The River

So I think I have mentioned that I am not a poetry person. I think it's probably also well-known that I am most definitely not a country fan when it comes to music. Despite all that, when I ran into this song again today (it's been years), I listened and really enjoyed the message.



I have often said that we need to make plans so the Lord can change them. My mother-in-law put it as "The Lord cannot steer a parked car." I think this song captures the essence of my thought.

For those of you who don't want to listen to the music, here are the words:

You know a dream is like a river
Ever changing as it flows
And the dreamer's just a vessel
That must follow where it goes
Trying to learn from what's behind you
And never knowing what's in store
Makes each day a constant battle
Just to stay between the shores

And I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry

Too many times we stand aside
And let the water slip away
'Til what we put off 'til tomorrow
Has now become today
So don't you sit upon the shoreline
And say you're satisfied
Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tide

I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry

There's bound to be rough waters
And I know I'll take some falls
But with the Good Lord as my captain
I can make it through it all

Yes, I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry

Another Book Checkup

I keep telling myself it's not time for a book checkup yet since I just did one, but when I looked this morning to see how long it had been, I realized my last book checkup was in March. So I suppose this is a fine time. Is anyone still trying to meet this challenge? Well, I am. Here are my stats:

Out of 25 categories (assuming that the alphabet category is one challenge), I have 17 fulfilled. I have read 145 books. I think. I may have miscounted somewhere in there. That's 1215 points.

Here are some of the books I have enjoyed since my first checkup:

The Friendly Air - Elizabeth Cadell
The Mysterious Benedict Society - Trenton Lee Stewart
Daring Chloe - Laura Jensen Walker (about a book club!)
When the Bough Breaks - Kay Lynn Magnum
Winne-the-Pooh - A.A. Milne (believe it or not I had never read)
In Our Strange Gardens - Michel Quint
A Briefer History of Time - Stephen Hawking
A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson (just a warning - lots of language, but one of my favorites!)
Impossible - Nancy Werlin
Caught - Carlan Hoben
Amazing Grace - Eric Metaxas
The Prince - Machiavelli

Anybody want to report their score or even just recommend a book they've enjoyed recently?

Forgiving

I read the most wonderful quote on forgiving by Elder Richard G. Scott:

"Forgiveness ... allows the love of God to purge your heart and mind of the poison of hate. It cleanses your consciousness of the desire for revenge. It makes place for the purifying, healing, restoring love of the Lord."

This is from the April 1992 General Conference. The manual explained the quote like this:

"...forgiving others does not mean approving of their wrongdoing or offense. Forgiving someone means that with the help of our Father in Heaven, we can cleanse our hearts of anger or hatred toward the offender, cease to dwell on the offense, and feel peace. This process is not always easy or quick, but Heavenly Father will help us as we try to forgive."

What a wonderful definition of forgiveness! To me, it once again goes back to our relationship with God rather than whoever offended/hurt us. I've always known that forgiveness is more for us than for whom we forgive, but this was a clear explanation why. Just thought I'd share.

A new blog

A friend of mine started a new blog. He is studying Human Development and posted something very interesting. I encourage you to not only read what he wrote, but the comments, which are very interesting. (Not to mention, I got quoted! That's a first!) ;)

Whenever I need to smile...

My cousin (a therapist), showed me this video a couple of years ago and I watch this whenever I need to smile. :) And even when I don't need a reason to smile, this cracks me up. The whole thing makes me laugh. Enjoy!



"Anything box-y." "This is not Yiddish." I love it.