Becoming Like A Child

I'm sure it's no coincidence that on the day I've been thinking about "becoming as little children", I would happen upon this video. Before I get into the video, let me just be clear on what I've been thinking.

"Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18-3-4

With those verses in mind, consider what I was considering this morning. Many people I know are selective about the movies and TV shows they watch, hoping to avoid things that aren't uplifting, or contain inappropriate sexual content. But so often violence is justified as being ok because "it's only violence." I was imagining watching a violent show in front of my sweet, innocent little girls. What would their initial reaction be seeing something like that? Fear, disgust, shock, uncertainty? My four year old would probably run into her room and bottle up that feeling; she'd try to convince herself that she could bury it, not talk about it again, and everything would be ok. But the fact that it could potentially affect her in that way is interesting to me. I wonder if each of us tried to obey the commandment to become like little children, would we begin to feel sensitive toward the media we let into our minds? Would we realize that in order to continue watching, we'd need to convince ourselves that we could bury the feeling, not talk about it, and everything would be ok?

Media happens to be the example that came to my mind in pondering this concept. But the important part is not the example used, rather the lesson behind it. If we consider the qualities children possess, and try to gain those qualities ourselves, maybe we would begin to move away from things that we wouldn't want our children to do or see or say. Perhaps that seems extreme, but I don't think it is.

There is a huge motivation behind abandoning bad habits. "The simple fact is this: anything that does not draw us closer to God, takes us away from him." (Spiritual Bonfires of Testimony Joseph B. Wirthlin)

The video referenced earlier hits on this point. We are made in the image of God (see Genesis 1:26) and our bodies are temples of God because of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us (1 Corinthians 6:19). If that is the case, shouldn't we be more careful about how we nourish that Spirit? Each thought we think, image or movie we see, and word we say has great influence on ourselves and our spirits. Elder Russell M. Nelson put it perfectly in the video when he said:

A Fairy Wand And The Power Of Prayer

Over the past 3-4 weeks we have been searching for Evelyn's wand. It is an old glow stick that has a removable star on top. We had the star and needed that wand. 

After about a week I told evie she could pray for help. She did, and we searched the entire house. Time and time again we followed this routine where she would pray saying, "please bless that Jesus can help me find my wand" and we would hunt in new places. 

These past two weeks the prayers have grown more intense; she prays, "I'm thankful that I will find my wand TODAY. Please bless that it will show up." I have been praying myself that her faith will allow her to find it. I believe children have a special relationship with God and we as adults sometimes diminish that. I did not doubt that her prayers would be answered, I only hoped her patience and faith would last as long as it took.

About 5 days ago Mike tried his hand in searching for it. He took the flashlight around and looked everywhere. Still no luck.

Then last night, I heard a squeal of joy coming from Evelyn's room. It grew louder as she ran toward me, wand in hand! "I FOUND MY WAND!" My jaw dropped, "where?!" It was in her dollhouse, a place we had searched in and around numerous times. It was right in plain sight. 

I am so grateful The Lord allowed her to have the experience where her prayer was not answered immediately, but it was answered. I hope she'll always remember that God does hear and answer our faith-filled prayers.

LDS General Conference October 2013: Images

This post is going to be quick because it's purpose is simply to put a few images into the online world. But before I do I better explain a couple things. First, General Conference is a broadcast that takes place every six months where leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints address any and everyone who wants to listen. Second, the speakers are not given a topic, rather they are encouraged to search their hearts and follow whatever impressions they feel would most benefit the audience. And finally, I look forward to this time of year because I always learn something new. I am always inspired, and more determined to improve myself. You can watch, listen or read any of the talks from this past session, or any previous session. Below are some images I made based on talks from the conference.

The above image is a verse from the poem 'Good Timber' by Douglas Malloch which our Prophet Thomas S. Monson quoted in his talk.

I loved how Dallin H. Oaks inspired me to stand up for my beliefs with confidence.

Todd D. Christopherson spoke about women in a talk I highly recommend for all. The above image was inspired by a part of his talk where he was quoting Margaret D. Nadauld.

My Take On The Seasons Of Life

There is an article in this month's Ensign magazine titled "Saints For All Seasons", and it talks about how each of us experience sunny and stormy times of life. As I began reading, I recalled a few months back when I was pondering the concept of seasons. Summer had just begun to roll in and I thought of the excitement of spending lazy sunny days at the pools, enjoying BBQs and celebrating Independence Day. The further I dove into these traits of summer, the more interested I became in the qualities of each season and how they apply to our lives. This season analogy is a different twist than the article by Dieter Uchtdorf, but I found it valuable in helping me enjoy the season I am currently in.

I hope as you read though my thoughts you understand that this is a generalization. It made sense in my mind, for my life. If it doesn't apply to you I'd love to hear in the comments how you could change it to make it work. What aspects of the seasons apply to your life and what season do you think you are in now? I find it very therapeutic to meditate over these things, especially to create analogies between nature and our lives. 

SPRING

Birth, beginnings, new life, new start.

We enter this world as tiny babies and immediately begin to experience change and rapid growth. Just as infinite varieties of flowers and plants quickly bloom and grow, we are learning and experiencing a new world. I imagine the spring of our lives as the time we experience the most physical growth and learning.

I see the varieties and colors of the flowers and hear the sounds of new animals and critters. There is so much to take in, all the senses can be overloaded in spring. To me this relates to our childhood, how exciting and sometimes overwhelming it can be. 

SUMMER

Heat, work, struggle.

During this phase of our lives we are trying to establish ourselves. We are still learning but often it is through great trials or experiences that stretch us. Difficult times might be the result of our own choices, whether good or bad. We are learning more about who we are and what is truly important. This is a time of career establishment, building lasting relationships, and having children. In my own life, becoming a mother has been the biggest challenge ever. It's even more hardcore than the Industrial Design program at CSULB (which I thought nothing would rival). But as I go through these times of work and struggle, I emerge stronger and ready to face the next challenge. I wouldn't trade it for anything because I believe that the purpose of life is to improve, learn, and refine ourselves.

Just like the actual summer where we brave the heat in order to enjoy the beach, pool, BBQs etc., in the summer of our lives we understand that the rewards far outweigh the challenges.

FALL
Slowing down, empty nest.

As our children grow and leave the house, things slow down in a sense. Leaves fall from the trees and blow away in many directions, so too our children leave our care for the lives they choose to live.

Hopefully, by this point, we have learned quite a bit and developed many interests. Our souls continue to attain more depth, just like the deep and highly saturated colors of the trees. We feel excitement for what is to come, and we sit back a moment to enjoy the apple cider and pumpkin pie of life.

WINTER
Stillness.

Perhaps the most still part of life, where we grow old and are often alone. The bright snow reflects in a way that no other season can, each tiny crystal of ice shining light toward us. This is like our memories as we reflect back on how our life was...hopefully one of joy and service. Hopefully one with few regrets.

I hope that when we get to that point, the snowflakes of our lives will be reflecting another sun, the Son of God. By following him in each season of our lives, we will have peace, purpose, true happiness, and satisfaction.

New Love

Haven't we all experienced that feeling of new love?

Those first moments of a budding relationship where we can't stop thinking about that person and we love the idea of who they might be.

Or when a baby is born into our family, our hearts burst and we feel as though a second heart has grown inside our own, making room for all the love we have for them.

The same holds true for friendships. On rare and treasured occasions we might meet someone whose presence both calms and excites us. We feel a connection with them and a desire to get to know them. But at the same time don't we feel an inkling that we already knew them? We might want to express this love, but we hold back for fear of "freaking out" our newfound friend. Our deepest hope is that they feel the same way toward us.

When we think about this new friend we feel an overflowing joy in our hearts. It's hard to explain, really, but overall it is a deep and real feeling. We love them already. We have hopes for what they might be like as we get to know them. We imagine them in the best possible light since we probably haven't seen any of their flaws. This love is without judgement, without any strings attached. It is pure love.

Last night as I thought this concept over it occurred to me that, perhaps, this new love comes closest to the way God loves us...his children. He sees our greatest potential and loves us through all the mistakes that we make. He desires us to live our lives in a way that would bring us happiness. He wants us to turn out to be as incredible as he knows we can.

Remember,

"...let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

1 John 4:7-8

Get What You Want: An Experiment

I have an experiment for you to try. I tried without even realizing and it totally worked. Ok ready?

Start thinking about some of the things you want right now. A better job or maybe to not have to work at all? A certain item you've been wanting to purchase for yourself? An opportunity you're hoping for? A resolution for some conflict? A relationship you want to improve? Ok this is starting to sound like a pile of fortune cookies. Stop.

Stop thinking about yourself.

Step two...think about someone you can help. It doesn't have to be some big bold service project. Maybe you just need to put a little more focus into letting your spouse know how awesome they are. Maybe you've noticed someone that could use a friend, a phone call. What about smiling at the cashier who helps you at the store, and genuinely asking them how their day is going?

Random side note: I was at the grocery store a few weeks ago and the woman in front of me asked the cashier how she was doing. The way she asked really let this cashier know that she cared, so the woman told her about how hard her morning had been and that she still had a long day at work. The customer paid her bill and started shuffling through her grocery bags. Finally she tears open a box and pulls out a skinny cow ice cream sandwich. She hands it to the cashier and says, "I hope your day gets better."

That is what I'm talking about! If that customer had been thinking about her own problems she would have missed the opportunity to brighten someone's day. And not only did she affect the cashier, she inspired me. I had been trying to put my focus on others but when i saw this amazing woman I realized I have a long way to go.

Now back to you. Do you have some ideas on how you can shift the focus from yourself to those around you? Good. That is the experiment. 

Here is the anticipated result: 

When [you] look first to the interests of others, [you] improve more rapidly [yourself].*

Those things that you want so badly in life, that you would do anything for...they will come faster when you STOP trying to get them. If you genuinely try to spend your time helping your friends and anyone you can, the things you wanted will come. And you know what else? You might not even want some of them once you shift focus. However, when you start to notice that things are working out rather nicely without you arranging them, be grateful, feel His love.

"… Let your minds be expanded to comprehend and look after the interest of your friends that are around you, and where it is in your power to secure benefits to your friends do so, and in so doing you will find that those things which you need will come into your hands quicker than if you labor entirely to secure them to yourselves independent of regarding the interests of your friends."

*Teachings of the presidents, Lorenzo snow (Chapter 22: Doing Good to Others)

If You Want To Know Why, I Will Gladly Tell You

I have always cared too much what other people think of me. All growing up I worried whether I would fit in with my school mates…would I know what movies they were quoting, or popular songs they were singing? Would my clothes be trendy yet mild enough to fit in? What if I didn’t get their jokes (that definitely happened a lot), and what if I wasn’t up to date on all the current fads (even more likely to occur)?

But you know what? I’m starting to not care anymore. As my life moves along I am shifting my energy into more constructive areas. There is this new desire within me to share with others the things I believe.

I am really no expert on anything. I’ve tackled industrial design in college, had a little art shop on etsy, worked/am working at photography. I have kids, I have a husband, we play guitar together, I’m starting to coupon, I try to run an organized and happy home. I’ve visited 6 countries in Europe, seen furniture I helped design become manufactured, and worked for an incredible furniture designer. But none of this matters. I could be the coolest girl of all time, or the universe’s biggest nerd; I could have mountains of money, or live in a shack. The only thing that ends up having any significance is whether I am happy. And here is the thing: I AM happy.

It’s not to my credit that I feel this way. After all I’ve done wrong I don’t deserve much. But that’s the thing about life. Don’t we get so much more than we deserve? If we put our focus into positive things like helping others, feeling and expressing gratitude for what we have, and loving ourselves and the people around us…don’t all these things invite good into our lives? How and why? <-- font=""> Super deep question that I could write about for a looong time. All I’m going to say now is: I believe in God, I believe in Jesus Christ, and I believe that they love me. I believe that if they love me, they definitely love you, and they are the ultimate source of happiness.

The following quote illustrates perfectly the way I’m beginning to feel about how I express my own beliefs (in all areas not just the fact that I am Christian):

“I’ve come to feel that I should not worry about whether somebody thinks I’m a Christian or not, that all I have to worry about is whether I am.

And if they want to know why I am glad to talk to them about it. But I don’t spend any time at all now worrying about whether somebody thinks Mormons are Christians.”

-Dallin H. Oaks, Conversationsmormonchannel.org

So if you want to know why I am the way that I am, and why I believe what I do, then follow along! I’ve got so much I want to share.