Monday 11 July 2016

Small and wonderful things . . .





"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard

A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.


 

Random acts of kindness and the kindness of strangers.

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. ~Matthew 25: 35-40

If you have ever been the recipient of random acts of kindness, or the giver, you will know how very much they bless your life, and in a multitude of ways.  Kindness is a gift which blesses both the giver and the receiver.

 

Happy little boys  . . .

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Helpful little boys.  Gabe is helping his dad build a fire so that they can toast their morning croissants.  The love of family.  Building of memories.  Making the most of what you have.


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Sleeping angels.  I want to tenderly kiss those little heads.  I love them so very much.


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He makes me smile.  Always.

Oh, I love my sons and grandsons and daughters and granddaughters.  My heart swells with it so much that it could burst open.  Sometimes I can't contain it and it does.  But that's okay.  Its a good thing.


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Another sleeping angel . . .


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And a "sleepy" angel . . .



The comfort of knowing the "last one" is settled and happy and beginning a beautiful chapter in their lives.

 

Friendships and love for each other forged by the opportunity to serve together.  The Johansens, Sister Harp, Sister Walker, Elder Deiterich and another EMM Missionary I never got to meet, reunited in Utah.  I am sure it was Sister Walker's homecoming.   So wonderful.  Our Mission President is always telling us that we haven't been put together by accident and that we were destined in the eternities to serve together.  I think he is right.  We have a sacred bond with each other and a sacred work which we happily engage in together, and it feels like family, and a forever family.  Hard to explain . . .

 

And again . . .  Elder Swallow, Elder Johnson (the frog whisperer) and Elder Hollingsworth.

Reunions.   I miss them.


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We had so much fun together, even if it was work.   I had an e-mail from Elder Singsam, Cody, this morning.  Yay!  Made me smile.

My life is filled abundantly with small and tender joys.  Overall,  I am very blessed.   Very blessed indeed.


A thought to carry with you through today . . .

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
“The divine nature within us ignites 
our desire to reach out to others 
and prompts us to act.” 
~Rosemary M Wixom
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

Spiritual Enlightenment


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In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Chicken Caesar Wraps.  Seriously tasty and quite healthy too!  Love 'em!  I think you will too!


I wish for you a week abundantly filled with small and wonderful things. Please know that . . .


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And I do too!


 

5 comments:

  1. Good morning Marie. I love today's post and I love little ones sleeping too. That was my favourite part of early childhood and my children. I loved bathing them , feeding them, and the nightly routine that finished with stories, singing and bed.

    I will finish here because no matter what I do or try today I am in the wrong. So I am looking forward to bed time.

    God bless.

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  2. I am so sorry you have had a bad day Suzan. Sending you much love and hugs. Rest well when bedtime comes and remember tomorrow is a new day. xoxo

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  3. It is a good feeling to know your children are settled in and happy. I rejoiced when my baby got married. That was a few years ago and now he too has children of his own. Hope you have a great new week ahead !

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  4. Such a happy post Marie:)
    Everyone you love..is all good♥

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  5. Lovely sharing smiles for us today Marie, it's lovely when we can see those that we love happy and settled in whatever they are doing. We are so lucky to have good friends. Today has been my friend Pams day, she visits every Monday from the day we both retired that is over 23 years now only exception is when either of us away or such like. Oh yes, Monday is a very special day and today I even had her and she had me just to ourselves...we did a wee run to a local garden centre and treated her to delicious cheese scone mmmmmm.....even the sun shone down on us after a wet dull start....On Friday friends we met on our cruises are coming to stop over for two nights( they have a large camper van that Muriel is allowing them to park in her car space) they have also met Pam and Henry so I have arranged for them to come over on Friday and we can all go out for lunch...they always call Henry...Mr. Henry ! That gives us a laugh...Hope that you have had a nice happy day. Xxx

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