Remembering Wholeness

No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.

--Confucius

I decided a few months ago that I simply was not reading enough. Since September I've read six and am working my way through two more. My book review today, however, is a book I read long ago, dog-earring so many pages that I loved. 

And it sat and sat, waiting patiently for me to do something about those marked up pages. Today's the day.

Remembering Wholeness. The author talks a lot of finding energy in the universe and using this energy to create a better life for ourselves. A lot of it I found kind of hokey. She seemed to have this idea of being able to be in complete control of her life. I don't agree with that premise. I think the moment we think we have complete control, God will ensure that we don't. BUT, a lot of tidbits I wholeheartedly agreed with, and those little nuggets are what are captured below.

*Thriving is more than having a lot of money, a physically fit body, and great relationships. Thriving is a spiritual experience. You can know who you are and why you are here. Thriving is having an ongoing rich relationship with the heavens and calling upon its powers to effect tremendous outcomes in behalf or your life and others.

*If you want to know what the most powerful beliefs are about yourself -- whether you are aware of them or not -- just look at your life.

*Start right now imagining your life exactly as you want it to be. . . . Pain and struggle are familiar to all of us, yet it is not our natural state. Our natural state is to feel good and to know happiness.

*We come into this world with the soul intent on remembering who we are -- our gifts, our glory, our power, and our god-self. We choose an interesting way of remembering: we are remembering by experiencing who we are not.

*The heavens want to assist in creating that which brings us more joy. They want us to be in a state of joy so we can move through our lives giving joy to more people. Do not sit and wait for God to make your life better. Set an intention to partner with God in creating a wonderful life, and you will experience the miracle of how quickly it can happen.

*By choosing to be accountable and taking ownership of everything you experience, you will really have the power to create a wonderful life. . . . We learn more and more clearly what we do want as a byproduct of experiencing what we don't want. The next time you have an experience you don't want, ask yourself what you do want and start creating it.

*The success of God's plan is not dependent on us. There is always someone to replace us if we fail to fulfill our contracts. Does God love us any less if we choose out? I believe not. God has complete allowing and unconditional love for each of us, no matter what we do. If we fail to live a higher level of spirituality or choose out of our contracts, we deny ourselves blessings. We are not loved any less; we have just chosen a different experience.

*[God] wants us each to create as much success as possible; he compares us with no one. It really is up to you. What do you want to experience? What do you want to acquire spiritually? Don't be so hard on yourself. Have more fun and be more playful with all of this. It is meant to bring us joy now, not just a byproduct of joy later.

*Come unto Christ and become God-reliant as well as self-reliant. (Oooh, I really liked that.)

*Albert Einstein once said, "I want to know the thoughts of God; everything else is details." In a state of charity, we know the thoughts of God. We are connected to the light of Christ so completely, it is as if the light of heaven and the thoughts of God communicate to our intelligence directly.

These are the days of . . . 
*My Grandpa DeLaMare's birthday. It's today, November 27. He was an airplane mechanic in India during WWII.

*Santa letters . . . seems pretty easy, right. And you got to love free!

*Marshmallow pyramids

*The neverending college applications which inundate our mailbox and now have Erik's name on them along with Kiersten's

*And even more wonderful neighbors who send my kids home with food. Got to love those friends who work for Kellogg's. She assured me that my kids did not tell her they were starving. We do eat :) We are just eating food from our food storage because this is the very reason it's there.

Time Out for Women

Several months ago I had a friend ask me about attending Time Out for Women. I've been once before and have loved going to Education Week and Women's Conference. And how fun it would be to go with Kiersten also. My friend signed both of us up.

It  came at a much needed time in my life where I was needing a little lifting and reprieve from the burdens of life.

I came home feeling my load lighter, not that anything has changed, but that my spirit and hope had been re-energized. There was a lot of laughter, a lot of tears, a lot of song, a lot of good feelings. Love those endorphins.

Some of my highlights:

*God sends messages in ways that are so personal to each of us in our own language
*When you choose God, you will never be the same -- MICHAEL MCLEAN (my favorite speaker)

*You're gonna need some faith in the middle to keep you moving forward -- HILARY WEEKS (really needed this)

*Celebrate the everyday miracles
*Assume the best
*Never hold back a compliment

*God does not answer our prayers the way we want. He answers them better -- always better -- ALISSA PARKER (lost a daughter at Sandy Hook Elementary)

*Church is a support group for Christians

*God will give us 6 goods before giving us the very good
*Jesus is always looking up and seeing people -- S. MICHAEL WILCOX

*We get so concerned with the beginnings and endings that our middles are a little restless -- MERCY RIVER

*Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good

*There is a difference between God allowing things to happen to us and willing things to happen -- LAUREL DAY

*Sometimes following the spirit makes us uncomfortable -- LISA VALENTINE CLARK

This last one reminded me of some advice given to me from my wonderful bishop:

Periodically we are allowed to see the wisdom in the test. One thing I know: this life is about growth more than it is about safety, security, recreation, or control. In fact, growth often only comes when we lose safety, security, and control.

These are the days of . . . 

*pie and thanksgiving -- the one thing I am most grateful for this season is the gift of prayer

*waiting -- those boys above are waiting for pie (so glad Linda snapped this picture) and we are waiting for job interview results

*Alex and George, his side-kick stuffed monkey

My way or the Lord's way

My favorite general conference talk was by Elder Nattress: "No Greater Joy Than to Know That They Know." I received a strong impression that we were to start reading the Book of Mormon as a family again, starting immediately. For the past three years we have been reading the book of scripture that the seminary students are reading and this year we were working our way through the New Testament.

The next morning "I Nephi" commenced.

Recently we read of Nephi breaking his bow. In 1 Nephi 16:18 it says nothing of breaking the arrows, just the bow. A few verses later, Nephi tell us of crafting a new bow AND new arrows. Now, why couldn't he have just made a new bow to go with the old arrows he still had?

We have a gentleman in our ward who has been shooting bows and arrows since he was very small. He commented one day in Sunday School that Joseph Smith, with his limited background, could not have known that bows and arrows go together. You break a bow, you make new arrows to go with that bow. What an interesting insight from an expert in the field.

I was also thinking about Nephi and his brothers having to return to Jerusalem to obtain the brass plates, or the scriptures.

The first attempt recorded in 1 Nephi 3:10-11 has Nephi and his brothers consulting with one another about what to do and then casting lots as to who was going to simply go ask for the plates.

Ya, that didn't work.

The second attempt in verse 22 has them trying to purchase the plates from Laban.

Yep. Didn't work.

At this point they are frustrated and angry and ready to give up. On their third attempt, Nephi heads into Jerusalem being "led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do."

Ding, ding, ding! This time he was successful. 

So what made all the difference?

The first couple of times, those brothers, Nephi included, tried to do things their own way, using their own wisdom and understanding, their own skills. Not until Nephi followed the Spirit were they successful.

Is there something you are badly in need of? Something you desperately desire? [Our little family understands a little about needing something desperately, like employment for instance  :)]

The Lord knew how to get those plates and he knows how to help us obtain what we righteously desire and are in need of. Listening and heeding the Spirit of God is the key.

I have a bishop who is so good at following the Spirit's direction. That is a gift I greatly desire and am working on.

These are the days of . . . 
*working my first full week -- I think that 6th grade class liked me.

*basketball tryouts -- Erik attempted again for the high school team and was cut again. What courage. I don't think I would have tried a third time.

*early morning math -- Ash was nominated to be a part of a special early morning math team with a competition coming up in February.

*fasting and prayer

*a great friend and visiting teacher who invited me to be a part of her sealing session -- I haven't done sealings since I got married and that was a special experience.

*making consecrated bread for the sacrament with my Laurels -- We are so close to completing Mel's personal progress for her.

When life hands you a lemon . . .

It's been two weeks since news of our job loss was announced, and I am so in awe at the many good, thoughtful people I am surrounded by.

Last week an acquaintance from church stopped by with a potted bulb to brighten up my day. She could tell that the Sunday before I was struggling. What remarkable kindness. Her sweet gesture will be something I'll always remember.

My brother-in-law on my side of the family called Tyler the other day, asking how he was doing. His concern meant a lot to Ty.

Today, my relief society president dropped a 25 pound bag of flour off on my doorstep. Her family has recently been diagnosed with allergies to gluten and can no longer use it. What generosity. I'm sure there are a myriad of others who could use it more than we. I also love that she is staying true to her Lake Point heritage and buying "peacock" flour :) Anyone who visits our little town will know that peacocks are our trademark by the many that roost in the trees and roam the streets freely.

I also received 4 different text messages today asking how I was doing in addition to my dad checking on us and along with many Facebook messages.

I am so blessed to know so many good-to-the-bone people. May I always remember to be more like them.

These are the days of . . . 
*a new job for Kiersten -- working at McDonald's
*a new job for Erik -- he quit Hometown Pizza and his crazy manager to try Del Taco
*candy, LOTS of Halloween candy
*straight A's for all our kids