Category: Life according to Angela

current reading and current mood

Last week, I gathered some of my books that I found in various places throughout the house. I realized that I am in the process of reading 10 books, and that’s probably a personal record. I can predict the books that I will finish first and the ones that will change me. They are not the same. 😏 There are many purposes for reading, and my 10 books represent that.

I am in a phase of life where I can do a lot of reading, but my book count doesn’t reflect that. Even though I am reading 10 books at once, I am still finishing them at about the same rate. So, there is no magic when the children leave home. I am still the same person with the same habits. The only real change is that I’ve lost some zeal and capacity to do some things that once came easily for me.

It’s just a very quiet, baffling time of life.

And with that happy thought, I will go pull a bucket of weeds in the yard and see what the sky and earth can teach me about seasons and life and new growth. After a few more tasks, you’ll find me reading. 🙂

Endnotes

I have needed the counsel from my patriarchal blessing all my life, especially at times of decision or challenge.

Over time, I have discovered that there are many scriptures quoted throughout my blessing. Sometimes they are indicated with quotation marks, but more often, a few words are woven into the cadences of sentences without notation. This opens a new level of discovery for me. As I find and study the quoted passages, these scriptures provide context, expand my understanding, and often give me a scripture hero with whom I can relate. As I collect these hidden references, they become valuable endnotes to my patriarchal blessing.

Every time you wonder what you should do with your life, study your patriarchal blessing. Every time you want to feel God’s love, read your patriarchal blessing. Your patriarchal blessing is your own personal revelation, and it’s scripture just for you.

-Teresa Bell, The Hand of God in Your Life

Here is a link to Teresa Bell’s talk with some of the best insights and doctrine about patriarchal blessings. The segment begins at minute 17:43.

The Hand of God in Your Life 

Decluttering some journals

I felt a nudge to clean out two boxes of journals and memorabilia last week. From reams of paper from my teenage and college years, I pulled a thin collection of excerpts to keep. Most pages landed solidly in the trash bin, but the process of sorting was enlightening. Here are some takeaways:

I have come a long way and overcome a lot.

I still have some patterns of thought that began in childhood that I need to conquer.

My family will not have to sort through this trash someday. Thank goodness.

Not every thought and emotion is accurate and worthy to keep.

My words awoke some empathy for what young women experience during these years.

The writing I kept:

  • Anything about my family
  • A few entries about my friends
  • Violin and science achievements
  • Goals
  • Especially funny and memorable experiences
  • Expressions of my testimony of Jesus Christ

I have always intended to leave behind a written record of my life, but it will be edited for content and length. (Says the woman who has also written thousands of blog posts. 😉)

What an honor

I attended this young lady’s temple endowment this week and it was one of the biggest honors of my life to be included.

I remember my grandmother using the same word, “honored,” as she accompanied me for my endowment. I noted this, but didn’t understand why she would say it until I learned the significance of temple covenants for myself.

I think my grandmother understood that she was witnessing the sacred acts that would bring Heavenly Father closer to me and allow the Atonement of Jesus Christ to do its work in me…enabling me to overcome anything.

What an honor it is to witness the stunning grace of God for a loved one.

And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them;

Doctrine and Covenants 109:22

16 years. 1 year. 6 months

Sixteen years today I began writing this blog. What do I think of that? I think it’s probably more than almost anyone needs or wants to read. But the blog is a personal accomplishment and I celebrate this milestone. Thanks for reading. 🩷

Little W— is one. 💙

Today I am also celebrating Mark, who has been a missionary for six months. He is serving in the mission office for a few hours a day and talking to people for the rest of the time. I miss him. It is hard to have him gone, but I know it’s the best thing. Perhaps I am more yielded and still about it than I think.

A block tower in honor of Mark, who always builds one during general conference. ♥️🐒

The Father’s good will

Luke 22:41-42

What was God’s will in Christ’s agony?

Doctrine and Covenants 29:5

I have learned that Heavenly Father wants to give us experiences with his kingdom in our lives right now, not just in the afterlife. The following parables in Matthew 13 teach us how.

Life in the kingdom begins with small acts of faith and becomes a beautiful home, providing shelter and protection from the world. Others will be drawn to it, so all kinds of personalities will be in this “tree.” There is room to sit together and figure out life.

Small acts of faith bring great blessings because God is generous. The benefits of the kingdom impact all areas of life, and can bless the people within the believer’s influence.

The kingdom is the source of joy and will require the sacrifice of all worldly things to attain it.

It’s something we must seek, and nothing compares in value. It will be the pinnacle of life’s labors.

Great pains will be given to gather all, but eventually, only those who choose to obey may stay.

So, in whatever way you are experiencing the kingdom of heaven in your life: seeking answers, finding shelter, rejoicing, sacrificing, repenting, feeling pulled away from your old life…this is all part of the plan to gather you home to the Father.

I know His will for us is so, so good, so let’s hold on together.

Amplify

Here are some of my thoughts from a recent study of Doctrine and Covenants 25.

One thing I have misread in scripture with my modern eyes is the instruction to Emma Smith that her “time shall given to writing.” The Lord wasn’t telling her to be a writer or historian while running a 19th century household. Occasionally, she was to write as a scribe for Joseph. She was also to write in preparation to expound scripture and exhort the church.

I have found guidance and wisdom from this section of scripture all my life. One reason I misunderstood what the Lord was telling Emma was because the Spirit was inspiring me to actually be a writer through these words.

This scripture is still instructive to me. Like it was for Emma, my efforts to write help me learn new things. With this knowledge, I can amplify the gospel of Jesus Christ within my circle of influence.

In writing about faith and sharing glimpses of family life on the blog these past 16 years, I don’t think I’ve expressed anything new. However, I have come to see truth more clearly, so I have “learn[ed] much!”

pen pal

I have a sort of pen pal that I exchange texts with once a week. This friend is a neighbor and I see her often, but there is something special about those Saturday check-in texts. For years we have shared a range of ideas, from little experiences to really important milestones.

Here is something that I wrote to my pen pal recently. This is an example of how sharing a story in writing helped me find a lesson from the experience and a flaw in my thinking.

Normally, when I talk to homeschool moms, they are not interested in anything I have to offer, including books that I am willing to give away. I pulled many homeschool books from my shelves this month to donate to DI, but decided to send photos of the books to some homeschool friends first. Within seconds, some claimed books via text, and within an hour, most of them were collected from the house. It took my breath away to see so many of my treasures leave the house, but it felt good to see that they will be appreciated in their new homes. The lesson for me is that the photos of the books, sent via text, were more effective than an open invitation to come take some books anytime. It seems obvious now, but I spent a lot of time thinking people weren’t interested. They just needed details and a deadline. 😄