Lessons from the Pressure Cooker

I have created my own pressure cooker.  Family, school (work), Master's degree, and life.  Not much of life in there, I am pretty busy.  Oh yeah, now I am the Gospel Doctrine Sunday School teacher at church.  Did I mention I took on teaching Calculus for the first time this year?

Because time is scarce, I am having to prioritize what I do.  I am seriously getting tired of doing Sam Houston State University work every weekend.  I think I have forgotten how to play.  The fact that sometimes I feel I have put enjoying life with my kids that grow up so fast is another problem.  Goal:  take the family to Walt Disney World/Land after I graduate next August!

Here is what I have known are important in the list of my priorities, but being busy has intensified my commitment to each of these:

1.  There is always time to study the scriptures.  I cannot afford being without the inspiration, focus, and companionship with the Holy Ghost that comes each time I read.   My day always goes better when I start it with scripture study.

2.  There is always time to prayer, both personal and family.  Personal prayer refocuses myself, and it is where I always feel my Heavenly Father's love if I really take the time to listen.  Family prayer is our family's foundation.  Daily prayer seems small, but like a small drop of water, it can create amazing changes when collected over time.

3.  My husband is my companion, and love of my life.  It is so easy to get pulled in to all of the "have to's"  that it becomes easy to ignore our relationship.  Relationships with those we love must always be nurtured.  You can't fix an argument with someone that you don't know.  Daily, I must find some way to let my husband know I love him in ways that he can understand and needs.

4.  My children will not stay young forever.  They grow so fast.  Although I am very busy, when I get a request for hide and seek or to swing on the swingset with them, I can't ever turn them down.  Those requests are opportunities to listen to and love my children.  It is hard enough for the little guys to understand and open up about their own problems.  But after a game of tag or Bennie Ball (decription another day!)  conversations happen.  Dinner time together has the same effect.

My college work will be over in August.  I just hope I remember these lessons for life.