What is your calling in life? (Friday Favorites)

I read this article while running on the treadmill (reading while running is the treadmill's saving grace):

What is your Calling in Life?

Some of my favorite passages:

Doing God’s Work

First, we need to explore what we mean by a “calling in life.” The idea of a professional calling was brought into focus by Martin Luther, who revolutionized how the world looked at work. Prior to Luther, people viewed work as a necessary evil at best. Luther, however, saw the fallacy in this attitude. His study of the Bible convinced him that work is how we participate in God’s providence toward His children. Lee Hardy, a scholar of Luther’s teachings, noted, “As we pray each morning for our daily bread, people are already busy at work in the bakeries.”¹

Luther also taught how to find your calling. It was pretty simple: your calling was to do whatever your station in life dictated. If you grew up in a cobbler shop, your calling was to make shoes. And doing so, you participated in the work of God by covering the feet of His children. Luther believed that virtually any type of work could be a calling, so long as it rendered service to mankind.

John Calvin elaborated on Luther’s ideas in a way that may make them seem a little more applicable to us today. For Calvin, it wasn’t our position in the social structure that determined God’s calling for us. Rather, he argued that God endows each of us with particular talents and gifts, and that it is our calling to discover those gifts and seek ways to use them in the service of our fellowmen. As he put it, “For as God bestows any ability or gift upon any of us, he binds us to such as have need of us and as we are able to help.”²

&

Joseph Campbell, a professor of literature who studied and taught about hero myths, introduced the phrase “follow your bliss” back in the 1970s. The idea was that heroes don’t chase money or prestige; they look into their hearts to find their passion and then pursue it.⁵ Now you see the phrase “follow your bliss” everywhere. Later, Campbell developed misgivings about how people were using the phrase. It was reported that he quipped, “What I should have said was, ‘Follow your blisters.’” You may do the most important, exciting work in the world. Nonetheless, some days will be mundane and no fun at all. You will be called upon to sacrifice. Don’t expect deep meaning without paying the price for it.

& my favorite, for obvious reasons:

Allow me to share a simple experience from my mission. As I was nearing my release date, I anticipated a sense of loss when I could no longer give all my time to serving God. At a zone conference, I raised my hand and asked the mission president, “After our missions are over and we are no longer full-time servants of God, how can we keep a sense of purpose?” Before the mission president could answer, his wife leapt to her feet and said, “I’ll take this one.”

I will never forget her response. “When I do the laundry,” she said, “I am building the kingdom of God. When I scrub the floors, I am serving the Lord. When I tidy the clutter, I’m an instrument in His hands. I do a lot of mundane jobs, but if my eye is single to God and I’m trying to serve my family, then I feel as much purpose in my work as a missionary can.” Those words remind me of what King Benjamin said about laboring in the fields to support himself—a decidedly unkingly occupation. He said, “I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God” (Mosiah 2:16).

Read the whole article here: What is your Calling in Life?

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Now we just need more chairs (Wordless Wednesday)

We've been feeling a little cramped around our old dining table, designed to seat 8, now that we have ten eating at the table. We've talked for years about how to find a table that would suit our needs and decided that my husband would build one.

Last fall, we bought two pedestals on Ebay for an amazing steal (the guy only made $10 on each of them after he paid for shipping), and this past month, this is what my husband created for our family:

It's actually two tables hooked together. Each square table seats eight, and pushed together, they seat 12 or more comfortably. When we have guests or want more flexibility, we can unhook the two tables and seat four more people.

I'm loving the table! I love that it has a mixture of both dark and light wood. It ties the maple we have in the kitchen with the cherry we have in the neighboring great room, and gives us the flexibility to switch to another chair color or style later on if we like.

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In Honor of Easter

Wow -- this video is so moving:



Here are the lyrics:

"I Will Rise"

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

You can share your feelings about Jesus Christ at this link.

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Farewell (Friday Favorites)

Last weekend, as part of our Church's twice-a-year General Conference, the Relief Society presidency was released and new sisters were called.

Sister Julie B. Beck served wonderfully with her counselors Barbara Thompson and Silvia Allred.

In honor of their service, here are some of my all-time favorite quotes from Sister Beck:

"Sisters, get over yourselves!" (from the Mormon Channel Q&A about Visiting Teaching)

"This isn't a problem that can be solved on the blogosphere." (from the Q&A about Charity)

"The difference between Young Women's and Relief Society is that in Relief Society we don't get up and clap for you anymore" (paraphrased from a training my sister went to)

"I have learned that a good woman with the help of the Lord can usually work two to two and a half shifts. However, no one can work all three shifts. You have to prioritize where you are going to spend your energy." (2010 Women's Conference)

"A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthy things her heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most women, and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are important. A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence. But with personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently." (from this talk at General Conference, April 2010)

"Mothers who know desire to bear children. Whereas in many cultures in the world children are “becoming less valued,” in the culture of the gospel we still believe in having children. Prophets, seers, and revelators who were sustained at this conference have declared that “God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.” President Ezra Taft Benson taught that young couples should not postpone having children and that “in the eternal perspective, children—not possessions, not position, not prestige—are our greatest jewels.” Faithful daughters of God desire children. " (Mothers Who Know, General Conference October 2007)

&

"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all." (Mothers Who Know, General Conference October 2007)

So much wisdom here.

One of the best talks by her that has been a great help to me in prioritizing and finding balance in my life is this one:

Choose Ye This Day

It was given just ten days after Sister Beck's father died. I'd be honored if you'd read it.

I will miss Sister Beck and her counselors, but I look forward to getting to know the new General Relief Society Presidency.

Do you have a favorite quote by Sister Julie B. Beck?

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Q&A Thursday: Fitting in Exercise

Today's question is from Shannon:

When do you find time to work out? We have 4 kids and swear they hear the treadmill turn on and everyone needs something right now!

Shannon, I hear you! I have four preschoolers right now and it's hard enough keeping up with the house and the laundry and things that can more easily be interrupted, much less try to exercise for a decent amount of time.

My favorite time to exercise is first thing in the morning. Get it done and out of the way, shower away the sweat, and then move on. Unfortunately, that's not a time that works for me very often. When I'm already waking at night with a baby, I just cannot force myself out of bed any earlier than our 6:45 family scripture study time. Over the years, I've tried -- I keep thinking that I just need more will-power or dedication! But no matter how much dedication or will-power I throw at it, unless I'm sleeping soundly through the night, I can't wake up early.

Last year at this time, I found the best time for me to exercise was during quiet time and naptime. My kids were used to my unavailability during that time since I had been using it to nap (Katie didn't sleep through the night until about ten months old). Once Katie was sleeping well, it was so easy to use that time for exercise -- and it didn't even feel like a sacrifice because those hours were gifts I hadn't had before. My husband works from home about half the time so if he was home, I got to run out on the streets. When he wasn't home, I used the treadmill.

When summertime came, I was pregnant so those afternoon hours were needed again for rest. It was also too hot in the afternoon for outdoor running. I moved my exercise time to the morning and got it in before the kids woke up.

Right now, mornings are out because Cami's waking at night and afternoons are out for the same reason. So I go in the evening. I shoot for 8:00. All the little kids are in bed by then and the house should be calm (but not always -- sometimes I feel like I'm abandoning a sinking ship when I leave to meet my running partner). Other nights, I go at 9 or even 9:30. One night, I even went at 10:30 because that's what time it was when I finally got the laundry folded and Cami settled down. It's not ideal, but it's working. Late evenings are when my family needs me least, so that's when I go.

Three things are really helping me stick to it:

1. I don't skip any days except Sundays. I've made a commitment to do at least fifteen minutes a day. I find the hardest part is just getting started. Knowing all I "have" to do is fifteen minutes helps me get going. Once I'm out running or walking or doing a video, I usually do more than fifteen minutes.

2. I've found it motivating to have an event on the calendar. I know if I don't get in the training, I won't be ready. And I hate wasting money, so once I've paid for something, I want to make sure I get my money's worth out of it.

3. I have an awesome running partner this time. We can't do all our runs together, but we're meeting often enough to keep each other motivated. And a good hour's conversation means I hardly notice my protesting muscles.

What have you done to make exercise a priority? When do you fit it in? How do you make it work with young kids?

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Lovely Spring (Wordless Wednesday)

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Ten Pounds Down!

March has been good to me. I set four goals at the beginning of the month:

1. Kneel to pray morning and night
2. Take a picture every day
3. Track everything I eat using Weight Watchers
4. Exercise for at least 15 minutes six days a week

I had great success with 1, 3, and 4. Getting the camera out? I think I get a 30% on that one.

My days have gone better with more meaningful prayers. I prayed before, but not always on my knees. Finding the quiet time morning and night to really think and pray has made a huge difference in the quality and tenor of my days.

As for #3 and #4, I'm thrilled to report that I met both goals! With a little help from Weight Watchers and more self-control than I knew I had in me, I lost ten pounds this month.

Here's me at the beginning of March, two weeks after giving birth:

And here's me ten pounds lighter, just last week (aren't you impressed I'm dressed in the same outfit?):

Just four pounds to go and I'll be back where I was last summer, when I ran my marathon:

Then it's just 25 lbs or so until I'm where I want to be. It feels so great to have a plan and to be making progress.

As for goal #4, the exercise one, I have been so happy by my quick progress back into running. I hadn't run since November, and I thought it would likely take all month to build back up to three miles. When Cami was 2.5 weeks old, I was able to run a mile on the treadmill with just a few short walk breaks. Not long afterwards, when she was three weeks old, I was able to run a slow but steady three miles! I've been running between 3 and 4 miles four days a week ever since. I'm slower than I was, and my muscles feel out of practice, but it's feeling wonderful to be getting back in shape.

I'm aiming for this half marathon in June (want to join me?). The main obstacle I'm worried about, ironically, is not the miles -- 13.1 seems like such an easy distance in my mind now, such a contrast from my fears last year. Rather, my main concern is Cami. I don't know if she'll be able to go four hours between feedings by June. But I'm training as if she will, and I suppose the back-up plan could be for me to take a quick "feed the baby" break halfway through (or maybe -- novel thought -- we could try a bottle?).

I've set four more goals for April and I'm hoping to have more success on the scale. Wish me luck!

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