Courage in a bottle.

Sometimes I feel so courageous, like when I confront those smoker neighbors of mine and actually become good friends with them. But other times, my courage is trapped inside a bottle. Take, for instance, the candy machine business I want to become productive. There the machines sit in my living room from week to week feeding the only one around with quarters to spare-my brother in law, Josh. If it weren't for him, I would not be earning any money on those silly machines. I think about them every day. I have it planned out in my head what I am going to say and the rebuttals for when the potential business owners turn me down. I've done all the preparation for them to be placed. The only thing those machines are waiting for is for me to load them into the car (with my four children in tow) and drive down to a dozen businesses to plead for vending space. Yet, I refuse to "throw away" a business idea because it is not working or taking up time. I truly believe in the philosophy that if you start something, you don't give it up until you have made it prosperous. So...one of these days I suppose I will be courageous enough to make it happen. Until then, if anyone wants a good sugar fix stop by my house and bring a quarter.

My smoker soapbox.

When we moved into our comfy duplex we are renting it was a miracle! But little did I know that I would be blessed with smokers for neighbors. I've gotten to know some of them and they are all good, kind people. But we have been presented with challenges recently on the smoking issue. Please don't take this wrong. I love the people for who they are, and their habit does not change who they are or the good they do. But I cannot STAND the smell of cigarette smoke. It turns out that every single one of my neighbors smoke. We live on a corner, and there are all duplexes around us. So within 20 feet our home shares the backyard fence of five neighbors. I've determined to ask kindly if they would all use their front porches, thus making the smoke that much farther away. But truly, it will be a miracle if they all do. But....I am confident that Heavenly Father will provide a way. He can make all things possible.

Your personal missionary assignment.

My calling in my ward is RS Visiting Teaching Coordinator. I have to admit that I have never been perfect at visiting teaching, and still struggle to this day. And there have definitely been periods of my life when I was not consistent at all. But, slowly over the years as I have tried to be obedient I have gained a testimony of this important calling. I don't believe visiting teaching has been or ever will be easy...for anybody. What selfless calling which requires you to inconveniently and unnaturally get to know people you might otherwise never get to know is easy? I have come to learn how hard it is to keep everyone happy in the ward. It seems like so many want a companionship change, or a different sister to visit, or the ideal circumstances. But the truth is, your Relief Society President and those that are working to make the program work truly pray and ponder about each assignment. And there is soooooo much work to do! So many sisters are inactive or struggle for one reason or another. Which one of us doesn't struggle. Bottom line, I know you will be blessed for doing your visiting teaching! I know those you visit teach will be blessed. And I know this is an inspired program of the church. So next time you go to complain about visiting teaching, just stop and be grateful..and pray for the strength to do it. God will provide a way.

Exhausted!

What more can I say? 4 children, all under 6. Never ending. Never stopping. Run, run, run. Changed 3 dirty diapers, mopped the floor 3 times, washed off the couch 4 times, helped search for a harrow (a plow on the back of a tractor) on the internet, fed the baby 6 times.....sound familiar? No wonder there was a talk by Elder Packer (http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-37,00.html) about young mothers and how we should cope. Live IN the moment he says. Yet, that is so hard to do! My favorite part of the day is when the children are all asleep. If I had half the energy of my two year old, Boston, think of all the things I could accomplish! And, I'd be so fit! So... to all the young mothers of Boston's out there or who might ever read this post....carry on, carry on, carry on!

Creativity in a pocketbook

Me and creativity? Yeah right! Why not let those who are truly talented and who enjoy doing it, do it? Credits to my sister Becky for her gracious time and talents. Without which, I would look very boring and unoriginal, and probably never have a blog in the first place! Good thing I'm already married! Otherwise I'd probably sport a facade.