Crazy Christmas Time

Has it really been that long since I've posted on here?  I've been trying something a bit different with my recognition of gratitude.  Since I read that article about how students retain much more of their learning when they actually write their notes with pen and paper vs. taking notes on their laptop, I've wondered if my expressions of gratitude might be more meaningful to me if I write them down rather than just putting them down as part of my little blog-journal.  They say it takes 21 days to make something a habit.  So I committed to doing that for 21 days to see if I was more intentional about my gratitude.

He's off to the MTC!!!

So far, I'm not sure.  Some days it feels hard to find something specific, some blessing, to be writing down that I'm grateful for.  And that makes me sound shallow and selfish.  Which I try to not be.   Since I've been writing, my need for this forum has somehow diminished, though I think that my actual writing is of better quality, more interesting when I'm here on my computer.  That's why I started this in the first place.  My attempts at journaling in the past have been so inept and awful.  So maybe there's a compromise somewhere.  Today I just felt like putting my thoughts here.

We've been busy.  Our grandson is off to the MTC for his mission.  He goes with prayers and wings of hope fluttering around him.  After only a few days he had a "P" (preparation) day so he was able to call his Mom and that was just what they both needed.  He even managed to respond to an email I sent which was lovely.  He's in a safe place, doing what he desired and like all of our family we pray for his success.  In whatever form success takes for him.

I love the quilling. 

Our granddaughter was passing through on her way home from school for Christmas break.  We managed to snag what seemed like the very last ticket to Hale's "A Christmas Carol" on the same night as we already had tickets.  Of course that seat was far away from ours.  Leave it to The Husband to do the thoughtful kind thing.  He insisted on sitting in the far away seat so the women could all sit together.  What a Love!! That particular play isn't one of my favorite.  This was the first time we've paid the extra money to add this play onto our regular season tickets.  I'm glad we went, but my need to see this play has been satisfied for a while.

The Husband's computer was kaput.  It isn't that old, less than a year I think.  After exhausting all other avenues of fixes, we took it in to be repaired.  He struggled with it gone.  The iPad isn't quite the same, he was sort of lost without it.  Serendipitously, we stopped in at the Apple store yesterday just to see how much longer, and got there just about an hour after the "the computer is fixed, pick it up soon" order had been processed.  We were able to get it home and today he's a happy camper sitting in his appropriate spot working on it.

But for those few days, it was kind of fun.  He took some time to help me wrap the rest of the gifts.  On Monday when I was away for a few hours he really cleaned the closet.  I mean even to vacuuming the dust off the shelves that are 12 feet (just kidding, it only feels like that) above the floor that probably haven't been dusted since we moved in 18 years ago. Today he dusted the walls.  His clothes have been sorted, there's a pile to donate and wow, does it feel good in there.  I hope he's pleased with his efforts, I surely am.

Perfect morning for a walk.

My walk this morning began early, wanted to be home to see our granddaughter off.  It was 16 degrees out.  I had on two layers of pants and tops and warm earmuffs and gloves. It was dark when I left and barely light by the time I returned.  But it was fabulous.  My soul is really fed when I'm walking in the sunrise.  When there are few (if any) people about.  When I can pray while I walk and feel like I'm taking good advantage of the blessing of the beauty of this earth.  And think because I'm free from distractions that I'm somewhat closer to Heavenly Father.  And there's nothing quite like the sky in sunrise.  It's never the same twice, not even the same only minutes different in time.  I loved it.

Yesterday I had a visit with a sister from the ward, a neighbor and one I'm assigned to be ministering sister to.  My partner had to leave early, but this sweet sister wasn't finished with the visit.  So I stayed.  I learned that she'll be replacing me teaching Relief Society.  I'm happy - she'll be fabulous.  I'm still working on forgiving the Bishopric counselor for his clumsy, hurtful manner when we were talking with him on Sunday.  It was very clear that he doesn't know how to handle someone who disagrees with him.  My release from R.S. was very peripherally mentioned, he had a different agenda and it was difficult, somewhat painful for me. I know it will all be fine.  I just really dislike these kinds of things.

I dislike when I feel like I don't matter, that I haven't a brain, that I can't function without someone's telling me how I should feel or behave, or when someone keeps poking at me to get some "dirt" so they can then instruct me.  I dislike feeling like the odd one out when I don't share someone's opinion about something.  There should be room for us all in the world.  Even me.

And there should be kindness.  Disagreement with someone doesn't have to be spoken, it can be kept to one's self. I guess I'm weary of all the political nastiness that's currently going on, and people who make sure to shout their position on Facebook and other social media so everyone knows how superior they are.  We need to be equally kind.  Equally caring.  I'm grateful for those who do treat me like I'm an equal.