Yay!!

Can't wait for Saturday and Sunday and lots of great insights, inspiration and words of wisdom from our General Authorities.

I LOVE General Conference, and am excited to see and hear Pres. Monson speak to us!!

Who We Really Are

"As children of God we are somebody. He will build us, mold us, and magnify us if we will but hold our head up, our arms out, and walk with Him." ~Marvin J. Ashton

I spent an hour in Miss Maya's classroom this week, and as I did, I got a little time with every kindergarten student in that class. It was so interesting to come away with a very specific feeling [in one way or another] about each child. I left wishing that every one of them could be sure of who they are. We teach in Primary that they are literally children of God, that He knows them, loves them, and will help them.

Each one of us is somebody and can be more than we could begin to imagine with God's help. I need to remember keep my head up, my arms out and to walk beside Him. Then maybe I can help someone else realize that they too are somebody.

Keeping Time

I'm such a freak. This is me to a T -- every clock in our house is different. Some of it is not my fault, like when the power flickers off and on and the clocks on the microwave and oven start flashing and have to be reset. I'm purely guessing at those when I do the resetting.

But honestly, I have such an inner need [is that the right word?] to be on time that the clocks in the bedroom are set probably close to 10 minutes ahead. Except, of course for the atomic clock that projects onto the ceiling -- it's accurate. Both my watches are 10 minutes fast too.

I'm not sure it makes any difference, because when I look at those clocks, I immediately know how fast they actually are and prepare accordingly. But I am pretty much always on time.

I'm a weirdo. You knew that already.

Happy Sunday!!

Here's hoping we can all find these three things - happy Sunday!

Have Patience

"Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best—better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His. We can grow in faith only if we are willing to wait patiently for God's purposes and patterns to unfold in our lives, on His timetable." ~Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "Patience", Ensign, Oct. 1980, 28

Years ago, we had an old vinyl LP called "Music Machine" that our kids loved. I think Mark bought it from a door-to-door born-again hippie Christian [yes, really] and I remember being pretty mad at him for spending money on something as stupid as that [in my mind, anyhow] when we could barely afford food for our family. But I was surprised by how much we loved it and I have since tracked down the CD and have gotten a kick out of listening to the songs again.

But I digress. What does that have to do with the Maxwell quote? Well, there's a song on the CD entitled "Have Patience" that's sung by a snail named Herbert. That's where the quote took me.

Having patience isn't easy but I loved looking at it in the way that Elder Maxwell does -- that if I am impatient, I'm trying to tell the Lord that I know better than He does. And that's one thing I'm sure of -- He always knows better than I do.

So I will try to have patience, just like Herbert.

Refill, Please

"We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out." ~Ray Bradbury

I've been reflecting on this thought -- especially since life has been pretty busy [I've even had the feeling of too busy] lately. But if I can view myself as a cup being constantly filled and refilled, it somehow feels less overwhelming and more along the lines of being an instrument in the Lord's hands. He knows what He wants of me and He is filling me in ways I never imagined.

So now I just need to tip over, let the good stuff out and get another refill.

Busy is Good

"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more." ~Jonas Salk, M.D.

After a crazy busy[but really good!] Sunday, I figured things would just coast for a few days. Not true. Yesterday was more of the same. When I got home at about 8:45 last night, I told Mark that I had had a busy, busy day. He raised an eyebrow and said "But that's good, right?".

And it was good. I love being busy. It's all about being busy in a good way -- doing the things that make me happy, that help others, that at the end of the day, make me grateful for my busy, funny, tiring, wonderful life.

Yay for the opportunity to do more!

And Along the Same Lines . . .

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." ~Albert Schweitzer

Our lives are full of people who have lit a flame within each of us. My love of music goes back to my childhood. My love of reading came from parents who read to us and encouraged us to keep reading. One of my favorite memories is of finally being old enough to be able to ride the bus all the way downtown to the library by myself. I loved that old building. [and if you know Lethbridge, you'll know that it wasn't much of a trip but I thought it was wonderful!] How thankful I am for those [and many other] sparks that really set me alight.

And don't forget that sometimes it's our job to light the flame for others. We need to be aware of the opportunities we have be the spark for someone else. Whether we are conscious of it or not, there is always someone whose flame is flickering. Our job is to lend them our light and help build theirs back up.

And then they can be that spark.

Jumper Cables of the Heart

"We, more than others, should carry jumper and tow cables not only in our cars, but also in our hearts, by which means we can send the needed boost or charge of encouragement or the added momentum to mortal neighbors." ~Neal A. Maxwell

How true this is! We do have an added responsibility, I think -- to help, lift, inspire and recharge not only ourselves but our family, friends and neighbors. I loved this image of the birds huddled so close together -- keeping warm, supporting, encouraging and uplifting each other.

Lovely thought for today.