I have been contemplating in the back of my mind all week what I would like to do for this week's goal. Nothing seemed to be coming to me, and I was a bit frustrated because I didn't want to just choose something for the sake of having something to blog about - I want my goals to be authentic and strong desires of mine. And then I watched Sunday morning's session of general conference (of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). The prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, talked about service. He quoted the scripture that says, "When we lose ourselves, we find ourselves." He talked about warm fuzzies that the young children in a ward (congregation) would put in a jar every time they would provide service for someone (Aidan made us rewind that part four times because he loved it so much). I loved this talk. It spoke to my heart. And then I had a lightbulb moment:
For Just One Week, I will find some form of service to do every day. And it won't be the service I provide every day as a mother and wife. It will be out of the ordinary things (for me). I look forward to stretching my mind to find things that will lift others and let them know I care. I already have three days' worth of ideas, so I look forward to coming up with ideas for the other four days this week!
Is there anything you want to try For Just One Week? You can either link up with McLinky, or write it in the comments. I love others' ideas, because you give me ideas for future reference!
P.S. If you watched Elder Holland's talk yesterday, and didn't get teary eyed, you must be dead inside.
(Just kidding. Christian and I have a running joke about what makes us cry. But wasn't it amazing?)
32 people wanted to leave a comment:
Such a fantastic idea to set weekly goals for yourself. What is even more impressive is that you are actually able to follow-up on them, Erin. My problem is not so much with identifying goals...it is with adhering to the plan. :)
Your efforts to stay off the computer when your kids are awake or around is a great one. I need to definitely give it a try.
-Francesca
Yes, Elder Holland was on fire!!
And that is a great goal.
I tell ya, Pres. Holland is on fire these last few conferences. He's always been a favorite, but lately there has been an intensity to him that I haven't seen before. Wow. I also really enjoyed Pres. Eyring's talk. He's such a sweet man. And I love Pres. Monson with all my heart. Sister Dibbs, (his daughter who spoke yesterday) was in my ward to speak a few months ago, and I have to admit I was a little jealous that she got to call that wonderful man her father. I like your challenge!
Yes, Elder Holland's was amazing! I also loved Elder Hales' talk---I felt that it was such a personal testimony and so neat that he started out his talk with that testimony.
I can't remember who said it---but it was in the Sunday afternoon session---but it was something about how we'll all face temptation but that doesn't mean we have to give in. I'm gonna remember that this week when I face the temptation to be lazy or self-indulgent.
I like this one a lot. I felt kind of guilty when I heard that talk. I think I will try to participate, but not once a day. I don't have enough opportunities!
I had done this for a while this spring, and it really felt good to get out of myself and think of ways to serve others. Pres. Monson's talk really made me resolve to do it again!
And I love the idea of asking our children every night what they've done for someone else that day.
Elder Holland's talk was amazing. AMAZING, I tell you! (I didn't cry though...but that's not the kind of thing that usually makes me cry.)
Erin~President MOnson's talk spoke to me as well. I loved it and I loved how straigth forward Elder Holland was. I think we all need to be more like that when we know something to be true! Good luck with your goal this week what a great one!!
I like your goal for this week... can't wait to hear how it went.
I so agree! His talk really spoke to me and I realized that I can do so much better in the service department.
Great goal! That talk inspired me, too.
And Elder Holland? Wow. I mean, wow. The whole two days of Conference were great, but his was my favorite talk. Hands down.
I can't help thinking that this week is going to be a very joyful week for you!
Elder Holland definitely has a powerful delivery every time he speaks!!
My FJ1W is to re-listen to all of the Conference talks this week. I want to get them really stuck in my mind!
That talk was one to be remembered. (Holland). But I also loved Monson's talk on the warm fuzzies. In fact, we are going to have a warm fuzzie jar at our house because my boys loved that part of the talk.
Good for you Erin.
I feel like after General Conference, I have SO many goals, so it's hard to identify one for one week, so let's just say I'll start out with Elder Bednar's "Be consistent" advice and read my scriptures EVERY morning this week- no excuses.
I hope you're game for the Gen. Conf. Book Club again. Always love your insights.
I laughed at your comment about "dead inside." I joked a little that Elder Holland has a teeny flair for the dramatic, but he is truly one of my favorites and his testimony of the Book of Mormon was amazing.
I have heard about Hollands talk and will be watching it tonight!
Erin I just want to tell you that I love to read your blog especially your monday entries. I am getting up the courage to make a goal but I am still nervous about making it public in case I fail. I will let you know.
Elder Holland pretty much blew my mind.
And I loved the talk after that with the story about that little town in Finland. (I think it was Finland).
And I think your goal for this week is great. I'm doing something similar but it's just directed at my family because the pregnant tireds have made me such a slacker. I want to get on top of things again.
Elder Holland's talk was amazing. And, yes, it did make me teary eyed.
I will strive for the conviction Elder Holland had, and more than that, I will use it and SPEAK UP!!! Forever....
BUT I was thinking baout the talk about the painting, nad how each little stroke makes a masterpiece. I so needed that....I am trying to add more strokes. Just one week I will paint a stroke of spirituality for my children every day. Whether it is a small testimony, reading a scripture, having a talk or confirming a teaching, I will find a way to sneak it in. I want them to have a spiritual foundation for their lives ahead.
(Over the weekend we listened to a book on tape called "the Dog ate my Scriptures" that I got at the library. They loved it, even my teenager took off his headphones to listen to it.) I feel this is so important for me to do!
What a wonderful FJOW! Can't wait to hear all about it.
LOVED conference.
I love your goal. I did that last year during spring break--it was great.
I was inspired, too -
And I guess I'm not dead inside. Phew!
I really like this weeks goal. Very good idea.
I wouldn't say dead inside...but I did think it was an amazing talk and a great opportunity to share my testimony wiht Nate who watched it with me and said it was his favorite so far, which says a lot that he even paid attention.
I loved the warm fuzzies! That was so cute. President Monson is so darling too. I just want to hug him.
Great idea! Can't wait to hear how it goes.
it was a great talk. there were so many great (inspiring) talks!
can't wait to hear how your week goes. :)
Elder Holland is a total rock star. I love that man.
I feel rejuvenated and more ready for my life. SO great!
Blogging would have been a much harder thing if I had been doing it when I had preschoolers. I think you guys with the young ones who still blog are amazing.
You should try going to a soup kitchen. Call and see if they need volunteers. It really is an amazing experience. I've done it twice.
See? That's such a great goal! Why can't I come up with something like this?? Geesh.
Once, I went a full week without any sort of electronic entertainment. No radio in the car, no computer. That was hard because at the time, I was a receptionist and when there wasn't anything to do, I'd play Minesweeper. But I ended eight hours short of the deadline. While on a date, I watched "Saturday's Warrior."
I loved Elder Holland's talk. It was simply amazing. I was so happy to finally have a conference weekend off of work:)
I can hardly get through the week let alone accomplish a goal for it! But I'll cheer you on. Go Erin!!
For just one week I would like to have everyone in my family well. As in- not sick. As in - not puking everywhere.
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