Growing and Learning

One of my roles in life right now is that of Relief Society President.  It has been an eye opening experience.  I spend a fair amount of time worrying about the women in my ward.  The widows.  The divorced. The ones dealing with health challenges in their families.  The ones who can't say no to anything and are burning the candle on both ends.  The ones who won't say yes to anything because they are so wrapped up in their issues that they feel they have nothing to give.  The ones who are unhappy because life hasn't turned out how they planned.

I guess that is just about everybody!

But it is not.

What I have discovered is that there are a handful of women in my ward who can step past the issues in their own lives to live joyfully.  They are patient and kind.  They are quick to serve and to volunteer for anything.  They look for ways to lift others and they know who is in need because they are good listeners and observers.

They are examples for me of how I can grow and improve.  I am so grateful for the women that Heavenly Father has placed in my path.  I am grateful for the members of my "team" both past and present who have skills that I do not and see things that I miss.  I am learning, but it is slow and sometimes painful.  I had one of those situations today where I feel that I reproved someone with sharpness.  Before, her actions and words would have bothered me for a while, but one thing I have become much better at is letting things go.  Now I just have to figure out how to show an increase of love to this woman who probably really needs it.  I know that with some prayer Heavenly Father will help me find the best way to smooth things over.  And that's another thing that I have learned- more trust in my Heavenly Father.

Although some days are hard, I am grateful for my calling.

In Despair

It's late on December 23rd.  I have been hustling and bustling for the past few days with Christmas events, projects, and tasks.  I stayed up after everyone else went to bed to wrap a few presents that showed up tonight courtesy of Amazon and Brown (UPS).  And then, before I went to bed, I decided that I would jump on FB for a minute to see what everyone was doing to prepare for the holiday.  I truly expected it to be a feed full of happy faces and holiday cheer.

But no.  It is filled with posts that are disagreeable and hateful.  The message is always the same.  This is MY OPINION and if you don't share it, you are WRONG and STUPID.  I was called a jerk for carrying a gun.  I was assaulted with rude images about Christmas by someone who professes to be all about love.  I saw someone who expressed an honest concern about a situation be skewered by his "friends."  It happens all the time.

All I can think about is the third verse of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

So, I have taken action. I just realized that I can unfollow people and still stay friends with them.  That way I can go check on them when I feel prompted to, but I don't have to be assaulted by their negative posts.  The funny thing is, it is not usually
THEIR words.  It is the crappy, hateful memes that they share.  I feel bad about this, because I want to know what is going on in the world and to understand all the different facets of the problem.  I want to hear opinions that make me uncomfortable and challenge my view of the world.  But I am no longer willing to let those people pretend that they are acting out of love and concern when they are really just being hateful.

My gift to myself this Christmas?  A more peaceful and kind FB feed.  Unfortunately, I will miss out on some information from family and friends.  Oh, well.  Hopefully I can get back to the last two verses in the next couple of days.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Cake!

 

Last night at Pack Meeting we had three gorgeous cakes that my friend Laura made.  I tried two of them and I don't even feel guilty!  Trust me. . . yesterday I NEEDED cake!  I got thinking that it had been so long since I had made a layer cake that I couldn't even remember doing it.  I'm pretty sure it hasn't been since we lived in this house, which is 6 years!  Anyway, today I baked.  Today we will celebrate the Olympics Opening Ceremony!!  I absolutely LOVE the Olympics.  We will also celebrate love and Valentine's Day.  And we will celebrate that Colby made the Wind Symphony and will be the Baritone Section Leader for Marching Band!!!  That is BIG news and he is very excited.  I am so happy that I have at least one child who loves band as much as his dad and I do!

18 and counting!

Yesterday was our 18th anniversary. I laugh every time I look at this photo now, because we both looked so young. I guess that is just because we are "old" now. We were hugging in the kitchen on Sunday afternoon and Colby groaned and said, "Gross. Old people in love!" I would have thought that the 40's were old when I was 15, too!

People always talk about the good and bad times that they have gone through together over their years of marriage. We have had a few difficult patches (with life. . .not each other) but, to be honest, even those patches were pretty good! We always have fun together- no matter what we are doing. Although Ed is a lot smarter than me, I keep him around with my beauty and excellent cooking! *rolling eyes*

I have thoroughly enjoyed our first 18 years together and I hope we have at least 18 more! It is great being married to your best friend.