My 'To Do' list-Overflowing
Yet, here I sit at my computer, thoughts rolling all around this wondering mind of mine.
Yesterday I was feeling D-pressed. I was eating my way through house and home, I still have yet to run after getting sick, I miss my husband, and my friends are all busy with their own lives. I love being at home with Gavinn and wouldn't change it for the world, but let's face it, it can take its toll.
I decided to do something about it.
Our ward was having a RS something or other. At 6:30pm Gavinn finally got out of his Jammie's and I put on a bra, threw on some make-up and headed out the door.
*Confession*
Another reason I wanted to go is curiousity.
"Free gift!" was labeled on all the invitations...
I'll be the first to admit, I'm that kind of person. The person who goes to get a "free" something or other.
::Shrug::
Judge away my readers! :)
I walked into the church and was promptly handed 2 things.
1.) A 2 page story
2.)A pair of sunglasses with attached purposeful message.
"Is THIS my free gift?"
Surly and yes indeed... a pair of 80's glasses with NCAT whitewater plastered on the side.
Surly and yes indeed... a pair of 80's glasses with NCAT whitewater plastered on the side. Although slightly disappointed, I reminded myself that a gift of this nature was to be expected. It's not like Oprah where everyone wins a free car of anything.
I proceeded to walk in the RS room and plop myself down on a chair in the back where Gavinn could sit on the floor and play. (And look at the toddler moving and shaking, he sure does love googling at the ladies. I hope one day he realizes his high pitched squeal won't impress them to him, but in the meantime... it sure works for his mommy!)
We have been in this ward for 2. 3 years. I have been V taught... once... February 2008. We have seen our Home Teachers a handful of times. We are not impressed with the ward. That sounds horrible to say. I know they are all thinking, "Well what have THEY done to earn themselves a place amongst US?" A lot.
(I only share this to further develop my story and why yesterday night was of significance in my little world.)
Five minutes after I sat down, another sister walked in and sat next to the babe and I. It was refreshing. Someone sat next to me!
The lesson was on
Gratitude.
My ears were 1/2 closed.
Then something warm came over me and I began to listen.
It wasn't like I was hearing these things for the first time, but it struck a cord with me.
I began to "look"at these sisters with my new glasses.
Why am I so hard on these woman? Why do I built a wall between them for things they have/ have not done? Are we not all the same?
I now have direction for the month of November. A light has turned on in my soul. I have things to accomplish. I am filled with gratitude.
Maybe it is a sign, "Gratitude is a sign of maturity."
Could I indeed be growing up?
Now,
I pose a question to you, my dear blogging friends:
In what way(s) do you physically show gratitude?
It's not a trick question, rather a sincere one, from a sister in search of something more...
5 comments:
Tami after reading your lastest post, I felt sorry that you felt the way you did. I am truly Sorry! I indeed love you and enjoy the times we have, few but enjoyed spending time with you. You are a wonderful person. I show gratitude by serice. Sometimes it's the little things, not so much the big ones that count. Sometimes it's easy to feel pitty on ourselves becasue we feel left out or not wanted. I want you to know that you are very much wanted and needed. I love you Tami and hope you find what your looking for in our Ward. I feel just the oppitsit about the ward. I hope some day you will feel differently. Hang in there.
Tami, now you have ME feeling bad. I seriously didn't purposefully not invite you Thursday. Coop still had a fever and I wanted to save you from it, but I can see how you definitely could have used the company. I'm terrible at showing gratitude. I can 'Thank' someone through and through, but showing is another story. You've got me thinking! Thanks for sharing. p.s. friday mornings aren't the only times we can get together. Call me when you need a girl!
For the past several years I've tried to write a thank you note to someone everyday during the month of November. The first of November is ALWAYS a thank you note to my Heavenly Father written in my journal.
I try to remember the past year and thank people who have touched my life or the lives of my family. And November 30th is ALWAYS a note to the woman who gave me this idea.
It helps me "look" for more blessings than I normally do.
Thanks for the blog, Tam. You are wonderful.
Tami, I hope you know that we love your family. Brian enjoyed the times that he and his companion were able to come visit with you, and misses having your family as one of the ones he visits.
One of the ways we feel more connected with any ward is to have people over for dinner, dessert or games. We haven't been able to do that for several years, but we are working back to being fun, sociable and spontaneous.
Gratitude can be shown in many various ways. Service of course leads to loving those whom you serve. But it can be taken further than that and we can begin to see others the way Christ sees them, and ourselves. Smiling,a good attitude, and willingness to do whatever may be required always go hand in hand with gratitude. (I can see you raising your eyebrows at me Tami - yes, I am working on this!)
Hope you feel loved and appreciated. We need you as part of our ward family!
I can't help but relate with a lot of your thoughts on this post. I also have to laugh about the comments above mine from members of your ward. Insert foot in mouth.;) I have been there too. I have done a gratitude journal, where every night I write down 5 or so things that I am grateful for. Some really deep and others trivial. I have also tried to say a gratitude prayer once a week, all I do is thank-no asking for anything. These aren't directed towards any one else, but made a difference for me. I need to start doing it again. Thanks for your thoughts!
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