God's Hand : 10/01/2013

5 to Survive (Rick Hawks)

As I was preparing for a RS ''Time Out for You'' presentation I came upon Rick Hawks' blog. I've worked with him in clinical circles through the years and have gleaned from his wisdom. This hit home for me:

5 To Survive, by Rick Hawks:
This is how I do hard things:

RESOURCE ONE: EXERCISE. It's always been a good one for me... I usually go toGold's Gym. Nothing special just a little swimming, running and biking. I've never won a race... and have no interest in winning.
"Nutritious meals, regular exercise, and appropriate sleep are necessary for a strong body, just as consistent scripture study and prayer strengthen the mind and spirit” (That We May Touch Heaven, Ensign, Nov. 1990, 46).

RESOURCE TWO: STUDY THE BOOK OF MORMON AND PRAY. For me reading the Book of Mormon while I run on the treadmill or bike works great. My Book of Mormon is large font. (I"m getting old now.) The covers fell off a year or two ago. The pages are worn. I'm in the Isaiah chapters right now and again Isaiah and I have not connected :( I'm anxious to get to Alma. To go along with my Book Of Mormon reading, I kneel in prayer doing my best to visit with our Heavenly Father. I go to the temple and Church as I've found these activities often strengthen my spirit. Like you, I never do as good as I want in going to the temple, reading every day, etc etc --- But I do my best.

“Spiritual development is tied very closely to a knowledge of the scriptures, where the doctrines are found." Boyd K. Packer (Jay E. Jensen, Why We Ask People to Read the Book of Mormon, New Era, Aug 2005)

RESOURCE THREE: READ OTHER STUFF AND THINK. Satan's War on Free Agency by Greg Wright. It has a ton of great thoughts. For me taking time to think and ponder new thoughts is a resource and strengthens my mind. Now, I'm involved with Greg's book learning -What Satan doesn't want you to know about the War in Heaven.
As I study and personalize new thoughts I want to share them with you - my family and friends!

"Learning to love learning is vital to our ongoing spiritual and personal development" (David Bednar,Learning To Love Learning, Ensign, Feb 2010)

RESOURCE FOUR: SERVICE .Since about 1978 I've been involved with volunteer services through various Foundations. I've always believed with God's help, I could make a difference. Well after many years and learning experiences- I think the Lord has blessed us with a message and a delivery system that works -Voices for Virtue. I spend time each week in volunteering.

"Service to others is one of the most important characteristics of a disciple of Jesus Christ. A disciple is willing to bear other people’s burdens and to comfort those who need comfort (Mosiah18:8–9). Often Heavenly Father will meet the needs of others through you." For The Strength Of Youth

RESOURCE FIVE: GROW A GARDEN. This I've done since a child. Gardening began alongside my dad.When I need an hour of therapy. I'll go to my garden. Some weeks, I spend a lot of time in the garden. There is just something about pulling weeds, planting seeds and watching them grow that is healing for me.
By the way - Gardening is a great example of how an activity might be a resource to one -but a stress to another. For megardening is a resource. For you it may not be. Remember aresource is personal, it has to work for YOU!

"There are blessings in being close to the soil, in raising your own food even if it is only a garden in your yard and a fruit tree or two." (Ezra Taft Benson, Prepare for the Days of Tribulations, Ensign, Nov 1980)

FIVE TO SURVIVE
I try to have at least....

one resource to strengthen each - my Mind, Physical Body and Spirit Body.

(See: Anatomy of a Soul)

and a total of five resources.

(See: Five to Survive)

Like you....

somedays I do better than others at having and using my resources.

my resources change-sometimes from week to week.

When I don't have enough resources I "catch"

what Jeffrey Holland calls

"Depletion Depression." (Like A Broken Vessel, Conference Talk Oct 2013)

CHALLENGE
Follow the impression you had for YOUR LIFE, as you read this blog.

So the impression I had for my life as I read this is that this is pretty much a reminder of what I tell myself about every day that I need to be doing better and on a regular basis:
1. Exercise daily and eat nutritiously. (I am half good at exercise and fail miserable at eating right.)
2. Study the Book of Mormon and Pray (like he said: I never do as good as I want in going to the temple, reading every day, etc etc)
3. Read other stuff. (I've been thinking a lot about that lately. I have a million good books to read - why don't I read more?!)
4. Service. (another guilt thing. I need to look for more ways to serve. I have had many people serve ME this week!)
5. Grow a Garden. (Well, this wouldn't be my #5 - I don't love gardening but I do love to be out in nature. That feeds my soul)

Yard Help

I've been lamenting for days, weeks - ok, really, for months about my yard and the work involved. Lately it's been about the tree suckers that I haven't stayed on top of and have sprouted up all through the ground cover in the back yard where trees were cut down this summer. And the trees - or lack thereof, have been my other lamentations: do I plant new trees? what kind and when?

Well I've gotten help the past few days on all of those issues. Met with Diane, an expert at J&L Garden and Nursery yesterday. She suggested planting some tall shrubs and bushes in the bare spaces; then proceeded to suggest other plants and flowers for the rest of the back yard! And told me what to do with the stumps - "Brush and Stump killer". She also suggested I don't do any of this now, but wait until Spring! Yippee! One huge burden off my shoulders. I felt great pressure to do it now for some reason, maybe because I knew trees were cheaper in the fall.

Lovely tree stump - one of dozens

Lovely tree suckers growing in the ground cover

Then - my boy Erick devoted his whole day to helping me with the yard: cleaning out planting areas (the overgrown tomato plants, ground cover areas, ) cutting down all of the tree shoots, trimming the vines around the pathways, stacking the wood, cleaning out the shed and getting things ready and in order for Winter. And much more. We worked together and got almost all of it done! He stayed with me to the end. I still have some things left but I feel SO much better about everything now; the rest seems manageable.
When we were cleaning out the shed and wondering what to do with some of the things and even what they were, Erick made the comment, "lets just wait until Dad comes back to decide what to do with it." So that became our mantra whenever we didn't know what to do with something.

Speaking of Doug - I truly believe he has been a part of this yard business and putting people in my path to help me. One of my inner thoughts has been 'if only Erick could/would take Doug's place in the things Doug was so good at - yard work, repair work. If only he had the desire, the know-how, the time and the willingness to just come and do - well, that would solve all my problems. I wouldn't have to call on a neighbor or an in-law, or other family to help. Oh well, I'll take what I can get and today I'm very happy for the help. I see the Lord's hand in my life today - as well as Doug's hand. :)

Lord's Hand in Earthly Yard Angels

If I took pictures of every time someone helps in some way with my yard there would not be room for anything else. I've been so blessed by good neighbors and family who continue to give service relating to my yard.

Ward Yard Clean up Day. I was one of the lucky recipients

Trimming branches

Repairing my fence that had been blown down by the major wind storm

Getting rid of the old fence - make way for the new

Grandchildren, Emma and Jill & neighbors

One of the families in the ward doing service

Erick removing branches on "Kris clean up day"

Dave fixing incessant sprinkler problems

Kate and Steph, her roommate, sacrificing their weekend to do service

Painting and getting ready for farewell luncheon

Darling grandchildren hard at work

Madie raking leaves - loved this surprise

Christian hard at work!

Humbled and Grateful

Where do I begin to share how I've seen the Lord's hand in my life today? It started this afternoon as I was leaving church.
As I was walking out the door of the chapel Brother Farr approached me and said, “A thought came to me out of the blue as I was sitting in church today - it wasn’t anything I was thinking about or what was on my mind... but the thought was that God wanted me to give you a hug - from Him. So he gave me a hug and said, this isn’t from me, it’s from God.” I was so surprised and overcome and tears immediately welled up in my eyes. When I got home I went to my room and fell to my knees and thanked the Lord for that message, knowing He had heard my prayers of asking if He is aware of me - little old me amongst the millions of His children on this earth. I’ve asked it often over the past several weeks and months. Knowing in my head that He did love me and was aware of me (because He's God and has to) but I couldn’t reconcile it in my heart. I’ve been particularly hard on myself lately for ‘’wasting time’’ - not being productive, being lazy and unmotivated. So I felt - through Brian’s message and hug, that God was patient and loved me anyway, in spite of my imperfections. I also prayed to not let doubt creep in - and to feel that it really was a message from God. And was reminded of Brian’s words - “this thought came to me out of the blue” and also knowing what a spiritual giant he is and I trust his inspiration and being in tune with the spirit.
Then, moments later a neighbor and friend came by to give me a book and her thoughts about the presentation I am to give to the RS sisters at our RS retreat next month. She talked about priorities and balance and feeling overwhelmed and and thoughts I could share with the sisters about all of those things - little did she know - (or maybe she did) that she was speaking directly to the concerns and feelings I’d personally had. We also talked about my concerns and decisions to make about my back yard and she - being the ‘’gardner of the ward’’ gave me some ideas and suggestions and who to call.

Shortly after she left Brother Farr called me and said he had a quote he’d like to bring down to me. After our hour long conversation I have to say he was the Lord’s spokesperson in my behalf this day and a witness that God is indeed aware of me and so is Doug. This is the thought he shared:

“I believe that our departed kindred and loved ones are far more mindful of us and solicitous for our salvation day by day, than they ever were in the flesh... because they know more. Joseph F Smith”
We talked. He asked to see the back yard and offered his help in my tree and yard issues. (I really think this all is from Doug! I've been lamenting to him all week - ever since the dream. I think he was tired of me bugging him.) Every story Brian shared about his own personal life and his experiences as a bishop, related perfectly to my situation and feelings of the past few weeks.

So what have those feelings been? Here are a few:

What lies ahead? What does my future hold?
What to do with the back yard - there are many decisions to make about the tree stumps and tree selections and just cleaning and clearing before winter sets in
is there anyone who can help me? and do I even want to do it?!
I”m lazy and unmotivated. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I be more productive?
Can I just feel Doug’s presence and advice on all these decisions and things I need to do?
Of all the millions of thy children, do You really know me? My problems aren’t nearly as big and critical as so many others’. How can I really ask for personal help?
I need help and guidance on the presentation I’m to give next month
I should be doing more genealogy
I should be a better missionary and not be fearful of sharing my testimony
I need to be reading my scriptures more regularly
I need to not waste so much time - on my computer particularly
I need to go to the temple more often
I need to serve more
I need to be a better mother and more supportive of my kids and grandkids
Well, just about every one of these lamentations were addressed in my conversations with Brian and Susan today.

AND - another neighbor just now called me and asked if I "knew anyone who would want some potato cheese soup" she had made and her kids wouldn't eat leftovers." Of course I volunteered myself to take her soup ...

I can't deny the hand of the Lord in my life today.

Dream

I had a dream the other night that Doug came back. I saw him and ran up to him and threw my arms around him and just started sobbing. I told him I was so happy he was back and now he could help me know what to do about the tree stumps in the back yard and selecting trees. I felt a considerable weight being lifted off my shoulders knowing he was here now to share in the decisions and responsibilities.

The dream has stayed with me for days. It seemed so indicative of the weight I’m feeling -

I am reminded of this scripture:

...”come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”...Matthew 11:28-30.

.. “these things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

...John 16:33

Trip to Italy, Greece and Turkey. God's Hand is there!

I felt the hand of God in my life the past 2 weeks in the opportunity to go to Europe with my sisters. To see the places where Paul walked and taught, where Mary, the mother of Jesus, lived after Christ’s death. To see the ruins of ancient cities, the cathedrals and basilicas, the magnificence of the art work of Michael Angelo and Divinci and many others. The amazing mosaic work on floors and chapels. The statues and the beauty of the land everywhere. And to share it all with my sisters was a real blessing.

Ancient Ruins - even before Christ's time!

Notice the sky. A downfall was lurking - we got caught in it

God's Hand in the Sunset!

The beauty of Pompeii

Ephesus - amazing ruins

Michael Wilcox bringing the experience to life as he reads from the scriptures that Paul preached from this exact spot - fearlessly - to people who were less than receptive to his message