Jeanne – Page 20 – Still Water Psalms

I Need a Laugh

March 7, 2016March 7, 2016 Jeanne 4 Comments

I am feeling tons of stress this morning. I need a laugh. Sick grand kids. Upcoming surgeries. I searched the pages of our poems to find one to lighten my mood, and this one made me laugh. Oh, the simple things in life can bring us so much joy; like poking a fire with sticks!

We drove down a freeway, then we passed through the towns.
We bumped on a dirt road and bounced up and down.
We came around the corner and we first saw the spot:
Trees, grasses, flowers–growing on the lot.

We’d never seen the place before. We feared what it might be.
But when we saw the beauty there, it filled us all with glee.
The cabin was so cozy, and cute as it could be.
The bunkhouse gave the boys room to make them wild and free.

Bobby saw a deer, and Eva spied a squirrel.
Valoree found a hummingbird. She’s such a clever girl.
She tracked it flying up and down and even east and west.
And then she saw it going home and plopping in it’s nest.

We took a walk across the bridge and found a grassy spot.
Bob took a drive, and with a pole, the fish were caught.
We lit a fire and then we poked in it with sticks.
We walked around and came back and checked ourselves for ticks.

The Song

February 29, 2016February 29, 2016 Jeanne 3 Comments

The fleeting song was being passed from anxious heart to pen,
But the solitude was invaded when chubby hands pressed in.
My thoughts were lost by curious whys. Muffled chords were all I heard.
My toddler needed drinks and demanded an approving word.
And, in the end, I’m sad to say, the song was gone–unwritten and forgotten.
I felt a loss, as of a parting friend who gives no promise of return.
Perhaps the time just isn’t now for serene creative days.
No time to shape the feelings into prose or song today.
For now’s the time for gathering and storing feelings in the heart.
The day will come when silent days will release the pent up song with uninterrupted art.
And I will talk of days gone by and wish for chubby hands now gone,
And miss the constant whys and wheres that often stopped my song.
Oh may I see the season now as one for storing in
A fleeting thought, a look, or a mischievious grin,
That when the season comes to share
There may be something there.

When Trials Come

February 22, 2016February 22, 2016 Jeanne 2 Comments

When trials come, does life seem fair?
Yes, in the dark does someone care?
Are we alone to face the cold?
Or is it true as we grow old
That in Christ’s way we have a friend
To turn to in our darkest end?

When terror fills our troubled souls,
And hatred beams and bullies grow,
And all around seem not to care,
Is it true that Christ is there?

And to each child, a time to search
For inner strength, so in a lurch
When all hell seems to gather ’round
And you feel like you’re going to drown,
Look within in silent prayer,
And ask the question: “Christ, are you there?”

And sweet’s the peace that Stephen knew
As stones caused death, his own light grew
As to our Savior’s love he flew.

Now, child of eternity,
The next time on life’s darkened sea,
Look above; the answer’s clear.
It rings in every life form’s ear.
It’s seen by every living thing,
The universe does have it’s King!

In My Search

February 15, 2016February 15, 2016 Jeanne 2 Comments

In my search to find myself, I’ve traveled many roads.
The road to fame and fortune sometime can be cold.
For to gain fame and fortune, some men give their souls,
And join a plastic world where truth can never go.
Some lie and cheat to gain success,
And find our when they’re old,
They can’t take money with them.
This thought will leave them cold.

Another road some travel is this road I’m on.
I leave fame and fortune in search of peace of mind.
I look in all directions, sometimes I feel I’m blind.
For of all the roads I’ve traveled, this is the hardest kind.
Step one on this road of mine is the hardest one of all:
Kick out the hate that’s in me and find love for all.
If I can make this first step, the rest will fall in place.
I find you look for good in every single face.
For love breeds love and hate breeds hate,
Or so someone has said,
And every single person has both inside their head.
It would be kind of simple if I could take a knife,
And cut the hate that’s in me and throw it from my life.
Then think no need for guns or bombs, no need to fight a war.
For love’s the key to Heaven. Love opens every door.

Heaven’s Harmony

February 9, 2016February 9, 2016 Jeanne 3 Comments

Ooooops! I forgot to post yesterday! We have had illness in the family, and that has been very stressful. When things do not go well for the family, I believe our whole day is offset. In the back of our mind, we are trying to make things ‘right’. What power there is in the family. Just a few kind words, just a tiny bit of love can make such a huge difference. I am aware of those who did, or do not have this in their home. I am ever so grateful for the loving and secure environment that my childhood home fostered. When we finally bought our own home, I penned this song to ‘dedicate’ our home to those principles, and to serve as a reminder to me to always do that which will invite the spirit of the Lord to be felt in our home.

Within these walls lies Heaven’s harmony.
Behind these doors grown love in plenty.
Under our roof there’s peace all around.
Our house is where true happiness is found.

Our house, our house, God bless our home,
With safety, peace and love.
Our house, our house, God bless our home,
With Thy sweet spirit from above.

At home we practice sharing happily.
We care for all our blessings thankfully.
And think of others, often, lovingly.
Our home’s a bit of Heaven’s Harmony.

Our house, our house, God bless our home,
With safety, peace and love.
Our house, our house, God bless our home,
With Thy sweet spirit from above.

One Day

February 1, 2016February 1, 2016 Jeanne 1 Comment

Last week we took one of those spur-of-the-moment road trips. We left the Salt Lake Valley headed south to Utah’s Dixie (St. George, Utah). It was a real treat to leave the snow behind and see palm trees. We were absolutely enchanted by the variety and intensity of the beautiful scenery: the red rock formations, the immensity of Zion’s canyon, the delicate pinnacles of Bryce Canyon topped with new snow. As we stopped to accumulate the hundreds of photos we took, Bob quoted this poem to many fellow-travelers. It was written many years ago and dedicated to “life and the beauty of life found in one day.” The picture that follows was taken just north of St.George, showing the variety of the landscape.

There is so much beauty in one day,
If man can open up his eyes,
To look at God’s great canvas,
From a flower, to the skies,
From the delicate color
In a butterfly’s wings,
To the majestic blues and grays
On the mountain side.
For here lies God’s creation,
My testimony, and eternal progression
To those who follow love.

Older Children

January 27, 2016January 27, 2016 Jeanne 1 Comment

It was a very fine day in February
When useful Miss Jones became useless Mary.
She cleaned her house and watered her yard;
Did her own canning. She worked mighty hard.
She played the piano, and knitted some too;
And, man what a cook! Sure satisfied you.
Then one day it caught her, quite by surprise.
Was it her legs, or was it her eyes?
Was it her neck, her arm, or her back?
Something’s always bound to crack.
Next thing you know, you’re flat on your back.
For it’s “ashes to ashes and dust to dust.”
Sooner or later, we all rust.
But what about the years that they’ve lived?
The knowledge and wisdom they’re willing to give?
Not to mention the love they’ve given us.
How come we’re too busy to repay the trust?
To say that they’re useless don’t say much for us.
So remember, sooner or later, it’s your turn to rust.

Family Poems

January 18, 2016January 18, 2016 Jeanne 1 Comment

A couple of weeks ago I posted a poem written by my 10-year old Grand Daughter. Well, I’m at it again today! She wrote little verses for everyone in the family and distributed them at Christmas. They are so thoughtful and tender; something that ought to be a life-time treasure. How important it is for us to slow down enough to appreciate those we live with and to let them know.

To Aaron (Dad):
With a head and heart clear and brave,
My Father, so much love he gave.
So nice and thoughtful, brave and true,
The perfect Father–that is you.

To Taryn (Mom):
You are the best Mom ever.
I will love you lots forever.
Been there for me in times of need.
The best Mom ever, indeed!

To Ammon (Brother):
Honest, steadfast, sturdy faith,
For wonderful is your rightful place.
Up the stairs to Heaven’s end,
A brother and a perfect friend.

To Asa (Brother):
My dear Asa, AI love you.
Merry Christmas from me to you.
You’re so nice and sweet and kind,
Such good in you, I hope you find.

To Jetta (Sister):
My little Jetta, small and sweet
Tiny hands and tiny feet.
Merry Christmas, little one,
My tiny golden ray of sun.

Around To It

January 11, 2016January 11, 2016 Jeanne 2 Comments

Does anyone out there remember President Spencer W. Kimball’s plea for us to “Get around to it; Do it!”? After he preached this over the pulpit, the church manufactured some flat, round things with words printed on it. I can’t remember how they spelled the words, but I believe it was “tuit”. Thus someone might say, “Do you have a round tuit? Somebody refresh my memory!

Anyway, we wrote a poem about getting around to it:

Get around to it; Do it, when we choose a righteous goal.
As we choose what is right, then we will surely grow.
Throughout this life of joy and sorrow, we each must choose our way.
The choices we have made determine who we are today.

Let us live our lives right now. Now’s the time to do it right.
When evil temptations surround us, we can look unto the light.
We can say a silent prayer, and the Holy Ghost will know.
The strength will flow from Heaven, and we will surely grow.

Our choice to be baptized is the right thing to do.
The gift of the Holy Ghost can help us to stay true.
It’s up to each of us to fade, or grow in truth’s pure light.
The more we read and learn of Christ, we grow in Heaven’s might.

Remember to get around to it. Study, fast and pray.
Commit to god to do it each and every day.
Repent and ask forgiveness whenever we are weak.
When we are sincere and humble, god helps all who truly seek.

p,.s. Our weakness turns to strength as we serve the poor, sick and meek.

Ether 12:27
Matthew 3: 13-15

Wealth is Health

January 4, 2016January 4, 2016 Jeanne 1 Comment

The new year seems to always bring with it the stigma of useless resolutions, which are never realized, and only serve to make us feel guilty. I think we’ve all felt that, but abandoning goals to help us change usually results in no change at all. I think reachable goals ought to be set throughout the whole year. I’m interested in comments of how you have made them work for you. Last year Bob and I resolved to eat in a more healthy manner. We did make some progress, but also found it was so easy to slip back into old delicious habits. Now we know where our true weaknesses are! And we are committed to try again, but smarter. This poem is what we wrote last year, and it refers to an accountablility quiz we took at the end of each week to track our progress toward our goal:

The wealth is health test is a tool we can use
To help us remember good habits that we choose.
To overcome bad habits forged strong through the years
Can the power of repentance lift us from our fears?

Appetites are based on us; what we desire, we crave.
Our choices lead us into light, or to a dark cold grave.
Changing lusts to healthy goals can help us overcome
To gain health and wealth, use this test, and walk toward the Son.