Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: Happier Stuff

Friday, November 21, 2008

Happier Stuff

In all the excitement of the plumbing yesterday, I forgot to blog about the good times. My sister, Brenda, came to visit me Monday through Wednesday this week, with her three adorable kids. (That's her 11 year old, Kaitlyn with me in the picture I stole from Brenda's blog... I forgot about cameras the whole time she was here!) We did all sorts of fun crafty things, like scrapbook paper magnets, menu organizers, etc. We also went to kickboxing, and spent some time outside in the gorgeous fall weather, and I got to fix Kaitlyn's hair twice!

I wish I could see them more often! At least we live a lot closer to each other than we used to! (Thanks for putting up with cold and snow so that can be possible, Brenda!) I need more of those laugh so hard you almost pee your pants moments...

8 comments:

Amy said...: I commented on Brenda's blog about how cute I thought that picture is of both of you! I am glad you had some family down to visit ya!; 1:47 PM
Brenda said...: Thief! We should probably take more pictures next time.; 2:01 PM
Rachel Holloway said...: Well! How fun is that! Looks like some sunshine in your weekend after all!; 3:24 PM
Anonymous said...: Wait a minute! who said Brenda could be old enough to have an 11 y/o??? :) She is darling and looks like her mom. (Mindy are we gonna let these youngsters make us look old? lol); 6:20 PM
Anonymous said...: Good night! I'm so sorry for your woes! How frustrating for you and your husband. I totally feel your pain! We are doing similair this year as well...no major plumbing but still! Grr....We will have another girls night out. It sounds like you coudl use one! ooo...we might need a bunco sub. for Dec. want to?! Let me know!; 3:13 AM
Anonymous said...: hey... i want a crafty day; 11:04 AM
Lisa said...: it sure sounds like fun. what a nice, cool aunt you are. kaitlyn sure is a beautiful young lady.; 11:36 PM
The Oylers said...: I am glad you were able to have fun. I wish we could visit you and make crafts and stuff. Love you.; 1:38 PM

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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