His Image In Our Countenance

Have you ever known somebody that you just wanted to be near because of how you felt when you were around them?  Many years ago when I was a young mother (and that WAS MANY YEARS AGO) there was a sister in our ward who I just felt drawn to.  She was probably about 10 years older than myself and we really didn't share anything much in common except we were in the same ward.  I don't think I even realized why I was drawn to her because I was much to busy thinking about me.  Her influence has stayed with me for 32 years.  Years later when I had 7 children and lived in a different state I met another sister in our ward that I also felt drawn to.  I loved to be around her.  Again, she was older and we really didn't have anything in common but I just loved how I felt when I was around her.  Comparing this sister to the first sister that I had known they didn't have much in common either.  Yet, everyone loved these ladies.  People were drawn to them.  Now 19 years later I still think of them both and the influence that they had on my life.  It wasn't the clothes they wore or the house they lived in.  It wasn't their figures since both were shaped completely different.  It wasn't the possessions they owned or the crafts they designed.  What these two very special sisters had was the love of Christ and His image in their countenance.  It radiated from their face.  They were more concerned with their relationship with the Savior than what they wore or what size they were.  They loved me because they loved Him.  I could feel it.

Sheri Dew once said, "The Holy Ghost is a gift of power.  The Holy Ghost inspires and heals, guides and warns, enhances our natural capacities, inspires charity and humility, makes us smarter than we are, strengthens us during trials, testifies of the Father and the Son, and shows us "all things" that we should do.  He helps us do more and become more than we could ever do or become on our own."


What I saw in them was the presence of the Holy Ghost in their life.  They lived their life so as to not offend the spirit.  I am trying to be more concerned with my countenance and less concerned with worldly standards of beauty. I want to have His image in my countenance.  That is the standard of beauty that I am seeking. 

Toothpaste, dried spit and other delightful things in the sink

There is always dried toothpaste and spit in my bathroom sinks.  We also use bar soap so there is squished melted soap chunks in the sinks joining the lovely toothpaste and spit.  This has been a source of irritant to me for many years but the other night it dawned on me that this is really a mother's blessing.  It is proof that somebody in this house is actually brushing their teeth and washing their hands after they use the bathroom.  I walked out of the bathroom feeling a little jubilant knowing how successful I was in teaching at least one of my children basic hygiene!  And considering the amount of spit and other delightful leavings in the sink I am sure that there is probably more than one of my kids brushing their teeth and washing their hands.  So I am so grateful for dried toothpaste, spit and soap in my sinks!  And considering the amount of pee that gets on the toilet I am pretty sure the boys have quit peeing the backyard and are using the toilet!  Happy day!