Letter I wrote to Mike about getting him into college. the Lord sure takes care of those returning missionaries!

Hi Mike,

So melea is still trying to register you for school. So she calls and asks if I can get a transcript from Santana cuz Cuyamaca won't let her sign for classes without one. I go down there and two Counselors tell me I can't because you are over 18. You have to do it. As I leave I turn around and say "Isn't there someone else who might know how I can do this?" A lady walks by and hears it and just conversationally says to to the others. What's up?" They tell her and she looks at me and says "Aren't you Mormom?" I say "yes" and tell about you. She says she can figure something out. So I get the transcript!!! (How did he know I was Mormon?) Theres more!!!

Now Melea needs to register you TODAY. She needs the transcript to get to a 'Debbie' and Debbie needs to do her thing with it before Melea can get your classes. So.... I go down to Cuyamaca and there are three buildings that might be the right place. But there are lines at all three places and I have to get back to work. I call Robbie and let him decide which line I should get in. At the time I really need to leave there are still 3 people ahead of me. Just then all 3 of their cell phones ring and the gal at the window tells them to take them outside! I am in first place now! But I have to leave. SO..... an older lady is walking by on the other side of the windows and as she passes by she glances at me and says "Can I help you?" (Why me?) She goes to a window and does not even take down the 'window closed' sign, but asks me what I want. I look her in the eye and say "You must be Debbie". She is surprised but says "yes", she is, how did I know? So I told her she is an answer to prayer. She takes the transcript and instead of putting it with the others stuff to distribute to the people who do things, she walks away with it. I wasn't sure if I should leave,but I needed her to come back so I could ask her if she could do it right away. She does come back after a moment or two and tells me she just decided to take care of it right away and to tell my daughter (your sister, Melea) that she can sign you up right now!

Don't ya just love it??!!!!! I love you, Mom

Grateful

Once again I was hit today with how grateful I should be to fireman, first responders, police, EMT, etc. I am taking a 26 hour CERT course. It is a volunteer corps that goes into disaster areas and does the work that first responders shouldn't do so that they can do the work they are qualified to do. In other words, CERT personnel access areas, do triage, put out small fires, turn off electrical and gas sources, evacuate, do necessary medical aid to stabilize (different than first aid - we don't do CPR cuz if they need it, it is too late for us to help them). I hold the record for putting out a house fire in 6 seconds! We used a simulator on a video screen with a fire extinguisher; wearing the safety gear with buddy back-up! It was hard to understand what our first responders really see and experience. At one point I did. I had to declare a five year old girl dead while she still had a pulse. The tears came as I realized these guys do this every time there is a disaster. What they see and have to turn away from hurts. How much can the heart hold? My mother was an EMT. She was a woman of great compassion. I am grateful.

Thoughts Following Conference

Each time I listen to President Monson, I am impressed with his life commitment to service. He has such a sensitive feeling of tenderness towards, especially, the women. I am reminded of the tenderness the Savior felt towards them. They both understood something about the sacredness of a woman's Call that all great men come to understand and appreciate. I am drawn to the leaders who give credit to their wives for their success. It does not diminish their accomplishments but rather enhances their role as men and leaders in the business community, church, world and family. It is an eternal principle that places a woman at an elevated state both for her exemplary role in creation but also for her spiritual sensitivity that is vital in the nurturing of mankind. Her role in the plan of salvation was planned and vital. Have priesthood leaders been given special knowledge of the sacredness of a woman's Call, to counterbalance the role which has been relegated to a woman for the previous centuries? Is this part of the restoration in the last days? I have been impressed with the respect shown me as I work with Priesthood. I will always hold sacred the first time I reported in Stake High Council and every man rose and waited until I was seated before resuming their seats. They rose again when I left the room and held the door open for me. I felt respected, my work acknowledged and recognition for my unique importance to the Work. I pray my daughters and daughter-in laws will experience that from their husbands.

I got to love a dog!

I had forgotten how awesome it is to hug a dog who lets you hug her. Melea and Rob got the cutest, most adorable dog. Her name is Roxy. She is Corgi and Pug: short legs, body builder chest, trim hips, floppy ears, huge bedroom eyes and the cutest little snout. Her tail is long and does a curlie-que at the end. When she is excited she waggles it back and forth so fast. She is gentle and lets you sit and hug her and kiss her face. (Not as good as Jakob). hen she is excited, she springs up and runs. She reminds me of that mini goat we had. She could just jump straight up without bending her legs at all! i got to dog-sit today. She is really attached to Rob and Melea but she sat next to me most of the time and let me pet her. It was a nice day. OH, yes, it was also Conference, so I could sit around the whole day. Wow, what a day; petting a dog, listening to Prophets and the Mormon Tab singing hymns. I would say it was a very good day.

Rendezvous

On the way home from the Rendezvous....I stopped by the Albertsons in Ramona to buy brownies for my YW lesson on Sunday. As I was outside checking my pockets for cash, a dear man walks by and puts a $20 bill in my hand and says how sorry he is that a nice lady like me doesn't have family who will help her out. What a nice man!!! I couldn't figure out what he was talking about until I looked at myself in the big glass doors. Kinda dirty, crushed leaves at the bottom of my pants and old uggs, oversized shirt, hair:definitely windblown, sunburned nose. I repeat...what a nice man. I couldn't find him once I could close my mouth, so I gave the money to a nice young woman with four little kids. Yes, I had fun.

The Gospel Is True!

Yesterday was our assignment from the Stake to spend the day in the Temple. How tough is that? While I was driving home, the spirit was so sweet, I cranked up the hymns, opened all the windows and skylight and I'm singing. (Last time I did that, I got a ticket and it cost me $500! But gravy! Susan & I were driving by Mount Shasta in the early morn-we had to sing). Anyway...I get to a stop sign and I just couldn't help it...I lean out the window and yell "The Gospel is true!" - a few times. This guy is on the corner and asks me what I'm yelling. I tell him and he asks what does it mean. So I tell him! I think he was more than just polite, cuz he bows his head a little and gets real quiet. So I tell him he just felt the Spirit and if he ever wants to know more about it he should flag down those guys in the whites shirts who ride bikes all over Santee and they will explain it to him. It was a win-win! I get to get off my chest, someone gets to feel the Spirit and no one has to listen to me when I get home! (Sorry, Randy & Caitlin-you did have to hear the story-just not the testimony) What a deal!

Shooting Black Powder!

So this weekend I get to shoot black powder rifles at the Varsity Rendezvous! I love the smell of it...for a while at least. By the end of the day I get a little headache. Each year I go up and help at the range and in return I get to shoot when the youth are done. It is fun so see all the outfits and clothing. The boys have blast and the energy is so cool. I love getting to help with stuff and still get to have fun. Kinda of a good combination. I really, really hope some wonderful Priesthood leader steps up to the plate this year and tells La Mesa ward that Indians in those days (or any days!) did not run around with war paint and Speedos!!! Not a single one of those guys have the bod for that, yet. Sorry, Rose. Stick to Chris!

Did It!

I just got back. "I hurt." I am not sure if there is any way to say this more explicitly. My chin looks like a cheese grater got to it from hitting the net on the tube going into the biggest trough from a hugmongous wake!!! My neck has been twisted twice around and is still twisetd from passing back and forth between magnificant wakes. But I can tuck my shoulder down and rudder my foot to zigzag through the bay. I can even get up an my knees and stay for few seconds. I can wave one hand. My arms have been pulled out their sockets and indescriminatley stuffed back in from water boarding... And Yes, I am referring to the board you try to stand up on AND forcing water down your throat. I squirted whip cream into my mouth from the can.... a lot of times!!!! I am burnt. My skin is dry. My hair.... But did I have fun!!!! I will now soak in a bubble bath for hours. Can't wait to do it again.

Doing MY Things!

I am going to spend the next two days at the bay: inner tubing, wake boarding, water skiing and just plain having the time of my life. I will not worry about anything or anybody! I will laugh and play and work my body into a real good sweat (can you sweat in the water?) and exhaust myself with a bunch of young women from my Church. I will not care one whit that I have gained weight or gotten older. The girls only care that I do the same things they do... most of the time before they do! I will stay up all night, if I want to, and eat somemores and woofums; with lots of whip cream. I may even slurp from the can. I will not wash dishes: I am using paper! Sunday I will hurt soooo bad, but I will have been "me", doing "me" things. Just thought you might like to know, in case I die...You will know I died doing the things I love. Next weekend I am going to shoot black powder, set traps and run around with other guys who like the same things. This summer I ate Chili peppers and found I really don't like them. But I do like a hot turkey and weird pepper cheese sandwich with tomato (Jeff made it). I will spend as much time doing Genealogy as I like, because my time is now mine. I am going through a transition and I love doing it!!!! I even figured out how to change the headings on this blog so I don't have two dates on every posting!

Albuquerque!

I just got back from Albuquerque last night. It was a quick trip to be there for Lukas Blessing. That kid is never going to learn to walk!!! He is so fun to hug. Taking a plane is so much easier than those long drives. Without kids along I am not sure I can do them anymore. It gives me a chance to read trashy mags like People. It is fun to meet new people and get to know them. But is still weird to me what intimate stuff people will tell a stranger. Watching people at airports is almost as much fun as going to the zoo. I sat in front of a dog that barked the whole way and a sweet child that didn't want me to sleep. Thank goodness for short flights. It was good to hug my Katie again. And, of course the grandkids. Jeff, as usual, made scrumptious food.

Wicked

Last Saturday I went to see Wicked. Oh, my goodness! It was so good. I wanted to crawl up on stage and figure out how they did those sets!! The costumes were whimsical and intricate. The acting was incredible The audience booed and laughed and cried and oohed. The character were alive!!! I would so love to go it again.

My garden has done very well with tomatoes this year. I feel guilty, but each day I go out and hope the plants are finally dying. Each week I making wheat bread: grind, knead, rise, etc. Butter and honey on each slice is pretty good. I can see how people can live on it.

Work starts today. I miss the kids. But really loved the days of reading and doing genealogy whenever I wanted. Oh well. Life is so tough.

Susan Home!!!!!

Thursday, August 27 , 2009

Susan has been home from the Y this past week. The house is a mess, the frig is empty, the noise is loud, money is gone...And I love it. I so missed the noise of a busy family. It is nice to have Rob & Melea and Randy & Caitlin drop in during the week. They love my Apple, Rusty's tv and the food. It is a kind of nice season to be in.

I had to take the Federal Food Handler's test for work. I aced it! A perfect score. High five for the old people!!!! Work starts next week. It will be good to see the kids again.

When the new Family Search came out...I totally blew my genealogy. This summer it is my mission to fix all the stuff I goofed up. My mother and Rusty's mother are no longer sisters. Rusty is not my brother anymore. And poor ggg grandfather Biersten no longer has 42 children. Someday my children will be grateful I fixed all this stuff. I love you,, Mom

Finally

It has been a long time coming...this empty nest season. Goodness, it was really hard for the first two months. I had planned ahead for a few years to decide how I wanted to spend the time that would finally be just mine. AND THEN...I got a new Calling...Camp Crafter leader.

I had one month to put together the week trip to San Simeon State Park. Five days later I took the girls to Girl's Camp. That was a little stressful, putting those two together, but the week before, Susan and I drove to Oregon for David's graduation and to see my dad. Then drove Susan to the Y in Utah. In between the girl's trips I flew to Katie's for Logan's Baptism. In August I was going to drive back to Katie's for her baby's Blessing and drive Susan back for a few days before she took off back to the Y. Katie's baby, Lukas, decided to make people dance to his tune, though. He stayed at the hospital for two weeks, Susan helped Katie and the kids, then flew to SD and spent the week running with her friends. I will go back for Lukas' Blessing in September.

SO... What did I have planned for the summer?..... my garden, genealogy, and lots of time in the Temple!, plus three trips to see my kids. It has been a really, really busy summer. Interesting to note, though. I did get my garden producing, did work on my genealogy, and did spend 1-2 days in the temple each week ( sometimes more!). I thought life would slow down in September when I go back to work. But I will go to Katie's and take the girl's to play water sports at the beach for a weekend. Maybe October will slow down. Oh, dear, I forgot. In October I have that super Boy Scout training I put on for the District and Rechartering. Sometime I have to get Michael's bedroom put back together. Did I tell you? Michael comes home from the Ukraine December 22nd!!!!!