Sacred Work

I arrived at my visiting teaching appointment still sweaty from my run. My lungs were all juiced up, as the physical activity had loosened up all the congestion I've been battling for the past few days. In the middle of explaining to Am B. (my visiting teachee) about Eliza's Wish and Team Give (Am's a cyclist and was interested in some of the organized rides planned for this year), I felt that distinctive tickle in my throat that quickly turned into an asthmatic event. My poor partner, as well as Am, were much alarmed and concerned for my safety, hopping up immediately to get a glass a water, pound my back, get me a throat lozenge. I non verbally indicated that I would be fine, that I just needed to sit and let my throat relax, and that they should just carry on with the discussion at hand, which was this month's visiting teaching message in the Ensign magazine. I listened as they talked about how the Relief Society organization of the Church is under the Priesthood and "after the pattern of the priesthood," and how this truly does give our service to one another a sacredness.

"We operate in the manner of the priesthood--which means that we seek, receive, and act on revelation; make decisions in council; and concern ourselves with the caring for individuals one by one."

It is a beautiful concept to me that something as basic as a pat on the back and a glass of water-- or offering to help deliver baby shower invites, or just being a much needed friend--becomes "sacred work" as we love and serve one another.

Boo Y U

If I was rating colleges on their customer service skills and willingness to help their students succeed, graduate and then VACATE THE PREMISES in a timely manner (i.e. less than 5 years), I would have to give BYU a big, tall, spindly F. No, an F does not give it enough weight. How about an F++++++++ (cue Ralphie's dream sequence from A Christmas Story, only in reverse). Come on, BYU, give my girl a break. Especially on her birthday. She just wants to get in and get out and allow another paying customer to take her place. You, powers that be at the Y, should be bending--OVER BACKWARDS--to help her on her way out the door. Badly done, BYU...badly done!

Knowledge

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NEW KNOWLEDGE!

We have had our Mac for about 4 months now, which we purchased along with a One to One subscription. It's taken me this long to figure out how to even make the appointment online with the Apple store. On the day of my appointment, I wrote down a list of all the little things I couldn't figure out how to do (such as: how do I throw away a stack of 459 photo's that I inadvertently saved to my desktop without having to trash them one at a time? How do I find the icon for my scanner? How to I unblock cookies so that I can actually sign out of my hotmail account?) It's scary how technologically crippled I am. But not any more! I met with the very nice Nicole, who enthusiastically and very patiently walked me through all the different computer functions that would help me perform all the tasks on my list that have baffled me thus far. That stack of photos was gone with a quick selection box and drag to the virtual trash can. Poof! I learned all about the smiley faced finder box in the bottom left hand corner of my monitor. I reset my Safari browser. I learned how to get all of my pictures and music that are currently living on any three of our Macs and put them onto one computer, using Photo Share and Home Sharing. Life is exciting and good and I love my Macs. I think I am ready to move on to learning about movie- and book making.

In another arena, Madi and I started our CNA class this week at Lakeview Hospital. We thought it would be fun to train together. Madi wants to test the waters of the medical field and she thought that this would be a good place to start. I just wanted to see if I could still learn anything. Plus, it's a little scary for me to try something so far out of my comfort zone. I know that this will be good for me. I am such a creature of habit and comfort, that I really have to force myself to experience new things and allow growth. Also, my children (okay, Steve also) are convinced that I have no sympathy when it comes to taking care of the sick and afflicted. Obviously this is a deficiency in my character that could benefit from correction. As we were discussing the various duties of CNA's and opportunities for service, I kept feeling strongly about Hospice care. I am surrounded by many wonderful elderly men and women that I would love to serve and help bring comfort to in their last years. I might even be able to finally give my family some sympathy when they are sick!