So I read an article the other day about Lot's wife. Yep, that Biblical lass who looked back on S&G like a woman at Macy's contemplating changing her mind about the pair of shoes from which she just strolled away. I'd always thought that it was kind of harsh that she was turned into one big salt lick just because she took a gander backwards. But the author of the article (Pres. Jeffrey R. Holland) noted that it wasn't the mere act of looking back, but the intent behind it. In other words, she thought that what her life had been in the original Sin City was probably better than what lay ahead of her.
Well, crap.
That's when it hit me. (Not crap, mind you. The point of the article.) She lacked faith which, the author noted, always looks forward.
"Yep," I thought, "call me Mrs. Lot."
You see, I must admit that I have a tendency to be a back-looker. I too often live in the land of what was and what might have been, rather than the presumably much better country of what is, and what might be.
For instance, when I left my friends and family in Utah, I thought that my life would end. It hurt so much, and I missed them so much that I was truly miserable. What would have happened had we stayed there? DB would have found another job at some point. Would I still be at Lundberg with all the people that I loved? What did I miss out on being so far away from my nephews and niece? Why did we have to take such a hit on the house--was it a failure on our part? Were we being punished? Why did it have to happen to us? And on and on and on.
But here's the thing. Since I left Utah, so did a lot of my friends; in fact, some have gone and then moved back again and then moved somewhere else. And we're all still in touch and we're all still friends; in fact, a whole grundle of us all have blogs that we follow like cyber-stalkers. And if I hadn't moved here, I would never have met some amazing new friends or had the opportunity to work for an ad agency or write for magazines or do a number of other pretty awesome things.
I wouldn't know Nikki, who makes me laugh every day and feel comfortable in my own skin. Or Heather, who mowed me over in Costco just to see what I'd do (by the way, I was the one who begged her pardon, rather then the other way around). Or Ginger, who is so down to earth that I feel like one big bubble, or Dana who makes me feel like I'M the down-to-earth one. Or Brandi who is so calm that being around her is like taking valium, or MJ who makes me wonder if I need one.
DB probably wouldn't have made the life changes he has, or gotten the job experience he has or learned all the things he has. We may not have had our sweet and sassy princess, and EG might not have found the terrific school and teacher that he has now or have not just one, but two very best friends. I might not ever have started working with (and getting to know even better) my awesome sister-in-law or met some pretty terrific Texans.
In short, if we hadn't moved, I might not know or have all that I have now. And that's a pretty scary thing to me. I'm always going to love (and yes, sometimes miss) my days in the Beehive state and certainly the people who I knew--and know--there. But luckily, I still have them in my life, a fact for which I am infinitely and eternally grateful.
So the point of this whole rambling post is that I'm trying to be more of the mustard seed/mountain moving sort, and far less the salty type. Who knows--it might mean that I'm not only happier, but that I also retain less water. And those are some silver linings I can live with.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
On Sunbeams and 1:00 Church
Today has been quite a bittersweet one for me. My little girl started going to her Sunbeam class--and Primary with all of the big kids, including her big brother. Watching her gather around Sister Barrett to find a scripture in Malachi, seeing her fascinated as we talked about Heavenly Father and Jesus and getting a glimpse of her as she (more or less) sang the words to "I Am a Child of God" made me so proud, and yet it was tough to realize how fast she's growing up.
I did have to laugh, however, when she stood with two classmates to have everyone sing the "Hello" song. Both Scout and Logan were at least 4 inches taller than she was--she looked so tiny between them, even though they are about the same age. I always think that she's so big...until I see her with other kids. That's when I see the Green DNA coming into play.
On another note, I would like to lodge a formal complaint with whoever wants to listen about having to go to church at 1 p.m. I realize that there are some folks out there that enjoy it, but I find them sick and wrong. My vote: the ones who like it should be put in Primary with all of the little kids and watch them fidget, rub their eyes and look tired and hungry. I think that families with little ones should ALWAYS get to go to the 9:00 a.m. session (provided, of course, that I am not the Primary President then!)
I have little doubt that my complaint and suggestion have been duly noted and promptly moved up the chain to someone in charge. Wait--is that the phone ringing? It must be Salt Lake ready to hear all of my other great ideas. I'll let you know what they say.
Until then, just remember that Jesus wants you for a Sunbeam, too. Feel free to sit next to the tiny princess in the front row.
I did have to laugh, however, when she stood with two classmates to have everyone sing the "Hello" song. Both Scout and Logan were at least 4 inches taller than she was--she looked so tiny between them, even though they are about the same age. I always think that she's so big...until I see her with other kids. That's when I see the Green DNA coming into play.
On another note, I would like to lodge a formal complaint with whoever wants to listen about having to go to church at 1 p.m. I realize that there are some folks out there that enjoy it, but I find them sick and wrong. My vote: the ones who like it should be put in Primary with all of the little kids and watch them fidget, rub their eyes and look tired and hungry. I think that families with little ones should ALWAYS get to go to the 9:00 a.m. session (provided, of course, that I am not the Primary President then!)
I have little doubt that my complaint and suggestion have been duly noted and promptly moved up the chain to someone in charge. Wait--is that the phone ringing? It must be Salt Lake ready to hear all of my other great ideas. I'll let you know what they say.
Until then, just remember that Jesus wants you for a Sunbeam, too. Feel free to sit next to the tiny princess in the front row.
Friday, January 1, 2010
You're a mean one...Mrs. Green...
I've been putting off blogging about the whole new year thing because...well...I kinda hate it. I know--I'm the Ebenezer Scrooge of Auld Lang Syne. But here's the thing: growing up, I'd see these movies or TV shows with this amazing New Year's Eve parties with everybody all dressed up and lovely decorations and of course "the kiss" at midnight. So I waited and waited until I was old enough to go to one of these parties and...I still have yet to go to one.
Now admittedly, I've had fun on NYE; I went to Las Vegas one year, I've hung out with friends on more than one occasion (playing card games and the like)...but realistically, I'd have to say that I've rung in most Januaries in front of the TV, watching the ball drop. And, because DB is not into staying up late, I've spent probably 2/3 of the last 8 years still watching it alone.
Before you think that I'm awful, there is one special one that stands out in my memory. Our little princess was born in mid-December, and so she wasn't quite three weeks old when NYE hit. She had fallen asleep, and I was so tired that DB sent me to bed with a promise that he'd wake me up when she roused. Apparently, she decided she'd like to ring in the new year, so she woke up at 11:55--and so she and Dave came into together to wish me a happy 2007. It was pretty amazing.
Okay, now back to grumpiness. The other thing I don't like about the whole New Year thing is the pressure to make resolutions. Why do we have to have one day to set goals or make resolutions? There's way too much pressure for me; I mean, if I say that I'm going to work out more, I'm still on the couch at noon. If I say that I'm going to eat better, we have pizza for dinner that night.
Perhaps I should just say that my resolution should be not to make any resolutions. Or to stop disliking NYE so badly--at least I have a whole year to work on that one.
Anyway...Happy New Year.
Now admittedly, I've had fun on NYE; I went to Las Vegas one year, I've hung out with friends on more than one occasion (playing card games and the like)...but realistically, I'd have to say that I've rung in most Januaries in front of the TV, watching the ball drop. And, because DB is not into staying up late, I've spent probably 2/3 of the last 8 years still watching it alone.
Before you think that I'm awful, there is one special one that stands out in my memory. Our little princess was born in mid-December, and so she wasn't quite three weeks old when NYE hit. She had fallen asleep, and I was so tired that DB sent me to bed with a promise that he'd wake me up when she roused. Apparently, she decided she'd like to ring in the new year, so she woke up at 11:55--and so she and Dave came into together to wish me a happy 2007. It was pretty amazing.
Okay, now back to grumpiness. The other thing I don't like about the whole New Year thing is the pressure to make resolutions. Why do we have to have one day to set goals or make resolutions? There's way too much pressure for me; I mean, if I say that I'm going to work out more, I'm still on the couch at noon. If I say that I'm going to eat better, we have pizza for dinner that night.
Perhaps I should just say that my resolution should be not to make any resolutions. Or to stop disliking NYE so badly--at least I have a whole year to work on that one.
Anyway...Happy New Year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
