A Helpful Thought

“When I take a small pebble and place it directly in front of my eye, it takes on the appearance of a mighty boulder. It is all I can see. It becomes all-consuming—like the problems of a loved one that affect our lives every waking moment. When the things you realistically can do to help are done, leave the matter in the hands of the Lord and worry no more. Do not feel guilty because you cannot do more. Do not waste your energy on useless worry. The Lord will take the pebble that fills your vision and cast it down among the challenges you will face in your eternal progress. It will then be seen in perspective. In time, you will feel impressions and know how to give further help. You will find more peace and happiness, will not neglect others that need you, and will be able to give greater help because of that eternal perspective.”

Richard G Scott, May 1988

Families Can Be Forever

Grandpa's famous tractor

Taken in Gramma's andGrampa's LeSueur's backyard

Mike getting his Eagle Scout award

Taken at Thanksgiving 2003, Russ's backyard

More Memories of Mike

TWINS! What a blessing in our lives.

Well, I got up this morning and Don has been very busy. He posted all these pictures of Mike and our family. Its been a walk down memory lane these past few days. We all make fun of Don and groan whenever he wants to line us up and take pictures. I am greatful that he is so diligent in torturing us and taking our pictures. They are certainly, undeniably,
irreplaceable.

Memories of Mike

Melanie and Michael

Mike and his mother.

Mike used to go on scout hikes when he was just 10 years old with his dad.

Mike Loved Scouting - He's sitting on top of the signal tower.

Mike In Puerto Lobos, Mexico, with His Friend Chuey

A Quick Trip To Nogalas

Two years have gone and tomorrow is the day we learned of Mike's passing. We are at peace with his death, but we miss him so much. I have put together some pictures to remember Mike. If you go to Melanie's and Kristen's blogs you will see that there is a place to leave a message about your memory of Mike.

Sundays evenings are an important part of our family life. We look forward to grandchildren coming to visit and occasionally cousins will drop by. This is a pic of Chad having some fun on Colleen's go cart. Ryan LeSueur looking on with Mike and others.

After they retired my parents moved to Camp Verde. Grampa Nelson had a huge garden area and a big tractor to take care of the weeds and garden. A few days after my Dad passed away, Mike and I drove up to help my mother. We spent a whole day cleaning her yard and Mike got a chance to drive the tractor. He loved it and I've always thought that Mike should of been a farm boy.

Typical picture of Mike in a sweater, he wore them alot. He also often had a ball cap on.

Christmas memories. Our Christmas party we have the week before Christmas. Its not the same without Mike.

MIKE THE CLOWN

Mike could make us laugh better than anyone. His impersonation of family members, or his blowing up his stomach like he was using a pump and then slowly letting the air out were some of his favorite acts.

He loved to play with the grandkids and that is why he was their favorite. He had a funny way of talking to them and they knew he loved them dearly. He was patient and would do just about any thing they wanted him to do. Below is a picture of him making his monkey face.

Happiness

Make the most of Life

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window. I love it,’ he stated with enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.. Mr. Jones, you haven’t seen the room; just wait.’ ‘That doesn’t have anything to do with it,’ he replied. Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged, it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. ‘It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, (or the difficulties I face) or get out of bed and be thankful for the day I have been given. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I’ll focus on the NEW day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away. Just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you’ve put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!

Five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free you mind from worries and work on the things you can control, mainly yourself.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less

Wedding in San Antonio

This week we had the opportunity to fly to San Antonio for our nieces wedding in the temple. The San Antonio temple is one of the prettiest I've seen. Every window was stained glass.

This is our beautiful niece Elise LeSueur and her new husband Scott Titensor

LeSueur family that attended the wedding. It was fun to visit withe Lauree who lives in Austin.

Craigs family at the restaurant

It was really hot and humid so we took the boat ride instead of walking

The riverwalk in San Antonio

Remember the Alamo! David and Paula, Duane and Karen, Sandy, and Elaine. Don is on the other end of the camera.