Monday 15 June 2015

Small and Wonderful Things . . .

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"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny? . . . It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard


A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.














Well, the most exciting news is this!    Todd and I are now officially Senior Service Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.   We were called and set apart by the laying on of hands yesterday after church.   Today we are going into Chester where I have to try to find me a couple of skirts that will fit.  Tomorrow we will be meeting with the Mission President to see what our duties will be and it will be full steam ahead from then on.   We will be serving for 18 months and are both very excited about this.

It is not a proselyting mission, so we will not be going door to door in the way that the younger missionaries do, but we will be supporting the younger missionaries, helping them wherever and whenever we can,  helping out the less actives and inactives, etc.Thirty hours a week.  We both have had a desire to serve for quite a while now.   We never thought we would be able to  because we cannot leave our home, nor do we have the finances to go on a full-time mission.   Plus there is our Mitzie.  

You can find out more about Service Missionairies and some of what we might be doing here.

I am so excited about this that I have been up since 4:40 this morning.  I can't wait to start I guess!

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A selfie of the Engaged Couple.    I have loved Sara ever since our Bruce brought her into all of our lives.  I think that she will be a wonderful wife to my son and daughter in law.   I know that she makes him very happy and vice versa.    I wish them all the happiness in the world.

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Glimpses into happy lives . . . small snippets I get to share, even from a couple of thousand miles away.  Look at the little dimples on those chubby little hands.  Oh how I would love to press my lips on each one . . . my precious little boy . . .

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Bicycle riding is important business.   Love that little helmeted head.   This takes me back to when I was a child and learning how to ride a bicycle.   My father spent hours holding onto the seat of my bicycle, running up and down our back yard, while I got used to being on it and keeping it steady.  When he finally let go I didn't notice at first and when I did, there was a bit of a wobble, but then I took off.    Parents . . .  it's their job to hold onto the seat and run with you, until you have to courage and strength to take off on your own.























Forget Me Nots . . . .

"Sisters, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten.   No matter how dark your days seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you  think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you.  In fact, He loves you with an infinite love."  ~President Dieter F Uchtdorf

I know I am not forgotten.  Knowing this makes all the difference in my world.


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The Village Street, when neighbors meet,
Is just the place to spread the news . . . 
Next Friday's dance, some new romance,
Or where to buy the children's shoes.
There's always time to have a chat
About important things like that.
~David Hope

I have good neighbors.    Lawrence and his wife on the one side . . .  are always willing to accept a parcel if we're not home.  They are quiet and yet you know they are always keeping an eye on things.  Maxine and her son on the otherside  of us are also good people.    They are never a problem.   The other day Maxine knocked on my door and had a small something for me that she had picked up at Dunelm Mill . . .  she saw it and thought of me.  There is an older couple across the way, along with their older son . . .  we don't know their names, but we know their faces and we and they, always wave hello and pass the time of day.  At Christmas time, Christmas Cards get put through all the letter boxes.   We are a small group, but we are neighbors who care.  Neighbor who care.  Not a bad thing.

In this world of social media and online presence . . . it's nice to know that you matter in real life also.

And with that I will leave you with a thought to carry around with you all day  . . .


❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥
Forget the things that, through the year,
Contrived to make you sad;
Remember only happy days,
On which your heart was glad.
~Unknown
❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥

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In The English Kitchen today . . .  Sauteed Lemon and Garlic Chops.

I hope you have a week filled with many small and wonderful things!  Don't forget!

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And I do too!


8 comments:

  1. Oh Marie and Todd, I am s excited for you. I know how long you have wanted to do more to serve the Lord and now you have been asked officially (although you have alway done the Lords work amongs your friends,)you will both enjoy helping in whatever way. Just remember loves don't do more than you can, especially now that Tod is not getting any younger LOL...I am going away after I have written this too see what you might be expected to do....We are out today for the Wesley Guild summer lunch, We don;t go far jut about 4 miles away toward Bath a nice Inn that sits by teh canal so if anyone feels able they could have a walk along the canal a wee bit..there are 14 of us going and we have enough cars to take everyone..migt be a tight fit in mine as I have 4 plus me !!and I have to say that 2 of the thre ein the back are not exactly "thin" !!! Have a lovely day. Good luck getting your kirt's...maybe Ediburgh Woolen Mill they have some reasonabley priced skirts I think xxx

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  2. Good morning Marie and Todd. It has been an event filled day or so for sure. Engagements and service dreams coming true. That's beautiful. I am so pleased there has been a happy consensus that will benefit all. God bless.

    I have been battling the blahs again. This morning I went out to do the grabage. It was 11 am and there before were some maiden hair ferns sparkiling with dew drop diamonds. So pretty.

    I am now off to make a pot of potato and leek soup. This afternoon the houshold seems far less stormy. It seems it is a great idea to meet Miss Beth, after school, for a huge 4 pm snakc at Ikea. I always wonder and feel bemused to see my size 4 girl stash away food.

    God bless.

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  3. Thanks Sybil! I don't want anything too expensive, just wearable and in my size! Black probably so they will go with anything. I hope you have a lovely day at your Guild lunch! What fun! I belonged to Guild many years ago, when my children were quite young. We always enjoyed ourselves and I did love our activities. Wherever women gather . . . xoxo

    Thanks Suzan! Sorry you are battling the blah's again. Maiden hair ferns with dew sound so pretty. I wish I could meet Beth after school for a big snack at Ikea! I love their meatballs! xoxo

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  4. Good neighbors are a blessing for sure. I have one with my sister living next door but the other side is empty and has been several years now. Hope you enjoy your new ministry. Have a Happy Monday !

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  5. That is Wonderful news about the mission call!!! Congratulations! You and Todd will be great service missionaries. Sister Rayner...heee!!! Love that! SO VERY HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH! xoxoxoxoxox

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  6. Thanks Pam! They do say that good fences make good neighbors. I have good fences also! lol xoxo

    Thanks Val!! I sure hope we can do it justice! xoxo

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  7. Oh dear Marie, I am so happy to hear about your missionary call. The two of you will enjoy this opportunity. My husband and I plan on applying for a mission as soon as he retires this fall. We may just stay home and do one here. There are a lot of things to do. I think we don't want to leave our Sammy either.
    I love that your son is engaged. I always love the pictures of your dear grandchildren.
    I loved riding a bike when I was younger. We have bikes now but don't get a chance to ride them very much.
    Thanks for this one and I loved it all. Hugs!

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  8. We thought about getting bicycles LeAnn, but then the expense of them and the busyness of our roads changed our minds! haha. Love you! xoxo

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Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!