To Be Made Smooth
When you find you can’t get through
Because the journey is just too tough
Remember He has enough power
To smooth the places that are rough
When life shows its rocky terrains
Where it’s hard to make it through
The Lord can cause the rough places
To eventually be made smooth
When you suffer unbearable things
That only the Lord comprehends
Put all your trust in Him
And He can make amends
When you can’t seem to move forward
And you feel you’ve reached your end
Know that Jesus Christ will help you
With all of His love to lend
By the power of His words
All the afflicted were soothed
So too can His words cause rough places
To finally be made smooth
©Alisha Gilbert
July ‘09
I love you to death (and forever after that!)
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Who Am I To Judge Another?
When I was a young girl, I would say 13 or 14, my older sister and I would watch the kids in the nursery for what was then, "homemaking," for the Relief Society. There was a particular mom whose kids were a little unruly, to say the least. One instance sticks in my mind. Her daughter had not been very nice to the kids in the nursery that night. I remember telling her mom when she came in to get her that she hadn't been very nice. The mom's response went something like this... "Oh. Come on, let's go home." (I honestly don't remember what she said exactly, but I remember her brushing it off and not saying a word to her daughter.) As a young girl this really bothered me. I immediately judged her thinking, "Really woman? You're not even going to get after her? You're not going to tell her that it was wrong? You aren't going to even tell her to apologize?" After that one time I sort of had a distaste for her.
Not too long after that instance, this woman became one of my young woman leaders. "Great!" I thought. I found out how wrong I had been about her. She was sooo much fun! I loved her! She was so fun to joke with and we always had a great time with her. Lesson learned. From a young age I learned the lesson of not judging others. Especially until you actually know them!
This is not to say I am perfect at not judging, because I am not. I can recall times I have made a quick judgment about someone and then I quickly am reminded that I myself am not perfect and neither is anything I do.
To go back to my earlier experience...who is to say this woman didn't handle it when they got in the car? Or when they got home? Maybe she didn't want to say something in front of everyone? Maybe she really didn't think it was important? Maybe she was tired and really just didn't want to deal with it? No matter the reason why, I am no judge. Yeah, it may have bothered me, but it didn't mean she was a bad mom or a bad person.
When I am in the store with my kids and Lilli is throwing her awesome little two-year-old-tantrums and everyone is staring, I immediately think, "All those mom's are judging on how I am handling the situation." Perhaps they are, and perhaps they're not. But I know all too often we are prone to judge people. We tend to think if someone doesn't think like us, do things like us, believe like us, eat like us, cook like us, or sit like us, (ok, maybe the last few are a bit extreme, but you get my point), then they are doing something so very wrong.
I know I want and need to be better at this. I definitely have moments where I find myself being quick to judge. There is this quote I found several years ago that really struck me. At the time I was working at a care center doing hair and also housekeeping. There was a woman I worked with who kind of got on my nerves. I don't know why, there was just something about her that did. And I remember feeling kind of annoyed and negative around her. And then I read this quote: "Be one who nurtures and builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them. If we could look into each others hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently...." (Marvin J. Ashton) It hit me like a ton of bricks, and I felt guilty. I wanted to be that kind of person. A kind of person who has an understanding and loving heart. Someone who nurtures and builds. Unless we actually know the person, and know their challenges, we don't know what they are facing in their life. Why they do the things they do.
I read a really good article something about trying to understand what happened "before the scene." (Terribly paraphrasing). The writer talked about how we never know what happened before we see the person and the situation [we may be judging them in]. He gave an example of a woman waiting in a line for a prescription and she had a crying baby. People in the line were making rude comments out loud about it. The author said that we have no idea what happened before she was in line at the pharmacy. They listed some things that could have happened before. If these people in the line making rude comments had known, perhaps they would have been a little more compassionate.
I know I am going to resolve to be more like my Savior. To consider "the unique challenges each of us faces." For, "who am I to judge another when I walk imperfectly?"
Not too long after that instance, this woman became one of my young woman leaders. "Great!" I thought. I found out how wrong I had been about her. She was sooo much fun! I loved her! She was so fun to joke with and we always had a great time with her. Lesson learned. From a young age I learned the lesson of not judging others. Especially until you actually know them!
This is not to say I am perfect at not judging, because I am not. I can recall times I have made a quick judgment about someone and then I quickly am reminded that I myself am not perfect and neither is anything I do.
To go back to my earlier experience...who is to say this woman didn't handle it when they got in the car? Or when they got home? Maybe she didn't want to say something in front of everyone? Maybe she really didn't think it was important? Maybe she was tired and really just didn't want to deal with it? No matter the reason why, I am no judge. Yeah, it may have bothered me, but it didn't mean she was a bad mom or a bad person.
When I am in the store with my kids and Lilli is throwing her awesome little two-year-old-tantrums and everyone is staring, I immediately think, "All those mom's are judging on how I am handling the situation." Perhaps they are, and perhaps they're not. But I know all too often we are prone to judge people. We tend to think if someone doesn't think like us, do things like us, believe like us, eat like us, cook like us, or sit like us, (ok, maybe the last few are a bit extreme, but you get my point), then they are doing something so very wrong.
I know I want and need to be better at this. I definitely have moments where I find myself being quick to judge. There is this quote I found several years ago that really struck me. At the time I was working at a care center doing hair and also housekeeping. There was a woman I worked with who kind of got on my nerves. I don't know why, there was just something about her that did. And I remember feeling kind of annoyed and negative around her. And then I read this quote: "Be one who nurtures and builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them. If we could look into each others hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently...." (Marvin J. Ashton) It hit me like a ton of bricks, and I felt guilty. I wanted to be that kind of person. A kind of person who has an understanding and loving heart. Someone who nurtures and builds. Unless we actually know the person, and know their challenges, we don't know what they are facing in their life. Why they do the things they do.
I read a really good article something about trying to understand what happened "before the scene." (Terribly paraphrasing). The writer talked about how we never know what happened before we see the person and the situation [we may be judging them in]. He gave an example of a woman waiting in a line for a prescription and she had a crying baby. People in the line were making rude comments out loud about it. The author said that we have no idea what happened before she was in line at the pharmacy. They listed some things that could have happened before. If these people in the line making rude comments had known, perhaps they would have been a little more compassionate.
I know I am going to resolve to be more like my Savior. To consider "the unique challenges each of us faces." For, "who am I to judge another when I walk imperfectly?"
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Visiting Bessie
Today we went and visited our sweet 95 year old friend, Bessie. When Lilli was 8 months old, we started to go sit with Bessie while her daughter, JoLeigh, was at work. Bessie has been living with her for a few years now and we had the privilege of going and sitting with her. She is the sweetest and kindest lady. Lilli absolutely adores her and so do I.
I love the elderly. That love started when I was in hair school. I had "regulars" who would come weekly to get their hair done. I loved it! (Ultimately, I would love to work in a care center doing hair). Because of this love for the elderly, I was excited to learn of this "job" to sit with Bessie. At the time things were tight financially and we were trying to find ways to earn extra money. The Lord knew this, and truly blessed us! While sitting in a primary presidency PPI with the bishop, the president mentioned her neighbor (JoLeigh) needing someone to sit with her mother and would pay $10 an hour. We had been talking about JoLeigh for a calling in the primary and that is when the president mentioned this. It really had nothing to do with what we were talking about, but I felt that this was the Lord's hand in it. After the meeting I told the president I would LOVE to do it if JoLeigh was ok with me bringing Lilli. So she talked to her neighbor and told her about me, and so JoLeigh called me. She basically called me to tell me when to come. So we started in December of 2012 and we quickly fell in love with Bessie. I truly enjoyed visiting her and getting to know her. Both of my grandma's have passed and it felt like I gained a new grandma.
JoLeigh is a HS teacher and works every other day because of the school's A/B schedule. So in the summer we didn't go help. So when we started again in the fall of 2013, I was pregnant with Coleson. We continued to go sit with her until I had Coleson, and then they started having hospice come in. So now, unfortunately we don't get to go sit with her every other day, but we try to visit her as much as we can.
Lilli, as I said, adores her! Every time I ask if she wants to go see Bessie, she gets soooo excited! It's so sweet. I hope that as my kids grow, I will have many opportunities to serve and visit the elderly so they can learn compassion and love for them.
I am so grateful to my loving Heavenly Father for not only giving me a chance to earn some extra money, but most of all get to know a very special woman. I will always treasure Bessie and the blessing it has been to get to know her and learn from her sweet, kind example.
As a side note: Today is day 3 of my no sugar journey. So far so good. I know it may be tempting this weekend when we go down to our family reunion, but I know I can be strong! Wish me luck! :)
I love the elderly. That love started when I was in hair school. I had "regulars" who would come weekly to get their hair done. I loved it! (Ultimately, I would love to work in a care center doing hair). Because of this love for the elderly, I was excited to learn of this "job" to sit with Bessie. At the time things were tight financially and we were trying to find ways to earn extra money. The Lord knew this, and truly blessed us! While sitting in a primary presidency PPI with the bishop, the president mentioned her neighbor (JoLeigh) needing someone to sit with her mother and would pay $10 an hour. We had been talking about JoLeigh for a calling in the primary and that is when the president mentioned this. It really had nothing to do with what we were talking about, but I felt that this was the Lord's hand in it. After the meeting I told the president I would LOVE to do it if JoLeigh was ok with me bringing Lilli. So she talked to her neighbor and told her about me, and so JoLeigh called me. She basically called me to tell me when to come. So we started in December of 2012 and we quickly fell in love with Bessie. I truly enjoyed visiting her and getting to know her. Both of my grandma's have passed and it felt like I gained a new grandma.
JoLeigh is a HS teacher and works every other day because of the school's A/B schedule. So in the summer we didn't go help. So when we started again in the fall of 2013, I was pregnant with Coleson. We continued to go sit with her until I had Coleson, and then they started having hospice come in. So now, unfortunately we don't get to go sit with her every other day, but we try to visit her as much as we can.
Lilli, as I said, adores her! Every time I ask if she wants to go see Bessie, she gets soooo excited! It's so sweet. I hope that as my kids grow, I will have many opportunities to serve and visit the elderly so they can learn compassion and love for them.
I am so grateful to my loving Heavenly Father for not only giving me a chance to earn some extra money, but most of all get to know a very special woman. I will always treasure Bessie and the blessing it has been to get to know her and learn from her sweet, kind example.
As a side note: Today is day 3 of my no sugar journey. So far so good. I know it may be tempting this weekend when we go down to our family reunion, but I know I can be strong! Wish me luck! :)
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Mirror, Mirror on The Wall
Don't look now, but this is my THIRD day in a row writing on my blog. Say what!? I probably shouldn't say anything...I may jinx myself. ;) Today also makes it my second day of my no sugar journey.
It really hasn't been hard, though it never is when there are no temptations. ;) When I get around temptations, it may be a different story. But, I think I may be surprised at how easy it will be.
Yesterday I went with my cute sisters-in-law to watch my youngest sister-in-law pick out her wedding dress. It is always so fun to hang out with the girls! I am so blessed to have married into such a wonderful family! I love them all so much.
While at the bridal store, there were mirrors, of course. Big mirrors. And I sat right in front of one. Not a good idea. I couldn't help but just stare at myself...in disgust. I tried to keep my eyes averted so I didn't see myself, but it was hard. The thing that kept running through my mind was, good thing you are trying to lose weight. That image is burned in my memory and I just can't believe how big I have gotten. Because this image is burned in my mind, it makes me that much more determined to lose weight.
This is a struggle I have had all my life. I have ALWAYS struggled with body image. Even the times I thought I was "fat," I was skinny! I am so blessed to have Casey as my husband. He is so good at telling me I am beautiful and getting after me when I am not so nice to myself. He lovingly reminds me that I need to really pay attention to how I look at myself in the mirror and how I talk about myself. And I am trying...really, really trying. I do not want my sweet Lilli (or any of my kids) to grow up having the same body image complex as I have always had. I want her to look in the mirror and see a beautiful, confident girl no matter her shape or size. I want her to know that no matter her weight, she is beautiful and wonderful and capable of anything she puts her mind to. However, she needs her mommy to teach her that. I never want to see her look in the mirror in disgust as I have often done, or say anything about her body as I have said about mine. So I am trying. I am consciously trying to not say anything about about my body, unless it is positive. I also am consciously trying not to have a look of disgust when I see my reflection in the mirror. It most definitely takes serious effort.
I am slowly getting there. It has taken a loving husband and three years to get where I am today, and I still have a long way to go! But I know I will get there! I am just so grateful to Casey who has boosted my self-image and my confidence in ways I know no one could have done but him. He truly is the best! I love him more and more every single day. Heavenly Father truly knew I needed Casey.
It really hasn't been hard, though it never is when there are no temptations. ;) When I get around temptations, it may be a different story. But, I think I may be surprised at how easy it will be.
Yesterday I went with my cute sisters-in-law to watch my youngest sister-in-law pick out her wedding dress. It is always so fun to hang out with the girls! I am so blessed to have married into such a wonderful family! I love them all so much.
While at the bridal store, there were mirrors, of course. Big mirrors. And I sat right in front of one. Not a good idea. I couldn't help but just stare at myself...in disgust. I tried to keep my eyes averted so I didn't see myself, but it was hard. The thing that kept running through my mind was, good thing you are trying to lose weight. That image is burned in my memory and I just can't believe how big I have gotten. Because this image is burned in my mind, it makes me that much more determined to lose weight.
This is a struggle I have had all my life. I have ALWAYS struggled with body image. Even the times I thought I was "fat," I was skinny! I am so blessed to have Casey as my husband. He is so good at telling me I am beautiful and getting after me when I am not so nice to myself. He lovingly reminds me that I need to really pay attention to how I look at myself in the mirror and how I talk about myself. And I am trying...really, really trying. I do not want my sweet Lilli (or any of my kids) to grow up having the same body image complex as I have always had. I want her to look in the mirror and see a beautiful, confident girl no matter her shape or size. I want her to know that no matter her weight, she is beautiful and wonderful and capable of anything she puts her mind to. However, she needs her mommy to teach her that. I never want to see her look in the mirror in disgust as I have often done, or say anything about her body as I have said about mine. So I am trying. I am consciously trying to not say anything about about my body, unless it is positive. I also am consciously trying not to have a look of disgust when I see my reflection in the mirror. It most definitely takes serious effort.
I am slowly getting there. It has taken a loving husband and three years to get where I am today, and I still have a long way to go! But I know I will get there! I am just so grateful to Casey who has boosted my self-image and my confidence in ways I know no one could have done but him. He truly is the best! I love him more and more every single day. Heavenly Father truly knew I needed Casey.
Monday, August 11, 2014
No Sugar Journey: Day 1
Well today is the day! Although it is only 11 AM, I am feeling good about this. I weighed myself this morning and it confirmed my decision that I NEED to get serious about this. I know I can do this!
The kids and I went on a walk this morning. Holy hat rack. Where we live, anywhere you go, you will eventually have to go up a hill to return home. My normal route home is a steep hill, but not super long. But to change things up a bit, I decided to go a different way. Huh-uh, yeah...bad idea. It was all fun and games until I came to the biggest hill of. my. life! Ha! I felt like it was a mile long hill and that at any moment I could collapse, and the stroller would roll over me and down the hill. Although, let's be honest, if I did collapse, I would quite likely be the break for the stroller to stop. :) Once I got to the top of the hill, I felt like dying, but I was proud of myself! I even said, "Good job, Lish," to myself. I am a good cheerleader. :P
This will take self discipline, which I clearly lack. But I want to prove to myself that I CAN do this! I have a goal to lose 40-60 pounds. Oy! I will need all the cheerleaders I can get! :)
My motto is going to be: "Move more, eat less." I've got this! :)
The kids and I went on a walk this morning. Holy hat rack. Where we live, anywhere you go, you will eventually have to go up a hill to return home. My normal route home is a steep hill, but not super long. But to change things up a bit, I decided to go a different way. Huh-uh, yeah...bad idea. It was all fun and games until I came to the biggest hill of. my. life! Ha! I felt like it was a mile long hill and that at any moment I could collapse, and the stroller would roll over me and down the hill. Although, let's be honest, if I did collapse, I would quite likely be the break for the stroller to stop. :) Once I got to the top of the hill, I felt like dying, but I was proud of myself! I even said, "Good job, Lish," to myself. I am a good cheerleader. :P
This will take self discipline, which I clearly lack. But I want to prove to myself that I CAN do this! I have a goal to lose 40-60 pounds. Oy! I will need all the cheerleaders I can get! :)
My motto is going to be: "Move more, eat less." I've got this! :)
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