God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this arrangement.  INSANITY!!!!

Today was a bit of a roller coaster!
I won't get into too many details...other than that I suddenly sat in shocked dismay feeling as though I had lost an ally and a protector.

It luckily was a misunderstanding and I ended the night with two allies and two protectors.

But there for a while I felt very low. And as I drove home, this song came on.

"To free all those who trust in Him from Satan's power and might"

Satan was trying to bring me down.  But my Savior came in to free me from his power and might.

This time of year its easy to think a lot about Christ and what He has done for us...in a general wide expanse sense.

BUT

I know I don't usually think about the little things.  The tiny moments when He frees us from Satan's power and might.

The moments when He truly gives us comfort and joy....not just tidings of it.

And for those moments I will be forever grateful.

Since Its Sunday: Keep Your Antennas Up

Many of you know I'm a Mormon....

Something my church had begun to do recently is put out "Mormon Messages".

Little videos of inspiration, hope and love.

This one is very special to me.

You might want to grab a tissue (I needed one!)

Please watch......

Now if you wouldn't mind I'd love to talk about it a little.

This topic is close to my heart.

We all have people in our lives who we love, who are struggling with feelings of depression.

Feelings that can, when a perfect storm hits, can develop into thoughts of suicide.

Few of us however are trained in psychology or psychiatry.

I have personally felt like I didn't know what to say and what to do.

I have had friends who have said they didn't know what to say or what to do.

You don't have to know.  Of course you want to fix it.  Of course you want to say the perfect thing. Find the silver bullet that will save the person you love, even when they don't want to be saved.

But it doesn't have to come from what you say.  

It comes from your presence.  From being there.  From standing by.

When you feel that low its hard to see anyone who cares or anyone who will not be better off without you around.

So prove them wrong.  Gently help them see your love.
(I say gently, as forcing yourself on someone doesn't usually end well)

Help them know you are there, by being there.

Presence.  Its cheesy and cliche.  But its the best present you can give.

You may not know someone right now who is struggling with deep and intense thoughts of suicide.

But you know someone who is discouraged.  You know someone who is broken hearted and in need of your love.  And you never know what personal and internal battle they might be facing.

Look out for them.  Love them.

I have watched people turn to the most unlikely of "saviors" in their darkest moments because they knew there would be nothing but love.

Be the person people can turn to.  Be the look out.  Give the gift of presence and love.

Keep Your Antennas Up

They need you.

Since its Sunday: Gratitude IN not FOR

I will admit I feel a tad bit guilty for having a little rant about being ok with not loving your trials and sorrows. (see THIS post for more)

I'm always gonna say what I think and not sugar coat it.

Trials and bad stuff...rotten.  Rotten and no fun!

And its ok to think that...

BUT  

(there is always a but isn't there)

It is also important WHAT we do with our feelings.

It can be really really hard to not become bitter, jaded, and cold when the world seems to have nothing good in it.

We have to be careful.  Positivity is a virtue that sheds a ray of sunshine on a difficult time.  And we can't let it hide and negativity take over our attitudes and outlook on life.

But how??  When life super sucks how do we see the positive?

Well one helpful little thing is gratitude.

"But I've tried gratitude" you say.  

And yeah, for a little while thinking of all the things I'm grateful for makes me happier.  But then I start making a lit of all the things I'm SOOOO not grateful for!"

Oh so you are chronic pessimist like me!  Yeah!  Buddies!!!!

Trust me...I know its hard to  not see the negatives outweigh the positives.

A great leader in our church, whom I admire greatly Dieter F Uchtdorf suggested the following....

Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be.

Again a truth moment....I'm not sure I get this super well and FOR SURE do not practice it well.

Here is some more of what he said that helps clarify it for me a little.

When we are grateful to God in our circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation. In grief, we can still lift up our hearts in praise. In pain, we can glory in Christ’s Atonement. In the cold of bitter sorrow, we can experience the closeness and warmth of heaven’s embrace.

We sometimes think that being grateful is what we do after our problems are solved, but how terribly shortsighted that is. How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?

I think for me the key is this....its helpful to be grateful for things in our lives.  But it is even better to grateful for our circumstances and the situations we are in.

The idea of an attitude of gratitude is kinda cliche.  But I think cultivating a constant state of gratitude in good and bad times is always going to help.

Its easy to get into the habit when things are good.  So take advantage of that time to practice and make it a habit...a part of who you are!

Then hopefully when the rough times come...it stays.

Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges.

THERE IT IS!!!!  That's what I'm saying!!! 

I am VERY good at not being pleased with my circumstances.  Not as good at looking beyond with eyes of faith though.....

(could talk for posts and posts about faith....but we will leave it at that for now!)

This type of gratitude transcends whatever is happening around us. It surpasses disappointment, discouragement, and despair. It blooms just as beautifully in the icy landscape of winter as it does in the pleasant warmth of summer.

I'm not saying its an easy thing to do.  But I can be very sure that it is helpful.  And that it will bring a contentment and peace to times of trial and times of plenty.

(To read the entire talk I referenced, click HERE)

Since Its Sunday: The Parable of the Elevator

I got to talk to a dear dear friend tonight...tissues and tears abounded.....but I left feeling lifted.


Life throws a lot of curve balls and today I felt like I was in a batting cage with no bat....getting pelted by balls right and left.


So I called a friend and luckily he was still awake and alright with me saying through sobs "I'm coming over...I'm halfway there and I'll see you in 7 minutes"


He is a wise and caring friend...and he let me rant and cry and just get it all out.  And then he gave me some lovely advice.

And he told me something that I am now going to call the parable of the elevator.


We all know how an elevator works.  You push the button.  The cart arrives.  The door opens.  You get in and it takes you where you need to go.

But have you ever thought about what would happen if those steps didn't go in that order?

What if the door opened before the cart arrived?
If the door opened and there was no cart, you would step in and fall, potentially to your death.


Sometimes its all about timing.
And sometimes the closed door is protection.

Its hard to see the closed door.  You push and push and push that button, impatient for the cart to arrive.

And sometimes you wait.  You wait for what seems like forever.

But then finally the door opens and you safely get to your destination.

But if that door had opened early....who knows what would have happened.


Its hard to stand and wait.  Its hard to have the perspective that the cart hasn't yet arrived.

So even when its hard.

We have to be grateful for closed doors.

Anyone who has been following me frequently/for a while (ehem...you know who you are) knows I adore this song.

A beautiful song about seeing the beauty in the heart break of closed doors

Since Its Sunday: Reread Your Ensign Articles

So its no secret that...I'm a Mormon!!!!

(see side button for more info...see over there...look....ya see it???)


ANYWAY.  Each of our congregations is led by a fellow church member who is asked to volunteer their time and efforts to lead. (much like a pastor)
In a small congregation like mine (AKA a branch) we have a branch president to lead us and help us stay organized.

I'm lucky to have a pretty great one who works really hard to do his best.


A bit ago I was going through a particularly rough time (no way Stephanie isn't that all the time hahaha) and I was meeting with him regarding my church leadership assignment and he gave me some excellent advice.

For a time when he was a young married man he lived with his wife's grandfather.  This man's name was Gordon B Hinckley.  Those Mormons reading will know he was a Prophet and President of our world wide church.

One Saturday when working in the garden my BP noticed that President Hinckley looked very worn down and troubled.  After talking with him for a while about the things troubling him he said "Grandpa what do you do when things are hard and you are discouraged"

And do you know what his reply was????

"I re-read my old Ensign articles" (monthly church magazine with uplifting articles written by leaders)


It was an interesting thought.  Meant to be slightly humorous...but also to teach a valuable lesson.


When we are in the midst of terrible times it seems like life has always been like this.
Studies have shown that people who are less happy do not have less happy memories, they simply have a harder time recalling the happy memories, while happy people have an easier time recalling other happy memories.

With this in mind, re-reading your own journals and looking back on all the memories you have can bring great comfort and peace.  It can break through the clouds of negativity and shine a light down through the end of the tunnel.

As I have done it, I have found things to be grateful for.  I have found ways to help myself be happier and get through the tough times---cause they worked before, and so they will likely work now!!!

Plus with perspective I am even able to look at the difficult times and see the hand of the Lord in my life, blessing me and helping me.


So re-read your old Ensign articles everyone!!!!!!
It might just help ya out :)

Since Its Sunday: Each Life....

There is a hymn that is occasionally sung in our church-each life that touches ours for good.

Lots of people talk about how its a funeral song...and I can see that...but I don't like to think about the sadness of it.

Today I branched out a little bit and talked to some friends who I don't always spend lots of time with.
Its not that I got out of my comfort zone by any means (I'll save doing that for another day!) but I did vary from my routine a little bit.
We had a pot-luck dinner after our services and I sat with a group of friends I wouldn't normally sit with.

And can I please tell you how refreshed and happy it made me!!!!!!!!

There was no real reason I just decided I wanted to mix it up...change the routine.  And it was excellent!

At the table I was at, I was able to chat with two girls who I realized were even more like myself then I realized.


There are so many people in our lives that could become a best friend if we just allowed them into our lives.

And even if they don't become a best bosom buddy who you ask to be your maid of honor, they might be the person you need to talk to that day.

You never know what someone might say to you that might change the way you think about things.....

Each life can touch our lives for good.  If we just let it!

 

Be Happy Be Healthy!

Since It is Sunday: The Lord is My Shepherd

Today I spoke in church


WAHOO.....it was the best experience ever.... (in case you can't read my sarcasm...that last sentence was dripping in it)


I really have no fear of public speaking.  However I do find writing a giving a talk to just be a total hassle.


BUT  I talked about how our Savior Jesus Christ is often called "The Good Shepherd"

This one of my favorite hymns in the LDS Hymn book.
Such a beautiful melody!!!!!!

Artistic Credits to Greg Olson

 

Since Its Sunday...Brought to You By Mindy Gledhill

Alright Peeps.....

I know what you are thinking..."Will you STOP talking about this lady's music!!"
DEAL WITH IT!!!!!
You don't have to read this blog....wait don't stop reading...PLEASE DONT STOP READING!!!!


BUT anyway....

I have LITERALLY worn a hole in this CD.

(Yes I listen to the CD version...my car is from 2002.....)


I have my favorites of course and I listen to them almost exclusively.  Which means that frankly there are several songs I hardly ever listen to...and certainly don't pay attention to!


But today this one came up...AND SO PERFECT!!!!



Sundays can be exhausting...emotionally and physically.

It usually ends up being a long day of church meetings and helping people.

All good things.  But draining.


And so when I finally left the church building today (got there at 11...left at 6:30) this song came on.
AND OH MY GOSH....It spoke to me and brought the tears to my eyes.


Enjoy!

Something Beautiful Happened Today

So our congregation (Singles) shares our church building with two other congregations.

Today while we were having our large combined worship service (Sacrament Meeting) the young children were meeting in the adjoining room.

During a particularly quiet and contemplative moment of the meeting when we partake of the sacrament (similar to communion) the childrens choir suddenly began to sing.  

And suddenly my eyes were welling up with tears....

This a very frequently sung song in Mormon world.  Like all the time.

And its always a nice song but sometimes its just a little cliche and seems overdone.

But today was different.

I don't know if it was the place my mind was in, the fact that it was children singing, or maybe it was just the words.

Well honestly it was probably all three combined.....

Heavenly Father, are you really there?

And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer?

Some say that heaven is far away,

But I feel it close around me as I pray.

Pray, he is there;

Speak, he is list'ning.

You are his child;

His love now surrounds you.

He hears your prayer

I Will Rest In You

A few months ago I was in a rough spot.

Some of it was situational, some of it was self inflicted.

And what did I do?  I went to one of my best friends.  And he told me to get it together.

And 2 weeks later...I hadn't.

So I went to another best friend.  Who coincidentally said exactly the same thing the first friend said.

And finally I got it.

But why am I telling you this?

Because that second night I was given a CD.  And I never made it past the first song....I just kept playing it over and over and over.

The words paint such a lovely picture for me...not to mention the melody is gorgeous and on top of it all Mindy Gledhill sings right in my range!

So often we forget.  We forget the place we once knew.  

Sometimes we forge ahead on our own...trying to climb a mountain without a guide.

And we get tired and exhausted because we are trying to do it on our own.

I do this constantly and I say to myself "I just want to sleep.  I just want my bed"

But how often do we crawl into the bed of faith?  

Sometimes we act a fool...and He shakes His head at our foolishness and the brings us in and asks us if we don't mind to "Please cut it out and let me fix it?"

We just have to let Him fix it.

Hopefully this is not too personal and not too spiritual.

I promise the wit and fun will be back tomorrow....but for now..................

Let Him help you be happy.  Let Him make you truly healthy.

 

Oxytocin-Or Why We Need Other People

Have you ever heard the research they have done on oxytocin??

Oxytocin is a hormone our body naturally releases that leads to feelings of contentment and comfort.

Studies have shown that touching stimulates the body to release this hormone.
Even just touching someones hand can trigger the release.
So just think what an actual hug could do????



Just a simple hug can do wonders.

A bit ago I was having a terrible day.  Like a really terrible horrible no good very bad day.
We were in serious Alexander mode.

Luckily I was able to see a dear friend.  Unluckily at this time this good friend was going through a loss, and was really in need of a hug.
So being a hugger, I pulled her in and held her for a bit.

But I still was so focused on myself.  Everyone around me was hounding me-and suddenly I had minor attack and pulled my hood over my face in a stressed/overwhelmed manner.

And suddenly this sweet friend-who was hurting herself-said "Oh Stephanie, it is ok!" and pulled me into a hug.  And as we left, she kept hugging me and even allowed me to lean on her as we walked.

It likely looked like I was either incapable of walking myself (either due to emotional distress or drunkenness).  And frankly it kind of felt like I couldn't!

But she was there for me.  (even though it should have been me there for her!)
And seriously-my day was suddenly better.
Such a simple almost nothing thing-and my day took a 180 degree turn.

And it was perfect.



So hug each other.  Cause its not like you can hug yourself!

Be Happy Be Healthy!

A Theory...Since Its Sunday...TWATTSG????

Not sure which one this is actually.

But point is...at the request of my dear Meredith

The difference between being AFRAID and SCARED.


Being in my mid 20s....there are a lot of changes that happen.
Moves, changes in my social scene/climate, new schools, new jobs
ALL sorts of new...and all sorts of unknown.

And sometimes I get really scared.
And thats ok.

Scared means that you care.  If you were apathetic about it....you wouldn't be scared.
And apathy is everyone's worst enemy.

Going out of my comfort zone scares me.  But that means it is probably good for me right?
When you are trying to increase your flexibility there is a little pain associated with the stretching of your muscles.
Good pain...good stretching.  Stretching that helps you grow.


HOWEVER.

Have you ever/known someone who has ever stretched too far.  They weren't prepared and hurt themselves?

Go with me on this analogy ok????

This over-stretching is what we are going to call being afraid. No bueno

Being afraid paralyzes us.  It stops our progress.

At the risk of getting all spiritual...fear is of Satan...and faith is of God right????

Just because you have faith doesn't mean you aren't a little scared.
It just means that you aren't afraid.
It means you trust and believe that the outcome will be what is best for you.

Being afraid means that you fear that the outcome you want won't happen.  And that things won't work out.
Being scared means not knowing which will happen, but being alright with both because you know both will end right........


Does that make any sense???
It does to me at least!

Now before I get too long winded so that you don't want to read this whole post...or any future post EVER....may I make a quick suggestion???

THIS was a broadcast from this evening by a leader in our church specifically for single adults 18-30

He spoke a lot about faith and having faith.  Watch it...it was stellar!  And he says it better than me.

Also...if you are a crier...it got me a little bit-just a warning



Also to learn more about my faith/beliefs...click on the I'm a Mormon" link on the side bar!!!! or just comment haha!

BE HAPPY BE HEALTHY!!!!!

Beautiful Heartbreak

Too much to write about today....


so I'll just say thanks to a fellow blogger........

Thanks for posting this Elizabeth!

 I was first introduced to this song a couple months back while in nursing school
(probably by another blogger...possibly Elise)

Some days you just need to be reminded that its all going to be ok.....that things are gonna work out!



Be Happy Be Healthy

Since Its Sunday.... Families

Maybe I am thinking a lot about families today because I have a brother out on a mission...and my sister who lives in Utah called me just a couple of days ago...and my younger sister is leaving for college tomorrow...and me and my youngest sister are going to be kicking it alone this next week while the 'rents are travelling.

But I am thinking about families a lot today.

I was on heightened alert today at church.
I attend the congregation my family has been in since I was 8 1/2 years old.  Its changed quite a bit since then-and recently there have been  A LOT of new families move in....with TONS of children!

And I noticed a lot of them today.  Not any of them individually, but them together.

Today I watched a dad bless his little son.

I watched an older brother give is suit coat to his younger sister because she was cold
(they were probably 10 and 8!!!!).

I watched an 11 year old boy hold his youngest brother (9ish months) making faces and quietly entertaining him.


I had to hold back tears as I thought of my own brother who would totally give me his jacket if I was cold and he was here.
I thought of how close my sisters and I are.  And how close they are to each other.

And though I was thinking a lot about my current family, I couldn't help but thinking about my future family too.

(yes everyone...I did just mention my future family, you have permission to be shocked for a moment but then you must get over yourself!)

I'm excited for the prospect of having my own family (again don't anyone have a cow....excitement does not mean is will happen tomorrow)

I think what I am most excited about is getting to watch my children be close to each other like me and my siblings are.

The stereotypical family is so often portrayed is crazy and chaotic, with kids only interacting to fight.
But that wasn't my experience at all.

Don't get me wrong...we fought just as much as any family, but we also were each other's best friends.
And all these family's I saw today were very similar to us.

I'm glad that I get to be with my family for eternity. We will always be together.  And I am so happy that some day I will get to add to that family with my own children.

So I'm excited---not in any hurry---but still excited :)

PS..... even MORE excited for my little ones to play with all these ones little ones.  Its is going to be the BEST of the BEST!!!!!!

Check out sweet Shaylee and Courtney and their Since its Sunday linky party!!! 

If you would like to know more about my beliefs in regards to forever families-please feel free to visit this linkhttp://mormon.org/family or ask me any questions viz the comments section!
Be Happy...Be Healthy

Since Its Sunday.... Missionaries

Check out Courtney and Shaylee!

So some of you may know I'm waiting for a missionary right now....
this handsome dude-

Boys everywhere should be warned that no marriages will happen before this one gets home...so just don't even TRY!   tehehe

Its been one year since this guy left and that means we have one year to go.

I am so happy and so proud of him-but at the same time can't wait for the kiddo to get his rear-end back in this hemisphere!!!  (He is in Cape Coast, Ghana PS)

But since he has been gone, I have been lucky enough to serve my own little mini-mission.  It of course was worked around school and work and other various activities.  But I feel like it has been a mini-mission nonetheless.

While up in CoMO, I often went out with the missionaries in that area.

It was fun to be able to meet the people who were investigating the church and even more special when I was able to be the person they sat with at church and hung out with at activities.

I think that is one of the most important roles of a "member missionary".  Coming to a strange new church where you don't know anyone is SCARY and HARD!  I was glad I got to be a familiar face!

Over the summer with my switch of congregations and INSANE schedule, I was not able to go to appointments with the missionaries.

I was not able (in the same way) to bear my testimony of the truth or help someone understand beautiful and life altering doctrines.  I was not able to feel the specific type of spirit that is only present when a 19 year old boy with a black name tag tells the Joseph Smith story.  I was not able to watch lives change the way I had.

But now I am home.  And I do nothing all day but occasionally study for my boards apply for jobs and watch the Olympics.

So when the sister missionaries assigned to my ward texted me asking if I could go with them to an appointment I didn't even hesitate.  And I made sure they knew that they should call me--all the time!

(They are in a group of three so exciting tale I might even go on exchanges-or me going with one while the other two go to another appointment!)

Point is-I realized how much I missed it!

So glad I get to get back to it!!!!!!