My Heart

        Crystal Cove Sunrise

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.

C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

So Grateful for my Camille

My dear Camille was seriously injured in a bike accident Friday. 

She had surgery in St. George to clean her road rash. She is so brave. 

Today she had surgery to repair her shoulder. I love her so very much and know she will heal well. I am so grateful for the tender mercy that she will fully recover. As her husband David said, "her head and heart are perfect."

Her surgery went better than expected. Love and kisses to my darling girl and gratitude for her strength and goodness. I know she is beloved of her Father in Heaven and He is watching over her. 

Celebrating Women's History Month

Helen Keller - a model for achieving happiness amid hardship. 

“Helen Keller is the eighth wonder of the world,” Mark Twain declared after meeting her.  “She was born with a fine mind and a bright wit, and by help of Miss Sullivan’s amazing gifts as a teacher this mental endowment has been developed until the result is what we see to-day … a wonderful creature who sees without eyes, hears without ears, and speaks with dumb lips. She stands alone in human history."

"Happiness is the final and perfect fruit of obedience to the laws of life."

From "The Simplest Way to be Happy" 

"A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships."

From "The Simplest Way to be Happy"

"No doubt the reason is that character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

From "Helen Keller's Journal: 1936-1937"

Read more at http://national.deseretnews.com/article/3805/Helen-Keller-on-optimism-education-and-never-giving-up.html#qL5j2XlX1D4tBD0y.99

Irish Blessings

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!  I have loved this Irish Blessing and have shared it often through the years. Wishing you the "Luck of the Irish" and blessings unmeasured. 

Celebrating 39 Years

                Treasure Island Beach

We have celebrated in high fashion on our "California Adventure". I'm grateful for a handsome, hardworking, generous husband - my best friend. 

"Grow old along with me - the best is yet to be."

Serenity

Welcome welcome 2015 

                     Our Family 

                       Hana, Hawaii

We enjoyed a glorious New Year celebrating with our 29 family members. I have felt such joy and am so blessed. 

Today is my father's 86th birthday. He is an example of wisdom, kindness, humility and faith - the grand patriarch of our family. He has truly sanctified himself and is Christlike in every way. This year I want to become more like him. Serenity and sanctification are my New Year quests. 

Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity 
to accept the things I cannot change; 
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; 
Enjoying one moment at a time; 
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; 

Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life 
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Goodbye

Goodbye 2014 - looking forward with hope and gratitude.