This beautiful "Mr. Lincoln" rose is from our garden.  It measures 7" across.  The fragrance is divine. A beautiful rose.  A gift from Heavenly Father.  One of the nearly infinite number of wonderful  creations he has placed on this earth for the "benefit of man as well as to please the eye and gladden the heart. "

Little things (if I durst to use such a term) such as this beautiful rose, the song of a bird, a peaceful heart, a cupboard of food, a quiet neighborhood, a husband in the next room listening to majestic music cause me to Rejoice.

A million times a day comparisons are displayed in my mind between my sweet life and the life of a Terrified, Traumatized, Homeless Japanese citizen.

I pray that an abundance of supplies and rescuers will save all.

Most of all I pray that each affected person will, from the depths of their soul, cry out to their Maker for divine assistance.  No matter the situation peace and miracles are possible through Him.

A modern day Apostle has said,

"it is through faith that miracles are wrought."

Generally, those miracles will not be physical demonstrations of God's power-parting the Red Sea, raising of the dead, breaking down prison walls, or the appearance of heavenly messengers. By design, most miracles are spiritual demonstrations of God's power-

tender mercies gently bestowed through
impressions,
ideas,
feelings of assurance,
solutions to problems,
strength to meet challenges,
and comfort to bear disappointments
and sorrow.

These miracles come to us as we endure what the scriptures call a 'trial of [our] faith."

Elder Robert D. Hales, Personal Revelation: The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets
October 2007

May they, in their trial, exert faith.

Baby Rya

Baby Rya Kaylene is here. She received a miracle. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck twice and no one knew until delivery. The doctor saved the day by cutting the cord just as her head was visable. Rejoice Evermore!

P.S. 7lbs 7oz., 18"

How to Books

Don't you just love the scriptures?
Most every morning I awaken early, hopefully while it is still dark. I tiptoe into The Great Room, we call it, to settle into my Scripture Chair. The little hymnal is randomly opened to discover a new hymn for the day. Singing a hymn before prayer is a lovely recent addition to the ritual. The Spirit is sweet.
Writing in my journal is next. Oh, I love to write. Not that I am a great writer but I love to reflect on the day before; the tender mercies of the Lord, the joys of life, and the lessons learned.
Next comes the best part: Scripture Study. For about an hour the scriptures are my life-line to heaven. Beginning the day in this way sets the day in proper order. Even though I am in pajamas I feel dressed for the day in my 'Armor' as I arise change into clothes.

This lovely Sabbath Day I wish to share the scriptures of my heart.

1. Rejoice Evermore. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
2. I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me. Philippians 4:13
3. For Behold, I am God; and I am a GOD OF MIRACLES. 2 Nephi 25:23
4. This is the day the Lord hath made; we will Rejoice and be Glad in it. Psalm 118:24
5. The Lord will wipe away tears from off all faces. Isaiah 25:8
6. For with God nothing is impossible. Luke 1:37

Only six? There are more; lots more. But, these truly are on my mind daily.
Will you share your favorite scriptures?

A Basket Full of Miracles and Blessings

How does one Thank Heavenly Father for Bounteous Blessings and Miracles?
From Sunday, March 1st to Sunday March 8th my “cup runneth over.”
It all began with Jan bearing her testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and her love for Heavenly Father and Jesus. There are so many miracles associated with this little moment in time that an entire page in my journal was devoted to it.

That very day our cousin, Robert, lay desperately ill in a hospital. His kidneys were failing and his diseased liver was barely supporting him. He skyrocketed from the bottom of the list in line for a transplant to the top. We fasted that a liver would become available for him soon. It is a sensitive situation to know that for this prayer to be answered another must die. The Savior did that for all of us. Willingly. Lovingly. He died that we might live. He is the greatest miracle of all.

We had to wait only until Wednesday evening for this prayer to be answered. Robert’s
wife, April, called to say a beautiful liver had arrived so surgery would be soon.
Craig and I were at Mom and Dad’s when these phone call came.

Mom and I were about to leave for the temple and Craig was going to sit with my father who is too weak and uncomfortable to attend. This is where the next blessing was to
occur. Two nieces, (Mom and Dad’s granddaughters) were going to the temple for the
first time. Our family was there in great numbers. Our hearts were so full of gratitude. For Robert.


For Rachel.

For Jammie.
For our family. Heaven smiled on us that night.

Jammie is married to Bradley. She has been a member of the church for a year and a couple of days. She is a bouquet of sunshine.

Rachel and Zack were married on Friday! We are so happy that Rachel is loved by a good man.

Shannon was the florist for the wedding. Our adorable daughter is so talented. She takes beautiful flowers and designs gorgeous arrangements.

I helped her Thursday with her little boys so she could create the bouquets. Friday Craig helped with the boys so she could complete the order. As you can see we have our tricks!


Here is another miracle...Craig changed a dirty diaper because Shannon was under pressure! What a man.!!

Craig and I went to visit Robert and April

at the hospital on Sunday. He looks better than he has for a very long time. We are so happy for them. And reverently grateful that through someone’s death Robert can live. We are sorry for the sorrow of those who lost a loved one and grateful that they were willing to offer a gift of life to a stranger.

The hospital is 10 minutes from Kelli's. So we took April over so she could get a shower and eat dinner with us. Kelli's apartment is stunning.
So is she~

You would think that a week this full would not possibly have more blessings. But there are more than there is time to write. Sharon Kaye gave me a framed quote, which I love, “Life is a series of thousands of daily miracles.” It is so true.

There is one more miracle I must include.
During the week a little book arrived for me in the mail with a note attached. It was from a woman I had begun a conversation with at the beach, last summer, when I noticed she was reading a book Craig and I love, “The Greatest Thing in the World,” by Henry Drummond. In the conversation she told me about another book she loves that is very hard to get. She promised to send me one when she got her order. Can you believe that she would not only remember all these months later yet alone DO what she had offered?

A basket full of blessings and miracles!

Fairy Blessings

I went to bed upset last night when I realized that my dear friend, Jan and I had both chosen new backgrounds for our blogs which were EXACTLY the SAME! How could that happen?
The one I had chosen was beautiful and I loved it! SO many of the important elements were there. Roses, blue, pink, romantic. AGGHHh.
Truthfully, the blog background was perfect for her too. We both love similar things. And to top it all~~~she had made a personalized header. It looked MORE beautiful than mine!
What to do?
I woke up early this morning....4:30 am..Crazy. The first thing on my mind was to search for another background. It took an hour to find one BUT
OH MY GOODNESS~~~~
THIS ONE IS PERFECT!
Do you know I LOVE Fairies? I have a collection of fairy items all through my house. I loved them long before they were popular.
Do you know I love violets? They were my Grandma Whitney's favorite flower.
Do you know I love pansies? They are my Mother's favorite flower.
Do you know I love the 'vintage' look?
Do you know I love ribbons and buttons?
And SHOES?
There even is a beautiful rose....
So this adds up to one THRILLED Kris!
DO NOT COPY THIS BACKGROUND!!!!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?

The Appliance Angel

A new dishwasher arrived at our home yesterday via an angel.
Oh, we bought it at a Sears.
But an angel delivered it.
His name is Robert.
Why didn't I take his photo? Then I could have the face of a real live angel on my blog.

Robert showed me that we would need to purchase a new hose to make a connection along with the disposal fee of the old dishwasher we would owe him money.

Before leaving our home Robert explained that the moment he walked into our home he knew it was the 'household of faith' and that he wouldn't charge us a dime.

Elder Jeffrey Holland recently stated:

"...we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods."

I hugged an angel (Craig was home).

The Deer Miracle

How many times have you seen a sign on the road cautioning that it is a wild animal crossing area and NEVER seen a one animal? I usually hope we will see wild life.

Craig and I drove from Utah after visiting Joel's family and Craig's mom to Arizona where we would be celebrating Thanksgiving. We decided to make it a 2 day journey. As we drove through southern Utah in the dark of night we noticed the warning sign that deer are in the area.
I offered a silent prayer that we would not harm one of Heavenly Father's deer and that they wouldn't harm us. Later....one was walking alongside the road not even attempting to cross the road.

The next morning there were similar signs. Together Craig and I offered the same prayer. Not long afterward a deer walked along the side of the road. Later as the road took a turn we came upon a deer family of four whom had just completed crossing the road as we came upon them. The last one was just barely off the road as we passed.

I see Miracles.

A Miracle

Sunday Night after spending the entire evening working on Proposition 8 with Craig and neither of us having time for dinner I considered the busy upcoming week. In prayer I expressed to Heavenly Father that I had too much to do. Then I listed them...Prop 8 on Monday, teach a 1 1/2 hour scripture class on Tuesday, Serve in the temple 8 hours on Wednesday, Stake Enrichment Night on Thursday, visit Dad and Mom a few times, and work more hours on Prop. 8, prepare a talk for Sacrament mtg. and a Relief Society lesson as well. I asked Him for HELP!

Monday a MIRACLE came! I was told that a change had just been made and I would not need to give a lesson on Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU!

56th Birthday

Today is my 56th Birthday!
I made a list of 56 Reasons to Rejoice!
But, the list isn't complete.
I keep thinking of more Reasons.
I feel so blessed.
That's because I am blessed.
We all are.
Some are blind to the Miracles they Receive.
I SEE MIRACLES.
So, I REJOICE EVERMORE!
Yet, I know I don't see them all.
My prayer is that I will SEE More Clearly HIS Hand in my Life.
And may you!