Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: Life is Good

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Life is Good

House is clean.

Kids are happy.

Ate chocolate today.

Going to bunco tomorrow.

Just finished a good book.

Christmas decorations are up.

Listening to Christmas music.

10 comments:

Annalee Kelly said...: I love it--the simple things bring us joy. I loved his book, too! It's our book club book this month. I have heard him speak live twice and he referred to his mother's death, but she committed suicide shortly after the Christmas sweater incident. So sad! Great moral and message.
I miss you.; 7:39 PM
Rachel Holloway said...: SOUNDS WONDERFUL!!!! Sigh...you obviously weren't at my house today. :); 7:40 PM
The Wisers said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 7:50 PM
The Wisers said...: Jealous jealous jealous
just got home from work
my hair is having a bad day
kids have so much energy
i need to get going on Christmas
but my mom is finally home; 7:52 PM
Amy said...: I am glad your life is good. Love the Christmas season and I am glad you house is ready for it. I still have a ton to do! Cute post!; 9:53 PM
The Oylers said...: Sounds like life is good...I am glad.; 7:41 AM
Brenda said...: I'm having a hard time believing the first two. That's one of those things that never happens--and the chance that it happens together at the same time? Wow!; 9:48 AM
nikib4kids said...: Wow, what a great day! Ah, to have 2 of those things on my list today would be great!; 12:58 PM
Lisa said...: i have felt such a peace as the christmas season draws near this year. we got our tree and our decorations up before the 1st of december and most of the christmas shopping done too. it feels great. now we can focus & enjoy the real meaning...; 2:08 PM
jen said...: Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog. I can't wait to see what you do with your new camera! I too am jealous of your clean house. My house....well, it could use a good hour of pick up & put away.; 9:51 PM

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