Monday 17 June 2019

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.

 

Partaking of the Sacrament each week and being able to renew my covenants with my Heavenly Father, remembering the Saviour and taking His name upon me, having the opportunity to do better every week. Second chances.  Renewal.  Faith. Gratitude. Love. 

Our Sunday School lesson yesterday was actually based on the Sacrament, so it was an extra bit of time to reflect on what it means to us and to hear other people's thoughts on it. One person asked why we use water instead of wine. In pondering this it came to me that the very first Miracle that Christ performed which is spoken of in the Bible was when He changed the water into wine at the wedding in Canaan. One of the wedding guests remarked to the Bridegroom how he had saved the best wine for the last! As we partake of the Sacrament each week we have this wonderful chance to remember the Saviour and to be renewed in Him, to be the water He is turning into Wine, in preparation for meeting the Bridegroom when He comes again. Just my thoughts.  


 

Answered prayers.  Sometimes we wait.  Sometimes our prayers are answered immediately.  They are always answered. Started praying for something on Friday this past week and it was answered that very same day.  I love it when that happens! 


 

This little lady.  I bought a different Dog Food for her on Friday. She doesn't like it. So yesterday I ended up opening a can of tuna for her instead. She only gets a TBS of wet food  mixed into her dry food, but it was enough of the new food to put her off her food altogether.  Won't be buying that again.  She is such a fun dog though. We love her so very much.  She really loves Wotsits (Cheetos) and has taken to asking me for some every night now before we go to bed.  It is a tiny little bag.  I love to watch her sitting there nosing into the bag and getting them out one at a time and munching on them.  The look on her face is just priceless.  Usually she only gets a few Wotsits, but last night I let her have the whole bag as she had been starving herself (because of the food she didn't like) for two days. I figured it wouldn't hurt her just this once. 


 

The capacity we have to overcome obstacles set in our ways and bloom right where we are planted.  This is something we get to do each and every day of our lives.  Every day might not be a good day, but there is surely something good in each day we are given! Blooming is a choice we make. 


 

They once were filled with colour and now are not . . .  I think I like this this way better . . .washed out and bleached by the sun. I think they look very ethereal and somewhat magical  . . . I love that they live in our garden  . . . 


 

Little garden visitors . . .  they love the honey suckle  . . . so do I.  It smells fabulous.  (See the bee in the bloom?) 


 

Its fledgling time  . . .  I love watching them in the garden. They are getting braver and soon we won't be able to tell the babies from the adults  . . . Poor things have had a really wet time of it lately, and it is raining again today.    
  

 

Being able to forgive people.  That doesn't mean that you forget . . .  there are somethings that others do to you will probably never be able to forget. Forgiving means however that you no longer allow those things to have any measure of impact or importance in your life. You just let them go.  Some things are a bit harder to forgive than others, but it is possible to forgive all things.  Forgiveness is healing. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. 

 

Knowing that each day which we are given contains the option of a new beginning if we so choose it.  And the choice is ours to make. If you are brave enough to say goodbye, life always awards you with the opportunity for a new hello.   


 

Having someone special to share all of this with.  I am blessed.


  

Small and simple things . . . the practice daily of doing what is right . . . family and personal prayer, family and personal scripture study . . . caring for others . . . inviting good into our home instead of bad . . . following the commandments . . .  making a space for God in our home and our lives . . . remembering Him always and following His example.  These things done with diligence and consistency become a beautiful pattern in the fabric of our daily lives and bring us joy. I know this to be true.  A drop of water might seem like nothing, but when it drops consistently in the same spot, over time . . . . it can drill a hole in a rock.   



For my sister's diligence in taking care of my mother's resting place.  Hopefully one day I will be able to help. That is a prayer of mine, and I know prayers are answered.  Eventually.
 

 

My faith, I don't know where I would be without it.
 
I know, I live a really boring life. Not a lot happens these days, and that is how I like it.  I have all I need . . .  love, faith, health, joy, peace, comfort . . . life is good. Boring is good.  I am blessed.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 


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

 *.˛.° ˛°. .Think the best of each other, 
especially of those you say you love. 
Assume the good and doubt the bad.” 
~Jeffrey R Holland   .° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 




In The English Kitchen today . . .  Easy Chicken Gyros.  Deliciously simple.  A great weeknight supper. 

Have a wonderful Monday.  I hope your week ahead is filled with plenty of small and wonderful things. Don't forget!  


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And I do too! 


6 comments:

  1. Hi Marie, so pleased your prayers were answered so quickly, could you put in a request for a little less rain please, we're all going to end up with webbed feet!

    Is it normal practice in Canada to have names on headstones of people who haven't died yet? I know we don't do it here. I tend to my husbands grave regularly but can't imagine how I'd feel seeing my name there just waiting for the date, even though I'll end up there!

    I've had another busy week, mainly problems with my sister and brother in law. It's so stressful as both of them are deteriorating in different ways.

    Well it's Monday again, have a good week, lot's of love xxx

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    1. LOL Kate, I wish it was that easy! I am getting tired of the rain also! But in Lincolnshire they must be fed up to the eyeballs! Yes, its quite common in Canada to do that so it is done when the time comes. It is a bit eerie to see, but common. I am going to be buying mine and Todd's headstone soon as well. We will be next to Mom and the rest. I am so sorry your sister and BIL are deteriorating like they are. You sister is understandable but heartbreaking. Your BIL, while no less heartbreaking could be totally prevented. I know it is hard for him to deal with, but . . . not my place I know! Love and hugs to you and I hope you have a good week also! xoxo

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  2. You sound to be in a good place:):):)
    Have a lovely week.

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    1. Thanks Monique, being in a good place always beats the alternative! ♥ xoxo

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  3. My sweet friend, I don't find you ever boring at all. I loved all your thoughts on the Sacrament, your answered prayers, that endearing dog of yours, your garden flowers and those cute birds
    To be able to forgive ourselves and others is so freeing. I enjoyed your thoughts on that subject.
    Best of all was your thoughts on all that you are trying to do to be faithful to your testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I find you a true disciple of Christ.
    Blessings, lots of love and hugs for you two!

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    1. Thanks so much LeAnn! I love your visits also! xoxo

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