Who can know the future...

Here's a little excerpt from a letter I sent to my brother out in the mission field.  I just felt like someone else might get some inspiration from the story as well. 

Samuel Smith was Joseph Smith's younger brother. He was the first missionary for the Restored Church. The first day out he travelled 25 miles (on foot!) trying to teach, but the people were unresponsive and cruel. He stopped for th night at an inn where he asked the owner if he would like to buy a Book of Mormon (imagine that - having to find yourself accomodations and asking people to buy the scriptures!). The innkeeper asked where he had gotten the book and Samuel told him Joseph's story. The innkeeper became angry and told Samuel to take his lies and go. Samuel spent the night under an apple tree.


The next morning he went to see John Greene, the leader of another church. He wasn't interested in the book, but agreed to ask people in his church if they wanted a copy. Unfortunately, 3 weeks later there had been no sales. But Mr. Greenes wife had read the book.

Samuel's mission was hard. When he went home he felt he had been very unsuccessful. He was discouraged. But what Samuel didn't know at the time was that his work would eventually lead to many people joining the Church. Two of these people were Mr. and Mrs. Greene. But Samuel had also given the Book of Mormon to a man named Phineas Young.

You might think that name sounds familiar. That's because he had a brother named Brigham. Brigham Young and Phineas Young went on to join the church, and Brigham went on to become the second prophet of the Church in this dispensation. I guess Samuel's mission was a lot more successful than he thought!  (here's the link to the scripture story:  http://lds.org/languages/childrenmaterials/scripturestories/CUR_2008_Stories_14_DC_12SamuelSmithsMission_31122_eng_.pdf

We thought of you when we read this as a family in scriptures. I love to hear about all the people you meet and teach, but I know there are times you feel discouraged by someone's lack of motivation or interest. Don't despair. We never know what influence today will have on the future. You are working hard and following the Spirit and the Lord will bless you and everyone in your path because of it.

That is a good reminder to me to have a little more faith in God's plan for each of us. Things have been a little dicey around here as we try to secure a placement for Dan's internship in order to finish up his education. While we thought we had everything worked out beautifully in our minds, it turns out God might have a different idea of when and where we need to go. Still don't know where that is. Wish I did. I'm trying to have the faith to believe that He has led us this far and will not leave us out in the cold at this point. At least not if we listen to the Spirit and let Him guide us. I'm also trying to keep Elder Holland's words in my mind from his talk "The Best is Yet to Be", http://lds.org/ensign/2010/01/the-best-is-yet-to-be?lang=eng.  He basically explains that we need to believe the Lord knows each of us and He has something in mind for us that is better than we could ever dream up on our own.

Our Little Girl... Not so little anymore!

Yesterday was Madison's birthday - 9 years old already!  We can hardly believe our little girl is getting all grown-up.  She has matured so much over the last year.  Dan told me last week when I was at work in the mornings that if I left she could just step right in.  She got up, fed the kids breakfast, got everyone moving to get dressed, then went in and flipped on the bedroom light and told Dan he needed to get up - NOW!  She will definitely be a second mother to her younger brothers, whether they like it or not.

She had a great day, everything she was wanting.  It was like Christmas in the morning.  She dragged us out of bed and begged to open presents.  Later in the day, we picked up her friend and the three of us went for lunch and out to a movie.  The girls were so silly and so much fun.  We stopped at the grocery store and they decided to each get a stuffed pig so they would always remember this wonderful day.  What fabulous drama!  We wrapped up the big day with dinner (she always chooses ribs) and cake.  Here are a few pics:

In her class at school they have been learning about the Chinese New Year.  One of their assignments was to find out their sign in the Chinese horoscope, then see if they fit the description.  So, in honor of our Horse girl, I wanted to post some of these traits and see if those who know her would agree that she most definitely fits!  These are all taken from "The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes" by Theodora Lau.

A Poem about the Horse

I am the Kaleidoscope of the mind.

I impart light, color and perpetual motion.

I think, I see, I am moved by electric fluidity.

Constant only in my inconsistency

I am unshackled by mundane holds,

Unchecked by sturdy, binding goals,

I run unimpeded through virgin paths.

My spirit unconquered -

My soul forever free.

I AM THE HORSE.

Some qualities of the horse child:

 - animated, boisterous

 - a passionate love of life and a buoyant personality

- a restless and searching spirit, needs to be constantly occupied

- affectionate and demonstrative, but won't like much cuddling (anyone remember trying to cuddle her as a baby?  Not happening!)

- happy-go-lucky daredevil, does things on the spur of the moment

- quite capable of getting herself out of danger.  Does not look for trouble, but does not scare easily and will fight his own battles (handy when you have 3 brothers)

And my favorite: 

The colorful and lively personality of the Horse will perk up any household!

How true!  We have always said Madison has a "zest for life".  Her sense of humor is incredible and if she can laugh at something she will.  Anxious to be on the move, she flits from one excitement to the next. We love you, little Horse!  Hope your next year is everything you want it to be, and don't ever change!

-

Fit Friday

Miles walked this week: 4.5
Time on Wii: 0

I am finding I enjoy my walking much more than the wii.  I still think it's fun for a change of pace, but I seriously cannot understand getting fit on it.  Maybe I'll have a change of heart, but for now I'll just keep boogeyin' along.  Getting up at 5:30 to go to work 2 days this week has helped me totally shift my biological clock back into order.  Love it!

Five Things in Five Hours

Malcolm was very impressed with our productivity this morning, so impressed he kept reminding me how we did "five things in five hours."  Maybe it's just that he's almost 5.  Here was our agenda:

1. Drop kids at school
2. Grocery shopping (bonus: Superstore had their toys on for 50% off or better.  Handy surprise when you have 4 birthdays in the next 2 months, hence the birthday background)
3. Primary meeting
4. Drop treat off at school for Madi's birthday
5. Go to the library.  Play computers and check out books

Okay, I'm impressed with us too.  After a long week of being stuck indoors with babysitters and colds, it felt good to get moving again!  And the boys were, shockingly, very well behaved.  Thank goodness it's Friday!

Tubing

Clayton got invited to go tubing on Mt. Seymor this week.  He was so excited!  And it did not disappoint. I have to admit when I looked up this tubing venue I laughed a little.  People actual pay money to go down the hill on a sled?  See, growing up we just took our crazy carpets and toboggans, found a good looking hill and went down.  This hill is way beyond that!  They provide cool tubes and have a tow line to get you back up.  No physical exertion required.

But Clayton had a blast, of course.  Who wouldn't?  When I asked about his day, the funniest comment was, "Mom, the snow was fake!"  Still, he got to fly down a hill and he didn't even have to walk up it, and he got to do it all with his friends.  He couldn't have asked for anything more.

Cougar Alert

Since we've lived out on the West Coast we've had some interesting new experiences at school.  Earthquake drills, bear horns and missing school for minimal amounts of snow.  But today we had something entirely new.  The school called to let me know that the kids would not be dismissed on their own, but that parents needed to meet them at their classrooms.  The reason?  A cougar sighting in the area.  We needed to be safe.  I totally understand, but it never fails to amaze me how in a city of over a million people I can still feel like I'm living in the great outdoors. 



p.s.  No cougar sightings for us, much to the kids dismay!

To Keep or Not to Keep...

I know we are way behind the times, but Dan and I have been watching an A&E show online lately that really enthralls while at the same time repels me.  It's called Hoarders (check link here if you have not seen it http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/video/).  It amazed me what the human brain can justify and ignore when under stress. 

I have worked the last two days which means a babysitter has come in for the late afternoon/evening shift while Dan goes to school/work. Let me 'splain.  She is a sweetheart, but basically a warm body ensuring absolute chaos does not erupt.  Chaos, but not absolute.  She's our only option on days like that. Yesterday I came home and I felt a little like those people walking into those homes.  Now, I exaggerate.  Our house is by no means that piled up, but I couldn't see a clear space anywhere.  This is partly due to size and partly due to 4 children and no visible restrictions.  There oughta be a show, "Multiple Children being Raised in Small Quarters in Cities".  Ha ha. 

Anyhow, it has gotten me thinking how superfluous our society is.  Instead of owning what we need, we keep things around that we might need eventually.  I am gearing up for a move away from the West coast at some eventual date, and I am already in flinging mood.  I am not sentimental.  If it were up to me, I would take our clothes and beds and give the rest away.  But, unfortunately, things cost money so I guess I have to save some of it.  Still, it's time to get tough.  It's a fine line between storing things for the future and hoarding good deals.  And believe me, we are SUCKERS for a good deal.  That's how we obtained the majority of our stuff!  It's hard to say no when the price is right, but do we need it?  That's the real question....