The winner of our reading package giveaway is @lindsaybnielson! Congratulations Lindsay, I hope you take some time for yourself to relax and enjoy all the lovely things you’ve won. Also, thank you to all those who continue to follow Candle in the Window. When I started this in 2017 I wasn’t really sure what direction it would take. My dream is to eventually include an online store in addition to DIY classes for adults and girls age 7-11. If any of you are interested, let me know and we can make this happen for your group! The ultimate goal has never changed, and that is to bring more LIGHT into the world by serving others and sharing my time and talents through any opportunity that comes my way.

The last three weekends have been filled with grandkid sleepovers, and we have loved it!

Sadly, it is out of print, however there are used copies available online. Growing up in a highly dysfunctional and abusive home was difficult.

Reading gave me a place to escape to. Swimming was another escape. I swam competitively for 13 years and wanted more than anything to be a mermaid! Knowing mermaids were not real, I dreamed of becoming a marine biologist because I loved anything to do with water.

I remember reading “Dear Dolphin” when I was five years old and wishing I could be Ann, who through some magical dream was able to swim with a dolphin and explore his underwater world!

She could talk to him and swim with him and not even need to come up for air! I have a copy of this book to give to one of my granddaughters as she too has a dream of becoming a marine biologist. As I’m coming close to my 63rd birthday, I’ve had much time for reflection. What have I done with my life? It sure is different than I ever thought it would be. Not in a bad way, just different. I am truly blessed and have experienced many fulfilling opportunities; I look forward to many more. Did I become a marine biologist? Sadly, my asthma made that dream impossible. However, I did get to swim with dolphins a couple years ago in Hawaii on our 40th wedding anniversary, and that was a dream come true! Thank you Ronnie!!!

This made me realize that sometimes dreams don’t always materialize as we hope they will; however, we are often given opportunities to experience similar things in different ways. This was a LIGHT filled moment for me. Often our hopes and dreams are not what the Lord has in mind for us. His plans are much better than anything we dream up on our own. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to see it through to fruition, and that’s ok.

Life takes us on many different journeys which reminds me of a quote from a talk Gordon B. Hinckley gave at BYU back in 1973. “Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. Most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. . . .

Life is just like an old-time rail journey - delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”

My wish for you this week is that you take time to enjoy the blessings in life. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured. Maybe start a little notebook of the little wins you encounter each day. They don’t have to be huge. Maybe your kids got up on time for school and got ready without you having to usurp your parental powers. Maybe you were able to spend time with a close friend for lunch, dinner, a walk, or a crafting session. Maybe you had a day without a headache! What a win that would be! 😊

Whatever it is, write them down and look for the good in your days. These are LIGHT fillers for your soul! I hope you can think of at least one each day. I’m looking forward to some upcoming posts on all the craft projects I’ve been working on for Christmas. Until then, as we enter the month of Thanksgiving, there is much to be thankful for. May we cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving for the blessing of life and the marvelous gifts and privileges each of us enjoy. Have a great week, and maybe read a book!

Love Ya, Les 😊