Drops of Awesome

I read the talk, "You Matter to Him" by Elder Uchtdorf the other day.  In it, I read something that made me think of the many wonderful people I know.

"Another way Satan deceives is through discouragement.  He attempts to focus our sight on our own insignificance until we begin to doubt that we have much worth.  He tells us that we are too small for anyone to take notice, that we are forgotten - especially by God."

How many of us (myself included) struggle with the feeling of discouragement?  But, then I read this:

"God knows some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history.  They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior's example and spend the days of their lives doing good."

And this was it!  This is the thing that zinged my heart and made me happy.  Because it's true.  How many of us work with a soul and feel like we make such an insignificant difference?  That we try our very hardest, but we aren't sure we are doing anything of good?  YOU are the greatest souls who have ever lived.  YOU emulate the Savior's example.  And YOU are doing good.  So much more good than you recognize.

I had a friend send this to me and I absolutely loved the thought.  So I wanted to share it with all the wonderful people who work with those with special needs - those of you who may not realize the billions of things you do everyday that impact children and families.  I am hoping that we all see a few more "drops of awesome" in our own lives and that we help others around us see the "drops of awesome" they may struggle to recognize themselves.  Just thought it might make us all smile:

http://www.daringyoungmom.com/2012/12/19/drops-of-awesome/

The Moving of the Water

Obviously an older article, but great sentiment in it.  And I loved that it was directed to everyone in our different experiences.  A wonderful reminder of God's promises :)

http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=9f6266ce3a47b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

The "W" in Christmas

 Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even  overspending.

 Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.  My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's Winter Pageant.

 I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production, unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his Teacher, she assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation.

 All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.  Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down.  Around the room I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.

 As I waited, the students were led into the room.  Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor.  Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

 Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.  So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

 Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.  Those in the front row - center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.

 As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C.  Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

 The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake.  But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".  Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.  A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen..  In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

 For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

         "C H R I S T W A S L O V E"

  

And, I  believe, He still is.

 Amazed in His presence....humbled by His love.

 Again, HAVE A BLESSED HOLIDAY SEASON.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

For Madison

A Glimpse of a Wonderful Mother

Because of Your Faith

Elder Holland's talk, "Because of Your Faith," in Conference last week struck me.  It struck me that we don't thank those around us enough for the example, the courage, the faith that they give us just by the lives they lead.  In his talk, he said:

"I am grateful for selfless parents who—perhaps for a lifetime—care for a challenged child, sometimes with more than one challenge and sometimes with more than one child."

I want to echo that statement of gratitude, for I see the miracle each of those parents provide daily to their individual children.  I am strengthened, humbled and overjoyed at the divinity that I am daily surrounded by.  Thank you, parents.  All you parents who show us how we ought to live.

NEVER EVER GIVE UP IN LIFE

The Race

"Quit, give up, you're beaten" 
They shout at you and plead 
"There's just too much against you 
This time you can't succeed". 

And as I start to hang my head 
In front of failures face 
My downward fall is broken by 
The memory of a race 

And hope refills my weakened will 
As I recall that scene 
Or just the thought of that short race 
Rejuvenates my being 

Childrens race, young boys 
Young men, how I remember well 
Excitement sure, but also fear 
It wasn't hard to tell 

They all lined up so full of hope 
Each thought to win that race 
Or tie for first, or if not that 
At least take second place 

The fathers watched from off the side 
Each cheering for his son 
And each boy hoped to show his dad 
That he could be the one 

The whistle blew and off they went 
Young hearts and hopes afire 
To win and be the hero there 
Was each young boys desire 

And one boy in particular 
Whose dad was in the crowd 
Was running near the lead and thought 
"My dad will be so proud" 

But as they speeded down the field 
Across a shallow dip 
The little boy who thought to win 
Lost his step and slipped 

Trying hard to catch himself 
With hands flew out to brace 
And amid the laughter of the crowd 
He fell flat on his face 

But as he fell his dad stood up 
And showed his anxious face 
Which to the boy so clearly said 
"Get up and win the race" 

He quickly rose, no damage done 
Behind a bit that's all 
And ran with all his night and mind 
To make up for the fall 

So anxious to restore himself 
To catch up and to win 
His mind went faster than his legs 
He slipped and fell again 

He wised then that he had quit before 
With only one disgrace 
"I'm hopeless as a runner now 
I shouldn't try to race" 

But in the laughing crowd he searched 
And found his fathers face 
That steady look which said again 
"Get up and win the race" 

So up he jumped to try again 
Ten yards behind the last 
If I'm going to gain those yards he though 
I've got to move real fast 

Exerting everything he had 
He regained eight or ten 
But trying hard to catch the lead 
He slipped and fell again 

Defeat, he lay there silently 
A tear dropped from his eye 
There's no sense running anymore 
Three strikes, I'm out, why try? 

The will to rise had disappeared 
All hope had fled away 
So far behind so error prone 
A loser all the way 

"I've lost, so what", he thought 
I'll live with my disgrace 
But then he thought about his dad 
Whom soon he'd have to face 

"Get up" the echo sounded low 
"Get up" and take your place 
You were not meant for failure here 
"Get up", and win the race 

With borrowed will "Get up" it said 
"You haven't lost at all" 
For winning is no more than this 
To rise each time you fall 

So up he rose to run once more 
And with a new commit 
He resolved, that win or lose 
At least he shouldn't quit 

So far behind the others now 
The most he'd ever been 
Still he'd give it all he had 
And run as though to win 

Three times he'd fallen, stumbling 
Three times he'd rose again 
Too far behind to hope to win 
He still ran to the end 

They cheered the winning runner 
As he crossed the line first place 
Head high and proud and happy 
No falling, no disgrace 

But when the fallen youngster 
Crossed the line, last place 
The crowd gave him the greater cheer 
For finishing the race 

And even though he came in last 
With head bent low, unproud 
You would have thought he'd won the race 
To listen to the crowd 

And to his dad he sadly said 
"I didn't do too well" 
"To me you won", his father said 
"You rose each time you fell"  

by D. H. Groberg