Woman and a Fork

I snagged this story from my sisters blog. I thought it was worth sharing!

Woman and a Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly..

'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.

'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked.

'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favourite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come.'

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like that many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

Friends are a very rare jewel , indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity, but a sweet responsibility.

And just remember...keep your fork!

The BEST is yet to come!

Moab Area Spring Camping

Wow, what a weekend! We escaped from old man Winter and headed to Moab. We went with some of Chris' family. 7 trailers went down. And the girls are actually old enough this year, that we can go on some lengthy 4 wheeler rides, and have a great time.

The trails were amazing. Climbing huge slabs of Sandstone. Finding a new Arch that we'd never seen before. Re-visiting Tusher Tunnel. Driving to Dead Horse Point, etc... We did end up on some of the jeeping and mountain biking trails, but I don't think I'd want to be in a Jeep! We went on Two major half day rides, to Klondike Bluffs, and Monitor & Merrimak two huge Sandstone Butes.

All in all, an amazing weekend! I don't think anyone wanted to head for home. But it's good to be back just the same :)

Us, and then the group, on top of Klondike Bluffs!

Dead Horse Point!
Our newly discovered, Uranium Arch.

Amazingly enough, not in Arches NP. I wonder how many other awesome arches are out there, that aren't in Arches, or Canyon Lands NP's....


Out in the Area of Monitor & Merrimak!
This is either Monitor, or Merrimak.

The trail goes right between the two. When you hit the Sandstone, they just mark the trail with white lines just like the roads. These are the trails, the mountain bikes and jeeps follow also.

The group at Tusher Tunnel!

You walk through this tunnel from one side of the mountain to the other. And it opens up into some really cool scenery.

I think I got way too much sun, and wind on my face, because I'm getting a huge fever blister. One of the perks of going on vacation I guess huh? :)

Loosing a tooth!

When Bree first came to me and told me that her tooth was loose, I thought, No way, she's my baby. Over the weeks it got progressively looser. Wow, this IS really happening.

Her legs have been aching lately, and I told her, well maybe you're having growing pains. Maybe you're getting taller. And she is convinced that she is getting taller too. We've had many conversations lately, and she has said, "Mommy, I'm growing up and making friends". This is when she wants her friends from school, to come over and play.

Oh man, and when I think about her turning 6 on her next birthday, it breaks my heart. Sort of....

Oh how I LOVE this little girl!! She's my baby!

What's going on...

Since we talked last.....we sold our truck and bought a new one, pulled the trailer out of the backyard to start getting ready for a Spring Camping trip, we intended to take in just 2 weeks, Bree had class picture day at school, we found out that Chris is getting a small raise at work, we defrosted the freezer and brought home our 1/4 beef from the butcher, and I've started working on some little dresses, that I'm sewing for the girls.

Both Chris and I had to teach today. Chris teaches in Young Men's, and I teach the 13/14 yr old Sunday School class. I only have to teach every other week, and Chris teaches when needed. He volunteers a lot. I think he likes to teach. I was really excited about my lesson today, because it was something I could really relate to, and had a lot of personal experiences to share. After class, one of the girls came up and hugged me and told me that I was a good teacher. Wow, me? I'm so glad she felt that way. Because sometimes I am talking over the 2 or 3 boys that don't want to pay attention. You know how it is.

I am trying to make a dress for my girls. Not because I have to, but because I found some really cute fabric, and want to practice my sewing skills. I am such an amateur. I had to call my mom and talk to her for almost half an hour, having her explain certain things about sewing, and what in the world the instructions were asking me to do? But, I feel like I've already learned a great deal, and I haven't even cut the fabric yet :)

Well, we pulled the trailer out of the backyard. We are supposed to go camping in 2 weeks. But obviously if it is still snowing by then, we're not going to go. It's just too bad we didn't go last weekend, when the temps were in the high 50's. It would have been wonderful in Moab then... ah well, we'll just keep watching the weather, and see what happens.

Elle has only been to class once, since joining the Sunbeams. She is having the hardest time. I haven't quite known what to do. But today... we went to her class. She was the only one there. (because of snow I'm sure) The lady teaching today, was teaching for her daughter who wasn't there. She is actually one of the ladies that I visit teach. Oh she is WISE! We talked a lot about what to do to help Elle. And we finally came to the conclusion, that she just isn't ready for Sunbeams. She just turned 3 in December. Why make church a bad experience? So as of today, she is back in the Nursery. She had the B E S T day at church, and that hasn't happened in a while. I really feel good about it.

So, here are some pictures from the day! It snowed a lot :) But after spending the day out in the backyard, and watching Chris have such a good time on the little snowmobile we purchased, I was feeling so happy! I could see it in his face :) I think we'll be purchasing more snowmobiles in the future. But for now, this little one will have to do. Not quite what Chris is used to, but enough to get him excited again... I Love my Snowman!

He Knows Me!

Happy Valentines Day 2011 :)

I love that I have a True Love! Someone who was meant for me. He probably knows me better than I know myself! My knight in shining armor. The person I tell everything to. My partner. The person I love and who loves me more than anyone else. It's Magic... I smile just thinking about him.

My Valentine....

This ring is so cute. If you turn it different ways, you have a lot of color options :)

I think it's cute how Chris went online, found some things he might get, and then went to the Brighton store and picked out the very ring I had my eye on! Crazy how he knows me :)

F A M I L Y

Family is EVERYTHING! It is the only thing you can take with you to heaven. The gospel centers around families. Families Can Be Together Forever. I love all of our families. My family, Chris' family, and our own little family!

Chris comes from a large family. There are 10 children. Chris' mom actually lost one, which makes 11. Chris' dad even had 2 children with his first marriage, so Chris even has a Step brother and sister, which makes 13. Whew! And I have 4 siblings of my own.

Chris' dad passed away when he was 11. There are very few pictures of his dad, because he was the one behind the camera most of the time. And there is only 1 picture I know of, that has the whole family in it. Chris' family isn't into pictures like I am. Last summer, at our Jorgensen family camp out, I gathered up Chris' mom and all 10 siblings and took their picture. I don't think that has ever been done. I feel really good about it, because a lot of them don't like their picture taken, but did it for me. I feel happy that we all get along so well, and that they would do that for me. And I hope they realize, that I did it for them also.

This one and only family picture hangs in the Living room at Chris' mom's house. The sun has faded it badly. And it's years are showing. But I found a smaller one, that Lois let me borrow, so that I could scan it, and have a copy.

Chris is the baby. And I've got to say, that after so many that came before him....... I'm so glad Lois had just one more! He is my EVERYTHING!! He is MY FAMILY :)

Marvin B. Jorgensen, Lois Ricks Jorgensen, Maurene, Darlene, Becky, Julie, Anita, Lisa, Kent, Mark, Marie, and Chris.

Amy Butler & Heather Bailey Fabrics

I just LOVE pretty fabrics! There are so many projects I could do at my house! Painting, curtains, pillows, quilts, etc.. etc.. I would love to make my house a breath of fresh air :) Calm, quiet, beautiful. There are so many rooms. And, one by one, over time, some of these projects just might get done. But for now, I will collect some pictures, and gather some ideas. And dream some dreams :)