I'm really struggling with the endless bitter cold here in Iowa. I'm so ready for warmer weather and green growing things. I gave myself a good shake as I got on the treadmill to get my blood moving (the only times I feel warm are when I'm in bed, in the shower, or on the treadmill) and thought of things that I'm grateful for. I have so much!
1. A husband who loves me
2. Five wonderful children
3. A warm house to live in
4. A heater that works
5. Running hot and cold water
6. Plenty of food to eat
7. Warm clothes to wear
8. Good health (generally)
9. The Gospel of Jesus Christ
10. Husband has a good job and NEVER complains about having to go to work
And a whole bunch more. After I thought about those things I felt better and could face the day.
12 February 2014
10 February 2014
Never give up! Never surrender!
We watched a family favorite movie last night: Galaxy Quest. It's a delightful movie and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
I think their motto should be part of our family motto, right after "Keep the Commandments".
We are in a battle with Satan to the (spiritual) death and we can encourage each other with a rousing "Never give up! Never surrender!"
As a discouraged missionary I was amazed at how many times the phrase "endure to the end" appears in the scriptures; three in the New Testament, ten in the Book of Mormon, and five in the Doctrine and Covenants. I marked all of them for encouragement on the days I felt I just couldn't go on.
Another phrase I've marked is "be not weary in well doing", found three times in the scriptures. It helps me to know that I'm not the only one who has felt this way, that others getting bogged down too, for whatever reason, in their callings and have to be reminded to not be discouraged.
I've never been a part of an athletic team, but I can imagine how discouraging it must be to be in the last bit of the game against an opponent who appears to be set to win the game. Well, we're in the last bit of the BIG game here on earth and although it appears that the opponent is winning, we already know the outcome of this one. So keep your jerseys on and Never Give Up! Never Surrender!
I think their motto should be part of our family motto, right after "Keep the Commandments".
We are in a battle with Satan to the (spiritual) death and we can encourage each other with a rousing "Never give up! Never surrender!"
As a discouraged missionary I was amazed at how many times the phrase "endure to the end" appears in the scriptures; three in the New Testament, ten in the Book of Mormon, and five in the Doctrine and Covenants. I marked all of them for encouragement on the days I felt I just couldn't go on.
Another phrase I've marked is "be not weary in well doing", found three times in the scriptures. It helps me to know that I'm not the only one who has felt this way, that others getting bogged down too, for whatever reason, in their callings and have to be reminded to not be discouraged.
I've never been a part of an athletic team, but I can imagine how discouraging it must be to be in the last bit of the game against an opponent who appears to be set to win the game. Well, we're in the last bit of the BIG game here on earth and although it appears that the opponent is winning, we already know the outcome of this one. So keep your jerseys on and Never Give Up! Never Surrender!
05 February 2014
I'm not cheating, Really!
I'm participating in the BYU-I Pathway program, which is an amazing way for adults to begin or continue college. I won't take time to explain it all, since you can go see for yourself at the link.
I had to confess to my Book of Mormon teacher that I feel like I'm cheating because I teach Seminary (religion classes for high school age) and this year is Book of Mormon so I pretty much know what's what for each lesson. Nice easy A for me this time.
This program is amazing and I'm enjoying it; mostly, until this week. The lesson this week in Life Skills is on career planning. I got a laugh out of TopDad when I explained that we have to answer questions about our current career (if we are in one), one of which is "What would be the benefits of a career change?" and I said "I could get paid in money!"
Okay, so I was trying to be funny. The questions I actually have to answer are almost as irrelevant. I live in a town of about 2,100, the nearest large city is an hour and a half either west or east of me. There aren't "careers" here, there are jobs. Well, I guess if you were interested in banking you could start at one bank and then move to the other if the pay was better or maybe the hours or benefits. And you could work at the Subway, before moving over to the convenience store. There is a nice nursing home and a medical clinic, hey, there's even a nice hospital here. There's one dentist, two optometrists see patients one day a week here; there's a couple of law offices; and a hearing aid place, two pharmacies, and a library, as well as a post office. There are a few stores, and a couple of gas stations; a whole bunch of mechanics, a car dealership, and a couple of farm equipment dealers, as well as lots of other farm related businesses. There are two bars, three restaurants, a movie rental place, some antique shops, and Chuck's Bargain Barn.
So, the question "Are there currently positions available in your desired career within an acceptable commuting distance from your home or will you need to relocate in order to be employed in this field?" is difficult to answer. Or not. No there aren't positions available, but no I'm not going to relocate because my husband's job is here and his job is more important than any I'll get.
Can we just skip this lesson?
I'm in my desired career so I'm not going to get a job (I'd be almost retirement age before I finish school) I just want the piece of paper that says I'm educated.
I had to confess to my Book of Mormon teacher that I feel like I'm cheating because I teach Seminary (religion classes for high school age) and this year is Book of Mormon so I pretty much know what's what for each lesson. Nice easy A for me this time.
This program is amazing and I'm enjoying it; mostly, until this week. The lesson this week in Life Skills is on career planning. I got a laugh out of TopDad when I explained that we have to answer questions about our current career (if we are in one), one of which is "What would be the benefits of a career change?" and I said "I could get paid in money!"
Okay, so I was trying to be funny. The questions I actually have to answer are almost as irrelevant. I live in a town of about 2,100, the nearest large city is an hour and a half either west or east of me. There aren't "careers" here, there are jobs. Well, I guess if you were interested in banking you could start at one bank and then move to the other if the pay was better or maybe the hours or benefits. And you could work at the Subway, before moving over to the convenience store. There is a nice nursing home and a medical clinic, hey, there's even a nice hospital here. There's one dentist, two optometrists see patients one day a week here; there's a couple of law offices; and a hearing aid place, two pharmacies, and a library, as well as a post office. There are a few stores, and a couple of gas stations; a whole bunch of mechanics, a car dealership, and a couple of farm equipment dealers, as well as lots of other farm related businesses. There are two bars, three restaurants, a movie rental place, some antique shops, and Chuck's Bargain Barn.
So, the question "Are there currently positions available in your desired career within an acceptable commuting distance from your home or will you need to relocate in order to be employed in this field?" is difficult to answer. Or not. No there aren't positions available, but no I'm not going to relocate because my husband's job is here and his job is more important than any I'll get.
Can we just skip this lesson?
I'm in my desired career so I'm not going to get a job (I'd be almost retirement age before I finish school) I just want the piece of paper that says I'm educated.
17 January 2014
I'm Feeling So D . . . .
Did you finish the d word as depressed? If you did, I'm sorry, as that's the wrong word for this post. I believe that word is so overused as to be meaningless. My understanding is that persons who are truly, clinically depressed and need intervention are usually curled up in the fetal position, under the covers and simply cannot function normally. If you can get up out of bed and get yourself or others out the door for the day's activities, then you aren't depressed. BUT, you may be one of these other wonderfully descriptive "D" words (with a couple other letters thrown in). Take a look and see if you can pick out some words you can use next time you're feeling less than "Singing in the Rain" happy.
disappointed
discontented
discombobulated
discomfitted (confused and dejected)
discomforted
discomposed
disconsolate (see Hymn #115)
discouraged (see Hymn #30)
disenchanted
disgruntled
disheartened
disillusioned
disjointed
dismayed
disoriented
dispirited
displeased
disquieted
dissatisfied
distrait
distraught
distressed
disturbed
despairing
demoralized
worried
anxious
Most of the time we are just down because we live in a mortal world, far from our Heavenly Home and we are buffeted by Satan and his minions to the point of, well, all of the above.
We are taught that there will be opposition in ALL things therefore we can't expect to feel giddily happy all the time. Life is hard, life is unpredictable, life is tiring. We can't see what's around the next bend in the road. Moving forward takes faith, and perseverance in the face of all those lovely "d" words. Paul, ever the optimist because of his faith in Jesus Christ, said, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." (2 Cor. 4:8-9)
Okay, friends, let's gird up our loins, fresh courage take, and press forward with steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, cheerfully doing all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, and know that God is in control, and patiently wait for his arm to be revealed.
(see Hymn #30, 2 Ne. 31:20, D&C 123:17, Ps. 46:10)
disappointed
discontented
discombobulated
discomfitted (confused and dejected)
discomforted
discomposed
disconsolate (see Hymn #115)
discouraged (see Hymn #30)
disenchanted
disgruntled
disheartened
disillusioned
disjointed
dismayed
disoriented
dispirited
displeased
disquieted
dissatisfied
distrait
distraught
distressed
disturbed
despairing
demoralized
worried
anxious
Most of the time we are just down because we live in a mortal world, far from our Heavenly Home and we are buffeted by Satan and his minions to the point of, well, all of the above.
We are taught that there will be opposition in ALL things therefore we can't expect to feel giddily happy all the time. Life is hard, life is unpredictable, life is tiring. We can't see what's around the next bend in the road. Moving forward takes faith, and perseverance in the face of all those lovely "d" words. Paul, ever the optimist because of his faith in Jesus Christ, said, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." (2 Cor. 4:8-9)
Okay, friends, let's gird up our loins, fresh courage take, and press forward with steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, cheerfully doing all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, and know that God is in control, and patiently wait for his arm to be revealed.
(see Hymn #30, 2 Ne. 31:20, D&C 123:17, Ps. 46:10)
13 January 2014
Thought for the Day
It takes a whole lot more time and effort to raise a righteous, loving family, than it takes to build a house to put them in.
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