Boozer...

Finding Joy in the Journey!!

Ok, well here it is at 12:30 am. I have been laying awake for about 2 hours trying to get to sleep because I have to get up at 5:30 for classes tomorrow. But with so much on my mind I tend to be restless...so what do people usually do when they have a lot on their mind...They write it down sometimes in a journal. Well, since I have not really opened my journal for about 2 years. I will write it here.

I hate the unknown. With us moving in a few days and birthing in about 10 weeks, there is a lot you could say that is unknown. Such as:

* Where in the world are we going to put all the stuff that we've accumulated over 5 years?
* Uh, what do contractions exactly feel like?
* How big is the epidural needle? And are all of the bad things that could happen with that process likely to actually happen?
* How does the whole forwarding of address process work at the post office? I really enjoy my mail!
* Where exactly is Brynlee going to sleep? And where will we hang all of her precious little dresses and put her tiny little shoes?
* What is Rusty Roo going to do all day now that he won't have people walking by our house to watch or fire engines screaming down the streat to howl at?
* How is Tyler going to work, go to school, build a house, spend time with his new precious cargo, AND hang out with the asian woman that he calls honey?

Now, if you're Tyler, you simply tell me to not worry about the things that are beyond my control, or about things that could or could not happen...WELL, I'm a women and that's what I think we do very well (if not perfectly) is worry.

I also have a lot to be grateful for. And the other night in our prayers I wanted to be sure to thank for those things that I don't have to worry about. There are so many who have to worry about where they will get their next meal, how they will keep warm for the night, how much longer a loved one has to live, and so on. My worries actually seem miniscule when compared to those worries...so I am REALLY trying to focus on everything that I have to be grateful for...such as:

* A wonderful Mom and Grandma Bates who came and helped me pack up pretty much our whole entire house today.
* A wonderful Mom-in-Law who is right now rearranging her whole house/life for us to move in and invade.
* Caring neighbors and friends who have offered any help they can give. Just their offering is a blessing enough.
* A patient husband, who I have yet to see get stressed out about this move.
* A healthy baby who I love a lot already!
* The gospel that brings so much stability and peace in this crazy world!
* A job that I love!!!
* Marie & Katie for working for me this whole week, to lessen my stress levels.
* Yummy food!

Today I got home and got a little overwhelmed so I decided to calm my self and read something spiritual. I typed into the search engine of LDS.org: "Life Changes"....and came up with this talk called "Finding Joy in the Journey" by President Monson. Ok, can you say perfectly what I needed to read. You can read it here: PRESS HERE

Here are some points that I enjoyed:

* "The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes."

* "I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."

* "My brothers and sisters, there is no tomorrow to remember if we don’t do something today....Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future."

* "Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know."

* "Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed."

This makes me excited to watch conference this weekend! Luv Sara.