Small and Wonderful Things . . .

"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!



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.



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 . . .



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.




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  . . .


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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!