Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Stay on the Path

“That which causes us trials shall yield us triumph: and that which make our hearts ache shall fill us with gladness. The only true happiness is to learn, to advance, and to improve: which could not happen unless we had commenced with error, ignorance, and imperfection. We must pass through the darkness, to reach the light.” (Albert Pike)

I ran across this quote today and loved it. If we can wade through the trials, the heartache, the error, the ignorance and imperfection, what will remain is that which we desire -- success and happiness.

Sometimes life gets so hard that it's difficult to see beyond the heartache. If we could, we would never lose our focus and we would be willing and eager to continue to trudge through the day-to-day challenges that we call mortality.

But the best is yet to come. It will all be worth it, and we can't imagine what is in store for us if we can keep the faith and press on. As we pass through the darkness (which we all must, at least from time to time), we need to remember that the light we seek is just around the next bend in the path.

Fun times in Primary!

Yesterday in Primary, our chorister Joan decided to do a song 'hospital' so that we could review all the songs we're doing for the CSMP (*Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation) which is coming up on November 18. (this, of course, means that we will be doing the requisite LONG practices in the chapel for the next 2 Sundays). Joan wanted to know how well the kids really knew the songs. She asked if I could help her with her singing time, and of course, I jumped at the chance to be dorky. That's what I'm best at.

Above you will see Joan and I, garbed in our Dr./Surgeon outfits, (rubber gloves and all!) going through the songs. The pic came from our Bishopric member's camera phone -- I thought I saw him standing back there with his phone in the air! We look pretty weird but I'm OK with that. We had a ball and I"m quite sure the kids did too.

Life is fun when you are willing to be a bit geeky -- and clearly I am!

Just Listen

I remember hearing Elder Marion D. Hanks tell a story long ago -- probably in the early '70's -- where he talked about how important good teachers are and what a difference they make. He mentioned listening as something that is a hallmark of a good teacher. (I think this is coming back to me as I continue to prepare for our Primary Teacher Appreciation meeting tomorrow night).

He told of a man who took his sons on an outing, where they spent a wonderful day together. On the way home, the younger boy fell asleep. His dad laid the little guy softly on the back seat of the car (you can tell this was some time ago!) and covered him gently with his coat. As they continued the drive home, the dad (who was trying to make the day really special and memorable, as well as use any opportunity he could find to teach) asked the older son many questions: "What did you like best? Did you like . . ." and the father would run through the things they had done together that day.

The boy answered dutifully, "Yes, Daddy", to everything his father asked him. After his dad stopped questioning him, he finally had a chance to say what he really wanted to say: "Daddy, if I fell asleep, would you put your coat on me?"

So after all the talking and attempted lesson-teaching, the bottom line was that Dad needed to listen. His son wanted to know if his dad loved him enough to lay him lovingly on the seat and cover him with his coat. Dad just needed to stop and listen to his son. Sure, talk sometimes, but really stop and listen. That's how we build relationships. And in the end, relationships are all that really matter.

I know I talk too much. I need to listen more. What will really matter is how quickly my loving relationships will grow if I do.

I'm Wearing Shoes!

Yippee! Today I am wearing a pair of shoes for the first time since the surgery. My right foot is still somewhat swollen, but improving. Since it was ever-so-slightly chilly out this morning as we headed to watch Maya play soccer, I decided I wanted shoes AND socks on. So I rummaged around and found an old pair of tennis shoes that actually were in my give-away pile because they are a bit wide and worn. However -- with very loose lacing on the right foot, I am wearing SHOES. I am thrilled.

Good thing I'm easily pleased, right?

**Disclaimer - not my shoes and not my feet. My shoes are much older and more beat up (although they are the same brand - I love Mizunos), and my right foot is much fatter than that one.

A Very Good Shopping Day

Mark doesn't get why I have a lot of individual store credit cards -- Nordstrom, Dillards, Penney's, Macy's, Talbots etc. He thinks if I'm going to charge something, I should just put it all on one generic card. I have tried to explain to him that there are extra benefits that come to store cardholders. This morning was a great example of that.

We bought a lot of things that required very little cash. Why? Mostly because of the side benefits of the store cards. (Some of the freebies came from other sources but the store card benefits paid off today).

First we went to Nordstroms to find me a pair of Mary Jane Crocs in a neutral color that I can wear with anything (as that's all I'll be wearing for a while with my right foot recovering from surgery, and then upcoming surgery on the left). I used a gift card that I received for my birthday to cover that. Cost to me? Nothing. I still had nearly $20 credit on the gift card. We moved on to Build-a-Bear, where Maya bought a Cinderella outfit for one of her bears. Our cost? Not much -- she had a $10 gift certificate Build-a-Bear had sent her -- probably because we spend way too much money there.

Next stop, Macy's, where I had 20% off coupon -- which Natie used, buying some great markdowns -- plus that extra 20% off. We moved on to Victoria's Secret where I had a $10 gift card and a coupon for a free gift -- so we got lip gloss (one for me and one for Maya!) and the freebie gift, worth around $10 more. Cost to us? Nothing. Next, we stopped in at JC Penney, where I had a $10 coupon for anything . We found a necklace marked way down that Natie loved so she picked that up. Out of pocket? Zip.

Chick-Fil-A was our choice for lunch and were amused by the fact that we paid more there than anywhere else, but I did have a coupon for a free sandwich, which we used. Nothing wrong with that! Finally, we stopped back in at Nordstrom on the way out and fitted Mason for a new pair of Converse, got a Jibbitz for Maya for her Crocs, and used up the rest of my gift card there. I think we had to pay another $6 or something.

Not all the bonuses came from having store cards, but many did. That's why I love the store cards -- deals! A good day shopping is still better than just about anything else.

Teaching With Love

"Nothing is so much calculated to lead people to forsake sin as to take them by the hand, and watch over them with tenderness. When persons manifest the least kindness and love to me, oh what power it has over my mind, while the opposite course had a tendency to harrow up all the harsh feelings and depress the human mind." (Joseph Smith)

I came acrosss this quote as I prepared for our upcoming Primary Teacher Appreciation meeting. It made me think of a little phrase my mom would repeat to us as kids (which made me mad everytime I heard it as I recall!) that goes something like this: "You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar." I remember thinking that was a really dumb thing for her to keep saying.

But the lesson is there. That little phrase from the past takes me to one you hear a lot these days: "They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." It's true. When you approach anything with love, the end result is always astounding. Joseph Smith knew it, my mom knew it, and now I know it too.

When people know you love them, they are willing to hear whatever it is that you are trying to teach them. It works. Try it.

Cute Templates

For those of you who haven't yet carved your pumpkin, check these out. I was browsing the HGTV site and thought they looked fun. There are many people who are creative and artistic enough on their own and who wouldn't need something like this. Not me. I'm definitely not artistic and creative and I love these -- slap the template on the pumpkin and you're good to go. There are lots of fun things to choose from -- these are just a few examples. Check them out here.

The Truth!

I read Darleen's post about her holiday weight-gain concerns, I saw Heather's picture of that yummy cake, and I am reading everyone's chatter about Halloween treats and this is how it makes me feel:

More Fun for Halloween

Ran across these today in my Women's Day magazine -- and they looked like such a fun craft idea for the kiddoes. Just print, cut out and color. I know a certain little girl that would love these! They look like keepers to me. Check them out here.