Sunday, January 31, 2010

Worried about young women of the church

This morning I attended the training meeting for three different wards holding ward conference today. My calling is in stake Young Women and I love being a part of this organization. Our stake president, James Wilson, gave a sobering thought in his message to us today. He said 30-40 percent of young women are not active in the church once they reach the age of 25. He said leaders need to take a more active role in letting young women know they are accepted and loved. But they also need a strong testimony to help them when they are faced with challenges that would veer them even a little off the path. It hurts my heart. To willingly lose something so precious is unthinkable.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

PARIS!

We're going to PARIS! Ooh, la, la, la, la, la! It's real because we now have tickets. We don't usually go anywhere abroad unless there is some conference, research or picking up a missionary tied to it. This trip is a wish that also happens to be on my "what I want to do in life" list that I wrote back in 1997 - go to Paris, see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre - Mona Lisa, and the Arc de Triomphe. Riley will still do some research while we're there, going to the Natural Museum, taking photos for his class and lab guide, but the trip will celebrate my 50th birthday on April 29 (I'm not really that old ...) and our 30th anniversary on June 12. We are going to do our homework and figure out how to see cool things and save money at the same time. I'M GOING TO FRANCE! I need to pinch myself.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

The key to happiness

I'm pretty sure I've found the key to happiness. Giving. Service. Thinking of others. Really, can you think of anything else that compares? There are things in life that are fun and exciting - seeing new countries, rappelling, snowmobiling and hot air balloon rides. There are the delicious - cocoa with whipped cream, Hawaiian pizza, clam chowder and chocolate (Not together). Some things are just plain comfortable - sitting by a fire with a good book, a worn-out pair of jeans, soaking in a hot tub or sleeping without setting an alarm. These all bring about happy feelings but I think the best happiness comes from making a casserole for the food kitchen, helping at a funeral lunch, giving things away on freecycle to someone who needs it more, donating to help in Haiti. I like the feelings I get when I indulge in a good dark chocolate or snowmobile across the white expanse but it just doesn't measure up to the satisfaction of helping someone else.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

SHHHHHhhhhhhhh!

The last time I said I had some time on my hands I was made Relief Society president the following week. That was in 2001. Maybe that's the last time I felt I had time on my hands. So maybe I shouldn't even say it, or write it. I might be jinxing myself into some big time-consuming project if I say it. So I'll whisper it. I have some time on my hands. It seems odd. But I know what to attribute it to - my mother's new situation - her newfound health and the caregivers we hired to live with her.

During this past year, especially the last six months, I remember praying for certain things - for my mom to get better, that we could find help for her -- but I didn't count on all the extra blessings - the peace of mind, knowing she is not alone, the reduced burden of so many tasks that need attention at her house. I still take care of her finances, taxes, mail and bills, order her meds, talk to and take her to her doctors, buy some of her household items, take her to her hair appointment and other things. But the caregivers shop for her groceries, cook her meals, clean, do her laundry, help her with exercises, help her shower and dress, take care of her hearing aids and many other things. They have seamlessly filled in, taking over things I used to do.

It doesn't mean I don't go see my mom or that I don't want to - it's wonderful to be around her now that she isn't hurting as much and now that she is enjoying life again. And when I do spend time with her it's quality time - not working at keeping things up at her house. But the side effect is I get to spend so much more time in my own home - I have piles of things in corners that have been neglected for months, or longer. I've gone through them, organized, put things away, finished projects, started new ones. I've been able to read, exercise and get in the hot tub, which usually sits unused. I've been able to have breakfast with friends, play games with my daughters, watch movies with Riley, volunteer in the ward and spend more time on my calling. I hesitate to put this out there - it makes me nervous to have it be so good. But I'll take it as long as it lasts. And I'll get as much done as time allows, until I have to step it up again.