Decisions for Eternity

Last Friday, my mom graduated from BYU 

with a degree in American Studies.

It was a family filled weekend and a lovely tribute to our amazing mom!

Mom and I also re-created a photo taken of my Nana Aurora

in 1956 on her graduation day.

We went to the very same home in Provo and mom stood 

in front of the same wall- in the same pose even.

The house is totally overgrown with bushes and greenery 

and siding has since been added.

In fact, you can't really tell it's the same house--but it is!

Even the address numbers are the same!

I wanted to take this photo to always remember the 

two generations of amazing women in my life, and their great accomplishments.

 

Mom was asked to give the closing prayer at the ceremony.

She did a fabulous job, and her family in section J was so proud!

* * * * * * *

Teachings from RMN:

Decisions for Eternity, October 2013

With your body being such a vital part of God’s eternal plan, 

it is little wonder that the Apostle Paul described it as a “temple of God.”

 Each time you look in the mirror, see your body as your temple. 

That truth—refreshed gratefully each day—can positively

 influence your decisions about how you will care for your 

body and how you will use it. And those decisions will determine your destiny.

 How could this be? Because your body is the temple for your spirit. 

Go Cindy!

I attended my mom's graduation commencement today.

Mom-Cindy graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in American Studies.

My dad, Mr. Nielson, and I walked to the Marriott Center, where

we sat on the tippy top row of the overly-crowded (hot) event center

and joined the other 25,000 graduates and family members.

I was beaming with pride!  

Today mom will officially graduate with a diploma and 

all of her children and grandchildren (and a few greats too!)

 will be there to cheer her on.

She deserves a huge cheering section from all of us who 

have been blessed, loved, and strengthened by her example.

I got home from the commencement and watched Lottie ride her bike while

Angus lay in the cool spring grass, and my mind wandered off.

I was thinking about the significance of who we are and

what we can do with our lives regardless of age.  And in the end,

I hope my children will be proud of me as I am of my mom.

* * * * * * * *

Teachings from RMN:

Catch the Wave, April 2013

Together, members and missionaries invite all to learn 

of God, of Jesus Christ, and of His gospel.

 Each inquiring individual should seek earnestly 

and pray fervently for the assurance that these things are true.

 The truth will be manifest by the power of the Holy Ghost.

The perspective I choose

This morning I glanced in the local newspaper at the obituaries.

A beautiful face caught my attention.

A beautiful young face.

I sat down at my parent's sunny kitchen table and read a gorgeous

 reflection of a young mother who recently died of breast cancer.

My heart ached as I read. 

 I ached for her four young children, her parents, and her siblings. 

 I felt for her friends and the many, many people who

 she touched by her magnificent life.  

But mostly, I ached for her husband because now his

 companion and best friend are gone.

While reading her obituary, I discovered that 

Denise Neish had kept a blog during her years

of struggling with cancer.

 I spent most of my morning reading her beautifully written entries 

full of wisdom beyond her years.

I was particularly touched and inspired when she said 

in her last post, written on February 23rd:

"When I focus on the life of my Savior Jesus Christ, 

I give Him the opportunity to heal my spirit. 

He suffered both body and spirit, and therefore, 

is the only one who can truly know how I feel and what I need. 

When I think of Him I feel strengthened, happy,

 and even grateful and loved in a very real and tangible way.

I can look at life from the perspective that I have terminal cancer. 

I am not winning the battle, and there is nothing I can do about that, 

and I feel cheated of future time with my family. 

That is one perspective. The perspective I choose is: 

I have a happy marriage with a wonderful husband to whom 

I am sealed for eternity in the temple. I have four beautiful and happy

 children who are becoming just what I had hoped they would become.

 I feel confident in a happy after-life and know that

my whole family will eventually be there with me. I have friends and am shown

 love from others every single day. I am here right now,

 and I can do what I choose to do with my time. 

Out of those two true perspectives, that is the one I have chosen."

***

I was grateful to feel uplifted and strengthened by a woman I had never met. 

And I feel for the many who are missing her.

Thank you so much, Denise, for your perspective on life.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Teachings from RMN:

Ask the Missionaries! They Can Help You, October 2012

Some of you may feel that life is busy and frenetic, 

yet down deep in your heart you feel a gnawing emptiness, 

without direction or purpose. Ask the missionaries! They can help you! 

They can help you to learn more about the true purpose 

of life—why you are here on earth and where you are going after death. 

You can learn how the restored gospel of Jesus Christ

 will bless your life beyond anything you can presently even imagine.

Its been soooooo long

Yesterday morning we loaded up the cars and headed for Utah.

Around noon we stopped in Moab, where we had lunch at a dirty taco shop.

Then we kissed the boys goodbye and continued onward to Provo.

They stayed behind to ride their dirt bikes and camp out in the desert, and

from the few texts/phone calls/photos, it looks like they are

really having a manly time together.

We  pulled into Cherry Circle as the sun was setting, and Mom and Dad warmly

 greeted us gals with hugs and kisses.

Mom and I sat on the couch and talked for hours

 catching up on personal current events.

It felt so lovely to open up and share my thoughts.

Tonight in the dark, as I blew up the mattress in my parent's living room,

 I thought about my boys sleeping somewhere in the middle

 of nowhere in the desert (I hope they are warm!).

Then I thought about how beautiful spring is here in Provo 

and how my little family is making some huge changes, and it's scary.

But mostly tonight, I can't stop thinking about 

how excited I am to stop at Swig tomorrow for a drink and a cookie.

It's been sooooo long.

* * * * * * * ** 

Teachings from RMN:

Thanks Be to God, April 2012

"We are reminded that a perfect body is not
 required to achieve one's divine destiny. 

In fact, some of the sweetest spirits are housed in frail or imperfect bodies.

 Great spiritual strength is often developed by people with

 physical challenges, precisely because they are so challenged."

Being six

Being six is much different for Charlotte
 then it was for her sisters Claire and Jane

probably because I am a different mother: older and (hopefully) wiser.

But one thing is certain for all my girls; they are

 delightful and daring and wildly creative.

And really, I love being a mother to my girls at any age- but especially six.

Today we are packing up the car and headed to Utah to see my mom graduate 

from BYU.  I will also be receiving an honorary doctorate from UVU.

It's going to be a really wonderful week, and I am glad my

girls can be a part of it all.

* * * * * * * * *

Lessons from RMN:

Covenants, October 2011

"The greatest compliment that can be earned here 

in this life is to be known as a covenant keeper." 

Spring 1

A few nights ago, I was in the kitchen preparing vegetable soup

 for the Little Nies and Boss Nielson,

(who was in town visiting the ranch).

I love making dinner while listening to music, and this particular night

 I turned on a playlist of the top 50 most popular classical pieces.

When Clair de Lune came on, Boss Nielson walked into the kitchen from 

his desk and remarked that that song "was the best of them all."  

He paced the kitchen floor in silence while listening to the 

gorgeous melody, and then, once the song ended, he walked back to his desk.

I love how music can move us in such emotional ways!!

My mom always had the classics playing in the living room when I was little.

One summer, we listened to the album "Barcelona" 

by Freddie Mercury and Spanish opera diva Montserrat Caballé.

Ask my siblings; we must have heard that album 

over and over and over again, maybe 200 hundred times in the summer of '92.

I learned of Vivaldi from my mom, 

but when I was married, I truly appreciated his music.

I still fondly think about sitting in my rocking chair, nursing my babies

to The Four Seasons with occasional tears dripping down my eyes.

Come to think of it, I often cried when I was alone with 

my babies nursing them- but not because I was sad.

I was feeling things.

In 2012 Max Richter recomposed The Four Seasons

and it is absolutely mind-blowing.

If you only do one thing today (besides saying your prayers, of course),

listen to "Spring 1".

Don't just play it in the background as you work or do the

laundry. Promise me that you will sit down and listen to it.

And I hope you can be alone since I am almost positive

 the arrangement will make you cry.

I also hope you can listen to it as loud as you possibly can

and unequivocally know that GOD IS.

Recomposed by Max Ritcher: 

Vivaldi- The Four Seasons,

 Spring 1

* * * * * * * *

Teachings from RMN:

Face the Future with Faith, April 2011

"You parents bear the primary 

responsibility to strengthen [your children's] faith.

 Let them feel your faith, even when sore trials come upon you. 

Let your faith be focused on our loving Heavenly Father and 

His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach that faith with deep conviction.

 Teach each precious boy or girl that he or she is a child of God, 

created in His image, with a sacred purpose and potential. 

Each is born with challenges to overcome and faith to be developed.

 we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. 

We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith."

Honorary

Earlier this year, I got a phone call from Utah Valley University, and 

on the other line was Matt Holland. Matt is the very popular

 and distinguished President of the university.

President Holland informed me that I had been selected as 

a recipient to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University. 

 Me?! (Are you sure?).

I was speechless and tearful on the other end of the phone.

Just last week, I received an official announcement in the mail.

Again, I felt inadequate.

As I prepare to receive this distinguished award, I have reflected on the many

family members, friends, teachers, medical staff, and acquaintances that have 

contributed to my life and who I am. It's so humbling.

I will be in the company of  Wolf Blitzer, 

Rev. France A. Davis, and Jeffrey L. Sermon.

Commencement is on May 3rd, and I am so thrilled to be with

 my children, family members, and friends in Utah

as we celebrate this great honor together.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Teachings from RMN:

Be Thou an Example of the Believers, April 2010

 "Be an example of the believers; as followers of Jesus Christ,

 each of you can live in accord with His teachings.

 You can have "a pure heart and clean hands"; 

you can have "the image of God engraven upon your [countenance]."

 Your good works will be evident to others.

The light of the Lord can beam from your eyes.

With that radiance, you had better prepare for questions. 

The Apostle Peter so counseled, 

"Be ready always to give an answer to every man that 

asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you."

Sick of it.

I know you are probably getting sick of the smoke blogs,

but check out how hazy my morning run was:

Yuck!

Also, check out how the smoke hangs in the air in the ranch house:

Gross!

But look how adorable puppy Angus was on my bed this morning

when I woke him up to go for our morning run.

* * * * * * * 

Teachings from RMN:

Generations Linked in Love, April 2010 

Every human being who comes to this earth is the product 

of generations of parents. We have a natural yearning to 

connect with our ancestors. 

This desire dwells in our hearts, regardless of age.

Smog

Today I am dropping Mr. Nielson off at the airport.

He's headed out of town for business, and I am jealous because 

the smog from the wildfires here has been horrible.  

Dangerously high winds have blown not only the wildfire

smoke surrounding the ranch, 

but has managed to blow dirt into every crevice of the ranch house

(and in my mouth, too!).

My eyes itch, and my clothes smell like I've been at girls' camp for the last week.

I have been considering packing up and heading back to Utah.

Our family planned on being in Utah next week anyway

since my mom is graduating from BYU, and I am receiving an award at UVU

The beautiful thing about home/online school is that you can do that.

Last night while dinner was cooking on the stove,
Mr. Nielson took me on his dirt bike and headed for the ranch property line
to get a good look at the wildfire situation.
The smoke was still far away, but tonight as
I was getting ready for bed  I noticed out my window
flames were glowing on top of the Mesa.
That made me uneasy, especially since we hadn't seen that before.
The fire department is doing a great job keeping us
informed of the situation but has reported that
only 10% of the fire is contained.
We are desperately praying for rain!!!!

* * * * * * * * *

Teachings from RMN:

Ask, Seek, Knock, October 2009

"To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith

 and a deep desire. One needs to "ask with a sincere heart and real intent,

 having faith in Jesus Christ." "Real intent" means that one really

 intends to follow the divine direction given.

Revelation need not all come at once. It may be incremental.

 "Saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line,

 precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; 

and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, 

and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; 

for unto him that receiveth I will give more."

Patience and perseverance are part of our eternal progression."

Right now I should be...

Usually, I reserve Saturday for cleaning (bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry),

 but instead, last Saturday, we spent our day outside together.  

I didn't regret it one bit, and if I am being honest, it was hard at first because

 I'm usually thinking: "Right now I should be....",
 (enter a thousand different things).

But the right answer is "watching Lottie ride her bike,"  

or "follow Mr. Nielson around the garage shop to see his projects,"

 or "admire Claire's paintings," "check on the chickens with Jane," or

 "film the boys doing awesome tricks on their motorcycles."  

I think it's important to find a balance between when to play,

and when to work.
Sometimes I get it, and sometimes I don't.
I know of several mothers who are really good at this,
like my friend Lindsay in Arizona and Amy in Utah.
I feel so grateful for good friends who inspire me and
teach me through example and compassion, and
 I am thankful for motherhood and what it teaches me
and pushes me to become.
I like who I am because I am a mother.

But mostly, I am grateful for and honor my own mother,
 Cynthia Sue Jones Clark turns
73 today!  I LOVE YOU, MOM.

1991

* * * * * * * *
Teachings from RMN:

Lessons from the Lord's Prayers, April 2009

"The practice of Church members is to kneel in family 

prayer each morning and evening, plus having daily personal prayers

 and blessings on our food.  President Monson said,

 "As we offer unto the Lord our family and our personal prayers, 

let us do so with faith and trust in Him."

 And so, in praying for temporal and spiritual blessings, 

we should all plead, as did Jesus in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done.""

The Days to Come

Early last Friday morning the winds diverted and moved the 

direction of the wildfire away from the ranch. What a relief!

We watched carefully as it continued to burn
along the Zuni mountains behind the ranch.

Officials are not telling us that we are out of the woods yet, 

in fact with high winds still blowing, the fire could still come towards us. 

 It's a scary feeling. 

A few cowboys we know who have property in the canyon lost everything.  

It's a very hopeless feeling, and our hearts ache for them.   

The air is still smoky and the sky smoggy, but we feel 

so grateful we are out of its path- for now.

Early last Saturday morning I woke up while everyone was
still asleep and took Angus on a 5-mile hike.

I love hiking on Saturdays because I don't have to be back at 

a certain time to start school, so I go as long as I want and
Angus is a wonderful companion.

During the hike, I was able to think a lot about my life and future.  

I thought about what I have learned since moving to the ranch 

and what I hope for in the future.

And a beautiful thing happened, I felt the Spirit bring to my

 remembrance some really amazing experiences that I had been through.  

I was able to see and identify miracles that I had seen and been
physically a part of in my life.

 I felt spiritually fed while personal revelation dripped into my heart.
 I was so grateful because I truly needed it.

I wished I had a paper and pen in my hand to write down all these

 incredible feelings and thoughts because I knew
once back at the ranch house, I'd forget.
As I was getting closer to home and on the trail, I said a prayer out loud
 asking God to please help me not forget the feelings I felt.
 When I walked inside, I went straight to my journal and begin writing.
Unfortunately, I did forget some things, but I remembered a lot too.
I think I remembered the most important things that I was
supposed to remember, and I know that that personal experience on the trail
will guide my life, my decisions, and my family in the days to come.

* * * * * * *

Teachings from RMN:
Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives, April 2018
"In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually
 without the guiding, directing, comforting, 
and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

High Alert

Tonight as I write this at 9:22 pm, we are on high alert as we watch 

a massive wildfire behind the Mesa on the ranch.

We are at risk since the winds have been around 

50 mph, and are expected to blow all day tomorrow too.

Right now, the fire is burning forest service land, but unfortunately, it 

 is only a few miles away from the ranch.  

We will watch it closely throughout the night.

Two fires are burning in two directions of the ranch, 

both are about 1000 acres wide.  

Before bed, we talked to the Little Nies about a possible evacuation

in the middle of the night since

some of the village has already left their homes.

We asked each of them what they would quickly grab if it came to that.

It was interesting to hear their responses.

It also made me think: what would I grab?

I have been so humbled by good neighbors

and friends who have called and checked up on us. 

We certainly feel loved.

 * * * * * * * *

Teachings from RMN:

Celestial Marriage, October 2008

"Harmony in marriage comes only when one esteems the

the welfare of his or her spouse among the highest of priorities. 

When that really happens, a celestial marriage becomes a reality, 

bringing great joy in this life and in the life to come."