To Do Today (or soon!)

I have a book review I have been meaning to write.  I finished the book a month ago.  I probably need to read it again now to refresh my memory.
I have another book I recieved several months ago.  I was excited to read it, but have yet to finish it.  It's boring.
I need to fufill my commitments.
It is my last night of swimming lessons for this session.
Laundry is NEVERending.
Granola needs to be made.  I love homemade granola!
I hope to find some good deals at the grocery store.

Good, Better, Best

This is the story of two sisters who were both excited about the guest coming to dinner at their home, but the way they showed it was different. One hurried around getting things ready, distracted by her preparations. The other sat and listened to the guest excited just to be near him. Perhaps the first sister grew a little bitter and resented the second. Here she was doing all the work, and her sister just sat! She asked that her sister help, but the guest said the sister who was sitting had chosen the one thing that was necessary.

I imagine many of you recognize the account of Martha and her sister Mary who received a visit from Jesus in Luke 10:38-42. I struggled with this story as I am sure many other women do. I think, Martha was doing good, they had to eat, isn't it important to serve. This week as I studied that passage I noticed something. Verse 38 says that Martha welcomed Jesus, she was glad he was there, she truly loved him, but later in verse 40 she became distracted by all she had to do and her focus was no longer on where it should be- her Savior and her God! Martha was not wrong in her kitchen prep, she was wrong in her attitude and her heart. She was over-occupied and too busy. Who does that happen to? Being over-occupied and too busy? Not me I am sure ;) Martha only remembered her service and forgot the One she was serving! She forgot her purpose, her one thing.

Jesus told Martha that she was worried and bothered about so many things but only one thing is necessary and Mary had chosen that! (verse 42) Mary understood the 'good, better, best' concept. Getting supper ready was good, doing it with a happy attitude would be better, meditation, devotion, and worship is the best. Mary's time spent at the feet of Jesus would last for eternity, would not be taken away from her.

Ken Guire says in his book, Intimate Moments With the Savior, "Jesus says something extraordinary about what Mary did: it would become a permanent part of her life; it would count for eternity. Quite a promise. And what did Mary do? All she did was sit. It was where she sat that made the difference."

So how do I apply good, better, best in my life? I remember that there will be time to pick up toys and vacuum another day. It means that I do not have to make every meal homemade. It is okay to miss a class or meeting. What is good and better will be different for every person, but the best always is resting at the Savior's feet. When I focus on the one relationship that matters most, mine with my Lord, the other relationships do not be come less, they become better and more fulfilling! I love better as a wife, mother, daughter, friend.

What is your One Thing? Has something 'good' has replaced the best in your life?

Clutter Control

Do you see that pillow? The orange and blue one? It says "DREAMY" and is covered in stars? Yes, that's it, the one that matches nothing in any one's house and serves no useful purpose.

I won that pillow for Andy and a theme park or carnival when we were dating. It has sentimental value. It also left little furry orange fluff around the house. We needed to get rid of it, but I like it...

Thanks to a wonderful tip from my mother, we took a picture and trashed the pillow! Now I can remember how mushy I felt about Andy, but not have excess things in my home!

Do you have things like this in your house? A necklace your son made for you when he was 5. He's 30 now. A ridiculous sombrero from your favorite vacation, but you need room for kids clothes now. A set of drinking glasses your sister gave you and you never use.

You know what organizing experts say- if you don't love it or use it regularly, get rid of it! But there are somethings that mean so much to us because of the giver who means so much to us! Take a picture of yourself using those items, then get 'em out of your house!

I am getting rid of 730 things this year as part of Amy's challenge!

2010 Here We Come!

Today I have been reading blogs about New Year's Resolutions which inspired me to write down a few goals of my own. I love lists because they help me know what needs to be done!

-Save $200/month in a separate account. (This is for a larger vehicle when we someday have more kids.)

-Read my Bible daily
-Do my Precepts study! (These two are related!)

-Work daily with Eli on colors/numbers/letters

-declutter!
-Put things on Craigslist and get them outta here!

The Before Baby To Do List

(This is Eli when he was just a week old! Isn't he precious? I thought he would be good on the baby list!)

1. Make and Freeze meals and snacks so we can eat after the baby is born. I will post this list later.

2. Paint baby room. I cannot do this until we know if we are having a boy or girl, next month hopefully!

3. Go through guest room, that is to become baby room, and clean out JUNK! Get rid of junk.

4. Figure out a place to put the piles of maternity clothes I have, which I am very thankful to my cousin and sister for their contributions!

5. Go through all of the baby clothes, toys, and accessories that are in storage, so I can see what I have and if anything is needed.

6. Rearrange furniture between Eli's room and the baby's. We need to move the crib and switch dressers and transition Eli to a big bed this summer.

7. Basically go through each room in the house and clean it out. I should have a garage sale, but I don't think I can do that. Instead we will be making numerous thrift store trips or posting on FreeCycle or Craigslist.

8. Deep cleaning of things like base boards, ceiling fans, walls, etc.

I will amend this as needed, which I think will be often as I realize more that needs to be done!