women's conference in review

i arrived at women's conference on empty.  i left with a full tank.  with a renewed determination to choose the right and do the right.  to give my attention to the essential and necessary things.  i want to value and seek for things that are better.  to focus on the things that matter most.  julie beck, general relief society president, gave us some commanding counsel.  she said, "nothing powerful happens in our home if we aren't a lioness".  i love my crafts, and my hobbies, and my time with friends.  but sister beck reminded us that those things won't save us.  they will bring light and fun into our lives, but that other things need to be in line first.  she reminded us to take care of one thing at a time.  that little things lead to big things.  and every other presenter there had just as much wisdom to share.  here are some gems that stand out.

1.  run your own race.  we don't have to "catch up".

2.  imperfections make us interesting to others.

3.  best effort doesn't always equal best outcome.

4.  frailities can enrich our journey.

5.  problems come.  even if we build on the high ground.

6.  "perfect people only" is not written on the heart of the savior.

7.  creation means bringing to life something that didn't exist before.  what would i like to create with my life?

8.  the measure of what i am worth is what i give to others.

9.  my heart is the only thing i can truly give to the lord because everything else he has given to me.

10.  slow down when distractions come.  gain ground before moving on.  if i keep moving when i am distracted i will surely collide with something.

11.  sacrifice is almost always inconvenient.

12.  life is like a garden.  our harvest is the choices we make.

13.  don't get caught in the thick of very thin things.

but the greatest counsel i received came from a review of the story of rebekah.

know who you are.  know your mission in life. 

listen, heed, and obey.

and then, like rebekah, feel joy.

the truth

i stumbled upon this clip this morning. 

it buoyed me up and made me feel better about why i do the things i do.

i've posted it here in case you are wondering why you do the things you do.

giving and the giving tree

sunday was a lovely day.  we spent it at the giving tree helping to feed the homeless and passing out coats and clothes to those in need.  the giving tree is quite the organization.  what i really like about the giving tree is that those who receive help are also expected to work. the organization of the clothes and the coats and the volunteers and the food boxes is all done by the same people who are receiving the goods and services.  the giving tree recently got some bad press.  the usual negative stuff...misappropriation of funds, different citings of various violations, yada, yada, yada.  what organization, federal or private, hasn't fallen short when it has been scrutinized by those looking for something negative.  all of that really doesn't bother me.  why?  because hungry and cold people are hungry and cold people.  and they need help.  and that is what the giving tree does.  dave and jen and the boys were there to help too.  in fact, jen organized a coat drive for the giving tree.  her goal was to collect 100 coats.  but she did oh, so much better than that.  she collected over 200 coats.  way to go jen!  and boy were those coats snatched up.  it was so rewarding watching those in need, especially the children, try on coats and pick just the right one.  but one of the best parts was watching drew, wes, and will help unload coats and participate in the giving and serving of those less fortunate.  yep, sunday was a very good day.  and here are some pics of the afternoon.

tables with clothing to be handed out                     the sorting of the coats and food boxes

dave, jen and boys getting some directions             a jumping castle for the children

if you or your family are ever looking for a chance to give service and help those in need the giving tree has plenty of opportunities.  and you will get so much more than you give.  i promise.

a commentary

this is my blog.  my journal.  i can write what i want.  and if you don't like what i write you don't have to read it.  you have a choice.  you can just log off.  you never have to visit it again.  you don't have to be offended by anything i write. 

well, i want to be able to do that same thing when someone is slinging expletives.  just what is up with swearing?  i've certainly swore in my life. but i have to say it has never left me feeling better.  not once.  quite the contrary.  it has only fed into the anger or frustration that i was feeling to start with.  and it has always left me feeling small.  very small.

i try hard not to swear.  and not to let vulgar words enter my mind.  am i always successful?  no.  every once in awhile a "hell" or a "damn" crosses my lips.  and while these words are only mildly offensive and commonplace in our culture, they are still obscentities when used in anger and hate.  i don't want to be that kind of person.  nor do i want to be around the kind of person that screams and hisses words of ugliness.  our world today has enough chaos and meanness and hatred.  and i sometimes have to be witness to those things.  but i refuse to be defined by ugliness.  there is still goodness and beauty and kindness all around me.  and that is what i am going to surround myself with.

is there a locksmith in the house?

this boy better hurry home soon. otherwise i might change the locks. here's how it goes. the first couple of days he's gone i'm okay...i enjoy doing my own thing and working on my little projects into the wee hours of the morning. the next couple of days he's gone i really miss him and i get all teary eyed and walk around the house like i'm lost. but after that...oh after that i'm so mad at him for still being gone i want to hang him by his toenails.

can you guess where i'm at right now?

a lesson in life

we recently attended the funeral of a sweet man in our ward. his daughter told of one of her dad's favorite pieces of advice to her and how she hated hearing it at the time (but later understood the wisdom behind his words). i found his advice to her to be simple and profound and i've thought on it much since his funeral. his advice...build yourself a good day. the understood subject is "you" (meaning me) and the verb is build, requiring action or work. a good lesson. thank you brother latham.