Rules

Recently I played "office" with Taylor and Jordyn. Jordyn made a speech about office rules. I jotted them down as she said them. This is her list (it might be good for your work, too):
1. Be nice so everybody will want to stay at OUR office.
2. No talking until lunch. Then you can talk as loud as you want.
3. No drinking, 'cause you might spill on your computer.
4. Stay busy.
5. If you talk to someone while you're pushing buttons you'll get the answer wrong.
6. If you write something while you're talking you'll get the answer wrong and get sent to the big office.
7. Remember to stay healthy and strong. If you pick junk food you'll be fat.
8. You better look nice at work.
9. Don't bring any kids at work that will bother you. Put them at a table to color.
10. Don't bring any aliens or pets or toys to work.

Grandbaby Thoughts

This post is in honor of our newest baby, Andrew. I'm going to ponder "aloud" some of the wonder that comes with a new baby.

Somehow, when a baby comes into the world, all your miseries and stresses take a back seat for awhile. The little miracle is so awesome, it changes our perspective of how to see everything else.
A new baby is the ultimate motivation. He forces us to "gird up the loins" and "fresh courage take" because he is depending on our care and tutelage. He deserves the best world we can give him, and the tools to cope with the bad parts.
A baby is the supreme expression of hope. The world can't come to a grisly end just yet. God must expect us to hang in there a while longer. We consider that maybe this child will do wonderful things that will change that world for the better.
A baby tests your endurance and stretches your talents in a way that nothing else can do. One is forced to develop new strengths and skills to be adequate in meeting the child's needs. We become wiser, more patient, unselfish and resourceful because the baby requires it.
And, they are just so darn cute!
Hooray for babies! Welcome home, Andrew!

3 Cheers and an Invitation

Steve just won another race. Jacob, Ami and Dad ran together this last weekend. Jeff was witness. So, after 36 years of marriage, I discover that my husband is a secret athlete. At least it answers the mystery of where Jacob gets his proclivities. I'm not complaining. I'm grateful. I just wish it hadn't been a secret for so long. Perhaps then the other children would have formed stronger habits of fitness. (Nobody seemed interested in my lifelong example of healthy eating and exercise--perhaps because it didn't win me any medals.) Now the man is winning 5K races, I hope the family (yes, you) is paying attention to the dad's current example.

Redneck changes color

My preconceptions have just taken a dive. I signed up to compete with the Plein Air Provo event. This means you paint outside on site with no studio work. I went up to Rock Canyon because it's lovely up there and there's lots of hikers etc. and a restroom, which makes Dad feel I am safe. Well, there was also a construction crew up there building a bridge over the river. I have never considered construction workers as art lovers. Except maybe Elvis paintings on velvet, or wolves and eagles. Anyhow, the contractor was really interested in my stuff. He hovered off and on while I painted. The guy bought a preliminary piece I'd done last year as a practice run, on canvas board. I sold it cheap ($40) because it wasn't on regular canvas or masonite. Well, now he wants the finished piece I did for the competition! I'm delighted, but also astonished. I'll have to re-write my social personality list. Construction worker likes fine art well enough to pay for it. He never even suggested putting in a wolf.

one small lecture on a big topic

Okay, so I haven't passed on the Pollyanna Principle adequately to my children. Either you're all wallowing in misery without seeing the glimmers of hope sparkling in the mud, or you're so busy you haven't taken time to write them down on my previous blog. It's important to be grateful for the glimmers. If you see them, say them out loud. If you don't see them, look again. End of lecture.

Gratitude Therapy Applied

I should not be surprised to have yet more evidence of the truth of the Opposition Principle. This last week or so certainly qualifies. It is really evidence that Heavenly Father is active in my life. He knows I need challenges in order to grow; but he also knows I need good things to stay motivated. When I look at my life with gratitude I see the balance. I am happy. It works this way: Yikes! I had a car accident! But I wasn't hurt, the car still goes, it was the other guy's fault, and nobody else was involved. Ergo, :). I got sick helping a sick friend! But the friend knows I love her, the job got done, I'm fighting the bug fairly well without being flat in bed. I was willing to risk getting sick to help out. Ergo, :). I forgot to take the pasta salad to Christopher's baptism! But, there was enough food without it, the Relief Society dinner needs another salad on Tues. and I'm prepared to contribute without any further effort. :). I haven't had time to paint for weeks. But I've been able to enter several exhibits lately, and have won a few prizes on paintings done in the past, equaling about $175. :). And just to show that blessings always out-weigh the trials, a publishing company to whom I'd sent a manuscript query with sample chapters called me to say, "we like what we've seen. Send the rest of the book, we'll probably publish it!" So what evidence can you share on this principle? Let's be happy together!

Molly Mormon rides again

I helped at a funeral this week. The assigned sisters arrived at about 9am to put paper on the tables (already set up the night before), to roll the plasticware into napkins, put out the cups, etc. By 9:30 the food started to arrive. The fridge filled up with jello salads (not one was green), tossed salads (those were) and dressings. The ovens were full of "funeral potatoes" and roast beef that had been left over from a stake High Priest's social the week before. The counters had stacks of dish cloths and ziplock bags among the cakes and rolls. While the sisters waited for the funeral to finish, they cleaned out the cupboards and sorted through homeless dishes. I led the music at the funeral. When the family returned from the cemetery, they were quickly able to sit down to a lovely meal. This scene is typical of Relief Society service. It's been perfected over time and practice. Peggy, the octogenarian chairperson, has been doing this for many years. Even though she's suffering with kidney failure, she wouldn't allow anyone else to take over her job. We tried to ease her workload where we could. Even so, it was nearing 3:30 when I escorted her and her pile of dirty towels etc. to her car. It made me think about the way people truly care for each other in the Kingdom. Peggy and I are visiting teaching partners. The lady who died was one of ours. "I'm showing her my love by my actions," Peggy told me. "It is my final service to her." Just because it's incredibly common, we should never take for granted the sweet loving service of good women. Have you thanked those who serve you, lately?