A Lesson From Life

A lesson and/or thought keeps coming back to me. I thought I would take a moment to share it.

Have you ever found yourself looking at another and wondering why they do things the way they do? What is their motive? or simply, what are they thinking? Now, have you stopped to think that they may look at you with the same questions?

On with my thought. I believe that everyone whether intentionally or not is striving for perfection. In one shape of the word or another. Now bare with me, I know, there are those with "white trash yards"(been there) maybe the always seem frazzled(there too) maybe their shirt is wrinkled(who has that not happened to?) Or they have a sink full of dishes, toys all over their house. Some things we notice may be trivial, others we may feel are life and death. Maybe none have noticed these things. In that case, this blog is not for you, others are thankful for your lack of sight.

Okay, now I have you thinking, you might even be thinking of someone in particular. I am finding at different seasons in my life that I am beginning to understand more and more how these things can happen. But this isn't where I wanted to go, so I will move on.

We all will agree we are striving for perfection right? So what is perfection? For one it may be an immaculate house. For another, happy creative children. Some may want vast amounts of knowledge, while others are wanting to experience it all. Some want the know how, others to teach. There are so many of us out there, it would take me forever to list us all. However, I think you have the idea. Moving on.

Everyone has their own idea of what the perfection is they are trying to reach. I am finding though that there is someone out there who knows better than ourselves, not only what our potential is but how we can obtain even a greater perfection than we can see for our selves. That is our Heavenly Father.

The right is ours to work on perfection for ourselves single handedly, but how realistic is that? With out experiencing life, how can we walk in others shoes, how can we grow to our potential? With out Heavenly Fathers assistance, how can we endure those cruel times (that we can sometimes look back on and laugh at)? With out the Savior how would we be able pick ourselves up after a great fall, brush ourselves off, and return to the race we signed up for long before we can recall?

I find more each day how perfect God's plan is. Not only is it tailored to us as individuals, It is also tailored to us as individuals. I am finding again and again how Heavenly Father knows me better than I do. Not only that, but he really does have our happiness at heart. If this is honestly the case, He definitely knows you just as well. Then comes the difficult part, I have to remind myself "who am I to judge? I don't know what has brought that brother/sister to this point. Nor do I know what Heavenly Father has in store for either of us."

When I have this thought, instead of judging I try to see what I can do to help, and if the help is not wanted, I trust they are putting it in bigger hands than my own and hope that the same would be done if someone is looking my way. By the way, Heavenly Father has blessed me with plenty of hands having been stretched my direction, and I hope I show the appreciation I feel to each of them.

Good-byes to Dear One's

It has always been hard for me when a friend dear to me has to move on in life. If I do there is no problem. However I expect that my friends are always supposed to be there when I return. This had been my philosophy for ages! Up until just a couple of years ago in fact. Then I had an epiphany!

You see, I believe there is a life after this one. Therefore, wouldn't it be safe to plan a Bar-B-Q for the second Saturday after the final Resurrection? I would have to make it pot-luck, but it would be great seeing everyone again! So that is just what I have done! with this plan on my agenda It has made Good-byes temporary, no matter the length of time, because I will get to see all of my friends again!

Valued Lesson

Today I was talking with my teenager. He is going to be a famous author someday. We were talking about the importance of backing things up and saving them in more than one place. In this conversation I used myself and his mother as examples. Through my personal example I mentioned someones name in an honest way, however in doing so I wasn't building this person up, rather placing them in a dark light if you may.

My teenager turned to me and said "you don't need to say that, it isn't really necessary!" Then he explained that instead of mentioning that name in the manner I had used, I could just mention the incident. Nobody needs to know how the incident took place.

Thinking about what he had said I realized that even though I was stating things how they really did happen, it was unnecessary for me to mention the how. If I were the How I would hope people could look past me, maybe not even notice my involvement. Even if I was in the wrong. I don't have this perfected. I just had the lesson today. It gives me something else I can work on.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." -Ether 12:27

From past experiences Heavenly Father uses us, and others to be his instruments. It continuously amazes me how often children seem to be his finer teachers. Could it be because they are who parents are closer to? Or that they are fresher from his presence? Something to ponder.

Things I am Thankful for...

I have so much to be thankful for, where do I begin?

1. I have a Heavenly Father who loves me for me.
2. A husband who loves me for me.
3. Seven wonderful children who love each other and the gospel.
4. I have a Savior who made a personal atonement on my behalf.
5. I serve with some amazing women in my ward!
6. I serve some amazing children in my ward!
7. Two parents who have taught me and loved me and continue to set examples for me.
8. Siblings that are the best!
9. I have the fullness of the Gospel in my life
10. Leaders who have my happiness at heart. Both Local and General.
11. I live close to and have easy access to chocolate. (or what ever I may be needing at the moment)
12. I have great friends!
13. I have been born knowing who I am and where I would like to go.
14. Life's experiences both pleasant and not.
15. Flowers, I love flowers, especially daisies they are my favorite.
16. Warm sunny days! Blue skies, and fluffy white clouds!
17. Apple crisp, or peach cobbler
18. The Twilight series
19. Happy babies in the morning with their beautiful smiles and delicious giggles!
20. Temples...everywhere.
21. So many modern conveniences, that alone could be a whole other list.
22. Rainy days...if not to remind me how much I appreciate the sun, but also the peaceful lulling sound of it falling.
23. Snow. It is so pure.
24. The innocence of little children.
25. Freedom!
26. Letters.
27.