tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post4714556871968828497..comments2023-10-25T05:04:57.421-05:00Comments on Queen of the Clan: Unwritten ContestDanyelle Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00006907198681924095noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-9857410992544740562008-11-13T08:17:00.000-06:002008-11-13T08:17:00.000-06:00Sara - Being a great Mom is an awesome goal! I lov...Sara - Being a great Mom is an awesome goal! I love it!<BR/><BR/>Your Grandma sounds like lots of fun! :)Danyelle Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00006907198681924095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-58763022529577011532008-11-12T18:18:00.000-06:002008-11-12T18:18:00.000-06:00This is a great idea for a post. If I could write...This is a great idea for a post. <BR/><BR/>If I could write my own story, I would write these words..."Sara is a great mother." I would just write that over and over.<BR/><BR/>So many people have influenced me throughout my life, but one person that sticks out is my Pennsylvania grandma, Annie. I have not met a person yet who can live up to her spunk and kindness. She helped me move from Utah, my comfort zone, to PA...my way NOT comfort zone! She is amazing!Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12475569267538240226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-72077598683686304652008-11-12T09:47:00.000-06:002008-11-12T09:47:00.000-06:00I think that's the best way to go, Danyelle. Luck...I think that's the best way to go, Danyelle. Luck of the draw on this one for sure! :-)themeese2https://www.blogger.com/profile/13451039693050934207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-57878282838297377382008-11-10T08:31:00.000-06:002008-11-10T08:31:00.000-06:00Kim - Thank goodness I'm not picking a winner ...Kim - Thank goodness I'm not picking a winner by their stories! I'm compiling the stories for a "Count Your Blessings" post just before Thanksgiving. But other than that, every gets their name put in a hat & my youngest will pull a name. <BR/><BR/>Whew! :)Danyelle Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00006907198681924095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-19325292623787790052008-11-10T08:29:00.000-06:002008-11-10T08:29:00.000-06:00AliI love your goal for the rest of your current c...Ali<BR/><BR/>I love your goal for the rest of your current chapter!<BR/><BR/>My mom passed away when I was 19, too. It sounds like your sister and my sister are quite similar! I know from sharing the same type of experience, what a tremendous blessing your sister was to you. I'm grateful you've both found and created an unbreakable sisterly/best friend bond. You'll be blessings to each other for the rest of this life, and on into eternity.Danyelle Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00006907198681924095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-45391382410839121832008-11-08T22:55:00.000-06:002008-11-08T22:55:00.000-06:00Uh, we're not going to be able to choose a winner ...Uh, we're not going to be able to choose a winner from all of these beautiful comments! I love everything that folks have had to say. It may not be Mother's Day, but Here's to Moms or women who might as well be! Whether they are here with us or on the other side, they never stop loving us.<BR/><BR/> Danyelle, I do the same thing. I pray for Mom to be able to do the things that she has been assigned to do on the other side and that she's doing it in her usual cheerful fashion and meeting all sorts of amazing people. I ask Him to make sure she knows how much we love and miss her and that she be kept up on all our news. I would hope that she's had the opportunity to meet your Mom! And Pres. Mitchell, whom I still miss deeply.themeese2https://www.blogger.com/profile/13451039693050934207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-17024737810070145112008-11-07T16:50:00.000-06:002008-11-07T16:50:00.000-06:00Hi Danyelle, what a beautiful post. Wow. That song...Hi Danyelle, what a beautiful post. Wow. <BR/><BR/>That song, Unwritten, is my current 'theme song' for myself. I love it. <BR/><BR/>Right now, I'm really trying hard to receive Christ's image in my countenance. I feel like I've grown a little apathetic in my worship and feel that I don't shine right now as much as I'd like. So for the rest of my current chapter, I'd like for others to be able to see the light of heaven shining from my eyes. I'd like for it to be written that I was kind and helpful, that I truly was an instrument in God's hands.<BR/><BR/>As for a previous chapter in my life and the person who most influenced me, I'd say my sister, Heather. I have been blessed by so many, it's hard to name just one, but at this time of year I'm always reminded of the loss of my mom when I was 19 and the friendship I discovered with my sister because of mom's death.<BR/><BR/>Heather and I had sort of a love/hate relationship before Mom became ill. But when Mom was dying, we had to work together and serve Mom together. We discovered that she was weak where I was strong and I was weak where she was strong. We came to have a great love and respect for each other we wouldn't have had otherwise.<BR/><BR/>After Mom passed away, Heather took me in. Mom was my only parent and when I lost her I kind of lost my way for a while. Heather and her husband took me in while I got my feet back under me. She was not only kind and loving, she was also a tough drill sergeant who taught me so much about growing up, about being an adult and how to face life with my chin up.<BR/><BR/>When I was ready to fly on my own, Heather let me go. But she's never really let me go of me. She is my mother now, by choice, because she loves me. We are the truest sort of friends because of the trial we faced together. Our hearts are knit together with more than just love, but with service and sacrifice as well.ali crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13023009704454279645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-13824419296963607332008-11-07T12:42:00.000-06:002008-11-07T12:42:00.000-06:00Weston - Thank you for your sharing your father's ...Weston - Thank you for your sharing your father's wise words with us.Danyelle Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00006907198681924095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-19540837311182692352008-11-07T10:34:00.000-06:002008-11-07T10:34:00.000-06:00I would like it written that I lived up to the leg...I would like it written that I lived up to the legacy of strength and faith left by the family that came before me.<BR/><BR/>I have had many influences, but the most poignant example comes from my father. His dying words to me were "You can do anything you set your mind to."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-32413117260270644212008-11-07T08:54:00.000-06:002008-11-07T08:54:00.000-06:00Gaynell - What an incredible woman and mother. You...Gaynell - What an incredible woman and mother. You were both lucky to find each other. And what a blessing that you know you'll be together again as well. I still talk to my mom. And when I really, really need her, I pray to Heavenly Father and ask Him to send her a message from me, filled with lots of hugs and kisses - cause if I need them, I'm sure she needs them, too.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your wonderful thoughts, Gaynell.Danyelle Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00006907198681924095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-13880315911175603522008-11-07T07:53:00.000-06:002008-11-07T07:53:00.000-06:00Danyelle-- I love that song! My husband doesn't q...Danyelle-- I love that song! My husband doesn't quite understand the reason, but it's for so many things. I think part of it's the same reason you have, but mostly because I feel she is talking to me. It's amazing. Anyway - all of you in authors incog have inspired an uplifted me, but the person I have to point out, was my mom. <BR/>She took me in as an 18 year old foster child who had no one to love her. She taught me what it was to be loved unconditionally and showed me what it meant to be a mother. All I learned (the little it was) I learned from her fine example. She went on to be "back on the bird committee" as we jokingly tell each other (she loved birds and claimed she was in on the creation of them)about six years ago. I still keenly feel the loss at times. I feel more sorrow with her being gone than my own mother, since I didn't even know her.<BR/>What I wish were written tomorrow? That is hard. Each day is a new page - each choice is a new line written. I have always wanted to be a published author. I never thought I'd be the mother of 7, and be where I am today. I pray every morning that I will hear where the Lord wants me to go. I'm still cleaning out my ears, but I'm trying. Thanks for the wonderful blog.G. Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06443705669744932771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-74179494776914794082008-11-07T07:45:00.000-06:002008-11-07T07:45:00.000-06:00Kim - You've been an incredible inspiration to me....Kim - You've been an incredible inspiration to me. When I first met you a year after joining the LDS Church, your bright smile (and hats!), and bubbly personality helped me feel so welcome at the Penn State Nittany Branch. Seeing how you have continued with in the same manner (minus the hats!), I think you are well on your way in following your mom's example.<BR/><BR/>Like you, I consider my mom to be among the very,very top of the list of people who have uplifted and inspired me during this life. Here's a toast to our two incredible moms. I hope they have become good friends up there in Heaven!Danyelle Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00006907198681924095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-24664734905920451452008-11-07T07:40:00.000-06:002008-11-07T07:40:00.000-06:00Rebecca - Changing from public school to homeschoo...Rebecca - <BR/><BR/>Changing from public school to homeschooling is definitely worthy of a whole new chapter in your life! I wish you lots of organizational skills and inspiration while you teach!<BR/><BR/>That is so awesome about your 9th grade teacher. You should try calling the school she worked at to see if they could forward a letter to her. Think of what a wonderful gift that would be for her - to see how you've made one of your dreams come true!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for writing such a fun book. I'm very excited to offer it as a prize!Danyelle Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00006907198681924095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-71945107383083363552008-11-07T00:14:00.000-06:002008-11-07T00:14:00.000-06:00When you say, "tomorrow" I'm not sure if you're ge...When you say, "tomorrow" I'm not sure if you're getting at my ACTUAL tomorrow, which won't have much more than "Kim went to work, froze her tail off outside counting inventory, and then came home and went to Relief Society Craft Night" or if you're getting at the sum total of all of my "tomorrows." I'm going to go with Choice B. I think that when my Book of Life is read someday, I would like it to have an overriding theme that runs through every page. And that theme would be something along the lines of "This woman truly learned to love her brothers and sisters with the pure love of Christ. The people who encountered her throughout her life were treated with kindness and cheer, even if they were people who lived a life different from hers, or disagreed with her in some fashion. They were welcome in her home and in her heart, and she never hesitated to help when the need arose. She was liked by many, and loved by more." If I can reflect, in even a small measure, the depth of charity our Savior has for each of us, into the lives of everyone that crosses my path, in real life and yes, even online, then I will have lived well, and my story will be all the richer for all the other characters in it.<BR/><BR/>My hero in that regard is, without question, my own dear mother, who left us so suddenly on March 12, 2008. On the evening of her viewing, what touched me the most was how many people came who worked with her. These people knew her in a situation outside a religious setting. They did not necessarily share her values or her beliefs, but every person who came had positive memories of how my mother had treated them. Every kid in the neighborhood was welcome in her home, and there were some who actually LIVED in it! There was always company for holidays. The missionaries, or a struggling single, or a family from the ward who had just moved in, or the parents of her childrens' friends. All were welcome in my mother's eyes, and I owe my own outgoing, positive nature to her. I am happy to be much liker her, and I miss her more than I can say.<BR/><BR/>Kimthemeese2https://www.blogger.com/profile/13451039693050934207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-25840275844379730562008-11-06T22:48:00.000-06:002008-11-06T22:48:00.000-06:00Great contest. I thought I'd drop by and leave a c...Great contest. I thought I'd drop by and leave a comment even though I don't need to be considered to win the book. I've already got a copy. *wink* And of course I think it is an exciting read.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, this contest is a great idea, the thought of starting out on a new page and writing what we want our life to become. Very timely in my own life as I have just the week before last pulled my kids from school so that I could home-school them. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I'd do something like that, but life has lots of funny twists and turns. <BR/><BR/>The good news is that the kids and I are really enjoying it. They say they don't ever want to go back to regular school (they say that now. LOL. We'll see what they say down the road a bit).<BR/><BR/>But this makes writing a bit of a challenge for me. Gone are my six peaceful hours while they were at school in the morning. Now I have to train myself to write in the evenings instead and train my family to leave me alone and let me do it.<BR/><BR/>This is definitely a blank page, and I'm not sure where it will take me in the end.<BR/><BR/>As for someone who has blessed me. My 9th grade English teacher, Mrs. Brown, was the first person to really believe in me and my writing. She told me I could write a book. I believed her and did it. I wish I knew where she is now so I could thank her. <BR/><BR/>Rebecca ShelleyRebecca Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01160905152772301120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-85644180777318489702008-11-06T22:14:00.000-06:002008-11-06T22:14:00.000-06:00Cindy - If you discover that herb, you be sure to ...Cindy - If you discover that herb, you be sure to email me first! :)<BR/><BR/>Thank you for sharing your blessing of receiving the gospel.Danyelle Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00006907198681924095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-62884780859323028702008-11-06T22:13:00.000-06:002008-11-06T22:13:00.000-06:00Ah, Tristi. You made me all teary-eyed. Thank you....Ah, Tristi. You made me all teary-eyed. Thank you.Danyelle Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00006907198681924095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-77395827262424243872008-11-06T22:10:00.000-06:002008-11-06T22:10:00.000-06:00This was a lovely post, Danyelle, and I want to po...This was a lovely post, Danyelle, and I want to point something out. Not only have you been blessed through these challenges, but as you've faced them with faith, you've allowed them to turn you into the incredible person you are. You've influenced me positively in a hundred different ways.Tristi Pinkstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12122250747480013804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265041595520726324.post-88341780927309650732008-11-06T22:09:00.000-06:002008-11-06T22:09:00.000-06:00Danyelle,Ooo, count me in for the contest. :o)What...Danyelle,<BR/>Ooo, count me in for the contest. :o)<BR/><BR/>What I'd like written on my page of life for tomorrow: Cindy discovered a new herb that takes off ten pounds and ten years in ten seconds.<BR/><BR/>Someone who has blessed my life: There are so many people, that this is a tough one to answer. However, from an eternal perspective, the one who blessed my life for forever is the missionary who introduced the gospel to my husband and me ... Elder Richard Delewski.Cindy Beck, authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16915624341543651886noreply@blogger.com