He Creates More

Dear Gabriel,

So I am sitting here during your nap time staring at the dishes, the needing-to-be-vacuumed floor, messy high chair, crumbs on the counter and thinking, "I don't want to do any of this today... and I don't have to!". This past 14 days have been one of the busiest weeks for quite a while, seems like everything hit me at once... with the campaign, 5000moms, new 5000moms site, launch parties, Shrink-a-thon, choir camp, home projects, church stuff, family events... just a lot.

Today is the first day when I am sitting here realizing that I don't have anything immediately pressing I HAVE to get done RIGHT NOW. What a glorious feeling! Another blessing throughout the past 2 weeks is the Lord has helped me get it all done the way that was perfect. I made a commitment a couple weeks ago (knowing all of this was coming up) that I would NO MATTER WHAT take prayer time and relationship time for the Lord... knowing that if I did that - He would help me to keep up with everything - especially help me to make sure I was still being a good mom to you through it all...And He did!

It is amazing that even during the most busy times - He will create more time for me. Even during the most stressful times - He will create more peace for me. Even during the most frustrating times - He will create more patience for me... all if I open my heart to Him and allow Him to direct me through all of it. I can honestly say that even though last 2 weeks have been soooooooo busy - I have been able to remain at peace through it all. Mainly because I committed to put my relationship with the Lord first through it.

I learn this lesson in my life over and over and over and over again. It is about CONSISTENCY in maintaining a true relationship with the Lord and with my Savior that gets me through everything - great, big, frustrating, maddening, happy, joyful, sorrowful... doesn't matter the emotion. As long as I am consistent and not sporadic, I always have the energy I need to do what He would have me do.

So as I look at the dishes, crumbs, high chair... my mind goes yet again to... "He will create more energy for me to get up and get it done!"... and a smile comes to my face.

I love that... and I love you.

Your Mom

The Art Of Being Neighbors

Dear Gabriel,

You know I think the art of being a good neighbor is leaving our society. I notice inside of myself that I could reach out more and actively look for ways to serve my neighbors.

This morning I opened the front door and to my surprise there was my neighbor just gathering up a bag of freshly mowed grass. She was astonished that I opened the door and quite embarrassed that she was caught. She kept apologizing if she woke me up, or if she was too loud... I just said, "Patty! I didn't even realize you were mowing MY lawn, I heard the mower and just thought you were in your yard. THANK you so much!". She said she noticed that Brent has been out of town a lot and so she just thought it was something she could do to help me.

How amazing is that? She took time out of her day to ACTIVELY look for what I needed. That is the art of being a good neighbor. Whether it is for your neighbor across the street, down the street, in the grocery store, at church, at an activity... the art of being a good neighbor is actively looking for ways to serve them.

What a great lesson and a great reminder of how wonderful it feels to be served out of the kindness and purity of someone's heart. Thank you Patty for your lesson.

I love you,

Your Mom