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Party of one
My people have headed south for the week. G had a conference in DC and the kids are on February break so it seemed like a perfect time for a road trip to the nation's capital. As much as I love a good adventure, I'm brand new in my job and we thought it might not be time quite yet for me to take the week off so, in a strange twist of our usual mode...here I am, holding down the fort. I sent Maddy off with a set of Downton Abbey paper dolls since we would miss watching the finale together. In return, she texted me a photo of the whole cast happily set up on the dashboard of the car. I love her frequent updates and photos of what they're up to. This morning they attended Supreme Court arguments, had crepes, and walked to Arlington cemetery. How cool is that?
As for me, I've been running a bunch of long-postponed errands (Sam needs a new belt, I need new work pants, etc.), reading addictively on the sofa in the late afternoon, catching up on a few shows on our tivo, and going to bed early. Wild and crazy, that's me. I'm actually a little overwhelmed with the possibilities every day: get a pedicure? see an early evening movie? go to a museum? explore a corner of Boston? start a project? write? What would you do?
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Changing topics a bit....This week my Sunday School lesson for the 12- and 13-year-olds was about adversity so I was happy to play them one of my favorite talks of all time, The Currant Bush by Hugh B. Brown (fast forward about 2/3 and listen to 17:43 through 28:15 for that portion of the talk). Do you know that one? Many years ago a friend gave me a cassette tape with this particular recording and it got me through many ups and downs in high school and college. It felt like such a personal pep talk (and I've listened to it so often) that I feel like I know Brown personally, with his kind uncle voice and poetic cadence: "God is aware of you, individually. He knows who you are and what you are and furthermore he knows what you are capable of becoming. Be not discouraged then if you do not get all the things you want just when you want them. Have the courage to go on and face your life..."
It's been swimming around in my head lately. So often I feel simultaneously laden with fruit and cut down. It's comforting to remember there's a gardener in charge of all that pruning and growth.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Reader Comments (6)
HAVE A SLEEPOVER!!!
What I wouldn't give for a party of one this week...I feel cabin fevered coming off a long, cold weekend with kids underfoot. Enjoy it while you can, sista. Sounds heavenly to me.
Lucky you!
I love the currant bush, have used that one a lot through out life. It is funny that you should bring up that lesson, while VT the other day, one of the sisters talked about teaching that lesson to the youth in Sunday school and we discussed how important it is to talk about adversity to the youth because all 3 of us were given the impression in YW that if you follow the commandments etc. etc. you will avoid difficulties and tragedy, which of course isn't true, but it took me a few shocks to realize this:)
Seeing as I pretty much fall in love with everything you introduce me to, I'm eager to listen to that talk. Because you're pretty cool like that, don'tcha know.
Thanks for that reminder. Greg and I have to give a fireside to the Singles this weekend on making Lemonade from Lemons. Feel free to send any more insight my way. Currently, I am just sucking on the lemon. Not really getting very far in the beverage making process of life.
Role-reversal for sure, Annie. But change is as good as a rest, and it sounds like you are even getting a little rest with everyone gone. Good for YOU, as your Grandpa Paxman would say.
Thanks for the reminder of The Current Bush talk. I had forgotten about it and it is wonderful, especially the segment you recommended. Uchtdorf's talk on God caring for each of us was a good one, too. Although in the present political climate, there is a huge portion of the American population that doesn't seem to think God cares for everyone - just those who are in a certain party with a certain agenda and a certain limited view that prejudice is okay with God. But I digress. Love your thoughts. Love you