Listening

The past few days have been really nice.  I've been trying harder to feel the Spirit in the morning, to pray more specifically, to study more intently.  And I've been making an effort to listen more often and more carefully.  Really, having the time at home without lots of outside commitments has been wonderful.  I've been getting instructions, and I've been handling the frustrations a little better. 
It is hard work.  These are things I've done before and learned from before.  Why do I so easily let them slip from my life? 
I am learning why we are admonished to watch and pray ALWAYS. 

Life is distracting.

Some of my instructions have included:

Exercise
Take time to read and rest
Make time for the kids to have quiet alone reading time
Read to the little ones
Take a friend out to lunch
Call an old neighbor (How did he get to be 90!  Over 10 years since we lived there and his sweet wife died)
Make Dallin's plate for him and take it up to our room
Read Freedom Train to the kids while they eat lunch
Take the kids to the Narnia production put on by the children's theater group
Update the 72 hour kits
Get the Tangled soundtrack for the kids
Try Piano Marvel
Check the laundry
Figure out how to have Church while we're camping this weekend


It has been a sweet, peaceful time.  I feel content with my days because I know I'm following instructions from the right voice. 

I have found that the kids are choosing to use their time wisely.  They are playing more together, reading more, helping around the house more. 

We were reminded in Stake Conference that "Mother's who know do less." 
I am seeing the fruit of that counsel, and I love it.