The Angels Among Us

So, now I know why Easton comes home so happy every Thursday night! Attending Special Needs Mutual is like spending a couple of hours with the angels. Alan, Teagan and I had the chance to

watch their roadshow on Thursday, and I have never seen such an expression of real joy. Those kids are amazing. And, not just the special needs kids, but their counselors are also high quality. True to character, I spent the first several minutes crying, even though the script included darling (an funny) jokes. The performance included many of my favorite primary song, but they took on whole new meaning when sung by this unique group.

"Dare to do right

Dare to be true,

You have a work that no other can do!!"

Wow, isn't that the truth! What a great example these special kids are. One of my favorite parts was when a group sang "A Child's Prayer" into their little tin can telephones.

"Pray, He is there,

Seek, He is listening,

You are his child

His love now surrounds you."

Great night! Great Reminder! What a cool calling you have, Easton!

It's not the end!!

You might say that I'm a little "conflicted" of late. As I watch my children attempt to make their way in the world, I am increasingly torn between practicality and pipe dreams, focus and faith. I remember being their age. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I never considered any practical alternatives to my plan. I plowed through my first degree and started on my second. I was "on the path" and nothing was going to get in my way. I was completely focused. I never considered the impact that marriage and family might have on my plan.

One would have thought that by age 25 an unmarried LDS girl might be slightly worried. I was not. I always knew that I would someday have a husband and a family. It was a matter of faith for me. I never worried about it, focused on it, or entertained the idea that it would not happen. Unfortunately, neither did I entertain the thought that when it did happen, "my plan" might be interrupted.

Here I sit, twenty four years later. I am a graduate school drop-out, a "non-career" person, if you will, with no particular skills or professional abilities. The years of focus on education are left unfulfilled. Interestingly, however, is the fact that I find myself richly blessed with the object of my complete faith - a wonderful husband and family. I am intrigued with the power of faith. I wish I had more of it. I have learned that faith shifts your focus and fulfillment follows. What I have yet to figure out is how to face the future with faith.

I watch my adult children struggle with decisions, career choices and work options. I see them wanting to pursue dreams, create their own businesses and seek adventure. I still find myself inclined to the practical, the predictable, the tangible.

There is one principle of which I am completely certain. Faith in Jesus Christ is power. Power comes from righteousness. Righteousness is the exercise of obedience. So, by extension, I am sure that through obedience we can have the faith (power) to do anything with the Lord's help. My greatest hope is that through the obedience of my children, they will receive His direction and guidance. Oh, and one more thing. I have a new favorite saying:

It will all be OK in the end.

And if it's not OK,

It's not the end!!

Ode to the Laundry Room or "Sorting" Things Out!

Oh, laundry room

Personal retreat.

Creative abode. Inspirational seat.

Work. Solitude.

Essence of Clorox.

Stacked shirts, shorts and jeans, unmatched socks.

Consider Life,

Questions answered. Reflect.

Baskets are empty. Finished project.

Ironing board.

Place of great insight.

Mentally pondering. Heavenly light.

Wrinkle-free shirts.

Ironing duty slacking.

Private revelation currently lacking.

Paper, stickers,

Glue, ribbon galore.

Heaping ideas, ceiling to floor.

Quiet moment.

Alone, sweet, serene.

Unspoken pleasure. Ordered and clean.

Eternal chore.

Never completed.

Piles anew. Tomorrow repeated.

Cycle of life.

Normal, heavy, light.

Hot warm or cold, colors or white.

Contentment, bliss.

Progressive goals meet.

Eye on the future. Eternity greet.