The definition of virtue is "being that which you were created to be." When the Lord created the earth and all things on it, he commanded each plant and creature to "multiply in his sphere and have joy therein." The grass was created to be grass and have joy. The flowers were created to be flowers and have joy. The bees were created to be bees and have joy. The horses were created to be horses and have joy. All beasts and creeping things were created to be just what they are... and to have joy.
Men and Women were created to be Kings and Queens, to exercise righteous dominion over all God's creations, and to have joy. Do you remember who you are? Are you "being that which you were created to be?" If not, I urge you to return to virtue. You were meant to become something great. Don't sell yourself short.
Ghandi once said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." You are a child of God, and as such are an heir to his divine qualities. Remember who you are and be who you were created to be. You have a purpose, a life mission, if you will, to fulfill while on this earth. I urge you to contemplate what your strengths are and to meditate on what your life's purpose is. It is unique to you and no one can fulfill your mission but you. Be the King or Queen you were created to be. Don't sell yourself short for riches or fame or popularity. Be who you were born to be because you were born to be something far greater than this world has to offer. You were born with the power to make a difference in the world. Do it. Be the change. The world needs you to be who you were born to be.
With all my love to all who read this. Wendee "Rad-Mom-o-5"
This has been a harsh winter. Temperatures dropped to -20 Fahrenheit, and stayed below zero for weeks. Have you ever gone out in weather like that? Your nose freezes on the inside as you breathe! My kids laugh at the line in the movie, "Cool Runnings," when Dorece asks, "Sanka, are you smokin'?" And Sanka answers, "No, I'm breathin'!" That is a phenomenon we have experience with. When it is that cold, the snow becomes hard, like ice, and crunches and squeaks in protest under our boots. Within the past month, the snow was so hard that the kids could walk on top of it and not break through the 6-inch layer of ice! We joked that they were walking on water. :-)
There is a blessing to cold: we have to work together to stay warm. Last fall we chopped wood to prepare for the winter ahead. On cold mornings, we would start a fire in the wood-burning stove. It created such a warm atmosphere and invited all of us to gather round and share warmth with each other. Our wood stove has an oven in it and so we were able to cook breakfast in there and heat up water for hot chocolate on top. Yum! Every one of our children learned how to build a fire in it, as well as how to keep it safe. The wood stove has blessed our home in many ways by providing warmth, security, and a place to cuddle and learn together. My favorite times in front of the wood stove are when I can snuggle with a child and read with them.
Winter is a time for reading. When the world slows down due to the cold, and the roads are less inviting due to ice and snow, we tend to create our own little world at home and hibernate in it. It has been a great time for us to focus on learning. I enjoy curling up with a good book on a wintry day. And when the sun shines, it is all the better. Despite the temperature outside, I can sit near our south windows and take in the warmth of the sun as I read. That is renewing to me. I have discovered some good reads this winter. You might want to check them out on my goodreads.com page.
This winter, we have pioneered in the journey of the first year of an on-line high school. Amber has loved being a student at Open High School and is on the yearbook staff. I am actually quite impressed with what they are coming up with, considering that most of the students have never met in person. Amber Skypes with her teachers and fellow students, so they can see each other while they speak. It is like having her teachers tutor her in our home. They have been very great to work with and we are all pleased at the results. The teachers post their lessons and assignments each day and the students can view/listen whenever they can. The use of multi-media in their lessons is very helpful for Amber to understand the concepts taught. It is neat to watch her use good tools on the internet to enhance her education. She is planning to continue with Open High School and take some elective courses at our local high school concurrently next year. We are very proud of the progress she has made and at her courage to "go where no one has gone before." (At least in our family.)
We have embraced the public school option for our sons--at their request. It has been a blessing to enjoy the positive environment created in our local schools. The teachers and staff at Isaac's elementary school are committed to enhancing education in positive ways. They were named one of two distinguished Title One schools in Utah. Apparently that's a pretty big deal. The principal claims it is because of the great kids, the parent involvement, and the fantastic teachers and aides. The community has created a healthy environment for kids to learn in. We are very grateful to be a part of it. The middle school has proven to be a good learning environment for Brigham as well. He is thriving there and enjoys his teachers and friends. He loves the bus ride because he can be with his friends for that 30 minutes to and from school. This transition took place this winter and was harder on the parents than the kids. (You know the saying about old dogs...) But it has proven to be a good change for our family. We girls can actually enjoy our "quiet time" now and focus more on our studies because it is really quiet during the day. ;) We love our boys, they just need more than we can give. Thank heavens for other caring adults who have chosen the profession of teacher to bless all our lives and help raise this generation. They truly are our future.
Well, that's enough about winter... now on to Spring! We are watching in faith for it to appear. More to come.
I know that's what you're thinking... "it's about time she posted." However, I am choosing NOT to feel any guilt about the length of time between my last post and today. It is not worth my energy. Instead, I would like to focus on the importance of where we spend our TIME.
Priorities vary from person to person, and from time to time. For me, priorities change with the seasons of years and the seasons of life. For instance, today we are in the middle of the beautiful change from Winter to Spring. Instead of focusing on staying warm and keeping us people and animals alive and fed, I have begun focusing on garden plans and hiking plans.
My season of life has taken a dramatic change in the past couple years from a mother of little ones in diapers to a Mom of teens, tweens, and somewhat independent school-aged children. This change can create feelings of despair and longing for the days of babies, when I was still somewhat in control. However, I am choosing to focus on all the great opportunities this change affords. Of course we all know that it is inevitable that children grow up. It is important for them to do so; just as it was important for you and me to become adults. It is this cycle of life and seasons that I want to embrace: To just enjoy each moment for what that moment and season of life has to offer.
I am choosing to embrace the fact that I do not own a diaper and will not need one any time soon... until perhaps the time comes for me to wear one again. ;) I am thriving with new found time for one or two of my own interests, something that I gave up at the arrival of my fourth child--out of necessity for the wellness of my family. Interestingly, as I develop my interests and hobbies, I notice my children picking up on my enthusiasm. And without consciously trying to, I am inspiring them to try new things and enjoy them. As I am typing this, I am also answering questions of my 10-yr old daughter about binding a quilt. She told me the other day that if in the future a machine is invented that can make anything we want, she will be sad because she loves to sew. :-) Sewing happens to be a dormant hobby of mine and we had just pulled out the sewing machine and all the mending the day she said that. What a blessing that we can share the joy of sewing.
Another life season change has come in the form of a puppy. Who knew that my dear husband and I would EVER own a dog??? The fact that changed our view enough to allow the kids the opportunity of raising a puppy was something a friend told us, "You don't get a dog for yourself; you get a dog for your kids." We are now in the season of kids, and more than that--kids who want a dog. So, they all signed a contract listing all the responsibilities they wouldn't shirk relating to dog ownership, and permission was granted for them to pool their money and buy a dog from our neighbor. His name is "Chunky Monkey," though I think he looks more like a Roosevelt. (I didn't buy the dog, so it isn't my choice.) The kids call him "Chunk" or "Chunky" and he has become a faithful friend to all of them. They are reading books on puppy care and talking to experts about puppy training and I am very proud of the progress they have made with him. I have to say that I didn't expect it to go so well. (They were put on probation at the onset and we have a back-up owner if they do not live up to the contract.) Time will tell if this is a lifetime commitment they have made or just a temporary situation.
I will post some fun tidbits about Chunky another time because my priorities right now are to help my children with their goals and I have taken enough time writing about time. Tee Hee. Blessings to you as you prioritize and enjoy the moments.
