Sunday School...next weeks' reading includes 2 Nephi 3-5...the past week's lesson was about about the Atonement of Jesus Christ which, allows all to be “encircled about eternally in the arms of [the Savior’s] love” (2 Nephi 1:15). Also, it is a great blessing to be “free to choose” and strive to “choose liberty and eternal life” through Jesus Christ, “the great Mediator of all men” (2 Nephi 2:27).
Praying For...Quinn and Rohn...those that mourn, widows, and orphans around the world...the end of corruption of leaders of nations that causes so much suffering, poverty, and hunger...the turning the hearts of the children of men towards their Savior, Jesus Christ, towards an understanding of the stewardship of the earth, and towards their fellow men...
Scripture Meditations..."And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31 As members of the human race, we ought to do less judging and condemning. Instead let us love and lift each other.
The Herbalist...no matter how many herbs we take or how wonderful our commitment to the dos of the Word of Wisdom or Eat to Live or the Mucusless Diet, if we don't get enough rest we cannot be well. At least our road to recovery will be impeded. "...retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated." Doctrine and Covenants 88:124 Likewise, we must move our bodies in sunshine and fresh air to increase circulation to allow the feeding and cleansing of all tissues. However, we cannot exercise away a dirty diet or chronic fatigue. Excellent nutrition and clean water are imperative to getting and staying healthy. Harboring anger and hate negates all the above. The commandment to forgive all men 7X70 times is a gift from God to preserve physical and mental health. Still amazed at my lack of arthritis symptoms this winter. Halleluiah, I'm healed.
Garden Gate...experimenting with the Sproutman's method of growing micro-greens without soil in bamboo baskets. When mold appeared in my micro-garden a few weeks ago it devastated my crops and dented my confidence. So I'm back to the drawing board with this method and am praying it is the answer.
The Bibliophile...Reread Understood Betsy this week, one of my favorite pieces of children's literature. Enjoying some great materials with some of my scholars in preparation for several college level tests this spring and summer. Still working on my Great Books study but decided to keep my thoughts on it private and simply list the books in my journal post. The Odyssey of Homer, Books V-VIII (GBWW Vol. 3, pp. 350-383), The Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776) (GGB Vol. 6, pp. 415-417), “A Call to Patriots–December 23, 1776” by Thomas Paine (GGB Vol. 6, pp. 461-468; Crisis Papers number 1), Cosmic View by Kees Boeke (GGB Vol. 8, pp. 600-644; the link takes you to the first page of the book’s text, and you can proceed from there), “To the Reader” by Michel de Montaigne (GBWW Vol. 23, p. 49), “Montaigne; or, the Skeptic” by Ralph Waldo Emerson (GGB Vol. 10, pp. 546-562), The Holy Bible (Exodus 1-3)
My style...I think my favorite outfit this week was a grey wool straight skirt, red cotton crew sweater, black T, black tights, and black mary janes. Of course with all the snow we've had, it got covered up by my fat, marshmallow, down coat and rag wool mittens outdoors.
Living Fearlessly and Well...Refuse to become offended. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Take what people say as their honest truth but dig a little deeper to uncover their heart. Refuse to participate in communication games of double meanings and innuendo. Give people the benefit of a doubt.
Project Joy...Spencer had friends over nearly every night this week. While they are good, kind, polite, and relatively quiet, the extra noise keeps me away. Friday I felt exhausted beyond belief from the interruption to my rest. Spencer was fabulous. Suggesting that I get rest, helping with this and that, he showed what a gentleman he can be. What a gift for a mother! Joseph continues to work very hard for our family without a thought for his own comfort.
