“Do what makes you happy, be who makes you smile, laugh as much as you breathe, and love as long as you live.”
~unknown
I am ready to be happy, I am ready to smile, I am ready to laugh as much as I breathe and of course, I am ready to love as long as I live. Yes, 2011…I am ready for you. I am ready to put 2010 away and not look back. I am ready. Yes, 2011…I am ready and welcoming you with open arms!!
~Michelle
1. I am grateful for quiet moments this morning where I read my scriptures. For some reason, I knew that I needed to feel that extra peace today.
2. I am grateful for the prompting to visit a sweet friend (Gerb) in the hospital. Acting on this particular prompting, I had a couple of amazing experiences full of so much gratitude. Let me share…I walked past the newborn nursery. I looked through the window as I passed and four nurses turned and stared at me. I thought to myself…did I do something wrong? Nope! As I rounded the corner to Gerb’s room, I hear, “Michelle!” I turned to see who was calling my name. It was a leader that I had when I was a little girl. She has always been dear to my heart. I spent a lot of time at her home when I was little. I babysat her sweet children. As we stood and talked, I shared with her how important she was to me. Memories just flowed through my brain and into my heart. I remember her teaching me when I had questions that I did not understand. I remember feeling comforted when I was sad. I remember feeling so welcome in her home. I knew that she loved me.
When I became our ward’s young women president, I took the opportunity to write down what type of leader that I wanted to be like. She had so many Christ-like qualities that I wanted to develop. I will always be grateful for her in my life. I hope and pray that I never was rude or mean to her. As I shared with her the impact that she had in my life, tears started flowing from both of our eyes. I know she knows how important she is. I felt it.
3. Then, I entered Gerb’s room. I love this friend. She is incredibly important to me. She has gone through so much in the past few days...a new baby and surgery on a broken & dislocated foot. But amongst the great amount of pain she is in, she still was her amazing self. I am grateful for her friendship. As I held her beautiful baby, I was overcome with the amazing love that our Heavenly Father has for each one of us. While Gerb was with the physical therapists, I had the privilege of holding her sweet new arrival. As I was holding him, I was looking at his adorable little face. Then something struck my heart, this little guy had just left the presence of our Heavenly Father—what an amazing peaceful experience. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I just kept staring at this little guy. He was just in his heavenly home surrounded by loved ones and now he is here for everyone else to love.
I am sorry that Gerb had to have physical therapy but I am glad that I had a few moments with her precious little one!
4. My mom told me that she had read or heard that naps are important to have. So, I am grateful for the quick nap at my parent’s home. Their home is so peaceful and warm. I curled up in a quilt and fell fast to sleep. Oh, what a refreshing few minutes. It was much needed and I am indeed grateful for it.
5. I am grateful for the amazing youth in our stake. I am so grateful for each one of them especially, my sweet young women. Tonight, we had our Stake Youth Celebration and there was so much energy running through the stake center. It was awesome! Pres. Bell spoke, we watched a message from the Prophet, ate pizza, played games, danced, danced and danced some more. Of course, there was plenty of laughter and giggling going on throughout the entire building. It was so much fun. I love being around the youth. I hope that they don’t think that I am too crazy. They just bring so much fun and excitement into my life. I love it!! I love my calling and I am so grateful for it.
6. When the festivities were over, we had several youth stay and help clean up. It was awesome. The building was cleaned in no time at all. As they were leaving, I asked my young women if they would text me to let me know that they arrived home safely. The roads were icy and I worried about them traveling. Those that I asked to text me, did. All were safe at home. YAHOO!!
I had been home a few minutes and was getting ready for bed when I received a text from a young woman in our stake. She wanted to make sure that I had arrived home safely. OF course, this brought tears to my eyes. I am grateful for that sweet text. She worried about me as much as I worried about her getting home.
Aw….what a great day! I am grateful for so many things in my life.
Goodnight!
~Chelle
Love yourself, for who and what you are; protect your dream and develop your talent to the fullest extent.
Joan Benoit Samuelson
~Michelle
“Sometimes we build up walls, not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.”
I am not sure who it is by but I love it. Isn’t it true…at least, I know that it is true for me.
~Michelle
After church, I curled up in my blankets and watched Christmas movies. The phone did not ring nor did anyone knock at the door. What a strange day! I did receive a couple of texts---which was nice. This day has been too quiet. Way too quiet! I should be really grateful but…I am not really. It is just too quiet!
I might just go for a ride in my car…it is too quiet in my home. Way too quiet. This day is so strange!
~Michelle
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
Merry Christmas Eve!
~Michelle
I hope that you have had a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas!