Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Peace

I so needed this. Early this morning we left our kids with a babysitter and Beau and I went and spent a couple of hours at the temple. It felt so good to be there. Quiet, peaceful, no rush, no outside cares. Just time to think, ponder, rejuvenate, serve and remember what is most important in life. I don't do this enough. I resolved to change that this morning. I need this more than I need anything else.

It gave me time to think and ponder again those questions we have so often. Why am I here and what should I be doing. Not as a general question but one very specific to Shalae. What is Shalae supposed be doing here right now to help build the Lord's kingdom. What does Shalae need to do more right now to feel the spirit more in her life. What does Shalae need to be doing right now with her talents and gifts. What does Shalae need to do right now to be a better mother, wife and disciple of Christ.

The best part? It feels good to get answers. To sit and ponder there where it's quiet, where your at peace, and to feel answers. And if there wasn't an answer given there to know that there would be an answer if I keep seeking one.

My friend Mandy had a great post on her blog yesterday. One that I've been thinking about since I read it. I think she's much farther ahead in her journey than she even realizes. But her thoughts kept bringing me back to one of my favorite sayings. I heard it again the other day when we were watching a movie and I remembered how much I love it.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually who are you not to be? You were a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Nelson Mandella

So as for you Mandy. You just keep doing what your d
oing. You're already liberating more people from their fears than you know. Be yourself, which is something great and eventually it'll come to you, you'll have a clearer idea of what you need to do, and you'll be shown the way. Just enjoy the journey.


I took these photos this last New Years when we were in Las Vegas for a vacation. It had been 5 years since Beau and I had been back there. It's the place we fell in love and these are photos of the Las Vegas Temple where were married. We were able to sneak away from the kids one night and go walk around and remember how grateful we are to have found each other, and how truly wonderful marriage has been to us these last 5 years.

I have been wanting to do something with them and hang them in our room so that we can remember those covenants we made with each other and the Lord. Yesterday I was looking at some crafting sites and ran across a way I want to use them. So I hope to show you here in a bit - some finished decorating of our room using these photos we took.

It's been a good day, and I'm determined to make the whole day that way. To not loose the peace I felt this morning by jumping right back into the hectic, busy, scheduled life that always requires one more thing to do. I'm going to take it easy, do some reading, studying, enjoy my kids, and finish up a few projects... if I have the time. It's going to be a good day.

4 comments:

Mandy said...

Thanks so much Laurel for the encouragement. The very notion that I could be a liberator makes me shiver with glee.

I'm glad you and Beau got some time with each other and to seek God.

Syndee said...

So glad you found some peace! Hard to come by these days!

Laurel said...

Shalae, I can so relate to this. We're planning on going out to the temple tomorrow morning. There's just nothing like being able to sit in peace and quiet for a time and simply allow thoughts to enter our minds that we need to think and hear.

Wendee Pease said...

Beautiful pics Shalae! I really need to go to the temple more often.

I'm glad I'm not the only one with those questions on my mind. I've been thinking the same things.