This week, I would like to share a humbling experience that I had this past week. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and as a member one of the responsibilities that I have is to be a visiting teacher. As a visiting teacher, it is my privilege to be able to visit assigned sisters each month with my companion. My companion is a neat lady but does not drive, which leads to my story. Our route, is not a simple one. We visit two inactive sisters, a new member, and an active person. One of the women on our route has no transportation, so each month, I take her to the grocery store. This takes about 4 hours with both my boys and sometimes Riley too on one day. Last Wednesday, as I sat in the car with my boys waiting on her, I was thinking of 20 others things that I could be doing and a few more why it would be easier if someone else took her...then it dawned on me, Renee', you hypocrite, each Sunday you tell your class the importance of loving and serving one another and here you are not having a joyful heart. After, I cleared my mind, the lady came back to the car and I had made a silent resolution to to do better. Also at church, for the past two years, I have been blessed to be the gospel essentials teacher. I love it and my testimony has grown from teaching the class and answering questions. It helps that the missionaries say if they can get people to stay for my class, they always come back. I am thankful for the eye opening experience and the reminder to practice what you preach! I also had the chance to have lunch with a sister that seemed to be having a hard time. When I mentioned we should do lunch one day, I did not really think it would happen but when I received the text asking if the day worked, I believe I was the one lifted more than she was. Happiness can really be strengthened when we help others cheerfully.
Today was stake conference and here is what I came away with today. One of the speakers, Elder Robert W. Hymas (from Lexington Kentucky) of the area seventy, began his talk by saying that he was going to share a few things that we always need to remember to do. My thoughts were that it was going to be the standard things like pray, read scriptures...but his responses really touched me. Here are his suggestions:
1. Always pay your tithing.
2. Always make your sacrament meetings and partake of the sacrament. It is an ordinance that
we can take part in every week and be renewed.
3. Always ask for direction for your packages from heaven. Each of our children are different,
learn differently, and have different needs. Pray to know how to reach each of them,
4. Always accept callings. We do not ask for callings nor should we ask to released from callings.
5. Always treat your spouse as they deserve to be treated. And tell your spouse you love them
everyday.
When our mind is set to do things, we only have to make the choice once and then there is no question.
The week of valentines this week was crazy busy for me....I literally had things going everyday and most days multiple things going. However, the highlight of the week was being able to go watch Aubree's black history program at school. She wanted to be a slave so she could wear her jeans and she played up the part. She loved it and was so proud. One of my favorite things about that day was how she looked very hard to spot us in the audience. Sandra was there too and Aubree wanted to make sure that she saw us.
It was also a bonus that I was off work Valentines night. The next morning, I enjoyed mornings with mom at the girls school.
I had taken off because Jake and I were suppose to meet with the attorney from a car wreck over two years ago. We both took off work and on our way there, we received a phone call that they needed to cancel...I was mad but did enjoy the day with Jake. We went and got him botox again to hopefully help headaches to become less frequent for him. Then Friday, Jake and Aubree flew to Houston for Callie's baptism. Aubree loves Callie and enjoyed the time with her dad. I enjoyed a good weekend too. Mom came up Saturday evening and we went to dinner and the mall with Charity. Jacob William took Rebekah to dinner for being his Valentine. The Sunday, I was able to be with Sandra at Elijah's blessing and enjoy a nice afternoon at James's house with a lot of the family. Ginny and I came home and enjoyed a little "girl time", we baked cookies, had popcorn, and watched a "chic flick". The week ended on a high not because a little before midnight, Jake and Aubree arrived home. Jake is real funny, he packed me a piece of cake in his suitcase because he liked it so much, he wanted me to have some too..how sweet is that!
