Divided We Fall

                If you live in America and do not know about NFL players kneeling during the Star-Spangled Banner, you don’t have TV or a smart phone.   You can have a frame added to your profile picture on Facebook to say, “I stand.”  I love the news, and would consider myself a news junkie.  Yes, I tend to watch one channel over another, but I also love NPR, which would be the opposite of my favorite morning news show, and I am still one of those few people that love the newspaper.  Growing up we had subscriptions to Time, Newsweek, and US News and World Report.  My dad wanted me to be informed and I needed all of those for the political cartoons I would use for extemporaneous speeches on the debate team. 

                Growing up we would go to my Grandma and Grandpa Philpot’s home on most holidays.  They lived in a small community and we would walk down the road and across the street to watch the parades on those days, I can remember the Fourth of July, Pioneer Day (my LDS friends will know what that is) and Veteran’s Day parades.  My Grandpa Philpot would remind us that we were to stand when anyone carrying a flag came by.  This was not an option for debate, you stood.  This was to show respect for those that fought for our country.  I never thought to ask if someone he knew died in WWII.  I am sure they did, but I just know he would stand and expect us to follow that example. 

                I love our country, I think anyone that knows me, knows that fact.  I know I learned that from my grandparents and parents.  I truly believe we live in the greatest country in the world.  That it is blessed among all nations.  I believe the most important thing I do every school day is to stand and say, The Pledge of Allegiance.”   I cannot hear those notes of the Star-Spangled Banner play without crying.  What a blessing it has been living in this great nation. 

                This last election I really struggled with who I would vote for.  I honestly felt like either of the two major candidates were not worthy of my vote.  I spent time praying, pondering, and sleepless nights contemplating who I would vote for.  Never, I had spent so much time with a decision in my life, and I have made some tough choices.  I had a friend, who I have later thanked tell me a few weeks before the election that she voted for a write in candidate I thought, I don’t want to do that.  The morning of Election Day, Noelle asked me who I was going to vote for.  I still didn’t know, I really felt like either one was not a choice I wanted to make.  We had to wait in line and I said one more prayer, “Please, help me to know what to do?”  My friend was right, I needed to be able to look myself in the mirror.  I went in a wrote in my first choice.

                I have not felt bad about that decision and yes, I know it was a wasted vote, but I can look myself in the mirror and that was my goal.  I say this so you do not think I am being disingenuous when I say what I am about to say.  It is radical and almost unheard of, this might be a revolutionary idea.  It is an idea we all learned in Kindergarten, why because in Kindergarten you learn everything.  Here is my bold idea…cooperation.   When did this word become something that is dirty, or used only when it is a necessity?  Why is it thought of that if you work with the other side, that you are somehow ignorant, stupid, or uninformed?   

                Somehow if we agree on one issue we agree on all issues or if we disagree on one issue we must disagree on all issues.  Why cannot we come together and say we need to work together?  Long gone are the days of Tipp O’Neill and President Regan, or Newt Gingrich and President Clinton.  Those men worked together for the best for our country.  They put love of country before love of party!   I have more respect for people like that than people that won’t listen to the other side. 

                If NFL players want to kneel that is their right, I do not agree with them.  To me the flag stands for something else.  I do understand that is their right.   However, before one side starts to cheer and the other start typing their comments know this.  If the middle of the country cannot come together the country will fall.  If we do not start coming together when we need to, it will not matter what happens on the football field.  If love of self comes before love of country, love of God, love of your fellowmen, we are doomed! 

                Freedom of speech means freedom of all speech.  You cannot choose which speech is free.  Yes, you cannot yell, “Fire,” in a crowded theatre, but if you are okay with kneeling you then must understand that when President Trump says things you disagree with, it is okay also.  People that disagree are not dumb, stupid, or uninformed, it is just their right to disagree with you.  Loudest is not right, it is just loud.   Tonight, as I get ready to call it a night.  I will pray for our country, our leaders on both sides of the isle, for those people I love, and for those people I need to learn to love and forgive.  I will say a pray of thanks to two sets of grandparents who were wonderful examples of patriotism.  Who taught me to love country more than myself.  God Bless the USA!

Letter to our President Elect

Dear President Elect Trump,

                As you are getting sworn in tomorrow, I wanted to write you a letter.  First, I did not vote for you or your opponent.  I did vote, as I was taught many years ago voting was one of the most important duties we have as Americans.  I felt like the presidency of the United States was above both of you.  Like most of America, I was shocked that you were elected.   Now, that you are going to be President of the United States I need to tell you what I need.

                I need a leader, I need a Lincoln, either Roosevelt, a Kennedy, a Reagan, or most importantly a Washington.  I need someone that will bring the country together like President Lincoln did during his time.  I need you to speak to the entire country like Kennedy, Reagan, and Franklin Roosevelt, during their times.  I need you to be like Teddy strong enough to handle any problems even when you are feeling down or shot like he was.  I need you to be like Washington and understand that country is more important the office and more important than you. 

                I want you to know I will support you just like I have with all presidents before you.  I might not have always agreed with the past US Presidents, but I have always supported them.  I do think that no matter what the President of the United States deserves respect and support.  I pray that you will be successful.  I pray that our country will become more together than farther apart.  I will pray that God will continue to bless our great nation. 

Sincerely,

Florence Fallis 

An Open Letter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      October 27, 2016

    Dear President Obama, Senator Clinton, Mr. Trump, and all members of Congress,

                I was blessed to be born in the greatest country on Earth.  My family came across on the Mayflower to seek the American dream, long before our nation was founded.  My family was part of the great western expansion and settled in the Utah territory.   My story is like many other American’s stories.    My parents were taught by their parents’ who where taught by parents before, them the importance of work.  My siblings and I were taught the same, work hard and you will get ahead in life We were taught to work hard and save our money for not only a rainy day but for things like houses, cars, and most importantly getting an education.  This is the American dream, buy your own home, car, and get an education.  You can be anything you want to be if you work hard, including being President of the United States of America. 

                 However, you must help those in need.  My grandparents would talk about Matthew 24:40 “In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”  The scripture was quoted and requoted at my parents and grandparents home, I love this scripture and have been blessed to help when I could and to be on the other end of the help.  It is not easy to be the receiver, but when you need the help, it is important to have those that will help.  As a single mom, I sometimes need help.  Friends, coworkers, and members of my wonderful community, including bartering for violin lessons for my daughter, have blessed me.  

                I would like to thank you for wanting to help the less fortunate with the Affordable Health Care Act.  I saw friends that worked for nothing so they could have insurance through their company just because of a pre-existing condition.  That is the most important part of the law. 

                I am concerned that a law was passed that people did not read.  How can this happen?  Did I miss something?  I hear lawyers say, “Never sign anything until you have read it.” Yet, the United States Congress can pass a law without reading it.   The reason that this happened was it had to be passed to know what was in it.  I teach third grade and one of the things we talk about is getting information to answer questions.  To me this is like taking a test and never reading the information before hand and getting a low grade.  However, if that happens it effects only one person.  This has effected millions. Yet, it does not affect those people that passed and wrote the law.  Members of congress and the president are exempt. 

                 

                I live in small community in Arizona.  I have been blessed to have a job that I love!  Being a teacher I feel is my calling, I make a difference in the lives of those students around me.  I love seeing the light bulb moment, as they understand a concept.  Opening their eyes to a whole world of learning is an awesome experience.   This truly is one of the biggest reasons teachers love their jobs.  Like many other teachers, I have a second source of income.  I run the after school program at my school.  I am glad I was born in a family that taught us to work because I work 55 hours a week outside the home.  This does not include the papers that have to be graded, lesson plans, or planning any fun activities, but that is okay.  It is all part of the job.  

                My insurance has continually gone up.  I moved to the Affordable Health Care Act because of this reason.  Next year my insurance will cost more than my rent and my car payment combined, more than all of my other bills combined, I am not sure I understand how this can happen. 

                My idea of the American dream is now just to be able to afford insurance.  I will never be able to buy a home at this rate.  I hope my car runs smoothly for forty years, and I will never be able to afford my master’s degree.  I will hope to be able to just pay my insurance and my other necessities of life.  If we get sick or need to use the insurance we will be in trouble because I will not have money for copays or deductibles.

                This is a sad state our nation is in, no longer are we helping those in need.  Instead, we are hurting the middle class.  Not the upper middle class or the rich, but the lower middle class.  Most people are in my same situation, they were brought up to work hard and do your best and now are being hurt by a law that people could not read.  It breaks my heart that the generation that that survived the Great Depression, fought to keep the world safe from tyrants in World War II watch this. 

                I love my country, anyone that knows me will agree with that.  However, I am not pleased with the state of my government. 

I Love Grandparents

           I love grandparents!  The woman that made the biggest impact on my life was my Grandma Philpot.  Growing up there was not a moment in my life that she was not present.  She was my confidant, friend, and biggest cheerleader.  Grandma Philpot was the one constant in my life.  She saw something that no one else saw.

                Yesterday I had to finish a paper for a class yesterday on my reading experiences growing up; it turned into a love of my Grandma Philpot.  From stories, I have been told my she would have me on her bed “reading” the phonebook.  I do remember reading the Little House on the Prairie books with her.  I still have my paperback books that she gave me along with my hardbound copies of my favorite pioneer series. 

                My children do not live close to their grandparents and unfortunately never have.  Sometimes families cannot live close to each other to make a living.  I was blessed three months after moving to Lake Havasu to become Visiting Teaching partners with Kim Fronek.  This choice made by a Relief Society President change my life forever.  Kim and Sunnie wanted to have some grandkids live closer and really wanted a granddaughter.  They adopted us and we gladly were adopted.   When my Grandma Philpot died, Kim was the first person in Lake Havasu I called.  She spend hours making sure I was okay.

                Kim and Sunnie have been able to be the Grandparents my parents cannot be due to location.  They live here and make sure things are taken care of in Havasu.  The last four and a half years they have been my rock and more importantly been there for Tyler, Katie, and Noelle.  They have been able to be at most activities and this has made a huge impact on my children’s lives.  Last night, Kim knew I was not feeling well and she took my place at a mother daughter date.  How lucky my little girl was. 

                Grandparent’s matter, rather it is a text, phone call, Facebook message, or more importantly a prayer.  There are things that teenagers might not tell their parents because they are dumb, but somehow grandparents are much smarter than parents are.  There is not a day I have not thought of my grandparents.  I daily wish I could pick up the phone and call Grandma Philpot to talk to her and get her advice or just have her tell me everything would be okay.  

                Thank you to all of the grandparents out there.  You are awesome and what you do, do matter to those that love you.  You might not think you matter but you do.  I hope in many years when I become a grandma that I will be one like Grandma Philpot.  Sometimes I can hear her say, “I love you Floriepot, you are a Daughter of God.”

Red, White, and Blue

           As teachers there are those areas, we love.   Everyone at my school knows that America is what I love most.  Students will say, “She loves it more than her own kids.”  This is not quite true but close.  I love my country and I do teach love of country in my class.  Students that have passed through my doors know that standing and saying The Pledge of Allegiance is the most important thing we do all day.  If you ask of my students past or present what my favorite color is they will say, “red, white, and blue.” 

                Tomorrow we are wearing red, white, and blue in honor of those that lost their lives in the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001.   The reason I think it is important to wear the colors is so that conversations will be had.  We have a generation of students that might not know what happened that fateful day.  They might never have had a conversation with their parents, or even noticed why grownups take time out of their day to shed a tear. 

                Tomorrow as you get up please take time to stop and think about our fellow citizens that willingly gave up their lives.  Yes, I know those on the earlier flights did not know what was happening, but the later two they did.  Think of the emergency workers like firefighters, paramedics, and police officers.  What about those regular citizens that just helped others leave buildings or get out of harm’s way.   The lines that were we stood in to gladly give blood and the churches that were full so that prayers could be heard. 

                Think about how you felt that you were an American.   Were you proud of how our country came together?   Can you remember what it was like to see the Congress and Senate stand together on the steps of the Capital Building?  How about that night hugging your children tighter, calling your family, and checking on your neighbor?

                Tomorrow when I put on my red, white, and blue there will be a tear in my eyes.  I will sob during The Pledge of Allegiance.  However, I will take time to have a conversation not only with students at school but with my kids, my neighbors, and everyone I see. 

                Tonight like all other nights I will pray for my country.  God bless America!  

Blessed Honored Pioneer

 

                Today for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a big day.  Today is Pioneer Day, this is the day that Brigham Young said, “This is the place.”  This statement meant that the Mormons that had been driven out of New York, Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois would finally have a place where they would be on their own.  There would be no neighbors that could or would cause them home.  Yes, there were Native Americans, but that was it and Brigham had made it very clear that the Saints were to be kind to them.

                My whole life have heard this story, going to parades, watching fireworks, and listening to people talk about their heritage.  My mother’s side of the family knew the Prophet Joseph and were some of the first members of the church.  They heard the Joseph’s story and knew it was true.  They never once thought he wasn’t telling the truth.  If you talk to church historians they will say that the Knight family was faithful to not only Joseph but to the church.  My dad’s side came from Scotland, after hearing the missionaries came by boat and headed out west.  I cannot imagine the faith it must have taken. 

 Two days ago I found that my 12t^h great grandfather Thomas Rodgers came across on the Mayflower.  This had me astounded.  Even before this country was the USA, I had ancestors that knew it was a blessed country.  Again, this is my heritage.

My whole life I have felt like and said, “I am just plain Flo.”  I do not mean that in a bad way, only to say I am never going to be a famous person.  I am just a regular person.  However, when my faith has tested and I have gone to our Father in Heaven, I have looked to my pioneer heritage and their test.  I have often thought that if they could leave what they loved and come to an unknown place I certainly could deal with my own trials. 

                 I am blessed to have a strong legacy of faith and I know that more than anyone.  This does not mean I haven’t had to gain my own testimony.  I am blessed that I have gained my own testimony through trials.  More than anything I am grateful for those who worked hard and had their trials so that their posterity could look back at their example. 

                You might not think what you do now will help your posterity, but I am a witness that you will.  Your trials might make it easier for others to cope with theirs.  On this day more than others I am say, “Blessed, honored Pioneer.”

                               

Why I Love America

     I have always loved America.  Growing up I don’t remember an event my Grandma and Grandpa Philpot missed.  This is not to underplay my parents, but Grandma and Grandpa were always there.  Fourth of July were spent at my Grandparent’s Hunter or Grantsville house.  Aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and family Grandma and Grandpa’s house would be filled with love of family and country.

                We would start off the Fourth of July at our local parade.  We would sit on the grass at the edge of the curb.  We would be reminded to stand whenever an American Flag came by.   Grandma would let us go the park after the parade and then the BBQ would start.  We would then start with making the homemade ice cream.  Grandma had a hand crank machine and then she upgraded to an electric one.  We would then play with sparklers and then watch fireworks. 

                During the day we would talk as a family.  America was always the subject.  I thought growing up my Grandma and Grandpa were history professors they seemed to know everything.  Grandpa would talk about the Founding Fathers and why they mattered.  He talked about how God preserved this land for us and how it is the greatest country of all.  Grandpa talked about how with hard work and perseverance anyone could succeed in America. 

                Grandma would talk about her family and how they had crossed the Atlantic Ocean and then crossed the plains to come to Utah live their religion.     She loved her pioneer heritage, she was proud that her family wanted to live in this nation. 

                Today as I went to our annual pancake breakfast the Star Spangled Banner was played, I watched as men who fought in WWII stood trying to balance themselves to stand for this song.  Women who cried as they listened to the words and children stopped playing so they could put their hands over their heart.  I thought of the countless times my Grandpa and Grandma told me to stand as the American Flag came by.  How America was truly the country of God.   How if you work hard and persevere you could succeed here. 

                I know that the last sentence is not how many Americans feel anymore.  Too many feel like what JFK said is not true, too many people what the government to do all and they should do nothing.  This is not going to work.  We need to do for our country and feel proud to be Americans.  I am so glad I could live in the greatest country on Earth.  Thank you to Grandparents that loved God, country, and family.  I hope that I have raised my children to keep up the Philpot traditions.    

 

What I Want

What I Want

          This week is Spring Break, it is Friday morning which means it is almost over.  I have seen pictures of friends and family having wonderful vacations and doing what I would consider Spring Break Activities.  Me, I did what I do, stuff for school.  The only difference is I was able to stay in my lounge clothes.  I don’t mind doing those things in my jammies at all.   However, one of my favorite parts of Spring Break is getting caught up on politics. 

          If I could have lived a different life I would have been a political consultant.  I get flustered when I hear reporters or analyst tell me what I need to know instead of giving me both sides of the story.  I feel like both sides of the aisle are just talking and not giving me a straight answer, therefore, I need to go out and get the answers.  This is super frustrating to me because I know am an informed voter.  I know my stuff, not bragging just giving my opinion.  However, most the county could name the newest celebrity couple than name the President of Russia.  

          This is what I want in the coming up election next year.  I hope that candidates are listening or reading, I know I am not the only American that feels this way.  I want a leader!  I want someone that wants the best for the country that my ancestors fought for in 1776.  I think since WWII there have been 2 US Presidents that I feel like made a huge difference in our country and were leaders. 

First, John F. Kennedy:  He stood up to the USSR and wanted to do anything to stop communism from reaching Cuba.  Was he able to succeed?  No, but missiles did not reach Cuba.  The entire world watched to see what was going to happening in October 1962.    

Second, Ronald Reagan:  January 20, 1981 he is sworn and the hostages were released from Iran.  The same day, why?  The Iranian leaders knew that he would come after them.  He also would work with Tip O’Neill and the democrats to get things done.  He also was tough on foreign policy and helped bring about a huge change in the world when it came to Communism.  We needed that.

This is what I want.  I want a leader!  I want someone that won’t work with others, I want someone that  puts American’s first, and most importantly I want someone to be like Theodore Roosevelt that will speak softly and carry a big stick  I want our enemies to fear us or at least the consequences of hurting us or our allies.

Unfortunately this is not what we have now and it will take years to repair it.  If ISIS is the JV team then we are not even the freshman team.  We have decided to leave Israel in the wind.  This is not good foreign policy at all.  People from both parties will tell you this.  If you think having talks with Iran and telling them to stop enriching uranium is going to work you don’t know the facts.  The leaders of Iran don’t want to stop doing this and they will make it very hard for inspectors to come in and see what is really going on.

This week I read that President Obama wants to make it mandatory to vote.  While voting for me is the most important thing I can do for my country I hope this doesn’t come to be.   I don’t need people voting if they don’t know what they are voting for.  American’s need to be informed about who the candidates are and what they stand for, what the issues are and what their long term impact will be.  America do your homework, study things out, go to debates, watch them on TV, find out for yourself.  If you rely on SLN, John Stewart, and Stephen Colbert you aren’t getting the truth.  This would be like going to an NRA meeting to find out the problems with gun control or going to an ACLU meeting to find out why race issues in American aren’t working.  These comedians while very funny are not news anchors or journalist. 

          I really hope I get what I want in November 2016, I am not asking for a miracle just someone that is best for our country.  I want someone that will bring our country together, that is willing to work on both sides of the isle, and most importantly be tough on our enemies

Christmas Eve

 

                Christmas has never been my favorite time of year.  It is not because I do not believe in Christmas, it is just hard.  I know there are reasons and I am sure some of them are valid reasons.  However, tonight of all nights amazes me, it always has.  To think that tonight the Son of God was born over 2,000 years ago. 

                I have given birth 3 times.  There is nothing that feels as good as hearing your baby cry for the first time and holding them in your arms.  I am a wimp and I was happy to have as many drugs as I could.  I did not want to feel anything.  I have always thought that women that had children naturally were awesome, but that is not for me at all. 

                This night however, we focus on Mary, Joseph, and the new born babe.  I cannot imagine what that journey was like.  Riding and walking to pay taxes when you are 9 months pregnant.  Not just traveling to the mailbox, but many, many miles.  It had to be very uncomfortable.  Joseph, I imagine was doing everything he could do to keep Mary comfortable.  I do not know if we give Joseph the credit he deserves.  He truly loved Mary and our Father in Heaven.  It would have been very easy to walk away, yet he stayed.

                Finally, the come to a place to spend the night.  The inn keeper seems to always get the short end of the stick.  Yet, he did give them a place to stay.  They could not have stayed in the inn even if there was room.  Remember, Jesus’s birth was foretold by prophets and he had to be born in the poorest of circumstances. 

                Angels not an angel told of the birth.  Singing and praising God, singing hosannas to the Most High God.  I have heard a lot of choirs in my life and I am amazed by some of them.  I can imagine that this would have been the most awesome of them all. 

                Can you imagine if you were the shepherds watching their flocks?  Notice after they were told that the Savoir is born they did not just go about their business, it uses the word haste.   What a commotion that might have been as shepherds went as fast as they could to see the Christ child.  

                Today as we finish the last minute shopping, wrapping, etc…, I hope we take time to read, think, ponder, and pray about this holiest of nights.  I cannot imagine loving ALL of mankind enough to send down My Only Begotten Son, to save the world.  What a wonderful blessing this is in my life.  I know that He is the Savior and Redeemer of the world and me. 

Forgiveness

I hate that lesson in church where it talks about forgiveness.  I have always thought it odd that someone had to forgive someone else for something so silly as looking at them wrong or not speaking to them.  I have said in my brain and sometimes to the person I am sitting next to, “Wow that must be just horrible.”  Why do I feel that way?  Is it wrong to think that is silly?  Could I please borrow your shoes to walk in because I have had to work on forgiveness many times in my life?  

I know that Jesus suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and died on the Cross at Calvary for me, but most of the time I feel unworthy to accept those gifts from our Father in Heaven.  Some might wonder why you can know something yet not feel like you are able to welcome it into your heart.  I guess the answer is forgiveness. 

The most important person you have to forgive is the person that looks back to you in the mirror.  It is not the person that gave you the stink eye, the person that offended you, or did not say hi.  This is not to say you should not forgive others, but I think that is easier to do than to forgive ourselves It is you!  Why because that person truly needs the forgiveness.   . 

 Yet somewhere in my brain I know this, but my heart falls short every time.  This has one issue has come up many times in the last few week.  I then start playing the, “if only I did this,” “if only I could have done that,” game.  I start blaming myself to decisions that I had no or little control of.  I know I could not or cannot change some of those circumstances yet the only person I blame is myself. 

This does not mean I am not at fault, because I am not close to being perfect, but I also cannot control outcomes to situations that I feel I need to.  Again the person that gets hurt in this situation is often myself because I don’t listen to my brain.  I know what to do and I do say in my out loud word, “Jesus, please help.”  However, as soon as those words are said and I lay my burdens at his door.  I quickly pick them up and move away from the door.   I won’t answer my door to let the Savior come in and give him my burdens. 

I would tell my friends that is what you have to do.  I know I have told my children that is what they need to do.   I know I have given lessons on letting the Savior into your life and help with those burdens.  Yet, I am not able to.  The reason is forgiveness.  Not forgiving others but myself and it is not for the huge mistakes I have made.  I was and still am able to do that.  It is for the little things, which now have turned big.  These are the things that are out of my control and yet I still want to control them.

So what I can do?  I think I am like most people where I understand the concept of the Atonement.  I just do not know how it works for me.  It is good enough for all of mankind except me.  This does not make sense in my head or my heart.   I am a daughter of a Heavenly Father, He created my soul, and He loves me.  Just plain Flo, someone who is not going to be anyone important but a normal person.  My older Brother loves me.  He did what He could to make sure I can live with Him. 

So my goal is to remember who I am and where I come from.  I will work on forgiving myself because I need to practice that for me.  I am worth it.  To knock on the door and wait for the Savior to open it, then actually hand Him my burdens and not take them back.  Not knocking and running away with my heavy load. 

           

 

My Grandma

 

            Today, eighteen years ago my Grandma Philpot died.  My Grandma was an awesome woman.   She is was the type of Grandma I want to be.  I do not remember an important event in my life that she did not come to.  Her last trip out of Utah, was because Katie had just been born and was getting blessed.  She was too sick to travel and I know she should not have come, but there was no way she was going to miss it. 

            There is an advantage of being the oldest.  The biggest one is time spent with loved ones.  When my Grandma got sick many of the younger grandchildren did not know the fun Grandma I knew.  I had an advantage of knowing Grandma Philpot because I spent close to my first two and half years of my life living on and off with my Grandparents.  This brought us closer together and I will always be grateful for that.

            My favorite memory of my Grandma is the day I ran away from home.  She took me to get a new dress and shoes.  We went to for lunch at Little America and she had the “roast baron of beef.”  She always ordered that.  I remember my Grandpa Philpot taking me home on my Uncle Paul’s bike.   That day was the fourth best day of my life.  (The other three were the days my children were born.)

            What did I learn from my Grandma?  I learned that loving God is the most important.  She loved serving the Lord and you could see that as she got older.  She promised the children in her primary class that if they got married in the temple she would attend.  She did just that and when we attended her funeral and saw many of those primary children grown up you could see the impact.  I remember her telling me that if the Lord asks you to do something you do it.

            Second, love of family.  Family is Heaven on Earth.  My Grandparents loved their children and grandchildren.  They would have done anything for them. This love was not always easy and I am sure my Dad and uncles will tell you that it came with a price, but people get softer when they older. 

            Third, how to work.   My Grandparents taught their children and they passed it down to their children, who have hopefully passed it down to their children. 

            There has not been a day that has gone by since my Grandma died, that I have not thought of her.  There are days that I wished she was still alive because I needed to call and talk to her, but instead I remember that she would have said, “Go talk to Heavenly Father.”  I am glad that I had such a wonderful Grandma, what a blessing this would has been.  Thank you Grandma for teaching me what it was is like to be a woman, mom, and some day grandma.  I love you more than you will know.  Which is not true because you loved us all more than we will ever know. 

"Where Were You on that September Morning"

 

 

          It is September 10, 2014 and thirteen years ago today final preparations I can assume were being made to make sure the attack on the USA was ready.  19 people we know for sure, in the USA that night knew what was going to happen, but the rest of us carried on like it was a normal Monday night.  It was Monday night football the New York Giants were playing the Denver Broncos.  It was a late game for those on the east coast. 

          September 11, 2001 started off like a normal day for the Fallis household.  I got up, got in the shower, turned on the Today Show.  (We had cable then) and woke up the kids. The first plane had already hit and Matt and Katie were talking about how it might have been a small plane that accidently hit the World Trade Center.  Then, like most of America, I watched in horror as the second plane crashed into the second World Trade Center. 

          I took the kids to school and rushed home to find out what was going on.  The third plane had hit the Pentagon and then we waited to see if any other buildings were going to be hit.  We mourned for those that had already died and silently cheered for those passengers that took down the last flight.  Hero is not a strong enough adjective to describe those passengers. 

          Americans were rushing to give blood, going to church, and hear from their families.   We all can remember where we were, but do we talk about it?  Do we talk to our children about the importance of that day?  Do we let them know about the importance of history?  Have we, ourselves, learned from history?  I wonder if my Grandparents thought something like this would happen.  They had been alive for the attack on Pearl Harbor.

          I am proud to live in this country!  I hope tomorrow we can take some time and think about how we felt that day thirteen years ago.  Tomorrow no matter what we should all try and remember what it was like to be an American.  Remember on that day sacred and holy, there were no democrats or republicans we were just one country standing together.   What a blessing it would be for our country if we could once again come together.   

Why Vacations Matter

                I never take vacations, the last time I left Lake Havasu for a vacation that was not a family reunion was 2009.  I did go to girls’ camp in 2010, but if you hate camping that is not a vacation.  I am not a believer in the importance of vacation, I get a breaks from school and those weeks (spring and fall) those are spent in bed reading or just having jammie days.  Oh, wait that is not true, I usually spend it in my jammies but grading papers or working on lesson plans. 

                Last week I was able to go to Nauvoo, Illinois.  I know this isn’t Disneyland or a cruise, and certainly it isn’t a huge vacation spot in the US.  In fact on our plane trip there were 5 people on the plane that knew where it was and we had a map.  It is a small town on the Mississippi River that has 1,100 people that live there.  That has to be close to the amount of people that Disneyland employees as cast members.  So why would that be a place I would have saved money to go?

                I needed my girls to know why we do the things we do and believe what we do.  I have been blessed to grow up in my faith unlike many others LDS people.   All of my friends know that missionaries are going out and talking about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They talk about the mission of Christ and why His mission is just as important if not more as it was when He was on Earth.  My family listened to Joseph Smith himself.  They knew him and believed what he said.  They helped him with food, paper, and transportation.  This was just on my mother’s side.  On my father’s side of the family, those families left England to come to America to walk across the plains to come to Utah.  How and why could they do this?

                The Knight family knew Joseph Smith they talked to him and worked with him.  They were the first members of this new church in the 1830’s.  My family in England read the Book of Mormon and knew it was true.  They heard the call about gathering the ‘Saints’ and went.  Sold most everything to come across the Atlantic Ocean and then walked across most of the US to be with those people that believed what they did.

                In Nauvoo, we were able to walk those streets that the early Mormons walked.  I was able to go into the Prophet’s home, see and go into the temple, and walk where my family walked.  I read, researched, and felt like my family was blessed to be where I felt we needed to be.  How did this help my daughters’ faith?

                The stories learned and told there helped them answer some of those questions I wanted answered.  We came home and journal writing became important.  In fact Katie spent a great deal of time looking for a journal with the Nauvoo Temple on it. 

During this trip prayers were asked and answered, I felt closer to my grandparents that have gone before me.  I realized that because I had forefathers that walked the US, that I can overcome some of my problems.  Yes, my problems are different from theirs but, I didn’t have my homes torn down, I didn’t have to give up my worldly possessions, or I haven’t been ridiculed because of my beliefs.  There might be people talking behind my back about those things, but it hasn’t cost me anything. 

I think like many Catholics it would be like going to Rome.   For Jews it would be like going to Jerusalem.   I grew up in the Salt Lake valley so seeing church headquarters was not a big deal.  I wanted to go someplace that was special to my ancestors.  To be in the last place they were truly hurt by mobs and really ridiculed by the people in surrounding areas.   

                I will never regret going to Nauvoo.  I am grateful to Brett and Marie Allen for housing my family so I could afford to go.  I am thankful to Maureen Harshman for letting me crash her vacation.  I forgot how much I missed traveling with Mo.  I am happy that my girls were not upset that we didn’t go to a fun place for a vacation. 

                So why are vacations important?  Sometimes you just need to get out of Dodge and do something you want to do.  I might not be able to go on another vacation for many more years, but I am happy that I got to do something for myself and for my family. 

               

His Tender Mercies

This week has been very hard for me emotionally.  I have been to be on an errand for the Lord.  There are no other ways to describe it.  There are people that you will meet in your life that just by meeting them your life has been changed for the good.  I have been able to help someone that is a dear friend and more importantly than helping her I have been able to help those that love her.

I have a friend that is dying from cancer.  She is and the fight is over and now those that love her are just helping her cross the finish line.  This sweet friend is someone that everyone knows.  People have hosted car washes, garage sales, and even selling tamales at Christmas.  If you mention her name only good things are said.  I have never heard one person say anything bad about her.  How many of us can say that about ourselves?

As this week has progressed things have gotten worse as it is at the end of life but miracles I have seen.  I think sometimes we think the miracle has to be parting the Red Sea, bringing down the walls of Jericho, or saving all the animals as God sent down a flood to clean the entire Earth.  I however, think miracles are small and usually people will not even know they have happened until years down the road.   

My favorite scripture has always been in the parable of the separating the lambs and the goats.  The people are confused when the king asks questions about helping those that are sick, afflicted, and in prison.   The king says, “In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”  This parable is profound to me, because those that are the least are so grateful for those miracles of meals, a friendship, and a listening ear.  Those are all miracles to them, tender mercies from the Lord.

This week I have felt the presence of the Lord as I say things, do things, and try my best to be one of those that he has called to help.  I have also felt my dear Grandmother sit next me to me as I witnessed small miracles.  I know to people not of faith they would say I am crazy and if there was a God, He would not let this sweet lady suffer.  I however, see it this way, I learned from this week.  I learned that sometimes the Lord expects you to remember who you are and step up to the plate.  I learned that you need to be prepared.  I was able to remember that life goes on.   I held a brand new baby and marveled at how wonderful God’s plan is for us.  He truly loves us!  He knows each of us individually.  He wants the best for us.  He will work miracles and even though it might not be big, it will bless those that need it.

I have learned more than anything that a personal relationship with the Savior is more important than anything on this earth.  You might think that your are just a tiny drop of sand and your life will not mean anything but it does.  As I have witnessed as this humble cleaning lady make a huge impact on those around her.  What a blessing it has been to be on the Lord’s errand.  I can honestly say that today as we celebrate her life, I am blessed and will be a better person for knowing her.  Thank you Benny for sharing this with me.  I know that you have your mansion prepared for you in the next life. 

Why Fathers Matter

This might seem like a topic I would stay clear of but, I know dads matter.  I have been blessed to have a wonderful dad, wonderful grandfathers, and men in my life that taught me different things.  From my earliest memories I can remember what I was taught or learned from those men in my life.  I also learned from my own parents the importance of a Father in Heaven.  He is the most important Father in our lives. 

                Men and women have different divine roles, which include both being a father and mother.  I don’t remember when I didn’t want to be a mother.  I knew I wasn’t going to be a women that put her career first, I was going to be a mom.  However, in order to be a mom the most important role I have in my life, I needed someone to give me children.  Yes, I know there are other ways to become a mom, but I am a traditional girl.  So, let’s talk about the roles I believe that fathers and mothers have. 

                First, I believe, no let me restate that, I know that the father’s role is to provide for the family.  He will preside over the home in righteousness and provide for their family.    I heard a talk that said, “The most important thing a father can do for his daughter is to love her mother.”  Girls will learn how they should be treated by men by how their fathers treat their mothers and other women.   Fathers and mothers will also work together to raise their children with love and provide for their physical and spiritual needs.  To teach them to love and obey the commandments and become law abiding citizens.  The woman’s role is to primarily be the nurturer.  This is a gift that our Father in Heaven gave to women. 

                What did I learn from my dad and other men and why is that important for a daughter to learn these traits?  I learned how to work hard and to do whatever it took to provide for my family.  It was his job and his job alone to provide for us.  Yes, my mom and step-mother had jobs but they were because they wanted to, not because it was required.   There were jobs that my sisters and I did not do.  We were not allowed to mow the lawn that was my dad’s job and then my brother’s job when he was older.  We were to help out in the garden, work in the home, and make sure our grades were good.  My Grandpa Philpot and his father before him, had taught his children to work.  What a blessing working hard has been in my life. 

                My Grandpa Doxford was not always present in my life, but he taught me the importance of forgiveness.  He had made some decisions when my parents were married that he ended up regretting.  I learned from him the importance of reading the scriptures and loving my pioneer heritage.  I also learned the importance of no matter what, family comes first.  This was not an easy lesson to learn and I am sure that the way I learned this lesson is not the way my Grandpa thought I should learn it. 

                My Grandpa Philpot was my second dad.  I lived with him and my Grandmother for almost a year growing up.  I love him.  I remember his big hands, they would protect a little girl and hold her hand so tight that she would forget she was scared or had a care in the world.   He taught me that I was special and that I mattered.  No matter what else was going on FloriePot (that was what I called myself) was the most important little girl in the entire world.  He also would do anything to protect his family and I knew that.

                Seventeen years ago, I met a woman and I had no idea that she would change my life.  I gained another set of parents that have been a huge blessing in my life.  My children now have an extra set of grandparents.  They have a man in their life they can count on for things I cannot provide.   Grandpa Fronek has been able to give Father’s blessings, he has been able to teach especially Tyler the importance of the priesthood.  He has blessed the girls to know the importance of learning who they are and what they stand for.  Sunnie, taught me that it is okay to ask for help. 

                Dads are important because they are the first men in a child’s life.  I am so grateful to the men in my life that have helped not only my children but myself.  Thank you to those men that have taken their time to help out my family and to their families thank you for being willing to share your dad and husbands to help those in need.   I would be in a world of hurt if I did not know how to work, if I did not know how to forgive, and if I did not know it was okay to ask for help.  How blessed I am to have a loving Heavenly Father to bless me with these lessons.   So on this Father’s Day, I cannot be more grateful for those men that have given of their time and talents. 

 

Baseball and Prayers

      Everyday we make decisions, some that are made will change the course of our lives forever, most will not.  What shirt to put on, what to have for breakfast, making your bed in the morning, those decisions might not have a long term impact on our life.  Marriages, children, moving to a different place those decisions do have an impact on our life. 

          Today I would like to write about how a decision from a friend that has had no impact on her life but, changed mine forever, and boy am I happy she made that phone call that day. 

          Two summers ago I was having a very hard time with depression.  Havasu is hard on people in the summer because you can only take 120 degree weather for so long.  I am positive that is it is the same thing that happens to people in Alaska when they do not see the sun for months on end in the winter time.  I had locked myself in my house from the outside world and spent many hours in bed crying.  Terribly distraught not knowing what would come next.  There were too many big decisions that had to be made that I no longer wanted to make.  Too many decisions that were mine solely to make, and if you know me I am not one to come to big decisions lightly, I was done making pro and con charts. 

          I got a phone call from Patty Bagshaw, who had no idea that she was an answer to many prayers.  Not only given by myself but, my children, parents, siblings, and other friends.  You see Heavenly Father truly loves His children and knows what they need.  He knew that an invitation to baseball was something I was not going to say no to.  With that phone call and a few pestering ones after that my life took a different course.

          So how are baseball and prayers related?  Easy, going to those games in Kingman gave me something to look forward to other than making long term impacting decisions on my life.  It also got me out of the house and feeling the sun on my face.  Baseball brought a much needed smile to my face.  Lastly, it was an answer to many prayers. 

          When this time of year happens I get excited, ecstatic, joyful, and thankful for a season when I know I can look on my phone and find a game going on.  Yes, I don’t have cable so my 2 MLB apps come in very handy.  Baseball is not everything in my life, but it is a place where I feel safe.  I love watching the game rather it is the big boys playing or my students, baseball brings a smile to my face.  My favorite quote about baseball is “In baseball as in life, all the important things happen at home.” 

          I can never thank Patty enough for making that initial phone call.  She truly was an answer to prayers.  You never know when you have a feeling to call someone, text them, write a little note on Facebook, that that is something that person needs.  Those might be an answer to someone’s prayers. 

With that said, all I can say is “Play ball!”