Happy Sabbath!

Today was fun and insightful.

I felt inspired by the talks in church,

and motivated to express my creativity,

I spent time with good friends,

received positive feedback,

and I love wandering into a subject of conversation

that someone else is passionate about

and letting them talk.

You learn so much about who they really are, and

it is SO FUN!

More on Gratitude

Today I am grateful:

- that I woke up earlier than usual (and thus discovered my hot water didn't work in the kitchen while I had time to do something about it)
- that my uneducated efforts to figure out what was going on didn't cause a bigger problem (like they could have)
- that I figured out how to get the ladder I bought at Home Depot out of my car again after I got home
- that I was wise enough to realize when I was in over my head (read: not confident enough in my skills to risk climbing around in the attic alone)
- that I had already gotten a referral for a plumber from my neighbor
- that my pipes only froze, not burst
- that they thawed before the plumber had to do a bunch of expensive things to figure out what was up
- that I managed to run all my errands today in spite of it all

And that tomorrow is Sunday.  Happy weekend, everyone!

Why I Go to Institute

Last night, I tried hard, but only made it to about the last 30 minutes of institute.  So, I'm not really sure what the lesson was supposed to be focused on, but I was able to get a reasonable idea from the time I was there (and it was better than when I only made it to the last 10 minutes of institute the week before!).  I heard a lot of things, and one thing stuck with me:

Understanding our relationship with Deity (we are His children) and that we are created in His image should change the way we treat everyone around us.

This morning, I got upset at the person who (probably didn't see me and) tried to turn left as I was coming at her, forcing me to slam on my brakes, and then she stopped right in the middle of the intersection where I would have run directly into her had I not been as successful stopping as I was, which made me even more frustrated because then I couldn't exactly go around her so she had to go first and then the guy who was going straight decided to go in front of me (probably because he was annoyed that the whole thing happened right in his way) too.  This, of course, only took about 14 seconds, but left me riled up for 10 minutes... until I got to work and was distracted by something much more productive than fuming about something that happened to me (that I probably have done to someone else in the past).  Once I got over being mad, I was just grateful it turned out so well - no ice on the road, no impact, no one got hurt, and I learned an important lesson:

Understanding our relationship with Deity (we are His children) and that we are created in His image should change the way we treat everyone around us. 

Hence the parenthetical remarks in the above story... they are what my brain kept thinking as I processed what had happened.  Hopefully, my actions will catch up with my thoughts some day.

A Crunch

I used to not prefer apples to other fruits.  Then I moved to a place where you can pick them off a tree and eat them fresh.  (I grew up doing that with oranges and grapefruit.  After a few years, I didn't even have to put sugar on my grapefruit.  Just so you know.)  And then, I found a market that sells them - the apples - fresh.  Fresh apples are crisper and juicier than old apples.  Thus, they taste much better.  Tonight, I realized that I have eaten a crisp, juicy Granny Smith apple almost every day for a few months.  And enjoyed them.  Bingo!  The "what fruit do I eat in the winter?" problem is solved!

Yeah, I know you're wondering.  I don't eat grapefruit when it's in season, even though I love it. Because I have to buy it from the store or pay to ship the fresh stuff from Arizona.  And let's face it.  Buying inferior fruit at even reasonable prices is less than ideal.  I'm a citrus snob.  And shipping it is expensive. (Hence the annual visit to Arizona to get warm, eat grapefruit, and - oh yeah - see family.)

I like the apple crunch better than the staff crunch.  In October, we lost one.  We backfilled and we did OK.  Then one left us for California.  We changed plans and backfilled again.  Today I learned another one is moving on.  Oye!  Make new plans yet again!  "Nothing endures but change..."  So change we will.

More of a Tweet than a Blogpost (Oh Well)

It's 50 degrees right now (at 10 pm!) and I'm grateful.  No more ice-encrusted anything!

Tender Mercies

Yesterday my brain was working through what seemed to be a tricky problem, and I couldn't figure out the answer.  I talked through my thoughts with a compassionate friend, but still felt "off" for most of the day.  As I closed my day with scripture study, the beginnings of an answer started peeking out from hidden, dusty corners in my mind, and I realized I had been neglecting the spiritual things just enough so that those corners' lights - the ones where my answers always were - were dim.  The study and pondering associated with this Sabbath day culminated in an answer of such clarity that I wondered at my prior confusion.  As I related the experience to my home teacher, I realized that it was a simple way for a kind Father to teach me how important those little things - prayer, serious study, temple attendance - can be.  And I was grateful for the His tender mercies that reminded me (in a relatively painless way) of what He wants me to do.

Tonight, I visited a friend for her birthday.  Walking to and from my car, I heard the steady drip-drip-drip that I usually associate with rain, but none was falling.  Then it dawned on me.  The snow was melting... and the drip-drip-drip was the sound of water running off trees and houses.  What a blessing!  The temperature is not forecast to drop below freezing tonight, and combined with rain tomorrow, we might even see some parts of my world free of snow, ice, dirt and sand for a few days.  To some, this might not seem like much... to a person used to a plethora of sunshine and short winters, it is a blessed reprieve from the cold days ahead.

On Laughter

There is something healthy and healing about laughter.  Perhaps this is because laughter is hard to conjure up alone.  It takes another person, someone else's contribution, the infectious giggle of a child or guffaw of a friend, to bring the bubble of hilarity to the surface.  And then, the freeing moment when it bursts out as laughter!  Genuine laughter - the kind that is shared with, not directed at, another - solidifies friendship and pushes away the feelings of loneliness and doubt that sometimes invade the mind and heart.  It works the muscles in your face and chest, strengthening and expanding the space therein and making room for love.  And whenever laughter and love are shared, peace prevails.

Reflections

I love one-on-one girl time.

Groups are pleasant, and dating is fun.

But there is something comfortably satisfying

About being together, curled up on the couch,

Just you and a best girl friend,

Chatting, sharing & laughing,

With a cup of hot cider

Enjoying girl time.

On January

1. January often serves to remind me of how much I will appreciate spring.  2 Nephi 2:11
2. January is a time for resolution and change.
3. In January, I clean, organize, and de-junk.
4. January is the busiest work month, but it is the least busy month otherwise, thus bringing some balance... at least I work without the guilt of missing something more fun.
5. When January flies by, as it seems to be doing this year (the 20th? already???), I am reminded of how much the Lord loves me - enough to make the harder months go by quickly.

Tonight, as I walked to my car, I looked up and saw a bigger-than-a-sliver-but-smaller-than-a-quarter moon shining brightly between two trees.  And I thought to myself, I am glad the sky is clear so I can see that moon - it is my favorite part of the evening.  (See why here.)  And looking at the bright side... if I had left work earlier like I wanted to?  I would have missed the moon.

A Story

Chunks of snow and ice line driveways and sidewalks, and freezing rain falls from the sky.  The temperature hovers just enough above freezing that the precipitation doesn't yield an icy, disastrous mess on roads and walks.  Somewhere between a skiff and half an inch of wet powder covers anything left stationary for longer than an hour or two, and the sun tries bravely to penetrate the heavy grey clouds.

Life must go on despite the weather, though.  So at least one individual left the house earlier than usual, found a parking spot left vacant of both a car and too-deep snow, and tramped a bit over the crusted ice piled up from last night's fall ... to reach the polling place.  There, determined to be one of the people whose voice is heard, she cast her vote, and in so doing, participated in a process that men gave their lives to obtain on her behalf.

The responsibility is not one to be taken lightly.  Tomorrow, she will learn who obtained the voice of the people, and then will know how well she and those who think as she does will be represented on Capitol Hill.  And this time, major changes - both those pending and those yet unforseen - will be determined by the ballot she cast.  Changes that will impact not only her, but loved ones and strangers across this vast nation, as well as children yet unborn. 

One vote - one bubble filled in on a scantron sheet - could easily be rationalized as being so minute in its effect that it is not worth her time.  But it is her responsibility to do what she can to be a influence for good in this world.  And today, voting was one small way to fulfill that responsibility.

The End.

On Life

I have been thinking about some of the blessings of mortality, and in the process, the following song I learned in Primary popped into my head.  I love the truths it conveys:

My life is a gift, my life has a plan

My life has a purpose, in heaven it began

My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth

And seek for God's light to direct me from birth.

I will follow God's plan for me

Holding fast to His word and His love

I will work and I will pray, and I will always walk in His way

Then I will be happy on earth, and in my home above.

(Primary Children's Songbook)

We discussed the Plan and the plan again in Relief Society today, and I'm grateful for both of them - the little plan that is specifically for me, and the Big Plan that is for everyone all at once.  What a blessing it is to know there is greater purpose to this life beyond the trivial and the mundane that we deal with on a daily basis - that we are being tutored in the characteristics that will make us like our Heavenly Father!

Facts

Playing games all afternoon on a Saturday is more fun than working. Or cleaning. Or doing pretty much anything else on your list of things you could be doing.

The world won't end if you don't mop the floor today.  But it sure is nice once it's done.

Sunshine makes you feel happy.  Especially after a few days of gloomy looking clouds in the sky.

Friends also contribute to your happiness.  Particularly when you know they love you for who you are, so you don't have to worry about saying or doing something dumb in front of them.

It feels good to get rid of stuff you don't use and bring increased order into your life.  An extra bit of good feeling comes when you know someone else will be blessed for having it.

Some projects take more energy to postpone than they do to accomplish.  Like cleaning the bathroom.  I finally got around to doing it today, and within 10 minutes I was done!  Why didn't I do that 3 weeks ago?

Who Has Something to Share?

My life has not exactly been fraught with adventure these days. In spite of my attempts to write an interesting and captivating post every night this week, I never even made it as far as a title.  So much for that.  It's almost laughable...

I had a conversation that went something like this tonight:

   "How are things since I saw you last?" (three days ago)
   "Good, but there is nothing interesting to tell."
   "Yeah, me neither." 

Strangely, the conversation went on for 5 or 10 minutes after that.  That is the mark of a good friend.  You can talk even when there is nothing to talk about.

Good things about this week:

The glass I accidentally smashed against the countertop only broke into four pieces instead of one million, seven hundred fifty three thousand, four hundred twenty six.  That made it easy to clean up.  And the custard cup I dropped didn't break at all.  PS. Don't try to do dishes when you're very tired.  It's potentially dangerous.

New Year's Goals: I ate dinner three nights in a row.  Check. And, there are no clothes on the floor. Check. And one bedroom looks great. Check. (Don't ask about the other bedroom.)

I have enjoyed studying about the creation as I prepare for our Sunday School lesson next week.  It is a wonderful thing to read over familiar and comfortable passages of scripture.  It's kind of like a warm blanket wrapped around your soul, soothing and calming your heart.  And, I think, having a greater understanding of one's relationship to Deity makes the part about how He created man and woman in His image even more significant.  I am a child of God.  And so are you.  It is a simple phrase, yet marvelous beyond our comprehension.  Pretty cool!

Creation

This is what I thought of



as I put together an Italian pasta dish last night, invited people over to enjoy it today, and then made pumpkin bread, enchiladas, and a happy home this beautiful Sabbath Day.

Learning Stuff

Well, folks, it's true.  Soy milk isn't always a suitable substitute for real milk when you're creating meals and snacks.  Granted, it does work in baked goods, chocolate pudding, and scrambled eggs (if you don't mind the slight vanilla-y flavor), but it is downright weird in tomato soup.  The good news?  I was the only one who had to endure such an odd flavor combination (tomato & basil, with a hint of vanilla...). And now I know. :-)

I was reading D&C 138 this morning and was impressed at the completeness of the Plan of Salvation and the work of the Savior's ministry - that it extends to all mankind who have ever lived on the face of the earth, whether they hear the gospel preached in this life or in the Spirit World.  Throughout my reading, I felt the Spirit testify of the truth of the words in this section of scripture, the profound power of the work of the temple, the love of our Savior for each of His children, and the influence for good the gospel message can have in our lives.  What a thing to take part in!

Victories

You know how sometimes you have to make goals about daily tasks, just so you get things done? Because the hardest part is remembering it's on the list o' things to do?  And the second hardest part is getting motivated to do it?  Let's pretend those are New Year's Resolutions. Whammo!  I feel super successful - and it's only the first week of January!

1. Call the two people I needed to connect with about stuff & things.  Check.
2. Go to Home Depot to get educated about an appliance we need. Check.
3. Find at least half of the dining room table. Check.
4. And the countertop where all the dirty dishes used to be.  Check.
5. And free the stove of last week's cereal crumbs and the pre-Christmas pie crumbs.  Check.
6. Not to mention that I used and cleaned the George Forman, both in the same day.  Check plus.

Small goals = big success, guilt-free.

On Green

Just in case you are wondering, I fit a stereotype.

I'm LDS and I love green jello.

Not with carrots, though.

With pineapple.

Yum.

I was going to be all healthy tonight

and walk to FHE...

but then I was running late,

so I nixed the idea.

On the plus side,

there was plenty of available parking,

so I didn't have to drive around for 10 minutes

looking for a legal spot

like I sometimes do.

Plus two: it was Freezing. Cold. 

As in, driving was a way better

method of transportation. 

Hands down (wearing gloves). 

Maybe conserving the environment

by reducing vehicle emissions

will wait a few months

until the earth is closer to the sun.

(Although ... would driving 3 miles less

have made that much difference?)

Budding Thoughts

Today I am wishing for some blue skies and lilacs.  Instead, I get grey skies laden with snow and wind.  Brr... I'm bundled up in a warm blanket my friend gave me for my birthday and a bunch of layers (almost to the point of ridiculosity), and I'm feeling warm now, for which I am grateful.  Around 1:00 pm, the sun broke through the clouds and a few brief rays of sunshine found their way into my windows.  A stream of light illuminated a section of my dining room and splashed on my living room rug.  As much as I could, I turned my face toward the sunshine and felt grateful for its brief appearance in my life today.  Every day, I am grateful for the Son as well as the sun.  I think it is not by accident that those two words sound the same...

Teaching Relief Society is an interesting experience.  Sometimes (today included), even after adequate preparation, I don't feel an overwhelming sense of direction as to which points in the lesson need greater attention.  My desire as a teacher is to lead a discussion that will enable at least one sister to feel the Spirit.  Sometimes I can feel it, so I know it has happened.  Sometimes I can't feel anything special - and then I just keep going until it is time to close.  It's these times that are most interesting.  Did I do a good job?  A bad job?  A mediocre job?  If I don't feel it, how can I know?

Invariably, after lessons like these, someone will come up to me and say "thank you - I felt the Spirit".  That got me thinking today.  Sometimes I think we expect our experiences with the Spirit to be big and miraculous every time.  Then we have a day where we have the Spirit with us, and we feel nothing different - because feeling the Spirit is normal.  It is a simple, quiet influence whose effect is indiscernable if a particular day is viewed in isolation, but when we look back over years of life, we find it has changed us in remarkable ways.  So at least for now, I don't worry that I didn't feel anything "powerful" today.  That doesn't mean I have failed.  In fact, it may very well mean that I am succeeding beyond anything I could have imagined.

It's All About Perspective

I have figured out another way to make my chilly home feel warm.  Besides turning up the heat or turning on the oven, I mean.  Bundle up, go out, and visit someone whose home is even colder.  After a few hours there, 65 degrees is downright comfortable.  Ahh, for spring.  Only 3 more months.

Tomorrow I get to teach about principles of the gospel that help to ease our burdens.  Elder Clayton gave a wonderful talk about it here, and it is full of good gems, like these:

" ... bearing up under our own burdens can help us develop a reservoir of empathy for the problems others face."

and

"Through it all, the Savior offers us sustaining strength and support, and in His own time and way, He offers deliverance."

I also learned today that gratitude helps bring perspective, which strengthens my shoulders and enables me to bear my burdens with greater ease.  How grateful I am for a knowledge of the Savior, who said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Celebrations

Ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to 2010!  Celebrate the holiday by throwing away useless stuff that is cluttering your space, cleaning the corners that usually get ignored, and going for a walk in the sunshine (even if it is cold).  That's what I'm going to do.  Assuming I can get off the couch and away from my computer for long enough. :-)