Sunday, December 26, 2010

Every day a thank you

One route for peace for me is gratitude.  I have decided to write a thank you note every day this year.  I have never been good at thank you notes.  I hate to admit that, I would like to pretend that I am naturally gracious, and, in truth, I am certainly grateful for the many things that people do for me.  This is a good world and people are good.  I have been blessed by friends, family and strangers.  Each day, there are many opportunities to say thank-you and show kindness.  I do that often, but, I could focus more on how much an act of goodness has touched me. 

So, each day a thank-you. 

The first week of Thank you notes went to the Puzeys.  Cheryl and Doug were so great and made us feel like we were at home.  They have the ability to treat each person that walks into their home as a cherished friend.  We dropped Alan off at the Atlanta airport and headed straight for the Puzeys.  What a gift they gave us by their enthusiasm for our visit.  We visited NINE days.  That's a long time to be gracious hosts but they didn't miss an instant of hosting.  It was a siginificant blessing to spend our first days without Alan in such an inviting and warm place. 

Morgan was ever so sweet with Kailey, her shadow.  Kailey thought Morgan was truly at the top of all that is fun and ultimately cool.  They stayed up late and watched movies, listened to music, sang, went to the American Girl store, made cookies and cocoa recipes out of the American Girl magazine.  Morgan really thought of all the things that a 9 year old girl would be interested in and catered to those interests.

Carter is as kind as the day is long.  He would rush home every day from school to be with us.  He included us in his prayers, spent time with each of the kids wrestling and playing with them and looked for ways to be helpful.  He is a very thoughtful young man.  He takes his job as a host very seriously when guests are there.  We were so grateful for the little things that Carter did for each of us and for the way he paid attention to each of us.

Zac and Seth were in "common-interest heaven" if there is such a place, these boys dwelled in it the entire time we were there.  They both love to draw, love to play Wii, love to read interesting facts from interesting books, enjoy figuring out the tricks and codes of anything with a trick and code.  One day, Zac decided to take "perspective" pictures.  Seth, Owen and Zac took a bunch of pictures with something in the foreground and Seth and Owen in the background to make it look like they were holding something, in something etc.  It was pretty funny and awfully clever.

Kate and Jordan, the alpha children in their respective families, got along very well.  Kate has Polly Pockets and Barbies so, Jordan felt right at home jumping into the world of make-believe with Kate.  They played outside, inside, outside, inside, outside, inside...play, play, play.  Cheryl got the kids matching pj's so, Kate and Jordan spent as much time as possible in pj's.  Jordan got a bottle of fake spilled nail polish at the dollar store and Kate and Jordan decided to put the "spilled bottle" on Doug's scriptures.  They couldn't WAIT until he got home and, when he did get home, kept asking him if he thought it was time for him to read his scriptures:).  Doug did a great job playing along and acting surprised and upset when he "thought" someone had ruined his scriptures.  Very cute. 

day 8 Allison
Allison,
I wanted to thank you again for the time you took to spend time with me while I was there.  What a blessing you are in my life!!  You are creative, thoughtful, gentle and lovely.  I am so impressed with you as a person, a wife and a mother.  You and Nate make such a great team and your children are blessed having the two of you raise them.  I am grateful to call you sister.
Love,
Karen



day 9 Delta Agent- Today, your job made a difference for my family.  Thank you.
Dear Delta Customer Service.  I called for help on October 30, and gratefully, was connected to a representative that went out of her way to make my trip possible.  My husband was leafing for a year on a deployment to Iraq and found ouut that day that he would not be able to come home first.  He had already been gone for trainng for six weeks!  I had enough miles for 1 ticket and a companion ticket.  I found fares that were reasonable to make the trip work for myself and my 3 children.  I spent 3 hours on-line tryin to line up flights for the 4 of us and was unable to get all 4 flights lines up.  I was an emotional wreck when I called and your kind, patient representative worked with me and mad eit possible for our faimly to be together before our hero went to war.  THANK YOU!  Karen Brock






day 10 Atonement class






day 11 Dee Words of Encouragement



Day 12 Amy Cub Scout Leader.  Amy Shaklee is the Cub Scout leader for Seth's troop.  Seth is LOVING everything about Scouts and Amy brings organization and enthusiasm to the troop. 
Amy,
Thank you for the enthusiasm you put into scouting.  Seth is in his element with scouting and having a good program means to much to us all!!! Love Karen & Alan


Day 13 Katy, deployment coaching team
Just a quick note to let you know how important your friendship is to me.  You have made such a difference for me as I am trying to prepare my heart and soul for what is ahead.  Knowing that you understand my heart truly makes all the difference.  You are an angel that keeps showing up in my life. 
Love ,
Karen


Day 14 Mrs Fredlund- first grade teacher to the Brocks.  Cheri has had all three of our children and she is a wonderful teacher.  We have loved the progress that our children have made in her class but most of all, we have appreciated her enthusiasm for learning and the way our children feel in her class. 
Cheri,
Just a note to thank you for all you do for Jordan.  She loves being in your class and I LOVE it when she's happy and confident.  You make learning fun and bring magic into the classroom.  The confidence my children have gained in first grade has laid such a strong foundation for them. 
Thanks,
Karen


Day 15 Mrs. Condrun. -- Lisa is Seth's 3rd grade teacher.  She puts forth extra effort to find ways to keep Seth challenged. 
Lisa,
Just watned to send you a note and thank you for all you do for Seth.  He comes home many days of the week relating different tasks or activieis you have let him do in the lcass that are helping to extend his learning.  I appreciate your willingness to look for ways to extend his learning.
Thank you,
karen


Day 16 Miss Skeji sending Kailey a picture and a "we miss you" email.
Ali,
My note is now several months late but I wanted to thank you for your thoughtfulness towards Kailey.  We got the class emails just a day after Kailey's dad left for Iraq.  It was an emotional time for Kailey and the pictures (especially the silly one) cheered her up and made her remember that she has many friends.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness, it took the edge of a difficult time and will always be remembered.  Thanks!
Karen

Day 17


Day 18 Allison, my sweet, thoughtful, extremely capable and optimistic sister

Day 19 Natasha.  I emailed Tasha, my cute niece, one night when I was feeling sorry for myself.  Tasha had been through having a husband deployed and the emotional roller coaster than becomes. 
Natasha,
Thank you for being willing to listen to me whine as I go through this year.  It is so important to me to have people who understand feeling alone in a crowd.  I appreciated your quick reply to my message.  I was eventually able to move past my mood, but, for that moment, your words of understanding were a bridge to help me move forward.
THANK YOU,
Love,
Karen

Day 20 Mom

Day 21 Rachel, deployment coaching team
Last night I went to bed with a pit in my stomach.  I laid in my bed praying, hoping I could calm down enough to sleep.  I lay there for more than an hour (except when I got up to check the back door, got up to check the front door, got up to check on the kids),  I worked the pit into night fear and anxiety, turns out I am pretty good at taking one emotion and expanding it into something quite significant.  I tried doing a calming breathing to get my head to react to my tired body when the phone rang.  It was about 12:15 a.m. at that point.  It was Alan.  My relief process began.  I had missed his call earlier and had hoped he would call again tonight, but, he isn't always able to get to a phone.  We had a great conversation.  He is positive and upbeat and so appreciative of all that I am doing.  We laughed and talked.  It was such a blessing.   After about 10 minutes, he had to go.  I thought that I would just be able to drift off to sleep.  But I lay there another 15 minutes, not able to sleep.

One blessing and advantage that I have in this deployment scenario is that I have friends who have had husbands in the military in the same field as mine that happen to live in England right now.  Not only are they dear friends and fantastic people, it is morning for them when it is the middle of the night for me!  I can call them when I am on a ledge and need help.    I got out of bed, looked up Rachel's number and called my dear friend Rachel.  Rachel and I talked for 45 minutes.  She gave me such good advice and has terrific perspective.  I can't believe what a blessing it was to talk to her.  She said the very words my soul needed at a moment when I couldn't get perspective.  I know that I am fine overall and that we are handling this deployment well.  I know that Alan is doing well and that the work he is doing is interesting and making the time go quickly for him.  My head can explain away all the emotions of my heart, but, last night, I was simply done with having my husband gone.  Done with being worried.  Done with being the only parent in the house to help with emotions that are created by having Daddy gone.  At day 21, this is not a good place to be mentally.

Rachel asked me about my personal goals while Alan is gone, what I had planned, what I was working on.  She talked about some of the things that she did to help herself and to keep balance in her world.  I told her the things that I was working on-- I want to have accountability and someone to ask me if I am keeping up on my commitments.  Rachel has a positive and upbeat attitude towards life and the "real factor"-- she consistently works at living her values.  Rachel helped and blessed me last night.  After I got off the phone with Rachel, I closed my eyes and slept.

 Day 22 Melissa-- the hostess Melissa
I wanted to thank you for all you do to make the holidays so special to all of us.  I know there is so much involved in making everthing ready for each event.  You have created such a comfortable and beautiful home and all who enter in are blessed by the goodness that is present there.  You are a gracious hostess and make it seem as though no work goes into the event.  You have a gift for creating a home where love is present.
Love, Karen

Day 23 Rhonda- PTA and bookfair

Day 24 Ryan and RuthAnn


Day 25Brooke Bernstein- always a friendly face and a kind word.
There are people in this world that are constant and good.  Brooke is one of those people.  Her nature is kind and gentle.  She is always gracious and thankful.  She notices people and quietly shows her appreciation for them.  Brooke always makes me smile.  

Day 26 Kate Thurmond

Day 27 Clair Wixom-- Claire spoke in church on Sunday and provided some excellent thoughts and reminders that really spoke to me.  He talked about the parables and mentioned that there were more than 50 of them.  My mind and heart lit up.  Each week for this year, my family can study a parable.  We can draw pictures and summarize them and include Alan in our year of parables.  Another thing that Brother Wixom spoke about was the need to prepare ourselves and our families for emergencies.  We have been counseled for years to have enough food for our families and more to share.  There are disasters all over the world and we need to be like Joseph of old and be prepared for what may come.  Not in a fear sort of way, just in a common sense sort of way.  We should not be the people caught off guard-- we should be the people prepared to help.  There is peace in preparedness.

Day 28

Day 29 Alan.  My dear, sweet husband is always available to add support and kind words as I struggle to parent alone.  He shows his appreciation and love to me in so many ways and it lifts and supports me daily.


Day 30 The man at the cemetery.  There is a man that visits the cemetery each day around 11.  He stands above a grave and, from the distance that I see him, I believe he is speaking to the person that still belongs daily in his heart.  The compassion and love that is shown through that small and silent act touches my heart and reminds me that there are those whose mourning is much deeper than my moment of sadness.

Day 31Anne Maestas for organizing the scout activity at the senior center.  The boys learned about service and our hearts were touched as we watched the lovely residents of the senior center interact with the boys and with each other.

Day 32 Sophia and Sandra for taking the time to create a beautiful program and involving so many children in the ward Christmas party.  The program was simple and elegant and expressed such an important message.

Day 33Alan Williams.  We told Alan Williams that we were interested in finding a dog.  We gave him a basic idea as to the kind of dog we were looking for.  Within a month, he found a dog for us, a house trained small dog that is between 10-12 lbs.  She is good with children and has an easy nature.  Alan spayed the dog, gave it shots and didn't charge us a thing for this cute dog.  How grateful I am for this kindness.  I know that it would have cost hundreds of $ to get the dog otherwise and this gift of kindness is a gift that has helped to fill an empty place in each of the children's hearts.  They have been so good with the dog (we named her Zoey) and I know the dog has been emotionally good for each child.

Day 34 Thanks Uncle Brad.  Alan's brother brad sent each child a movie for Christmas.  Brad has been good about remembering the children and calling for birthdays and sending a little something at Christmas.  I know he does this because he knows how much the children each miss their grandparents.  It is a such a kind gesture and the children each feel loved and thought about which is so important.

Day 35  There is a dear family that has been doing the 12 days of Christmas for us.  Each night, they leave a present and a note on our doorstep.  Our children have looked forward each night with great anticipation for the gift of the day.  How kind and thoughtful the gifts were.  The generosity brought a tear to my eye over and over throughout this experience.  To be thought of during the holiday season in such a meaningful and personal manner is humbling and such a blessing.

Day 36

Day 37 The woman at Target.  I decided that I would use cash to pay for my Christmas presents this year.  I was trying to make sure that I stuck to a budget and didn't buy extras or on impulse.  I stopped at the first store, bought my things and realized with a sick feeling that I had left my envelope of money at the Starbucks counter when I bought Kailey and Jordan a hot vanilla steamer.  I couldn't believe that I had done such a careless thing.  My heart fell.  I retraced my steps and figured out where I left it and went over to ask.  A customer found the money and turned it in to the customer service desk.  How grateful I am for good people.

Day 38

Day 39  Barbara Morrell sent me the sweetest note today and told me that she included me and my family in her prayers.  I have truly learned the power of prayer from the many prayers that are offered on our behalf while Alan is gone.  It touches my heart that so many are thinking of us and have opened their hearts through prayer in our behalf.

Day 40 Lauren.  How kind to offer to take the kids and let them play at her house so that I could wrap presents and take care of last minute things without "eyes" watching me:)

Day 41 Desiree-- I don't see Desiree often enough and yet, each time I see her, she brightens my day with her sincere interest and empathetic heart. Desiree has been a good friend for more than thirty years.  I seldom see her and we rarely talk, but when I see her, she is always a friend with an open heart.  I ran into Desiree twice this week.  I haven't seen her form 3-4 months, but, this week was lucky and I saw her and talked to her twice.  Desiree asks about each of my children by name and asks about Alan.   Her heart is available and she is so empathetic.

Day 42 The man at Safeway, dressed in an elf suit that didn't charge me for bringing in the carpet cleaner in late.  He told me to pay it forward-- so, I did by

Day 48 Gail and Pat for their continuous generosity.  Gail prepared a nice Christmas dinner and we enjoyed our evening there as a nice way to finish off our Christmas night.  We needed to be gone and doing something on that evening so that we didn't have to dwell on the fact that we SO, SO miss Alan.

Day 49  Barnt Strom.  He called this morning to see if Seth could come swimming with Issac.  By the end of the day, the boys had been swimming, out to Red Robin for a treat, to a movie, back to their house for dinner and then he brought Seth home at 8:00 p.m.  Seth had a GREAT day.  What a thoughtful man.

Day 50  Dad.  Seth got a model engine engine for his Christmas and asked Grandpa to help  him build it.  The model was pretty complicated and the pieces didn't fit together like they were supposed to.  4-5 hours later...a beautiful model engine emerged.  Thanks Dad for your patience.  Seth is very pleased and proud.

Day 51 Grace and Jacob.  Tonight the Walkers showed up at our house with presents for our children.  They had been thinking about us in this Christmas season and how sad we must be without our dad at home for Christmas.  They wanted to get the children something to help them know that they were thought about and cared for during a particularly hard time for us.  How kind and thoughtful they are.  Ryan and RuthAnn were so thoughtful to bring their children over and let them hand presents to our children and make it such a personal and sweet moment.

Day 52 The woman at the court that helped me take care of details.

Day 53   Kristen.  I spent time talking to Kristen today and it's just nice to be able to talk to her and hear all about her life and her family.  She and Mark are such a good pair and they are really committed and fun parents.

Day 54 Ken at Freedom Credit Union.  Ken has gone out of his way to help me as I deal with the sale of the house and all that entails.  He has taken customer service to a level that I have seldom if ever seen before.

Day 55 Conner got home from his mission yesterday.  What a great missionary he was and what a tremendous example for good he is to all that come in contact with him.

Day 56  Liz Christenson Liz,I was thinking about you today-- as I often do. I can't tell you how grateful I am for your hours of counseling and friendship whilst at Oxford! I will always be grateful for your energy and your ability to see me as better than I really am:). When I was young women's president, I quoted your line that you may or may not remember, in my angst of being a single woman and looking around for any chance of romance (well not at GURT the scarry guy from Germany...but...you know what I mean) and you said to me --"you need to date someone who recongizes the GLORY that is Karen" and told me that when I dated someone to bring them to you and you could look at them and see if they "got it". Which, luckily, I now understand exactly what you mean because I married a man that understands the "glory that is Karen":)
Love,
Karen


Day 58

Day 59

Day 60

Day 61

Day 62

Day 63  I am grateful for the people who devote so much time every day to music so that we can enjoy it.  Shelly Williams plays the organ with such skill every week and it sets a wonderful tone in the chapel.  I am so grateful for her quiet goodness and her contribution to my every Sunday because she has taken the time to learn to play the organ. 

Day 64  It snowed today.  4 inches in one hour.  I was supposed to speak at church today.   Meranda Quinton knew that I was supposed to speak and she knew that getting three children out the door and the car scraped off and to church on time was going to be a challenge, so, she stopped by to see if she could help.  I was in the car and the car was already cleared off, but, it was so very thoughtful of her to do that and to think of me.

Day 65 Catherine sent me a sweet emal today.  She has been a good friend over the years and always has a perspective that reminds me of what is important to me. 
Cahterine, Funny that, on the day like I had today where I decided that I was DONE early with Alan’s deployment, my dear friend Catherine should send me a note indicating that
1-     she is praying for me
2-     reminding me that I am (and I quote) “one of the most confident, capable and courageous women”, and I am “up to the task”

I have found that I have gained a new and amazing realization and testimony of the power of other people praying for me and my little family.  I have been given strength beyond my capacity to do the little things daily.  I know without hesitation that this extra ability comes as a direct result of many prayers said in my behalf.  Parenting is hard and parenting alone is truly beyond me.  I have a new appreciation for the divorced women in the world.  I don’t have a husband in my home, but I have a supportive husband that is rooting for me, supporting me financially, spiritually and emotionally.  He appreciates me and is very connected to the children.  I have instant sympathy and support from people when they realize what we are going through.  A divorced woman gets more judgment, typically an ex-husband that is not supportive and has disconnected from the children and financial, spiritual and emotional difficulties.  My empathy for people in similar situations has truly increased. 
Today started out hard.  I was sad and somewhat depressed.  There is so much pressure to keep going and to have a good attitude and to handle the tight finances etc etc etc.  It’s sometimes more than I can take.   .  People around me are so good and kind and I am trying each day to find the things that I appreciate about my life, but, today was difficult to find that happy spot.  As the day wore on, I did better.  It took me the whole morning though.  I know that there would be days like that whether Alan were home or not, but, I still blame everything on the fact that he’s gone.  I didn’t feel confident, capable or courageous today.  I felt defeated.  Thanks for believing in me. 

Day 66
Deana,
I keep meaning to thank you for your invitation to Seth on Saturday.  He would have LOVED to have gone but we were gone all day and didn’t get the message in time.  Thank you for thinking of him and for the warm and welcoming atmosphere in your home.  He has really enjoyed spending time with your family. 
Karen
Day 67
Gary,
Thank you for your willingness to help me on the mortgage issue.  With your help, we were able to reduce the fee from $3200 to $250.  I couldn't have done it without your help. 
Thanks,
Karen

Day 68 Lori,  I just wanted to send a quick note and thank you for coming to visit me.  It lifted my heart to be able to spend time with you.  You may never fully know how much your kindness and continual words of support and understanding mean to me.  You are a great example of all that is good.  I am grateful that God gave me my red-headed sister!  Love, Karen

Day 69 Jamie makes monthly appointments with me to go to the temple with her:)
Jamie,
Thank you for taking the time to go to the temple with me each month.  I know that i wouldn't go quite so often if you weren't setting it up.  Going to the temple blesses me with perspective and peace in a time when I truly need both (well, what time of life can one affortd to skip either of these categories actually!).  The extra bonus is the drive time to just spend quality time with my quality sister.  Love you!  Love, Karen

Day 70

Day 71

day 72

Day 73

Day 74

Day 75

Day 76

Day 77

Day 78

Day 79

Day 80
Sophia,
Thank you for the sharing time presentation today.    I was amazed at how much of it CK was able to sit still and listen to.  You gave him eye contact a few times and he was able to sustain his attention.  I was amazed by his ability to take it all in today and I know that it was in large part, due to the heart that you put into everything you do.  Thank you for your spirit and your ability to share your testimony of the scriptures in a way that all of the children can understand how important the scriptures are. 
Love,
Karen



Day 81
Stacy
Thank you for all your do to make the primary a sweet and gentle place to be.  Your spirit of goodness and your commitment to teaching the gospel to the children is blessing many.
Love,
Karen

Day 82

Day 83

Day 84

Day 85 Grace went to the scout store for me and got Seth's belt buckle.  She wouldn't let me pay her.  THANK YOU GRACE.  Seth finally has his wolf buckle. 

Day 86

Day 87

Day 88

Day 89

Day 90 There's a woman on Sugar Doodle that is posting power point presentations for the Primary Lessons  It is a great format for a sweet boy in my class that is working hard to be able to handle primary: 
Thank you so much for doing these.  I have an autistic child in my class and the power point format is perfect for him.  It keeps his attention and is making it possible for him to be successful in primary.  We did this last week and he sat in his chair for the first time because of the power point.  You are touching more lives than you know.

Day 91 Mom and Dad,
Thank you for all of the little things you do for me to make my life easier.  I don't know how I would make it through this year without the , almost daily, parachute you provide, some days, it looks like eggs on my doorstep, other days I look out the window and see my dad mowing my lawn, or a phone call, or simply a "hi hone" when I walk in the door.  For all this and more, Thank you!!  Love, Karen

Day 92 Mom and Dad,
Thank you for the vacuume/steamer it is so much fun to use and makes me feel like I am doing so much by doing so little.  Today, I decided to move the fridge and clean under it...just because I can.  Thanks for being such great parents.  You are examples of goodness and compassion.  Thank you for your tireless service you give freely to your family.  Love, Karen

Day 93 A big thank you to whoever invented the convection oven.  What an invention!! I baked 80 cookies in 25 minutes.  What could have taken me hours, took me no time at all.  Thank you convection oven man/lady!!

Day 94 The Nebekers
The Nebekers had us over for dinner and Anne made a treasure hunt by hiding 16 pictures of Abraham Lincoln around her house and the children needed to find them.  It was so delightful and our children had a great time.
Thank you so much for having us over for dinner and games.  We each thoroughly enjoyed ourselves?  We also LOVED the books you lent us-- the civil war book (Pink and Say) was read over and over and really helped the children understand the impact of the civil war.  Thank you for your friendship.  Love, Karen, Kailey, Seth and Jordan

Day 95 Gail had the "sister's lunch" at  her house this week.  I realized that I didn't really stop and thank her for doing that and for the yummy lunch she made.
Gail,
Thank you for a delicious lunch on Thursday!  You have created such a good and welcoming home and I am always so glad to come and take rest at your home.
Love, Karen

Day 96  Cheryl,
I want to let you know how much you mean to me.  You have always found someting about me that you admire and are willing to articulate it often.  In life, every day and every act begins to feel ordinary but you have a beautiful gift of showing and telling others what you find extrodinary about their life.  What a gift that has been to me in every stage of my life.  You are remarkable, friendly and beautiful.  I am grateful to call you sister.
Love,
Karen

Day 97  Bob,
I talked to Bob Smith at church yesterday, Phyllis is in a coma and is not going to make it.  He said that it is a matter of days.  Bob and Phyllis are a sweet couple and always seem to take care of one another.  It's a sad and emotional time for Bob.   Bob was the janitor at the church for all of my growing up years.  Bob is a quiet man that does not seek attention in a crowd.  He quietly goes about his life and his work.  Thirty years later, Bob still remembers each of the Johannesen girls by name and knows a bit about each of our lives.  Growing up in a large family of girls, it was not uncommon for people to know that we were Johannesen but not know which one we were.  Bob didn't ever get us confused and was always ready with a smile and a hello.  When we moved next to the church, the little girls in our family, would go over to the church and "help" Bob.  I am sure the "help" wasn't all that helpful, but he made them feel like it was and would have jobs for them when they asked.  The girls also remember roller skating in the hallways and, although it was probably not the best thing for the hallway, Bob understood childhood enough to let them do an occasional skate through the halls.   Thank you Bob for your kindness and for the simple act of remembering each of us as individuals.  
Love,
Karen

Day 98  I was struck by a feeling of gratitude as I listened to Bishop Christiansen yesterday as he spoke to the ward.  He is a good man. 
Bishop,
Thank you for all you do for the people in the ward.  Your tirelss service and example makes a difference for so many.  May the Lord continue to bless your family.  Love, The Brocks. 

Day 99
The Carter family always touches my heart.  They are so emotional when they are interacting with each other and their love shows through their faces.  Rick got called to be a counselor in the bishopric yesterday.  It was clear that he was struck by emotion and humility for the calling.  What a good man. 
Rick and Stacy,
Just a quick note to thank you for your goodness and for the spirit  you bring to our ward.  I am always touched by the testimony you bear and the testimony that you live.  The Lord truly led the bishop to call you as a counselor.  May the Lord continue to bless your family through your service.
The Brocks

Day 100
Annie Reed invited me over for lunch for Lauren's birthday.  Annie went on a mission to Thailand so, she made DELICIOUS Thai food for us...YUMMM! 
Annie,
Thanks for having me over for lunch.  It was delicious and so fun to be able to spend time in your home.  You are such a strength in our ward and a blessing to the YW.  May the Lord continue to bless you for oyur kindness and service.  Love, Karen

Day 101 Rhonda,
Thank you so much for all you are doing on the auction.  I have not been able to attend the last 2 meetings and I am completely out of the loop.  I have had sick children for 6 days now (one right after another) and, just before bedtime tonight, little Jordan threw up so, it looks like I am in for another few days of this.

 Every time I read an email that you send out to the group, I am impressed by your approach and your inviting manner.  You have made such a difference for Lincoln school this year and each year.  The school is a better place because you are a part of it; the parent group has a comfortable and friendly feel to it through your example of kindness.  Everything you do, you do, whether it is dancing, making a curtain, or drawing a henna design, is done with the children at Lincoln in your heart and they know that you find them valuable.   I  know that your year has been an exhausting one which makes me ever more grateful for the goodness and energy you have offered in every way at Lincoln.    Thank you is not adequate, but, I wanted to let you know that your kind, gentle manner is making such a difference at Lincoln. 
Karen
Day 102
I tried to find out who to credit with the invention of the ever so useful tool called the plunger…it seems there is no real agreement on who actually can be credited for the rubber wonder, but, whoever it was…thank you from the “bottom” of my heart!