Monday Morning Anecdote

"Work is an antidote for anxiety, and ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to possibility. Whatever our circumstances in life, my dear brethren, let us do the best we can and cultivate a reputation for excellence in all that we do. Let us set our minds and bodies to the glorious opportunity for work that each new day presents."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Two Principles for Any Economy," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 56

I read this great quote first thing this morning and thought it was a perfect way to start the work week. There is my goal for the week...further cultivate my repuation for excellence.  I think the statement above is so very true.  I know the joy that comes from work and striving to be the best you can be. I can think of no better sleep then sleep I get after a hard days work; I can think of no better friends than the ones I have toiled with, and I can think of no better feeling than to say, "I gave everything I have. There is no more.".

Summer Has Begun

It was 80 degrees yesterday.  Hot weather equals bliss and the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year...SUMMER.  If you can't tell already, I love this season more than any other season. I love shorts and being tan. I love swimming outside and not having to run on the treadmill.  I'm also pretty sure that people are friendlier between the temperatures of 75 and 85 degrees.  Not sure how that works but it's true.  

The start of Summer also means the start of outdoor exploring season.  We got our adventures off to an early start this year with a trip to California.  D and Tara road tripped with us and we met my parents there as well. Then we made our way to St. George to visit Rob's Grandparents and Zion National Park.  I now pray everyday that I can be as spry and athletic as these two 80 year young wonders. Our retired years will be all the more golden if I can hike as fast and as far as Grandpa, and recover half as well as Grandma, who just had a hip replacement 5 months ago... 

DISNEYLAND

We ate a HUGE lunch at the Blue Bayou...the recipe for the Monte Cristo sandwich will be on my food blog soon!

SAN DIEGO

Following the trip to Disney we headed down to San Diego and checked out the shoreline. I can never get enough of the ocean.  I may grow some gills here shortly.

ZION NATIONAL PARK

Get me some climbing gear...stat!

G-pa and G-ma also known as The Incredibles!

Yes, I am pretty sure I am trying to fly up the water fall.

Small and Simple Things

I signed up to recieve a daily faith building email so I start the day off right. It's like emotional Wheaties. I thought todays was particularly powerful and relevant to many of my current frustrations, and I've been eager to share. It's from a 2009 Ensign article by Ann M. Dibb entitled Be Thou an Example of the Believers.

"..'believers' must be courteous, be honest, speak kindley, and be sincere. These things may seem small and simple, but the Book of Mormon prophet Alma teaches, 'Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise' (Alma 37:6)"

What small and simple things are you doing?