Ministering Angels

I have a friend who is sick.

I have another friend who, even though she wasn't asked, voluntarily gave of her time last night to go minister to the ailing friend.

I do not know what transpired during that visit, but her choice to go reminded me of the time I was sick, and the love and minstering she offered to me at that time.  And then I remembered all the other times I observed or received of her ministering care.  And I was reminded of the following beautiful song, and the lines that made me grateful for ministering angel friends:

We’ll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.

The errand of angels is given to women...
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity's name.

Thank you to my dear friend, whose ministering saved me from worrying about my other friend.  And to my first friend, get well soon...

Total Friday Superfail

Last night, I was efficient.  I took the nearly two dozen cookies I made, and carefully put them in two Ziploc sandwich bags.

This morning, I was in a hurry. So I took one of the Ziploc bags and put it in with my lunch.

This afternoon, I ate a cookie for dessert after lunch - then another - then another - then I was sitting at my desk and thought I needed a snack - and look, there's another one available - and the next thing I knew, that Ziploc bag was empty.

Superfail. Thwarted by the hand-to-mouth-without-involving-the-brain habit! 

But now I have a reason to laugh at myself.  And, the cookies were good.

(Everything else about my day was quite successful...  Thanks for asking!)

Snowed In

We are having a blizzard today. I stayed home.

Good news, though - I caught up on my 400 backlogged emails.  It only took, um, about 4 hours. Now I only have to reply to the 45 or so that still require attention.

There are giant snow piles over 5 feet high on both sides of the driveway. And we haven't dug out the sidewalk yet.  And they are still plowing the roads.  There's already at least a foot of snow, and I think it's still snowing. And drifting... so I turned the thermostat up to 70 degrees, and I'm going to stay warm and dry as long as possible.

Here's to the quietest Wednesday I'll have in a long time!

What's That You Say?

Up until last year, I had never heard of a "bucket list."  Suddenly, it seemed like everyone had one, and was talking about what was on theirs. When I finally queried someone as to what it was, the reply was it's the list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket.

It makes sense. It makes even more since when you Google it (they have the answer for everything, you know) and find the movie made in 2007 with the same title.Without actually going so far as to watch the movie, I have given the idea some thought. It seems more fun than making New Year's Resolutions. More long-term, yes, but more interesting. A New Year's Resolution is usually something boring, like "read 27 books in 2011" or "learn to love the person who drives me the most crazy in my life".  While I'd like to do those things, too, it would be nice to add a little spice and come up with a bucket list. Something to work towards in the next 15 years or so. (We'll assume for the moment that I'll live at least that long...)

So I'm curious. Do you have a bucket list? What's on it? And why?

Two Perspectives

I finally started a well-deserved two week vacation, and was sick almost the entire time.  I didn't read nearly as many books as I would have liked. My Wii time was limited by my energy levels. It was cold outside, and it snowed. Only a few days after I started to feel myself again, it was time to come home and go back to the >300 emails waiting for my attention, a potentially overwhelming task after such a long time away.

My Christmas holiday was wondeful. I had loving family around to take care of me when I was feeling under the weather. My brother even ventured out into the icy post-storm danger to pick up some ginger ale for my ailing stomach (on the pretense of needing some croissants as well, of course). The extra rest obtained while boosting my immune system for the coming months was a blessing, too. My days were filled with snuggling and stories and talking with family, including my nieces and nephew, and learning about their lives and what they feel is important. It was slow and wonderful. Little L is super-affectionate, so it was easy to trade endless Berenstain Bears stories and flossing little teeth for cozy hugs, kisses, and "I love you"s. Generous gifts were shared, and I came home well-equipped to write many a letter to those delightful children over the next year. We had fun playing on the Wii, and I was entertained by watching even when I felt too tired to play. During my time off, I escaped from the usual stressors of my Boston life, and enjoyed the opportunity to relax. I even have a few extra days before I go "back to the grind", so there will be time for unpacking, massage, and other important things.

I could explain the past two weeks of blog silence with either perspective. Fortunately, choosing to see it from the latter perspective brings me greater satisfaction.

Happy New Year.

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.

Simple Things

I have a totally awesome visiting teacher.

She comes over and brings dinner. She tells me a little about her life and lets me talk a lot about mine.

Usually, she's waiting for me on my porch when I get home. But she is understanding of my insane schedule.

When she leaves, I am a better person than when she came.

Tonight, Heavenly Father knew I needed a little more to get my mind of the concerns of the day.

So he also sent a friend with ice cream to see me.

It was a good thing. (The ice cream was good too...)

I am glad for friends who step up and help me before I ask.  That is a great blessing.

The Christmas Season Has Begun!

See?  Gingerbread houses!

A front view... and some of the details - a snowman... a tree... and a nativity!

I am admittedly very proud of the snowman. Two vanilla tootsie rolls, two grains of green sugar, five grains of red sugar, and a very very small sliver of an orange gumdrop for the nose.

It is the first time I've made a manger scene from tootsie rolls - I did also use a few gumdrops, a smartie, and a gummy frog for the sheep, with frosting-wool.  Perhaps, then, it's just a frog in sheep's clothing?

Happy Holidays!