Before sleep overtook my wandering thoughts, as I lay in bed last night, Christopher Columbus came into my mind. Yes, I agree, it was a random thought, generated by, who knows what. It isn't even October 12, the day that the USA celebrates his life . But after he visited my thoughts, I pondered what I knew about him.
I have always been so grateful for the tenacity of Christopher Columbus in striving to take on such a perilous and un-popular 'journey'.
The journey that Christopher Columbus undertook was not only to discover another passage to the West Indies, but it could be said, more importantly to Columbus, to discover a place for freedom from the oppression of Chirstians by radical spreading, Moslem dominance. He left his home country of Italy for Spain, where he waited for the favor of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, who would soon evict the Moors from Granada; the last stronghold of the Islamic invaders. When they were freed from that conflict, they provided Columbus with the means to make his journey.
I thought back to the time when Craig and I were blessed to be able to travel to Spain. We walked the grounds of Granada, where the throne was. I remember the beautiful gardens, and wood carved ceilings and walls. While standing there, I imagined Christopher Columbus coming into the very room where I was standing, deeply humble, yet strong in his passion and belief in his idea.
Where did that stong conviction and belief come from you might ask. In Christopher Columbus own words......."At this time I have seen and put in study to look into all the Scriptures ...which our Lord opened to my understanding – I could sense His hand upon me – so that it became clear to me that it was feasible to navigate from here to the Indies, and He gave me the will to execute the idea ..."
Columbus studied the scriputres. In doing that, the "Lord opened to his understanding - I could sense His hand upon me......." Here lies one of the most important factors in finding guidance in our lives. We must be willing to go to the Lord, and find Him in His scriputres. And just as happened with Columbus and myriads of other Christians, when we do that, we too will 'sense His hand upon us......." and it will be clear to us what we should do and how to do it.
Christopher Columbus had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. He wrote and testified of that faith often. And we too must testify of our deep and abiding faith in the Savior.
Although our oceans are different, we each will have the strength and will to stand , as we nurture our faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. As Christopher Columbus said, the Lord will make our way clear and give us the will to navigate the rough waters if we put our faith in Him. He is the Rock, He is the Way and He is the Light.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
THE GIFT
A few nights ago I had an interesting experience. Our washing machine discontinued working and no matter how I coaxed it, the agitator just would not agitate. (Although I found myself becoming more and more agitated!)
I decided that the clothes really weren't clean, as they had just sat in soapy water and then spun. I filled the washer with soapy water again, but when the agitator did not 'wash' the clothes, I took a clean 'toilet plunger' and for 10 minutes 'plunged' the clothes for the wash cycle. Then at the rinse cycle I did the same again.
The interesting part of this experience were the thoughts that came to my mind as I manually 'washed' the clothes.
I thought of all the people in all the world's history that have had to haul clothes to a stream and beat them on the rocks to get them clean. I thought of the women mostly, who's entire days were spent washing and cleaning and cooking.
I marvled at how simple, even this action of 'plunging' my clothes, was for me as compared to the myriad of women who toiled and labored to do just what I was doing. And, I thought about the great blessings brought about by the industrial revolution and the conveniences of our modern homes.
With each downward plunge, I counted the blessings that I enjoy each and everyday of my life.
I wondered if I am taking advantage of all the time I have been given, as opposed to other women throughout the world's history who had literally no time for themselves.
And that led me to my favorite poem, written by Alma Deane Feller in April 1989 called, The Gift. I share it here with you.
It's time.
It's time again,
For evening chores.
My hands are cracked,
And red and sore.
But there is milking
To be done.
My body is tired.
My spirit is tired.
I am weary.
I have not heart to see
The glory of the sky
As sunset sits
Outside my cabin door.
Because -
Because -
I want so to paint it.
And I have only time
For crying children
And unweeded gardens
And unbaked bread
And tears for my child
Lying so quietly
Just beyond the outer fence.
I have not heart to hear
The glory of the wind
Blowing gentle, savage,
Creating a cacophony
Or a symphony
Or a lullabye.
I cannot set to music
These celestial sounds
Echoing in
My heart and spirit.
I have only time, just now,
For survival.
Survival of body
And spirit
And faith
And testimony.
But you, my sister
Whom I see, so far away,
Hovering in the future.
You - you will have the time
And the canvas
And the pen
And the tools -
To you I give my gift
Of survival
And yearning.
You are the fruit
Of my spirit's garden.
My talent is in trust
To you.
And this, my gift
And testament to you
Will be, in time,
Your gift
To me.
God gave us all the same air to breathe and with it, I believe He also gave us something meaningful, for each of us to do with our lives. You and I have been given the gift of time and opportunity.
Today, I challenge each of us to set our sights to gathering the strength of all those women who have gone before, and entrusted their hope and testaments, to those of us who live in such a glorious time and place.
And with that strength, may we each be able to hold on a little longer, try a little harder, give a little more, and reach with more enthusiasm for our dreams. And in doing so, may that be our gift to those women who have suffered and stretched and given more than we can ever know just to serve their families.
I decided that the clothes really weren't clean, as they had just sat in soapy water and then spun. I filled the washer with soapy water again, but when the agitator did not 'wash' the clothes, I took a clean 'toilet plunger' and for 10 minutes 'plunged' the clothes for the wash cycle. Then at the rinse cycle I did the same again.
The interesting part of this experience were the thoughts that came to my mind as I manually 'washed' the clothes.
I thought of all the people in all the world's history that have had to haul clothes to a stream and beat them on the rocks to get them clean. I thought of the women mostly, who's entire days were spent washing and cleaning and cooking.
I marvled at how simple, even this action of 'plunging' my clothes, was for me as compared to the myriad of women who toiled and labored to do just what I was doing. And, I thought about the great blessings brought about by the industrial revolution and the conveniences of our modern homes.
With each downward plunge, I counted the blessings that I enjoy each and everyday of my life.
I wondered if I am taking advantage of all the time I have been given, as opposed to other women throughout the world's history who had literally no time for themselves.
And that led me to my favorite poem, written by Alma Deane Feller in April 1989 called, The Gift. I share it here with you.
It's time.
It's time again,
For evening chores.
My hands are cracked,
And red and sore.
But there is milking
To be done.
My body is tired.
My spirit is tired.
I am weary.
I have not heart to see
The glory of the sky
As sunset sits
Outside my cabin door.
Because -
Because -
I want so to paint it.
And I have only time
For crying children
And unweeded gardens
And unbaked bread
And tears for my child
Lying so quietly
Just beyond the outer fence.
I have not heart to hear
The glory of the wind
Blowing gentle, savage,
Creating a cacophony
Or a symphony
Or a lullabye.
I cannot set to music
These celestial sounds
Echoing in
My heart and spirit.
I have only time, just now,
For survival.
Survival of body
And spirit
And faith
And testimony.
But you, my sister
Whom I see, so far away,
Hovering in the future.
You - you will have the time
And the canvas
And the pen
And the tools -
To you I give my gift
Of survival
And yearning.
You are the fruit
Of my spirit's garden.
My talent is in trust
To you.
And this, my gift
And testament to you
Will be, in time,
Your gift
To me.
God gave us all the same air to breathe and with it, I believe He also gave us something meaningful, for each of us to do with our lives. You and I have been given the gift of time and opportunity.
Today, I challenge each of us to set our sights to gathering the strength of all those women who have gone before, and entrusted their hope and testaments, to those of us who live in such a glorious time and place.
And with that strength, may we each be able to hold on a little longer, try a little harder, give a little more, and reach with more enthusiasm for our dreams. And in doing so, may that be our gift to those women who have suffered and stretched and given more than we can ever know just to serve their families.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
WOW! Fall is here! It has been a whole spring and summer since I looked at my blog!
I am so excited about this change of season as I always am with the season changes. But today I am also excited about the change in my attitude.
It's been a good year for me to do some introspection. I have learned a great deal about me; who I am and why, and who I am becoming.
Those seem like silly things to spend time contemplating and worrying about, but as many of you know, time takes it's toll on any co-dependent behaviors we have acquired and hung onto during the course of our lives.
I have heard the word, co-dependency, for many years, but until this year, I really had no idea that my life had taken the shape it had because of my co-dependent behaviors. And as hard as it is to admit, I fell for every one of the false ideas of my un-healthy beliefs.
I have come up with my own definition of co-dependency, born because I didn't feel that the definitions I came across were quite complete.
“A co-dependent person is one who has lived in a close relationship with a person with a compulsive disorder or addiction, and has adapted to that painful and debilitating experience in an un-healthy way.” KLMC June 2009
I started gathering co-dependent behaviors at a very young age. Heaped upon those unhealthy thought processes were the same negative life experiences that everyone gets to experience. (This is not to say that any specific person was at fault, only that I responded to negative experiences in unhealthy ways.) What I realize now is that, heaping negative life experiences on a person who already has unhealthy thought processess, is akin to trying to swim upstream in a mudslide. It is impossible to move, and even if you could get out, you would be covered with mud!
So, I have spent the year scrapping off the 'mud'.
Now it is time to re-kindle and light the fire under the spirit that is uniquely me, the one that Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ know from our pre-mortal life; the spirit that is really me, without the sham and confusion that so often besets us in this mortal journey. I am excited about the possibilities and the adventure.
And so, as we enter into this change of seasons my thoughts for each of you are, that you will be able to look inside and find the real you, the you that walked in paths of light and truth before you entered this earthly life. In so doing may we all be able to dedicate our lives to living in that same light and truth and understanding, of who we really are, and our Great Potential as spirit children of our Heavenly Father.
-
I am so excited about this change of season as I always am with the season changes. But today I am also excited about the change in my attitude.
It's been a good year for me to do some introspection. I have learned a great deal about me; who I am and why, and who I am becoming.
Those seem like silly things to spend time contemplating and worrying about, but as many of you know, time takes it's toll on any co-dependent behaviors we have acquired and hung onto during the course of our lives.
I have heard the word, co-dependency, for many years, but until this year, I really had no idea that my life had taken the shape it had because of my co-dependent behaviors. And as hard as it is to admit, I fell for every one of the false ideas of my un-healthy beliefs.
I have come up with my own definition of co-dependency, born because I didn't feel that the definitions I came across were quite complete.
“A co-dependent person is one who has lived in a close relationship with a person with a compulsive disorder or addiction, and has adapted to that painful and debilitating experience in an un-healthy way.” KLMC June 2009
I started gathering co-dependent behaviors at a very young age. Heaped upon those unhealthy thought processes were the same negative life experiences that everyone gets to experience. (This is not to say that any specific person was at fault, only that I responded to negative experiences in unhealthy ways.) What I realize now is that, heaping negative life experiences on a person who already has unhealthy thought processess, is akin to trying to swim upstream in a mudslide. It is impossible to move, and even if you could get out, you would be covered with mud!
So, I have spent the year scrapping off the 'mud'.
Now it is time to re-kindle and light the fire under the spirit that is uniquely me, the one that Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ know from our pre-mortal life; the spirit that is really me, without the sham and confusion that so often besets us in this mortal journey. I am excited about the possibilities and the adventure.
And so, as we enter into this change of seasons my thoughts for each of you are, that you will be able to look inside and find the real you, the you that walked in paths of light and truth before you entered this earthly life. In so doing may we all be able to dedicate our lives to living in that same light and truth and understanding, of who we really are, and our Great Potential as spirit children of our Heavenly Father.
-
Saturday, April 11, 2009
SPRING IS HERE!
Wow, the last time I was here at my blog, we were busy in the reflective days of fall. I find it interesting that this time I come, we are in the blessed grateful days of spring.
I walked outside the other day and looked at each of the new trees we had planted around the house, and sure enough, there are baby buds of new life on each one.
We are fortunate to live on the hillside where I look up daily at the receeding snow line, and rejoice that soon these beautiful mountains will be covered with tender green foilage.
Last weekend we enjoyed our annual Family Spring Celebration. Erin, David, Vance, Becca, Shalei & Jamis with Naiya, Jonas, & Aidia, Brianne & Jon with Katelyn & Ethan, Cousins, Naomi & fiancee Andrew, Azure, and Craig's mom Adeline joined us for the entire weekend. Our great friends Stan Winters and son Dennis joined us on Sunday. (We missed you Chelsea & Jordan and Katie, Brandon & Lyndee!)
I can't put into words the joy I feel when surrounded by my sweet children and their children and great friends. The Lord has blessed us so much with this great home with enough room to sleep everyone and more. (Our Christmas to New Years group often is between 28-36!)We do have fun, and last weekend was no exception. At our annual family spring celebration we also have the benefit of listening and watching the Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints together. Our bonds are strengthened as we learn of truths and direction from the Prophet and Apostles of the Lord. Between the sessions though, the great competition of Wii tennis, bowling, etc, was at very 'heated' levels. Saturday night my heart swelled with gratitude as I watched the men in their suits all get in to the car and drive to the Priesthood session of conference.
And that leads me to another thing that I am so grateful for at this springtime. That the Prophet Joseph Smith was worthy and obedient to the words and admonition of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ in restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. Encapsulated in the gospel is the Priesthood of God, the one true power on earth. I cry daily at the onslaught of satan and his forces on the Priesthood, and pray that all Priesthood holders will take the power that has been bestowed upon you and use it to further the works of light and righteousness in this world that loves so many dark and unrighteous things. The choice may be hard, but it is the only choice that will bring happiness and true joy.
My heart is full of love for the Savior of mankind. I am grateful to Him for loving me enough to offer all He had to atone for my sins. I am grateful that through His atoning sacrifice He took upon Him not only my sins, but my pain and sorrow, and because of that, He only can succor my aching and broken heart. I am so grateful for that and for my faith in Him.
I am grateful to have eyes to see this magnificent earth. Two nights ago as I was driving back from Salt Lake, as I was in the darkness surrounding the Great Salt Lake, the moon peered around the clouds in such awe-inspiring beauty that it took my breath away. I couldn't but help to thank my God for the gift of sight.
I am grateful to live in this time when the Lord is revealing so may cures for so many diseases, both physical and emotional. As strong as the influence of bad that satan is spewing, the influence that the Lord is showering upon those who are listening is greater, and what marvelous blessings await us.
May we each have new life like the newness of spring that is upon us. And may you each feel the Savior's ever encircling arms of love surrounding you this day and always. Kathie
I walked outside the other day and looked at each of the new trees we had planted around the house, and sure enough, there are baby buds of new life on each one.
We are fortunate to live on the hillside where I look up daily at the receeding snow line, and rejoice that soon these beautiful mountains will be covered with tender green foilage.
Last weekend we enjoyed our annual Family Spring Celebration. Erin, David, Vance, Becca, Shalei & Jamis with Naiya, Jonas, & Aidia, Brianne & Jon with Katelyn & Ethan, Cousins, Naomi & fiancee Andrew, Azure, and Craig's mom Adeline joined us for the entire weekend. Our great friends Stan Winters and son Dennis joined us on Sunday. (We missed you Chelsea & Jordan and Katie, Brandon & Lyndee!)
I can't put into words the joy I feel when surrounded by my sweet children and their children and great friends. The Lord has blessed us so much with this great home with enough room to sleep everyone and more. (Our Christmas to New Years group often is between 28-36!)We do have fun, and last weekend was no exception. At our annual family spring celebration we also have the benefit of listening and watching the Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints together. Our bonds are strengthened as we learn of truths and direction from the Prophet and Apostles of the Lord. Between the sessions though, the great competition of Wii tennis, bowling, etc, was at very 'heated' levels. Saturday night my heart swelled with gratitude as I watched the men in their suits all get in to the car and drive to the Priesthood session of conference.
And that leads me to another thing that I am so grateful for at this springtime. That the Prophet Joseph Smith was worthy and obedient to the words and admonition of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ in restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. Encapsulated in the gospel is the Priesthood of God, the one true power on earth. I cry daily at the onslaught of satan and his forces on the Priesthood, and pray that all Priesthood holders will take the power that has been bestowed upon you and use it to further the works of light and righteousness in this world that loves so many dark and unrighteous things. The choice may be hard, but it is the only choice that will bring happiness and true joy.
My heart is full of love for the Savior of mankind. I am grateful to Him for loving me enough to offer all He had to atone for my sins. I am grateful that through His atoning sacrifice He took upon Him not only my sins, but my pain and sorrow, and because of that, He only can succor my aching and broken heart. I am so grateful for that and for my faith in Him.
I am grateful to have eyes to see this magnificent earth. Two nights ago as I was driving back from Salt Lake, as I was in the darkness surrounding the Great Salt Lake, the moon peered around the clouds in such awe-inspiring beauty that it took my breath away. I couldn't but help to thank my God for the gift of sight.
I am grateful to live in this time when the Lord is revealing so may cures for so many diseases, both physical and emotional. As strong as the influence of bad that satan is spewing, the influence that the Lord is showering upon those who are listening is greater, and what marvelous blessings await us.
May we each have new life like the newness of spring that is upon us. And may you each feel the Savior's ever encircling arms of love surrounding you this day and always. Kathie
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