My Dog

I once had a dog
who sat on a log
and smelled like fog.
Sometimes he ate frogs.
Sometimes he sat on dogs.
Sometimes he is fair
and grows some hair.

by Harmonie

Help Me

 Help me to feel, help me to see
     help me to do, help me to be.
This is the prayer I say each day
     when I rise up and go on my way.

It takes effort and great discipline
     to change my weakness and my sin.
But that to me, God can't impart - 
     the change must be inside my heart.

So, help me to feel, help me to see
     help me to do, help me to be.
This is the prayer I say each day
     when I rise up and go my way.

Text: Janice Renee Payne (1942-2019)
Arranged: Liisa Monson Payne (2019) - Liisa shared this song with us at the Payne Family Reunion as part of our Memorial Reunion to remember and enjoy memories of Grammy.

From her poem:

Help Me

"Help me to feel, Help me to see
Help me to do, Help me to be"

This is the prayer I say each day
Then I rise from my knees and go on my way

Throughout the day, do I really care
Do I even remember my morning prayer

Having the desire to change is good
But it's not enough to become what I should

Habits are formed in myriad ways
repeatedly fortified through countless days

To now undo what time has done
Is difficult at best, and never fun

Effort is essential, and great discipline
To replace my weaknesses and my sin

To feel and see, To do and be
Will require a new and different me

Perhaps a new heart as Saul received
Would help me goal to be achieved

But that to me God cannot impart
If I'm not prepared to receive a new heart

So the change must be inside of me
Or I'll never become what I pray to be

Grammy

An eagle perched in her tree,

her golden eyes surveying the land,
her home had grown to be,
an empty place, dull and bland.

Behind her lay the glittering sea,
with a world, no one knew yet.
Soon she would travel to see,
what lay beyond the sunset.

The eagle flew into the sky,
above the world where she was free.
Behind her did her problems lie,
and her small family.

She flew away to a heavenly home,
although she missed her family.
What she would find, wasn’t yet known,
past the deep blue sea.

She might have looked back to see,
the family she called her own.
She flew away so she could be free,
from the pain of the body she had known.

She reached a place with her other family
Who before she had missed quite dearly
She now will wait quite patiently
For her earthly family

Soon we all will be together,
the wait won't be long.
Because families are forever,
We will be together if we are strong.

You are a daughter of Zion

You are a child of God
You are a woman of righteousness
and have fulfilled your promise to God.

You have lived your mortal life
you have married and have children
they have brought joy and strife
but their love isn't hidden.

We all love you
this is true
we won't be blue,
but happy for you!

by Xiomara

A Tribute to Grammy

The strong but aging tree stands tall
Watching her leaves begin to fall
Reflecting on the years she lived
The good she saw, the things she did
Each yellowed leaf now hits the ground
But what she sees are blessings found
Those years, though hard, have been first-rate
Her children strong, grandkids and great!

One by one, those leaves still fell
But she knew she'd lived life well
Lessons learned, and blessings gained
Full of joy and sometimes pain
She knew the summer wouldn't last
And rest will come once she has passed
Her final leaves soon too will go
And then, at last, the bitter snow

Her family then, still looking on
Will watch their mother pass along
They'll know they still have much to learn
Rough paths to cross, new leaves to turn
Then with eternity in view
They'll keep their testimonies true
And then with joy continue on
For separation isn't long

by Emily Roy

5/17/2019

Faith in God

You may travel through the desert
Nigh unto 40 years
And although it won't be easy
You must see through the tears

Someday you will be through it all
So trusting in the Lord
The pain will pass, you'll win the war
By the power of His word

He'll keep you, like a polished shaft
Safely in His quiver
And then at last you'll see the end:
The lovely Jordan River

by Emily Roy