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  •。★★ 。* 。 

Spiritual Enlightenment 

 

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 thoughts -  My 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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And I do too!