Life on Second Shift

I am so happy! Can I just say that?! Heavenly Father has blessed us so much! It is wonderful to be able to live independently, relying on the Lord and His goodness. He provided a way for my husband to gain sufficient employment through a pretty great company, Boehringer Ingelheim, and though we are by no means well-off financially, we are rich with joy.

For the first 2 months of working here my husband trained on the "first shift", which is the very normal and wonderful schedule of 7a.m. to 3:30p.m.. We thought that might be a tough change from his previous job where he was at work by 4a.m. or sometimes 2a.m., but no. It was so natural! The kids and I had the first part of the day to play, learn, and get things done. Then we would welcome daddy home with shouts and hugs and those moments of happiness where you know everything is fine and dandy.

Of course we knew this was to be short lived, seeing as how the position he was hired for was "second shift". Now he works from 3p.m. to 11:30p.m.. It's been a little more difficult to get used to then I expected...mostly for me. We miss dinner with dad and his goodnight kisses, but we are working to find our new "norm" and trying to see all the pros. Of course it's more money, which is always nice! And we get to play with dad in our happy morning hours. If I don't mention all the cons maybe they'll go away...HA! Honestly, it's hard work and I'm learning allot about myself. Change is a great teacher. In the mean time I'm still happy! Kinks and all - it's our life, we're living it and loving it!

I still find it easy to thank my Heavenly Father every day for His tender mercies, and all the "little things" that bring smiles to our faces. I'm not perfect, and I can whine and complain with the best of them...today's a good day. :)

Happy New Year everyone!

I am so looking forward to the newness of this New Year!

What will we experience and learn? What will we do better? How will we savor each day and the opportunity it brings us? 

Life IS good, and it continues on in 2012. I will be better this year, a little bit every day, just you watch me!

Is Gratitude the Answer?

I recently read a book by Ann Voskamp called "One Thousand Gifts". A very good, Christian book. I just happened upon it during one of my visits to the library (the kind of visit where I leave the kids home so I can have some quite moments to put myself together again). I really think Heavenly Father wanted me to read this. He knows me so well and knew that I needed to become aware of the power of gratitude. While reading this book I really felt changed - my days were the same as ever, my problems still there, but I was so much happier and GRATEFUL for my life. Even for our trials and the situations we are in. Through gratitude I was opened up to understanding, and caught glimpses of the lessons we are learning and the strength we are gaining. For almost 2 whole weeks every journal entry began with "Today was such a great day!", or something similar.

I finished the book, thinking I would start my own gratitude list, or take some action to help me remember and use this new blessing of happiness. But then I forgot, and let "life" wash over me again. I did start a list, but the effort was half hearted and it's never easily accessible. I'll have to devise something more tailored for me, because I want this - Gratitude - to be a part of me. I am so DONE with my negativity and pessimism! I don't need that, my family doesn't need that! Awhile ago I was trying to figure some things out about what I want for my family, what I want to teach them and what Heavenly Father would have me teach them. I wrote out three things and they seem as wonderfully true to me now as they did months ago.
I want to teach my children to:

One - Love life and the Gospel

Two - Celebrate life and the Gospel

Three - Be active in life and the Gospel

These three things do not require money, prestige, or any special circumstance. But I am realizing that they all require gratitude and are even an expression of gratitude. When I was experiencing a more grateful heart it was so much easier for me to feel and fulfill those three goals. And truly amazing, with an attitude of gratitude my faith increased, my hope increased, and even my love and charity towards others increased! The pure love of Christ! Any life filled with that is a full life. Joy and Gladness!

I came across the authors' website and watched this little video. Pretty sure the words are straight from the book, and it has sparked this revival of gratitude in my life that I am in turn sharing with you.

100 Days

I did it! ---- Now what?

Today is the last day of the 100 day Book of Mormon Challenge that I did with the Young Women in our Ward. I have had a habit of reading the Book of Mormon every day since before I was married (which seems forever ago!). The hard part of the challenge for me was having to read so much for one day. Four or five chapters usually, all while my children got into things they know they aren't supposed to, or interrupted me - endlessly. But I did it! Sometimes I even got insight and inspiration AND recorded it in a journal! Amazing, right?! It was a good experience, and I learned some important things. Here are a couple -

One. I need to do my reading and gospel study

by setting aside a certain amount of time - not by a certain amount to be read. Maybe then I would not feel the need to rush through it and so could do more pondering.

Two. I need to have that study time when the I will

not be interrupted, or needed desperately by the children. (Ha! Good luck!)

Despite needing some study time alone it has been sweet to have my little boy see me reading scriptures, and to explain to him that he needs to be patient until I finish. I think it has been a good way show him the importance of scripture. We also have family "scriptures and prayers" before bedtime. I read in one of the Ensigns about a family who would read one verse per person each night. It has been an easy habit for us to develop. Little John really enjoys "reading" (repeating what we say). Of course the comprehension is not quite there, but the habit is! And lets face it, my heart melts every time I hear that little voice say "And it came to pass...".

So, now that the challenge is over it literally asks "Now what?", and encourages me to start all over again, using a quote by President Ezra Taft Benson

"There are three great reasons why Latter-day Saints should make the study of the Book of Mormon a lifetime pursuit." The Book of Mormon - "is the keystone or our religion", "was written for our day", and "helps us draw nearer to God".

Of course I'll start over! That's what I always do! -- but you know what I did this morning? I read the first chapter of the New Testament. I think that is my "now what". We will continue reading the Book of Mormon as a family, and I will read and study the bible. Most especially looking for lessons about Jesus that I can implement in parenting and teaching. As I contemplate being a "homeschooler" I feel that really knowing my Savior is my safest bet in doing right by my children. 

Yesterdays quote (from the challenge) was actually more powerful in convincing me of the importance of continued gospel and Book of Mormon study. Elder Heber C. Kimball said,

"To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you obtain it...The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light within himself. If you do not have it, how can you stand?"

How can my children stand if I don't teach them the gospel? If I don't teach them how to gain a testimony? Scary thought, especially when I consider my short comings and lack of knowledge. Lets start with the basics though...I should be able to handle that. :) And with consistent reading and study I'm pretty sure I'll be in good hands. 

If anyone has any good study tips or experiences I would love to hear them!

Personal Progress: Choice and Accountability-Done!

I did it! And it feels great! I filled 3 jumbo sized trash bags, and have a pile of things to donate. When I open the door I'm not attacked by piles of stuff and best of all, there is floor space! I didn't realize how big this storage closet really is, take a look -

It's so nice to be able to walk IN and find what I need. I rearranged pretty much everything. Putting all "never use" or "hardly use" items in the back, leaving the front shelves for things I use every now and then. -

I spent at least 2 hours each day last week, the whole project probably took me about 15 hours. My motivation for getting it done so quickly was all the mess that trickled (or gushed) into our living space. I seemed to be the only one bothered by it though. Little John thought it was great!

Now, to really finish this project I need to do the last part, "Record in your journal how doing this helped you in other areas of your life.". I thought I would record it here (although it will most likely end up in my journal as well).

So.... In the "moment" of cleaning this closet I was able to see how much I can actually get done when I put my mind to it. It is so easy for me to sit on the couch thinking of all the things I need or want to do. It all seemed like so much effort, so I would stay on the couch and do only the minimum. That approach doesn't help my self-esteem one bit. It is very empowering to see something that needs to be done, to DECIDE to do, and then to DO it. Now I know I am capable of so much more than keeping the couch anchored to the floor. I have other "projects" in mind to organize and beautify our little habitat. After finishing this first big one I feel like the wall that kept me from doing things has been knocked down! I hope I can keep it up!

Personal Progress: Choice and Accountability

Here I go! As the Personal Progress leader in the Young Women program of my ward I am making it a priority to do the experiences and projects required along with the girls. So far I'm loving it! It is helping me allot, giving me some focus in my personal study, and providing a healthy outlet.

I will soon begin my first 10 hour project. One of the suggestions for a project is to "Choose to be more orderly in your home by completing a cleaning or organizing project." Almost every day I choose to be more orderly, it's the "completing" part I have trouble with. But not this time! I am determined! What am I so determined to clean, and organize, and complete?! Well here it is!

Welcome to our main storage closet! It's a really nice size, so we can put allot of junk back there (lift up those yellow sheets and you'll see more junk). Turns out that I have to get into this space at least twice a week, looking for something I stashed for convenience. Only thing is...it's not convenient at all. It's a pain! And really hikes up my stress levels whenever I enter. So, I'm looking forward to attacking this project.

I foresee some problems. For one thing, it will definitely take more than 10 hours, and I won't be able to devote large chunks of time to it on any given day. It will very much be a "stop and go" project, and I don't like that. I'm a "full steam ahead" kind of girl (when I know what I'm doing), but this is just another aspect of life that my kids are helping me with. Interruptions are okay.

Another problem may arise by the fact that all the "storage" is not ours and ours alone. You may or may not know that we live with my in-laws, which means our junk houses with their junk. (I use the word "junk" in the nicest possible way). When I do things like this I get into a very refreshing 'de-junk' mode where I throw out, or donate, whatever we haven't used for years. Even though I know it's not mine to chuck, it will be hard to  restrain myself!

I was wondering what this project had to do with "Choice and Accountability", and as I write this I realize that I will have to make choices and decisions through the whole process. "Keep it or toss it", "what's the best way to store this", "maybe I should stop now and play with my crying children". Just some situations that may arise. For the most part I am not very good at "deciding", so this will be good practice! I'll keep you posted on my progress, wish me luck!