Yes, It's Me.

I've had many people call, come up and talk to me, email me and facebook me asking if the article in the Ensign this month is mine.

Yes.

It is entitled "His Grace Is Sufficient". You can read it here.

I wrote it almost two years ago. I had an experience one morning and I felt like it was something that other people might benefit from. The problem was that it was a very personal experience and I didn't really want to share it with the whole (LDS) world.

However, there are times as a writer when I feel like the words coming out of me are being Divinely directed-- there is no writer's block, no lack of inspiration. It is at those times that I know that the Lord is asking me to share something, and this was one of those times.

I sent it to the Ensign-- to the same editor that I worked with before for my other article. They immediately accepted it for publication-- which never happens. And then I waited for a year and a half for it to be printed.

I have worried about it coming out because it exposes some very personal challenges-- things I don't really like to talk about. Quite honestly, it's been about as embarrassing as I expected. I even had one well-intentioned (?) sister ask me, "What made you do that?" So, here I am, answering her question.

I did it because the Spirit told me to.

It was hard and uncomfortable, but sometimes using the talents we are given means that we squirm a little. It's okay. It makes us strong. It makes us humble. And it makes us valuable to God. Isn't that worth a little embarrassment?

I'll keep telling myself that...

Errands of Angels

I've been in the Relief Society Presidency for over 3 years now. When I got called in, I had never served in the Relief Society before-- many things were new to me. I was not a big attender of Homemaking / Enrichment / RS Meetings or whatever you want to call them. I was a marginal visiting teacher-- mostly going because I had a great partner. I went to Relief Society, but I don't know that I considered myself part of the Relief Society, if that makes any sense.

Needless to say, the last three years have been an eye-opening experience. I have had opportunities to serve that I never could have anticipated. I have taken countless meals, loaves of bread, made hundreds of visits for birthdays, Christmas, sickness-- you name it. I have spent entire days preparing for, serving, and cleaning up funeral dinners. My life has been blessed by these opportunities, and I have tried to involve my family in this service as well by taking them with me when possible. I have hoped that my daughter especially has learned a love for Relief Society Service.

However, over the last couple of weeks, we've had an experience in our family that has taught Emalee-- and me-- about the receiving end of Relief Society.

A little background. Emalee has been going through the 11 year old angst of popping out every once in a while with "everyone hates me." Nothing out of the ordinary for her age, but still disturbing to a parent, as nothing I say seems to help. Then, two weeks ago, she broke her foot. Now, instead of just everyone hating her, she's sure the whole universe hated her. The broken foot kept her from going to her brother's birthday party. It kept her from a babysitting job that she wanted. Most recently, she found out that it's keeping her from the 5th grade over-night Space Center trip.

However, in her darkest moments over the past 10 days, Heavenly Father has sent messages to her that He still loves her. These messages have come in the form of Relief Society sisters who have shown up just at the right moments-- angels who have brought her notes, crossword puzzles, cookies, and other little gifts to let her know that she is loved. In fact, the other day, I actually heard her say the opposite of her old phrase, "Mom, I have felt so loved through this whole broken foot thing."

Just last night, she was actually crying on the couch feeling sorry for herself, when a beautiful sister who had been Em's primary teacher, came through the storm just to bring her a note and a candybar. I cannot thank her enough for listening to the Spirit and providing a service for my daughter that I was unable to provide.

I am so humbled to be on the other end of the Relief Society spectrum-- it makes me realize how important it is to follow those promptings when they come and not to put them off. I thank all of those sisters from the bottom of my heart for what they have done for Emalee-- I can truly see how this trial of hers is working for her own good.

Amazing how gospel principles work out just like they are supposed to...

Mission Impossible

January is over-- (hooray!) and I've managed to keep my resolution so far to help my family to eat better. This means planned out meals (so as to keep the emergency Little Caesar's nights to a minimum), more of those green things on our plates, and less of the crap in my cupboards.

However, past attempts at this goal have taught me something very important-- man (and the Garrett family) cannot live on grilled chicken and brown rice alone.

So, I have embarked on a journey to find new and exciting ways to make healthy food. Food that isn't gross.

I know, Mission Impossible.

Some of my efforts have been more successful than others. For example:

*You can substitute fat free sour cream for regular in just about every recipe with no negative consequences. It is NOT as good on baked potatoes...
*You can choose to go low fat, low calorie or low sodium. All three at once and you are pretty much eating oatmeal. For every meal.
*Special K with red berries is the best of the Special K line. You can eat a whole cup for a serving instead of 3/4. It tastes good and doesn't need the teaspoon of sugar that a bowl of Cheerios demands.
*Fiber One and Kashi stuff gives the whole family gas. Best avoided.
*Harper's Homemade Bran Bread is the best bang for the calories-- more fiber, less sugar and a sandwich made with it actually keeps a nine year old boy satisfied for more than 5 minutes. You can get it at Walmart, but it's cheaper at Macey's.
*Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches-- 140 calories and they will trick your tastebuds into thinking that you actually ate something delicious.
*One "free day" a week keeps husbands on board with the plan.

The trick is to do all of this without making my kids anorexic. You walk a fine line to teach them to make good choices without making them scared of the consequences of bad ones. Anyone got any other good tips for me?