Some things I've learned . . .

With Matt gone all summer (he's home now), I learned many lessons. And I learned another this evening. They are as follows:

1. I can do hard things like take care of a home, yard, children and work. I didn't do it well, but it was hard and I did do it. I also learned to mow the lawn after 41 years on this this planet.

2. Normally, I waste a lot of time. In order for me to complete all the tasks that are required to take care of a home, yard, children and work, I worked from sun up to sun down and beyond. I am currently working to not slip into old habits.

3. Family matters. I knew this before, but I couldn't have made it through this summer without my family who supported me and showed up or took the girls just when I needed it most.

4. Matt does more around the house than I gave him credit for (I know that's not correct English, but I can't figure out how to say it correctly). See #1. I have a new appreciation for single parents. How on earth do they do it day in and day out? I was exhausted most of the time. I'm so grateful Matt is home!

5. Hard things come with the greatest rewards. Although I was exhausted much of the summer, at the end of the day, I felt like I had accomplished much. Other hard things include childbirth, teenagers, losing weight, etc. Get the idea? The most worthwhile things are hard.

6. I am not too busy. I am lazy. See #2. Enough said.

7. Perspective comes by breaking routines and viewing the world differently. I thought my summer was hard until I visited Matt in California and saw the conditions in which he was living. Along with perspective, I gained more gratitude for the abundance in my life.

8. Happiness comes through service. As I crammed more and more into one day, I had numerous opportunities to serve. As I served, I forgot how lonely, tired, etc. I was. And it feels good to help others.

9. Sometimes you're lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. This one happened tonight. Let me explain. I was dreading going to Young Women's tonight. It was stake sports night so I didn't really need to be there. I thought I'd go and just make an appearance. Boy, am I glad I was there! One of my Beehives came in visibly upset. Her family is going through some really stressful times right now. I had the opportunity to take her aside for a few minutes and talk with her privately. She just needed someone to listen and let her cry. Sometimes, you're just in the right place at the right time.