Happy 2007!

My favorite part of the holidays has to be finding cards and letters from friends and family members in my mailbox each day. I open each card with care, devour every word written, then hang the cards and photos in every nook and cranny of my kitchen. I read the sentiments over and over--I love the stories, advice and reminders of the reason for the season. I literally cry the day I take these cards down. I love being surrounded by the wonderful support system offered so freely to me and my family.

Last year, a sweet gal I met through scrapbooking (Jolene Crooks) introduced me to my favorite quote ever. I keep it in my scriptures so I can be reminded of it every day. Here is the quote:

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Mrs. Schenk's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and I really lived." (Marjorie Pay Hinckley)

May 2007 bring peace, happiness and joy as you find joy in the journey. And, don't forget to make someone else's journey a little more pleasant, too.

Sincerely,

Lisa Bearnson