Blessings of our Labors
Good Morning All -
I know that I was a little bit of a slacker last week. I don't really have any excuses. We were traveling, but I had plenty of time during layovers to complete the task. Heck, I probably could have done it once I got home, but I gave into the weakness of flesh and took a nap. Here I am repenting.
Yes, we were traveling. The Queen, Professor, Lady Hawkins, Ehl-Bo, and Puddin went on a little adventure. We missed having Tall Man and SnackPack with us, but know they were doing what needed to be done.
We had a wonderful adventure. We each have sand in the remotest of places, burns in areas that have not seen the sun, or intense sun, in a while, and our pallets have been risen to new food experiences.
While we were gone, Tall Man and SnackPack pursued employment opportunities and hung out together a couple of times. Both were offered positions that will meet most of their needs while allowing them to pursue better horizons.
So that was a couple of weeks ago. During that time, I did have many opportunities to ponder. My thoughts have been random, but I will continue with the verses of the past.
We move from Ether to Alma 32. Do you know what the theme of lesson 3 seems to be? Let's start with Alma 32:1-2
"And it came to pass that they did go forth, and began to preach the word of God unto the people, entering into their synagogues, and into their houses; yea, and even they did preach the word in their streets."
" And it cam to pass that after much labor among them, they began to have success among the poor class of people; for behold, they were cast out of the synagogues because of the coarseness of their apparel - "
I am always inspired by these verses. They remind me that sharing testimony, whether with your family, ministering assignments, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and even complete strangers requires work. And even with that hard work, it is not always an easy or successful task.
How many times have we beat ourselves up because the Family Home Evening, Family Scripture Study, weekly Family Council, sacrament meeting talk, lesson for Primary, Sunday School, Priesthood, Relief Society, Young Men/Young Women did not go as we planned? How many times have we had marvelous witnesses while preparing for any of the above and more, but not seen the same witness received by those we are teaching?
These verses remind us to never give up. That is part of enduring to the end right? We just need to keep doing our best. As I review, ponder, and study most recent conference talks, I hear the same familiar theme from them. Just keep going.
The other thing that has touched me, and that I need to work on more in my life, is the personal relationships that had to be made in order for them to "...enter into their houses..." I would expand that to "brought them into our houses". Do we? Are we building relationships that are comfortable enough to invite and be invited.
Yesterday I was having a plumbing issue. I really don't enjoy venturing into areas of home repair where I know I might end-up feeling "poor". And most of you can attest, this happens almost every time I take on a project. I have had a couple this week, but yesterday I hit a brick wall. There was a drip. I had prepared, researched, watched videos, walked past the plumbing section of the local hardware store several times over the past couple of months, knowing that this drip was going to only increase in frequency and soon need to be repaired.
When I got it all torn apart, it did not look anything like the videos I had watched, the repair blogs I had read, and even more the parts that I had perused over in the hardware store. To make matters worse, I could not get it part that needed replacing out.
I am so grateful for the ministering relationship I had built long ago. After doing all that I could figure out how to do, feeling super "poor", I had no problem picking up the phone can dialing this good man. I felt a little better when I learned that he was stumped as well, but together we worked through some ideas. He counseled with me. He reached out to a friend. I used the suggestions he had shared and felt inspired to try a couple of things. It only took 3.5 hours and $$ before I was able to disembowel the plumbing fixture and replace it with better internal parts.
There was no judgment. There was no shaming, other than me of myself. When all was said and done, this good man congratulated me on my success and encouraged me to continue moving forward. It was a small and simple gesture, but worked miracles to my soul.
This is what I call the fruits of many labors.
Don't give up.
This week -
It was a holiday weekend. Most of us had Monday off. Unfortunately, the Queen did not. She endured. It was fun to gather with extended family after a days work and celebrate each other.
The rest of the week was pretty mundane.
The Professor is off track and milking a pinched nerve or pulled muscle. She took it easy most of the week. I did not hear all of the results, but it sounded like the event she was in charge of chairing went well.
Tall Man continued seeking resources for their needs. Ehl-Bo is prepping for a new arrival. We keep all of them in our prayers for the stability they seek and need.
Puddin completed the last shift up north and started working further south this morning. We were happy to hear that an offer that both Puddin and Lady Hawkins make was accepted, not on to the final detail and hoping for a move in date round the 26th of June. Lady Hawkins is starting a new adventure as well. We will let you know how it goes.
SnackPack waited patiently to start his new employment. He was finally cleared to start working on Thursday. His body is sore, but he is happy to be doing something.
Love you all.
Have a great week.
I know that I was a little bit of a slacker last week. I don't really have any excuses. We were traveling, but I had plenty of time during layovers to complete the task. Heck, I probably could have done it once I got home, but I gave into the weakness of flesh and took a nap. Here I am repenting.
Yes, we were traveling. The Queen, Professor, Lady Hawkins, Ehl-Bo, and Puddin went on a little adventure. We missed having Tall Man and SnackPack with us, but know they were doing what needed to be done.
We had a wonderful adventure. We each have sand in the remotest of places, burns in areas that have not seen the sun, or intense sun, in a while, and our pallets have been risen to new food experiences.
While we were gone, Tall Man and SnackPack pursued employment opportunities and hung out together a couple of times. Both were offered positions that will meet most of their needs while allowing them to pursue better horizons.
So that was a couple of weeks ago. During that time, I did have many opportunities to ponder. My thoughts have been random, but I will continue with the verses of the past.
We move from Ether to Alma 32. Do you know what the theme of lesson 3 seems to be? Let's start with Alma 32:1-2
"And it came to pass that they did go forth, and began to preach the word of God unto the people, entering into their synagogues, and into their houses; yea, and even they did preach the word in their streets."
" And it cam to pass that after much labor among them, they began to have success among the poor class of people; for behold, they were cast out of the synagogues because of the coarseness of their apparel - "
I am always inspired by these verses. They remind me that sharing testimony, whether with your family, ministering assignments, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and even complete strangers requires work. And even with that hard work, it is not always an easy or successful task.
How many times have we beat ourselves up because the Family Home Evening, Family Scripture Study, weekly Family Council, sacrament meeting talk, lesson for Primary, Sunday School, Priesthood, Relief Society, Young Men/Young Women did not go as we planned? How many times have we had marvelous witnesses while preparing for any of the above and more, but not seen the same witness received by those we are teaching?
These verses remind us to never give up. That is part of enduring to the end right? We just need to keep doing our best. As I review, ponder, and study most recent conference talks, I hear the same familiar theme from them. Just keep going.
The other thing that has touched me, and that I need to work on more in my life, is the personal relationships that had to be made in order for them to "...enter into their houses..." I would expand that to "brought them into our houses". Do we? Are we building relationships that are comfortable enough to invite and be invited.
Yesterday I was having a plumbing issue. I really don't enjoy venturing into areas of home repair where I know I might end-up feeling "poor". And most of you can attest, this happens almost every time I take on a project. I have had a couple this week, but yesterday I hit a brick wall. There was a drip. I had prepared, researched, watched videos, walked past the plumbing section of the local hardware store several times over the past couple of months, knowing that this drip was going to only increase in frequency and soon need to be repaired.
When I got it all torn apart, it did not look anything like the videos I had watched, the repair blogs I had read, and even more the parts that I had perused over in the hardware store. To make matters worse, I could not get it part that needed replacing out.
I am so grateful for the ministering relationship I had built long ago. After doing all that I could figure out how to do, feeling super "poor", I had no problem picking up the phone can dialing this good man. I felt a little better when I learned that he was stumped as well, but together we worked through some ideas. He counseled with me. He reached out to a friend. I used the suggestions he had shared and felt inspired to try a couple of things. It only took 3.5 hours and $$ before I was able to disembowel the plumbing fixture and replace it with better internal parts.
There was no judgment. There was no shaming, other than me of myself. When all was said and done, this good man congratulated me on my success and encouraged me to continue moving forward. It was a small and simple gesture, but worked miracles to my soul.
This is what I call the fruits of many labors.
Don't give up.
This week -
It was a holiday weekend. Most of us had Monday off. Unfortunately, the Queen did not. She endured. It was fun to gather with extended family after a days work and celebrate each other.
The rest of the week was pretty mundane.
The Professor is off track and milking a pinched nerve or pulled muscle. She took it easy most of the week. I did not hear all of the results, but it sounded like the event she was in charge of chairing went well.
Tall Man continued seeking resources for their needs. Ehl-Bo is prepping for a new arrival. We keep all of them in our prayers for the stability they seek and need.
Puddin completed the last shift up north and started working further south this morning. We were happy to hear that an offer that both Puddin and Lady Hawkins make was accepted, not on to the final detail and hoping for a move in date round the 26th of June. Lady Hawkins is starting a new adventure as well. We will let you know how it goes.
SnackPack waited patiently to start his new employment. He was finally cleared to start working on Thursday. His body is sore, but he is happy to be doing something.
Love you all.
Have a great week.
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