Sunday, November 21, 2010

Trials

"Each of us will face trials and tests, and . . . it is how we react to those difficulties that will determine our success and happiness. Each of us will face adversity no matter where we are. We are taught in the scriptures that there 'must needs be . . . an opposition in all things' (2 Nephi 2:11). We will each face times of difficulty, and the question is not when we will face them but how we face them."
James B. Martino, "All Things Work Together for Good," Ensign, May 2010, 101

I have been thinking much on the topic of trials and how we face them. I have friends and family who have been handed some very difficult cards. Things that infuse heartache into the deepest part of them. Some of them react with negativity, self-pity, or freeze up completely, unable to function. Now I am not saying that these methods are bad or wrong, sometimes that initial reaction is necessary. Sometimes that initial reaction will start us on a path for positive change. I think, like the above quote states that how we face these potholes in our lives will determine who we will become. Sometimes it is more than a pothole. Sometimes the road we are following just ends and we are forced to reevaluate everything in search of another path. Life is filled with moments that can injure and maim. I guess the trick is taking that initial reaction and evaluating or strategizing before we strike out on our path only to find that we have made things harder on ourselves that it really needed to be.

I don't even know if I am making any sense, but I have been thinking so much about how many people jump willing into traps that are clearly visible when looked at from the right perspective. We play the victim at times. For me, I have had to acknowledge that most of the troubles I have had (especially as a teen) were self-inflicted. I took the molehills and turned them into mountains. It's sad really. But I do not admit this for sympathy or pity of any kind. I admit my follies in hopes that someone out there can learn from my admission. Maybe someone will evaluate their life and see that they are making themselves a victim when they could be empowered with courage and faith. It may start a thought process for someone that will lead to a better choice, a happier life. I am glad that after all these years I am finally beginning to understand myself, make better choices, and I actually like who I am becoming.

Life can be happy. It is our decision. It is our decision to put on a smile, keep moving forward, or leap in faith.

Today I vow to choose to be happier. I will stop turning molehills into mountains. I will try my best to change my perspective when it needs changing. Listen to others who are trying to help me and pray for the Holy Ghost to guide me.


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

I have a confession.

I didn't know it. I was in denial about it, until I realized many of the books I wanted to suggest to people involved magic.

I admit it. I like fantasy books.
Not all out fantasy, but enough that I it surprises me. I like urban fantasy or a little dystopian science-fiction.

It must have started with Harry Potter, but that one is easy to admit to liking since it is widely known and liked.

One of my most recent favorites is The Magicians and Mrs Quent.
The Magicians and Mrs. Quent

"This book reads like an Austen or Bronte novel with a little bit of a Dickens feel. There were many things I really liked about it. The main character, Ivy is a strong female. The first third was like reading a version of Pride and Prejudice and second third almost felt like a strange version of Jane Eyre and then book came back together and went on it's own journey in the third part."
(Adapted from my goodreads review.)

Some of my all time favorite books:
Anything by Jane Austen (Especially P&P and Mansfield)
To Kill a Mocking Bird
North and South (Elizabeth Gaskell)
The Princess Bride
Daughter of the Forest (Marillier)
The Harry Potter books

I enjoy historical fiction.
I also like to read modern tellings of classic stories.
I also The Book of Mormon should be mentioned even though it is a religious book, because it is such a huge influence in my life.

I like to read the classics, but often I find myself reading modern fiction, especially YA (because it is usually clean). I wish I had a stronger desire to read "smart" books, but usually my brain wants a break from thinking.

This leaves me with three questions:
What have you been reading?
Do my book choices make me even more quirky?
And do I really look like Boo from Monsters INC? (My Young Women keep saying so.)

Monday, November 8, 2010

Happy Holidays the Shutterfly way.

I have never been very good at sending our cards. Only in the last few years have I even bothered to attempt to send out any. The first year I didn't buy very many and had many people I mentally added to my list for the next year. Last year we send out our first "customized" Christmas Cards and for some reason it just was more fun. I was able to alter the card design how I wanted and add pictures. It was kind of fun. The shipping was fast and the product was good. This year I am going to use the same company. Shutterfly

Shutterfly is a company I had never even heard of until last year. There are so many photo sites out there that many people just use what they know. I am glad I found out about Shutterfly. There are so many designs and styles to choose from. Here are just a few of their Christmas designs . . .



Whether you are looking for something simple and classic, or fun like including your family's Top Ten Moments (See picture above), or almost anything you can imagine. They have photo cards that are around $0.55 a piece and the price gets lower the more you order. They are definitely worth checking out. Plus, if you blog about their cards you can get 50 FREE Christmas Cards. What to find out how? Click here. How can you say no to 50 free cards? 



Dreams

Mom said I had Night Terrors as a child. As a kid and adult I have had terrible nightmares. I was afraid of the dark for-ev-er! I used to be afraid of a lot of things, but a few years back things changed. It was a combination of Dave and Dan hiding under the stairs or trying to scare me by talking about my long time "friend'- the attic man, and coming to the realization that they are just another trial. It makes me sound like one of those crazy mormons, but I was teaching a sunday school class about Job in the list of things about him it listed restless sleep and nightmares. When I realized that the nightmares were just another test I had to be strong and face they lost much of their power. I think my perception changed and since then, very few nightmares. Weird. I know.

Anyway...
A month ago I had the saddest dream. It was heartbreaking really. I went to pick up Izzy from somewhere, school maybe. I don't know. You know how dreams are weird things seem normal and little info is given or needed. Everything in the dream was shadowed and dark. Most of the kids were gone. Izzy was gone. No one that was around the building knew where to find her. The streets were dirty and filled with questionable figures. Izzy was gone. Someone stole my baby. I was anxious, upset, and crying. I was so worried that some nasty pervert man had taken her. Then I woke. I was so upset I couldn't move for a minute. It had all felt so real. I almost couldn't function I was so sad. I went in and kissed both of my beautiful sleeping kids. They were safe and it was just a dream.

I felt sad for a while, but was finally able to go back to sleep. That darkness lingered even when I woke in the morning until Izzy came in and she was playful and happy.

It reminds me of what Henry B Eyring said something like this at our Stake Conference- "Perception is more important than reality, because perception makes us do things when reality could be the opposite."

Monday, November 1, 2010

Christmas 2010


Oh Holy Night Religious Christmas 5x7 folded card
Shop Shutterfly.com for elegant Christmas photo cards.
View the entire collection of cards.



I am so grateful that Jill posted about Shutterfly's Christmas Card promo. When I ordered our cards I saved a total of $104.50!
Thank you, Shutterfly.