OUT OF THE ORDINARY

Every seven weeks I venture to Salt Lake to hang out with Karamea.  A couple of weeks ago I received an email from my supervisor at work saying he would like me to attend a Grant Writing Workshop January 26 and 27.  I was already planning to be in Salt Lake for the weekend so as it turns out...I have been in living in the northern haze of Salt Lake City since Tuesday.  While I have missed the sunshine and blue skies of Southern Utah, I have gathered a wealth of information on grant writing and manufactured memories with Karamea. 

Grant Writing Workshop

The best way to describe my grant writing instructor is to say, "his presentation was passionately contagious."  John O'Malley has a wealth of knowledge and his workshop was engaging and informative.  I feel inspired to return to work on Monday and put my new knowledge into practice.  I have pages and pages of notes and John has promised to send all who certified in the class, his power point presentation.  I am excited to study the in depth details of what was crammed into a two day workshop.  

This tool is one that he gave us and can be used in any given situation.

The problem is ________________________________.

It is cause by __________________________________.

The perfect solution is ___________________________.

Without solving the problem _______________________will happen.

John told the class that this exercise was used while he was serving in the Navy.  It is a great tool for strengthening communication skills.

Manufacturing Memories

Karamea and I have been roommates since Tuesday and it has been a delight.  My world is so full of boys and testosterone.  I have thoroughly enjoyed a few days to focus on all things pink.  Wednesday after class we went to the World Market.  I love this place.  A small corner of the store is dedicated to International Foods.  We picked up a few things but the greatest discovery was Herbal Water - refreshing to the last drop.  I must find a way for distribution in St. George.  Thursday after class we became lost in the world of IKEA.  Acres and acres of home decor.  Karamea added to her elephant collection by purchasing an Elephant plant.  I picked up a lamp for my bedroom.  The World Market and IKEA - two places that do not exist in St. George.

Added Bonus

Rakai, Carly and a couple of other friends are in Salt Lake for the weekend.  We are meeting them at Oasis in an hour for breakfast.  I love Oasis!  A few more hours and I will be headed back to St. George and all the surprises that go with it.

BEHOLD THY HANDMAID

I am captivated by the reverence of Mary.  It was the depth of her love for God which governed her life.  She was humble and submissive and willing to give all.  The Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and  greeted her by saying, "Hail, thou art highly favored, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women."  Mary, in her humility, cannot even comprehend why he is addressing her in that way.  

The angel tells Mary that she will be the mother of the Son of God and how this will be accomplished.  Mary, understanding the consequences of this act simply says, "For with God nothing shall be impossible...behold thy handmaid...be it unto me according to thy word."  

It is in the first and second chapters of Luke where we are introduced to Mary and where we learn the simple beauty of her spirit.  I want to exemplify Mary's character.  Her reverence, her solitude, her peace.  One day I will meet her and I will embrace her as the mother of my Savior and the heroin of my soul.

WOMEN OF RELIEF SOCIETY

This is a long weekend and so there were many visitors at church today.  The Relief Society room was packed with sisters.  I was scheduled to give the lesson so I was feeling quite connected to the spirit.  As I waited for the meeting to start, I sat quietly listening to the chatter of women around me.  Women speaking of their children and grandchildren and of their humanitarian projects.  

My mind wandered back to Tuesday of this past week.  I had to attend the Business and Professional Women's luncheon.  Another room full of women but with a completely different spirit.  Here the glitter of painted faces, greeting each other with compliments of outward appearance - "I love your jacket", "What a beautiful necklace".  These are women connected for networking purposes.  Furthering their personal agendas.

In contrast the LDS organization of women called Relief Society carries a motto - Charity Never Faileth.

The spirit in the room on this Sunday was peaceful and touching.  There were angels among us and they were felt.  This was a wonderful thing as I stepped to the podium to share the lesson I had prepared.  The topic today was on fasting.

I learned so much in my preparation the greatest of which is a quote from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin - "Fasting and prayer can help develop within us courage and confidence.  It can strengthen our character and build self-restraint and discipline.  Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have greater power.  Testimonies grow.  We mature spiritually and emotionally and sanctify our souls.  Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions." 

If this is the reward for a sincere fast then I would choose to be anxiously engaged.

UNINSPIRED

I would like to write some powerful piece of inspiration but presently, nothing comes to mind.  I'm sure it is because mind body and soul are out of balance and I'm feeling a little of this... 

Longing...for something better
Grateful...for warmth of the sun
Wandering...through my wilderness
Looking...for tangibility
Dreaming...of an island
Eager...for something different 

A WORLD OF WHITE

I woke to a blanket of white on this first Monday of 2011.  Reading facebook posts you'd think all of my St. George friends were in a fantasy world of white.  But for me that world of white leaves me feeling cold and shivery. 

I live in the dessert to enjoy the warmth that it is supposed to bring.  Growing up in Calgary, Alberta and living just an hour from the Canadian Rockies has given me all the snowy experiences I ever needed for my lifetime.  You'd think all those years in Canada I'd be a skier or skater or something.  But no, I spent my winters wishing for warmth and the summers were always way too short.

I'm certain I am destined for someplace tropical.  My goal for 2011 - find a way to move to a tropical island.