Since we just finished Thanksgiving weekend, I am feeling inspired to post an entry of things for which I am thankful.
My husband
My children
A warm bed
small pets, which bring my children joy
transportation
customer service people who actually help you
electricity
an empathetic smile from someone who feels your frustration
warm bread
sweet potatoes
water
old friends
new friends
the chance to learn something new
Internet access
airplanes
frequent flyer miles
a sturdy home
a safe neighborhood
We really are so blessed! And with those blessings come responsibility, to give to those who are without. I'm not sure how our holiday turned into a day for eating too much. But it's also a chance to spend time with people we love.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
His Hand is Stretched Out Still
"For all this, His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still." The lesson this week in Gospel Doctrine is about the prophet Isaiah and his teachings to the people so long ago, and what he saw of the people today (us.)
I love the imagery in the scriptures (there are many) that describe how the Lord sees us and is always there for us if we will but turn to Him. The scriptures in Isaiah 5 and 6 describe the sins of the people, how they are so focused on worldliness and are so concerned with costly apparel and idols of their own making.
"Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people...for all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."
No matter what we do or don't do, no matter what time we waste on things of little or no importance, no matter how much we ignore the teachings of the prophets and insist on going about our own very important (in our own minds) business, the Lord is always there. At some point, hopefully sooner than later, we will wake up and realize that his way is the better way, and we'll decide to spend our time and energies on things of bigger import (i.e. building the kingdom of Zion, which boils down to serving our brothers and sisters and lifting the burdens of others).
Whenever that time is, the Lord will be right there. Not miles away, but right there.
I still imagine the visual given in a lesson one Sunday, years ago. The teacher held up both hands, palms facing each other. The hands represented each of us as individuals (left hand) and the Lord (right hand), conversing and walking together. The left hand (we) then decide to turn away and follow our own path, leaving the Lord behind (left palm turns away, left arm and hand go far left, leaving right hand in the center).
We decide, after a time, that we need the Lord after all, but wonder how far, exactly, we have strayed, and how can we possibly get back to where we were. (Left palm turns back slightly, towards the right hand.)
With that small motion from the left hand (us), the right hand (the Lord) immediately moves right next to the left hand again. Heavenly Father is right there. He is there, arms outstretched, at all times, ready to support us.
All we have to do is be willing to try.
I love the imagery in the scriptures (there are many) that describe how the Lord sees us and is always there for us if we will but turn to Him. The scriptures in Isaiah 5 and 6 describe the sins of the people, how they are so focused on worldliness and are so concerned with costly apparel and idols of their own making.
"Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people...for all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."
No matter what we do or don't do, no matter what time we waste on things of little or no importance, no matter how much we ignore the teachings of the prophets and insist on going about our own very important (in our own minds) business, the Lord is always there. At some point, hopefully sooner than later, we will wake up and realize that his way is the better way, and we'll decide to spend our time and energies on things of bigger import (i.e. building the kingdom of Zion, which boils down to serving our brothers and sisters and lifting the burdens of others).
Whenever that time is, the Lord will be right there. Not miles away, but right there.
I still imagine the visual given in a lesson one Sunday, years ago. The teacher held up both hands, palms facing each other. The hands represented each of us as individuals (left hand) and the Lord (right hand), conversing and walking together. The left hand (we) then decide to turn away and follow our own path, leaving the Lord behind (left palm turns away, left arm and hand go far left, leaving right hand in the center).
We decide, after a time, that we need the Lord after all, but wonder how far, exactly, we have strayed, and how can we possibly get back to where we were. (Left palm turns back slightly, towards the right hand.)
With that small motion from the left hand (us), the right hand (the Lord) immediately moves right next to the left hand again. Heavenly Father is right there. He is there, arms outstretched, at all times, ready to support us.
All we have to do is be willing to try.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
On Time
How do I make time for the important things? People love to say "I don't have time" or "I'm too busy." Like "being busy" means they are important, or that their life has meaning.
I have noticed that I can fill my time with unimportant things, no problem. I can read, surf the Internet, shuffle through papers. I can clean, spend time looking for things, and work on making dinner. I can drive, drive, drive. Drive to the grocery store. Drive my kids to playdates and practices. Drive to a store.
No matter what I choose to do, time WILL go by. But how do I choose the most important things to do?
Talk to my kids. Listen to them.
When we have car time, talk to them and listen to them.
Nourish my relationship with my husband.
Utilize phone time. Go on dates.
Call Grandma occasionally.
Nourish my testimony: (how to do that?)
Be selective in my readings. Feed my spirit daily, somehow. Ensign, prayer, discussing scriptures as we read as a family. Go to the temple and feel the peace there.
Surround myself with uplifting, encouraging, positive people. Who are they?
My mom, Grandma, Michelle Berry, Jamie Larsen, Amy Tenney, Susan Green, Shawnee, Tiffany Allred, Julie Hollist, Kathie Gunn, Darsi Dowling, Erin Campbell.
I know there isn't enough time to do everything. But there is time to do the most important things. If I make a conscious effort to fit them in first.
I have noticed that I can fill my time with unimportant things, no problem. I can read, surf the Internet, shuffle through papers. I can clean, spend time looking for things, and work on making dinner. I can drive, drive, drive. Drive to the grocery store. Drive my kids to playdates and practices. Drive to a store.
No matter what I choose to do, time WILL go by. But how do I choose the most important things to do?
Talk to my kids. Listen to them.
When we have car time, talk to them and listen to them.
Nourish my relationship with my husband.
Utilize phone time. Go on dates.
Call Grandma occasionally.
Nourish my testimony: (how to do that?)
Be selective in my readings. Feed my spirit daily, somehow. Ensign, prayer, discussing scriptures as we read as a family. Go to the temple and feel the peace there.
Surround myself with uplifting, encouraging, positive people. Who are they?
My mom, Grandma, Michelle Berry, Jamie Larsen, Amy Tenney, Susan Green, Shawnee, Tiffany Allred, Julie Hollist, Kathie Gunn, Darsi Dowling, Erin Campbell.
I know there isn't enough time to do everything. But there is time to do the most important things. If I make a conscious effort to fit them in first.
Being Thankful
Hmmm. It's been awhile on this one! Time for a gratitude reminder.
I am thankful for:
my husband
my kids
my parents and siblings
transportation
green grass
beaches
ocean
mountains
4-wheeling
skydiving
friends you can meet up with after years of life, and pick up the conversation like you just saw them yesterday
movies
smiles
cats
our amazing bodies
our minds
books
the ability to read
my eyes
my teeth
doctors
dentists (yes, I'm thankful for dentists)
good teachers
people who know how to do things I don't know how to do
I am thankful for:
my husband
my kids
my parents and siblings
transportation
green grass
beaches
ocean
mountains
4-wheeling
skydiving
friends you can meet up with after years of life, and pick up the conversation like you just saw them yesterday
movies
smiles
cats
our amazing bodies
our minds
books
the ability to read
my eyes
my teeth
doctors
dentists (yes, I'm thankful for dentists)
good teachers
people who know how to do things I don't know how to do
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wedding Vows
Just contemplating marriage, at this point. Frank and I will reach our 18th anniversary in a few weeks.
Lately I've talked to multiple people who tell me that their husbands have changed since they got married. "He's angry all the time," one says. "He can't ask me anything calmly, and he yells at the kids over doing their homework, or anything."
Another tells me, "I wish he trusted me more. I know he grew up with people who said things, then those things were used against them later. We only talk about superficial things. He doesn't talk to me because he thinks I'll use it against him later."
Another friend just told us that his wife has left him over the past year, and the divorce will be final next month or so. It is so sad.
So, how do people stay together? So many self-help books written on the subject of marriage. Communication seems to be key, as I think it is key in many, if not most conflicts that arise.
What did he say? What did she THINK he said, and what did he mean? What did she THINK he meant? How did he say it? What was the context and tone of voice? What was implied? Years of baggage is behind comments and feelings. Only that person knows how they feel, and sometimes they know why and sometimes they don't.
I have 43 years of life experiences behind every opinion and comment that I utter. I feel certain ways when things happen, because they might trigger a memory, good or bad, from way back. I respond in anger or frustration, not because of the person who said something, maybe, but because of that painful memory that was dredged up.
How can I not take my husband for granted? The more I talk to people, the more glad I am to be married to Frank, and not to THEIR husbands. I am so blessed.
Lately I've talked to multiple people who tell me that their husbands have changed since they got married. "He's angry all the time," one says. "He can't ask me anything calmly, and he yells at the kids over doing their homework, or anything."
Another tells me, "I wish he trusted me more. I know he grew up with people who said things, then those things were used against them later. We only talk about superficial things. He doesn't talk to me because he thinks I'll use it against him later."
Another friend just told us that his wife has left him over the past year, and the divorce will be final next month or so. It is so sad.
So, how do people stay together? So many self-help books written on the subject of marriage. Communication seems to be key, as I think it is key in many, if not most conflicts that arise.
What did he say? What did she THINK he said, and what did he mean? What did she THINK he meant? How did he say it? What was the context and tone of voice? What was implied? Years of baggage is behind comments and feelings. Only that person knows how they feel, and sometimes they know why and sometimes they don't.
I have 43 years of life experiences behind every opinion and comment that I utter. I feel certain ways when things happen, because they might trigger a memory, good or bad, from way back. I respond in anger or frustration, not because of the person who said something, maybe, but because of that painful memory that was dredged up.
How can I not take my husband for granted? The more I talk to people, the more glad I am to be married to Frank, and not to THEIR husbands. I am so blessed.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Regaining Perspective
This week I got a cold sore. A nasty one. Tuesday it hurt tremendously, and I watched it form. I went to the doctor and she prescribed a two-dose medicine to help it heal quickly. I could see a difference in the sore, after I took them, that the sore was smaller. But my lip and the lower quarter of my face still swelled up.
Then it started going through the whole lengthy process, bruising and discoloring, leaking and foul, pussy discharge. I spent the whole day yesterday covering my mouth when I talked to people: the checker at the grocery store, the workers laying cement in our basement, our neighbors. I carried around a Kleenix to clean up the gross leaky stuff.
Today I'm not at church--too self-conscious. I don't want to tell the story to every concerned, well-meaning person who sees me. My mouth is swollen, red, sore, and disgusting. People stare, and why shouldn't they? It's ugly.
I went to the church web site, lds.org. It showed a video of a mom who was in a near-fatal plane crash, and her story of being in a coma for 3 months. She woke up, back to her little kids and husband, but now with severe burn marks on her hands and face. She goes to pick up kids from school and all the children stare. It hurts her to do all the simple kid-tasks, like zipping zippers and putting her daughter's hair up in a ponytail.
She says that now she considers her role as a wife and mother a privilege. She sees God's hand in her life every single day. Yes, she often wishes she could have her body back the way it was before. But she knows there is a greater plan.
The video is called My New Life . It helped me count a few more blessings today.
Then it started going through the whole lengthy process, bruising and discoloring, leaking and foul, pussy discharge. I spent the whole day yesterday covering my mouth when I talked to people: the checker at the grocery store, the workers laying cement in our basement, our neighbors. I carried around a Kleenix to clean up the gross leaky stuff.
Today I'm not at church--too self-conscious. I don't want to tell the story to every concerned, well-meaning person who sees me. My mouth is swollen, red, sore, and disgusting. People stare, and why shouldn't they? It's ugly.
I went to the church web site, lds.org. It showed a video of a mom who was in a near-fatal plane crash, and her story of being in a coma for 3 months. She woke up, back to her little kids and husband, but now with severe burn marks on her hands and face. She goes to pick up kids from school and all the children stare. It hurts her to do all the simple kid-tasks, like zipping zippers and putting her daughter's hair up in a ponytail.
She says that now she considers her role as a wife and mother a privilege. She sees God's hand in her life every single day. Yes, she often wishes she could have her body back the way it was before. But she knows there is a greater plan.
The video is called My New Life . It helped me count a few more blessings today.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Obedience
Hello!
Our Sunday church meetings yesterday made me think about obedience. People obey for different reasons. There is obedience to the commandments, obedience to our parents, obedience to traffic laws.
People probably obey traffic laws to avoid tickets and to keep the privilege of driving. Maybe kids obey their parents to get the privileges that will be taken away if they don't obey. But we should obey the commandments and follow the prophets willingly and thankfully.
Why do I obey? Why should I obey? I think the Lord expects us to follow the commandments and the counsel of the prophets, and it is always for our good. But do we follow counsel grudgingly? Do we do the bare minimum, grumbling just a little?
So, what do the prophets tell us to do? Spencer W. Kimball talked about keeping journals. President Ezra Taft Benson said we should read and study the Book of Mormon. Our prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson, testifies of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection. That we are promised peace and comfort by our Savior in our times of greatest need.
Other, most recent General Conference Talks can be read for more inspirational messages from our prophets and church leaders. I think they are best read one at a time, then you can give yourself time to ponder what you just read.
The talks are relatively short and always uplifting!
Our Sunday church meetings yesterday made me think about obedience. People obey for different reasons. There is obedience to the commandments, obedience to our parents, obedience to traffic laws.
People probably obey traffic laws to avoid tickets and to keep the privilege of driving. Maybe kids obey their parents to get the privileges that will be taken away if they don't obey. But we should obey the commandments and follow the prophets willingly and thankfully.
Why do I obey? Why should I obey? I think the Lord expects us to follow the commandments and the counsel of the prophets, and it is always for our good. But do we follow counsel grudgingly? Do we do the bare minimum, grumbling just a little?
So, what do the prophets tell us to do? Spencer W. Kimball talked about keeping journals. President Ezra Taft Benson said we should read and study the Book of Mormon. Our prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson, testifies of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection. That we are promised peace and comfort by our Savior in our times of greatest need.
Other, most recent General Conference Talks can be read for more inspirational messages from our prophets and church leaders. I think they are best read one at a time, then you can give yourself time to ponder what you just read.
The talks are relatively short and always uplifting!
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