Change..........Why Is It So Difficult?

Change is hard—so hard, in fact, that most of us avoid it at all costs.

But by avoiding change, we create even bigger problems, such as lost opportunities, broken relationships, or sometimes a wasted life. Millions of people who need to change are drifting along with no real purpose, no joy, feeling as if they're traveling a dead end street.

I can relate. I've had to make some major changes in my life, and each time they were either very painful or turned out to bring me great blessings of joy.

Intimidated by the Unknown.................

Each time I needed to make a change, I was afraid because I didn't know what was coming. Like most people, I like predictability. I thrive on sureness. Change means stepping into the unknown and losing your comfortable routine, and that's frightening.

I also knew that to a large degree, I had to give up control. That's scary too. Sure, I prepared as well as I could, but I couldn't run everything. Change involves so many factors that you just can't manipulate all of them.

When you're not in control, you lose your sense of invulnerability. You quickly realize you're not as powerful as you thought. That bravery you put so much pride in seems to evaporate when you realize you're not the one in charge any more.

Family members and friends can help you change, but they have their own lives to lead and their own priorities. They can't do everything for you. Most of the time they're struggling so much in their own lives that they can't give you all the support you'd like.

The Critical Element to Lasting Change is God the Father and Jesus Christ his son.

God supplies everything you need for successful change, and when you make changes with his help, you stay changed.

The unknown can overwhelm you, but God is omniscient, which means he knows all things, including the future. He can prepare you for the future in ways you can't prepare yourself, and he works all things for the good of his followers (Romans 8:28). God is the guide who is never surprised.

God is in control as well. The being who created the vast universe and keeps it operating in perfect harmony is also a personal God who intervenes in people's lives. He exercises his control to keep those who obey him in his will.

When you feel weak in the face of change, God is omnipotent, or all-powerful. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Knowing the invincible God is on your side gives you tremendous confidence.

The most important attribute God brings when you're making a change is his unconditional love for you. Unlike that of family and friends, his love never wavers. He wants only the best for you, and when change makes you suffer, as it often does, he stands closest to you, giving comfort and strength. Sometimes his love is the only thing that gets you through.

Hard Times...When Will The Economy Get Better?

Things are not good! This is the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. It has been a landmark at the top of Fremont Street since it was built in 1971.

The Plaza sits on the first train depot and auction site. The depot was demolished in 1970 to make way for the Union Plaza Hotel. This photo pretty much looks like it did when I moved to Vegas in the fall of 1976. My girlfriend Jeri and I loaded up everything we owned in a little blue Pinto and headed from Iowa to Vegas. We actually lived with her big sis on Bruce street which is just about eight blocks from the Plaza. ( not really a great neighborhood that you would want to be in now)!!!

I can still remember driving up Fremont street and down the famous "Las Vegas Strip" in our little pinto with complete "AMAZEMENT" in my eyes..........Two little Iowa farm girls had arrived in the big town!

Well................the reason for this post is this. The Union Plaza will be closing it's doors. Not only is it a Vegas Icon but 400 employees will be out of work. I am so saddened by this that I cannot express it without tears in my eyes. 400 employees plus their families..........Oh dear, that is alot of people! How long will this country's Unemployment Compensation be available? Is it an endless supply of benefits? I don't think so...........

The Liberace Museum will also be closing. Let's face it, it is off the beaten path but what a Vegas Icon he was. It's all just very sad!

When I first moved to Vegas I worked at Sunrise Hospital and through this wonderful opportunity I then worked with Dr. Elias Ghanem. It was a special time in my life as I was able to know many of the "then"..........STARS.

Liberace was one the kindest people you could ever know! He would always bring us girls roses when he came to the office and sent us many special gifts throughout the years.

Too Bad.........So Sad.......... that our country is in this shape!

So many people out of work.

Please remember these people in your prayers and our "country"

9-11- 2001

Some things in this world are hard for me to understand!

and for some things...........there is no understanding. It just is!

No rhyme.......No reason!

It is still difficult for me to hear, see and watch the footage of this tragic event.

I will continue to pray for those involved and for those who have lost a loved one this day!

AGAIN............I am grateful for the gospel and the comfort it brings to my life!

Northern Weekend

This past weekend I traveled north to spend some time with my daughter and the grandkidos. Dad had gone to Alaska to hunt bear! Run Smokey, Boo Boo and Yogi!!!! Run Fast!!

The twins are getting so big and they are now4 months old. It seems like just yesterday they were born. They are adorable and such good babies, and we feel so blessed. My Ivy sure has her hands full but she is a wonderful mother and I am always so impressed with her patience.

Thank you my sweet family for letting me come visit and I had a super wonderful time!

Oh no............Baby Claire has discovered the bottom lip pout!!

Happy Jenny girl....

Check out Henli's outfit. We were going through totes to see what clothes fit now and she was loving the dressing up. Note: those crazy socks! She is so sweet. She kept grabbing my legs and she would say "My Nana"!!!

Layni loves to rollerblade and she loves to show her Nana how good she is getting!

A Day at Chuck E Cheese

Sister -in -law Becky, Ivy and Jenny and Claire. Thanks for coming and hanging out with us Beck. It is always so wonderful when I can get a hug from you!


Little Lukie Bear and "Chuck E. Cheese".. Awesome....................

Cousin Mason............and check out little Marley Jo.........She wasn't having anything to do with the "Giant Cheese Mouse"

Jill and her sweet family showed up too........Her husband Nate was in Alaska with Cody.

Cody is on his way home now............bear in tow!!! What????

These kids were having a ball.......Little Henli really didn't even know what to do but she sure figured out how to put tokens in the machines fast!

Waiting on that delicious pizza....................Ok.....the pizza is really awful!

Layni, Henli (with her poker face) and Lukas

Nana.....................You are the best!

The Gang!!

Big Iowa Win

First Game Win.............37 - 7


Way to go my Hawkeyes!!

Game Day is Finally Here!

Well....Tomorrow is game day and we will come Jersey to Jersey with Eastern Illinois. I sure love you my Iowa Hawkeyes!

Hawkeye Fans are the greatest fans in the world!

Good Luck and you know I will be rooting for you. I might even do a little Hawkeye cheer if I can find the ole pom poms!!

Now .............I really am homesick!

Good ole Coach Fry.........You served us well! Hail to the chief!!!

Northern California Vacation

The kids just got back from a super wonderful family vacation that took them to San Francisco, Yosemite National Park and also Sequoia National Park. They were gone almost two weeks and I think Mackenzie said that Joe took over 600 photos.

It won't be long that little Wynter will be running in her cute new tennis shoes!

OK you kids................Where is my grandaughter while you are posing in this tree?

One Hundred and Fourteen Days!

Can you believe it? One hundred and fourteen days till the big guy in the Red Suit shows up!!!

It is definitely time for me to get started on some Christmas projects. I love these cute little festive aprons that I have started making for some of the family. ( Daughters don't be looking!!!)

The grandkidos love helping Nana and Mama with all the Christmas Candy.... so they will really be excited this year! It will be fun in the years to follow to keep bringing them out and "isn't making memories what life is all about"!

I went ahead and traced the pattern so that later I can make all kinds of Holiday Aprons...

Just think of the endless possibilities........Easter, Valentines ♥, Halloween.........................

My Mad Obsession With Old Cars!!

What is it with me and old cars? Maybe it's just old stuff in general! I too am getting older and one day I will be an antique! (tee hee). Not just yet though!!!!!!

I am always so happy when I see cars from "yester years" and that I have the camera so handy in my little tote bag!

so.......just what is it about old cars that makes my heart flutter? I think it takes me back to a simpler place in time. You know..........the good ole days!

When I was a little girl living on the farm my Grandpa Frank had an old car like this but it was green in color. Every morning he would drive to our farm house from his house in town. It was just about a mile jaunt, but he would stop first at O'briens Bakery and bring my brother Steven and I chocolate donuts and maple bars. As silly as this probably sounds it still lingers in my mind as one of the sweetest memories of my favorite Grandpa! This sure was a long time ago but I can still close my eyes and see myself watching out the window for my Grandpa!

Yep.....................The Good Ole Days.......They Really Were Good!!!!

Arizona Weekend..

This past weekend I went to Arizona to spend some time with my "Saturday Friend".

Come Saturday Morning

I'm goin away with my friend

We'll Saturday - spend till the end of the day..........

Just I and my friend

We'll travel for miles in our Saturday smiles...

And then we'll move on

But we will remember long after Saturdays gone.............

We hunted for a place for our little picnic........Ahhhhh...This looks interesting.

Look at this beautiful canyon wall and the color of the water was amazing!

"Little Treasures" from my weekend. The little Black and White stones were gently laying beside one another close to the Rainbow Bridge. I fell in love with them. I neatly tucked them away in my camera case! It's not to often I find a green rock too and since green is my favorite color..............in the case it went too.....The other cute little tower of three stones were found near the lake.


Thank you my "Saturday Friend" for an amazing weekend!!!!

Rainbow Bridge at Lake Powell

100th Anniversary 2010

In order to get there we took the boat at least over 45 miles. It was amazing! Then you dock and hike to the actual bridge.

Native Americans living in the region have long held the bridge sacred. Since the bridge became widely known in the early 1900's, thousands of people from around the world have visited each year.

The World's Largest Natural Bridge. It is 290 feet from its base to the top of its arch -

nearly as tall as the Statue of Liberty and spans 275 feet across the river. The top of the arch measures 42 feet thick and 33 feet wide.........

Amazing I say..................It was just amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pretty cool reflection photo................ Making Memories!