Nature Trip

I am watching my brother's two children for the weekend. When we finished mentor sessions and I saw the mess that was created while I was busy, the prompting was to leave it and just go outside. And although it took a while for 7 kids to get coats and shoes on, we enjoyed the trip to the pond in our neighborhood. It heals me every time. So many inspiring things in nature, and we do something new every time. This time the feature was floating downey goose feather boats and then trying to sink them with ground cherry chinese lanterns.

Also the prompting this morning was to not go running and instead brainstorm about how I could help fill kids' and husbands' needs. And that was helpful and it was nice and quiet to do that.

Foggy Brain

Today I am under the weather with a cold/cough. But not so under the weather that I couldn't push myself to clean. My vision for the day in the morning included restful activities and bonding with my kids. But the house was a wreck. I held our mentor sessions/school time, and lunch but instead of keeping the late afternoon restful I doggedly pushed through chores / clean up until dinner time. Before chores, I felt a repeated desire to go outside and enjoy the best part of the day while the sunshine is on our yard, but I kept saying - I will go out and rest in the sun after just a few more chores...until the sun was nearly gone from our yard. I went out finally but we got cold quickly and came back in. bummer. Then I felt I should lay down and rest and heat up simple leftovers for dinner.....but I cooked hamburger to go with our bean dip instead. Finally, I laid down for 10 minutes, which were peppered with giving kids instructions to clean up more. Then I felt I should put on uplifting music, and yay I actually followed that saygobedo right away. Sigh. This is hard. It's like I'm more inclined to just push through the plan / routine rather than have to step back and rethink my plans (much less listen for saygobedos). Like letting the house be dirty when you're sick... that's totally okay.

More blessings

This evening I was responsible for a portion of the cleaning of my church building. I had been coming down with a cough all week long and brought some cough drops with me in my pocket. There was an activity going on that I was supposed to attend and then I had planned to clean after but during the activity I felt that others didn't want my germs anyway so I probably should just go ahead and get my cleaning done so I could go home and rest. I followed that feeling and went ahead to finish up the last of the bathroom cleaning. While I was in there I heard another sister in our church come into the bathroom and begin to cough. She recently was diagnosed with the specific condition that causes her to have coughing fits quite often. She continued to cough. I was in one of the Stalls cleaning the bathroom. Repeatedly the thought came to me you should go and offer her one of the cough drops in your pocket. I tried to talk myself out of it saying then I'll have to wash my gloves and she probably won't want to have my germs anyway. But then I realized what I was doing and went to check on her. As it turned out cough drops do not help her at all so she did not accept my offer. But as her coughing slowed she gave me one of the best compliments I've received on my daughter's talk from Sunday. Last Sunday was my daughter's first talk in church and that was a big deal for her. She told me that my daughter's talk was very good. She said she was one of the best youth speakers that she had heard in quite a while. She said she was really touched by it and remarked how the two speakers after her kept referring back to my daughter's talk. I was able to come home and give my daughter that compliment and boost her confidence. So once again following a saygobedo led to blessings for me.

Having warred a good warfare

Wednesday, Nov.8

My teens and I have been watching civil war movies for their Sword of Truth class.  I cannot believe how much I have enjoyed watching these depictions of war in God's and Generals and Gettysburg.  It has been so very inspiring to see these men sacrificing over and over and over again for the things they believe in.  I find it such a beautiful symbol of faith and honor.  I have more respect for military service than ever before.  And just in time for veterans day:)  We took the opportunity to research one of the kids' ancestors (through Dad, as there has been very little military service in my line) who served in the civil war.  That made it so real and special.

There are some things I have really been struggling with, having prayed and prayed for help but still not knowing what to do and fearing lately maybe things aren't meant to change.  Tuesday night I had prayed for guidance on the matter.  This morning I didn't have much time to read my scriptures before I had to go to work.  I read one verse. In it I saw something I have never seen before, despite having read it many many times. 

King Mosiah, (whom I mentioned in yesterday's post) died.  His reign had been peaceful.  He had not been involved in war.  But the verse read, "king Mosiah having gone the way of all the earth, having warred a good warfare...". I immediately thought of the movies we had been watching and the inspiring commitment to fight to the death for what they believed in and I knew that was my answer.  Don't give up.  Fight for the things you hope for.  And so my resolve is strengthened to work toward my vision of how my life can be.  I remembered and acted on it several times today. 

I am also seeing big changes in a certain child who has been struggling for years.  I really believe it is in large part because of the song we have been singing each morning in conjunction with Saygobedo efforts made to spend more time together throughout the day and less time working individually.

Miracles coming.  Saygobedo.

More music

Monday Nov. 6

Monday morning I was up early showering and a hymn "As Zion's youth in Latter Days" came into my head from nowhere.  I knew right then that I needed to sing it with my children.  I took the opportunity that morning after prayer.  I was surprised that there was no complaining and everyone participated.  I told them that we would be doing it each morning until we had it memorized.  I heard them singing it off and on throughout the day and everyone seemed to be in better spirits than has been our average lately.  I was very encouraged and glad I followed through.

Voting day

Tuesday, Nov.7

I have picked up a part time job teaching English online to Chinese kids in the early morning.  It has been a blessing in so many ways.  I recently made a commitment to wake up even earlier to study scripture at the beginning of my day.

This morning I was reading a chapter in the Book of Mormon about a king, Mosiah, who was close to death and wanting his people to govern themselves instead of relying on a king who may or may not lead them in righteousness. I read
"they assembled themselves together in bodies throughout the land, to cast in their voices concerning who should be their judges, to judge them according to the law which had been given them; and they were exceedingly rejoiced because of the liberty which had been granted unto them."

I had not planned on voting this year.  We are only a few months new in the area and though I had registered I hadn't taken the time to learn about the candidates.  I knew upon reading this today of all days, that it was important that I take the time to vote today.  So, even though I ended up spending hours with Tyler creating a perler bead Mario and wasn't sure if I could fit it in between various commitments, I followed through with the impression and did some research and voted.  Nothing miraculous to report.  I just felt good about having followed through and also about having done my Civic duty.

Before doing the Saygobedo challenge I had been very much struggling with following through on commitments made to myself to the point that I really had very little faith in my ability to accomplish anything that was important to me.  I can feel my self-commitment muscles growing and I am so thankful.

I'll go where you want me to go... Complete

Sunday Nov. 4

Sunday I was very nervous for my teacher training and lesson but everything went so well and felt so right.  I felt like I was reaping the blessings of following through on my impressions and sticking with it.

Many people were visibly touched by the song, probably more so than the lesson.  One sister, a missionary currently serving a full time mission at our church, said this song was the reason she had chosen to leave her home for 2 years and serve the Lord.  She had recently been struggling and this song reminded her of her reason for serving and encouraged her to press on. 

The original impression to sing the song had not come from me and it was not for the occasion or purpose that either of us imagined but in the end it blessed many people and provided just what they needed at that time.  It was also a great blessing to me.  It reminded me of my purpose, to serve God wherever I am needed and softened my heart more than anything else could.  It provided a miraculous breakthrough in my life.  I'm so thankful for my friend for following her Saygobedo weeks ago.