Yesterday I had planned to go to the Temple in DC with our ward but on Friday I came down with another horrendous stuffed head and leaky nose! So instead of a spiritual Saturday I spent most of it watching "Gilmore Girls-season one". I have to admit that it was sort of nice to just sit and not do much of anything. The downside was my head was full and I couldn't really taste food so there was no scrumptious eating going on! I was still coughing away this morning so I had to stay home from church and needed to create my own spiritual atmosphere. I opted to listen to some of my devotional talks that I have recorded and to watch all three "Work and the Glory" in a row!
As I was reading before I turned in I decided that I wanted to share my obsession with Neal a Maxwell that I have been having lately. JJ had a devotional talk of his that I put on my Fuze and I think I have listened to it a dozen times! This talk is amazing because it was given in 1978 and it is so appropriate for today. If you want to read it just put "meeting the challenges of today" in your browser and it will come up. There are places where you can watch it also.
Then tonight as I was reading I decided to read the book "All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience" which is a Maxwell Book published in 1980. It's been a few years since I read it last and as I was reading this paragraph really struck me.
"Staying close to the prophets will be vital since,in some ways,the last days of this dispensation may come to resemble the first days in this dispensation. The middle period through which the Church has recently passed has been essentially a pleasant period-full of growth,understanding, and even some acclaim from the world. But the last days,although they will be characterized by much growth,will also be
characterized by much tribulation and difficulty. While we can be forgiven for not thirsting after conditions of stress,each of us,according to our station,must play well our role in this most glorious of all dispensations."
He then goes on to talk about how the prophets have been raised up for this specific period and will lead us through and then he ends the chapter with this encouragement:
"In like manner, the Lord has measured the parents of the rising generations on whom so much will also depend-all to the end that His work will triumph against odds that would stagger all but the true believers".
I always appreciate how blunt he is and specific!
I want you all to know how grateful I am that I live in this dispensation and that I have been blessed to remain here to see so much fulfillment of prophecy and to see my children living righteous lives and rearing families in the Gospel! There are tough times ahead but we are all equal to the challenge because we are here now for this purpose!
How grateful I am for Prophets and personal revelation to help in our lives!

Birthdays

Another year has come and gone for me and it hardly seems possible! I had a lovely day yesterday because I heard from almost all of my children! Papa brought me a rose and a beautiful card and then took me out to dinner at the "Southern Inn", a very nice restaurant in Lexington. He says that my present will arrive tomorrow in the mail so that is exciting!
Emilie and JJ fixed dinner for me tonight at Emilie's house and we had a tradional dinner of Roast Beef, Mashed potatoes,peas,and a special cake that was given to us by some Brazilian friends. Being surrounded by family always makes me happy!

Last Friday John and I went over the mountain and went to see Avitar with Mary and Bill. It is quite the amazing movie and rather spectacular in 3D! We had a very nice time together.
It is very cold here right now (18 degrees and going down) and they are delaying school 2 hrs in the morning because of the expected high winds and cold. Luckily the college students don't return to classes until Thursday!
I guess now I push on in to 2010 and see what surprises it holds for me!