conversation

colleen asked me to write about a conversation we had the other morning...i'm not sure if this was the one, but it's what came to mind. although this morning we talked about how when you have conversations that touch you, it's probably not exactly the words but maybe the spirit that teaches you through their words at that moment. i believe my friends are full of wisdom and experience, but also they are good righteous women who teach me each time we are together. they bring the spirit to any conversation and truly are 'examples of the believers.'

people often feel that our church is complicated. but it isn't. i believe that being a mormon means first and foremost that i am a christian. by saying that, i mourn with those that mourn, help lift those who feel trodden down, bear the burdens of others, and try to daily see others the way Christ would. i convenant each sacrament meeting to do that.

simply put....i love.

that was His message in everything he said, everything he taught, everything he did.

and so when talking with someone of another faith, i see our commonality. we are both christians. we both love others because we love Christ. and because of His love, his teachings and his atonement my love can be greater, should be greater, because i feel his love. 

when all is said and done in this world, and in any of my relationships 

love is all that is important. 

i am grateful for this knowledge. i am equally grateful for the love my Savior showers upon me whether i deserve it or not. because i usually don't.

and i'm grateful that He trusts that i will try to do the same.

beginning of an adventure

today i spent most of the day packing for my trip to belize. i'm so excited to head out and see mary, meet all the kids who i'll be working with and help build a school. this is definitely out of my comfort zone but i've vowed to experience it all and not fear new things. 

i've been reading david and goliath by malcolm gladwell and i read about how in world war 2 the germans bombed england daily in a blitz with the idea that it would cause the people to become afraid and chaos would reign making overcoming england much easier. (well that's in a nutshell.) but that didn't happen. those who survived the bombing actually were in a sense exhilerated that they survived and it actually helped them feel a bit invincible and much more courageous. it was found that people are often more afraid of being afraid and when they have to face that fear head on they actually come away courageous and even energized because they have conquered. 

i'm hoping this experience will help me in that way. i'll report back.
 

                      

memorial day

we started the day doing the fun run in woods cross and got to enjoy great weather this year.

they always serve a great breakfast in the park after the run

we headed up to the cemetary in bountiful to place flowers on dad and don's grave site.

               

we finished by going to mom's home to work together in her yard. we pulled out bushes, trimmed, mowed, pulled weeds and covered up her grown out garden to kill all the weeds so we can put sod down instead. we ended with pizza. great team effort everybody!

my talented neice

i went up to logan to see lexie in the shakespear play 'a midsummer's night dream'. what a terrific job they did...kids 14 to about 18. i was absolutely blown away. i don't know how they could memorize all those lines especially during the end of year tests, papers, church activities, etc. 

it made me realize again how remarkable this generation of youth are.

it also made me think about how i use my time...and how effort brings it's own reward. i don't really push myself like i used to. that's something i need to work on more. 

doing hard things. 

i teach it....i need to do it.