I Give All my Love - to All of You!

There is a song that has kept going through my head this past week that I fix some of the words to match my love for each of you.  I play it with my fingers (piano) when I am supposed to be going to sleep - and it is irritating to dad - but I love him anyway!

Here the You Tube version of the song "All of You" by John Legend at the piano with Lindsey Stirling on the violin).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwsYvBYZcx4

 

Dad and I have tried to call Riley and Ashley in Panama through a couple of different methods this morning and have been so sad to not reach you guys!  We miss you!  My phone gives me the message that Ashley needs to call me first on Magic Jack before I can call you back.  Please call me!

    

 

 

 

We have SO enjoyed every minute that we have been with you local kids and grandkids!  Thank you SO very much for a wonderful Mother's Day!  Your sweet efforts to show your love have deeply filled my heart and have carried me forward with happiness and strength!  I enjoyed the time we had together, the delicious steaks and chicken that Richard cooked .. the salads, potatoes, gifts etc!  I loved that Ryan and Cam and kids came, even when Ryan was trying to give Cambria a day at home without more things scheduled.  I loved the conversations ... and absolutely every moment.  Each of you men with your wives and the mothers of your children have much to be grateful for, because we are blessed with amazing and wonderful, dedicated and loving women in our family!  I enjoyed braiding Richard's hair - - how did it get that long again???

   

 

This week we have had a lot of opportunities to be with kids and grandkids - teaching piano on Monday, being with Ryan and Cambria at the temple on Tuesday (awesome!), then attending Roxie's tournament game that night (while dad attended the "setting apart" of a missionary couple in our ward).  Later was Zander's play-off game where his team is still undefeated (his team will play for 1st or 2nd place this coming Wednesday).  Devanie also had several games - but we were able to only attend one of them.  Her season is later due to High School girls on her team.

 

I got to be with Jonique and her kids on Wednesday for irrigation swimming, then on Thursday she and her kids come with us while Jacob goes from work to school.  That night Xelly slept over with me, because Aurora and Rory were coming to be with us on Friday.  The girls played together all day, while Rory finished up inputting one year of my accounting for taxes.  He and I made a casserole for their dinner, since Rachel comes home tired.  I have loved every minute!

 

Friday night my mom (LaRee) slept over with us, so that she could be here for Xelly's party on Saturday.  Jonique and Jacob attended their niece's baptism Saturday morning, so mom and I frosted the cake that Jonique had made, made little cheese and cracker things, veggies, etc.  When we got to Jonique's house Jacob and her were busy getting things ready.  Xelly and all the little kids are into the FROZEN princess Disney movie - so she was thrilled (without words) to open her gift of a dress from the movie.

​Xelly's party was so fun with Aurora, Roxie and 5 other little girls attending.  They pinned the carrot nose on "Olaf" the snowman, threw snowballs (marshmallows) into purple cups to win little crowns and other prizes, etc.  All the girls had braids - like the Frozen movie princesses - whether a Saturday "do" or intentional?

​The ceiling was decorated with the wooden snowflakes that Grandpa Gurney had cut out and turquoise balloons.  Grandma Gurney would have been happy to see it!

 

Dad and I have spent some wonderful hours on the Hammock that we gave him for Father's day, reading and discussing a book.  Today we spent time on the back porch reading another book - and truly learning and being given truth.
 

I am teaching in Relief Society today - and as usual, the teacher is the most blessed to learn most deeply and feel the Spirit as I prepare.  I wanted to share from this past General Conference where Elder Boyd K. Packer let us know that he has seen and talked with our Savior and that he knows Him personally:

"I bear my witness that the Savior lives. I know the Lord. I am His witness. I know of His great sacrifice and eternal love for all of Heavenly Father’s children. I bear my special witness in all humility but with absolute certainty.  There is an adversary, Satan, who personally seeks to disrupt the work of the Lord, Jesus Christ. We must choose whom to follow.  Our protection is as simple as deciding individually to follow our Savior, making certain that we faithfully will remain on His side."

 

May you EACH and ALL be committed to the principle of OBEDIENCE, because all blessings flow from it - - as well as does light and knowledge.  You will never KNOW until you OBEY.  It's that simple!  Have a wonderful Sabbath!!!!  Hugs and kisses!  Besos y abrazos!!!

Mom

THE VALUE OF GRANDPARENTS IN A CHILD'S LIFE

When I first got these pictures back from the photographer I was upset with the background - - but these BEAUTIFUL children SHINE with PURITY  beyond their environment (background) - - and I ADORE them!  They are priceless!  There is light in their eyes and in their countenances!  Each was sent here for a special purpose(s).

 

It is a reminder to me of the world that they were born into (with all its deceits, wicked and damaging effects) and the importance of teaching TRUTHS that will protect them. 

The family is where children can learn truth - IF their parents are obedient to God's commandments and laws - and IF their parents teach them.  I recognize my role as a grandmother - a safe person and place where they can come to when they are lonely, scared, confused or hurt.  I will always be someone who will teach them TRUTH.

 

I will always teach them about our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His key role in creating this earth for us to come to - plus His life and His Atonement that give us hope for overcoming our weaknesses and our pains - plus the opportunity to resurrect and live again with God.

I will teach them about OBEDIENCE.  I have learned that OBEDIENCE is the first step - and it is the final step also - just like Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He could have destroyed everyone who was going to hurt him.  He could have stopped them.  But:

• HE KNEW WHY HE WAS SENT HERE. 
• HE WAS OBEDIENT TO WHAT HE WAS ASKED TO DO. 
• HE HONORED HIS FATHER.

 

Dear Grandma - From Brailyn

 

May 7, 2014 (From Panama)

Dear Grandma,

I love you. I miss you very much!!  How are the chickens and Xelly doing?  How are you doing?

I am going to start to go to school all day instead of half days. 

Can't wait to see you!

Love,

Brailyn

 

 

 

 

May 8, 2014 (From Queen Creek, Arizona)
 

Dearest Brailyn, Punkin Pie!

I LOVED getting your letter and the beautiful picture that you drew for me!  It made me so happy!  Thank you!

I was looking at this cute picture of YOU and Roxie when you were a little tiny girl - -  and now you are going to school ALL DAY!  That is exciting - - but I bet that Bo will miss you!

​This precious picture of you and Xelly when you were babies makes me smile! Last week Xelly was pretending that she was "Brailyn" and that "Xelly" was an invisible friend.  She misses you SO MUCH!

​ Do you remember when I was teaching you how to swim and you were afraid of the water - - but you liked the goggles?  Now you are swimming like a fish!

​

The chickens are doing fine but they miss playing with you.  We only have BROWN and GREEN eggs so far.  I guess I better buy a purple chicken and name her Brailyn!

​This funny hair picture is my favorite!  You are my most precious girl in the whole world!  I am so excited to come and visit you!!!  Stay SWEET.  I love you with all of my !

​

GRANDMA - AMMA

 

 

ROXIE'S BAPTISM - AND OUR SPECIAL DAY TOGETHER!

ROXIE turned 8 years old and was so excited for her baptism - but when the scheduled date arrived, she was so sick!  So it got moved back to February.  Rick and I went to her home and took her presents to her.  Usually we take grandkids on their special day with us, with a scanvenger hunt for their gifts and then out to dinner.  This time it had to be delayed.  Jonique, Xelly and baby Quinton arrived the night before Roxie's baptism (they came to look for a home, as they are moving here in May).  She asked me to play the piano for her baptism, and we arrived early at the Stake Center (it was the building by our Hampton home).  It was wonderful to see Ryan and Cam and their children walk in - so clean and radiant.  Roxie looked beautiful! 

Maddaux gave a talk on Baptism - and it was apparent that he had been well-taught, because he stood in front confidnetly and shared his message.  So precious!  Ryan baptized Roxie, and the first time her foot came out of the water, so it required her to be baptized again.  The little kids were all sitting up front watching (Alex, Aurora, Xelly and Maddaux).  Richard and Bailey arrived a little late - but i was so happy that they came! 

 

Zander gave a talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and bore his testimony - turning to counsel Roxie.  He seemed like a church leader or a missionary, and not a brother 10 years of age!  After her baptism we all went to enjoy cinnamon rols, yogurt and hot chocolate at their home.  The cousins played on the swings, the trampoline, and saw the sheep.  Then we went to Roxie and Devanie's soccer games and enjoyed the sunshine of a beautiful day.  After the games Ryan's family came to our home, where Lena Gean, Kent and Carolyn were staying in their motorhomes.  We built a fire in the outside fireplace, visited, the kids played, and we had snacks and cake.  It was a wonderful and memorable day!  Roxie - - we love you so much!

NEW HOME - MOVING TO QUEEN CREEK FROM GILBERT

 When I got home from Utah, helping Jonique with her new baby boy, Quinton, this is what Rick had built  for the grandkids!  He told me he was going to fix the dilapidated swingset that had been on our newly purchased property (as of September 1, 2013).  The past month had been a whirlwind of intense work, packing, painting and repairing this house on 17424 E Chestnut Dr, tearing out the food storage room, the aquarium, and Jonique's "loft bed" in our Hampton house and all the other details that go with moving.

We experienced miracles and felt God's hand in our lives as our prayers have been answered.  It all started when Riley and Ashley got their "miracle" home, and we came to help them with the re-build and the move.  Several times Riley told us we ought to buy the house across the street, until we finally went and checked it out.  The price was more than we could afford (we wanted to pay cash) after selling our Hampton home and the Elliot shop - so we let the idea go.  One Sunday Rick said, "we need to go talk to those people about that home by Riley".  He had been having strong impressions when we were at the temple that we needed to do the move.  I told him that it was already sold. 

Rick said that we should go visit Riley and Ashley anyway, and when we got to the neighborhood the owners of the home were in the driveway and called us over.  They said that their buyers had fallen through, and did we still want the home?  I wrote up a contract - - that was much lower than their asking price, and stating that we would move in the home with no money down - - but that we would cash them out in 6 months, live in the house, and make the monthly payments.  We were shocked when they accepted the offer!  Then we were in gear and our lives took a huge turn (for the better!)  Since that time we found that we had some months without work and would have been in a huge financial problem at the Hampton house, because our payments were $2400.  Our Hampton home sold in 6 days (another miracle!) and the Elliot shop sold in 6 months. 

With the Elliot property money, finally, Rick and I drove to the Title company to pay-off the house and get it into our names.  We had pulled money from savings and from coins that we had stashed, and had just enough to the penny to pay for the home.  After leaving the title company (on our way to the temple) we both cried as we drove - our hearts so full of gratitude.  Once again, we experienced a miracle!

This home has been a place of peace, a place of safety, a haven for our grandkids, and a place where we can build gardens, a shop, a mother-in-law home (which we will probably live in as we age), etc.  At night I go out and look at the stars and at San Tan mountain and walk through the orange trees.  They are my age - and I talk to the "girls" to make them happy and healthy!  The grandkids play in the back yard, chasing each other, swinging, and I feel that I am in heaven! 

The best thing is living by Riley and Ashley, being able to be spontaneous, dropping by, enjoying Brailyn and Bodie so much more, and feeling the closeness of family!  They decided to board horses, so Ashley gets her dream to have horses, and Brailyn gets to ride.  Yes, thank you, Father in Heaven, for being aware of us, and for looking out for us!  We are truly grateful!

QUINTON BORN! October 12, 2012

QUINTON JACOB BEACH was born in the Riverton Hospital while Jacob, Jonique and Xelly lived in West Jordan, Utah.  Jonique wanted him to be born on October 11th, so his birthday would be 11-12-13 ... but Quinton decided to be born on the 12th.  It was more peaceful in the hospital on that day - - and that is the kind of spirit that this little boy is!  He was born with oodles of black hair (a pattern here!) and when I took Xelly to the hospital to be with her mom, dad and new baby brother, she couldn't stop jumping up and down ... and hiding in the closets, and everything that a big sister would do out of excitement.

Jonique and I had made drapes for his room and Jacob and Jonique made Scrabble-Square letters for his wall that spell his name.  He came home to a wonderful home and lots of love!  Before I flew home we took Xelly to the Pumpkin Patch - and this picture of Quinton, born in October, is so appropriate! 

When Quinton was a few weeks old Jacob, Jonique and their family of 4 flew to Arizona to be with us so Quinton could receive a name and a blessing from his father - - and have family members enjoy this special event. The Sunday of Quinton's blessing Jonique was noticing that he was not able to hold any food down, and was becoming lethargic. She followed her motherly inspiration and took him to the Urgent Care, who immediately sent them to the Emergency Hospital, who immediately sent them to Cardon's Children's Hospital. Quinton had a blockage of his pyloric valve and was in danger of not "making it" without surgery.  Jonique and Jacob stayed with him in the hospital and we had Xelly at home to love and enjoy!   The surgery went well and Quinton has recovered completely.  He is beautiful, calm and precious!  While in Arizona, Jacob felt that they should move back home as soon as he graduates from his accounting program at University of Phoenix (ironically, in Utah) - yeah!

2012 IMPORTANT THINGS THAT I MISSED

There are so many things that I didn't record this past year in this blog, and now I can't find my journal with all of its awesome miracles and wonderful experiences.  But here are some pictures of memories that made me happy!  I have to laugh when I see our family pictures!  We all wanted "fresh" pictures, and a nice one to hang in the family room to replace the old one.  When we got to the place the photographer selected - there we stood in cow manure and soggy leaves, with mud sticking to our shoes.  To top it off, the littles 3 grandkids could not all act "normal" at the same time.  We just have to love them!!!  I still like the pictures, and love the memories!

Devanie's soccer season ended with an injured wrist, but she came to the final game to cheer her team on and was a great sport.  This was the first year for each of the 3 oldest kids (Devanie, Zander and Roxie) to play soccer, and I loved going to their games.  We usually had to leave one game to see another, and it was fun to see them improve throughout the season as they learned more and more how the game works.

At the awards ceremony I caught this picture of Zander laughing at his coach, and LOVE to see him laugh.  He is a very fast runner so soccer is a natural sport for his running talent.  Speaking of talents, I have loved teaching these kids piano this year.  I got up at 5:30 am and went to Ryan and Cam's home on Monday mornings to teach them piano (well, most of the time - because sometimes I slept in and missed).  It's great to see the kids especially love to play hymns, and Cam says that it creates a good spirit in their homes in the mornings when their hymn-practicing is going on.

The GILBERT TEMPLE was started and is scheduled to be completed the summer/fall of 2013.  It is on Pecos and Greenfield, just 2.5 miles from our home.  The day that Angel Moroni was placed upon the temple, Dad and I were working in the Mesa Temple and weren't able to be there.  We have served in the temple for 5 years now, and we realize that it is a great blessing, and that many factors have aligned so that we can have this privilege.  In February I was called to be a Coordinator, training, scheduling and organizing the 150 women who work under me and my assistantx on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  It has been a huge responsibility with a big learning curve, but I am finally starting to feel more in control and capable.  I have been given several visible and huge miracles during these 4 months - and I am so grateful for them.  Thank you, Heavenly Father, for being aware of my needs!

Each time Angel Moroni is placed atop a temple of God, the powers of Satan on the earth are decreased.  Moroni STOOD ALONE in his time - which was a wicked time much like it is today.  He is a great example of how we should be - standing for truth and righteousness in spite of the temptations and the upheaval in the world.  I'm so grateful that he came to Joseph Smith and gave him God's message (4 times in one night), telling him that he, Joseph, was called to help God restore Christ's kingdom back upon the earth in the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times.  I can only imagine what a 14 year old boy would feel like with an experience like that - but from my own experiences - I KNOW that this happened - and I KNOW that God's complete plan for His children is fully restored and all is in preparation for Jesus Christ's 2nd Coming.

Devanie, Zander, Roxie and Maddaux spent a day with me going to several parks.  The kids brought skateboards and bikes and we had a great time playing on the huge playground and skating.  Also, when Grandpa came, we went to Barney Park and scoped out the new horseshoe pit and other things that were being built by Eagle Scouts.

Zander is a real athlete!

Jonique and Xelly got to come and visit us while Jacob went to his gun training in Nevada.  We had a great time together, went shopping, ate out, and did girl things that I never get to do because of my crazy schedule.  Jonique announced that she is pregnant - due on October 11 - and we were later so excited to learn that she is having a baby boy!  We found out the gender when we went to Utah (dad and me) and we enjoyed staying with them for a weekend while I attended the Zyto Conference.

Moab was a trip we will never forget - - not only because they scared me to death by taking me up this narrow and dangerous spine of rocks, but watching them climb Devils Gate and other dangerous places, let me know that I have become a wimp over the years.  I especially enjoyed watching Richard and Riley help one another through hard things - guiding one another to keep each other safe.