Breaking the habit

I was doing pretty good posting daily but all of the sudden one day came and went and another and another and forgot to get in my computer but today I decided to write in the mornings about my previous day than catching up at the end of every day so I don't forget to write a post.


This week  has been interesting because I started teaching at the Institute every Tuesday so on Monday I did some research on the subject of the Holy Spirit and found a very good talk by elder Bednar that was made into a you tube 3 part segments. I discovered as I was teaching that perhaps the person that learn the most is the teacher. I also discover that I love teaching the young adults.


Today I had the most amazing experience at the temple.  I felt the pure love of Christ in there. I was asked to be guide the missionaries looking for their respective dressing rooms when all of the sudden I felt this immense love for them and for all the goodness they bring. There was so much light in their eyes and such angels that I could cry. What a remarkable amazing young men and women to leave so much comfort behind in order to serve. I love our missionaries!

Getting ready for the Holidays

I live here in the Dominican Republic and since there is no Thanksgiving Holiday, everyone starts thinking about Christmas as early as September so that is exactly what I am doing. I love this time of the year. I love preparing to and buying gifts. I love  the reaction on people's faces when they open my gift. My list so far goes as follows:
Our neighbors and ex-pats: Cabrara, Corbitts, Kimballs, Madsens, Flakes, Antivilos, Cornishes, Woods, Lee, Martinez, Rappleyes, Taylors, villaseñors and Zivics.
Missionary couples and temple workers: Gardners, Jensens,  Almontes, Morales, etc. 
Peple in our ward: Bishop Rotellini, the Smarts, etc.
Visiting teaching ladies: Vero, Damaris, Virginia
Home teaching families: We just got them and I don't even know who they are, three total.
People at the office:  Grace, Ingrid, Katty, Elizabeth, Roxana, Diaz, Alvarado, Toro, etc
Family in Uruguay: Abuela Nela,Estela, Roberto, Sandra, Miguel Angel, Cecilia, Marcos y familia, Pamela y familia, Matias y familia etc.
My family abroad: Vane, Liz, Mari and my mom.
Our family: Andres, Gabriel, Pablo, Alejandro, Ani, Hernan, Vale, Mandy, Bianca, Cristi. 

I love giving presents. I love planning surprises and putting thought into the little details and making a gift really special. I have so much fun anticipating the other person’s excitement and reaction that giving is way more exciting for me than getting a present. Not that I don’t love, love, love getting a gift – I mean come on, who doesn’t?!? But I can honestly say that I have way more fun with the giving. My only problem is we got way too many people on our gift giving list and I can’t cut anyone off. I am going to be in Uruguay this Christmas so the least I can do is to get everyone a gift.

 This holiday season I will try putting extra thought into our gifts. Remember that they don’t have to cost money, in fact the most meaningful gifts typically don’t cost much at all! The most meaningful gifts are the ones that you put thought into making them personal and meaningful, like a handwritten card, or a digital photo frame with meaningful photos, or a handmade craft of some kind. Those are the gifts someone will hang on to long after the expensive gifts have worn out. I plan to make a book of meaningful stories to read at Christmas time. This is something the sister Andersen did and also Mary Antivilo did for their families. Shhh, but that should be kept a secret. I hope I get to give some little thing for each person this Christmas no matter how simple it is but that it would show I care about them enough to make the extra effort.

 

A poem for Laurie

Today was Garrett fox's funeral and burial. He was in the Army and died from an accident while on duty. I know his mother and sisters from when I lived on Diana way, both of our families lived on the same street and attended the same ward. Laurie and I both found ourselves as divorced single mothers so I can't think of a harder time for my dear friend than today. In remembrance of Garrett here is a poem I found on his obituary column I want to share:

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998

Vacation time means no posts

I post every day I am home or even near a computer but when I go on vacation I don't write on this blog because as much as I love to write on my blog that would be one more thing I should not be worried about when I am on vacation.


 We left last Saturday September 6 early in the morning and came home today Friday September 12th. Exactly seven glorious days! We decided to go to Nebraska to attend baby Christopher Krone's baby blessing. It was another time to see family members and to support Ani and Spencer. It was a miracle we even made it to the blessing since we came in a few minutes late but the Lord was merciful and Daniel made it just in time to join in the circle. Spencer's parents came and some dear friends who are also very supportive and who had fellowshipped Spencer.


The next day on Monday we went to the zoo with Charlotte, Graeme and Sydney and Vale. Daniel and I had gone there before when we had visited Ani back when she live in Superior. On Tuesday Analia came to Omaha and got to visit with her and we went on Wednesday to Beatrice one last time to had dinner and to say good bye since we were going to leave the next day to Miami. It was great in Miami to spend some time with Alejandro and Lexi as always.


We left this morning to the airport to take the next flight to the DR. I love traveling with Daniel and to spend those days doing almost nothing. I discovered in this trip that this is the kind of vacation I look forward on doing. I like to see that he can sleep in and not worry about having some Dr. appointment or to see one of the houses or whatever we do when we go to Utah. I like visiting the kids but I hate all the commitments we encounter by going to Utah on vacation so I would remember this each time we decide where to go so you might guess by now, anywhere but Utah unless is absolutely necessary.

Job interview

It has been forever since I have gone to a job interview. Today I got up to see the Elementary school Principal at Carol Morgan and the Vice-Principal and her secretary. At any rate they were three ladies asking me questions about how I would handle a classroom.


 It turned out to be a test that I had not prepared for but somehow I think I did ok. One thing I noticed is that they were so young and needless to say, I felt old. One of the ladies even had a nose ring which I was a little surprised because that is such a conservative school.


 I felt like I could be their mother and that is when it dawn on me that the whole world in in the hands of people in their thirties, people who are very knowledgeable but with no experience but I have realized that as I get older and older those people we trust with anything from teachers, to lawyers to doctors are all younger than 54 but have managed to get in good positions. I still don't know what is my mission in life? I hope that for now is to be a good teacher.

Temple worker

Today I officially started as a temple worker in the Santo Domingo temple. That was one of the things I have on my vision board of something I wanted to do. I also will be teaching an Institute class every Tuesday.


The problem now is that Carol Morgan has offered me a job, something I should of have been doing but never went to talk to the Human Resource person until this year when I decided to take on so many other things. Bummer!!


 I love teaching and having a little extra cash does not hurt either. I love being productive and I know I will always be busy doing something. I am learning so many things as a temple worker that I don't want to miss out on this great opportunity so I am going to have to say no to Carol Morgan but hopefully they would keep me on their substitute list which is all I can do at this time.

Ladies Luncheons for September

Every month we hold an Ex-pat luncheon at one of the sister's  home and today it was the first of the schools' year luncheon and the one where we find out who has moved in. It turns out that four families are gone and three new ones have come in: One is the new President's wife, the other's husband works for the gold mine and the other's husband works for the Embassy. It was wonderful that we all shared a little about ourselves and we also brought a quote or something to share about one of the Conference talks. I shared my Elder Uchtdorf talk on being grateful and because I can't take any part out because it is all wonderful I am posting the whole talk.

Grateful in Any Circumstances

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

 

Have we not reason to be filled with gratitude, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves?

Play

10985_000_41uchtdorf Over the years, I have had the sacred opportunity to meet with many people whose sorrows seem to reach the very depths of their soul. In these moments, I have listened to my beloved brothers and sisters and grieved with them over their burdens. I have pondered what to say to them, and I have struggled to know how to comfort and support them in their trials.

Often their grief is caused by what seems to them as an ending. Some are facing the end of a cherished relationship, such as the death of a loved one or estrangement from a family member. Others feel they are facing the end of hope—the hope of being married or bearing children or overcoming an illness. Others may be facing the end of their faith, as confusing and conflicting voices in the world tempt them to question, even abandon, what they once knew to be true.

Sooner or later, I believe that all of us experience times when the very fabric of our world tears at the seams, leaving us feeling alone, frustrated, and adrift.

It can happen to anyone. No one is immune.

We Can Be Grateful

Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.

We can be grateful!

It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to God. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding.

As disciples of Christ, we are commanded to “thank the Lord [our] God in all things,”¹ to “sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving,”² and to “let [our] heart be full of thanks unto God.”³

Why does God command us to be grateful?

All of His commandments are given to make blessings available to us. Commandments are opportunities to exercise our agency and to receive blessings. Our loving Heavenly Father knows that choosing to develop a spirit of gratitude will bring us true joy and great happiness.

Being Grateful for Things

But some might say, “What do I have to be grateful for when my world is falling apart?”

Perhaps focusing on what we are grateful for is the wrong approach. It is difficult to develop a spirit of gratitude if our thankfulness is only proportional to the number of blessings we can count. True, it is important to frequently “count our blessings”—and anyone who has tried this knows there are many—but I don’t believe the Lord expects us to be less thankful in times of trial than in times of abundance and ease. In fact, most of the scriptural references do not speak of gratitude for things but rather suggest an overall spirit or attitude of gratitude.

It is easy to be grateful for things when life seems to be going our way. But what then of those times when what we wish for seems to be far out of reach?

Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be.

There is an old story of a waiter who asked a customer whether he had enjoyed the meal. The guest replied that everything was fine, but it would have been better if they had served more bread. The next day, when the man returned, the waiter doubled the amount of bread, giving him four slices instead of two, but still the man was not happy. The next day, the waiter doubled the bread again, without success.

On the fourth day, the waiter was really determined to make the man happy. And so he took a nine-foot-long (3-m) loaf of bread, cut it in half, and with a smile, served that to the customer. The waiter could scarcely wait for the man’s reaction.

After the meal, the man looked up and said, “Good as always. But I see you’re back to giving only two slices of bread.”

Being Grateful in Our Circumstances

My dear brothers and sisters, the choice is ours. We can choose to limit our gratitude, based on the blessings we feel we lack. Or we can choose to be like Nephi, whose grateful heart never faltered. When his brothers tied him up on the ship—which he had built to take them to the promised land—his ankles and wrists were so sore “they had swollen exceedingly,” and a violent storm threatened to swallow him up in the depths of the sea. “Nevertheless,” Nephi said, “I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions.”⁴

We can choose to be like Job, who seemed to have everything but then lost it all. Yet Job responded by saying, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return … : the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”⁵

We can choose to be like the Mormon pioneers, who maintained a spirit of gratitude during their slow and painful trek toward the Great Salt Lake, even singing and dancing and glorying in the goodness of God.⁶ Many of us would have been inclined to withdraw, complain, and agonize about the difficulty of the journey.

We can choose to be like the Prophet Joseph Smith, who, while a prisoner in miserable conditions in Liberty Jail, penned these inspired words: “Dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.”⁷

We can choose to be grateful, no matter what.

This type of gratitude transcends whatever is happening around us. It surpasses disappointment, discouragement, and despair. It blooms just as beautifully in the icy landscape of winter as it does in the pleasant warmth of summer.

When we are grateful to God in our circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation. In grief, we can still lift up our hearts in praise. In pain, we can glory in Christ’s Atonement. In the cold of bitter sorrow, we can experience the closeness and warmth of heaven’s embrace.

We sometimes think that being grateful is what we do after our problems are solved, but how terribly shortsighted that is. How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?

Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges.

This is not a gratitude of the lips but of the soul. It is a gratitude that heals the heart and expands the mind.

 Gratitude as an Act of Faith

Being grateful in our circumstances is an act of faith in God. It requires that we trust God and hope for things we may not see but which are true.⁸ By being grateful, we follow the example of our beloved Savior, who said, “Not my will, but thine, be done.”⁹

True gratitude is an expression of hope and testimony. It comes from acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life but trusting that one day we will.

In any circumstance, our sense of gratitude is nourished by the many and sacred truths we do know: that our Father has given His children the great plan of happiness; that through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, we can live forever with our loved ones; that in the end, we will have glorious, perfect, and immortal bodies, unburdened by sickness or disability; and that our tears of sadness and loss will be replaced with an abundance of happiness and joy, “good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.”¹⁰

It must have been this kind of testimony that transformed the Savior’s Apostles from fearful, doubting men into fearless, joyful emissaries of the Master. In the hours following His Crucifixion, they were consumed with despair and grief, unable to understand what had just happened. But one event changed all of that. Their Lord appeared to them and declared, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.”¹¹

When the Apostles recognized the risen Christ—when they experienced the glorious Resurrection of their beloved Savior—they became different men. Nothing could keep them from fulfilling their mission. They accepted with courage and determination the torture, humiliation, and even death that would come to them because of their testimony.¹² They were not deterred from praising and serving their Lord. They changed the lives of people everywhere. They changed the world.

You do not need to see the Savior, as the Apostles did, to experience the same transformation. Your testimony of Christ, born of the Holy Ghost, can help you look past the disappointing endings in mortality and see the bright future that the Redeemer of the world has prepared.

We Are Not Made for Endings

In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder that whenever we face the bitter endings of life, they seem unacceptable to us? There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings.

Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless¹³ and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny.

The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all. They are merely interruptions—temporary pauses that one day will seem small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful.

How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings.

Those Who Are Grateful Will Be Made Glorious

Brothers and sisters, have we not reason to be filled with gratitude, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves?

Do we need any greater reason to let our hearts “be full of thanks unto God”?¹⁴

“Have we not great reason to rejoice?”¹⁵

How blessed we are if we recognize God’s handiwork in the marvelous tapestry of life. Gratitude to our Father in Heaven broadens our perception and clears our vision. It inspires humility and fosters empathy toward our fellowmen and all of God’s creation. Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues.¹⁶

The Lord has given us His promise that those “who [receive] all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto [them], even an hundred fold, yea, more.”¹⁷

May we “live in thanksgiving daily”¹⁸—especially during the seemingly unexplainable endings that are part of mortality. May we allow our souls to expand in thankfulness toward our merciful Heavenly Father. May we ever and constantly raise our voices and show by word and deed our gratitude to our Father in Heaven and to His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. For this I pray, and leave you my testimony and blessing, in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ, amen.