, it still felt like for an evening we were a part of an extended family here. It was very fun. I even got up on stage and played my trombone for old times' sake.
As we approach the holidays, we reflect back on all that our own little family has been through the past year. I have come to appreciate my health and strength, after going through so many months of sickness in 2008. Also, the miracle of the two healthy boys we have in our lives has become the focus of our gratitude. After not successfully bringing their two little brothers here to earth, we know how blessed we are to have realized the miracle of parenthood with Solomon and Jeremiah. We still feel a void in our lives, as our family still feels incomplete without Abraham and Elias (those are the names we intended for them). But, we know that the Lord is the great Completer, and he will bless us with the gift of a complete eternal family in Heaven if we will put our trust in Him and follow His teachings.
As for the present, we will enjoy each day of this life with Solomon and Jeremiah and will look forward with hope and anticipation to all the God has in store for us. We are thankful to be living in a place now where enjoyment is so very easy to find. It would be great to live closer to family, but since that is not possible for us at this time, we are happy to be in a city surrounded by good people. Last night, we were invited to the Dutton's Christmas party and talent show that they have each year for all their employees. Though we don't know them too well yet, it still felt like for an evening we were a part of an extended family here. It was very fun. I even got up on stage and played my trombone for old times' sake.
Table Rock Dam
Here we are with Stanley at the Table Rock Fish Hatchery right by the dam. This was taken back in September when the weather was still warm.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
The Power of Words
Written by DeAnn Flynn - a "Time Out for Women" presenter
(This is a great message for all of us parents to remember, so I decided to share it)
Before I got married, no one ever sat me down and had "the talk." You know, the talk about...laundry. Remarkably, even without previous counsel, I've developed some pretty sweet laundry skills and learned a great deal over the years. Perhaps my greatest realization is how much I've come to respect bleach.
With seven active children, bleach has become my trusted companion – often saving a seemingly hopeless article of clothing. It has disinfected things I would only touch with rubber gloves and a gas mask. But my careless use of this powerful aid has also ruined many more things than I'd care to admit.
Once, in haste, some drops of bleach landed on my favorite laundry room rug. I noticed these drops right away and tried to rinse them out quickly, but the power of that bleach proved to be immediate and irreversible. The next day, I carefully colored the spots in with a mustard colored marker. (I challenge you to find one of those!) It helped, but I'm still reminded of that mistake every time I do my wash. Those bleach spots have taught me a priceless lesson.
You see, bleach is a lot like words.The words we choose can lift and mend, restore and renew. They can also permanently damage and deface. Words are quick and powerful. Once uttered, they cannot be retracted. Whether we use them with care and respect, or thoughtlessness and haste, words can (and do) change lives forever.
I'll never forget the time I overheard some friends joking about some of my weaknesses to one another in a mean-spirited way. When they realized I had heard them, they quickly came and asked to be forgiven. I did forgive, but the experience has been difficult to forget. Like bleach, the cruel stain was immediate and irreversible. Their repentance helped to fill in the painful spot (like my rare and wonderful mustard-colored marker), but the memory of those harsh words has been hard to completely erase.
The Apostle Paul delivered these wise words to the ancient Ephesians, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers....Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:29-32)
It's so easy to speak before we think. But most of us don't use intentionally hurtful words, we just get lazy and careless. We let our words fly like little drops of bleach here and there without measuring the effect they may have upon the hearer. The problem is, little children (and big adults) believe what we say to them. “Something's wrong with you," or "You just don't get it," or "If you could just see yourself."
I once called my daughter a "turtle" because she often moves like cold tar. One month later, while in a piano lesson, her teacher asked her to play more quickly. She replied, "I can't. I'm a turtle." My careless words had stained her self-perception. If only I could take those damaging words back...
Each day we have the opportunity to mend hearts and empower lives with our words. When we use them to build and inspire – people grow. We we degrade and criticize – people shrink. Our simple words of encouragement and praise can be life-changing.
As a matter of fact, they are.
(This is a great message for all of us parents to remember, so I decided to share it)
Before I got married, no one ever sat me down and had "the talk." You know, the talk about...laundry. Remarkably, even without previous counsel, I've developed some pretty sweet laundry skills and learned a great deal over the years. Perhaps my greatest realization is how much I've come to respect bleach.
With seven active children, bleach has become my trusted companion – often saving a seemingly hopeless article of clothing. It has disinfected things I would only touch with rubber gloves and a gas mask. But my careless use of this powerful aid has also ruined many more things than I'd care to admit.
Once, in haste, some drops of bleach landed on my favorite laundry room rug. I noticed these drops right away and tried to rinse them out quickly, but the power of that bleach proved to be immediate and irreversible. The next day, I carefully colored the spots in with a mustard colored marker. (I challenge you to find one of those!) It helped, but I'm still reminded of that mistake every time I do my wash. Those bleach spots have taught me a priceless lesson.
You see, bleach is a lot like words.The words we choose can lift and mend, restore and renew. They can also permanently damage and deface. Words are quick and powerful. Once uttered, they cannot be retracted. Whether we use them with care and respect, or thoughtlessness and haste, words can (and do) change lives forever.
I'll never forget the time I overheard some friends joking about some of my weaknesses to one another in a mean-spirited way. When they realized I had heard them, they quickly came and asked to be forgiven. I did forgive, but the experience has been difficult to forget. Like bleach, the cruel stain was immediate and irreversible. Their repentance helped to fill in the painful spot (like my rare and wonderful mustard-colored marker), but the memory of those harsh words has been hard to completely erase.
The Apostle Paul delivered these wise words to the ancient Ephesians, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers....Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:29-32)
It's so easy to speak before we think. But most of us don't use intentionally hurtful words, we just get lazy and careless. We let our words fly like little drops of bleach here and there without measuring the effect they may have upon the hearer. The problem is, little children (and big adults) believe what we say to them. “Something's wrong with you," or "You just don't get it," or "If you could just see yourself."
I once called my daughter a "turtle" because she often moves like cold tar. One month later, while in a piano lesson, her teacher asked her to play more quickly. She replied, "I can't. I'm a turtle." My careless words had stained her self-perception. If only I could take those damaging words back...
Each day we have the opportunity to mend hearts and empower lives with our words. When we use them to build and inspire – people grow. We we degrade and criticize – people shrink. Our simple words of encouragement and praise can be life-changing.
As a matter of fact, they are.
Friday, October 09, 2009
General Conference makes me happy
"When we sin, we turn away from God. When we repent, we return toward God. We each need to feel the Saviors arms of mercy through the forgiveness of our sins. I testify that the Savior is eager and able to forgive our sins. Forgiveness is a divine gift of the gospel, removing guilt and pain from our hearts and replacing it with joy." Elder Neil Andersen
This is just a small sample of the inspiring words we were given this past weekend at General Conference. It is so fun to be able to go onto LDS.org and listen to these messages over and over again. I am thankful for the spiritual feast we are given every six months. Now, with modern technology, we can partake of that feast every day if we want. I always feel the desire to improve when I listen to the prophet and apostles, yet it is not in a guilt feeling of not doing well enough, but a motivated feeling of "Yes, I can do this, I can improve with the help of my Savior." Okay, time for me to go to bed. I just wanted to share a little something on here from Conference before too many days have passed. This has been a great week because it started off right. It is so true that our attitude is affected by what we put in our minds. I can't think of anything better than revelation from God.
This is just a small sample of the inspiring words we were given this past weekend at General Conference. It is so fun to be able to go onto LDS.org and listen to these messages over and over again. I am thankful for the spiritual feast we are given every six months. Now, with modern technology, we can partake of that feast every day if we want. I always feel the desire to improve when I listen to the prophet and apostles, yet it is not in a guilt feeling of not doing well enough, but a motivated feeling of "Yes, I can do this, I can improve with the help of my Savior." Okay, time for me to go to bed. I just wanted to share a little something on here from Conference before too many days have passed. This has been a great week because it started off right. It is so true that our attitude is affected by what we put in our minds. I can't think of anything better than revelation from God.
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