Neal A. Maxwell -Content with the Things Allotted unto Us
- "For I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me."
- Developing greater contentment within certain of our existing constraints and opportunities is one of our challenges. Otherwise we may feel underused, underwhelmed, and underappreciated--while, ironically, within our givens are unused opportunities for service all about us. Neither should we pine away, therefore, for certain things outside god's givens, such as for the powerful voice of an angel, because there is so much to do within what has been allotted to us.
- The sample may shrink or swell, but most important is what we are and what we do within those varied allocations and in the particular "work to which [we] have been called."
- Pondering often precedes contentment.
- Significantly, too, the Lord refuses to intimidate by sending legions of angels in order to ensure that individuals do His will. His will is to be done "because of the word," not because we are compelled. The rule has been, is, and will remain "Nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself."
- When spiritually aligned, a poise can come, even when we do not know "the meaning of all things." Such contented assurance produces not arrogance but quiet acceptance, which is its own form of being "anxiously engaged" but without all the bells and whistles.
Jeffrey R. Holland -As Doves to Our Windows
- "[He] did not ... choose you, because ye were more in number than any [other] people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
- "But because [he] loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers."
Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi -Heavenly Father Has a Special Plan
- My friend, {you have} the spark of divinity in {your} soul.
- First, cultivate an awareness; bring others to a knowledge.
- "The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them."
- Second, a good example is our best tool.
- Third, act at a time when you feel the Spirit.
Loren C. Dunn -"Because My Father Sent Me"
- There should be no other word that is more important to us than father or mother.
- What is needed today is for fathers to commit to being fathers, whatever that might take--to assume the responsibility and to live by it, that you may become an anchor to all who come after you.
- "This his praise, if praise be needed, As a father he succeeded." A father succeeds when he steps forward and accepts his commitment as a father, always loving, praying for, and doing what he can for his family, and never giving up.
John B. Dickson -A Brief Introduction to the Church
- 1. God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, have a plan of happiness for the human family.
- 2. Jesus Christ organized His Church during His mortal ministry.
- 3. The Church of Christ and many simple truths were lost.
- 4. The hearts of men and a location were prepared for a restoration of the gospel.
- 5. Latter-day events were anticipated by the prophets of old.
- 6. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in its fullness.
- 7. Another witness of Christ has been given to our generation.
- 8. The family can be eternal.
- 9. People have been called of God to teach you.
- 10. You can know with assurance that these things are true.
Russell M. Nelson -The Creation
- The purpose of the plan is to provide opportunity for the spirit children of God to progress toward an eternal exaltation.
- The plan required the Creation, and that in turn required both the Fall and the Atonement. These are the three fundamental components of the plan. The creation of a paradisiacal planet came from God. Mortality and death came into the world through the Fall of Adam. Immortality and the possibility of eternal life were provided by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement were planned long before the actual work of the Creation began.
- The Creation did not happen by chance. It did not come ex nihilo (out of nothing). And human minds and hands able to build buildings or create computers are not accidental. It is God who made us and not we ourselves. We are His people!
- Without our grateful awareness of God's hand in the Creation, we would be just as oblivious to our provider as are goldfish swimming in a bowl.
- Simply summarized, the earth was created that families might be.
- We cannot let "the head say unto the feet it [has] no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand?" Just as "the body [has] need of every member," so the family has need of every member.
Gordon B. Hinckley -A Time of New Beginnings
- "The song is ended but the melody lingers on."
- Let us never act in a spirit of arrogance or with a holier-than-thou attitude. Rather, may we show love and respect and helpfulness.
- We are greatly misunderstood, and I fear that much of it is of our own making. We can be more tolerant, more neighborly, more friendly, more of an example than we have been in the past.
- Let us stand a little higher and let the nobility of good character shine through our lives.
General YWs Meeting
Sharon G. Larsen -Standing with God
- What does it mean to stand as a witness of God? It means we will not bow down or give in or be persuaded to do anything contrary to God's will. It means we will risk speaking up when our knees are shaking. It means we will listen and follow the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost.
- Are we so intent on our own problems that we do not notice or think anyone else has any?
- Standing as a witness means you know with certainty that you want to do what is right and let the consequence follow. To stand means you remain firm and immovable, even when (or especially when) you are the smallest or the youngest or the last one standing. You may be the means for holding up others. You have to be strong!
- Be confident and powerful as a witness of God. Live the standards of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Do not compromise. You must not compromise.
- You don't have the power to make rainbows or waterfalls, sunsets or roses, but you do have the power to bless people by your words and smiles and your sincere interest in them.
Carol B. Thomas -Integrity
- Integrity means to do what you say you will do; you keep promises to yourself.
- "We can easily spot ... someone with integrity. They're honest. They do the right thing when nobody is watching. They keep their word and they keep our confidences. They repay their debts, and they clean up their own messes. They accept responsibility for their actions."
- "In all this world there is no substitute for personal integrity. It includes honor. It includes performance. It includes keeping one's word. It includes doing what is right regardless of the circumstances."
- Integrity makes you whole and complete. Integrity will bring a twinkle to your eye and a look of confidence that will magnetically draw people to you.
Margaret D. Nadauld -Stand as a Witness
- Standing as a witness in all things means all things--big things, little things, in all conversations, in jokes, in games played and books read and music listened to, in causes supported, in service rendered, in clothes worn, in friends made.
- Standing as a witness in all things means being kind in all things, being the first to say hello, being the first to smile, being the first to make the stranger feel a part of things, being helpful, thinking of others' feelings, being inclusive.
- We will stand as a witness in all places. That means not only in public places but in private places, in secret, in dark or in light places; in church, school, home, or cars; in the mountain places or beach places; on the street or in the park. Stand as an example of a worthy daughter of God in all places.
- The time is here for you to stand up for what you know is right. You must judge right from wrong. No longer can you be complacent or go with the flow or wonder what to do. You must decide now which path you will follow and which answer you will give. Decide well in advance, before the pressure is on, what you stand for.
James E. Faust -Womanhood: The Highest Place of Honor
- One of your unique, precious, and sublime gifts is your femininity, with its natural grace, goodness, and divinity. Femininity is not just lipstick, stylish hairdos, and trendy clothes. It is the divine adornment of humanity. It finds expression in your qualities of your capacity to love, your spirituality, delicacy, radiance, sensitivity, creativity, charm, graciousness, gentleness, dignity, and quiet strength. It is manifest differently in each girl or woman, but each of you possesses it. Femininity is part of your inner beauty.
- You can use your smiling loveliness to bless those you love and all you meet, and spread great joy.
- Be proud of your womanhood. Enhance it. use it to serve others.
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
I could feel it coming on when I got home from work.
After all, I had been at work, on a fast sunday.
Which meant....lots of work, no food.
And on those sort of days,
My energy levels can crash rather quickly.
Which means for recovery the best method is to eat something as soon as I get home,
and then go take a nap to conserve and 'recharge' my energy 'battery.'
Unfortunately,
Most days like this....I end up not being able to stay home and sleep.
Today, people needed me.
Which meant I had a choice.
Eskew them all.
Or cross my fingers and hope that I had enough energy to help them out.
Unsurprisingly, I went for the latter choice. Crossing my fingers.
Hoping, hoping that perhaps I would be able to gain energy from the encounters instead of my levels getting lower.
Unfortunately,
the first encounter, didn't do much at all to help me conserve my energy.
No, they had been through a stressful encounter while they were away, and they just had to release their energy out. Get the story off their chests. Focusing on themselves and their needs.
Without much consideration on how this whirlwind of energy may have been effecting me.
It wasn't good.
At first I could handle it.
But by the end....I had a headache pulsating behind my eyes.
My shoulders were tense.
And all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball with a heat pack.
I didn't have time for that.
So rallying the dregs of my energy,
I went out into the storm.
I could sense the tension as soon as I arrived,
but it was dispelled a bit by having so many different energies swirling around.
Helping me to keep mine a bit more conserved. It even helped me a bit.
However, it definitely was a give and take thing.
A roller coaster of ups and downs as my energy ebbed and flowed throughout my visit.
For the most part, thankfully being filled with more giving from others, than giving from me.
Yet in the end.
As I left, I knew my energy was shot.
I'd done too much on too little. (which happens a lot on fast Sundays.)
I knew what to expect next. Hoped it wouldn't happen, but expected it.
The backlash.
Of trying to give too much.
The driving of a nail through my skull,
The clamping of irons on my shoulders,
The twisting of my stomach,
The night of little rest....
And who knew what would fix it.
But I had to try something.
Thankfully, I survived the night.
Not restfully by any means.
But thankfully, I have the day to recuperate.
and gain my energy back up to a level that can get me back onto my feet.
In the end though, it was worth it.
I was able to help others.
To bring a smile to their face.
To bring a bit of comfort, comprehension, and/or happiness back into their lives.
And that's what matters most. :)
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
People may have thought I was crazy.
Especially if any one happened to be watching the cameras.
They would have seen me going all over the complex.
First this balcony,
Down the stairs,
Up the stairs,
Over on this bench,
Back up to the balcony.
I was all over the place.
Anxiously searching the sky.
Because there were supposed to be fireworks.
From a big local concert happening in the area.
And I was sure I could see them,
If I knew what time they started!
So anxiously I watched the sky in that direction. Trying to judge the timing,
Only to hear a ton of fireworks happening behind me.
Out of sight.
Would I stay and look at an empty sky or go find the fireworks happening now?
That's why I was running around like crazy.
Up to see the fireworks,
Down to search the sky,
back up for more fireworks.
Back down to search the sky. Because I couldn't see the sky for my complex building from where the balcony's lay.
I was about to give up.
When I glanced out a window.
And saw them!
So back down I dashed, and watched the fireworks show. ^^
And all the other fireworks shows going on in the area.
They were basically non stop from dusk til just after midnight.
Awesome.
Sooo Awesome!
I can't wait to see more. ^^
*dashes to the window*
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
It's my favorite time of year.
FIREWORK season!!!
I love it!
The brightness.
The lights.
The sound.
The colors.
Love it all!
Even more particularly, I love the fireworks that the Golf Course by my parent's house puts on every year.
So much so, that last year, I drove from CollegeTown right as work closed to get to those fireworks.
-To read that adventure just click on this link here. ^^
http://www.thedogstarinquirer.blogspot.com/2013/07/race-up-mountain.html
But this year.
This year I didn't have to race the clock.
^^
No, I wasn't able to go up as early as I would have wanted -due to work again-
But it was still early enough that I was able to have dinner with the family. Visit with friends, and just unwind before the real show started.
^^ Such a show.
Honestly, other firework shows just don't compare as well to the Golf Course Fireworks.
(And I just watched the Stadium of Fire set....to be fair, from a distance.)
It's a tradition I hope to continue on forever. ^^
And now. Back to enjoying the surround sound fireworks happening all around me!!!
Love this time of year!!
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
I believe that many bright and special and valiant spirits have been saved for this challenging time.
I'm thinking about one bright little boy called Timmy.
Timmy had only two pennies in his pocket when he approached the farmer and pointed to a tomato hanging lusciously from a vine.
"Give you two cents for it," the boy offered.
"That kind brings a nickel," the farmer told him.
"This one?"
Timmy asked, pointing to a smaller, greener, and less tempting specimen.
The farmer nodded agreement.
"OK," said Timmy, and sealed the deal by placing his two pennies in the farmer's hand.
"I'll pick it up in about a week."
You young men could learn from Timmy, who invested two cents in a tomato that would be worth five cents in the future. If you are willing to invest now, you young men will have opportunities to accomplish as much as any generation that has ever lived.
-James E. Faust -Of Seeds and Soils -October 1999 General Conference
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Where is my sister when I need her?
I mean, here I have this party.
With lots of ice cream and cake.
But when it's over....
There is still cake and ice cream left.....
And guess what?
I can't eat that much.
Even if I could.
I couldn't eat that much sugar.
Which is why I need my sister.
Because she loves sugar.
She loves to eat it.
For any meal.
Breakfast,
Lunch,
Dinner,
Desert,
Midnight snack.
Any time.
So Cake would be perfect for her.
Which means.
>.>
I need to hatch a plan.
That allows me to take the cake from my apartment, to hers.
And leave it there.
For her enjoyment.
Sure, asking could be the easiest thing to do.
But what fun is that?
Sneaking surprise food in?
Oh. That would be much more fun.
Because really, if I won't enjoy it (or eat it anytime soon.)
Somebody should enjoy it's surgery deliciousness. ^^
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
I was braced for a disaster.
I usually am.
Because when one has a birthday around a holiday....
People tend to disappear on vacas and can't make it to planned birthday parties.
So once again,
I was prepared for this to happen.
I mean, I had like....two people show up at my party last year.
Which definitely doesn't do much to boost confidence.
Luckily.
That didn't happen. ^^
Which actually surprised me.
People showed up.
Like a group of people.
Like more then a handful.
Like...we had to take two cars to go places. O.o
Totally hasn't happened since Elementary school it feels like.
So it felt wonderful!
I have no idea how so many people managed to make it.
Was it a more fun activity?
Did I do it early enough to miss the vacations?
Who knows.
I don't really care right now.
I'm just glad people came.
That we were able to have fun and laugh, and have more fun. ^^;;
I hope that next year is as great of a success as this years was. ^^;;
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
