A Bitter/Sweet Day and My Birthday Contest Winners!
I've felt a little sad today. I woke up and could hardly move. I started a new exercise routine over a week ago and my sore muscles just kicked in. I then looked outside to the nastiest day ever. It was cold and blizzardy--and as the day progressed I couldn't even see a few feet in front of me. I got the kids off to school, heated up a rice bag that I got last night from my friend, Janette, put it on my neck and left shoulder and just laid miserably in bed. I then started to sob.
A very amazing man who was the president of my church for the past 13 years passed away last night and I was overcome with sadness--he's had a major impact on me my entire life. But then something miraculous happened. As I reflected about this man's life (Gordon B. Hinckley), my tears turned from sorrow to joy. He lived an exemplary life for 97 years and endured to the end despite the death of this wife almost four years ago and recent cancer treatments. I thought of the glorious reunion that is taking place with his wife (they were married for 67 years) and his parents and other family members who passed before him. I reflected on the wonderful talk he gave several years ago where he introduced our family to the six "Bs:" Be Grateful, Be Smart, Be Clean, Be True, Be Humble, Be Prayerful. These words of wisdom are on plaques in several rooms of my home and are constant reminders on how we should live. I then thought of my own wonderful father who is 80 years old and is failing in health. He was too sick to go to my birthday lunch and I haven't seen him for over a week. I thought about how life is so short--we never know when it's our time to go back to our heavenly home.
So--you know what I did? I braved the horrible weather and took a trip over to my parents house to give my darling dad (and mom) a hug and tell him how much I love him. Needless to say I think I made his (and my) day.
Here's my challenge to you! Do the same thing today. Make an effort to get in the car, pick up your phone or write a letter to tell those you love the most how much you care for them.
Okay--change in gears. Thanks again to all of you for playing my birthday contest.
Here are the ten random winners (all of your were entered in this portion of the contest) of the Food for Thought hot chocolate set:
Brenda--zachwalker18@hotmail.com
Lori--Scrappin' A Princess
Regina
Stacy--bitewing@comcast.net
Stacy--Maine626
Sheilab
Amberrs--Ambers Scraps
Stacy-SSatmg
lenea
Krobin2100@aol.com
Here are the five random winners who guessed my family tradition of breakfast in bed (they will be sent "The Greatest Love Story Ever Told" January kit of the month):
mom2twobiscuitheads@hotmail.com
Leeza898@yahoo.com
Alison--A little bit of us
Martha (7:26 a.m.)
3qtguys
Congrats to our winners. Please contact Angela at angeladash@gmail.com and give her your snail mail address.
And stay tuned for some fun items that are coming your way.
Sincerely,
Lisa B.
A very amazing man who was the president of my church for the past 13 years passed away last night and I was overcome with sadness--he's had a major impact on me my entire life. But then something miraculous happened. As I reflected about this man's life (Gordon B. Hinckley), my tears turned from sorrow to joy. He lived an exemplary life for 97 years and endured to the end despite the death of this wife almost four years ago and recent cancer treatments. I thought of the glorious reunion that is taking place with his wife (they were married for 67 years) and his parents and other family members who passed before him. I reflected on the wonderful talk he gave several years ago where he introduced our family to the six "Bs:" Be Grateful, Be Smart, Be Clean, Be True, Be Humble, Be Prayerful. These words of wisdom are on plaques in several rooms of my home and are constant reminders on how we should live. I then thought of my own wonderful father who is 80 years old and is failing in health. He was too sick to go to my birthday lunch and I haven't seen him for over a week. I thought about how life is so short--we never know when it's our time to go back to our heavenly home.
So--you know what I did? I braved the horrible weather and took a trip over to my parents house to give my darling dad (and mom) a hug and tell him how much I love him. Needless to say I think I made his (and my) day.
Here's my challenge to you! Do the same thing today. Make an effort to get in the car, pick up your phone or write a letter to tell those you love the most how much you care for them.
Okay--change in gears. Thanks again to all of you for playing my birthday contest.
Here are the ten random winners (all of your were entered in this portion of the contest) of the Food for Thought hot chocolate set:
Brenda--zachwalker18@hotmail.com
Lori--Scrappin' A Princess
Regina
Stacy--bitewing@comcast.net
Stacy--Maine626
Sheilab
Amberrs--Ambers Scraps
Stacy-SSatmg
lenea
Krobin2100@aol.com
Here are the five random winners who guessed my family tradition of breakfast in bed (they will be sent "The Greatest Love Story Ever Told" January kit of the month):
mom2twobiscuitheads@hotmail.com
Leeza898@yahoo.com
Alison--A little bit of us
Martha (7:26 a.m.)
3qtguys
Congrats to our winners. Please contact Angela at angeladash@gmail.com and give her your snail mail address.
And stay tuned for some fun items that are coming your way.
Sincerely,
Lisa B.
37 Comments:
Congrats to the winners!
Your kids didn't get a snow day? Bummer? huh? I usually like those cold blizzardy days(but they close the schools when it's bad weather).
Sorry to hear about the president of your Church. I heard about it in the news.
Good idea on the challenge. Love it!
your today's entry brought tears on my eyes. some people like you are so lucky to see your parents aged & live longer... i was only 3 yrs old when my father passed away & i just don't know what it's like to have a father except for very few memories i had with him.
keep well & have a wonderful day!
Wow! I can't believe I won!! Do you need my address to send the hot chocolate set? Thank you so much, that is so awesome of you!!
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss, loss at any age is difficult at best. Take gentle care...
Stacy
Lisa, I'm so very sorry for your community's loss. After watching some news coverage, I learned what a truly remarkable man he was. But oh the reunion he's having above. What a nice thing you did for your Dad. I bet it made his day!
I'm so sorry for your loss, but doesn't it help knowing we will all be together again!! I'll be praying for you and your dad.
You are so right, Lisa. Psalm 39:4-5 says "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath.
Imagine how differently we might live if we really took those words to heart and realized we may not even have tomorrow. I love that you went to see your dad. Thanks for reminding me of this scripture. Have a great week, and hope the weather improves.
Kim K.
Congratulations to all of the winners! Yeah! What great gifts Lisa, and how nice of you to give gifts to others on your birthday!
Sorry to hear that you had such a rough morning, but what a way to turn it around! I bet you not only made your dad's day, but probably his whole week!
I'll be going to visit my mom and dad this week! I talk to them pretty much every day on the phone, but I'll be stopping by to see what they're up to! Thanks for the reminder that I should do that more often!
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for the contest! This was my first time and a lot of fun!! I love your blog. It makes my day!! I'm sorry to hear about your friend. It sounds like he was an amazing person. I hope your Dad is feeling better.
Take care,
Kelly
Dear Lisa,
Sorry for the loss of your president of your church. But how true that he now is reunited with his wife.
I cannot hug my father today because he is in Austria for a mini-break. My father will turn 60 next week and I am planning on making him a mini-book with your idea on the SAG last year '10 things I still have to do with my dad'. And one of the things is telling him that I love him.
Blessings Inge
Netherlands
WOW Lisa!!!
You made me cry & smile this morning.
We should all take your advise
Thanks for sharing
Happy Tuesday!
President Hinckley was and is an amazing man. In the past couple of days it has been so wonderful to read all the the tributes to him on friends and family blogs. Thank you Lisa for always sharing your feelings about the church, but especially these kind words about President Hinckley.
Thank you so much for your challenge. My situation is a little different where my dad is almost gone but because he CHOSE to leave and have a different life. It's hard but when you hear an inspirational challenge like yours it makes a lot of the anger, hurt and betrayal go away and some how love enters. Thank you and I did write my dad a note. Thanks Lisa!
Hi Lisa. I can't believe I won! Where should I send my mailing address? You certainly made my day. I'm going to pick up a special little card for my hubby to tell him how much I love him.
Thanks for picking me. I'm so excited.
Regina
Hi Lisa. I can't believe that I won your contest. I'm so excited. Do you need my home address?
I also plan on buying a nice card for my hubby to tell him how much I love him.
Thanks again for picking my name.
Regina
Hi Lisa,
I cannot believe I won! I've never won anything in my whole life so this is my very first time ever. What a great timing. My day started out really bad today and it's not even 12 noon. I called my sister and I said 1 more bad luck is about to come to make it strike 3. I turned on my pc to read your blog and what a GREAT SURPRISE to see my email address there. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I'm glad though that you're feeling better now. You have been an inspiration to a LOT of us here not only in scrapbooking but in making the most of our daily lives.
Grace C.
I can't believe you drew my name!! Thanks so much!!!
Love your blog!!
Lisa,
That was a really moving post. Sometimes life seems so hard, and so good at the same time! :)
Thanks for sharing those thoughts with us.
Emily M.
Lisa, I'm so sorry you had such a rough morning. I am so happy that you took the time and braved the snow to see your dad. My dad has been gone almost 2 years and it makes me sad that I can't hug him any longer, but I do remember how wonderful he was and how funny he was and how he was loved and gave love. Always hug your dad!!
Congrats to all of the winners!!
Congrats to all the winners!!
I am not LDS... but I'm truly sorry for your loss.. 97 is a powerful number to live to!! HOW AWESOME!!! God surely had a GREAT and powerful plan for him!!! How AWESOME is that!!
Keep warm!!
Hi Lisa,
I think I was more in shock when i heard the news of Pres. Hinckley. It was about an hour after he passed away, and like you, I cried, then was so happy to think of his reunion with Marjorie. Just want you to know how much I love your blog, and the example you are to so many.
Thanks!
Kay
Congrats to the winners.
Lisa I love your six "B's" here are the ones I have on my kitchen wall for my boys to see each morning:
Be Respectful, Be Helpful, Be Grateful, Be Smart, Be Kind - BE YOU!!!
Have a wonderful day.
Traci
Thank you Lisa for such a wonderful post. I echo your thoughts and will miss President Hinckley.
Happy belated Birthday to you!
So happy to hear you had a wonderful day.
By the way.... it is FREEZING here in Idaho. We tend to beat Utah when it comes to below 0 temps!
I know what you mean about the horrible weather, Lisa! We're in an advisory here in North Dakota with temps ranging from -25 to -30. They are saying possibly -50 tonight with the wind chill. Brrrr!
Lisa! I'm jealous! I would love to look outside and see a blizzard!!! I hope you're feeling better now. That's a hard loss for you and your church. I'm sorry you didn't get to meet him--I remember you saying you were looking forward to one day meeting him. (That can wait now! :) That's funny how everyone has a person they would like to meet...I'd like to meet you one day! I think that would be an honor! So, feel better, Lisa. There's people who admire you and everything you do to better the scrapbooking community. Now, get your sweet chef, Brecken, in the kitchen to cook up some of those steakhouse potatoes (comfort food)....We made them again the other day and I only had butter golds potatoes on hand. WOW. Even awesome with those! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Lisa,
I love your blog. My dad had a major stroke on Thursday and he is came home today. We don't always agree but I did call him to see how he is doing and told him I love him. Thanks for letting me share.
..Shannon
Lisa,
A few weeks back at church a member had passed away. When one of the leaders announced it to the congregation, he said something that I will always remember...he said "it's alright, she wasn't made for this world." How awesome is that!? A great way to look at it, we are just passing thru. Blessings. Linda
Hi Lisa
Congratulations winners! Enjoy that Hot Chocolate!!!
So sorry for the loss of your church president! Sounds like he led a wonderful life and affected many people in a very positive way!
So glad you got to spend time with your dad also! I'm sure that meant more to him than you know! Please know we are all praying for him as well!
Thanks for sharing and for the reminders! I wrote the six B's in my journal - what a great reminder of what is important!
Thanks!
Cindy
I too mourn his loss but am so grateful for his wonderful reunion with his dear wife, family and my family as well. I can only imagine what a party they might have been having in heaven. He is probably keeping everyone laughing just like he did hear on earth. I am glad you took a minute out of your busy life to see your father. Mine has been gone since I was 10, oh what I would give to brave the cold and snow to give him a hug. Thanks for your sweet words. Happy late birthday!
Lisa, I am so sorry for yours and your churches loss, but he is in a better place now. Thank you for always being so open here on your blog. You truly live an exemplary life. You are in my prayers, hope the rest of your week goes well.
PS thank you for making my week that much better looking forward to the hot chocolate@!!!!!
Congratulations to all the winners!
So sorry for the loss of your church president! It sounds like he had a wonderful life.
I'm glad that you got to spend some time with your dad! I'm sure it meant so much to him! He is in my prayers!!
I LOVE the six B's - I am going to try to make a plaque out of them - what a great reminder of what is important!
When I first heard the news of his passing, I thought of you. I know what a special place you had for him in your heart and I prayed for you and for all of those who mourn. I love the B's that you wrote about and plan to apply them to my life!
You are a wonderful blessing to me and to soooo many. I have said it before, and I will say it many times to come that I wish I lived closer to you!
have a wonderful day friend,
love,
steph
Lisa, I am writing with a plea for HELP. I have been searching for your "All About Me" album. I need three more of them. I am planning a four-generation project. The plan is to have my MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, my DAUGHTER and my SELF each put together a book. All four of us have the same middle name (Jean). My daughter calls us the "Jean"-erations. So I thought your "all about me" albums would be perfect because they are so easy and beautiful! My grandma has never scrapbooked and thinks she can't do anything crafty. I know she would have no problem with this kit!
This project is very important to me. I want to strenghten the connection between the four of us, make some meaningful memories with my daughter, mom and grandma, and create beautiful keepsake albums to be treasured and passed down. Maybe through more "Jean"-erations! (I quess I have to leave that up to my daughter. She's 14, so we'll have to wait and see if she continues the name....)
So the long and short of it is, I am hoping that you might have or know someone who has 3 albums laying around that they might sell me (for a resonable price). Thanks!
I can relate to your sadness, Lisa, and I'm so sorry for your loss. While my church does not have such a leadership hierarchy, Reverand Billy Graham is certainly a well respected and prominent leader within my circle of faith. I was deeply saddened when his wife recently died and, like you, will have deeply rooted feelings of sadness when he passes (his health is not good these days).
I like that you purposed to focus on the good things Mr. Hinckley has done, and that it inspired you to get out and visit your dad. I had to move away from my dad 2 years ago. Taking the grandchildren away from my parents was HARD. Leaving my dad, who nearly died from a heart attack (quintuple bypass) just a year earlier, was even harder. :(
Thankfully, deep faith carries us through it all.
Blessings,
~Toni~
Will there be any more of Becky Higgins' school years kit available? The demand exceeded the supply apparently. Seems like lots of us are wanting a chance to order it.
Teresa M.
How exciting to win! Thanks so much!!!
Wow! Lisa, what an example you set! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the loss of Pres.Hinckley. When I heard the news, I felt so much Joy knowing that he is with our Father in Heaven, his beautiful wife and loved ones. How wonderful is it that we know that we can all be together forever again.. Happy Belated Birthday! Big Hugs,
Tiffany
Thanks for the reminder - I just wrote my grandparents a quick note (they live 18 hours away) - something I should definately do more often!!!
Blessings
Alison
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