Sum Up...Again

Days 245-261

Uh. Yeah. I've been bad. Two weeks gone by and I never made it on to the blog. I've been busy. Really! Lots of prep work for the upcoming Fall Conference in which I'm presenting. This is huge for me. I've never presented at anything, and I will be presenting to librarians from around the state. On technology! While I've had fun playing with the technology for the last 6 weeks, I'm not sure how well I'll be able to present it clearly and succinctly but with enthusiasm and without being my spaz of a self and totally overwhelm them!

Anywho. The last 17 days have been good:
5 teens at one program, 0 teens at 2 others.
5 teens at the first advisory board meeting! (That was huge.)
A change in scheduling allowing me to attend Home Evenings (aka Family Home Evening, but not in Singles groups because we aren't family in the typical sense, I suppose)
Spending time with a very fun group of friends
Being OK that I did not pass Phase I of the Tabernacle choir auditions (and not surprised about it either!)
Purchasing tickets to attend my best friend's sealing and reception in October
Clean Chick Flick moments
Cupcakes from my friends!
Reading some great books
Planning my second birthday party
Being asked to accompany a solo
Green Peppers!
Some Lark Rise refreshers
Knitting for the first time in over 10 years
Getting a more steady schedule going
Personal Revelation

Life is still wonderful and great and fabulous, and it's all due to the Lord's blessings. And I am still happier than I deserve to be--and not complaining in the least!

Like a Fire

Day 244

Our stake has begun an Institute class. I missed first class because I was on vacation. But I made it tonight. Reminded all over again how much I love that spiritual uplift during the break. And I love that even though I hear pretty much the same things with my ears, my heart and my soul hear something else when the Spirit speaks to them.

I'm grateful the Lord sends His Spirit to help me learn more every day.

Today's Smile: I have a kind of stalker at work. She's an elderly lady who loves my name. And she was in today, happy and excited to introduce me to her little granddaughter with my name. Not that I did much to bring about that smile, but oh well. It's still nice.

Today's Something New: I learned where the word "sincere" comes from. Basically means "without wax." Artists or sculptors used wax to smooth in cracks and such to make their work look perfect. Without wax. Natural. (Like me rarely wearing make-up and covering my flaws and such--just being sincere!) So when we give an honest and sincere effort, the Lord doesn't expect it to be perfect. It's all natural. All of who we are. All we have to give.

Sum-Up

Day 237-243

I went on vacation for a few days. Internet was one of the last things on my mind. It was really nice. (Rare, too. I used to always wonder what I was, I don't know, missing I guess. But I didn't care this time, and that's what I prefer.)

The only thing that I missed about the Internet was not being able to relate my joys and gratitudes, giving smiles, and learning lessons. Let's just say that over the week I had lots and lots of all of those. Including:

-Meeting (and helping) John Bytheway!
-short plane rides!
-Writing my first letter to my missionary brother
-Grocery shopping with my Mom
-Talking about "nothing" with my Mom
-Having family dinner!
-Playing a new game with my Dad
-Singing with my sister
-Seeing my nieces and nephews getting older (though that's sad, too!)
-Going camping!!! (My birthday wish--11 months late)
-Smell of campfire
-Minute-to-Win-It as a family team
-Warm in a sleeping bag on a cold night
-Helping cook the ward breakfast
-Not tipping over in the canoe!
-Nap
-Josh Groban concert!
-JG concert with my Dad!!!
-Spending Sunday with my sister's family--especially my nieces.
-Sunday night family game time
-Sleeping in WAY late
-Reading a great book--even by the headlights of the car behind
-Getting to see my brother and his family
-Helping said family unpack in their first house
-Out to eat with the family
-Making my flight on time
-Safe travels
-My parents healthy, safe, and alive to give me more chances on this earth to make them proud and show and tell them how much I love them
-Chick-flicks :-)
-Happiness all around!!

It's been a good week, and I definitely have the Lord to thank for all of it.