Mamma's Nest

We've all heard it said that their are more than two sides to a coin. I am continually amazed at how true this is and that as I gain perspective and experience in life, I find that there is almost always a better way of seeing things than what I thought was best.

I love "Ah hah" moments. You know the kind! When all of a sudden a truth strikes your mind and heart simultaneously and you get chills or warm fuzzies because you recognize the truth for what it is. These moments are "journal worthy" aren't they?

I had such a moment the other evening while helping dip cookies in chocolate for our Super Saturday. Several women were talking about how tired they get having children come to their beds in the middle of the night because they're lonely or scared. I remember those days even though I think I had a lot fewer than most women and that's because Jeff made me promise when we were expecting our first baby that I would never bring the baby to bed for nursing or for sleeping. (We had friends that put their baby in bed with them the first days of its life and it became so spoiled by this that the couple's marriage disintegrated and eventually ended because the wife insisted it was okay that the baby sleep with them and the husband got so tired because of the crying baby and having to go to work early, that he wanted the baby weaned from bed. When the wife refused, each fought to have things his or her way.)
Thus, my promise to Jeff that children would not be allowed to sleep with us.

When our oldest started coming into our room in the middle of the night and laying on the floor without waking me, I soon discovered a potential accident waiting to happen since I nearly stepped on her a couple of times. I tried to reason with her and explained that she had to stay in her bed and not come in and lay on the floor because I might step on her. I didn't think she understood until I put a lock on the outside of her bedroom door and told her that I didn't want to lock her in her room at night but if she continued coming in my bedroom, I would have to for her safety. The sweet child never left her room at night again. There's more about that but I will spare her the embarrassment at this time.

So, the other evening as everyone was sharing their wisdom of children sleeping in mom and dad's bed, my dear friend, MaryAnn shared her experience which I think is charming and so Christ-like. Here's what she did to solve the problem:

She made "Momma's nest." MaryAnn gathered blankets and pillows and piled them in the corner of her bedroom. She told the children that she gets so tired because she has to feed the baby at night and she needs her rest. "So if you start feeling scared or lonely, come to Momma's nest and just settle in. That way Momma will get her rest but I will be close by in case you need me really bad." MaryAnn said that many a morning she would find two or three of her little offspring nestled in the nest cuddled together.

I can just see love, kindness, and closeness developing because of this sweet nesting idea. Can you?

What we "Think" is What We Are

Today, I hope no one will think poorly of me for sharing something I have written in my journal. I am studying a book, "Mind Management" and I am keeping a journal about my thoughts and about what I am learning and/or desire to remember. I have always been intrigued by the power of our thought-processes and the power of our thoughts and I find this book very motivating. I know the scripture, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," is true. Now, here is my journal entry:

"I am so intrigued by the power of our minds. I could study about this for hours a day. This morning I read the chapter, 'Your Mind Thinks Boundlessly.' I know I was told once after my brain activity had been tested because I was blanking out, that my brain waves were overly active and that even in my resting state they were overly active. Doctors determined that my blank-outs were my brain's way of getting a quick rest. Right or wrong on this analysis, I have always known that my mind never stops. Even Jeff becomes weary (I think--no pun intended) because I share so much of what I am thinking. He frequently says, 'Lori, you are such a deep thinker. Your brain never stops.' Now this morning I read this thought by Mark Twain and I am intrigued:

'What a wee little part of a person's life are his acts and his words! His real life is led in his head, and is known to none but himself. All day long, the mill of his brain is grinding, and his thoughts, not those other things, are his history. These are his life, and they are not written, and cannot be written...Biographies are but the clothes and buttons of the man--the biography of the man himself cannot be written.'

Thus, I see how important it is to control our thoughts. 'As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,' is a truth revealed. I am what I think about. I do not have the time or convenience (for lack of better words) to waste my thoughts on ridicule of myself or others. Nor should I waste thought on selfish wants and petty imaginings.

Our minds need 'jump-starts' and the searching of scriptures and the reading from the 'best books' do this for me and others. Small children are truly blessed if they have parents read to them. Older children are blessed if they develop a love of reading.

This is so simple as stated on paper and yet so powerful if remembered and put into action!"

I thought this was such a neat idea. Recycle water bottles into handy spouts for plastic bags and you have less spilling and everything becomes air tight. I'm not sure how long the plastic bag would hold up but it's worth trying don't you think?
Hopefully the picture came through for you to view. (I'll see when I finish this blog.)

Have a wonderful Conference-viewing weekend and try to find three things that you can improve upon during the coming months that is suggested at conference.