In your face

• Wish I could say "in your face" in some really cool sounding way, but at the same time I didn't really mean it like that.
• Tonight, I looked in the mirror, I thought about all the things I usually notice-- my dark under eye circles, newly forming wrinkles, and blotchy acne-- and then I thought about something unusual for me. This scripture:
• “Can ye look up to God … with a pure heart and clean hands … , having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?” (Alma 5:19).
• I feel like a "silly woman" and like eating another slice of my familiar tasting humble pie. Do you think the image of God upon our countenances would be beautiful? Like a magazine cover?
• Or maybe like something else... and then I thought of women I know who have the image of God in their countenances, and they are so beautiful, warm, and good to be around. So my Christmas question for myself is- what if I sought to think and do those things that would change my countenance, in the way I'd really most like it changed? How would I be different?

Eat, Pray, Love vs. Reality

• Watched the movie Eat, Pray, Love recently. Ms. Roberts had some really beautiful moments and a few... hmm? ones. Since then, I've been thinking. What chord was off-tune? My recent gospel study brought me back to reality.
• Some people take themselves so seriously that they think they cannot feel complete until they find themselves. Some abandon family, occupation, and education in this quest to discover who they are.
• George Bernard Shaw said: “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” Don’t worry about searching for who you are; focus your energies on creating the kind of person you want to be! You will discover that as you pursue that journey you will not only find yourself, but chances are you will be pleasantly surprised and proud of the person you find along the way.
• Do not procrastinate a minute longer. Every moment is precious. Determine now that you will make of your lives something remarkable!-- Elder Joseph F. Wirthlin
• Isn't this statement far more powerful than the idea that you might only really be able to "find" yourself by having millions and going to india to meditate all day? Really? Can only the wealthy do all that is required to "find" oneself? What about those of us who by location, finances, or physical limitations are "stuck". Are we empty soulless sacks.
• NO! REALITY. Each of us has the power to create ourselves and by doing so we can look back with surprise and pride at the person (whole person-character, talents, education, personality, and relationships) we've created. So if who we are is our character, and if character is built, than "ourselves" never need be found especially if they have never been built.

Discipline

Been thinking a lot about discipline, the right way to do it, and what that way is. Self-discipline can be easily set next to the word disciple and the idea of following the same moral code as the savior, thus becoming disciplined... but disciplining children? Studying... Elder Christofferson... said our teaching (discipline) should draw on our own faith and focus first on instilling faith in God that we need to declare the essential need to keep the commandments, reverence and recognize God and His omniscence, and to persuade children that service and sacrifice are superior to one's own comfort and possessions. He also points out that the adversary and his followers are multimedia advocates of sin and selfishness. That means I can't be ho-hummish about it. Thinking of words that might tie in with those ideas: Right Wrong Following Jesus' example Kind Unkind tempted Give instead of take Do you understand? Did you say your prayers? This house is our temple. Songs to memorize: Kindness begins with me, To think about Jesus, Jesus said love everyone, Go the second Mile 167, Sing your way home, Saturday 196, A happy helper, quickly I'll obey, When we're helping we're happing, All things brigh and beautiful 231, Give said the little stream. Hmm.... not ready to apply yet. Any ideas?

Walking in The Rain

It's been raining a lot lately, hasn't it? Outside, on our souls and on our spirits. One thing we keep forgetting though is that we need rain, it gives us what we need to grow. I love it when it's green... but it didn't get green on accident. Something we could ask ourselves to get us to our green: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Gen 18:14 "Restore, my dear Savior, The light of thy face, Thy soul cheering comfort impart; and let the sweet longing For thy holy place Bring hope to my desolate heart. He looks! and ten thousands Of angels rejoice, And myraids wait for his ward; He speaks! and eternity, Filled with his voice, Reechoes the praise of the Lord." ~Redeemer of Israel v 5&6 If you have any doubt at who I'm going to go to when the rain is pouring on me read D&C 19:16- So sisters, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Before going to your friends, kneel. He's waiting.

A Snippet of Optimism

God always answers

Been thinking of an experience I just had that reminded me of this principle. Brooklyn was on her 4th day of a high fever with no other symptoms. She had stopped eating and drinking and acted in pain when she went to the bathroom. At 7o'clock we went to an insta-care where she was examined. They needed a urine sample so they attached to her an uncomfortable plastic bag. For 2 hours she screamed while we waited for her to pee. We tried everything to soothe her, toys, books, walking, going outside... no use. The office was about to close for the night and she still hadn't gone. Exhausted I prayed, "please let her little body know to go the bathroom, she has been uncomfortable for so long. This will help us know how to help her." The staff came in, they were closed. They sent us home with collection supplies and told us to come back tomorrow. She was uncomfortable all night. Heavenly Father said no. The next day we returned to the office with her sample which came back negative for infection. The doctor had been thinking of her and told us that while its rare for children under two, she wanted to run a strept test and re-examine her ears. Had my prayer been answered in my way it would not have helped her and she would have been uncomfortable for longer since the doctor would have missed the strept she now has and her newly developed double ear infection. We received new instructions and medication, and she quickly became more comfortable. Like any good parent, when Heavenly Father says no, He has good reason and we can trust it. Often we confuse the answer "no" or "not right now" with a prayer unanswered. This is false logic. God even said no to His perfect son when Jesus asked, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me (Luke 22:42)." When we expect to be given all we ask for when we ask for it, maybe God would reply, "art thou greater than He?(D&C122:8)" No is as much of an answer to prayer as yes is-- instead no takes work and patience and trust. God always answers.

Fear

I have been thinking a lot about fear, partly because of Linda's comments about hope. I catch myself saying, "I'm just afraid..." Or, "I am worried that..." I worry about my children loving the Lord. I worry that bad things are happing around me and I don't want them to happen to me and my children. Then I start to worry about pain. I hate pain. Here are some quotes about fear, and then I was going to try and add some of a talk that I found comfort in, but it is perfectly written the way it is. Read it if you want. "Fear not little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world." (D&C 50:41) "fear not; only believe. Believe in God, the father of us all... Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the son of God." (President Hinkley) "Just as there have been calamities in the past, we expect more in the future. What do we do? Someone has said it was not raining when Noah built the ark. But he built it, and the rains came." (Elder Eyering)-- This reminds me that all I can do about fear is believe in God and do my best to DO what he wants me to DO. We must live in Faith and not by fear. The Lord has said, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30). "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear." http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=26bb76e6ffe0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD