Better Than A Hallelujah

I love Sundays because I get to listen to church music on my way to and from work. As I was driving home one day I heard this song and I loved it. It has stuck with me and I've thought of it often, so I thought I'd share it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Don't forget to remember!

I haven't posted on this blog in a very long time. I feel bad about that. I've been struggling for awhile and I have been trying to figure things out in my life. I have been working on having the spirit, trying to find and strengthen my testimony and finding out where my heart is. Sometimes being sad is alot easier than being happy. But I'm getting back to where I want to be. I want to share with you what helped me remember who I am and where I want to be.

A long time ago I was struggling with different things in my life and was feeling quite down. I had turned to a friend (who was a police officer I was working with) and he suggested I do something that has literally changed my life and touched my heart more than once. His suggestion was simple. I listened to him and figured I would give it a try, but wasn't expecting it to change me the way it has.

He told me to make cards. He said to get some index cards and make 3 categories. On one color of cards to write people I'm grateful for and why. On another color I was to write scriptures and quotes that inspire me. And on the third color I was supposed to write church songs that meant something to me. I wrote the name of my few best friends and family members each on their own cards. And then I wrote what they did to help me and make me a better person. Then I wrote a few very special scriptures and quotes each on their own cards. I picked scriptures and quotes that really inspired me. And then I picked those church songs that can always make me smile, the songs that warm my heart with their music alone and especially with the words. So with each of these written on their own cards I had a small pile. He then told me to take those cards and get them laminated which I did. And then I carried them with me. I don't carry the whole pile, just a card or 2 at a time. I also hung a few in places where I could see them daily, on my mirror and closet door. And whenever I would start to feel down I would read them. They worked amazingly! First of all, after reading the scriptures and quotes over and over I began to memorize them. Remembering the people who are there for me in my life and why I love them and they love me could pick me up no matter how down I was. And reading the song lyrics and singing along in my head could change my thoughts from bad to good or negative to positive in just a few minutes.

I have had those cards, that small stack, for several years. And recently I felt like I needed new ones. So I kept the old ones but have added to the pile. I have added a few more friends. I have added some amazing new songs I've come across. (I am inspired by hymns, primary songs and inspirational songs. I can almost always find solace in uplifting music.) And I have added a few more scriptures and quotes. I don't only appreciate the opportunity to memorize the scriptures, but to really have them in my heart all the time.

What an amazing friend with an incredibly inspired suggestion for a friend who was struggling.

I was given that suggestion about 4 years ago while I was working at Orem PD (by one of the officers I worked with). And I am forever grateful to this officer, such an amazing guy and awesome friend still today, for helping me remember. He told me once that he believed the cards might help me but he didn't know how much. And after he saw how much they inspired me he went ahead and made cards for himself. His name is still at the top of one of my cards, but I am grateful for him in too many ways to write on a single index card. So I know this isn't adequate enough to match my feelings, but thank you for helping me remember!

And if you are feeling low and need to remember the amazing people in your life who love you and feel the spirit that comes from uplifting music and the words of God, then please make cards for yourself. I promise you won't regret it.

All things denote there is a God who loves us!

I was walking my dogs on one of those fine, sunny autumn days we've been having. I passed an old, log house that is in our neighborhood---one of those quaint, rustic homes that has been here forever and ever, but now looks out of place with the new development that has crowded around in recent years. This log house is surrounded by dozens of mature trees---many of them Cottonwoods that are 50 feet tall, or more. Everywhere on the sidewalk were the colorful leaves that had fallen as the nights have gotten cooler and the days shorter. My feet rustled in the sea of golden color. Then, in front of me I noticed one lone, solitary green leaf sitting atop a layer of amber leaves. It looked as if someone had placed it there deliberately to be seen. The contrast of green and amber was quite striking. Even more spectacular was that the green leaf was a perfect heart shape!

Upon witnessing this beautiful and miraculous scene, I immediately thought about how much our Father in Heaven loves us and how He blesses us in ways large and small. Often, in the hustle of our daily lives, we don't see the love that is right there in front of us, freely given, until we are STILL and LOOK with eyes willing to see.

So today, I challenge each of us to become more aware of the beauty that surrounds us. For, in that beauty we see the hand of God in all things and we can feel of His love for us, His precious children and most divine creations.

Courage . . . and on, on to the Victory!

Early Saturday morning, I had an experience while running which I decided is a great analogy for life. Running is so applicable to everyday life! It's wonderful!

I am currently training for a marathon, so Saturday mornings I do my long runs with a friend. This particular Saturday we had to do a 14 mile hill run—which consisted of 7 miles of uphill, then we could turn around and go 7 miles downhill. My friend April and I met at 6:00 in the morning. It was bitter cold (27° F), extremely windy, and very dark. Neither of us thought running sounded like much fun and we discussed how nice it would be to go back home and crawl into our warm beds. But, "hard training = easy mission," so we forced ourselves to run.

At the beginning we were running in flat, open terrain with a few small hills. Gradually, the hills became more frequent and steeper. By mile 5, we were running in a steep ravine, with dirt and rock walls on either side of us. We could only see the path ahead, which was a very steep 10% uphill grade.

The upward climb was difficult and slow going. The muscles in my legs were screaming at me to stop. Doubts of my fitness level, questions of my sanity, and thoughts of quitting kept running through my mind trying to convince me that it would be okay if I didn’t make it to the top—that I’d given my best shot and I should just turn around now and start back to the car. But, April and I trudged along together—encouraging each other to “just make it to the next fence post, then the clump of weeds, then the next bend,” and so on. At times the path was so steep that I hardly felt I was moving forward at all.

The ascent was agonizing, but after what seemed like ages, there we were—we had reached the summit! It was a glorious feeling! As I turned back to look at the path I had just climbed, Heavenly Father blessed me with a tender mercy. In that instant, the sun peeked its head over the top of Mount Timpanogos and the entire Utah Valley was aflame with golden sunshine! It was one of the most spectacular things I’ve ever witnessed in my life! I had no idea anything could be so beautiful! Had I stopped, given up, or turned around prematurely I never would have witnessed the beauty that the perspective of being on the summit gave. In that moment, I was so happy that I had persevered through the cold, the wind, and the steep path because it was WORTH IT!

I believe this experience relates to life in the following ways: Often our lives start out easy, with not too many challenges and uphill battles to overcome. Here we are just getting warmed up for what is ahead. Gradually, things become more difficult, until eventually it seems as though we are completely engulfed in the trials and difficulties of our life. Doubts about our spiritual fitness level and feelings of failure creep into our minds, threatening to overpower us and convince us it's not worth it—to just give up. Yet, even in the most challenging and painful life experiences, there are people around us who love us. They urge us to keep moving forward, to hold on a little longer.

And through it all, there is One who is running alongside us all the way, even carrying us when our path is the steepest and most thorny—that person is our Savior, Jesus Christ. He has walked the path before and knows how to succor us in all our needs, trials, weaknesses, and heartaches. For, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows . . . he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities . . . and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:3-5).

Eventually, if we hold out faithful through all the difficulties of life, we will reach the summit of eternal life. And oh, how glorious and beautiful it will be—more spectacular and worthwhile than we ever could have imagined! The golden sunrise of eternal perspective and understanding will burst upon us, we will have comfort, and will find the eternal rewards promised to all God’s beloved and faithful children! As Joseph Smith declared, “shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad.” (D&C 128: 22).

Life is wonderful, beautiful, and full of all the things we need (good and bad, easy and hard) to refine us, help us grow, and cause us to become all we were sent to earth to become! We are SO BLESSED! I'm grateful for the figurative steep hills in my life that strengthen me and help me see and appreciate the beauty and goodness all around me . . . and even within myself.

Touching video

I have been following Stephanie Nielsen and her amazing recovery from a fiery airplane crash for quite some time. The message she has shared with the world about the Book of Mormon and her faith is inspiring and beautiful.

A Challenge

I know that Melanie started this blog and I hope I'm not out of line for this post. I want to issue a challenge to all of the contributors, myself included. When this blog first started we were all so excited and posted often. Then the posts started to taper off and now they've stopped. I was the last person to post here and that was in November (besides today). And I may be most guilty of not making time to post here and not even thinking about this blog at times. I promise I'm not pointing fingers. I just think we all need to make a new resolve to share our thoughts, feelings, testimonies and experiences.

I know from personal experience that the posts on this blog have at times softened my heart and been an answer to my prayers. I also know from reading comments that have been left by readers, that this blog has helped others, even strangers, the same way it's helped me. So why aren't we posting? Is it because we've had a lack of spiritual experiences? Is it because we've lost our testimonies? Is it because we don't have any good spiritual thoughts or scriptures to share? The answer to these questions is "NO", at least for me. I've neglected posting because I've been too busy, or didn't want to take the time to write down my thoughts, or at times because I've forgotten this blog was here. I am guessing it's probably the same for all of you.

So here is my challenge. I challenge each and every one of us, myself at the top of the list, to try to post more. I know we all have hectic lives with too many things pulling us in too many directions, but let this blog be one of those directions. Even if it's just a scripture or a little thought. And even if it's just once a month. Just don't let this blog fall neglected. There are too many people out there who can benefit from your thoughts and testimonies. I truly believe that because I've been one of those who have benefited.

Like I said, I hope none of you think I'm rude or inappropriate for posting this. And I am at the very top of the list of people I'm talking to. I just hope we all try a little harder and make a little more time to make this blog what it once was. I believe Melanie was inspired to start this blog. Sharing our testimonies is one of the best ways we can missionaries. You never know who you can help by just sharing your thoughts.

A New Friend

I love church for so many reasons, but one of the reasons is because I can make new friends at church. Now here's a little confession...I'm not the most active. I got out of the habit of going to church because of my work schedule, and I've been struggling for a long time getting back into the habit. It's been easier not to go. But going to church is something I'm really working on, and now that grandma is able to go back to church more often, I've been going more often too. When we go together I can help her if she needs it, check her oxygen to make sure she doesn't run out of air and take her home if she can't stay any longer.

I think I've mentioned before that I go to my grandparents home ward. There are several women my age in the ward but they are mostly all married with children. I don't feel like I really fit into that group. So alot of times I've felt like my grandma is my friend at church. And I'm ok with her being my friend and I've loved it. But today she only went to Sacrament meeting and needed to go home because she wasn't feeling well. So I ran her home and then went back to church to hear grandpa teach Sunday School. (Usually when I take grandma home I stay home with her, but since grandpa was teaching I went back to church.) Grandpa did great in Sunday school and since I got there late (having taken grandma home) I just sat in the back near the door. Well then Relief Society came along. I decided to just stay in the seat where I was at. I didn't really have anyone to sit with since grandma was at home. I was sitting there, with empty chairs on both sides of me, waiting for Relief Society to start. Then a sweet older sister caught my attention and told me to come sit by her. I didn't know this sister, but I didn't want to sit alone so I went over. She asked me my name and new who I belonged to so we had a few things to talk about. She was so sweet and put her arm around me and made me feel SO welcome. I didn't even feel self conscious that I was alone without anyone I really knew. She was so sweet and shared her manual with me. When Relief Society was over we started talking a little more. She told me she knew my dad, she asked how my health was and my grandma's health. I felt so bad that I had to ask her name, but she told me what it was and didn't think I was rude for not knowing at all. She told me how her husband is suffering with prostrate cancer and they've had alot of help from grandchildren and she thought I was so sweet for helping my grandparents the way I do (even though I could do so much more...my thought, not hers).

As I was about to stand up to head out to my car, this sister gave me a hug. Just that...a hug. And she told me she hoped to see me and my grandma next week and that I could sit with her any time I wanted. That she would love it if I sat with her. And I teared up. I could feel how sincere she was. She truly loved me as a sister in this ward. She's in her 80's but she talked to me like we were old friends and we'd known each other for years. That's one of the reasons why I love the church. The sisters truly care about each other. I've lived here for 9 months and felt like I hadn't really made any friends, but I was looking in the wrong place. I thought I needed to be friends with the girls my age, but I couldn't really relate to them so it wasn't happening. But in reality there are amazing and incredible women of all ages who want to know me and be my friend. A hug, a pat on the leg and sweet smile after I made a comment, the offer to sit with her so I wasn't alone...all of these things could come from anyone. I need to be open to their love. And in return it made me want to share my love with her and everyone else. Tonight in my prayers I will be sure to thank my Heavenly Father for his church, for my gratitude in being prompted to go back to church and not stay home, and especially for my new friend. Sister Hansen, my new friend!