Nothing is promised!!

A Friend of mine died over the weekend. It was VERY sudden and totally unexpected! We were not close friends. I actually dated him for a short time in High school and was really great friends with his brother during high school and his sister-in-law and I were BFFs growing up . I have a lot of nice memories of the time we spent together. He was a great guy! I am not going to get into what happened and how he died. His family is having an extremely difficult time right now ... understandably so! I can not imagine the grief that they are going through at this time. I am thankful that I know that when this life is over that we can still be together in the Heaven. I wish that his family could know these truths as well and I pray they will someday! I am saddened to know that his life was cut short and that he will never know the joys of having the children that he dreamed of, but I know that he is whole now. I pray that his family will find the comfort and peace that they need! 

Mormon Helping Hands

A couple of weeks ago we had the worst Ice storm this area has ever seen!!

The cleanup is still needed very much even today!

I can not believe how many trees were damaged!

Today our ward got together and put on the bright yellow shirt of the Mormon Helping Hands! It was so awesome to get together with the rest of the members of the church and provide service in our community.

I have heard about the Mormon Helping Hands in places like Utah and Colorado and California... But I have NEVER heard of them doing things out here!! 

We had quite a few Priesthood holders and their sons and even some of the Relief Society sisters ( myself included ). We went to assist members and non-members, young and elderly. While we drove from one pre-determined location to the other we looked for other opportunities to serve as well!! One house there was an 80 year old women who lived by herself and had a rather big yard. Her Yard was COVERED with downed limbs. I can not imagine what was going in her mind and what ideas she was trying to come up with to clear her yard. 

The best thing about it was.... When we went there you could see how discouraged and worried everyone was and by the time we left you could tell how totally grateful and relieved people were!  We used chainsaws, rakes, gloves, ladders and brooms... more importantly we used perseverance, love, and compassion! I have NEVER had a more meaningful and enjoyable day of service!! I will not be able to move tomorrow, because I can barely move now but I am thankful that I was able to participate in such an awesome experience!!

Signs of spring??

Just last week we had one of the biggest Ice storm in the history of 

Northwest Arkansas. 

We are still in the process of cleaning up after the storm. 

Today I noticed several signs of spring....

I noticed a Robin eating the bird seed that I put out during the storm

I noticed one lone Daffodil flower standing by itself!

If that wasn't enough the Ice cream man started making his rounds today!!! 

Are you kidding me?

Is it really that warm?

I THINK NOT!!!!

How nice of them!!

Some old friends of mine decided to pay for a Carribiean vacation for myself and my bestest friend!  You want to know who these nice people are??? 

That is right the IRS!!!

My bestest friend Angel filed her taxes and decided to pay for her and I to go on a much needed and much anticipated vacation. She decided a cruise would be perfect! Who am I to complain? I mean it is free on my part. She picked me out of all the people she knows.... because she loves me!

Today.... I got some awful passport pictures taken and then went to the post office and applied for my passport. Then we did some other errands that we needed to take care of then Angel got on the computer and paid for the trip. So it is official.... We will leave April 11th and drive to Galveston Texas then board the ship on April 12th.

April 12th is Easter Sunday. I feel super bad about abandoning my husband and kids and missing Easter.... BUT I really want to go, so we will just have plan something before I leave! I can't wait to go!!!