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. 

 

 

 

 

Ariana and I were chatting on Messenger the other night and she sent me this.  Cute as a button! Grace is a month old now and a little personality is emerging. I love that Ariana chats with me from time to time (and stops by whenever she is going past) and I love that she shares Grace with me.  This is a special blessing to me. I never got to see or hold my own grandchildren at this stage of their lives and so this is pretty wonderful to me. 

 

 

 

I hope that she doesn't mind me sharing these latest wee paintings with you.  These are some of my sister's latest works.  They are small canvases painted with a palatte knife. I think she is just so darned talented. I love that she has this creative outlet to enjoy all for herself. These are only tiny, I think about 4 inches.  I think she is amazing! 

 

 

  

 

Being asked to teach in Relief Society (Our ladies auxiliary at church) and rising to the challenge. The fourth lesson of every month is based on the principles of Ministering, which is a new program in the church that has replaced the old Visit Teaching program. We are now called to "Minister" to each other.   Also this year they have done away with the Manuals, and everything we teach is discussion based, which can be somewhat daunting.   I spent all week working on my lesson, reading talks, following footnotes, reading the scriptures.  I think I spent more time prepping this lesson than I have ever done prepping any lesson. I think I learned more from this lesson than I taught!  (That's always the way.) It was loosely based on this talk by Jean Bingham, the General Relief Society President.  I hope that I was able to convey to the Sisters the reality that if we want to become more Christlike we will Minister to others as He did. ♥♥♥ Love should be the motivating factor in all that we do. 

 

 

 

Being able to partake of the Sacrament and renew my Baptism Covenants.  Sundays help to recharge my battery for the week ahead. We are asked to keep our Sabbath Day's holy and as days of rest.  We are asked not to go shopping, or eating in restaurants, etc. To keep the day in reverence.  We are promised that as we do so, we can come closer to Christ. I love that we mark our Sundays as being different from every other day of the week in this way.  It does make a huge difference in our lives, and for the better.  

 

 

 

Look at what we discovered on Amazon Prime.  We have been enjoying this trip back to a simpler time.  Its just a bit of fluff, but nice fluff. I can remember really enjoying this show when I was about 10 or 11 years old. Its a bit corny, but I like corny. 

 

  

 

Now, if they would only bring this back! 

 

 

 

Things have grown a bit cooler and we have enjoyed some much needed rain this past weekend. We really can't complain as we have had a truly beautiful summer. Probably one of the nicest ones since I moved over here to the UK.  

 

 

 

The generosity of others.  We have been truly blessed in this way over the past weeks, and we have been so very grateful for it.  Eggs too.  Freshly laid. 

 

 

 

I've started yet another one. This one in autumn colours.  My middle son expressed his desire to have one of my blankets.  He's been so good to me through the years, I am going to surprise him with one.  He doesn't read this so I am safe in sharing.  

 

 

 

Puppy Dog Cuddles.  She is due to go to the Groomer later this week and she needs it. I think she is the most affectionate and loving dog we have ever had, with just the sweetest personality. She went with us to Tina and Tony's last week.  She even had her own wee plate of lunch.  She adores Tina.  She gets all excited as soon as we get in the car and she realises what direction we are headed!  Its pretty amazing really, and as soon as we get there, she is out of the car and walking right to Tina's door! 

  

 

 

We watched this film last night and really enjoyed it. It was on the entry table at church with a note to help yourself.  So we did. Its about a Missionary who served in Las Vegas returning home from his Mission and the challenges he faces in the couple of months afterwards.  I would watch it again. 

 

  

 

I also recommend this one! 

 

 

 

New Calendars for 2019, from Susan Branch. I always love her calendars.  Oh, and I am reading these again for the umpteenth time . . . 

 

 

Because I never, ever, ever really get tired of them.  Never. 

 

 

Although at the end I was not able to bring it to fruition, making my blog private . . . I was so very grateful for all of those who showed me their love and support.  I was absolutely overwhelmed by all of it, and so very humbled.  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

 

And those are my small and wonderfuls for this week.  Oh, too many to count really . . . tis just the tip of the iceberg!

 

A thought to carry with you  . . .  

 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.Be the kind of woman who knows that

what God's word says about her and her life

and her future, is far more valuable than

the words or opinions of any other.

~Unknown  •。★★ 。* 。 

 

 

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Caramelized Onion Pot Roast.  This was fabulous!

 

I hope your week ahead is filled to overflowing with many small and wonderful things!

Don't forget!

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And I do too!