Describe your favorite character from a book, a movie or televison ~Family History Tuesday~

I was in the 5th grade when we were assigned to read Island of the Blue Dolphins.  Boy, I just LIVED this story!  I wanted to be Karana.

Karana is a young girl who is left alone on her island home, along with her little brother.  In order to survive she must begin to make spears, hunt and she even makes a shelter out of whale bones. Along the way she befriends the leader of the wild pack of dogs.

I was in love with the solitude, nature, animals and resourcefulness Karana learns as she becomes self-sufficient.  I longed to walk the beach (are you beginning to see a theme here in my life?) and commune with the flora and fauna and animal friends all around.

And you know what made reading this book even better?  It is based on a true story! A young girl was stranded on an island off the California coast for 18 years! She was discovered in 1853. Does that not make you have goosebumps?

Who is your favorite character?

{Family History Tuesday prompts found at designzbydede}

Describe your favorite season. Tell what kinds of things you like to do during that season. ~Family History Tuesday~

I'm a true summer baby. I was born in the summer. I could live my whole life in the summer, so why am I not living in Hawaii or something?

It's hard to understand people who say they love winter or even fall.  I want to be warm. I want sun. I want cool, summer thunderstorms. I want red, juicy watermelon on a hot day. I want ice cream dripping down my hand and ...I just need the beach!

My childhood summers consisted of a vacation at the beach. In just a few hours drive from home, we would descend into paradise.

Every morning we'd pack all our gear and head out. We'd stake our claim on an open, sandy spot by digging in our umbrella, laying out our towels, chairs and ice chest full of water, sandwiches and treats for the whole day. 

Being at the beach certainly reminds me of family. It was a time to relax. No work. No school. No normal life. We were together and that's what being at the beach truly reminds me of.

{found at countrymarketplaces.com}

{Family History Tuesday prompt found at designzbydede}

City Scene: Man on sidewalk

I was walking down Main Street after work, along with people in business suits hurriedly trying to get where they had to be.

Ahead of me I see what looks like a man. in the middle of the sidewalk. lying on his side.  As I get closer, I see pieces of a salad strewn out in front of him.  I look around to gage other people's reaction. None.

I quickly walk into the mall, just steps in front of me,  hoping to find a security guard. I frantically search, but not for long because the man might really need help and I'm wasting time.

I exit the mall, passing a panhandler as I spot the man still on the ground.  People are just walking around him as if this is an ordinary occurrence.  I walk right up to the man and in a loud voice ask him, "Are you hurt? Do you need some help? Can you stand up?!"

He lies there, picking up pieces of lettuce and putting them in his mouth, and yells back," I just need to lie here for 20 minutes. I've got a bullet in my back from the war.  This just happens to me sometimes and I just have to wait!"

Then he pauses, looks up at me and asks, "Do you smoke?"

That question just makes me laugh for some reason. I can't help but chuckle, as I answer, "No!" 

I look carefully over him to make sure I'm not missing any sign of an injury. Then I ask him again, "Are you hurt? Can I get you some help? Will you be able to stand up?"

I see him roll his eyes, probably annoyed that he has to repeat himself again, so he shouts back at me, "No, I've got a bullet in my back. I've just got to lie here for a while. It will get better! I just need a cigarette!"

OK, I realize I can't do anything.  I wish him all the best and continue down the sidewalk, but not until I poke my head in a nearby store. I let the employees know that there is a man lying on the sidewalk right outside.

 One replies saying that "It's City property.  We can't do anything about it." and then rolling his eyes adds, "Besides he's been laying around out there all day."

What was your favorite Saturday activity as a child? ~Family History Tuesday~

Saturday mornings usually consisted of me planted in front of the  TV with my brother and two sisters at my side.  We'd delve into the dramas of JOHNNY QUEST, the SUPER FRIENDS (Wonder Twin powers, activate!), KIMBA and a whole assortment of other cartoon shows I can't seem to remember at the moment.

Then, after breakfast and with the promise of an afternoon trip, we'd reluctantly do our household chores.

For me, plans to go see a cultural craft, watch a foreign dance or view the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired our national anthem, were enough to get me going.  Living so close to the big city, there were always Folklife Festivals, never-ending Museums and a Zoological Park nearby.

As I think back on our adventurous Saturday afternoons, I can picture us all sitting on the planter ledges, outside in the hot sun and moist air, with aching feet and empty tummies. My mom magically pulls out of her purse a sandwich for each of us!  and with each bite I quickly relive all I experienced as I watch the many tourists loaded with souvenirs, their cameras and tired children pass us by. Then my mom starts to peel open an orange and hands us a wedge or two to end our long, fantastic day.

{Family History Tuesday prompts at designzbydede}

Thinking back, was there a teacher or class that had a great influence on you? ~Family History Tuesday~

Ironically, the teacher who did influence me the most, was also the most feared teacher in Elementary School.  Behind her back, she was known as The Beast (her name rhymed with it).

She always looked very stern. I never remember her smiling. Only when Susan, the smartest person in class, had done an excellent job on an assigned project, did my teacher proudly and eerily smile for us to see.

Somehow, though, my 6th grade teacher, helped me find my interest in Egyptian mummies, Polar expeditions, Italian volcanic eruptions and Chinese Terra Cotta soldiers.

History is my fun ...and luckily my job today is handling it and preserving it for all to see.

{Family History Tuesday prompts are found at designzbydede every Tuesday}

Jane

So for the "Remember to Say 'Thank You'" lesson on Sunday,

I asked the kids to think of all the people in their lives

who are kind to them

and who help them.

I asked them to choose two of those people and write

a Thank You note to each of them.

Then I handed them two blank business cards.

They started off thanking family members.

Soon they got so caught up in it that they asked me for more cards.

When those ran out, I happened to have a sheet of paper that I

tore apart.

During all that creative gratitude going on,

Jane stepped timidly up to me and handed me one of her

'business cards'.

Soon they had pocketfuls of 'thank yous'

to give to mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt, uncle,

grandma, grandpa,

friends and neighbors.

Gratitude without works...

As I was preparing the lesson I am to teach to a group of 7-year-olds this Sunday, I ran across a blog that had another Teacher's ideas for the lesson called "Remember to Say 'Thank You'".


At the end of her post she said:

"So, if all you came for was the helps, feel free to stop reading! ;)"

But I read on.


She began talking about how they had gotten married rather young and had dreams of having a large family together. Four years into their marriage they still had no children. Then for a couple of years she was angry, angry at God, but continued to go to Church and did whatever she was asked to do, BUT she would not associate with young families or pregnant women. She never attended baby showers or any lessons having to do with children.


They tried foster parenting, but it was not for them. They prayed about adoption, but the answer was NO. Then she read for the second time this article by Ardeth G. Kapp.  She finally felt that she had found the person who could understand her. 

"While I had been sitting in my own little pity party, I had neglected (not all the time) to be grateful for what I HAD!" ..."I had been crying and praying, asking Father in Heaven WHY. 

And then she got her answer:

"It was a simple, strong feeling.  A calming voice in my head that said, "You will have everything that you WANT when your will is aligned with My will."  Oh.  Peace came to me immediately.  I knew that I needed to change--my attitude, my prayers, my life!  I realized that there is a reason for ALL trials--and, YES, this is true of all of them--the reason is to draw us near unto God.  ALWAYS.  Each trial is designed to draw us nearer to God IF we choose it."

My husband and I have no children together. We know that will always be our situation.  We married at an advanced age and agreed that we will not have children.  We are OK with that. I brought it up with my ecclesiastical leader, before I married. He simply and lovingly said  "No matter, there are many, many other things in the Gospel that you can take on".  And then my husband's ecclesiastical leader, advised us to make service an even bigger part of our marriage. That last advice is still something I struggle with. Ardeth G. Kapp says this:

"What, then, are some of the decisions couples can make to lead fulfilled lives when the answer is that they will not have children in this life? "...We read from President David O. McKay, “The noblest aim in life is to strive … to make other lives … happier.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1961, p. 131.)

And then they received these wise words from a family member:

“You need not possess children to love them. Loving is not synonymous with possessing, and possessing is not necessarily loving. The world is filled with people to be loved, guided, taught, lifted, and inspired.”

They wanted to learn the important lessons of selflessness and sacrifice (as parents learn) and began to say yes to everything and everyone. Many times the opportunities to serve would come just when they had planned some time together.

I hinder myself more with social awkwardness and yes, selfishness too. I do try to be better. 

Now, going back to the lesson of saying 'Thank You", I feel that I can be grateful all I want, but without showing appreciation through my actions it is practically moot. That's where service fits in because,  truly,  

gratitude without works IS dead.

Describe your perfect summer day ~Family History Tuesday~

Blue sky.

Cotton clouds.

A soft breeze.

Sand under my feet.

Aquamarine ocean, wide open before me.

Bright sun warming my tanned skin.

A seagull's cry from above.

Waves crashing.

The husband.

A kiss.

{Find Family History prompts at designzbydede}