2009.....Here we come!

Goodbye 2008....Here we come....2009!
It has been a very different year. It is mostly my fault for us not coming to church. We probably went maybe 10 times during the whole year. Not good! It was so early though. And it was so much easier to just sleep and then wake up after 1130. I miss seeing my husband and Tim (my son) all dressed up in dress pants and sometimes a tie. It hasn't been good for us though to miss it. It just got too easy to miss it. And then when I would think I wanted to go I was afraid of being rejected by Michael or Tim. And I don't want to go by myself. It is lonely. And I am afraid of what if they get too comfortable with not going that they won't be ready to start going when I am ready. But 2009....here we come! We have missed out on learning. We have missed out on sitting together while learning about Christ and feeling the closeness of us being together. Not doing anything else except sitting next to each other and listening and learning. No conflict...no TV.....no phone.....no stress from life. I hope my daughters will come with us too. Some of the new people in the ward haven't even seen my daughters. I talk about them but it's almost like I have made them up. he he They do exist! They are real!
My dear friend KR has been so concerned about us. She is a very good friend. She has listened to my concerns, my stress, my hurt feelings, my questions etc. She has been there for me. I love her very much. KR was sent to me by God. He knew that I needed her. That she would be good for me. And then God picked another soul to be my friend too...My new visiting teaching partner, DB is great. I never really 'knew' her much. I knew who she was but she kind of intimidated me because she is so sure of herself and out going and fun. She is so funny when she talks to the congregation. She is so at ease. When she refers to a lady in the ward she calls them 'chicks.' She seems to have a very strong testimony. I think she was handpicked by God to be my visiting teaching partner. There was definitely some intervention there. I think God has whispered to a hand full of neat people to guide my family back to church. I guess we are pretty special and blessed that these souls listened to the Spirit.
Someone also did the 12 days of Christmas for our Family. It was so sweet. It was quite exciting wondering what they had left every day. It was nice to open the door and see that someone was thinking of our family.
It is now our families turn to get our butt in gear and get to church and do some service for others. It is now time to learn and enjoy learning together. I really have missed some of my friends there. I miss learning things and then coming home and discussing what we all learned in our classes. I love to talk about what we all learned in class. And to talk about what others in the ward family are doing. I love to be the giver but it was really nice to be the receiver this year. Our 12 days of Christmas family left us yummy treats and cute Christmas towels. My favorite gift they left was a large picture of Jesus. I am so excited to get a frame for it and get it hung on the wall!

Toss the Guilt and catch the Joy

I went to the Deseret Book outlet yesterday in South Jordan. I love Deseret Book. I could stay in there and look around for hours. There was this table of really nice novels for $1.99! Yes! I double checked with one of the workers! So, I picked up a few and looked around for some more eye catching on sale items. I bought this book called Toss the Guilt and catch the Joy. The author is Merrilee Boyack. I am only on page 15 but love it already! She really is relating to how I think most mom's and wives feel about their lives and their 'duties.' Women are so hard on themselves. They compare themselves to other women when we don't even know what is really going on behind closed doors. And how those 'perfect' women really feel or how they're really not perfect. We are suppose to do the best we can. We are suppose to keep improving every day. But improving in the way that is possible with our talents and circumstances, not other womens. The perfect couple actually does have issues, we just don't see them. A friend of mine looked to have the 'perfect' relationship but they don't because we all have struggles. Alot of my friends have financial issues, communication issues, health issues, etc. We all have issues. It is up to each one of us to talk to God about these problems. We can't do it on our own, I read that somewhere. :) I try to do things on my own and not talk to Heavenly Father. He is always there to listen. Why don't we take advantage of the opportunity to talk to him anywhere and at anytime? It can be just a few thoughts to him while we are driving, folding laundry, showering, whatever. He will always be there to listen. I have felt his comforting spirit once or twice and I totally felt at peace. Why don't I talk to him every day? I can text to friends several times every day. I can check my email and get on facebook several times a week, if not every day. Why do I think I have to be in the right mind or the right place to pray?

You Are Special

A friend of mine read this story as our Visiting Teaching lesson today. I'm not sure if I have heard the story. I really liked it though. It is so true that we all need to remember that it shouldn't matter to us what other human beings think of us because the ONE that we should care most about is how God thinks of us. We are all special in our own ways. I found this story could apply to children and ADULTS. Below is the link of the story:

http://www.lollie.com/thinkagain.html

The Christ Child

This is the reaSON for Christmas!!!  He is our Savior. Our Savior of the world. We love him. We love Heavenly Father for sending his Son for us. We love Mary and Joseph for the role they played in Jesus' birth and his life on earth. We are grateful for the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins and for the Atonement. He loves everyone.

To make or not make 2009 Resolutions?

To make of not make 2009 Resolutions? The odds of completing resolutions are low so I have been told. Fewer than 10 percent of people successfully complete their resolutions.

I am looking forward to watching Oprah's Best Life Series coming January 5th, 2009.
Bob Greene is Monday January 5th, then Dr. Oz is Tuesday, talking about Your Spirituality on Wednesday, Suze Orman about Your Money on Thursday and then Friday Your Sex Life with Dr. Laura Berman. I love Bob Greene and Dr. Oz!!!! I love them love them! I have met Bob Greene once at a lecture. After the lecture he signed his new book and old books written by him. He really seemed to care about the people. He is positive and he is smart and funny. I wish I could have him drop by once a week for a motivational pick me up!

Also starting January 5th another season of The Biggest Loser. Season 7 ! I am so excited. I love watching that show too. I have watched that show before with a quart of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. I don't think Bob Harper or Jillian would approve! he he

I am hoping to get my bedroom liveable by January 5th. I want to move my Elliptical from the garage to inside my bedroom! It doesn't get used much (actually not at all) in the garage especially in the winter when it is probably about 20 degrees in the garage.

I have gained about 4 pounds in just 1 week, during Christmas week. I have ate so much food! So much cookies and candy. I have felt so full to almost sickness. Blah! But everything tastes so good in the moment!

I am going to search on google or do alot of thinking about how to accomplish and make goals that I can stick to. I need to develop a healthy attitude about food, exercise, self esteem (mine is so far in the gutter), figuring out how I feel about God and the changes I need to do to develop a relationship with him. I really need to make alot of progress on getting along with everyone and having a positive attitude. I so much want to have fun and enjoy everyone in my family. I want to be happy with myself too.

We haven't been to church on any kind of a regular basis this whole year of 2008. I have missed it. I have a good desire to go but then on Saturday night and Sunday morning staying in my bed and sleeping in wins! Church starts at 11 am this next year though so we will make it to church on a regular basis all 3 of us. It would be awesome if all 5 of us could go together once in a while. I need to do more than just attend the meetings. I need to read the scriptures and pray daily. I need to truly talk to my Heavenly Father.