Be of Good Courage

 

We are often asked to do hard things.... 

• ....to say no to a marriage proposal because it doesn't feel right
• ....to say goodbye to friends who aren't really being good friends
• ....to walk away from a job that has blessed you and/or your family because...
• ....to struggle with a disease or injury that will be with us, maybe forever
• ....to lose a spouse or a child because of sickness or injury

These are just a few examples - so many more can be added to this list.  We've all struggled through them.  And usually, we come out with blessings that we couldn't even imagine would have come from the struggle.

President Thomas S. Monson once said this:

"I wonder how we would have felt if we lived in Nauvoo with our beautiful brick home with all of the comforts of life - and then heard the call to move westward, to leave our homes, to leave our families in some cases, to leave behind the beautiful greenery and put our vision westward to the valleys of the great Salt Lake, where one tree greeted us upon our arrival as pioneers.  Yet, where would we have been today were it not for the courage of the Latter-day Saints to expand the frontiers of the Church?"

Consider the hard things that you have had the opportunity to struggle through.  In the middle of the struggle, it's hard to see the blessings, but as you look back on the experience, what gifts were you given because of it?  Do you have more compassion and empathy for others going through something similar?  Do you more immediately recognize the hand of the Lord in your life or in the lives of your family members?  Have you come to cherish relationships more?  

"...know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.  The Son of Man hath descended below them all.  Art thou greater than he?"   D&C 122:7-8

Photo courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Baptism Quilt

Grandchild #3 was baptized in May.  He told me that his quilt needed to be red!  It's his favorite color.  I did what I could to oblige.  He was so excited to get it, that when we went to his house after the baptism, he saw I was carrying the quilt and came running to me with arms outstretched and said: "Come to papa!  "Funny boy!

I cut each of the blocks 9.5" square, so when they are all sewn together they are 9" blocks.  I only chose one fabric that was minky.  The kids love how it feels, but I don't like sewing with it so the majority of the blocks are flannel as well as the backing.   I have a good friend who stitched his name and baptism info on a block and I chose a fun, coordinating cotton fabric to bind it with.  

I'm still not a great quilter, but I'm getting better.  I'm glad I can do this for our grandchildren and they genuinely seem to appreciate them!   

 

It's not the packaging, but what's inside -and- Chocolate Chip Cookies

 A little while ago I was making some cookies.  I needed 3/4 lb of butter (and yes, the cookies are fabulous!).  I finished one package and opened another.  I was struck by the appearance of the two sticks of butter.  One is more 'short and stocky' while the other is more 'tall and slender'.  But do you know what?   They both contain the same amount of butter!  

Both packages of butter will accomplish the same purpose.

Although they look different, their value is identical (to help make the best chocolate chip cookies ever)!

So - why do we do it?

Why do we look at someone and judge them because of their appearance?  Do we know anything about them?  Do we understand their story?  Do we know what they have to offer?  Do we know their heart?

My guess is no - we don't.  

Do we really want Jesus to judge us by our outward appearance, or are we hopeful that he will look upon our heart?

I know I don't always present myself well.  For example, I struggle with some anxiety and sometimes if I'm leaving a gathering, I just go.  I don't tell anyone I'm leaving, I just walk away.  Doing all of the hugging and saying goodbye and making sure I don't miss anyone is exhausting to me (and I love hugs).  But sometimes I just walk away.  

I know that Jesus knows my heart.  He knows I don't always try as hard as I should, but He also knows that often-times I do better than I ever thought I could.  

Let's be a little less judgmental, a lot kinder and pull more people into our circle, not less.  And let's do it over a warm chocolate chip cookie!

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Cream together:

3 cubes butter (3/4 lb) softened                

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar                                    

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix well and add:

4 cups flour                                                

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

After ingredients are all mixed well, add:

1 pkg milk chocolate chips                        

1/2 pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 pkg white chocolate chips

Mix well and place on baking sheet.  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.  (I usually leave them for 15).  You will want to remove them when they are 'lightly' browned, but may still seem a little gooey in the center.  Let them rest on the cookie sheet for 3-4 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.  They will finish setting up as they cool.  I have three large baking sheets, and sometimes I just pull one from the oven and leave the cookies on the baking sheet and put in another batch on a different one.