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.

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. What would I do without her.  I dread to think  . . . .

 

Good friends who can lift you when you feel at your lowest, or celebrate with you during your highest moments. 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 always lift me immeasurably and I am grateful for that. Thank you.

 

I am ever grateful for my sister.  She was my very first best friend in life, next to my mom and dad. She has always been on my side, even when I have been making stupid choices and decisions.  She might not always agree with my actions but has always supported my right to make my own choices.  Shes been there to pat me on the back when I have done well, and to help pick me up when things have gone horribly wrong.  She has always loved me no matter what, through the good times and the bad.  She has been the greatest gift my parents ever gave to me and I am so very grateful for that gift.  

   

Christmas goodies you forgot you had and then re-discover in mid January.  So tasty and such fun.  A sweet little pick me up on a miserably rainy and cold day. 

  

 

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 cute egg cups makes boiled eggs taste even better. Have I ever told you how much I love egg cups?  Egg cups are one of my very favourite of things. I have had these for a very long time. I got them when my children were very young.  They used to love having boiled eggs in them.  These little chicks come with a lot of happy memories for me.  I will never get rid of them, never.

 

A cup of hot 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 it plain.  I think I might do us a "Winter Pick-Me-Up" tea party sometime soon.  If not for Todd and myself, then maybe for some friends. We will see.  Watch this space. 

 

LDS Living 

I don't know how life-changing my lessons are, but I sure enjoy having the opportunity to teach one each month. It has been really good for me to have second chances to dig into the General Conference talks, and to really absorb the things we are being taught by our leaders from each General Conference.  I always enjoy General Conference very much, and I take notes while I am listening to the talks, am prompted to make changes in my life, do better, etc.  Being able to go back over some of them and share my feelings and promptings along with doctrines taught has been a wonderful blessing to me.  I love the new way of teaching in the church, which is not so much someone just standing at the front of the room talking to a group of people, but someone standing at the front of the room asking questions in in an attempt to promote discussion, and an exchange of ideas, promptings, experience and personal impressions.  It is an opportunity to really share with each other.  We have had some really great discussions and for that I am grateful. 

 

Life's simple pleasures. Joy comes to us in a multitude of small and simple ways. It is not the grandiose gestures that matter so much as it is the small and simple things we do for each other and for ourselves.  It can be as simple as remembering a friend you haven't spoken to in a while, and then picking up a phone to give them a call . . . or seeing a young mum struggling with an armful and a toddler and reaching out to give them an extra pair of hands.  Being able to reach out to others is an integral part of a happy life.  How does that old saying go  . . .  "Love wasn't put in your heart just to stay, love isn't love til you give it away."  Small and simple gestures of love, in word, thought and deed, they are pretty wonderful, whether you are the giver or you are the recipient. 

Its cool and dry today. I am going to take me on an adventure into town methinks.That is my theme for the year.  Adventure. 

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *My goal is to create a life 

I don't need a vacation from.

•。★★ 。* 。•。★★ 。* 。 

 

In the English Kitchen today, Cheesy Garlic Bread.  You can make just one slice or you can make a bazillion slices.  The choice is yours!  

Have a wonderful week!  Don't forget! 

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And I do too!