This is a test!

While life is meant to test, challenge, and strengthen us, if we are attempting to negotiate the twists and turns and ups and downs of mortality alone, we're doing it all wrong. Mortality is a test, but it is an open-book test. We have access not only to the divine text but to Him who authored it! Sheri Dew

Please give us the strength to always recognize this so we can keep things in perspective. Too often the grudges of others, the difficulty of the road or the weaknesses of ourselves get in our way!

Something to think about!

Okay here is a thought that you all can chew on! In Institute class a while back, my instructor made a wonderful insight that I have to totally agree with, and it had to do with Jacob 2. First of all, Jacob is speaking about how the men of the time were very naughty and the women and children had to listen to him speak with their very sensitive hearts and minds. And how hard it had to be to hear Jacob being so blunt. And, I totally agree with this, however, Bro. so and so said to the class, you women need to understand one thing, that if you want to be treated tenderly, and chastely you MUST behave that way. So it is a two way street!! Quitte frankly I am weary of hearing some women say I will NOT allow myself to be disrespected, etc etc. And I think that maybe they ought to look at it from another's point of view instead of so self-absorbed. Because many women these days are behaving very poorly and with the sense of entitlement and men are the ones ending up more abused.

Think about it.

(disclosure, if you are offended by my thoughts, I would ask you kindly not to come here!)

Quite the news!

On my birthday, Dec 30th, 2008 my family was dancing around and singing, just playing around all night and it was a gas! But in the middle ofi t, I opened a letter I received from Women's conference, Sandra Rogers to be exact. I thought it might be letting us women know of the upcoming women's conference for those of us who teach at BYU! But to my jaw dropping amazement, it was not, it was an invitation to speak with another sister! It was pretty awesome to think that one so ordinary had been asked to speak. The subject is "My body is a Temple Heavenly Father gave to me!" Okay, so that shouldn't be too bad. So tonight I went to the orientation meeting where we heard from one of the General R.S. Counelors and Elder Samuelson and Sis. Rogers. It was so inspiring! They assured of us of being suggested, prayed over and approved by the Board of Trustees. You know who that is! Well, anyhow, that that shouldn't make us nervous. Yeah! It's true, it shouldn't. But the theme is "Find Strength in the Lord!" I truly felt the spirit bear witness to me that this theme was so important right now, when everything is falling apart around us in the economy and elsewhere. We just need to find strength. And it has been the theme I have had in my prayers for some time. To ask the Lord to strengthen me in the difficulties to come my way. Whether it be from others, or circumstances, or outside influences!
Just ask for strength to endure. This was the main message tonight. It is funny how so many think life isn't mean't to be endured, I've run across many students who feel this way and find myself thinking, well, they haven't experienced enough life that they will find that sometimes that is all you CAN do and you need the Savior to help you.
So it is going to be good for me. To remind me of what really is important as I go through day to day things! That we can't do it alone and we aren't alone, but we have Him to stand beside us to lift and strengthen us. And truly, there is NO OTHER WAY!

Well, I'll let you know how it goes, yikes!
Wish me luck, oh I mean, rely on the Lord.

Tis better to be polite and kind.

Wow, I happened upon a website that explains cyberbullying and found it quite informative. It has definitions and ways to help. Plus it has ways to stop it on websites such as myspace and facebook, xango and others. I was interested in how they pointed out libelous behavior, which means to write things about others that is demeaning, badmouthing, false, to ruin a persons reputation! I was very glad to see that, as can see how this happens. Another word that pops into my mind is slander. Saying things to others that puts another person in a bad light. I suppose that could mean gossip as well. But slander ruins a persons reputation. My feeling is educate yourself, then practice kind, polite and tactful ways to treat others so this isn't a problem. Maybe the best word is civility. It seems to be going out of style. In London I was amazed at how most folks were very respectful of one another. I suspect our media in TV and Movies have taught the notion that it is okay to be disrespectful because it is funny. And we have accepted it. Guess it's time to take a look at this, huh?

Oh here is the website: cyberbullyinghelp.com

I wish You Enough!

This is a story I read this week that made me smile! It brings things into a persepective in which we need, since the current feelings of entitlement are so pervalent.
"At an airport, I overhead a father and daughter in their last moments together. her plane's departure had been announced and standing near the door, the father said, "I Love You, I wish you enough."

She said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy." They kissed goodbye and she left. He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?"

"Yes, I have", I replied. Saying that brought back memories of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me. Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time to tell him face to face how much he mean't tome. I knew what this man was experiencing.

"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?" I asked. "I am old, and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead, and the reality is, her next trip will be for my funeral." he said. "When you were saying goodbye, I heard you say, I wish you enough. May I ask what that means?"

He began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down for generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." He paused for a moment, and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail he smiled even more.

"When we said I wish you enough, we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with enough good things to sustain them," he continued, and then turning toward me, he shared the following:

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess."

The older I get the more reflective I become, the happier I get at the little things that mean so much, and the sadder I get at the selfishness and hardheartedness of others.
So my dear ones, I wish you enough too!! Make sure you are not one of thoses who has the ongoing sense of entitlement. Love more, be forgiving more, and understand more. Work at not taking things personally, and never assume anything, always do you best, and be clear with your words.

I wish you enough!

Listen up, people!

Did you, by chance, listen to Elder Holland's talk this week at the BYU devotional??? Well, take a hop, skip and a jump over to BYUTV and stream it. The subject was "Lot's Wife" and it was given on Tuesday, Jan 13th, 2009. It will be well worth your time to listen, and I mean listen! Mike and I listened to it at least 10 times today! There was a moment there, that his countenance changed and his voice got very firm, almost angry, and he almost shouted to the listeners "Let the people repent!" Quit holding people hostage to the past! Let them use the atonement. That we shouldn't get our pail and shovels out and keep digging the past up!! Much to our chagrin this is one of those things we have witnessed in our own lives, but we much "let those people repent as well". So it works both ways. I Love the gospel of Jesus Christ! It will be the only thing that will keep us straight if we allow it to.

Create

Create-ing! I have been thinking alot about this New Year and the reso
lutions we all make! A simple one-word thought that I can focus on is "Create-ing"!

Create health: through eating right, yoga, pilates, powertone, and water.
Create love: sharing uplifting conversations,calling friends, family, compliments.
Create knowledge: Reading good books, studying world events, listening to good things.
Create spirituality: Reading scriptures, going to church, serving, a Love of God.

The world has lost "peace" overall, and we must create it by living and doing. So for me, this is my goal to be diligent and to be steady in these four areas.
Love to all.