Raisins Ruin Everything.
I saw that sign on my sister's fridge. I think her husband made it. I believe it.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Mid-Life Philosophy--1
A Person's a Person, No Matter How Small
I know that God lives because I know that He loves me. His love is constant. I do not doubt His love for me. The scriptures plainly teach that God loves all His children. I know He loves me, so I know He loves everyone else just as much. I have based this particular (but not unique) life philosophy on my core belief that God loves His children. My philosophy is simply that people matter.
Every person matters. They matter to Heavenly Father. They matter to Jesus Christ. And they should matter to me. I hope this affects the way I treat people. I enjoy interacting with toddlers, children, teenagers, and adults. I like to talk to people. I like to listen to people. I know that, even if we don't immediately click, they matter just as much to Heavenly Father as I do.
I try to keep this in mind when forming opinions about immigration, prison reform, homeless, poor, health care, welfare, job creation, education, parental rights, religious rights, and the environment. Whenever I consider policy, I try to study and decide how it will affect individual people. I don't align myself with either political party (don't worry about me, I probably agree with you on most issues). In my mind, my party is pro-people. I believe the worth of a soul is immeasurable and wherever possible, I should hope for progress and improvement in life situations. I believe that life is valuable and should be respected--the life of a disabled person, mentally ill person, unborn person, an elderly person. These each have incredible value as an individual.
I matter to my Heavenly Father. Every person who has ever lived in this world matters to Heavenly Father. Human life is precious and valuable. People matter.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Mid-Life Philosophy--2
Finding Myself
I had the privilege and blessing to serve as a full-time proselyting missionary for my church. I served in Australia for 18 months, beginning when I was 21-years-old. Nothing else could have helped me discover who I am as profoundly and plainly as my missionary service. I was a pretty decent person before my mission, if I do say so myself. But the powerful lessons I learned in that very brief time have set me on a path that has brought me great happiness.
Jesus Christ taught, "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it" (Matthew 10:39). On my mission and at other times in my life, I have discovered more about myself when I wasn't thinking about myself than I could have with a whole lot of "me time."
I understand the importance of having time for personal development. I had four children in less than six years. Of course I understand that! I also understand that not everyone needs to serve a mission to learn this lesson. However, I learned it best as a missionary. I have been able to apply it for the almost twenty years since that time.
If I lack confidence, hard work or service help give me a boost. If I feel sad, hard work or service can lessen those feelings. If I am angry, nothing is more therapeutic than working for or serving someone else. I come back to my own life more complete, with a better understanding of my own heart and needs. I also feel more gratitude.
President Hinckley told the story of his own mission. He was down and discouraged when he got a letter from his dad with the simple advice, "Forget yourself and go to work." President Hinckley made the decision to invest himself in the work. Late in his life, he said, "Everything that has happened to me since that's been good I can trace to that decision..."
His words could have been mine. I loved my mission so much. I think about mission experiences and people every day. The lessons I learned, most especially to lose myself in order to find myself, have shaped my outlook on life. That particular lesson has helped me to be a better student, employee, member of a community, and church member. It has helped me be a better wife and mother.
Again, I know you don't have to serve a full-time mission to learn this lesson. But I am grateful every day that it was part of God's plan for me to serve in that capacity. I know it's not my decision, but I hope that it is part of God's plan for my children to allow them to serve as full-time missionaries. It is magnificent to find yourself while engaged in God's work.
I had the privilege and blessing to serve as a full-time proselyting missionary for my church. I served in Australia for 18 months, beginning when I was 21-years-old. Nothing else could have helped me discover who I am as profoundly and plainly as my missionary service. I was a pretty decent person before my mission, if I do say so myself. But the powerful lessons I learned in that very brief time have set me on a path that has brought me great happiness.
Jesus Christ taught, "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it" (Matthew 10:39). On my mission and at other times in my life, I have discovered more about myself when I wasn't thinking about myself than I could have with a whole lot of "me time."
I understand the importance of having time for personal development. I had four children in less than six years. Of course I understand that! I also understand that not everyone needs to serve a mission to learn this lesson. However, I learned it best as a missionary. I have been able to apply it for the almost twenty years since that time.
If I lack confidence, hard work or service help give me a boost. If I feel sad, hard work or service can lessen those feelings. If I am angry, nothing is more therapeutic than working for or serving someone else. I come back to my own life more complete, with a better understanding of my own heart and needs. I also feel more gratitude.
President Hinckley told the story of his own mission. He was down and discouraged when he got a letter from his dad with the simple advice, "Forget yourself and go to work." President Hinckley made the decision to invest himself in the work. Late in his life, he said, "Everything that has happened to me since that's been good I can trace to that decision..."
His words could have been mine. I loved my mission so much. I think about mission experiences and people every day. The lessons I learned, most especially to lose myself in order to find myself, have shaped my outlook on life. That particular lesson has helped me to be a better student, employee, member of a community, and church member. It has helped me be a better wife and mother.
Again, I know you don't have to serve a full-time mission to learn this lesson. But I am grateful every day that it was part of God's plan for me to serve in that capacity. I know it's not my decision, but I hope that it is part of God's plan for my children to allow them to serve as full-time missionaries. It is magnificent to find yourself while engaged in God's work.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Mid-Life Philosophy--3
Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!
My favorite quote from Henry David Thoreau is simply this: "Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!" I first read this as a teenager and I've held on to it.
I choose to have a simple life. I am purposely not very busy. We spend a lot of time at home or at nearby parks. I like it like that. I really enjoy traveling, but it's not practical for a family in our situation to travel that much. We are content with the life we have around us.
Paul wrote to the Philippians, "For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." This has been one of my keys to lasting happiness. I try to be content with the simple things. I like to look for little positive things that brighten my day. The last few days as I wash the dishes, I have enjoyed watching the world turn to spring outside the kitchen window. To do that, I turn my eyes away from the massive propane tanks to the left and focus on the hillside to the right. It's a small effort, but turning my head helps me to see amazing beauty. I am so grateful and happy when my children get delighted over little things--like the birds in the yard or a new mushroom growing because of the rain. I can't tell you how many times we've called to each other to come out to see a fascinating insect. We walk around the yard looking at the different small blossoms on the many varied kinds of weeds. It's a lovely yard.
The world is full of simple wonder and beauty. I believe choosing to live simply helps me to appreciate very small things and learn to be content with what I have. I also think that looking for the good in the world has helped me to look for the good in people. My life is so much more enjoyable when I find positive characteristics about people around me. Focusing on the good is a pretty simple way to live and I believe these very simple behaviors bring my life more meaning.
My favorite quote from Henry David Thoreau is simply this: "Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!" I first read this as a teenager and I've held on to it.
I choose to have a simple life. I am purposely not very busy. We spend a lot of time at home or at nearby parks. I like it like that. I really enjoy traveling, but it's not practical for a family in our situation to travel that much. We are content with the life we have around us.
Paul wrote to the Philippians, "For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." This has been one of my keys to lasting happiness. I try to be content with the simple things. I like to look for little positive things that brighten my day. The last few days as I wash the dishes, I have enjoyed watching the world turn to spring outside the kitchen window. To do that, I turn my eyes away from the massive propane tanks to the left and focus on the hillside to the right. It's a small effort, but turning my head helps me to see amazing beauty. I am so grateful and happy when my children get delighted over little things--like the birds in the yard or a new mushroom growing because of the rain. I can't tell you how many times we've called to each other to come out to see a fascinating insect. We walk around the yard looking at the different small blossoms on the many varied kinds of weeds. It's a lovely yard.
The world is full of simple wonder and beauty. I believe choosing to live simply helps me to appreciate very small things and learn to be content with what I have. I also think that looking for the good in the world has helped me to look for the good in people. My life is so much more enjoyable when I find positive characteristics about people around me. Focusing on the good is a pretty simple way to live and I believe these very simple behaviors bring my life more meaning.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Mid-Life Philosophy--4
Staying Safe
My friend told me that when he was a missionary, he was often asked the question, "Have you been saved?" He answered, "I'm safe." And then he would explain about covenants and how his covenants keep him safe. If he endures and continues to keep his covenants, he will be saved.
I really like this and I think about it often. We live in a spiritually dangerous world. There are so many different ways to fall off the path or be deceived. Sometimes it scares me. I worry about whether I will be deceived at some point. I worry about my children and their future.As I pray about it, my answer is consistent: Continue in faith. Read the scriptures. Pray. Attend church. Follow the prophet.
The most basic, fundamental daily habits and actions of an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will keep me safe. There's no secret formula. It's spelled out for me in simple terms. I teach my children those very basic things with the hope that they will also be safe.
The most important thing in the world to me is to keep the covenants I've made with Heavenly Father. In the covenants, I find safety and peace. I have a testimony that Christ has restored His church on the earth again. I guard my testimony carefully. I want to learn and am always seeking the truth. I have learned that the sources I use to find truth make all the difference. There are valid history sources and valid doctrinal sources. Because of the value I place on my testimony, I have learned to carefully sift through the options and put my trust in the sources that are honest, faithful, and valid.
I believe in a very personal Savior. Being saved begins with being safe. Keeping my covenants and carefully guarding my testimony keep me safe.
My friend told me that when he was a missionary, he was often asked the question, "Have you been saved?" He answered, "I'm safe." And then he would explain about covenants and how his covenants keep him safe. If he endures and continues to keep his covenants, he will be saved.
I really like this and I think about it often. We live in a spiritually dangerous world. There are so many different ways to fall off the path or be deceived. Sometimes it scares me. I worry about whether I will be deceived at some point. I worry about my children and their future.As I pray about it, my answer is consistent: Continue in faith. Read the scriptures. Pray. Attend church. Follow the prophet.
The most basic, fundamental daily habits and actions of an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will keep me safe. There's no secret formula. It's spelled out for me in simple terms. I teach my children those very basic things with the hope that they will also be safe.
The most important thing in the world to me is to keep the covenants I've made with Heavenly Father. In the covenants, I find safety and peace. I have a testimony that Christ has restored His church on the earth again. I guard my testimony carefully. I want to learn and am always seeking the truth. I have learned that the sources I use to find truth make all the difference. There are valid history sources and valid doctrinal sources. Because of the value I place on my testimony, I have learned to carefully sift through the options and put my trust in the sources that are honest, faithful, and valid.
I believe in a very personal Savior. Being saved begins with being safe. Keeping my covenants and carefully guarding my testimony keep me safe.
Mid-Life Philosophy--5
People Can Change
For many years, Chris worked at a residential treatment facility for at-risk teenagers. Some of those kids had done some pretty horrible things. The consequences of their actions were, in some cases, lifelong. I often thought about how much of life they had left to live. Was there no hope for their temporal future? How is that okay? They were so young.
As I got to know different boys, my testimony and understanding of the power of Christ's Atonement deepened. Logically, I know that because God cannot look on sin with the least degree of allowance, there can be no help for me without the Savior. If I have hope for myself, then it follows that there is hope for others. God forgives the repentant person. I know that for myself and I know it applies to other people.
Although I know what the statistics say, I have hope in the Atonement of Christ that people can change. People can become new, different, and better. Although the natural consequences of our decisions, even when we're young, can last and last, there is always hope. There is never a time to give up on someone else. With the help of Jesus Christ, people can change.
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