Thank Goodness for the Girls

Before you get concerned, I'm NOT going to discuss any parts of the human anatomy. :)

I am so grateful for my calling with the Young Women. I knew it would be challenging and time-consuming, but I had no idea that it would be the overwhelming blessing it's already proven to be! I told them about a challenge I'm experiencing right now, and we discussed it a little during our class. They are a great example, and they remind me of the Better Beth I used to be, when I was their age. Best of all, I think I'm melting the facades of some of the YW who I wasn't initially as close to.

Another flashback:



On the way to church, I was trying to find a CD that I could use for "prelude music" for our YW opening exercises. While sifting through my "church CDs" I came across this little gem. The first song is basically Sky and Beth's Theme Song: "Do you think that it's possible that strangers like us could be friends, in just a moment or two?" I used to listen to this music, and other LDS classics from the 80s and 90s, when I was in high school, and while this might be embarrassing in retrospect, I derived a lot of joy, comfort, and spiritual strength from hearing them. Over the last few years I've stayed away from popular LDS music, in part because I don't think I'll like it, and also because I find the popularized, "rock and roll" versions of hymns and children's songs aren't very appealing to me. Oh, and I'm also an Old Fogey, as I've mentioned before. It was nice. I can't put it any other way.

Lastly, in an attempt to be more personal (this is for you, Nikki!!!), I thought I'd tell you all what I've been up to lately. Besides the running thing, which is sort of happening, I spend most of my time with my kids, cleaning the endless dishes in our kitchen, working on lessons and activities for YW, sneaking in time on the DISBoards, and sleeping not enough. I've also been a long-time fan of an author named Miss Read, and I'm working my way through her books chronologically. (It's almost the only fiction that I read.)

The only trouble is, I don't spend much time on me. This is true for the superficial - my hair - to the more eternal things, like scripture study or meditation (yes, I've done it.) I get depressed sometimes, and I haven't spent any time on deciding what I want from life; it seems like some days I'm just spending my time getting THROUGH it. I understand that having children means I've devoted most of my time and energy to them, but occasionally (other than Girls' Nights Out) it feels like I've given up my life for them! They ARE worth it. In the not-too-distant-future, when they're more self-sufficient, what will I be? When considering my list of talents and interests, both sides appear pretty short to me. As the scriptures (and the Byrds) tell us, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." Maybe this is my season for unselfishness. Don't get me wrong: I'm not upset about this. Occasionally I just wonder..."Do I still have the ability to carry on a decent conversation?" (Incidentally, this came up this weekend when I had dinner with an old friend, and three of her friends that I didn't know. Did I sound reasonably intelligent? It SEEMED to go well, unless they were just being nice.)

Oh, and I need some ideas for Hot Topics. They can be as Hot, or not, as you want.

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." - Albert Schweitzer