Cache

An hour or so after arriving home from his mission, Cache asked for a notepad so he could make a list of things he needed to do. (And here, I naively thought he'd have nothing to do and would be happy to tackle my big projects. . .)  I'm not sure of everything he put on that list but I know much of it included getting his mind ready to back to BYU.  He procured a few calculus text books and gave himself assignments.  I would find him downstairs working out complicated problems on his white board.  He read his college text books from his first year.  He also looked at every. single. class offered at BYU (no small feat) and made a master list of those he would like to take at some point and those he would like to teach himself.  I mentioned to him something to the effect that most college students don't even think about doing such a thing.  He said "I don't know why not.  I'm not even paying for my college. If I were, I would approach it even more rigorously because I would need to make sure I was getting my money's worth."  He loves learning!

Anyway, we LOVED having him home for the summer.  I was a bit concerned that the adjustment would be difficult for him, but it didn't seem to be.  He jumped right in where he left off and was so great to have around.

Now he's back at BYU and in his element.  He is a planner and he plans his time very carefully and fits lots in.  I learn a lot from him.  He decided not to work this semester but to spend that time giving service instead.  He's got himself involved in tutoring as a service.  He still likes to cook and makes bread once a week, he calls and asks about recipes and other aspects about cooking. (He calls about other things too, but I love to have the cooking connection with him.)  One time we were on the phone and Tom came in and asked Chandler who I was talking to.  Chandler said, "Cache and they are talking about food."  Tom said, "Surprise, surprise."  Last week he mentioned he made a Roasted Grape with Goat Cheese on Sweet Potatoes.  I can't be too sure, but there are probably not too many college students eating that!

Before he left for BYU, he gave me a reading assignment:  Naked Economics.  He thought since it is a major he is considering, I should know a bit more about it than I do.  It has been a great and informative read that has actually helped me in the parenting department and thinking about other household management items.  He still hasn't narrowed down a major yet, but is loving his math and economics classes.  Time will tell what he ends up doing.  But I have a hunch it might be some type of university life:  teaching, researching, writing, helping others. . . .all the things he loves now.

At my Grandma's funeral it was mentioned that she used to make copies for her calling with a concoction involving gelatin and a cookie sheet.  Cache was interested so he looked up how to do it.  The Internet is amazing and told him what to do.  Last week he texted me saying he was trying it out.  I don't believe it ended up working well because he didn't have the right kind of ink, but doing that type of thing is definitely up his alley.  He joked that he is going to use that method to send Christmas cards.  I hope he does and I hope I am on his mailing list!

A mission did great things for him and I'm glad to have him back home!

Chandler

Chandler is a walking encyclopedia on golf and he lives to play it. If he's not practicing it, he's watching tutorials online on how to improve his game, studying clubs, balls, reading golf magazines and even play golf video games.  He's pretty much got a one tracked mind.  So it's not really surprising that he made the golf team this year.  He's loved having others to discuss and play the game with.  It hasn't been as good as a season as he's hoped, but he's changed a lot on his strokes and swings that have given him very steep learning curves.  But still at age 14 shooting an average of 41, his best score a 38, is not too bad.  He'll only improve.

Chandler's Eagle court of honor was procrastinated.  It took us six months to buckle down and get it done.  Part of that had to do with my long lists of things at the end of the Primary year and Christmas, the other part was because Chan doesn't like being the center of attention so when I could actually address it, he avoided it.  Anyway, we finally got it done in March.  It was a simple just the way he wanted it.  He gave Caleb his mentor pin.  We enjoyed family coming that day for a bit and a simple evening honoring Chandler.  He's a great kid.

Even with so much time and energy spent on golf, Chandler still makes time for his household jobs, school and scripture reading.  His favorite class in school is easily seminary, he reports.  He is getting so he is making great contributions to our family scripture study so he seems to really be enjoying that fabulous aspect of life.  He's a great and easy going kid to have around.  So thankful for him!

Returned

The great Matriarch has returned home!  My Grandma Bingham was finally able to leave her earthly body on Thursday.  My feeling is that she will once again be able to use all of her talents nurturing the Bingham clan along.  I just can't help but to think about how much happier she is there with Grandpa whom she has missed for almost 18 years. What wonderful work they will do now they are back together again.   I have been blessed to have my Grandpa help me on occasion and I look forward to being able to have my Grandma visit me as well. 

                                       

Being one of the oldest of their grandchildren, I have many vivid memories of my grandparents.  I'm so thankful!  I remember Christmas Eve at their house every year. I remember the homemade French fries, shrimp on occasion, a visit from Santa, the Christmas music on their console record player, her church yard made from gingerbread and often a gingerbread man with each grandchild's name hung on the Christmas tree that we got to take home that night.  One year, they gave me (and my sisters) a yarn Indian doll.  I remember something being said about Grandma making them and Grandpa piping in "I helped too!"  I'm sure he did.  They were a great team and from my memory, Grandpa made it possible for Grandma to nurture in all the ways she could.  Ah, such good memories!  My heart is just happy they are back together again.  

Caleb

Caleb seems to be doing great.  You can tell he is thinking a lot faster than he types because his letters are often random and disjointed that you get done reading the letter and wonder what is really going on with him.  But he sounds good and seems like he is really enjoying life in Argentina.  Here are a few tidbits from his letters and a few pictures:

~The world cup was crazy. We had to stay inside during all the games and it was crazy when they won and also when they lost. Everyone including the missionaries are sad that Argentina lost. It was cool to be here during it though. At least jerseys will be a lot cheaper to buy now.

~There are enough dogs here for everyone in the world to have 5. It´s funny to see packs of dogs just running around. You have to be careful though. A bite is really bad and a terribly long process.

~There was a Dog in the Chapel yesterday. We had to chase it out. They are always dogs everywhere all the time. If you need a dog, write me.

~We had two dogs follow us from one place to another. Then they waited an hour and a half outside our pension. They went with us to our next appointment where they stayed until someone chased them away. Very loyal.

~We had a mouse, slug, and bugs in the pension this week. We have some work to do.

~About my apron. On Sunday we were cooking and after I got cold. So I had my apron on under my coat. When it was time to go I forgot. At a members home I took off my jacket and realized I had my apron on. It was hilarious. I took it off and put it in my bag.

~I really love the self reliance part of being a missionary. I started a budget for this month and I am noting all my transactions. It´s a good habit to get started. I love cooking and I am learning new things each week. This week I learned how to make whipped cream by hand. I love doing my laundry actually. Our washer still isn´t fixed so we just use it for a big bucket. We do have a centrifugal dryer. (It just spins the clothes around really fast.) It´s convenient because we have everything in the city here. We have woolite, color bleach, another brand of spray and wash, and today I finally found spot dry cleaning spray for my suit coats and ties. Very useful.  I like doing the dishes and taking care of our pension. I think the university living should be just fine.

He is solo in this picture because he was only in the MTC twelve days before they sent him to Argentina. Since he wasn't sent out on a transfer he didn't have anyone to travel with.  Thankfully other missionaries flew with him to Buenos Aires before he was on his own.  There are two air ports in BA.  He flew into one then was taken by a member to the temple and a chapel for lunch then to the other air port across town to fly into Neuquen.  

"I also made a dessert for my companion. It´s called a fizzy freeze. Orange soda, ice cream (vanilla), and cream. It was really good. I also make bread for our district. Everyone said it was really good. I realized I like to cook."

This "is of a model chainsaw a member made. Very realistic."

With one of his trainers.  (He went home after the first 6 weeks and so Caleb was assigned another trainer.)

This probably sums up the gist of all of his letters:  "I´m all good, I love the work and I never want to come home."

All of this happiness makes me happy!  Love it!

Muffins

Whether my kids like it or not, muffins are for lunch (unless you want to make your own PBJ).  I make a double batch of muffins whenever I make muffins and freeze the extras for lunches.  I often plan muffins for dinner on weekends just so I can keep the freezer stocked.  Muffins are also what is for breakfast on Monday mornings.   I know muffins generally are not the healthiest food out there, but I do use at least half whole wheat in each of them and since they are not a processed food, it just feels healthier (and tastes better to me than a granola bar or the like).

Chandler informed me last year that I was becoming famous at the Jr. High for the Glazed Orange Muffins.  Ha. (Didn't he realize how much work these things are and that I can't afford-- at least time wise-- to keep the whole JH stocked with muffins???  This year that might not be as much of a problem, but last year when Caleb was here, it was! He took an entire lunch sack full of muffins everyday so keeping up was nearly impossible.)

Here is my rotation of muffin recipes.

Brown Sugar Muffins

These are the Monday morning fare because they are the quickest to pull off  (and strangely, most of the kids' favorite).  This is a very adapted recipe from my sister, Katie.

Double Batch:
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups white flour
2 cups wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
heaping 1/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup oatmeal
2 tsp vanilla

Mix oatmeal, buttermilk, milk and vanilla.  Let oatmeal soften while preparing the rest of the ingredients.

Mix flours with soda, salt and baking powder.

Combine butter and brown sugar.  Beat until fluffy.  Add eggs and beat well.  By hand gently stir in the flour mixture until almost combined.  Add milk mixture and stir just until moistened.  Fill muffin cups.  Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if desired before baking.  Bake for 12 minutes at 375 degrees.

Blueberry-Sour Cream Muffins

Place baking rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375° F. Spray muffin cups or use paper liners. For the topping, combine the following in a medium bowl:

½ cup light brown sugar	2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup all-purpose flour	1 teaspoon cinnamon

Rub with your fingers to form coarse crumbs. Refrigerate until ready to use.

1 ½ cups plus 1 tablespoon flour	1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons baking powder	1 rounded cup sour cream
¼ teaspoon baking soda	1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt	1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 large egg	1 rounded cup frozen blueberries
¾ cup sugar

In a medium bowl, whisk the 1 ½ cups of flour with the baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, using a hand-held mixer, beat the egg at medium speed until frothy. Add the sugar and melted butter and beat until pale yellow, 1 minute. Beat in the sour cream, vanilla and lemon zest until blended. Add the dry ingredients and stir by hand until almost blended. In a bowl, toss the blueberries with the remaining 1 tablespoon of flour. Using a rubber spatula, fold the blueberries into the batter.

Fill the muffin cups three-fourths full of batter; sprinkle with the topping. Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. 

Glazed Orange Muffins

Place baking rack in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray muffin cups or use paper liners.

1/4 cup butter, softened	1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup vegetable oil	3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup white granulated sugar	1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup packed brown sugar	1/4 tsp baking soda
2 large eggs	2 2/3 cups flour
Zest from two large oranges	1 cup buttermilk
2 TBSP squeezed juice from oranges

Mix dry ingredients and set aside. Mix oils and sugars and beat with hand mixer until well mixed. Add the eggs, vanilla, zest and juice. Mix well. By hand add half of the flour mixture. Mix until slightly moistened. Add half of the buttermilk. Stir to combine. Repeat. Do not over stir. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full and bake 15-17 minutes. When they come out of the oven, let them cool for 10-15 minutes and then glaze them.

Glaze:

2 TBSP butter	1 cup of powdered sugar
Zest of one orange	Juice from oranges

With beaters, combine butter, zest and powdered sugar until blended. Thin with juice until you reach desired consistency and flavor.  

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Place baking rack in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray muffin cups or use paper liners.

1/2 cup butter, softened	2 tablespoons poppy seeds
2/3 cup sugar	2 lemons zested
2 large eggs, separated	1/4 teaspoon salt
1 2/3 cups flour	1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking powder	2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon baking soda	1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg yolks, one at a time. Beat well after each. Add the lemon juice, zest and vanilla. In a separate bowl, stir together the dry ingredients, and poppy seeds. By hand, add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating two times with the buttermilk. Stir until barely blended. In another bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold them into the muffin batter until blended. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, 3/4-full. Sprinkle the muffin mixture with sugar if desired. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Banana Nut Muffins
Here is the link to my favorite muffins.  I don't make them that often because Tom doesn't like bananas and they are a fairly involved recipe.  But they are oh, so, yummy.

Pumpkin muffins  (Tessa's favorite)
2 2/3 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
3 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup oil
2 tsp vanilla

Topping:
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 TBSP softened butter
3 TBSP chopped nuts

Mix topping together and set aside.

Mix flour, sugars,baking powder, salt and pumpkin pie spice. Add eggs, pumpkin, oil and vanilla.  Stir until blended.  Fill muffin cups with batter.  Sprinkle with topping.  Bake for 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees.
(This recipe originally had a cream cheese filling, and while good, the extra work and calories were totally dispensable in my opinion!)

The nicely formatted recipes are copied and pasted from my documents.  For bridal showers, I give those recipes with a zester and a muffin tin.  At least on my computer, the formatting shows up right.  If it doesn't on yours, let me know and I'll fix them.

Missionary Status:

The elder Elder Thompson is back! (and he's grown an inch)  It has been a wonderful.  We have enjoyed having him back oh so much.  It's been great to hear more about his mission and share things that have gone on here in the last two years in greater depth.  We've had some great times.

He has kept opening the fridge and being amazed at all of the food.  He'll open the drawers and say 'just so many good things that I love'. He has missed cooking, so I know we have some cooking adventures in our future!  He's got some new ideas of things to try so I'm sure it will be exciting.  

One funny thing he shared with me (that is most likely blog-allowable by his standards):  he was transferred to a new area for his last six weeks.  During a Sunday class of one of his first weeks in the area the teacher asked him how long he'd been out.  He told them 22 months.  The teacher was shocked thinking his suit looked so new that he must be a newly arrived missionary.  Then he asked if his suit was brand new.  It wasn't. The teacher was amazed. That is what happens when you are in a mostly driving mission and the person is meticulous. It's great that we don't have to buy him new Sunday clothes for a while (surprisingly they still fit with the growth).

--------------------

Caleb is having a GREAT time.  We haven't known when he would be leaving for Argentina because the MTC lost his language score a few times and the time frame for visas being granted is always a question, but he flies out Monday--just 12 days there.  So crazy and exciting for him.  Cache is going to visit him tomorrow so that will be good for both of them.  

Ah.  Missionaries.  I love it.

And He's Off!

We had way too many 'adventures' getting Caleb ready for his mission to count.  I have a story in my journal called "The Miracle of the Passport".  To that, I could add  "Miscommunications in Becoming an Elder"  and "THE Night Before"  among others, but all would tell of odd roadblocks that made getting Caleb ready memorable (not all in a good way!).  Between all of that, getting a high school senior ready to leave for a foreign country that you can't send packages to and where everything is so expensive just 19 days after graduation felt like running a marathon!  Seniors in high school are typically focused on Prom and AP tests, graduation, and last hurrahs to really think a great deal about a mission; he was not much different.  So those 19 days after graduation were very tightly packed.   Just for my records, it cost about $3500 to get him sent out.  And we were super conservative!  I'm amazed at the difference--we only spent $1300 getting Cache ready to go.

He was all smiles all day.  He was SO excited!

Chan is going to miss having Caleb around too.

These two are best buds.

She's going to grow up so much in two years.

The girls insisted on riding with Caleb from the temple grounds to the MTC.

Because of the rush, hurried effort, apparent opposition and strange hiccups, dropping him off ended up just being a huge relief. It was quite an accomplishment to have completed everything that needed to be done, to make it there in one piece and to have good feelings in everyone's hearts.  I felt a little bad that I didn't feel so empty and train-wreckish driving away from the MTC like I did with Cache. But I was just SO thankful to have made it there with him ready that no other emotion could have filled my heart.  Plus I've decided that it truly is a privilege to send a missionary out. For quite a while I've felt a bit sorry for myself about the overlap, but I've decided just to be very happy about it.  It's been much better that way.  

This is my 2 for 1 week.

I get to have two missionaries out for one week. How lucky am I?

(I'll be honest, though, I am super excited for Wednesday!! But at the same time, I'm really sad for Cache that it is coming to an end.  Always a mixture of bitter with sweet it seems.)

iStrengthen My Family

This year in Primary to go along with the theme of Families are Forever, we decided to do a summer challenge.  We have been developing it since last November and it has come together piece by piece.  I have felt inspiration in every step of its development. I love that. 

The kids have an opportunity to earn this ultra cool iStrengthen My Family phone!

The phone images will be printed as a photo and then mounted on black foam core and cut out.  They look very real and cool.  We've had a lot of people ask if they are real phones.

Basically the kids have a list of activities that they can complete to strengthen their past, present and future families.  For completing just one activity in each category, they will receive their own phone. The phone will come with an app for Past family, Present family and Future family.  If they complete more activities, they get extra battery boost (on the back).We wanted something easy to manage for parents, but motivating for kids.  Time will tell the success of it, but it seems like the kids are pretty excited about it.

At the end of the summer we will have a culminating activity where they will sign contracts to get their phone and attend activities to get more apps:  a service app, a music app and a game app.  Each activity will provide more ways they can strengthen their family.  Each of those apps are printed on label stickers that will be added at each station as they participate. An app is something you apply so it is fitting for the theme.  At the activity, our music leaders will do a station teaching children how to strengthen their family through Primary music; the games station will teach the children a few fun and easy games to play with their family and at the service station they will make a service token to leave behind when they have done an act of service in their family that will be passed along as they each give service.  

The white rectangle is so we have a spot to write their names.

To introduce the challenge I had one of my Presidency member's ring tone on my real phone be the chorus of "Families Can Be Together Forever" and had them call me during Primary. Both of the phones were in a basket; I answered with the iStrengthen phone and had a one sided conversation that explained the challenge to them.  At one point I said "You are going to give every Primary child their very own iStrengthen My Family phone just for completing the challenge?  Do you realize I have 80 Primary children???"  That really got their attention!  It's been a fun project to work on and develop.  I hope it makes a difference for at least one child!

Tools Part 3

Just a few more random thoughts about the use of spiritual tools:

*I should use the right tool for the task.  It doesn't work well to peel a potato with a power washer or a garlic press even though those are useful tools.  In a like manner, I shouldn't try to mend a bit of a depressed spirit with a spiritual gift/tool, such as--say, the gift of tongues. If I'm hanging by a limb off of a cliff, scripture reading is not the tool I should try to employ.   I recognize that those are incredibly extreme examples, but my thoughts are that if there is a problem to solve, some tools are more fit for the job than others.  And perhaps my thoughts are more along the lines of solving my problems with spiritual tools rather than tools of the world.  Given all of the cool tools out there, still the best one for peeling potatoes is one that is designed to peel potatoes.

*Often problems take more than one tool. Even after I've peeled the potato, I usually have to go in with a paring knife to remove other impurities. I can't just pray a problem away--in my experience, I also have to search the scriptures and put into action ideas given by the Holy Ghost, as well other things depending on the problem.  I am wise to make use of the many spiritual tools available to me.

(Sorry it's so blurry; hope you can still get the idea.)

*I kept one of the potatoes from my Primary lesson and let it sit on my counter top for a few weeks.  As it sat there, I observed that it is much easier to apply the Atonement (and other spiritual gifts) earlier rather than later.  A new crisp potato is much easier to peel than a-growing-soft one. If I can, I should always opt for the easier job. It saves so much time and emotional energy for other things.

*As Debbie pointed out in a comment, we sometimes go into back up/emergency battery mode.  This surely will be the case in a very mortal experience.  I feel like I've been there a great deal since Caleb got his mission call.  But, at some point I cross into a dangerous situation where I am not as easily helped back into peace of mind/conscious and joyous living.  I need to be able to recognize when my emergency battery signal is flashing at me and take appropriate action.

*The wonderful thing about spiritual tools is that they are useful in many situations.  Obedience, repentance, prayer, scripture study etc. can all be put to use for solving many of my problems.  They are not isolated and can all add value to my task or maintaining peace of conscious.

Here is an illustration of how the development of many modern day tools and inventions have blessed our lives.  It is directions from a recipe book printed in 1879.

"To secure nice butter for the table in winter:

In October and November, engage butter to be brought weekly, fresh from the churn in rolls.  Wrap each roll in a piece of old table cloth, and put in a sweet firkin or stone jar which has been washed with soda water, scalded and sunned for a month before using.  Pour over it a clear strong brine, which also must have been prepared at least a week beforehand, by pouring off the settlings and repeated strainings.  Have a nice flat rock washed and weight the butter down with it, being careful to keep it always under the brine."

In the same way that Heavenly Father has poured His knowledge on earth towards the creation of physical tools, His spirit is also flooding the earth with spiritual tools that we can use. He has given us many physical and spiritual tools in these last days--all of which I need to use be efficient and effective.

One of the scriptures that Angel Moroni repeated four times to Joseph Smith was Joel 2:28-29:  "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."

Sister Beck said of this scripture:  "The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life."

That gives me a glimpse of what kind of spiritual power tools I have available to simplify and bless my life. 

Making butter and preparing my firkin seems so much more difficult than my current luxury of acquiring purchased butter. I likewise would be wise to make use of as many spiritual tools as I can they will simplify and enrich my life.

Tools Part 2: The Atonement

If you haven't read Tools Part 1, you may consider reading that first.

In pondering and planning sharing time on the Atonement last month, I had been thinking about tools and how one actually uses the spiritual tool of the Atonement.  A beautiful idea was presented to me as an object lesson.  Here is what I did:

I took in a large bowl of potatoes with words written on each potato such as 'sadness', 'grief', 'pain', 'loneliness', 'discouragement', 'hurt feelings', 'anger', 'disappointment'  etc. I asked the children if they had ever experienced any of those things.  They had.  I asked one child to come up and remove the skin off a potato because we wanted to get rid of those negative things in our life.  

I love how children are very obedient and in both Jr. and Sr. Primary each child started trying to peel the potato with their hands without more of an explanation than that.  As each one worked, I talked a little about Christ's time in Gethsemane and on the cross.  After a few minutes I checked on my friend.   In response to my question "How's it coming?"  my cute little Jr. Primary helper said  "I need a tool." (how perfect!)  I asked him if he would use one if I gave him one.  He said he definitely would.  I gave him a potato peeler and he got back to work.  In a few minutes, he had all the skin removed beautifully--and much more nicely than it would have looked had he completed the task with his fingernails like he originally started.

I likened the peeler to the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  It  is a tool for us to rid ourselves of the uncomfortable, unpleasant and painful things of mortality.  And just like peeling potatoes is still work, it is much more pleasant, efficient and effective with a tool.  Life is--and always will be work--both spiritual and physical, but it is much more pleasant, efficient and effective with the use of spiritual tools--in this case, the Atonement.  

In pondering how, especially in terms Primary children understand, how one actually uses the Atonement and what that looks like in day to day actions, I think I came up with at least a partial answer.  And that is this:  I am using the Atonement when I copy, emulate, follow, pattern (etc.) Jesus Christ's behavior and choices--do as He would do-- in every situation I can.  Think of others the way He does.  Respond to problems the way He did.  Reach out to others like He did.  Act compassionately.  Etc.

I wanted to try it out so I had some time and experience to back up my idea so that I could testify to those impressionable children.  I'm so very far from perfect, but I have tried it enough to recognize the beauty, simplicity and power of that principle.  I have recognized the strengthening and enabling power (two of the blessings of the Atonement) in my life in ways I can't describe when I've humbly tried to act how Christ would act.

One thought that has helped me in acting more like Christ is this:   He had mortal needs just like me--fatigue, hunger etc. He also had many, many people needing and wanting things from Him--throngs pressing on Him at times even.  Those are things that I can relate to, in part, with the demands that come to a mom.  So I have tried to think of His example and how He addressed each concern that came to Him with love, tenderness and compassion. When I've been in situations that are very demanding and I've thought of His care and concern for each individual, not only have I been able to act better, but my responses, at times, have surprised me.  They are not what I would do if I was only working under the umbrella of my intellect and abilities. They have been more like what Christ would have done--I have been enabled to be better and in many cases, much much better.  

A personal example.  One Sunday morning, three days prior to Greta's birthday, Caleb told me he was in charge of food for a Chinese New Year meal at scouts--the same day as Greta's birthday.  It is the tradition at our house that on your birthday, you can request any meal and I will make it. Greta had requested Shrimp Scampi, Red Pepper Salad and a strawberry cake (which, since I'm trying to cut out processed foods from our diet, was made from scratch).  For his activity, Caleb needed Won Ton soup to feed twenty 16-18 year old boys.  I'll be honest, at first I was super frustrated with the scout situation.  My initial response was not the best, I admit.  But during the Sacrament that day as I was reflecting on how I could use the tool of the Atonement, I recognized my response had not been very Christlike.  I decided to try this little experiment of responding in a Christlike way to this situation. How would Christ have responded? What would have His compassion looked like?  That changed my thinking and after church I apologized to Caleb and told him I would do whatever he needed me to to do make his assignment happen.  Wednesday came and my cooking to-do list was uncomfortably long especially since I already had a few other plans for the day (Caleb did help when he came home from school).  But all day I focused my thoughts on the demands Christ had on Him and how many people needed Him and how He always responded in love and compassion. I worked hard to mirror those thoughts and feelings.  I couldn't believe the difference it made. My thinking changed as I submitted my thoughts to meekness and "What can I do more to serve Thee, Lord?".   My task list no longer felt like a burden.  It felt like I was providing true service and that in my service, I was making a difference.  Those feelings were the strengthening and enabling power of the Atonement and not something I could have produced with my own set of skills.  I was able to do more than I could have done on my own and I felt my spirit strengthened in the process. Then after our family meal together, I sent everyone on their way to meetings and scouts and I was left with two excited little girls and a kitchen that had dirty dishes from two large meals.  The miracle of the day for me was that I did not feel bitter or overwhelmed about that mountain of dishes---I was filled with thankfulness that I was able to serve.  It was such a stark difference to how I could have felt had I chosen a different thought process.  The feelings of gratitude were a true gift.

***Just a note:  I'm not saying that we should always take more things on ourselves and be unwise in our human limitations, but for me, on that day, I learned a great lesson about where I placed my thoughts and the enabling power that came when my intents are pure.  Using that as a guide, I feel I can better judge things in the future so that I will not burn out, but still give my life in service to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

This leaves me with big questions for myself:  With such a powerful tool that the Atonement is, how come I don't use it more often?  What good is my potato peeler if I just leave it sitting in my drawer?  Am I living my life ineffectively, inefficiently and exerting greater effort than necessary with results poorer than need be?  If the Atonement is a tool that will help me rid myself of pain, loneliness, discouragement, grief, sadness, anger, hurt feelings etc. why don't I make better use of this tool? Thought provoking questions for sure.

This is long enough for this post.  I have a few final wrap-up thoughts I'll share in another few days.  Again, if you have further thoughts a long these lines, I'd love more ideas to wrap my thoughts around.

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PS.  Just because I've had a few successes with this thought/behavior pattern, I've got so far to go!  As with any spiritual truth revealed, a testing ground is given to see how you'll use your new-found understanding.  I have to say there has been testing ground!  And my test scores haven't been fantastic. Very sub-par, in fact.  That, however, is no reason for me to give up.  I must keep applying and applying and applying. . . .  Perhaps in a decade this thought process might affect a greater portion of my actions.  I'm thankful for more chances.

Tools Part 1

I've been thinking about tools lately.  We have so many tools available to us that we don't often think of how many we benefit from or about how much their usefulness blesses our lives. Just a few tools that  I used this morning:  alarm clock, griddle, microwave, measuring spoons and cups, spatula, pen, phone, squirt bottle, round brush and blow dryer (to give girlies hair dos). . .  It's amazing all of the tools I use in a day's work that allow me to have more time and complete tasks with greater ease.  Tools make my busy life easier, more rewarding and with their use, I work more effectively.  If I didn't have them or didn't use them, I'd work a lot harder and/or inefficiently.

My spirit has a lot to accomplish in a day too:  pushing through disappointments, forgiving, not taking offense, being kind even if I don't feel like it, being patient, summoning courage to hasten the work, pondering and understanding gospel truths, finding the stamina to work through fatigue, pushing negative thoughts about myself or others out of my mind, forcing myself to use my time wisely, ridding myself of selfishness, developing true charity, being joyful etc. etc.  Feels like a mountain, doesn't it, especially since there are also the physical demands of providing for a family: managing, organizing, motivating and encouraging a household etc.  That list could go on as well.

Just as I have many tools available to me to make my physical life easier, Heavenly Father has given me spiritual tools. If I use them, I will be more successful, efficient and effective at keeping my spirit healthy.  This is when I feel peace. With my spirit at peace, the physical demands required in life are appreciated and even enjoyable.

A few spiritual tools I've been given to help me:  the Holy Ghost, the Atonement--strengthening and enabling power and with it, the tools of repentance and forgiveness, the scriptures, the words of living prophets, prayer, my temple covenants (the Endowment is a gift of power--a power tool!). Just as physical tool must be used to receive its value, a spiritual tool is the same.  It's pretty hard to flip a pancake if I don't use the tool available to me to do such a task; and it's illogical for me to try to flip a pancake with something else if I own a spatula.  I need to make correct use of the spiritual tools given to me.  I'm making my life a lot harder if I do not.

So how does one use a spiritual tool?  Many resources are available to know how to use physical tools.They come with instructions or owner's manuals; or information how to use them is learned or passed on from our parents or others.  The Internet provides much information as to how to use tools correctly and efficiently.  So how do I learn about and use the spiritual tools available to me?  What does the use of a spiritual tool look like in real-life application?  What actions does that mean I perform?  What motions do I go through?  And what do I do if the desired result isn't achieved? (How do I troubleshoot?)

If anyone still reads here, I would love to hear thoughts you have about this.  I've got a few ideas, but I want to explore other's thinking regarding this as well.  (Not to mention the fact that this post would be too lengthy without breaking it up.) So if you have any thoughts, I'd love to hear them.  Please share!  

And Just Like That. . .

The postman surprised us today with a mission call.  All of us were SO surprised!  Caleb arranged a little party before evening activities and now our lives are forever changed. . .

We have 104 days to get him ready.

13-15 white shirts (nearly double on all of the clothing requirements Cache had. . . )
Passport & Visas
Etc.
Etc.

He leaves June 18th for the Argentina, Neuquen Mission, with a short stop at the MTC.

I am guessing Cache will be home five days after that.  My mother heart is so happy and so sad. . .

Caleb's Mission

I'm very slow--which is why I'm finally able to get to this post. . . .

So on February 6th, Caleb had his interview with the Stake President to get his mission papers sent off and we started the wait.

We are still waiting.

Through a course of changing Stake Presidents and wrong dates on papers etc., we now have papers at church headquarters awaiting an assignment.  Perhaps next week it will be here.

In the mean time, if you would like to submit a guess, we will post it on our map. I can't promise a treat for a winner like I did when Cache was called because of greater demands on my time, but we'll give you bragging rights :).

On a personal note:   Amazingly, I've been unbelievably patient. I feel that one of the purposes of this delay has been for my growth.  My prayers and study have changed over the course of the month and I've been led to some insights I would have never come to, so I've been grateful.

A Gift

Years ago, one of my siblings had an extended stay with another family.  Their comment many years later, was thought provoking for me.  My sibling told  how this host family came home from church each week and criticized or laughed about almost everyone in the ward.  It was just hard for me to comprehend.  I realized then what a gift I had been given by my parents.  There was never anything negative ever said in my home.  I loved everyone in my ward and thought they were all perfect and wonderful people.  Now that I'm older I realize that surely there had to be personality conflicts and differences or frustrations, but whatever they were, my parents kept that to themselves and only said positive things.  I hope that I might give my children the same gift.  I do notice in my own life that it is my spirit that is damaged when I am critical of others.  What I think or say about others does not necessarily harm them, but harms me.  It is a true gift my parents gave to me.  I am not perfect, but I have a wonderful pattern to follow. All commandments come with blessings. What a blessing it is to 'Nay Speak No Ill.'