Hands....continued

I am an incredibly emotional person, and those emotions generally filter any circumstance (not that I'm unique in this). Right now my biggest emotion is hollowness. I don't mean any melodrama with this; I simply feel very hollow after taking AJ to the airport today. I'm missing something huge and vital in my life. This is the lens through which I read this talk just now.

So the things that come to mind are instances where AJ has been the Lord's hands for me. AJ loves me unconditionally. AJ is always on my side--which does not mean that he thinks I'm always right. It means that when I'm wrong, he reasons with me, and does it in a loving manner: he's on my side, so he's always rooting for me, never trying to prove me wrong or waiting to see me fail. He's always encouraging, always supporting, always loving. And by always, I mean 98% of the time. He's not perfect at it, but he's awfully darn close to perfect and a whole lot better than I am.

I love you all, and maybe I can try another post (not that this one isn't valid, it just simply didn't go very far) when it's not as late and not the day I had to walk away from AJ.

Love,
Emily Kate


(By the way, it says this posted at 6:30. Not so. That's when I started, which was not late. I finished the post at 10, which is late.)

the hands thingy

So, mom and I read the talk...and pondered how to serve better...we understand the "can make poems, songs, sermons etc" part (not a very direct quote mind you, but ya'll know what part I am talking about)....and we know the message of serve better, love unconditionally, don't judge, etc. And we realize that we have work to do (speaking for my half at least). It does take constant thought and work to make sure you are NOT treating someone as 2nd rate. (even fat smelly people who cut their own hair with scissors and talk to themselves) It is not "natural" to want to spend time with wackos.

So, I have work to do.

A couple of examples of people giving service to us (our family)

While working at Equitable (not much money), the Raemakers brought over a food basket...just garden produce and stuff so they could help out.

Members helping with both Moe's and Elizabeth's missions

The Millers willingness to do a family service project...and retrieve a busted Volvo from Rye Patch...a two hour drive out and two hours back....then jumping to help when Stella tried to swim through a puddle.

Sister Crabtree (an old lady...actually the wife of one of the counsellors in the bishopric in Auburn) sitting us down and telling us how AJ needed to be taught reverence...and how to do it.

All of these examples have one thing in common....My first thought was I don't need your help...or this much help, or I can do it myself. But because of love and a willingness to serve...they helped. So, mom and I have made a simple plan to bring people over for dinner so we can say we helped....no wait, that wasn't it....so we can learn of people to help, and so we can share with others...we already have the first two families picked.

I also have increased our fast offerings....many people need help, and we CAN help that way.

Love you all

PS, AJ really needed to be taught how to be reverent.:)

You are My Hands

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Last week in Relief Society we had a lesson on this conference talk. As we discussed it, a memory was brought to the front of my mind.

My junior year at BYU was a hard one. My best friends had all left on missions and I was alone. I also was very confused. I had some big decisions I continually prayed about but couldn't seem to receive answers to. One night I cracked. I had come home from a ward activity to a dark, empty apartment 40. A place that just a year before brought me so much joy was now the catalyst to my tears. Lost, lonely and confused I cried. I was so confused and lonely that I could not even feel my Father's love…or rather I didn't know how to calm down to feel his loving arms. I needed something though. What? "Call your brother," came to my mind. I did. All I said was, "AJ, can you come over?" He came in 30 seconds. He walked in, saw me, said nothing, and wrapped me in his arms. He just held me as I wept. That day AJ became the Lord's arms and hands for me. Today, I know that the Lord loves me. That day, I did not. Because I could not feel him he sent my earthly brother to act in His stead. AJ comforted and loved me as the Lord would. Thank you AJ for being sensitive to the spirit, thank you for being such a good brother and thank you for being His Hands when I needed them.

This talk is so beautiful! After reading it share an experience where you have felt someone else act as the Lord's hands in your life