Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

How can she sleep without a blankie????  I have no idea.

Monday, November 28, 2011

We're supposed to be working

Today my mind has been on a very thought provoking comment that was made in Relief Society yesterday.  We were discussing Sundays and the Sabbath Day and one sister commented that it is rarely discussed the other way around.  Yes, we are supposed to rest and be quiet on the Sabbath Day--absolutely.  But we're supposed to be working the other six days.  Working--the other six days. 

Now, I'm a working mom, and more than once (alot more than once--there's a reason I follow Nony the slob) I've taken a "night off" because, well I do work.  I reflected on justifying  those actions because I am a working mom and sometimes it is just too hard to come home and work more.  I deserve a night off--don't I??  Yes I do--Sunday night. 

Thinking of this concept in this way had never occurred to me before and I am resolved to change at least my way of thinking.  So I went to the scriptures and I'll be honest in saying that--surprisingly-Leviticus is becoming a favorite of late.

" Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings."  Leviticus 23:3

Disclaimer---ALL moms are working moms--I am privileged to work outside the home for a wage to help my husband support our family.  So when I say I am a working mom, that is what I am referring to.  As a matter of fact, if the state of my home on any given day were an indication--most would say I am not a "working" mom at all.  LOL 

Sunday, November 27, 2011

It's not about the numbers---but it kind of is.

"It's not about the numbers".  In our branch, we've been hearing that alot lately.  You see, we are right on the verge of having a large enough attendance to merit a larger building.  Our building now is quite small, with a multipurpose room in place of a chapel and a baptismal font under the floor in the Primary room.  There's only one hallway, and still Jessica finds a way to hide from me! 

So, an architect has been retained, plans have been drawn up, and it really looks like this is going to happen sometime in the near future.  Our stake president sent an email to the members of the high council and the bishops in the other units in our stake letting them know today was a "bullet point" Sunday, (one in which attendance is sent to "the home office") and that if their lives permit, a road trip would not be a bad idea. 

I really had to have a talk with myself about this.  First of all, I'm weary of hearing "it's not about the numbers" cuz really it is.  We have to have a certain average attendance or the bigger meetinghouse will not be built until we do.  And I sort of felt like it was cheating a little for our Stake President to ask others in the stake to attend our branch on certain Sundays.  I felt like if it is time for our branch to grow, it will grow.  I ended my self pep talk the way I usually do whenever I doubt anything.  By reminding myself that I know our Stake President to be an inspired leader and if he felt impressed to make that request--then it is appropriate. 

Then I attended my Sacrament meeting this morning.  Not only was it a wonderful meeting, but we achieved our attendance goal.  And I was once again and as usual humbled in my doubt.  So many members brought someone.  Children, step children, neighbors, friends, inactive members came out to assist.  I knew pretty much every one of them and there is not one I would not love to see every single Sunday if not more.  It was lovely to see everyone and only added to the spirit of the meeting.  I realized what our leaders have meant all this time when they've been saying "it's not about the numbers".  It's about the people and the spirit they bring and the love that we feel for them.  Yes, we are a small group, and I for one have been secretly against alot of growth because I like the small group.  However, today taught me that when you know and love everyone in attendance, even a large group can feel like a small group. 

Very grateful for Heavenly Father's patience with me, and that he knows how to  teach me the things I need to learn. 

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Donny Dance Forum

Still makes me happy!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Everyone likes to feel useful

Recently, I've been given an excellent opportunity at work.  I've been selected to work on a project to replace the billing mainframe.  I moved to the office location where the Business Analysts and Developers (programmers) are and am considered a part of "the team".  This means going from a work environment that is extremely production driven to a work environment that is extremely NOT production driven.

I'll be honest--I'm struggling to adjust.  I think the hubs might be enjoying it though.  Since I am feeling very not necessary at work right now, and am doing a lot of sitting and reading and composing scenarios to test, when I come home from work I can't wait to do things.  I've been running around, doing housework and helping him with things that he's doing, and just generally getting caught up on things. 

It's a little amusing how the atmosphere at work affects the atmosphere at home, and I'm surprised how my first "knee jerk" response to feeling un necessary was to over compensate at home.   Cute.

Monday, November 21, 2011

I wonder if I do that

Just listening to Christian radio earlier today, there was a discussion about some scriptures in Leviticus.  The gentleman running the program admonished us to not treat holy things as if they were common. 

He mentioned his frustration at others of his faith constantly (or so it seems) talking about the "precious blood" or some other precious thing.  His point is that if something is precious to us, we should not be constantly speaking of it in idle conversation.

I agree--to an extent.  I have been privileged to have some powerful spiritual experiences and confirmations.  Some of them so intensely personal and revelatory to me personally, that there is no way I would even want to share the details with others.  I firmly believe in the "line upon line" concept.  Everyone learns key doctrines when and how they are ready.  Things have been opened up to me when I was ready and able to receive them.  I love this about Heavenly Father.  He doesn't give us more than we're able to understand and receive.

At the same time, I remember teaching more than one lesson in Young Women's and being as specific as I dared about such topics as boys, dating, marriage, divorce, temple worship, etc.  I do this because I feel it is important to be specific.  Most of my Young Women's leaders (back in the day) were not specific and there were some key things that I did not understand.  I want these girls to understand--to know the importance of their marriage choices and the problems caused by divorce.  I want them to know their divine nature and that any one who would have them forget or act beneath that is a second class citizen on their best day.  They can choose for themselves, but I don't want it to be because I did not do my best to make them understand the seriousness of the choices they are making right now--at this point in their life.   I tell them how I feel when I'm in the temple.  I help them in every way I can think of to understand who they are. 

I still found myself wondering, in the act of being specific and trying to help these wonderful Young Women, am I making light of serious things?  I hope not, I don't mean to--but the thought remains.  I suppose I'll have to ask the only one who really knows won't I??  Oh well.  I'll keep you posted.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Do you ever feel like???

You have to fight for everything and no one takes you seriously?  I feel that way sometimes.  Wouldn't it be great if we lived in a world where all ideas were good ideas and no one ever felt compelled to ask why?  Or argue or disregard everything you say?

No--that would not be a good world at all.  But it's nice to think about it sometimes. 

Saturday, November 19, 2011

YAY for Returned Missionaries!!!

Today, one of my favorite people on the planet is coming home from his mission in the Marshall Islands.


Apparently, this is the airport.  WOW!  They are islands in the Pacific and after being there for two years, I'm super glad that Jake is coming home to 38 degrees and possible snow later today.  What a welcome home!

I have missed my dear, dear friend so much and cannot wait until my schedule permits me to go and have a proper visit with him.

Meanwhile, this afternoon is not the proper time for a visit with Jacob G because I have to drop off and pick up my daughter at the movie theater.



Jessica invited me to go along with her and her friends and of course, I said NO THANK YOU.  I am not interested in the intense drama associated with these films.  But I hope Jessica enjoys it.  Remember when you were 14 and fairy tale romances seemed more than possible but likely?  I do. 

Friday, November 18, 2011

Young Women in Excellence

This week, we held our Young Women in Excellence program.  I'll be honest and say that I was more than a little nervous about it.  We did not get a chance to practice, and we did not have everything completely ironed out before the "moment of truth". 

The program turned out beautifully!  Our Young Women are so amazing!  Their talks were insightful, spiritual, and surprisingly honest and open.  They couldn't wait until the end to show all of their talent tables to the adults in attendance and it was an absolutely beautiful evening.

I'll admit, when I was called to serve in the Young Women, I thought Heavenly Father was either joking or that this was going to be an interesting new way to punish me.  This has not been the case at all.  Not for one minute.  I am constantly touched and amazed at these girls.  What a gift it is for me to be able to serve them.  I am grateful.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

What an evening!

Since I am pretty cheap when it comes to paying for movies, I consider it positively providential that one of my good "work friends" likes the same movies as I do and buys them immediately when they come out on video.  I spent the better part of this evening watching the following film for the first time:
Now I don't mind saying that I'm one of  those people who gets upset when movies aren't exactly true to the books.  With that being said, I think they did a good job with this one.  There was some dramatic license taken, and some of the things in the book that I really wanted to see on film weren't there, but I enjoyed it tremendously.  I was hooked from the first minute to the last even though I knew the story and how it would end.  And while yes, I am a HUGE Weasley fan, one of  the reasons I'm so happy with the movie is because they did justice to the character who was more complex and human and beautiful than the others.  (This is my opinion--you're free to have your own)

What a beautifully talented actor to be able to portray at least a part of what Snape must have gone through with almost nothing but facial expressions. 

Sunday, November 13, 2011

What a stinker!

After a great Saturday at the temple, I usually enjoy going to church and spreading my "temple glow" for all to see.  I love going to the temple and love the general happiness that lingers afterwards.

However, last night, I was up most of the night with the most horrible headache I've had for quite a while.  It felt like I was over heated, so I stripped out of my pajammies and laid on top of the covers for a while to cool off.  Nothing.  When it came time to get up and get Jessica up, I was dizzy and felt like I would most surely barf all over everything, so I stayed home from church.  Not a frequent occurrence I assure you. 

When I was finally able to drag my keester downstairs to say hello to my daughter without passing out or throwing up, we thought maybe I was dehydrated.  I drank and drank and drank water water water water.  Nothing.  I was miserable most of the day.  Jessica's dad picked her up and I felt horrible at having had to spend all day curled up into a little ball barely being able to move.

A while after she left, Tom informed me that he knew what my problem was.  Jessica had jacked the heat up to about 75 degrees.  I WAS roasting!  No wonder laying outside the covers didn't work!  No wonder drinking the water didn't work!  GRRRRRR  What a stinker!!!

I guess I still love her.  She's so cute and all.  Here's a pic of the kids that went from our branch and did baptisms yesterday in the St Paul Temple.  Since there was only 1 young man and we had an assigned number of baptisms to perform, this wonderful young priesthood holder did over 50 baptisms in one "sitting".  What a trooper!  All of the girls did 15-20.  What troopers!  So proud of these kids I can't believe it!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

It's been a couple of weeks

I saw this today and wanted to share it.  I never would have considered myself an "introvert", but every single one of these things is true about me.  Interesting.