We take sooooooo much for granted! I know that I am not ever grateful enough for the many blessings in my life. So, when little reminders come, it is growing more and more important for me to acknowledge those in my life.
This morning I had one of those little reminders.
I was listening to the morning news radio as I was driving the kids to school. One of their reporters was being interviewed about her activities from the previous day. She is from England and yesterday she became a citizen of the United States of America. She went through some of the things she had to do to make this happen - it is a lengthy process and requires a true committment and desire.
After her efforts she was invited to attend the naturalization ceremony to be held at a theater in downtown Salt Lake City. There were hundreds of people from all over the world in attendance for the same purpose she was there. The process wasn't over and they had to pass through a few final interviews and questionaires. Then, they were shuffled into their seats in the theater and the Federal Magistrate came in and spoke to them.
He told them his story - he was the son of migrant workers. As a child, he was accustomed to working alongside his parents. They ended up working for a farmer here in Utah and this farmer made sure the family knew that if they were going to work for him, the children would be going to school. The farmer said that this boy could work in the morning and in the evening and even on the weekends. But during school hours he would be in school.
This Judge went to school, made it through law school, passed the bar, practiced law and is now a Federal Magistrate. He worked hard and made his life what it is today. He did not ask anyone to provide these opportunities for him, but they were there for him if he would do the work. So, he worked hard and he is where he is today. These blessings and opportunities are available to anyone - but they are not easy and they are not free! Blood, sweat and tears are payment, some of our own, but many of these payments were made by others. They have given me their blood, sweat and tears for my opportunity for freedom. Can I ever be grateful enough? I don't think so. Their sacrifice was tremendous - I just hope that I can work harder to be more appreciative, to remember the sacrifices of many, to remember the great opportunities available to us in this land. TO WHINE LESS!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
I Don't Think It's a Coincidence
Today we went to Stake Conference. We actually began last night with some wonderful talks and music at the Stake Center. I love the Saturday Night meetings because they seem so full of the spirit. Everyone leaves their kids with babysitters and the room is just full of people ready and able to drink in the messages and apply them to their lives. We had a great meeting, although I missed the last talk as I headed out with the baby.
Then today came and we went to the Regional Center for our meeting. We got everyone ready quickly and arrived a half hour early. We picked up Lili - I am so glad she is back in town, it was a treat to see her again - along the way. The choir was rehearsing when we arrived and it was so nice to get the kids settled and then just sit and listen to the choir. However, because I was busy getting the kids settled, I didn't have that long to really pay much attention to the rehearsal. As they were winding down I realized that I heard part of one of my favorite hymns. So I asked Bert if they had just practiced that and he said that they talked about it and it was on the program. I was so excited, I never get tired of hearing, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." It fills my soul.
The conference started and we heard from President Olsen. First of all, he is just a wonderful man. We have loved getting to know him over the years. His daughter is in our ward and she is fantastic - and their kids are unbelievable - we absolutely adore the whole family. He ended speaking about the history behind the lyrics of "Lead Kindly Light" - which is another of my favorite hymns. Then the choir sang that after his remarks. I don't know how it can just be a coincidence that two of my most favorite hymns were part of the program today.
That is when I sat up and thought - There really is something here for me to learn today. So, I listened and my heart was touched. One thing that really hit me is that President Olsen made reference of the need to not be so critical and competitive with one another - which is what I had already been pondering on recently after reading the book, "I Am a Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson. All of Chapter 6 emphasizes the need to not judge each other harshly, but to love and care for each other. We all have strengths and weakness and it seems we tend to judge each other on both of these. If someone has a messy house, we might think they are lazy. If someone is really nice looking we might think they are vain. If someone is quiet we might think they are stuck up. And if someone drives a really nice car we might think they are materialistic. It seems we are very prepared and ready to judge others on every aspect of their lives. And that has to end. This is not a competition. This life is a time for EACH and everyone of us to prepare to meet God. And when we were baptized into His church, we PROMISE to help our brothers and sisters. So, that is my first assignment, not to judge. I try to be good at that, trying to give others the benefit of the doubt. So, I will try harder. I am going to try not to judge others successes too harshly. I am going to try not to be intimidated by those who seem so fabulous to me. I am going to try to not covet the things others have that I do not. I am going to look at everyone and take the time to truly see them as a brother or sister, as God's child. Although I have worked so hard to not judge others - I see that I still have a ways to go
There are other things that I know I need to work on after today's conference. President Morgan touched my heart on the topic of prayer. I know that I can do better and I need to for myself and my family. President Hanks helped me realize how important preparedness is - I need to be ready for whatever the Lord has in store for me. THEN I need to be humble enough to accept whatever the Lord has in store for me. I absolutely LOVE the last line of the first verse of "Lead Kindly Light" that states this: "I do not ask to see The distant scene -- one step enough for me." I need to really attain this attitude. I need to rely on the Lord and even when I don't understand the whole big picture, I need to take comfort and be at peace with the one or two steps in front of my that I do see.
This really was an incredible meeting and I want to thank our Stake Presidency for the hard work they do for us all, for their prayers and worries and constant vigilance over us. We are truly blessed to have such honorable men serving us so lovingly.
Then today came and we went to the Regional Center for our meeting. We got everyone ready quickly and arrived a half hour early. We picked up Lili - I am so glad she is back in town, it was a treat to see her again - along the way. The choir was rehearsing when we arrived and it was so nice to get the kids settled and then just sit and listen to the choir. However, because I was busy getting the kids settled, I didn't have that long to really pay much attention to the rehearsal. As they were winding down I realized that I heard part of one of my favorite hymns. So I asked Bert if they had just practiced that and he said that they talked about it and it was on the program. I was so excited, I never get tired of hearing, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." It fills my soul.
The conference started and we heard from President Olsen. First of all, he is just a wonderful man. We have loved getting to know him over the years. His daughter is in our ward and she is fantastic - and their kids are unbelievable - we absolutely adore the whole family. He ended speaking about the history behind the lyrics of "Lead Kindly Light" - which is another of my favorite hymns. Then the choir sang that after his remarks. I don't know how it can just be a coincidence that two of my most favorite hymns were part of the program today.
That is when I sat up and thought - There really is something here for me to learn today. So, I listened and my heart was touched. One thing that really hit me is that President Olsen made reference of the need to not be so critical and competitive with one another - which is what I had already been pondering on recently after reading the book, "I Am a Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson. All of Chapter 6 emphasizes the need to not judge each other harshly, but to love and care for each other. We all have strengths and weakness and it seems we tend to judge each other on both of these. If someone has a messy house, we might think they are lazy. If someone is really nice looking we might think they are vain. If someone is quiet we might think they are stuck up. And if someone drives a really nice car we might think they are materialistic. It seems we are very prepared and ready to judge others on every aspect of their lives. And that has to end. This is not a competition. This life is a time for EACH and everyone of us to prepare to meet God. And when we were baptized into His church, we PROMISE to help our brothers and sisters. So, that is my first assignment, not to judge. I try to be good at that, trying to give others the benefit of the doubt. So, I will try harder. I am going to try not to judge others successes too harshly. I am going to try not to be intimidated by those who seem so fabulous to me. I am going to try to not covet the things others have that I do not. I am going to look at everyone and take the time to truly see them as a brother or sister, as God's child. Although I have worked so hard to not judge others - I see that I still have a ways to go
There are other things that I know I need to work on after today's conference. President Morgan touched my heart on the topic of prayer. I know that I can do better and I need to for myself and my family. President Hanks helped me realize how important preparedness is - I need to be ready for whatever the Lord has in store for me. THEN I need to be humble enough to accept whatever the Lord has in store for me. I absolutely LOVE the last line of the first verse of "Lead Kindly Light" that states this: "I do not ask to see The distant scene -- one step enough for me." I need to really attain this attitude. I need to rely on the Lord and even when I don't understand the whole big picture, I need to take comfort and be at peace with the one or two steps in front of my that I do see.
This really was an incredible meeting and I want to thank our Stake Presidency for the hard work they do for us all, for their prayers and worries and constant vigilance over us. We are truly blessed to have such honorable men serving us so lovingly.
Friday, September 5, 2008
My Net Worth
Last night we had one of those quick, unplanned visits with Bert's dad and Karyn and in the course of our conversation, an important truth was confirmed in my heart. We were talking about some pictures we had just looked at, which led us to discussing some of the many outings and trips others in the family had taken. Bert and I must have sounded a little envious of some of these exotic ventures when his dad quickly commented that what we gave those trips up for is worth so much more than those trips.
So, I started to really look at our "Net Worth", and it is great. Bert works VERY hard and long for our family and I am able to stay home with our beautiful children. We don't have extra money for lessons or fancy clothes or big trips, but we have four amazing children (not perfect, but definitely amazing) and we are happy and healthy. I get to spend every waking moment worrying about them and thinking about them and wondering what I can do to help them more. And then we get all sorts of hugs and kisses and loves in return. The other day The Boy was talking to Uncle Boogerhead and went through a list of everyone he loves. Mommy made it on the list twice. And the other day Bert had a gig that kept him out late and Thing 1 wrote him a note that said bedtime just isn't the same withouth him here - and she left the note on his nightstand.
Despite the fact that we get tired and worn out from all that we need to do on a daily basis, if we can break away from that and look at our many blessings, we can feel peace and happiness our our lives for the work we are doing.
So, trips to Africa may not be our reality, but we have the best life for us. Thanks to Jim for saying what he said to make this perfectly clear. And next time I start pouting as I look over the travels of one or look at the lovely outfit of another, I'll sit back and say "I CHOSE TO TRADE ALL THAT IN FOR MY FAMILY - AND THEY ARE WORTH IT."
Should I get that tattooed on my eyelids?
So, I started to really look at our "Net Worth", and it is great. Bert works VERY hard and long for our family and I am able to stay home with our beautiful children. We don't have extra money for lessons or fancy clothes or big trips, but we have four amazing children (not perfect, but definitely amazing) and we are happy and healthy. I get to spend every waking moment worrying about them and thinking about them and wondering what I can do to help them more. And then we get all sorts of hugs and kisses and loves in return. The other day The Boy was talking to Uncle Boogerhead and went through a list of everyone he loves. Mommy made it on the list twice. And the other day Bert had a gig that kept him out late and Thing 1 wrote him a note that said bedtime just isn't the same withouth him here - and she left the note on his nightstand.
Despite the fact that we get tired and worn out from all that we need to do on a daily basis, if we can break away from that and look at our many blessings, we can feel peace and happiness our our lives for the work we are doing.
So, trips to Africa may not be our reality, but we have the best life for us. Thanks to Jim for saying what he said to make this perfectly clear. And next time I start pouting as I look over the travels of one or look at the lovely outfit of another, I'll sit back and say "I CHOSE TO TRADE ALL THAT IN FOR MY FAMILY - AND THEY ARE WORTH IT."
Should I get that tattooed on my eyelids?
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