Thanksgiving Olives

Today I was discussing with my good friend, Wyndee, a specific situation in my life for which I have ZERO patience. Wyndee, who is wiser than her years, is constantly after me regarding this experience, and telling me to, "Relax," "Chill," "It will work out the way it should," etc. During today's conversation I told Wyndee,

"Okay, I'm beginning to understand. Here's the scenario: It's Thanksgiving and I'm six years old. I see a HUGE bowl of olives on the table, and I really want to eat them. I keep trying to sneak them, but it's not time to eat- so I have to wait. I will EVENTUALLY get to eat olives, but I can't have them YET."

I continued with Wyndee, and asking for her assistance in this as I try to patiently wait for "Suuppertime!" So, I asked Wyndee,

"Will you please be that Grandma that stands next to the table ready to slap any little six year old hand that gets near that bowl of olives before it's time?"

She laughed, but as a good friend does, she agrees to help me.

After speaking with Wyndee I curled up on my bed with the Ensign, and guess what I found... Yep, an article that applies EXACTLY to my "A-ha (or Oreida- Love you Kristn B.) Moment of the Day." "Don't Be in a Hurry" by John C. Thomas reminds us to slow down, focus on the Savior, and "Let It Be" (thanks, Lennon/McCartney).

So, I've decided to allow a few things to slow down. Namely, when people ask me, "How are your kids doing with the divorce?" I will: 1)Try not to be frustrated by the question, which I HATE because honestly- how do you think they're doing??? 2)Try not to be in a hurry to "cure" my children of the pain of a divorce because as John C. Thomas teaches, "God actually prolonged the days of our first fallen parents, granting them time to repent and find joy in this life and beyond." I have to allow myself time to repent and find joy, which will come as my kids find a way to forgive me and find joy for themselves. I can't hurry this. I will do as President Spencer W. Kimball teaches, "We will move faster as we hurry less."

I will slow down and allow the Savior to work His "magic" in my life at His pace. I will remember that even He had to be patient. I'm sure there were many times in the Garden of Gethsemane and at Calvary that He wanted to yell, "Alright Already! When is this going to end?" But, no... Instead He humbly stated, "Not my will, but thine, be done." Luke 22:42


I will slow down and remember that, "All things shall work together for your good." Doctrine and Covenants 105:40

I will slow down and recognize that I don't have to, nor should I, attempt to do this alone. Instead, I'll first lean upon my Heavenly Father, but I will also recognize my angels (Wyndee, my parents, Naomi, Jennifer, and MANY others) who share in my burden, and slap my hands away from the olives before it's time to eat.

My Girl Makes Me Happy

When we named our girl "Taite" I don't think either of us realized how well she would grow to fit her name. Taite means "cheerful." I love this girl. She's really great, always happy, and makes everyone around her happy. There are a million reasons I feel this way. Taite is one of the many tender mercies in my life: Little things Heavenly Father places in my life as reminders of His love for me. I know Taite qualifies as one of these because this girl makes me laugh at times I'd probably otherwise cry. Just recently she has said a few things that have made me laugh out loud. I used to laugh a lot. I don't so much anymore, but gratefully I've got my sweet Taite to help me remember that sometimes even moms are that we might have joy.

For instance...

A couple of weeks ago I was giving Arthur a spelling test. The word was "Pour." I said, "Pour. Pour some sugar on me in the name of love." Arthur asked, "What?" Taite answered, "It must be Shakespeare."

Today after church the kids were telling me what they learned in Primary. Taite was so excited to tell me that she had learned about the Priesthood. Both kinds: the Melchizedek and the Ironic.

Man, I love my girl!

Assessments

Last weekend I had the fantastic opportunity to hear Elder L. Tom Perry speak. He discussed with us the importance of assessing our time, lives, finances, souls, minds, and physical bodies. He counsels to do a serious assessment overhaul on a yearly basis. He habitually chooses his birthday as his day to sit down and look over his life.

I’m thinking this is a great way to live one’s life- a fantastic program. I’ve decided I’m implementing it, but I know me.






I know once a year isn’t nearly often enough for me to assess how I’m doing, feeling, working, etc. So, to help me with the day to day, hour to hour check ups I bought myself a mood ring.

Another Little Piece of My Heart

Rough morning. When picking up the kids from my Utah home I ran into the realtor showing our home to the new buyers. It ripped my heart out. Here is this beautiful home with the most perfect floor plan. The house Redge and I bought together 6 years ago, and truly believed we would die there. Arthur was only two when we moved in, and we imagined him leaving there at nineteen to serve his mission. This, as we all know, "ain't gonna happen." Not only have we left the house, but we didn't even leave it together.

Luckily I have a few things to help me through this:

1. Friends. I'm blessed with great friends who listen to me, cry with me, humble me, and build me; and each friend and emotion has been spot on, and there at precisely the correct moment. Case and point... Today when getting back in my truck to leave for my new home my friend, who often travels with me, seeing that I was crying and having a hard time with the situation; reached over, and without saying a word just squeezed my knee. He knew that was exactly what I needed at that time. He knew talking was beyond my capabilities, but I did need a friend.

2. Family. Ditto the above. For instance... Just last night when logging on to Eric's facebook wall to say hello I came across something he posted that perfectly prepared me for facing leaving my house in the hands of someone else today. This is what I found on my wise, younger brother's wall,

"There comes a point in your life when you realize:
Who matters,
Who never did,
Who won't anymore...
And who always will.
So, don't worry about people (or places) from your past, there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future."

3. The scriptures. I think of Sariah being told by her husband, Lehi, "We're outta here. I'm sorry you have to leave your home, friends, family, and pretty much everything you own except for a tent!" And, get this, the only time she complained was when she was afraid her sons had been killed. I'm going to allow her that. I had to leave two sons, and I cry and complain about it quite often.

So, as you can see... there is basically one thing that gets me through these days of "losing just another little piece of my heart" (thanks, Janis). That is my Heavenly Father. I'm so grateful for my friends, family, and scriptures who through the hand of a loving Father in Heaven know just what to give me and when. And thus: I think I just might make it.

Angels and Faith

Today while doing nothing I thought, "What caused the people of Enoch and Alma the Younger WANT to change?"

So... My scripture study for today consists of TRYING to find the answer. I emphasize the word "TRYING" because unlike my questions of yore I'm not going to continue looking TODAY until I found the answer. I found a partial answer, and I'm going to control myself from staying up all night tonight searching for the ENTIRE answer as I used to do. Nor did I put off my chores and time with the kids with an (I felt) justified answer of, "I'm doing my scripture studies!" Instead I'll continue my search tomorrow because I believe the counsel found in Ecclesiastes 3. You know, "To everything there is a season... " But, for now here's what I've found... (PS- Mom, be sure to read all of that to Dad. I think he'll be pleased.)

I thought about what Enoch and Alma the Younger had in common. They were both visited. Alma the Younger by an angel, and Enoch by the Lord. I would have thought that was enough, but then I remembered that Laman and Lemuel were also visited by an angel, and we all know how that turned out. Then I remembered the prayers and faith and heartache of Alma (the older). I read in Moses 7:13, "And so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God..." So, I know that A LOT of faith was a part of the redemption of these souls, but Lehi, Nephi, and Sariah had a GREAT deal of faith,and again- Laman and Lemuel...

So... what's the difference between Laman & Lemuel and Alma the Younger? Anyone? Seriously, does anyone know where I can find the answer? I know... pray and keep studying, but if anyone has a clue... I'm totally happy to take it in...

That's it for today. I promise.

Great Quotes by Kate the Great

Kate, Jenn's daughter, is VERY funny!!!

Last Saturday at Jenn's house while dying eggs we were guessing one anothers' favorite colors. I asked Kate, "What's my favorite color?"

Her response, "Black."



Later, when Jenn passed the bowl of eggs down the table, Kate looked at Taite and said, "Smell the eggs."

Gentry Lynt Mann

I've been begging someone, anyone to name a child after me for as long as I can remember. No one has. So, I have taken it upon myself to name Gentry, Jenn's 2 year old, after me. She doesn't have a middle name so it was easy enough to alter from just "Gentry" to "Gentry Lynt." I call her "Gentry Lynt" all the time. The other night as I was leaving Jenn's house I asked Gentry Lynt, "What's your name?" She replied, "Ummm... Aunt Lynt Mann." I love that girl!

Marney

I had a really cool experience today. As most of you know, I am recently divorced. Before today I had not had the chance to interact with any of Redge's family. This past weekend was Redge's weekend to have the kids, but because Redge had to fly out early this morning to Denver for work his mom, Marney, stayed with the kids- meaning she would be the adult at the house when I picked up the kids to return home.

I was nervous about the encounter. I prayed. I fretted. I freaked. But it was all (well- not ALL- I'm sure the praying helped quite a bit) for no reason. Marney was amazing! She greeted me with a hug, she asked about my family, she visited, she helped me pack the car, she gathered food and snacks for the kids, SHE WAS KIND! She didn't have to be, but she was.

I will never forget today. I will never forget the kindness shown to me at a time when it was so totally unexpected, but I so badly needed it.

My Twin Doll- I Mean Seth

This is my Seth.
I love him.
If you know him you love him, too. You can't help yourself. Seth is one of the kindest, most compassionate boys I know. Once we were discussing praying for those who may have done something to hurt us. When it was Seth's turn he thought for a moment, and then said, "I can't really think of anyone. No one is mean to me, and I can't think of anyone I don't like."













This is my niece, Alyssa. She is just as nice as Seth. These two get along so well. They love each other just they way they love everyone else.Not only does Seth adore his cousin, Alyssa, he loves ALL of his cousins! He's friends with every single one of them. Here he is with Ike. Seth is quiet and shy, but he always knows just how to make everyone feel loved, special, needed, and wanted. He is an amazing athlete. He is patient and kind. He was even patient enough to teach me how to ride a ripstick! I love this kid.










As you can see he looks exactly like Taite and me,but he(and Taite)are nicer than I. I'm trying to learn from Seth how to better keep my room clean, be nicer, work harder, focus more accurately, and be a bit more patient with everyone with whom I come into contact. Seth is a fantastic human. He is also a great example of a true Disciple of Christ. I'm so grateful Heavenly Father sent me such a wonderful teacher to help me become a better person.

Jenn Is Still Alive with Number FIVE!

Samuel Nathan Mann was born December 30th! He's AWESOME! Weighing in at 9lbs and measuring a mere 20 inches Jenn was grateful for a C-section! Nate and Jenn are great parents, and with Ethan- 7, Kate-4, and twins Wilson and Gentry- 2 Sam will receive lots of love! Not to mention the lipstick kisses from Aunt Lynt who is so excited to be living less than 10 minutes away!