MISSIONARY SUNDAY

This past Sunday we went to two missionary homecomings! And can I just tell you they were fantastic!! I don't think one was anymore special than the other. I was on spiritual high overload! It was like "Collateral Blessings" from having a son in the mission field.

The first homecoming was for Bro and Sis Lisonbee. They served in the Italy Milan Mission for 18 months. They were over the Outreach Program/YSA or as they are called in Italy~ GANS (Giovani Adulti Non Sposati).

It was wonderful to hear them speak of their experiences there with the Youth in Northern Italy, especially the Milano area. That is the type of mission that I would love to serve someday with Giovanni!!! They had some wonderful experiences.

After the meeting we went up to introduce ourselves to them. They told us that they had just had pizza and gelato with Robert on Wednesday night! To think that they were with my son 4-5 days ago! So cool. They said that he was a good missionary and they really liked him. He was only in Milano for 6 weeks, so not really enough time to interact to much with them. However, I do need to mention that it is the Lisonbee's who purchased the tickets for the missionaries to go see the painting of the Last Supper. What kind people.

The extra special thing about this farewell was that we had the opportunity to meet President and Sister Dunaway. He was Robert's first mission president when he got to Italy May of last year. What a nice man.
My heart swelled with pride as he told us that Robert was wonderful young man and an amazing missionary and that we should be very proud of him. As he said this to us you could see the love and hear the joy and happiness in his voice.

Robert arriving in Milano May 2010
Anz Mosley, Pres and Sis Dunaway

After the Lisonbee's homecoming we drove about 30 minutes south and went to Anziano Troy Cressman's homecoming. Another amazing talk! Troy was so full of the spirit. He bore such a strong testimony and it was obvious how much he loved his mission and missionary work. He bore a sweet, simple, strong testimony of the work he had been doing, and of the truthfulness of the gospel. The people of Italy were blessed to have him among them. His first city was Ravenna...the is where Robert is now. Troy said that he saw Robert on Thursday at the train station in Milano. He said he looked great! They never served together...but again someone who was with my son 4-5 days ago.... 

It was such a spiritual overload. I only wish that every Sunday could be as great as this past one was! The spirit of missionary work is something so special. And being the mother of a missionary is something that  I will always be grateful for!!!

THE MIRACLE OF BIRTH

This weekend was amazing. I have several posts to do, but I wanted to start with this one.

Child birth is amazing.

Absolutely AMAZING!!!

I had forgotten what a wonder it is.

Brian was born 12 yrs ago

and since then I haven't had the opportunity to be a part of something so tender,

special, miraculous, etc.

There really are no words to describe it.

My niece had her baby on Saturday afternoon.

She had been having contractions for about 24 hrs before her water actually broke.

I have to admit that I was worried about her, and how she would do...

but she was AMAZING!

Great job Cassandra.

Brian had basketball playoffs all morning (another post for that) 

and so I was in touch via phone with my SIL

 and about 1230 PM they called and said that she was going to start pushing soon.

So I left the last game and went over to the hospital.

About 1 PM she started pushing and the miracle that happened...wow...

there are no words to really describe it.

To first see just a bit of hair..then a bit more, and more until he finally crowned...

it was the most beautiful, spiritual thing that I have experienced in a long time.

To hold that sweet little boy knowing that just a few minutes earlier his spirit was with our Father in Heaven. And I'm sure that Grandma Martha was there too, along with all his other family members.

I will never cease to marvel at how perfect our Father in Heaven has it all work.

Conception, Pregnancy, Childbirth, etc.

What a great engineer He is.

Riley David James Anthony was born at 1:28 PM on Saturday February 26, 2011

weighing in at 6 lbs 15 ounces and 19 inches long....

Proud Uncle Ryan

Great Grandpa Norman~
I love this picture..he is looking right at my dad
and I can just imagine him saying,
"Hey I know you...I was just with Grandma Martha and she told me all about you!"

Grandma Cindra

Cassandra and Riley



Dr, Nurse, Cassandra and Riley




Welcome Baby Riley!!!

We love you and we're glad you're here!

And a special thank you to my niece Cassandra

for letting me be a part of something so special and amazing!



PREACH MY GOSPEL AND MISSIONARY MOM

(Disclosure: this post is very LDS faith based, so if you aren't interested please don't read further)

Being a missionary is hard. Very hard. Harder than some people may think or realize.
When I served my mission we had discussions that we had to memorize. There were 8 lessons and you had to know them word by word, with all the scriptures, etc. The first lesson had to be passed off before you left the MTC, and possibly the 2nd as well. And after 6 months in the mission (if I remember right) you needed to have all 8 passed off...
And when you had to do it in another language...oh my oh my! I could barely speak English correctly, much less Italian. There were separate books for each discussion...and it was hard...it least for me....

The great thing is that now the LDS church has changed the way that missionaries teach investigators. The missionaries now teach by the spirit. There are still guidelines and things that must be, and need to be taught before a person makes the choice to be baptized...however there is more moving room as how and the order to teach. Which means that missionaries need to be much closer to the Lord and in tune with the spirit to follow it to know what they need to be teaching and saying...but most of all they need to testifying of Christ. Missionaries need to bear testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that those they come into contact with can feel the spirit and learn to recognize it as a way for the Lord to communicate with them.

There is a great manual called, "PREACH MY GOSPEL".  And it is amazing!

I actually have this manual on my Android phone...and I love it. I have spent a lot of time reading it and studying it. It is great tool for learning more about the gospel. Also knowing that it is what Robert uses for studying and teaching I wanted to be able to share thoughts and feelings with him.

I have been reading the section on Christlike attributes. It has been amazing for me. I have really felt the spirit and the influence of the Savior in my life as I have studied.

Anyway...back to missions and how hard they are...There is also a missionary handbook that has guidelines for missionaries and appropriate behaviors, rules, etc...We called it the "White Bible" when I served....I don't know what it is called now...but it was basically what missionaries lived by during their two years/18 months of service. So hence, the nickname.....

Then there is all the "other stuff" that missionaries have to deal with...no music, TV, electronics, family, movies, beaches and oceans, vacations, etc....girl friends/ boy friends, everything. Your whole life is dedicated to the Lord and what you are doing for Him. Basically you leave the "world" behind and dedicate yourself to the Lord.There is never another time in your life when you will be able to dedicate every moment to the Lord.

But alas...we are all human, and missionaries still have to deal with everyday life. It doesn't mean that all the feelings and emotions get turned off for two years. You may have a companion that you have difficulties with and it makes the work hard or you might have one that you get along so well with that the only thing you want to do is play. There are the temptations of the "carnal" world also, and other small rules to break. That is the moment when a missionary has to decide what are they doing on their mission. Why are they really there? Is it for the parents, the peer pressure, the girlfriend, nothing better to do...or because they KNOW that what they are doing is what they NEED to be doing...

When I left on my mission I didn't know why I was going...only that the spirit had bore witness to me that I needed to serve...so I did. I was not always the most obedient person (and sometimes I'm still not, but I try)...but I knew that I needed to go, so I did. It took me about half of my mission to really understand what I was doing and why I was doing it and the importance of the work that I was doing. I know that for some missionaries it takes longer, for others-they know before they leave to serve. As missionaries our responsibility was to bring people to Christ and his gospel. And to give them the opportunity and choice to join His church.

As I write to Robert I always let him know that success isn't based upon how many people you actually see baptized but by the seeds you plant and the difference you make in someones life. By the testimony you bear and by the service you give to the Lord. That to me is how mission success is measured. Also because we have to remember that people have their own free agency to choose for themselves.

I suppose the reason I'm writing this post today is because I've been thinking a lot about my son Robert and the fact that on March 3 he will have been on his mission for one year. I hope and pray with all my heart that as his one year mark comes that he will KNOW why he is there and what he is doing there. I have already seen so much change in him. I am so proud of him and all that he is doing. I only hope that this last year that he serves his testimony of the gospel will grow even more. These two years will be a large part of making him that man that he will become one day.

I hope that the same spirit and testimony that he is bearing to others is something that will also make him stronger, and a better person. I know that things can sometimes be hard and there is discouragement, but I hope that Robert will remember the words that he wrote to us in one letter...don't ever be discouraged because that comes from the devil, we can be disappointed, but then pick yourself up and move forward. Wise words from the mouth of such a young man.

I know that Robert serving his mission has helped my testimony to grow. I feel a difference inside of me that I haven't felt for 22 years since I served as a missionary. I feel that same spirit and desire that I thought I had lost. I am so thankful to know that it is still there and alive inside of me. Even though he is on the other side of the world I feel his prayers for me and his influence on my life. When he left on his mission people would make comments like..."oh the blessings you will receive", "the spirit in your home will be different", "you will be different". I remember thinking...sure, whatever. But in reality it is so much more than that. Words can not describe it. Only the parent who has sent a son or daughter on a mission can understand. I had served a mission and still didn't understand until Robert left. But now I do...

I love you Robert...and I am proud of you!!!

THE PERFECT LIFE...

I was reading a friends blog this morning...and it made me realize that non of us has a perfect life. There are always things that we want to do, say, and be.
I think of several families that I know and they "seem" perfect. The perfect husband, wife, children, job, cars, $$$, etc.  And down inside myself I wonder..."why couldn't my life be like that?" Why didn't things work out that way for me/us? What did we do "wrong" for our life to turn out the way it did?
Why can't my family and my life be perfect?
It just sometimes doesn't seem fair that some people have it all, and others, well....they don't...but wait, just one minute...I have one question....what does it mean "to have it all?" Do we really know how someones' life is behind their front door and their every day life?

What is perfect?????
Does that mean the big house that I really wouldn't want to clean or wouldn't have the time to clean?
The large yard that would have to be mowed and weeded? I really dislike yard work..almost to the point of saying I hate it...and anyone who knows me knows I dislike the word hate.
Would we have to work like crazy to pay for the big house to the point of not being able to enjoy it?
And the big cars....then I would have a harder time finding a parking space or I would have to park way out in the lot so no one would scratch it. And the gas $$$ that I would have to spend.
The perfect children that always obeyed and had perfect grades and never did anything wrong....really?
That actually does SEEM nice, but is that what I would really want? Or do I enjoy the spice of life? The craziness and worrying about them, and pampering them, and being their MOM. Um....yes, I do!!!
The perfect husband...well....what is that? I suppose it would be the man who brings home the "bacon" and let's me spend it how I want, etc..The man who has it all together and looks like he just walked out of Forbes or GQ...
And me the perfect wife...Mrs. Cleaver. Yeah, right?!! Not gonna happen....

I use to continually compare myself to other people. And I sometimes still do...however, not like I use to. I have realized that I am never going to be....."so and so", or "sister so and so", and my kids will never be like "???" and my husband will never be like "brother so and so" or the neighbor "so and so"

But...you know what. That is just fine with me. I wouldn't be happy in a "perfect life".
But for me, my life is PERFECT! I have the perfect husband and sons. I have the perfect home. I live in the perfect neighborhood, with the perfect cars. yard, etc.
My life for me is perfect. Because it is my life and I'm living it.

I have the perfect husband for me. He treats me like a queen. He adores me. He respects me. He LOVES me, and his words and actions show that. No, he doesn't spoil me with material gifts. But his words of love and appreciation and his actions let me know how much he loves me.

My sons are perfect for me. I have spent the past 20 years being a mother. And I love my boys. I wouldn't trade them for someone elses "perfect" kids...because Robert and Brian are perfect for me. They bring me so much joy and happiness. We laugh together we play together. I find joy in watching them play sports, do science fair projects, read emails about missionary service and I cry for them and pray for them. They are PERFECT.

So you see....my life is perfect. For me!
Did things turn out exactly how I/we had hoped they would...no.
But yet...things are exactly how I hoped...
I have a wonderful husband and children.
We are rich.
And we are blessed.
We have what counts most...
Each other.

I love you Giovanni, Robert and Brian. The 3 of you are what makes my life perfect!

Well, Hello.....

It has been forever since I last posted. I'm not even sure what has happened in the last 2 weeks.
Let me think...oh yeah, work, work, and more work.....

Some of my friends have asked me where I spend my days...so I took some pics of my small work desk...the pictures aren't the best because they were taken while I was working...and I hadn't straightened up my desk in days....but here it is......

We also have gone to the temple twice in two weeks. Those two Wednesday's were the best. One day we went with my dad and Lorraine and did sealings. We did about 70 names. It was a very special day. Then we took them out to lunch. And yesterday we went with Tom and Joyce and then out to lunch with them.

What a fantastic way to spend the day. I only wish I had the time to do that more often.



About a week or so ago there was the Science Fair at school. Brian was so cute...he had made the comment the night before about how he didn't want to go to District/Region and then to State again like he did last year. If that is the case then he shouldn't do a great project with bacteria and petri dishes and disinfectants. Because out of the possible 300 pts he got 288...and he is going to District/Region. He really did do a great job! We are so proud of him.



Brian, Kache, and some other friends



The other night one of our friends came over with their sweet little boys. He is such a good baby...

Brian really loves him.

Robert was transferred to Milano on the 12th of January. He loves it there and seems happy. I can't believe that he has been gone for almost one year. It is crazy how time has gone by so fast!
And as usual we have been busy with basketball practices and games with Brian. And we love it!

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In other news:

My brother Dave and his wife Sherrie are moving to Hawaii. They will be leaving in a few weeks. They are going on a lot of faith and I hope that it all works out for them. Kinda' scary when you don't have much to go to...but not much to stay here for either....ALOHA and GOOD LUCK!

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In a letter that Robert wrote to us recently he told us about how he was praying for something and in that moment as he was praying he felt something that he says he will never forget for the rest of his life. He expressed how he felt afterwards, etc. I wish I could explain it all here, but it was a personal experience of his. But the thing that impressed me so much was the fact of how our Father in Heaven knows our needs and He is right there. Ready and Willing to answer and to comfort us in our hour/moment of need.
All we need to do is get on our knees and ask.

Our home teacher came this past week...and his message had to to with missionary work and prayer. Two things very dear to my heart. As we spoke he made the comment that we need to be more specific when we pray so that it is easier to see the hand of the Lord at work in our lives or the lives of others.

I have really tried to do that, and from Robert's letter....I saw the Lord at work.
How thankful I am to know that there is someone greater than I watching over my son, and who is there to comfort him, guide him in his missionary service, and to answer his simple supplications.

And how thankful I am to know that the same Father in Heaven listens to the nightly prayers of a mother praying for her children.