My oldest, M, had a big day today. It was her first time giving a short talk in our main church meeting (aka, Sacrament Meeting). She wasn't supposed to speak until next Sunday, but due to an accident with another of the youth, they swapped weeks to give the other girl time to recover.
I wanted to share her talk today. It's short, simple, and important. The topic was on testimonies and scripture. After going a few rounds the last several days of "whaddya wanna talk about?" coupled with "I don't know...", I finally asked M think of her favorite scripture stories. To my surprise she brought up the story of Elijah and the widow woman. We discussed it a few minutes, I got an idea of what she wanted to say, and put together her talk.
So keep in mind that though I may be the author, I tried to write it as a very young woman might.
In a land called Zarephath the prophet Elijah came to a widow woman, under the direction of the Lord. When he met her, Elijah asked the woman for a little water in a vessel
As she went to fetch it Elijah called out to her and asked if she could bring him a little bread. The woman, who I think felt bad to say this, told Elijah she had only a little bit of meal and oil left. She had planned to make it for herself and her son, knowing it would most likely be the last thing they would eat. She knew they would starve to death after this last, tiny meal.
But Elijah said to her in 1 Kings 17:13-14 - "Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make the thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fall, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth."
Let's stop for a moment to think about what we would do if this happened to us. I wonder if she knew Elijah was a prophet, or if she thought she was just helping a stranger. Either way, what would you do if you had only enough food left in the house to make one last meal? What if you had no way of getting any other food, and someone came to your door asking for some bread, or soup, or just a bowl of cereal? And what if he promised you that if you would share this little bit of your last meal with him, that you would be blessed with enough to eat until a way of getting more food should come?
The widow woman had great faith, or at least enough faith and compassion to do as Elijah asked. His promise was fulfilled. As we read in verse 16, "And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah."
We can learn so much from the stories in the scriptures, stories that can help us to build our own testimonies. From this story I learned I first have to have faith. Even if I don't always understand why, I need to have faith the prophet or the bishop or my Young Women's leader is telling me to do or not to do something for a really good reason.
Then I have to act on that faith. I have to believe that what I've been told will bring me blessings. I have to remember what I was taught during times I'm being tempted, or when doing the right thing feels like the hardest thing in the world to do.
When I have this faith, and then act on it, then I can build a firm testimony. It will be strong, and will help me to build and ever bigger testimony when harder things come my way.
I hope we can all remember the lesson the widow woman teaches us, and will look in the scriptures for other examples of how to help build our testimonies. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
I'm a Mall Walker (Pun Intended)
As part of my goal to become healthier this year I've begun walking most nights. Yes, it's true I'm not the most consistent in getting my half-hour of sweat-inducing exercise, but with my extraordinary partner - the hubby - I've been walking more these last two weeks than I have in quite a while.
Walking with my husband is not for the weak-hearted, nor the slow going. His "power" walk has me trotting to keep up. His normal pace has my calf muscles crying in pain. I remember the days I used to keep up with him without hoping someone would run up behind me with a wheelchair because I could feel my legs turning to jelly even as we rounded a corner. One of these days I'll be able to keep up again.
Seeing as how it's winter in Utah, there are nights when the air is crisp but not freezing and taking a good half-hour walk feels exhilarating rather than exhausting. I love exercising in cooler weather, if for no other reason than I don't smell as bad after it's all done. However, this being winter in Utah there are nights when the air is bone chilling, or snow is falling in droves, keeping us from wanting to lose a nose, finger or toe to frostbite. These nights, we take to the local mall.
I don't know if they're common where you are, but here in the Salt Lake Valley mall walkers are a regular sight. They range in ages, but mostly consist of the "older" set, and are most often seen in the morning hours before the opening of stores brings an onslaught of shoppers. Hubby and I, however, brave the evening hours to do our walking.
To keep things exciting we switch up which mall entrance we park near. I know, you can hardly stand how utterly awesome we are at this moment, right? Tonight we went really wild...and walked in the opposite direction. Funny thing is - it threw us off! We almost took a few wrong turns in Macy's.
Tonight I was not in fine form. As we finished our first lap around the mall I told my hubby to go on ahead of me, that I needed to slow down. I watched him race off and could literally feel my legs sigh in relief as I let up a bit on the pace. Hubby went screeching off through the food court, but I skipped it, as I knew it could take about as much time for me to finish the mall by cutting a few corners as it would him going the full course. And it did.
Still, I'm grateful for a husband who pushes me to go just a bit faster in walking, whether it be in the mall or outside. He's the reason I'm still going strong on exercising. And for those who didn't get the "pun intended" in the title? Our last name is Walker :)
Walking with my husband is not for the weak-hearted, nor the slow going. His "power" walk has me trotting to keep up. His normal pace has my calf muscles crying in pain. I remember the days I used to keep up with him without hoping someone would run up behind me with a wheelchair because I could feel my legs turning to jelly even as we rounded a corner. One of these days I'll be able to keep up again.
Seeing as how it's winter in Utah, there are nights when the air is crisp but not freezing and taking a good half-hour walk feels exhilarating rather than exhausting. I love exercising in cooler weather, if for no other reason than I don't smell as bad after it's all done. However, this being winter in Utah there are nights when the air is bone chilling, or snow is falling in droves, keeping us from wanting to lose a nose, finger or toe to frostbite. These nights, we take to the local mall.
I don't know if they're common where you are, but here in the Salt Lake Valley mall walkers are a regular sight. They range in ages, but mostly consist of the "older" set, and are most often seen in the morning hours before the opening of stores brings an onslaught of shoppers. Hubby and I, however, brave the evening hours to do our walking.
To keep things exciting we switch up which mall entrance we park near. I know, you can hardly stand how utterly awesome we are at this moment, right? Tonight we went really wild...and walked in the opposite direction. Funny thing is - it threw us off! We almost took a few wrong turns in Macy's.
Tonight I was not in fine form. As we finished our first lap around the mall I told my hubby to go on ahead of me, that I needed to slow down. I watched him race off and could literally feel my legs sigh in relief as I let up a bit on the pace. Hubby went screeching off through the food court, but I skipped it, as I knew it could take about as much time for me to finish the mall by cutting a few corners as it would him going the full course. And it did.
Still, I'm grateful for a husband who pushes me to go just a bit faster in walking, whether it be in the mall or outside. He's the reason I'm still going strong on exercising. And for those who didn't get the "pun intended" in the title? Our last name is Walker :)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Go Vote!!!
My friends, family, and accidental stopper-by's, I'm asking for you to follow this link and go vote for my favorite DJ, Cort Johnson, to win a walk-on-roll to a television show called Life Unexpected. DJ's from all over the US are vying for this exciting chance, and Cort's almost 5000 votes BEHIND!!!
They'll show you a short clip beforehand, then you'll see a LOT of pictures in order by city. Scroll down to the S's, where you'll see Salt Lake City and Cort. PLEASE DO THIS!!! You can vote up to five times a day, and all five votes can be done in a row. It shouldn't take long at all, and maybe, just maybe, we can see our very own Cort on a big show!
Life Unexpected
They'll show you a short clip beforehand, then you'll see a LOT of pictures in order by city. Scroll down to the S's, where you'll see Salt Lake City and Cort. PLEASE DO THIS!!! You can vote up to five times a day, and all five votes can be done in a row. It shouldn't take long at all, and maybe, just maybe, we can see our very own Cort on a big show!
Life Unexpected
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sunday Inspirations January 10, 2010
I'm home with sick kids today. I didn't want to be, and felt HUGE amounts of guilt for leaving my Primary ladies without a chorister :( To be honest my tummy's not feeling the happiest either, so today will be a day spent trying to entertain my family in a "Sabbath" manner.
Earlier this week a friend posted on Facebook about a Daddy-Daughter date he had with his little girl. He had come home from the temple with "a handful of thoughts to do", including starting up a weekly date with his daughter. It wasn't anything extraordinary, just decorating and eating a cake they made, but I have no doubt it meant the world to his little one.
I want to spend a little time today talking about the things we do with our little ones. Whether they be your children, your grandchildren, your nieces or nephews, or your best friends' kids, everyone out there has access to a child who is in need of special one-on-one time.
A few months ago - back when the weather was MUCH warmer - my daughter's nursery teacher would call and ask if she could take A to the park for a few hours. She would willingly play whatever my daughter wanted (which half the time meant teacher was the "baby" and A was the "mommy"). You can have no possible idea how much that meant to my little girl.
But one-on-one time doesn't have to mean spending hours together doing what the child wants. My B loves to go grocery shopping with me. J loves to sit and watch me play on the computer. M loves to watch a show before going in her room at night. All of them appreciate a little chapter in a book read, or even just laying on Mom and Dad's bed to talk and joke around.
It may not seem like a big deal to us as adults, but the love given in even the smallest of acts can be more fulfilling than we could ever imagine. Children need to feel as though they are important in the lives of those who purportedly love them; more important than dishes, than computer time, than mopping the floor, than work, work, and more work. They need to see they are a priority. If you seek to spend time with with them, the closer you will be during the years they will need you most, even if they want you the least.
"In choosing how we spend time as a family, we should be careful not to exhaust our available time on things that are merely good and leave little time for that which is better or best. A friend took his young family on a series of summer vacation trips, including visits to memorable historic sites. At the end of the summer he asked his teenage son which of these good summer activities he enjoyed most. The father learned from the reply, and so did those he told of it. 'The thing I liked best this summer,' the boy replied, 'was the night you and I laid on the lawn and looked at the stars and talked.' Super family activities may be good for children, but they are not always better than one-on-one time with a loving parent" (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Good, Better, Best", Ensign, Nov. 2007).
While spending quality time with children is good, we also need to make certain we don't readily speed to the other end and fill all our - and their - time with activities.
"The amount of children-and-parent time absorbed in the good activities of private lessons, team sports, and other school and club activities also needs to be carefully regulated. Otherwise, children will be overscheduled, and parents will be frazzled and frustrated" (Ibid).
In other words, if you're both so busy filling your days with karate and ballet and football and violin, where will you find time to lay on the grass and look at the stars? Where will you find those little moments to really communicate if you're both too tired and frazzled to talk?
Some of the best conversations I've had with my children have been in the most unexpected places: while grocery shopping, or when they help wash dishes or make dinner, when we've finished reading and they finally want to open up about their day. I can only hope as they get into their teenage years this will be something we'll continue to do.
Children are our future leaders, teachers, caregivers, and most importantly, our future parents. Take some time out of your crazy, busy days to love a child. Not only will it help them to feel loved, you WILL find yourself feeling utterly loved in return.
Earlier this week a friend posted on Facebook about a Daddy-Daughter date he had with his little girl. He had come home from the temple with "a handful of thoughts to do", including starting up a weekly date with his daughter. It wasn't anything extraordinary, just decorating and eating a cake they made, but I have no doubt it meant the world to his little one.
I want to spend a little time today talking about the things we do with our little ones. Whether they be your children, your grandchildren, your nieces or nephews, or your best friends' kids, everyone out there has access to a child who is in need of special one-on-one time.
A few months ago - back when the weather was MUCH warmer - my daughter's nursery teacher would call and ask if she could take A to the park for a few hours. She would willingly play whatever my daughter wanted (which half the time meant teacher was the "baby" and A was the "mommy"). You can have no possible idea how much that meant to my little girl.
But one-on-one time doesn't have to mean spending hours together doing what the child wants. My B loves to go grocery shopping with me. J loves to sit and watch me play on the computer. M loves to watch a show before going in her room at night. All of them appreciate a little chapter in a book read, or even just laying on Mom and Dad's bed to talk and joke around.
It may not seem like a big deal to us as adults, but the love given in even the smallest of acts can be more fulfilling than we could ever imagine. Children need to feel as though they are important in the lives of those who purportedly love them; more important than dishes, than computer time, than mopping the floor, than work, work, and more work. They need to see they are a priority. If you seek to spend time with with them, the closer you will be during the years they will need you most, even if they want you the least.
"In choosing how we spend time as a family, we should be careful not to exhaust our available time on things that are merely good and leave little time for that which is better or best. A friend took his young family on a series of summer vacation trips, including visits to memorable historic sites. At the end of the summer he asked his teenage son which of these good summer activities he enjoyed most. The father learned from the reply, and so did those he told of it. 'The thing I liked best this summer,' the boy replied, 'was the night you and I laid on the lawn and looked at the stars and talked.' Super family activities may be good for children, but they are not always better than one-on-one time with a loving parent" (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Good, Better, Best", Ensign, Nov. 2007).
While spending quality time with children is good, we also need to make certain we don't readily speed to the other end and fill all our - and their - time with activities.
"The amount of children-and-parent time absorbed in the good activities of private lessons, team sports, and other school and club activities also needs to be carefully regulated. Otherwise, children will be overscheduled, and parents will be frazzled and frustrated" (Ibid).
In other words, if you're both so busy filling your days with karate and ballet and football and violin, where will you find time to lay on the grass and look at the stars? Where will you find those little moments to really communicate if you're both too tired and frazzled to talk?
Some of the best conversations I've had with my children have been in the most unexpected places: while grocery shopping, or when they help wash dishes or make dinner, when we've finished reading and they finally want to open up about their day. I can only hope as they get into their teenage years this will be something we'll continue to do.
Children are our future leaders, teachers, caregivers, and most importantly, our future parents. Take some time out of your crazy, busy days to love a child. Not only will it help them to feel loved, you WILL find yourself feeling utterly loved in return.
Friday, January 8, 2010
In Love
"I'm in love, I'm in LOVE and I don't care who knows it!" (Name that Christmas movie?)
I'm about to wax mushy, so if you're not in the mood for sappy declarations of love you might want to move on.
It's true though - I'm utterly in love. My heart has been captured in ways I never thought possible. Not only is it entrapped, but it hopes never to be freed. Surely there has never been a love quite like this.
Okay so there has, but my heart is so full to overflowing this morning and I simply cannot start cleaning the bathroom until I have declared to the world my love.
I am in love with my oldest child, my first born, my daughter extraordinaire. I'm in love with her maturing personality, with the way she helps take care of her siblings, with her willingness to now finish the dishes so mom and dad can take a walk (even if it does mean she only washes the dishes in the sink and not the ones we weren't able to clear off the table 'cause certain little people weren't done yet). I'm in love with her constant willingness to share, in detail, every dream she had that night. I'm even in love with the way she happens to "remember a dream" she had who knows how long ago that suddenly coincides with something someone else said. I'm in love with the way she's picking friends who are more apt to support and love her rather than pull her down. I'm completely in love with the way she asks to read a new book with me even when we're not finished with the last one. I'm in love with the fact her favorite time of the day is around seven pm 'cause it means watching Ghost Whisperer with mom and dad.
I am in love with my J, my little ball of inattentive energy, who would rather watch other people play recorded video games on YouTube than go to the park. I'm in love with the way his face crumpled when he realized he had EXTRA homework, then lit up in surprise when he found out the extra homework was for accelerated students. I'm completely in love with his mischievous grin when he's pulling a really bad joke, and the way he protects his younger sister (even when she's screaming at the top of her lungs to "STOP IT!"). I am completely in love with the fact he can't wait to turn 12 so he can start going to priesthood meetings with dad (though he may not think it's as much fun when he's actually 12 and attending those meetings). I am in love with the way he can get just as excited over watching someone else open their presents as he can get over opening his own. I am in love with his sudden hugs and kisses which he rarely gives, and the way he'll play with my hair when sitting on my lap to watch me play the computer. And I am in love with the way he's learning that even though things come easily to his younger brother, HE needs to keep on trying and never give up!
I am in love with my youngest son, my B, who is more like me in temperament than any of the others, who has a heart as big and loving as the world. I am in love with his willingness to share with those around him, and his need to have some "alone time" just like mom. I am in love with his giggle, and the fact he doesn't mind being tickled so I can hear that **giggle.** I am completely in love with his hugs which he gives out freely, and the way he's got every one of his siblings saying, "Mom, Dad, you're the bestest in the whole world!" Though I am NOT quite in love with the way he teases his younger sister, I am in love with how he so willingly sits down to play Barbie's with her. I am in love with his great big bear hugs, and his slobbery kisses, and the way he'll play with my hand when I lay down at night to put his sister to bed. I am utterly in love with his very distinct sense of justice, of right and wrong, and of what he believes Heavenly Father and Jesus like and don't like.
Last, but certainly not least (as anyone who's ever met her can verify), I am in love with my little Princess A. I am in love with her obsession with everything Barbie and High School Musical. I am in love with the way her talking has increased as of late, and every funny little thing that comes out of her mouth. I am in love with, and terrified by, the way she mimics those around her. I am beyond in love with the conversations between A and her daddy. I am in love with the way her little face crumples :( when she's told no, and even the way she'll get a hysterical sounding laugh when coming out of her tantrums. I am in love with the way she'll talk to her daddy, her siblings, and her grandparents on her little play phone. I cannot help being in love with her declarations of love, of the way she'll demand her brothers give her a kiss before leaving the car at school, and how she thinks mom's ears are pretty now because mom has earrings.
I am in love with them all because, despite the mistakes I make, they still love me with an openness I thrive on. I am in love with their sweet natures, and their willingness to learn and grow. I am in love with their tender spirits, which I know they all had before they came to this earth, and has little to do with me raising them. And I cannot end without thanking with all of my ♥heart♥ and soul my Heavenly Father for blessing me with four of my most favorite children in the whole entire world!
I'm about to wax mushy, so if you're not in the mood for sappy declarations of love you might want to move on.
It's true though - I'm utterly in love. My heart has been captured in ways I never thought possible. Not only is it entrapped, but it hopes never to be freed. Surely there has never been a love quite like this.
Okay so there has, but my heart is so full to overflowing this morning and I simply cannot start cleaning the bathroom until I have declared to the world my love.
I am in love with my oldest child, my first born, my daughter extraordinaire. I'm in love with her maturing personality, with the way she helps take care of her siblings, with her willingness to now finish the dishes so mom and dad can take a walk (even if it does mean she only washes the dishes in the sink and not the ones we weren't able to clear off the table 'cause certain little people weren't done yet). I'm in love with her constant willingness to share, in detail, every dream she had that night. I'm even in love with the way she happens to "remember a dream" she had who knows how long ago that suddenly coincides with something someone else said. I'm in love with the way she's picking friends who are more apt to support and love her rather than pull her down. I'm completely in love with the way she asks to read a new book with me even when we're not finished with the last one. I'm in love with the fact her favorite time of the day is around seven pm 'cause it means watching Ghost Whisperer with mom and dad.
I am in love with my J, my little ball of inattentive energy, who would rather watch other people play recorded video games on YouTube than go to the park. I'm in love with the way his face crumpled when he realized he had EXTRA homework, then lit up in surprise when he found out the extra homework was for accelerated students. I'm completely in love with his mischievous grin when he's pulling a really bad joke, and the way he protects his younger sister (even when she's screaming at the top of her lungs to "STOP IT!"). I am completely in love with the fact he can't wait to turn 12 so he can start going to priesthood meetings with dad (though he may not think it's as much fun when he's actually 12 and attending those meetings). I am in love with the way he can get just as excited over watching someone else open their presents as he can get over opening his own. I am in love with his sudden hugs and kisses which he rarely gives, and the way he'll play with my hair when sitting on my lap to watch me play the computer. And I am in love with the way he's learning that even though things come easily to his younger brother, HE needs to keep on trying and never give up!
I am in love with my youngest son, my B, who is more like me in temperament than any of the others, who has a heart as big and loving as the world. I am in love with his willingness to share with those around him, and his need to have some "alone time" just like mom. I am in love with his giggle, and the fact he doesn't mind being tickled so I can hear that **giggle.** I am completely in love with his hugs which he gives out freely, and the way he's got every one of his siblings saying, "Mom, Dad, you're the bestest in the whole world!" Though I am NOT quite in love with the way he teases his younger sister, I am in love with how he so willingly sits down to play Barbie's with her. I am in love with his great big bear hugs, and his slobbery kisses, and the way he'll play with my hand when I lay down at night to put his sister to bed. I am utterly in love with his very distinct sense of justice, of right and wrong, and of what he believes Heavenly Father and Jesus like and don't like.
Last, but certainly not least (as anyone who's ever met her can verify), I am in love with my little Princess A. I am in love with her obsession with everything Barbie and High School Musical. I am in love with the way her talking has increased as of late, and every funny little thing that comes out of her mouth. I am in love with, and terrified by, the way she mimics those around her. I am beyond in love with the conversations between A and her daddy. I am in love with the way her little face crumples :( when she's told no, and even the way she'll get a hysterical sounding laugh when coming out of her tantrums. I am in love with the way she'll talk to her daddy, her siblings, and her grandparents on her little play phone. I cannot help being in love with her declarations of love, of the way she'll demand her brothers give her a kiss before leaving the car at school, and how she thinks mom's ears are pretty now because mom has earrings.
I am in love with them all because, despite the mistakes I make, they still love me with an openness I thrive on. I am in love with their sweet natures, and their willingness to learn and grow. I am in love with their tender spirits, which I know they all had before they came to this earth, and has little to do with me raising them. And I cannot end without thanking with all of my ♥heart♥ and soul my Heavenly Father for blessing me with four of my most favorite children in the whole entire world!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
An Awesome Poem
My sil Cathy gave me a copy of this incredible poem today, one she's shared with my oldest and many of her other nieces and friends. I'd like to share it with you today. I don't know who wrote it, so I can't give credit where credit is massively due, so if you happen to know please pass the name along.
Let me have the courage to believe in myself.
Not only on the days when I'm going great
And nothing seems impossible
But on the days when the world looks lousy and I'm losing.
And the road ahead seems too hard;
When I wonder if I'm brave enough, smart enough,
Strong enough and I must be crazy if I try,
Don't let me quit - Let me have courage in myself.
No matter how many people discourage me, doubt me,
Laugh at me, warn me, think me a fool...
Don't let me listen, Let me hear another voice saying,
"You can do it," ... and, "You will."
If no one else in the world cares or believes in me...
Let me have courage to believe in myself!
Let me have the courage to believe in myself.
Not only on the days when I'm going great
And nothing seems impossible
But on the days when the world looks lousy and I'm losing.
And the road ahead seems too hard;
When I wonder if I'm brave enough, smart enough,
Strong enough and I must be crazy if I try,
Don't let me quit - Let me have courage in myself.
No matter how many people discourage me, doubt me,
Laugh at me, warn me, think me a fool...
Don't let me listen, Let me hear another voice saying,
"You can do it," ... and, "You will."
If no one else in the world cares or believes in me...
Let me have courage to believe in myself!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Sunday Inspirations January 3, 2010
I seriously thought about taking the last day of 2009 and the first day of 2010 and posting about memories and planned changes. But I was busy having too much fun with my family. So instead I've saved it for today. Lucky guys, you all are!
2009 has left me feeling conflicted. It was a year filled with intense struggles, not only for myself but for many around me. The majority of my year dealt with trying to handle depression, not handling depression, and finally being given the helping hands I've needed to feel happy and alive again. My husband in his role as a Mormon bishop for the second year has found himself needing to grow in ways we never thought would be necessary. We've watched as rumors and backbiting reared their ugly heads around the members we love, and have witnessed the extraordinary faith of others that has carried them through trials and tribulations.
I have never been able to deny the hand of the Lord at work even through the tough times. Even when things got so hard I didn't know if we'd make it another day, we were always granted a kindness from our beloved Savior through the love of others. On the roughest of days I have received beautiful words of encouragement. When my husband at times felt utterly unloved a ward member would offer up just the right words to help him carry through. As we struggled to make sense of horrible situations, others filled with light and beauty would appear to help remind us of why we do all we do. It's those tender mercies I'm so fond of, sent by a loving Father and Brother, that got us through this last year.
Here in 2010 (it's still a bit surreal to write that) my most sincere hope is to see good things happen with all the lessons learned. How wonderful it would be to see people once again able to get jobs, to provide for their families, to heal broken hearts, and to repent, enabling them to come back to the Lord. How I long to see friends who have tried so desperately for so long to have children finally have their wish granted. And oh how I hope those who have recently reached out to find new friends and new solace in those they may never before have looked to, to keep up those friendships so that no one feels alone.
For myself, I've decided to set up some personal goals to help stretch myself. I want to see if some of the lessons I've learned over the last year can be put to good use in this new one, and to try changing the things I've noticed about myself by replacing certain things with better behaviors. As goals not written down rarely get accomplished, I'm going to take a moment to write the top five of mine down.
First, I'm giving up soda. I hadn't let it touch my lips for several years until I got preggo with my youngest, and was so desperately sick with her Diet Coke was the only thing I could drink. Since then I've escalated and it's getting silly. When I'm drinking more pop than water it's time for a change.
Second, I'm going to refrain from playing on Facebook unless I've gotten some form of work done first. Even if it means I do ten minutes of work, then ten minutes on Facebook, it's time to get that priority in order!
Third, it's time to get back to my writing. I've been playing so much with making bookmarks, jewelry, and crocheting I haven't written on either of my books-in-progress. It's high time I put in at least a little effort with those. At the same time I want to get back into learning, reading. I love to learn and haven't done much of it lately.
Fourth, I'm going to exercise for a half hour five times a week. Whether it's walking at the mall with my husband or strength training, this is the year I want to make a real effort to take control of my health, and I want to start with exercise. My hubby and I have even joined a "Biggest Loser" group to help encourage us for the first six months. Though the process is completely up to us, we're all going for the big "pot" at the end.
And fifth, I want to refocus my attention on teaching the kids. With our recently crazy schedules too many things were pushed aside: family home evening, dinner at the table, scripture reading, etc. I want to make certain my children have a good portion of the spiritual side and family time to balance out what they get everywhere else. I want to be aware of what's going on in their lives so I can help when they need it, and it's hard to give them the time they need when I fill it with...Facebook.
There we go. Five of my biggest goals for this next year. Have you written yours down yet?
2009 has left me feeling conflicted. It was a year filled with intense struggles, not only for myself but for many around me. The majority of my year dealt with trying to handle depression, not handling depression, and finally being given the helping hands I've needed to feel happy and alive again. My husband in his role as a Mormon bishop for the second year has found himself needing to grow in ways we never thought would be necessary. We've watched as rumors and backbiting reared their ugly heads around the members we love, and have witnessed the extraordinary faith of others that has carried them through trials and tribulations.
I have never been able to deny the hand of the Lord at work even through the tough times. Even when things got so hard I didn't know if we'd make it another day, we were always granted a kindness from our beloved Savior through the love of others. On the roughest of days I have received beautiful words of encouragement. When my husband at times felt utterly unloved a ward member would offer up just the right words to help him carry through. As we struggled to make sense of horrible situations, others filled with light and beauty would appear to help remind us of why we do all we do. It's those tender mercies I'm so fond of, sent by a loving Father and Brother, that got us through this last year.
Here in 2010 (it's still a bit surreal to write that) my most sincere hope is to see good things happen with all the lessons learned. How wonderful it would be to see people once again able to get jobs, to provide for their families, to heal broken hearts, and to repent, enabling them to come back to the Lord. How I long to see friends who have tried so desperately for so long to have children finally have their wish granted. And oh how I hope those who have recently reached out to find new friends and new solace in those they may never before have looked to, to keep up those friendships so that no one feels alone.
For myself, I've decided to set up some personal goals to help stretch myself. I want to see if some of the lessons I've learned over the last year can be put to good use in this new one, and to try changing the things I've noticed about myself by replacing certain things with better behaviors. As goals not written down rarely get accomplished, I'm going to take a moment to write the top five of mine down.
First, I'm giving up soda. I hadn't let it touch my lips for several years until I got preggo with my youngest, and was so desperately sick with her Diet Coke was the only thing I could drink. Since then I've escalated and it's getting silly. When I'm drinking more pop than water it's time for a change.
Second, I'm going to refrain from playing on Facebook unless I've gotten some form of work done first. Even if it means I do ten minutes of work, then ten minutes on Facebook, it's time to get that priority in order!
Third, it's time to get back to my writing. I've been playing so much with making bookmarks, jewelry, and crocheting I haven't written on either of my books-in-progress. It's high time I put in at least a little effort with those. At the same time I want to get back into learning, reading. I love to learn and haven't done much of it lately.
Fourth, I'm going to exercise for a half hour five times a week. Whether it's walking at the mall with my husband or strength training, this is the year I want to make a real effort to take control of my health, and I want to start with exercise. My hubby and I have even joined a "Biggest Loser" group to help encourage us for the first six months. Though the process is completely up to us, we're all going for the big "pot" at the end.
And fifth, I want to refocus my attention on teaching the kids. With our recently crazy schedules too many things were pushed aside: family home evening, dinner at the table, scripture reading, etc. I want to make certain my children have a good portion of the spiritual side and family time to balance out what they get everywhere else. I want to be aware of what's going on in their lives so I can help when they need it, and it's hard to give them the time they need when I fill it with...Facebook.
There we go. Five of my biggest goals for this next year. Have you written yours down yet?
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