Last week I mentioned several things that I pulled from our Stake Conference talks, one being that God knows each of us personally and by name.  I really love the musical movie "Fiddler on the Roof".  Throughout the story, Tevye talks to God.  As he's walking, as he is confronted with a problem…as he deals with each of his life experiences, both good and bad.  As I watch this interaction, I am impressed with what I see as someone who has a comfortable relationship with his Heavenly Father.  We are told to pray always, in public and in secret.  To me, this means that there must be someone on the other end that is listening to me, Helen. Today in Gospel Doctrine, we discussed the creation of the world.  In the Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price, God reveals himself to Moses and Moses is transfigured in order to endure His presence, or glory.  Moses witnesses the glory of God and the glory of His creations.  In Chapter One, verses 27 – 28 it reads: 27 And it came to pass, as the voice was still speaking, Moses cast his eyes and beheld the earth, yea, and even all of it; and there was not a particle of it which he did not behold, discerning it by the spirit of God. 28 And he beheld also the inhabitants thereof, and there was not a soul which he beheld

Hello! It isn't done, but here is a link to Just Helen's Crafts, the less word craft site to visit when you feel the need to create!  If you would like to subscribe, and I would love you to do so, I believe it will update you when there is a new post…which means something new to view!  Bear with me while I iron out the wrinkles, but this should be fun!  I'll be gone to CHA next week, but I'll see if I can post from afar!

Teenage boys are so funny.  For weeks now, I have had to remind – or FORCE – my 15-year-old to wear a jacket when we head off to Seminary at 5:50am.  He didn't wear one this morning.  I mentioned, as we were driving down the road, that he might regret not having one later in the day when the rain was expected to come.  Clear skies might make you forget the impending storm.  His high school has buildings where outside travel is required to get from one block to another.  As a Scout, you can have the motto, but being a teenager means you might just forget your training.  Experience is a great teacher! We pray for rain here in the coastal desert climate.  I don't remember much rain in San Diego last year, but there was enough to cause trouble.  We have the yearly wild (or man-caused) fires and as a result, when it does rain there is the chance of mudslides.  So sandbags are available for those that are concerned about controlling their hillsides.  But, other than the complications that come for some, I love the gray, cold, rainy days…probably since we don't get enough of them!  It makes me want to be busy in my kitchen, cuddle up in blanket and watch old movies…not all at the same time, of course, but after one's work in the kitchen, some

Years ago, Stake Conference used to have a whole different meaning for me…no early meetings, and if I were tired, I could skip it completely because I didn't ever have a personal assignment.  When the kids were little, we would go to the Sunday session, but not the Saturday night meeting.  Somewhere along the way, I started trying to get to both.  Then I became Relief Society President and I actually wanted to go, besides the fact that my presence might be missed by the sisters in my ward.  But this time was a little different.  Our Stake President, President Pugmire, had asked that we attend the temple in preparation for our Stake Conference meetings, which I did.  He had also challenged us to a daily devotional, which I have accomplished about 4 days out of 7 during the week…something I will continue to work on.  With just this little bit of added preparation, I was looking forward to the messages that would be shared.  Next time, I will take paper and pen to take notes.  My brain is getting old (as well as the before shared other body parts) and my recall isn't what it used to be.  But there were several things that I do remember, and I think that perhaps these are the messages that the Spirit wants me to work on, and maybe help others to understand more

 I got a haircut 2 days ago.  I told Kimberly to cut it so the gray showed…there's a lot of it, but it still tries to hide under the color on top.  I have never, ever colored my hair – my Mom told me, when I was a little girl, that women paid big bucks to try and get my color…strawberry blond or Titian, a color that the artist Titian frequently used in his paintings.  Strawberry blond doesn't sound quite accurate because my hair really isn't the color of strawberries.  Anyway, I am a good girl and have always listened to my Mom…besides, it's easier if I have someone to blame!  So Kimberly took a lot off – it's cute and I'm getting used to it being shorter:)  But you still can't see much of the gray.  I am getting old, but you can't tell much from my hair color unless you happen to catch a glimpse of the underside.  What I have realized is that my eyebrows have a disproportionate amount of white in them.  My eyes aren't as strong as they used to be, so I have moved up the "off the rack, reading glasses strengths" to a 200.  I have been having trouble to see my brows in order to pluck them.  Now I don't know if they'll come back in with color or without color to them. 

At least, most of it!  You all know how hard it is to not miss something!  That Christmas stocking that someone carried into their room, that box of ornaments that got covered by a jacket on an out of the way chair.  Putting away our boxes is such a rush and madness that once they get up in the attic – and this is not a traditional attic with stairs that I can go up into…it's a garage attic that requires a big ladder and some major muscles – if we have "stuff" (more of that collection at my house) that we miss, it may be sitting around until we get the Easter "stuff" down!  Thankfully, that's the next holiday when we have decorations with any major bulk, and the containers are minimal…mostly baskets.  Anyway, I'm making a pile.  Hopefully, as I clean my workroom, I won't find too much more Christmas stuff!  I do keep all my Christmas scrapbooking "stuff" in my workroom all year…who knows when the urge to scrapbook the holiday might come upon me…so it is better if it is all kept together.  But I have work to do, so I must keep cleaning!  Perhaps when it is more organized, so will my brain be…which you can tell that "it" isn't just by my sentence formation!  A couple of days later… It is not a good idea to walk away when you are

This year, our course of study for the 2nd and 3rd weeks of the month in Relief Society comes from the lesson manual titled Gospel Principles.  It is a very basic lesson plan.  At first glance, it is easy to say, "I already know this."  But as much as we know the basics, it is wise to be reminded so that those plain and simple truths are fresh and foremost in our minds.  It is the basics that are given to us so that we have a clear map on how to return to our Heavenly Father.  We must come to understand the Nature of God.  Here are some of the things we believe: We are told in the scriptures that we are created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27; Moses 2:26)  This tells us that He has a body and that ours is alike in form.  Ours are subject to mortality, or death.  Our Heavenly Father's body is perfected and glorified.  God is perfect.  He has the qualities of righteousness that we need to emulate, like charity, love, patience, faith, knowledge, mercy and goodness.  He has all power, all knowledge – He is the one that can judge us with a perfect judgement, because He knows the intent of our hearts.  All good things come from God.  This earth and our lives are for us to prove ourselves, that we

I've gone Etsy!  Don't worry, Mom, I still have plenty for you!  But part of my New Year's Resolutions, every year for the past 20 years (or not), is to get organized.  I have boxes and boxes of "stuff".  There are literally hundreds of cards and projects that I have done for publications.  I have bought ribbon by the 100 yard spool and paper by the 25pk.  Heck, I even have felt by the bolt!  I know I've been talking a lot recently about my "stuff", but I need to use it and I can't afford to just give away all the "stuff" I have collected, or the things I have turned into finished "stuff".  So…are you tired of all my "stuff" yet?  It's okay.  Before long, you too may the opportunity to have some of my… It was fun yesterday.  It took me a really long time to figure out how things work over there at the Etsy site.  But I got it down and listed my first three items.  I left my office to go to the kitchen to cook dinner.  By the time I got back, 2 of the 3 items had been sold!  To a stranger in New York!  So I promptly added a few things to the listings.  Now I need to figure out how the best way is to work the system, to add items, best time of day, etc.,

 I am surrounded by stuff.  I have so much stuff that I feel like I might just be swallowed up in it.  I have said for years that if I was in my workroom when an earthquake hit that it might be days before they would find my body.   I love to look at photos of people's scrap rooms.  When I take photos of my work space, I can't do it like most women who share their scrapbooking retreats…proud of the beautiful cupboards or artistic display, organizational ingenuity and adorned walls.  I have to take pictures of small, limited spaces – and it's not even of the stuff that I use all the time.  It's the stuff that's ornamental.  I have to face it…my space is just overloaded with stuff.  Don't get me wrong – it does have some semblance of organization.  There is just too much stuff!  If there was ever a special episode of "Hoarders" that could be scrapbooking (or grocery) related, I would be a prime candidate.  Mind you, my whole life does not revolve around collecting stuff.  It just happens.  Mostly by accident or being in the wrong place at the right time (should that be in the right place at the wrong time, or right place at the right time?) for my collecting, that is.  I rarely buy things at full price, but when I find a deal…I'm definitely a sucker for a

 I love Valentine's Day treats!  But most of the commercial packaging, while descriptive, doesn't rock my world.  So take a few minutes and dress up your treats for your favorite Valentine with cute patterned paper and embellishments.  These can be super simple or a little more involved.  But they are so much fun to make!  These papers are from last year's We R Memory Keepers "Heart Attack" line.  I just read from Stacy Julian's Facebook page that Pantone has announced that Turquoise is the "in" color this year.  I guess that WRMK was ahead of their time since they definitely use strategically place turq in this line!  Love that turq! The instructions are really easy: measure the dimension around the box, add about 1/2" and then cut a strip the height of the box.  Wrap around the box, secure with a sturdy tape (red line) and then embellish.  You can do this with any paper line!  Too cute!