The Week in Words

Because of this meme, as I read this week, I paid closer attention, looking for things that were inspiring that I could share with you.  I found many, but wanted to share the one that was most meaningful to me.

"There are a lot of distractions in the world. We have people telling us left and right how we should be. What we should think. That we should act or dress a certain way to be accepted. We listen. We participate, trying to fit in. Into what? Why? Because the one thing we want more than anything else is to feel accepted, appreciated, included—that we are loved. The reality that often eludes us is that we are already loved and accepted in the most divine way—by God—completely and forever. What can top that?"

Cynthia Legette Davis from Peace in Us

I've done a lot of self-reflection over the last few weeks.  Because my book is coming out, I'm trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I'm going to have to promote myself--in public--gasp!  It is so far out of my comfort zone, and I know I'm going to need my Heavenly Father's help to do it. 

This quote reminded me that He loves me exactly as I am.  Does that mean He doesn't want me to stretch, and learn, and grow?  No.  In fact, He knows exactly what I'm capable of becoming.  I pray with His help I can do all that is ahead of me and come out knowing that I've made Him proud.

To see more inspirational quotes from this weeks' Week in Words, visit Breath of Life.

An Open Window

I heard a story at work today that gave me the chills and wanted to share it with you. 

A young mother had just moved into a third floor apartment in San Francisco.  The apartment had just been sprayed for bugs, so the windows were open to ventilate it.  The mother went into her bedroom and her 16 month old son, Matthew, followed closely behind.  She retrieved something from the room, glancing out the open window at the concrete below.  She then walked out, urging the toddler to follow her.  After taking a couple steps outside the bedroom, she heard a sound and turned around.  Seeing the little boy had not followed, she went back inside to find him.  When he was nowhere in sight, she rushed to the window and looking out, saw his tiny form lying on the windshield of a truck below.  She screamed to her husband who hurried to find her.  Looking through the window, they saw him moving and rushed down to help him.  The baby only had two small cuts on his face, but other than that was perfectly fine.

That in itself is a touching story, but later that day, the young mother was talking to her grandmother about the incident.  The grandmother's eyes filled with tears as she said, "I didn't know why, but when I was in the temple this morning, I put Matthew's name on the prayer roll."

Is it a coincidence that a truck that was not there moments before appeared at just the right time? 

Or that a loving grandmother was inspired to leave Matthew's name on the prayer role in the temple?

I don't think so.

This week we had a young friend die from the Swine Flu.  Dennis was a healthy young man in his early 20's.  I cannot say that I understand why Matthew's life was spared, yet Dennis's was not.  What I do know is that we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father.  He is ever present in our lives and is aware of our struggles and heartache as well as our triumphs and joys.  The holiday season is the perfect time to turn our lives over to Him, knowing that if we live as He wants us to, whether our lives are spared or taken, we will ultimately be happy.

Take a moment today to hug those you love, and remember that among the hustle and bustle of last minute holiday preparations, the people and relationships in your life are the most important thing.

Becoming Aware

I don't talk much about my job because I need to protect the privacy of my clients, however, I think I've talked about what I do. I'm a transcriptionist at Brigham Young University. I provide real-time transcripts for deaf students. It's a super fun job. I get to attend class and be a pseudo-student. I get all of the knowledge, but none of the homework.

Today I attended a biology class. Because it's the end of the semester, the professor was trying to sum up the course. We watched several videos put out by the LDS church humanitarian department. They detailed ways that the Church has given humanitarian aid throughout the world.

The video that touched me the most was the Hunger Project in Ethiopia. I heard some startling statistics:

-The world population is 6.4 billion people and over 842 million suffer from hunger.

-1.2 billion people live on less than $1 per day.

-One child dies from hunger and malnutrition every five seconds.

The LDS Church sent 34 containers of Atmit--a porridge, made of oat flour, sugar, powdered milk, and a vitamin/mineral mix to feed thousands of starving children. The video showed people lining up to get a small cupful of the porridge. Mothers tried to give their starving children to Americans, begging them to care for them.

It's not that I didn't know people were starving. It just hadn't touched me in quite that way before. I've had times in my life where my family has struggled financially, but even during the leanest of times, we are very blessed.

In the words of the professor, "You're being educated at an institution that is not just about Provo, Utah. I want you to see how meaningful biology is to the world. Sitting in front of me are people that are going to solve the world crises. You will be part of the solution."

It's my hope that I can be part of that solution. There's no better time than the Christmas season to reach out to those in need. Even if you don't know someone who is starving, I'm sure you know someone who is grieving, hurting, or lonely. Take some time during the holidays to look around you and become aware of what you can give--if nothing else, give a listening ear, a spontaneous hug, or a friendly smile. There is much good to be done.

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40

A Sacred Ordinance

I had an interesting experience at church today as I sat in the foyer during the last hour of classes. A mother from my ward sat in one of the chairs holding their baby. The father came and brought one of their other children out. I assumed that he was misbehaving in primary and had to come sit with his mom. But one-by-one the father brought the other children out as well.

They all stood reverently in the corner waiting. I watched, curious what they were doing. Another ward's sacrament meeting had started and it was time for the sacrament to be passed. Soon a deacon from that ward came out into the foyer to pass the sacrament. Each member of this family took the sacrament and then as soon as the water had been passed, the parents hugged each of the children and they scattered, going back to their own classes.

I was amazed. Apparently the family had missed taking the sacrament in our ward so had gathered to take it with the ward following ours. I was very impressed at the message those parents were sending their children about the importance of the sacrament. I know often I'm guilty of taking the ordinance of the sacrament too lightly and it was a great reminder of it's sacred nature.

These parents don't know that they profoundly affected me, but they did. Next week when the sacrament is passed, I think I'll look at it a little bit differently than I did today.

Conference Musings

I realized as I drove down State Street yesterday what a unique area I live in. It's comforting to know I'm surrounded by other members of the church. It was 2:00 in the afternoon and conference had just started. I stopped at a red light and looked around while waiting for the light to change. On the radio conference played. It was at the point where they were sustaining officers of the Church. President Eyring called for a sustaining vote by the raise of the right hand. In both cars beside me, the drivers raised their hands. I smiled to myself, thinking how cool it was that although we were all apparently out on errands, we had something in common and were all listening to conference.

At the next red light, I looked over as well. On the radio, conference was in the middle of a hymn. A little girl in the van next to me, was enthusiastically swinging her arms in time to the music as if she were leading the music.

I've felt the same unique privileges of church membership during a recent move. If you are a member of the Church, no matter where you move, you immediately have a ward family consisting of brothers and sisters who already love you, and are already there to support and help you. I can't imagine not being a member of the Church and moving to a place where I knew no one. It sounds lonely.

Each time I know conference is coming, I evaluate my life and decide on an issue in I'm needing particular help with. This year was no different. I came to conference with a burning question in my mind, having prayed about it, and hoping to receive an answer. I wasn't disappointed.

As soon as President Monson said he was going to talk about change, I knew this was it. Change is not easy for me. I generally put things off, avoiding change, until there is no other choice. He said, "Most changes take place subtly and slowly." That kind of change I'm okay with. It's the kind where I have to make a decision about something that will greatly affect a change in my life, that I struggle with.

He also said, "Time doesn't stand still. Find joy in the journey. Learn lessons about what is important and what is not. Don’t miss out on life now." I've been extremely busy lately, working several jobs and feeling spread too thin to do any of it well. I feel like I'm definitely missing out on life and what's important.

President Monson continued, "Deal with stresses in life the best you can, but don’t let them get in the way of what’s most important. What’s most important involves the people around us. Don’t assume they know you love them." That was my answer. I need to make an important change that won't be easy, but will hopefully affect my life and the lives of those I love for the better.

It's amazing to receive personal revelation from a loving Heavenly Father through the voice of his servants. I feel like it's a great privilege every year at conference time that I can gather my family together and listen to instructions from the Lord's servants. I hope you enjoyed conference as much as I did, and that you're ready to make the changes necessary in your own life.

Remember President Monson's parting words: "Adapt to changes in our lives, realize what is most important, express gratitude always, and find joy in the journey."