Remember Your Worth As A Soul - D&C 18:10

Everyone goes through rocky periods of times in their life that makes them doubt their self worth, that makes them question their value. Question, even, their own Divinity.

In D&C 18:10, it states "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." In many instances, it is easy to brush it aside and say, "Yes, but I have no value." If that were true, it would say, "Remember that the worth of everyone's soul except yours is great in the sight of God." For direct revelation from God is not wrong, and as that verse is direct revelation, it is a Truth. Your soul is of great worth.

Too often we forget that we are not human beings having spiritual experiences, but Spiritual Beings having a human experience.

Feeling worthless is not a feeling given to us by our Heavenly Father. He is Perfect, and all He makes is perfect, and He made you. Therefore, you are of great value. If you are having feelings of inadequacy or feeling worthless, remember that feeling does not come from God.
Rather, it comes from Satan. If he can convince you that you are of no value, then he'll be taking out one of his biggest opponents: a righteous, chosen Child of God.

Do not forget of your own divine nature and individual worth. You have more power than you accredit yourself to. After all,

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
-Marianne Williamson

The Loss of a Loved One

Everyone at some point in their life will lose someone they love. The pain can sometimes be overwhelming, consuming, and aches deep inside of us. Every life is of indefinite value, and deeply hurts those that love them when they pass. The death of a family member is especially a very sad, very personal, experience. There are ways to soften the pain of the separation of our loved one. Even time will dull the sharpness of the pain. But it is the ultimate reunion with the one we love that will completely heal all pain. Thank goodness for the Gospel Doctrines that teach us of our Resurrection and reuniting with those we love.

When someone you love has passed away, it's more than comfort that we need. We need direction to find ways for living without missing them more than we can bear, a way to arrive at peace and keep hope in our hearts. We must also inadvertently pass through the grieving process.

"When they lose a loved one, most people go through specific steps of grieving, though at a different pace and to different degrees. It helps to be aware in advance of those steps, which include shock or denial (the “numbness” stage); guilt, anger, and depression; acknowledgment or acceptance; and finally adapting.

Grief is not bad, nor is it a sign of weakness or something to avoid. To take the grief out of death would be to take the love out of life. We need to allow ourselves to feel whatever is appropriate to the events and seasons of our lives. When our spouse or another loved one dies, we must give ourselves permission to grieve. It is okay to cry; in fact, crying is one of the healthiest things we can do. Tears of sadness can actually help calm us. It is no myth that a person feels better after a good cry.

Tears are only one of the signs that a person is beginning the process of recovery. Other signposts on the road to adapting to the loss of a loved one include a shift in attitude from “Why me?” to “Why not me? I’m strong enough to handle this.” Life is not always fair in the mortal sense, and if we expect it to be, we will be discouraged. However, life is always fair in the eternal sense. Instead of asking “Why did—or why will—this happen to me?” we can be asking “How can I grow through this experience and become a better person?” " - (February Ensign 1995, Till We Meet Again, Sharon Evans Brown)

Ether 12:6 reads "... wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." Losing a child, husband, or any loved one is an ultimate trial of our faith. However, the matter of faith is what you have to fall back onto during this time more than ever. The most helpful thing in the tremendously difficult time of adjustment is to realize that your loved one, like Christ, still lives!
- paraphrased from May Ensign 1973, A Weeping Eye Can Never See, by Elaine Cannon

‘We ask for strength, and God gives us difficulties, which make us strong;
we plead for courage, and God gives danger to overcome;
we ask for favors, and God gives us opportunities.’
- Jule Johnson

Through our tears and trials, fears and sorrows, heartache and loneliness of losing a loved one, there is assurance in remembering that life is everlasting. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is a living witness that this is so. Even with the trial of death, our loved one lives, and is close to us. Through scripture we learn that the spirit world is here on this earth, and that even choice spirits help protect us as our spiritual guardian angels. Those that have not been called to help those on the mortal side of the veil are preaching the gospel to those in spiritual prison. Is it not a comfort to realize that they are with us still, serving in the gospel, separated from us by just a veil?

Death is a very traumatic experience. For anyone. It is through the passing of time, going through the grieving process, and turning to Christ and trusting in His great plan for us and our loved one that will help us through the hard time.

Make A Wish!

I looked up into the night sky, and saw a shooting star. Closing my eyes, I made a wish. When I opened my eyes, I kept searching. When I saw a second shooting star, I made another wish.

~ . ~

What is it that makes us wish, as people? Shooting stars, blowing on a dandelion and making the seeds fly away, 11:11, throwing coins into fountains, blowing the candles out on your birthday cake, first star you see at night... Everyone has some way of getting their wish out there. And yet, deep down, we know that our wish doesn't depend on those things to make it come true.

So why wish?

Have we learned over time to be discontent with what we already have? We always have to have a better salary than we do. We have to have the newest gadget, the nicest car, the biggest house... And we keep wishing for these things. We wish for health, for a loved one to not be dead, for love, for wealth, for anything bigger and better than what we already have.

The completion of our wish is not dependent on any shooting star or coin. We have to make our dreams happen, through hard work. That's how any dream is fulfilled.

You want that mansion, mustang, and I-phone? Go get an education, get a job, and work hard for it, put a lot of money into savings for your dream.
You want true love? Become the sort of person that will attract the kind of guy or girl you dream of. Make an effort on your physical appearance, and don't hide in your room all day. Don't wait for true love to happen to you.
Want health? This one is contingent on a lot of factors, but if you're wishing for a slim, healthy body, then exercise, be careful of what you eat, and look in the mirror ever day and tell yourself you're beautiful and skinny. (Trust me, it works.)

~ . ~

With every will, there is a way. It's just not as simple as blowing out the candles on a cake.

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day, everyone!
I can't believe how lucky I am to live in this country at this time. Freedom to live how I choose, in a Gospel that I have chosen. I think in many ways we misunderstand freedom. Many people decide that it makes it so they can do whatever they want. Which, in all reality, its our choices that make us free or not. Our choices have consequences, and they will determine whether or not we will have future choices to make. And, despite the fact that we all have the freedom to choose what we do, it is a freedom that only extends to where it is not interfering with others' freedoms, with others' ability to choose. Which is why we have set up laws, and consequences given by others than yourself. For example, though we have the freedom to choose to go out and speed tomorrow, there is a danger towards others that may infringe upon their own freedoms. So our country has set up law enforcement to protect the freedom of others. You could go kill someone, but that is obviously against the Divine Right to life (Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness) - therefore, although you had the freedom to choose whether or not you would go do it, it will judge whether or not you will be able to make any future choices.

The same goes with "Free Agency" - the freedom to choose the choice, but once you make the choice, your future choices may or may not be limited in the future.

(Independence Day Quotes - Enjoy!)
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In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you.
Dick Cheney

It is the love of country that has lighted and that keeps glowing the holy fire of patriotism.
J. Horace McFarland

Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.
Dwight D. Eisenhower

If our country is worth dying for in time of war let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in time of peace.
Hamilton Fish

Stadium of Fire 2010

So, a few days ago, my friend asked if I could go to the Stadium of Fire with her. Her parents were paying for tickets, they had one extra ticket, and she was able to invite a friend. It was my first time EVER going! It was absolutely amazing!

Can I just say how amazing it is to live in Utah? The Stadium of Fire opened with an INVOCATION. An OPENING PRAYER. I couldn't believe it! It was amazing! Then, the National Anthem, Honoring of the Troops, and then repeating the Pledge of Allegiance. After the Pledge, 4 fighter jets flew overhead, and then they came on live to commend all Eagle Scouts, whom they then held a court of Honor for, opened by the oldest eagle scout still living.

As if that's not cool enough! Then it got to the music and entertainment. :)

It started off with dancers, had musical numbers by Jenny Oaks Baker, Eric Dodge, The 5 Browns, and The Osmonds 2nd Generation. They all sounded absolutely fantastic! Jenny's group did a Medley of different songs, part of which included the Simplicity of Life, which I sang for Graduation with A Capella. The 5 Browns did a Star Wars Medley, and then The Osmonds 2nd Generation did an "I Believe I Can Fly" medley. (I don't know why I can't remember what Eric sang. Sorry, Eric.)

They were followed by Carrie Underwood, who sang several of her Greatest Hits - including "Before He Cheats", "All-American Girl", "Wasted", "Temporary Home","Jesus Take The Wheel", "Some Hearts", and several others. She was amazing! While I was recently on a trip to Ohio, I heard Miley Cyrus performing "Live" on TV. She didn't sound all that great to me. And yet, when Carrie sang, it blew me away. She is an AMAZING artist! I loved her music!

Music was followed by fireworks and flames. When the fire came on, I could feel the warmth from where I was sitting, and the fireworks, so close, so beautiful, so amazing. Loud, yes, but definitely worth it. This was followed by the dancers doing some neat stuff in the shape of the United States, with flashlights making them glitter like stars. It was very well done, and amazing. More fireworks, then we left.

I have to say, I was very impressed with the show. It was my first time ever going, like I said, and I have to say, I was very pleased with how well it turned out. So, if you're ever in Utah near the 4th of July, I have to say, check out the Stadium of Fire. With fantastic music that varies for every concert, and a wonderful firework display, and a special honoring of the troops & Eagle Scouts out there, it was an event well worth attending.

Not Quite An Independence Day Baby

Growing up, my mom always told me that I was an almost Independence Day baby. She went into false labor with me on the 4th of July. She often teased that I was terrified of the fireworks, so I decided to wait exactly one week for good measure to avoid the fireworks before I was born. Always as a little girl, staring at the big, beautiful, and very noisy fireworks, I felt proud to even have ALMOST have been born on the 4th.

Though, I have to say, I picked a rather catchy birthday. Seven Eleven? It even rhymes, there's a gas station that gives away free mini Slurpee's on my birthday only, and it's an overall good day.

So, I'm not quite an Independence Day girl, but at least since I was "scared of the fireworks", I waited for another amazing day. :)

Childhood Memory - Learning to Ride a Bike

I went outside today, to put something away in my car, when suddenly a memory from childhood came to me. I was brought to the time I learned to ride a bike.

I was about to go into Kindergarten, and it was summertime. Stuck on training-wheels, following my big brother around town was difficult for me. I'd tried to learn to ride a bike before, and it never quite clicked.

First time someone tried to teach me was my uncle. Setting me on a huge bike that fit him, he shoved me off and let me try to pedal. My feet barely touched the pedals, and I peddled frantically. However, I was only going because of the momentum from him pushing the bike. I made it as far as the neighbor's house before the bike started tipping. Turning, trying to regain balance, I started falling over. This was repeated several times before he gave up.

I'm sure other people tried to help me, but the only other memory I have of learning to ride a bike was this:
"Hey, Lisa, come outside," my big brother told me, insistent. "No, I'm playing," was my response. "Do you want to learn to ride a bike?" My big brother asked. "Yes!" My mind was changed very quickly. So I followed him outside. He took one of the bikes with no training wheels, his bike, and told me to get on. He wasn't quite 2 years older than me, so I actually fit. Pushing me lightly, he stood beside me and monitored my riding until I began to fall. Keeping me up, he helped support the bike for a while, letting me "ride". His support became less and less, and soon I was doing it on my own. I fell a lot, wanted to give up a lot, but my big brother taught me how to ride a bike. It was with great pride that I ran inside to tell my mom, "I KNOW HOW TO RIDE A BIKE WITH NO TRAINING WHEELS!!! COME LOOK! COME LOOK!" My parents made a show, clapping for me, and I was proud.

Years later, having taught some of my own siblings to ride bikes, I wonder what pride must've James been feeling at that moment. I can't remember if he got credit, but remembering, it's James taking that time with his bike that I remember most from then.

Starting a Blog

I am your typical girl, just beginning to grow up in a very big world. Many people go back and re-account the "good-old-days". I am living now what will one day become my "good-old-days" and already I have memories I have unaccounted, quotes I long to share, and so why not get it all down?

I'm an old-fashioned girl that holds onto values the world sees as no longer "In", has creativity and many talents, and loves to serve others. Coming from a big family, there are a lot of things I've learned early, and I get a lot of those adorable little kid stories that almost everyone that interacts with children regularly has.

So, why a blog? Because I have my own childhood memories to share, recipes I try out and may want to recommend, little kid quotes that my siblings have said, spiritual thoughts, and some of the mundane.
So, I decided to give it a try!