Go Forward With Faith

While I was reading in the Ensign the other day, I came across a really good talk about what to do when we don't know what to do. I have been in this situation many times in my life and I really appreciated the council given and share with you the following by Brother Ellis of the Seventy," We may find ourselves in situations that require us to take action without knowing what to do. It is our responsibility to act--The scriptures warn us that not knowing is not an excuse for not doing. The Lord expects us to inquire, study and act. When you are living righteously and are acting with trust, God will not let you proceed too far without a warning impression if you have made the wrong decision. So what should we do when we don't know what to do? 1. Seek answers through study and prayer 2. Obey the commandments 3. Trust in the Lord and His promises 4. Follow the prophet 5. Go forward with faith, not fear 6. Complete our mission." The story of Nephi in the Book of Mormon always comes to mind when I think of his going back to the house of Laban to get the plates not knowing beforehand how to accomplish this task, but trusting that the Lord would provide a way. It is hard to know what to do in life when changes come to us so fast for so many reasons:going back to school, getting laid off of a job, starting and raising a family, balancing all of the needs of the people you love, finding out what you have control over and what you don't---and the list goes on. I have seen many tender mercies of the Lord in my life and the miracles that happen regularly to help me know what to do when I am trying my best to live my life the right way, and I am grateful! I love you all and pray that we may all go forward with faith. Happy Day!
Thought for the day: Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way.

Just look!

There are a lot of very sad situations in this ole world. We see the suffering of the people in Haiti and our hearts go out to them. We want to know how we can help--and we do. We pray for them and contribute money and time. We see the best of peoples characters come out in times of tragedy. There are many people that are suffering around us, but they do so in silence. Because of the silence, we are unaware and don't ask what we can do for them. Sometimes the people who are suffering are in our own families, neighborhoods and communities. They might be having a hard time because of a loss of job, loneliness, or feelings of hopelessness. We can all feel overwhelmed and alone at times, so let's look around us more earnestly and become an instrument in the hands of the Lord by being the answer to someones prayers who might be struggling for whatever reason. Sometimes a smile is all that is needed! We can all do something for someone and the benefits to the soul for the giver and receiver are tremendous! I am very grateful for all of my blessings for they are many! I will continue to pray for the people in Haiti AND for those of you who may be suffering in silence. You are loved! Happy Day!
Thought for the day: "Good friends are like angels. You don't have to see them to know they are there."

Perception

Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses! Happy Day!

I knew this would happen!.....

It's so funny that so many of us spend time thinking," Life will be better when....... I have always said that we shouldn't spend a minute of our precious time wishing life away. Saying things like," I can't wait til I'm 16 so I can drive"," can't wait until I'm out of school", "can't wait until we have kids"," can't wait til the kids are gone"-- and the list goes on. I really didn't think I did this much but after examining some of my "less than ideal" characteristics, I found that I am guilty of this. I couldn't wait until last semester was over because it was a killer semester. Once it was over, the holiday celebrations began. I felt like such a slacker because I slept in til 7 or 8, and just hung around the house, not exercising, eating LOTS of goodies and not doing much of anything. I enjoyed being with the family and we had a blast but I was so used to "full speed ahead", that I didn't feel like I was accomplishing much of anything. I then began to do something crazy- I began to look forward to going back to school. My family kept telling me to just enjoy the time off because I would be back in school way too soon. And they were right! Oh my gosh, I just finished my first full week back at school and WHY was I wanting more of another KILLER semester? uhhhhh-good question! I am doing a double internship, teaching at Turning Point on Thursdays from 9-noon, and with the DCFS on Monday's and Wednesdays and sometimes Tuesday mornings. I have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 1:00 until 4:30 and a class on Thursday nights from 5:30 to 8:00pm.I also have a class Monday,Wed, and Friday at 1:00 which I am auditing since I can't be there sometimes because of my internship. I get to school on Tues. and Thurs. at 6am to lift weights (and get my pick of parking spots) and then try to be at the library at 7am for homework Monday through Friday. I'm also co-President of the Behavioral Science Club with my wonderful friend Kiara! We both feel like we jumped off the deep end and are waiting for the life boat to come rescue us! Hey Kiara, I think it will be here around graduation on April 29th!:) So how many days until Christmas? I can't wait! ha ha I really like the saying, "Wherever you are BE THERE!" Life goes by way too fast and it is all about the journey, so I am going to stop, take a deep breath and enjoy my experiences! Next time you are in the middle of something, don't be thinking of what you didn't do yesterday or should be doing now or need to do tomorrow---enjoy and experience the now. Tomorrow will come soon enough! Happy Day and love to all!!!!! :)

Thought for the day: For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness!

Faith is Always Pointed to the Future!

There is something in many of us that particularly fails to forgive and forget earlier mistakes in life-either our mistakes or the mistakes of others. As Elder Holland said, we are not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays....for the past is to be learned from but not lived in. To be tied to earlier mistakes is the worst kind of wallowing in the past from which we are called to cease and desist. It is hard to look forward with optimism to the future when we are constantly looking back and dwelling on things that have happened in the past. Do not let your attachment to the past outweigh your confidence in the future! We will all make mistakes so pick yourself up, dust yourself off , learn what you can and move forward with the wisdom you have gained. Those who succeed in life are not the ones who have not fallen but those who pick themselves up keep trying! The Lord gave us the gift of the Atonement to make up the difference and He wants us to succeed. Let us not live below our true abilities. Don't' keep going back with your little sand pail and beach shovel to dig up the past, wave it around, and then throw it at someone, saying, "Hey! Do you remember this?" Splat! We are better than this. Let us show increased Kindness to ourselves and others. We are all in this together!!! Happy Day!
Thought for the day: The harm others have done to us in the past only matters to the extent that we allow it to affect us today.

Laugh or Cry?!

I feel like crying but after all of the preaching I have done about having a choice I shall CHOOSE to laugh! Applying for Graduate School has turned out to be a VERY frustrating experience. I won't elaborate because my mom always said , "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!" So I WON'T! But I can roll my eyes and make angry noises so you'll just have to use your imagination! AHHHHHHHH! Ok, ok, ----I feel somewhat better. I have put my eyes back into my head and the smoke has ceased to come out of my ears --- sigh!!!!!!!!!!! I'll even say my signature Happy Day!
Laugh for the day: What do Eskimos get from sitting on the ice too long? Polaroids! :) I needed some comic relief---:)

Huggies and Music---

I love watching my grand kids! They are so full of life and fun and do some of the cutest things! I heard something the other day that reminded me that all little children have something in common with a brilliant piano player:
What's brown and sits on a piano bench? Beethoven's first movement! Thought that would bring a smile to the faces of all of you who change soooo many diapers per day! Ha Ha Ha Happy day!
Thought for the day: I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places. :)

Keep the Change!

Another year gone by and here come the new years resolutions. Ahhhh! I have made enough of these to have learned a few things. If the new resolution is too broad as in wanting to lose weight, read more, become more spiritual, be less judgemental, etc., odds are that you will give up on the goal pretty quickly. Why? Because you didn't determine beforehand HOW you will do it. Most of the time the things we want to change are habits and aren't overcome very easily. Realizing that you will probably return to the habit time and again doesn't mean you can't do it and need to quit trying, it just means that you need to decide what you will do the next time it happens. You have to REPLACE the old way of doing things with something else. Just so you know, I am talking to myself because you should write things down. Killing two birds with one stone.:) So if you do want to make some changes in the year 2010, keep trying and keep the change!
Megan and Jake had their baby girl 3 weeks early on Thursday, the 31st of December! AND she is an absolute doll!(of course with Jake and Megan as parents that was a no brainer!) Its neat that she was born on my dad's birthday. She weighed 6lbs and 5oz and was 19 inches long. Best of all she is healthy! That makes 10 grandchildren for me, 5 girls and 5 boys-Jamie will be the tie breaker this year. I do have the cutest grand kids ever! :)
I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday and I wish you all a prosperous and peaceful new year! Love to you all! Happy day!
Thought for the day: We usually don't pay the price of change until we have so much discomfort where we are that we are ready to move.