Thursday, November 26, 2009

So Thankful!

I love Thanksgiving...
It is about Family, and being together
Preparing a meal together and then enjoying it together.
Being Grateful for the many bounties of life.
We are so blessed!

We are missing a few of our family today.
But Grateful for our sweet Missionaries and that wonderful families are feeding them!
We are so blessed with a wonderful family that is eternal.

Thanksgiving Inspiration....




"Inspiration Key to Thanksgiving Psalm," Church News, Nov. 22, 1975



When the Utah National Guard was mustered into the regular Army shortly after the United States entered World War I, Elder B. H. Roberts, a member of the First Council of the Seventy, was also serving on reserve duty as chaplain of the 145th Field Artillery (1st Utah Battalion).
Having passed his 60th birthday, Elder Roberts was worried whether or not his physical condition would keep him from serving on active duty.
Seventeen years earlier, the U. S. Congress had denied him his seat as U. S. representative from the State of Utah, which refusal denied him the opportunity to serve his country.
Elder Roberts was a patriotic man and the congressional refusal had been a painful experience. He was now determined to do everything possible to avoid a second denial.
Consequently, he spent many hours conditioning his body in order to pass the physical examination. Happily, he passed, and when his unit was called to active duty in August 1917, he became the first member of the Church to serve in the Chaplain's Corps of the U. S. Armed Forces.
The bitter anti-Mormon feeling of the 19th Century had not completely died out during the early 1900s. Ministers of other denominations had been ardent in their aversion to, and their denunciation of, the Mormons.
The resentment became very apparent in France during the Thanksgiving season of 1918.
The last Thursday of November fell shortly after Nov. 11, 1918, the signing of the Armistice. Everyone was grateful for the ending of hostilities and Thanksgiving Day found the American “doughboys” gathered in one grand Thanksgiving service.
The large attendance included high-ranking military officers and the services were conducted by the chaplains, who were seated on the grandstand.
Elder Roberts was relegated to one of the rear seats. He had not been asked in advance to participate on the program, therefore, it was with great surprise that he heard the chaplain in charge announce: “Elder Roberts, the Mormon chaplain from Utah, will now step up and read the Thanksgiving Psalm.”
Elder Roberts had never heard of the Thanksgiving Psalm but, hiding his personal embarrassment and possible impending embarrassment to the Church, he arose and walked to the podium, not knowing what he should say.
Years later he testified that, during the long walk to the front, he distinctly heard an audible voice announce: “The 100th Psalm.”
It was as clear as though another person had spoken at his side.
Elder Roberts faced the crowd, paused, then opened his Bible and read Psalm 100:
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
After Brother Roberts had closed his Bible and was returning to his seat, he noticed that his fellow chaplains refused to look at him; their eyes were immovably fixed on the floor.
It was then he realized that his part on the program had been a deliberate attempt to embarrass him, the Church and the priesthood. He acknowledged the help which he had received from the Lord in his moment of need and, when he returned to his tent that night, he checked the Book of Psalms, discovering that the 100th Psalm contained the most pertinent and appropriate sentiments on Thanksgiving.
—an experience of Chaplain B. H. Roberts

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Soccer is over....

We had the soccer banquet...

Riley was one of three players to receive the All Star Academic Team
(They all had 4.0's)
We love Soccer! Riley is lucky #13, my favorite number.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Catching Up... Zions






Mike and I spent a few days at Zions, hiking and enjoying the beautiful world.
It was so nice to have a few days to forget about the cares of day to day life.
We barely got back from one hike and there was a total downpour.
We loved the rain. We loved the time together.
Life is good.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Catching up...Halloween

Halloween is so fun... I miss not having little kids at Halloween time.
But Riley still wears the same costume he did when he was about 3.
I made these Batman capes for one of Riley's Birthday parties years ago.
Sam & Riley were both preschoolers.
Well Riley digs it out of the bin and wears it every year.

Every year for Halloween we go to the Trunk or Treat.
What else do you need in life... a good hot dog,
lots of kids, candy and fun.



Wednesday, November 18, 2009

My Silly Husband...

This is Mike's Dream Vehicle.
He has always wanted a 15 passenger van.

When the kids were little he thought it would be perfect. Each kid could have their own bench. I had to remind Mike that we only had 3 kids. I haven't heard about the 15 passenger van for a while. Now we are down to one child at home and Mike had a "great idea" just this morning. He is still dreaming about the van for when all our kids are married with children. He was thinking we would need it to take extended family vacations. He figures we can take 8 that is Mike & I, children and spouses, plus up to 7 grandchildren. Perfect!

Friday, November 13, 2009

No Empty Chairs...

My Dad has always had the theme for our family of No Empty Chairs.
He wants to make sure his entire family is in heaven.
When I came to my parents house on Thursday, I found this poem taped on the fridge:
(My Mom's fridge is not like mine with a million things on it, this was the only thing.)


We must cherish one another
Watch over one another
Comfort one another
And Gain instruction
That we may all sit down
In Heaven together
- Lucy Mack Smith


We like to think my Mother is in heaven setting up all of the chairs for the family.
For inspiriation on NO EMPTY CHAIRS read this

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

A Different Celebration....

Thursday Morning I was packed and ready to head to the airport to pick up my niece. We were heading to St. George for the annual Girl's Party. My parents were coming to St. George to be with their family. I had talked to my mom and she did not seem right. I called my sister Lisa as I always do. I had talked to Lisa several times and then my parents again, then I had the shocking phone call that my mother had passed away. My mother had quickly and quietly slipped from this life. A sweet passing. I went to the airport and my dear niece, Jill, was good natured when I told her we were driving to Salt Lake. There was no place we would rather be.


My Mother's Obituary

Mildred Harris Bradley 1921 – 2009

Mildred Harris Bradley unexpectedly passed away Thursday, November 5, 2009, after a long, full, and wonderful life.

She was born March 8, 1921, in Logan, Utah, to Franklin Stewart Harris and Frankie Estelle Spilsbury Harris. The family moved to Provo, Utah, when her father became President of BYU. Raised in the President’s home on the BYU campus, Mildred enjoyed the academic environment and graduated from BYU with a degree in Clothing and Textiles. She met her sweetheart, Ralph O. Bradley, at BYU. They married in the Salt Lake Temple and raised a happy family of 14 children. They now have 86 grandchildren and 144 great-grandchildren. Fifty-four of the grandchildren have served missions for the LDS Church to date.

Mildred loved her activity in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many positions in the Relief Society and Young Women’s organizations. She also served as a hostess at the Beehive House and at the Church Office Building. She loved her church service as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple and as the Temple Matron for the Washington D.C. Temple, while Ralph served as the Temple President. She also loved serving with her husband while he was Mission President of the Temple Square Mission and the North Carolina, Charlotte Mission.

Mildred was a great example to her family and friends, and she was loved and well-respected by all. Mom was a woman of integrity who successfully raised 14 children in a loving and well organized home. The laundry was always done, and there was always a nutritious hot meal on the table. Mom even made most of her children’s clothing.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years and thirteen of her children: S. Robert (Lonnie) Bradley, Susan (Leslie) Dorrough, Judy (Rick) Parry, Craig S. (Kathy) Bradley, Betsy (Dalton) Cannon, Richard H. Bradley, James R. (Shauna) Bradley, Maryjane (Brad) Melis, Peggy Waltman, John S. (Ann) Bradley, David H. (Cathy) Bradley, Barbara (Mike) Creer, and Lisa (Ned) Stephenson, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathleen Bradley Offret, her daughter-in-law, Marcia Bradley, her parents, and her five older siblings, Arlene Harris Grover, Franklin Stewart Harris, Jr., Chauncy Dennison Harris, Helen Harris Jenson, and Leah Harris Jensen.

A viewing will be held Sunday, November 8, 2009, at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 9, at the Garden Heights Ward, 2220 East Fisher Lane (2935 South), at 12 noon, with a viewing from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Interment, Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund. Online condolences at http://www.larkincares.com/

The Funeral truly was a celebration of her life... but that is another post....

My Dad's Bishop commented this morning about the family, "Boy they have fun when they get together."
My Sweet Dad with his 13 living Children at the funeral.