Story of my life these days

Shockingly- the doctor says my blood tests are totally normal.  I might have to get back to him on that one.

Sunday Moment- Charity

 I finally- after 4 months- taught a lesson in RS a week ago and thought I would share.


This was not an easy lesson for me because I am not at charity with some people. I was honest in teaching, although one sister who is taking the missionary discussions and married into a family that the DR has hometaught for years came up and asked me how I have it all together (WHAT A JOKE) I told her I most certainly do NOT have it all together. She was pretty emotional because they are on the receiving end of a lot of good works right now and that can be tough on the pride.

I started out by asking them to define CHARITY. As expected, the first and main response was the pure love of Christ. I asked them what they thought they would find if they looked it up in a regular dictionary. Webster's- "benevolent good will toward - or love of humanity". In the Bible Dictionary it reads, " the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love; not merely affection. The pure love of (like unto ) Christ. It is never used to denote alms or deeds or benevolence, although it may be a prompting motive." I added the part in parenthesis because to me that can read that charity is our love for Christ, not Christ-like love.

Charity comes from a pure heart. We have pure love when we sincerely and from the heart show and have concern and compassion for all our brothers and sisters.
I used a story shared by President Monson in the October 2010 conference about a woman who constantly criticized her neighbor's washing, pointing out to her husband how it was dirty still and how that woman didn't know how to wash. Her husband could have joined her in the criticism, or even more so- started it first. One morning the woman was surprised to find that her neighbor had finally managed to wash her laundry and make it clean. When she commented on this to her husband, he replied that he had spent the morning washing the window.

We were taught by the Savior to "judge not"- "why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thy own eye".

None of us is perfect. Many times we judge others around us when we would not in a million years want to trade places with them. And we never will know how we would handle any given situation because we will never be in the exact same circumstances. The other thing to keep in mind while we are judging others is that we will be judged by whatever standard we choose to judge others by.

We talked about taking care of others needs. How it is not for us to decide if someone truly needs our assistance, it is for the Lord to decide. We talked about different types of need- both physical, spiritual, and also emotional- which just happens to go along with the VT message of the month- the purpose of RS.

We talked about the story of the Good Samaritan, and how Christ used the particular people for examples that he did.

I shared an example of being at Costco and a lady couldn't find the sour cream, and although I knew she could get an employee or continue looking herself, I backtracked and located it for her. I happened to be killing time waiting for the DR, but I told them I hoped I would have helped her even if I had been in a bigger hurry. I quoted President Monson, " Our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable", and I added that they are extremely so- the moment is there and then it is gone never to return in the exact way again. I think of  my mom a lot with this. She tries so hard to help others without thinking about what is in it for her.

Charity never faileth- it is there minute by minute. Christ- to the very end of his mortal life took care of others- made sure his mother was taken care of, pled for forgiveness for the soldiers, and loved all. Obviously, that didn't end with his death, it continues on.

How do we develop charity?

Study- life of Christ, use his example and teachings to learn how to live and apply to situations in our life. Become as a child, so quick to love and forgive our shortcomings.

Pray- when we have uncharitable feelings, we can immediately pray to have those feelings change. (personally working hard on this one)

Learn to love ourselves- understand our worth, respect and obey the principles and teachings of the gospel. Repent (we all need that every single day) and forgive ourselves. (Matthew 18: 33-35)

and

Don't think or believe that we are better than others-. "Wash our own windows" have patience, and most importantly realize that we don't know everything about anyone else's circumstances. I shared my experiences with comments made by people when we moved back here with only Outpatient and then things that people said when I showed up with a new baby not having gone through a pregnancy. Most of this ward is new to our family (well- in the last three years) many have never really met Outpatient because he was on his mission when it was formed and he went to the singles when he got back. Anyway- so I shared that to look at me- most of them don't know these things that I have experienced, other than my neighbor- who although she knows the stories, she doesn't know the feelings.

Anyway- if you would like some further reading (haha) President Monson's talk on Charity Never Faileth from October 2010 General Conference- and I also really liked a lot from this past conference- especially Lynn G Robbins talk- What Matter of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?- that is the one from Sunday afternoon- the "TO DO- TO BE" talk-

A few wedding pics

Of the Niece's that is. Either the cooler weather or my 4-inch plus heels made for a few blurry pics.

seems like waiting on the bride and groom takes forever-  Middle, Youngest and cousin Kate (those other two are from the groom's family)

These two - born 3 months apart to the day.

 

Infamous Ava and my baby sister's monkey.  That youngster in the background is Calvin.

Favorite Aunt and her family

Kate.

Tender Mercies- rewind-

I have been a bad blogger- for several reasons-sorry, I hope to get back to my old blogging ways after the current mad dashes-  but I just had something remind me of our time in Washington-  one of the girls I used to teach in Primary and a good friend of Outpatient's- just received her mission call to Washington-

We lived in Auburn WA for a few years, and that is one of the areas that the DR served as a missionary.  When he was serving there, the state was divided into two missions-  now there are lots more- but anyway.

When we moved there, the DR already knew lots of people in many areas and this blessed our lives many times with places to stay, people to call in an emergency, etc.  It was often hard for me because these people were strangers to me, and obviously it had been quite a few years since Elder Larsen had seen these people but my husband is so not shy.

What was then an amazing thing, and still is today, was what happened too many times to just be coincidence. 

My husband loved his missionary service.  It was not easy, he has more than a few horror stories, but he was serving with his whole heart and loved it.

We didn't often get to feed the missionaries because it very seldom worked out that the DR could be there- plus there were always lots of people who wanted to, also.  Our ward would quickly fill up the whole calendar. But we had the chance about every 4-6 months or so.  Without fail, it would be right before transfers, and without fail, the missionaries would talk about hoping to not be transferred to a certain area because of one reason or another.  And, without fail, the DR would bring out his journals and read things from them to the missionaries.  And then talk about how much he loved that area, certain people, and then, without fail, one of the missionaries would be transferred to that area.  I believe that the missionaries were sent to our home at those particular times in order to soften or prepare their hearts to serve where they were to be called.  It wasn't just one or two times this happened, it was every time but once- and that once was a memorable experience for an entirely different reason. 

I loved these experiences and I only wish I would have thought to keep in touch with all those missionaries afterwards- just to see what happened.

April Celebrations

Happy Day to all of you- sorry I am a little late for those whose days have already occured.

Adeline

Jace 

WonAe
Brad
Laci & Austin (newlyweds)

Today- my nephew Anakin would have been 11.
Ashley and Jardin
Melani

Ann
Favorite Aunt & Jeff

Feels like I am missing some-  so this might get edited :)

Super busy- drive by posting EDITED

Quick update-

Middle got an honorable mention and was voted most creative project.  shows you what I know.

My niece got married.  yesterday. Pictures later-  if I forget- remind me please.

And- the announcement of two new anticipated Stork Deliveries-  one a bit happier of an announcement than the other-  but then- when one has their fifth baby due when their fourth will be turning one- and found out they were expecting a mere two days before permanent measures to prevent such an event from occurring-  it is understandably a shock.  :)  We- however- are very excited and happy.  That is the best part of being the aunt instead of the momma.

AND!!!  Nearly all addresses and names on the infamous mailing list are collected and accounted for.

Now for the two days behind I am at work and who knows how many days on the house-  back later.


OOPS!!!!!  Biggest thing of all-  ONE MONTH UNTIL THE BIG DAY for LOL and Outpatient!

A bit preoccupied-

I have spent a lot of time in the last week, trying to finalize the mailing list for wedding announcements.

I had double checked to make sure we had everybody down, I had entered a lot of the addresses and even sorted them by who needed which information in which cards  (temple/luncheon).

It was rather early in the middle of the night when I went to bed.  The next night, I sat down to finish up the addresses- just one very big problem.  No list.  It was gone.  I can only assume that if it asked me to save the changes I made-  I must have told it no.  I just about cried.  For real.

So-  I have spent what little spare time I have had the last couple of days trying to redo the list.  It is nearing completion- however the numbers aren't matching up so I get to double-double- triple- or whatever it takes-  the list yet again.

Good thing it will be quite a few years before I have to worry about all this again.

Scholastic endeavors

Last week, Middle and her team competed in the school's Math-a-thon.  Each class period broke up into teams of three and then competed to go up against the winning team from each class in an assembly before the whole school.  Middle's team won in her class.  The assembly was held on Friday- but due to the timing, I couldn't go watch.  She was super nervous before she left in the morning- stressing out about being up in front of the school (this is the same girl who sings solos in concerts without batting an eye).

After school she comes bursting through the door-  so super excited, bouncing off the walls, happy.  "Guess what," she said.  "I was chosen to go to the regional science fair".

That was not exactly was I was expecting to hear.  She bubbled over with excitement at the prospect of riding a charter bus- getting out of classes for the day.  I finally got her to calm down enough to answer one simple question.

How did the Math-a-thon go.

They took second.

I was still confused as to how the science fair came about because her project was not exactly what I would consider science fair worthy. The 7th grade science teacher came in and chose a few projects because they had the space (they were taking 50 out of 400 students).  He picked hers.  It is official.  He has done a few too many experiences with dangerous chemical fumes.

Are you curious as to what her project was? 


How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop- depending on the flavor.


No- I did not have anything to do with that choice- nor could I talk her out of it. 

So-  she is off today for the Science Fair.  She doesn't have a clue what to say or do- can't wait to hear the report on that :)

Fund Raising

What is your take on fund raising?

It seems to be a necessary evil.

Here are my feelings.

I very strongly dislike when my patients or the neighborhood kids are forced to peddle wares to others for fund raising.  Cookie dough, household garbage- nick knacks, magazine subscriptions where "great Prizes" are dangled like carrots, etc.

I have happier feelings towards things like read-a-thons, raffles, or straight out donations (just don't tell me how much you think I have to donate- that is when the happy feelings go right out the window).

My patients play sports (duh! and no- Mr Sheen- you can't patent that phrase, you are soooo totally not the first to utter it).  We do fund raising projects for those as well as school.  My in-laws have 39 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.  They can't afford to support all of these kids' fund raising efforts- so we very seldom ask them.  My mother is the sole support for herself and my dad- and she also has quite a few grandkids-  so we very seldom ask her.

For hockey- we sell advertising space on the boards and walls at the rink, as well as run concessions.  They also occasionally sell things like hoodies and blankets.

For soccer, we have been doing raffles.  Last year it was for a really cute blanket.  This year we are doing two big items-  a hunting bow and a rifle (WANT TO BUY TICKETS????  TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR THE BOW- the rifle drawing is in two weeks) very nice items worth 6-8 hundred dollars.  Middle made the comment that she doesn't like asking people to buy raffle tickets because it is gambling.  Which gave me a moment of pause.  It is-  but is it okay because most people know it is a fund raising effort?

It is my lucky day- or not

I have the most amazing luck.  My odds are nearly 90%.

I go to the doctors-  or have a baby or something like that and there is nearly always a student nurse, PA or NP or some such person tagging along.  My doctor agrees with me on my lucky girl status but that doesn't stop him from bringing them into the room.

So-  I went to enjoy my yearly exam-armed with all the fun info and questions that have popped up in the last year.  We had quite the conversation about my family and our cancer odds and such.  Then, we got to the part of the actual exam- and the nice student kept asking me if it was okay if she re- examined everything that my doctor had just checked.

Well- just exactly what does one say to that?  No?-  (I am not a fan of double check-ups, which is perhaps why I get blessed in that particular way so dang often).  So my body has been violated not just once but twice.  Then today I got to participate in the ritual of chest smooshing- otherwise known as a mammogram.

All in all, my psyche is a tad damaged and wants to crawl back into a hole for another year.  If it gets to will depend a great deal on if I test positive for the BRCA 2 gene like my sister.  That is what I get to look forward to in May.  Fun.

okay?

Is it weird for your doctor to be a tad excited about your upcoming medical testing?

No fooling

April Fools is one holiday that doesn't get attention in these parts- although occasionally the patients will try something on each other.  This morning, Middle came in to tell me she had set all the clocks ahead an hour to trick Youngest-  she walked out before I could tell her that wasn't a good idea.  Youngest's alarm went off- and shortly after- the tears began.  Which is just one of many reasons I just don't go for the tricks.

However- my dreams decided to get in on the action this morning- I woke in a stressful state, having dreamt that I was trying to set up a wedding reception, but there was a reception going on already and the people in there wouldn't leave.  I was trying to figure out how to make their set up work for us- since there was no time to change it-  then I realized I had to get a prescription picked up-  stood in line- stressing- and when it was my turn the lady told me she couldn't help, she was off.  And, the people in the other line who all knew I was there before them wouldn't let me in.  I woke up saying something rather loudly about having a reception, mother of the groom, and did I look even remotely ready for said reception.  I also recall saying something about calling her boss.

Oh the subliminal mind.