Monday, March 10, 2008

1.) This isn't a highlight of the day, but did take up a lot of mental energy. I started Weight Watchers.... blah. When you are pregnant you just can't wait to start dieting and losing weight. But now that the time has come, I'm dreading it. I ordered the started pack online and want to do it by myself. But then today I read online that success at Weight Watchers really is a result of the meetings which I can totally understand. I am trying to convince my friend to put together a group of our own. Hopefully this will happen..... (hint, hint W!)

2.) Today Preston told me that Paublo from The Backyardagins (TV show on Nick Jr.) was his friend. It made me really sad - I need to invite more 'real' friends over. He also told me that Tosha was my friend. One of the downfalls of my mothering is that I let Preston watch too much TV....

3.) We have a great Sunday School teacher. Last week he told the following story that was an amazing metaphor. Thanks to my friend for taking the time to post it on her website so I could copy it :)

Our gospel doctrine instructor is actually a high school/middle school math teacher and as he closed the discussion with his testimony, he shared an account from the previous week. It was simple, but to me it was profoundly touching. He was returning to his students their results from a very difficult geometry test (he made a point to emphasize that no one had acheived a perfect score as this was really a challenging test). As he walked around the room handing back the tests individually, he made comments to the students. to one student who received a 96, he replied, "great job". To another, who received a score in the 80's, "nice work". To others in the same average range, "well done." and then to one student, who received a score of 68, "EXCELLENT! I am so proud of you."

Because he knows his students, he knows what they are capable of; and while he certainly is pleased with those who did well, he was especially aware of the one that struggled with geometry. when this student, by exerting greater effort, finally achieved the best score they had yet to achieve (even though it was only 68), HE recognized that this was their BEST and he acknowledged that with sincerity and respect!

Our savior knows us individually and he knows (even better than we know ourselves) what are individual capacities are; he also knows which things in our lives will be to us as geometry is to this student--complex and challenging. And HE KNOWS when we do OUR VERY BEST. And because of his atonement, THIS is enough.

Sure, we must all try harder every day of our lives, and sure we will recognize when we fall short of the ideal success--and this is even as it should be so we remain humble and realize our dependence on the Lord. But we also must balance this well with faith and hope and happiness. Faith that as long as we are striving to do our best, the lord will help us be better; hope in the promise that his atonement is for us; and THE HAPPINESS that he desires for us to enjoy while we are being schooled in this life that really is wonderful!

It reminds me of our dear President Hinckley's challenge to go forward and simply do our best . . . but to make sure that is our very best. That is living with integrity and the Lord will regconize that and honor that with his promise.

Thanks Bro. R for sharing this amazing example!