I recently went skiing for the first time in over 20 years. I can't remember when I've enjoyed myself so much. Every good thing I remembered about skiing remains good. The sound of skies on snow, the contrast of green evergreens and white snow, the fresh air, the characters sharing the slopes with me, the quiet on the lift, the feeling of total exhaustion at the end of the day.
My sister-in-law, C, was the best company. She didn't complain about my slowness or lack of skill. She was enthusiastic about the runs available to us, and our chances for fun.
This is one thing skiing revealed to me about myself. I don't live in reality. Let me explain. My rented ski boots were a little uncomfortable. By the end of the day, my legs hurt. But my mind was saying, "Because I have endured this pain, I know I can endure anything. I feel just like a character from Into The Void. I am tougher than I ever imagined." I was pretty sure that when I finally got those boots off, I would be looking at mangled flesh. Instead, I saw no visible bruises or blisters. I felt foolish. I never want to ski wearing those boots again. Still, I wish I really had been tough, so that I could have skied longer. I don't know when I'll have the good fortune to ski again.
More on my trip to Utah and family news to come...
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Great Scripture to Memorize
Doctrine and Covenants 6:34,36
Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
As I was reviewing the scripture references for the Sunday school lesson I was about to give, those scriptures stood out to me.
In our home, discussion of the growing financial financial crisis in America and the world is a daily occurrence. My husband works in the banking industry and follows the market trends closely. We're both fiscal conservatives. We're concerned about high taxes, growing government, and regulation. Our kids worry about their educational and occupational opportunities. I'm concerned that my parents are unprepared to care for themselves and my nephew if inflation rises and pensions shrink.
I'm also concerned about the loss of liberty as government takes more personal responsibility from each individual. I see a growing victim class. Responsibility is becoming a dirty word.
Amid these tensions, the scripture citation above sounds as a clarion call to me. Do good. Focus on Christ. Believe in his promises.
Shifting gears now, I want to reflect on an experience I had this week. I volunteer regularly at a rest home near hear. Sometimes, as was the case last week, one of the residents I visit wants to die. They cannot find a purpose for their life. All the things they did that felt worthy and useful are gone do to the physical limits of age or disability. They seem lost and depressed. Often, they live in the past, unaware of the horizon. This week, one of the residents I know wept. I asked her what she wanted to accomplish in 2009. She said she wanted to die. She was praying to die. I see this in my own grandmother. As her body has aged and her social circle has shrunk, she has lost the desire to live. She only wants to talk about all the things she can no longer do.
As I understand it, this is a real crisis that every aging adult passes through. Some are successful in adjusting to the realities of aging and manage to continue to see themselves as useful, vital individuals. Obviously, some sink into depression. I don't know how to counsel those in the latter group. My heart breaks for them. Often, the body lives beyond will.
I find myself wondering what purpose God has for these individuals. I wonder why they cannot discover that purpose. I told the resident that visiting her keeps me from feeling lonely and isolated. I told her that I need her in my life for companionship. This is true.
I would like to know what the literature says about this crisis, so that I could better understand and care for people. Also, I want to be prepared to live proactively for all of mortality.
Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
As I was reviewing the scripture references for the Sunday school lesson I was about to give, those scriptures stood out to me.
In our home, discussion of the growing financial financial crisis in America and the world is a daily occurrence. My husband works in the banking industry and follows the market trends closely. We're both fiscal conservatives. We're concerned about high taxes, growing government, and regulation. Our kids worry about their educational and occupational opportunities. I'm concerned that my parents are unprepared to care for themselves and my nephew if inflation rises and pensions shrink.
I'm also concerned about the loss of liberty as government takes more personal responsibility from each individual. I see a growing victim class. Responsibility is becoming a dirty word.
Amid these tensions, the scripture citation above sounds as a clarion call to me. Do good. Focus on Christ. Believe in his promises.
Shifting gears now, I want to reflect on an experience I had this week. I volunteer regularly at a rest home near hear. Sometimes, as was the case last week, one of the residents I visit wants to die. They cannot find a purpose for their life. All the things they did that felt worthy and useful are gone do to the physical limits of age or disability. They seem lost and depressed. Often, they live in the past, unaware of the horizon. This week, one of the residents I know wept. I asked her what she wanted to accomplish in 2009. She said she wanted to die. She was praying to die. I see this in my own grandmother. As her body has aged and her social circle has shrunk, she has lost the desire to live. She only wants to talk about all the things she can no longer do.
As I understand it, this is a real crisis that every aging adult passes through. Some are successful in adjusting to the realities of aging and manage to continue to see themselves as useful, vital individuals. Obviously, some sink into depression. I don't know how to counsel those in the latter group. My heart breaks for them. Often, the body lives beyond will.
I find myself wondering what purpose God has for these individuals. I wonder why they cannot discover that purpose. I told the resident that visiting her keeps me from feeling lonely and isolated. I told her that I need her in my life for companionship. This is true.
I would like to know what the literature says about this crisis, so that I could better understand and care for people. Also, I want to be prepared to live proactively for all of mortality.
Friday, January 2, 2009
LOOKING FORWARD
LOOKING FORWARD TO NEW ADVENTURES IN 2009:
1. kid-2-boy-2 getting his driving permit and learning to drive
2. kid-1-boy-1 applying to college
3. kid-1-boy-1 getting his first job
4. teaching Doctrine and Covenants in gospel doctrine Sunday school class
5. continuing with adoption application/home study process
6. learning to use new camera
7. reading with newish book group
8. soccer, swim team, and football (old adventures redone)
9. some new quilts
10. kid-4-girl-2 beginning voice lessons
11. getting my handgun carry permit
12. eating a lots of new restaurants (hopefully)
13. crocheting something bigger than a wash cloth
14. taking the kids on a ski trip
2. kid-1-boy-1 applying to college
3. kid-1-boy-1 getting his first job
4. teaching Doctrine and Covenants in gospel doctrine Sunday school class
5. continuing with adoption application/home study process
6. learning to use new camera
7. reading with newish book group
8. soccer, swim team, and football (old adventures redone)
9. some new quilts
10. kid-4-girl-2 beginning voice lessons
11. getting my handgun carry permit
12. eating a lots of new restaurants (hopefully)
13. crocheting something bigger than a wash cloth
14. taking the kids on a ski trip
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Out with the old, in with the new...I'm beginning 2009 with fresh blogs.
To begin, a listing of some of our blessings in 2008:
1. Art remained employed during trying times in the banking industry.
2. Kid-2-boy-2 was uninjured during his freshman football season.
3. All the kids and I spent one month in Utah visiting family and friends.
4. Only one of the four kids broke their glasses.
5. My uncle was successfully treated for cancer.
6. Kid-1-boy-1 survived his first driving year without any collisions.
7. Art was called to the bishopric of our LDS congregation.
8. Three of the kids participated in baptisms for the dead with their father in the Nauvoo Temple.
9. I began communicating more often with my brother and his family.
10. We purchased a new car.
11. We visited family in California several times through the year.
12. Art and I went to Mexico for a "honeymoon".
2. Kid-2-boy-2 was uninjured during his freshman football season.
3. All the kids and I spent one month in Utah visiting family and friends.
4. Only one of the four kids broke their glasses.
5. My uncle was successfully treated for cancer.
6. Kid-1-boy-1 survived his first driving year without any collisions.
7. Art was called to the bishopric of our LDS congregation.
8. Three of the kids participated in baptisms for the dead with their father in the Nauvoo Temple.
9. I began communicating more often with my brother and his family.
10. We purchased a new car.
11. We visited family in California several times through the year.
12. Art and I went to Mexico for a "honeymoon".
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
