Daily Rejoicing

Cinco de Mayo to all of you! It's even celebrated in SG, as we have a Hispanic presence here!   Happy Spring weather to all of you; it's in 80's here and that's about perfect!  The Ironman competition is tomorrow, so dealing with closed streets, but happy tourists, means $$$  to S.G.  I continue to enjoy living here, but leave often as my granchildren need to be visited and hugged!  (9 in all, 3 girls and 6boys)   Betsy retired on Wednesday and is now a stay-at-home mom with Jack, 2.  We're all thrilled they met this goal!  Still quilting and teaching quilting classes.  Life is wonderful for me.

Daily Rejoicing

Happy New Year, belated!

How does the time get away? I guess it all gets down to priorities, huh? Since my leg troubles, now resolved, in November I struggled to find the stamina to fit my Curves workout back into the schedule. I can report that I'm using early morning time for this on my missionary days. I go to the gym, partially dressed for D.I. and wearing my sweats, then change into my skirt, my tights and my shoes. Since we go into a very cold church building for our GED Study Center, I have been wearing long johns under those tights and long sleeved layers as well. I'm so glad I'm not in Siberia...can't imagine sub zero temperatures as it takes about 45 minutes for the heat to kick in at the church building here! We continue to be busy with the associates and have several focusing toward the GED test at the end of January or first week in February.

I enjoyed a very special day two weeks ago. I really hadn't imagined that there would be temple opportunities with the associates, but one of the young mothers that we've been working with was able to go with her husband to receive their endowments and have their 4 yr. old daughter sealed to them. She invited us to be with them. It was a most enjoyable experience. She is doing well with her GED preparation, too...now coming all the mornings that she is at work.

I'm still glowing from the nice Christmas happenings. I so enjoyed seeing Justin and family on their way north to Idaho Falls and then again when they came south on their way home to San Diego. These two little boys are bright and fun to be around. On Ashlee's blog you sometimes catch a glimpse of some of their antics that can be challenging for her, but as Grandma I just enjoy loving them and seeing the great photos she puts on her blog.

It was so nice to be with Betsy, Scott and his extended family for their traditional Prime Rib/King Crab legs dinner on Christmas Eve. We all hoped it wouldn't be the last---with Jack around next year to take up her time and energy, but we sure enjoyed the dinner and trimmings this year!

On the day after Christmas I drove to Williams, AZ, to be with Tim and Donna and Zoey and go on the Polar Express. This is a short ride near the south rim of Grand Canyon, outfitted this time of year to recreate the book. It was really great! The waiters were dressed like the bakers in the story, a Tom Hanks look alike came down the aisle as conductor and Santa got on the train after we passed the "North Pole" and came through all the cars to give the children their own Christmas bell. Zoey was thrilled with all of it!

I didn't realize until talking with Betsy yesterday, that the gender of their April baby is not known to any of them. I had thought that Donna knew, but they have opted to all be surprised! I plan to take a week break in mid May and go down there to be with all of them and get acquainted with this new grandchild! I have a good friend here who also has grandchildren in Gilbert (adjacent to Queen Creek) so we'll drive down together to enjoy respective hugs and laughter from little ones.

Betsy's excitement is increasing in quantum leaps for the arrival of JACK. She has sewn some dust ruffles for the crib and ordered some things as well, which I hope to see tomorrow. She planned to come for some shopping and visiting, and I hope it works out. She slipped on ice coming out of YW last Wed. night, so now is wearing an air cast for a badly sprained ankle. Her concern is walking, so the visit is a little questionable. Fortunately it was her left foot, so she can drive and is able to continue work. They did a stress test on "Jack" and he is fine. She has had a lot of pain in that ankle.

I have a few last quilts to do for customers, and with a limited amount of time available, I'm trying to keep going. Right now the garage heater is on to bring it up to comfort zone, Alison and family moved into their first home on Jan. 1 and she's gradually getting everything settled. It's a town house in Ashburn, VA, with three floors (about 2800 sq. ft). I have the quilt top she made for their bed so that is my goal for today--get it quilted, after sewing all the borders on last evening. I had to call her to fill in the blanks on my memory of which fabric went in which order, and had a nice chat as Brian was beside her in the bathtub and JP was busy with Patrick on an errand. She's getting settled into new location, new preschools, and trying to figure out how to juggle all the things she'd like to do for her boys.

Justin had his 35th birthday last Monday and Jackson and I are also birthday folks this month. I'm not counting, but Jackson is so excited to be 4 as it meant he could go to Primary, beginning two weeks ago! Early reports Boston continues to love all the learning experiences he's having as a kindergarten whiz!

The stake center where we have the GED Study Center will have the carpets cleaned on MOnday, so building is closed. I plan to wear a denim skirt and tennis shoes and take an apron, as I'll be helping out somewhere in the D.I. operations that day...they process a lot of items as we have a very vigorous donation dock and lots of stuff gets sorted and priced every day. The center here is one of the top selling, top receiving and top job placement units in the system. I've said it before---the staff are great people to work with!

December 24: Soon be driving to Cedar City to Betsy's house! They call my car "Santa's Sleigh" because I bring lots of stuff...the Christmas dishes, requests for last minute things from Costco, the gifts, my clothes for overnight stay, etc.! Their gift to the family is a traditional get-together on Christmas Eve with lovely appetizers including Scott's favorite:shrimp and center stage is Prime Rib roast and King Crab legs...always a treat! We range from 8-11, depending upon where nephews are visiting (this year they're with their dad.) Since I have the roasting pan with lift-out rack it's going, and since I have goblets and Christmas napkins they're packed, along with a toothpick dispenser and small beater with bowl for whipping the cream and folding in the horseradish (since I'm the only one that really likes this, I bring it!) Christmas morning we will open packages before Scott reports for Fireman duty and then off to Carlile Parents home for a traditional pancake, etc. breakfast and more gifts! Mine are all food related, but Shhhhh don't tell!
Home in the afternoon (before dark, due to ice on the BlackRidge area of I-15 (snow fell past two days) and then off to Flagstaff, AZ area on Saturday morning to meet up with Zoey and parents and Zezulka grandparents for a ride on the Polar Express. This is the train that runs from Williams to So. Rim of Grand Canyon (all decorated up to reenact the famous storybook). We hope to meet around lunch time and play and """shop???""" until time to go to Santa's Village which I understand has things for the kids to do until our reserved train time. We'll have a sleep-over and peek at the Grand Canyon Sunday a.m. before bidding each other good bye. Somewhere in there "Santa's Sleigh" will unload the Grammy Miller gifts for this family! I love the packages...it's so fun for me to think of something that really matches the personality of each family member! Ashlee, Justin and boys were here this past weekend, so we had a Christmas dinner of Roast Pork (recipe from Alison) with Scott and Betsy joining us and then went to Tuacahn for Living Nativity. You expect some sheep, but also a horse-riding Roman Tax Collector , Mary on a live donkey and the Wise Men arrive with their camel! It was great and quick...20 minutes was perfect! We had Christmas packages from Grammy on Sunday evening, and it was a long wait for Boston and Jackson, but they were so good and very appreciative...Grammy loves those hugs! Justin got his AJM Book and seemed very pleased. More on that in the after Christmas blog, as there are 3 more still to be received and I don't want to blow that surprise just yet!
My friend Bev had told me she loved orange marmalade when we were ordering breakfast on our Thanksgiving trip to Moab. I came home and googled Knotts Berry Farm and was so amazed that they no longer offer this flavor! So, at the local grocery I found three different brands from Smuckers and up---I wrapped these as part of her Christmas package and suggested we do a taste test in the future! She had a good chuckle over that.
I reacently found a recipe on the internet for CrockPot Applesauce. It is easy and so tasty and healthy....now that's a 3 way hit! I use the Granny Smith apples that you get at Costco in the bubble pack of 12. Luckily I have the bigger crock pot! I use my apple peeler and then cut them in chunks. I put half in the crock pot and sprinkle first T of ground cinnamon and stir, and then finish with the rest and another T of cinnamon. Then to 1 cup water I add 2 t. of vanilla. I put the heat on high and it's around 3 hours. You can tell they're done because not only it smells great, but also they're kind of transparent looking, bubbling around the edges and when you stir the batch, it settles down and goes mushy. If you want it near puree, stir with a whisk! So, my friends and neighbors are receiving Crock Pot Applesauce this year. (At Harmon's I found plastic freezer jam jars (3 sizes) with bright screw on plastic lids...quite festive and reusable...so a few more will be delivered this morning!
At DI this past week I had a very special experience during the "Bishops Christmas". This is held during December, with a mini store set up in the back, so that folks coming with a bishops order for specific toys, home items, clothing for Christmas, etc. can choose from set-aside and specially donated items. The bikes are always a miracle as one day there are none and by the next 20 have arrived...it was like this all month. There were many beautiful quilts available and brand new pillows, sheet sets and this year lots and lots of new coats in all the sizes.
My branch had made a quilt and I was asked to deliver it since I'm out there almost every day. One of the asst. store managers was in charge of Bishops Christmas, so I found him and showed him the quilt. He immediately wanted to know the size, as he had been searching for a double bed size: it was, and he was very happy as he had someone needing this size. I thought that was the end of the story, but the next morning as I was getting dressed I had a very strong impression that someone was coming to DI on the day who would need a big quilt. I thought about the flower one I had made several years ago when I was experimenting with the "Turning 20" patterns. I knew this had to go to DI that day, so I pulled it out from my glass coffee table that stores quilts inside.
I found Chad, the asst. mgr. and told him I had been impressed quite strongly to bring this quilt in for Bishops Christmas. "Is it a King?" was the first thing he asked. "I have someone who really needs that size." I told him it was a Queen, but would fit on a king-sized bed, but with less hang down on the sides. We opened it up, and the long arm quilting design really looked nice and I told him I had made it and quilted it. He then looked at me and said, "You are an answer to prayer. There's someone here who will really want this. Do you want to give it to her?" Of course I agreed, and he called this young mother over and showed her the quilt and told her I had made it. He told her he would put it aside with her Bishops Order for Christams. She loved it, she cried, she hugged me and I glowed....it's the greatest of feelings to be in the right place at the right moment! Then he told her, "And you will treasure this even more because you know who made it!" That made my heart swell. Later in the day, she thanked me again. So nice to know I've been a part of her Christmas miracle.
If you haven't found Christmas yet, it's not too late---music will help, a good story (I recommend Shepherds, why this Jubilee? by Jeffrey Holland) or the Hallmark TV station or Lifetime (both have been showing continuous Christmas-related movies every day)
I feel the love of our Savior so strongly and I feel the love in people's hearts so strongly at this time of year. May we keep these wonderful feelings all year. Hugs, "Sister Miller"

Merry Christmas to All - 2009

I am very, very happy this Christmas season to be a Service Missionary at the Deseret Industries complex here in St. George. I say "complex" because many things are happening in our building. The job training program is in full swing for about 100 "associates" at any one time. They focus on running the thrift store here in all facets: unloading cars with donated items, checking electrical units to see that they work, sorting clothing, shoes, books and "as is" items, stocking shelves, helping shoppers and checking them out at the registers. The associates work with their respective job coaches in setting employment goals and progressing with personal development. My assignment is to help them prepare for the GED exam if they have not graduated from high school. It's been amazing to realize how intuitive they are, in spite of lack of classroom experiences and I really encourage them to have faith in their own ability to pass this test. It spans the subjects of Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts (Literature) and Language Arts, Writing (punctuation, etc.) with a written essay thrown in for good measure--about 7 hours of testing when they take the test all in one day. Several fabulous missoinaries work with me at our GED Study Center, which is located near the DI store at the Pineview Stake Center. We have had great successes already; our first three test takers passed and are all geared up to take college courses at nearby Dixie State College on a part-time basis, while working. The ripple effect is very overwhelming to me; I'm so glad to be a part of their progress.
I can 't say enough about the nurturing that takes place here. The staff really are dedicated to helping each associate be more successful in entering or reentering the job market. There have been 78 placements this year, compared to 48 at same time last year---so the community here is really catching on to the preparation of the associates to be successful as employees. The sprit of the staff is so inspiring as they encourage, prod, love, encourage, and smile. I love being here and am so glad I said I'd serve for 18 months, as I'm not nearly ready to be done!
It's wonderful to be at home, as I can still maintain ties with my friends, my doctors, and my church acquaintances and sleep in my own bed. In the photo below, Bev Lewis and I attended the annual Jubilee of Trees which is held pre-Thanksgiving every year. For two years the goal has been to raise funds to have a medical helicopter based here at Dixie Regional Medical Center, and with a matching grant, after the community raised more than a million doallars, it should arrive in a few months. They actually dismantled the rotor, to bring a working model into the Dixie Center so all could see just how they are outfitted; of course it was red! This event launches the holiday season due to 70 or more decorated trees that are on display and auctioned--plus the wreaths, candy, table decorations, etc. that are for sale.

If you think this photo looks similar to my Christmas card, you're right! That was my plan--to look festive, and I think it worked!
Since Bev and I were not involved with extended family at Thanksgiving, we decided to drive out to Moab! We were surprised from start to finish with the quality of the lovely dinner we had upon our arrival, the amazing formations at Arches National Park on Friday, the views from the top at Canyonlands National Park on Saturday and being in a snowstorm as the finale!!! We had a great outing and I would love to go back, just not in the summer heat!

Fall is the time to enjoy this "wasteland" as the wind and water have done quite a job of shaping and gouging at the layers of sediment from a prehistoric ocean. There were people down in that valley having a hike!

This is Aladeen Davis, the executive secretary to the Development Dept. at D.I. She was at BYU just ahead of me and we know some of the same folks: isn't it a small world? She is an amazing lady as she keeps track of all the associates and their progress. When I feel an associate is ready for the GED exam, she makes all the financial arrangements and reservation at the testing center on Dixie State College campus. She is busy and efficient and a fun to know lady!




Well, the school teacher in me couldn't resist a "bulletin board" ...the Hall of Fame, if you will. We take their photo in cap and gown and then displayed here to honor them and encourage everyone else. As of today, we have 3 photos on display and 2 more associates are taking the test next week. The tutoring we do is one-on-one and there is a missionary couple from Wyoming here as well as several elders (retirement age) who come on various days--it makes for great help being given!


This is Ashley Roberts. She was the first to pass! I think she could be a sister to my "daughter," Donna Miller, don't you?

This is Debbie Hathaway. She thought she was "too old," and had been out of school "too long," but she did great! I'm missing a picture of Michele Montgomery; she was off the day I took the camera with me. She's the first to have completed enrollment for Winter classes at DSC! You Go Girl!

I do have family news to report, but no photos at this time. Justin, Ashlee, Boston and Jackson moved to San Diego in April. Justin is building up the business again, still with Real Property Management, in all of San Diego county. Boston is a kindergartner with a wonderful program that is home school plus many activities at his charter school. Jackson is learning it all by osmosis! They are coming to visit me pre-Christmas; I can hardly wait!

Tim and Donna and Zoey are in Queen Creek, AZ. Donna has almost finished all classes for her baccalaureate degree and will do so before Baby #2 arrives the end of April. The gender is to be a surprise at birth ! I'm joining them right after Christmas to go on the Polar Express train ride near Grand Canyhon! I hear it's fabulous...I think we even wear pajamas on the train!

Alison and Patrick had Brian join their family on St. Patrick's Day, so along with JP, big brother, they will move to their first home on January 1. The location is Ashburn, VA about 30 miles west of McLean. I'm sure glad that Patrick's mom is going back to help with the move!

Betsy and Scott are expecting their first baby, Jack Giles, around April 9. It will be wonderful to have a grandchild so close....I think they called their babysitter of choice for a reservation before they announced to the family, as Betsy plans to return to work with Cedar City Chief of Police after her maternity leave. Scott is a fireman with Cedar City and the "favorite" uncle to visit, because it means playing on the fire trucks! Life is good for all of us. I was going to close with a poem---but it's migrated off my desk, so how about Best Wishes for all the Peace, Hope and Joy of this wonderful time of year. Hugs, "Sister Miller"

December is here! So fun to be wearing festive clothes and bright colors, after warm fall tones of orange, brown, etc.! Since I wear skirts or dresses three days each week, I will continue to wear the brown skirt or it would be pretty boring to see how many variations can be made with a black skirt. I even have a beige Christmas vest that looks smashing with my new red field coat! Layers of clothing are needed because the stake center where we have our GED Study Center was not heated, until recently. I was going to invite the associates to come on over to the igloo!!! It's somewhat improved now that we know about the thermostat that can be turned on, but with all the cold cement bricks taking a while to warm, I'm wearing multiple layers just the same! (But, if I think about other places in the world that are really, really cold I am glad to be just where I am!)

We have had three Associates pass their GED in November. I made a Hall of Fame Bulletin Board to hang in the hall. Yesterday we took their pictures in red cap and gown and will post these on our wall of fame. I will insert a photo of this as soon as I get lesson no. 2 on how to do this. It's not that I haven't been taught, it's just that I can't remember the steps! Please be patient, as I know the blog will be enhanced with some pictures.

Every morning at DI, before the store opens, the associates and staff gather for a devotional. On Mondays we are combined. The other days the group divides between sales staff and back room processing groups. There are seven Job Coaches who each work with around 13-15 associates. I think I've mentioned before that I'm rereading the Book of Mormon for my morning scripture study. So, Monday morning I was in Ether and reading about him trying to convince his people that we have to exert some faith and then good things start to happen! I had been thinking about my message for the devotional and bingo! these scriptures fit in to what I wanted to say. It concerned the realization that has come to me while tutoring---these folks have very intuitive skills in deciphering math or other situations, notwithstanding they might not be able to prove it in a "school-related set of processes"--but they should have trust in themselves that they can achieve this goal of passing the GED.

After I had shared my thoughts and read my scriptures from Ether (Ether 12:3-4), Moroni writing on the plates of Ether (vs. 6) and even the Lord himself speaking (vs. 27), I bore my testimony and sat down. The "tender mercy" of my using those thoughts and scriptures really hit me when Chad, one of 3 staff directors, concluded the devotional with his remarks. Posted on the wall was one word "ATTEMPT". He gave a great story to illustrate what can happen when we stop procrastinating and make an attempt to do what's right. He concluded with Moses 1:39 and also "When ye do what I say, I am bound; when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." I realized that our combined comments were extremely coordinated and I marveled that I had been a part of what the Lord wanted the associates to hear that day! Needless to say, I'm loving this mission. As I told the associates, I know I'm where the Lord knew I needed to be and it's a testament to the fact that he knows us individually and loves us and sees to our personal growth as we "hearken" to the commandments and the prophet.

Today I'm having a P-Day and it's the beginning of holiday parties as well, as my Material Girls Friendship group is gathering at the home of Joyce Jensen. In this group we share a small gift with each of the other 5 members, so it is quite festive! I purchased my gifts of mini quilts at the Quilt Show in April 2009 which Bev and I co-chaired, so it is a meaningful gift from me that I hope they will enjoy as well. The fabrics from these quilts were obtained as scraps from a Kaleidoscope Star class that I had taught for our guild in 2008!

THANKSGIVING 2009 I guess it's the best sentiment to say "this is the best holiday thus far" instead of "ever," because I have enjoyed many memorable ones! However, I think there were so many unexpected, wonderful surprises with this one that it's really standing out in my mind. When I realized that all my children had plans elsewhere, since we had all been here last year, I proposed to my friend Bev Lewis that we go to Moab and see Arches National Park. She was interested, so after searching websites we made our decision to go. She made final reservations since I am quite busy with my missionary activities and she really scored for the team! The Lodge was having special rates for the holiday weekend, and our savings there far outweighed the fee for Best Westerns/Days Inn, etc. with in-house continental breakfasts included. We were delighted to dine at the adjacent coffee shop for breakfasts under $5 that were delicious. Our most pleasant Turkey day surprise was the meal. Who would believe a 5 star Chef would be working at "Buck's Grill"? The building is unassuming, the decor is western and we'd been promised seating in the lounge at 4:30 p.m. OR seating in the dining room at 7:30 p.m. Bev had opted for earlier meal, and when we arrived we were seated in the dining room after all. The menu was a Thanksgiving special with choices of traditional turkey, leg of lamb or trout. The salad was goat cheese and mixed greens with a blueberry vinaigrette that was delicious. Hot sour dough loaves of bread were the accompaniment! When the large chop plate was served we had a moist dressing with wild rice and mushrooms, julienne green beans and yellow squash, a mound of mashed potato garnished with parsley and gravy, a generous serving of turkey and homemade cranberry/orange sauce. The cranberries were so good, I asked for more. It tasted wonderful with every bite of dark and light meat. Desserts were a choice of pumpkin or pecan pie or apple cobbler. Every morsel was wonderful! What a delightful meal for us to enjoy after our drive out (7 hrs. with stops at Cove Fort, gasoline, etc.)

Friday we dedicated to Arches National Park. Every pull out was something else spectacular. When Bev wanted to walk more than I could, I encouraged her to explore and sat in the car to read from the various books we had picked up at the Park gift shop. The balanced rocks and the arches and windows are absolutely amazing. Next trip: I want to go early, right to Delicate Arch and make that hike---you can only see it from a distance from the viewing site and it is situated against a precipice of some sort that looks quite dramatic. We saw many other arches at closer range and out cameras were just clicking away! The layers of sediment are varied in colors so it is gorgeous! While studying the maps ahead of the trip I noticed that Canyonlands Nat'l. Park was also very near to Moab. Bev was game to hit that on Saturday morning, so we stopped first at a beautiful, full-service market and had sandwiches made to order and off we went on the next adventure. The portion of Canyonlands that we were able to enter is a portion called island in the sky. That is because it is the triangle of land surrounded on East by Colorado River winding its way south and on the west is the Green River, with their confulence at the tip of the triangle. From the car lookouts, the vistas were immense---quite the opposite from being at Arches and standing at the base of a balancing rock or arch and looking up. The cuts into the land from the meandering water action and erosion are amazing. As we walked up to the first lookout, Bev's comment said it all. "I certainly didn't expect this!" At one point the road passes through a neck of land with drop offs on both sides! She's not much on heights, so it was probably good she was driving rather than sight-seeing! I actually gasped, I must admit. The real way to get a perspective on this park would be from the water! We had seen many ads for jetboat trips, barge floats, white-water rafting and now we knew why. Our overall impression was this was a place we'd like to return, with some of these day trips reserved in advance. The weather would be a factor, also--as we had our jackets, gloves and long-johns on yo stay warm and toasty (45 degrees was the warmest it ever got). I bet May or June would be splendid for all the water sports without roasting in hot, hot heat of summer!

Our finale was a snowstorm at Summit after we were southbound on I-15 around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, but it lightened through Cedar City and the Blackridge was dry, so we arrived home safely in 5 1/2 hrs.; I actually felt quite rested and ready to get back into my missionary activities come Monday! I would recommend this vacation area to one and all! We found the yarn shop and the quilt shop and only went to one as the other was closed due to family funeral, but there are more art galleries and other boutiques that we saved for the future.