On Being Happy

Last week, we had ward temple night. While there, I realized how happy I feel when I am regularly in the temple. More importantly, I realized how much happy I had missed out on over the week or two prior because I hadn't been in the temple. Saturday and today reinforced the message.

So it's official. Being in the temple = being happy.

And the part that made me smile tonight? I was asked by an acquaintance if I brought my husband with me when I came to the temple. I told him no, because I'm still looking for him - but if he can figure out if he's here, to let me know. That made him smile, and I thought to myself, this is probably the best place to find him anyway. So I will keep going back. Just in case he's there one of these times. :-)

But if not, I will still be happy.

That is all.

And When You're Feeling Creative...

What does your gingerbread house look like?

Last year I made a little nativity in my gingerbread yard. Don't remember? Check out last December's posts. (I'm too lazy to link it.)

This year, I made the suggestion that my good friend the gingerbread-house-making-princess make me a stable instead of a house. It turns out I like making Tootsie Roll people better than decorating the walls of a house.

Here is how it turned out:

Details of note: Joseph has a beard. I made hay out of Nerds. (Coconut would have worked better, but I had already committed to the Nerds when I figured that out. Next year.) My camel is nothing short of awesome (I think my sheep are pretty awesome again, too). Blue frosting made good water in the well. The Star(burst) on the top of the stable and the straight and narrow path lead a man right to Christ.

I find great joy in creating things that remind me of Christmas. Even if it's with candy.



May the joy of the season be with you now and always.

Love.


Post Edit: the cloaks are made of flattened Dots, I think; if not that, then it was flattened gumdrops. I can't remember... Any other questions? :-)

The Feast

Appetizers: Crackers & Cheese Ball!

Main course: Lots of Orange Food...

Dessert:

Blueberry pie, pumpkin pie, and pumpkin bars.

We were stuffed.

When I invited the Sister Missionaries over for Thanksgiving dinner,

I told them I would be making all my favorite parts of Thanksgiving

(and none of the parts I didn't like to eat).

As I planned, I neglected to think about color.

So, we had less color than perhaps we could have:

White cheese with white & yellow crackers,

Orange butternut squash soup,

Pink ham,

Orange sweet potato casserole,

Orange stuffed squash,

White crusty bread,

and Green kale (as a last-minute addition for some color!).

Orange pumpkin pie,

Blue blueberry pie, and

Orange pumpkin bars topped off the meal.

I opted out of the mashed root veggies (they would have been orange)

because I didn't feel like making gravy.

Thanksgiving was a wonderful time

to remember all the good things in my life

and to begin to learn to be thankful

for some of the harder things, too.

And he who receiveth all things

with thankfulness

shall be made glorious;

and the things of this earth

shall be added unto him,

even an hundred fold,

yea, more.

-D&C 78:19

Teaser

So far, so good.

Thanksgiving is going to be awesome this year.

Random Thoughts

Sometimes I have to laugh at myself. Tonight in my living room, I have a laptop plugged into one outlet, my phone plugged into another, the camera in the middle, and the iPhone hanging out on the side. But I'm not dependent on my electronics or anything.

I have a new favorite Christmas song. It's time for Christmas music again!  Yippee! I discovered it during Christmas concert practice, and liked it so much I bought it on iTunes. Come to our concert in December and listen to it!

Today I had two good friends over for lunch. We ate all the food I was going to eat for the next few days until I had time to go to the store again. Fortunately for me, I enjoyed the socializing and it will be worth having to eat emergency backup frozen dinners for a few days to have spent time with people I love. By the way, my second cousin introduced me to the awesomest emergency backup frozen dinners - Lean Cuisine makes sandwiches and pizzas that actually come out of the microwave crispy! They are much better than some frozen stuff I've eaten. But real food is even better.

Yesterday, I had my stylist cut my hair. It rocks. I had about twenty compliments in the first 24 hours. My stylist rocks, too. She's great. Now I just have to figure out how to get her to come over every few days and blow it straight for me, since she does it so much better than I do... or I guess I could learn how to do it myself. Nothing makes you feel amazing like a new haircut that everyone loves. Except maybe the people who love you even when you don't bother to do your hair at all. :-)

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. Two days off, a reason to cook for most of one of them, and chick flicks. Need I say more? Wait! Yes. I need to say cranberry-orange muffins with glaze, sweet potato casserole, and cinnamon rolls. Get excited!

And that is all. Until next time.

Happy November!

Tomorrow marks the end of Daylight Savings Time.

Good bye. I will miss the sun after 4:30 pm, but I think this year it is worth the exchange for sun in the morning when I get up for work. It's hard to wake up early to read scriptures when it's dark outside.

It was super-fun to be in the temple today with so many of my dear friends, some of whom I haven't seen in a few months (or longer), and it filled my heart with happiness, even though we were so busy that by 3pm my knees hurt from standing and moving up & down stairs so much. One of my friends told me I'm too young to have bad knees. I agree. Now I just have to convince my knees.

My work now requires me to have an iPhone. I like being able to cross-reference scriptures without having to look them up - it speeds up a topical study of a concept. It almost made up for how confusing it was to figure out how to use the calendar function the day before. It would be nice if my smart phone were not smarter than me, but there were moments this week when I wondered... :-)

I am grateful this weekend for good conversations with people I love and appreciate in my life. (And a lot of other things, too, but now it's bedtime so you have to wait to hear about the other things until later.)

Upside

The snow looks beautiful from underneath the streetlight.

As I drive home from Stake Conference, I remember that Trader Joes is right on the way. I can finish my grocery shopping after all!

I ponder as I sit at a red light.

All week, I have been asking what I am to learn from the things that are happening right now.

Then I realize what I have learned...

The talent of asking for help is a little, but critical, blessing.

 It drives away the lonely isolation of a hidden trial.

Burdens are lighter when others are helping to lift.

Father in Heaven often inspires His children to aid each other.

He will inspire me.

But I first need peace in my heart so I can hear His voice.



It was good to be gathered tonight with the Saints of Zion. I felt the Spirit testify it is good for me to be here. All week I have been looking forward to this Stake Conference with anticipation, knowing that if revelation will come, it will come in a meeting such as this. And when it ended, my heart felt lighter and my faith strengthened.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Random News

Recently, I've taken to writing down my schedule in a little calendar I've been carrying around (but not using) since last Christmas. On the one hand, it makes things easier. I don't forget where I'm supposed to be. On the other hand...

Tonight was my only free evening all week, so I determined it was a good time to buy a gift for a good friend and purchase three things I needed at Target. Off I went on my shopping excursion... I came home with five things from Target, the gift, two new tops, and an absolutely adorable coat. If the stores hadn't all been been closing, I'd probably have some boots, too.

Plus one for good time management! I caught a 40% off everything sale.

In other news...

Fall has come, and along with it the time for alluring cinnamon-scented tree parts (last year it was a stick broom... this year, pinecones!). They make me happy. Still. Just like they did last fall. Only this year, I have an awesome turquoise charger on which to place said pinecones.  See?

Sorry... this is not a scratch 'n sniff picture.

I'm not sure which is the more incredible feat - the clutter-free table or that I designed a centerpiece on my own. Either way, I am happy!

I love the scriptures. This morning as I read, it was like wrapping my heart in a down comforter. Warmth, calm, and a peaceful feeling came over me as I read familiar words from the Book of Mormon. Words of a prophet. Isaiah, to be precise, as quoted by another prophet, Nephi. They are like old friends and faithful companions, come to strengthen me in the current challenges of the week. It was a great way to start the morning.

It has been nearly a year since the weekend of Stake Conference in 2010, during which I received personal revelation in preparation for a big change coming my way in the weeks following. I look forward to Stake Conference again this weekend, for the insight and spiritual strength it will inevitably provide, and as a way to mark the growth I have observed in my own life. Personal revelation is a great gift. The ability to cheerfully walk down the path on which it leads me is another gift. This week, I am grateful for both of these precious gifts.

And lastly (but most definitely not most importantly)?  I think Dilbert gets funnier every week.

The End.

Friends & Saints

We had a unique opportunity today to share in our faith and worship with our friends across the Longfellow Park at the Society of Friends (aka the Quakers).

After our chapel burned over two years ago, these good people helped take care of us, offered their space for storing the things we could rescue from the building after the fire, and were generally good and kind. Today, they hosted an Open House for our newly built chapel after our meetings.

Our Sunday School was an opportunity to hear from two of their members, who taught us a little about their faith and beliefs. It was insightful to hear what we believe in common... that there is an element of godliness in each of us, that personal revelation will guide our respective actions, that quiet worship is fundamental to feeling the Spirit speak in our lives. Likewise, we sent a representative from our membership to their meetings, and shared with them what we believe. There was a feeling of mutual goodwill, and it allowed us to get to know our neighbors in a friendly, respectful, appreciative way.

It reminded me of this scripture:

For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. (Moroni 7:16)

I always find myself grateful when I see truth reflected in others' lives. It brings us both closer to God.

Pasta-Free Parmesan Chicken & Spaghetti

I made up a recipe, and after a few tries, I figured out how to get it the way I like. Yay for me! It is yummy, so I'll share it with you. Yay for you!

Pasta-Free Parmesan Chicken & Spaghetti

First, cut a spaghetti squash in half and place one half in a glass pan (cut side down) in about 1/2 inch of water. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes. (Save the other half to cook later with something else.)

While it's baking for the first few minutes, put a little oil in another glass dish.  Take 2 chicken breasts, dip them in lightly beaten egg white, and sprinkle parmesan cheese over them to coat. Turn the chicken over and sprinkle the other side with parmesan cheese. Then take about half of a ham steak, cut into strips, and dip & sprinkle them as well.  Dice a few cloves of garlic and half a red onion and a small sweet pepper, and spread these around on top. Cover with a lid and bake at 350 (while your squash finishes).  After 30 min, top the chicken dish with pasta sauce (I use a sweet vidalia onion flavor) and bake for 10 more minutes.

Scoop out your spaghetti squash and put it on a plate. Top with some more pasta sauce and put the parmesan chicken on top of that. Serve with fresh bread and fruit.

Enjoy.

General Conference

I love the first weekend of October because it means it's time for General Conference. I savored listening to prophets and apostles remind us of what is most important in life. I appreciated the Spirit I felt listening to the Tabernacle Choir sing some of my favorite hymns. And I enjoyed the time spent with friends as we listened to the good word of God. Now, I look forward to Thursday, when all the messages will be available in print on the Church's website, and I can read them to my heart's content.

What a blessing to have living prophets and prophetic counsel to guide our lives!

Letters

I love receiving letters.

On Friday, I had a jackpot mail day. Two letters from two nieces! It was wonderful. They drew me pictures, which now hang on my fridge. And they sent me lots of love in their letters. Those kinds of days make me happy I'm an aunt, happy to get the mail, and just overall happy.

I love sending letters, too.

Today, my SIL called to tell me that my other niece was really excited about the letter I sent her. She was so happy she blew me kisses halfway across the country to say thank you. It was fun to hear how a little time spent writing some thoughts and love down on paper could make someone's day!

So, when you're having a lonely day or feeling in need of some encouragement, write a letter and make someone feel special, loved, and cared for.

Service, Part III

It doesn't have to be a big thing.

Just a little thing will do.

Like tonight,

When my friend agreed

To pick me up from home

And drive me to the church

Five minutes away

Because there was nowhere

(And I mean NOWHERE!)

In that neighborhood to park.

(At least not legally.)

A small thing?

Yes.

An unimportant one?

No way.

Thanks, my friend.

You made a difference tonight.

Service, Part II

In a departure from the normal Labor Day activities of lounging around the house doing absolutely nothing or going shopping for things I don't need (but are on sale!), I joined up with the group affectionately known as the CRDub Service Club (aka my ward, coordinated by its service committee) to head to Vermont and help people whose homes had been flooded during Hurricane/Tropical Storm (but still disastrous) Irene.

There were about 25 of us. That was awesome. They really weren't sure what to do with all of us (in part because we did not all come with rubber boots, shovels, gloves, and a willingness to get covered in mud, as instructed). One entire street of about 25 homes was completely devastated, with craters where backyards used to be, mud in practically every basement (and everywhere else), and in some cases, no basement at all, because the foundation was completely washed away.

I helped where I could, and the bulk of the real work I did involved scraping wallpaper off a home that had been flooded and needed to be completely gutted before being put back together. I thought of that Primary song, "When we're helping, we're happy..." and felt glad I could do something useful to assist, even if it was humid and hot and the latex gloves (because I forgot my useful ones) made my hands sweat more than the entire rest of my body while I was working.  As a matter of fact, I didn't even mind all that, because I have a home and food storage and a car that runs and a place to sleep tonight and a job and the Gospel, and there is basically nothing wrong with my life. So I was just glad I could make a difference in the lives of the few people we helped, and hoped there were 400 other people as willing as I was who would come along after and keep helping, since I had to come home and go back to work tomorrow.

Seeing the devastation made me want to quit my job and become a humanitarian aid organizer, someone who could come in after a disaster and rally the troops and organize communications and collect donations and provide food and restore order and peace in the lives of people who had just lost everything.

Makes everything else I do seem sort of mundane.

Service Is Awesome

This begins what will hopefully be a two (or more) part series.

Part One.

As you may have figured out by now, I spend the first Saturday of nearly every month in the temple. No matter how hard it is to get out of bed (and it has been a little tricky lately), I am always ALWAYS glad I got myself up and moving when I go to the temple. Yesterday was no exception. It was a very busy day, but I was able to help three women who were coming to the temple for the first time. Let me tell you, Heavenly Father poured out His Spirit upon those women. I love being the vehicle through which the Spirit can work. It is a life-changing and profound experience. Every time I serve, I feel how much He loves the people I am serving, and I feel how much He loves me. That happened two more times that afternoon, as I gave of myself to others.  Then I met briefly with a few teenagers who were coming to be sealed as part of an eternal family. I think it's awesome when little kids have that privilege; it is even more awesome when older kids come! These teens were just wonderful people. And they came worthy and ready to make their family an eternal family. I played an infinitesimally small part in that process, but it still had the power to change my life. Working in the temple brings such great joy into my heart!

There is good in this world. I love being a part of it.