GETTING READY CONTINUES

We finally got our dates. We enter the MTC in Provo on July 7, 2014. After a week we leave to spend time training in SLC for 3 days. Then its home to St. Louis. On July 21 we leave for Guatemala for 18 months. With our dates in place we are...
Packing another box or two. Our great room is filled with boxes that need to be carried down stairs. We have decided to sell our dinning room table since it has become too small for our growing family. Our yard has become overrun with weeds so it's time to do some yard work. We have finished our first round of shots but we have one more round to go. We have a wedding to attend in Oklahoma, talks to give and friends to visit but most important we are trying to hold, hug and talk to our grandchildren as much as we can.
Life can be a challenge when your making changes but it's a good challenge.

OUR CALL

After months of paperwork, doctor appointments, and interviews we have our call to Guatemala, Guatemala. We still don't know the exact date we will be leaving but it should be in less than 2 months we have been told.


Now it's time to get visas, shots, pack up the house and take care of all the details associated with moving for 18 months to a foreign land. As long as I take each day one at a time I don't get overwhelmed and can stay excited.

THE WEEKEND

The week end was again one of extreme busyness. Going out with friends on Friday night was enjoyable as was going to Wicked at the Fox on Saturday afternoon. Working to accomplish goals and regular housework made me look forward to a quiet Sunday with an early 9:00 am church. As always a call seems to change our day.

Kent received a call from a family he baptized on his mission some 46 years ago. They will be in Oklahoma City on the 18 through the 20 and wanted to know if we could come. Kent said yes. We invited the kids but Andrea and family were busy. Ben and Becca said they would come with us so after Sunday lunch the next hours were spent coordinating plane, car and hotel reservations. A nap seemed to elude us. Maybe next week.

Today, I am back trying to accomplish goals. I don't understand how I got so much more done when I worked full time. I guess it's like an acquaintance said, "growing old isn't for sissies."

NEED FOR GRATITUDE

The problem I’m having with my goals are when it comes to the scriptures, Ensign and the words of the prophets I tend to read and then ponder and reread. This doesn’t go too when with achieving goals that are so specific. However, the likelihood of me achieving goals that aren’t specific is even less likely to be achieved. So, today I have been reading the ensign and rereading and pondering the First Presidency Message. I haven't finished my exercising but it needs to and will start now.

There are many things on my list that will make my life easier but everyday living keeps me from getting to the things that need to be done that day. This is why I keep a gratitude journal. When I see all the negative and I can’t get things done attitude creeps in I stop and write in my journal. Things fall into place and I’m ready to begin again with the right attitude.

THINK ABOUT CHANGE

In a little over a year Kent and I will be putting in papers to serve a mission for our church. We have the option of going for 6 months, 12 months,  18 months or 23 months. Where and how long we serve will be impacted by how well we prepare. I don’t do New Year’s resolutions but I have set Mission Preparation Goals. So for the next 12 to 18 months I will be working on these goals. I chose to write in my blog what I'm doing so I have an accountability because is a public forum individuals are more likely to succeed.

The first goals I’m setting are more specific goals. The second goals will be less specific but just as important to me.

Lifestyle Goals

1.       Exercise 8 miles a day – at least 5 times a week (I'm currently at 2 miles a day)
2.       Eat clean, whole foods
3.       Eat out once or less a week
4.       No fried foods
5.       Plan a weekly menu based of foods that can be prepared ahead of time or in a crockpot
6.       Read 8 quality books written by general authorities
7.       Read Ensign and Smithsonian magazines each month
8.       Read “Preach My Gospel”
9.       Keep gratitude journal going
10.     Continue with daily scripture study
11.     Keep spiritual journal
12.     Find ways to give meaningful service especially in community
13.     Develop a healthy lifestyle

Relationship Goals

1.       Set up a retirement budget and try to live it now
2.       Send out more thank you and birthday cards
3.        Get a smart phone for Kent and have the children teach him how to use it so we can real time talk to grandchildren
4.        Convince one of the children that they want to be responsible for our finances and house while we serve a mission (use guilt if necessary)

Household goals

1.       Pay off house
2.       Set up how to unclutter and store our entire household so we can rent our house while we are gone
3.       Check all appliances and plumbing to make sure they are in good working condition
4.       Place all warrantees in folder that can be given to family member willing to care for our house while we are gone

Person goals

1.       Continue to encourage Kent in his photography
2.       Work on my art and scrapbooking
3.       Learn how to paint with water color

That is a good start. I’m sure I will find other things that I need to do that I’m not aware of. I'm glad I have given myself over a year to get this plan into action. Also I am already doing a number of these things I'm sure I will succeed.

 

STAVANGER, NORWAY

Stavanger – the first Norwegian city we visited. Like the people in the Netherlands, riding bikes, walking and hiking were national pastimes. As we toured we learned so much about the people and their desire for a healthy life style. I sure there are overweight, smokers in Stavanger but I didn’t see them. We felt that this was such a beautiful city with very friendly people. It's hard to say inspired when there every thing on the cruise ship is a food event.

BACK FROM THE NORTH

We loved our trip. That being said no one told me we would have to worry about 3 hurricanes in the frigid north Atlantic.

This is Greenland. The waters were so clear they showed every reflection.

THIS IS IT!

Today we are off for a trip to see the norther lands of the Vikings. Tonight we will fly over the atlantic and tomorrow we will be in the Netherlands (don't call it Holland - that would be like saying you were going to California when you were visiting St. Louis - so we are told).

A BOX OF SUNSHINE

Source: katherinemariephotography.com via Lorrie on Pinterest

I haven't done any projects from Pinterest lately so I thought it was time to do something. I have a friend going through a very hard time so I decided to make a sunshine box. My box has almost exactly the same ingredients as the box on Pinterest. The difference was instead of having Tiffany Box Blue ribbon my ribbon is teal. I don't know if its better but it was much easier to find. By the time I found all the boxed items and candy I was tired of looking for the unusual items. I used yellow scrapbook paper to line the box and covered it with yellow tissue paper. It was a fun project and it is hoped that it will bring a little sunshine into my friends world right now.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

I heard someone say, “There’s no pride in being what you are but in what you do with it.” I have thought a lot about this statement. As a school child I was intimidated by those who were so very intelligent. As a mother I was in awe with those who were knowledgeable in every situation. At church there were brilliant scriptoriums. And so the list goes on. I saw only my limits.

Today, as a 60+ year-old I realize that I have great intelligence but I have dyslexia. I haven’t allowed my handicap keep me from graduating with a master’s degree and having a successful counseling practice. By taking classes and workshops I became the mother I wanted to be. I have read the scriptures daily and studied inspired writings for decades. I now know more than I ever thought possible.

There are things I wish I had learned or tried doing but for the most part I am happy with what I have accomplished with my life. If I have learned anything about living this life is it is by small but consistent effort that great changes have come into my life. I also believe what I read by Hugh B. Brown, “You can do anything you want. You just can’t do everything you want.”