Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Work

My friend Aimee gave the women of our congregation 
a wonderful lesson on Sunday.
It was about the eternal principle of work.
Work is something I have thought a lot about lately. 
Which is funny given this quote I just read.


You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind.  ~Author Unknown


Looking at the quotes on the internet today allowed me to hang myself. I am guilty. I admit it. I think too much and work too little. Especially at times when I am under a lot of stress.
Maybe I should say that I eat too much and work too little. That might be more accurate.


I thought that you all may enjoy some of my favorite quotes about work. 


Some people dream of success... 
while others wake up and work hard at it.  ~Author Unknown


Be not afraid of going slowly; 
be afraid only of standing still.  ~Chinese Proverb


Things may come to those who wait, 
but only the things left by those who hustle.  ~Abraham Lincoln


Opportunity is missed by most people 
because it is dressed in overalls 
and looks like work.  ~Thomas Edison


The difference between try and triumph is a little umph.  ~Author Unknown


I am also attaching this cool little video. It's inspiring. And let's face it, I need some inspiration so that I can get off this computer, put the oreos away, and get the laundry done.

For those of you not familiar with the Latter Day Saint (Mormon) culture,

watch until the end when this kid goes on his Mormon mission.


Think about what it would be like 
to send your kid off for two years 
knowing you would only be able 
to talk on the phone twice a year.
And tell me that your mom heart doesn't just burst into tears.




Inspiring people of my faith work and sacrifice every day. 
First of all, every position in our charge is filled by lay ministry (for lack of better terms). Nobody gets paid.
Our Bishops (equivalent to Baptist pastors) work full-time jobs, are married and usually have kids, and administrate and shepherd the whole congregation.

We currently have over 50,000 full-time missionaries 
serving 18mo-2year missions all around the world. 
And they work so very hard. 
I know because I was one of them.
We worked every day from 6:30 in the a.m. until 9:30 in the p.m.
The schedule was grueling.
Even on the Sabbath, missionaries didn't get rest from their full-time missionary service.
We would take 8 hours of one day a week to accomplish 
letter writing, grocery buying,  laundry doing, and apartment cleaning.
We were lucky to sneak away an hour or two for actual rest, 
which I would usually try to find some kind of physical challenge. 
I was very happy when I had companions 
who liked to hike or play volleyball or basketball.
I need to rediscover the work ethic I had back then. 






Of course the only picture I have scanned is when I wasn't actually working.
Hey, but at least there are no oreos in the photo.
Even though my vest and white shirt getup is making me obsess over the creme filled centers.


Man, I am stressed out.
It's no wonder why I am avoiding work. I don't want to do it.


I wonder why we could never get this guy to come to church with us. Check out his resemblance to Jesus.

8 comments:

ShEiLa said...

We had that lesson two weeks ago... I guess I forgot you were a missionary... or maybe I didn't know.

I remember as a teen getting up and milking the cow, feeding the chickens and slopping the pigs... going to seminary and school and starting all over again when I got home.

I know how to work... sometimes I just am not in the mood to work. (I say this with the need for my kids house to be cleaned asap) All the stuff is out... and its time for me to get to work.

ToOdLeS.

Cynthia said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lovable Lies Family said...

Thank you, I was feeling a little like the lessen was left on a downer note Sunday. I LOVED that video, I don't even want to think about the time when that will be Cruz!!

Lori said...

Great mission pic! I can see why that's the one and only one you scanned (the hats, of course). :)

Anonymous said...

This is great Alice. We have been trying to teach our children to work harder lately. I showed my son the video because he loves basketball and the lesson of work in it was helpful too! - Jennifer

Alice Faye said...

And the mother heart breaks every time one of little birdies takes flight-no matter how old they are.

Lovable Lies Family said...

Thank you, I was feeling a little like the lessen was left on a downer note Sunday. I LOVED that video, I don't even want to think about the time when that will be Cruz!!

ShEiLa said...

We had that lesson two weeks ago... I guess I forgot you were a missionary... or maybe I didn't know.

I remember as a teen getting up and milking the cow, feeding the chickens and slopping the pigs... going to seminary and school and starting all over again when I got home.

I know how to work... sometimes I just am not in the mood to work. (I say this with the need for my kids house to be cleaned asap) All the stuff is out... and its time for me to get to work.

ToOdLeS.