Happy Valentine Day!

Sister Lucas brought me the roses you see here.

A friend sent her a dozen roses.  She was so kind to share half of them with me.  What a thoughtful gesture!

This has been a quiet but busy week.  I have had several doctor’s appointments with missionaries and a dental appointment.  I arranged for and attended a COVID test for a departing missionary.  (I had to attend to pay for the test using the mission credit card since the insurance doesn’t pay for that.)

 I organized Hepatitis A vaccinations for 2 missionaries who have been assigned to missions outside of New Zealand.  They are serving here while waiting to travel but need to be ready to go if borders open, so best to get these things done ahead of time.  I had health council meeting on Thursday.   I scheduled doctor appointments and appointments for physiotherapy and some lab work.  It doesn’t sound like much but phone/hold time, drive time, wait time all add up to make the week “fly” by.

Rush hour traffic.  Slow moving, almost stand still, so I dared to take a picture. It was strictly a point and shoot but you can see the heavy traffic in my rear view mirror as well as to the front.  Did get a pic of the Sky Tower though.

As always, the beach walk is the bright beginning to every day.

Tuesday morning it was high tide and sprinkling.  I decided I might as well not dodge the waves since I was getting wet anyway.  

Wednesday morning.

As we walked home, the sun rose higher over this house causing it to appear that the house was on fire.

Friday morning

Wednesday and Saturday morning boaters and swimmers

I have a Fitbit that counts my steps.  I have worn it for about 5-6 years.  Not positive exactly when I got it.  I get a weekly report as to the number of steps I take.   This was the report I received last Tuesday.

Friday I received an email with this badge.  I can’t believe that I have walked that far even if it did take me 5-6 years.  My goal is to repeat this in the next 5-6 years.

Friday evening I joined the other senior missionaries at the Pacific Area Office for a farewell dinner celebrating a couple leaving to fill another assignment.  It is fun to be with the group.  

LuAnn and Steve Peterson

Dinner was followed by a game called bunko or bunco.  I have seen it spelled both ways.   Although I had never played it before, it was a fun learning experience.  However, I have decided that I am not aggressive enough to keep the game moving along speedily and I slow down my playing partner.  

Game Winners

I had occasion to visit with a friend this week about some of the things they were feeling and about struggles they were having.  We talked about how our attitude can set the stage for our lives.  We can’t always control the things that happen to us.  

In the conversation, a quote that I like and share often with missionaries came to mind.  I believe I have shared it in a previous blog as well, but it is worth repeating:

ATTITUDE

by: Charles Swindoll

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.

From an article in January 2016 Ensign Magazine titled We Believe in Being Positive: “As we put our trust in God’s plan for us and choose to live with a positive attitude, our ability to deal with life’s challenges will be strengthened. Our worries and fears will affect us less, and we will experience the joy He wants for us.”

Another quote I like on this same theme:

“So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment. … We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.”   President Thomas S. Monson, “Living the Abundant Life,” Ensign, Jan. 2012, 4.

I hope that you will have a happy, peaceful, safe, healthy and positive week ahead.

I love my Savior.  I love you my family and friends.