Mindy Gledhill - California

This song makes me happy!



It' doesn't have much to do with Cali/Mish. :)

45!!!

Mascara..Say NO!

I'm going to go a week without Mascara!! My poor eyelashes have taken a lashing. I hope they feel better soon..

Plus I believe in natural beauty:)

Mission Prep: Part 3, What Really Is Most Important

Studying will be the most beneficial if I want to be an effective missionary. I just have to keep reading and reading! Making better use of my time right now is a good idea... no more Harvest Moon :) Waste of Time.  I need to fill my days with reading, pondering, praying, and serving. I'm doing fairly decent, but I know I could do better! Serving is #1. When I learn how to serve, truly serve, I know I will have more love for my fellow men. I am going to serve God's children (whether they accept the gospel or not). I want to have the kind of love that Alma expressed in Alma 31:

Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.

How he must have loved the people to have been so sorrowful (Read all Chapter 31). Yep,  I have my work cut out for me. I know there are tons of things I can do to serve. Starting with my family. It is incredible how many dishes a family of seven can go through in just ONE day. It is inconceivable.. So ya, there is plenty of work to be done. I just gotta get a move on it.

Lend a helping hand.

Oh, btw, here is an amazing video for you to view:

Mission Prep: Part 2, Health

Uh...I worked out twice today.  Why??  Well, I want to be in shape for my mission.  I want to be physically prepared for what ever I am asked to do.  The last couple months I've been slacking BIG time.  I used to be able to run for miles and miles...I guess it's a true statement the if you don't use it, you lose it!  I've lost my muscles...and endurance....and lung capacity....  BUT I'M GONNA GET IT BACK.  Yep, have no fear.  I plan (and have done...as of today:)) on cutting back most of my sugar (maybe not eat so much too!) and bumping up my daily exercise from 0 min. to at least 1 hr.

I hope to be ready for this Mish!!! 90 days!!!! I got this!!!!

Plus- I gotta represent yo.

Mission Prep: Part 1, Language

Hola! Como esta?? Donde esta el correo??  Well, you better know so you can write me!

I'm not fond of the spanish language..mostly because I took spanish one for two years and I still don't get it.  Even though I'm english speaking, depending on the needs of the mission president, I might have to learn.  So, why not get a head start?  I checked out Spanish Made Simple at the Library :)  Flash cards are a must!  And now I'm on my way to becoming...uh, somewhat educated in the learning of spanish...

Cuanto cuesta el vestido? Es caro.  I'm still saving up money!  Second job attained, but I don't think I'll get the desired hours.  20hrs..I work only 3 this week.  Third job-pending.  I've also considered "donating" plasma.  We'll see.

Muchas gracias! Adios!

San Diego, CA

Oh Yeah Man!



I'm going to California!!  Mormon battalion visiting center!!  I'm SOO excited!!! :)  This girl is going on a mission on Feb. 2nd 2011.  I'm gonna share the LOVE in my native language...English!!



At first I was a little...hesitant?  A visitor center mission {all in me head}.

                                I would be giving people tours.................
                                showing people artifacts...................
                                NOT teaching the gospel.......................................


Here's how it went this week:


Wednesday-       

6pm-ish:  I opened my call with family and friends.  I was excided!!

Later that evening: I was kinda nervous about it/ didn't know what to think.

 After I went home:  Not wanting to go.

Thursday-           
10ish:  Not wanting to go.
4pm:  I cried.
4:30pm:  Thought about it some more.....

Friday-              
1:36am: Excited to go!
1:37am:  Couldn't wait to GO!!!!!!!


So, do you want to understand my thinking???

I was being selfish...and Heavenly Father knows me best:)

Brooke wants to live in a cloud and not come down to life

How's that for a headline?  Yep..but it's true right now.  Maybe I will get done everything that I need to do in 90 days.  Maybe I'll have enough money saved.  Maybe.  I hope.  We'll see.

There Is a Power Greater Than Ours

"Recognize that there is a power greater than ours, that no matter how good a man is, he is not good enough, that no matter how wise he is, he is not wise enough, that no matter how strong he is, he is not strong enough for all of the things which he will face in life, and that there is a source of power to which he can go with the assurance that he will be listened to and that there will be a response."


Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Message: Gifts to Bring Home from the Mission Field," New Era, Mar. 2007, 4

Granny Annie's Epiphanies

Most of the major life decisions that have been placed before me (thus far) have been solved at Granny Annie's in Kaysville.  These life changing solutions were of course aided by my loving parents (they payed for my hot cocoa).

Well...I have to admit.  The first time I went there to solve a crisis was actually with my Gramma B.  She helped me decide not to give up on my mother-daughter, daughter-mother catastrophe.  Still on going, but the turning point was definitely the scones.

Second, was with my pappa.  I was a fresh high school graduate and had no idea what to study in college.  I decided I would decide later.  I still haven't decided.

Another time..I was set on moving to Samoa and I chose to inform them at good 'ol Granny Annie's.  They of course persuaded my otherwise (because I am not there now).  The logic was sound and the matter of long term happiness was placed before me.  How can one dispute that?  Nope, I chose to stay in Utah and [cough] go to school.

I am lucky to have spectacular people to help guide me through life...and... Granny Annie's, for always being there to house my epiphanies and fill my hungry belly.

Check it out.

Located in K-town.

Snow Globes

I was innocently looking for a picture to depict the majesty of a snow globe..and instead..I found this.  Is he trying to push her off or something?

What a jerk.

Blow Out Sale-hardy har har

Selling everything you own is harder than it seems....

AHHHHHHHH.

Why in the heck did I waste so much money on crap that I didn't/don't need?? Having stuff is convenient, but it's more work than it's worth...at least when you want to sell it :)  That's quite the paradox I'm sure. Note to self: Don't buy anything anymore.

You wanna buy:

PAINTINGS

DECORATIONS

FURNITURE

(Includes TV & DVD Player)

There is much more folks!  Come to Megan & Brookes' Open house November 13th! It's for a good cause-

I've decided

Man!  I haven't posted for some time...as the title suggests, I've DECIDED!  Well, I am going on a mission folks.

It's past and there is no return. :)

I've been given much and now it's time to do some paying back.  I am going to spread the knowledge that has given me hope, confidence, and happiness.  My God is a God of love, and knowing that he loves me and us.. gives me the greatest happiness I've ever known.  I want to share that.

Today I sent in the required documents to get my mission call, to serve a mission for God, but in partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (?) :)  I'm elated!!!!!!  It has taken me a while to decide if this is the right thing for me to do at this time in my life. I've come to the conclusion that it is, obviously.

I will know where I am to serve in about a week and a half.  They (the church) will send my papers to my house in a big white envelope.  State side? OC?

My parents are willing to pay half the expenses.  I am paying the other half.  Guess how much? Ugh.  $7,200 us dolla.  Mucho Money.  That's $400 a month for 18 months.  In the documents, it asks you when you would be able to leave by.  I chose April 1, 2011..I didn't even think about April fools..hehe, but April will give me enough time to save money.  I'm also considering selling everything I own.  Interested in buying??

Last but not least...  I'm moving back to my parents house.  This is possibly the hardest thing in the world to do right now.  It will save me soo much money, but it's hard to get along with my Step-mom.  Six months?  I think I can have more charity for six months.  This has been long time coming, it's time we work out our differences and share the bonds of family! :)

I am so excited to serve the Lord!

Bee prepared ye buccaneer

Covered in Paint

Art and stuff

Also, I made some yummy peach cobbler the other day...  So, I took a piture:) Yum!

Hungry?

Eisley

Eisley is one of my favorite groups right now.

According to Wiki-

Eisley is a rock band from Tyler, Texas, consisting of four siblings (Chauntelle, Sherri, Stacy, and Weston DuPree) and their cousin (Garron DuPree), all of whom were born and live in Texas. Eisley means ice island in several Germanic languages, though it is not intentional, since the name actually originates from Mos Eisley.

They are fantastic! Check em out

Fields for Gold+Gold=Bliss

FACT:  Idaho is my favorite destination for the month of September.

Who can resist the fields of Gold?

Labor Day weekend I went camping with my big sis and her cute family.  What wonderful nieces and nephews I have:)  Along with the company, Idaho is so beautiful!  The hills are calling my name..

The Toothless boy

(look at that crazy hair)

Ethan was so excited to show me his missing teeth. Haha.

Marsh-Mellow-Maddness - Inspired by Uncle Paul.

There were more people there that I expected.  I thought it was just going to be Jess and her family, but it turned out that it was a big family reunion on Roberts side.  I met a lot of good people and had a lot of fun, "Yip, yip!"

Happy Trails

Jordan and I went on a little adventure together.  With him on my shoulders, we passed through fields of gold and jumped over big pits..risking life and limb.  On our way back to camp, we came in contact with a cow! How fierce!

Fuzzy Landon Babe

Last night I drove back to Utah. Bummer.

Bye Idaho:(

The Trips Theme Song: Jaaneman (From Radio) by Shreya Ghoshal & Himesh Reshammiya

God, Family, Country - Part 1

God, Family, Country
Our Three Great Loyalties
By Ezra Taft Benson

Section One: God
1. The Perfect Example

Benson starts off by bringing your attention to the fact that, 18 years of Christ's life is summed up with this one scripture, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52.) He then gives an in depth description of each part and relates it to our own lives. Here are some passages that struck me the most.

Hard Work-

You will never wish or dream yourself into heaven. You must pay the price in toil, in sacrifice, and in righteous living.

Politics-

Have the courage to apply this standard of truth determine what the effect of the various issues at stake is upon the character, the integrity, and the freedom of man. Which increase his freedom? Which abrogate or destroy? Which recognize and respect the individual dignity of man?

Worth-

We have the greatest wealth ever known because we care free and our people have been encouraged to produce it-out of themselves. It is foolish to place our material wealth first and decide that it, rather than the freedom and energy that produce it, is our real worth.

True Wealth-

Freedom, a willingness to work, and the desire to serve your God through service to your fellowmen-these are the sources of true wealth. Cling fast to these truths, and you must inevitably increase in favor with man.

What's Most Important-

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36.)

Lead-

Yours is a great responsibility in this day when the need for courageous leadership[ is so urgent. You can become those leaders!

Become-

Young men and women of the free world, yours is a great challenge. You can be choice spirits in your land. Forget not that each of you has been endowed with the priceless gift of free agency. Each of you is, in very deed, the master of your fate, and Christ should be the captain of your soul. You need not be the victims of circumstance, for unto you it is given to achieve and become "perfect, even as your father is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48.)

If you follow this divine pattern established by the resurrected Christ, you cannot fail, for you will have fulfilled the measure of your creation.

This is just some of the juicy goodness that Benson shares. Many times he refers to you and me as, young men and women of the free world, I like this a lot. When you read these things in the organized way he presents them in his book, you will surely learn more. Read it!:)
 
Stay tuned for Part 2, coming soon.

The Power of Love

My journey to knowledge and wisdom has stemmed to great truths, but has ultimately lead me back to examine my roots...and to realize what defines me.

God loves and cares for man.
God loves and cares for me.

How do we know God has such a love for us?

Over the years, we have been told time and time again that God loves his children.  We hear it over and over, but we don't really understand until we listen.  Many things have contributed to my understanding of the validity of this truth, but I will share the scripture that made me listen.

"Behold, doth he cry unto any saying: Depart from me?  Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price." (2 Nephi 26:25)

My God, is a God of love.  He guided our founding fathers to create this great nation.  We are free, and He knows that in this freedom, we can find joy and happiness.  He has given us a family.  My family is one of the things that gives me true joy and I'm thankful to have them.  God has given us this beautiful world to enjoy and a body to convert all of its splendors.  He constantly directs us, teaches us, reminds us, and loves us. We are completely reliant on the Lord.

Why then does he love us?

How can such a great being, who created the heavens and the earth, love ones so small and inferior?  What worth do we hold?  We, that have a capacity for great evil.  Just take a look at the examples around us and in our history. Without God's light, we would be in utter darkness forever.

2 Nephi 4: 16-35

16 Behold, my a soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.

23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.

24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.

25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

Why would God spend so much time helping us progress if he didn't believe we could someday become great?

Once we have come to the knowledge that God loves and cares for us all individually, don't you think it would be enough to combat this cruel battle over self that we are facing?  With all of this evidence around us, you would think that there wouldn't be any reason to doubt our self worth.  If this great being loves us, then why can't we love ourselves?  The world only finds worth in us if we are beautiful or intelligent.  We are made to believe that if we don't look a certain way, that there is something wrong with us.  If we had God's great perspective of who we are...these fleeting worries would have no affect on our progression.  Little cares would vanish and we would be pressing ever more to reach our potential.

Goal:

1. Feel God's love for you
2. Love yourself
3. Love God

When we feel God's love for us, love ourselves, and love God, we have more power and strength to make it through this life.  Trust in God, because he trusts in you!

It can be said that none of my words of testimony have changed over the years, but the meaning behind the words are much deeper and express the fine details etched in my heart...by a loving father.

Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.

Willy and the rake - (to the summer that never came)

I'm not all,

and if you want,
I don't want,

There is much more to learn and do,

I will become,
but without you.

Heavy on the heart, heavy on the mind

What to do...what to do... There are so many choices to make in life. One often thinks, "Am I making the right choice, and If I'm making the right choice, how will I know that it's right?" (mm...). Well, what do we do during these times? Goal: to make a logical decision that will effect our life in the best possible way.

What to do...what to do...

These three words are repeated throughout our lives at various times.  What to do?  And once we decide, it's often followed by.. "Is it best for me?" Ugh.

What to do...what to do...

No worries, be happy.

Who's the Corn Popper, Price?

Sometimes I feel like a corn popper. I like learning and sometimes I talk to people that confuse the daylight out of the sky. I get going so fast that my insides get jumbled and fumbled inside. I need to take it slow and let the kernels pop one. at. a. time.

(Corn Popper in action)

Picture 2009

This beauty was taken in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  My roommates and I were attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and the sun was shining right!

Picture 2008

This picture was taken in Ogden, Utah.  Some friends and I were sledding and this glorious sunset decided to grace us.

Question #2

Question:

What makes us individuals?  What makes up our personality and character?  Let's say we make it and become Gods and Goddesses.  We now have a perfect knowledge and therefore have the highest level of intelligence; we have acquired all of the God like attributes and have a perfect righteousness; and we are able to see in every perspective...what then sets us apart from each other?

Answer:

A Great Beauty Secret

“We have been taught that ‘the gift of the Holy Ghost . . . quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections. . . . It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features’ (Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, 10th ed. [1965], 101; emphasis added). Now, that is a great beauty secret!”


Elaine S. Dalton, ”Remember Who You Are!” Ensign, May 2010, 122

Word to the G to the O to the E (Greatest wOrd on Earth)

FACT: This is my favorite word.

Fusion [fyoo-zhuhn] : A process where nuclei collide so fast they stick together and emit a great deal of energy. In the center of most stars, hydrogen fuses together to form helium. Fusion is so powerful it supports the star's enormous mass from collapsing in on itself, and heats the star so high it glows as the bright object we see today. Scientists here on earth are trying to make nuclear fusion in the laboratory a useful energy source.

or..

–noun

1. The act or process of fusing; the state of being fused.
2. That which is fused; the result of fusing: A ballet production is the fusion of many talents.

3. Politics .

a. A coalition of parties or factions.

b. ( Initial capital letter ) The political party resulting from such a coalition.

4. Also called nuclear fusion. Physics . a thermonuclear reaction in which nuclei of light atoms join to form nuclei of heavier atoms, as the combination of deuterium atoms to form helium atoms. Compare fission ( def. 2 ) .

5. Ophthalmology .

a. Also called binocular fusion. the correct blending of the images of both eyes.

b. The perception of rapid, intermittent flashes of light as a continuous beam.

6. Popular music that is a blend of two styles, esp. a combining of jazz with either rock, classical music, or such ethnic elements as Brazilian or Japanese music.

7. Linguistics . the merging of linguistic elements, esp. morphemes, usually accompanied by a change in the form of the elements.

–adjective

8. (Of food or cooking) Combining usually widely differing ethnic or regional ingredients, styles, or techniques: a restaurant serving French-Thai fusion cuisine; a fusion menu.

Sold?

The Truth About Diamonds...

And no!  I'm not talking about Nicole Richie's captivating teeni bopper novel.
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Diamonds are the hardest naturally forming material on Earth, renowned for their beauty, strength, and durability. They have been known and hoarded by humans for thousands of years, and their names from the Greek word for invincible.

Diamonds come from deep within the Earth’s crust, formed there by the incredible pressure and relatively manageable temperatures. They form beneath the continental crust, from pure carbon. This carbon may either come from exclusively non-organic sources, organic sources, or a blend of the two. Diamonds formed from inorganic carbon are called harzburgitic diamonds, while those formed from some amount of organic carbon are called eclogitic diamonds.

For many centuries India was the world’s top source of diamonds, but eventually these sources were mostly depleted. In the modern world, nearly half of all diamonds mined come from mines in southern and central Africa. The bulk of these mines are owned and operated by various companies of the De Beers Group, which is responsible for more than 40% of diamonds by value worldwide, and has held a virtual stranglehold on the world diamond market since its formation in the 1860s. Large-scale mines also exist in Brazil, Australia, Siberia, and parts of Canada. Once mined, these diamonds travel the world to be cut and polished to create the beautiful gems we are all familiar with. Most cutting takes place in a few areas of the world, most notably New York, Antwerp, and Tel Aviv.

For more info on the creation of the invincibles check out this website. 

The following bits of information are taken from an article on the African People’s Solidarity Committee website written By Penny Hess, Chair.

Most of us blithely take for granted the resources available to us in our daily lives. We don’t give much thought to the brutality and suffering it takes to extract those resources for our use at the expense of the people to whom they belong.

Even as the U.S. war against the Iraqi people rages on, we continue to mindlessly pump gas into our cars without thinking of the deadly violence in the Middle East being waged so that the American people can continue to use all the oil we want.

The same holds true for diamonds, the glittering rocks of crystallized carbon worn by millions.

Long revered as rare, benign gems symbolizing the ideals of beauty and everlasting love, diamonds are the desired gift for engagements, anniversaries, graduations, or simply as an expression of love. Diamonds are thought to be the makings of heirlooms, something to pass down from generation to generation with ever appreciating value.

These myths about the diamond trade, however, couldn’t be further from the truth. This is a look into the reality of diamonds and the real price of this seemingly innocent stone for millions of African people and others who live on the other end of the equation.

Perhaps these facts about the diamond trade can help open our eyes to the deeper reality of an entire social system built on violence, slavery, genocide and the degradation of others in order to create a generous lifestyle for us, the white people.

The story of diamonds is just one of them.

How could we have been/are SO blind to what is going on!  According to The Washington Post (there is a lot of good info on here, please read it!) there are 5 myths to why this is so:

1. Diamonds are rare.
2. We've solved the problem of "blood diamonds."
3. Diamonds have long been symbols of love and marriage.
4. People will always buy diamonds.
5. The famous Four C's are the best markers for determining a diamond's value.

 You're going to have to read the descriptions as to why they are in fact MYTHS. We are soo blind! Ahh!
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Diamonds, the ads say, are forever. Whether or not that's the case, diamond jewelry is a powerful symbol of status and love, and a $72 billion-a-year retail business worldwide. Diamonds can also be a key source of funding for violent conflicts in Africa. A series of wars bankrolled by "blood diamonds" in the 1990s prompted the United Nations to pressure De Beers and other jewelry industry giants to set up a program known as the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to track the origins of each stone and assure customers that their diamonds are free of the stains of war and misery. But late last month, a four-day Kimberly Process meeting in Tel Aviv foundered over the question of whether to approve the export of diamonds from the Marange fields of Zimbabwe, where torture and murder go unpunished and profits fund the repressive party of President Robert Mugabe.

How did these glittering shards of compressed carbon become such a profitable business in the first place? The answer, it turns out, is complicated -- and many of the things we believe about diamonds aren't exactly true.

It is crazy to think that this still goes on today.  It is amazing the lengths we would go and how much suffering we would inflict upon a people for our own selfish purposes.  Man!  We have such a capacity for evil!  It is supposed to symbolize love and yet the whole thing is completely ironic.  I had NO idea that this was the story of diamonds, who would have thought?

Pain and Suffering

"Pain and suffering, they are a secret. Kindness and love, they are a secret. But I have learned that kindness and love can pay for pain and suffering." — Alan Paton (Cry, The Beloved Country)

It was my understanding that pain and suffering is self inflicted. My take on pain and suffering was indeed wrong, or better yet, incomplete. I was reading Alan Paton's Cry, The Beloved Country and came upon the above passage. This made me reflect on pain and suffering. It is true that suffering is self inflicted and that we choose what causes us pain, however, it does not mean that pain and suffering is wrong or bad.

"For our Lord suffered. And I come to believe that he suffered, not to save us from suffering, but to teach us how to bear suffering. For he knew that there is no life without suffering." — Alan Paton (Cry, The Beloved Country)

Suffering is part of the divine plan and is essential to our exaltation. This life is “a preparatory state given to finite beings, a space wherein they may improve themselves for a higher state of being.” Those unwilling to withstand adversity will not be exalted. “Hatred and persecutions have been the lot of every man that ever lived on the earth holding the oracles of the Kingdom of Heaven to deliver to the children of men.” We must pass through the refining experience of sorrow as did Enoch, Noah, Melchizedek, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob if we are to enjoy with them the blessings of the celestial kingdom. (Kenneth H. Beesley, "What Is the Purpose of Suffering?", New Era, April 1975)

So then what causes you pain and suffering?

"More important than what happens to us (or the reason why it occurs) is how we react to it."

People in pain—especially people we love—test that dimension of us. Their need forces us to decide how much of us we’re really willing to give, how much of our time and emotional and physical resources we will sacrifice for them. I think often of my sister-in-law, Judy. Her daughter Stephanie was born with severe cerebral palsy. She can do almost nothing for herself, nor can she communicate except in grunts and cries. I have watched Judy feed her daughter, now twelve years old. She must patiently spoon each bite into Stephanie’s mouth, replacing the same morsel over and over again because Stephanie has so little control over her swallowing. Judy cares for Stephanie constantly and lovingly.

Stephanie’s need serves to reveal much goodness in Judy, demanding depths of patience and self-sacrifice that perhaps Judy was unaware she possessed. Suffering in others can serve as a mirror, reflecting the best—and worst—qualities within us.

Such suffering stirs our souls. But it also stretches our faith, tests our compassion, allows us necessary reexamination of our values, and teaches us that death, far from being a dreaded specter, can also come as a welcome friend, carrying our loved one to another sphere where life can again be meaningful and fulfilling.

Be a little more kind and give a little more love. Endure with courage and grace.

This is what happens when you....

Get on the back of a motorcycle with the MAN  you don't know..
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What started out as a harmless ride..turned into a Bear Lake Singles Ward Activity nightmare.

Here's how it went.  There were guys there that had motorcycles.  Me being me, wanted to ride on one.  So, I did.  Jordan, that's his name, graciously accepted my request and off we went! Oh the joy of riding.  It made me tear up...because we were going so fast.  Right as I was getting off I....touch the exhaust.  Ouch!  Nope, didn't see that coming.

Now, I'm on the road to healing.  I took a trip to the doctor so I could prevent infection.  They stripped away my dead skin with scissors and tweezers. 
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oOw..
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They also gave me a tetanus shot, just in case it was a rusty little bugger. Everyday I get to apply bacitracin (instead of neosporin),
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..and examine the wounded area to find any unwanted hairs (they tend to increase the risk of infection) {Ya, oh hana it hurts mucho..}

...and wrap that sucka up.
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Last of all, to minimize the scarring, I must keep it out of the sun for a YEAR.

LESSON LEARNED?

Don't get a motorcycle with a guy you don't know and don't touch the exhaust.

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First take on Thomas Paine

"I draw my idea of the form of government from a principle in nature which no art can overturn, viz. that the more simple any thing is, the less liable it is to be disordered, and the easier repaired when disordered" -Common Sense, by Thomas Paine.


The above is just a little tid bit from Common Sense written by dear old Thomas Paine.  What an interesting person!  He grew up in a poor family and therefore had  little formal education.  His original trade was that of a quaker corset maker! How did he learn all he knew about religion and politics? What inspired him to be more than that? He became a journalist and in the end an influential propagandist. He sure was a great writer and a brilliant man. His ideas in the pamphlet were organized and fairly simplistic for all to understand. One strange thing to me though. He obviously thought a lot about the governments effect on society and how monarchy takes the happiness away from the people. He was so passionate about our right to happiness and yet he himself didn't seek it. The end of his life he wasn't liked and he was alone. What a sad ending to a man that lit many sparks.

Tears and Guns

About six months ago I was watching the WWI or WWII documentary (in color I might add).  I won't forget this entry a distraught wife wrote about her husbands departure.. it is tragically beautiful.

I sit and stare stupidly at his luggage by the wall. He takes out his

prismatic compass and explains it to me, but I cannot see, and

when a tear drops on to it he just shuts it up and puts it away.

Then he takes a book out of his pocket. You see, your

Shakespeare's Sonnets are already where they will always be. Shall I

read you some? He reads one or two to me. His face is grey and

his mouth trembles, but his voice is quiet and steady. And soon I

slip to the floor and sit between his knees, and while he reads his

hand falls over my shoulder and I hold it with mine.



I hide my face on his knee, and all my tears so long kept back

come convulsively. I cannot stop crying. My body is torn with

terrible sobs. I am engulfed in this despair like a drowning man by

the sea. My mind is incapable of thought ...



Shall I undress you by this lovely fire and carry you upstairs in my

khaki overcoat? So he undoes my things, and I slip out of them;

the he takes the pins out of my hair, and we laugh at ourselves for

behaving as we often do, like young lovers ...



So we lay, all night, sometimes talking of our love and all that had

been, and of the children, and what had been amiss and what right.

We knew the best was that there had never been untruth between

us. We knew all of other, and it was right. So talking and crying

and loving in each other's arms we fell asleep as the cold reflected

light of the snow crept through the frost covered windows.

Brotha Luv

20 Reasons why I love my brother:

(above ranked #1)

Ya....we just got a Mac.