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This week’s collection reminds me of the sometimes links and sometimes disconnect between words and actions. 

Graciously, some disconnections are preventable, like the pronunciation of some names of some well known folks. (Yeah, I’ve missed more than one in my past.)

Say you’ll do something and do it: knitting sweaters for injured penguins at 109 or making things more hospitable for the homeless or being honest in word and deed, even 40 years tardy. Richard Paul Evans resurrected his own iced-over marriage, an act of love for one who professionally writes of it.

Ever wondered how many words are spoken by the women in the bible?  Thanks for the act that caught and compiled them all. And thanks to the BYU group that is recording the accomplishments, perspective and advice of the female faculty at BYU in their progress By Study, By Faith.

BCC’s Rebecca J. offers this beautiful, honest,  heart–wrenching, and very personal look at what it means to be part of a ward community. How do we match our actions to the words we preach when it is difficult? And finally some eye-opening thoughts on envy: do we  “giving up on creating and settling for criticizing” or do we consider “we are only envious of those already doing what we were made to do. Envy is a big flashing arrow pointing towards our destiny. ”

Our First Draft Poem of the week comes from Lara, writing on the Pope’s fulfillment of his promise to better care for the poor in the Vatican.

When in Rome

Pomp and plush can start to feel all
measured up
like the ayes have it
and the nays . . .
they can genuflect until the cows come home
but the grace we ornament and price
can never get
them clean enough to enter.

Then he puts a foot down,
insists the alms pay
for soap;
Haircuts will be available Mondays
and the three hundred umbrellas
from the lost and found
are gifted to the lost.

And we are found
with less
and saved as we
are translated from tourist to pilgrim
from aye to nay
them to us
master to servant
washing feet.

What words and actions have given you pause this week? Or any favorites from some of ours?


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