Bella You Grandma

My Mom wrote a Family History story about her Italian grandmother and posted it on FamilySearch last week. I told her I didn't know much about her grandmother. One of the things she said was that she knew her grandmother loved her because when she would see her, she would take her face in her hands and say, "Bella Mia Angelina." Bella Mia means "My Beautiful" in Italian.

When Hannah came on Sunday, I did the same thing and said, "Bella Mia Hannah." She was a little distraught and said several times, "I can't hear you Grandma." What she really meant was "This is aggravating Grandma because I have no clue what you are saying.

  I told her it meant she was my beautiful Hannah.

This afternoon I went to visit Hannah and Nathan and Sarah. I did the same thing and said, "Bella Mia Hannah." She giggled a little, covered hers ears, and said three times, "I can't hear you Grandma."

Later as I was getting ready to leave, I said it again. That time she said softly, "Bella You Grandma." She said it so softly that Sarah had to repeat back what she said, so I said it to her again..."Bella Mia Hannah." She hugged me and Said, "Bella You Grandma." Then she said, "sweet" in a very gentle and loving way.

She thought she could understand the "Mia" part interpreting it to mean "Me." She understood after a while that it was a term of endearment meaning I loved her so she answered back as best she could, "Bella You Grandma." That would be a mix of Italian and English an almost two year old made up meaning "You are my beautiful Grandma, I feel your love and I love you too."

I'll take that. :)

2012

 Today.
Hannah just waking up from a nap.

 All from a little Family History story.

 Love it. 

 My great Grandmother Louise (Luigia),
my Mom's Grandma.

My Mom as a girl.

Me and my Italian grandmother (Nanny).

My beautiful Hannah carrying on the tradition. :)

Sarah and Hannah.

Four generations:
L-R Bottom: My Mom, my Grandma (her Mom), Me
Back row: Sarah, Elisa, Emma. October 2000.

That's a lot of Italians.:)

In Short, I Am Grateful To Be Counted A Missionary.

I've written before about Seth's best friend Nels. His conversion story is quite amazing. A year after he was baptized, he went on a mission. He is currently serving in Alaska. He and Seth went in the MTC on the same day and they keep in touch. Both are having very different growing and learning experiences. It's interesting to follow their progress. His Dad keeps a blog for him. I was impressed with two of the photos and a little snippet he wrote. I think it would be OK if I shared. It's very touching.

"I am back to living at my old apartment in Fairbanks...(in town for Zone Conference) and I have been out visiting all my friends I made up here. It has been simply wonderful to see and talk with them again and feel all their love, and gives me the opportunity to reflect on what I've been able to do in my year of missionary service. The people have so kindly assured me (quite unsolicited) of the difference I have made in their lives, and it can be seen in their smiles, it is the sweetest experience. Being back up here has also given me extra opportunity to reflect on all I have learned and how I have grown since leaving Fairbanks last November. We grow minute by minute, and if we don't take these moments to look back, we often miss our greatest growths and accomplishments.

  In short, I am grateful to be counted a missionary."

A typical day in the life of a missionary.

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet

 of him that bringeth good tidings, 

that publisheth peace; 

that bringeth good tidings of good, 

that publisheth salvation..."

 Isaiah 52:7

Well That Sure Is A Look Of Joy

I appreciate the emails that Seth sends each Monday. Thankfully, occasionally he also sends pictures. Today he talked about a baptism he attended this weekend. He talked about the joy he felt at the baptismal service and said it "was one of the best experiences of my whole life." He said, "I know that D&C 84:20 is true." I looked up that scripture. It reads, "Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest." It's true. The Spirit of the Lord does attend His servants as the ordinances of salvation are performed, such as baptism.

He sent a picture of him dressed in his whites. It is what the missionaries wear when they baptize someone. The person getting baptized also wears white." Baptism is literally, as well as a figure of the resurrection, a transplanting, or resurrection from one life to another—the life of sin to the life of spiritual life" (Joseph Fielding Smith). One who has authority from God performs the ordinance. Without the authority from God, the power of His Godliness would not be manifest.

I appreciate knowing that the Lord loves all His children. I love that He has one—of so many—in His army of missionaries who finds so much joy in His service. Seth always has this same smile on his face. One need only look at his face and feel his joy.  I miss him, but I am glad he's serving.

Father's Day 2014

It was a nice, nice day. We had a pie and ice cream social after church today in the overflow area behind the chapel for Father's Day. Everyone seemed to enjoy that. Our church meetings were very good. We had a good lesson in Sunday School about Samuel the prophet in the Old Testament. There was a great scripture to ponder. God said, "..for them that honour me, I will honour..." 1 Samuel 2:30

I had a good chat with Ian. He and Jessa just got back from a cruise. Her grandparents sprang for a cruise for their entire family to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. A good time was had by all apparently.

We had some FABULOUS grilled sock-eye salmon for dinner tonight. It was amazing. We had great weather for a backyard picnic.

Hannah just keeps getting sweeter.

Sarah had a good time.

 Gregory never runs out of stories.

Happy Father's Day to the other father in the group. :)

Emma is always delightful,

even if she won't cooperate for a regular picture.

Wade is an all around pleasant guy.

My Mom enjoyed herself.

And I just love having my family around me.

I love the song the Primary kids sang today for Father's Day:

 The Family is of God.

                                 
1. Our Father has a family. It’s me!
It’s you, all others too: we are His children.
He sent each one of us to earth, through birth,
To live and learn here in fam’lies.
[Chorus]
God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—
This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God.

2. A father’s place is to preside, provide,
To love and teach the gospel to his children.
A father leads in fam’ly prayer to share
Their love for Father in Heaven.
[Chorus]
3. A mother’s purpose is to care, prepare,
To nurture and to strengthen all her children.
She teaches children to obey, to pray,
To love and serve in the fam’ly.
[Chorus]
4. I’ll love and serve my family and be
A good example to each fam’ly member.
And when I am a mom or dad, so glad,
I’ll help my fam’ly remember:
God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—
This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God.

This Girl Knows Who She Is!

Sarah took this video of Hannah singing I Am A Child of God. She's almost two, not quite. I enjoyed it so much I thought it should be posted.
                               

I am a child of God,

 And he has sent me here,

Has given me an earthly home

With parents kind and dear.

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me
help me find the way,
Teach me all that I must do,
To live with Him someday.

She was singing "teach me all the right-a-way" which also works. :) Love it. Love it. Love it.

Take Heart

"...take heart.  

Pure Christlike love

 flowing from true righteousness

 can change the world."

 The Cost—and Blessings—of Discipleship 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Never Underestimate The Cost Of Conversion

I read an excellent article this morning in the Deseret News by Jerry Earl Johnston called  Never underestimate the cost of conversion. It's very thought provoking and he hit the nail on the head when it comes to conversion. That's why I wrote a book on it.  I just wanted to share because I like his columns. He makes me think. Jerry wrote a fabulous book about his own conversion that is really well done: Rescued: A Prodigal's Journey Home. I highly recommend it.

It Was A Good Day

Had a lovely chat with an amazing woman...Elisa.

The grandkids came. I got to snuggle with Hannah.

Seth emailed home. (From his email: "I know that this gospel is true. I know that the Spirit will NOT fail us. I know that love is a principle of power. I know that the Saviors love is Infinite.)

The sun was shining.

The weather was beautiful.

My yard is so pretty.

Went on a drive with Jim to the top of a mountain.

Picked fresh kale and spinach  from the garden.

A scripture comes to mind:

 

 "And it came to pass that we lived

  after the manner of happiness."

2 Nephi 5:27

The Book of Mormon

Writing, Designing, Studying Chinese, And Swimming

I've pretty much spent the whole week writing. I have discovered a new place for writing in my house that is very comfortable. There's a nice breeze through windows on three sides of the room and there is a lovely view. It helps me stay longer and write more. I've also redone the cover to my first book.

I will have to wait and see if I really like it when the proof comes. How many times can a person change a book cover? I redid the intro and the back cover as well. It just needed a little tweaking. The text is the same. I'm not really sure this is going to be the final cover though, we'll just have to wait and see.

I also enjoyed writing another chapter in the new book I am working on. 

I don't know if I will try and have it published by a regular publisher this time or just self-publish again. If I self-publish, I get to choose the cover I want. For right now, I am liking this one. I designed it myself. I think it will be the end of the year before it is finished though and those final decisions are made. So far, it's been very enjoyable to write and I love the topic.

What I do know is I enjoy writing. Most people have a hobby of some sort, this is mine. I enjoy the designing part as much as I enjoy the writing. Not many people have read my books, but gratefully the response from those who have has been positive.

I've also studied some Chinese this week. I find it helpful to listen to the General Conference talks in Chinese while reading them in English. I've been reviewing other basic Chinese language things I've learned over the years too. The reviews are good for me.

I went swimming this afternoon with Sarah and Nathan and Hannah at Sarah's condo. I enjoyed myself immensely!

Looking forward to a walking date with Jim this evening. :)

Chinese Genealogy Resource

I saw this record collection made available this morning on FamilySearch. I think it might be valuable for Chinese families looking to trace their ancestry. It dates back to 1239. As a genealogist myself who values records that link me to my family, I thought I should share.

China, Collection of Genealogies, 1239-2013

Words Of Wisdom, Words Of Truth

This is how Seth ended his email home this week:

"I know that God lives. 

I know that miracles happen. 

I know that He is infinitely forgiving"

I  really like the simplicity of those words. That is what he is teaching.

He also said: "Our mission president started something called the month of consecration for June. In this month we give up all our disobedience and work harder than ever. I am excited. I want to focus on losing myself in the people I work with. To make everything I do be for the benefit of someone else"

I am grateful to have a son who thinks of others and wants to work so hard for their benefit. He's been gone a year. I sure hope he sends some pictures one of these days. He doesn't send them often and I miss his face.