Pelos pais e amigos

23 November 2008, 7:31 pm by Giggles
Categories: Family, Relationships

For family and friends

Last November, I wrote about how no one is an island. Writing more along that line crossed my mind for today. The family and friends that surround me make me who I am. I would not be the person I am today if not for those people around me. I am grateful every day for those people that I call my family and friends.

Or I thought maybe I could write about one of my favorite phrases/ideas from my mission – você é da casa (you are of the house). It means you are a welcome part of the house, just like family. So many of the homes I went to in my last area told my companion and I that, that I just figured they said that to everyone. Until I found out they didn’t. We were attending a baby shower at a home that frequently told us we were part of the house. Some of the guests arrived, people I thought would’ve been just as welcome as we were at that home. Except they were treated like guests while we were treated like family. There was a difference.

As I have my home now, there are people who are guests, and then there are those that are just part of the house. My home teachers, nice young guys that they are (oh how young they are), are guests. I cleaned (read- hid the mess back in the bedroom) before they came this afternoon. They were welcomed into the living room, and that was as far as they were welcomed.

But I also have friends who, while I probably will straighten up before they come over if I know they are coming, I’m not going to stress about it. They can stop by unannounced as well. They are welcome to go wherever they need to in my home, such as the kitchen, and aren’t expected to just stay in the front room. These friends might as well be family for how welcome they are in my home. They’re just part of what makes my house a home.

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised a few days ago when a friend of mine came over and, without me even noticing, went into the kitchen and got a glass of water from the fridge, just like they always do. I even started to ask them if they wanted something to drink before noticing they already had something. They said they were just at home. And they were right, ele é da casa now. I like that.42D

Hmmm. Seems like I was going to actually write about something else today, but this will do.

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O Consolador

22 November 2008, 11:23 pm by Giggles
Categories: Gospel

The Consoler.

We all have tough times that are hard to get through. Sometimes these are caused by our own actions. Sometimes they are caused by the actions of others. And sometimes they just happen because that’s life sometimes. No matter the reason, we can find solace and comfort in the Atonement.

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Manda ao triste e aflito

21 November 2008, 12:23 pm by Giggles
Categories: Happy Things

Send to the sad and afflicted

A list of things you could send to someone having a bad day:

  • flowers
  • a card
  • something yummy to eat
  • a hug
  • an escape
  • a phone call
  • an email
  • a compliment
  • fuzzy or shiny things
  • a good book
  • relaxation

A list of things that should not be sent to someone having a bad day:

  • a leaf blower right outside their window to wake them up
  • a statistics test
  • a computer that crashes
  • a porcupine or skunk (unless they are into that kind of thing)
  • a bug infestation
  • a headache

What would you add to these lists?

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Braço protetor

20 November 2008, 11:09 pm by Giggles
Categories: Gospel

Protecting arm.

An arm around your shoulders is definitely comforting, but I think part of that is because I feel protected when someone has their arm around me.42D

It means I’m not standing there against whatever the world is throwing at me all on my own. This world can be a scary place some times, but having that protection of someone standing against it with me, even just one person, can make all the difference. There is safety in numbers.

A protecting arm isn’t necessarily a strong, muscular arm. But it is an arm that is there for you, an arm you can depend on and trust in. My arms definitely aren’t strong, and I really don’t think anybody would ever call them muscular, but my arms can always reach around to be there for those I love.

I can say that more than once in my life I have felt a heavenly arm reach around me to protect me against whatever was threatening me at the time.

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
Doctrine and Covenants 123:17

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Ao tentado estende

19 November 2008, 10:29 pm by Giggles
Categories: Gospel

To the tempted you extend.

I wasn’t quite sure what to write about today. This title had a lot of possibilities, and I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to put them on a blog. We all have our weaknesses, but that does not mean we make them public and parade them about. Or at least it shouldn’t mean that.

But then I went to Institute. I knew I went for some reason. We had a real good lesson tonight. I only got distracted a few times.42D

In Genesis 39 we have the story of Joseph after his brothers have sold him as a slave and he ends up in the house of Potiphar in Egypt. As a slave’s life goes, his life isn’t that bad. At this point though, temptation steps in, in the form of Potiphar’s slimy wife.

But Joseph refused, repeatedly. Until it came to the point when he “fled, and got him out.”

I imagine each of us will have a time in our life when something will push us that far. And Joseph sets a great example. The best way to get out of temptation is not around or at a tangent, it’s the opposite direction.

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Sabe confortar

18 November 2008, 11:29 pm by Giggles
Categories: Happy Things

You know how to comfort.

Comfort comes in many forms.

It could be a comforting cup of hot chocolate or a bowl of soup.

It could be a comforting blanket to wrap up in. I have plenty of those. But there are certain blankets I grab more than others when I want to wrap up for more reasons than to just get warm.

There are words of comfort when you are in a tough situation so that you know you are not alone.42D

There’s the comforting touch of a hug, a hand on your shoulder, or an arm around your back.42D

One of the best things about comfort, it’s always small and simple things. Large grand things may impress, but the small and sincere will comfort.

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E ao que sofre dores

17 November 2008, 1:32 pm by Giggles
Categories: Exercise, Health

And he who suffers pains

When I was looking at what the titles of my posts would be this month, this was one of the few days I actually knew what I was going to be writing about. Almost three years ago I wrote about how my body is falling apart in a blaze of glory. Since starting this blog I’ve written about several different injuries I’ve had. But I have yet to write down the grand list of injuries. I’ve had so many that I forget a few now too. So this will be good for me. I’ve had at least one major injury/doctor visit a year since 1996.

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