This year has been immensely difficult, in large part because everything is constantly changing. We have moved 3 times this year; out of the house into my moms, out of my moms into the basement, out of the basement into a rental. We added a teenager into our mix and with that comes a busy schedule and figuring out dynamics of needs, emotions, and growth. The boys are growing quickly before my eyes, giggling at night despite the ever-present flux of their lives and be extremely patient with their mother when she isn’t always patient with them.
I feel as if I have blinked and it’s winter. I have been frozen by my own swirling thoughts. I have missed properly documenting our lives and all of the lessons we’ve gained. I’m not sure I can even keep track of all of the tender mercies we have experienced and the ways we have felt succored from Heaven.
Tomorrow is December 1st and with everything going on, I haven’t been as diligent in my efforts towards simplifying our lives. I am realizing that my biggest hurdle to simplify is actually my own dreams and imagination. I love scouring the internet and my friends for traditions and ideas and bringing more magic into everyday life, I search and make lists and print and then I have to sort through it all to figure out what I actually SHOULD do.
Oof.
What I AM grateful for is that my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) is encouraging us to Light the World once again. It’s a campaign (for everyone, not just members of our church) that is focused on service and bringing light into the world, especially at a time of year that seems SO dark.
Instead of a prompt everyday, they have chosen weekly focuses. So starting tomorrow, the focus for a week is on lighting the world; finding ways to help someone in another part of the world–recognizing that we are all connected. Actually, tomorrow they are also calling for a worldwide day of service, so me and the boys are going to help assemble some blessing bags with some other children that the youth of our congregation will deliver to a local homeless shelter in town. On Monday, I will write more about what our family will be doing to light the world and then each subsequent Monday leading up to Christmas I will write what the other weekly challenges are (which can also be found by following the link above).
With all that said, as frozen as I feel, the light of the gospel is my constant source of heat. It truly melts all of the worries of my heart away as I choose to trust in a loving Heavenly Father. That perspective shift has been EVERYTHING to me this past year. The light of Christ is so real and so powerful. It is absolutely how I keep going everyday with a smile on my face.
I hope all who read this will take a look at the Light the World challenge, it really is amazing and SO needed during these difficult times for our world.
The link one more time if you missed it above: Light the World
Overwhelmed or distracted by the daily minutia, “this too shall pass.” Remember only to be present in each moment. It will strengthen you for future trials. The momentary memories that get
Registered (by recognizing & anchoring in your midbrain) are the “rocks of Ages”. No guilt for not doing it all; no regrets @ getting frustrated; no wasted energy on negative effort. No regrets.
Ironic thought—“Life is what happens while you are waiting to die.” Think of it in the more positive perspective. 😊
You continue to amaze us with your great faith and the power of your pen. THANKS for sharing. I have been corresponding with a friend who lost everything materially in Paradise, CA. When the going gets rough, we seem to become stronger. Your dear family is missed in our Moses Lake 7th Ward. Hugs to all of you