Meghan is admitted to USC!!!

Today, I pulled up to get the mail and noticed a large envelope from USC...not one of those No. 10 envelopes that usually say, "I'm sorry...better luck next time." This one started off, "Congratulations! On behalf of the USC Annenberg faculty admission committee, I am pleased to offer you admission to the Master's degree program in Specialized Journalism (the Arts), commencing August, 2009." I quickly called Meg in NYC and told her the good news. She was in the Apple iPod store and screamed for joy. People in the store stopped and looked around as she just shouted, "Good news!" They all laughed! Shortly after receiving the news by mail, she received a call from one of the directors, Tim Page. That was again awesome! Last year there were only 10 specialized arts graduate students admitted into the program. Now she gets to join the "club."

We were sweating bullets. This is one of the top journalism schools in the nation; but our prayers were answered. We appreciate all the help Meghan received from family and colleagues in getting her materials ready for her application AND the prayers on her behalf. YOU all have been a blessing in her life! Thank you!

Congratulations, Meg!!! Let's celebrate!

It's spring fever.
That is what the name of it is.
And when you've got it, you want - oh, you
don't quite know what it is you do want,
but it just fairly makes your heart
ache, you want it so!
~Mark Twain

Remembering Dad

In all of the hub-bub with Betty Stettler's funeral, I didn't take time to celebrate my father's life. He passed away two years ago on the 16th of March. We had a beautiful funeral, complete with pictures and a special documentary movie Meghan had put together on his life. It was quite a tribute. We celebrate his life with his words, "No matter how tall you grandfather is, you still have to do your own growing" as is illustrated in the poster created by one of Meghan's friends. We used this for the cover of his funeral program. Dad loved to ride horses. He and mother took them up to Logan canyon to ride each summer. Dad served our country in the airforce during the Korean War. He also served a mission for the LDS church in the southern states. We as a family, got to visit and meet some of the saints where he served. He raised us 7 children to be good, kind individuals. He always had a cheerful personality; which, fortunately, we all inherited.

One of the favorite memories of the grandchildren is that Grandpa would always tell stories he made up about Pinky the Dog. Pinky was a super hero that always showed up in the "nick of time" to save the day! Two of the grandchildren, immortalized Grandpa Ted's Pinky the Dog by creating one of the stories.

Pay It Forward

Last night on the news, I heard another great story of service. The owner of a cafe had decided to implement a new policy: "Pay if you can, or if you can't still come and eat." When the story was first aired, it must have struck a chord with compassionate people. Now the cafe has received over $20,000 to help feed those who can't afford to pay. We really are a nation of good people!

Joy in the Morning

Today, along with other neighbors, I woke up at 5:30 AM to go can stew at the cannery in Ogden City for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In days past, when one canned, we were able to buy some of what we canned to take home to our own food storage. However, things are now different. We were informed that this year, the cannery has been asked by the church to do three times the volume AND we are not allowed to buy any items for ourselves. With the economic crisis all over the world, the extra food is going to feed many who are suffering at this time.

We had an enjoyable day, visiting. My voice was almost hoarse from talking. We rode along (in the dark--I didn't know the sun hasn't risen by 5:30AM) with John Sims at the wheel...and boy did we get a ride--laughing and visiting to and from. I love my neighbors! What joy they bring to my life!

Grandma Betty Stettler's Funeral

It was a beautiful and warm day as we buried Scott's mother, Betty Jean Cottam Stettler on March 17, 2009. She was 80 years old. It seems families are so busy that sometimes the only time we all end up getting together are births, baptisms, missions, marriage, and deaths. It is always interesting to me to see families find strength in each other through difficult times. It was a lovely funeral with all of the children participating. We were sent many beautiful flowers and friends came to pay their respect at the viewing, through phonecalls, and to our home. Thank you for your kind words. We appreciate and love all of you.

I think Grandma Betty would have been proud of the day and how it turned out as well as proud of her children. Each had beautiful words to offer that day.

Let's slow it down a bit!

Today when my husband got home, has asked me if I had heard about the lady in a Florida grocery checkout line? She handed $50 to the person behind her and said, "This is for your groceries. If you don't need it, pass it down the line." The person passed it down the line. This continued for some time. People even started adding to the enevelope of money. I don't know who ended up using the grocery money, but it doesn't really matter. What matters is that because one person did a kind deed in difficult economic times, it caused many more to walk a little taller that day.

So...I have decided it would be good to slow down a bit and enjoy my family, friends, and neighbors more. Let's take time to look around and see how we can make someone elses day better!