GOD JUL!

Back, far back in the snows of time, in a northern place and a northern clime,
The north lights glitter across the sky...Hush, the tomten hides close by!
In the kitchen of the old farmstead, the Mother is baking her Christmas bread
And sings for the children a little tune, of the fox and the geese and the cold full moon.
Across the sea, tis a long, hard tale, and the ship is slashed by the sleet and hail,
And fears are hidden and prayers are said, with a brave brave smile amid the dread,
But a new life waits on the golden side, So the ship makes port on the New York tide.
And the life that's new is a life that's hard, but the years pass by, with a house and yard;
The children grow and the children play, And they sleep sweet sleep at the close of day,
And the song of the Homeland is forgot--tis only a tale, and the bread is bought.
In a southern land by a gentle sea, near the mountain side, by a green green tree,
In a sunny kitchen, a south wind blows, a long long way from the land of snows;
A little one waits to taste the spoon, and mother is humming a recent tune;
And she feels in her heart as she kneads her bread, as her grandmothers felt in the cold farmstead;
>From mothers to daughters across deep years, past wide waters, laughter and tears,
Across sea and continent, felt but unsaid, as a mother is baking her Christmas bread."

by Suzanne Frantz

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

 

Christmases of the past....

 

Cynthia with both Grandmas

 

Why, it's Ronald the Rednosed Reindeer

 

 

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!

 

 

 

 

 

I think this is a happy Peppakakor smile!

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Ron!

So many memories! We love you.

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

I think the only one missing from this Group is Gideon.
Happy Birthday to ALL! Colton, Spenser, Shawnie, Amanda, Joshua, Grampa, Tom & Ron
& Gid

 

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Next week is going to be busy, so thought I would get a Happy Holiday Greeting to all of you. Some Indians and Pilgrims I know, have joined me in wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday. Let us all be grateful for who we are, for where we are and for what we have to look forward to. Join me in singing...(my first grade song)
"Thanksgiving Day is coming, So Mr. Turkey said, How very careful I must be, or I shall lose my head! The pumpkin heard the turkey, I'm frightened too, Oh My! They'll mix me up with sugar and spice, and I'll be pumpkin pie."
And that is probably what is going to happen. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

November snow!

What a surprise to awake Saturday morning on the 15th, to our deck and back porch covered with a fine white powder. You can see the surprise on the Snow Queen's face as she makes the announcement, and then assures us it is not here to stay this time....
but more is sure to come. I love it!

 

 

CONFERENCE BLESSINGS

With the blessings of General Conference still fresh in our minds and the announcement of a Temple being built in North Kansas City, I thought my cup was full. This last week I have thought so often of Josh and Amanda and great grandchild #19 on the way, and the blessing of their lives, this weekend. This too helped to fill my cup. Last night and today I think has been the most spiritual Stake Conference since we have been here in Missouri.
Last night was a wonderful session, and we were taught and strengthened. Our visiting General Authority brought with him a very special spirit. This morning, our northern units met in the Gallatin Ward, and there he affirmed to us the importance of where we were, and that we were the largest group of Saints to meet in that area since 1838. He spoke of the importance of another large meeting that would be held in the vicinity in Adam Ondi Ahman. He spoke of the blessings of a Temple in Northern Missouri, and the significance of that happening at this time.
This morning as we sat in a crowd of about 700 in the new Gallatin building, we were listening to the business of the Stake being conducted, we found ourselves sustaining Nathan Fish to be advanced to an Elder. What a sweet surprise that was, and such rejoicing and comfort came from the Spirit. This weekend has truly been a blessing of the Priesthood.
How grateful I am to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and for our Stake Presidency who have been called to serve in this area, and the General Authorities who teach us, and express their unconditional love. Especially I am grateful this day for the worthy Priesthood in our family. Now my cup runneth over!

OCTOBER , Bountiful Blessings!

Leaves are falling and mornings are crisp. Beautiful October! Happy Birthday to: JD, Darrell, Melissa, Harold and Amy!
....And another celebration - We have a Temple coming to Shoal Creek.
Our hearts are full just thinking about it! ...And another holiday to
celebrate... OCTOBER 9th! When the Vikings, a group of seafarers from what is now Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, ventured far out into the Atlantic Ocean under the leadership of the Norwegian Erik the Red, they found a new land and named it Greenland. When Erik’s son, Leif, sailed west from Greenland shortly thereafter, he landed somewhere in the vicinity of what is now Newfoundland. Although Eriksson is not officially credited with discovering America, Congress has declared October 9 Leif Eriksson Day. Hurrah! Our Swedish Vikings salute
you Leif, the Norwegian. Oh, I never thought I would say that!

 

 

 

 

If You Go Down to the Woods Today...

Grampa woke up singing that today, as he was thinking of cutting wood. So I have been humming it and thinking of Amanda as he used to sing that to her. So, Bailey and I went for a walk, hoping to see the Teddy bear's picnic, or at least be in for a good surprise. I love the fall, and we have had a couple of cool fall mornings. So come for a walk in the woods.