Random Giggles | Page 78

Stressed, frantic, frazzled, flustered

16 January 2012, 8:33 am by Giggles

Categories: Gospel

Sunday I was teaching the 16-17 year-old young women about following the example of Jesus. At one point we listed many of the attributes of Jesus and then we talked about specific ways at church, home, and school that we could follow His example. Our list of attributes included such things as a good brother, humble, patient, a good listener, loving, charitable.

I also read this quote:

If we want to have the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, we must find time to slow down, ponder, pray, and live so we are worthy to receive and act upon His promptings.
Elder Quentin L. Cook, “We Follow Jesus Christ,” April 2011 General Conference

And we talked about if Jesus ever did just that. Did He ever slow down and take time to ponder and pray? Often. He started his ministry by withdrawing for 40 days to the wilderness to prepare and be strengthened for what was to come (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). He went to private places by ship (Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:32) and into the mountains (Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46). He withdrew a ways and prayed before his crucifixion (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22: 39-46, John 18:1-2).

Which brought us back to our list of attributes. Nobody ever lists “stressed” or “frantic” or “frazzled” or “flustered” when they list the attributes of Christ. He certainly felt tired, sorrow, thirst, and everything else, but he was never stressed.

As our lesson ended I invited each of them to think of one way this week that they could do better at following the example of Christ. This week I am going to take more time to slow down, ponder, and pray. I’m going to work on developing the attribute of “not stressed” in my life.

For Christmas I actually got two yoga mats. I think that means the world is telling me I need to be more calm and flexible in my life. I’m going to listen. I’m going to make time to sit quietly, to calm my thoughts and listen to my heart. Then I will be in a better place to know how I can follow the example of Jesus in other areas of my life.

6 Shared thoughts

Not as the world giveth

11 January 2012, 1:13 pm by Giggles

Categories: Gospel, Musings

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

I have thought a lot about this scripture over the last month. I realized one key to understanding it would be to define how the world gives things. If I want to know how God gives peace, it might be helpful to define how He doesn’t give it.

So how does the world give?

The world gives in exchange or expectation of receiving. I give you work in expectation of you paying me. I pay you in exchange for you working for me. I invite you over for a dinner party expecting you to do the same in the future, or because you invited me in the past. I give a present in exchange for being considered thoughtful. The world gives always thinking “what’s in it for me?”

The world gives what is convenient for them at the time. Rather than asking “what do you need?” the question is “what can I give?” You need a ride or a listening ear but it’s easier for me to drop off a plate of cookies. And then I feel good because I served. But is it really service if it makes the person’s life harder, or at the very least doesn’t make it easier?

So if that’s how the world gives, how does God give blessings? Especially the blessing of peace?

He gives us what we need, when we need it. He gives because he is thinking about us, not what we will give Him in return. He doesn’t say, “hmm, you need peace but all I’ve got in the fridge right now is joy, so that’s what you get.” Before we even ask, He knows what we need and has it ready for us. He gives because he loves us not because of what others will think of Him as a result.

Maybe we should try to give more like God does. There have been times in my life when mortal angels have done just that.

There is still more for me to understand on this topic. But I know that with everything else I’ve felt lately, the peace my loving Heavenly Father has given me has allowed for my heart to not be troubled and kept me from being afraid.

7 Shared thoughts

Blog Numbers in 2011

5 January 2012, 10:35 am by Giggles

Categories: Science & Tech

Last year I put up the statistics for the first five years of the blog. There were 179 posts and 682 comments this year. Here’s how the sixth year breaks down: (You can see the Ooh Shemo statistics as well over there.) Keep reading →

3 Shared thoughts

2011 by Photos and a Summary

4 January 2012, 8:10 am by Giggles

Categories: Family, Life

As 2011 kept going I found myself at more of a loss of how to explain it to others. It was one of those years where you kind of had to be there. I did manage to put together a photo summary, one photo per month, again though. Here you go:

Click the photo for a larger version.

January – Trip to the Quilt Fiesta, Beyond Bread, and Bookmans.
February – Warm inside while it froze and snowed outside.
March – Celebrating five years since our first date.
April – Kind of a boring month actually, although Mom and Dad Giles came for a visit.
May – Memorial Day BBQ and a trip to Utah
June – There were fires on the mountain but we still managed to get up to our spot for the solstice.
July – Trip to Snowflake, AZ for the temple on Lisa’s birthday.
August – Fulfilling one of Lisa’s dreams to work chains at a football game.
September – Making good use of our couch. It’s perfect for a nap.
October – In which we reveal just how much we’re into the TV show Chuck (and if you aren’t, what is wrong with you?)
November – Celebrating life and being thankful for all of its miracles.
December – Holding each other close and celebrating the life of our Savior.

And how about a list of things I did in 2011 (if I remember them):

Taught 301 to 14 students and added belly dancing for breaks because it was a 3 hours class and that’s just long.
Went to the Tucson Quilt Show with Brett.
Froze.
Built a snowman in our backyard.
Took advantage of the great health insurance we have through Brett’s work and got frustrated with the crappy insurance I have through mine (and incompetent insurance people at doctor’s offices)
“Coached” the young women in volleyball (I’m actually really awful at volleyball, so my job was to stand on the side and cheer).
Submitted an outcome assessment to the IRB, got approved, and did surveys at an elementary school.
Submitted my dissertation to the IRB (this year I’ll submit it to my committee and get their formal approval), got approved in 6 working days (all time record) and completed round one of a tutoring program and data collection.
Had my parents come visit.
Went to Utah to spend time with the Dennis women.
Took two classes at the community college.
Got a three year teaching certificate in Arizona (probably my last teaching certificate)
Took a test to prove I’m a highly qualified teacher (as if that was ever in doubt, would’ve been a lot cheaper if they’d just taken my word for it).
Helped paint a friend’s house (Brett volunteered me).
Taught 301 during the summer (no belly dancing).
Got a new niece (and made her a quilt).
Mom visited again for Independence Day.
BBQ-ed for Memorial Day, Independence Day, day before Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Eve.
Saw the last Harry Potter movie in the theater, twice.
Got called to be the Young Women president.
Went to the Snowflake, Arizona temple. That’s all three in Arizona for now.
Worked chains for the Palo Verde home football games with Brett.
Taught 310 to a class of future drama, music, and theatre teachers. Now that’s a class with personality.
Dressed up as Chuck and Sarah for Halloween.
Celebrated our second anniversary.
Got really into knitting small things.
Cooked Thanksgiving dinner.
Was quoted in a book.
Watched Brett recaulk our bath tub (I love our bath tub).
Went to Utah for Christmas.
Got closer to making our grass a lawn than I did last year.
Finished the Old Testament. Read the New Testament (again) and The Book of Mormon with Brett.
Read 8 books.
Ran/walked over 600 miles.
And, most important of all, loved Brett with everything I’ve got.

4 Shared thoughts

Happy New Year 2012!

1 January 2012, 12:00 am by Giggles

Categories: Family, Life

Ever since New Year’s Eve 2007 I’ve started the new year off either at a running start or on the right foot (I go for a run or a walk at midnight, depending on how healthy I am at the time (colds come home from airplanes some times)). And my years have only gotten better. Especially because Brett has started the new year with me since the start of 2009.

At this moment we are starting 2012 off on the right foot (maybe next year I’ll be healthy enough on New Year’s Eve to start a year at a run again). And because I know that whatever 2012 throws at us we’ll walk through it together, I’m looking forward to what comes next.

Let’s do this future thing! :woot:

2 Shared thoughts

Goals in 2011

31 December 2011, 3:01 pm by Giggles

Categories: Life, Musings

I learned a lot about myself as I worked on my goals for 2011 (I set goals, not resolutions, and yes, there is a difference). At the beginning of the year I wrote out some of my goals. And then I set up a spreadsheet. Every week the spreadsheet automatically added the appropriate amount to my overall goal for each thing up to the end of that week. Every day that I did that thing I got to put a 1 in the box and it got added to my overall total for the year. Spreadsheets are the grown-up sticker charts. :x:

For those things I wanted to do daily – morning prayer, scripture study, daily vitamin, fresh fruit or vegetable, flossing (added in October), and a photo – I was perfect. I knew I couldn’t get behind and they all got done every single day. I think I’m most proud of the fresh fruits and vegetables and the flossing since those are things I’ve never ever been good at.

For those things that needed to happen once a week, family home evening, or once a month, temple service, they also were perfect.

However for those things that were a few times a week but not necessarily designated on any particular day – I did awful. Well, not awful. I’m around 80% for all of them from where I wanted to be. So that’s good. Except for desserts. I discovered that I eat more than one dessert a week. But less than two. However that’s only counting formal desserts, not a handful of candy here and there. It was good to start to see exactly what I’m doing there.

So it seems that if I can get behind on something I tend to do just that. Those things that I wanted to do only a few times a week also took more time than my daily things. And if it wasn’t specifically scheduled, it tended to slip through the cracks.

I’m going to keep my “sticker chart” in 2012. I like that accountability to myself that I can see. Only I’m going to take what I’ve learned this year and do better next year. More accountability. More scheduling of those things that I want to be my priorities. We all have exactly the amount of time in a day to do those things we want to do. What you end up doing is what you truly wanted to do. I want my time and energy to count for something, to matter. I need to stop letting “play games on the internet” be such a priority in my life.

Previous posts on priorities:
* No time!! – 13 April 2011
* Priorities that matter – 29 June 2011

3 Shared thoughts

The creatures are almost done stirring

23 December 2011, 12:45 pm by Giggles

Categories: Family

At our ward Christmas party earlier this month I asked Santa for a photo with him. I should’ve asked for more time.

We got our Christmas cards in the mail yesterday. It’s been a lot of fun getting cards from family and friends and seeing what they’ve been up to.

We got our packages in the mail the day before (yup, probably too late to arrive by Saturday). I finished the only sewing project yesterday. Today I’ve been wrapping like crazy. And if I jiggle the tree just right the lights come on. (We have a fuse that needs to be replaced, but it will be easier after we take the lights off after Christmas.)

We still need to do our stocking shopping, but that’s become a tradition to do it on Christmas Eve so I can’t do that yet. It’s actually kind of fun to just wander a store and see what strikes my fancy that would fit in a stocking. We generally overshoot the size of the stocking a bit, but that’s just fine.

We’ve even finally finished recaulking our shower so we should be able to use it again too. Brett’s decided that he likes caulking more than un-caulking.

So I think that’s about it.