Our Relief Society presidency was released last Sunday. I have felt all of the emotions about this change in my life, but have landed on joy, and that is where I will stay. I have no ultimate regrets or concerns about things left undone. I know I served with all I had, and was strengthened by God to go beyond that. I have loved this calling, and have thanked my Father in Heaven often for the privilege to serve in such a deep way. Most of all, I have loved the relationships I have been able to build with the people in my neighborhood. My presidency has been ideal for me and for the season we served. Each was so needed in her role, so perfectly prepared by experiences, personal gifts, and goodness. I asked Paige to make a simple sketch of our faces, close together, that I could frame or embroider. I love these women!
Elder Ross leaves for Chile on Monday. Usually in his letters, he shares funny quotes that he hears in his district and some spiritual thoughts. This was a fun letter. -A
Week 6 missionaries get colored dots for their nametags. We think it’s to show people that they hypothetically (on paper) should potentially-if they’ve been working hard-know enough Spanish to be somewhat competent in conversation. It’s actually impressive how much we’ve all learned.
This was taken in SLC on the day he left with MANY missionaries.
We’re getting all our travel plans now. Monday’s gonna be a long day but I’m so excited!
Not much time this week, so a few quotes and then some Spiritual things. It’s kind of my job.
“In my free time from now on, I’m drawing mancaves.”
“No WAY you’re getting ME in the water with a catfish!”
Elder who mistakenly memorized 3 Nephi 3:7 [It’s worth your time to look this one up.] instead of 1 Nephi for the district goal:
“So, uh, I memorized that scripture, but I don’t feel like it’s the best approach. Are you sure we should tell people that?”
Goofiness aside, we really are having an incredible experience here. I’m learning so much about better study and how the spirit works.
This week I was rereading the story of Nephi and the ship and found it interesting that his brothers saw that “It was good.” This is the same language we see used in the creation as well regarding the works of the Lord. Nephi’s ship was built after the manner of the Lord. I remembered some verses in Moroni 7 (Worth a read) that explain what Good things are and how to recognize them. Ever since, I’ve noticed how that word is used to describe things in the scriptures and it’s been interesting. Not every case works, but it seems like quite frequently it could be used for things that are of God. Kind of cool.
I was reading in Matthew and 1 Nephi about Lehi’s vision and had a thought about the rod of iron, or the scriptures/word of God. The Savior was able to refute every challenge of the adversary with scripture. Satan even tried to use scriptures in some of his challenges, but mingled with garbage. It didn’t work. Satan cannot use the iron rod against us. Hold on to it, guys!
We also see in that scripture in Matthew that Satan’s main/recurring temptation or challenge was for the Savior to do ___ IF he was who he was and is today. This is exactly the same thing we see with Moses in the Pearl of Great Price. He attacks our divine nature and infinite potential as sons and daughters of God, and heirs to all He has if we so choose to live. Remember who you are! If you’re not sure, start studying the scriptures with that question in mind. Or if not that question, any question. You’ll get answers. I promise.
Ask for God’s help. Alma, Nephi, and Lehi (And lots of others) show us that it’s not enough to be called, set apart, righteous, and doing what the Lord asks. PROPHETS that got the strength or guidance or instruction they needed only when they humbled themselves and asked God for what they needed.
Out of time, unfortunately. Love you guys! Praying for you always. Keep doing those good things, and write questions for general conference!!!
I LOVED the Face To Face event with Elder Cook and two Church historians, Kate Holbrook and Matt Grow last night. I always cheer for Brother Grow. He is the father of one of Tim’s friends.
They answer questions about transparency in Church history, the accounts of the First Vision, polygamy, translation of the Book of Mormon, and more. The historians’ words are eloquent and full of faith.
It’s a page-turner. But you don’t need a hard copy. You can read it on your devices here. There are links in the electronic document to take you to the primary and secondary sources. This is an approachable history and I am enjoying it!
In recent months, it has become very clear to me that empathetic people are powerful influencers. I think one of the things my sons have learned through my Relief Society service is empathy. They have been great supports these past 3 years, and this week, they had the perfect words to say in response to something that happened to me. Then they helped with dinner.
This weekend I learned that I lost the only record I kept of my time as Relief Society president: the calendar with the names of each sister I served every day. In my emotional fog after Daniel left on his mission, I attacked a stack of papers on my desk and tossed them in the recycling, not realizing my calendar must have been among these papers. This is a profound loss to me. I gave up writing in a journal during the years I have served, telling myself that this calendar was to be my record of my time as president. This calendar, God, and I are the only ones who know what I really did during these years, and I have a terrible memory. I have wept on the floor over this loss. Underlying this loss is the fear that what I have done just ascends as smoke and does not matter. But we all know that is nonsense, and in stronger moments than these I will feel better. Acts of love remain, and are never wasted.
I read an interesting article earlier this year about an author and speaker who took back his productivity by carving out one day a week that he labeled, “untouchable.” He allowed no calls, no texts, and no interruptions. He planned for these weekly events sixteen weeks in advance. He analyzed the results of his untouchable days, and he was 10X more productive each week. He has a wife who cared for the kids, so children were not part of his schedule during work hours.
Mothers don’t really get untouchable days, but I have learned that while a whole day may be great, even a few hours alone and untouchable can be helpful. The key for this author and for me has been to make a good plan for the time. Last year, when I wrote my book, my schedule allowed for about three hours a day for personal time. (This many hours was unheard of when I had all the kids at home.) I used one hour for scripture study and two for writing. Years ago, in an Ensign article, a man wrote about his mother who found her productive time was one hour before her ten children got up each day. This was never something I could do without regretting it by 10 am. My untouchable, personal time needs to be in the late morning, after I have done a few jobs around the house so my mind can focus.
I guess with school back in session, I am thinking a lot about productivity and creating good habits. New this year are the little cell phone baskets in the kitchen and we have each made a list of things we want to accomplish with all the time we will have because we are giving our phones a rest. On my list is to write another book and pick up the violin more often. There is a phrase that circulates through the Church of Jesus Christ, and that is that we are trying to raise a “sin resistant generation.” This is a different version of the idea of being “untouchable,” but I believe that taking back our personal time is one way we become spiritually resistant to sin, or untouchable.
I placed a few small fabric baskets in the kitchen. These are cell phone beds. This is where my phone stays most of the day. If it is not in my pocket, I don’t check it all the time. This weekend I also turned down my phone for most of the day Saturday. I only answered the most pressing texts. I kept it off during my date with Richard. By eleven o’clock, someone had decided I must be on vacation because I didn’t respond to her texts immediately. I don’t think I should have to be on call all of the time, but the reality is that people expect it because we all carry cell phones. When I take a break, I come back to messages wondering where I am, wondering if I have completed a task, and news, usually bad. Sometimes, I really don’t like my phone.
What do you think about this video? The narrowing sliver of time to create? The absence of stopping cues in social media? Of our tendency to visit sites that make us unhappy three times more often than those that do make us happy? Where do you draw lines with your phone use?
