Right place. Right time.

I had SO much fun playing with Schmillian and Mister the week before Easter. I was all set for a week of egg hunting, candy eating, singing and lots of laughing. However, Schmillian taught me something about the little people that are joining our families now. The activity she loved most was opening the 12 eggs filled with scripture verses to read and talk about and a little object to help us remember the most important things about the atonement, death and resurrection of the Savior.

We did it several times every day for a week. Schmillian loved sharing it with her Mama and Daddy. The story never grew old. No worries about teaching her that Easter is more than eggs and a bunny. She's the one that reminded me.

Simon, of Cyrene, is mentioned briefly in the scriptures. He was someone that was "coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus." That's all we know. But oh, how the Savior must love him.

Since the atonement of Christ is central to our Heavenly Father's plan, no part of it could have been "coincidental" or happenstance. He was right where he was supposed to be at the time he was supposed to be there to serve the Savior.

I want to be that kind of person. I have no doubt that there are people I can lift or help if I am at the right place at the right time. May we all try to be like Simon.

So grateful

This time of year set aside to celebrate the atonement and resurrection of our Savior fills me with joy every year. It is my favorite time...spring is more beautiful than ever after the harsh weather of Chicagoland. The world around me truly testifies of Christ and the hope He brings.

There are no words to adequately express my feelings. I am often so disappointed in myself, I can only imagine how my Heavenly Father and Christ must feel, yet their love is greater than I can comprehend and constant. They are willing to forgive and forget...to enable me to move forward. The Savior reaches out to me and to each of us in love, inviting us to learn and try again to become more. I believe He recognizes that we are doing our best, and that as we learn more, we will be more.

One of His apostles, Richard G. Scott said, "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day." For me, there is so much hope in that statement. Sometimes I feel so inadequate to do something, yet as I try to "act like" I think a person would act in that capacity, I slowly transform into someone that's a little more competent.

The enabling power of the atonement of Christ takes away all excuses. Each of us has the power to choose faith in the Savior.

As I think of the resurrection of the Savior, I am filled with hope and gratitude. I think of those women who loved Jesus and must have suffered unimaginable grief as He was tortured and crucified. How as soon as the Sabbath had ended, they must have hurried to the tomb to anoint His body with spices...their final act of love. I cannot imagine the feelings of hopelessness and despair they must have felt. Then to find the tomb empty...to think someone had taken Him must have magnified their feelings. But realizing that He was resurrected and they would see Him again..that we will all live again and in His presence if we choose to live as He lives. I cannot comprehend the joy!

I only know the joy I feel to know that I will be reunited with Mama and those I love who have gone on before me. I know they live in spirit now and that one glorious day, we will all be resurrected. We can live together as families forever with all those we love. We will see things as they really are, and all things about our mortal lives will make sense. There are no words!

Musings on Failure

I have to start this post by saying I was born into an incredible family of successful people. I often marvel at this blessing and try to live up to the opportunities I've been given.

One of my brothers is working with me on a family project. We've been emailing and talking quite a bit lately. I admire him for so many things. After a recent conversation with him, I decided to act on some of his advice to me.

I am really good at seeing others' talents. I consider myself one of the best cheerleaders around. If there's something you need to do, I believe you can, and I will do all I can to encourage and help you do it. I believe this is a great talent, and it brings me untold joy.

However, I often let my fear of failure prevent me from trying or doing things. I will not allow others to dwell on those thoughts. Following this conversation with my brother, I remembered what I already know...perhaps the biggest failure is the failure to try.

I've wanted to sew myself a skirt for several years. About two years ago I bought a pattern. It had a zipper. I don't know how to put in a zipper. I've only sewed costumes. I don't know how to make adjustments if it doesn't fit.

Well, look at this...not too closely, but still, I think it's good enough to wear.

Progress! Maybe slow, but progress nonetheless!

I just wanted to share what's making me smile today...not fishing for complements or reassurances. I would love to hear what's making you smile, though.

Positively Amazing!

Here is the view from my window...

Trying to follow the counsel of President Thomas S. Monson to "refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought," I want to share some amazing talent with you.

Last Saturday Mark and I traveled downtown to "Snow Days Chicago" at Navy Pier. Professional sculptors transform huge blocks of snow into beautiful sculptures for all to view, free of charge. This Indian sculpture took 1st place.

Here's Mark standing in front of a sculpted "Palace."

And I'm standing in front of the People's Choice winner, "Medusa."

We finished shoveling our driveway by around 10 am this morning with a little help from our neighbors across the street...3 wonderful teens and a 10-year-old that repeatedly volunteered until I relented. Since last Thursday I have seen some of the best of Chicago. I am grateful for people that share themselves...kindness, strong arms and backs, and artistic talent!

Kindness

Ever-present hustle and bustle, honking, fast talking...it's all part of life in a big city. The first year I moved here heartburn became my constant companion. I needed to wear a sign, "Careful...I'm slow."

Sadly, I have adapted. I have come to expect people to brush past without a nod or a look. People are in a rush, and I know to get out of the way. Even your friends don't have time for small talk. That's what makes last Thursday so special...

The Chamber of Commerce sponsors a series called Leaders In Action. I am on the committee, so I had arrived at 6:45 am to set up. We had discussed the fact that snow was on its way. For a girl from Louisiana, the winter here is a killer. Everyone knows I'm from the south by the way I talk, so it's always a subject of conversation.

The speaker was kind of a bust, unfortunately. Since this is a kind of high dollar event, we were discussing how to handle possible complaints as we cleaned up. In a city full of abrupt and sometimes rude people, we knew what was coming.

But then something wonderful happened. I walked out to my car to find someone had brushed the snow from my windshield and the driver's side windows. Just like that, my day, which had been so normal (and a little bit boring from the speaker) became memorable in a great way.

I can make a difference for someone in little, seemingly inconsequential ways...and I'm going to try...everyday! Think what a difference it would make if we all did it to together.

A nice place to rest

Sometime last year I stumbled upon Ana White's Knock-Off DIY Furniture site. Her free designs are fabulous. I was very excited for Gus to make Schmillian a "big girl bed" before her brother made his debut into the family.

I feel like my purpose in life is to help others realize the talents they have but may not recognize. What does that mean, you may ask. Well, let's just say Gus wasn't completely convinced he could do this. However, I kept insisting, "Ana says anyone can do it. You're good at building things."

He reminded me he doesn't have woodworking tools. "But she says you don't need special tools. And you can build a bed in an afternoon." Eventually, he got excited about it, too. So...we called pretty last minute and were on our way to the future DDS's home.

Well, it was an adventure...leaving the building supply place with wood hanging out the windows of our car, since we don't own a truck and don't know anyone in that area that does...buying a few "must have" tools...just to mention a few things. We really took Ana at her word and only had a day to do it.

A few things didn't go perfectly, but the cheerleader in me is never far away, and I just kept praying, encouraging, complementing, laughing (a little nervously, as we had quite an investment in the project by then)...you know how it goes.

But by golly...look what Gus made...

Now, to say I was excited about this would be an understatement. My faith in Gus increased exponentially. So...

The Doctor's sons need new beds before their new baby comes. We would need to build TWO beds AND a storage unit, so we allowed TWO days before Christmas. I told you I have great faith in what Gus can do!

Well, after two LONG days in the garage in very cold temps (he cut some things here, when it was about 7 degrees), look what Gus built...

I know...there are no words. The boys were almost as excited as I was about it. They declared it the best Christmas present EVER...until the next day when they opened their other presents! It was the best Christmas present Gus ever gave me, and I have so many more projects in mind...Go, Gus, Go!!!

A Party in Your Mouth!

Make this dough...

Bake these candies covered with the dough...

Enjoy!

Fudgy Bonbons...

Now I understand the appeal of sitting around eating bonbons!