missions, spirituality, and the like......

so I used to think of my mission every day, often multiple times a day, and the memories I had were so clear that I could have sworn I was there just yesterday. Now, I realize I don't think about it as often, at the most I'll think about it a few times a week. It's interesting how difficult missions are. To clarify, I mean that, at least for me, my mission was spiritually exhausting, emotionally trying (at times), and a huge sensory overload. So it wasn't difficult in a bad way, just a different way. I felt that I had grown a lot while I was gone for 18 months, and that closeness to the Spirit and the Lord were the only things that really helped me after I got home. I never wanted to lose that feeling, eventhough I knew it would diminish somewhat over time.
I know I've mentioned this before, but I feel like I need to be doing more. I know I'm not doing enough. I know I need to study my scriptures more. I know I need to pray more often. I know I need to prepare myself to be a gospel teacher to my children. I need to visit teach consistently. I need to invite the missionaries over more frequently. It's easy to see all of these things and tell myself that I don't have time to do all that I need to at home AND everything else. However, I also know that if I make the time to do all of these things, everything else will fall into place, and the things that are really important will be what is accomplished.

I have found myself getting frustrated with people for their imperfections. I tell myself that common sense apparently isn't so common, but I think my frustrations with my own imperfections have clouded my vision. Would the Savior look at me and see only a flawed individual? Or would He lift me up and help me to overcome? This really is the season to focus on the positives, and to look to Christ as our example. I know that we hear that all the time, but I see now that I need to be like Him in all aspects.
Last week was our Relief Society dinner, and it was soooo good :) The food was so yummy, and being the focus was on Mary, I was definitly fed spiritually. I wish we had more opportunities to get together as sisters and marvel at the joy and wonder of womanhood and motherhood. I never fully understood how blessed I was to be born the way I am until I got married and started my family. We are the teachers of tomorrow, and part of an amazing support group. The Lord truly loves us so much. Let's take the time to honour eachother and lift one another up; who knows when Heavenly Father will need us to be His instrument. That's why we're here, isn't it?