2.16.2015

every needful thing

The beginning of this new year started with a huge sense of urgency to prepare.  I’m not exactly sure why, or what for, but I’m acting on it.  If anything, the following promptings will help me get my life and house in order, period.  And I think that is a worthwhile goal, in and of itself ;)   
Besides being bitten by the preparedness bug, I’ve had a sudden urge to go camping.  Brad and I realized last year that we’ll never be one of those families that travel much, or visit very many theme parks.  But we can create family memories through camping!  Much more affordable, and a good way to learn some life-skills that we seem to be losing as a society.

I’ve also felt an increased desire to up our temple attendance.  I heard someone say something to the effect that going to the temple once a month is an inconvenience, but going to the temple once a week is a sacrifice.  I know that I’ve enjoyed the peace that comes with regular temple attendance, and I can’t help but think of all those on the other side that are also benefitting.  In addition to temple work, I’ve recently learned to love fasting.  Which sounds totally crazy!  Fasting has always been difficult for me, but I’ve found a calm focus when fasting, and my devotion to God’s will and my ability to discern truth has grown exponentially.

I’m grateful for the gentle, yet firm, reminder that there is always room for growth.  I’m afraid that while I’ve remained true and faithful, I’ve also become complacent.  I struggled for a while with the idea of shaming myself into crossing off items on an arbitrary (albeit divine) check-list.  But I’ve realized that as my heart softens, my desire to better myself and follow even the simplest commandment God personally gives me, I am becoming who He  wants me to be.  I’m not necessarily changing; I’m still the same Beth.  But, He is perfecting me.  And there’s no one else I’d rather be.

1.15.2015

pensivity


Uh, hi there.  Been a while...


You know, it's funny to think how far I've come in the past few years.  As a woman, as a mother, as a blogger.  I mean, I'm still the same person.  I still love red.  And polka dots ;)  And I continue to find joy in being creative, whether that's in crafting or in homeschooling.  But I find it funny, as I'm about to hit publish for the first time in however many years, how much this little piece of the web has changed for me.

We moved into our little dream home more than a while ago, and life has been that: a dream.  Not easy, and certainly not glamorous.  But it's been my life.  I've worked hard on being more present in my day-to-day, which is extremely difficult when you're a dreamer like me!  And this year I've felt prompted to be even more present.  Actually, the two phrases I've chosen to guide me this year are "be present" and "be prepared".

Am I the only one that finds those two phrases completely opposite of one another?  Maybe it's because the struggle is real; finding the perfect balance between enjoying life now and dreaming of what it could be.  But as I've pondered upon the idea of being both present and prepared, I've realized that what I really need is to be aware.

I need to live my life now, as it currently is, so as to know what I will need for the future.  This obviously applies to the world of preparedness, such as food storage and evacuation kits.  But I think it can also apply to other matters.  Physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally.

And so I'm striving to live life with a new level of awareness.  Here I am world.  I see you.  *B