Coincidentally, I'm wearing my seersucker sperrys today. East coast represent.
I stayed up until 2:30 am to finish a fantastic book, the kind so intense that midway through you realize you've been holding your breath and you let it out in one giant Whooosh. I love that intensity, the surges of adrenaline and the emotions that race across the pages, I was practically shaking when it was over.
I found Terabithia!! Actually it's just Theodore Roosevelt Memorial island, but to me, it's Terabithia. It's magical, awe-inspiring, like walking into your own private little world. Giant trees circle the memorial like sentries, casting shade everywhere. I love the four giant stone tablets, filled with quotes by Theodore Roosevelt, many of which I'd never read before. Surprisingly for a Saturday, it wasn't very crowded. My new not-so-secret hangout for sure, I can't wait to go back.
This week's shoutout goes to Kim Blatter, you know you have seriously great friends when they send you inspirational and cool quotes. Also, I received a couple of great book suggestions this week, greatly appreciated. I decided two things this week. Rollerblading is back in action (is it good exercise for the thighs?! What muscles am I working exactly?), I'm thinking I'll start rollerblading to the tennis courts. Double the fun. And, thanks to feedback, I started writing a book this week. Fiction, of course. The storyline is still a work in progress, but it's officially in my five year plan to complete it and send to publishers. I have a bit of a crazy imagination, so if you're willing to talk through my storyline with me or read chapters to make sure it's realistic, let me know.
This week's lesson involved a lot of prayers being answered. It was a horrendous, 95 degree, hauling my suitcase around, frizzy lion-mane-hair kind of day. By total miracle I found myself at institute class. The lesson that night was on continuing in education. Odd, since I've been getting some definitely strong promptings in that area. A handout was passed around with a bunch of quotes and scriptures on it. Some things that hit me:
"You are interested in education not for life, but for eternal life."
"There can be no doubt, none whatever, that education pays. Do not short-circuit your lives."
"For each of us, whatever our talents He has service for us to give. And to do it well always involves learning, not once or for a limited time, but continually..."
President Eyring shared a story about being raised in a home where Spanish was spoken, but never taking the time to learn it. He currently serves as head over the church in Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. He said, "Part of the tragedy that you must avoid is to discover too late that you missed an opportunity to prepare for a future only God could see for you." (Ahem. Fear Numero Uno.) He adds, "Our education must never stop. If it ends at the door of the classroom on graduation day, we will fail. Insatiable curiosity will be our hallmark." I love that phrase, insatiable curiosity, what a power trip!
We talked about how getting an education doesn't just mean going to school. It means working both your mind AND hands, something I never really consider when I think of the word "education". It involves cultivating many talents, in many areas. Our institute teacher shared his career path, how he eventually landed working for the church as an expert to the brethren on ordinances and sealings in the temple. Wow, I didn't even realize that job existed! (And now you do, too.) ALSO ironically, he is the author of "Arguably the best book ever written on American genealogy", Amazon direct quote right there. He made a comment at the end of class that really stuck with me:
"The Lord will get people where they are supposed to be when he needs them to be there." This may be one of my favorite quotes of all time. It also helped me calm down a bit (you'd find this funny if you know my personality), and rely a bit more on faith and focusing on the "right" opportunities for myself.
Over the weekend I saw the flag that inspired the national anthem. In fact I pulled everyone into the museum just to see it. Standing in front of it, I was overcome with gratitude for the sacrifices and freedom it represents. I also went to Mt Vernon, you would not believe what cool features they've added. (Uh, not to the house haha. To the exhibits.) It filled me with great love for a man that used his talents to sacrifice for the good of the country and its future. He never stopped learning, and what he learned he used for the benefit of others.
"Educate your minds and your hands for future work to make a contribution to the world of which you will be a part. Sacrifice for it, work for it, save for it, plan for it, and do it."-Gordon B. Hinckley
I'm not sure what my contributions to the world will end up looking like, but maybe that excites me the most, the possibilities!! Explore, Dream, and Discover, and make it your own.
Lolo
P.S. This week the blog reached a milestone, over 1000 views since March. Even if that's just my family members refreshing the page 10 times each, I'm still honored. Thanks for reading, and thanks for the great feedback.
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