July 17th 2014

It is another great day at the Bosch Kitchen Center. I did a class on oatmeal and rye breads.  The breads were delicious. I very much enjoyed doing the class and had a great turn out. Great questions were asked, which always makes the classes so fun. My girls are gone to Lake Powell, it was a miracle they could go.  I am excited that they got to go. They are incredible young ladies. I love them and want the best for them. I pray they will think and be careful in Lake Powell, but I am sure they will, because I know they were suppose to go. I hope it helps them reflect on how important they are to each other, and how important every decision they make needs to be the right one, one that will make their friendship together grow even stronger.

July 16th 2014

I was searching for some papers that my girls needed to get their drivers licenses renewed.  While I was going through these papers I found an article written by Boyd K. Packer called the Unwritten order of Things. In the talk he talks about the order of things in the church. He says one of the principles in the Church is authority does not go vertical, which of course we all know. But this is the way he put it. A Bishop who is trying to solve a problem will not get revelation by counseling with another bishop from another ward or stake to who he is related or with whom he might work in the office.  My experience has taught me that revelation comes from above, not from the side. However more experienced or older or however more spiritual someone to the side may appear to be, it is better to go up through the proper channels. The prime attribute of a good leader is to be a good follower. In a meeting with bishops, a new and struggling bishop once asked me. "How do I get people to follow me? I have called nine sisters to be President of the Primary and none have accepted.. I told him that if he had earnestly prayed and counseled with his counselors as to who should preside over the Primary, the first sister would have accepted the call. If that many sister turned down the call, something was out of order---the unwritten order.

Because there was such a good spirit in the meeting, I said to him, "Bishop , I know something else about you. You're not a good follower, are you? Aren't you the one that is always questioning what the stake president asks of his bishops?" The other bishops in the room started to chuckle and nodded their heads---he was the one.  I said, "Perhaps that is the reason your members don't follow their leader is because you don't follow yours. That is just the order of things.

Another illustration: There is an order of things as to where we go for counsel or blessings. It is simple---we go to our parents. You suppose that someone in a more prominent position will give a more inspired blessing. If we could get this one thing taught in the Church, great power would rest upon us.

July 14th. 2014

I have been lucky this week to attend my mothers 81st birthday dinner celebration. I enjoyed being there with family. It was fun.  I will cherish these times with my mother because I never know when she will leave this earth.  I love her and even more than ever I realize what an incredible woman she is.  We have a family reunion at the very end of this month.  It is at Neil's parents ranch.  I hope it turns out to be amazing. Michelle is helping me and has made a lot of phone calls, as a matter of fact it has been continually. When you have 16 brothers and sisters plus parents. My parents have about 110 grand children and about 100 great grand children, but  I think we finally have a count. Now the big key is to have enough money. We only asked $10.00 a person 3 years and older, it should have been $10.00 a person 2 and under.  I think that is what was initially decided.  I don't know how it changed, but it makes things rather difficult. I just pray that everything will come together.

I have learned a lot over the past few months.  I think the thing I have learned the most is the principle of obedience. My father in  law was teaching us about types and shadows, they are referred to a lot in The Book of Mormon. They are a teaching tool.  We had the opportunity for a couple of years to attend a institute class in Dad Cravens home. It always amazed me at what an awesome man he was. He believed in strict obedience, especially when it came to his responsibility in the institute program, he was a teacher, over many states as a coordinator, then at the church office building over the seminary and institute program for years.  The last few years he wanted to teach, he was sent to Hawaii, and Fiji. But he never taught his own children so we asked him to teach us.  It was fun to sit in his home and listen to him. My husband is doing a blog now,  that he is passed on to the next life.   I had the opportunity to read one of the lessons he wrote that he probably brought to our attention in that institute class, but I just can't remember it. But he compared men that were fathers to our Heavenly Father and his children to our Savior Jesus Christ. Our Savior was in strict obedience to his Father, he was even crucified for all of our sins because our Father-in-Heaven asked him too. These kinds of stories are all over in the scriptures. It is amazing to me that so many people don't listen to their fathers. Lehi was a goodly man and a father, Sam and Nephi listened to him, Laman and Lemuel did not. After Nephi and his brothers went to find food with there bows and arrows, all the bows and arrows broke. The families were starving so Nephi felt as though he needed to do something about that, so he fashioned his own bow, everyone was mocking him and he still went to his father to get directions on where to go for food. Because he loved and respected his father. There are so many stories that teach us to follow our fathers, they know best because they have been on this earth much longer than we have. They are stewards over us for a reason, especially when they are seeking the Lord in everything they do. I love my father and I am grateful for the wonderful man that he is, I am also grateful for a good husband who has helped teach his children correct principles which can sustain them through life. I hope each of my children know that their father is there for them and will listen to them and help them find the right path for them.

We belong to the true church where we follow leadership. It starts at the top with our prophet, we are all blessed with a wonderful family that The Lord  puts here on earth to be our example and to give us help along the way, that is why we are here. I feel sorry for anyone who does not believe that simple principal .

JULY 5th 2014

I am so grateful that I got to go to the stadium of fire last night with my family. It was not at all like past years. I felt as though  they have lost a lot of the wonderful patriotism that they have had in the past, but to be there with my family was a treat. I felt like the fireworks and the music at the end were incredible .I don't think I have seen such wonderful fireworks. There were so many. But besides that I am so grateful to live in the United States of America, in Utah where we are striving to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was so fun to be a part of a large family growing up. I remember the fun we use to have. The fireworks we use to watch up on the big hill in Oakley. The rodeo we use to go too. I am grateful for the memories I have with my own children. Especially I am grateful to have married in such a wonderful family. Because each one of my children have grown up with a wonderful example of  how to pattern their lives. They don't even have to question what is right and wrong, they have had wonderful examples through out their growing years. Something I prayed for my whole life, to have an amazing extended family. And I certainly was blessed with that blessing. I was hoping throughout my life that I would never have to live with or rely on my in laws but I did. I miss them so much and yet I know they are right there helping me as they always have been. Kimberly made mention of one of the songs that Carrie Underwood sang at the Sadium of Fire and it reminded her of her grandfather. It was amazing, I hope that we all make choices that Mom and Dad Craven would be proud for us to make. I am certainly trying a little harder.

June 9th 2014 Monday

It is a crazy day at the Bosch Kitchen Center. It has been really really slow.  I know Alma is concerned. Frank had his surgery and Mom's funeral was incredible. Everyone that didn't participate in Dad's funeral, participated in Moms. Kent, Philip and Frank spoke.  And Frank looked as good as he could, but it is like he said they will pay attention to what I have to say, just because I look so bad. But no pain even as he stood in the line at the viewing. My girls with there cousins sang "Love one another" with another song sung at the same time. It is beautiful, one of Jennifer's companions in the mission field made it up. Caylyn played the piano. All in all it was beautiful.  Cheri gave the life sketch because she is the oldest grandchild. It is so hard to think that they are both gone.  I will miss them greatly and even though Frank spent the last few years with them, he will miss them as well. It is hard to think that life can end so quickly.

We were hit with a pretty big bomb shell last night, which we never expected. My daughter who is 21 years old is dating a guy that is older.  He is 33 years old and should be out ther looking for a 30 year old. Why should my daughter suffer because of his choses. He is a guy trust me if he wanted to be married he could be. I think it is kind of interesting, she says she had decides to date him, she has been hanging around him for months non stop. If you don't call that dating I don't know what you call it. I remember years ago Bishop Craven my father in law counseled my brother to be careful about marrying a particular girl. Because their backgrounds were so different. (Of course Frank's Dad didn't tell him about this conversation until years and years later.  When my brother was married to someone else and they had children of there own) A marriage can't succeed when backgrounds are so different.  My brother married her anyway and they were divorced about 4-5 years later. She lived right up the street. He had had a conformation, he knew this was right.  Everything I think my daughter is feeling. No one could tell him different.  You can't, talk to someone,once they have made up there mind it doesn't matter what you say they aren't going to listen.

It is very sad, because of life's experiences we as her parents know better but she can't see it. But I know my daughter and she will figure this out. I had a dream and saw the guy she would marry and it wasn't this guy.  I just wish she would go counsel with someone who isn't involved, a bishop or institute teacher, or someone she respects.

June 2nd 2014

My sweet mother in law died on April 10th.  Her funeral was on April the 16th.  On April the 13th my children were taking down my parents willow tree.  Benje and Michael decided that it would be a good thing to do.  Everyone was in town including all my children, grandma's funeral will to be on Tuesday.  As evening approached it looked beautiful out side.The boys had done an incredible job taking down each branch, there was one branch left.  A large C-clip was thrown up over the tree branch.  It got stuck. Now you have got to understand this is up in the air 20 feet or more.  So the boys started to pull on it because they couldn't climb up and get it. Unfortunately my husband was standing in the wrong place. He was watching his nephews having fun on a 4 wheeler.  This was Curtis's children. Luckily he had turned his head back around to look forward when a huge blunt instrument hit him right above his left eye and across his forehead. It took him down like a fallen soldier, right in the middle of the road.  He said it felt like a freight train just hit him. Everyone was screaming.  I was standing on the front pouch watching Curtis's children, I am just so grateful that I wasn't watching what happened. A neighbor of ours saw it as well and he came over to see what he could do to help. He is a primary teacher of mine and his name is Brother Shurard. Anyway my husband of course acted very independent and he was going to go upstairs to look at it.  He came back to the stairs and sat down, after making a quick dash to the bathroom from outside. I told him he needed to go to the hospital, he consented. Michelle and Michael put him in Michelle's van and took off. Michael had the police follow him all the way and were extremely anger at him. I think Frank was going it to shock and that concerned Michael more than the police.  They followed him right to the hospital and gave him the 3rd degree.  Mike explained to them what had happened, they really didn't care. Frank even tried to stand up for him. Michelle ushered him in to the hospital. I guess Michael finally talked his way out of it and went inside the hospital. Of course I followed behind, after getting my self under control. By the time I got there, they were ready to stitch him up. Everyone left and I was there alone to hold my husbands hand and watch as the doctors took over and stitched him up for it seemed like hours.  I kept asking him if he was in pain. He said, "No", which I thought was incredible. It certainly severed his nerve which I thought was sad but to have no pain was incredible.  They took a cat-scan and said there were a lot of little pieces of bone floating around and it could cause him to go permanently blind. So they have scheduled two surgeries. One for the nose area and on above the eye.  When it is all said and done it will cost us about 14 thousand dollars. Such a difficult time especially when he has to speak at his mother's funeral on Tuesday and then he goes in for surgery on Thursday. I am just grateful he is alive and that he turned his head just at the right time.  If he had not he would have been killed

January 8th 2013 Tuesday

 My wonderful father in law died on July the 13th of 2012. It was a very sad day.  He was in and out of the hospital for about a week, before he was brought home to be taken care of. His funeral was on the 18th of July which was my twins birthday. He is an extra special man. He had a stroke about a year ago, and hasn't been able to communicate as well as he would like. But have enjoyed very much being around him, it's fun to watch him laugh at himself when he can't get what he wants to out. He has communicated with Frank a lot, and explained where things are so Mom will be well taken care of. We are so grateful for that little miracle.
All of his children were at the funeral and some of his grandchildren. All of my children were there and many others.  Frank took care of all the arrangements. All the children that were from out of state ended out speaking at his funeral.  He insisted that his funeral only be 1 hour long and that every person who spoke at his funeral testified of Christ.  It was absolutely wonderful, because that is exactly what happened.  It is so wonderful to be members of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. Because the funeral was so simple and yet so spiritual. I am so grateful to be who I am, and have such great examples that have gone before me.
     My mother in law is lonely.  Frank spends every day over there with her.  He is with her constantly. But I know she misses Dad.  She will be 90 on the 25th of this month. And all she wants to do is die and be with Dad. She wants to know why she can't go. She is ready to be with her husband, but she says there is obviously something she needs to learn. She is studying Dads books and scriptures.  She puts together puzzles. She is incredible.  She keeps telling me that I will be so happy when she is gone, because I will be able to have my husband back.  I reassure her that I want her to stay, it will not be fun without her. She had the pace-maker put in when Dad died, but she still can't breath.  Her heart is only pumping at 20 percent. All the hospice care people tell us that she should have died a while ago.  There is no way she should still be alive.  The Lord knows each one of us and when we should leave this earth.  To me that is a miracle in and of its self.  She can stay around forever as far as I am concerned.