Be Still and Know

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New Years and Resolutions are upon us.  You can't not see reminders of it all over the internet and social media.  Weight loss goals, financial goals, fitness goals, educational goals.  I like, everyone else, want to start fresh at the beginning of the year.  Over the past several years, I have participated in one word or one little word resolutions.  It's a much simpler way of doing things, focusing on that one word in all aspects of my life.   Words can be very powerful, especially as we ponderize and internalize.

I have chosen words that I really needed at the time and learned much from over the past years.  Some examples of words I have chosen in the past are:

Simplify
Gratitude
Brave
Loved

This year a scripture keeps resonating with me, and I can't quite keep it to one word.  Psalms 46:10

"Be still and know that I am God."  

I almost feel as if this simple scripture encapsulates every one word I have used in the past.

2016 is a year of spiritual growth for me.  While, yes, I have some fitness and weight goals, too, 'Be Still and Know that I am God" sits first and foremost in my mind and heart.

What is your one word or goal for the year?

 

Spiritually Preparing for a More Simple Christmas

Back in the day...in the year of our Lord 2012, I wrote a post on my desire to have a more minimalistic Christmas.  It was a quest of mine last year, and you know what?  I think I was successful!  It was a goal in the forefront of my mind, and it was mission accomplished.

I shared my secrets recently to a group of women.  I had a fancy presentation with a powerpoint and everything.  Who knew my hidden talent was public speaking, but when you are sharing something you are passionate about, it isn't too hard...I'd like to share a few suggestions on finding the spirit in a more Simple Christmas that I shared with this group of women...

• Have a Christmas Advent Devotional every morning or evening around the Christmas tree leading up to Christmas
• The Book of Luke has exactly 24 chapters.  God's perfect advent...read a chapter a day about Christ's life right up to Christmas Eve.
• Watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional
• Attend Church services and/or the Temple to partake of the Spirit

"Nothing you buy will make you a better person. 

 Nothing you give will make someone love you more. 

 Spending won't make you happier."

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• Minimize Christmas gifts.  For example, Santa Brings three gifts to symbolized the three gifts brought by the Wise men.
• Make homemade Christmas gifts

• Make homemade Christmas goodies...keep half for "sampling" and half to your neighbors
• Minimize Christmas decorating.  Only put out the most heartfelt decorations with memories attached.  This helps to cut down on stress, too.

Engage your senses

• Christmas scented candles:  Cinnamon, peppermint, pine
• Play Christmas music during the day
• Watch Christmas movies...ABC Family has a 25 Days of Christmas series for Children.  I also love the Lifetime and Hallmark channel Christmas movies.

• Go out for a yummy hot chocolate...or make a hot chocolate bar in your home with all the sweet fixings
• Attend a Christmas music concert.  School choir and band concerts are usually free.
• Go for a drive and look at Christmas lights
• Create a Christmas journal, sometimes referred to as a December daily.  I made mine from old Christmas Cards.  It was very simple.  Document your thoughts and daily ideas on how you are creating a more simple, spirit filled Christmas.  Focusing on gratitude, too.

Concentrate on keeping your stress levels down. 

 The spirit can't dwell in a stressed out vessel.

• Exercise, exercise, exercise - Now is not the time to stop taking care of your body.  Exercise releases naturally occurring endorphins which make you happy and therefore, less stressed.
• Go for a walk in the snow
• Prepare simple healthy meals

Make Christmas an Experience

I once listened to a talk where the man related how one year they were debating whether to renovate a bathroom or take a family trip.  Years later, their grown kids still talk about that family trip.  He didn't think that gathered around the Thanksgiving table their children would have recounted the stories of a bathroom renovation and that awesome toilet.

Last year we had the opportunity to go on a trip right before Christmas.  I was reluctant, because I am a nester and homebody, especially at Christmas.  But, we decided that this would be our gift for Christmas...an experience.  My kids don't remember the trinket gifts we gave, but they do remember the trip.  I'm not saying you have to go on a trip for Christmas, but try to create an experience that your kids might remember.

• Attend a Christmas craft fair
• call a loved one far away
• Read a Christmas book
• Make some crafty Christmas decorations
• Go to a tree lighting
• Go on a sleigh ride
• Play in the snow
• Attend a Christmas carol sing a long
• Walk around the mall and look at all the decorations and busy shoppers and savor the simplicity of the experience you are creating for yourself and your family.

Try to create family friendly time...nothing is a 'have to'.  

Do not set up unrealistic expectations.  

Quit comparing yourself to everyone else.  

Get lots of rest and remember:  

Christ is the true reason for the season.  

***This is one of my favorite Christmas posts.  It originally posted 12/4/2013***

Sunday Wisdom

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Easter, Traditions and Advent

Easter is coming!  I love this time of year when everything is coming back to life, even myself as I pull myself out of the winter gloom.  The tulips are beginning to push their way out of the ground and just yesterday I noticed my flowering pear tree is popping.  I just adore those white blooms. 

While I am reveling in the gloriousness of Spring, my thoughts are drawn to Easter and it's message of eternal life.  I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and His sacrifice and resurrection that I might live again.  What a great message of love and hope and spring all tied up like a perfect gift. 

 

A few years ago I shared a tradition that we had when our children were younger.  It brought their thoughts to Christ one pretty Easter Egg at a leading up to Easter Sunday.  If you'd like to learn more about how to make your own Easter Egg Advent, you can go to my original post here...

 

 

Life Lesson and a Nap

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Sunday I slept.  I mean really slept.  Curled up in blankets for a nice long nap.  For someone who is an anti napite, this is nothing to take lightly.  Sunday morning, I had a church meeting at 7:30 am for leadership.  I'm in leadership.  That is a weird thing to say, because I really just want to be that girl who sits back and gets asked to do things here and there.  I don't think I'm a leader, I don't feel like a leader, and quite frankly, sometimes I don't want to be a leader.  It really is an uncomfortable thing that is causing me to stretch and grow in ways I'm not accustomed to.  But, He has called me, and I'll do the best I can.

KT say the reason I slept  was because of stress.  I am kind of overwhelmed lately.  This leadership thing, working full time, wedding plans, and I'm maybe sort of am single parenting it (but I'll explain more on that later). 

Sometimes life just gets hard, and I've learned a valuable lesson:

TAKE A NAP

When a light goes out and Suicide

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On Friday, I went to a funeral for the most amazing young man.  He was 21 and he cut his life far too short.  A bright candle went out that day...Watching my friend, I see her husband holding her elbow, guiding her, quite literally holding her up.  I wonder how she is still standing.  I can't imagine the pain and anguish they are going through.  My heart grieves with them.  She was dignified and gracious and I know she was being held up by our Father in this tough moment of her life.

I find comfort in the words of one of my Church leaders.

I feel that judgment for sin is not always as cut-and-dried as some of us seem to think. The Lord said, “Thou shalt not kill.” Does that mean that every person who kills will be condemned, no matter the circumstances? Civil law recognizes that there are gradations in this matter—from accidental manslaughter to self-defense to first-degree murder. I feel that the Lord also recognizes differences in intent and circumstances: Was the person who took his life mentally ill? Was he or she so deeply depressed as to be unbalanced or otherwise emotionally disturbed? Was the suicide a tragic, pitiful call for help that went unheeded too long or progressed faster than the victim intended? Did he or she somehow not understand the seriousness of the act? Was he or she suffering from a chemical imbalance that led to despair and a loss of self-control. 

Obviously, we do not know the full circumstances surrounding every suicide. Only the Lord knows all the details, and he it is who will judge our actions here on earth.

When he does judge us, I feel he will take all things into consideration:   our genetic and chemical makeup, our mental state, our intellectual capacity, the teachings we have received, the traditions of our fathers, our health, and so forth. ~M. Russell Ballard

It is so comforting to know that He knows everything we are going through and judgement is left to Him and Him alone.

It's important to reach out to others, to treat them with kindness and love.  You never know what someone is going through.  Your simple attention and kindness might just be the thing they needed.   One light has gone out, but lets share the light with another.

Turn Toward the Light – The Son

Remember when I wrote about turning toward the sun and my obsession with light? 

Well, as I turn toward Him and give my devotion and focus to Him, my heart warms like the sun outside warming my skin in the most delightful way.  When I spend time with Him, when I turn toward the Son, praying, reading and pondering on the scriptures I feel so close to Him that my heart warms.  It’s a weird phenomenon really. 

But likewise, when I pull away…I can do it myself or sadly just too busy to spend time with Him, I feel that withdrawal.  It’s a cold dark place not basking in His life giving light.  Just like the thick inversion outside my window, I can often feel a thick inversion in my heart.  I know this is something that can be completely avoided.  I know how to prevent it like a spiritual inoculation. 

I just have to remember…

I have to remember Him….

I have to let Him in...

How do you avoid the thick inversions of the heart? 

Loved

"As the Father hath loved me, 

so have I loved you:

continue ye in my love."

John 15:9

'Tis the Season...For Weddings? and Advice

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It seems I am getting invitations to weddings left and right this past month.  College students getting married between semesters, I guess.  'Tis the season....Bright eyed brides and grooms staring lovingly into each other's eyes.  Their lives spread out in front of them, blue skies ahead!  But once that shiny newness wears off, the dress hung up and gifts put away, life gets real, you know?  I mean it is normal to have arguments and get irritated and want to quit from time to time.  Sometimes I think the most valuable gift we could give a newlywed is advice.  Really, sound, time-proven advice would be priceless.  If I could tie it up in a nice pretty package with a ribbon on top, this is what it would look like, but since I can't here are ten tips I would pass on to newlyweds if asked.  It has worked for me, and so far I have survived almost 26 years of marriage.  Yes, I said survived, because sometimes it is bliss and sometimes you have to just muddle through the rough patches.

1. Always keep Christ in your marriage.  Stay equally yoked in your religious beliefs.
2. Kill him/her with kindness even when you don't want to be nice
3. Relationships are more important than being right
4. Don't run home to mommy every time you have an argument.  In fact, unless there is abuse, keep disagreements private between you and your spouse.
5. Always hug each other when you come home.
6. Laugh together, often.
7. Persevere, press on
8. When you have rough patches, remember what you loved about each other
9. Share a hobby or interest
10. Date!  Fall in love all over again.

There you have it, my unsolicited, possibly unwanted marriage advice.  Here is some other advice I've blogged about in the past.

What advice would you add to this list?

Chaos and then the Calm

Peaceful, the time after Christmas...After all the chaos and frenzy that leads up to Christmas, it is nice to sit and reflect and feel His peace, love and reassurance.  It isn't that I don't find Him in the chaos, He is there, oh, He is there in all the messy moments of our lives...in the Christmas moments of forgotten cameras and family arguments and last minute plan changes.  He is in all those grace filled moments filling up every crevice and corner of it, even if we aren't sure He is there.  At the end of it all, He is waiting for us to turn our hearts and minds to Him.  He is cheering us on, calling to us, knocking and waiting for us to open the door.

The days following Christmas are the most peaceful perfect moments for me to find Him.  For me, it is a time for reflecting on my relationship with Him, evaluating where I am and comparing it to where I want to be.  Progress is not perfection and perfection is a myth.  With perfection we wouldn't need Him and how very lonely that would be...I love this printable I found at the redheaded hostess, Focus on Momentum Not perfection.

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I hope as you move ahead into the New Year, that you will focus on your progress not perfection and offer yourself that grace.

#He is The Gift #ShareTheGift

I know I have had struggles, but I am reminded what this season is all about.  I'm so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ...I'm grateful for a time of new beginnings and resolutions and do overs and start agains and the love of family and friends.

May you have the Merriest of Christmas' and be blessed and ever mindful of Him.  He is The Gift.

 

The Year there were NO Stockings Hung With Care

Life is complicated you know?  Here it is December 23rd, and I still haven't gotten all my decorations out.  I mean getting decorations out would have meant cleaning out a closet in order to access the bulk of my decorations and who has energy for that.  Not me, not lately...My kids just realized that the stockings aren't hung from the chimney with care.  Nope, they are not there.

I'm not being grinchy...just overwhelmed.  We put up the tree because it was in the garage and a small box of red balls that I could reach in that blasted closet.  But that was it...I happened upon a Christmas clearance sale and bought some pinecones and woodsy animals all under $20.  Then in my sacred, few and far between sitting down moments, I made that pom pom garland.  Wallah, Christmas decorations, and a nativity, of course, because I love my Savior.

Here it is December 23rd, the day that has traditionally been set aside as the day of baking and Christmas movies with my daughter, but I made 5 visits today to families trying to spread my Christmas cheer...plus a dentist appointment.  Now I sit on the floor surround by gifts to wrap and there are things to bake, and dinner to make and I feel so completely and utterly overwhelmed and am wondering where is my Christmas cheer.  Did I give it all away?    I know I have lost sight of what this here holiday is all about.  I mean my shoulders are only so broad to carry what I carry and do what I do.

We all struggle with this and that, but this year has been a little more difficult for me.  I suppose I have forgotten my own advice from years past and it feels like sucking on lemons.

Because of Him

I am so grateful to Him for His life, love and sacrifice.  I am grateful and in awe of the miracles that continue to bless lives all over the world including mine.  I know He lives and loves me.  I know Him...

Pressure to be Perfect

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A while back I wrote a post about how I wasn't really great at anything, but I was okay at a lot of things.  There is the inner pressure to be perfect.   I want to be the perfect daughter, wife and mother.  I want to decorate the perfect house, cook the most delicious meals where everyone enjoys them, create the perfect scrapbook, or write the best blog post ever.

That inner desire to be perfect can be debilitating.
I don't know why its there, I'm not even sure where it comes from.

In our various religious organizations we are taught to try to be like Jesus, and He was perfect.

The message that often gets lost on me is that He offers me His grace because I am not perfect nor can I ever be...without Him.

It's a balancing act really...

But by my struggling for perfection and trying to do everything perfectly, I've realized it is like spitting upon my Savior, and I definitely don't want to do that!

Yes, it is good to strive to do your best, but that guilt when I'm not, is where Christ comes in.

His grace makes up that difference...

Even in my mediocre scrapbooks or my severely lacking meals...

Because through His grace and love, He knows the intent of my heart.  He knows that I want to be the best to honor Him, and that is enough.

Through Christ I will always be enough...

How wonderful it will be some day to hear "Well done, thou good and faithful servant...You are enough."

Do you struggle with trying to be perfect and the guilt when you come up lacking?