Mundane Courage Article

I love having .. space .. to be myself. I feel that this is the space that I am able to share thoughts and feelings I have with anyone who stumbles across it. I am also glad that these things will be recorded in an orderly fashion for me to recall in later years. I have a prediction that Alzheimer's diesease may be in the future for me so I would love to entertain myself by reading of previous days. We all forget, some more than others and this is my .. space .. to record away to share with the world and myself someday.

I started receiving the emails from MOPS International recently, every Tuesday. I look forward to something new in my inbox that I don't consider junk mail. I start with browsing through article titles that caught my eye and read those first. Today, I stumbled across one of those "I really really needed that today" posts that I just loved alot. I am going to start linking back to my favorites here, because any other way of saving my favorites would be more difficult.
"Courage in the Mundane"

Love love love it. This very subject is what has been on my mind lately. The mundane, the day to day living for the next upcoming event, those in between moments that you won't really remember. How to fill our time with meaningful activites that will breathe purpose, life, happiness into EACH DAY.
It actually made me think of one of my new favorite talks:
"Prepared in a Manner That Never Had Been Known" by Sister Linda K. Burten
I love to remind myself that every single good deed we do is recorded in heaven, whether we receive praise for it on earth or not. That the little acts of service we do for others means something, no matter the size. The Lord does have a specific, individual and unique calling for everyone. We need to be the ones still enough to hear what those are... everyday.

SO, I loved the article I read about courage and how she worded everything. I also hope, by reading all these articles that as I "practice" writing on this blog, I will be able to display feelings through words in an intriguing way to someday have an article there too. Catch the right subject at the right time in the right emotion and the words will flow from my brain to my fingertips.

"Be Mine" Mistletoe

Last year, my daughter was watching me take down Christmas decorations around New Years. When I got out the Valentine's decorations in February, she asked where that thing is that mommy and daddy kiss under. So my 4 year old gave me a great idea. I found this heart for a dollar at Walgreens and just simplified my life by simply hot glueing typed up cardstock words onto the heart. (since I do not yet have a vinyl cutting machine) And there you go! 

I will soon have a cute version of "Kiss me, even if Im not Irish"

And "I see Fireworks"

and "I'm thankful for your lips"

holiday versions of mistletoe soon! 

And as always, make it 'as craft as you can!' Make it your own, using what you have and the creativity inside you! Hurray!

If you make The Lord the number one you are "Following, " then He will be your number one "Follower."

When I started noticing different blogs, I glanced at the right hand side and noticed how many “followers” it had. I immediately began to fill uncomfortable with the term. I have learned my whole life that we needed to be “Followers of Christ” and that phrase had been trademarked in my mind to mean something very special. To follow, by definition, means “an adherent or devotee of a particular person, cause or activity.”

I would like to share with you an experience I had one evening. I have been re-reading the conference talks of this past October 2014 General Conference. I came across one that must have been during the session of the conference I had missed. “Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence.”By Elder Jorg Klebingat. I would like to share a quote from his talk. The adversary “..will seek access to your heart to tell you lies-lies that Heavenly Father is disappointed in you, that the Atonement is beyond your reach, that there is no point in even trying, that everyone else is better than you, that you are unworthy, and a thousand variations of that same evil theme. “ (I encourage you to read or watch it if you have not already.)

At times, I think, at some point in our lives, we have all thought some form of one or more of these. I thought of the blog I am trying to start up..”there is no point in even trying.. everyone else is better than you.” . . I currently have no followers.. who would want to hear what I have to say? Who would be interested in what I have to make? Nobody will even read these posts. As tears came, recognizing that such thoughts were coming from the adversary, I then was overcome with  a peaceful impression..  “I will read them. If you will make me the number one you are following, I will be your number one follower.”

The Holy Ghost spoke peace to my troubled soul. “You’re Right!” I exclaimed! If  I am on the Lord’s side and He is on my side, it doesn't matter who else is. If we make Him the center of our lives, we WILL have the faith to fulfill our divine destiny! And in time we will come to know what the term divine destiny means to us in our personal lives. Fear and faith cannot exist in the same place and if we strive to live as He would have us live, we WILL have the courage to do great things. Maybe not in the world’s eyes, but in His eyes. There ARE comforting words to speak to one that needs to hear them. There ARE motivational moments to share with the one that needs a daily lift. We are His Hands. We need to ask ourselves daily, “If I don’t help them, who will?” Do not wait for someone else to lift a load when our hands are able and we are right there to assist. I heard a quote long ago I think of often, “Live your life in a way that when you wake up in the morning, the devil says, ‘Oh no, They’re awake!’” There ARE things you have to offer others that no one else on this earth is able to. Think of that! I hope and pray we will not be so hard on ourselves that we give up in any degree on the things that matter most. The Lord. His Gospel. Our Families. Our ‘Neighbor’; our fellow men.

As I have thought more about “a follower” when it comes to an online definition, I realize we are not technically behind someone in rank or position. It simply means, we appreciate the work they put into what they do and we enjoy their efforts. I enjoy how there is no limit to how many blogs you can follow or how many facebook pages you can ‘like.’ If I appreciate what I see or read, I like to show that stranger or friend that their labors are benefiting me. To say thank you to a fellow member of God’s family. So if you have benefited from someone’s talent you have come across in the cyber world, don’t hesitate to click ‘follow.’ Hooray! That is my joyful thought for the day! I’m so glad I got it out there!

I see

See a gray hair and wrinkles
I see sparkle and laughter

See the bare skin and frizz
I see else wear time spent on gallop and play

See soggy and drab
I see puddles and rainbow soaked shine

See baggy and worn
I see pulled on and loved off by jewels that call her mama

See droop and dull
I see worry welled tears that gleam with affection

See same and tame
I see complexities created with meaning through moments

See just another mother
I see strength raising beings with divine destiny

Give your senses something to smile about

The things that I like about blogs that stick with me is what I want to portray in my own blog of course, wouldn't that make sense?
~Consistancy. I know everyones life gets busy and no one can blog every single day with ease unless other important parts of their lives are lacking. But I like to see bloggers that write something at least once a week. It is fun to check a blog you enjoy and see something new posted, no matter what it may be.

~Depth. I would rather check a strangers blogger that's "real" with you than to log on facebook and see friends only post about happy great fun wonderful things they have seen or done. You know their smiling faces in those photos are not always that chipper. It helps you relate to someone, human to human to hear about the good and the bad in their life. I joined a mommy group not to talk about the weather with someone. I want to be able to ask them the real questions that have been weighing on me. I want to get into a discussion about fears and joys that make up our lives as women.

~Ideas. As craft as you can means you gave it your all, no matter what it is, and you are learning to love what YOU'VE done, not how it compares to someone else. "Found this on Pinterest... Nailed it!" I love those pictures because they are hilarious when you tried something, know it didn't work out the way you wanted it to, but you don't lose sleep over it. Find an idea on Pinterest and make it your own. Be proud of the work you put into creating something that didn't exist before!

~Photos. I am a visual learner, I always have been. "Let your eyes dance around the room." is a quote I read from decorating blog, talking about how you don't want your house to look like everyone elses. Give your senses something to smile about. For me, sight is my most smiling sense. I have always loved those 3D pictures where your eyes have to go all funky to see the image. My grandparents had large framed pictures and calendars of those so many of my cousins could not see but I could. Anyway, visual. I love a blog that has a picture attached to every post. Until I continue in the process of learning my camera and photography, this may not apply to me currently but oh, it will. It is a dream of mine to take great pictures and I intend to continue to learn and practice.

SO, these are the reasons I love certain kinds of blogs, examples of the ones that inspire that are listed on the right hand side of my blog. Therefore, it is what I want to continue through the one I am trying to build now! Happy reading, seeing, visualizing!

Compliments with depth

There are these moments. The ones that make all the hard, frustrating and discouraging moments all seem like nothing. The ones that get you through the lows; from one high moment to the next.

 The constant stream of a busy day continuing without pauses in between.. then bedtime. The children are sleeping, the house is a mess but it is one of those calm evenings where, for some strange reason, it does not bother you. Husband is done with work, done texting colleagues, finished up studying, all ready for sleep. And then he sits down with you, looks you in the eye and thanks you for all you do. 'Thank you for being a great wife. Thank you for taking such good care of our kids, for keeping the house clean, for all you do. Being a sweet, calm natured person, that can't be educated into someone, but that is what you are for me. Everyone gets frustrated or overwhelmed, whether they have kids or not but you deal with everything so well. Being so agreeable with me working so much and going to school and different ideas and plans I have, your so well with it all.' (something of that nature.)

After you have been married for years and your past that newlywed stage, there are these deep compliments you long for, then learn to cherish. The ones that are past, 'your eyes sparkle like diamonds' or 'your lips send me shooting through the stars.' :D They are the ones with meaning and depth and emotion. He has teared up twice at the end of 'We bought a Zoo.' and he does not tear up too often at all. He talks of how hard that would be to lose your beloved spouse; "I was spoiled.. I had the real thing."  6 feet, 4 inches, 238 pounds. Strong and funny, always has a joke, a made up song, a movie quote, a pick up line to make me laugh and yet those times where the tears flow are just another one of those 'make me melt' times.

So when I receive the blessing of nights such as this one, they get me through and help remind me that he does appreciate me but men don't repeat them selves like a broken record when it comes to the words that matter most. It is definitely quality, not quantity with them. So when it comes, you gotta listen, appreciate and remember. Remember that they still mean those wonderful things they said.. they didn't take it back... when something hard comes along. They should be kept special, right at the forefront of your mind. And recall them whenever you need and remember how great it is to have someone who cares for you.
“If  he makes you laugh, kisses your forehead, says he’s sorry, makes an effort,

Holds  your hand, works hard ,attempts to understand you, then, believe it or not

He’s quite perfect.”

This is what I have for the heading of my Microsoft word document, where I write down the real great words; things he has said or done that I know I don't want to forget. Why do you have to picky? Why would you be out searching for more than that? Life is good. Love can be wonderful for two people who take a little but give a lot.

Taste of Child Like Memories

It really is wonderful to be alive. It is wonderful because of the knowledge of the true church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is wonderful because when you are trying to do what is right, the Lord will bless you. You can be blessed with thoughts of purpose and enthusiasm for a new day. You can be proactive, helpful and cheerful. You can feel the hand of the Lord guiding your daily efforts. There is so much to learn, so much to teach and so many to inspire. The little things that bring you daily joy can make your heart giggle; feeling light and happy. In combination with all these wonderful things, my thoughts today were directed towards my little girls. The simple joys of today were how fun it is to be able to have fun and be silly with these sweet spirits. As I have rainbow bracelets and shiny play rings on my fingers, slipping off as I try and make them lunch. I have butterfly wings on as I go out to check the mail. I have my pink feather boa get caught in the door as I bring laundry from downstairs. I have a red queen robe swishing behind me as I rush to the kitchen to get little one a drink of water. My lil K loves to play dress up, imagination, pretend. Instead of holding a horse toy, she would rather BE the horse. Lil S is right there behind her, fascinated by the excitement her big sister throws into her day to day games. They are precious and pure. They are innocent and care free. "Let them be little" comes to mind when I'm getting frustrated with all the things I think K should be helping me with. They only have those child characteristics for so long and then they will be gone. As I try and remember that, I let myself have a taste of child like memories and I go along with these sweet moments. I need to more fully soak in all the sunshine they still want to offer their mommy. Let them be little, but also let them help me remember what it was like to be little. And that is where daily simple joys can lie.