Summer of the Monkeys - It wasn't just about the monkey business!

By Deanna Householder

I have loved reading this book! I am loving the classics whole-heartedly! I love how the heart of Jay Berry changed. From being such a focused and selfish-minded boy (although that is natural) to finally making the decision on his own (with a little help from Grandpa) to put his money towards helping his sister….making it a selfless sacrifice. It gave me hope that I can make that change too – if a young boy can do that, then I can shift my focus from my own personal agenda to one of serving others and doing things for the right reasons.

I loved learning from the example of the Grandpa who had faith in Jay Berry and who didn’t do it all for him…he gave his guidance and encouragement but allowed Jay Berry to fail and learn from his experience. He never ridiculed or corrected him. He didn’t tell JB that he was nuts. He humored his young boy heart and desires.

I loved how the monkeys attitude changed towards JB when they FELT that his concern was real, that his motives had changed. This taught me that others will often respond the same way. When they feel we are out to get them in some way, they don’t come to us, they don’t want to be part of us. But if they sense our hearts are right, they will respond – they will come to us. Our children will seek us out, our help, our love, our nurturing power if they feel we are not out to get them in any way. The monkeys wanted to be taken care of, they wanted to be found and caught. Our children do as well….if our hearts are right toward them.

I have learned another lesson about the power of the classics. Even though I have more to do than I think I can possibly accomplish today to prepare for our camping/road trip, I took the time to relax and skim/read/finish this book and I am soooo grateful and glad that I did! It has been VERY renewing to me! To feel the spirit touch my heart, to let my soul be reminded that relationships are more important than what I think is most important at this moment. It has given me more peace and I feel I can get things done okay…doesn’t matter if I don’t. It was so worth the time!

"Woman, what wilt thou have me do for thee?"

By Kathy Hill

Within every women lies the inherent power to call down the blessings of heaven upon her own family.

What David A. Bednar stated concerning men, is precisely true of women. He said, " ...become [a] worthy and faithful conduit of God's power. ' Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.'" D&C 38:42

I am God's vessel!

Ask yourself, "Am I filled with Fear, or Guilt? What about Anger?

These emotions, blind, confuse and paralyze. They leave no room in me, for God's living water.

It is not for me, to be the well spring.

My part is to be clean, strong, and open, then I can be filled with His power and light! And through Him... I will never empty!

Remember, the miracle Jesus performed for His mother Mary at a wedding feast in which they ran out of wine for the wedding guests?

How often have you, like Mary said, I have no more! I have no more patience. I have no more strength.

Jesus question is personal in nature. I can hear His voice speaking to me,

"Woman, what wilt thou have me to do for thee? That will I do." (John 2:4 see footnote)

To read more, go to Kathy's blog: www.mendamommy.blogspot.com.

Life Itself is Sweet

Life Itself is Sweet

by Angie Patterson

As I was preparing dinner this evening, my mind wrote and rewrote my seemingly deep thoughts about The Tao of Pooh. After the kids were in bed, I intended to begin my inspirational composition immediately. But there was a pile of dishes in the sink, baskets of laundry to fold, and a willing husband to help with both. Carpe diem, I thought. As I was doing those mundane tasks, I realized something important, something I hadn’t caught before. It could be Tao.

Benjamin Hoff described “the basic Taoism that we are concerned with here is simply a particular way of appreciating, learning from, and working with whatever happens in everyday life. From the Taoist point of view, the natural result of this harmonious way of living is happiness.” (pg 5)

Hmm. I sure do appreciate clean dishes and clothing, even if I don’t like doing those chores. I also love it when my husband willingly helps. And chores sure are some of those things that we have to work with in everyday life.

What if I started to enjoy the mundane tasks of everyday life? Instead of grumbling about it, I could be grateful for many things about it--my helpful husband, the 80s hair band videos we made fun of while folding laundry, a job completed, a spot in the house made tidy, the children sleeping peacefully. Even writing about it makes me feel happy.

Until now, I thought that living Tao meant to do things that bring happiness or choosing to be happy regardless the circumstances. Chores, to me, were not a part of Tao. But they really are.

In the simplicity of just plain living, I have realized that, “life itself, when understood and utilized for what it is, is sweet.” (pg 6)

Joy Everyday

This morning I woke up quite early and could not get back to sleep. Usually when this happens it is because something is working itself out in my mind. It means I need to study, ponder, and write during this time. Waking early without feeling too fatigued is a gift and this morning I embraced it so that I could ponder a question from last night's Energy Management online class.
The question was, "Is it really possible to feel joy in our mothering every day?" Last night my answer was yes and it still is, but I feel that it is important to address this question in more detail.

In my core book study this morning I read about Nephi, an ancient prophet who writes in his opening sentence, "and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days."

I pondered how he could feel highly favored after wading through so much affliction. It's almost like he is saying that his afflictions were a blessing! I realized that this is the more complete version of my answer. I too have felt the heavy burdens of life and many times have felt as though I am "wading" through affliction. I know that it is not possible to avoid affliction during our mortality, but it is possible to walk through it with the Lord daily. When we realize He is there (and He is whether we know it or not) and yoke ourselves with Him, our burdens become lighter and we find joy.

After my scripture study I went out for my morning run. My pondering of this subject continued as I ran. I thought about how there were many years (yes, years) when I did not feel much joy. I had moments of happiness, but mostly I felt heavy burdens that I did not know how to put down. I used to wake in the morning and say to myself, "Here we go again, another day. I just don't know if I can do it again." (Sounds a bit like good old Eeyore, doesn't it?) It hurts my heart to think of it now, but I lived this way for a long time. Everything felt heavy.

Little by little the Lord showed me the way out of this. I knew that I needed help, so I found a mentor. Angie helped me in so many ways, but mostly mentally and emotionally. She helped me to see how my thoughts were constantly draining me of precious energy. She helped me to see the truth. I also worked on my physical and spiritual needs. I read a lot of books, prayed a lot, and worked on my relationships. It seemed like once I figured things out, something happened like a move (we moved three times in a one year span). All this time, I was learning and getting stronger, but I still did not feel joyful. I knew there was still healing that needed to happen.

Complete healing did come eventually. It came after I learned a whole lot of skills about how to care for myself and even then, it didn't come completely because of my efforts. The healing of my heart and soul came as a gift of the Spirit, after I had learned to walk with the Lord. Some days I felt as though I were running (these were the best days, when I could see real progress and felt happiness), some days were walking days (the days when I just needed to move a little slower), and some days were crawling days (you know, those really hard days when we need a little bit of chocolate and a good cry). I realized that every day, no matter what kind, the tender mercies of the Lord were there every time. (I learned this through daily journaling--a great idea I learned from Angie.)

Healing for me has come mostly through music, especially sacred music. I have felt the Spirit teach me and fill me up completely while I am singing. I will never forget singing the words of 3 Nephi in the oratorio Messiah in America. These words were seared into my soul, "Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?" (3 Nephi 9:13). Every word pressed into my heart. I know that the Savior is the source of all healing and that He goes to great efforts to reach all of us. We need Him. When we walk daily with Him, life is sweet, wonderful, and joyful.

This morning as I watched the sun rise, I felt as if I were greeting Him again, inviting Him to walk with me through another day. There is no greater joy than this. Life is wonderful and it can be joyful every day. :)