A Change in Plans

We planned on having Thanksgiving at home like usual. 

We planned on smoking chicken on the barbie and eating all the normal Thanksgiving sides. 

We planned on making phone calls to our parents...

But someone had other plans. 

This is going to be a very memorable Thanksgiving for one special reason. Tom's mom passed away today, and on Wednesday we will be traveling to Utah to prepare for her funeral. For years to come our family will remember Thanksgiving with an added measure of appreciation for gospel knowledge and comfort. 

Janet Fay Jenson

August 21, 1930 to November 16, 2012

Mom has always accepted me and loved me as one of her own since the day we met 26 years ago. That is a huge thing for me, and something I cherish. She was always generous, and always overlooked my faults.

As a grandma she was fabulous. Our kids have many memories of playing with Grandma Jenson, talking with her, and knowing that they were important to her and loved by her. 

We will miss her a ton, but we are happy that she has moved to the next stage of life and rejoined her husband. It's also her sister's birthday today. Her sister passed away many years ago, and we can just imagine the birthday party they are having in heaven today! 

Personal Progress and the Book of Mormon

I was so excited when the church leaders made it so mothers could work on personal progress with their girls. The program is so different than when I was a girl. It has always been my goal to finish with Hannah, so when she decided to push to finish by the Temple dedication and Youth Cultural event I needed to step up the pace, too. 

It's been a challenge to help Hannah finish her goals and finish mine at the same time. Here are pictures of Hannah's project for Choice and Accountability. I was so grateful I took a pattern design class in college! 

Hannah found this strapless dress at the Idaho Youth Ranch. 

 It was big in the bust and back, but perfect in the waist. 

 Now it fits. 

 Below is the finished product. 

 With a jacket...

Or without!

We have both been reading the Book of Mormon as fast as we can to finish in time. I was at Mosiah 26 when I needed to reset my goal. I'm now on Ether 1. I'll finish tomorrow. It reminds me of a couple other times when I read the Book of Mormon quickly. 

The first time was on my mission. Our zone had a Book of Mormon challenge. We gathered together and for one whole day all we did was read the Book of Mormon. At the end of the day we were given copies of the Book of Mormon to use in our missionary work. The number we received depended on how far we were able to read in that day. I was reading in Spanish and made it through Alma. One of the elders read the entire Book of Mormon that day. 

The other time was while we were living in Salt Lake, and I read it in two weeks. 

One thing about reading it that fast is the people come alive. Instead of reading a story that's interrupted many times, it all flowed together and I could see the whole picture. It definitely gave it a different perspective. 

Also, in order to read it that quickly I had to concentrate on it. I had to keep focused on it to reach my goal. I struggle not to lose that focus when I'm just reading a little every day. 

I think reading the Book of Mormon quickly is a great way to shake up your every day routine. I see different things when I'm reading quickly than when I'm reading more slowly. The down side is that by reading it fast I can't stop and really ponder what I'm reading. All I can do is make notes so I can go back later to re-read and ponder about things. On the other hand, maybe I wouldn't see some of these things if I was reading more slowly. Something to think about. 

The Blessing of Adversity

Kellie tried to share this video in Relief Society, but since it didn't work there she sent the link out over email. I love the attitude this woman has about her trials and about being a mother. I've been reading her blog, too. I'm grateful that strangers reach out and enrich my life.