Sunday Smiles

This has been a hard week for me.
My daughter Lynell is still not well.
Day after day she has remained ill not able to pass the kidney stone.
This worries and grieves me.
...
My dear friend, Marie from Oak Cottage, lost her job as a private chef on a big estate
Marie has served faithfully for 7 years and has gone the extra mile time and time again.
Oak Cottage is her home as well as her job.
How devastating for her to find herself out of work and homeless.
My heart and concern goes out to Marie and her husband Todd.
...
I didn't really feel like doing a blog about smiles.
Then I read Marie's blog today.
In spite of her tears and concerns she is full of smiles.
You can read her post by clicking on the link above.
It is inspiring and sets an example for me.
...

So, If Marie can post her Sunday Smiles so can I.

I have had much to be thankful for and smile about .

I can't believe that this is the last day of February.

How I love the month of February.
After all it is the month of love.
Of course we should be loving during every month...
...But there is something special about a month that is dedicated to love.
I wonder why such a loving month is our shortest one?
It should be our longest month...don't you agree?

These are two of my special Valentine Friends.

This is Kris and Jan.
Jan took us to high tea at Barbara's Tea House.

It was a beautiful experience and wonderful occasion.

We drank our herb teas and enjoyed delicious food and goodies....
...but the best part was being there with such dear friends. Jan has been very sick for most of the past year. I didn't know if I would ever get to see her again...
much less go to tea with her again.

I am thankful and smiling that Kris brought Jan to CA and I could give her hugs again.

Relief Society makes me smile.
I've been called to be the Day Time Relief Society Leader.
I work with the most amazing board of ladies.

This month we had a Valentines theme of course.
It was a lovely meeting and luncheon.
It made me smile.
...
The Young Women in our ward make me smile.
...and so do their leaders. YW is the organization at church for girls ages 12 to 18.

This past Tuesday was our New Beginnings where we welcome

the girls who will turn 12 this year into our YW program.

We had an amazing program to welcome in our 4 new girls.
Our theme was basketball.

Our girls are in the "Mutual" League.
The teachers were the cheerleaders who had a cheer for each new girl.
The presidency were the coaches giving the team advice on how to play the game.

As the personal progress leader I was the equipment manager who told the girls about all the helps we have for them to be successful.

It was a wonderful evening that was full of smiles.
...
E.J. and Claire make me smile...and so does Austin.
Last night was their school talent show.
It was held in the high school auditorium which was full of
cheering families and fans.
E.J. had been really sick all day....but...
... he managed to go do his part in the show in spite of it.
He played a beautiful piano solo.
Claire did an outstanding job singing "In my own little corner" from Cinderella.

John and I were so happy that we could watch these dear grandchildren perform.
I've been trying to post a little video of Claire singing but I can't get it to work.
I will try again later in the week when it isn't so late.
...
I am thankful that I have had all these things to smile about this week.
With the sad news of the earthquake in Chile... it makes us realize how blessed we are
to be safe and sound.
My heart goes out to them...and to my family and friends who are having difficult times.
I pray for them and send love.
May you all have a good week to come.
Hugs, Grammy Lura
...
P.S. I just this minute found another smile.
I just found my blog friend, Gloria, in Chile is alive and safe.
She says it was a terrible earthquake but she thanks God her family is well.
That really makes me smile!!!!