Stop, Listen, and Do

Today I have so much to do and so many demands on my hands! I wanted to cry not knowing where to even start. I have found peace in completing one tiny thing and then stopping (the overwhelming feelings & anxiety) listening to which I should do next, and doing it. I am finding peace and direction one step at a time.

Thank you ladies

I'm enjoying reading and relating to your experiences and trials ladies. Thank you for sharing.

Can you imagine not listening to these little prompting and those not so little SGBDs?

Thanks for the vision board info Dina. Thank you Bonnie for sharing your courage to do something out of your comfort zone.

I'm hanging in there. I feel like there are no prompting for me because I haven't made the time. I am most thankful for the time my husband is giving me to work on the basement rooms right now. I feel I need to be there to help him. I think we will be finished by Saturday night.

Looking forward to all the learning that is just ahead.

An Email

I have this so far life-long habit (I haven't decided if it is good or bad yet : ) to analyze conversations I've had or interactions with people to see if my conduct was right. Well after our Relief Society activity last night I thought about a conversation that was going on around my table. A sister was talking to me about her extreme sugar intake. She eats tons of sweets and knowing I try to eat healthy she was telling me how I must view her. The whole tone of the conversation was teasing but I wasn't sure how to respond. I didn't condemn her for her food choices by any means but she joking how disgusted I must be by her diet. I kind of joked along with her and teased her a little (mostly because it seemed like what she wanted).

When I got home and upon reflection, I had a SGBD to email her and tell her how I REALLY see her. How strong and kind of a woman she is. How every time she teaches I have felt the Spirit and learned something. So I did! It felt so good to follow through with that one.

Yay!

I was getting worried for a minute there since I didn't feel like I was getting any promptings. I've been trying to be still and really listen. Last night and today I had quite a few SGBDs. They were mostly a bunch small things but I was just grateful for the chance to act on them to show my willingness to "earn" the privilege of receiving more.

Here is my favorite one I acted on today. When we lived in New York, our chapel was 20 minutes from our home so anytime there was an activity we always carpooled. That was probably my favorite part of the activities since we had so much fun connecting with each other. I miss that. Today I had a SGBD to call all my neighbors and tell them I'd pick them up and take them the whole 2 blocks to church for a Relief Society meeting. Since it is still cool everyone drives anyway so I just picked everyone up on my street and then another sister who I visit teach that lives a mile or so away. We had so much fun chatting and getting to know each other better. I really needed to connect and I could feel that they did to.

Vision board??

On one of the pages which I cant find now, there is a comment about a vision board. What is a vision board? I can imagine but there must be something specific to it. Any ideas ladies?

I want to know more about this board. I feel like I could use vision right now. I've decided to not sweat over this week and my lack of promptings or rather my lack of recognizing prompting as I am not in my normal routine.

Welcome Bonnie.

It's good to read your post and feelings as well as learnings.

The Most Bizarre

Alright... I must write about the most bizarre experience. It is so bizarre it is painful to even think about, let alone write about it... yet, not having written about it, makes my brain and life feel cluttered! I am a mess having procrastinated this entry. Here I go...

I am not one to live Cinderella's dream. In fact, the idea of getting up in the middle of the night to watch the Royal Wedding was silly to me. We don't have television, and looking for a live feed on the internet, in the middle of my sleep, exceeded my curiosity. I decided if there was something I wanted to see, I could find the fast forward version on the internet in the morning.

However, I was surprised things about the ceremony caught my attention and grabbed at my heart. Things I pondered for days. One; how Kate bow to the Queen before the ceremony as a Common Folk, and after the ceremony as Royalty. I did not realize there were different types of bows. I began reflect on my life and ceremonies for Royal Priests and Priestess'.

Then one morning I awaken to the thought, "Write to Queen Elizabeth." Of course I gave a resounding, "WHAT?" Again, "Send a post card to Queen Elizabeth II."

O.K. is that not the most bizarre idea you have ever heard? Well, for me it is! I knew what I felt and I knew I had to do it. It took effort to: find a post card not already filled with a description of the picture; postage that fit on the card, and an address for the Queen. I wrote many rough drafts to express myself on the seemly tiny post card. I even traced the post card and practiced writing it over and over to condense my thoughts and feelings to all fit. (See how hard it is for me to express myself in a few words.)

I felt serious stress, trying to write the finally copy on the card. The anxiety of this dumb idea was killing me. I finally called my boys together and asked them to pray with me. I told them I really needed help to follow through with this prompting, although it seemed such a silly idea. I then told them the prompting. Well, teenage boys let you know! Although they did not dare dispute me on this one, their faces confirmed they agreed on the stupidity....

I wanted no mistakes, so having prayed, the address and stamp in place, I swallowed hard and copied the final draft on to the post card. It still wasn't easy. Upon completion, I turned the post card over and found the note upside down to the picture. I was not about to start over. I did not want anyone in my tiny town to see what a foolish thing I had done. I got in the car and drove out of town, and dropped it off at the post office. I wanted to yell, "And don't let the door hit you on your way out!"

I don't know if this experience, like the loaf of bread, is for my own growth or my boys. Perhaps it is for someone who will see the post card in route. I can't imagine the card actually reaching her.

Who knows the reason... I just know, I needed to do, so I painfully DID IT. I even managed to confess it to you.

Maybe it exceeds your curiosity, but this is how it read:

Thank you for allowing us to enjoy the Royal Wedding.

It was beautiful! We too value marriage, family &

proper order. We honor how you've lead the way in

your family and for the world. We too are grateful

for our English & Irish Heritage.

Respectfully,

The Babcock Family

In one of my many final drafts, I felt I should sign my maiden name representing our heritage.

Whew...I feel better with that confession off my chest.

Thrifty Uniforms

I have been following along, but this is my first time to post. I really appreciate what I have been learning from each of you. I am behind (we all know how hard it is to catch up), but I will try.

I have started a BSA uniform swap to help our boys and others find affordable uniforms. I buy the used ones, from any source I can find, and then sell uniform at same price, or allow them to trade for the correct size. This provides many opportunities for the boys to value their uniforms, take care of them, re-coop their expenses and take pride in wearing it, with their rank advancements on them. It is a fair amount of work on my part, but when it makes a difference in a boy's life. It is worth it!

I was preparing to go into town, 40 minutes away, and had the distinct thought to go to a particular thrift, and for scout clothing. I went straight there, and then lead to another location. I have been able to get a dozen items between cubs shirts to leaders, both class A and B, shorts, long pants to neckerchiefs and belts. What a blessings! I Heard, I Listened, and I DID.

More later...

Monday

I too set my cell phone alarm--very helpful ; ) I had a pretty good day today. I had a thought to tell my neighbor she looked pretty at church yesterday so I did this morning and I had the thought to call a friend so I did. I tried to quiet myself. I felt peaceful and I enjoyed my kids. Maybe I'm looking beyond the mark here but I got no really strong impression to act. I'm trying not to get discouraged...

Hang in there Lisa. I love your epiphany--accept your season.

BE Accepting

I'm having a difficult pregnancy. All mine are difficult. Not difficult like some women. But, difficult for me. I struggle a lot with tears. I cry a lot for no reason. I am generally a happy woman, but pregnancy challenges my emotions. Yesterday was no exception. I was doing pretty good, but I was having a hard time sitting during class. I normally teach primary, but because it was Mother's Day, I was given the opportunity to go to Sunday School and Relief Society.

I have this unfortunate condition that just came up this week. It is making it difficult for me to sit for long periods. I was even on soft chairs and was really struggling. So, I left Relief Society and went out to my car. I had a little cry fest--because that is what I do best--and it basically continued off and on throughout the rest of the day. I had a wonderful Mother's Day, I just was weepy....

I think to myself, I HAVE OVER THREE MONTHS TO GO!!!!! If I can't sit now, how am I going to sit when the baby is five pounds heavier and I'm that much BIGGER???? Plus, since I normally teach primary, those chairs are REALLY hard. I am really praying that I make it through the next few months.

So, I'm reading my scriptures this morning and thinking about yesterday and I'm still kind of weepy today. The spirit whispers to me to "BE Accepting". Be accepting of my body how it is. Be accepting of this pregnancy. Be accepting of my silly emotions. Don't get so mad at those SPH's (Stupid Pregnancy Hormones.) Who cares if I cry all day? Be accepting that I just won't be able to get much done. Be accepting if I need to rest more. Be accepting that this might be one of the hardest times of my life. Be alright with things as they are.

August isn't that far away, right? The Lord will bless me.

Today...

Last night I thought about how nice it was going to be to get up Sunday morning and not have to work. I was up after 6am, went to my quiet room to ponder, pray, and see were I felt prompted to go this morning. I've been trying a technique of meditation that a helpful woman shared with me. I was meditating and at times I felt nothing. At other times I fear the ideas coming to my mind are just mine. And at other times I feel completely directed. What I felt this morning was that those times when I think it might just me my own thoughts, they really aren't. These simple ideas that have come and did come today are just what I need at those times. Today it was to read my patriarchal blessing, write a thank you note, read my scriptures, it didn't matter where, go to the temple this week, and  a few little personal things. It was nice to slow down and try to feel, to express my gratitude, to imagine being at the feet of my Savior asking for guidance and a blessing,imagining what that might feel like and picturing it occur in my mind.
Why the morning was so nice, Gove told me I had 20 minutes before church started! "What I said, it was just 7:30 a few minutes a go". And to think, I only missed the opening hymn.
Will I be willing to receive and act upon inspiration this week? Will I slow my day so I can hear?  I have a few extra booklets I sewed together recently, it's flat and easy to keep in my purse. I'm going to write my sgbd items down before I forget like happened this past week.

Good luck ladies...

Cold

Funny my last post, which seems eons ago after reading all of your inspiring posts, I said I was just getting warmed up...not so. My week got started and it seemed by the end of each day I was questioning if I had any at all. One day I remember getting the thought that I should take my husband his re-warmed dinner plate just to show him I was thinking about him. Other than that I was not warming up but completely COLD as far as SGBDs were concerned.

Then I sat down yesterday to prepare my Sunday School lesson and I was literally flooded with inspiration. I knew the personal story I would share, how to organize my lesson, and what illustrations I would use. I had been preparing all week in study and prayer, so the inspiration didn't surprise me until I stopped to ask myself, how much time have I put into receiving SGBDs? Honestly not much.

I think it's more than asking for them though. I think the promptings are there everyday regardless, it is whether we are STILL enough to hear and recognize them. This week as I taught the kids, I recognized many times I just knew what to do next with them (not always ; ) and if I slowed to really think about it, those little bursts of inspiration were SGBDs.

To answer Nickie's question: I do have a notebook for SGBDs but I haven't been faithful in using it. This week my goal is to BE STILL and record my SGBDs in my journal.

Happy Mother's Day! And thanks Lisa for emailing me--I needed to be remembered : )

Happy Mother's Day

So, my SGBD is from yesterday. Well, two days ago. I'm a little behind.

I have this friend that I haven't wanted to talk to in a while. The last we spoke was probably four or five months ago and she said some things on her mind that hurt me. She was critical of me and my family. Who wants to talk to someone like that? We have been friends for over ten years.

My friend (let's call her Fran) is a single woman. She lost her only son over a year ago to the same illness she has been struggling with for 20+ years. She is kind of a sad, lonely woman, so I have tried really hard to be her friend. I have moved several times and kept in touch throughout the years.

Well, I've been feeling lately that I should repent of my stubbornness. That I need to forgive Fran for her hurtful words and just be her friend, regardless. Then, a few days ago I felt I needed to send Fran a Mother's day card. So, I wrote a letter and put it in the mail. It was not an easy thing to do. I hate this thing called PRIDE!

I'm not sure how it will be received. I will probably try to call her in a week or two and try to rebuild the friendship. I'll keep you posted!

Jennifer, I love the idea of setting your phone to help you remember to post! I'll have to think of something similar.....

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful Women!

--Lisa

It's All About Accountability For Me

I have to admit that I was worried about the SGBD's not coming fast and furious. I have been tempted to be too busy to have them, but near the end of every afternoon my cell phone alarm goes off reminding me to blog and then I have to take inventory of my day knowing that I really don't want to have to be accountable to all of you for not doing what I said I would do. Ugh.

So, it's now just after 5 pm on Saturday, and about 15 minutes ago, I was laying sprawled across my bed dying of exhaustion, because I've worked myself into the ground trying to get some kind of order restored to my home since I've been living in hospitals with various children for the last two weeks. The hospital stays are done now...(please, please be done!), so I decided that it was high time to get this place whipped back into shape. I've been so busy today!

I was laying there thinking of how much I hurt and how I'm suppose to go to a ward party that my husband is in charge of and how bad I just want to crawl onto the couch with a good book for the rest of the night, when I suddenly think, "I should call Gwen."

Gwen is my college roommate from 20 years ago who is still my best girlfriend in the world. Everytime I think to call her I procrastinate. I have no idea why. I just do that, but each time, without fail, she calls me the next day. Sometimes she complains that I never call her and wonders if she's done something to offend me. That's never the case, but from her end, I can see how she would feel that way.

When I had the thought, I should call, I decided that this was today's SGBD moment. Without lifting my head from the pillow, I called and got her voicemail. I left the following message, "Gwenie, what do you want to talk to me about? I was laying here thinking that I should call you which means that you were going to call me, so what can I do for you? I don't need anything. Everything is good over here. I'm sure I'll talk to you soon."

She just called me back. She said, "When did you call me?? I picked up the phone to call you just now and saw that I missed your call. Then I got your voicemail and it freaked me out. How did you know I wanted to talk to you??"

I love SGBD. I find it highly entertaining.

The Promptings are Not Coming Fast and Furious

I just read Nickie's post and have to admit I had been feeling the same way. It seems that the first few days I got 2-3 promptings (each day) to do something, but then it tapered off. Then I remembered that I hadn't prayed this morning. I used to brush it off when this would happen (remembering that I hadn't prayed) and just said, oh well, I'll remember tomorrow. But not today. The prompting/reminder came and I got down on my knees right away. I asked the Lord why the SGBDs were not coming and I got the distinct impression that it was because I was working on a very BIG one already. The last few days...a week, actually, I have been working on decluttering my house. (I know that when my house is congested with all the junk I have a very difficult time feeling at peace and when I am not a peace I do not feel the Spirit and when I do not fell the Spirit, the promptings don't come.) I felt as if the Lord was saying, "this is what you must do first, it is enough for now." I guess that once my home is cleaned out and a "house of order," I will get more assignments.

And to answer Nickie's question, I have started a notebook to write down the SGBDs as they come. Especially ones that have to be done later.

I'm not feeling it...

I think the reason I'm not feeling SGBDs is because I'm too busy this week and my spiritual energy is on low.

Working on your home until late into the night and getting up, exercising, and returning to the work doesn't leave room for pondering, prayer, and peace. Thus my SGBDs are zero today and I felt pretty much the same yesterday.

I spoke with Lisa this afternoon during the kids writing class, and she agrees with the decrease in SGBDs when you are not just overly busy but also when you are sick.  Two great ways for Satan to keep you from heeding the Lord's guidance; "I'm too busy" and "I'm too sick."

Question: Are any of yo keeping a little notebook to write ideas down? I started but haven't this week neither an idea nor any results, so if I don't get here to post then by morning I can't remember.

It's late and tomorrow the tile laying begins and that is one of the worst jobs when doing remodeling work.

Take care ladies. 

Keep trying to welcome the promptings into your daily routine

and do what you can to follow through.

Trust in the Lord

Today I was working over a big financial problem in my mind. I didn't ask the Lord to fix it. I simply asked Him to open my mind so that I could work out the solution in my mind. I reminded Him that I always believe that when I do things with Him, there is always a solution to any problem - even the seemingly impossible ones. It's up to me to listen to the solution, even if it's not the one that I would have picked.

The Lord listened to me. I worked and worked and worked my brain to death for three hours straight this afternoon trying to get it all to fall into place. Sure enough, the more I persisted, the more the unsolvable problem began to unravel. I followed every "crazy notion" (i.e. SGBD's) that entered my mind. I am happy to report that I'm still baffled on how it got fixed, but it's fixed. :)

Just have a little trust

Today I had several moments where I didn't procrastinate a phone call or a doctor's visit, etc. which is a first for me. I love to say that I'll get to it later.

The biggest SGBD moment I had today was with my 19 year old daughter. She has a friend with questionable standards. In the past, they haven't made the best choices when they spend time together alone. I've made it very clear that I just can't put my stamp of approval on this friendship until she and her friend straighten up.

Today, my daughter asked if we could do an experiment. She was invited to the friend's home for a family BBQ and board games. She said that she wouldn't take her car. She would allow me drop her off at the friend's home so I'd know exactly where she was, and if for some reason she would go some where else, she would notify me immediately and keep me posted on her whereabouts and activities. I paused for a moment to listen to my instincts. My head was screaming, "No!," but my gut feeling was to let her go and begin to rebuild her trust with me.

Currently, she is still at the friend's house. She has sent 7 text messages letting me know that they went to the store to buy extra hot dog buns, they stopped at Glades for some sauce, they will actually be around the corner at the grandfather's house for the BBQ, etc, etc.

Normally, I would have listened to my head which was saying, "Absolutely not!" I'm glad that I'm working on being more in tune with my intuition with this SGBD experiment. It's beginning to strengthen the relationships in my home.

The Knife

A little background: My mother was in town for a couple of days. She was using my large chef knife and commented on how the tip was broken off of it. I lamented that my eldest had taken the knife outside and stuck it into a large tree trunk or something. When he returned it to me, the tip had been broken. I was pretty mad about that, but it was over a year ago and the knife still works, so, oh well.

Next day: My mom was in town because she has this job where she cooks for a bunch of ladies while they scrapbook in the mountains of Utah. She does this twice a year. So, she takes her knives from home because that way she knows she has something sharp and good to work with. Good sharp tools are very important to a chef.

She is preparing dinner for me and gets her NICE chef knife out and uses it to cut chicken. After dinner I carefully wash and dry the knife and make sure to set it on a clean part of the kitchen counter.

Several times I walk past the knife and say to myself, I should probably go put that in my mom's suitcase. I talk myself out of it because well... I am busy.... I don't know where exactly it goes in the suitcase... my mom is busy reading to the children, and several other excuses.

Later that evening I am with my mom in her room and there the knife is, in her suitcase. I say, "Oh, I'm glad you got your knife!" She says to me smiling, "Yes. Apparently Ivan used it to cut wood!" My jaw dropped and I looked at her in horror saying, "Oh No!!!!!" She said, "Well, I guess it worked." Thank goodness nothing happened to her knife and all is well that ends well. But, I SHOULD have listened to my SGBD!

Learning.....learning..... :)

Did I have any today?

While painting late last night, I was considering whether or not I had received any promptings today (Wednesday). I paused in my job to check this blog site and there was Jennifer's post, quoting from the book these words, "everyone receives inspiration everyday. The difference is whether or not people choose to listen to and follow the inspiration they receive."

I went back to painting to think more about this...I was very busy through out the day, painting, art class, encouraging writing, meals, reading class, trips to Lowe's ...when it occurred to me that  two things happened that I did decided to act on.

Beth needs another eye exam. She just got glasses about a month ago and is saying there are words she can't read anymore. The idea to call right then as I was painting. I don't think it's anything major, though as a former nurse I sometimes wonder. So I called.
The other thought was to take Eli to the monthly Teen Volunteer Board that meets the first Wednesday at Provo's library. At the time of this idea, Eli was in his art class. I drove home to get the application and decided if I was going to get him to go I better fill out the form myself.  Perhaps this is a Say part of SGBE as Dezra mentioned at the end of her post of the Be part of SGBD. Eli didn't really want to go, but I felt he should so I said he would. Fear of the unknown in any of us will keep us from acting. That is why I felt I should follow my Say in this and not his say.

The library activity turned out good for Eli and Beth as she was invited to attend. I'm glad I had suggested Beth stay at the library and wait for Eli. For her it was a dream come true to look and read all so many books. Instead she agreed to help with moving boxes with the other youth on this committee.

Conclusion: All these little thoughts that come in quickly and can leave just as instantly have to have some little thread of our minds free to attach on to and be pulled into a more conscious part of our thinking so something can be done.  Maybe that isn't correct. Acting quickly on sudden little thoughts, such as pick up the crayon, take the cell phone with me, not that road, make the appointment now while the thought is fresh and present, go give a hug, just tell her you love her, put lotion on his feet...

Perhaps these are called Just Do Its?  What was that saying of President Kimball's? I can't quite see it, something involving a circle?

Don't just get around to it, Do It Now.

Maybe not related to SGBD

My daughter, Lily, is 22 months old and loves to be outside. She makes a bee-line to the door anytime anyone opens it. My husband thinks that she is running to see him and give him hugs when he arrives home from work, but really she is trying to escape. The weather has been so nice the last two days that the older kids have been going in and out of the house all day long. This is problematic because Lily wants to follow them out, but has her own agenda once she is outside. She doesn't want to stay in the yard and play, no! There is lots of unexplored territory for her to cover. Two days ago I came out of the bathroom and walked into the living room where the big windows face the front yard. I glance outside and there was Lily, across the street in the neighbor's yard, traveling southward, a look of fearless determination on her face. I ran outside and called to her to stop, which, of course, only proved to accelerate her pace. Though I am not a fast runner, my legs are considerably longer than hers so I was able to catch up to her before she had a chance to reach inside the chain-link fence and try to pet the pitbull. I took her home. She fought me all the way (which reminds me I need to trim her fingernails.) I took the opportunity to remind my older children that they need to make sure they close the doors - all the way, until they click. I tried to impress upon them the seriousness of the situation, but, as you will see, it fell on deaf ears.

Today after we were done being outside we all came in to clean up. Lily was first in the tub and when she got out I put a diaper on her, but opted to postpone getting her dressed until after dinner, then I could just put her into pjs. No reason to get tomato soup all over new pajamas. I left her to play in the living room while the other kids were taking turns bathing. I went into the kitchen, tidied up a bit and then went to check on Lily. She was not in the living room. My eyes went to the front door. It was open, the screen door was closed, but not latched. I hurried outside but didn't see her anywhere in our yard. I looked up and down the street...nothing. I ran to the back yard. No sign of her. I checked the yards of our neighbors. Empty. I went back into the house, yelling for her, calling her name. I dropped to my knees in the laundry room and begged the Lord to protect her and allow me to find her. Then I checked every room, twice. I went back outside, surely I would see her. But I did not. In the meantime I had told my eight year old and seven year old to help me find her. They began to panic and cry as they also looked but couldn't find her.

I knew I would soon have to call 911, but I didn't want to, I just wanted her to waddle back into my view. Finally, Lucy (7 years) said, "Mom, I have an idea. Call 911." So I did. I told the dispatcher that my 2 year old had wandered out of the house wearing only a diaper and that I couldn't see her anywhere. Yes, I had checked each closet and under every bed. They promised to send someone right away.

Strangely, during this entire drama I felt unusually calm. Calm might not be the right word, perhaps "reassured" is a better fit. I was anxiously looking for her, I felt eager to find her, but knew that she would be fine.

I instructed my oldest to stay with the baby while Lucy and I scouted the outside again. I tried calling my husband...straight to voicemail. Arrggghhh! I was yelling her name, walking along the street outside our home, when a half a block away, a few kids who had been walking around earlier, called to me, "She's over there," pointing up the street that was around the corner from my house. One of the girls took off running in the direction they had pointed, and by the time I caught up to them she was walking back, Lily in her arms. Of course, that's when the tears came; mine, not hers. Lily was just as happy as she could be. She had wandered about a block away from home, but had no idea she was lost.

I thanked the children profusely. The tallest girl said they had been in the neighborhood selling raffle tickets for school when they spotted her, but thought she must have lived in the house where she was playing. I thanked them again and again, and hugged each of them.

As I was walking back to my house with Lily firmly planted on my hip, my cell phone rang. The lady on the line identified herself as a member of the local police department. Before she could say anything else, I told her that we had found Lily...that a few neighbor kids noticed her around the block from our house. I don't remember what she said, something about letting the other officers know and then we ended the call.

Lucy had gone in the opposite direction to look for her sister so I whistled for her and announced the good news. She came running and we met in the front yard. I took her into the house, Molly (8 years) started to cry with relief (she takes after her mom). I sat down on the couch with Lily and with my other children around me, I reiterated the importance of shutting the doors. I think, maybe, we've learned our lesson.

So, what does this have to do with Say Go Be Do? I'm not sure. I didn't feel any guidance about where to look. I wasn't "sure" she was outside or inside. I don't remember a feeling that prompted me to "go check on Lily." All I can think of is that feeling of assurance I had that she would be okay. In fact, I felt a little guilty for not being more worried. Maybe today's experience was sponsored by the "Be" of Say Go Be Do. As in "be faithful," "be believing," "be still and know that I am God."