PART II – End of the Year Reflections for 2012

May through July

Planning a High School Reunion…Blessings from Reconnections

How was I to know that planning a class reunion would bring so many amazing people into my life? I had no clue really.

It has been five months since the reunion and I still continue to be blessed by the reconnections made in and because of the planning.

In fact, I am sure that had my prayers not been that God might send those who could bless my life, then there would have been NO reunion. At least not a reunion planned by me.

Remember, I set out to plan a small get-together.

 I do not even remember how this turned into a reunion hosted for 230 classmates and friends? But maybe God was answering my prayers J

Now that I think about it, I think He was answering the prayers of a few others as well, I am sure of it.

Here are just a couple reasons why I think so…

Sometime in June my reunion planning reconnected me to Jayne Wheaton Jackson.

I had thought about Jayne many times since high school but had never tried making a reconnection with her. I did not even know how to begin to find her.

I remembered Jayne from high school as funny and delightfully positive. I don’t ever remember a sour; look, comment or action from her in all the time I knew her. Although she and I were not very close friends in high school, for some reason my memory of her included a feeling of “connection”, sort of like “kindred spirits”. (The kind of kindred mentioned in the story of “Anne of Green Gables”)

 Anyway, when I found out how to contact her…I did it almost immediately and invited her to lunch.

I have to just add here that I thought Jayne was a sweet and pretty young girl in high school, but she is now a VERY beautiful and elite lady.

Although the young girl is gone, she has been replaced by someone improved upon with age. She is now; a young at heart, kind of whimsical, very artistic, so creative and talented, lovely, glamorous and refined lady.

Oh, and to add to this, she now has a touch of salt and pepper in her hair that, well… just adds lots of sparkle, distinction and grace to her countenance.

Jayne and I talked a long time at lunch that afternoon sharing many stories…almost 46 years has passed since we last saw each other.

Looking across the table from this lovely woman and listening to the stories of her life, the thought occurred to me; I really want to make sure it is not another 46 years before we visit again.

Our conversation turned to life’s trails, blessings from God and the power of prayer was mentioned.

At some point after the prayer part of the conversation, we both shared that finding friends to bless our lives had been in our hearts and prayers as of late. Suddenly a light came on for me…I think for both of us really.

We both just smiled…there were no words…we just sat looking at each other for a few seconds. Then with a twinkle in her eye, she invited me to come to her home for a visit.

I knew she was thinking the same as I, “God has sent you to me as an answer to my prayer”. This little ah ha moment still touches me beyond words.

I made a reconnection that day, and have so been blessed by her friendship. She has been an answer to my prayers. I hope in some small way I bless her life as well. It is my prayer that I may never lose this lovely friend again and that if she ever needs me…I will be there.

Other reconnections and friendships are still growing from this reunion planning. There have been emails, phone calls, visits, lunches and dinners. Even a “slumber party”…LOL, now there is a phrase I would have never thought I would say or do at my age.

There have been lots of reconnections that I need to hang on to. There is even a plan for a vacation to Hawaii with some of my newly reconnected-to friends. God is so amazing.

Jayne Wheaton Jackson

 

Another quick story that has soooo touched me because of the reunion…the reconnection of two old friends

 When the reunion and clean-up was over, before the dust had even settled, my committee had met for the very last and final time for a Sunday brunch in Oak Ridge. It turned out to be a “good bye” and “thank you” lunch and day after the reunion. The whole committee showed. I was so impressed that they would come have lunch with me the day after the reunion. What an awesome bunch they are J

Brenda Loy, Connie Elrod and I were the last three standing after that Sunday afternoon brunch, and as we walked to our parked cars, Brenda with tears in her eyes, thanked me repeatedly, “thank you so much Linda, you just have no idea what you have done”.

The reunion had brought Brenda and Connie back together after a life time of separation as friends. So hearing that they somehow contributed me to having part in this blessing really was humbling. I began to cry then as well…and a group hug was next, some giggles and lots more tears. We all vowed to stay reconnected and made a date right on the spot for our next meeting.

One other highlight from this reconnection…they have found their old friend Sheila McCulley. The three of them have rekindled their old friendship and meet together regularly.

Front: Brenda Loy, Me, Connie Elrod

Back: Fluttie Goodman, Dave Hall, Robbie Underwood

 

 

Now this is just one of the reconnections that I am aware of…but something tells me there may be lots more J

God has certainly filled my life with some wonderful people as answer to my prayers. Well…I actually think several people’s lives have been blessed. In fact I am sure of it. J

August

Education Week at Brigham Young University…Lessons Learned

Another blessing in my life this year has been the week I spent in Provo Utah attending Education Week.

Education week offers over 1000 classes taught by 200 or more of our best instructors.

Everything from finances, home repair, church history, self –help, life skills, religion and much, much more are offered.

You could attend every year and just pick a different topic of interest, and never run out of things you were interested in learning.

I have lived in Utah and even worked at Brigham Young University for several years, but never before had taken the opportunity to attend.

What was different this year?…I had started looking for things in life to enlighten and inspire me.

When you pray for God to bless your life with inspiration…don’t forget to allow him to answer your prayers.

God cannot bless our lives if we are not where we are supposed to be, when we are supposed to be there.

If we are in the right place at the right time, he can inspire and uplift our lives. God uses people, music, nature and every good thing on earth to answer our prayers.

We all know this, right? But until you live it and believe it… you will not have all the blessings God wants to fill your life with.

I was emotionally, physically and spiritually wiped out after the reunion in July. I felt it was definitely a refueling time for me. I knew I needed the nourishment. J

 So I registered on line and was excited to go. I went all by myself as well, so I felt proud I was confident enough to do that.

Doing things like “eating out and going to the movies alone” were some of my fears or really…some of the “uncomfortable” things that I had faced in 2011. So I knew I could do the “alone thing”. J

The course catalogue was overwhelming. I could not believe all the choices for classes.

Finally I decided…I would take the following classes;

“You have a Devine Mission”,

“The Book of Mormon”

And “Quest for Self-mastery”.

I also bought tickets to one of the evening musical concerts for me and my youngest daughter, Lindsey.

I don’t even know how to begin and tell you of the wonderful things I learned. But oh, how inspired and uplifted I felt at the end of the week.

I did come away with some pretty profound impressions and a few things seemed to stick with me.

I have researched, prayed and thought about them a lot since Education Week, and these are the ones I will share.

The Book of Mormon Class:

I joined the Mormon Church with my entire family when I was 14 years old, but I did not have a testimony of my very own at that point. I did however love and trust my parents and was baptized at their request.

Gradually the importance of my life and my feelings about who God really is in my life began to change.

I went from thinking of God as a powerful creator who did not care about or love me… to understanding that God is my loving Father in Heaven, and that I, am actually one of his daughters.

Of course there was much, much more that I learned as I grew in the church, and the years went by.

But the point is…I had no idea that God loved me until I became a Mormon.

I only read the Book of Mormon in sections, a few scriptures at a time, as a young girl. And this was mostly done while attending classes and meetings. I never read it with the purpose of knowing if it was truth, that is, until I was about 29 years old.

At the time of my first reading of the book through in its entirety, I did received a witness and answer to my prayer that it was true. From that point forth I have had a testimony that it is scripture.

But, like anything of value in our lives, we must keep it near to our hearts, refresh it and use it, or it will slowly loose its importance to us. It is like this with anything wonderful in our lives…it is oh so easy to take our blessings for granted.

When we do take them for granted slowly our lives and hearts become numb and hard. Without even noticing it I had begun to take the blessings of this doctrine for granted and was feeling very numb in my testimony.

There is a truth that all men must learn before they can understand faith and the ways of God…you can only gain a testimony with the help of the Holy Ghost. The second men begin to use their own experiences in life as a gage for what is truth and lean to their own understanding they are lost.

God’s ways are not man’s ways…God’s ways and teachings can only be understood by the gifts of the spirit. The Holy Ghost is the teacher.

Over the course of the three days class, I felt the icy hardness of my heart begin to melt and the Holy Ghost began again to bear witness to me of the priceless treasure the Book of Mormon is and has been in my life.

There is a promise in the Book of Mormon left by one of the prophets who wrote in it. If you read it with real intent and with the purpose of knowing if it is truth…then the truth of it will be manifest to you by the power and gift of the Holy Ghost.

I love these prophets and stories in the Book of Mormon…they are real. They do not replace in anyway the Bible, but confirm and clarify the truth there. They are powerful and they are part of the fullness of God’s work and glory, and to bring to pass the understanding that Jesus is the Christ. He is our savior and our advocate with the Father. His work and life is to bring about the salvation, resurrection and eternal life of mankind.

These Book of Mormon prophets had powerful testimonies and loved God and Jesus Christ. There were many sacrifices made to write, preserve and keep these records and then finally to bring this book of scripture to the world.

I came away from these three days so refreshed, enlightened and inspired J

A side Note:

At the time of this class, our family was going through a hard and sad time. My youngest daughter, Lindsey and her family was experiencing a really tough problem. I was so broken hearted for her and her little family. Our whole family was in the middle of prayer and fasting for them.

The last day of class I went with a prayer in my heart that God would watch over them and bless us to understand the best way to deal with this sadness. I prayed that I might be inspired to know how I might help. While I was sitting in my Book of Mormon class I felt my prayer was answered. What a comfort it was that in the middle of sadness God is watching over us and answers our prayers.

I really feel like I had placed myself in an awesome place where the Lord’s spirit was able to inspire me. What if I had not gone to these classes? I may not receive the answer that I got.

A great lesson learned…Be where you need to be so God can bless your life.

The Musical Concert with Lindsey…  ”One Clear Voice”

Four amazing women form the group, ‘One Clear Voice’. Although I had never heard them before, the theme of the concert was really what caught my attention, “A tribute to Women”.

Of course I thought of Lindsey and the great sadness she and her family were in the middle of. She was looking the challenge of a life time in the face, and I hoped the music would comfort and inspire her.

How fun for me and my baby daughter, we smiled, laughed, sang along a little, and cried a bit too. The music was fun, warm, inspiring and just what we both needed. We both came away uplifted and refreshed and a little bit more bonded as mother and daughter.

“A Mother’s Prayer” was one of mine and Lindsey’s favorites.

Here are the lyrics;

 

I know you're listening
As I lay me down to sleep
It's not for me, I ask
But my children's souls to keep

It seems the world is going crazy
And though I need to do my share

Could you please, take them under wing
Watch over them especially
Keeping them safe from everything
This is a mother's prayer

I know you're listening
In the silence of this night
The news is blistering
But I hold on to your light

And though there's darkness all around us
By my faith, I know you're there

Give me the strength to lead the way
Send me the words I need to say
Use me to guide them day by day
This is a mother's prayer

I know, I can't do this by myself
I thank you for your help

I know you're listening
So I know, I'm not alone
I feel you here with me
As we all face the unknown

Could you return us to your garden
Where no one's hurt and no one's scared

Free us from pride and bitterness
Keep us so close we won't forget
Teach us to love as you love
This is a mother's prayer

Teach us to love as you love
This is a mother's prayer

 

You have a Devine Mission:

I know you have read that I refer the changing my life style habits and losing weight as a “Butterfly Quest”.

By half way through the first year of this quest and 90 lbs. lighter, I also realized I was searching for my mission in life.

How had I lost sight and understanding of this?

Well…I am really not sure I ever really understood what my divine mission was.

I mean I knew I wanted to have a family, (be a wife and a mother), but somehow I totally forgot the real purpose of life.

I had given up on life after my family and marriage began to fall apart.

I say it was at that point, but really, it was long before then. In fact, the demise of the marriage and family unit was just the end result of a long darkness and forgetfulness on my part. I forgot to love myself, respect myself and see beyond the daily routine and problems in life. I hate to even recall how I felt about myself at my lowest point of self-esteem.

I remember once sharing with one of my daughters that I had not felt like a woman for a very long time, or that I even mattered. And I did not care.

I had become really good at not thinking about my needs. It is very sad and extremely embarrassing to admit it. The saddest part I think is that I was so numb I did not even realize how bad off I was.

But thanks be to God there was a divine intervention and I was now ready to remember.

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Mark Twain

 

The same God that placed the star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well.

The Lord has placed currents of divine influence in your life that will lead you along the individual plan He would have you fulfill here on earth. Seek through the Spirit to identify it and carefully follow that direction that the Lord has put in your life. Align yourself with it. Choose, willingly, to exercise your agency to follow it.

Do not be overcome by concentrating solely on today, its challenges, difficulties, and opportunities. Such preoccupations must not totally capture your attention so as to consume your life. Oh, how I would encourage you to weave deeply into the fabric of your soul the recognition that your life now is a part of a much bigger plan the Lord has for you. What you decide to do now will affect how well you fulfill that divine, personal plan He has for you. (Ensign, Nov. 1999)

I think the thing I had forgotten is this… ‘My Mission in Life is actually what God has in store for me.’ (He knows me and knows better than I what I need to learn in life to better fulfill my mission)

It is so easy to get bogged down in life. To get overwhelmed with the challenges, disappointments and trials. It is easy to see just the surface of life…especially when we are passing through life’s daily routine. It is in these times of learning though that we are becoming who we need to be to fulfill our mission. I can only imagine how disappointed I would be to face the Savior after this life, in light of all he sacrificed for me and NOT be able to hear, “Well done”.

I don’t really know what I should do next with my life…but I know God knows. So if I try to put my life in order with God and stay worthy to have his inspiration in my life, then I will be more likely to fulfill that divine mission. No matter what else happens we have to keep this in mind. God, I pray I can for it is not easy is it?

Obviously I had let the trials and routines of life numb me to the point of forgetting the greater purpose.

So the lesson then again? …Don’t forget to be where you are supposed to be so God will be able to remind you. (You know this is not what I was thinking I had learned from attending Education Week)

SURPRISE…learned a lot and this too J

Quest for Self Mastery…Obedience is Power

Learn the art of self-mastery. If you do, you will be blessed with the companionship of the Holy Ghost and you will be guided as you make important decisions about your future.

 

When a man makes war on his own weaknesses he engages in the holiest war that mortals ever wage. The reward that comes from victory in this struggle is the most enduring, most satisfying, and the most exquisite that man ever experiences. In no other conflict is there so much at stake. In no other struggle are the values so precious and the results so compensating and so comforting. [Bryant S. Hinckley, That Ye Might Have Joy (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, c1958, 1965), 83; emphasis added]

I think this is the theme I took away with me after attending this class, ‘Obedience is Power’.

A lot was shared in this class but for me the story of Abraham seem to stick with me and stay on my mind. As I left Utah and came back to South Carolina, I still thought about Abraham. I tried to find everything I could to read about him and asked others what they knew. I was so impressed with the fact that he had fulfilled his mission in life with obedience.

Had he decided it was too difficult and that he just could not do it…then where would we be?

How would that change the scriptures?

Through Abraham all mankind has been blessed. Because he was obedient and trusted in God, he was able to bless the nations of the earth.

Obedience was the power Abraham used to fulfill his divine mission.   

It is through solving problems correctly that we grow spiritually. We are never given a burden unless we have the capacity to overcome it. If a great problem is set before you, this merely indicates that you have the great inner strength to solve a great problem. There is never really anything to be discouraged about, because difficulties are opportunities for inner growth, and the greater the difficulty the greater the opportunity for growth. Peace Pilgrim

Imagine that every person in the world is enlightened but you. They are all your teachers, each doing just the right things to help you learn perfect patience, perfect wisdom, and perfect compassion. Buddha

 

To end…I wanted to share an email I received from someone who inspires me. Maybe it will inspire you too J

As 2012 comes to an end, I want to send you my warmest wishes and greatest hopes that 2013 brings you all you dream of.

I am a true believer that “what we think about, we bring about” (a quote I loved from the “The Secret”). I know first-hand the power of my own thoughts and how when I focus intently on feeling the feelings of joy, love, peace, serenity, empowerment, and courage, I bring all those things into my life.

The same works conversely. . .

When I get off-track, worrying about what potential problems may arise, who may hurt me, or what may not work out, I inevitably draw negative experiences into my life to also show me what I’ve been focused on—what I’ve thought about.

You are this powerful, too!

As you move into 2013, I want to share with you a process I do to evoke the power of my greatest self. At one minute after midnight, open a window in your home, close your eyes and repeat this prayer:

Dear 2012,
Thank you for seeing the year through for me.
Thank you for all the love and joy you’ve brought to me.
Thank you for those tough times too—those painful experiences—for they have shaped me and helped me to see things differently—to learn the lessons I was meant to learn.
I am ready now Dear 2013 to hold onto the love and light of 2012 and to let go of the anger and sorrow that has been held inside of me.
I breathe in 2013. (inhale)
I breathe out 2012. (exhale)
I breathe in 2013. (inhale)
I breathe out 2012. (exhale)
Thank you in advance for being the best year of my life!
Amen . . . and Amen!

Let’s all make 2013 our best year ever! Now, don’t forget to close your window!

Many Blessings,

 

Happy New Year Butterflies