Things Learned in Blogland

I have this friend named LeShel who constantly inspires me. In my mind we are really good friends and I am pretty sure she moved here to be my spiritual confidant and forever friend. In reality, we are both phone-phobic and super shy so we mostly know each other through blogging and quick conversations in the halls at church and church events. I resolve to one day know her much better, but for now I am so glad for all that she shares on her blog because I often find answers in her words.

Just a few weeks ago she posted about carrying the Savior's cross. She was wondering if she would have physically picked up and carried the cross (she would have!). She went on to talk about how we can carry the cross in the ways that we serve. Her words have been with me every day since and helped me on a few days when I really wanted to murmur about my responsibilities.

I hope you don't mind if I share just a couple examples with you. Just kidding, I don't care if you mind. I am going to do it anyway.

First up, cleaning the church.

In our ward, we take turns cleaning the church. We do not have a custodian. One year our ward cleans and the next year the other ward cleans. It is our turn. They made the schedule for this year and when they announced the first families to clean, ta-da, there we were. We have grumbled our way through it before, while dragging three kids through the building. It is never much fun and I was none too excited about it.

Three families get assigned to clean each week and usually do it on Saturday. My friend, Jamie, was scheduled to clean with us and couldn't come on Saturday. She asked if we could all meet on Thursday. Alex was home puking that Wednesday and I almost hoped that he would still be puking Thursday so that I could skip. Isn't that so evil?

But then I started thinking about carrying the cross, and it hit me that I WOULD NOT HAVE carried the cross if I was unwilling to even go scrub a few toilets in our house of worship. I was humbled and penitent. I knew that I needed to go and that I needed to want to go. After praying about it, I wanted to go on Thursday with the other families, because Seth would be at work. If I waited to do my part until Saturday, he would have come to help me, which is originally what I wanted. But as I thought of all that Seth does for me and how long he works each week, I wanted to lift this burden from him. I prayed for Alex to get well, and was happy to send him off vibrant and whole the next morning. I also hoped and prayed that Chloe would be good so that I could do my share. With my attitude adjustment in place, I got ready to carry the cross.

And then the snow started. Just a dusting....yeah, right!!! Is anyone else starting to notice that when they tell us 1 inch we end up shoveling 5? I am terrified of driving in the snow, but I prayed again and slowly made my way to the church. I slid completely through one intersection at a red light (SCARY!) but I made it.

So we cleaned. Me and Jamie and the Thomases. I know Jamie a little bit (another one I am supposed to be better friends with than I am) but I have never had the chance to get to know the Thomases. It may sound so lame, but I felt a bond with them by the time we left. Everyone immediately got to work. I felt so good and each time I went in to a new room I was thinking of the people who meet in that room and how grateful I am to belong to a ward family. Jamie cleaned all the toilets, which gives her extra blessings in heaven, and I got my favorite jobs (vacuuming, kitchen, mopping). When the checklist was done, we added projects to the list because I think we were all feeling a great love for the gospel that we are blessed to be taught in that little building. We wanted to do it right. Chloe was outstanding! She followed the Thomases around and called them Grandma and Grandpa, but she never fussed and never got in the way. I walked away so happy with how beautiful the Lord's house looked and with how His spirit felt flowing through my soul.

And I knew, at least for that moment, that I would have carried the cross.

I have learned though, that we are constantly asked to carry the cross and I am trying to be more aware and to answer the call each time. I had another opportunity last night.

Months ago we scheduled the Great to be 8 Fireside for February 6th at 6:00. At the time I did not know that would be Superbowl Sunday and I did not know the Packers would be playing. A few weeks ago, when I realized what I had done, I really wanted to postpone that meeting, or even skip it. My friend, and partner in crime, Andra, does Great to be 8 every year. All I have to do is bring refreshments, but I always go because it is my calling, and I love my Primary kids. This year I really didn't want to go. I toyed with the idea of changing the date, and knew that I could make that call if I wanted to, but it didn't feel right. Even though I knew that other people might also miss it because of the Superbowl, I could not put a football game before baptism.

It was really hard to drag myself out of the house 2 seconds after the coin toss that started the big game. Really hard. It didn't help that I was so sick and had already dragged my weak body to church and meetings. I knew I had a bullet proof excuse to stay home, if I wanted to use it. And it didn't help that it was snowing AGAIN. I am starting to believe that the devil himself is solely responsible for the weather in Wisconsin in the winter and that his primary mission is to thwart my efforts at discipleship.

I prayed and backed out of my driveway, dreams of a green and gold Superbowl party fading from my view. I knew I had done what Heavenly Father wanted me to do.

The fireside was awesome. I could feel the Spirit reminding me of how eternally important baptism is and the feeling there was so different than the feeling I had at the conclusion of the game. Don't get me wrong, both feelings were AWESOME, but I knew that only one was eternal.

I rushed home, where Seth had waited, so that we could watch the game together. We fast forwarded through commercials and half time, but we watched every second of the action. Best game ever, even if everybody else knew who won before we did and even without a cute party.

Today I feel like I have won my own little Superbowl. I am learning what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am learning to carry the cross. If I were given a parade or asked for a postgame interview I would have to thank LeShel, for reminding me who I am and why I serve.

And just so you don't go around thinking I am getting all holier than thou, I will tell you that I plan to be completely and utterly irresponsible tomorrow. As in, Seth is skipping work, we are taking the kids out of school, and piano, and Activity Days and we are going to LAMBEAU, baby! I am only human after all, and I am taking a make-up on that optional snow day that I skipped last Friday.

Alright, now I have to go drink a gallon of Nyquil and reclaim my corner of the couch so that I am well enough to enjoy myself tomorrow.