Coming Clean

So, have you wondered about my random posts the last couple of days? They really aren't that random and they were things I needed to remember, that's why they're there.

Monday morning Doug walked in the door about 9:00am and I knew immediately he'd been laid off. We knew this was something that could happen but when he was first hired he was told it would be a day or two and he'd be able to move to another company. So the first question I asked was "For how long?" He said the union told him it would be weeks and that he'd probably be better off trying to accelerate his education. UGH! The tears started flowing. What were we going to do? I've spent 2 days crying- finally today was better. I was under control. Doug has spent the last few days looking for some kind of work. Just about anything will work because we hope this will be temporary. Problem is we don't know how temporary it will be...

Although this has been hard, I've definately felt some major blessings and have been watched out for. I've had 3 new zoning clients, another who I haven't seen in months called, another moved her appointment up and wants to come every other week for a few months. I also had a lady call me to do wedding flowers for her daughter. This was totally out of the blue, I guess I did her son's flowers (didn't ever meet him, just worked with the bride). Not only that but she insisted on paying today because she "just wanted to get it out of the way". So, after I take the money out for the flowers I will have some money. See, what did I tell you?

I just stumbled upon both of those quotes, the first one was when I felt no hope. I was reading some one's blog (can't even remember whose) and she'd linked to Pres. Uchtdorf's (sp?) talk. That paragraph grabbed me. The the next day when I was looking for some stuff for Young Women I found that quote on courage- the talk wasn't even about courage, but I knew then that's what I needed, courage. If I can be strong and have courage we'll be ok. My kids will be ok and maybe, just maybe, we'll make it out better than we came into it. (Remind me of that when I have to pay our bills!)

Courage

Just as David went to the brook, well might we go to our source of supply—the Lord. What polished stones will you select to defeat the Goliath that is robbing you of your happiness by smothering your opportunities? May I offer suggestions.
The stone of COURAGE will be essential to your victory. As we survey the challenges of life, that which is easy is rarely right. In fact, the course that we should properly follow appears at times impossible, impenetrable, hopeless.
Such did the way appear to Laman and Lemuel. When they looked upon their assignment to go unto the house of Laban and seek the records according to God’s command, they murmured, saying it was a hard thing that was required of them. Thus, a lack of courage took from them their opportunity, and it was given to courageous Nephi, who responded, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Nephi 3:7). The stone of courage is needed.

-President Thomas S Monson

Hope

Hope is not knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promise to us. It is confidence that if we live according to God’s laws and the words of His prophets now, we will receive desired blessings in the future. It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance.

- President Dieter Uchtdorf

Proud to Be

I can honestly say, I am proud to be American! As I've mentioned before, I love patriotic things. And the inauguration is no less touching. I think it is amazing that our country, where politics can get so mean, has such a dignified and celebratory way of changing leadership. I love that there are prayers. That these people still can acknowledge a higher power, I think that is so important, there is someone bigger than them and He is in control.

I like these kind of days, days that party lines come down, people quit fighting and embrace each other instead of only seeing differences.

I know it's not the most popular thing to say (and I don't mention politics on my blog much) but I have a great amount of respect for President Bush. No matter what you may think about him, he worked hard, he did what he thought was best, he loves our country and we haven't had another attack on our soil. I think anyone who is willing to give up their life and privacy and "normalcy" to serve deserves our respect and appreciation.

I look forward to a new presidency. I didn't vote for him. There are things I don't agree with him about. But he too is dedicating himself for the next four years (at least). He deserves and will receive my support. He too loves our country he wants what is best for it, whatever that may be.

I don't think having a new president is going to change everything. I believe the other levels of government have a much bigger role in that. But I think the country's attitude and energy can depend on our president.

"My Country 'tis of Thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing..."

A Realization

Tonight was our ward's Young Women New Beginnings. What a perfectly wonderful night! I have to admit I was a little bit nervous, but everything came through and the spirit was SO strong. We have incredible Young Women, now, they aren't perfect and there are some that we will always be praying and worrying about, but overall they are great! The girls all participated in the program and we had a great turn out. The whole program was about Christ, the young women values and women from the scriptures. I most definately had my heart touched!

For me, the most touching part of the night was at the end as all of the Young Women and leaders were singing "Have You Received His Image in Your Countenance" I looked at the parents and my heart was touched. Each parent had their eyes totally fixed on their daughter with total looks of love and adoration in their eyes. Many with tears in their eyes. I loved this. I hope the Young Women understood what they were seeing. I remember when I was that age I thought my parents were out to make my life miserable, I don't know that I would have ever recognized that love in my parents eyes. I was too dumb! Maybe these Young Women are smarter (I can hope but I don't think it is something you understand until you're a parent yourself.)

Young Women Values

In our Young Women we are trying to incorporate using the values more. So, I made these blocks. We are going to display them all together at big activities (New Beginnings, Young Women in Excellence, etc...) and then every month we'll have the value that we are highlighting sitting on our front table. They were pretty inexpensive. We used 1 2x6 piece of wood which was cut into 8" pieces and painted white. This cost about $3 at Home Depot. Then used vinyl letters, a lady in our ward cut them, but they would'nt have cost very much. The ribbon was our biggest expense but I was able to find most of it on clearance at Michael's.

eta: Because there have been a bunch of questions... Yes, I did the new value "virture", it just happens to be hiding. Its color is gold and if you look very closely you can see the gold bow behind "individual worth". :)

7 Things

Yup, I was tagged and honestly, I'm the worst at doing these tags, but I'm going to do it this time!

7 Things I Can Do Well

1- Organize other people's stuff or rooms

2- Organize paper information

3- Conduct Meetings (although I get VERY nervous)

4- Smile

5- Talk to other people, especially one-on-one

6- Waste time on the computer

7- Be involved in a million things at one time

7 Things I Can't Do

1- Run (but one day I'm going to- hopefully by May)

2- Clean & organize my own house

3- Stick to a routine

4- Go all day without talking to another adult

5- Say "no"

6- Stay away from treats

7-Be late- drives me nuts!
7 Things That Attracted me to Doug

1- His kindness

2- His spirituality

3- His love of children

4- The way he not only let me be independent but embraced and encouraged it!

5- The way he treated his mom.

6- He's smart

7- He likes his family.

7 Things I Always Say

1- "I've got too much to do!"

2- "Umm, I don't know"

3- "Hurry up!"

4- "Is it bed time yet?" Meaning for the kids

5- "What day is it?" Day or date, I never know...

6- "You're a goof!"

7- "Have you practiced yet?" "Go practice, NOW!"

7 Things I Love to Eat

1- Food!

2- Red meat

3- Firehouse, Roasted Chicken Salad

4- Turkey
5- Sushi

6- Carrots

7- Cucumbers

7 People I Tag

1- Holly

2- Alesa

3- Krysta

4- Andrea

5- Stacey

6- Eileen

7- Georgana