The beginning of a New Year is a time for celebration, contemplation, resolution, and organization. At least, it is wherever I am. In that spirit, I have been going through the boxes of items I collected in elementary, junior high, and high school that have been stored in my parents' house for a great number of years. Pictures... trophies... awards... stories... journals... letters... dolls... posters... home decor. Frankly, it's mostly junk. But some of it is good, significant, memory-filled junk that has meaning in my life.
The new year has a way of making me mercilessly unsentimental about keeping junk, however. Enter the miracle of the digital camera! Instead of keeping all my good junk (and figuring out how to cart it around with me for the rest of my life), today I took pictures of the best of my junk and then tossed it in the garbage. Now, when I'm old and gray and my children are cleaning out my house, they will only have to throw away a data storage device with all my old junk on it instead of the junk itself. See what I am willing to do for my posterity? Amazing.
The end.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Counting Down
Friday is Christmas Day.
Thursday is Christmas Eve.
That makes Wednesday Christmas Adam, and the beginning of the festivities!
I look forward to hanging out with family, sleeping in, playing Rock Band (thanks for sharing, RHB & wife!), and shopping. And remembering the real reason I am taking a vacation - the birth of the Son of God.
I liked this video so much, I even figured out how to share it with you here (instead of just a link)!
Thursday is Christmas Eve.
That makes Wednesday Christmas Adam, and the beginning of the festivities!
I look forward to hanging out with family, sleeping in, playing Rock Band (thanks for sharing, RHB & wife!), and shopping. And remembering the real reason I am taking a vacation - the birth of the Son of God.
I liked this video so much, I even figured out how to share it with you here (instead of just a link)!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Happily Snowed In (Sorta)
I didn't set an alarm this morning. Church was cancelled due to parking bans and an overabundance of fluffy whiteness falling from the sky. This Sabbath has become a much-needed day of rest instead. No meetings, rehearsals, visits, or other duties. Rather, it is day to stay inside, bake yummy deliciousness, study the lessons I otherwise would have had at church, and sleep.
Around noon-thirty I ventured outside with the downstairs neighbors to assess how much effort it would take to dig out the driveway. The day before I had called my friend who owns a snow removal business and asked him to help us out; they descended upon our driveway just as we were coming outside and made short work of removing the vast quantity of snow that had drifted up behind our cars. I confess, I much prefer supervising someone else's efforts to remove my snow than performing the manual labor myself. It was lots easier.
In spite of the fact that I have access to my vehicle, I still prefer to consider myself "snowed in," and am happily using the excuse to stay home most of the day and bake until it smells like heaven (assuming heaven smells like homemade bread). There is nothing that brings contentment quite like curling up under a warm blanket with a good book and yummy smells coming from the kitchen.
Around noon-thirty I ventured outside with the downstairs neighbors to assess how much effort it would take to dig out the driveway. The day before I had called my friend who owns a snow removal business and asked him to help us out; they descended upon our driveway just as we were coming outside and made short work of removing the vast quantity of snow that had drifted up behind our cars. I confess, I much prefer supervising someone else's efforts to remove my snow than performing the manual labor myself. It was lots easier.
In spite of the fact that I have access to my vehicle, I still prefer to consider myself "snowed in," and am happily using the excuse to stay home most of the day and bake until it smells like heaven (assuming heaven smells like homemade bread). There is nothing that brings contentment quite like curling up under a warm blanket with a good book and yummy smells coming from the kitchen.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Pre-Christmas Madness
Today is one of those days when I'm glad I have food storage.
We're expecting a major snowstorm tonight. Just like the rest of the Northeast. Consequently (and this is something I have found entertaining since the first winter I lived here), every single person in this area has gone out - to stock up on food, or to buy a snow blower/shovel, or to finish the Christmas shopping they would have done tomorrow if snow hadn't been in the forecast. Traffic is nasty, parking lots are filled and overflowing, and there are long lines of people pushing carts full of merchandise everywhere you go.
Wandering through the aisles at Target (well, I said every single person, didn't I? We needed another snow shovel, since the blowers were all sold out!), I noticed gaping spaces on the shelves where all the sale cereals should be, barren racks with only one or two shovels to choose from, and way too many people. I was grateful I only had to pick up a few things, so I didn't have to navigate a ginormous shopping cart through the minimally available spaces. The entire way home, I happily thought about how I could probably cook anything I wanted tomorrow without having to shop for it, from cookies, to pot roast, to biscuits with brown sugar. Whoever came up with the idea of having food storage was brilliant. Not just because someday an emergency might limit my ability to purchase food, but because whenever a Nor'easter comes my way, I don't have to worry about running out of milk, or flour, or tomatoes, or whatever. I can just go shopping in my storage room, and presto! I have everything I need. Without having to shovel or plow!
And now I'm going to hunker down, watch a Christmas movie, and think about how blessed I am with a roof over my head, heat eminating from my radiators, and enough food to eat in my cupboards. Bring it on, snow! I'm ready for you.
We're expecting a major snowstorm tonight. Just like the rest of the Northeast. Consequently (and this is something I have found entertaining since the first winter I lived here), every single person in this area has gone out - to stock up on food, or to buy a snow blower/shovel, or to finish the Christmas shopping they would have done tomorrow if snow hadn't been in the forecast. Traffic is nasty, parking lots are filled and overflowing, and there are long lines of people pushing carts full of merchandise everywhere you go.
Wandering through the aisles at Target (well, I said every single person, didn't I? We needed another snow shovel, since the blowers were all sold out!), I noticed gaping spaces on the shelves where all the sale cereals should be, barren racks with only one or two shovels to choose from, and way too many people. I was grateful I only had to pick up a few things, so I didn't have to navigate a ginormous shopping cart through the minimally available spaces. The entire way home, I happily thought about how I could probably cook anything I wanted tomorrow without having to shop for it, from cookies, to pot roast, to biscuits with brown sugar. Whoever came up with the idea of having food storage was brilliant. Not just because someday an emergency might limit my ability to purchase food, but because whenever a Nor'easter comes my way, I don't have to worry about running out of milk, or flour, or tomatoes, or whatever. I can just go shopping in my storage room, and presto! I have everything I need. Without having to shovel or plow!
And now I'm going to hunker down, watch a Christmas movie, and think about how blessed I am with a roof over my head, heat eminating from my radiators, and enough food to eat in my cupboards. Bring it on, snow! I'm ready for you.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
14 (feels like -2)
Brrr. The walk from the garage to pick up the trash cans nearly froze my feet and fingers.
My friend at work says you burn more calories when it's cold. Aha! A reason to be celebrate winter! Of course, knowing the temperature, I am now even more motivated to make pie. Extra calories and a 425 degree oven - two benefits for one chunk of effort. Talk about awesome.
What's that? Oh, it's an apple cranberry experiment. I'll let you know how it turns out.
POST EDIT: Yum. The combination of tart and sweet is fabulous. And it is beautiful! Double bonus. Thanks be to a certain Home Teacher Emeritus for the use of the apple corer/peeler/slicer gizmo. All the time spent chatting at your house was about the same amount of time I saved having to peel and slice apples by hand. What could be better? Hot apple pie, Christmas music, a warm house... life is good!
My friend at work says you burn more calories when it's cold. Aha! A reason to be celebrate winter! Of course, knowing the temperature, I am now even more motivated to make pie. Extra calories and a 425 degree oven - two benefits for one chunk of effort. Talk about awesome.
What's that? Oh, it's an apple cranberry experiment. I'll let you know how it turns out.
POST EDIT: Yum. The combination of tart and sweet is fabulous. And it is beautiful! Double bonus. Thanks be to a certain Home Teacher Emeritus for the use of the apple corer/peeler/slicer gizmo. All the time spent chatting at your house was about the same amount of time I saved having to peel and slice apples by hand. What could be better? Hot apple pie, Christmas music, a warm house... life is good!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Parking Lot Blessings
Today I woke up late. Late = rushed. Rushed = no time for things one normally does in the morning before work. But some things are essential. So, before walking into the office, I took a few minutes and read from the Book of Mormon. It was hardly long enough to merit the word "study" as a descriptor, but it was sufficient to bring peace into my heart. It ended with a request for the guidance of the Spirit even without the usual morning study.
I was halfway home this evening when the thought occurred to me that there was a distinct improvement in my mood between my morning and evening commutes. And then I remembered the five minutes in the parking lot with my scriptures, and I said a silent prayer of gratitude to the Lord for answering my prayers.
Joseph Smith was right when he said the Book of Mormon is "the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (he said that here)
I was halfway home this evening when the thought occurred to me that there was a distinct improvement in my mood between my morning and evening commutes. And then I remembered the five minutes in the parking lot with my scriptures, and I said a silent prayer of gratitude to the Lord for answering my prayers.
Joseph Smith was right when he said the Book of Mormon is "the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (he said that here)
And that, my friends,
was the lesson taught
in a parking lot
this mild winter morning.
Monday, December 14, 2009
What's Goin' On?
Goodbyes are never fun.
My friend MD is leaving our midst and heading west. We will miss him. We bid him a fond farewell tonight with a party, complete with all his favorite sayings, including: Go Badgers!
My friend MD is leaving our midst and heading west. We will miss him. We bid him a fond farewell tonight with a party, complete with all his favorite sayings, including: Go Badgers!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
A Christmas Thought
"He is despised and rejected of men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and we hid as it were our faces from him;
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he has borne our griefs,
and carried our sorrows;
yet we did esteem him stricken,
smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities;
the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his striped we are healed."
(Abinadi quoting Isaiah 53:3-5)
There was a Christmas concert tonight. We lifted our voices in glorious song to praise our God for the Babe in Bethlehem. As I sang, I felt the Spirit witness to me of the divinity of the Son of God, even Jesus Christ our Savior. He came to earth that he might save all men, even as many as would believe on His name. He has felt of my pain and sorrow - whether physical, emotional, or spiritual - and through His Atonement I find peace, healing, and rest. How grateful I am for this Christmas season and the opportunity to remember Him.
Words seem pathetically inadequate... I read this and wonder if it captures the feeling that the memory elicits. Would that I had the writer's equivalent of the tongue of angels to convey the ideas floating in my head... thoughts of Christ that elevate the soul and instill gratitude into the human heart.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Feast: Day 2
I've been hungry today. Spiritually and physically (but mostly the former). I made a choice to wait until lunchtime to study from the scriptures this morning. It turned out to be a good learning experience, but not necessarily a good choice. Lunchtime, which I had determined should be half an hour long, was crowded out by other activities, and ended up being only 11 minutes long.
Feasting in a rush, it turns out, doesn't work. You're so distracted by the rushing that you don't remember much about the feast.
So, the lesson for the day? Eat. Early. And well.
Feasting in a rush, it turns out, doesn't work. You're so distracted by the rushing that you don't remember much about the feast.
So, the lesson for the day? Eat. Early. And well.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Feast: Day 1
This morning, I feasted on the words of Christ.
I ended full, and grateful to know there is more to come tomorrow.
It was wonderful.
Tonight, I feasted on enchiladas.
I ended full, and with leftovers.
Double bonus for me!
I vote for following the counsel of priesthood leaders.
It is always a good thing.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Contemplations
Let's take a "would you rather?" poll!
Parallel park, take the T, or beg shamelessly for a ride? I pick begging first ... then the T. I admit. I don't parallel park.
Did you also know that wearing something on your head protects carefully straightened hair from curling (read: frizzing) in the wetness... and has the added bonus of keeping you very warm? Take that, you slushy sleet and snow and rain that fell all day upon the land! Your lousy weather might have depleted my sunshine reservoir and made for lots of tragedy, but I emerged victorious!
Victorious and grateful. Grateful it wasn't me involved in the head-on collision I heard about this morning, or the squish up that required a fire truck & police car on the way home from work, or the left-turn lane accident that needed an ambulance at the intersection that should NEVER have blinking red and yellow lights instead of functioning stoplights, even and especially in lousy fog & drizzle when half the road is a puddle the size of a small Arizona pond. Seriously. All that was missing was a rubber ducky.
On the upside for the evening, the Institute closing social tonight was an excellent reminder of the urgent need to feast upon the words of Christ daily. Not nibble. Not just have appetizers. Not taste-test or graze. Feast. Gluttonously. That will be a filling exercise over the next few days. We shall see how it goes.
And that is all, since the day is over.
PS - did you know that CTRL+ALT+arrow key rotates your entire computer screen? Weird.
Parallel park, take the T, or beg shamelessly for a ride? I pick begging first ... then the T. I admit. I don't parallel park.
Did you also know that wearing something on your head protects carefully straightened hair from curling (read: frizzing) in the wetness... and has the added bonus of keeping you very warm? Take that, you slushy sleet and snow and rain that fell all day upon the land! Your lousy weather might have depleted my sunshine reservoir and made for lots of tragedy, but I emerged victorious!
Victorious and grateful. Grateful it wasn't me involved in the head-on collision I heard about this morning, or the squish up that required a fire truck & police car on the way home from work, or the left-turn lane accident that needed an ambulance at the intersection that should NEVER have blinking red and yellow lights instead of functioning stoplights, even and especially in lousy fog & drizzle when half the road is a puddle the size of a small Arizona pond. Seriously. All that was missing was a rubber ducky.
On the upside for the evening, the Institute closing social tonight was an excellent reminder of the urgent need to feast upon the words of Christ daily. Not nibble. Not just have appetizers. Not taste-test or graze. Feast. Gluttonously. That will be a filling exercise over the next few days. We shall see how it goes.
And that is all, since the day is over.
PS - did you know that CTRL+ALT+arrow key rotates your entire computer screen? Weird.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
A Tuesday Story
You will remember the post about my fritzed-out microwave.
For 3 days in a row, I attempted using it again... and it kept fritzing out on me. So I decided to leave it alone until I had time to fix it.
Tonight, just out of curiosity, I turned it on. It worked! So I had warm taco soup for dinner. Yum. I was grateful... both for the hot soup and that I don't have to wash a pot!
And then I laughed, because I now have one more reason to perpetuate the "ignore the problem and maybe it will fix itself!" mentality. How unhelpful. This does not promote responsible grown-up behavior. But it is a nice bonus for those of us who occasionally try to avoid it.
The end.
For 3 days in a row, I attempted using it again... and it kept fritzing out on me. So I decided to leave it alone until I had time to fix it.
Tonight, just out of curiosity, I turned it on. It worked! So I had warm taco soup for dinner. Yum. I was grateful... both for the hot soup and that I don't have to wash a pot!
And then I laughed, because I now have one more reason to perpetuate the "ignore the problem and maybe it will fix itself!" mentality. How unhelpful. This does not promote responsible grown-up behavior. But it is a nice bonus for those of us who occasionally try to avoid it.
The end.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Let it Snow!
It is officially the Christmas season!
There is fake snow inside, and real snow outside.
There is fake snow inside, and real snow outside.
Thus beginneth the time of blankets and good books,
apple cider and down comforters,
sweaters and snow boots.
The season of the year
when I contemplate the majesty of God's creations,
every time I see
the kaleidoscope of patterns in the falling snow
as it floats down through the night,
every time I hear
my snow boots crunch
on the powder-covered earth,
and every time the light
reflecting off the drifts
chases the darkness of the night away.
And more importantly, I remember that a Baby was born
in Bethlehem, a long time ago,who lived and died and rose again:
to break the bonds of death, to redeem me from my sins,
and to grant me the opportunity for everlasting life.
Happy Holidays!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Small and Simple Things
As a prophet has declared,
it is by
small and simple things
that
are brought to pass.
Tonight, after much effort and labor (ok, maybe an hour, but that's a lot for this project!), all the clothing is sorted, hung or folded, and put away. Why is that a big deal, you ask? Well. Here we are, three weeks from the official start of winter, the warm weather having gone the way of all the earth, and I still had summer clothes in the closet. To finally have them put away is a satisfying feeling. (Plus, if you don't put them away, there is nothing to rediscover in the spring!) And since the summer clothes are put in storage, the winter clothes are also accessible. To top it off, they aren't lying on the spare room bed anymore... for the first time in, well, a while. I knew I had a closet for something!
Oh, and did I mention I also cleaned the bathroom and did the dishes? Three of the peskiest chores are now done. For at least a few minutes. Tomorrow I get to do laundry again. But tonight, I feel very satisfied with the progress I have made in bringing order and peace into my home.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Counting
There is a wonderful hymn entitled "Count Your Blessings". One of the verses reads: Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."
Tonight, I feel inclined to count again.
1. Warm weather in December. It was over 60 degrees today, a reminder that the bitter cold hasn't started quite yet, and that an all-powerful Being can send me a warm day to say "I love you".
2. Sincere friends.
3. The Christmas season and all it represents.
4. Inspiration.
5. Sunshine.
6. Family.
More to come, I'm sure. What blessings did you count today?
Tonight, I feel inclined to count again.
1. Warm weather in December. It was over 60 degrees today, a reminder that the bitter cold hasn't started quite yet, and that an all-powerful Being can send me a warm day to say "I love you".
2. Sincere friends.
3. The Christmas season and all it represents.
4. Inspiration.
5. Sunshine.
6. Family.
More to come, I'm sure. What blessings did you count today?
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sabbath Ponderings
Happy Sabbath! It is my favorite day of the week. Although today has presented some interesting challenges...
I came home from church to find my wireless connection was on the fritz. Of course, the first thought that popped into my head was, "you should call RB (a CS grad known for his problem-solving skills)". So I did, and he talked me through fixing the wacky wireless connection. I got off the phone thinking: problem solved. I can access Gmail again, so I'm all set. And I know how to fix it next time it goes nuts. Life is good. Right?
Wrong. I started making dinner, and my microwave fritzed out. No kidding. It's like it hates butternut squash or something! Seriously. The sad thing is, this time, I don't have a graduate in "microwave science" with problem solving skills in my reportoire of friends to fix it for me. Thus, the first thought that popped into my head this time was, "I need a husband." And I do. And I'm taking applications.
The good news, of course, is that I can live without a microwave. Well, I won't eat butternut squash until it's fixed, but whatever. Why is it so easy, you ask? Because... I have a toaster oven! Think toasted muenster cheese on sourdough bread. For every meal. Mmmm..... Well, except breakfast. Breakfast is why they invented cereal... and who microwaves their cereal? Seriously.
In other news... last night I went to a friends' house to watch the BYU/Utah game. I haven't watched football in years, purportedly because I'm not that into it. Then I caught myself yelling at the TV when two BYU guys were trying to catch up with and tackle a Ute player who had the ball. They did. And then I was happy. Maybe I don't watch sports because I do get into it. It was entertaining, to say the least, and I enjoyed watching a bunch of fans jump up and cheer for a team playing two times zones away when we made the final touchdown.
I also went to the temple with my friend S yesterday. Good friends are a wonderful part of mortality that make me happy. And tonight, RB and HTE made pancakes. I ate well in exchange for a few dishes done... at least one of the two kitchens is clean! (Mine's not.) Thanks, friends.
And now the Sabbath is ending and a new week awaits. So much for my lovely vacation... it's over. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be Thanksgiving for me to be grateful! Today I am grateful for
I came home from church to find my wireless connection was on the fritz. Of course, the first thought that popped into my head was, "you should call RB (a CS grad known for his problem-solving skills)". So I did, and he talked me through fixing the wacky wireless connection. I got off the phone thinking: problem solved. I can access Gmail again, so I'm all set. And I know how to fix it next time it goes nuts. Life is good. Right?
Wrong. I started making dinner, and my microwave fritzed out. No kidding. It's like it hates butternut squash or something! Seriously. The sad thing is, this time, I don't have a graduate in "microwave science" with problem solving skills in my reportoire of friends to fix it for me. Thus, the first thought that popped into my head this time was, "I need a husband." And I do. And I'm taking applications.
The good news, of course, is that I can live without a microwave. Well, I won't eat butternut squash until it's fixed, but whatever. Why is it so easy, you ask? Because... I have a toaster oven! Think toasted muenster cheese on sourdough bread. For every meal. Mmmm..... Well, except breakfast. Breakfast is why they invented cereal... and who microwaves their cereal? Seriously.
In other news... last night I went to a friends' house to watch the BYU/Utah game. I haven't watched football in years, purportedly because I'm not that into it. Then I caught myself yelling at the TV when two BYU guys were trying to catch up with and tackle a Ute player who had the ball. They did. And then I was happy. Maybe I don't watch sports because I do get into it. It was entertaining, to say the least, and I enjoyed watching a bunch of fans jump up and cheer for a team playing two times zones away when we made the final touchdown.
I also went to the temple with my friend S yesterday. Good friends are a wonderful part of mortality that make me happy. And tonight, RB and HTE made pancakes. I ate well in exchange for a few dishes done... at least one of the two kitchens is clean! (Mine's not.) Thanks, friends.
And now the Sabbath is ending and a new week awaits. So much for my lovely vacation... it's over. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be Thanksgiving for me to be grateful! Today I am grateful for
friends...
feeling the Spirit in church meetings...
a deeper understanding of the condescension of God...
iTunes (whose music kept me from getting upset when said microwave fritzed)...
Christmas music...
choir...
& my bed.
Goodnight.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Discoveries
Today I discovered that L really likes broccoli. She's two and a half. I think that's entertaining. I didn't like broccoli until I was in college, if I remember correctly. Despite her odd affinity for vegetables and Mentos, she's a cute one! We went to the store together today. Aside from the oddness of driving a minivan instead of a 4-passenger car on unfamiliar roads with only verbal instructions for how to get where we were going, it was a pretty fun experience. Things take longer when you are with a little one. It was refreshing to take my time and stop and enjoy the experience instead of just rushing in, picking up what I needed, and rushing out again. Then again, when I'm on vacation, I have time to take to enjoy the little things. It wasn't like I was rushing back to work. And that was also nice.
Tonight we played DDR together. We have to do that, you see, to work off all the pie we are eating. So far we have made 5 pies in celebration of Thanksgiving week: apple, peach, pumpkin x2, and blueberry. Pie is one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions. If there are as many pies as there are people, it is a successful pie making year. This year, we've done 5 for 3 adults and 4 kids. That's good. Mmm...
Tonight we played DDR together. We have to do that, you see, to work off all the pie we are eating. So far we have made 5 pies in celebration of Thanksgiving week: apple, peach, pumpkin x2, and blueberry. Pie is one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions. If there are as many pies as there are people, it is a successful pie making year. This year, we've done 5 for 3 adults and 4 kids. That's good. Mmm...
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Baptism & FHE
Yesterday I went to my niece's baptism. She's eight and has the most delightful giggle! It was touching for me to see her choose to do something because she believes in it. I love M. I have observed in her a great desire to do what is right, and she is a deep thinker, even at her young age. We sang songs about baptism, heard talks on baptism and the Holy Ghost, watched M get baptized, and ate treats to celebrate afterward.
Today I helped my other niece B teach a family home evening lesson on being diligent and studying the scriptures. We used the text of a General Conference talk as the basis for our lesson. Teaching children is different than teaching Relief Society. It requires more object lessons and less theory. It also requires being very practical (as opposed to theoretical), and out of necessity, it must needs be focused so as not to lose the attention of the audience. And yet, I learned much from today's lesson in spite of the change in style. It was good to be reminded.
Today I helped my other niece B teach a family home evening lesson on being diligent and studying the scriptures. We used the text of a General Conference talk as the basis for our lesson. Teaching children is different than teaching Relief Society. It requires more object lessons and less theory. It also requires being very practical (as opposed to theoretical), and out of necessity, it must needs be focused so as not to lose the attention of the audience. And yet, I learned much from today's lesson in spite of the change in style. It was good to be reminded.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
On Gratitude
In the Spirit of Thanksgiving
Watching this new video filled my heart with gratitude. (My heart would fill even more with gratitude if I could figure out how to make it show up on this page instead of as a link, but whatever. I'll learn someday.)
Happy pre-Thanksgiving week!
Watching this new video filled my heart with gratitude. (My heart would fill even more with gratitude if I could figure out how to make it show up on this page instead of as a link, but whatever. I'll learn someday.)
Happy pre-Thanksgiving week!
On Plans
All my life I have been taught about the Plan. Plan with a capital P, because it's big. Big enough that it encompasses every person on the earth: all those who lived before, those who live now, and those who will yet be born. The Plan of Happiness, the Plan of Salvation, the Plan of Redemption. The scriptures have given it all kinds of names - all accurate - and basically, it is the Plan that God put into motion to allow all His children the opportunity to be saved.
This week, I gained a bit of insight into another plan. This one has a little p, because it's comparatively tiny. But just as important. This plan is the one He has carefully and lovingly designed for me. Not me along with all His other kids - just me. It's the micro version of the big Plan - and there's a micro version for everyone.
Being one who loves creating both a high-level conceptual design and a low-level detailed process flow, it is a comforting and happy thought to know that there is a 100,000-foot view that encompasses the entire world, and a 10-foot view that is just for me.
And that is one more reason why I believe.
This week, I gained a bit of insight into another plan. This one has a little p, because it's comparatively tiny. But just as important. This plan is the one He has carefully and lovingly designed for me. Not me along with all His other kids - just me. It's the micro version of the big Plan - and there's a micro version for everyone.
Being one who loves creating both a high-level conceptual design and a low-level detailed process flow, it is a comforting and happy thought to know that there is a 100,000-foot view that encompasses the entire world, and a 10-foot view that is just for me.
And that is one more reason why I believe.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Sharing
NieNie shared this with me...
now I share it with you.
Jeffrey R. Holland's thoughts on love.
I will probably watch it a few more times,
just to make sure it really sinks in deep.
In other news,
my time in the temple tonight
created a bubble of joy within my soul,
and filled my heart to overflowing.
It was wonderful.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Scripture Study is Good for the Soul
I am preparing my lesson for Relief Society on Sunday. Today, that meant immersing myself in the scriptures. As I pondered the role of this final dispensation in the greater context of the Plan of Salvation, I found my heart lighter and my mind elevated. It has lifted me beyond the concerns that have lodged in my heart this week, and helped me to see past the sometimes mundane tasks that fill my waking hours. I felt the joy that accompanies light as it filled my mind and heart.
Imagine how motivating the words of the Prophet Joseph must have been to the early saints of the Church. They certainly motivate me!
"The work which has to be accomplished in the last days is one of vast importance, and will call into action the energy, skill, talent, and ability of the Saints, so that it may roll forth with that glory and majesty described by the prophet [Daniel]; and will consequently require the concentration of the Saints, to accomplish works of such magnitude and grandeur. ... well will it be for those who shall aid in carrying into effect the mighty operations of Jehovah." (Joseph Smith)
In what greater work can we engage than assisting our Lord in bringing salvation to His children?
Imagine how motivating the words of the Prophet Joseph must have been to the early saints of the Church. They certainly motivate me!
"The work which has to be accomplished in the last days is one of vast importance, and will call into action the energy, skill, talent, and ability of the Saints, so that it may roll forth with that glory and majesty described by the prophet [Daniel]; and will consequently require the concentration of the Saints, to accomplish works of such magnitude and grandeur. ... well will it be for those who shall aid in carrying into effect the mighty operations of Jehovah." (Joseph Smith)
In what greater work can we engage than assisting our Lord in bringing salvation to His children?
Monday, November 9, 2009
On Kindness
These words from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin floated around in my head last night and today.
"Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others. Kindness should permeate all of our words and actions at work, at school, at church, and especially in our homes. ... When we are filled with kindness, we are not judgmental. The Savior taught, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” He also taught that “with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
“But,” you ask, “what if people are rude?” Love them. “If they are obnoxious?” Love them. “But what if they offend? Surely I must do something then?” Love them. “Wayward?” The answer is the same. Be kind. Love them. Why? In the scriptures Jude taught, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” Who can tell what far-reaching impact we can have if we are only kind?"
It has been 4 years since he spoke these words. I am finally starting to recognize the implications of their application. This is one of the greatest sermons on kindness of which I am aware.
"Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others. Kindness should permeate all of our words and actions at work, at school, at church, and especially in our homes. ... When we are filled with kindness, we are not judgmental. The Savior taught, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” He also taught that “with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
“But,” you ask, “what if people are rude?” Love them. “If they are obnoxious?” Love them. “But what if they offend? Surely I must do something then?” Love them. “Wayward?” The answer is the same. Be kind. Love them. Why? In the scriptures Jude taught, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” Who can tell what far-reaching impact we can have if we are only kind?"
It has been 4 years since he spoke these words. I am finally starting to recognize the implications of their application. This is one of the greatest sermons on kindness of which I am aware.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Beginnings
Welcome to my new blog. For those who are hoping for detailed updates on my life, you might be disappointed, at least at first. My imagination tells me this will be more of a place to share my thoughts and things I'm learning. It will be a place to visit that will leave you a better person than when you came, and a place to share what I know to be truth.
Why Blue Skies and Lilacs, you ask? There is a Primary song that I have always loved, which contains these words:
Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky, ...
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by a lilac tree, ...
I know Heavenly Father loves me.
And that is why.
And that is why.
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