I was stuck on the word and meaning of 'Contentment'

For the past few weeks I've been on one of those wavelengths that leads you to come back to the same thought process again and again... It only takes effect when I have little or nothing to think or worry about. I've had some long drives and spirit-filled Sundays that have played into my study of the concept of contentment. Today I got the chance to study a more worldly perspective of the word via Wikipedia... interesting, but not quite as satisfying as my previous discoveries via scripture reading and thoughts of the spirit.

Wiki defined contentment as a self sustaining enjoyment. The source also implies that being content comes intuitively to every person. Along similar lines, but in a less surface-like way, Elder Maxwell said that being content means acceptance without self-pity. He also said that pondering often precedes contentment and that true contentment reflects our participative assent rather than uncaring resignation. I found it interesting that being content, it seems, never just comes to anyone... it's a destination reached by self-instigated efforts.

After some exploring in the bible dictionary and topical guide, I discovered yet another real meaning of contentment... also known as the peace or rest of the Lord. It is, after all, our reward if we are faithful-- peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come-- (D&C 59:23) The feeling of being content, I believe, is heaven-sent. God wants us to be satisfied at every point in the twists and turns of our earthly and eternal journey. This desire of our Heavenly Father is why songs such as 'Be Still, My Soul' touch our hearts with the comforting blanket of the spirit as we are assured that God is in charge always. If we let Him lead us and be our shepherd, we shall not want. There it is again... not wanting = contentment.

After much pondering and returning to this subject again and again, I found a verse of Isaiah's that put the capstone on things for me... Isaiah 58:11 reads, "And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."

Far too many of us spend our lives in a constant flurry of decisions, worrying about what to do with our lives and how to effectively use our time. Not to say that these activities don't reflect worthy and righteous goals... because most of the time they do... but far too often, we don't take enough time to be settled, content, satisfied, happy, at peace. The grace of the Lord can aid us in our search for contentment, if only we'll let Him take the lead. He knows what will bring us peace and where we need to be to get to that point, trust Him.

1 Corinthians 14:33 "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace..."

... The trio of pictures is complete!!

Any of you folks out there that spend any time talking with me as of the past few months know that I have a fair amount of stories based upon good times with a certain trio of people... (and I'm pretty sure that was probably a run-on sentence, but oh well.) hehe. Besides the understandable exception of my sisters, these two girls can distract, giggle, crack inside jokes, and gallivant around with me better than anyone! Funniest part of the story-- we've only really been close friends for maybe 6 months.

Quick overview-- it was a song, in fact, that brought us together. We'd known of each other, and brushed shoulders at church in the ward-- I seemed to always be in contact with the choir pianist and the Relief Society president... weird eh? ;) hehe. Well, a certain someone had been asked to put together a musical number and she'd wanted to have her mother come up perhaps and sing a duet with her... that's where I stepped in... I, being the eager soul that I am, requested to sing the duet. Turns out, that was one of the best bold requests I've ever made. Thus began the adventures of the 3 Musketeers. Such a title stemmed from the fact that we were pretty much ALWAYS together... at least when we weren't studying. (Bah ha!! Studying around those two was a laugh and a half! Never got anything done.) Problem was, eventually we determined if only 2 of us were together, it wasn't completely distracting-- we could still have a grand 'ol time talking and giggling, but not uncontrollably. Add a specific third party though, and wowza... we pulled out all the stops on the uncontrollable laughter part of the deal. Once the inside jokes began to fly, we couldn't be stopped. Quote walls were formed, letters of invitation to our Musketeer-ish-ness were written, the behavioral definition of cuddling was officially commissioned, and late night conversations became the norm.

One day, two of us were together- studying, and getting a lot accomplished actually. Then, a phone began ringing... on the other line was the missing third of our party. She quickly asked if the two of us were together, little did she know she was already on speaker phone. :D A story ensued, of course, and we giggled together via cell phone. Oh, one other fact about the 3 of us... for some reason, we managed to always snap pictures when we're together. With the help of facebook, we immortalized this phone conversation and tagged the phone in the middle as the before-mentioned third party. As time went on, we added another similar picture with a different of us tagged as the phone, and now... the set is complete. Just thought I'd share. ;) These girls have been such a blessing in my life. I know now the power of the influence of good friends. There's not much more important than surrounding yourself with the right people. Love you two!

I've come to realize more and more that life is about people.

But literally... think about it- the only thing around us that has been around forever and will last forever is everyone around us. People and the relationships we form here on Earth are the most important thing we'll ever accomplish while we're here. You know that funny 'click' feeling you get with some friends or family and you just feel like you've known each other for forever and a day? I honestly believe that we re-form such close relationships from days before we remember-- we most certainly had relationships with people before this mortal life, and when we are lucky enough to reunite with those closest to us then, we become, as the phrase goes "like sisters (or brothers)"... ironic, isn't it, that we know we're all spirit sons and daughters of the
same Heavenly Father, and thus siblings?

Life is about people. The moments we share with each other, the selfless acts of service we exchange, the late night conversations, the deep 'mysteries of the universe' discussions, and the love and bond and connection we feel toward those we're close to.

Working where I do and for who I do, this fact has become even more apparent. When I get to host guests for a week at a time and experience some groups come together in more ways than we'd even hoped for... and then stay in touch with each other and us... it's pretty incredible. We had a 46 year old gentleman with us on the trip this last week-- his name was Tim and he has Down Syndrome. This man taught me so much this week- he taught me that there is another level of enthusiasm for life that most of us don't even come close to realizing- he taught me that willing hands and an obedient attitude can always allow you to be helpful- he taught me that being accepting of someone isn't a particular act, it comes with a general love for the person you're around. Life is about people. There are no other things that can replace the people you come in contact with.

... I thought to myself, 'Self-- THIS is what I do for a job...'

Seriously, I forgot how much I LOVE my job up here in the Tetons. The first week of having guests with us was an experience I'll probably never forget. The sheer nature of the trip we provide for people from all over the world is a life changing experience. Saying goodbye to those folks on Thursday was a heart-wrenching process. It's incredible to me how close a group of people can grow together in just 4 days. Even after miserable weather Monday (sheets and buckets constantly barraging our seemingly inconsequential campsite... it literally lasted for hours and hours) we pulled through with smiles on our faces and had quite the week.

The lake we camped next to on day 2 of our trip was absolutely breathtaking that night...
The guests were more than willing to help with chopping wood, packing up the trucks and wagons, and even cooking with us in the kitchen... we had a couple ladies super excited about learning their way around a dutch oven-- it fascinated them. :) Pretty cool to see a bunch of city slickers out in the forest having the time of their lives. We had a few teenage boys on the trip from Florida who, after the miserable Monday, eventually warmed up to the experience and even had a hard time saying goodbye.

Have I said that I work for the most incredible people? They absolutely LOVE what they do. I feel so taken care of as well-- I had the battery go out in my car this past week and every step of the way I had someone there by my side helping me know what I needed to do to get it taken care of. My boss even took time out of his insanely busy day to put in the new battery for me.

Let's see-- so the gist of my life up here in Jackson involves playing with horses (okay, not really playing... but it sure feels like it.), cooking in dutch ovens all day long, building fires galore (I promise, I am NOT a pyro...), sleeping under a brilliant sheet of stars with the magnificent Tetons towering in the distance, and interacting with people from all over the world as we share with them an experience they'll never forget. I'm a pretty lucky girl.
Oh, and also-- I'm getting to spend some quality time with my little sister this summer. I love her face SO much!! We went to the park close by today during lunch and just had a pleasant little chat, played with a Frisbee, sat on the swings for a bit, and discovered a prime cuddling spot on the playground... ;) hehehe. It's been so great having her here. I love my sister.

... The Mountain Crew says 'bon voyage!'

((A photo of the crew this summer taken at the Old Time Photo place in Jackson-- pretty fun.))

And the week has come-- The snow has finally melted enough up in the Tetons to allow the 'Teton Wagon Train and Horse Adventure' to get underway... the mountain crew at the Bar T 5 must now go their separate way during the week. I myself, being a cook, will have the opportunity of coming back every weekend to say hello to my wonderful coworkers here in Jackson. Last summer I didn't have the bonding time I've had this summer with the crew down here-- this year will be much different-- I'll very much miss the amazing peoples I've met and worked alongside. I mention almost everyday to one of the crew members how incredibly blessed we are to be working for the best bosses in the world! They truly are spectacular. I learn so much from them in various aspects- whether it be the respect with which they treat every person they come in contact with, or the honesty with which they approach every situation. I love being able to completely trust them, and have them show the same to me. Working up here in Jackson is literally a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I thank my Father in Heaven everyday for the chance I have to be here.

... Carrie became a vagabond

Do you ever have those times of life when you just feel like a floater?? When you're so very busy and caught up in the excitement of life in general to really find a foothold to be settled? That's what the month of May has been like for me... kinda crazy, really! But most definitely a GOOD crazy! I absolutely love my life and the busy-ness with which summer comes for me.

After finals week and a quick goodbye to amazing Logan peoples, as well as a quick trip home to see the family, I was whisked off to Jackson Hole for the summer. Life at my job in Jackson is in and of itself a world of busy busy people taking care of many many details to be sure the Bar-T-5 runs smoothly. I feel so far removed from all other aspects of my life when I'm in Jackson working! We've already had brilliantly epic adventures with the crew members, including a temple trip to Rexburg, a 1 lb hamburger challenge, Swedish and 3D Twister games, late night movies (especially The Three Amigos)... and many more to come!! The people I work with (and for-- my bosses are so great!!) make my job 100 times more exciting and enjoyable. I enjoy the work I do as well, but being around such amazing people all summer is a definite plus!

As of now, I'm sitting in the comfort of my family's home in Gooding enjoying a day off work... Tomorrow morning my sister will be packing up her things in my car and I'll get to have her join me in Jackson for the summer-- she graduated from GHS last night as valedictorian. I'm so very proud to call her my sister, she's a pretty incredible young lady. I realized, as I sat at her graduation, how much I've changed and grown and experienced this past year. High school helped to mold my personality, but college has precisely defined who I am and what I stand for. I'll be forever grateful for my high school experience, and the loving parents who raised me... but I'm coming to learn that many life altering friendships are formed during college years, and having my sister close next year at USU will be such a privilege and a pleasure. I love that girl and I want her to be able to define her own life as I've started with mine.

A big thank you, once again, to all you incredible people who've helped me this first year of college. I love and appreciate each of you. :D

I realized how blessed I am to be surrounded by such incredible people

This particularly normal day, I sit in the comfort of my very own home in Gooding with my wonderful family. It's a rare occasion, and I enjoy every second of my visits to Magic Valley, ID. I got the opportunity this weekend to attend one of my sister's track meets, introduce my siblings and mother to the wonderful world of Wackee Six, spend Mother's Day in my home ward, and torture all little siblings (especially quickly-growing brothers) to make up for the time I've been down south. :)

It's hard to believe, being home again, that a year has past since I was in my little sister's shoes, graduating from High School and preparing to entire the big, bad world of college... ;) Now I know that "big-bad-world" isn't too super big or bad... life goes on as it should, with all the changes and adjustments necessary for us to progress.

College life has been incredibly good to me- most especially because of the amazing people I'm surrounded by. While basking in the warmth of a Spring sunshine this afternoon, I lay on the grass reading a conference talk from this last General Conference. I stumbled across a powerful statement made by President Uchtdorf:

"By becoming the answer to someone's prayer, we often find the answer to our own."

I realize that I have such a powerful testimony of this statement. I know with all my heart that when I most desperately need a blessing, I am nearly always prompted to look outside myself and reach out to someone in particular around me. And most frequently... my needs are met in the process.

And so, to all of you sweet spirits in my life (you know who you are and why you're included on such a list) that have helped be answers to my prayers, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are incredible. I am so blessed to have people such as you in my life. Thank you for your smiles, the conversations we've had, and the unique way in which you've influenced and impacted my life.

On this, the day we honor our mothers, I want to let mine know that I owe nearly everything I am to the diligence in which she and my father raised me. They are the greatest. :) I love and respect and admire her for everything she stands for. Keep it up Mom, you're truly one in a million.