Merry Christmas

I had the best blessing this morning.

I went to the temple before work to give myself with a dose of true reality.  Guess who I saw there?  My best and most favoritest temple buddy!  It made my day so much better than it was... and her hug helped make all my other troubles seem more manageable. The odd part is, she doesn't usually work on Thursday mornings, that I know of, and I never go to the temple on Thursday mornings.  Except today.

Tonight I am most grateful for true, faithful friends.

My Life Is Insane.

Just when I think I have the hang of what I'm doing:

I have a day in which all I do is have meetings,
People start telling me their anxieties and that either
     (a) sucks my time
     (b) makes me anxious
     (c) both,
My to do list is longer than my Christmas list, (OK, maybe that's always been the case... but whatever.)
AND it snows.

Oh well.

5 days 'til FUN!

4 people at FHE

At least I ate 3 meals

2 stocking stuffers (to buy)

1 BlackBerry (maybe the battery will die).

Finished!

My project for a special friend is done! - and it's not even Christmas yet!  Pictures to come, maybe ... you have to wait at least until after the surprise isn't a surprise anymore.

I am almost done with Christmas shopping. Some things I have shipped to the Christmas place; others are spread around the house waiting to be wrapped and packed (although probably in the opposite order; the roll of wrapping paper will go in the suitcase with the presents at least until I've been through security). I think I did well this year at thinking of good gifts. And I'm almost done with my shopping.

This Sabbath Day was a good and productive one.  I feel rested and refreshed and ready to begin a new week (almost).

Six days and counting!

New Hope

Yesterday, I wanted to throw my hands in the air, give up and move on. What I am trying to do is hard, and sometimes I wonder if it is worth the effort. As I was feeling most weighed down by my troubles, I ran into a wonderful friend, who listened and encouraged me to let the Spirit guide me. Later, I pondered my situation, and I remembered all the little promptings I have had in the last month and a half - many of which I remembered as words written here, for you (but apparently mostly for me).

Today felt easier. I made some progress. And then, this evening, I watched a video found here. And I felt something else. Something indescribable, but something like peace. A feeling that perhaps (more likely definitely) there is something bigger going on here than I perceive. And everything will work out - it will not only be OK, but it will also bring me joy. I have God on my side.

That is the essence of this Christmas season.

On Grace

This thought has occurred to me more than once this weekend:

Grace - the divine enabling power offered by Jesus Christ to make us greater than we are on our own - is a gift of this season.

Just as Christmas is incomplete without Christ; without His grace, so we are incomplete. "Be ye therefore perfect", He taught, "even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Perfect, in the sense of complete, finished, fully developed.

A number of friends recently have related personal challenges - stumbling-blocks, heartache, feelings of inadequacy. But in each conversation, I hear stories of miracles, compassion, and hope. Hope in our Savior, who makes all things right. Compassion when friends band together and pray for the strength of the one in need. Miracles of peace and healing after years of searching. Grace, active in the lives of those I love, touches my heart and softens me.

Grace enables me beyond my natural capacity in ways that astound me, that cause me to drop to my knees in humility and gratitude. Friends rally around me to help me carry what must be, sometimes, a burden unknown to them. Their help eases the strain, if only for a moment, I am renewed, and I feel my own back strengthened. Problems for which I have no answers become opportunities for revelation, and God gives direction as He has promised. I plead for the Spirit's guidance, then get up and go to work, marveling at the ways in which that prayer is answered. Even when I can see no more than one step ahead, the small whisperings of peace propel me forward.

My grace is sufficient - these comforting words fill me with hope. Without Him, I am incomplete, but with Him, I am stretched, enlarged, magnified, and molded into the perfect being He has seen within me all along.

Friday Freedom

The week is over! And as a result, I'm a little better at

- having hard conversations
- admitting when I'm wrong
- taking control of my time
- feeling grateful for supportive and loving friends and
- looking for inspiration

Thanks for the love, prayers, and food you provide. It all makes a wonderful positive difference.

Reminder to Myself

If a loving Father in Heaven can make it so I hit most of the lights green from Newton to East Cambridge (thus cutting the time it took to get to FHE from 25 to less than 15 minutes)...

He can help me get through this week. In all its insanity.

(Your prayers won't hurt, either...Thanks.)

Sweet is the Peace

Yesterday was tricky, and I was bothered by something that happened.  I chose to be frustrated and upset by it.  (So much so that I vented for an hour to my wonderful friend, who kindly listened.  Then I thought about it most of the night and some of this morning...)  This afternoon, I worked in the temple. What a wonderful blessing!  I let the spirit of the temple permeate my soul and help me let go of the feelings left over from yesterday.  Now, instead, I feel peace.

Sweet is the peace the gospel brings
To seeking minds and true.
With light refulgent on its wings
It clears the human view.