Comments on: Be of Good Cheer http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/ Uplifting, edifying, and enriching reading by and for Latter-day Saint Women Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:12:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: A Prayer of Faith » Blog Archive » On Being of Good Cheer http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-6729 Thu, 19 Oct 2006 18:09:13 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-6729 [...] On 20 September RoAnn wrote an essay called “Be of Good Cheer.” I found it inspiring and then I found a talk by Elder Maxwell that expounds on that same theme, and I wanted to point it out and to make a few comments of my own. [...] […] On 20 September RoAnn wrote an essay called “Be of Good Cheer.” I found it inspiring and then I found a talk by Elder Maxwell that expounds on that same theme, and I wanted to point it out and to make a few comments of my own. […]

]]> by: RoAnn http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-6337 Mon, 25 Sep 2006 15:01:57 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-6337 Stephanie (#16), No problem; and thanks so much for your expression of sympathy. I purposely waited to write this post until I was able to focus more on my father's legacy, rather than on my feelings of loss. Fortunately, that legacy is a very positive one! Stephanie (#16), No problem; and thanks so much for your expression of sympathy. I purposely waited to write this post until I was able to focus more on my father’s legacy, rather than on my feelings of loss. Fortunately, that legacy is a very positive one!

]]> by: Stephanie http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-6281 Mon, 25 Sep 2006 00:14:27 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-6281 RoAnn, By the way, I forgot to say that I am sorry about your father's passing. I know he is in a better place, etc, but the pain at losing a loved one is often difficult to express and I didn't mean to forget to offer my condolensces. Stephanie RoAnn,

By the way, I forgot to say that I am sorry about your father’s passing. I know he is in a better place, etc, but the pain at losing a loved one is often difficult to express and I didn’t mean to forget to offer my condolensces.

Stephanie

]]> by: RoAnn http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-6151 Sat, 23 Sep 2006 15:44:33 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-6151 Tanya (#13), and Allison (11), I think one of the most difficult things for many of us is choosing to be cheerful when we are physically and mentally exhausted. For mothers of small children, that often means most of the time. :) I remember being incredibly surprised to discover how easily my heretofore "even temperament" got jolted into frustration, anger, even desperation, once I had children. Fortunately, I recogized what was happening, and marveled at how raising a family was an ideal situation for helping us to learn how to become like our Father in Heaven. Platitudes about loving everyone are easy to utter. But it's when we can be cheerful when we have crying, demanding babies, or stubborn and mischievous toddlers, or uncooperative and rebellious teenagers (or all three at once) that we learn and grow in ways that we may never dreamed of. If we are wise, we learn that we can't do it on our own--mere self-discipline is not enough for most of us. But we discover that relying on the Lord is the answer. If we rely on Him, have the desire to improve, continually repent and keep trying, we really can gradually become stronger and better able to cope with whatever comes along in our life. Tanya (#13), and Allison (11), I think one of the most difficult things for many of us is choosing to be cheerful when we are physically and mentally exhausted. For mothers of small children, that often means most of the time. :)

I remember being incredibly surprised to discover how easily my heretofore “even temperament” got jolted into frustration, anger, even desperation, once I had children. Fortunately, I recogized what was happening, and marveled at how raising a family was an ideal situation for helping us to learn how to become like our Father in Heaven.

Platitudes about loving everyone are easy to utter. But it’s when we can be cheerful when we have crying, demanding babies, or stubborn and mischievous toddlers, or uncooperative and rebellious teenagers (or all three at once) that we learn and grow in ways that we may never dreamed of.

If we are wise, we learn that we can’t do it on our own–mere self-discipline is not enough for most of us. But we discover that relying on the Lord is the answer. If we rely on Him, have the desire to improve, continually repent and keep trying, we really can gradually become stronger and better able to cope with whatever comes along in our life.

]]> by: Michelle http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-6095 Fri, 22 Sep 2006 23:15:29 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-6095 Alison, Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to share your experience. Isn't it wonderful when there are ways we can "be there" for each other, even as strangers? RoAnn, thank you for sharing these thoughts and scriptures. Alison,
Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to share your experience. Isn’t it wonderful when there are ways we can “be there” for each other, even as strangers? RoAnn, thank you for sharing these thoughts and scriptures.

]]> by: Tanya http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-6060 Fri, 22 Sep 2006 13:49:51 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-6060 I have had a hard time remembering this idea too. I was up last night with two crying babies, one screaming in pain. This has become a nightly ritual the past few weeks and I have been so tired of not getting to bed until late, and up early when my husband and daughter leave. Thanks for reminding me to be cheerful in all things. It is much better than being cranky or sad. I have had a hard time remembering this idea too. I was up last night with two crying babies, one screaming in pain. This has become a nightly ritual the past few weeks and I have been so tired of not getting to bed until late, and up early when my husband and daughter leave. Thanks for reminding me to be cheerful in all things. It is much better than being cranky or sad.

]]> by: RoAnn http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-6025 Fri, 22 Sep 2006 01:09:32 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-6025 Stephanie (#10)Thanks for commenting! My father was remarkable in many ways, and both my parents were always reaching out to others, looking for the best in them, and sharing their talents selflessly. I fall very short of their thoughtfulness, but I keep trying! That I found my father's very small note tucked in with other papers is to me another instance of the "tender mercies" of God. I will indeed treasure it and pass it on. Alison (#11), thanks so much for taking the time to give not only the example of your friend Laura Lyn Eberting, but also share, in a delightfully humorous way, how you used that example to deal with one of the typical nerve-wracking, frustrating experiences any mother six (did I count correctly?) faces on a daily basis. I can identify completely, having gone through similar hectic times with my six in years past. Hooray for you! And I'm so pleased that my post was of immediate practical use! :) Stephanie (#10)Thanks for commenting! My father was remarkable in many ways, and both my parents were always reaching out to others, looking for the best in them, and sharing their talents selflessly. I fall very short of their thoughtfulness, but I keep trying! That I found my father’s very small note tucked in with other papers is to me another instance of the “tender mercies” of God. I will indeed treasure it and pass it on.

Alison (#11), thanks so much for taking the time to give not only the example of your friend Laura Lyn Eberting, but also share, in a delightfully humorous way, how you used that example to deal with one of the typical nerve-wracking, frustrating experiences any mother six (did I count correctly?) faces on a daily basis. I can identify completely, having gone through similar hectic times with my six in years past. Hooray for you! And I’m so pleased that my post was of immediate practical use! :)

]]> by: Alison Moore Smith http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-5999 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 21:29:12 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-5999 Just thought I'd let you know how your good work is spreading. A couple of years ago I was volunteering as a choreographer for a youth musical theater production that three of my own children were in. Some of the other moms volunteered to play with the toddlers for the directing moms. One day, as I walked toward the playroom door, I heard the SWEETEST, most patient voice on the planet. It was from a volunteer I would later meet named <a href="http://www.mormonmomma.com/columns/bios/le.html" rel="nofollow">LauraLyn Eberting</a>. Unfortuntely, she wasn't--as I suspected--a brand-new mom. She was a mom of young kids up to near teenagers, who HAD lived long enough to be worn out and tired of trying to be sweet. And STILL she had the nerve to be such a NICE mom and--and induce a great deal of guilt in my soul. Over the past years as I got to know her I found out she IS just as nice as I thought, but she's also very smart, opinionated, talented, etc. And STILL she's nice, positive, cheerful. Hmmph. Anyway, she is a great example to me. So, today, when I was driving the kids all over and had a headache and was tired and had a sinus issue...I remembered this article. I actually, truly remembered it when I needed it. And at the height of chaos, when I was trying to get Belinda to seminary and Monica and Samson to swimming (without loosing all the karate stuff) and while Caleb was squishing his burrito into the carseat and I was worried about how to be three places at once tonight because my husband is out of town (with our daughter Alana, a 13 yo tradition) and Jessica was calling from BYU for help with something--out of my mouth came LauraLyn Eberting's voice. I kid you not. So, I had to return to give you credit for bringing a much needed dose of cheerful mom to our family during one of the times we generally do not posess such a thing. My children bless you. Just thought I’d let you know how your good work is spreading.

A couple of years ago I was volunteering as a choreographer for a youth musical theater production that three of my own children were in. Some of the other moms volunteered to play with the toddlers for the directing moms.

One day, as I walked toward the playroom door, I heard the SWEETEST, most patient voice on the planet. It was from a volunteer I would later meet named LauraLyn Eberting. Unfortuntely, she wasn’t–as I suspected–a brand-new mom. She was a mom of young kids up to near teenagers, who HAD lived long enough to be worn out and tired of trying to be sweet. And STILL she had the nerve to be such a NICE mom and–and induce a great deal of guilt in my soul.

Over the past years as I got to know her I found out she IS just as nice as I thought, but she’s also very smart, opinionated, talented, etc. And STILL she’s nice, positive, cheerful.

Hmmph.

Anyway, she is a great example to me.

So, today, when I was driving the kids all over and had a headache and was tired and had a sinus issue…I remembered this article. I actually, truly remembered it when I needed it. And at the height of chaos, when I was trying to get Belinda to seminary and Monica and Samson to swimming (without loosing all the karate stuff) and while Caleb was squishing his burrito into the carseat and I was worried about how to be three places at once tonight because my husband is out of town (with our daughter Alana, a 13 yo tradition) and Jessica was calling from BYU for help with something–out of my mouth came LauraLyn Eberting’s voice. I kid you not.

So, I had to return to give you credit for bringing a much needed dose of cheerful mom to our family during one of the times we generally do not posess such a thing. My children bless you.

]]> by: Stephanie http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-5997 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 20:52:30 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-5997 What a great man your father must have been! Wow! What a precious note to have in your possession! That will be a treasure to pass onto your children and grand children. What a great man your father must have been! Wow! What a precious note to have in your possession! That will be a treasure to pass onto your children and grand children.

]]> by: RoAnn http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-5992 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 15:38:56 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/09/20/be-of-good-cheer/#comment-5992 Karen (#8), thanks for your comment! I was talking to my sister about the influence of our parents in this area, and she mentioned how she also thought that it was seeing our parents deal with major (as well as minor) challenges that helped all their children usually deal positively with whatever came along. That is not to say that we don't ever get depressed, or discouraged, or stressed. We do, but we know we need to seek the Lord's help in overcoming those negative reactions quickly, and to remember that God is the source of peace and joy and will sustain us even in the midst of our worst trials, if we choose to let Him do so. Karen (#8), thanks for your comment! I was talking to my sister about the influence of our parents in this area, and she mentioned how she also thought that it was seeing our parents deal with major (as well as minor) challenges that helped all their children usually deal positively with whatever came along. That is not to say that we don’t ever get depressed, or discouraged, or stressed. We do, but we know we need to seek the Lord’s help in overcoming those negative reactions quickly, and to remember that God is the source of peace and joy and will sustain us even in the midst of our worst trials, if we choose to let Him do so.

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