Do you realize just how blessed I am? I have a husband who I love and loves me and supports me mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially. I have 3 healthy, happy children. I have 2 perfect sons-in-law. I have a beautiful, warm home, a nice car that runs, a job that gives me small challenges as well as peaceful down time. I have food, hobbies, modern technology, and the gospel. I can read, write, play the piano, organ and even carry a tune! I have fun friends who REALLY care! I have an incredible extended family not only in numbers, but also in spirit. I will never be alone! I live in a neighborhood of people who are the salt of the earth! I have great examples to look up to in family and friends. I have wonderful memories as well as a bright future! I have relatively good health. I can walk, see, hear, smell, taste and feel. I feel, not only physically, but emotionally I feel very deeply, that brings me much joy and pain. I cry freely and easily and I am getting old enough that I am beginning to be OK with that.
I’m just feeling very grateful and want to share my joy.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I Voted
Yes, I went and voted. I really should be proud, but I'm afraid it feels like a useless act. Yes, I know, what if everyone didn't vote...yada, yada. Once again, I feel a story coming on!
When I was younger, we used to sleep out. We used to take a sleeping bag outside and fall asleep under the stars. As I would lay and ponder the universe, I would feel so small and so insignificant! It seemed so over-whelming that it would actually creep me out! I felt so minuscule!
That is kind of what voting is to me. Oh, I will continue to vote, mostly because it is the thing to do! I will also encourage my friends and relatives to do the same. My only redeeming thought is, if I vote, I have the privilege to complain about politicians.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Making It
I was talking with my daughter about spiritual things. She told me she was worried because in her words, "What if I don't make it because I'm not good enough?" If there is one thing that I am quite sure of, is that I am going to ' make it'. For some reason, I have not had that worry. I know I'm not perfect and that I make dumb mistakes, but I also believe that you are judged on the intent of your heart, and in some cases, that state of your mind! I believe the atonement works and that repentance and forgiveness is a gift. I guess I base my beliefs on experiences that I have had. When I think of a loving Heavenly Father, the following story comes to mind.
When I was a little girl, my mom taught me how to dust, get a clean rag and wipe things down. We then went into the bathroom for more learning. She told me that wiping things down, like dusting, makes it clean, but if you want something REALLY clean, you would use Comet. We then cleaned the bathroom.
Days later, I was thinking, what could I do to help my mom. I noticed that her bedroom set was dusty. I wanted to REALLY clean it, so I got the Comet, sprinkled it on her wood furniture, wet my rag, and began to clean. As I scrubbed, I noticed it didn't look cleaner, in fact, it looked worse than when I started. I felt like I had done something wrong, so I left my project and went out to play.
When mom saw what was done, she lovingly took me in the bedroom and explained that Comet was only for the bathroom and kitchen and not the bedroom. She still loved me.
As I grew up, I reflected on that experience and was AMAZED that she didn't beat the living tar out of me! I had ruined the finish on her only piece of new furniture she had every owned up to that point! It took years for her to save the money to have it refinished.
I compare that to my Heavenly Father's love. I'll bet he watches us make mistakes and shakes his head A LOT! And yet, I can see him lovingly know that we were doing the best we knew at that moment. Like my mom, he still loves us, forgives us and hopes that we learn from our experiences. I think we all will 'make it' if we just keep trying!
When I was a little girl, my mom taught me how to dust, get a clean rag and wipe things down. We then went into the bathroom for more learning. She told me that wiping things down, like dusting, makes it clean, but if you want something REALLY clean, you would use Comet. We then cleaned the bathroom.
Days later, I was thinking, what could I do to help my mom. I noticed that her bedroom set was dusty. I wanted to REALLY clean it, so I got the Comet, sprinkled it on her wood furniture, wet my rag, and began to clean. As I scrubbed, I noticed it didn't look cleaner, in fact, it looked worse than when I started. I felt like I had done something wrong, so I left my project and went out to play.
When mom saw what was done, she lovingly took me in the bedroom and explained that Comet was only for the bathroom and kitchen and not the bedroom. She still loved me.
As I grew up, I reflected on that experience and was AMAZED that she didn't beat the living tar out of me! I had ruined the finish on her only piece of new furniture she had every owned up to that point! It took years for her to save the money to have it refinished.
I compare that to my Heavenly Father's love. I'll bet he watches us make mistakes and shakes his head A LOT! And yet, I can see him lovingly know that we were doing the best we knew at that moment. Like my mom, he still loves us, forgives us and hopes that we learn from our experiences. I think we all will 'make it' if we just keep trying!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
The Illusion of Control
I am surprised by what is considered to be 'control'. When I hear people talk about their accomplishments or gifts, I often hear the phrase, “You just have to want it bad enough.” So wanting is the only prerequisite of achieving? I think not! If that is all it took, every team would win their game, everyone would be healthy and prosperous, you get the picture. Granted, persistence, hard work, knowledge, these are things that should not be ignored. But do we really have the control over all aspects of our lives?
When Alec was in 1st grade, his class went on a field trip to the canyons. Mr. Chapman took them on a nature walk, pointing out different foliage, wildlife, and the beauties of nature. When we got back into the bus, I noticed that Alec had a grasshopper sitting on his finger. This was amazing to me, because they usually don’t stay in one place for very long, yet this grasshopper seemed to be content to stay with Alec. (I did, however, notice that it was missing a leg.) His class mates were so intrigued. They crowded around him to see this treasure. One friend asked him how he got him to stay on his finger. Alec told him, “I trained him!” --The illusion of control--. Alec was naive enough to think that he had control over the grasshopper. I have asked him about this incident lately and he told me, he really thought that he trained him. After that grasshopper died, he found others, removed their leg and then couldn’t understand why they weren’t ‘trained’.
I am intrigued by the paradox of agency and yet God being in control. I heard it once said that we are in charge of the ingredients of controlling our lives, but God is in charge of the outcome. What are your thoughts?
When Alec was in 1st grade, his class went on a field trip to the canyons. Mr. Chapman took them on a nature walk, pointing out different foliage, wildlife, and the beauties of nature. When we got back into the bus, I noticed that Alec had a grasshopper sitting on his finger. This was amazing to me, because they usually don’t stay in one place for very long, yet this grasshopper seemed to be content to stay with Alec. (I did, however, notice that it was missing a leg.) His class mates were so intrigued. They crowded around him to see this treasure. One friend asked him how he got him to stay on his finger. Alec told him, “I trained him!” --The illusion of control--. Alec was naive enough to think that he had control over the grasshopper. I have asked him about this incident lately and he told me, he really thought that he trained him. After that grasshopper died, he found others, removed their leg and then couldn’t understand why they weren’t ‘trained’.
I am intrigued by the paradox of agency and yet God being in control. I heard it once said that we are in charge of the ingredients of controlling our lives, but God is in charge of the outcome. What are your thoughts?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Somethings About Me
Who are your last 4 texts from?Weather bug, Haley, Melanie and Judy
What's your middle name?
Whats your current favorite color?
Yellow
Does your crush like you back?Oh yeah! He wants me BAD!
What color shirt are you wearing?Blue
If you were going on a Reality TV show, which one would it be? I would LOVE to do “The Swan”
Are you imagining anyone naked right now?
No, are you?
Ever had a near death experience? I felt like it was! When I was river rafting and thrown into Kahuna.
I didn’t know “Lunch Counter” was around the corner and it kept swallowing me up! I was a little traumatized!
Something you do a lot?
Walk, Play Solitaire, Laundry, Watch TV
How old will you be in 12 months? Fifty two-riffic
Do you want to see somebody right now?
I am really missing Jackie (Buhler) Vernon
Who would you do anything for?
My Family – Immediate and Extended!
Who is your hero?
Mother Teresa
What's your biggest fear?
Hitting someone in my car!
Speak any other languages?
Ya zeker! Dutch
Whats your favorite smell?
New Dollys
Do you like to sleep naked?
Heck No! I chafe!
Have you ever kissed in the rain?
Not that I can remember
Do you like rain?
Yes I do!
What are you thinking about right now?What I need to get done after work today.
What’s your favorite memory?
Performing with the Rock Band!
What are you listening to? Joe Cocker – “You Are So Beautiful”
Have you ever been kissed?
Oh Yeah!
Who was the last person you yelled at?Chimi! Ok, he’s not a person, but he barks TOO MUCH!
Who is the last person you said I love you to?Paul
Who is the last person that made you smile?
Alec
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