Thankful Thursday Week of October 6 - 12, 2011

Thursday, October 6, 2011:  I'm thankful for the gift and blessing of being able to serve a Sister in my Ward who is bound to bed and stillness which is difficult for her.  I'm grateful for her willingness to allow us to help.  I'm grateful for a quiet afternoon at home during which I was able to workout with Denise Austin doing some Yoga.

Friday, October 7, 2011:  I'm thankful for a quiet day at home.  I should've gone somewhere in the afternoon, but I was feeling really bummed, so stayed home and got a few things done that have been waiting too long.  I worked out with Kathy Smith in Project YOU and did the next step up from what I was doing.  Didn't do it the way THEY do, but did it anyway.  Felt good.  :)  I'm just happy to get one day closer to finishing this week with six days of exercise in it!

Saturday, October 8, 2011:  I'm thankful for the blessing and opportunity of preparing for and attending a dear friend's wedding.  It was a lovely evening service and our Stake President did a WONDERFUL job with it.  I'm so grateful that she welcomed my little ones, which enabled me to attend.  She KNOWS me by so doing!  ^_^

I'm grateful for the time I was able to spend working out with Susan Powter.  I was able to focus, which is what I really need to do to get the rivers of sweat runnin!  It was a good workout.

Sunday, October 9, 2011:  I'm thankful for an amazing a wonderful day!  Today was Kat's FIFTH birthday!  I can hardly believe it!  My Kitty Kat is now 5.  And, man was she testin her limits a few times today.  She feels SO big.  She told me she had a WONDERFUL birthday day.  I'm so very glad!  Even without a special cake made just for her, she LOVED the day.  We'll do a special birthday meal (pizza, her choice) and ice cream tomorrow or another day during the week.  Spread out the birthday-girl love.  ^_^

I'm especially thankful to our God for preparing an amazing Fast and Testimony meeting for today.  I'm grateful He made sure I was in Sunday School (studying the New Testament there this year! ^_^) so I could hear the one specific phrase I needed to hear and then for His inspiration to our Relief Society teacher to conduct the lesson she taught in just the way she did so that I was able to more profoundly understand the changes I needed to make in MY heart so that I may experience I positive change in a situation that I cannot actually change (in the world).  By changing me (my perspective, reaction(s), and feelings), I change how it affects me and completely alter my experience(s) of/with it.

The testimonies, in particular, today were amazing, inspiring, and VERY touching!  I am deeply grateful for the young man who exposed his heart to the core (I cried with him MUCH), for the older man who helped his daughter share, "Jesus is a good Jesus," and then continued on to talk about Jesus Christ's Love and healing Atonement.  I'm grateful for the Sister who shared of her experience with the missionaries teaching an invesitgator in their home and how that investigator has helped her see how she (I) as a long-time member need to desire the Gospel of Christ in the same way that King Lamoni's Father (in the Book of Mormon) and the investigator desire(d) it: with a willingness to give up all for it.  ThSuch desire is a full recognition of the Pearl of Great Price that we have in the Gospel of Christ which we ALL need to attain and then maintian!  (I certainly need to maintain more than I have!!!)  I encourage you to read the link to the verse (and Chapter) I've referenced above.  It's awesome!

Monday, October 10, 2011:  I'm thankful for family.  My own little one and my extended one.  I'm thankful for my brothers and sisters, neices and nephews, Mom and Dad... oh... and on the subject of nephews... I had one little guy who turned THREE today!!!  My second brother's second son... turned a BIG THREE!  He's a gift and blessing to his little and our larger family!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY Petey!!!!

I'm grateful my Kat who told me her birthday was a wonderful day yesterday.  What a soothing balm to a worry-wart Mama.

I'm grateful for the ability to workout to Yoga Booty Ballet.  It was good.  Got the rivers flowin and excited to workout this week to complete (since today started, I think), my 7th week of exercising SIX days each week!!  And it so TOTALLY does NOT feel that it's been six weeks already!  I haven't checked again lately, but  the last time I had, I'd shed 11 pounds.  That's pretty darn hope inspiring!  ^_^

I'm grateful to have learned more specifically where I may go to purchase REALLY inexpensive flats of water for our home water storage.  It's been depleated over the last 6 months and I feel anxious to refill it.  I'm hopeful that we'll also be able to get our barrell system up and in place much sooner than later.  It's already been much longer to get it going than I hoped.  But I'm sure the Lord has a reason for the wait.  He's blessed me with this anxiety to action... but I MUST remember to wait for His timing in ALL things!  ^-^

Tuesday, October 11, 2011:  I'm thankful for the exercise time with Susan Powter first thing in the morning.  I'm grateful for the visit from one of my Visiting Teachers.  It was really helpful and relieved me of some of the burden I'd felt on my heart.  She's definitely a wise woman and I'm grateful for her friendship!  I'm grateful for the really good behavior of my children as we went to the Library so I could Fax something to ICES, then to a friend's house to drop a few things and let her know I love her, then to the grocery store, then to another friend's house to drop something off and meet her in person.  My kiddos were just WONDERFUL!  And Jimmy didn't cry a bit until we were basically in our own neighborhood.  What a bunch of troopers!!!  ^_^

I'm grateful for the tremendous bag of persimmons my newest friend gave me when I went by to bring her a copy of the new Relief Society Manual.  I go to try to bless her life and she blesses mine way more!  I feel like this is a perfect example of God's Love and how He works....  What a GIFT!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011:  I'm thankful my Kat told me again today she had a wonderful birthday.  Had to be if she's still enjoying it a few days later!  What a gift!!!!

I'm grateful for the exercise time I was able to do with Denise Austin and a quick Yoga workout.  I'm grateful for Jessie's willing ness to support me in my practice of my religion and developing my relationship with Jesus Christ and God, the Father through temple attendance.  It was a LOVELY day!  It seems like most of the women with whom I've been becoming friends at the temple were ALL there this morning!  It's amazing how, even going only once a month, you can get to love people so much!  And what a gift to get so many hugs from such sweet and loving ladies!!  It was a joy!  I'm grateful for the quiet afternoon we enjoyed at home.  Got the kiddos to bed later than I would've liked (this keeps happening!), but all was well otherwise.  (I prefer an 8pm IN BED time, but it's been more like 830pm or so... so not ridiculous, but still.)

JUST IN CASE YOU WONDER

Things are not perfect and blissful all the time around here.  We have problems.  Lots of them.  And most of the time they come in groups!  Some of them are severe and cause, what I imagine to be, great ripples in "the force" because of the wrongness and pain resulting.

Because there is truth in the saying: What we Focus on reveals who we are... I'm trying to CHANGE my focus and have been, largely, successful!  ^_^

This special post each Thursday is one I have grown to LOVE and feel a need for... it helps me to see and focus on the good that there IS to be thankful for.  It is helping me to change... to make one LEAP at a time in the development I need to experience to become the woman the Lord would have me be.

I'm SO grateful to have SUCH an amazing sister who has started this whole thing!!!  Evelyn is truly gifted in MANY ways.  If you haven't read her thoughts at Educating Evelyn... I encourage you to do so!

I hope others may join in posting Thankful thoughts each Thursday and that this effort may grow into a movement so that others may experience the light, happiness, and even JOY that comes from feeling grateful consistently... and over time the feeling just seems to grow!  At least, this is my truth.  I pray it for you, should you choose to join in giving Thanks each Thursday!  :)

A Cult Like Any Other

Some numerous persons I either KNOW or have heard of through experiences of those I know have heard that I (we LDS folks) are members of a Cult.  Well... to determine the truth or fallacy of such a supposition, one would have to first define CULT.

So, according to the Merriam-Webster Free Online Dictionary, I think I am.  WHAT???!!  Well, are you?  I mean, if you're a religious person... then, by this definition you are.  And I am.  And we are!  YEAY!!!

Moving right along.  (Yes, I am going to require you to do a little bit of "extra" reading if you want to understand what I'm saying and where I'm coming from.  I'm not doing the spoon-feeding.  IF you want to believe I'm just agreeing with your fallacious assumptions, so be it.  You'd probably find a way to twist what I have to say about my heart and mind to make it fit what you believe anyway.  While I'm sorry about that... for you... I can't really do anything to change YOU... I can only (and only want) to change me!)

Just as a note on the #4 from the above link, I'm thinking of orthodox being the majority of Christians....  We LDS do, indeed, have some beliefs that seperate us from the group because Joseph Smith, Jr. actually saw God the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ, he knows (and I know) that they are two individuals who are one in purpose.  This differs from "orthodox" Christianity because the majority adhere to the definition of God agreed on in the Nicene Creed.  About that Creed... I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father has give us the tremendous gift of Agency... but just because a bunch of us punny humans get together and agree on something... regardless of how inspired it is, if it's not God, it's not.  Seeing God with our Savior... that is something irrefutable.

Next, I've found a definition on Dictionary(.)com, which site I like and turn to often for definitions.  I'll address each one here (they are almost the same as those found in the previous... so I'm doing it once now).  #1: Yes.  We have that, do that.  #2: Yes, if you realize that Jesus Christ is that person/idea (if you don't think He's a person as I do).  #3: Christ is the object.  The one born in Bethlehem, of course.  #4: Um... yep.  Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  #5: Yes, we do this too.  The Catholics do.  The Baptists do.  The Lutherans do.  The Seventh Day Adventists do.  The Muslims do.  The Jews do.  Do you get my point?

Moving right along.

I like this NEXT one.  Perjoratively... LOVE that word!  Sounds so... funky and cool.  ^_^  Anyone can use the word "cult" to mock us LDS, or demean, or attempt to mislead others about our beliefs, but such use doesn't change  the object/person of our devotion.  The members (like me) of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints worship Jesus Christ, son of Mary and God (Joseph being his eathly father, but God being the Father of Christ's body).  We live to submit to His Will, the Will of the Father and the Son.  We live to return to their presence to live for eternity... This is our hope.

Yes, we "Mormons" are a minority in any given society (unless you narrow it down to localities and then "we" may be the majority in various parts of the West).

As far as the kind of 'cult' characterized (or opposed in anti-cult movements) by "brainwashing" and mind control or other agency removing efforts; we of the LDS Church and Faith are not a part of that group.  We know that angency in all its forms (the ways people choose to do good OR ill) are given of God and we would not remove it from anyone!

My Mom once said, many years ago, something like, "Oh, someone might think Jessie was brainwashed!"  I was too shocked to respond (which was usual for me at the time).  She paused for a moment, thought, and then said, "Well, I suppose that's not such a bad thing if his brain needed some cleaning!"  We do not attempt to exert control over anyone... though we DO encourage ALL to get to know God and then submit to His Will, which should anyone strive to do with their whole heart, might, mind, strength, and soul... such would result in those people who so strive to do similarly... to become ever more and more alike.  And this is the point.  To become one with Christ, even as He is one with God.  To be in Him as He is in our Father and the Father in Him; so then to be in God and God in us.  But this is all documented much more poetically in the Bible (and Book of Mormon), should anyone desire to read it and understand with spiritual eyes and ears.

Next and final... okay, so reading this page is good.  I'll direct you to where I begin to share about my religion based on this article's statements about "cults."  If you will scroll down to the fourth paragraph under the first bold title area of the article (within the article): Looking at the bold area of this paragraph I have to respond: ummm... this is all Christian denominations to one degree or another.  I mean, especially those denominations named the name of the man who originated the principles of the subgroup!

I like and prefer that next the Bible is invoked.  I definitely believe the part about defining Jesus differently than the Bible does.  Thankfully, you'll NOT find this problem with me and my religion since we believe the Bible to be the word of God so long as it is translated correctly (I read the KJV of the Bible).

Thankfully those of us of the LDS Faith do NOT do the second: proclaim salvation by workds.  We know, just as all Christians, that the good we do is by the Grace of God and that He, by Grace, overcomes the lack between that which we can do (carried in an by His Grace) over the chasm between what we can do in Him and what is required to live in His presence.  Praise the Lord for Grace and the Atonement!!!

Finally (of the three points) we of the LDS Faith believe in the Bible fully and strive to live the principles and precepts laid our for us all within it.  Deep doctrine in my church always aims us back to Christ and His doctrines.  We experience the testament of truth by the Holy Spirit of God.  I know the Bible to be the Word of God in the same way I know the Book of Mormon to be the Word of God to a disparate group of people who were once of the Jews in Jerusalem.  The Holy Spirit that witnesses the truth of these things to my mind and heart (and in my body at times) is the same that will witness these same truths to all other groups of Christians.  "By their works, ye shall know them."  I'm not perfect.  The other Mormons I know are not perfect, but we are trying to do good and to live as Christ would have us live.  If we are being led by the deceiver to do and live in this way, then he is a house divided against itself as Jesus described when He (Jesus) was said to be doing things by the power of the deceiver.  All good comes of God.  Nothing good comes of the devil.  Not one bit.

It's funny to me that the next paragraph describes the problem of religious extremism.  God said, Himself, in the Bible that He wanted us to be either hot or cold.  He will spit us out otherwise.    I'll not be spit out.  So, if someone declares I'm in a cult because I am Zealous for Christ, so be it.

I've already spoken about Agency and will move along to what comes next in the article.  So, my Church is directly, yet indirectly named within the article as a cult... *sigh*  You'll have to decide for yourself, obviously!  ^_^  One thing about how you make a decision... hopefully you already know how the Holy Spirit communicates Truth to you.  If you don't, then this is more difficult.  But if you DO know, then all you have to do is read the Bible, read the Book of Mormon, ponder on the Truths found validated from one (the Bible) in the other (the Book of Mormon) and then pray about it.  If you find, as I have, that the Holy Spirit witnesses TRUTH to you, too, then keep learning.  The deeper you go, the more full the hole in your heart that Jesus made just for Him to fill WILL be filled!  I know this to be true.  I've lived it.  I'm living it.  I will live it.

Some GREAT talks by some of oure church's leadership about the Book of Mormon and other truths:

The Power of Scripture
The Book of Mormon - A Book from God this is why I believe the Book of Mormon is necessary now
Personal Revelation and Testimony
You Matter to Him
A Witness
Teachings of Jesus  is this a different Jesus than the one you know??
The Priviledge of Prayer

If you liked these and would like to watch more of the General Conference from which I took these, click HERE.  ^_^   I'd love to know what you think after you watch the first two, especially.  :)

Thankful Thursday Week of September 29 - October 5, 2011

Thursday, September 29, 2011: I'm thankful for the rest I've been able to get which has enabled me to begin the process of changing my schedule.  I've known for many years now that the human body is made to sleep at night (1 hour of sleep BEFORE midnight is like TWO hours of sleep AFTER midnight = sleep earlier, get "more sleep" in less hours).  Unfortunately, for me, knowing things doesn't equal learning them... since learning requires application to ones life.

I'm grateful for the blessing of exercising, which I completed almost fully before Jimmy woke up from his nap.  I did some Yoga, which I still enjoy quite well.  I think my body is becoming acclimated... or I'm not pushing myself enough cause the sweat isn't pouring nearly as much.  Or... maybe it's not as hot anymore.  I'm not sure what.

I'm grateful for the good behavior of my girls and Jimmy while we were grocery shopping!  Jimmy was so content he fell asleep!  What a sweet lil' guy!  Of course, all my babies have fallen asleep in the sling.  So, he's as wonderful as his sisters.  This bodes well for us in the future.  :)

Friday, September 30, 2011: I'm thankful that I was able to exercise before Jimmy woke up today (worked with Susan Powter and added weights on my own to what she was doing... modifying to fit my desire/plan).  I was finished by around 830am.  YEAY!  I'm so very thankful for the rabbits we were given!  It took a while to find the home of those who were donating them to 4H kids (because I didn't realize there were two parts of one road!), but when we did find it we were able to pick up two good lookin' Dutch does (sisters) in a cage with all supplies.  WHAT a gift!!!!  Ria is SO excited about them!  :)

I'm thankful for the great deal on Chicken I was able to pick up today.  40 pounds for $1.49 per pound.  Boneless, skinless, chicken breast.  Some trimming necessary as the breasts are intact other than being off the bone, but SO worth the price!  I'm looking forward to pressure canning up some!  SO excited!!!!

I'm thankful I was able to be in bed and sleeping before 1030pm... I think (don't have a clock since I cannot find my cell).

The last few days have GOOD practice to NOT have a phone with me... sorta frustrating, but I'm grateful for the difficulty because this is the life I'm moving back into.  Sorta scarry and very uncomfrotable... but change usually IS!

Saturday, October 1, 2011:  I'm thankful that Jimmy was a sweet baby through most of my Yoga workout today.  Today was a different Yoga than I usually do.  It's called "on the ball" and interesting.  I cannot do all of it ON the ball since I don't have a right sized ball for my height in the house and I keep forgetting to bring the larger one inside.  The video I worked out with was still great.  Just not nearly as sweat inducing.  :)

I'm grateful for all that I was able to accomplish early: exercise, some sweeping, cleaning up the rabbit area, ate, started some pizza crust, and finished my computer work - all before Conference (first session).  YEAY!  I'm loving the whole early waking thing.  Now, just to get up earlIER so I can have some time without anyone else around... that part is getting rather difficult: having no time alone.  *sigh*  Just need to value THAT more than sleep and I'll be able to DO it!  :)

Sunday, October 2, 2011:  I'm thankful for the quiet time I was able to spend with my children before the first session of Conference today.  We even went on a walk.

The sessions of Conference were wonderful.  Jessie even stayed awake for a good portion of the first one.  Slept through some of the rest and the last.  ahwell.  I'm thankful for the girls' good behavior - for the most part.

I'm grateful for the wonderful pizza dinner we enjoyed with the missionaries.  I was inspired by my sister Eves to make my own Sour Dough pizza crusts.  They were much easier to make than I expected.  And my girls love any and everything 'sour dough,' which is a wonderful blessing to me since I know just how very much healthier sour dough is than added-yeast breads.

Monday, October 3, 2011:  I'm thankful for ALL that I've been able to accomplish today!  Woke up and worked out with Denise Austin.  Finished up the Sour Dough rolls, got everyone out the door WITH all necessary supplies! ^_^, stopped by Wal-Mart to buy canning bottles, dropped by a friend's house to pick up the casserole she was supplying for a family who lost their Mom on Friday morning, went to the bereaved friend's home to drop off rolls and casserole, and then back to my friend's home to can up some chicken (which they helped me with TREMENDOUSLY!).  It was a long, full, a GOOD day!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011:  I'm thankful for the MANY gifts and blessings the Lord sees fit in His infinite mercy and Love to bestow upon me and my family; regardless of how unworthy we are!

I woke up and worked out with Susan Powter (adding in weights) today.  Good time.  Not as sweat inducing as I prefer, but good work.

I ate something and then checked my email and found an email to let me know that I'd won a contest that is HUGE for me: a year's supply of food from Emergency Preparedness!!!  Seriously wonderful!  This will increase my Peace and assurance of Heavenly Provision because, as we're told, "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear,"  I've found this so be SO true!!!  We've purchased most of our supplies (many of which we still have; especially our 72 hour kits, which need to be updated to 7-day kits, per the Brethren's suggestion).  I'm just TICKLED pink!!!!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011:  I'm thankful for the gift from my husband of taking me and our family to the temple today.  It was an especially wonderful temple trip because not only did I get to do an endowment session, but I also got to spend some time talking to a wonderful lady named Judy!  It was awesome and delightful to talk with another sweet Sister in the Celestial room!  I felt that the Lord used me as an instrument in His hands to share some thoughts that might benefit Judy and the youth of her Stake (since she's Stake YW President now).  Wow!  Talk about a big calling to bear up under.  Thankfully she knows she's yoked with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

The rest of the day was quite nice.  I exercised with Susan Powter before we left, so I was able to have some sort of quiet time while the girls had quiet time.  I haven't had much of that since I've been striving to change my schedule.  That's probably the single hardest part of this change.  But it's GOOD in SO many ways.  :)  I desire to continue on and hopefully the Lord will enable me to find ways to be filled with His Peace ever more surely.

Thankful Thursday for the week of September 22-28, 2011

Thursday, September 22, 2011:  I'm thankful for frustrating days because they enable me to enjoy the peaceful, uneventful ones.  I'm grateful for the two dogs that were trying to eat our rabbits and chickens... grateful because #1 Jessie got to be our Knight and #2 Jessie got to feel worried about not having us and feeling how much he loves and wants us.  I'm sad that at least one of the dogs  is dead, but relieved and THANKFUL that neither Jimmy nor I were hurt.  I'm grateful for a wonderful SWEET neighbor who heard me screaming (didn't realize I was!) and came RUNNING across the street to help.  He picked up an 8 foot fence post and weilded it in defense of me and my home.  What a BLESSING to have GOOD neighbors!!  I'm grateful for another neighbor fella who had his shotgun out to try to deal with the dog that got away from Jessie.  WHAT A MORNING!

I'm grateful for the motivation I felt, which enabled me to accomplish a GREAT deal in our garage toward organizing it.  I look forward to having shelves in there at some point... preferrably sooner than later!  :)  I'm so thankful for my daughters' sweet play and enjoyment of being outside "stuck" under the carport because of rain most of the time - they still had a ball and got wonderfully dirty!

I'm grateful that Jimmy slept through 2/3 of my workout tonight.  It really is difficult to focus on exercising when he's sad and wants me.  But I'm grateful that he calms quickly when I attend to him!  I worked out with Kathy Smith in Project YOU tonight.  Not as wonderful as Yoga, but got the sweat on good.  :)

Friday, September 23, 2011:  I'm thankful for a day at home to get some of my ICES work done and just be here... safely.  I'm grateful for Jessie's early arrival home.  I'm thankful I was able to do my Yoga video.  LOVE it!!!

Saturday, September 24, 2011:  I'm thankful for Primary Activities!  Our WONDERFUL Primary Presidency with special guests did an amazing work in building excitement in our children for missionary work (specifically serving missions, but it's a small task for a Mama to generalize from there!).  I'm thankful for the time they ALL dedicated to the planning process, preparations, and flawless and wonderful execution of sending my three girls on a mission for about an hour.  ;)  It was LOVED by all!!!

I'm thankful for Relief Society Broadcasts!!  They are all always wonderful.  But this one feels especially wonderful to me because felt so much confirmation!  I didn't feel chastised through most of it (as I usually do).  I only felt a slight chastisement during President Uchtdorf's talk... and that was lovingly delivered and received without pain on my part.  What a gift and blessing to hear from those who lead this wonderful organization!  I would like to add my small and perhaps silly testimony that the new Manual is wonderful, inspirational, and full of wonderful lessons.  I'm sure we will enjoy our RS lessons this coming year - perhaps even more than we have for the last two years!  :)

I'm grateful for Ria's help so that I could finish my exercises before the RS Broadcast.  She really is an amazing helper!!  My children are definitely the closest "thing" I have to laying up a treasure on earth!!!  I worked out with Denise Austin and had rivers of sweat pouring down my body.  Nice.

Sunday, September 25, 2011:  I'm thankful for wonderful talks at church.  I'm determined to keep my armor of Truth girt about me ever more surely thanks to Bro. Donovan Ward.  I'm grateful for our High Councelor's talk and Pres. Martell's words as well.  I'm grateful for Sister Hardy's preparation for Sunday School!  I'm especially grateful for Sister Jalving's prepartion for the lesson today on HOPE!  Even though her topic was hope, just like with Sister Allred's talk, the main thing that stuck in my mind was CHARITY!!  So, obviously, the Lord is making it clear in my mind that I need to focus, with ever more energy, my work on charity within ME.  I thought I was making dramatic strides before.  God just wants me doing more and better work in this area, apparently!  :)  God's Got It!  I'm sure he knows what I can accomplish, so I'll just obey and seek Him First... as I TRY to do each day!  (I do feel a little nervous about what is coming up if this is such a hugely clear focus for me to work on, directed of the Lord!)

I'm grateful for the promptings to visit a friend.  Hopefully she felt the Lord's Love for her through my few minutes with her... cause I totally felt URGED to visit AND even had to turn around to do so!  God LOVE US!!!!!

I'm thankful for quiet days at home and Quiet Time during which I could watch some of the RS Broadcast again.  LOVE it!

I'm gratful for incidents which may lead to improvements.  I can HOPE, anyway.

Monday, September 26, 2011:  I'm thankful for the headache I woke up with.  It encouraged me to drop my preexisting out-of-the-house plans in favor of staying at home.  I exercised earlier in the day (with Denise Austin Ultimate Fat Burner) so that I could get to sleep earlier at night in hopes of changing my routine to an earlier and better and healthier one.  The exercise temporarily relieved the headache, too!  I'm so thankful for small mercies.  :)  Ria helped me wonderfully with Jimmy while I exercised.  She is amazing!  What a blessing to this home, our family, and my life she is!!!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011:  I'm thankful for quiet days at home.  I exercised today while Jimmy was talking a nap.  (Yoga today.)  What a GOOD way to do it.  Unfortunately life doesn't always work out in the best ways.  It sure is nice when it does, though.  And I'm SO thankful!  I'm thankful for an early to bed time.  I was actually asleep by around 10pm.  I'm grateful for what I did get done, though hope I can become ever more efficient as time moves along.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011:  I'm thankful for Jessie's willingness to go to the temple and spend time with our children while I worked inside.  I was blessed to run into a number of women I've gotten to know a LITTLE by temple attendance.  Don't even know most of their names, but I love 'em just the same.  Some of my "angels" and they are SO sweet!  Once is sending me a gift in the mail, too.  :)  Oh, I exercised EARLY this morning (515am) because I knew it would be a BUSY day.  Worked out with Denise Austin again.  Got the sweat running in rivers down my body.  Nice!  I'm thankful for the opportunity to do 4H with friends.  The kiddos LOVE it and I think we Moms do, too!  ^_^

Thankful Thursday, Week of September 15-21, 2011

Thursday, September 15, 2011:  I'm thankful for a day at home.  I've been feeling head-coldy and was especially glad to be home today.  I'm thankful that Ria got much of what she's supposed to do done today and that Kat and Tea wanted to do what they are supposed to do.  I'm thankful for the gardening I was able to complete.  Seeds are now in the ground.  Now, to see how many of them germinate and then survive.  THAT is the question!  And I pray the Lord will bless us with much fruit from my effort.  It has been sweaty work... no blood this time around... at least, not mine.  Kat did slam her finger in the door today, but she didn't bleed into the garden... so I guess that's not the same thing.  ;)  I'm grateful for the time I was able to spend doing Yoga!  Jimmy slept through my whole workout... even my relaxation pose at the end.  SWEET baby!

Friday, September 16, 2011:  I'm thankful for the full and difficult today proved to be.  Today is one of my mile markers.  I have SO far to go... but I'm making progress.  Brought Jess his check, bought chicken and rabbit food, library, Deland Bakery, Grocery Store (where someone told me I should teach parenting classes... HA!), phone call to request a specific act of service I was willing to perform to begin tonight, phone call requiring revocation of invitation made without permission, frustration over non-functional computer, phone call from EllieAngel at just the moment when I was already almost broke down (crying in frustration) in which she helped me resolve my most trouble (fixing dinner, watering garden, crying during all of it), ate dinner, nite nite devotionals, welcomed friends for the weekend, Jess home early and repaired computer, exercised (Jimmy woke up as he often does with just me and my "Knight fought the battle of Jimmy tears" while I finished my Yoga video), and finally went to bed around 1am.  What a day!  YEAY for God sent Angels and exercise!  :)

Saturday, September 17, 2011:  I'm thankful for the blessing of two of our young friends here for the weekend.  Their presence has increased my motivation to DO things outside (that need done anyway!).  So, after breakfast: devotionals and then out to the front yard for work on the driveway.  I really should've done a before picture of the driveway.  Didn't think about it until now.  I will take one today or tomorrow before I pick more grass out of it, though.  You cannot image unless you've been here how MUCH I need to weed the gravel portion of my driveway!  It's so bad that we have to mow the driveway.  Seriously.  I'm grateful for the time I was able to exercise with Susan Powter tonight.  I wanted to do Yoga, but my index finger was hurting so much that itwas excruciating to pick Jimmy up, much less rest my weight on it!

Sunday, September 18, 2011:  I'm thankful for the wonderful behavior of one of my daughters and our two young friends sitting with us in Sacrament Meeting.  I'm thankful for the relief of sharing some thoughts in classes at church today.  I'm grateful for the time one sister shared with me on the phone today.  I am so blessed!  I'm so grateful for my sister from my family of origin.  She spent a good bit of time with me on the phone and listened and tried to give uplifting feedback.  I'm so grateful she still loves me given all she knows of past-me and present-me!

Monday, September 19, 2011:  I'm thankful for the very good behavior of my children as we went shopping for a phone (almost landline type).  We were in Wal-Mart longer than I anticipated and they were exceptionally well behaved!  Then, at the stop at a friend's house, Jimmy did NOT cry!  What a gift!!!  I'm so grateful for my children.  I tend to be pretty hard on them... as I am on myself, just a little less so... but they really ARE amazing!  I'm grateful for the sleepiness of my Jimmy - he slept all the way through my Yoga For Weightloss video.  I even got to stay in Relaxation Pose until Jess got home (only about 5 minutes, but still!).  I'm grateful to feel like my body is changing... My breath is coming easier and the stretches are a little easier.  I'm getting fit-ter (at least).  YEAY!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011:  I'm thankful for a quiet day at home during which I got a lot of computer work done (including some writing!).  Not enough house work done... but that is ALWAYS there!  I'm grateful for the part of my exercise time that Jimmy was happily playing.  It was a bit of a bummer that he started fussing about 15 minutes before I was done, but I'm grateful for the challenge of reminaing focused amid the tumult and trying to share my Peace with him without giving up on my efforts to improve my fitness.  He's a sweet little guy... just wants his Mama.  How can I be upset about that?  Well... unfortunately, sometimes it does get overwhelming.  Honestly.  But I keep reminding myself about how FAST these 6 months have already passed.  I don't have much longer before he's free walking himself!  I need to enjoy these days of his complete desire being just to be with me!  Need to remember!!!  I'm thankful for the workout video (Susan Powter) tonight and the weights I was given by a friend a few months ago, which have come in handy a few times.  YEAY for getting this body (under the fluff) in shape!  :)

Wednesday, September 21, 2011:  I'm thankful for the Visiting Teaching visit I received.  I always enjoy my sweet Sisters coming into my home!  :)  I'm thankful for the enjoyable library trip we took today.  It was a pleasure.  I'm grateful for the time I was able to spend with a dear friend in the home in which she lives.  It was a blast!  I'm grateful for the speed with which my children went to sleep tonight.  I wish I could just keep them up later and enjoy this every night.  But I HAVE tried it and it is NOT a good idea in practical application.  ahwell....  I'm grateful for tonight.  I'm grateful for the desire to workout which continues to motivate me.  I'm grateful for the changes I already feel in my body which encourage the continuation of this desire.  I did Yoga tonight.  LOVE Yoga!!!  ^_^

We Become What We Hate

Perhaps it's overgeneralizing.  Perhaps it is not true for everyone... but as a rule it seems to be a true principle: we become what we hate, despise, resent, etc.  If we have supercharges negative feelings toward or about something/someone, we either already are (perhaps to a much smaller degree) OR become what we dislike.  Do you see this truth in your life?  In observation?

I see it in me!

I used to hate things about some very close to me.  I used to hate the laziness I observed.  I hated that there was always time for TV or a movie (or multiple movies), but never time to spend actually BEing with others... or DOing the things that needed to be done.  The explanation for incomplete tasks: "I don't have time."  And, in a way, this explanation is always correct.  We do NOT have time for all the important things AND all the completely UNimportant things.  I could see, from my outside observer's POV, that the time  available was simply being spent in worthless/fruitless/selfish ways.

Just for the record, I am NOT talking about just one person right now.  I am thinking about a number of qualities in a number of different people I know really very well - as far as knowing others goes.  And aren't those the people I should be most Charitable toward?  And I don't mean the kind of charity the world refers to!  I mean Charity... The Pure Love of Christ, which pure Love includes unconditional forgiveness.  I have been commanded, in a personal commandment just to me, to forgive unconditionally, and I still struggle to obey with certain people (those closEST to me)!  :-(

The point?  I hated those quality characteristics.  And I am only beginning to realize the extent to which I hated myself... and/OR BECAME those things I hated.

It seems to me an inextricable sort of thing... like a black hole kind of deal.  The only power that can free us from the power of a black hole is the power of God.  For even though the scientists don't know this yet (haven't proven it through mathematical equations), even the darkness of a black hole must flee at the Light and Power of Our God, for He is Master of even those!

My Love still needs to grow.  My Charity must be dug deeper.  I know it.  Yet the me of today, compared to the me of 4... 5... 6 years ago... I'm ever more and more leaving behind the hater and becoming a true Lover.  And what LIGHT!  I mean, LIGHT in every sense of the word....  I feel brighter.  Not as in intelligence... though I do feel that as a result of other things... but brighter as in full of actual Light.  I feel ever more and more relieved of burdens as I forgive myself for being what I used to hate and forgive others for being less than I know they could be... isn't that what it boils down to?  We hate (feel extreme emotion to the negative) because we see in others what we don't like about ourselves... Or, see in others a way that we know they could be better than they are and we hate the bad of ourself or the shortcoming because we KNOW they could be SO much BETTER!

I have so much more to improve.  I totally know it.  But as I reflect on the distance I've come, I wonder: WHY did I ever sink so low as to hating???  How did I not KNOW that I was hurting me most of all??  Oh, I heard that.  But I just didn't KNOW!  I forgive me.  I hope YOU will forgive me!

Thankful Thursday; Week of September 9-14, 2011

Thursday, September 8, 2011:  I'm thankful for diligent daughters who worked hard today, without complaint (mostly) to do what they are supposed to do daily.  AND some of it was even done without request, reminder, or promptings from moi!  YEAY!  I love my girls!  I'm thankful for a sweet 2, almost 3 year old, who desires SO much to learn like her big sisters and who pleads with me to do reading classes with her (when she sees me do them with Kat).  They are my treasures... after God, of course.  I'm grateful for the enjoyable YBB I was able to do from start to finish even though Jimmy woke up.  He fussed because he couldn't get out of his seat for a minute, but once out, he entertained himself wonderfully and only fussed that little bit when he needed help out of his seat!  Another treasure!  I'm grateful for the fever Ria has/had tonight which helped me feel greater compassion for some friends whose kiddos are ill.  I'm grateful for the peace I feel in knowing God's Got It.

Friday, September 9, 2011:  I'm thankful for my Mom.  Today is/was her birthday!  She's 20 years older than me and I think she's been my best friend forever.  She tells me that I hated her at one time because I wanted to marry my Dad and was mad that I couldn't because she did... but I think that must have surely been when I was 5 or something!  ;)  My Mom... she is amazing.  She is smart, though underestimates her intelligence far too often.  She doesn't think critically about things as often as she could, but she is SMART in the MOST important way: she knows when the Lord is speaking to her and she abides His direction without question and more quickly than many (me!) I know.  My Mom is the best and most important example in my life of how to live as she felt/believed the Lord would have her live.  I'm so thankful for her Spiritual strength, her dedication to Truth, her determination to stick through seriously tough times, things, and experiences (from childhood on up!).  I'm thankful for her grace, her sweetness, her service... she is simply amazing!  Mom, I'm still trying to be like YOU!

I'm thankful for the time I was able to spend working out with Denise Austin workout video.  Jimmy was wonderful again.  He slept all the way through and only woke up for a few moments a couple times and watched the TV and then fell back to sleep in his swing chair.  I'm also thankful for the continued illness Ria is battling.  I'm grateful for the continuation of this trial because it is giving me more time to practice being loving and compassionate toward her.  I need practice with that sometimes... and especially when she's ill because I have a tendancy to stress overmuch over illness and make things worse by being that way.  Father God is having me work on this weakness right now and I am thankful!

Saturday, September 10, 2011:  I'm thankful for the opportunity to work with a wonderful family to clean our church building!  I'm grateful for Stake Conference.  The kiddos and I went to the Adult's Session and spent time together in the Primary Room so that I could listen to the speakers in the Chapel.  I'm grateful that my kiddos love me so well!  I believe they know that what feeds my Spirit will result in good for them, which makes it easier for them to do what they may rather not do.  I'm grateful for the continued feelings of inspiration and motivation to do what I need to do to get into better shape cardiovascularly and to shed the baggage, generally, but specifically and especially that which cumbers the "outside" of my body!  (I DO know that my internal organs have too much fat in them since my body does... but it's definitely most visible on the outside!)  I enjoyed another Yoga workout today.  I think Yoga is my preferred workout currently.  This time I tried a video I've had for a while, but haven't done much.  I did it and enjoyed it, but not as well as my preferred Yoga video.  However, I know the variety is good for me.  :)

Sunday, September 11, 2011:  I'm thankful for Stake Conference.  I went with just Jimmy because Jessie has had headaches this week and all three girls have had a bit of a cold-type thing.  I figured he wouldn't get much out of it... (he'd fall asleep), so I went and really enjoyed it!  I'm thankful for a day of rest from workouts and other word that I'm pressed to do during the week.  I do enjoy (and even sometimes love) the workouts, I'm glad for the day of rest.

I'm thankful for all the people who helped me 10 years ago.  9-11-01 was a rough day for me... night actually, since I was in Australia.  But my Mom, Jessie, Keefe, Josefine, Feli, Meijke, and a couple others were SUCH loving support to me.  THANK YOU!!

Monday, September 12, 2011:  I'm thankful for a quiet and restful day at home.  I'm thankful for thegood running use of the mower.  It wasn't working a couple days last week, so I couldn't finish the backyard cut job I wanted to work on.  It's still not finished, but the part closest to the house (at least in back!) is done.  That was about a 2 hour job... and only half of it was left after last time!  It was seriously tall, though, which is why it took so long.  Now... I know, you might think tall is, maybe, up to your shins... but this stuff was up to my thighs and hips.  I'm 5'4".  Seriously tall!  Good workout.  I'm thankful for the desire to do Yoga, too.  I'm grateful to my Jimmy for sleeping right through the whole thing... even though he did wake up a couple times to check on me.  ^_^  Oh, and I've "lost" 6 pounds now.  YEAY!  I'm so thankful for Heavenly deadlines!  :)

Tuesday, September 13, 2011:  I'm thankful for my brother Ben.  He's the 5th child in our family (I'm the oldest) and he was, as I remember, one of the funniest kids!  He was a pleasure and he loved us so very much!  I remember that he would repeatedly do silly things (that probably hurt him) BECAUSE he knew that what he was doing was causing our laughter and he wanted us to be happy more and more.  He's still a sweet guy in that way... he wants to help others be happy if and when he can.  He's no longer a totally cute chubby little toddler.  *sigh*  He is, however, a huge handsome hunk of a fella with a gorgeous wife and two amazingly beautiful little girls and a big, smart step-son.  I'm grateful that he is my brother and that he loves all of us so much - even still... after all that we put him through as a kid!  ^_^

I'm thankful Jimmy slept through my Project YOU workout tonight.  What a sweet SWEET lil' guy!

I'm grateful for the learning Path the Lord is leading me on.  I'm grateful for the amazing fount of pure knowledge, understanding, and Peace I feel as I traverse this Path.  I'm grateful for my sweet girls' work with me on our driveway.  It's a gravel thing, ya know, and covered with grass.  We began the gigantic task of removing the green from the gravel.  I'm grateful for the time I was able to spend working on the dirt in our garden.  I'm hopeful that seeds will be down before the end of the week!  I'm grateful for the time I was able to spend exercising.  My Jimmy seems to know that I need this time and, when he sees that I'm exercising, either entertains himself happily, or falls back asleep.  What a joy!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011:  I'm SO thankful for the time Jessie took away from work to take our family to the Temple in Orlando.  It was a really wonderful morning!  I feel like going to the Temple* is the absolute BEST way for me to recharge... it does the job SO completely and well!  I'm especially thankful for the wonderful fun I heard my kiddos had with their Daddy...how Jimmy was so GOOD and the Golly Gang had such a great time in my absence during which time I was doing work for someone who cannot do it for herself.  Today's Temple work time was especially neat for me because I've been feeling really strongly, when I pray, to ask for the Gift of Tongues and the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues.  Now, I know this is unlikely to do much without effort on my part.  However, with the ICES work, gardening, lawn maintainance, in addition to the regular extra things and regular things I have been doing, I haven't made much time to do much Spanish study (which is the first language I feel pressed to become proficient with... French being second).  So... what does this have to do with my Temple work time?  Well, today, in the session I was blessed to attend, there was a native Spanish speaker going through the Endowment for the first time!  What does that mean?  I didn't know until today that when this is the case, the whole session is done in the language of the 'first-timer'!  ^_^  The English speakers had to wear the headsets the temple provides to hear English, should they do desire.  I thought I would do that.  But I sent up a quick prayer asking if I should (since I did feel some hesitation), while I was waiting for someone to bring one to me.  The answer was a distinct, "No."  I was a bit surprised, but then, as I pondered on it, I was impressed with any MANY reasons why the Lord would put me in such a situation.  And what a BLESSING!  It was a REALLY good experience!  Also, this was my first time to get to do an endowment since Jimmy was born.  6 months ago.  And I still remembered the important stuff word for word!  WHAT A JOY!!!!  I'm just so happy today!!!  I'm grateful for the knowledge I have that the Lord has re-established the fullness of His Gospel in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!  I know the Temples built by The Church of Jeuss Christ of Latter-Day Saints are truly houses of The Lord.  This truly is a Gospel full of MANY good words, good works, hope, faith and Love!

I'm thankful for what seems to becoming a routine for Jimmy... he slept through my Susan Powter long workout tonight.  He did wake up to look around, which usually results in crying if I'm not the one holding him.  But he saw the TV going with me moving nearby and fell right back to sleep.  I have the feeling his angels are working nearby when I set him down with the intent to workout!  Praise the Lord for his Tender Mercies!!

Ruled By Hatred

I used to be, ya know.  I used to be ruled by hatred.  Did you know that?  Could you tell?  Try reading a post from 2008.  Could you tell that I was full of hatred?

Well, I reviewed some posts from back then and I couldn't find one that really revealed much of that part of my heart.  "In the quiet heart is hidden, sorrows that the eye can't see..."  That's a line from 'Because I Have Been Given Much,' which in our Hymnal is song 219 (because of copyright that song is not avaiable to listen to via the music portion of http://lds.org/).   It's a lovely song!  I think that was the first one we memorized in the beginning of doring devotionals last October.  I guess, even though I was significantly louder a person back then, I kept my hard heart deeply hidden and very quiet.

So, since it's not terribly visible or apparent... do you want to know what I hated?  To give myself some credit, I think I was already making SOME good progress in regard to this subject by 2008... but from my point of view now, I can see myself so much more clearly and I see how I was still strugling with hatred heavy in my heart.

Since this post is, initially, about being ruled by hatred, I'm gunna tell ya what I hated!  First of all, I hated just about everyone and anyone.  Not in an all-consuming rolling-boil sort of way... but in a simmering sort of way.  I was, in truth, waiting to take offense to just about everything.  In October of 2006 I listened to General Conference.  Along with anyone else who listened to that Conference, I heard a particular talk by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twleve Apostles entitled: 'And Nothing Shall Offend Them' .  That talk began the process of a tremendous change of heart in me, of which I enjoy many fruits today.  I still have much progress to make, but I'm becoming a new woman and, in many ways, AM a new woman already.  I continue to try to change daily, of course.  I feel like the big changes in me... in my effort to be New, began as a result of this talk.  I feel it has truly played a pivotal role in my life.

Why did I hate everyone and anyone?  Well... because, at the bottom of all the reasons I could tell you #1 I didn't like me... I didn't LOVE me... in fact, I probably truly hated me!  #2 I was full of pride (an unwillingness to forgive pains inflicted by others is prideful).  My unwillingness to change and become as Christ is, is a clear indicator of the Pride I had.  Pride has many MANY guises!  It is the root of all evil, afterall.

Hatred, like all the other tools of the deceiver (fear, envy, pride, anger, etc), binds the one feeling the emotion he has inspired.  Initially the bonds are as flaxen cords.  But over time the flaxen cords, because there are so many, bind as surely as the heaviest chains.  They can become as a cocoon around a developing butterfly... but in this analogy, the bonds of the deceivers tools do not enable metamorphosis into something beautiful as a butterfly, but rather, starve the Soul and bring about eventual spiritual death of the kind that cannot be redeemed.

From within the binding (having been in hatred myself; and still struggling to cut some bonds of one of the evils I used to be consumed by, but still struggle with) it is nigh on impossible to see how to stop the cycle of what we're caught within.  "I'm caught, this is a closed cocoon!  There's no hope for me.  Why bother?"  These are thoughts I had and I felt the related feelings, too.  But I'm not caught in hatred anymore.  And if I can get out of the closed room (locked from outside), I guarantee you: Anyone Can!

How did I do it?  The short answer: I did it in and through Christ Jesus and His Redemption brought about by His Atonement which He has already completed for each of us who will believe on His name: have Faith in Him, confess/repent, and be baptized!

Yes... that IS actually the short answer!  ^_^

Want more details?  If I were you, I would.  Thus I share: I tried by praying for the ability to keep trying.  That's how I started.  And then I kept trying.  :)  I fell more times than I can count.  But I kept getting up and kept praying for support to change.

The greatest leaps forward came when I focused more on myself... not the selfish kind of way that the World declares is important... the, "I need ME time!" kind of way....  But, rather, the kind of focus on "me" that the Lord prescribes.  I spent time by myself (usually after everyone else was asleep) to be in prayer.  I was guided to record my prayers.  And I have to tell you, I LOVE those journals!!!!!  It has been absolutely a blessing to me and my life that I followed the promptings to write down impressions, images, and eventually words and sentences that I perceived the Lord whisper to my mind and heart.... I have great hope that all, but especially my prayer journals will bless the lives of my progeny.  God willing!

I've always told the Lord I love Him when I pray.  But one time, after I'd been praying with my journal - writing what I said and writing what was said back to me... I felt unable to continue after I told Father God that I loved Him.  And so, since I couldn't think of anything else to say, I waited in listening mode.  The response was FULL of pure LOVE!!!!  I realized, as I wrote down what the Lord would have me know about His Love for me that I'd never waited to hear what He had to say on this subject because I didn't think I was worthy of it.  I didn't want to know that He Loved me because I didn't love me and so I thought, "How could HE!??"  But that time I listened... and at the time that I listened, I was only in acceptance of myself.  I did not actually LOVE me.  I do now, though!!!  If He does, how can I NOT??  Am I greater than He?  Do I know more than He knows?  No.  Surely not.  So I must love me!!

The same realization has come about the rest of my fellow brothers and sisters on this planet.  HE Loves them the SAME way He loves me.  And what... do I know more than He?  Should I not love them as He Loves them?  If He loves me... and I KNOW me and how unworthy of His love I am... then I must MUST must Love others!!!  (and I feel this "must" in a joyous and rejoicing way!)

Another thing that has enabled me to come to peace and FEEL the Love of God for others (even those who hate me, hurt me, speak unkindly about me, etc) is the profound realization I experienced of the truths I've sung repeatedly throughout my life in 'I Am a Child of God'.  I had a sacred experience in which I saw the truth of this principle... this song... the truth of God's Love... and as a result I know the truth.  I know that I am a part of God, that you are, that we all are.  And if I profess to Love HIM, I must... I just MUST love me and you and everyone else, too!

So, in my weakness, the Lord has made me strong.  I was once ruled by hatred.  Now I am filled with Love.  I'm not perfect in this area (nor any area) yet, but I have Faith that I can become perfect in and through Christ Jesus.  I know that I will not be perfect in all things and in all ways so long as I reside in this tabernacle of clay... BUT I can become perfect in small (yet large) principles like this one.  I pray you may come to know and understand these things AND MORE!  I pray that you may be filled with the knowledge of how the Lord our Father God and His Son Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer Love YOU!  Amen.

Thankful Thursday; Week of September 1 - 7, 2011

Thursday, September 1, 2011:  I'm thankful for a quiet day at home, during which I was able to accomplish much and write another 4 pages on my story.  I'm grateful for my Ria and all the goodness she desires to be and do!  I'm grateful for her efforts to help me with the laundry!  I think it's beginning to "pay off," all that time I spent with her as toddler... letting her "do" laundry.  Now, when she does it, it's actually helpful!  ^_^   I'm also grateful for the continued feeling of being inspired to exercise.  Worked out to Susan Powter tonight.  Felt the workout from last night... GOOD tightnesses!  ^_^

Friday, September 2, 2011:  I'm thankful for a quiet day at home during which I was able to finally respond to a very interesting discussion on my religion that I'm having with a friend.  We're around 20 or 21 email exchanges in now and that's been over the last almost three weeks, now, I think!  So NEAT!!  I'm sad that cardio dance class at church for today and tomorrow were cancelled, but thankful that I have lots of videos and whatnot to use at home.  I'm so happy to feel so excited and hopeful about getting fit.  It also helps that I feel a sort of heavenly deadline!  Praise the Lord for His Heavenly Helps, Tender Mercies, and Great Gifts!!!!  ^_^

Saturday, September 3, 2011:  I'm thankful for another day at home!!  I love being here and am grateful when it works out that I get to enjoy my children (sometimes said sarcastically) and get things done around here!  Currently, as a result of our "many" days at home, I've been able to catch up washing laundry (though not necessarily the folding and putting away... Ria's been providing some service in that area... what a JOY!), keeping the floors swept, staying on top of the communications I need and some that I desire to do, AND exercising.  I'm thankful for the wonderful workout Yoga provided today.  LOVED it!  I think that's going to be my preferred exercise for a bit... LOTS of sweating, not so much with the out-of-breath-ness.  :)

Sunday, September 4, 2011:  I'm thankful for a wonderful Spirit present in the Fast and Testimony Meeting today at church.  It felt wonderful!  I felt and still feel SO happy!  So many youth bore testimony today.  It was a pleasure!  :)  I'm thankful for the opportunity to have the Missionaries over for dinner tonight.  One of the two is my most favorite (yes, I know that's not good grammar) missionary in forever!  And he's SO much like Jessie... hmmm... YES!  OF COURSE!, that's why he's my favorite in forever... I'm sure of it!  :)  I'm also thankful for the calling extended to Jessie at church today and hopeful that he will accept it.  Don't know HOW the Lord can work things to provide him (Jessie) time to DO anything with the calling... but God's ways are not [my] our ways!  I'm sure He can and WILL... after the trial of Jessie's Faith... assuming Jess accepts the calling.  I'm rootin for acceptance!  :)

Monday, September 5, 2011:  I'm thankful for good weather, which enabled me to work in and on the back yard.  I'm slowly choppin down the forrest of grass we've been growing.  I was rather hoping to get a goat or two back there to do it for me, but my hope has blown away... down to the nitty gritty... and with this sand it sure CAN be gritty work (mowing, I mean)!!!  I was also able to work on one of my SFGs.  ^_^  YEAY!!!  I've felt like we've had SUCH a naked yard this last year... no food stuffs TRYing to grow and all.  Now it's feeling better that I'm trying to get things goin'.  :)  (I perspired so much in the outside work, I gave myself a break from video workouts.  Seems Jimmy's in a growth-spurt, for which I AM grateful, but it's disconcerting when the milk maker's don't feel like they're getting full!  hehehe  ^_^

Tuesday, Septemeber 6, 2011:  I'm thankful for a smooth and enjoyable library trip.  It was quite fast, which was fine sincemy head was poinding out an unsteady rhythm.  ;)  I continue to be amazed and full of gratitude for my funny little girls who love shopping so much that they are almost totally little angels when we go GROCERY shopping!  It does feel good to receive compliments on their sweetness and good behavior!!  Jimmy was happily hanging in his pouch in my sling.  He's almost always happy there!  ^_^

Wednesday, September 7, 2011:  I'm thankful for a day at home in which to get some things done that needed to be done.  I'm grateful for Jimmy's sweetness, in the evening, which enabled me to do my Yoga video.  What a pleasure to get through it even with him awake!

Ria's Tooth

Ria is now almost exactly 7.5 years old.  As of today, she has just lost her first tooth.  She's been fiddlin' with it for almost two weeks now and has complained over how annoying and painful it's was.  Just tonight she pretty much started crying over the pain and annoyance.  I said to her, "I'm sorry, Ria.  But you know, along with change come these kinds of feelings.  We just need to accept the part we don't like, so we can enjoy the part we do like."  She was very thoughtful over that, still fiddlin' with her tooth, when an expression of shock came over her face and she said, "Something just happened to my tooth!" and ran to the bathroom.  It had just falled out!  It was AWESOME!  ^_^  I have pictures, of course, but currently no way to upload them.  When I do, make sure to check Facebook!  Who knows when that'll happen, though.  *sigh*  I'm grateful she's done with that tooth... now I'm wondering when the next one will come loose.  She's got a whole bunch left to go!

The funniest thing about this whole process is how MUCH Kat and Tea WANT to have loose teeth, too!  Kat has even been wiggling and tooth so much that it may just be loose!  :(  Well, I suppose it wouldn't be unheard of that she could lose a tooth so young since she got her first at 4.5 months, while Ria got her first at 13 months!

Tea, though.... OH DEAR!  I'm trying to convince both Kat and Tea that they really need to just let their teeth alone.  We'll see.

Thankful Thursday, Week of August 25-31, 2011

Thursday, August 25, 2011:  I'm thankful for the enjoyable day spent with my kiddos.  We went to the library for a while.  They love it when we get to stay for longer than the time it takes to pick out books.  And I made a new friend!  Good times.  I'm grateful for the first class of Cardio Dance, which a friend of mine from church started to teach tonight!  It was FUN and good exercise!  The girls enjoyed it, too.  Jimmy... not so much.  Hopefully he'll be better with it next time.  :)  I'm also so happy that my Jessie's sister friended him on Facebook... I'm hopeful that he will accept the friend request (and urging him to do so).  I'm so hopeful that his side of the family may begin to heal!  So hopeful....

Friday, August 26, 2011:  I'm thankful for the enjoyable day at home with my wonderful and trying children.  It was a good day, though, overall.  And I was able to write a bit when it was all said and done.

Saturday, August 27, 2011:  I'm thankful for another Cardio Dance class.  So enjoyable!  The shared salad afterward was wonderful, too!  It's so nice to laugh at myself as I "dance" and then get to enjoy good food (that's also good for us) and conversation when it's all done.  :)  I'm thankful ALSO exceedingly thankful that the tornado that hit around these parts did so just about 2 miles away... rather than nearer our home.  The crazy wind and rain at precisely that time caused me some mild feelings of wonder and even slight panic.  Praise God for His Tender Mercies in sparing me and my sweet children from having to endure that kind of thing without Jessie!  I know what I'm supposed to do when the situation doesn't warrant a cool head (ie: there is no problem), but I worry about acting under pressure...  *sigh*  I'm sure the Lord will prepared me if the time will yet come for me to have to face such situations.  He always has in the past.  He is ever Faithful.  I'm the one that has to work on that!!!  :)

Sunday, Agusut 28, 2011:  I'm thankful for the Sabbath Day and the rest I'm commanded to allow myself!  I thoroughly enjoyed the talks at church today.  And after church, while everyone else had quiet time, I spent some time painting... what a pleasure... except for Jimmy's fussies... but still wonderful.  Then read the September New Era... all of the girls' half, anyway.  Good stuff.  Inspiring me to work harder with my girls!  Love feeling uplifted and inspired to WORK!  ^_^

Monday, August 29, 2011:  I'm thankful for the inspiration my friend, Daysha, has provided.  Daysha is the Cardio Dance class teacher and has shed 25 pounds by her efforts.  I'm so inspired I've begun to work on my own as well as with the class.  Today I was sweating with a manula weedwacker in my hands so I could wack down some of the back yard to a more mowable height.  And if you think that's not exercise... well, my arms hurt like it was.  And I sweat buckes, so I'm counting it!  Plus, I did some MORE cleaning in the van.  Cleaning so as to locate and eliminate the foul odour which has been tormenting me these past couple of weeks.  It's a PROCESS, let me tell you.  AND as a result: NO MORE EGGS IN THE VAN!!!!!  Generally, I'm just feeling super determined to have a much enjoyable time in this tabernacle of clay... and the best way to ensure that is by regaining my fitness!  THANK YOU Daysha for helping me kick off!!!  :)

Tuesday, Agusut 30, 2011:  I'm thankful for well-behaved children in two grocery stores today.  I'm thankful that they love to shop so very much that any opportunity to do so is a joy for them!  I'm also grateful for chances to write during quiet time and after the kiddos are in bed.  This baby is getting bigger!  ;)

Wednesday, Agusut 31, 2011:  I'm thankful for the inspiration from my friend to actually begin to exercise again!!  Monday: whackin' weeds manually and today worked out to Yoga Booty Ballet.  Love it.  Sweated much, too!  :)

Biodynamic, Deep Bed, Organic Farming

This page is just for me.  This is the kind of "garden" I'm aiming toward.  Long-term thinking here, of course.  Ria recently said she wanted to buy 60 acres.  Yep, I think we could do biodynamic farming with deep beds (and within biodynamic is the necessary assumption of organic production).  Awesome!

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/1986-03-01/The-Deep-Bed-Farming-Society-Breaking-New-Ground.aspx

http://www.sharingsustainablesolutions.org/biointensive-mini-agriculture/

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/1981-03-01/Chinese-Raised-Gardens.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMH_Hq2ZcuQ&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=PL0D4532ADEFFDB36D  This, I believe is the way God, the Father, has intended us to have dominion over the earth.  Not the way that all too many of the current systems/organizers/leaders do it.

http://www.frenchgardening.com/aupotager.html?pid=3130818325605936

Christian

I am one... a Christian, I mean.  My Faith is in Jesus Christ of Nazareth, born in Bethlahem, known as a Galilean, to Mary and Joseph.  Joseph was his earthly Father, while Heavenly Father was and is the Father of His body as well as His Spirit.  And so He, Jesus Christ, became God living as a human.

Jesus Christ is my Hope and my Light.  He is my Life.  As I keep Him in His rightful position in my life, even the heaviest burdens are bearable (because I am yoked with Him!).  Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.  I know that without His Atonement, I could not have any meaningful Hope in or for the future.  WITH and because of His Atonement, even the worst that could happen to me in this life will not truly hurt me, in the eternal scheme of things, because my Hope is in Christ and His saving GOODNESS, Grace, and acts (The Atonement).

I love the Gospel of Christ!  It has brought all that is GOOD in my life to my knowledge and ability to feel.  Christ is what is good about me and who is most important to me.  Through His Gospel, I have come to acceptance of almost all things with which I previously struggled.  I know the few things I have not yet come to accept are things I will shortly be in complete acceptance of because I am striving in Christ to truly be His.  Beyond acceptance, I have come to Peace in and over many things with which I have struggled.  And even beyond Peace, I have come to happiness and even joy concerning some (perhaps even many) things that I should feel happiness and joy in and about, but which I could not prior to making Jesus Christ BIG in my life and putting Him in His correct place in my heart, mind, and life/actions.

The Gospel of Christ, as taught in the Bible, is (in my understanding, knoweldge, and experience with God's Word via the Holy Spirit (wich constitutes my Faith)) magnified and expounded upon in The Book of Mormon.  The Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, and Articles of Faith add additional Light to my understanding of Jesus Christ's Gospel.  I'm so grateful our Heavenly Father has given us so much of His Word that we may grow in knowledge and understanding of Him and His ways that we might become ever more like our Savior and our Heavenly Father.

I bear my testimony that The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints contains within it the greatest amount of Truth and Light available through any of the religions practiced on the face of the earth today.  I'm grateful that our Heavenly Father condescends to communicate to us via His Holy Spirit of truths which are necessary to our eternal salvation.

I bear this, my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Thankful Thursday, Week of August 18 through 24, 2011

Thursday, August 18, 2011:  I'm thankful for enjoyable busy days.  We went to the library, received free kids meal cards for each of the girls, went to McDonald's, enjoyed a surprise visit with one of our sweet Sister Missionaries, and went to a lovely Eagle Scout Court of Honor.  Exhausting, but wonderful, too.  The girls were lovin' the GO of the day.  (Not so much so for me with the love of GO, but glad they do!)  Rather, I GO because I love!  ;)

Friday, August 19, 2011:  I'm thankful for opportunities to show my appreciation and love, even if only by going somewhere to support someone (sweet party Kenyon!).

Saturday, August 20, 2011:  I'm thankful for my children's wonderful behavior at one of my Host Family's homes.  We completed the orientations for the Host Families as well as the Exchange Students and it went very well (all things considered, especially!).  What a gift and tender mercy of the Lord!

Sunday, August 21, 2011:  I'm thankful for the Sabbath day and the physical rest it sometimes provides.  And BOY! did I need it this time.  Nap AND early to bed!

Monday, August 22, 2011:  I'm thankful for a Monday at home to try to relax and rest in hopes of vanquishing the headache I've had for the last few days.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011:  I'm thankful for a 5th day of headaches, which remind me how WONDERFUL it is to have been so very healthy for quite a long period of time!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011:  I'm thankful for reduction in the pain in my head AND for the wonderful time had by all who participated in the 4-H meeting tonight.  Heather, you are amazing!

Day 3

Day three of the intense no-sugar fast, but actually day 8 total.

I think day three is always the hardest when trying to make changes.  Why is that?  I'm not sure.  Haven't checked into it.  But MAN!  My head has been aching and pounding like crazy the past few days.  Today it hasn't been as constant, but the moments of pain have been intense!

Why the pain?  Well, last Monday we started a 40 day augar fast; as a family.  The first 5 days, though, were kinda like what I'd been doing for myself already, except that I couldn't eat the hunny nut cherrios-type cereal we had and I couldn't make and eat anything with honey (like muffins, which I LOVE way too much!).  But we could all still have all the fruit we wanted.  Friday night was the end of that.  Saturday was all right, but did have the headache.

Sunday was quite okay.  Super tired and headache right behind my eyes.  AND my eyes hurt, but I think that's just from being so flippin' tired!

Today has been the rockin day.  The headache I've already mentioned.  The fatigue... one would think that after having a nap on Sunday and going to sleep at 10pm I would have had enough sleep.  But I suppose given the withdrawls from sugar that we're all going through at least a little bit... my body just wants to sleep and heal up.

Anyway... keep me in your prayers, if you think of it.  And Jess, Ria, Kat, Tea, and Jimmy, too (Jimmy by way of breastmilk, of course).  ^_^