A Couple Articles

I read this book by Sheri Dew when it came out.  But I loved this refresher about what the adversary does to distract us and chain our souls.

Satan's Tactics 

And I thoroughly enjoyed this article about Emily Belle Freeman.  

New General YW President

It can be easy to think other people have it all:  popularity, power, prestige, prosperity and therefore are more valued, worthy, loved, important.  I know that comparison is the thief of joy.  It's an oft quoted truism.  Intellectually, theoretically it's easy to agree.  Sometimes emotionally - not quite so easy.  So the comment to rephrase the question (or belief) "what is my place in the church" to  "What is my place in God's plan" really resonated with me.  I have long believed, quite strongly, that there's a reason we are all different.  We are not meant to be copies of each other - to look alike, dress alike, behave alike, etc.  And there is room in God's plan for every one of us.  His plan is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.  Every single one of us. And I want to believe that He wants us to experience this life with joy as well.

I mentioned to someone the other day that it might be wise to, in effect, put some blinders on.  I need to take my own advice.  When comparison rears its ugly head, when I'm feeling inferior, when someone seems to always walk the easy road.  I just need to keep my head in my own space, do my best, work hard and center my focus and goal on our Savior.  I will definitely keep trying.

And I've put the few remaining houseplants on notice:  do better / thrive or I'm giving up on you.  Used to be that I'd have pretty decent success with houseplants. But lately, I don't know, I guess I've lost my touch.  And maybe even my desire.  I know that houseplants are good for you and your home.  When they're healthy and happy.  Mine are slowly all going downhill.  I've one lone orchid left that I will suffer for when it goes.  It was a gift from our son who we rarely see.  But when he's here he always makes sure to go over and see how the orchid is doing.  It bloomed for an entire year straight.  But since then, is just hanging on.  I'm baffled at how all of a sudden (over the last roughly year or so) I can't seem to keep any plant happy.   So, we'll see if the stern lecture I've given them has any effect.

Grateful that tomorrow is our haircuts.  Because of both our haircutter and our schedules, we had to go 5 weeks between cuts this time.  Not only has it felt like forever, but I've felt like I look much less well-groomed.  I've had bad hair days every day for weeks.  

And also grateful that I've some time this afternoon to have a bit of relaxation.  Spent way too much at Costco (when do we not?) but it feels good to have gotten that task over this morning.  I've only some ironing left to do, some fabric cutting for the in-progress project and then I can sit for a bit with a book.Looking forward to it.