I said I would never do it when I grew up . . .

My mom did it all the time and I said, when I grew up I would never do it.  Well, here I am doing it. . .washing the dishes  . . . by hand! I would rather do toilets than dishes. . . don't think about the logic there because there isn't any!  I have said that laundry is my nemesis, but dishes are his evil minions. There is just something about sticking my hands in water with the possibility of touching soggy food!!!  Hold the gag reflex!!  And I never stick my hands in cold water!!  Ever! (cue Jaws theme song here.) It was definitely a forced situation. Our dishwasher kicked the bucket and with lots of other things happening at the same time, -that's the way it always works- so we have had to wait to get a new one for a little while. Dennis has been baring the brunt of it especially when it gets piled up, which is easy to do with 7 people in the house!  The kids have taken turns as well, Bonnie actually loves it!!  Whose kid is she?? At some point it would eventually be my turn. So I caved!

As I was washing the breakfast dishes this morning I was thinking about my mom doing it for all those years!  How did she do it?? She even liked doing them!  I never understood it and maybe I don't now.  But as I was looking out the kitchen window I thought back to the view from my kitchen window growing up.  The apple and plum trees were so pretty!  It was so green with the grass and always lots of birds. I'm sure there were views of kids playing there as well. It was peaceful.  The minute of quiet alone time just to think and be still. Give me a dishwasher anyday though. . . I will accept that alone time too!



OK, lesson learned. . .where is my new dishwasher!!

Game Night

Didn't watch the BIG GAME like most Americans, but we did have a fun game night of our own yesterday.  It involved too much popcorn and candy, but just the right amount of singing, laughing and family time!

 BTW the reece's/popcorn combo is fabulous!!  Just saying!

Engage!

As I deliberately work on reaching my potential, part of that comes from being involved.  A couple interesting points from the Book Way to Be . . .  President Hinley specifically said to be involved in good works.  to work hard and do good things.

It is work that spells the difference in the life of a young man or young woman.  It is usually work and effort that explain the difference between the gold-metal athlete and those who finish even a fraction of a second later. 

It is work that gives us a feeling of accomplishment. And it is work that allows us to feel that we are making a difference in the world.

The idea of having an active mind not only physically, but both mentally and emotionally has made me evaluate what I do with my time, how I spend it. To look at what I am actually involved in. I've been trying to work at getting done what I need to get done, but then instead of shutting down in front of the TV or computer, I've been trying to read, or draw, or play games with the kids. Acting on impressions to visit a neighbor, or going with Dennis to visit someone in the ward.  Being involved in good works.

13th Article of Faith "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men.  Indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul.  We believe all things, we hope all things and hope to be able to endure all things.  If there is anything, virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Not only does this article spell out things we should be. . honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, but it also spells out things to be involved in. Things that are virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy. It's the standard to being involved in good works. And in all your doings have HOPE!

I thought this clip from The Incredibles was great!!

"Bob, it's time to engage!" 

There are times when its not easy to engage! It's so much easier to tune everything out and do my own thing. I need to turn my chair around, look them in the eye and give them my full attention.  Sometimes, it's about putting down what I'm doing and think about someone else's needs instead of my own. It's about not finding reasons why I shouldn't do something, (excuses!) but to say "I will". It about making time to visit others. So to sum it all up, being involved means to engage, to participate, to consider others needs above my own, to quit finding excuses and say "I Will".

Happy Birthday to Jacob

Jacob turned 15 this week.  Where has the time gone??

2000

2005

2009

2012

2015

Grown Up Girl Bonding Time

This weekend I was able to spend the afternoon with two of my favorite people! It's been quite a few years since I've seen either of these ladies. Shauna and I drove into Salt Lake to see Brooke in a play. We were able to get together after the show for a little white and chat. The years seem to run together and play tricks on us. It's been a pleasure to get reacquainted with each other for a few hours.  Hopefully it won't be as long next time.

Beaver, PA 1997

2015

Carnegie, PA, 1997

2015

Becoming in 2015

For the past couple years I have picked a word. . . something to inspire and motivate me throughout the year.  Last year it was Deliberate. This year my word is Become. I want to become more of what my Heavenly Father knows I can be. I want to work on not only consistently learning and acting, boldly and deliberately testifying of truths I know, but through living those truths become converted to make those truths a part of who I am. I want to become something more than I am now.

A talk called The Challenge to Become by Elder Oaks has been a great place for me to start.  In this talk I found that through the processof the action verbs, living the gospel, we become converted; we become the "state of being" verbs. He said:

 The reason charity never fails and the reason charity is greater than even the most significant acts of goodness . . . is that charity, “the pure love of Christ” (Moro. 7:47), is not an act but a condition or state of being. Charity is attained through a succession of acts that result in a conversion. Charity is something one becomes. 

O Ye that Embark

Soooo . . . Here we are in 2015! I admit I like the idea of new beginnings. I feel like not matter what happened last year, this year is "brand new, with no mistakes in it".(Anne of Green Gables) It was my turn to teach the lesson on Sunday during YW's.  We went over the new mutual theme for 2015 which is D&C 4:2. Oh ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve Him with all your hear, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. This month's New Era has so many great articles about the new theme.  The new theme song for this year is so inspiring.It's fabulous!!

The word Embark means to begin or start, traditionally one would set out on a ship, without the possibility of turning back and trusting in the wind to drive you forward to your destination, with the stars or a compass to guide you along the correct course. We read in the Book of Mormon about Nephi's journey to the promised land. (1 Ne 18) His preparations, what he brought with him, what trials he faced on the journey, how they were able to stay on course. We read about how he served God with all his heart, might, mind, and strength. Then we discussed ways we could embark in the service of God, like Nephi.  I know that God is at the helm. I'm excited to Embark!!