Thoughts

First thought:
A Happy Heart

On my igoogle account I have chosen a theme about 'love' as it is the season for Valentine's day! One of the titles (they randomly change) is "A Happy Heart", which has caused me to think about what makes me happy; from fleeting to lasting. So, I thought I'd compose a list of just what does make me happy. Here ya go...

• cloudy days
• sunshine
• our cat, Missy
• my computer
• showers
• rain
• my cell phone and the people on the other end of the call
• cell phone pictures - a nice surprise to brighten the day!
• visiting others; friends, family and church members
• skype
• emails
• any kind of personal mail
• a clean car
• a clean house
• organizing (yes, I do know that I am a little OCD at times!)
• smiles
• hugs
• acceptance - for myself and others
• success
• walking
• eating right/overcoming temptation
• confidence in myself and our family
• kisses from Pat
• my husband
• flowers
• our backyard and all the tasty, yummy fruit it yields
• sharing
• kindness
• service
• testimonies shared
• the gospel
• Jesus Christ, my Savior
• the scriptures
• prayer
• missionaries
• my mom
• my children
• my children-in-law
• my grandchildren - each and every one of them! (even those that aren't born yet)
  
• politeness
• dependable people
• being dependable
• giving
• talking
• laughing
• being cheerful
• overcoming trials
• faith
• personal revelation
• The Holy Ghost
• President Monson - our Prophet
• Our church leaders
• freedom
• budgeting
• good news (like Donna's cancer has already shrunk some! Yay!)
• music
• nice people
• a good meal
• pie
• being able to purchase whatever we need at the grocery store
• meeting and making new friends
• time with family
• babies
• books and book clubs
• going out to lunch
  
• a good movie
• a steady income/good job
• our home and all of the comforts it provides
• places I love (Paradise, Provo, Idaho Falls, Hawaii, Disneyland, Yosemite; anywhere beautiful)
• happy people
• the temple
• the ability to serve in our callings
• blessings
• our bed
• nice hotels
• good health
  

That is a good place to end this list! They are definitely random and I had to add after I thought I was finished because some of the things that make my heart happy are so very important, like the temple, and good health! I have to say that I love having a happy heart! It makes life such a nicer place to be. What is in your happy heart?

Second thought:
Yesterday we had our annual Stake RS Enrichment Day. I cannot even begin to express how wonderful it was. Our theme was 'Be Still and Know that I am God.' We had wonderful musical numbers and talks - each one very inspiring. As we planned this meeting I was once again struck with how Heavenly Father loves His children, and how that is manifested to me through my calling(s). In August we began thinking about the theme, and who should speak, etc.. As we came together in September I was amazed at the oneness of inspiration/revelation that we had. Yesterday a friend of mine thanked me for the meeting; I told her that I had little to do with it, except that I, and our President, had come up with the theme. I thought about that a little later and realized that I was wrong. President Brown (Linda) and I did not come up with the theme: the spirit told us what the theme was to be. For a month following our first meeting (well, my first meeting) all I could think of was, "Be Still", and I kept going around humming "Be Still My Soul", all over the place! When we met together the following month Linda said she had this thought and couldn't get rid of it; that thought was 'Be still'. I looked at her, then she looked at me, and she said, "You've had the same impression?" I sure had. How grateful I am that we have a loving Heavenly Father who KNOWS us, He knows our needs, and He knew the needs of the Manteca Stake sisters, His daughters, yesterday. How wonderful is that?

Along that same line... another impression we had was to have a children's book drive. At first we weren't sure where the books would go, but after doing some research we discovered that in the Bay Area there is a place that collects chldrens books, from infants through teens, and then gives them to homeless shelters, childcare centers, community centers, schools, and to children that have never owned a book. The books go all over this area, including our area. So, we asked sisters to bring new or gently used books, and we would take them to this organization. (they have collected over a million books since 1992)

We asked and my goodness did they deliver!!! I honestly expected around 200 or so books. I haven't yet counted them (they are at this time residing in Rachel's room, with just a little bit of walking room in there) and there are at least one thousand books! Amazing! How grateful I am for the generosity of others!!! I LOVE service! I will update you in a week or so when all have been counted and you can then know the generosity of the wonderful sisters in our stake!