House of Order

I'm not sure I'm a New Year's Resolution type gal. I like to make goals and all, but hate the feeling of not accomplishing them. I get all antsy and anxious and my brain turns off. Too much pressure and I crack under pressure. It makes me want to curl up in a Snuggy in front of the TV while eating white-cheddar popcorn. And sometimes, let's face it, I have been known to do this very thing (sans the Snuggy)----It's just how I am!

Last year my Resolution was to get organized. Did it happen? Nope, it did not. I am still as unorganized and flustered as ever. I just need someone to come over and tell me where to put my stuff and I promise I will keep it it organized. It's just that I have no good ideas when it comes to this kind of thing!

But lately I'm realizing it's not just about the stuff...

It's about so much more. It's about being organized in ALL things, including my roles as a wife and mother. Everything in it's place spiritually. It's about being patient, loving, forgiving, kind, meek and humble. Not only teaching it to my children, but living it too. Our homes are a sanctuary for our families, a place where they should feel loved and safe. An disorderly, chaotic home can only bring contention and strife. A very wise man once said "HOME IS WHERE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS HAPPEN" (That wise man is my father-in-law, and soon to be a mission president!)

This year I really want establish a HOUSE OF ORDER and we've decided to make that our family motto for the year. Order in all things: Spiritual, temporal, physical. This scripture will be our mantra: "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God" (D&C 88:119). I really love this talk by Elder Russell M. Nelson.

I hope over the course of this year with this as our motto, my family will maintain a house of love and peace......and order. "Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life; so will it be throughout all eternity."