Raw talent
Runs through walls
Climbs tall mountains
Have you ever felt like the rules changed in the middle of the game?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Birth Control
A few Saturdays ago I babysat three wonderful children of God. I must admit I was a little apprehensive. Normally, I have short patience for children and I would like to hang them by their toe nails within about the first 15 minutes. Heather said she was giving me free birth control (although, not something I need to be overly concerned with right now).
When I got there, three little children came to the door with all their excitement that the babysitter had arrived. This meant mom and dad were leaving and they would be able to break the rules I didn't know about. They wanted to tell me about everything.
The children were 6, 5, and 2. Anya, the oldest warned me when we were outside playing, "We don't listen very good. So don't try." I really had to laugh inside at her honesty. Something told me that she was the one who didn't listen very well. But I told her that if she didn't listen very good, I would have a talk with here mommy because we were tight (not that she understood that phrase).
During the day I had to marvel at God's little children. They were special spirits, they were smart, they were honest, and they were wonderful. We played outside, we came in to watch a movie, and we had lunch.
During our adventures outside there were potato bugs big and small everywhere. Emory acted like he'd never seen one before. When I told him what they were he looked up at me and said they weren't potato bugs... So, I told him they were rolley polley's. He seemed much more satisfied with that answer because they were rolling up in balls as soon as he tried to pick them up. Soon he was picking up every bug he could, and I also found myself the recipient of a few of them.
We had a little scare when Emory all of a sudden said, "Look! A bee!" (with excitement...). I told him to step out of the car and when I looked in there was a hornet. It was amazing that they had been in and out of that little car so many times and were bumping it around and the hornet never went after them. God certainly was mindful of them, and of me... To get rid of the problem, we hooked the hose up to the house water and sprayed it down. And soon the kids were back to playing in the car.
I was thankful for the movie because I thought I would be able to sit in the chair and study my stuff... WRONG answer! When I sat in the chair I had two little bright-eyed children ask to sit in my lap. Of course I said yes. So, x-nay on the studying...
As we went through the day, beautiful little Anya had this duck and was quacking some nursery rhyme, which I think I have forever blocked out of my mind, and I asked her to stop several times (this is where the "we don't listen very well" comes in). When I told her I was going to take it away if she didn't stop, Emory looked up at me and said, "Anya, isn't choosing to choose the right." Wow!
Children are so perceptive and sometimes say things that just knock you in the gut. He is 5-years old and already understands the concept of choosing the right. I know that his parents have taught him and his siblings well, because they themselves are great examples of living the gospel.
As I was privileged to be a part of those three special spirit's lives for a short day, I felt the love of God for all his children, even when they don't choose the right. Heather said she was giving me free birth control, I say she was giving me the opportunity to be in the presence of heaven.
When I got there, three little children came to the door with all their excitement that the babysitter had arrived. This meant mom and dad were leaving and they would be able to break the rules I didn't know about. They wanted to tell me about everything.
The children were 6, 5, and 2. Anya, the oldest warned me when we were outside playing, "We don't listen very good. So don't try." I really had to laugh inside at her honesty. Something told me that she was the one who didn't listen very well. But I told her that if she didn't listen very good, I would have a talk with here mommy because we were tight (not that she understood that phrase).
During the day I had to marvel at God's little children. They were special spirits, they were smart, they were honest, and they were wonderful. We played outside, we came in to watch a movie, and we had lunch.
During our adventures outside there were potato bugs big and small everywhere. Emory acted like he'd never seen one before. When I told him what they were he looked up at me and said they weren't potato bugs... So, I told him they were rolley polley's. He seemed much more satisfied with that answer because they were rolling up in balls as soon as he tried to pick them up. Soon he was picking up every bug he could, and I also found myself the recipient of a few of them.
We had a little scare when Emory all of a sudden said, "Look! A bee!" (with excitement...). I told him to step out of the car and when I looked in there was a hornet. It was amazing that they had been in and out of that little car so many times and were bumping it around and the hornet never went after them. God certainly was mindful of them, and of me... To get rid of the problem, we hooked the hose up to the house water and sprayed it down. And soon the kids were back to playing in the car.
I was thankful for the movie because I thought I would be able to sit in the chair and study my stuff... WRONG answer! When I sat in the chair I had two little bright-eyed children ask to sit in my lap. Of course I said yes. So, x-nay on the studying...
As we went through the day, beautiful little Anya had this duck and was quacking some nursery rhyme, which I think I have forever blocked out of my mind, and I asked her to stop several times (this is where the "we don't listen very well" comes in). When I told her I was going to take it away if she didn't stop, Emory looked up at me and said, "Anya, isn't choosing to choose the right." Wow!
Children are so perceptive and sometimes say things that just knock you in the gut. He is 5-years old and already understands the concept of choosing the right. I know that his parents have taught him and his siblings well, because they themselves are great examples of living the gospel.
As I was privileged to be a part of those three special spirit's lives for a short day, I felt the love of God for all his children, even when they don't choose the right. Heather said she was giving me free birth control, I say she was giving me the opportunity to be in the presence of heaven.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Flying solo and teaching
"Yang flew solo. You should be celebrating, because that means you are doing your job: teaching her how to save a life. Residents are like... puppies, eager and enthusiastic and you need to learn how to teach without crushing their spirit. If you want to work here, with my residents, you need to learn how to teach. You need to learn how to do better."
~The Chief
Something in this statement grabbed my attention. I believe there are shows we identify with because they have elements in them that either are happening, or have happened in our lives.
Right now in my professional life I feel like that eager puppy: enthusiastic to be taught and to learn. But there is an Erica Hann over me... She is confident in what she does and knows she is good, recognized as one of the best in her field.
I arrived looking for a mentor from one of the best in the business. I wanted to learn from the best and there-by become one of the best. But like Christina, I am feeling my spirit and enthusiasm crush everyday. The eager person I was is slowly staying away in order not to feel more of the crushing effect.
Last week, I was taught (once again) that I am the determiner of my destiny. I will make it where ever I am going with or without her, with or without my current employer.
My beautiful visiting teacher stopped by tonight and shared an inspired message. It is just another testimony to me that God knows who I am and the struggles I am going through. She shared a quote from Pdte. Henry B. Eyring's talk "Walk in the Light."
"It is by faith that you can lay hold upon every good thing. I pray with all my heart that your faith will be increased that you are a daughter of a loving God. I testify to you that you have been one of the valiant ones to reach the point where you now are in this journey of life. Just as you are marked as a target by the enemy of righteousness, you have been protected and watched over by your Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. They know you. They know all of the forces and individuals around you. They know what is ahead of you. And so They know which of the choices you make, which of the desires you decide to satisfy, and which of the circumstances around you will make the most difference in keeping you walking in the light. I testify that by the Spirit of Christ and by the Holy Ghost, you may walk confidently in whatever difficulties will come. Because you are so valuable, some of your trials may be severe. You need never be discouraged or afraid. The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and you will find it if you exercise faith.
"Because you are so valuable, some of your trials may be severe." As hard as the Erics Hann's are in my life, those are the experiences that will make the most difference in my life and keep me walking in the light. These trials, as hard as they may be, will serve me better than the easy flowing river of life.
I must make the decision to walk in the light so that others too can see the light and follow after me. By not walking in the light, Satan and Erica Hann win. By walking in the light, I continue to be the eager puppy who is waiting for a new piece of knowledge to be thrown her way and to devour it up.
~The Chief
Something in this statement grabbed my attention. I believe there are shows we identify with because they have elements in them that either are happening, or have happened in our lives.
Right now in my professional life I feel like that eager puppy: enthusiastic to be taught and to learn. But there is an Erica Hann over me... She is confident in what she does and knows she is good, recognized as one of the best in her field.
I arrived looking for a mentor from one of the best in the business. I wanted to learn from the best and there-by become one of the best. But like Christina, I am feeling my spirit and enthusiasm crush everyday. The eager person I was is slowly staying away in order not to feel more of the crushing effect.
Last week, I was taught (once again) that I am the determiner of my destiny. I will make it where ever I am going with or without her, with or without my current employer.
My beautiful visiting teacher stopped by tonight and shared an inspired message. It is just another testimony to me that God knows who I am and the struggles I am going through. She shared a quote from Pdte. Henry B. Eyring's talk "Walk in the Light."
"It is by faith that you can lay hold upon every good thing. I pray with all my heart that your faith will be increased that you are a daughter of a loving God. I testify to you that you have been one of the valiant ones to reach the point where you now are in this journey of life. Just as you are marked as a target by the enemy of righteousness, you have been protected and watched over by your Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. They know you. They know all of the forces and individuals around you. They know what is ahead of you. And so They know which of the choices you make, which of the desires you decide to satisfy, and which of the circumstances around you will make the most difference in keeping you walking in the light. I testify that by the Spirit of Christ and by the Holy Ghost, you may walk confidently in whatever difficulties will come. Because you are so valuable, some of your trials may be severe. You need never be discouraged or afraid. The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and you will find it if you exercise faith.
"You must have faith to pray. You must have faith to ponder the word of God. You must have faith to do those things and go to those places which invite the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Ghost.
"I promise you that within the next few days you will feel the illumination of the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Ghost in your everyday life. When you walk in the light, you will feel at that moment some of the warmth and the happiness that will finally be yours when you are welcomed home again with the hundreds and perhaps thousands of others whom you will bring with you, who have walked in the light because you did."
Wow! All I can say is wow... God knows everything I am going through right now. He knows what my future holds in store, and as much as I want Him to tell me how the story ends sometimes, He knows I will value the answers I find more."Because you are so valuable, some of your trials may be severe." As hard as the Erics Hann's are in my life, those are the experiences that will make the most difference in my life and keep me walking in the light. These trials, as hard as they may be, will serve me better than the easy flowing river of life.
I must make the decision to walk in the light so that others too can see the light and follow after me. By not walking in the light, Satan and Erica Hann win. By walking in the light, I continue to be the eager puppy who is waiting for a new piece of knowledge to be thrown her way and to devour it up.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Let What You Know Reflect in How You Act
The other night I felt prompted to read a talk I had quoted several times, but had never actually heard nor read all the way through. I had heard only a few select sentences that inspired me in my latest calling, "Ultimately it is my responsibility and your responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach."
Elder David A. Bednar always speaks with such quiet and powerful profoundness. It is quite the opposite from another favored General Authority, Jeffery R. Holland who is always so bold in his speech.
I started to read his April 2008 General Conference Address "Ask in Faith" with no idea what the talk was about. Originally I thought it was about missionary work. Of course! Why else would he make a comment like that if it wasn't? Boy, was I wrong...
As I read the first paragraph, I realized he address was on much more than missionary work. It was addressing something I am severely lacking in my life: prayer and asking in faith. And he not only talks about prayer, but "meaningful prayer."
"Simply saying prayers is quite a different thing from engaging in meaningful prayer," Elder Bednar said. "I expect that all of us already know that prayer is essential for our spiritual development and protection. But what we know is not always reflected in what we do."
Of course I know I have to pray! Of course I know that is the way to get answers! Of course I know that is the way to blessings in my life! Of course... Of course... Of course...
So, why am I not doing it? Why is it so hard for me to kneel down on my knees at night and talk to my Heavenly Father?
"...what we know is not always reflected in what we do."
If we truly know it, are we doing it? I have a boss that always asks, "Where else is that showing up in your life?"
It has taken me three days to get through this talk and I had been taught much. Elder Bednar outlines three things we need to do in order to make our prayers more meaningful:
1- Ask in Faith and Act
Joseph Smith read a scripture in James and in verse 6 we learn, "let him ask in faith, nothing wavering."
"Please notice the requirement to ask in faith, which I understand to mean the necessity to not only express but to do, the dual obligation to both plead and to perform, the requirement to communicate and to act," Elder Bednar said. When Joseph retired to the grove of trees, we was determined not only to ask but to act.
Faith is the first principle of the gospel and carries with it a great potential for power. But I don't write of the world's definition of power, but of God's. This kind of power increases our spiritual capacity, inspires us to be better, invites the strengthening and redeeming power of the Atonement into our lives, and truly sets us free.
"Meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work," Elder Bednar said. "Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer, as "a form of work,... is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings" (Bible Dictionary),"
Holy communication and consecrated work... Blessing require some effort on our part... Holy communication... Consecrated work... Effort... I thought blessings were 'given' to us, and now he is telling me I have to put forth some effort?
I asked myself what "holy communication" meant. Is that paying attention when I pray? Is it meditating so that my mind "lifts to heaven"? I continued to read and found my answer in the next paragraph: honesty (Do you really want the blessings?), effort (Are you will to work for it?), commitment and persistence (If it is truly something we desire, we'll keep on asking.).
Elder Bednar teaches that consecrated work is acting upon the things we have expressed to our Heavenly Father after we say 'amen.' "Pray with the expectation to act."
2- After the Trial of Our Faith
Elder Bednar said, "merely waiting for the anticipated blessing would not be enough; [we] need to continue to act."
When I read this, I thought of Zion's Camp. Merely waiting for God to deliver them wasn't enough. They needed to put their pride aside and come together before the Lord would miraculously deliver them from the hundreds of angry mob members. "Dispute not because [we] see not, for [we] receive no witness until after the trial of [our] faith."
3- Not My Will, but Thine, Be Done
Do you recognized and accept the will of God in your life? "Discerning and accepting the will of God in our lives are fundamental elements of asking in faith in meaningful prayer."
For me, it goes back to those four simple words: honesty, effort, commitment, and persistence. These will help us to align our will with our Heavenly Father's.
"The object of our prayers should be... to secure for ourselves and for others belssings that God is eager to bestow, according to His will and timing," Elder Bednar said.
Timing would be my greatest weakness. Waiting, knowing that God has it written down, but I have to wait for it to be in His time frame. Often, I forget God is in control and I try to run my life the way I think is best. Elder Niel A. Maxwell, of the Quorum of the Twelve, said it is best not to meddle in God's plans because if we do, we could throw off everything that has been planned and we would destroy it.
So, at some point in this exercise we call life, we must learn to accept both God's will and His timing. "We can move beyond routine and "checklist" prayers and engage in meaningful prayer as we appropriately ask in faith and act, as we patiently persevere through the trial of our faith, and as we humbly acknowledge and accept "not my will, but Thine, be done"."
My invitation to you is that you work to move beyond simply saying your prayers, and that you move to engage in meaningful prayer. I know that as you and I both do, we will go from not just knowing it, but to doing it and reaping the benefits of it.
Let what you know be reflected in what you do.
Elder David A. Bednar always speaks with such quiet and powerful profoundness. It is quite the opposite from another favored General Authority, Jeffery R. Holland who is always so bold in his speech.
I started to read his April 2008 General Conference Address "Ask in Faith" with no idea what the talk was about. Originally I thought it was about missionary work. Of course! Why else would he make a comment like that if it wasn't? Boy, was I wrong...
As I read the first paragraph, I realized he address was on much more than missionary work. It was addressing something I am severely lacking in my life: prayer and asking in faith. And he not only talks about prayer, but "meaningful prayer."
"Simply saying prayers is quite a different thing from engaging in meaningful prayer," Elder Bednar said. "I expect that all of us already know that prayer is essential for our spiritual development and protection. But what we know is not always reflected in what we do."
Of course I know I have to pray! Of course I know that is the way to get answers! Of course I know that is the way to blessings in my life! Of course... Of course... Of course...
So, why am I not doing it? Why is it so hard for me to kneel down on my knees at night and talk to my Heavenly Father?
"...what we know is not always reflected in what we do."
If we truly know it, are we doing it? I have a boss that always asks, "Where else is that showing up in your life?"
It has taken me three days to get through this talk and I had been taught much. Elder Bednar outlines three things we need to do in order to make our prayers more meaningful:
1- Ask in Faith and Act
Joseph Smith read a scripture in James and in verse 6 we learn, "let him ask in faith, nothing wavering."
"Please notice the requirement to ask in faith, which I understand to mean the necessity to not only express but to do, the dual obligation to both plead and to perform, the requirement to communicate and to act," Elder Bednar said. When Joseph retired to the grove of trees, we was determined not only to ask but to act.
Faith is the first principle of the gospel and carries with it a great potential for power. But I don't write of the world's definition of power, but of God's. This kind of power increases our spiritual capacity, inspires us to be better, invites the strengthening and redeeming power of the Atonement into our lives, and truly sets us free.
"Meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work," Elder Bednar said. "Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer, as "a form of work,... is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings" (Bible Dictionary),"
Holy communication and consecrated work... Blessing require some effort on our part... Holy communication... Consecrated work... Effort... I thought blessings were 'given' to us, and now he is telling me I have to put forth some effort?
I asked myself what "holy communication" meant. Is that paying attention when I pray? Is it meditating so that my mind "lifts to heaven"? I continued to read and found my answer in the next paragraph: honesty (Do you really want the blessings?), effort (Are you will to work for it?), commitment and persistence (If it is truly something we desire, we'll keep on asking.).
Elder Bednar teaches that consecrated work is acting upon the things we have expressed to our Heavenly Father after we say 'amen.' "Pray with the expectation to act."
2- After the Trial of Our Faith
Elder Bednar said, "merely waiting for the anticipated blessing would not be enough; [we] need to continue to act."
When I read this, I thought of Zion's Camp. Merely waiting for God to deliver them wasn't enough. They needed to put their pride aside and come together before the Lord would miraculously deliver them from the hundreds of angry mob members. "Dispute not because [we] see not, for [we] receive no witness until after the trial of [our] faith."
3- Not My Will, but Thine, Be Done
Do you recognized and accept the will of God in your life? "Discerning and accepting the will of God in our lives are fundamental elements of asking in faith in meaningful prayer."
For me, it goes back to those four simple words: honesty, effort, commitment, and persistence. These will help us to align our will with our Heavenly Father's.
"The object of our prayers should be... to secure for ourselves and for others belssings that God is eager to bestow, according to His will and timing," Elder Bednar said.
Timing would be my greatest weakness. Waiting, knowing that God has it written down, but I have to wait for it to be in His time frame. Often, I forget God is in control and I try to run my life the way I think is best. Elder Niel A. Maxwell, of the Quorum of the Twelve, said it is best not to meddle in God's plans because if we do, we could throw off everything that has been planned and we would destroy it.
So, at some point in this exercise we call life, we must learn to accept both God's will and His timing. "We can move beyond routine and "checklist" prayers and engage in meaningful prayer as we appropriately ask in faith and act, as we patiently persevere through the trial of our faith, and as we humbly acknowledge and accept "not my will, but Thine, be done"."
My invitation to you is that you work to move beyond simply saying your prayers, and that you move to engage in meaningful prayer. I know that as you and I both do, we will go from not just knowing it, but to doing it and reaping the benefits of it.
Let what you know be reflected in what you do.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Happy Endings
"Tell me Ms. Austin. Will all your stories have a happy ending?"
"After some trial, my characters shall have everything they want."
I have thought about this conversational encounter from the movie "Becoming Jane" many times. Thinking about it, all of Jane Austin's stories have a happy ending, and they all had to struggle for their happy ending.
Today in Church I was reading through some scriptures and I thought about this statement. In D&C Section 121, we are taught, "peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions sahll be but a small moment. And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."
God knows our stories have the potential to have a happy ending; and for us, we will have everything we want after some struggle. He is bound by promise if we obey His commandments.
The past few weeks have been light a fire hose to the face, and I have been trying to catch every drop that comes my way. I know I use that analogy a lot, but it describes so many experiences that happen to me in my life.
As I've shared my testimony several times in the last seven days, I have felt the spirit so strong. I have felt God's love not only for me, but for those who are all around me. Feeling this love is why it is so easy to share the Gospel and teach by the spirit.
In life things may be a struggle, but all of our afflictions will be but for a small moment. On top of that, if we endure it well God will exalt us on high. God's promises are sure, but whether or not we have a happy ending is up to us.
"After some trial, my characters shall have everything they want."
I have thought about this conversational encounter from the movie "Becoming Jane" many times. Thinking about it, all of Jane Austin's stories have a happy ending, and they all had to struggle for their happy ending.
Today in Church I was reading through some scriptures and I thought about this statement. In D&C Section 121, we are taught, "peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions sahll be but a small moment. And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."
God knows our stories have the potential to have a happy ending; and for us, we will have everything we want after some struggle. He is bound by promise if we obey His commandments.
The past few weeks have been light a fire hose to the face, and I have been trying to catch every drop that comes my way. I know I use that analogy a lot, but it describes so many experiences that happen to me in my life.
As I've shared my testimony several times in the last seven days, I have felt the spirit so strong. I have felt God's love not only for me, but for those who are all around me. Feeling this love is why it is so easy to share the Gospel and teach by the spirit.
In life things may be a struggle, but all of our afflictions will be but for a small moment. On top of that, if we endure it well God will exalt us on high. God's promises are sure, but whether or not we have a happy ending is up to us.
Networks
The other day a friend and I had lunch together. We hadn't seen each other in a while and so we started with the normal chit-chat: How've you been? How's the job? What's new in your life? ... Are you dating anyone?
The last question is the inevitable question for those who are single, and perhaps one they aren't way excited to answer. For me, it seems to be the #1 question I get. On Easter, it was the first question I got out of the mouth of my great uncle, even before he said hello.
I have been thinking about my dating life and how non-existent it is, and then I started to think about where I go that I would meet this person. It would have to be at work, or at church. And so far, neither of those looks entirely promising.
We were chatting about this because she is in a similar situation. Then she said something that gave me an ah-ha moment. In business we are taught to network, so why don't we do that in our personal lives? A lot of people we know, know people we don't know that could be potentials.
She recently was set up with someone a friend knew and, while things are just in the beginning stages, things look pretty good. And this came about because she used her networks. So, I thought that this is something I should start to do.
So, while we may not have potentials in our immediate circle, we should look in the circles around us. On that same note, we should look within our own immediate circles for friends.
Then she said something else. She said, "You know, what it comes down to is I'm just a good Mormon girl who wants to get married and have a family."
I thought to myself, "That's what I want too." I just want to find that guy who I know is out there prepared for me. I just want to find that person who will complete me and with whom I can grow to perfection with.
Networks serve a wonderful purpose, and not just for business. If we really want to find that which we most want, we need to utilize all our resources. When God sees that we are making an effort, things will line up when they are supposed to.
The last question is the inevitable question for those who are single, and perhaps one they aren't way excited to answer. For me, it seems to be the #1 question I get. On Easter, it was the first question I got out of the mouth of my great uncle, even before he said hello.
I have been thinking about my dating life and how non-existent it is, and then I started to think about where I go that I would meet this person. It would have to be at work, or at church. And so far, neither of those looks entirely promising.
We were chatting about this because she is in a similar situation. Then she said something that gave me an ah-ha moment. In business we are taught to network, so why don't we do that in our personal lives? A lot of people we know, know people we don't know that could be potentials.
She recently was set up with someone a friend knew and, while things are just in the beginning stages, things look pretty good. And this came about because she used her networks. So, I thought that this is something I should start to do.
So, while we may not have potentials in our immediate circle, we should look in the circles around us. On that same note, we should look within our own immediate circles for friends.
Then she said something else. She said, "You know, what it comes down to is I'm just a good Mormon girl who wants to get married and have a family."
I thought to myself, "That's what I want too." I just want to find that guy who I know is out there prepared for me. I just want to find that person who will complete me and with whom I can grow to perfection with.
Networks serve a wonderful purpose, and not just for business. If we really want to find that which we most want, we need to utilize all our resources. When God sees that we are making an effort, things will line up when they are supposed to.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
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