Operation Christmas Child

Hey friends,


This year I am participating in a Christmas activity to fill shoe boxes with gifts for children in 3rd world countries. These shoe boxes will contain school supplies, small toys, and hygiene kits for children from 2-14. This is a world wide organization and this year my church is the drop-off spot for all of northern Utah. The shoe boxes can be provided or you can use your own shoebox, or walmart has plastic shoebo...x sized bins that will work and filled they will cost $7 to send, plus the cost of whatever it takes to fill it with the gifts. We have a goal to send out 10,000 filled boxes by mid-November which would be the largest shipment for this area if we achieve it.

If this is something you are interested in participating in, please let me know. We'd love your help and support! However, please don't feel any obligation to help... I just think its a neat idea and wanted to share the opportunity to those who may want to.

Feel free to go to www.samaritanspurse.org/occ for more info. Let me know if there are any questions.

Be blessed by being a blessing!

2011 Fall Family Pictures

Friday Confessional

* I hurt my back last night... it was so stupid. We were at Ty's Economic's Fair and the kids behind her had a game to shoot hoops. I had my back to them and the ball hit me on the top of the head causing me to jump and I twisted my back funny. Ty was worried about my neck, but I knew it was my lower back that just got hurt. Dang it!!

* I dont want to spend the $40 to go to the chiropractor...and that's the only thing that helps despite going to get injections, which didnt work for my neck so I doubt they'd work for my lower back.

* I am torn on going to a Halloween party tonight. Its a dear friend who's putting it on for the kids, but its at her fiance (who I am not fond of)'s ex-wife's house. Uhhhh AKWARD?!?

* I am going to a memorial service tomorrow of a man from my church. He passed away Saturday morning of a heart attack. This man was truly a man of God... my experiences with him were during "Wanna Give Away Week" where we did nonstop community service projects and when he came up to the hospital before surgery to pray with me. He will be missed, but I know he's serving up some BBQ with Jesus now :)

Random Ramblings 10/27/11

* I just realized that about 10 people that I know or know of have passed away in the past month. Some are people dear to me, other are aquaintences. Little overwhelming...

* I am tired of hearing of people's lives being hurt by pornography. Relationships damaged, family's torn apart. I pray that these people fight against Satan in these battles. It's sick, disgusting, and an addition.

* I am tired. Like, go to bed at 530pm tired.

* I need to learn to bite my tongue b/c I some times say some hurtful things when I get upset. I don't mean to, but emotion gets the best of me at times. It's something I dont like about myself, but am working on.

* I need more coffee... right this second. I think it goes along with my tiredness. My cup never seems to stay full enough for my liking.

* I have seen a different side to my husband this week. I've seen him heartbroken and tearful at the loss of his father. Even though we knew it was coming, it was still very hard. I am glad to see this side of Bryan, rather than having him bottle it up. Seeing this has grown my love for him even more.

RIP Robert M Williams

Robert M. Williams, age 73, died October 19, 2011. He was born March 12, 1938 in SLC, UT to John and Donna Williams.

Robert attended South High School until he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. Robert served in the USMC until 1968, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. On August 23, 1958 Robert married Arlene M. Clayton in Inglewood, CA.

Robert lived in Salt Lake City and worked at Western General Dairies until retiring in 1986. He continued driving truck until 1989. Robert loved to travel with his wife Arlene, playing cards with his friends, camping, fishing, and hunting. He loved to go to Wendover and Las Vegas.

Robert was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Robert will be especially remembered as a wonderful husband, caring father, and fun-loving grandfather and great-grandfather.

Survivors include his wife Arlene, their four children and spouses Kent and (Patti) , Joy and (Kevin), Danny and (Renee), Bryan and (Lisa), 11 grandchildren -Heather, Brandon, Logan, Steven, Aaron, Brooke, Levi, Austin, Taylor, Ty, and Drew, 3 great-grandchildren -Jaxson, Autumn, and Aksel, and two brothers Jim (DeeAnn) and Darryl (Elva) all residing in Utah. Robert was preceded in death by his son Steven James Williams, and grand-daughter Heidi Marie, as well as his Dad John Williams and Mother Donna Williams.

Services will be held at Larkin Mortuary at 260 E. South Temple on Monday, October 24, 2011. Viewing will be from 9:00-10:30 with service at 11:00. Burial will be at Wasatch Lawn and Memorial Park immediately following the service and is open to family and friends.

Many thanks to the staff at Garden Terrace, Larkin Mortuary, and Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park for their help and support.

Courageous- The Movie

                                                   http://www.courageousthemovie.com/themovie

A-Maz-Ing!

This movie was a must see... It was in your face, look at your life, and be a leader in your family kind of movie. It was a every day kind of situation... things went wrong... people messed up... God stepped in and people's lives changed. I have goosebumps thinking about it.

The acting wasn't great and I think the actors lips were out of sync with the words, but the story was well worth it.

It made me look at the roles we play in our family as parents. It made me think of how I interact with my children. It made me think of how I interact with others around me. It talked about being bold and courageous. It had a group of men making a resolution to be more Godly men, husband, and fathers.  I took the whole family and there were times my hubby had tears in his eyes. This movie was touching... I think everyone could take something away from this.

Casting Crowns just released a new song called "Courageous" and the lyrics go like this:

We were made to be courageous

We were made to lead the way
We could be the generation
That finally breaks the chains

We were made to be courageous
We were made to be courageous

We were warriors on the front lines
Standing, unafraid
But now we're watchers on the sidelines
While our families slip away

Where are you, men of courage?
You were made for so much more
Let the pounding of our hearts cry
We will serve the lord

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

This is our resolution
Our answer to the call
We will love our wives and children
We refuse to let them fall

We will reignite the passion
That we buried deep inside
May the watchers become warriors
Let the men of god arise

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight


The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees, with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous


Seek justice
Love mercy
Walk humbly with your god

Time to Confess!

I confess... I spent a lot of money about 8 weeks ago to get eyelash extensions. I liked them, but didnt LOVE them with an exception of a couple of days. They are a lot of work to keep up. I got the OK from the Dr to go on the motorcycle and they were flying everywhere, even with sunglasses on. I felt like spiders were dancing from my eye lids. Yeah, that's not going to work. I am starting to get a cold or allergies and my eyes itch. Well, I rubbed a chunk of my eyelashes off last night... which resulted in me removing all of them.

I confess... my eyelasshes now look like my mom's did when her hair was coming back from chemo. Probabaly wont be doing that again.

I confess... I am stressed about money. My pay check is now back to normal after being off from my surgery, but I have big plans. My big plans involve selling a townhouse and buying a house... my stress comes from the fact that the townhouses near us arent selling for what I owe. It's going to be an act of God for this to all play out... but I believe in miracles. If we are supposed to move, God will provide a way for that to happen. If not, we are meant to stay put and wait for something else.

I confess... I am not patient. That's where a lot of my stress comes from.

I confess... I am irritated with Utah movie theaters. I want to see "Courageous" and the only place its showing is down in West Jordan or West Valley or somewhere... over an hour away from me. Just because its a Christian movie means it has to only have one movie theater in the whole state? I dont get it.

I confess... I am so PROUD of my kids. We went to parent teacher conference and their teachers had great things to say about them. Drew is a hard worker, is a math wiz... Ty is at grade level now, and is fun to have in class. Thank God for wonderful teachers who are making such a difference in my kids lives.

Strides Against Breast Cancer 2011

On Saturday, we did our annual Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in SLC. It's put on by American Cancer Society and its a 5 mile walk to raise funds to find a cure for breast cancer. My mom's work is a sponsor and because she is a 2x survivor they have her speak during the kick off each year. It's always neat to see the turnout and the impact on the community.  We had family and friends join us and although it started out being chilly, it turned nice and we had a good time.

All my pictures are sideways... so I need to figure out what to do, it wont let me alter them...

The Dash Between The Dates

I have gone to a couple funerals recently and have heard of other people losing their loved ones and it got me thinking about what people would say at my funeral.

I want the dash inbetween my birth and death date to be big. I want it to be full of experiences and memories. I want to be known for my loves, my friendships, my accomplishments. I want it to be full of memories of good times. I want it to be full of funny stories.

Yesterday my dear friend said goodbye to her mother. It was unexpected and a complete shock to everyone. Her uncle and other family got up to speak of her mother and they talked about how "Vickey Loved"... how she loved her family, disabled kids, complete strangers, and her love for God. It was so touching.

When I pass away I would be honored to be discribed as "Lisa Loved"... and I am going to start living my life that way today!