Lady Cady

Faith * Family * Life

My Part in It

Do you realize how important you are and the good you do in this life? I’m going to bet you don’t. It’s easy to see the importance and good others do but not so easy to recognize it in ourselves. Take heart my friend. When you are doing the things God asks you to, when you are doing the things God needs you to, you are in a wonderful place. ❤

There is a place I love to sit
And think about just where I fit
In this life and in God’s plan
And just how obedient that I am.
But when I let the Spirit in,
And think of exactly where I’ve been,
How glad I am that God chose me.
How glad I am that God trusts me.
To do the things I humbly do.
To do the things God asks me to.
For God loves each and every one of us –
And so many do the things they must –
So who am I among the Great?
With all the many mistakes I make.
And when I stand up once again –
Once more ready to jump back in –
And fight the fight already won.
Do the things that God needs done.
I do so with more humble heart
Reminded that God loves my part.
The things I do – though humble now –
Help build the Kingdom of God somehow.
I let that thought comfort me
And trust the eyes through which God sees.
For I may be an imperfect piece
But it’s through God’s plan we all find peace
And if my tiny, little part
Can help grow someone else’s heart
Then when I meet God and his Son
They may just tell me “Job well done!”
How glad I’ll be that God saw fit
And in His plan, I played my part in it.

Today I Made a Friend

I have been lucky to have met some incredibly wonderful/nice people in my life. Some, sadly I’ve lost touch with. Several live far away now but I still talk to them when I get a chance. Others live close enough I get to see them when time allows but not nearly often enough because, well, life, right? No matter where friends I’ve had along the way are now, I forever cherish their kindness to me and look fondly back on memories we’ve shared. (Like this beautiful cake from Sweet Sarah. She’s amazing y’all!) Good friends are harder to find as life gets busier and busier because we just don’t always have the time to get to know people like we wish we could but when you do find them, they are priceless in this crazy world. Wherever your friends may be right now, reach out and say hi and let them know you appreciate them. You can even send them a link to this poem and say “Hey! I was thinking of you! Thanks for being awesome.” if that makes it easier. 😉

Today I found a priceless gem
While going through my day.
This priceless gem I would have missed
If I’d been hurrying on my way.

But instead I took the time
To look for good in everyone I met
And soon I found a priceless gift
I won’t ever soon forget.

This priceless gem I found today
Was nice and kind to me.
This priceless gem is always good
And helps others just for free.

This priceless gem does listen
To what others have to say.
And does their best to serve the Lord
And love whatever – come what may.

This priceless gem is always willing
To do service with a smile.
This priceless gem is always willing
To serve that extra mile.

This priceless gem may not be shiny
Like the rubies that you hold.
This priceless gem does not cost money
Like your silver and your gold.

This priceless gift I hope to have
Until my life does end.
This priceless gift made my day –
For today I made a friend.

A Homecooked Meal

My mom passed away when I was a teenager. I will forever and always be a big mama’s girl, so as you can imagine it was one of the hardest experiences I’ve ever had to endure. In addition to so many other wondaful things she was good at, she was a fabulous cook. In the first few days, and weeks after she died I was in shock and survival mode. When I started coming out of it, I remember watching my dad heat up a can of beans in the microwave, then serve it to us in it’s can/cylinder shape in a bowl – something my mom never would have done! (My parents were divorced and we didn’t even have a microwave). I still vividly remember the sadness I felt in that moment realizing that I would never again eat my mom’s homecooked food. I’ve had many delicious meals since then but none quite like how she made things. Now as a mom myself, I can attest to how hard meals can be and how much I’d love to just never cook again some nights! But I also will be the first to testify how special that time as a family can be. So keep it up! That special family time will always be worth it.

Oh, the blessing of a homecooked meal!
How good that food can make you feel.
Bring comfort to the anguished soul
With just a single, simple bowl.
Bring courage to the travel worn
And healing to a heart that’s torn.
A smile to so many faces.
Happiness in so many places.
Bring back the soul that once was lost –
No matter how humble or grand the cost.
So don’t worry about how long it took
Or worry about how perfect it looks.
Serve it up with your smile and love.
It’s something that you can be proud of.
You never know the memories you’ll make
When you all sit down and all partake.
You never know how good you’ll feel
When enjoying the blessings of a homecooked meal.

The Terrific Two’s

Do you have any little kids in your home? We have a couple of little people who live in our house right now. One is on the count down to his third birthday, which makes me sad. I love them all so much!! With that I’d love to tell you all it’s been sunshine and daisies all year, but… That little two year old boy has definitely kept us on our toes! Somedays it’s hard to not pull all my hair out when I find, you know, paint all over the place hypothetically speaking, but I also have learned to find the humor in those moments, (Eat some chocolate…), love him even more, and move on because really, it is a wonderful time in life.

Some call these years the Terrible Two’s
But I know that’s simply just not true.
For what other time can you
Paint so many things all blue.
Or simply throw food on the floor
Because you just don’t want anymore.
Or take a blissful afternoon nap,
Wake up and unroll Mom’s plastic wrap.
Get treats for successfully going potty!
And simply smile when you are naughty.
Put each shoe on the wrong foot
Then kick them off and go barefoot.
Give the cats and dog a ride
Then carry the chickens and put them inside.
Draw a picture on you face
And on the wall – just in case…
Be pushed and pushed, on a swing so high
Then slide on your tummy down a big tall slide.
Be caught up in the wonder of
Bugs and slugs and planes above.
Then there’s reading your favorite book –
And making everyone take a look.
Eating cookies behind Dad’s chair
And getting food stuck in your hair.
Getting rides on Dad’s tall shoulders
And climbing up on big tall boulders.
Snuggling up with Mom and Dad
Because of a bad dream you had.
Watching a movie when you feel sick
Then from the popsicles – getting your pick.
Happily playing in the dirt
Getting kisses when you get hurt.
Carrying your blanket all around
Or playing the game “Don’t make a sound!”
Playing with toys in a big bubble bath.
Making your family laugh and laugh.
There’s so many fun things to do
When you are little, when you are two.
If you’re blessed with someone this age
Remember the hard things – they’re just a stage.
This little person won’t always be two
So cheer them on for all they can do
And never forget how much they love you.

A Plea to Time

I have a confession to make. I think Time is out to get me. It flies it’s merry wings quicker and quicker every year. And my life feels like it’s passing me by quicker and quicker. I try my best to hold onto the most important things in life and ignore the lesser things but sometimes I really wish I could just figure out how to stop time altogether! If you happen to have figured out the secret, please pass it on to me! 🙂

Time, please stop your ever flow –
Don’t make each of my children grow.

Let my baby always be
Cute and small and cuddly.
Let him keep that toothless grin
And want to be picked up once again.

Let my toddler always stay
As curious as he is today.
Let him pick up one more book
And ask for me to take a look.

Let my sweet and clever girl
Always love her precious curls.
Let her always want to be
Friends with someone just like me.

Let my first born always stay
As silly as he is today.
Let him always be okay
Hanging with each of us all day.

Let them each keep the wonder of
Gazing at the stars above.
The fun of playing on a beach
Or how delicious is a peach!

Let them always feel so small
When standing beneath a tree so tall.
Let them always feel glad to be
From a place so brave and free.

Let them never question love
From their Heavenly Father above.
That the Savior will always stand
Right beside them where’re they land.

And Time please keep them safe from harm
And know there’s always welcome in these arms.

But since you must keep marching on
Until each one of us is gone,
Then make this promise to me now –
These things we’ll never forget somehow.

Humble Prayer

At church a few weeks ago I was out in the foyer during Sacrament Meeting chasing my little boys when I noticed a picture hanging on the wall that made me pause. The picture is of Joseph Smith as a boy kneeling in prayer. In that moment I thought about how one simple prayer can change so many lives! We may never know the effects of our prayers on the lives of others or ourselves but one thing is for sure – I am forever grateful for the humble prayers of so many that have gotten me where I am today.

How glad I am for humble prayer
Where God can find us kneeling there
And gently whisper in our ear
The many things we need to hear.
There on our knees with simple heart
He whispers just what is our part
Then lends his strength abundantly
And gives his love consistently.
Only asking in return
We love others with as much concern
And live our lives as best we can
Exactly like the Son of Man.

How lives are changed through humble prayer –
From parents to those in deep despair
And living prophets of the Lord
To bishops who humbly lead each ward.
Even simple farmer boys –
Seeking truth amidst the noise.
Each can find the peace they seek
For God loves each prayer, each child unique
And ready He stands to help us up
Then guide us through the bitter cup.
Grateful for who we become.
Proud of what we overcome.

How blessed we are by humble prayer
And all the answers to be found right there.
And strength and courage freely given.
Mistakes and sins freely forgiven.
Our hearts are changed with each heartfelt prayer.
Our lives are changed when we pray with care.
So next time you have time to spare
Spend the time in heartfelt prayer.