On Leadership

Here's what I learned reading 2 Nephi 31 tonight.

To be a good leader:

You must walk in front.
You must define the laws, rules, and boundaries by which you and your followers will accomplish the goal.
You must live by all the laws, rules, and boundaries you create.
You must clearly communicate - by word and by example - the laws, rules, and boundaries.
You must clearly communicate - by word and by example - the rewards for achieving the goal, and the consequences for failing to do so.

Choosing to lead by both word and example allows you to avoid hypocrisy and deception.

All these things enable your followers to trust you.
Anything less than this opens the door for doubt, for if you cannot be sure of the leader or the way, how can you be confident in the reward (and thus, what's the point)?

Jesus Christ was the perfect example of a leader. Choose to pattern your leadership after His.

Gratitude

Do you ever have one of those days (or moments) where your heart feels something and your head knows it's totally irrational and/or illogical, but it's still real even though you don't want it to be?

I do.

At those times, I find it helpful to search out little things for which to be grateful. It refocuses my perspective and allows me to feel something that my mind and heart can both agree is genuine.

Today I am grateful that my neighbor took time out of his busy schedule to clean up our yard. I am grateful for a friend who occasionally calls just to talk, but manages to do it on a day that it will lift me, too. I am grateful I have leftovers in my fridge so I don't have to cook if I don't feel like it. And I am grateful for the brief moments of sunshine this afternoon and the spectacular sunset I witnessed on my way home this evening.

It seemed to me a perfect end to a Sabbath Day to witness the majesty of Father's creations in the vivid pinks streaming across the sky, softened in places by the clouds, and framed by varied greens, coupled with the scent of blooming flowers that reminded me of lilacs (even though we're over a month past their season's end). When I grow up, I want to be able to create like that.

On Dedication

We dedicated our newly rebuilt chapel today.

Two Apostles came.

President Boyd K. Packer

and

President Henry B. Eyring.

Both have strong connections to Boston

and to the building we dedicated.

The meeting was beautiful.

The messages were poignant.

Dedicate the building, then

dedicate your lives.

Both to the service of the Master.

When the hymns were sung,

my heart rejoiced,

and I imagined angels looking down from heaven

singing along with us.

Surely those strains pierced the veil

and thousands in a heavenly choir

joined us today

singing Hosannah to God and the Lamb.

I thought it would take a while

to feel like our building was home again.

But it didn't.

And we are glad to be home.

This Father's Day, my heart fills with gratitude,

for an earthly father

who is loving and supportive,

and for a Heavenly Father

who knows our needs, answers our prayers,

and sends His Spirit to guide our lives.

Spring in Boston

Our spring this year has been interesting. Generally the weather calls for scattered sun bursts amidst pouring rain, particularly on weekends. It's not the most ideal weather for the one trying to get the yard work done. But things are growing (including the weeds), and we like the color green, so it's OK.

This morning I was determined to take advantage of an apparently sunshine-y Saturday, and spent 3.5 hours in the yard trying to clean things up a bit. (You can barely tell.) Then I came in to clean me up a bit, and by the time I was done, we were having a thunderstorm. So much for the sunshine.

I'm glad my body gets tired about the time the weather decides to prohibit me from doing any more work anyway. That makes it easier to decide to be done.

Happy Spring!

Roses & Yard Waste

You can tell this one's going to be exciting, just by reading the title.

It got hot yesterday, and all my roses bloomed at once. It looks pretty awesome. We have these climbing bushes that I am trying to train across the entire fence on one side of my front walk. I want to see how far out the branches can grow - so far, the longest branch is about 5 feet long. A few more years and some careful pruning and it might actually look the way I envision it in my mind.

Tonight I was happy because I remembered that tomorrow is yard waste day - and I made the effort to put out the yard waste that has been wasting away in my garage for 3 weeks. Two of the bags went well. Pick it up, stagger out to the front of the house while balancing the umbrella with your shoulder, avoid the puddles, etc. The third bag? I lifted it up and the bottom had rotted away, so the contents of the bag are no longer bagged. Time to clean the garage.

If I'm really lucky this weekend, I'll find the energy to kill all the evil ivy growing in my backyard, too.

But all the flowers are worth the efforts. :-)

Parenthood

Parenthood

A sacred privilege

Father and mother

Working together

Creating

And teaching

Then letting go a little

So they can try it

On their own

Good parents

Provide one with a 

Tiny glimpse of God

The Perfect Parent

Creating

And teaching

Then letting go a little

So we can try it

On our own