After All These Years

At Bruce's Funeral

This group of guys were such good friends, and good people.

The only one missing here is Bruce.

Gary, Paul, Lee and Mike.

Just over a year ago, when Bruce's father died, he and I talked about getting our church group together. Most of us had been in the same church group our entire lives. That is, until graduation from high school. We were just a bunch of good kids that got along together. Bruce's funeral was the first time in 27 years we had all seen one another.

Be Still My Soul

Today is Monday. Last Saturday I found out that Bruce Jasper, childhood friend and neighbor passed away. The news had a strange effect on me. Others my age have died, yet never one so close to my personal life until now.

Saturday found me moping around, reflective and sad. However, when the alarm went off Sunday morning, the song coming across the waves was the most amazing arrangement of "Be Still My Soul" I have ever heard. It is one of my favorites. The beginning of the hymn is just one male voice, a capella, then others join in one or two at a time until there is over lapping harmony. Wow! I felt so calmed by the words and music that I was able to go to church and enjoy the spirit there.

During the Sacrament, I read and re-read the hymn. I have decided to post it as a reminder to myself and others that our Lord is truly there for us. He did not put us here to fail, or to go through trials alone. Life is hard, but we were meant to succeed in all we are given.

Hymn 124: Be Still, My Soul

Be still, my soul: The Lord is on they side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Bruce's passing made me face the reality that life is short. Sons, daughters, and friends don't always live to be old. However, it has also given me an opportunity to reflect on the testimony I have of our Father in Heaven, and his son, Jesus Christ. The blessings of the Holy Ghost as the comforter are wonderful. I am so grateful to know of this kindness bestowed upon me while I stumble through this mortal exsistence.

Sew, Sew, Sew your boat... (skirt)

We gave Amy fabric for a skirt for Christmas.

She had to make it quick before we took her back home.

Cutting out was no problem.

Hand stitching was her least favorite part!

FINISHED!

My favorite part is the sweat pants hangin' out below.

Thanks Amy for spending your holiday with us. We love you!!

A Baby sized project

Making Deb's Baby Quilt

Mom, Josie, Ruby and Amy tying a baby quilt for Dan and Deb's little one.

Jean Warner (my mom) and Amy let us sneak a peek at the finished product.

Done! Front and back. Josie, Ruby, and Amy.

Dad's Christmas Party-part 2

Dad's Christmas Party - Part Two

Josie and Amy, cousins and friends.

I am sure there was a shepherd as spunky and fun as Andrew somewhere that first Holy Night!

What a darling family to visit the stable! Andrew, Traci, and Nadia surely came dressed the part!

This was such a sweet moment when Andrew hugged his Grammy!

Ann and Ron, my sister and brother in law

Thanks for always supporting the family functions!

Dad's Christmas Party

Warner Christmas Party 2009

Dad and Mom invited us to their home to reinact the Christmas Story,

just as we did when we were young.

One of the cutest things of the night came when Dad was calling for people to play parts. Cassidy was on the side of the room, quietly saying, "I'll be Mary, I'll be Mary". She was such a sweet Mary. (with Andrew and Betty)

Here we are in our costumes. Good thing nothing fancy was required. Just a willing heart and a scarf. Shane, Ruby, Tony, Jackson and Josie.

Miss Nadia came as the lamb. Bless Traci for dressing her up. She was darling!

Christmas Time is Here Again!

Christmas 2009

Josie and I attended the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas concert in Salt Lake City.

Every where you turned there was another gorgeous Christmas Tree.

Some of the funnest things to see were the nativities from different countries.

Of course the lights on Temple Square were beautiful, just like my daughter!