Sometimes you just need a Leandro

I once heard some statistic that to be really healthy you need the human touch. Something like 7 times a day. I don't really remember and someone could have been making it up, but I believe it.
There is just something about the human touch. I don't know what it is, but there are definitely days that I just crave it. Usually any hug will do, but there are sometimes when it's not just anyone. It needs to be a boy.
When I was in college ( I feel like I've told this story, but I can't find it) I had a friend named Leandro. We worked together and every day he would give me a hug. I'm pretty sure on most days that was the highlight of my day.
We also lived in apartment complexes that were right next to each other and one night I was having one of those moments where you just need somebody to hold you. It was past curfew (we were at BYU-I) :) so I walked over to his house and stood on the front steps until he came outside and I said through my tears, "I need a hug" and he just gave me a hug. That was all. And then I felt better.
Why do I bring this up? Last Thursday was definitely one of those days. All day long I just wanted a hug, and it really needed to be a guy. It didn't happen. I got a hug from a girl and then I went to bed and in the morning I did feel better, but I really wished that I just had a Leandro living next door and I could just go over and get a hug and feel better. Felt it again last night as I lay in bed. Sadly I am no longer in college and Leandro lives in Brazil. Someday . . . someday.

Compassionate Service

I've talked about it before and I'm sure I'll talk about it again. I'm the compassionate service supervisor in my singles ward and I've found it very difficult to figure out what we are suppose to be doing. We're having a meeting tomorrow to talk about how best to do this calling. This is a hand out I made for them giving some ideas of where to start.

Things you should definitely do
1.      Pray
•         Pray for yourself to know the needs of the sisters
•         Pray for the girls by name. Pick a couple each week to
focus on. Do NOT underestimate the power of prayer.

2.       Get to know the girls
•         There are only 10-12 girls in your district. Pick a different
girl (or two) a week/2 weeks/month, to get to know. If nothing
else, learn her name and say hi to her at church.
•         Visit the girls. Pick a different girl every week and
visit. Take the Visiting Teaching supervisor for your district
with you if you want.
•         Send cards, emails, and texts to the girls you know.

3. Work with your Visiting Teaching counterpart. Two heads
are better than one.

Things you could do
1.       Get-togethers
•         Once a month (or how ever often you think) have a
district activity; something low key where the girls can come if
they are able and get to know each other (and you can get to
know them as well).
Examples: Craft night/afternoon, breakfast, dinner,
movie night, etc.

  2. Whatever the Lord tells you. That is truly your best
resource.

Thoughts from October General Conference I felt were applicable to Compassionate Service
• Observe and then serve. Sister Burton

We can only know the needs of the individual sisters
through prayer, getting to know them, and observing
what they specifically need.


Keep the lower lights burning. President Packer
o There are sisters who are struggling and searching
for a way back, who are feeling through the dark
to find their own testimony. Be the lower light,
reflecting the Savior’s bright light to guide them
where they need to go.

Be anxiously engaged. Elder Ballard
o “Over its short lifetime of just a few weeks to four
months, a single honeybee’s contribution of honey
to its hive is a mere one-twelfth of one teaspoon.
Though seemingly insignificant when compared to
the total, each bee’s one-twelfth of a teaspoon of
honey is vital to the life of the hive. The bees depend
on each other. Work that would be overwhelming
for a few bees to do becomes lighter because all of
the bees faithfully do their part”.

Become a disciple

•  “Making the covenant to be a disciple of Christ is the beginning of a lifelong process, and the path is not always easy. As we repent of our sins and strive to do what He would have us do and serve our fellowmen as He would serve them, we will inevitably become more like Him. Becoming like Him and being one with Him is the ultimate goal and objective—and essentially the very definition of true discipleship”.

Babies

You don't get to be 27 and a 1/2 in the LDS culture without thinking about marriage and babies at least once. Even if it wasn't something I really wanted for myself, it would still come up since, EVERYONE I KNOW is either married, getting married or having a baby. And that is great! It really is.
I think it can be very easy to be bitter when people around you have things that you really wish you had. I'll admit it, sometimes it's really hard. It's also easy to go the other way and glorify the single life. I've come to accept that they both have pro's and con's.

For now, I get to be the proud "aunt" of 4 beautiful children. 3 of them live far away in Florida and I'm very grateful for technology so I can still see the youngest one learning to walk and all of them discovering the world. Thanks Kate for letting me be the "aunt".

And then there is the newest one. My one "nephew" who is a week old today. I get to be the "aunt" here because I played a key role in his parents getting together. Yes, you're welcome little Hyram, because of me, you are alive. Ha, just kidding. But as I was sitting there holding him and talking with Denae I was just amazed that he was there. That any baby arrives the way it does. Truly it is a miracle. That little thing grew inside of you! Props to all the moms who have endured great discomfort to bring that tiny little life into the world.

For now, I'll enjoy the pro's of being single, like getting 8 hours of sleep every night and being able to go and do whatever the heck I want, and try to wait patiently for the day when I will no longer have those luxuries.