Monday 15 January 2018

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 from the past week which brought untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.


Message from the Universe.  Its probably too small for you to see.  It says, "Do you want your heavenly Father to guide you, bless you and uphold you? Then believe. Love Him. Seek Him with all your heart. Walk in His ways. 

It can't get much clearer than that.


My sister posted a photograph of my mom wearing the shawl I made her for Christmas. It made me smile.  When I was talking to my mom yesterday I told her when she wears it she can think of it as being my arms wrapped around her hugging her.  She liked that idea. So did I.

  

Being able to partake of the sacrament and renew my Baptismal covenants at church yesterday morning. 

When we are baptized we make sacred promises to “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death” Baptism is the gate by which we enter the kingdom of God, and by entering that gate we agree to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ and keep all of God’s commandments. This ordinance is so significant and important that we are asked to think about it, review our actions, and then renew that promise each Sunday in our sacrament meetings as we partake of the sacrament. Essentially, each and every week we have the opportunity to ask ourselves, “How am I doing?” It is the only ordinance I can think of where we are asked to formally recommit to living up to our promises on a regular basis. ~Sister Oscarson 

“[The sacrament] is not something to ‘get over’ so that the real purpose of a sacrament meeting can be pursued. This is the real purpose of the meeting. And everything that is said or sung or prayed in those services should be consistent with the grandeur of this sacred ordinance.” ~Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve 

What a priviledge and a blessing it is.  I love being able to do this each week. It is a wonderful essential part of my life.   A special opportunity to put my hands in the Saviour's each week and say I'm trying, and will continue to try.


She is always there.  Always ready to give me a cuddle. When I am happy or when I am sad. In the middle of the night or the middle of the day.  My constant companion.  Love her to bits. 

  

Good friends who can lift you when you feel at your lowest.  YOU are all friends to me.  I really appreciate each one of you so very much.  I know that many of us have never met in person, and probably we never will, but that's okay.  Just because you can't see someone, that doesn't mean they are not real or that they don't care or that they are not there. Your words and kindnesses lift me immeasurably and I am grateful for that.  Thank you. 

My cousin Martha (love her) thinks it might be
SAD, Seasonal Affect Disorder.
I think she may be right.
♥ 


I love talking to my mom each week, but I also love it when I have a chance to talk to my sister.  She has been my best friend for all of her life.  I have a brother too and it is nice also to talk to him, but my sister and I have an extra special bond. Its a woman thing I think, no offence against him. Sisters just have this special relationship that is unique and pretty wonderful I think. She may not always see eye to eye with me on certain things, and we may not be on the same wavelength about other things, but she always has my back, and I . . . hers. I know her love is unconditional, without boundaries and unending. I count her as one of my greatest blessings in my life.  


Boiled eggs and soldiers.  Its nursery food, but its good on a Sunday night when you can't think of anything else and are too tired to do anything else.  Of course the egg cup makes it taste even better.  Have I ever told you how much I love egg cups?  Well, I'm telling you now. Egg cups are one of my very favourite of things. 

  

Flowers on a rainy day.  Knowing that as sure as we are in Winter now . . .  Spring will soon follow  . . . 


The signs are all around us.

  

Tea, herbal or otherwise, steeped in a pot and served in a china cup. Its one of life's small pleasures which never gets old.  Soul enriching, comforting, ritualistic.  A cup of tea brings us something that nothing else does.  I love the fruity blends.  Todd prefers ginger.  He likes sugar. I like honey. 

I think its time for a winter pick me up
tea party, don't you?

or at the very least a 
rug picnic.


It IS the simple things which truly do 
matter most of all. 


A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★

 *.˛.
Faith is the art of holding onto things
in spite of your changing moods
and circumstances. ~C.S. Lewis  •。★★ 。* 。 


 

BOOK OF MORMON CORNER - Today's Reading -  Jacob 2:1-16 
Question - What have you learnt about Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ from the reading today? Why do you think Jacob struggles so much in these verses?  
My thoughtsMy love for Jacob, his example & teachings has grown with this reading! Verse 10 'notwithstanding the greatness of the task, I must do according to the strict commands of God' Being obedient to the things the Lord asks us to do, including our own personal revelations and promptings, often feels like a huge undertaking. It is not always easy. It oftimes will stretch us. Stretching requires sacrifice. It requires courage to step out of our comfort zones. It requires faith in the Saviour and trust that He is always walking with us. I know that obedience to the Lord always leads to better things and blessings, for myself and for those within my circle, family, friends, etc.
I have been thinking about verse 16 too. 'O that HE would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, O that YE would listen unto the word of his commands and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls!' It's been a nice reminder that HE is the one who rids me of iniquity (He heals my wounds, He helps me to be strong when I feel weak, He makes me clean, He who changes and helps to mould my character). I try too often to do these things myself. My part is to listen unto the words of His commands, by living  'thy will be done' and letting Him work miracles and change me into a better me. 
 Many prophets struggle to speak boldly, to cry repentance particularly to those who are already wounded, or who are pure in heart. The tender hearts of the wives and the children sought to be consoled and Jacob feared he would cause more damage to them.  
Tomorrow's Reading (Day 77) - Jacob 2:17-35 
Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? Why is chastity so important to Heavenly Father? 
  


I'm cheating in the kitchen today  . . .  dressing up ready prepped frozen chicken breasts with a multitude of toppings. Perfect for those days when you are in a rush, but still want something tasty to serve for supper,  or are sadly lacking in inpsiration.  

Have a great Monday, may your week ahead be filled to overflowing with small and wonderful blessings.  Don't forget  . . . 


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═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════

And I do too! 


 


 


10 comments:

  1. That's a good picture of your Mom Marie. She looks like she wants to scold the person who's taking it though. Lol.

    I got that look a couple of days ago, when I took a picture of my Mom when she was reading her recipe book to me for over 3 hours. She had a couple recipes left to look at and my phone was within reach, so I snapped a picture. She was so mad at me and kept on scolding me! Lol. She wasn't supposed to catch me!

    I love flowers in my house too! Flowers,chocolate,baking in my kitchen,and good friends like you cheer me up immensely!

    All that chicken looks delicious!

    Love and big hugs!xo

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  2. Hi Marie. I bought George one of those SAD lights for Christmas. He uses it for half an hour a day while he's having his breakfast. It's only been a couple of weeks so I'm not sure of it's effectiveness yet. To be honest I think he's just a Victor Meldrew!!!

    I love my sister dearly too. Things are so difficult at the moment. I know there is definitely something wrong with her memory. She went for a CAT scan on her brain over a month ago and she won't go for the results. Her husband seems to be burying his head in the sand. His dad had Alzheimer's so he knows the signs. I don't want to upset either of them but she really needs help.

    I believe we're in for a bit of a storm again today and then it's going bitterly cold. Stay wrapped up and keep warm and cosy. Lot's of love xxx

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  3. Thanks Jan, I am sure you are right. Mom always likes to be prepared when someone takes her photo! You sound like a great daughter. Love you! xoxo

    I will have to look for the lights Kate, and hope they aren't too expensive, lol. I think the term "grumpy old men" is true. Men do become grumpy when they get older. I hope your sister can get the help she needs. Saying a little prayer. love and hugs, xoxo

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  4. Your mom wears your shawl so well♥How dear is that pic!
    It's so cold here..brr..looks like Spring where you are..I am certain day after day of drizzle must or can be quite demoralizing..at least the sun can shine brightly in our homes here some days..Lucky you and a SISTER:)

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  5. Thanks Monique. I really was so grateful that my sister took this photograph for me. It really did my heart good. There are signs of spring, but having said that, this week it is supposed to turn cold and snowy in some places, so Winter still has a hold for sure! xoxo

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  6. What a wonderful picture of your mom and the shawl you made here. I've made and given away many shawls over the years and I still have yarn on hand for making a few more. Good thoughts that they remind those of hugs given. I've also used the same stitch but shaped them differently for baby shawls too. I have at least 2 grand daughters to make those for. If I ever get done with all my projects it'll be a miracle. It seems before I get one finished, I've reason to make several more. I like your idea of dressing up chicken breasts and will have to check that post out next. Happy Monday!

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  7. Hi Marie~

    Oh, I am so happy to see that you are feeling a little better today. I struggle with SAD, it's horrible, that may well be the problem...Vitamin D, 2000 IU or more, up to 4000 IU every day, I promise it helps.

    Never feel bad or apologize, we love you!! Life does get hard, and seriously, 4 funerals, that is hard, emotionally hard. I'm just so glad that you felt like you could share your sad, hard, lonely moments with us... :0) Love you.

    President Uchtdorf...how, he sure gets it right, what a great message!

    I love that photo of your mom! The shawl is so pretty, and I love that you told her it was like you were hugging her...too sweet. Does every mom have a gold recliner - her's looks just like my moms! I think it was a 70's thing, I love it!

    I always miss the Sundays that I can't be at, Sacrament meeting. I love to take the Sacrament, it sure does help me to try harder each week, and to remember those promises. It is a privilege, and a blessing in our lives.

    That cute puppy nose...so sweet. Bob calls Cole, my shadow. He is everywhere I am, maybe because he thinks I will feed him... ;0) I like to think it's because he just loves me as much as I love him.

    Good friends...they are hard to come by, thank you for being one of mine. I know I may never meet you, but I really do feel close to you!

    Sisters are special, they share that extra special something that no one else can. I sure love mine, she has gotten me through some very rough times.

    That is the cutest egg cup!! I love soft boiled eggs, something so comforting about them. My mother used to always make them when we were sick or when it was cold outside...comfort food for sure. Tea was the same thing. We always had green tea when we were sick, with sugar and canned milk...I still like to have it when I'm sick. I always love it, but when I'm sick it always makes me feel better. It's always time for a tea party!

    Love you tons, Marie!!

    Hugs and Love,
    Barb




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  8. Thanks Pam, what lucky Granddaughters you have, well I think all of your family is lucky really because you are such a special person. Love you to bits! xoxo

    Barb, I will definitely look for some Vitamin D and add it to the cocktail of drugs I take each day, lol. (Its a wonder I don't rattle!) I know it is tempting to think our shadows love us only because we will feed them, but I know it is much more than that. ♥ They love us every bit as much as we love them and are so loyal. Love you tons too. I really hope we can meet in person one day! xoxo

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  9. I love this sweet photo of your Mom with the shawl you made her. What treasure you are and I am sure she thinks of you when she wears it. I love that you talk with her and your sister often. I wish I would have had a sister and now I miss my parents and brothers so much. I do have some dear friends that I feel like they are sisters to me which is wonderful.
    I have been working on taking the Sacrament each week even more important than ever. I thought about how we can renew all our covenants including temple ones while we are partaking. That opened up more thoughts for me. I do love that we can reflect, repent and become clean through this beloved weekly ordiance. The Sabbath day is my favorite day of the week.
    Oh, your sweet Mitzie is just so adorable. I love these pets who love to cuddle and love us always.
    I do love you dear friend and feel so blessed to have been introduced to you so many ways by Lura and what joy you have brought into my life through your posts.
    I love flowers and especially fresh ones and I do love Keep Life Simple. I wish it was that easy to do.
    Sending you lots of love and hugs!

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  10. Thanks LeAnn. My mom seems to really love her shawl and that makes me happy. She is such a tiny woman and really feels the cold. Keep Life Simple. That is my goal this year. Love and hugs to you! xoxo

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