Life: Don't do it alone.

This weekend, I got sick, which is pretty common when you spend all day with children. However, this time I was determined not to let it get me down. I decided to look for my blessings. I was grateful that I was finally able to have an excuse to relax. I was grateful that I got sick on the weekend so that I didn't have to feel miserable while trying to teach. However there was one huge blessing of this weekend. I came closer to my Heavenly Father.

You know when you are sick and you tell yourself you have to stay home and in bed, but all you really want to do is go out and see your friends. Well, this time, when I would start to feel lonely, I would lay there in bed and pray. I would just have a conversation with my Heavenly Father about whatever I wanted. I talked to him about everything, and when I got up to make a puzzle, I asked him to help me find the pieces. Instantly I felt like I was doing a puzzle with Heavenly Father. He was helping me find pieces faster than I could. (I know it sounds dumb, but He knew it was somehow important to me)

Then, I prayed that someone would come and visit me. Of course, he blessed me with good friends and visitors, as well as Ashley and Sean, who were here all day, to keep me company. I didn't feel alone at all today because I had my Father in Heaven with me.

When I received a calling that I was unsure I would be able to do well, I would to go on walks just to pray to my Heavenly Father and tell him about my life. I would always ask if he loved me and was sure that I could do all that he asked of me. Every single time, I felt  the peace that he knew me, loved me, and believed in me.

The biggest blessing is that we can all do this every day! He wants to listen to you. He wants to hear about your life. He wants to hear about the nerdy things that make you happy, the ridiculous things that make you sad, the guys/girls you want to date, your parents, your kids, your major, your health........the list goes on and on. Just talk to Him. All day, every day.

Thank goodness we get lots of chances to be good.

Sometimes we get so caught up in our lives that we forget what really matters. I admit this has happened to me a lot recently. (Which is probably why I haven't written a blog post in a while)

 Here is a little reminder, for me and for you. Luckily when we are "prone to wander" or "prone to leave the God [we] love", He will always take our hearts when we offer them, and mold us into something beautiful. If you have strayed from what is most important like me, pick yourself up and try again with me. Let's involve our Heavenly Father in our lives more.

Asking for light

One of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon is the story about the brother of Jared.

In Ether 2:24-25, the Lord tells the brother of Jared that they are going to be "as a whale in the midst of the sea" on their journey to the promised land, because the waves are going to swallow them up at times. The cool thing is that it is the for the purpose of getting them to the promised land.

In verse 25, Heavenly Father asks the brother of Jared what he wants him to do to give him light when he is swallowed up in the sea. Then, in Ether 3:4 the brother of Jared tells the Lord that he would like him to touch some stones so that they will give them light in the ship.

I love how bold and faithful he is with this request. He first states that he knows the Lord can do all things, and then makes is request.

I have done this in my life. When I feel like I am swallowed up in the sea, even though I am on my way to the promised land, I ask the Lord for light. I pray for the Lord to send me an angel to light my way. Usually those angels are my friends and families, sometimes they are strangers, and sometimes they are unseen.

I always receive light when I ask for it in faith.

The Parable of the Foam Pit

Jesus taught in Parables. Here is my attempt at a parable.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to go play at a gymnastics tumbling gym. After warming up my playful side on the "easy" stuff, my friend Stephen started encouraging me to do a flip over the vault. For those of you who don't know, this is a vault.

The idea is that you run at it with all your might, jump on a small spring board and fly through the air using your hands to push off the vault and do a flip. 

Who knows why I tried it, but I did. You know what happened? I did a turtle move and "gracefully" slid on my stomach with my arms and legs flailing. The next thing I knew, I dove head first into the foam pit. 

This is probably what I looked like

Even though it was terrifying and I failed my first attempt, I now knew at least one thing that I did wrong, and I got back up and tried again. The next time I tried I did a somewhat awkward, accidental and unexpected flip into the foam pit, where I landed on my back. I didn't try it again, but if I had, I am sure I would have done slightly better.

Here is the lesson:

Sometimes, we try new things, and they turn out in a face plant in the foam pit. But we have to struggle out of the foam pit for several minutes, get back up and try again. Of course, as soon as we get to the starting line again, we feel almost as scared as the first time, but eventually it gets easier. Soon we perfect the flip and can do it without the foam pit. (like Stephen) However, that means we have to stand there ready to run straight at that stupid springboard once more. It is scary because until you have done it several times, you have know idea how the flip is going to turn out, but you have to trust that the foam pit will catch you. 

There are things in our lives that take several attempts. But its okay if we don't get it right the first time. Life is a process. Don't get so caught up in the fact that you aren't doing things perfectly, and just keep flipping changing a couple things at a time until you get there. Remember we are in the process, not at the end.

Be patient. Keep trying. Look forward and get out of the foam pit whenever you find yourself stuck.

The "power of deliverance"

I just read this verse in the first chapter of the Book of Mormon. 

"And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." 1 Nephi 1:20

In this verse, Lehi and his family have to leave Jerusalem because they are seeking to take his life. I don't know about you, but I have never had anyone seeking to take my life. However, I love that Nephi writes a hopeful message even in this dark and scary time. He promises that if we have faith we will be delivered.

What is it that is keeping you down. What are you struggling with right now? Faith in the Lord will make you "mighty even unto the power of deliverance." You will be delivered from whatever hole you find yourself in. I promise.

The Power of Prayer

In the Museum of Art on BYU campus, there is a painting by Jehudo Epstein called Dying Job.

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In this painting, Job is on the ground in torment and feeling the loss of everything he had including the feeling of divine comfort and support. His friends are around him praying as well; they are exhibiting great faith during adversity so extreme that the only thing they can do is pray. As I sat and looked at this painting, I thought about the times that I have felt like Job--the times when I feel so helpless and hopeless that all I can do is cry to the Lord.

Then I noticed the man in the back. He is praying and looking up to heaven with a longing and pleading expression. I realized that most of the time, I identify with him. I see people around me suffering, and I wish I could take away the pain. It's hard to see those you love and care about deeply go through periods of loneliness, sickness, trial, sadness, doubt, or confusion. In those times all we can do is be like that man, look to God and plead for those we love. When we feel powerless, there is hope; we can pray. God doesn't forget us or those we love.

Own it!

This morning I looked in the mirror and thought "Wow, these bags that I have under my eyes make me look so sad. Without make up, I look like a little girl.... etc." Then, I remembered something that my good friend Allyson taught me: When you have imperfections, own it!

I looked in the mirror again, and instead thought "Wow! Thank goodness I have that face because it is part of who I am, and its kinda cute."


I promise you that if you look in the mirror every day and say good things to yourself instead of bad things, you will see yourself as your Father in Heaven sees you. Then, a light will come into your countenance, and you will be even more beautiful(or handsome) than you already are.