Little By Little

...and I do mean LITTLE...

This is what we got rid of today...

Okay, it's not much...I admit.

But, a book here and there, an item of clothing here and there.

Earlier this week, RAH took 2 big old honking televisions to DI....no one ever looks at them, so why not?!?!?!

It's all less for our kids to wade through - or maybe even us, if we downsize.

And, I have a clean shelf to show for today's efforts.

Sylvia

"You talk, I'll listen," she said slowly with deliberation.

Her trigeminal neuralgia was very painful.

I told her some things about the neighborhood,  a story about my family, chattered about Halloween.

She briefly commented on her son and his business enterprise; mentioned her grandchildren coming to visit in their costumes, and wondered - again - because the pain was so intense - if the Lord was trying to teach her patience.

I walked out into the crisp fall air.

I was overcome with gratitude for this dear, dear friend and her goodness, her tenderness, her smile, her love of family and Gospel, and most of all, her PATIENCE.

Let There Be LIGHT

China...

I loved to go shopping at the NIGHT market...which implies NIGHT and dark.

However, walking home after dark across the unlighted campus was unnerving for me.

Oh, not because I feared for my safety like I would in America.

No, it's because the sidewalks were filled with uneven chunks and blobs of concrete and pieces of steel sticking up through the concrete.  

It was dangerous to walk in the light and even more so in the night because the streets and walkways were not lighted at all.

St George, Utah....

I think of those night-time walks in China every time I go to the temple in the early morning hours.

The parking lot here is effused with LIGHT....I'm able to see clearly and I don't have to worry about tripping over huge chunks of .....something.

Walking through the LIGHT to get to the temple is a good way to prepare for the light of being inside the temple also.

For me,

I like the LIGHT

of the Gospel

and of the parking lot.

From Food Stamps to Savings - A Sunday Story to Share

Jason was fired from several jobs; coach of a women's college ball team, a computer tech, salesman, and others.

He was fired for two reasons:

He had a serious health issue which meant he didn't feel well many days, and an even more serious attitude problem.

So, he would do any job to keep food on the table for his little family of a wife and two young children.  He drove shuttle bus, gave music lessons......

And, on his drives around town, he began listening to motivational tapes that he purchased at the DI; they inspired him.  They helped him see that he COULD change.

Also, he got a fantastic job, which allowed him some time/freedom to pursue his passion - BMX racing.

Armed with an attitude adjustment, Jason's life began to change.  He had some income - a pretty good income.

He and his wife made a decision; they would live on the small income they had before getting his good job.  Their standard of living would not increase because their paycheck did.

His savings began to grow.  He was totally out of debt.  He was successful in his career path and in his hobby.

Jason still has serious health issues, but he is managing those through exercise and good nutrition.

Life is good for Jason and his wife.

He went from needing food stamps each month to having a very hefty savings account.

I love to hear the Sunday stories.

Because they are of real people with real challenges, real heart aches, real solutions.

Jason, thanks for sharing your inspiring story with me.

It will be a treasured memory in my Sunday stories to share.

An Epiphany

"Recently," my neighbor told me.....

" I was feeling really sorry for myself.  No one seemed to appreciate what I did for them or even appreciate me," she added.

"I had given some children a Halloween treat; no response.  I had taken a neighbor some home-made items; no response.  My long-time friend became unfriendly and didn't want to interact with me any more.  Another friend told me she didn't have time to even go to lunch over the next few weeks.

"I was at a very very low point, sort of feeling sorry for myself and certainly not appreciated.

"And, then on a beautiful autumn morning as I was having those thoughts, I thought about the Saviour and the millions of people who do not appreciate Him or what HE has done for them.

"I was ashamed, embarrassed, and humbled.  And I resolved that I would try harder to be appreciative of others was well as of the Saviour.

"It was a very significant moment," she told me in reverence.

 I went away reflective and grateful.

Expectations

Just lower them...

then you'll be happier,

the old woman said.

Good advise or bad?

T.W.I.N.S.

A and B were identical twins and more importantly - the best of friends growing up:

singing together,
playing together,
sharing secrets together.

They got married, lived in the same small town, had kids, continued to be each other's very best friends;

supported one another through some challenging trials in life....including a divorce for A.

And, one day on a walk, A told B she was moving away; she had to get on with her life and move from the small town where everyone knew her story.

B exploded; "It's always about YOU," she screamed at her twin.  "You never think of others!  I've supported you, listened to you," etc., etc., etc.

B turned and walked away from A.

They have not spoken since that day.

A is confused, hurt, wondering.  She sent B an apologetic letter asking for forgiveness, pleading to know what she had done; what was wrong....

no response.

I listened to the story, sad, shaken, and a bit bewildered myself.

Life, with all its challenges....does not need to include war in families.

So sad.

So painful.

And, so unnecessary.