Mothering SOAP notes

For my work, I write a lot of SOAP notes. Basically, I describe different aspects of the clients I see. These kind of notes are used by many health professionals. I'm sure you've had SOAP notes written about you :-).

The other day, and especially after a particularly strife-filled couple of days, my brain switched into a different mode. Instead of having hurt feelings, I emotionally separated myself from the situation and mentally compiled SOAP notes for my family member. It worked so well, I tried it a second time for a different family member!

This isn't exactly what I came up with that day, but will give you a good idea. 

S (Subjective -- what kind of state a person is in): Met with Carson today in our home, highly agitated upon greeting; health seemed compromised by allergies and reported sore throat

O (Objective): He yelled 3 times; stomped out of room 2; scratched his own face and back under duress: 4 times;  offered apology 1; used calm voice to solve conflict: 1/4 

A (Assessment): yelling behavior is consistent with previous weeks; scratching has increased; offering apology -- progress noted (self reflection evident); using calm voice -- consistent with previous weeks

P (Prognosis/Plan): Continue to love Carson, encourage him to listen to music every day as soon as he gets home, Be patient - always patient, Forgive

I found myself not looking at family members as the enemy in battle but more as though each person can be seen as a whole person and consideration of other factors might help me not focus in on the one little thing that might have hurt my feelings. 

The End

This last week, I finished the Book of Mormon again. I think it has taken me just over a year this time (my children and I finished it together last April for Callie's baptism, I think I started a personal study of it after that).

The last two chapters of Moroni really struck me as I pictured a man, all alone in charge of preserving a record for me. The world around him was terrible, in every sense of wickedness I can imagine.

How grateful I am for his faith and steadfast desire to give us the words which would be most valuable. I believe this message (the Book of Mormon) to be true. I believe these prophets prayed for their people just as my latter-day prophets pray for me, as do my local leaders. I feel a sense of communion with Mormon, who compiled the Book of Mormon from many ancient records. He must have felt an incredible duty to "get it right".

I have been using a companion study guide book which Marci, my sister, recommended:

https://www.amazon.com/Book-Mormon-Made-Easier-Cover/dp/1555177875/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1496667386&sr=8-2&keywords=david+ridges+book+of+mormon+made+easier

(my mother-in-law gave this to me for Christmas, thus I am posting the link for the 3rd book in the series). I loved having scholars research added to my reading. David Ridges (author of study guide) points out the message of mercy which bookends the Book of Mormon. I would like to continue pondering this message as I think, again, about the last two chapters where Moroni describes the state of the world. At times, I felt a bit depressed because so much of what he describes is as it feels today (general populace no longer recognizing/revering authority, lack of spirit).

However, there is hope, I know there is hope. We have leaders who love us and pray continually for us. We have virtues of faith, hope, and charity to which we can cling as though they are our lifeline. There is ALWAYS mercy which brings us to our knees in pleading to our Heavenly Father for strength and the ability to love the unlovable as well as feel loved, while we are unlovable.

The last two words of the Book of Mormon seem so final, "The End", yet I know is isn't so. I need to take what I have read (and read it again and again) and be the kind of person Moroni so desperately wanted to reach with his final message.
Keep on Diggin!
If you want a free Book of Mormon, order here.