"What do you want?" is the recurring question throughout the month of December. I have a better question. What does God want? It is His birthday we are celebrating.
He answers that question: "Love one another, as I have loved you." Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Visit the sick. Liberate the captive. Where are they? All around us. Years ago, I was taught about the have and have nots. Everyone has something to give. Everyone needs something from someone else. We all are haves and have nots. Several years ago we befriended a refugee family from another country. Their warmth and kindness back to us is far greater than we have ever given. Often the greatest need is in our homes. Our children and spouses may hunger for approval, need to be clothed in acceptance and taught God's laws and blessings that they may be free.
What does God want? He wants us to make His will ours. Many older couples give freely of their time and money to serve missions. I loved these words Elder Oaks shared from the application of a couple missionary: "Will go anywhere and do what is asked."
And there is the perfect birthday gift for God. "Will go anywhere and do what is asked." There is faith and trust. There is the quest of a lifetime. That kind of allegiance and obedience is protective. It is liberating and life giving. That is the answer to the more compelling Christmas question.
Who am I?
One daughter recently described herself for a display table as:
In an effort to overcome disorganization, I called on a professional organizer. She instructed me to say each day: "I am an organized person." After bursting out in laughter, I found myself putting things away and minimizing clutter as I recited this phrase over and over. Why? Because that is what an organized person does!
When a family member labeled me "unhappy" one day, I thought, that does not, will not, cannot possibly describe me. I will from this moment remember, ponder, recall, live and dwell on the multitude of blessings that are within my grasp every moment of every day. Why? Because I am a joyful person. And a joyful person reflects on wonderful blessings.
And what are our most powerful identities? Mother? Wife? Homemaker? Sister? Neighbor? Daughter? Aunt? Powerful identities show mutual influence in relationships and the power inherent in that to lift each other.
The one I am searching to understand as it pulls and tugs at my mind and heart insistently is "daughter of God." I can only begin to see glimpses of myself accurately as I really am through His eyes, and when I do, I want to be better and try harder. I feel an increased gratitude for his grace and increased capacity for growth. Opportunities that would never occur to me now become possibilities. The defining words "daughter of God," shape and influence my understanding of self and my relationship with others.
As President Uchtdorf said,
- homemaker
- genealogist
- princess in training
In an effort to overcome disorganization, I called on a professional organizer. She instructed me to say each day: "I am an organized person." After bursting out in laughter, I found myself putting things away and minimizing clutter as I recited this phrase over and over. Why? Because that is what an organized person does!
When a family member labeled me "unhappy" one day, I thought, that does not, will not, cannot possibly describe me. I will from this moment remember, ponder, recall, live and dwell on the multitude of blessings that are within my grasp every moment of every day. Why? Because I am a joyful person. And a joyful person reflects on wonderful blessings.
And what are our most powerful identities? Mother? Wife? Homemaker? Sister? Neighbor? Daughter? Aunt? Powerful identities show mutual influence in relationships and the power inherent in that to lift each other.
The one I am searching to understand as it pulls and tugs at my mind and heart insistently is "daughter of God." I can only begin to see glimpses of myself accurately as I really am through His eyes, and when I do, I want to be better and try harder. I feel an increased gratitude for his grace and increased capacity for growth. Opportunities that would never occur to me now become possibilities. The defining words "daughter of God," shape and influence my understanding of self and my relationship with others.
As President Uchtdorf said,
"... the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love...Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time! He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name—you are the daughters of His kingdom... Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God?"Think of it! He loves me. He helps me. To see oneself as a son or daughter of God is to open an eternity of power and possibilities. I choose that identity as my quest.
Simply Family
G K Chesterton said: “The most extraordinary thing in the world is an ordinary man and an ordinary woman and their ordinary children.” I heard this quote at the World Congress on Families IX this week. All week long I heard wonderful studies, and testimonials and stories of the power and importance of the natural family. Historically and statistically the natural family creates a seedbed for happiness, health, wealth, and education.
I
After all the studies were explained, and the powerful witnesses borne and the historical stability of the ages shared, I knew in my heart that my own simple experiences were the overwhelming evidence of the true, the good and the beautiful about family.
Simply family. Simply learning and growing and learning and growing some more. Sharing ideas, saying I'm sorry, and lending a hand. Cheering, comforting, compromising and affirming each other brings joy.
The simple things today:
Harvesting and preparing the garden for winter.
Picking the last of the tomatoes and broccoli together.
A teenage son hugging me and telling me he loves me.
A child cooking me an egg.
Seeing the ingenuity of my children as they created
a pirate with accordion and Captain America costumes.
Discussing a root cellar together.
Planning our next family meeting.
Laughing together.
I went to the conference to learn about family, and I came home to live the family. I deeply felt the love, hope and faith in my mother as she raised me and my five brothers and sisters. It is that I wish to cherish daily and give to my children and their children. As Stephanie Nielsen, who fought her way back to motherhood after burns on 80% of her body, said, "Once upon a time is real, and happily ever after is true."
I
Footprints Everywhere
"His footprints are everywhere." was said of Elder Richard G. Scott at his funeral yesterday. His words, testimony, and love reached everywhere into peoples lives and blessed them, leaving a "footprint" of truth and light. He blessed mine. One of the truths that has stayed with me, he taught at the Education Week Devotional in 1997 titled Finding Happiness. He shared a dream in which illusions, deceptions and lies were all about in a most terrifying way as he tried to find his lost wife. Only through faith and absolute persistence in gospel truths could he break free from the manipulative, evil and contrived environment. It has helped me immensely to see hopelessness is the illusion, and faith is the absolute reality. He left a gospel truth footprint with me.
It caused me to ponder: Where is the evidence after we have left the room, the home, the neighborhood or this life of truth, love, and kindness? What is left when we have left?
My oldest daughter visited with us recently for a few days. She also left her "footprints." After she left, she sent this text: "I know I don't always leave you all with kind words, but this time I did! Look for them on doors around the house." We found many cards like this all over the house with messages to her brothers and sisters:
For days, I basked in the light of those delightful, positive and loving words. Her footprints were blessing the entire family every day as they walked through the doors of our home.
What about God's footprints? I love these words by James Russell Miller in The Gate Beautiful:
It caused me to ponder: Where is the evidence after we have left the room, the home, the neighborhood or this life of truth, love, and kindness? What is left when we have left?
My oldest daughter visited with us recently for a few days. She also left her "footprints." After she left, she sent this text: "I know I don't always leave you all with kind words, but this time I did! Look for them on doors around the house." We found many cards like this all over the house with messages to her brothers and sisters:
"You are a true friend."
"You make important things a priority, I like that a lot."
"You are a comfort in hard times, thanks for being a shoulder to lean on."
"Thanks for being willing to give your time off work to change my oil."
"Thanks for talking with me about serious life decisions, that was fun."
"You're quick to help others and serve without complaining."
"You bring peace to his house."
"You're smile is delightful."
"You're smile is delightful."
What about God's footprints? I love these words by James Russell Miller in The Gate Beautiful:
Even if there were no assurances in the Bible, telling us of his love, no promises of his care, common daily providence is so full of God that a thoughtful person could not doubt his existence or his care for his children. God is the most real Friend in all the world... We can see his footprints everywhere. We find evidences of his love, his interest, his kindness, in people's lives all about us. If one says he has never seen God, he has at least seen God's faithfulness, evidences of his love, his interest.I know God cares about me, I see His footprints in my life. Who can measure all the truth, and love that is shared in divine footprints. Who can know of the blessing of family and friend footprints that daily lift our sights, give us courage and change our lives.
Locked Out of the House!
Arghhh! I'm locked out of my house! The frantic search for a key began. I returned from a hike and thought my sons would still be home. They were not and the house was locked. The realization came that there would be no frantic pickle project today. The cucumbers would have to wait. Knowing my son would return in two hours, I settled in on the bench by the front door to make a new plan.
The smells and sounds and sights of a warm summer day enveloped me. The clear blue sky with puffy white clouds provided the unending peaceful backdrop for the bending roses, lavender, yarrow and rose of sharon flowers. The garden is full of ripening tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, corn and beans. The near hush of the summer air was almost imperceptibly accompanied with occasional insects and distant city noises. Nature doesn't hurry. Nature doesn't frantically do anything! If the pickles are not going to get done today, what IS going to get done and what matters now today?
And what a needed lesson. I have no trouble making endless lists of what I'm sure are "very important things," It’s rather easy to be busy. but am troubled by the sometimes unsatisfactory feeling that the frantic attempts to accomplish this list sometimes gives me.
President Uchtdorf said: "There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity..." and he taught that those who unnecessarily complicate their lives "often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives." Then he said, "It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Overscheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks." ... "We would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most."
I see the peaceful blue sky trying to teach me doing the things that matter most, will always bring us to the Savior who brings comfort, peace, help, joy, meaning, and life. Some things must go to make room for Him.
Perhaps I should arrange to regularly be locked out of the house.
The smells and sounds and sights of a warm summer day enveloped me. The clear blue sky with puffy white clouds provided the unending peaceful backdrop for the bending roses, lavender, yarrow and rose of sharon flowers. The garden is full of ripening tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, corn and beans. The near hush of the summer air was almost imperceptibly accompanied with occasional insects and distant city noises. Nature doesn't hurry. Nature doesn't frantically do anything! If the pickles are not going to get done today, what IS going to get done and what matters now today?
And what a needed lesson. I have no trouble making endless lists of what I'm sure are "very important things," It’s rather easy to be busy. but am troubled by the sometimes unsatisfactory feeling that the frantic attempts to accomplish this list sometimes gives me.
President Uchtdorf said: "There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity..." and he taught that those who unnecessarily complicate their lives "often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives." Then he said, "It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Overscheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks." ... "We would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most."
I see the peaceful blue sky trying to teach me doing the things that matter most, will always bring us to the Savior who brings comfort, peace, help, joy, meaning, and life. Some things must go to make room for Him.
Perhaps I should arrange to regularly be locked out of the house.
Great Grandma Ruth Comes To Dinner!
One of the great privileges of living on this planet is to meet and learn from others. When we hear their stories, our hearts connect to theirs and we feel more connected to them and ourselves.
Those that have passed on have so much to share with us, so I invited my Grandmother Ruth to join us even though she passed away many years ago. What? Yes. The doorbell rang (conveniently as the prayer on the food finished), and we brought the suitcase in from the porch and unpacked a framed portrait of Ruth when she was 16 with a large satin bow in her hair. We set her framed picture at the table and also unpacked a green brocade dress and more pictures. My mother and I chose several objects and places that related to Ruth's life and created a powerpoint presentation. When I set my laptop on the rotating center of the table, we had what now resembled a "theatre in the round." The orange crates she made into chairs, (thanks google images for the picture of the crates) and the phone she used (thanks again to google) to call the grocer when her husband called to say he was bringing clients home for dinner, made their way around the table as each great grandchild gained insight into her world, her talents, her creativity, and the way she solved her problems. We enjoyed her moist oatmeal cake with broiled icing for dessert.
The children's comments included:
"She made do with what she had."
"Loved it!"
"She was a good cook."
"She was super creative."
I deeply admire Ruth's creativity to make her surroundings beautiful with limited resources and her cooking skills that made family, friends and business associates alike feel loved. Learning about her helped me recognize and renew my desire to make home a loving and beautiful place where those who enter are fed, encouraged and nurtured.
Those that have passed on have so much to share with us, so I invited my Grandmother Ruth to join us even though she passed away many years ago. What? Yes. The doorbell rang (conveniently as the prayer on the food finished), and we brought the suitcase in from the porch and unpacked a framed portrait of Ruth when she was 16 with a large satin bow in her hair. We set her framed picture at the table and also unpacked a green brocade dress and more pictures. My mother and I chose several objects and places that related to Ruth's life and created a powerpoint presentation. When I set my laptop on the rotating center of the table, we had what now resembled a "theatre in the round." The orange crates she made into chairs, (thanks google images for the picture of the crates) and the phone she used (thanks again to google) to call the grocer when her husband called to say he was bringing clients home for dinner, made their way around the table as each great grandchild gained insight into her world, her talents, her creativity, and the way she solved her problems. We enjoyed her moist oatmeal cake with broiled icing for dessert.
The children's comments included:
"She made do with what she had."
"Loved it!"
"She was a good cook."
"She was super creative."
I deeply admire Ruth's creativity to make her surroundings beautiful with limited resources and her cooking skills that made family, friends and business associates alike feel loved. Learning about her helped me recognize and renew my desire to make home a loving and beautiful place where those who enter are fed, encouraged and nurtured.
When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us.
- Russell M. Nelson
I Believe in Family!
I believe in family. I believe in family! I believe in family!!!
Last week we orchestrated a reunion. My Great Grandpa Carl and Great Grandma Anna Bertha had eleven children. Each of those branches take a turn hosting the reunion and we were on deck. This is the kind of stuff you don't do alone. And here is the drum roll... My husband and eight children willingly came to the planning meetings, took assignments, and followed through! Oh happy day! The dream has been since the beginning that we could make plans and follow through on big and little things in a happy and cooperative way. WE DID IT! One daughter hosted the art activity, helped put up posters, and another daughter hosted the family history mystery. My sons greeted, made some wonderful homemade games, brought tables and chairs, covered picnic tables, and lead the games. My husband set up the speaker system, helped with games, and my brothers brought drinks and dessert and hosted as MC. I believe in family!
Why is this a victory dance? Because it is possible to practice for years with some wonderful, some marginal, and some disastrous results, and keep moving towards joy! All the times it failed miserably, we were actually learning what works and what doesn't. Amidst the daily difficulty and daily delight, we are getting somewhere! And when it gets hard, I will remember these moments! I believe in family!
Years ago I was watching a children's show. They sang as they held up each finger of each hand, "Where is mother? Where is mother? Here I am! Here I am!" Each finger bows to the other and then says "Run Away. Run away." I remember each finger on the hand corresponded to a member of the family and had a verse. "Where is father? Where is father? Where is brother? Where is brother? Where is sister? Where is sister? Where is the baby? Where is the baby? and then "Where is the family? Where is the family?
I remember being overwhelmed that moment with the thought, "Where is the family? Where are they?" because the family institution was diminishing then. Today the family is disappearing from the horizon even more rapidly. Where is each one? I can only answer for my family. Here I am! And here we are!
I believe in family!!!
Last week we orchestrated a reunion. My Great Grandpa Carl and Great Grandma Anna Bertha had eleven children. Each of those branches take a turn hosting the reunion and we were on deck. This is the kind of stuff you don't do alone. And here is the drum roll... My husband and eight children willingly came to the planning meetings, took assignments, and followed through! Oh happy day! The dream has been since the beginning that we could make plans and follow through on big and little things in a happy and cooperative way. WE DID IT! One daughter hosted the art activity, helped put up posters, and another daughter hosted the family history mystery. My sons greeted, made some wonderful homemade games, brought tables and chairs, covered picnic tables, and lead the games. My husband set up the speaker system, helped with games, and my brothers brought drinks and dessert and hosted as MC. I believe in family!
Why is this a victory dance? Because it is possible to practice for years with some wonderful, some marginal, and some disastrous results, and keep moving towards joy! All the times it failed miserably, we were actually learning what works and what doesn't. Amidst the daily difficulty and daily delight, we are getting somewhere! And when it gets hard, I will remember these moments! I believe in family!
Years ago I was watching a children's show. They sang as they held up each finger of each hand, "Where is mother? Where is mother? Here I am! Here I am!" Each finger bows to the other and then says "Run Away. Run away." I remember each finger on the hand corresponded to a member of the family and had a verse. "Where is father? Where is father? Where is brother? Where is brother? Where is sister? Where is sister? Where is the baby? Where is the baby? and then "Where is the family? Where is the family?
I remember being overwhelmed that moment with the thought, "Where is the family? Where are they?" because the family institution was diminishing then. Today the family is disappearing from the horizon even more rapidly. Where is each one? I can only answer for my family. Here I am! And here we are!
I believe in family!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)