Hola from Hermana, 1-11-11

Hola mi familia! 

Surprise!  This week we're mailing today instead of tomorrow because we went to market today!  This also means I have no more preparation time other than maybe going to the temple tomorrow, and will probably not be able to write any letters!  Gah!  Lo siento! 

Yesterday your totally awesome package arrived!!!  I could hardly believe the cans of beans!  I’m pretty sure nobody else would have received anything like that.  Thank you!  H, the pumpkin note ROCKED (thank you!), bro, I can’t wait to really read the letter and symptoms of culture shock  (really!  :)  ), Dad, I loved your Thankfuls!  (That is something I never get tired of--your thankfuls), Mom THANK YOU for the note with encouragement and reminder to live NOW, and D, I would love to read a sample of your writing that makes people laugh!  (Dad mentioned it in his letter)  :)

News:

Today we went to a market!  Some things were the same as in India (lots of small booths close together, stalls with gorgeous fresh fruit and burlap sacks full of grains, spices, BEANS, haha, goodies...)  Others were new and different: it was UNDERGROUND, and had GORGEOUS NATIVITY SETS  little figurines in small flatish bowls...  I hope to bring one home, they were gorgeous.  Some were carved from wood, others sewn from cloth.  Also really cool candle stalls, a rug maker...  I loved the sight of a small little boy sleeping on what resembled a yoga mat in a darker corner of a stall near a stack of brightly colored scarves. 

After the market we went to an upscale mall, big and Americanish with an awesome museum.  Dashed trough and saw Mayan artifacts.  Loved a small stone armadillo, learning that women used two bowls for cooking (one to mix and one to bake), a stone carving of a man that looked like he was sticking his tongue out, and small stone statues called "mushroom stones".  I feel the same way I do about the blunderbusses in India.  :) 

I can’t wait to really get to know the people here.  My teachers are so kind.  The Latinas are so humble, strong in testimony, and fun.  :)  Hermana G and I are the new coordinating sisters, so for the next three weeks we are in charge of watching over the 28 sisters!  Huge group coming in--well have 100 missionaries the next three weeks, and will be cramped. 

I’m starting to mispell in English.  I wrote "profet" the other day.

I loved a District testimony meeting we had Sunday.  My heart felt so full of gratitude as I listened to the Elders (all are 19 years old) and Hermana G bear their testimonies.  I am grateful they gave up what they were doing to take time to serve the Lord.  I know we are called to preach His gospel and invite others to come unto Him.  I know the Lord knows and loves us.  I know He is our Redeemer, and that through Him we can be cleansed from our sins, made whole and perfect, and return to our Heavenly Father to not only live with Him but to become LIKE Him! 

I LOVE YOU ALL!  Via con Dios!

--Hermana Ivy [-]

Hola from Ivy, 26-10-11

Hola mi familia fantastico!  or -a....

Oh, this morning we found out that the mailing address in my mission call packet for this MTC isn’t actually through the church pouch mail, but through the Guatemala mail service.  Which helps explain why I haven’t received the package you sent or the written letters you told me about (I’m sad I didn’t get them, but not upset--I’m really doing great and love the emails you sent today)...  I did receive Dads dear elder letter last Wednesday after email time.  So I would suggest sending all written letters and packages to the Quetz mission office.  :)  I have printed off your emails this week and will respond to them in my written letter home.  :)

I’m doing fabulously!  Around last Thursday was another turning point of "I’m back":  happy and positive and focusing on the work.  On Monday Hermana A 1 (one of two twin sisters who are our teachers) took us outside for ten minutos to ponder, and it was one of the most peaceful pondering moments Ive had here.  I was prompted that I have needed to be more grateful, and that as I do so, I will be able to receive the Holy Ghost and, consequently, the gift of tongues more fully.  I am grateful for that prompting, and have been blessed to see the promise being fulfilled already.  :) 

Random--I’ve been hearing Speedy Gonzalez´s "arriba ribba!!!" from Bugs Bunny in my head so often you’d think I was a broken record player, or the random car alarm that goes off outside regularly...

I’ve had frijoles three times since I’ve been here and loved them all.  I can’t wait to eat them more often!  My most favorite new food this week was starfruit juice, agua de carabola, like lemonade but with a floral zip to it.  Turns out the fruit themselves are super bitter too.  :)  Also tried eating mulberries, which look like blackberries on steroids, and liked them a lot. 

Yesterday was AWESOME!  As a group, paired with our Latin companions, we took a bus to the Central Plaza and proselyted/contacted for an hour!  It was great!  I understood more than I thought I would, and spake more than I’d anticipated (even though I sounded like a five year old).  I was grateful for Hermana C who made sure I was included by sharing my testimony.  I gave away all three of our Book of Mormons, and felt that at least two of the people would follow up.  I’ll write more in my letter home.  :)

This morning I had a little epiphany about the Saviors example of exercising faith through positive visualization.  He knew He had to fulfill the Atonement if He was going to save us from physical death and provide a way back to Heavenly Father.  So He ALWAYS talked about the Atonement as though He had already fulfilled it, even though He hadn’t really completed it!  See Mosiah 16:6 and John 16:33 (the last verse of that chapter, talks about be of good cheer He overcame the world).  That was really powerful for me because I realized I need to visualize myself as the missionary God sees I can be.  That really meant a lot to me. 

I love you all tons!!!!!!!    Via con Dios!

--Hermana Ivy [-]

Hola from Hermana Ivy, 19/10/11

I'm actually in Guatemala!  and I only just learned yesterday how to properly pronounce it!  (Watt-a-mala)  It is beautiful here, not terribly humid and relatively constant nice temperatures, and has rained every day, usually in downpours.  My most-used phrase is "Como se dice?", and I've learned many words, even if I'm still working on stringing sentences together.  The CCM (MTC in Español) is very small, with about 80 students compared to the MTC's 1800ish.  My new compañera is Hermana G, from Nevada, who is going to serve as a mission nurse in Nicaragua!  She is super nice and patient and kind, and I'm grateful to work with her.  Four latina compañeras also live in our 'cuarto', and my latina comañeras that I eat with are Hermana C y Hermana G, from Guatemala y Chile respectively.  They have been patient with how little I speak, are happy to teach me how to pronounce things, and are eager to learn English.  So far they have a VERY hard time making the "i" sound in "icky", and I have yet to come up with a way to teach them how to say it. 

The food they serve us is delicious, though definitely not rice and beans.  I haven’t had the same entree twice.  They actually have served hamburgers, crepes, chicken pie, barbecue rib, and even a curry.  It has been a little difficult eating so much meat, but I'm grateful I now know how to ask for only one thing, or "un pocito, por favor". 

I haven't been really homesick.  What surprised me is how much I've missed our district in Provo.  They are excellent young men and I wish them the very very best.  I'm excited to get to know our current district.

Last week we went to the Guatemala Temple and talked with members there, asking for referrals.  It was one of the funnest experiences I've had!  Mi Español was no bueno, but I smiled and attempted to talk and they understood the message.  And one man actually gave us valid contact information!  I was very happy.  :)

I'm understanding more of what our maestros are saying every day.  That has been encouraging, and I'm excited to be a better teacher.

I want to share some blessings I’ve learned about that come from paying tithing.  In a Provo devotional, the speaker talked about the verses in Malachi 3:11.  In ancient times the Israelite people were totally dependent on what they harvested, and if their crops were devoured they would have died, or the worst possible thing that could happen to their family.  When God promises that He will "rebuke the devourer," He will prevent the thing that would totally devastate our family.  The other promise of paying tithing is that those things we are working for will come to fruition, instead of rotting before ever becoming ripe.

I love you LOTS!  I’m sorry not to type more, the half hour goes fast!  I’ll write more in a letter.  LOVE YOU!

--Hermana Ivy [-]

Hola from Hermana, 12/10/11 (Arriving at Guatemala MTC)

Hola mi familia!  :)

Guess what, it's possible to (slowly) type on Spanish keyboards!  And I'M IN GUATMALA!  And we did get on the right chauffer bus home (thank goodness for "The Living Christ" in Espagnol on the back window), and I'M HERE!!!  Totally crazy.  I didn't sleep much on the plane, and slept the most deeply I've ever slept during the hour nap we had when we got here.  Grateful for the experiences I had on the way here, meeting Sara and giving her El Libro de Mormon, and for talking with you all! wed is pday

Ustedes quiero MUCHOS!   (If I didn't butcher that....)  :)

--Hermana Ivy [-]

6/10/11 – Last week in Provo MTC

Hola mi familia!

Next week I'll be in Guatemala!  WHOA!  It really hasn’t sunk in yet, but I am excited to be totally immersed in Espagnol to speed the learning process.  I'm continually reminding myself to be patient with myself...  and just the past 24 hours have actually caught a vision for HOW I can actually study to learn.  So I feel optimistic.  :)

I’m not sure when I’ll be able to call you from the airport...  Our plan leaves SLC to Los Angeles at 8:12 pm, and we leave there to Guatemala City at 12:50 am, and then arrive in Guatemala at 6:28 am.  I’m not sure if I will call you at SLC or in Los Angeles, and will leave it up to you whether or not to send a calling card.  If I don’t have a calling card I assume I just use my debit card? 

Mom, thank you for your packages!  We're going to have the brownies tonight with our district and we want to surprise our district with the salsa and chips later this week.  :)  Thank you also for the items I forgot!  What I don’t need I’ll send back. The written materials and photos are just wonderful.  :)  :)  :)  I got them laminated today--monsoon proof!  :)

Over this past week:

--One of our teachers wrote an example of a "bad" study plan on the whiteboard and I cracked up because it was my plan: 20 minutos El Libro de Mormon, 20 minutos vocabulary, 20 minutos practicing "r"s...  :)  Today I learned some study principles including: use morning study time to prepare for activities to do throughout the day, study a principle in the morning and listen for it throughout the day, keep records of your plans and goals but write what you actually study on disposable materials since it wouldn't be good to hoard them.

--I LOVED General Conference!  PRESIDENT UCHTDORF is dedicating our temple!!!  SO THRILLED!  Our companionship actually squealed when he announced that...  or maybe it was just me squealing and the others were gasping...  I don’t' remember.  A favorite part from General Conf: Matthew O. Richardson's talk about teaching by the power of the Holy Ghost.  A couple days ago I read 1 Nephi 11-> about Nephi's vision of the Tree of Life.  I read it as though Nephi was the investigator and the angel was the instructor.  It was a powerful learning experience!  The main lesson I learned is that the Spirit leads investigators in inspired self-discovery through asking inspired questions and extending invitations.  So, so cool.  Reaffirmed what we've been taught in class.

Also struck by how many times the Exodus came up during Conf.  I reread that story, and was struck by the faith Moses had to stretch out his hand in front of a million people, command the sea to part, and than thought how it must have felt to have needed to wait an entire night for the sea to be parted.  Reaffirmed that patience is a requirement for miracles.

Yesterday we had a workshop talking about the Atonement.  I felt my heart swell with fervent gratitude and felt the sweet love and joy of the Holy Ghost.  I testify that Jesus Christ lives!  He loves us!  And through His Atonement we can be saved, made whole, and be enabled to get back to our Heavenly Father and become like Them.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you all!!!  LOTS!!!

--Hermana Ivy [-]

Sept. 29, 2011 – Provo MTC

Hola mi familia!   :)

I am so happy!  I'm spontaneously whistling Christmas songs in the bathroom, able to laugh at myself while I'm learning, and am so grateful for mis companeras.  The funnest whoopsie this week was while I was trying to pronounce "autoridad", and while trying to make the "au" sound, made a [semi quiet] Hermione/werewolf-esque "AaaahhhhhoooOOOOOO!" in our classroom....   I busted out laughing with mis companeras, and eventually went into silent laugh mode incapacitated on my desk...  yeah, Espagnol is fun.  :)  And my district (four companionships in our district, four districts in our zone) said they had never heard me that much before.  :)  I'm getting closer at pronouncing my "r"s right too!  :)

I'm also learning how to play volleyball!  We have 50ish minutes of gym time every day, and mis companeras took a whole gym period to teach me how to bump, set, and spike.  I'm so grateful!  Now at least I cognitively know what to do when the ball comes at me, even if I still have to conquer that strong urge to duck...  :)  But yesterday was a milestone: I SPIKED MY FIRST BALL!  :)

I'm learning and relearning the importance of having faith and not letting myself be discouraged.  A speaker this week said MAYBE we could have permission to let ourselves be discouraged five minutes a week, but we had to do so in the bathroom where we couldn't pull anyone else down.  I testify that as we center ourselves on Christ faith replaces fear.

One of our Zone leaders bore his testimony and I was touched by what he shared.  He said that in the New Testament, a lad gave his tiny bit of food, two barley loaves and seven small fishes, to the Savior who took it, blessed it, and made it enough to feed thousands.  He testified that the Savior can take what small amount we give Him, bless it, and make it enough to bless thousands.

Yesterday I was touched by 3 Nephi 27: 13 "Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you--that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me."  (emphasis added)

I was reminded of the Savior's words in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Not my will but Thine be done."  When I have tasks appointed to me that I don't want to do, it should and can be enough to do it just knowing that "My Heavenly Father wants me to do this.  He will prepare a way for me to do so." 

I love you LOTS!  Via con Dios!

--Hermana Ivy [-]

Sept. 26, 2011 – Provo MTC

Hola, mi familia!!!  :)

I'm excited to email you tonight!  My p-day is on Thursdays (the day I'm allowed to write letters and email), but we have special permission to write today because this is our first week. 

I love mis companeras!  I'm in a companionship with two awesome sister missionaries, Hermana Sm. from Wyoming and Hermana Su. from Hawaii.  Both know more Espagnol than I do, and are thankfully very diligent at speaking it whenever they can.  I'm grateful for their example.  I’m grateful for their patience as I take so long speaking and ask a lot of fairly basic questions. I’m also grateful for the relative openness we have to positive feedback and critique. 

Even though I felt the Spirit often my first couple days, I was fairly emotional all through Saturday.  Transplant shock has been hard.  No wonder tomato seedlings keel over when we first take them outside from the basement.  I felt so overwhelmed with all the Espagnol our maestros speak.  So much.  And I understand so little.  I didn’t know that in here in the MTC the public school second language basics of alphabet, colors, pronouns, and numbers are just skipped.  We first learned (memorized) how to introduce ourselves, then how to pray, then how to testify.  All very basic, but that meant I needed to teach myself the alphabet including how to pronounce all the sounds (mis companeras had to repeat the "r" sound many times).  I’m grateful for the resources we’ve been given to help us learn. 

On Sunday I was walloped by a burst of homesickness.  I finally started reading my "The Living Christ" flashcards and felt a beautiful sensation of peace and love.  I felt assured.  I was touched by the scriptures in D&C 88: 67-69.  We find peace and are filled with purpose and light when we focus on our Savior.  I won't feel better dwelling on thoughts of home, but I allow myself to receive the Spirit and Christ’s love when I focus on Him, not me. Another motto I’ve learned while here: I'm serving Christ for 18 months so that other families can be together forever.

An empowering lesson from a fireside on Sunday focused on distinguishing between the Holy Ghost and Satan (what I called "lighties" and "darkies" in my talk).  The speaker talked about how Satan is doing all he can to thwart us from doing the Lord’s work.  When we think thoughts of doubt and despair, remember that "It’s not that I can’t do it.  It’s that Satan doesn’t want me to do it!"

Today I proved with mis companeras that it is indeed possible to not be where you’re supposed to at the MTC.  We were told to go to a certain room in a building for a service project, an "Elder" (male missionary) let us in, and we found out that it was an Elder apartment building (off limits to sisters).  We were mucho embarassed, and grateful the elders we ran into were fully dressed...

 I’m grateful for the Spirit.  The Holy Ghost is so strong, when we choose to believe and receive Him.  I’ve felt so much better since yesterday afternoon remembering that.

I testify that Jesus Christ lives and loves us.  I know that we can do whatever He asks us to do.  A tender mercy of a thought has been "remember the end from the beginning".  Right now may be hard, but I’m remembering the blessings I’ve been promised, that at some point I will be able to speak.  I testify that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be cleansed from our sins and mistakes, be made whole, and become worthy of all the blessings Heavenly Father would give us.  Families can be together forever.  En el nombre de Jesucristo, amen.

I love you very much!!! 

--Hermana Ivy [-]

Mission: Lighties vs Darkies--My talk before departure

The following is a rough summary of a talk I gave in church on September 18th, 2011

Thoughts and promptings can come from the Godhead or Satan, and we must choose who to believe and what to act on.

I've dubbed thoughts from Satan "darkies" because when I think about or choose to believe them, I feel dark feelings of despair, doubt, worry, distress, discouragement, sadness, despair, etc. "Lighties" are those thoughts or promptings from the Holy Ghost that, when I choose to believe and act on them, fill me with light through peace, love, calmness, assurance, happiness, faith, etc.

I've come to realize that acting on promptings of the Holy Ghost can be a choice as much as a physical action. "I feel darkness when I believe this thought, so I choose to not believe it. I choose to replace it with believing in Gospel doctrine." For example, I can replace darkies such as "God did this to me" "Nobody loves me, no one will ever love me"  "There is no solution to this problem" and "Maybe that family member will die today" with thoughts like "I am a daughter or son of Heavenly Father, who loves me, and I choose to love and trust Him."

Thankful Morning: Rambling reflections on a week at the Ranch

This last Monday Dad, Mom, my two younger sisters and I drove up to our family ranch to be with my brother and grandparents and other extended family to harvest and store the hay.  While Dad, my brother, and youngest sister have driven giant tractors, I've learned how to cook meals for 10-14 people at a time, and have decided against ever cooking at a restaurant.  ;)

Camping, cooking, talking, being with little children, and a magical sunrise have made this a week I'm grateful for.

Thankful Thursday: Edible wild plants

Today I made stinging nettle soup.  :)

It is brilliant green, and tastes yummy.  Especially with yogurt.  I can practically feel the vitamins rebuilding my body.  ;)

I'm grateful for unusual plants that I like to eat and are good for my body.

What unusual foods are you thankful for?


PS Don't tell my grandpa about this, or he'll spray the rest with Round-up...  ;)

Thankful Thursday: FIVE MORE WEEKS!

Exactly FIVE MORE WEEKS and then MY BIG BROTHER COMES HOME from his two-year proselyting mission!!!

I AM SO EXCITED!!!  :D 

Thankful Thursday: Reassuring words

This afternoon I felt exhilarated after working three+ hours with Mom cleaning up an extraordinarily messy blackberry patch, but tonight I felt overwhelmed.  I am grateful for all three stewardships my family shares responsibility for (a family ranch, a family farm, and the house+property my immediate family actually lives on), but sometimes it is hard to work and work and work and NEVER be done.  

So it was a sweet moment reading these words tonight:

"Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.

You know, brethren [and sisters], that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren [and sisters], let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

:)  

Thankful Thursday: What are you grateful for today?

Today I'm grateful

--to be home  :)
--to have gone to my sister's band concert and see her be singled out and applauded for her efforts
--for fun music
--for my friends
--that we finally got the tomatoes and melons planted in the garden (woot!)
--for totally awesome edible landscaping and waterwise gardening catalogues :)  :)  :)
--for totally awesome plants that look like they came from outer space

This is sea holly (image from highcountrygardens.com)...SO COOL!!!  :D  

...and for gorgeous gardens   :)  (photo from highcountrygardens.com)

And lastly, for my sister who shares fun youtube videos.  :)

What are you grateful for today?  

Thankful Thursday: Thank you, Gentlemen, for your virtue!

I'm typing this in a dorm room at the University of Wisconsin.  My family is here because one of my sisters is competing with her teammates at the national Science Olympiad tournament.  I love being here along for the ride, without the stress of being a competitor.  :)  

Virtue:
1) behavior showing high moral standards
   --a quality considered morally good or desirable in a person
   --virginity or chastity
Origin: from Latin virtus "valor, merit, moral perfection"


Tonight I had a difficult experience.  I was walking back to our dorms with my family and our team, when I smiled and said "Hi" to a poorly dressed man.  His reply was a quiet "Hi, Babe", and I realized a minute later that he had turned around and was following our group about 10 feet away.  I felt vulnerable and nervous, and changed my position to be on the other side of my parents, further away from him.  He finally crossed the street and I saw him checking out other women as we continued walking.

Thankful Thursday: Notes of love

Today I received four written notes and a thoughtful email.  I am so grateful.  I am grateful for family and friends who take time to write down their love, and for junior high boys who take time to thank those who served them.  At some point the notes will go in my binder of letters, but for now they are on my table so I can read and reread them.  :)

This week: Please take a moment to write someone.  :)  

Turkeys, and SPRINGTIME IS HERE! :) :) :)

I am so happy!  Springtime is here, the fresh air seems saturated with endorphins, and tomorrow I'm going home to celebrate Easter with my family!!!  *happy dance*  :)  :)  :)

Other perks of today:
--this morning on the bus there were some adorable toddlers laughing
--I saw a fruit tree blooming!  Pink BLOOMS!  :D

60th Thankful Thursday: Works of art

Have you ever seen a painting that took your breath away the moment you saw it?  One that drew your heart right into its canvas?

This painting* elicited those emotions when I first saw it.

59th Thankful Thursday: Websites

Three years ago I was introduced to the website Oxford Dictionaries.   Free of charge, I can now instantly find in-depth definitions, and if I wanted to pay, could even find how definitions have evolved over time.   I'm grateful for the increased understanding I've gained using this site during study.

Sometimes I get carried away looking up definitions.  I just looked up "receive", "call", and "sustain".  :)

This week:  What is a website you're grateful for?

PS  WHOA!!!  I totally thought the Salar Jung museum had made this up!!!  "Blunderbuss"  haha!  Just made my day.  :)

58th Thankful Thursday: Service enabling Christ

I would be totally thrilled if you take time to read this post--it is one of my favorites.  :)


The past few months I dabbled in and out of a shallow mire of gloom from thinking about myself too much.  I finally learned for myself a principle that saved me; and while I'm certainly not stellar at living it yet, in a few weeks I have felt much happier.


The principle: Losing myself in service allows Jesus Christ room to be in me.

57th Thankful Thursday: more simple delights and a simple chocolate chip spiced pumpkin cookie recipe

Today, I took time to enjoy an hour-long nap (!--really, that never happens), watched cedar waxwings munch on crabapples, and baked cookies (another activity I haven't done in months).  I'm so glad I did--I feel more relaxed and ready to take on tomorrow.

The cookies, chocolate chip and spiced pumpkin, require just three ingredients and are totally yummy.  I just plop the dough on the cookie sheet, hence the rugged appearance, but feel free to make yours smooth.  These cookies are more cake-like than they are chewy.

This week:  What simple delights rejuvenate you?

56th Thankful Thursday: Simple, profound words

"I love you."

Those are three simple, profound words that touch my soul.  I am grateful for opportunities to share them with and receive them from family and friends.

I am grateful.

This week: What are some words you are grateful for?  

A tender video clip on how to love like Christ does

Christ washing Peter's feet and the Atonement

A couple weeks ago I read the account in the Bible of Jesus washing his apostle's feet after the Passover dinner and prior to his Atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane.  I was struck for the first time how these versus relate not only to the principle of service, but to the principle of repentance through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

The account I quote from is in John 13: 4-9.  In verses 8-9 I include the Joseph Smith Translation* of the Bible, with differences in italics.  I apologize if there are typos in the scripture below.

4) He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5) After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6) Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7) Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8) Peter saith unto him, Thou needest not to wash my feet.  Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9) Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.  Jesus saith to him, He that has washed his hands and his head, needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit; and ye are clean, but not all.  Now this was the custom of the Jews under their law; wherefore, Jesus did this that the law might be fulfilled.  

Three cows in the kitchen ;)

That may have been the coolest blog title I've ever written.  :)

Three summers ago at my grandparent's ranch, I discovered the most awesome ice cream scoop ever: a Holstein cow handle with a stainless steel scoop.  My grandma gave it to me, and I took it to college.  It became one of my favorite mementos of home and a reminder not to take myself too seriously.  (Who could, looking at that cheesy grin?)

This past summer after I found my current apartment, I thought it would be fun to have my own cookie jar.  Somehow, "cookie jar" became a "cow cookie jar" to complement my ice cream scoop.  And to top the deal, it had to come from the DI (my favorite thrift shop).

For seven months, I occasionally wishfully thought about that hope.  And in the meantime, I happened upon a cow ladle rest at Ross's for $2.

Then last night I found it.  I happy danced right there in the store.  Sure, it's not an official cookie jar, but it will function perfectly as one, and I couldn't imagine a better shape.

I have my perfect ceramic cow cookie container...  now to just find some yummy cookies to fill it.  :)

55th Thankful Thursday: Simple delights to lift the spirit

This week has been filled with small and simple things that have lifted my spirits.  I'm posting some below, and hope you'll add some of your own.  I love when another person lifts the veil from my eyes so I can see the delight hidden all around.  :)

PS I've posted a Youtube video that touched me this week below

--Watching and listening to children laughing and playing during recess
--Green sprigs of grass poking up through cement canyons in the sidewalk
--Hearing squirrels bicker
--The blessed, wonderful smell of rain-kissed air
--Twittering birds in tall skeletous trees

54th Thankful Thursday: Family... isn't it about... time?

This week I've been on Spring Break.  I set a goal to do something fun every day, and have so far kept it.  I don't think I've ever had a "break" where I've felt so good about how I've used the time.  This afternoon I told Mom that, while I haven't gotten everything done, I've gotten the most important things done--and I can go back to school "at peace with myself" ready to get back to work.

I laugh every time.  :)  

Some highlights from the past few days:

53rd Thankful Thursday: Maps, guides, and compasses

This past school year I've been working through an interesting curriculum in how to navigate the map of life.  Last Fall I had an experience where what I thought was best for me wasn't, and I had to re-chart my plan of action using what I knew at the time.  Good things resulted, and I learned a lot.

Now I feel like I've been gently turned around to a path I'd crossed out, being told it is the best direction for me to go.  Yet all I see in front of me is thick, thick fog.  Sometimes in the distance sunlight seems to shine onto possibilities--yet that's all they are: hazy prospects.  

I feel completely uncertain about what's going to happen, and yet totally assured because I trust the source of my guidance.  For me, there is no greater or more perfect compass than God.  

I am grateful for peace even when I don't know my destinations.

This week: Who or what is a guide or compass you are grateful for?

52nd Thankful Thursday: Gifts of Gratitude

Sunday night, I visited my junior high science teacher with several of her former students.  We gave her a book that contained thank-you notes and letters from her past students.  Her joy and gratitude were inspiring and uplifting.  I am grateful I finally thanked one of the most influential, life-changing ladies in my life.

On Monday, I arrived home from school and found a little package on my doorstop.  It contained a precious wooden box with brass finishings--from Subhash in India!!!  I was blown away.  Even more dear to me is the little note he put in it, thanking me for the work I did and wishing me well.  

Looking back at the these experiences, it is incredible that the people who taught me more than I could dream of giving to them, are actually thanking me.  I am grateful.

This week: What gifts of gratitude have touched your life, either through being the giver or the  receiver?

51st Thankful Thursday: Jesus Christ and His Atonement

I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, who came to earth, lived, suffered, bled, died, and lives again.  I am grateful for the peace and purity I am able to feel through the cleansing power of His Atonement.  I know He knows and loves me.  I know He knows and loves you too.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  

This week: Why are you grateful for Christ, or, what is something someone has done for you which you are grateful for?

"I Stand All Amazed"

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,

That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

50th Thankful Thursday: More Loves! :)

IT'S THE 50TH THANKFUL THURSDAY!!!  :D  I think it's only fitting to celebrate this momentous occasion with another List of 50 Loves.  :)

Just some background: this semester marks the first time I've diligently worked out at the gym, and I'm seeing awesome results.   This is a super exciting time for me, and so health-related items came up a lot during this list.  Sometime I will write up a full post on it to explain why it's so awesome for me.  :)

49th Thankful Thursday: taking things for granted

Sometimes I wish I didn't have to lose something for me to appreciate it.  Whether it is my chapstick, inner peace, or lately, my health.

I'm grateful that no matter what I've lost, that I always have what I need to get through it.  Right now I'm very, very grateful for my family and their love and support.

This week: What are you grateful for? 

Gently spiced black beans with baked sweet potatoes

I really, really like this recipe.  It's not very spicy, but is flavorful enough to tickle the taste-buds.  The flavors of the beans and the sweet potatoes complement each other very well.  It's fast and can easily be doubled or tripled depending on how many mouths are around to feed.  It's one I'll make and turn into brown-bag lunches for a week.

I adapted the recipe from EatingWell.  While you could zap the sweet potatoes in your microwave on short notice, as EatingWell recommends, I suggest baking them in the oven.  Baking takes planning ahead, but zapped sweet potatoes don't carmelize like baked ones do.

The sweet potatoes take about an hour and a half to bake (they're super forgiving on time).  About twenty minutes before they're done, start the black beans and you're good to go.  :)  If making a larger batch, allot more time for it to come to a simmer.

Yogurt makes a nice garnish and helps make this a complete protein.  This meal is fairly heavy, so I recommend serving with crackers or flatbread.

48th Thankful Thursday: Beans :)

I have 48 cans of beans and more than two pounds of dried beans in my pantry.  Refried, canellini, kidney, black, garbanzo, great northern, baby lima, original baked, chili....   Thank goodness for case lot sales and a mother who is willing to stock up her daughter's pantry.  :)

We'll see how long this supply lasts.  ;)

This week:  What is a food you consider totally essential to your meal planning?  

PREVIEW:  I'm going to post one of my newest favorite recipes this weekend: an Indian-spiced black bean and baked sweet potato recipe.  :)  SO, so good.  :)

47th Thankful Thursday: Doing things of greatest worth

"We are not only to do good, but, most importantly, to do the things of greatest worth—things of the heart that we know we should do but often don’t do."

--James E. Faust, "Sins of Omission", Friend, June 1998, inside front cover

46th Thankful Thursday: Supermom skills in the kitchen

189 jars (mostly quarts) of veggies and fruit
107 cups of salsa and sweet chili sauce
284 cups of jams and jellies

That is what my Supermom canned just this past autumn.  She cans food every autumn, working tens of hours in a hot kitchen.  I think one year she canned over 150 quarts of grape juice. If she's doing tomatoes she boils the tomatoes and skins every one.  Peaches are peeled with a paring knife.  Jams and jellies require near-constant stirring over a steamy pot, most batches take at least half an hour and only produce about 12 cups of jam each.  Applesauce requires the apples to be cooked and then squished through a food mill.

45th Thankful Thursday: Superdad skills

Last evening, my dad fixed my "broken" car key-hole with WD-40 in a freezing garage.  He used duct tape to patch some rips under the car door frame.   He taught me how to grease the rubber rim thingys of the car doors with Vaseline to prevent them from freezing shut.  Then he took apart and put back together my mom's old laptop, replacing some widget to help it run better.

I love my dad.  I'm grateful he would be both willing and able to help me (and do other service too) when he was so tired after a long day from work.

This week: What are some examples of your Superdad's skills or service?

44th Thankful Thursday: New Beginnings

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights. ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850

43rd Thankful Thursday: O Holy Night!

"O Holy Night" is my favorite Christmas song.  My body tingles with thrills whenever the song reaches "Fall on your knees".  I am grateful for a loving and perfect Eldest Brother, who came to earth and lived in mortality.  He lived, suffered, died, and lives again for me.   He did and does so in order that I can become cleansed and whole through Him, become as He is, and live with Him and my family for eternity.  In the holy and sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  

This week:  What is your favorite Christmas or other holiday song?  

I've posted a video of Josh Grobin singing "O Holy Night".  I'd love it if you posted a link to your favorite song too.  :)  

42nd Thankful Thursday: Family

I love my family.  I'm done with Finals and am sitting in my living room.  Dad is laying on the couch, littlest Sis is doing homework, and Mom is helping Sis.  Molly our puppy is curled up by the Christmas tree.

I love their hugs.  I love their smiles.  Their laughter. Their encouragement.  Dad's help unloading my car.  Middle Sis showing me the gorgeous decked-out Christmas tree.  Littlest Sis's Christmas band concert.  Mom's love.

Home is wonderful.

This week:  Why do you love your family?

41st Thankful Thursday: Lights in the dark

The Sunday before Thanksgiving I hung a strand of Christmas lights in my apartment's main room.  The purple, pink, yellow, blue and green lights cast cheery glows on the walls and ceiling.  I love turning off the room's lights and basking in their sweet glistening.

I am thankful for the lights in my life that I can be thankful for in times of dreariness.

Some such "Christmas lights" from this week:

--happening upon the delightful flavor combination of fig newtons and gorgonzola cheese (a type of blue cheese)--think a Pixar Ratatouille moment of savoring--if only my ears could be so expressive... or maybe it's a good thing they aren't...  :)

40th Thankful Thursday: Can ye tell [our blessings]? Love from others

Today has been an emotionally bipolar day.  I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who allows His children to feel His great love through others.  Tonight I attended a Christmas Fireside, and one of my most dear teachers spoke on our Savior's birth, the nativity, and His love for you and me.

Afterwards I went to speak with her.  Our embrace was tender.  Have you ever had a moment when your heart swells so it almost bursts, and you feel so much love and yet are unable to voice what you are feeling?  I am so grateful for those moments.

Monday I was blessed with another tender mercy and outpouring of love.  I received a letter from my dear brother (who is still in Montreal serving a mission), containing four photo-postcards (photos he had taken and made into postcards) with 100 of his "Thankfuls" and another 20 from his companion, Elder J.  I laughed and wept as I read them, and am grateful for the love I felt for him, and the opportunity to feel close to him when he is 2,200 miles away.

Their thankfuls bring our total to 880!!!  Isn't that wonderful!?  Instead of typing the lists, I've taken photos of the photo-postcards, and hope you are able to read them below.

39th Thankful Thursday: Ask and ye shall receive :)

~760 Thankfuls were posted in response to last week's blog.  WOW!  I am grateful for those who shared their thoughts.  I feel like each post gave me a glimpse into another heart and enriched my life.

Thank you!

THIS WEEK:  Ask someone what they are grateful for.  

I have followed this week's prompt with a list.  It has the contributor of each list of Thankfuls as well as at least one of their Thankfuls.  I picked which Thankfuls were posted, and hope you delight in the following too.  :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!  :D

38th Thankful Thursday: 1,000 "Thankfuls" for Thanksgiving! :D

I'm thankful for: my family, cornbread, Jesus Christ, our dog Molly, rain, snow, mountains, bees, honey, clouds, sunsets, chickadees, pictures of hedgehogs that my sister shows me, the color purple, my computer, my kitchen, my pillow, my blankie (I can't believe I typed that in public), and India.

That took less than three minutes.  

THIS WEEK:  Post 20 "somethings" you are thankful for.  Let's get 1,000 Thankfuls by Thanksgiving!  

Requests:  

--Please post your thankfuls in groups of 20.  That will make it easy to count to 1,000.  We just need 49 comments on this post.  

--This is informal--it's okay if your thankfuls duplicate those of another person.  

--I plan to post each day for the next week.  You are more than welcome to post multiple times too.  :)

Your participation is eagerly anticipated and much appreciated!!!  :D

Really corny, wheat and honey cornbread--what a mouthful! ;P

Just in time for Thanksgiving...IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!  duh duh-duh duh:  my favorite cornbread recipe!  :D  If you are looking for KFC-like cornbread, check out this recipe (I suggest halving the sugar).  If you are Southern and swear cornbread is not sweet, consider this.  If you'd like a cornbread so good your grandpa eats half the pan for breakfast, keep reading.  ;)

Moist, nearly cake-like, wheat & honey-sweetened goodness, packed with sweet corn kernels.  I like it just how it is without adding extra butter or honey.  I hope you enjoy it too.  :)  

37th Thankful Thursday: Veterans Day 2010

Today I am grateful for the men and women who have served their country and their people, in combat or not, in chaos or peace, in the armed services, as a police officer, as a firefighter...  (If I left out your particular call of duty, please add it in the comments)

All three of my grandpas served in the armed forces (Navy, Marines, and Army), a cousin served in the Coast Guard, a distant cousin's husband serves as a Ranger, and numerous great-uncles and other relatives have served as well.

A Wyoming neighbor served in the Battle of the Bulge and was left for dead.  He still has shards of metal in his back from the bomb that blew up by him.

36th Thankful Thursday: List of 50 Loves

THIS IS MY 50th BLOG POST! WHOOT WHOOT! :D

I had no idea what could be special enough to celebrate this occasion with you. My inspired sister suggested I write a list of 50 things I love. Wow. She is awesome. So, dear reader, here is

Ivy's First List of 50 Loves:

Unpaid Endorsement: Chef's Catalog

I want to tell you about a company I stumbled on. Chefs Catalog started in 1979, and sells all kinds of cookware from top brands at good prices. I had been looking for a specific blender, and decided to buy it from them.

I couldn't be more pleased. They made sure my blender was delivered on time, even though I had requested a shorter delivery period. My blender arrived safely and securely packaged. The blender works beautifully. :)

You can check them out here.

Happy cooking! :)