Relative Humility

Well - this morning was REALLY fun! (When you listen to this - just turn our music off at the right). Amy, my daughter in law, called us the other day, and said the the popular radio station G105 was having a contest based on a new television series, "Opportunity Knocks". Well, we called in and became one of the families that would be involved in the contest! We each had to answer a series of questions to see how well we know our family.

NO CHEATING ALLOWED! =) The girls were up for it - and we had a blast. It took a few days to complete - and then we were live on the air at about 8am this morning. WE WON!! We won a really cool camera (worth over $200.00 bucks) and some Janet Jackson Tix and some backstage passes!! We get some free T-Shirts..and we will see what else. We won 7-2.

Listen and enjoy!

Vinny's Parents

Vinny's parents are just the greatest! They raised the man I love to be the man he is today. "Nana" (Mom) is always doing for others, sending out little gifts for the girls, writing me little letters, calling to check on me. She truly cares, and it really shows. She has a contagious smile and laugh and she knows EVERYBODY! Once you know her, she is your friend. Plus - I've never seen ANYONE drive an RV quite like Mom! =) She is the best, and I truly admire her. I want her to know how much I love her for making me feel so much a part of the family.

"Granddad" (Dad) - well - what can I say about him? He is adored by his grandchildren, looked up to by his children, and he is a good - honest - decent man. He stands for integrity, honesty, he is a true Christian. He is always supportive of us, and I'm astounded sometimes at all the things that he taught Vinny to do as a young boy/man. It seems he is the best handyman ever.

We sometimes take our parents for granted, but I really felt like writing today and thanking our parents for making us who we are. Thank you Mom and Dad, for all you do for us. We love you so much!

My Parents

.

As I have gone through my older years, there have been many times when I have turned to my parents - and they have had good council for me. I will never forget a about ten-twelve years ago, when my Dad felt very prompted to sit down and write a letter on Pride. I hold that letter in highest esteem. It seems that he is always there when we need him.

These past few weeks/months have been very trying on us. We have turned to the Lord so many times. And Vinny has called my Dad - (he calls him "Pops") to talk of gospel things. Last night my Dad felt once again impressed to talk to us about a talk from General Conference by David Bednar -" The Tender Mercies of the Lord."

I just want my parents to know how much we love them. I'm so glad I was raised in a home with the gospel - being taught gospel principles and learning correct truths. I was hugged and loved and told "I love you" daily. We knelt in family prayer. We had scripture study. We had family home evening. We were taught to love one another and be Christlike.

I truly love you, Mom and Dad. I just want you to know. You are the best. Thank you for your undying support and love. You may not be rich in the things of the world, but you are the richest people I know in the things of the gospel.

What a Missionary!

This week has been somewhat challenging. We have found ourselves calling upon the Lord several times. We have decided that no matter what - we will put our lives in the Lord's hands and do His will. Once we decided that -we have felt great peace.

In the midst of all of this - we received a beautiful letter from Morgan's mission president, President Dyches. Vinny wrote a book called "Grace Divine" and sent it to him. It is truly a marvelous book - and we have had several wonderful comments about it - it is available for sale on his Celestine Publishing site. (On the right hand side of our blog). I just have to share some of the comments of that letter.

He thanked us for the book, and talked specifically about two chapters. He said it would help him teach about the importance of grace with those who perhaps feel we approach salvation by "earning our way to heaven".
He said a few other things and ended with this.

"Elder McKell is an outstanding Elder. I want you to know that he teaches the Gospel with power and inspiration. He is an excellent mentor to his companion.

May the Lord bless you always in His work."


I just had to share. This letter uplifted our hearts, warmed our very souls, and touched our lives. Elder McKell is doing AWESOME! We are SO SO proud of him!! Elder McKell's letter this week talked of a woman that he had the opportunity of getting ready to baptize. He is a District Leader, and though he has is struggles at times, he LOVES the work he is doing. He loves his companion, and he loves his Mission President. He loves the gospel - and I am so touched by hearing the man he has become. He is a breath of fresh air - and I miss him and love him so much! Te quiero, Elder McKell!

The soup that kept on giving

I want to share this story with you - because I was reminded of it this weekend. It was used in a Stake Relief Society Women's Conference - about how small acts of kindness can make a huge difference. I was asked to submit an article -so I did. It brought back a lot of memories.

At any rate - I felt it worth sharing. I hope you like it!


When Morgan was about twelve - and he and I lived in Bountiful Utah - I made a huge pot of homemade chicken noodle soup. I had so much it was running out of my ears. I was really close to our Ward Mission Leader (a sister) -and her husband that was in our Bishopric. So I called her and said - "Hey - I have all this soup - do you want some?"

She said yes - and came to get some. When she saw how much I had - she instantly said... "Dana - how about we take a bunch of containers and feed as many people we can tonight?" So Morgan, Marilyn and I went through my cupboards and filled up any container we could. She also got some from her home. Her husband dutifully drove us around the ward, taking soup to the Bishop's family whose wife just had surgery, to members I didn't even know were in our ward, (not active) and people who were old and sick. I think we delivered about 12 containers of soup that evening. It was a great experience for Morgan and myself.
Now - this "Small Act" made a HUGE difference in our lives. Why? Well, when we got back to our small apartment that we lived in, our pot of soup was still full to the brim - and looked as if it had never been touched!! Marilyn and I were so startled!! Morgan ran ahead, yelling, "Look, look, look at the soup!" From a small act - we gave the soup that kept on giving. We were able to go out and give more and more and more - and feed many more families that night. What a HUGE difference that made in my life and in a 12 year old boy's life and in a Ward Mission Leader's life - to see how Heavenly Father can and WILL provide for the people who need and are in need - even if it is just soup.

Cami and her love for her Mommy

So - tonight Cami sneaks in Vinny's office and gets on the computer. She works for 2-3 hours straight - and asks me not to peek. So I don't. Just a short while ago -she comes to me, and hands me a paper.


I just have to share it. It's so so sweet. She wrote 101 reasons she loved me. Why? Well - a few years back, I wrote one for Morgan, and then Vinny - and then when the girls came - I wrote one for them. I totally forgot about it. Until tonight. Until my sweet ten year old adopted daughter reminded me how much she loved me. How I laughed and cried at the same time, all the while holding her in my arms.

Cami - I love you. You are a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. I'm so glad that Heavenly Father whispered "pick her" even though I was scared of getting a six year old at the time. You are my sweet pea baby girl - and you fill me with such joy.

Here are Cami's reasons. Enjoy! ( I have not gone back and re-spelled anything).



My Name is Cami DiGirolamo and these are 100 reasons I love my Mom

1. She makes me laugh.
2. She makes me food.
3. She takes me shopping
4. She buys me lots of toys.
5. She is a great drawer.
6. She colors great.
7. She is the best mom ever.
8. She helps me with my hair.
9. She helps me with homework.
10. She plays greedy guts with me.
11. She reminds me to brush my teeth.
12. She got me a Michael Jackson CD.
13. I am pretty like her.
14. She got me from Russia.
15. She taught me how to speak English.
16. She reads stories to me.
17. She got me a cell phone.
18. She let me use her makeup.
19. She let me use everything of hers.
20. She shows funny videos to me.
21. She makes me dance.
22. She makes me sing.
23. She is goofy.
24. She is nice.
25. She likes g 1.05
26. She gives me money.
27. She lets me go places.
28. She lets me sleep in her bed when dad is gone.
29. She takes us to get hot donuts at 6:00 in the morning.
30. She takes me to good berries.
31. She takes me swimming.
32. She makes great breakfast.
33. She likes to spend time with family.
34. She loves dogs.
35. She loves purses
36. She takes me to McDonalds.
37. She designs pretty.
38. She loves frank Sinatra.
39. She loves Frankie.
40. She loves clean house.
41. She entertains me when I am bored.
42. She loves the temple.
43. She loves church.
44. She loves mama mia.
45. She loves the young woman’s program.
46. She loves me.
47. She loves her scriptures.
48. She loves wheel of fortune.
49. She loves shabby Sheik.
50. She takes me to the mall.
51. She lets me buy anything I want.
52. She loves the gospel.
53. She supports people in what they do.
54. She knows how to be a mom.
55. She knows how to fix problems.
56. She loves to play the piano.
57. She loves to sing.
58. She loves to dance.
59. She loves to be funny.
60. She loves to give people things
61. She loves to share.
62. She buys me my school clothes.
63. She is brave.
64. She has a lot of courage.
65. She taught me how to read.
66. She taught me how to have a good person ality.
67. She picks me up at school.
68. She is great at riming.
69. She sings wonderful.
70. She cares about people.
71. She is great at playing the piano.
72. her songs make me feel happy.
73. She loves her computer.
74. She has creative imagination.
75. She has a lot of cool things.
76. She types very fast.
77. She gives me lunch money.
78. She is great at reading.
79. She is great at writing.
80. She is great at spelling.
81. She is very smart.
82. She has fun ways to study tests.
83. She rocks my life.
84. She has pretty hair.
85. I like her style.
86. She plays with me.
87. She knows how to shop.
88. She loves to watch America’s next top model.
89. She loves to talk like me.
90. She reminds me of everything.
91. She cares of what I do.
92. She loves her family.
93. She loves to hear my dreams even if they take the whole day.
94. She loves to hear about my days.
95. She loves to express herself.
96. She does my laundry.
97. She makes sure my room is clean.
98. She makes sure I am prepared for my days.
99. She is honest.
100. She loves to watch deal or no deal.
101. Forty Two means I Love You!

Temple Trip With Missionary Moms!

What a fun day Friday was! All the moms in our ward who had missionaries out, got together with the Wake Forest ward, and went to the Raleigh Temple in Apex! Oh what a joy it was - to talk about our sweet missionaries - and to feel the spirit. We met at Panara Bread for brunch first - and just talked. I really really enjoyed meeting one sweet woman in particular, whose name is Kathryn. Come to find out, her brother is my son, Elder McKell's, Mission President!! We had so much to talk about!! She was from the falls lake ward! I loved her immediately. (We had cooresponded a few times before we actually met). At any rate... I couldn't have been with a finer group of women. I LOVE going to the temple, and feeling the spirit there.

There is a quote I would like to share with you that I carry in the back of my scriptures, and have for about seven years. It's from Jeffery R. Holland - and taken from a speech of his from 1980. It's called "FOR TIMES OF TROUBLE."
This is the part of the talk that I have in my scriptures.

:In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil, and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike - and they will - you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham's seed. (2 Kings:16-17) Isn't this wonderful?? I LOVE IT!

Elder McKell is doing so great!! He was made District Leader- and wrote a very poignant letter to his mission president about how he thought he was doing. It was very thought provoking. I love him very much and I am so grateful for the sacrifice he has made to serve the Lord for two years. He is still my "Mowgie", but he is different. He is now a man who knows who he is, and is teaching me ever so much. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for this wonderful experience. I am thankful for all my new "missionary moms" for sharing this wonderful experience with me. I have four beautiful sons, and three beautiful sons-in law. I wouldn't trade one of them. I am proud of each and every one of them.

I'm so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ - and how it connects us all together. I can't wait to go to Utah and go to the new temple by my son's house when it's open! Maybe us "girls" should start saving........... =)