An Afternoon on the Couch

"What matters most almost always involves the people around us."
-Thomas S. Monson

I love this quote, and oh, how true it is.  I have had a lovely morning and afternoon to spend with my grandma and it's a memory I don't want to forget.

After her usual Cheerios and banana for breakfast, Grandma got dressed and we set out to make cookies.  That's the routine when you're with Grandma.  So we decided on Snickerdoodles because they're her favorite.  We whipped up six dozen cookies, singing hymns as we scooped and rolled the dough--except I had to sing an octave higher because she sings so low!  But those were some pretty good Snickerdoodles.

After making cookies, Grandma went and sat in her favorite corner of the couch.  I jumped over the armrest of the other couch to lay on my back with my feet hanging over the edge.  Grandma said,
"I sure envy you being able to lay down like that."
I told her, "You can lay down if you want."
"I guess I could."

And so I watched her as she struggled to take her slipper boots off and re-position her body to lay down on the couch.  The silly comments she made to herself while she did this made me laugh.

"If you keep laughing at me I'm going to throw something at you," she threatened.
"What are you going to throw at me?"
"A cookie."
"But then you'd have to get up and go get one."
"You're right, I guess I won't do that.  I should've brought some over with me so I could throw one at you and eat two!"

I just laughed and laughed. We laid there on the couches in silence, just resting and thinking.

A couple minutes later she said,
"Oh, I don't know if I can fall asleep with my glasses on."
"Why don't you take them off, then?" I asked.
"Because then I'd have to get up to go put them away, and I don't want to do that."

Again, I couldn't help but laugh.  Then she said it was a good thing I was on the other couch, otherwise she would kick me.
""Why would you kick me??"
"I don't know," she said, kind of shamefully.  She went on, "No I wouldn't kick you, no matter what you said or did..."
"Oh, thank you, Grandma!"
"...unless you were in the right position."  What?? I just laughed some more.

Oh how I cherish these small, simple moments I have to spend with my grandma.  Despite the frustrating effects of old age, there is so much to be enjoyed.  Her desire to serve others and not be a burden is inspiring.  Her sense of humor is still there and it adds so much joy to the journey.  There isn't a lot she can remember, but she can remember the words of the hymns of Christ.  And that is so powerful to me.  Those are the things of eternal value.

It truly is the simple things that matter most in life.  There is always more time to study, to clean, to fold laundry, to wash dishes, to organize.  But the time we have to be with those we love in this life is limited.  We can't say "stop, time" to capture a moment or a season of life.  What we can do, though, is cherish it, take advantage of it, savor every opportunity we have to love and lift and learn from those we love.  Just like the story of Mary and Martha, have we chosen the good part, the part that won't be taken away from us?  Are we laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven?  These are the treasures that will last forever.  These are the treasures that will not be taken away, because we are going to live forever with those we love.

For now,

Alyssa

My Joy is Carried Away

Today has been one of those days that is just indescribable.  Blessings have been poured down upon me and I cannot find words sufficient to describe my gratitude and joy.  To start out, I woke up at 3:20 in order to shower, study my scriptures, and pack my lunch before heading to the temple.  I love early mornings, but I don't think there's anything better than waking up early to go to the temple.  It's my favorite.  And so I drove to the temple, singing hymns to myself on the way and it was lovely.  (Well, I'm not sure it would be to another person, but it was a lovely time for me).

While working in the temple I have breaks periodically where I can study ordinances or scriptures.  A couple weeks ago I decided that I was going to finish the Book of Mormon as a birthday gift to myself.  So this morning as I was in the temple I finished the Book of Mormon, and oh, how great was my joy.  I was filled with the purest and sweetest happiness as the Spirit bore witness to me of the truth of that beloved book.  (Alma 26:16, 35-37 come pretty close to describing it)  I love that book.  I love the Book of Mormon.  I love Alma and the incredible missionary he was, I love the humble and wise words of King Benjamin, I love the faith of the brother of Jared, the diligence and obedience of Nephi, and I love that part where the Savior invites us all to arise and come unto Him, to see the prints of the nails in His hands and in His feet.  I love my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know that He lives.  I know that it is by reading this book that we come to know Him, understand Him, recognize Him, and become perfected in Him.

The rest of my time in the temple was tender and sacred, and then I headed off to work.  And just because the Lord is so good, I was able to meet a sweet young lady who is preparing to serve a mission in Nauvoo, Illinois (pretty much my favorite place in the entire world).  I could not contain the excitement I felt for her when she told me she is going to serve in Nauvoo.  I shared with her my thoughts and feelings about Nauvoo and expressed to her my love for that beautiful place.  As I spoke of the missionaries in Nauvoo and my experiences with them, tears of joy threatened and I felt of the power of missionary work when we are all united in the cause of Christ.  The girl's mom said she felt they needed to meet me and she was so grateful for what I shared.  And I thought about that and was so humbled and full of gratitude because I felt I needed that experience more than they did.  It was a great strength to me and an expression of Heavenly Father's love, especially as Satan is trying so hard to rip me apart and discourage me from serving God.  And then two of my dear friends both received their mission calls tonight, and as I drove home this evening, I was overcome with joy and excitement to be a part of this great work.  I could hardly sit still.  There is power in this work.  It is the work of God.

"THE STANDARD OF TRUTH HAS BEEN ERECTED; No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but THE TRUTH OF GOD WILL GO FORTH boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the great Jehovah shall say: the work is done."

(Joseph Smith)

I am honored to be called to this holy work.  I am honored to be a daughter of the Almighty God.  I am honored to bear His name and preach His gospel.

For now,

Alyssa