Small And Simple Things

I scored a cute little book at the thrift store a few weeks ago. It's called "Small and simple things" and it's by Marjorie Hinckley. I was so excited to see it cause I love her other book--(I blogged about it here!) and it was 50 cents! SCORE!!
Anyway, it's a tiny book filled with little thoughts on each page. I wanted to share the thought she wrote concerning the title of this book--small and simple things. It comes from the scripture found in Alma 37:6

"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass."

"I couldn't possibly have understood this when I was young like I do now. When we look back on decades of life we see that the seemingly insignificant thngs we do over and over actually weave the pattern of our lives. And if those small and simple things are good, we will end up having lived a fulfilling life--and that is a great thing!"

The longer I'm a mother the more true this statement is. Liston is getting baptized next year--I can't believe it!! So I've been talking to him about his decision to be baptized and what he thinks about it. I want him to be ready for that big day. And I've come to realize that his preparation will come mostly from the "little things" we do everyday: from having FHE, having family scripture study and family prayer, etc--little things that don't seem like much but mean so much in the end. I'm so grateful for the council of our prophet and general authorities who admonish us to include these things in our lives. To invite the Lord into our homes each day. I pray that I can do more to invite the spirit and to be taught and refined. And to create an environment where my children can recognise the Spirit and be taught as well.

I've been neglecting this blog. I really want to do some posting this weekend. In the meantime, I'm posting this talk by Elder Eyring. I have really been wanting to write in my journal more--to record the hand of the Lord in my life each day. I going to start today :)

Read this post today and was taught and enlighted. As I've followed her blog I've been amazed at her wisdom--and pray for the Lord's peace for their family.

"Gratitude on a daily basis means we express appreciation for what we have now without qualification for what we had in the past or desire in the future."
Robert D Hales

I've heard this pioneer story from time to time and have always enjoyed it for it's simple message. I heard it again on Sunday and was reminded of my previous post on service Can the Lord count on me to help those who need it--can I be his hands?

This story comes from a journal entry of pioneer Joseph Millett, who with his large family was suffering through some very difficult times.

"One of my children came in and said that Brother Newton Hall's folks was out of bread, had none that day.

I divided our flour in a sack to send up to Brother Hall. Just then Brother Hall came.

Says I, 'Brother Hall, are you out of flour?'

'Brother Millett, we have none.'

'Well, Brother Hall, there is some in that sack. I have divided it and was going to send it to you. Your children told mine that you was out.'

Brother Hall began to cry. He said he had tried others, but could not get any. He went to the cedars and prayed to the Lord, and the Lord told him to go to Joseph Millett.

'Well Brother Hall, you needn't bring this back. If the Lord sent you for it you don't owe me for it.'

That night Joseph Millett recorded a remarkable sentence in his journal:
'You can't tell me how good it made me feel to know that the Lord knew there was such a person as Joseph Millett.'