So, January ended. The first month of tracking my goals for the year. That's a record for me. Usually by now I have no recollection of what my goals were, and whatever paper I had them written down on is long gone.
I am doing great at scheduling things and staying organized. I feel less frazzled and less anxious that I'm missing something important. I finished my first non-fiction book about Abraham Lincoln. It was by Timothy Ballard and he tied Abraham's mission to abolish slavery and renewing our nation's covenant to Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. It was fascinating and really strengthened my testimony that America truly is the promised land and that God's hand is in all parts of history. I am grateful to have the privilege of living here and want to do my part to protect this sacred, free land.
My big downers have been with food and exercise. I have these cycles- I eat well for 2-3 weeks, and I feel the energy and strength to exercise. Then I hit a wall- I fatigue, I get incredibly hungry and nothing seems to satisfy me. I don't binge eat or shovel total junk in my mouth, but I make more poor choices and tend to crave the carbs. I don't understand it. I'm just starting to come out of that cycle now, but it's so maddening!
I want to end on the upside though:
Budget- although we were over budget this month... we did a budget and tracked it!
Scripture/prayer- I haven't been perfect at this, but I feel pretty good about it.
Piano- not 100% on my goal to play daily, but I'm playing a lot more than I ever have.
TED talks- I'm 100% on watching one a week. I've learned a lot and enjoy them greatly. The best part is that Logan has gotten into them and likes to watch them with me.
VT- I had 100% visiting teaching for January with all 3 of the sisters in their homes. I love this inspired program.
This week Tyler is on a business trip. Since it was in Vegas (yuck!), he included SLC in his itinerary to check out the areas we are thinking about settling next. We have missed him! This week I had 3 kids home very sick with the flu and 3 showings. I was so overwhelmed, tired and well, just that motherly tired and worried. Two of my best friends (Melissa Clark and Robin Yeamans) left grocery bags with all sorts of helpful items- medicine, food, comfort food, toothbrushes, Gatorades. I was so touched, and that kind service kept me going. More than anything, it was a tender mercy from Heavenly Father letting me know he's aware of me and that he has sent angels to be my friends and help me.
On a separate note, a sister I visit teach, Shelly Wold, lost her 5 month old baby this last week to suffocation. It is terribly sad. They are a less active family that we haven't seen for months, but the Lord softened their hearts tremendously and they have opened their hearts and home to us to love, hug and comfort them at this time. I had a very special visit alone with just her and her husband just days after it happened. I went to deliver dinner. As I drove there, I could not think of anything to say to them. I was nervous, but knew I was on the Lord's errand. When I arrived Shelly was crying and asking a lot of questions. The pain in her face and in her voice was so intense. I was so sad for them. As she spoke, the Lord put scriptures and other stories in my mind and I knelt down near them and just opened my mouth. I was the Lord's mouth for a while. I knew the words coming out of me were not me speaking. He wanted her to know the things that came to my mind. I have never had that happen so strongly before. With each thing I said, the crying was calmed. Hope entered the room and their hearts. Joy replaced pain for a moment and they were getting the message they needed to hear. Before I left she told me that all of the questions she had been praying to God to know were answered during that visit. I was so humbled. I know it wasn't me. It was God working through me and I felt honored to work with Him that night. That experience has bonded Shelly and I so closely together. I love her with all of my heart.
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