Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: You Know You've Got Friends When...

you throw a pity party and you get presents!!! My sweet friends Felicia and Vanessa sent me a care package, because I'm a big baby. I've just been sitting here crying, amazed that they would do this for me! They both have trials of their own... I would dare say much harder than mine. What amazing women, and wonderful friends!

Sorry the picture is upside down. I don't know how to fix it, but you can read it anyway. I love how they "cured" all of my problems! (Well, there wasn't a cure for the roof there, but I'll call the fabric good enough to help that!)

Now I'm crying again. How would you girls know that just yesterday I saw some Zinnias on the field trip I went on with Cooper, and thought I should plant some because they looked so happy? How would you girls know that I LOVE the Prairie Paisley line? And Felicia... did you remember that peanut butter m&m's are my favorite from the quilting retreat? It's all so cute, and thoughtful. I love you both! Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. I hope that someday I can be as good of a friend as you both are!

To Do Today

* Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks. The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by him, and nothing is impossible for you.
* When you are physically sick, tired, or in despair, steer your thoughts away from yourself and direct them, in gratitude and love, toward God.
* In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take.
* First and foremost, you are a spirit child of God. If you neglect to feed your spirit, you will reap unhappiness. Don't permit anything to detract you from this awareness.
* You cannot communicate with God unless you have first sacrificed your self-oriented natural man and have brought yourself into the lower levels of meekness, to become acceptable for the Light of Christ.
* Put all frustrations, hurt feelings, and grumblings into the perspective of your eternal hope. Light will flow into your soul.
* Pause to ponder the suffering Christ felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the awareness of the depth of gratitude for him, you appreciate every opportunity to show your love for him by diligently serving in his Church.
* God knows that you are not perfect. As you suffer about your imperfections, he will give you comfort and suggestions of where to improve.
* God knows better than you what you need. He always attempts to speak to you. Listen, and follow the uncomfortable suggestions that he makes to us--everything will fall into its place.
* Avoid any fear like your worst enemy, but magnify your fear about the consequences of sin.
* When you cannot love someone, look into that person's eyes long enough to find the hidden rudiments of the child of God in him.
* Never judge anyone. When you accept this, you will be freed. In the case of your own children or subordinates, where you have the responsibility to judge, help them to become their own judges.
* If someone hurts you so much that your feelings seem to choke you, forgive and you will be free again.
* Avoid at all cost any pessimistic, negative, or criticizing thoughts. If you cannot cut them out, they will do you harm. On the road toward salvation, let questions arise but never doubts. If something is wrong, God will give you clarity but never doubts.
* Avoid rush and haste and uncontrolled words. Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet. Be aware of that as you enter places of worship.
* Be not so much concerned about what you do, but do what you do with all your heart, might, and strength. In thoroughness is satisfaction.
* You want to be good and to do good. That is commendable. But the greatest achievement that can be reached in our lives is to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. Then he will teach us what is really good and necessary to do.
* The pain of sacrifice lasts only one moment. It is the fear of the pain of sacrifice that makes you hesitate to do it.
* Be grateful for every opportunity to serve. It helps you more than those you serve.
* And finally, when you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that, as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better.

from "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit by F. Enzio Busche

8 comments:

Jason said...: Aw, that's really nice. It's nice to have good friends.; 2:40 PM
Marci said...: what sweet ladies...don't good girlfriends rock? no-one knows like another woman how to spread good cheer.; 2:56 PM
Janice {Run Far} said...: Sounds like you have some pretty amazing friends.; 3:57 PM
Rachel Holloway said...: That is so thoughtful and sweet!! What great gals!; 5:03 PM
Adam Howell said...: So Mindy, I'll help you with your picture. Go to where you have it saved as a file. Right click on it. Click on the button that says "Rotate Clockwise" twice and you are done. Then you just upload it again and it will be right side up.

I hope that works. I'm going to come and visit you one of these weekends during the summer. Just you wait.; 11:52 PM
Mindy said...: THanks for the tutorial, Adam! You are amazing! I probably won't fix it though, because I am lazy. Plus, I think it's fun for everyone to have to read it upside down. I will keep that in mind for next time, though!

I hope you come visit us soon! We would LOVE to have you come!!!!; 9:16 PM
Tari said...: Hey I just found your blog and wanted to say hello, Sounds like you have some great friends back home. I'm sorry you have to be so far away from them, know that you can come over any time and have a pitty party here. We're just as pittiful.; 7:26 AM
V and Co. said...: i just did it cause i expect the same back if not better...just so you know. ;); 6:03 PM

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

You Know You've Got Friends When...

8 comments: