Wall-Hangings

They're not all completely finished, but I couldn't wait any longer to put up the picture of all my Humanitarian wall-hangings. I've had them taped up in our upstairs hallways, on my bedroom door, and all over the walls and cabinets of the sewing room. I thought there were so many...until I put them all on the same wall to photograph them. Now I see why they're in demand. A big wall swallows them up. But they're definitely colorful and fun to look at!

Humanitarian

Humanitarian Aid


“Our mission in life, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, must be a mission of saving. There are the homeless, the hungry, the destitute.”
Gordon B. Hinckley

Last week I attended our Stake's Humanitarian Work Day. I've been looking forward to it for a long time--having been unable to attend because I worked. As I entered the cultural hall, I was a little overwhelmed as to where to start. I'd envisioned being a part of an army of ladies working hard to save the world. The 2 1/2-3 hours passed too quickly with not enough done. I felt frustrated that I couldn't do more, that I didn't know which things were most important (they were all equal), and that I didn't bring lots of my own supplies. After a bit of personal review and introspection, I decided I could do the same Humanitarian activities from my own home on my own time. I've done it before, I can do it again. Why did I think I needed the Stake Humanitarian Day to be of use/service?
My latest service project of choice: wall hangings for the bare walls of various orphanages worldwide. I'm using up all the quilt blocks I've made and never assembled. My pinwheel blocks especially are making some really gorgeous wall-hangings. Pictures to come...

Regular Posting

One of my dear friends decided she would take the challenge to post her thoughts and activities on a daily basis. Though I'm not there yet, I'm inspired by her decision to make her blog something more representative of herself. That's the challenge I want to take--making my blog more representative of myself. Though I won't be able to 'turn a phrase' like my friend can, maybe I can put a little more of my day to day feelings and observations into print.
Today's observation--the joy and excitement my brother-in-law, Gene, radiates as we help him do the temple work for the names he's searched out through Family Search. We've recently done baptisms and initiatories for over 100 relatives on the Hiatt side. Hearing Gene's enthusiastic outpourings on finding family names renews in me the huge impact of eternal families and the joy the gospel brings to my life.

Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful holiday season. Saw all the kids and grandkids, visited my parents and saw more family. Lots of food and fun. Here's a glimpse.

Images of December...leading up to Christmas

Here are a few photos of some of our December activities.

Last Week of School

Tomorrow I start my last week of teaching school. Amidst singing Christmas carols, I'll be saying good-bye to my students and cleaning out my office. Time for me to stay home for family, and for myself, too. I gave notice before Thanksgiving, and they finally found a new teacher this past week. I hope I get to work with her a bit before I have to turn all my students over to her.

All Is Well In Zion

This first picture is the peak of Angel's Landing, a famous hike in Zion National Park, and the first one John and I climbed while on our recent getaway. I conquered it!! I even bought a shirt that said so :) The scenery is so incredibly majestic throughout the park, and there is no way to truly give scale or perspective to what we saw with our little photos. But I'm posting the photos anyway.
We had a wonderful time. Very relaxing and enjoyable. We not only did the Angel's Landing hike, but also the Riverwalk, Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock hikes. We took a geology course provided by the park and went to see the Checkerboard Mesa, all kinds of cross-bedding geological formations, and even some Bighorn mountain goats. I didn't want to come home!


















That's the peak of Angel's Landing behind us, over my left-shoulder, in this self-timed shot. See how high I was!!















































































If you look at the very first picture, you can see the little stack of stones on the top of Angel's Landing that John is perched on in this picture. Like I said, there's no way to give perspective and scale to the immense grandeur of the scenery.


We're standing on a ledge at the top of Angel's Landing--that canyon behind us is about 2000 feet down.