Pondering...

While studying the scriptures this morning my heart was stirred up by Nephi's words when he said:

15And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.

16Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

As I read these words I thought about how just as Nephi had plates upon which he recorded the history of his people and plates upon which he recorded the things of his soul I too want to do that. I have always wanted to do that because my soul does delight in the things of the Lord and my heart does ponder upon them continually, but I also want to take the time to record the things of my "people" trying to live the blissful life here in Smalltown, USA.

So what I'm getting at is that I'm going to set a goal to record the things of my soul over on my other blog, "Words for This Day" and record the history, or comings and goings, of my peeps here. I don't know if it's a good idea but I'm gonna try it just the same because this is my journey and I'm allowed to try new things when I feel so inclined. Even if they end in failure. And that's pretty cool if you ask me. Well, even if you don't ask me I still think it's cool.

And if you ask me, or don't ask me as the case may be, I'm gonna tell you that if you want a really good read today, if you want your soul to do jumping jacks of joy inside your chest, you must turn to 2 Nephi chapter 4. And if you don't want to read the whole thing at least read verses 16-35 and count how many "amens" and "hallelujahs" you feel cause to utter. Fab-u-lous.

And if you don't have a Book of Mormon at your disposal, you can read it by clicking HERE.

Do it, you know you want to. It's nondenominational--good for everyone-- counsel and it's fab to the u to the lous. For real.

Lets fly...

(remember my poster? Well I'm showing it to you again today to say, "See that bird in the upper left corner? That's me, breaking free from my cage.")

While folding socks this morning I watched a show about the leper colonies in India and was very moved by it.

Aside from the obvious point that I need to do more to help out in this big old wide world I also gained tidbits of knowledge to help in my own growth and development. I jotted a few things down that jumped out at me and I'll share them with you now (btw, I've been trying to take notes while watching TV (of the uplifting variety) and I highly recommend it).

Hopefully these will make sense because I'm going to share them just as they appear in my notebook.

...life is a series of choices that lead us to who we are.

...these can alter the very concept of who I am.

...they had no faith in themselves.

...they were stuck in their colonies, wasting their true potential.

I want to talk about this last one for a minute. Have we not all placed ourselves in one colony or another of our own creation? I know I have created my own "leper colony" of sorts where I hide myself away from reaching my full potential. My colony consists of those self defeating words such as, "I can't" or "I'll never". To leave my colony is to be exposed and vulnerable. To leave means that I have to be willing to fail as well as succeed (and sometimes the thought of succeeding can be just as scary).

I know I can stay in my colony forever, begging and borrowing life's accomplishments and joys from the works of others or I can stand up, leave, and create the life that I really want to experience and in turn be able to share those experiences with those around me.

A few more notes to share were these:

...they gained the dignity of earning their own living.

...the dignity is more important than the money.

I so badly want to gain the dignity that comes from going out and earning those life gifts that have been so generously bestowed upon me by a loving creator. And I dare say that I want it badly enough to really do something about it TODAY. That's right.

So if you happen to come across a trail of bandages littering the pathway of life, you'll know it's just me, freed from my colony and walking toward wholeness.

Want to come?

My piece of the sky...

“There is a time in every man’s education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better, for worse, as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Did I say I was addicted to Emerson? Well the other day the above paragraph knocked me right in the gut (in a good way). “envy is ignorance…imitation is suicide” can I get some “Amens” and “Hallelujahs” for that one?

Now I’d like to say that I never envy or try to imitate, but let’s get real… we all do it to one extent or another from time to time. Of course we do. We are living in a society that is set up for such behavior, and it is for certain the quickest way to inner suicide—the death of our peace, tranquility and BLISSFUL LIFE. I'm going to work very hard not to waste my time comparing myself to others because I was not put on this earth to be anyone else. I was put here to BE ME. That’s it. Just me.

“…The eye was placed where one ray should fall, that it might testify of that particular ray.”

~Emerson

I don’t want to have my gaze so fixed upon others that I miss the one ray that I was placed here to see—that particular ray that is my life’s errand to experience and to testify about.

Wish me luck.

Wanna come to my yard sale?

I blame it on the fact that I took children's literature in high school instead the good old regular literature class. It's the only explanation for why I missed out on the likes of Emerson and Thoreau. Of course I've heard of Emerson and Thoreau (who hasn't) but I missed out on reading their works (other than a few tidbits here and there) until just recently when I helped Marlee with a homework assignment and exclaimed, "Egad, what have I been missing?!" And now I'm pretty much addicted to them both, along with others like them (Marlee just asked me last night, "What, are you addicted to those guys now?" To which I replied, "Addicted? Puh, no." but I think I am)

So anyway...
Yesterday I was reading (in Marlee's textbook no less) an excerpt from one of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's writings (she's in the same chapter with my two new favorite guys) where she said:

"Today more of us in America than anywhere else in the world have the luxury of choice between simplicity and complication of life. And for the most part, we, who could choose simplicity, choose complication."

And that's when I started singing "Amens" and "hallelujahs" because I for one am tired of complicating my life by chasing after those things that have no true value. Tired up to my breaking point I tell you. T-I-R-E-D.

Then, as if to further confirm Lindbergh's words, I saw a show yesterday about that little trailer house pictured above. The man who lives there decided to see how little one could live on and still be happy. I began to lament about how badly I desire to forsake all of the things of the world and live in a tiny house with few possessions when I heard a voice say, "You don't have to live in a tiny house to live more simply. You can start right now."

And now my house is full of heavy duty industrial sized black trash bags filled to the brim because I am going through each item I own and asking, "Does this simplify or complicate my life?" And wouldn't you know it...
Most of it is just crap. Pointless, life sucking garbage that's gotta go.
Buh-bye.

Good tidings of great joy...

(You know I can't do a post without a picture so here we are on the Tower of Terror ride. It kind of represents the "Nor height, nor depth..." part listed below. I really, really hate heights. Have I ever told you that?)

Yesterday was a day filled with fasting, praying, searching, pondering, learning, growing... in other words it was a very good day.

I am grateful for a Father in Heaven who allows us to stumble, knowing that it is during these times of "uncertainty" and "trial" (though I hesitate to call it a trial because of the blessings that have come from it) that the greatest wisdom and understanding can be gained.

Some of my favorite scriptures from yesterday are found in Romans:

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
~8:28

If God be for us, who can be against us?
~8:31

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
~8:32

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~8:35, 37-39

Yep, yesterday was a great day all right and good news, tomorrow will be too because God lives and no power, nor things present, nor things to come will ever change that. And if God is for me who can be against me? Seriously, who?

Maybe...

My family REALLY wants me to start blogging again. I like my family. I like to make my family happy. But do I still like blogging? Hmmm...

Once upon a time (in the fall of 2006 to be exact) I moved to a strange land. Okay so it's not that strange and not really much of a land, more of a town really, and a small town at that. I guess that was the problem. It was too small for my big city self. Not that I'm any kind of high roller with big city swag mind you, it's just that I tend to be a little more on the shy side (Marlee doesn't believe that I'm shy because I always had boyfriends and kissed "every boy in the world" according to her. I didn't really). Because of my shy ways I liked blending in, even disappearing into the sea of people that is the Valley of the Sun.

This move forced me to step out of my comfort zone. I had to be more outgoing and involved or DIE. Really. Because all joys of hobbies past were dead and gone (no good thrift stores, yard sales etc.) and my life threatened to snuff out right along with them if I didn't find new joys.

And thus this blog was born. It was a great place for me to speak my mind so I wouldn't lose my mind. But now my mind is more stable. My mind, and heart, have found a place here in this small place and I'm happy and busy and rarely find myself on the computer anymore. And now to make matters worse (for blogging that is) I just found out this morning that I am indeed going to be busier than ever for the next few weeks at least. Yikes.

But my family REALLY wants me to blog. And I REALLY like my family. So let's just say...

I'll try.

Hmm, I wonder...

I had that dream last night. You know the one. The teeth fallin' right out of your head dream. I hate that dream. And I must admit that it has left me feeling completely out of sorts today. Not out of sorts because I'm afraid of loosing my teeth (they seem pretty secure) but out of sorts because as most of us know the teeth falling out dream is a symbol of ones life being out of whack and man do I feel out of whack right now (a fact that I didn't admit to myself until this dream made it painfully clear).

I was reading on a dream analyzing site that when we have a dream such as this we should write down all of the events--such as setting, people, feelings--of the dream which will give us a better idea of what the dream is trying to tell us.

So here goes. I invite you to read the details of my teeth falling out dream as I remember it...

The setting of my dream took place at the home of some new friends we had made (these were not any of our true life friends, in appearance anyway but maybe symbolically they were--who knows) it was some kind of festive occasion but there was a general feeling of awkwardness in being there. Something was strange about the friendship but I don't remember or can't pinpoint what it was exactly. I remember their house was dark (dark furniture and carpet) without a lot of natural light, which only added to that feeling of awkward uneasiness.

I walked out into the back yard, bright with sunshine, to a picnic type setting. People were gathered there and children were playing, but I felt a little shy and unsure as I walked down into the yard to go stand beside my husband.

It was when I opened my mouth to speak to him that it happened. With the most gentle push of my tongue my teeth began to fall out. I felt them fill my mouth and I spit them into my hands. It was terrifying as the perfectly polished, brilliantly white strong teeth filled my hands to capacity.

I felt the fear in my eyes as I looked to Rick for help. I needed him to get me to the dentist quickly so my teeth could be saved and I expressed that I had felt that something was wrong with me for a long time. I had suspected that I had been very sick but had ignored it and now it had grown serious. I needed medical attention right away.

I walked into the house-- gingerly trying to balance the unmanageably large pile of teeth (still perfect and white) in my hands--and told my kids that we had an emergency and needed to hurry and leave. Hesitant to quit what they were doing, my kids continued to visit and play. As I began to plead with them again about the state of emergency we were in I lost hold of my pile of teeth and they scattered all over the floor, getting lost among the toys and clutter.

I crouched down and while frantically trying to retrieve them, I cried. I cried because I was falling apart, I had no control and it didn't seem to matter to anyone else but me. Of course upon seeing this, my kids rushed to my aid helping me find each tooth--but still feeling an overwhelming sense of urgency to get help-- I told myself to wake up and escape from this awful nightmare immediately, which I did.

So there you have it. My horrible dream. Feel free to analyze away (if you read the whole thing--wow that's a long post). And maybe, just maybe, I'll tell you what I think it means later.

Do you ever write down and or analyze your dreams?

Still swimming...

"The same God that placed that star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well."
~Neal A. Maxwell

Last week was a time to vacation, this week a time to reflect. If I could bring just a portion of the light and warmth that my Savior blesses me with each and every day to others my joy would be full. It is the greatest desire of my heart, one that--because of my human frailties-- too often gets neglected, but one that I will never stop striving to accomplish.

Wish me luck... (please)

Truth be told, you're pretty awesome...

I found an old blog post of mine, written in March of 2008 and thought, "Hey this kind of sums up what I was talking with my sister about last night." So even though I was getting ready to write an entirely different post, I think I'll share this instead.

In the old post I was talking about how I had just returned from a writer's conference. I mentioned a few things I had learned, but the following is what I want to share with you today...

"...Another principle we discussed is how truth is full of light, peace and joy. Truth does not leave us feeling sad, empty or depressed. For every lie there is an opposite truth. So if Satan tells me the lies that I'm not good enough, that I can't do it, that I'm not of worth. There is an opposite truth that I am amazing, capable and of infinite worth. The lies fill me with darkness, the truth with light. It's a simple concept, but it holds such power. Satan never wants us to realize just how glorious we are. He wants to keep us trapped in his lies, but if we'll seek the spirit of truth we'll know that we are worth so much more than we ever imagined."

The lies fill us with darkness, the truth with light. It's so simple, so powerful and so TRUE. Truth does not leave us feeling sad, empty or depressed about ourselves. Truth empowers us to change. Day by day, little by little we keep fighting a good fight and we become who we want to be if we allow truth to penetrate our hearts then plug our ears and say, "La, la, la I'm not listening." to the lies that seek to oppress and destroy us.

Also found in an old blog post was this questioned that had been presented to me by the spirit during a difficult time in my life...

"How long are you going to let the father of lies deceive you? How long are you going to allow him to tell you that you are less than you are? Walk with boldness. You are a daughter of God, and as a daughter of God, you can do anything."

WOW.
So say it with me won't you...
"La, la, la I'm not listening"
and lets get out there and do some good because as daughters (and sons) of God we CAN do anything.

Might as well try...

About a week ago I saw a sweet elderly woman taking a walk out in nature. It impressed me. Especially because she hobbled up the path in a painfully slow shuffle. Again, very impressive. But I wondered if we have to resign to walking in a painfully slow shuffle as we age. Can there be anything done to prevent this? I guess only time will tell. But just in case something can be done. Just in case I can work to save the strength of my body now while I've still got a little, I'm pushing myself to work out again (yeah, I know I told you that yesterday). I'm fighting while the fighting's good. Yes I am.

Funny thing is, in my attempt to save myself from walking in a painfully slow shuffle--today, day two of my great workout comeback, I'M WALKING IN A VERY PAINFULLY SLOW SHUFFLE.

Oh well, at least it's temporary.

Here's to health and vitality.

Man I'm gonna be mad if this doesn't work.

Here I go again...

This is the third time I have used this picture on my blog. The first time was for a "Self Portrait Tuesday or SPT (remember when I used to do those) where I talked about sending "good mail" to friends. The second was a "Writer's Workshop" where I talked about being my own "vault friend" and sending letters to myself. And today I post it to talk about my desire to work out again.

You see when my sister saw this picture the second time I posted it she said, "Oh my gosh that P90x is really working for you." To which I replied, "Actually I only did P90x for like a week and a half so I didn't get much out of it."

She said, "I thought that picture on your blog with the letters was from doing P90x."

I said, "No that picture is from a long time ago. Didn't you notice my dark hair?"

And then we both wondered as to why I look like I've been working out in this picture. Until I remembered, oh yeah. I look like I've been working out in this picture because I HAD BEEN WORKING OUT duh. This was taken when I was working to become fabulous by forty. Remember those days? Ah, good times. At that time I was doing workout tapes called "The Firm" can we all just pause for a moment and say "Ouch". Those tapes kick butt (literally).

As a matter of fact they just kicked my butt again this morning and now my legs feel like jello and I want to throw up. Nice. But I'm going to keep it up by golly. Because although I don't mind getting old, I do mind getting old and broken down. There's still far too much to do in this big ol' world. I've got to fight for this body o' mine. Fight I tell you. And it is a fight because working out pretty much stinks.

That Jackie lady trainer person on TV (do you know the one) says that we can tell our minds that working out is pleasurable, but I guess I must be weak minded because my mind says, "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE MAKING ME DO THIS!!! THIS STINKS!!! I HATE YOU!!!"

So if you have any tricks for making working out seem pleasurable do tell because I need all the help I can get.

...but keep it G rated.
This is a family blog. :}

A few (too many) words about me...

WRITER'S WORKSHOP PROMPT:
About me. Do you have an about me page? Because people want to know. Write a page that describes who you are and what you’re about or spruce up your current about me page!




I don't currently have an about me page because I haven't ever really wanted one. I guess I figure this whole blog is a big ol' all about me extravaganza so who needs more. Who? I ask you. Now if the answer is you. If you indeed want to read more pointless facts about me then I will be happy to grace you with a re-posting of my 100 things about me, written in 2008.

Some of the facts have changed like my roots don't need to be done right now and I've already tried the brunette thing and am over it and instead of working with the young women at church I now work with the Relief Society (or various degrees of slightly older women) and yeah, you know, stuff like that.

And now for your skimming pleasure, I give you 100 things about me...

1. I am an Arizona native
2. My ancestors were among the first settlers of Mesa and other Az cities.
3. I am the third of seven children
4. I was a “surprise” (I say accident but my mom doesn’t like that)
5. My older sister and I are only a year apart.
6. I was born with dark hair. Then it changed to blond. Now it’s back to dark, but I make it blond.
7. I desperately need my roots done.
8. I’m considering going dark brown and being done with the whole root business.
9. I won student body vice president in 6th grade because I gave a killer speech, even though I was normally very shy and quiet (see #s 98 and 99 for explanation). I quickly discovered that politics was not for me (meetings and work—yuck!)
10. In eighth grade I discovered that I was good at long distance running, but turned down a chance to run with the varsity team my freshman year (extra training and hard work—yuck!)
11. I regret that I never strove for greatness.
12. I would love to start running again and train for a half marathon.
13. We never moved while I was growing up. I lived in the same house from age 1 to 20 (except for some time away at college and a summer apartment with friends).
14. I drove a VW Karmann Ghia in high school and college.
15. I was a daddy’s girl and could talk to him for hours on end.
16. I have had the privilege of speaking with my deceased relatives.
17. I’m not a medium or psychic, I believe anyone can talk to the deceased.
18. I met my husband at Mesa Community College in Spanish class.
19. I don’t speak Spanish.
20. My parents sent me away to Rick’s college to meet a good man (in hopes of steering me away from my high school boyfriend).
21. I had already met a good man (Rick, my now hubby) at home, so while I was away I wouldn’t date the same guy more than twice and I didn’t kiss anyone.
22. The first time I kissed Rick it was electric and we made out (kissing only) for over three hours. Crazy.
23. During a bout of insanity I returned for a second semester at Ricks College.
24. I went home for Thanksgiving and got engaged.
25. Three months later I was married.
26. I was the recipient of a miracle that I would love to talk about but can’t.
27. I have an absolute testimony of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
28. I have always dreamed of being a mother.
29. I had my first baby 13 months after I got married.
30. I have been pregnant 8 times, which would have resulted in 9 babies.
31. I’ve had two miscarriages.
32. I am the mother of 6 (two boys, four girls)
33. I’ve always loved baby boys (I always made my dolls be boys)
34. I wanted to be the mother of 9 boys.
35. I love being the mother of girls.
36. Little boys still melt my heart.
37. I have been blessed with a great deal of patience and rarely get my feathers ruffled. Except for….
38. When I’m involved in a project or want something changed or moved—I want it RIGHT NOW! And can’t wait for help.
39. I’ve moved heavy furniture and the piano by myself many times and have broken the leg off of a dining room table and dinged many a finish because I was too impatient to wait for help.
40. I am a S.H.E. (sidetracked home executive)
41. I lack time management skills. Therefore….
42. I am almost always running late.
43. I like driving with my kids.
44. I hate driving on high, winding roads or bridges.
45. My or my children’s lives will have to be at stake before I will drive the Salt River Canyon again.
46. I am a member of the American Night Writers Association.
47. I love to write.
48. I have written a novel, but am stuck in revisions (I’m in a funk)
49. Writing poetry is my favorite especially children’s books written in verse.
50. I enjoy writing talks.
51. I showed up late the night Rick proposed because I was engrossed in helping my sister write an essay for school (at least he knew what he was getting).
52. I love Sunday afternoon naps.
53. I’ve been taking Synthroid every morning for about 12 years for hypothyroidism, but….
54. I have been blessed with incredible health and am rarely sick.
55. I am a night owl, but….
56. I hate sleeping in, so….
57. I don’t get enough sleep.
58. Waking up at the crack of dawn for yard sales is one of my favorite things to do.
59. I love to treasure hunt in thrift stores too.
60. I love taking old, ugly things and making them pretty and useful.
61. I love to decorate, but…
62. I have been uninspired in the decorating of my new home.
63. I desperately miss my yard sale and thrift store hunting trips.
64. I miss the city but…
65. I am starting to feel much better about my new life.
66. I enjoy working with the Young Women at church. They keep me young.
67. I want to eat better and exercise so I can keep feeling young.
68. I love healthy food that tastes like the goodness of the earth, but…
69. I love junk food too and it’s easier.
70. I love how I feel when I get regular exercise, but…
71. I hate to exercise regularly.
72. I like exercising with friends, but…
73. I like sitting around and eating with friends more.
74. I have imaginary friends a.k.a. other bloggers, strangers that I read about regularly.
75. I think it would be fun to meet my imaginary friends someday.
76. I am terrible about calling friends but once I do…
77. I can talk on the phone for hours.
78. I love my laptop and call it my precious (like Gollum and the Ring).
79. I love many kinds of music. From spiritual, classical, big band, and Josh Groban types… to rock, pop, alternative, and almost anything 80s, but I’m not too fond of Country. Although…
80. I like watching country music videos because I think cowboys are hot. But…
81. I wouldn’t want Rick to be a cowboy because….
82. I love how much Rick and I have in common including our taste in music (except for Josh Groban, Rick hates him) besides…
83. Rick’s broad shoulders, bald head and goatee remind me of a biker dude and…
84. I think biker dudes are hot. Although….
85. I’m most attracted to Rick when I’m sitting next to him in church while he is dressed in his crisp white shirt and tie.
86. My heart leaps to know that I am married to a man who loves the Lord as much as I do.
87. I love bald heads especially my hubby’s. If his hair could be restored tomorrow I’d beg him not to do it.
88. I love snuggling up and watching TV with Rick especially the food network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives—yummy!
89. I love going out to eat.
90. I pretty much love any kind of food.
91. I don’t like sugary candy but I love chocolate and….
92. I can’t say no to a pastry, but….
93. I like salty, savory more than sweet.
94. I am a good cook but I don’t enjoy it.
95. I am the queen of throwing a meal together without prior thought or preparation.
96. I love shoes, but not those that require socks. I hate socks.
97. I love being with my kids and enjoy summer break more than the school year.
98. I can be shy one on one but…
99. I don’t mind speaking to large groups.
100. I am generally an optimistic girl who loves God, family, and country. I am grateful for my gifts, talents, and blessings as well as my tests and trials for they have all, the good and the bad, brought me greater understanding and love for my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I love to testify of them. Of their goodness and glory, their merciful love and their wonderful plan of happiness. They live and because I know this—my life is bliss.

If you read through all of that you deserve a prize.
Sadly, I don't have a prize for you, but you sure do deserve one. Yes you do.

A mantle of happiness...

I would tell you how disappointed I am in this picture of my mantle--1) because I had to take it with my phone, 2) because the lighting is so bad and 3) because the ginormous pipe shooting up through the middle of it is simply not pleasing to the eye--I would tell you all of this and more if this post was meant to be about my mantle...
...but it's not.

This post is about a super awesome friend who read my blog this morning and upon reading that I needed pumpkins for my mantle SHOWED UP AT MY DOOR WITH AN ARMFUL OF THEM IN TOW. For me. And then proceeded to allow me to talk her ear off about the fate of my world as I know it. Not the world in general. Just my world.

In short, she made my day. So now when I feel like I should do something for someone else, but doubt myself and ask, "Hmm, I don't know, should I really do this?" I will answer myself a big old YES! Because I learned that the fate of the world (as I or others may know it) just doesn't seem to matter as much when you have plump happy pumpkins on your mantle.

Especially when they're grown and hand delivered by a thoughtful friend.

Have I ever told you how much I hate titles...

This picture could mean only one of two things...

A) I'm going through a mid-life crisis

or

B) I went to an 80's birthday party this weekend

Hmm...

which one do you suppose it is?

P.S. my mantle is crying for some pumpkins. Crying for them. Hope this week will slow down enough
for me to get to the store, or the pumpkin patch or whatever. I need pumpkins people.

Peace, be still...

Patience is...clearly not fatalistic, shoulder-shrugging resignation. It is the acceptance of a divine rhythm to life; it is obedience prolonged. Patience stoutly resists pulling up the daisies to see how the roots are doing. ~ Neal A. Maxwell

I'm needing to be patient right now. I am not wanting to be patient right now. But even in all of this I know that no matter what feelings get stirred up in my heart and mind concerning the things that I have no control over, if I am humble, there is a source for peace. There is always a source for peace if we are willing to accept it.

The Savior Jesus Christ is that source. This is an absolute truth. And I can tell you that today the confusion, impatience and concern that I have been feeling have been washed away because today I sought peace, patience and understanding (several times mind you) and that is what I have received.

And as I was scrubbing out my sink (because one answer I received was to continue to serve and honor my home. Which is quite a lovely thought in and of its self, don't ya think. Serve and honor... and here I thought I was only doing drudge work all of these years) I was overcome by the Spirit and I marveled at what it really means to be a child of the living God.

I am a child of God, sent here by Him, and I can find comfort in His perfect plan for me.
And today I will run through the daisies that He has so generously blessed me with and leave the structure of the roots to Him.

After all, He's a far better gardener than I could ever hope to be.