I'm Really Glad It's The New Testament This Year

The Calling: Gospel Doctrine instructor.

I'm one of four. We have two rooms for Gospel Doctrine (we have a pretty big stake center) and so the four teachers alternate teaching each Sunday (2 at a time, obviously) and then we alternate rooms every-other-week as well. I'm nervous, but very, very excited. This ward is full of BYU professors, former mission presidents, the Patriarch, and lots of smart, caring, funny people. It makes my job easy because they will all comment and teach each other; I'll facilitate.

----------

President Uchtdorf's talk, Of Things That Matter Most, was our lesson in Relief Society today. I loved, loved, loved it. I needed to hear it. Again.

What matters most? Some women made a few comments that resonated with me:

*The object lesson about the glass jar with the rocks, sand, and water is cliche and old but very, very true [for those who don't know it: You take a glass jar and fill it with the most important things first --the rocks. Then you add the sand. Then you add the water. However, if you add the fluffy stuff first --the water --and then the sand, you won't be able to fit the rocks in. This has been used as an object lesson for priorities as well as tithing, etc.]. If we put the most important things first in our lives, we'll find that we might actually have time for all the other stuff. So... RELAX. Put those things first (God, family, love), and the rest will follow.

*If something comes up that will change your schedule/priorities/etc., think about whether or not it will matter to you in 6 months. If you'll completely forget about it or not care in that period of time, don't worry about it. Let it go. But if you feel as if you'll regret not doing it, then go for it.

*When we come home to a dirty house, we feel flustered, upset, and frustrated. But when we come home to a clean house, we feel peaceful. This is how we should view our soul --our mind, our heart. We need to keep the clutter out so we can feel that peace.

*Artists are taught that in order to paint something, they can't focus on everything (I wish I could quote this one verbatim, because I know I'm slaughtering what she said). There has to be a focal point in a painting in order for it to be beautiful. The same should be in our lives.

*Balance is key: Sometimes you have to do a little laundry, a little cleaning, help the kids a little, and make the rounds. You can't do it all at once.

*Times and Seasons. There are times and seasons for every thing in our lives (Ecclesiastes, man!) and that's a good thing.

*Following the Spirit is key to know what to add and what to let go.

----------------

My neighbor started a new blog. She's super creative and very excited about their new diet. Have a looksie.

-----------------

I've been back on my movies-made-about-19th-century-books kick for a while now. Lately I've seen:

North and South

Bright Star

Wives and Daughters

The Young Victoria

Okay, so they're not all on books. They're good, though. Very, very good. My only complaint is that in Wives and Daughters, Molly and Roger don't kiss. Ever. There's the build-up, but where's the climax? Yeah, yeah. I know. Scarlet fever. I get it.

-----------------

I haven't watched American Idol, yet. I don't even think it's being recorded on the DVR, yet. For a person who cared too much about it, I don't really care. Why is this? Why don't I care? I'm sure I'll start watching later (how could I not?) but this is what I'm wondering: Could this be the end of my obsessive critiquing of American Idol hopefuls?

And if so, does this mean the Apocalypse is upon us?!!?

---------------

Fragmentary Blue by Robert Frost

Why make so much of fragmentary blue

In here and there a bird, or butterfly,

Or flower, or wearing-stone, or open eye,

When heaven presents in sheets the solid hue?

Since earth is earth, perhaps, not heaven (as yet)--

Though some savants make earth include the sky;

And blue so far above us comes so high,

It only gives our wish for blue a whet.