Monday, October 27, 2014

Thoughts on caring for those in need

I had an opportunity to teach a lesson based on Jeffrey R Holland's talk, Are We Not All Beggars? In our church, we have an opportunity to fast once each month and donate the proceeds to help those in need. There are other aspects of caring for those in need that I felt impressed to discuss during the lesson: helping those who have needs other than financial.

Everything we have is a result of blessings in our lives. We may be 'self-made,' but we were successful because of our talents, combined with hard work. Those talents are a gift from God. Elder Holland discusses how we are all indebted, particularly to God, and that we repay this by doing what we can.

As I look around at those I serve, I can see that there are many ways of being in need. Some are lonely. They need someone to care and visit with them. Some are suffering. A visit can often help them think of something beyond their pain. Some just need a little help packing. Others need help moving. Some might need a helping hand watching a child or transporting one. Sometimes, the little things are the ones that have the biggest impact.

In my position at church, I can see the very tangible needs of those whose financial resources do not cover their needs. We use our fast offerings as a way to supplement and help these. However, there are many more needs that cannot be met financially. These are the ones that require a sacrifice of time, talent, or mental energy. That is often harder than abstaining from two meals and donating what you would have spent.

The Savior cared for the needy. He addressed them directly and did what he could to alleviate their suffering. He didn't require them to be 'worthy' of his help. He did what was practical. I hope that we are doing the same. If we pray for opportunities to help, they will come. And the great thing about service is that we benefit at the same time as the one we serve. Is there someone you can lift today?

 

Monday, October 20, 2014

Change is an opportunity for growth-embrace it

A constant in life is change, accompanied either by growth or decay. There is no sitting still. If you are sitting still, you are in the process of decay. If we want growth, we have to choose to move rather than sitting still. It can be a scary choice.

Often, change involves risk. If you take a new job, move to a new place, try a new activity, you might not like it. The resolution would require more change. Many people stay in jobs or careers they hate simply because they know how to do the job and are making decent money. They spend time resenting the job, unhappy with what they are doing, but accepting it without question because it is easier. Change requires effort. You would have to find a different job, perhaps a different career. Start over again at the bottom. Make less money. Perhaps have less status. What if it doesn't work out?

At the other extreme are people who thrive on change. They do not settle into a rut because they are constantly heading out in new directions. They do not stay in one area long enough to master it. They are constantly looking for the next thing.

Between those who will not change and those who do constantly are the rest of us. Some change willingly, others grudgingly. But we do change. I have found that pushing oneself to change will help promote growth. There have been times when I actively seek change, scanning and networking to find a new job when I know it is time to move on. Other times, the job has just appeared. I have never regretted the choice to move on although I have regretted leaving the friendships. Now with social media, I can remain in touch with those left behind. That is truly a blessing.

Since leaving home for college, I have lived in 18 different places after I left the dorms in college. 7 of them have been homes I owned, the rest apartments. That is a lot of moving-and with the number of books I have, always a hassle. However, each of these moves has involved major changes in my life. With the houses, I always hope it will be the last move, but I recognize that I appreciate and enjoy the challenges that these changes have heralded. Although I hope not to move again, I realize that, given my track record, more relocations in the future are likely. These 18 different homes were in seven different states. My father once accused me of being a transient. I think he was correct. However, transience means I embrace the opportunity to experience new places.

Over these many years since I left for college, I have worked at more than a dozen different companies. In college, they were for short periods of time. After college, they have tended to be longer lasting. These have spanned a variety of careers as well: banking, legal, information technology, music, and dance. They have provided lots of opportunity for growth and change, particularly information technology, since that field is constantly moving.

In addition to career changes, my service opportunities have promoted a great deal of growth as well. I was a Girl Scout leader for longer than I was a scout. I managed a sing-along at the senior center (I am good with most music from 1850-1950). I have taught lots of little kids at church, ranging from 18 months to six year olds. I don't seem to get those that read. I have taught adults in a variety of classes. I have been an organist a number of times-which means I have at least learned to play adequately if not well. I am now in a leadership position that requires a lot of listening and problem solving. In our church, change is a given. Except perhaps for organists, when you are called to a position, it is with the understanding that it will probably be for only a year or two. Then you will be asked to serve in a different position. Two of the three times I was asked to be an organist, I only got released from the position by moving. Organists are harder to find than teachers.

As I look back, I am grateful I have faced the different challenges in my life. Without them, I would not have progressed as much. I would not have developed my current strengths and would not have overcome some of my weaknesses. However, there is still more to do, so there is still more growth to occur. In the end, your attitude to what happens determines how much you grow and learn from life. And sometimes, if you refuse to learn, you get more opportunities as life throws you more challenges in that area.

Embrace change. It helps you reach your dreams. If you don't know what those dreams are, start dreaming again. I believe that is why we are here.





 

Monday, October 13, 2014

Family visits in October

I missed posting my blog last week because we left early Monday morning and I didn't have a chance. We spent a week visiting friends and family. We spent the first part of the day traveling, then visited with family in Nevada. The camera remained in the bag.

The next day, we headed up to Utah where more visits occurred. On Wednesday, we went to the rec center for swimming (without camera) while the Pro played golf with his friends.

On Thursday, we had a picnic at Murray Park. What a great park.









 After the park, we visited another great-grandmother in the family and collected canned peaches, picked grapes, pumpkins, and a few tomatoes and apples. Here we have three of the four generations.

On Friday, we went to Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point. As indicated by the name, they have lots of farm animals and produce gardens. This was fun because they had reframed the experience as a visit to Oz. In the pony ride below, one of the white horses has paint behind the saddle-it is the horse of a different color.




 They had painted the sidewalk and lawn to create a yellow brick road. They had poppies along the yellow brick road before the emerald city-which is the pony ride. You can see the green wrapped around the posts in the pictures above. They had a wagon with the Professor Marvel logo from the movie. The area that normally houses a jail and dance hall is now labeled as belonging in Munchkinland. It was all very well done and very cute.

We could not skip a ride in a wagon behind two very large draft horses. It took us around the outside of Farm Country.

Farm country helps kids understand where food really comes from including an interactive exhibit from soil to table. For people unused to gardening, it probably helps teach children about how food is produced. There were lots of people there with little kids.

When we returned, we had a party to go to-an 80's themed party. Mostly, that meant hair in off-center pony tails for our girls.


When I lived in Worcester, I attended church in the Worcester Ward. Many of the people who were my daughters peers have moved to Utah, as she has. Many of the earlier generation have done so as well. One of the younger ones hosted the party at his home to create a Worcester Ward Reunion only it took place in Bountiful Utah. It was fun to reconnect with lots of old friends. I was in the ward from 1993 to 1999. The host's parents are also celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They still live in Worcester, but they set up the party to coincide with a visit to Utah so we could all reconnect. This was also a family visit, just a different sort of family, our church family.

It was a fun week which allowed us to visit all of our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Now that the Pro is working only part time, we have more freedom to be with the family and look forward to many more such trips.