Something from my purse

Yes, I do periodically clean out my purse. It is black leather and has many compartments. My favorite is the one which holds my cell phone because is it on the outside and therefore easy to grab. Otherwise my cell phone might be in one of the main compartments where it would be lost and perhaps hard to hear when it rings.

Anyway. . . . Today after tossing out some receipts, putting recipes in the recipe box, and deciding to put back the Cheesecake Factory take-out menu (because you never know when it might come in handy), some quilting guides, information pages on identifying autism, "The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ" booklet, and some blank yellow Post-Its, I ran across some notes I jotted last August while on vacation. (Whew! That was one L O N G sentence!)

Bob and I were sitting in a Murray, Utah, ward testimony meeting last August with Robin and her three oldest children. John had gone home with "the babies." Bobby leaned over to me and whispered that sometimes people just don't get up right away, but that they probably would after a while. So in the quiet time, I jotted down some thoughts, just in case it continued to be slow.

I had found a great plaque at Seagull Books the day before when I went there to get my copy of Stephenie Meyer's Breaking Dawn on its first day of release. It said, "It's never too late to live happily ever after." Having raised our family and knowing I could have been a better parent then and knowing I could be a better parent and grandparent NOW, it caught my attention immediately. I put the quote at the head of our blog also, as you might notice.

Among a flood of thoughts that came when I found that plaque were echos from my patriarchal blessing. I realized that too often I coast along and give up, thinking the time has passed and I have failed to be the kind of parent and homemaker I have the potential--as a child of God--to be. About this time also, I read--where, I can't remember--what someone said that also made me stop and think. "I didn't try harder because I thought I wasn't good enough." That stated in one short sentence the way I also had been thinking over the years. I mean, I know my strengths, and I thank the Lord for blessing me with with talents and interests and sources for learning and doing oh so many things.

But when it came to some things I judged myself "not good enough." Now the plaque sums up in a few simple words what the truth really is. When I pray and listen, Heavenly Father lets me know through the voice of the Spirit that I am good enough and that I should try harder.

It's amazing how we find guidance when we get out of our routine and look around. I always enjoy our time going out West to visit family and friends on our summer vacations. This past summer was extra special in that all three of us Reisewitz girls were together for more than two weeks! Driving across this beautiful country, taking time to relax and visit, and renewing our marriage vows by going to the Salt Lake Temple--all of these things take me to places I love and refresh my soul.

I'm so thankful for these recent experiences. I love the plaque and know it is true that it is never too late, not even for those of us in our "senior years." The testimony meeting warmed up, and I enjoyed the Spirit brought by ward members, including Robin, who spoke of her Grandpa Anderson's strong love of country and strong testimony of the gospel. I did not have to go to the rescue by bearing my testimony. But the time I spent putting my thoughts together--just in case--very much impacted the rest of my day, week, month, and hopefully year. It was an especially great vacation for me this year.

And any day now I plan to remove my new plaque from the back of the Trailblazer and put it up in our living room!!!