The Simple Woman's Daybook - "Believe, Love and Do!"

For Today

October 20th, 2018 

It is night time here. I am using my laptop to try to get a post finally off. I have been up since 4:30 am this morning. Today is the day we serve in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints's Jordan River Temple. I have wanted to take a nap but instead, have been playing catch up with various things. 

It's been a great day but with lack of sleep; I hope I make sense. 

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Looking out my window

Today has been a lovely fall day. The temperatures have been in the low 60’s. Rain and lower temperatures are coming. Today is the most beautiful day we have had for a while. I wanted to be out in it; but alas that didn’t happen.

 I am thinking

I have been thinking a lot about the things I spend my time on. I recently did a ten-day Social Media fast. Doing this was an invitation from our Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson to the sisters of the church to take a break from social media for ten days. I learned some valuable lessons from not spending time on Facebook, Instagram, My Blog, and other sites. Although I don’t think I spent a lot of time on social networks, I can see where doing it less has been a good thing. I love knowing how my friends and family are doing through these kinds of social sites, but on the other hand, I am tired of all the extra stuff that goes on in the Social world. I am very tired of politics and additional useless information.

I see the good that comes from social media contact, but I also see the bad stuff and harmful things that pop up. I think I will be more careful about what I read, like and comment on.

I do know that Social Media has its place in our ever-expanding world of communications. However, I think with texting, Facebook, Instagram, and other sites we have lost true connection. I love a good old-fashioned telephone call. I like to hear the voices of good friends and family members. I miss that a lot. In the text world, you can’t express the feelings that are felt. I worry about the upcoming generation knowing how to communicate in person.

I note that children of today don’t go outside and play, or get with friends as much as they text friends and use social media to fulfill their friendship hours.

 It’s all sad.

While I was growing, up, I spent the entire day outside playing with friends. I loved riding bikes, going swimming, ice skating, roller skating, sledding, playing outdoor games and indoor board games. Although, I think some children experience this it isn’t the general rule of play. Most of them like to be busy with computer games, and TV.

In my own life, I have found myself with less reading novel time, playing my piano on a daily basis, spending more talking time with my husband and children. The list goes on with what I could be doing rather than spending time looking at Facebook pages.

That’s enough of my tirade. I know that you get the gest.

However, I love my friends and family so I will continue to do Social Media on a more limited scale.

I am thankful
I am deeply grateful for every Saturday morning when I serve in the Jordan River Temple. Being there fills my soul with needed nourishment. I love the temple and the peace and joy I find within those walls. The patrons that come to serve are lovely, and the atmosphere is something you almost can’t describe. Some blessings and miracles happen on every shift that I work. I know beyond doubt that the Lord is watching over His temples and blessing the work that goes on there. 

One of my favorite things

I love spending time with my sweet eternal companion. We love serving in the temple together. We aren’t with each other, but we know we are there together. I also love our dates. We often go to movies and sometimes out to dinner. We love holding hands and taking a walk together. We have a spectacular relationship, and I feel so blessed to be his. He is a true disciple of Christ and loves to help others and is always helping me. He is an incredible man.

I am creating

Ok, I am not building a thing at this moment of time. I guess I could say; I am creating this blog post.
I am wearing

A black, white, different shades of the blue long comfortable skirt. I have a casual black shirt. I am wearing some comfy slippers.

I am reading (Read)

I belong to a book club, and I enjoy meeting monthly with a fantastic group of women. We have a fun lunch and then a discussion on the book we read for the month.

This past month, we read a book entitled: “A Night Divided” by Jennifer A. Nielsen. This story is about a family that lived in Germany at the time that the Berlin wall went up. The father and one son left to find work in West Berlin and left the mother and two other children in East Berlin. Then the wall went up dividing them. It is all about how two of the children on the east side started to build a tunnel to get to the west side. It was a great story of this period and easy read but very descriptive and had my attention immediately. I loved this book.

Meanwhile, I have been reading a book entitled: “The Nightingale.” by Kristin Hannah. It is another war story about two sisters and how they survived when Germany invaded France. I have just started this one, and I can tell it is going to be a good one.

 After this book, I think I will read something a bit lighter. I usually like a good Christmas novel.

I am forever reading my favorite book of all time: “The Book of Mormon.” My husband and I are reading ten pages a day of this marvelous book of scripture. We started a year ago last September and had read it six times. We have already read and studied it many times before this challenge.

This book is powerful and tells the story of ancient America and the people who populated North and South America. My favorite part is when the Savior, Jesus Christ appears in America’s to the people after His resurrection. His time spent with the people and the teachings given is priceless. My greatest desire is that everyone would read this book and appreciate and learn of Jesus Christ’s dealings with those ancient people. It indeed is the most influential book on the earth today.

I do love all the other scriptures too. I love the Old Testament, New Testament, Doctrine in Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. These books are filled with marvelous teaching, also.

 I am hoping

I am hoping that tomorrow will be a spectacular Sabbath Day. I look forward to the weekend, but I always enjoy the opportunity to go to church to worship my Heavenly Father and Savior. I love the messages and hymns and especially the sacred moments of the sacrament.

I am learning

I am learning to play some hymns and a new piece for Christmas on the piano. I have played the piano for many years. I am shy about performing in public. I do play for family events but not for others. I get nervous when I play in front of people. However, I am hoping on working to overcome that.

I love playing the piano, and it brings me great joy.

Right now I am teaching the three grandchildren that are living with me basic piano. It has been a fun adventure.

In my kitchen

To be honest, my sweet husband spends more time cooking than I do. However, my daughter and I have divided up the nights we will cook for the family, and I am working on preparing a little bit more.

 Favorite Quote

Closing Thoughts For Today

I have a profound testimony of the importance of ministering to one another. Watching over and caring about the people that are around us. There are many lonely souls out there that need an extra smile and or a hand of caring. 
One of the drawbacks to giving service is not being aware of needs. 
I have found in my own life and that of others that we are sometimes glued to our phone. Adults and youth alike are frequently on their phones. 
Perhaps, it is time to re-evaluate our time and learn to look up from our phones, look out at others and look around to those we might lift. Let us open our eyes, ears, and hearts to make a difference in the lives of others.