Calming the Storm

"Jesus calmed the storm and so can you."  I like what mormon.org says for LIGHTtheWORLD about this one.  "Jesus understood that life's storms can take many shapes.  Some storms rain down from the sky; other tempests come from within.  The Master can calm all storms.  When we follow His example, we can be a light in the lives of those going through turbulent times."  This one kind of went through two days for me.  I donated to Humanitarian Aid yesterday and I experienced some of my own "turbulent times."  It wasn't anything major, which is a relief, but I had some trouble with some of my children during Sacrament Meeting.  Many of you have been there.  Several people comforted me with hugs and encouraging words afterward.  I mentioned also that my friend offered to let my kids come over to her house for a while (which I took her up on with the two youngest boys).  I appreciate those acts of service given to me to help calm my storm.
Today I went shopping.  As I shopped my thoughts were toward looking out for others who may be in need of a simple act of kindness if they were having a troubled time.  As my items were about to be rung up by the cashier, I noticed that the person in front of me was leaving without a couple of her bags.  I ran after her and let her know so that she wouldn't have that "storm" to deal with.  It was a simple act of service, but I'm grateful that I had prepared myself to help when the need arose.

On a bit different note, this evening we had Family Home Evening.  Our three-year old was in charge of the lesson and decided to talk about Jesus.  It was so cute.  Here are some of the things he said during his lesson and our discussion:
Jesus was a baby.  He was in a basket.  He was in a manger where the animals ate from. Did the animals eat Jesus? The animals ate straws, and cups, and the table. Jesus was in the table. Jesus was a sheep. Jesus was asleep. Jesus was a baby. At Christmastime.

It was so cute.  Then for our activity, Jr. decided we should have a snuggle party on the couch while watching a movie.

Awww.  Snuggles.

A Little Corner of Peace

My sister-in-law keeps a blog about Living in Awareness. In it she talks about a lot of tools and techniques that can be used for healing. I've found many of the ones she uses I also use for times when I need to calm myself. Deep breathing for instance, prayer, journal writing, even foot rubs. Sometimes something just needs to be done to put you in a better place, mood if you will. I'm not as eloquent as my sister-in-law at expressing how different tools and techniques can be used, but let me share something that worked for me recently.
One day, I wasn't feeling so well physically. I thought I might have some seasonal allergies bothering me or maybe I was coming down with a cold. There is enough frustration in my life right now about different things. Me Time is supposed to be that time when I get to do whatever I want, but often there seem to be setbacks to getting that time to myself. There have been a number of times when the baby hasn't been feeling well and only wants Mommy. There have been times when I need to sew something for the kids (and when I'm sewing where the baby can see me, he wants me). It seems like sometimes my Me Time turns into Time To Do Something For Someone Else Because That's The Only Time I Have To Do It.
Anyway, so like I said, one day I was not feeling so well and I needed... something. It is too crowded in our home because I feel like I never have time to get organized. I wanted to relax, have a nice mug of herbal tea, and just take time for healing. But there was no place I could do this. So I made a place. Our nightstand next to our bed collects things on top from time to time, but hasn't actually been cleaned and organized since we moved here. We have a lamp that we used to keep on it in our old apartment, but it hadn't been plugged in since we moved here. I cleared off the top of that nightstand, finding some interesting things along the way, dusted it, kept some essentials there (the phone, the alarm clock). But I added some things to help me as well. My water bottle as it's important to keep myself hydrated. That lamp so I could have a nice bit of light next to my bed and don't have to crawl all the way over to the door (I've got short arms) to turn off the light in the room. I put down a crocheted doily so that when I have my nice cup of herbal tea, it has something soft to sit on (and it's better for the nightstand). And that is now a little corner of peace in my home. Since I set it up, it's stayed that way. Occasionally my glasses case will be there, but I haven't collected junk like in so many other places in my home.

And I'll tell you I've had quite a few mugs of relaxing herbal tea since I set this up.