The First Presidency message on Haiti was read in our Sacrament Meeting this morning. It was sweet and tender and called for members of the Church to donate "as their means allow in order to help our Haitian brothers and sisters". It acknowledged the difficulty that many are experiencing because of the recession, and the donations that have already been made.
Then it went on to the other needs; it took me back to my questions about prayer. The statement says:
"Money is not the only need in Haiti. People are frightened, bewildered, and wholly uncertain about their future. In addition to what people can do in helping with food, water and shelter, there needs to be a calming influence over that troubled nation. We invite our people everywhere to supplicate God for a spirit of calm and peace among the people as urgent aid and reconstruction efforts continue."
Goodness knows that Haiti is not the only troubled nation, I guess I should be praying for all or at least most of them. And who doesn't need a spirit of calm and peace? And how many are frightened, bewildered and wholly uncertain about their future?
I know individuals and families who are dealing with illness, sorrow, family issues and economic crisis. The Lord's instruction is help where possible and pray for them. I think my prayer roll has become a reality. I will remember the people of Haiti in my prayers and I will remember you.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Humility
This time it's not about me! Honest!
I was reading a story about the president. He was talking about the need for healthcare for everyone. In doing so, he brought up a campaign worker who had developed cancer with no health insurance in place. She fought the good fight and lost. Upon her death, she left instructions that she be buried in an Obama t-shirt.
Now, if he had told her story, focusing on her courage, the tragedy of her loss and left it at that it would have made his point perfectly. But he carried it one step too far, and turned the focus back on himself. It was all about him again.
Which brought to mind a song that I've always liked. Well, always since 1980 when Mac Davis recorded it. So I went to my friend You Tube to find a video of the song. And then my focus changed. While I still think this applies to the president; the video is too cute because it features one of my favorite TV characters, Anthony (Tony) DiNozzo.
So here you go!
I was reading a story about the president. He was talking about the need for healthcare for everyone. In doing so, he brought up a campaign worker who had developed cancer with no health insurance in place. She fought the good fight and lost. Upon her death, she left instructions that she be buried in an Obama t-shirt.
Now, if he had told her story, focusing on her courage, the tragedy of her loss and left it at that it would have made his point perfectly. But he carried it one step too far, and turned the focus back on himself. It was all about him again.
Which brought to mind a song that I've always liked. Well, always since 1980 when Mac Davis recorded it. So I went to my friend You Tube to find a video of the song. And then my focus changed. While I still think this applies to the president; the video is too cute because it features one of my favorite TV characters, Anthony (Tony) DiNozzo.
So here you go!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
What A Good Idea
Okay, this may be about two good ideas.
The county that I live next to and the company that I work for are cosponsoring a new health program; strictly voluntary. It is called "5 - 2 - 1 and almost none".
Five servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily.
Two hours of screen time daily. (Includes TV, PC and electronic game time)
One hour of active play/exercise daily.
Almost no sugary drinks.
I already do the first and last things - I'm halfway there. I have every intention of doing number three - someday. But the second one - I don't think so. The organizers tell me that doing the second one will help accomplish the third. Maybe, but I am certainly not there yet.
Because I have not limited time on the old laptop, I keep finding things that interest me, enlighten me, annoy me or touch me. I found this today.
It is a blog to allow members of the church to find one little part of why we are Mormon and express it with a few words and text.
It just began at the very end of last year. Some of the submissions are a little humorous, some are very insightful and some are touching. Let me know what you think.
The county that I live next to and the company that I work for are cosponsoring a new health program; strictly voluntary. It is called "5 - 2 - 1 and almost none".
Five servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily.
Two hours of screen time daily. (Includes TV, PC and electronic game time)
One hour of active play/exercise daily.
Almost no sugary drinks.
I already do the first and last things - I'm halfway there. I have every intention of doing number three - someday. But the second one - I don't think so. The organizers tell me that doing the second one will help accomplish the third. Maybe, but I am certainly not there yet.
Because I have not limited time on the old laptop, I keep finding things that interest me, enlighten me, annoy me or touch me. I found this today.
It is a blog to allow members of the church to find one little part of why we are Mormon and express it with a few words and text.
It just began at the very end of last year. Some of the submissions are a little humorous, some are very insightful and some are touching. Let me know what you think.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Prayer Rolls
My mama taught me how to pray - at bedtime. Every night:
"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take."
At the time, I didn't think that was strange or even (just a little bit) creepy. Most of my friends said the same prayer. Except my Catholic friends, they got to do the Rosary. They could pray for hours. I know; we had a competition once. They could pray MUCH longer than I could!
We didn't pray at meal time when I was growing up. Other families did, but my family was, how shall I say, not particularly religious. Only for special occasions; in other words, just for show.
When I grew up and married, I had found and joined the church and wanted to raise my family properly. So among other things, we taught our children to pray. How, when and why. Like all parents, we did the best we could and hoped (and prayed) for the best. Our children are great; I hope the emotional scars don't go too deep.
But recently I've been thinking about those prayers that are not for me and mine. I've had friends ask me to remember them in my prayers. When there is a tragedy in someone's life I send my thoughts and prayers. Facebook is great for that! But the actual prayer? I don't know if I'm doing it effectively, or even appropriately sometimes.
I started writing this post days ago, but the tragedy in Haiti brought it to mind in a big way. I've heard many people, including the President, say that we will keep the people of Haiti in our prayers. My question. How do you keep acquaintances and strangers in your prayers?
We pray frequently for the sick and afflicted. That's a generic term; we don't have anyone specific in mind. But with these prayer requests - real people, even when we don't know their names. Do you keep an actual prayer roll, a list of people for whom you are praying? Do you just remember them without any prompting? Do you pray only for those people that are close to you?
And what do you ask for? Complete healing, comfort, whatever is necessary? For bad stuff to be undone? That has to occur to you sometimes, but I don't think the earthquake will go away.
So help me out on this.... how does your prayer roll work?
"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take."
At the time, I didn't think that was strange or even (just a little bit) creepy. Most of my friends said the same prayer. Except my Catholic friends, they got to do the Rosary. They could pray for hours. I know; we had a competition once. They could pray MUCH longer than I could!
We didn't pray at meal time when I was growing up. Other families did, but my family was, how shall I say, not particularly religious. Only for special occasions; in other words, just for show.
When I grew up and married, I had found and joined the church and wanted to raise my family properly. So among other things, we taught our children to pray. How, when and why. Like all parents, we did the best we could and hoped (and prayed) for the best. Our children are great; I hope the emotional scars don't go too deep.
But recently I've been thinking about those prayers that are not for me and mine. I've had friends ask me to remember them in my prayers. When there is a tragedy in someone's life I send my thoughts and prayers. Facebook is great for that! But the actual prayer? I don't know if I'm doing it effectively, or even appropriately sometimes.
I started writing this post days ago, but the tragedy in Haiti brought it to mind in a big way. I've heard many people, including the President, say that we will keep the people of Haiti in our prayers. My question. How do you keep acquaintances and strangers in your prayers?
We pray frequently for the sick and afflicted. That's a generic term; we don't have anyone specific in mind. But with these prayer requests - real people, even when we don't know their names. Do you keep an actual prayer roll, a list of people for whom you are praying? Do you just remember them without any prompting? Do you pray only for those people that are close to you?
And what do you ask for? Complete healing, comfort, whatever is necessary? For bad stuff to be undone? That has to occur to you sometimes, but I don't think the earthquake will go away.
So help me out on this.... how does your prayer roll work?
Friday, January 1, 2010
All Fired Up!
We had a lovely New Year's Eve; quiet, romantic with candlelight and dancing...
Yeah, right! I wished the world a happy new year via Facebook. Ronald darling woke up before midnight and joined me in wishing the old year out and the new year in. Kisses.... mmmmm.
I slept in this morning. Really! Until almost 8:30. Then I decided to make a fantastic breakfast. Scrambled eggs, bacon and home made biscuits, with lots of butter. Yummy. The biscuits baked at 450 degrees and I like my bacon cooked quickly. This caused a little bitty teeny tiny problem. The smoke alarm thought we were in danger and started shrieking like crazy. I had turned on the exhaust fan when I started cooking to avoid this possibility, but no luck! Our smoke alarm has the most delicate sensibilities; the tiniest thing will set it off. If it's judgement was accurate, my kitchen would look like this:
But it's not and it doesn't and we're safe and sound. Hope all's well with y'all!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Looking Back or Looking Forward?
So is the cup half full or half empty? Coulda been worse, coulda been better? Tomorrow's another day!
Our year has been very good. Our health is still good, the aches and pains come and go. As long as they go, it's okay by me. Our family is almost all moved away, but we have great friends here. (Although some of those have moved too. You know who you are!) But we got to see most of our family this year and look forward to seeing the others next year.
I've been more politically active this year than ever before and will continue. I wrote, I called, I emailed, I marched. Ronald darling mostly yelled at C-SPAN. Next year looks to be more of the same.
We finally, after years and years and years, are OUT OF DEBT!! You have no idea how good that feels. We have not been wise stewards of money these past few decades - ain't that a long time! - but from now on? No more debt. I will never be indentured again!
The problem with being out of debt is that I have money that I could spend but must save. I could easily be a shopaholic; is there a 12 step program for that? But I can control myself. Really.
Can't wait!! Happy New Year!!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Almost Christmas
I love Christmas. I love the lights and the decorations and the carols. Don't care about presents anymore. I love celebrating the birth of the Savior of mankind and me! Nativity sets are my favorite decorations. I have several, and finally decided that it wasn't sacriligeous to put one in the bathroom.
We didn't put up a tree last year and have maintained that tradition this year. Not that I'm too old and decrepit to decorate it; I think walking around and around a seven-foot tree stringing 350 lights got old!
I love the Christmas story in Luke. The shepherds abiding in the field, no room in the inn, the herlad angels and the multitude of the heavenly hosts.
Which brings me to the Christmas music. Love it, love it, love it!
The sacred.
The secular.
The inbetween.
And the fun.
We didn't put up a tree last year and have maintained that tradition this year. Not that I'm too old and decrepit to decorate it; I think walking around and around a seven-foot tree stringing 350 lights got old!
I love the Christmas story in Luke. The shepherds abiding in the field, no room in the inn, the herlad angels and the multitude of the heavenly hosts.
Which brings me to the Christmas music. Love it, love it, love it!
The sacred.
The secular.
The inbetween.
And the fun.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Wonderful Temple Trip
Our Relief Society had a great temple trip Thursday evening, including a special Chapel session with Sister Grammer. She asked us to write what we felt when we got home. So, I'm a little bit late.
I love being in the temple; it is peaceful and calming, and sometimes enlightening. The best part of this trip was being with so many sisters in the ward.
Now, if we'd just arranged to meet for dinner...
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Creative People
Creative people drive me crazy! I try so hard not to be envious or covetous or jealous or any of those other sinful things that say that I want what they have, but creative people make if difficult. For instance, I went to a great Relief Society meeting on Tuesday that was presented by creative people. The lessons were amazing! The decorations were phenomenal! The food was fantastic!
I didn't take notes and wish I had. I was telling Ronald darling about them and reminded him that they never do anything like this in priesthood meetings. Only the sisters get the really good stuff!
I loved all of the lessons; growing closer to the Lord, building our relationships and being empathetic and charitable. The sweetness and humility of the instructors was a great example.
But who thinks up this stuff? The theme was mall shopping, a natural for most women, and the lessons were about all the things you can't buy - they're priceless.
Thanx to all of the sisters who planned the meeting, decorated the rooms, taught the lessons, prepared the food, made all of the handouts and let their creativity shine!
Here is a picture of someone else's creativity, don't know where it came from. I would never have thought of it, but some of you will do it. Let me know when you do.
I didn't take notes and wish I had. I was telling Ronald darling about them and reminded him that they never do anything like this in priesthood meetings. Only the sisters get the really good stuff!
I loved all of the lessons; growing closer to the Lord, building our relationships and being empathetic and charitable. The sweetness and humility of the instructors was a great example.
But who thinks up this stuff? The theme was mall shopping, a natural for most women, and the lessons were about all the things you can't buy - they're priceless.
Thanx to all of the sisters who planned the meeting, decorated the rooms, taught the lessons, prepared the food, made all of the handouts and let their creativity shine!
Here is a picture of someone else's creativity, don't know where it came from. I would never have thought of it, but some of you will do it. Let me know when you do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)