I Feel Lucky....

You know how January can get you kinda down?

I don't know if it is the cold, the lack of sunshine and outdoor time or just that fact that the month seems to last forever.

We are feeling it here.

The January Blahs.

Even Zach seems to be craving outdoors and sun and a green lawn to play soccer on.

As I laid in bed last night, knowing my sister was running her son to the ER with croup, I felt so lucky. I felt lucky to live in a day when modern medicine is available. I felt lucky to have a cozy bed, with a toasty electric blanket warming my cold toes. I felt lucky to have a job and lucky to have all my children safe in their beds.

[You might have heard this before:]

If you woke up this morning more healthy than ill, you are luckier than millions of people that will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced war, the loneliness of jail, the agony of torture or starvation, you are better off than 500 millions people.

If you can go to your church with no fear of humiliation, jail, being tortured or killed... Then you are luckier than 3 billions people in the world.

If you have food in your fridge, clothes in your closet, a roof on your head and somewhere to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the world population.

If you have money in a bank, in your wallet and some coins in your moneybox...You are one of 8% richest people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and together...You are a very rare person.

I think the key to the January Blahs is to make a "luck list". Somehow, it is hard to feel sorry for yourself when you can see a tangible list of your many blessings.

What are you feeling lucky for today?

Pain and Suffering

I have a sweet friend.

Her young and beautiful mother is battling cancer. Her husband's mother has been battling a debilitating disease and just passed away this past week. This couple is experiencing some very tough trials right now (and many of the trials I haven't even mentioned)

Do you ever wonder how you will handle tragedy?

Tonight I attended the mother's viewing.

As stories of her suffering were shared, my mind was racing with thoughts.

Life Changing Thoughts.

Perspective raced through my head. Gratitude flowed in and completely filled me. Then Fear creeped in, as I wondered if it was "my turn" to experience the unthinkable--as if trials were like waiting in line at the drinking fountain.

But the thought that lingered the most for me was Preparation.

What am I doing now to strengthen myself for tough times?

Is my faith strong enough to carry me when it is "my turn"?

Tonight I read a talk by President Thomas S. Monson called

May We So Live

(Liahona, August 2008)

It seemed to be written just for me.

Here is my favorite part.

"How fragile life, how certain death. We do not know when we will be required to leave this mortal existence. And so I ask, “What are we doing with today?” If we live only for tomorrow, we’ll eventually have a lot of empty yesterdays. Have we been guilty of declaring, “I’ve been thinking about making some course corrections in my life. I plan to take the first step—tomorrow”? Such tomorrows rarely come unless we do something about them today...May we resolve from this day forward to fill our hearts with love. May we go the extra mile to include in our lives any who are lonely or downhearted or who are suffering in any way. May we “[cheer] up the sad and [make] someone feel glad.”

There is simply no room in my brain for

Jealousy, Unkindness,

Ingratitude, Impatience, Selfishness or Fear.

I choose to not let them be there.

Of course I am not naive enough to think that I can just shove them out so easily. But as I try to make those course corrections, make daily changes, set goals for myself, and refine my character,

I hope I can replace those thoughts with the sort that will truly bring lasting joy and peace.

On a lighter note....

Happy 4th Birthday

Haylee!

We so love you.

(and we hope you liked your cake)