Who gives people the right??????????????????

Hey there:

Just wanted to ask this question - Who gives people the right to make other people feel sad, unwanted, unhappy or all of the above?

I guess the second question would be - How can our faith help to take those terrible feelings of anxiety and helplessness and I guess fear away?

Anyone out there...I would appreciate an answer.

Thanks,

t

Saturday - August 20th

Hey everyone. Just a quick post to say I am going to Fredericton. Dad, David & I are hoping to hike a little with Jackie, Brent, Dustin & whoever else will be going.

I am excited to see Daddy & my sweet sister, Top. I hope that she has a great Saturday. For those who are reading this and have family members you don't keep in contact with, GET IN TOUCH WITH THEM, time is very short and we never know what is going on in their lives that we can help with.

Love your family and keep them close!!! Have an "ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE" for your family today. That is my challenge.

t

Attitude of Gratitude

I had such a great weekend. Dad, David, Jackie & I went hiking on the Fundy Trail in St. Martin's. It was so beautiful and cool there. We had a picnic lunch in those serene surroundings. We ate and laughed. Laughed more than I have done in awhile. It all goes downhill from there. Well, not really it was downhill and uphill and downhill and uphill. I am talking about our hike. Dad and I have not done anything like that for a long while. It was grueling at times but the scenery was so awesome it made the pain of the walk more bareable. I raised my arms in the air when we made it back to the place where we parked our car.

I, then, drove to Fredericton to be with my sister and my dad and the rest of the crew drove back to Moncton. Things have not been going well for my sister lately. Her husband left her. Yes, he came back saying he would go to counselling and try to get over whatever he was feeling, but didn't go to counselling. He left her for a second time and actually moved out on August 1, 2011. My heart breaks for her. She loves him so much and he doesn't even know what love really is. I feel very sad for his chasing a pipedream, a fantasy that doesn't exist. He doesn't believe in God at all. What does he think all of this is for? My sister is strong. She will get over this. She is so special and doesn't see it because of some of her ex-husband's comments. How can someone knowingly hurt someone else just to make a point? I love my sister and I am so grateful I can be here for her. She has some wonderful friends who are helping her as well. I think it will be a long and winding road.

I also got to spend time with my absolutely awesome dad. I love him so very much. He is so quiet and he grows smaller every day. I only pray that he will be with us for a long time. He has the cutest laugh and when he tells a joke or a funny story his whole face laughs.

I also got to spend some time with Robb, Aliss, Sariah and Joseph. What a choice experience to be able to do that. I am so grateful for them living so close. I will try and post pictures later.

I told my sister that our challenge for the next while is to have an attitude of gratitude. There is so much to be thankful for and I believe we all take so much for granted. Stop today...right now...and think of something or someone you are grateful for.

"Men are that they might have joy". Let's live so we can have the joy that our Heavenly Father wants us to have.

Life is so Precious

Hi everyone:

This weekend certainly had its highs and its lows. To me, it was a very emotional weekend. Why you say????

My sweet Addie is going back on Wednesday morning. Jay surprised me by bringing Addie home for our January 15Th Christmas celebration. How awesome that was. I had my family together, all of them in one place. My heart was so happee!!!! The time came that I had to say goodbye. I don't want her to go. I want all my children here. I know that is being very selfish, but at times I think that is okay and this is one of them.

My sister is back with her husband. I am glad for her. I pray that Her husband is back for the right reasons. She seemed very happee and that is the main concern. I, too, had feelings over this whole breakup. My feelings seem harder to heal. He said something about my dad and my sister said something about me not being there for my dad. My heart broke and is still heavy over that. I know that these things were said as they were blowing off steam about everything. But that doesn't seem to matter. I have my work to do in this aspect of my life.

One of my extremely high points was that I was to hug or hold and kiss all my grandbabies this weekend. Now my Dustin would not want to be call a grandbaby as he is 12 and is my grandson. Being able to be with them helped me to find a place in my heart that was not overcome with sadness, fear or anxiety. I love them so very much.

I loved being with my children. Jackie and Brent came up with us and as usual they were wonderful to be with. Jenn & Marc went fishing with friends and caught a couple of bass. Nice go "girls". They were the ones who pulled the fishes out.

My most heartfelt part of the weekend was seeing my dad and seeing that he is failing in health. My heart is screaming out..."I want my dad to be with me for more earthly time". He was so very quiet. I know that one of his medicines help him with all of the anxiety that he is feeling, so it mellows him, but my heart is so heavy with thoughts of living here without him.

He spends so much time by himself. My sister works days and she had some things she does in the evenings that she needs to do for herself. I am so sad that he is sitting by himself so much of these last days or years. My prayer is that my children who life close to him would give of a little of their time more often, lots more often, to help make the time he have left better for him. Jenn & Robb have been given that responsibility. I know that your lives are so full as it is but I know they will be sweeter when you give this service to your Grampy. Please go as much as you can.

I must go and get ready for work. This is "that" time of the year. I want to be ready but I am not sure about that.

Take care all those who chance upon this blog. I would want you to know that I know that my Heavenly Father and my Saviour Jesus Christ live. They live and they know and love each of us. I know that if strive to live to reach our potential we will be a happier person. I am so grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the direction that it gives me. I love my family. They are all part of my eternal family. I am so blessed!!!!!

And to leave you with something I am going to try to live - thanks Janet, I hope you don't mind -

"WE CAN DO HARD THINGS".

December 30th, 2010

Hi again - just wanted to let you know that I am feeling much better than the last time I blogged. I am staying with my dad for a few days. He is such a joy and my heart breaks when he speaks about being a bother to everyone.

I was able to see and hold my dear grandson Joseph. He was one week old on Sunday. My heart lept. Sariah loves him.

He is just the sweetest little man. I love him already. He looks so much like his daddy, Robb. I brought my scrappin stuff but forgot my photopaper sooooooo I either have to beg a drive to pick some up or wait until I get home.

I'll take this time to wish all my family & friends a happee & joyous new year.

December 2010

Hi all. Merry Christmas and a Happee New Year.

At this time of the year, I reflect on Christmas's past, of times when the excitement of this season filled me. Christmas's when I was a child...we had no extra money but my Dad and Mom made Christmas's for us to remember. I believed in Santa Claus, but I was also taught that this was the time of year we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Christmas seasons came and went each bringing something different. I loved going home for Christmas. Being in the military, we didn't get home as much as would have liked but when we were able to come home I was so excited. My mom made Christmas. I loved spending this joyous season with my Mom and Dad. I will forever remember these, especially the large boxes of baked goods my mom found time to make for me and the big box of mittens that she knit for my kiddies. Dad just loved being with Mom.

Since my mom passed, the Christmas's that I knew were gone and new traditions had to be made. Dad has been so sad without Mom. My children had their own lives. It didn't matter how hard you tried, Christmas just wasn't Christmas. Each year it has gotten harder and harder to feel the joy in Christmas.

This year was no different. My heart and my head was filled with wishes. Wishes of Christmas's past. You know, the warm and cozy feeling of things that are so much part of this time of the year. I wanted to feel the the things I once felt. But this was not to be. With things that were happening to my sister, my dad not being very well & just the fact that we are not celebrating the family time until January when most can be home, my spirits were very low. I am so grateful for my children who tried their hardest to pick-up my spirits.

Thanks to Jackie for having us over for a wonderful Christmas eve and for all her work. I am grateful to have had David around this Christmas. He helped it to be happier here. I am glad that Jenn, Marc & Dustin were able to drop in for a visit. They spent the time with Marc's parents this year. I am grateful to be able to talk with Addie & Jay.

Don't get me wrong, we had some wonderful things happen during this month. One blessing being the birth of Joseph Selah MacGougan - a little brother to Sariah. What joy I feel. They were not able to be home for Christmas as the babe was born in Presque Isle, Maine. They came home late on Christmas day. I am excited to visit with them and hold my dearest new one and to feel the hugs from my dearest Sariah.

I am going to stay with my dad for a few days while Heather, my sister, is going to Florida. I love spending time with him. This year is almost over. My most heart felt prayer is that 2011 will bring peace to my heart and health to my spirit & body. There are many things, exciting things, that I want to do. I don't want to give in to this pain in my soul. I want to fight it. I want to be the kind of person and live the life that my Father in Heaven wants for me.

Thanks for listening. Thanks for being you. May this next year be the very best for all of us.

November 23, 2010

Would someone please turn down the time?? Why must it speed so? I remember wishing it away so many times - when I was in school or when I was waiting for Christmas holidays, any holidays actually. When I was getting ready to go visit Mom & Dad. When family was coming here to visit. Wishing it away, if only I knew. That infamous statement "IF ONLY I KNEW".

Just to bring you a little up-to-date on what has been going on here. Where do I start?

Aunt Heather is trying to get through this lousy challenge she has been given. Bob actually moved out on Friday and I was glad I could be there when she got home from work. This is a very personal look at the workings of Satan on a home. I only wish that she could have had a small glimpse into what was happening months ago instead of just a day or two before. I can't imagine happily married one day and not the next. I pray that she can get through this without it taking her "ALL". My heart is hurts for her. She could sure use some prayers on her behalf.

Update on Daddy (grampy) - When we were there last week-end Daddy was walking across the floor to hang-up the phone. He passed out and fell backwards. We called an ambulance and he went to the hospital. He is still there having tests done. He is in good spirits except his tailbone hurts and his neck is sore from the fall. What a wonderful man and a great trooper. How I love him. Please keep him in your prayers.

I was talking with Dustin last evening and I asked him what he wanted for Christmas. His answer was "not much". "Only an ipod ...". Jenn was laughing in the background. Her laugh was almost as loud as Trigger chewing on his noisy squeeze toy. I was listening to Jenn talking about her job. I was reminded of something my friend & co-worker Norah said to me yesterday morning. I was showing her something in our new financial software and she said "you don't have to yell at me". I looked at her and said I was. To that she said "YES you were". Jenn was speaking very passionately about her work and the more passionate she became the louder she was. I am very proud of you Jenn. Jenn was also sharing some little things Marc was doing this past week-end. I am so grateful he loves her and she loves him. He has been out in the area (military woods) for weeks and only home on week-ends. He has been there through all of the lousy cold rain we had been having and now the snow & below freezing weather. Marc, you have got my vote for one of our bravest. I would put my life in your hands any day.

Jackie is in Las Vegas with Laura for Laura's birthday. She flew to Calgary and then they flew to LV for a couple of days. They will go back to Calgary for a few days and then she will fly home. Hope you are having a great holiday JAM. Betcha Brent is doing 24 x 7 work & sports.

Robb & Aliss go to Maine tomorrow for another doctors appointment and for Thanksgiving. She is getting such a cute belly on her, very round and low. She is looking very good. Joseph should be born by the end of December. I saw Sariah on Sunday and she was sitting on my knee. She said "Nanny you have a big belly." I said yes I do Sariah. She said "are you having a baby brother?" Too cute. Robb is off for the winter or some of it. He hasn't quite decided what he will do. He was working with Heather's husband Bob.

Talked with Addie last evening. She sent me a package of Biotherm items. I just love them. She also send Dad down a cute t-shirt (can't remember the saying on the front). Didn't talk long as their supper was ready and mine was almost. They did get a tentative posting but I am not sharing it as they are trying to get it changed. I am sure we will all know when their stuff is in the moving van. That's what military life is all about.

It was snowing when we left to go home last evening. We were so grateful that David had the driveway shovelled. He and Dad went to the store and then made "me" supper. How great is that????? I just love him.

What a stinking long post!!! Sorry, but I couldn't control my fingers. Have a great day. Take the time to think positive thoughts.