Inspiring

This is such a great talk below .  It is so inspiring.  I've copied a couple of paragraphs to give you a sample of what is in store!

Musings.  He mentions musings.  I'm a muser. Musing and pondering are two of my favorite habits.  I want to share all I feel and think about.  Sometimes, I totally lack confidence to even open my mouth.  that is why I love blogging as I'm free to say what I think/feel but even in that I keep myself tucked away and only if someone shares my blog with a friend does the readership grow.  So strange to do something in the public eye and yet not promote/share it! Funny/weird/paranoia of sorts...to be judged in some way of not being worthy of taking someones time.  Me...the ever recovering co-dependent!

The compulsion, the deep desire within me, to speak my truth by writing always seems to prevail.  I love, absolutely love, visiting with you!!

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  Great talk....."If Thou Art Faithful" by Gorden B. Hinckley here

EXCERPTS

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To you women of today, who are old or young, may I suggest that you write, that you keep journals, that you express your thoughts on paper. Writing is a great discipline. It is a tremendous educational effort. It will assist you in various ways, and you will bless the lives of many—your families and others—now and in the years to come, as you put on paper some of your experiences and some of your musings.

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She was to write, giving expression to her thoughts.

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To you women of today, who are old or young, may I suggest that you write, that you keep journals, that you express your thoughts on paper. Writing is a great discipline. It is a tremendous educational effort. It will assist you in various ways, Emma was to be ordained under the hand of Joseph “to expound scriptures, and to exhort the church, according as it shall be given thee by my Spirit.” (D&C 25:7.)

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I believe he is saying to each of us, be happy. The gospel is a thing of joy. It provides us with a reason for gladness. Of course there are times of sorrow. Of course there are hours of concern and anxiety. We all worry. But the Lord has told us to lift our hearts and rejoice. I see so many people, including many women, who seem never to see the sunshine, but who constantly walk with storms under cloudy skies. Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine.

Always learning...

I have looked for this story for years.  I remember when I first heard it and being stunned and so very very sad.  There are a lot of life lessons in this true event.  Lots of them!

                                               here

Drop by drop...

My friend, Chelle, shared this incident that happened at the Seattle Airport.  It is so sweet, tender, touching and Christ-like...I asked her if I could share it.  Permission granted!  Enjoy this!

Cool humanity experience of the day: As I approached the down escalator at the airport, I encountered an older woman with a carry-on suitcase and a shoulder bag.... She looked scared. When I asked if she needed help, she said, "I can't do this. I'll get dizzy. I'll fall." She finally agreed that if I took her suitcase she would go behind me. She was terrified but stepped on the escalator. Right behind her, a man and his wife (strangers) stepped on and began encouraging her. Before we reached the bottom of the first of the two escalators, the man offered to sing to her, and without missing a beat launched in to a heartfelt rendition of "You Are My Sunshine." I'm pretty sure I heard other travelers join in before we reached the bottom. By then, the scared woman was smiling and laughing. We all went separate ways, and I think we all had big smiles on our faces.

You never know who might need you, and what small thing you might be able to offer.

Reunion Time

This is the time of year that we are in full swing, mayhem preparation, for our annual family reunion at McCall.  This year it's not going to happen!  To many ups and downs and unpredictability on health issues and on and on.  The time share called to reserve the condos per usual and I canceled.

Our daughter, ever the woman in charge of her 4 brothers (and sometimes us also!), decided that everyone needed to come here!  One son and family cannot come this year but that still leaves all the rest.  I was shocked and appalled as time went on ....there is really nothing to do in our neck of the woods as far as what the family is used to doing!  fun things that are familiar and just the entire festive atmosphere.  There is something so refreshing when you are in a place and all the folks around you, are there also to enjoy their own families and summer and vacationing events.  (Hawaii makes me feel like that!)

Anyhow it ended up being so stressful to me and I then emailed everyone and basically said...there is nothing here to do.  let's cancel and do our regular McCall trip next year and let's rent a house and all stay under one roof.

I thought it brilliant and then came the firestorm from my daughter...reminding me that plane tickets were purchased/time off work arranged etc. etc.  plus she added something that insinuated that I'd lost my mind.  well, she asked if I had done so.  Lost my mind.  I guess she didn't actually insinuate.  She just questioned if I'd slip a notch in my thought process of this family event.

She also pointed out that no one was coming for entire week as we usually did.  It would just be a few days.  According to her no one gives a hoot about doing things.  They just want to see us!  Be with us. Talk with us.  Let siblings see siblings.  Cousins visit with cousins.

After thinking it through and sort of going back and forth with my sweet girl...she was wanting to  make arrangements to have dinner etc. at the Church.  I didn't want it at the Church.  We will celebrate an early anniversary and I wanted family dinner and nothing else.  She wanted friends to come.  I detest surprise parties except for the most hearty-party folks that revel in that sort of fun.  Anyhow a bit of shadowboxing and a truce was agreed on.

A family dinner on the one day that everyone will be here.  lots of visiting and eating and not sure yet what else.

I didn't want it at Church as I wanted it more cozy and outdoorsy.  I tried to rent a place that I just love but it was booked.  Checked out a couple of others and didn't feel right.  I didn't like being constrained by times etc.  I wanted it relaxed and no deadlines.  I was standing at the sink and looked out at our backyard and realized...that is where I want my family dinner!!1

Long tables end to end with all of my children and their families eating a family dinner.  Just us.  Our kiddos at home one more time!!

When I told Jeanee she was so happy!  Honestly...I don't know if she was so happy because I finally settled on something and got on board the reunion train OR if she was so happy because of the backyard location!!

So I am now looking forward to seeing most of our children and having that one day, that we will share a meal together and celebrate our family and our marriage.

Stay tuned!!  Not sure what is coming down the Pike yet - other than a great dinner in the back yard!

I did tell my friend Carol that we weren't going to McCall and asked to borrow her long tables.  So that is arranged.  She offered her spacious yard to use but I'm just going for our small one.

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To you readers in France....welcome to my blog!  That is exciting to me!

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This has some really good advice!!  The Church is awesome!!

Your 9-Point Survival Guide for Hard Times... here

Up and at 'em

I recently learned that there are people that are called Empaths.  I'd never heard of that before.  Have you?  Empaths are different from Empathetic people.

I really liked this article on 6 habits of empathetic people.... here

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Sunday was a tough day for me.  Sometimes I just get overwhelmed with my life.  I revert to allowing my co-d self to fret and stew over what can I do for HubbyMan and OurSon.  My hands are tied as I can't magically make life's challenges disappear.  I can't erase pain.  I can't eliminate suffering.

Spiritually I did not feel filled even after attending Church and hearing testimonies.  It was one of those extremely slow meetings.  I felt no obligation or desire to share my testimony.  The well was dry.  I came seeking refreshment.  Wanting to receive.  A dry hard sponge needing moisture.

Sunday School.  YW meeting.  Tank on empty still.

I read.  I studied.  I prayed and still the feeling persisted.  I'd missed choir.  I'd missed going to one of my Laurels graduation celebration.  I felt the need to come home and help Terry but I had missed a dose of Spirit.

Seminary graduation.  It had been announced for the evening.  Terry encouraged me to go.  I thought I'd call my friend Carol and see if she'd like to go.

My phone rang as I picked it up.  Carol calling.  I told her I was just going to call her.  She said...what did you want?  I said...to see if you want to go to the Seminary graduation.  At this point she broke out laughing and said...that's what I was calling you about!

So off we went!

Wonderful program and my 3 Laurels graduated!

On the way home I told Carol that I felt spiritually satisfied and it felt great!!  She felt the same way!

When we get down and out because of our life challenges...sometimes we just need to seek more Church activity that have lots of people involved!  Or even a few people!

We both felt that the Lord knew we needed that boost!

Walked away from my PityParty and have risen!

Fight on my men!

I am hurt, but I am not slain;

I'll lay me down and bleed awhile,

and then I'll rise to fight again.
                                                                                                            by Sir Andrew Barton

wonderful words

I remember being so impressed with the talks by the new General RSP and copied a couple of paragraphs.  I enjoyed them then and still do and just wanted to share.  There is such good counsel here.  Enjoy!

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While cleaning out a drawer in her bedroom, (Sister Eubank-1st counselor in Gen RSP),
found a note written during a 2011 Relief Society board meeting with former Relief Society general president Sister Julie B. Beck.

The paper read: "When you are with people, remember they are each filled with troubles. Lift them to a higher plane. … Remember to keep your own kingdom intact. … When you can’t give more, ... (then) call on the Holy Ghost and angels to come to you. Be still and get full.”

From that message Sister Eubank found the answer to her three problems. “It came from Relief Society and it was about Relief Society,” she said. 

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Brother Callister said that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the Savior’s powers are infinite. “There is no rejection, no loneliness, no despair, no sin and no condition to which we can sink for which the Savior’s healing powers do not have the perfect remedy. Sometimes that remedy will include seeking appropriate medical and emotional care, for the Lord expects us to do all within our power to assist in the healing process, but the ultimate healing balm will be found in His atoning powers.”

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Joseph Smith told the Relief Society in 1842 that because they were now organized after a priesthood pattern “you are now placed in a situation where you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in your [hearts]. … If you live up to your privilege, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.”

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^{did you hear these talks by the new General RSP?..... here}

So hopeful!

So much going on in my mind and I have really been thinking a lot about a lot of things.  It feels good to feel hopeful.  This quote puts things into such a great perspective!  Enjoy and take hope!