Kindness

I have been inspired by examples of kindness and service lately - by people that I don't know and people that they helped that they didn't know.  In the midst of a potential tragedy Antoinette Tuff met a gunman at school who was ready to shoot anyone in his path.  She courageously met him with love and kindness that disarmed him and saved her and him and many others.  I think her example is remarkable.  Do we have courage to love our enemies?

I was also touched by a picture of a Spanish emergency worker helping an LDS missionary after a horrible train accident in northern Spain last month.  There were many that were hurt and needed assistance from all over the world.  A community came together to serve and assist those that desperately needed help.  It's moments like this that try us, but also bring communities and individuals together in love - truly as brothers and sisters.  I wonder if this man would have opened the door to listen to the missionary's message?  He certainly opened his heart to bless and help anyone in need at a moment's notice.  That's what it's about!  :)

Feeling Blessed

After some nice gospel study time today that helped me see where I am and what I need to be doing in my life, I was reminded of this post from a few months ago and I felt the same grateful and content feelings.  I feel very blessed to be in the place that I am now.  It's interesting to think about how I got here and whether it's where I wanted to be or not.....I know it's right!

I have to admit, though, that these feelings came after a particularly lonely weekend/evening and even some questioning weeks and months.  I was actually kind of feeling sorry for myself and the quiet life I live, especially after having to spend Saturday night by myself on the phone and in the dark waiting for AAA.  :)

We live the life we choose.  We choose to be just as happy as we want to.  No matter what our circumstances are.....we can be happy.  The Lord loves us.  He knows us.  He watches out for us.

Time - Priorities

I have been thinking a lot lately about time and how I use it.  We are all blessed with the same number of hours and minutes in a day and can choose how we use them.  We have different responsibilities and obligations to meet within that time, but it's really up to us how we prioritize and spend this incredible resource....whether that's working, serving, resting, playing, teaching, giving, learning, progressing, waiting, sitting, thinking, sharing, caring, enduring, loving, laughing.....and the list goes on.  Many things compete for our time, which is why it's important to have goals and plans, so it's not idled away.

There are many lists written about successful people:

• 11 Ways Successful People Start Their Mornings
• 5 Things Successful People Do Before Breakfast
• Top 10 Things Successful People Do to Reach Their Dreams
• How Very Successful People Manage Their Time
• 14 Things Successful People Do On Weekends
• How Successful People Spend Their Evenings

A common theme of success centers around how people use their time, particularly their discretionary time.  I read a great book not long ago that reinforced this point as well - successful people don't have time to watch TV or sit still really - they spend that time learning or helping someone else.  They do sleep, they do plan meaningful leisure activities, they spend time with people building relationships, and they even exercise, but in order to do all of this they seem to have set clear priorities that help them use every minute effectively.

There is SO MUCH good in the world.  I'm amazed (and frankly, sometimes overwhelmed) at all the opportunities to serve and bless and give and learn.  There are so many wonderful, uplifting resources.  You could spend DAYS trying to catch up on all of the wonderful Mormon Channel interviews and videos, Mormon messages, resources for youth and teaching...not to mention the scriptures and words of the living prophets.  And before you can even finish looking at all of those there will be a lot more amazing things to read and learn and watch (and these are just a few things I've noticed lately - I'm sure there are many others).  "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things (13th Articles of Faith)."  I wonder how we could ever have time for anything else.  :)  And then there are wonderful, uplifting blogs and ideas and opportunities for serving in the community and our neighbors everywhere we turn....and even new scripture mastery scriptures to memorize!  :)

President Spencer W. Kimball once said, "My life is like my shoes--to be worn out in service."

Doctrine & Covenants 123:13, 17 teaches "...we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven--These should then be attended to with great earnestness....Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

Last week in Relief Society we studied some of President Lorenzo Snow's teachings on this topic.  Here are a few quotes that I loved:

"We have to exert ourselves....Remaining idle without putting ourselves into action is of no use."

"Where the Lord plants us, there we are to stand; when he requires us to exert ourselves for the support of these holy principles, that we are to do; that is all we need to trouble ourselves about; the rest our Heavenly Father will take care of."

"This work in which you and I are engaged can only prosper and be forwarded through the blessings of God upon our faithful and honest exertions and our determination to accomplish the labors for which we have come into this existence.  When we look back upon the experiences through which we have passed, we easily understand that our prosperity has been dependent upon our honest endeavors to accomplish the work of God, to labor in the interest of the people, and to rid ourselves as far as possible of selfishness....we can well believe that our future progress will depend upon our determination to do the will of God under all circumstances and the aid which He shall give us."

Elder Christofferson taught in a 2010 talk entitled, Reflections on a Consecrated Life, that "true success in this life comes in consecrating our lives -- that is our time and choices -- to God's purposes."  He quotes from Man's Search for Happiness:  "Life offers you two precious gifts--one is time, the other freedom of choice, the freedom to buy with your time what you will....Every day, every hour, every minute of your span of mortal years must sometime be accounted for.  And it is in this life that you walk by faith and prove yourself able to choose good over evil, right over wrong, enduring happiness over mere amusement.  And your eternal reward will be according to your choosing."  This is kind of what it's all about!

It's not enough to not be doing bad things....we must be "anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [our] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness (D&C 58:27);"  That's who we are and what we should be about!  We can't run faster than we have strength, but the Lord will strengthen us and magnify our efforts as we have a desire to serve Him and use our time to bless others and build His kingdom.  I know He blesses us and helps us as we are willing to do His will.

Being idle is a pretty serious problem and we're commanded to "refrain from idleness (Alma 38:12)" and to "cease to be idle (D&C 88:124)."  We should avoid apathy, laziness, procrastination and slothfulness.  Here are a few other references that teach the importance of being anxiously engaged and choosing the best thing, not just the good and better thing.

I believe that we all have unique talents and opportunities and the responsibility to bless others and do good.  The Lord needs each of us to be the best that we can be and use our time and set our priorities in a way that will help others to know Him.  There is lots to do, but He will bless us as we give our time and talents to Him and His work and His glory.

Journey

I like to travel.  I think there is so much to learn by seeing and experiencing a new place and I love to think about how we are all connected as brothers and sisters across the world.  I am grateful for a recent opportunity to travel and explore and learn and grow and I have been impressed, while thinking back about these experiences, that there are many stories in the scriptures about traveling and journeys to new places.  I think this is significant.

• Life is a journey.  We had to leave our home with Heavenly Father to come here to earth to learn and to grow on our own by making choices and learning by faith.
• Moses and other prophets went up to the mountains to talk to the Lord.
• The children of Israel left Egypt and traveled 40 years in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land.
• The Jaredites built boats to travel to the Promised Land.
• Lehi and his family traveled in the wilderness for eight years and then they built a boat and traveled across the ocean to the Promised Land.
• The sons of Mosiah traveled to the land of the Lamanites to teach.
• Mary went to visit Elizabeth and then Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem and then not long after they went to Egypt with the baby Jesus.
• Joseph Smith went to a grove of trees to pray.
• The pioneers crossed the plains, but before they even got to Salt Lake there were other trips - one that was significant was Zion's Camp.  It might have seemed that the purpose of the journey was not met, that they were unsuccessful, but the Lord had a different purpose in mind and this trying trip helped to create great leaders.

Why did the Lord command these groups and individuals to travel?  There were unique circumstances and reasons each time, but I think that in general, they had to travel and we have to travel, in order to learn - most importantly to learn to be humble, to rely on Him, to gain a greater perspective.  If we are humble in our journeys He will lead us.  There is often much to learn just in the journey itself.

Here are a few scriptures that remind us of His guiding care:

• 1 Nephi 4:6
• 1 Nephi 17:42
• Alma 37:44
• D&C 88:77-80
• Matthew 28:19-20

...and here are a few songs of inspiration to help us keep going on our journeys:

• Life is a Road
• The Iron Rod
• I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go
• Come, Come, Ye Saints
• Does the Journey Seem Long?

Looking Forward

I started this post just after Thanksgiving last year....and since we're starting to try to coordinate Thanksgiving plans for this year and they've been putting up Christmas lights at Temple Square for about a week, maybe it's okay that I finally finish this post now - somewhat related, right?  :)  It was fun to be together with the whole family at Thanksgiving last year and one thing we talked about while we were together was "looking forward" to things.  I do this a lot (and have been thinking about it again)!  I always like to have something to look forward to.  I think it actually makes the regular-ness of every day more fun and helps me find more joy in the small things, too.

It was fun to drive home from St. George with my three-year-old nephew.  We were nearly home when he wanted to turn around and go back.  He was pretty insistent!  We had had a really nice weekend and it was so special to all be together, and I have to admit that as we finished the weekend I just wanted to stay there too, but we had to move on....we had to come home...we had to move forward, not just look back on what we had looked forward to.  :)

Here are a couple of interesting articles and then three wonderful videos that shed a little bit of light on how we think about the past, present and future.

How do you look forward, but live in the present and enjoy each minute of where you are?

It's a Miracle!

Today at church I was inspired and grateful that we studied Elder Neil L. Andersen's recent talk entitled It's a Miracle. This is a beautiful talk about the miracle of the life and gospel of the Jesus Christ and how this message has spread across the world and will continue to spread throughout every nation and people. Elder Andersen quotes President Monson who says, "We take most seriously the Savior's mandate..., 'Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' This cause will continue to go forth, changing and blessing lives....No force in the entire world can stop the work of God."

This is so exciting....and such a MIRACLE and blessing to watch unfold!  Hark, All Ye Nations!
....hear heaven's voice!
....truth is restored again!
....all now rejoice!
....truth is on earth once more!

Elder Andersen encourages all of us to be involved. He says, "If you're not a full-time missionary with a missionary badge pinned on your coat, now is the time to paint one on your heart--painted, as Paul said, 'not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.'....The Lord needs you now more than ever to be an instrument in His hands. All of us have a contribution to make to this miracle."

There is nothing that makes me more excited and happy than thinking of the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ being available to everyone....and being a part of helping that message move across the world to all of Heavenly Father's children. Recently I stood on the shore of the Sea of Galilee at a church that has been built on a spot that might possibly have been near the place that Jesus asked his apostles to "feed my sheep" and take the message of His life and mission and gospel to all the world (see Matthew 28:19 and John 21:16-17).

While I was in that peaceful place I pictured that meeting in my mind and wondered what it would have been like to be there. Then I thought of the 15 men on the earth today who are modern-day apostles and special witnesses of Christ to all the world. They have the same commission to fulfill - to teach all nations of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for them and their testimonies of the Savior....and for the miracle of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our day.

Claustrophobia vs. An Open Heart

I grew up in a small town (about 30,000 people) on a small island (nearly 600 square miles) - you can drive around O'ahu in about three hours. It was wonderful! People have asked me before if I felt claustrophobic at all. Never! I loved where I grew up....and didn't know anything different! :) It probably helped that we visited the mainland every summer. I enjoyed the chance to visit family and explore other places, but loved coming home to the "rock in the middle of the sea."

Ironically, the last couple of years of my life, when I have seemingly been the most free - having finished graduate school, driven across the country twice, lived on the East Coast, traveled a little bit, and enjoyed some wonderful job opportunities, I've thought more about this idea of feeling trapped or claustrophobic. It might be that as I get older and have seen more places and opportunities I somehow wonder if I'm in the "best" place.....it gets hard to choose, commit, settle down. :) I admit I've felt "trapped" a little bit at times. I don't like to feel trapped; I think that's one reason I love to travel and explore new places and learn new things.

As I've been thinking about this lately, I have been inspired by some wise words from my parents about the importance of having an open heart. I think that makes all the difference in how we experience life and how we feel about the choices we make and how we move forward. As long as our heart is open and we are consistently seeking guidance from the Lord and following the Spirit, we move forward and do our best and don't worry about the rest. We don't need to worry about what anyone else thinks or worry about past decisions or create artificial barriers for ourselves that might make us feel trapped, but move forward in faith (see D&C 6:23). Basically, it's the idea of letting go and trusting (see Trust, Let Go...). I think this may come easier to children, which might also explain why I never felt claustrophobic growing up in Hawaii.

I really like Elder Gerald N. Lund's 2008 talk, Opening Our Hearts. He expresses well some of the things I've been thinking about lately. I also like Dr. Lanae Valentine's 2004 BYU Devotional entitled Removing Roadblocks to Revelation. She says, "When there are blockades between your heart and the will of your Heavenly Father, you will have difficulty choosing in accordance with God's will." She also quotes President Benson who said, "The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it."

I think my parents are neat examples of this - they lived many places while I was tiny and had wonderful experiences "unpacking their bags," building relationships and opening their hearts to inspiration and opportunities. I'm grateful for their examples. I'm also grateful for the blessings of fasting and the peace and comfort and clarity it brings to my mind and heart. I have also been inspired by a sweet book I'm currently reading - Glimpses - Into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley. I think that Sister Hinckley's example of kindness, openness, being herself, only saying kind things, passionately learning all that she could and loving everyone along the way is what it means to have an open heart.

The World Needs Pioneers Today

To celebrate the pioneers today I enjoyed the parade from start to finish - walking the whole parade route back and forth.  It's fun to be out with the community and celebrating the history of our state and ancestors.  It's a unique and wonderful heritage, tradition and parade.  I loved the floats, the bands, the PCC dancers and seeing the missionaries at nearly every corner enjoying the festivities and talking to people.  It was fun to hang out at Liberty Park for a little bit and cheer on some of the marathon runners.  In the evening I hiked up Ensign Peak - what a beautiful valley that many worked so hard to cultivate since 1847!

I'm grateful for a day to pause and commemorate such faith and perseverance and dedication and righteousness....what a legacy!  We commemorate the lives, faith and courage of those who walked across the plains and established new communities where they could worship God freely.  They were tested and held close to God and their covenants.  We are asked to do the same thing today - we may not be walking across the plains, but our challenges and the need to stand up for what we believe might be even greater.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks teaches, "It is not enough to study or reenact the accomplishments of our pioneers. We need to identify the great, eternal principles they applied to achieve all they achieved for our benefit and then apply those principles to the challenges of our day.  That way we honor their pioneering efforts, and reaffirm our heritage and strengthen its capacity to bless our own posterity.  We are all pioneers in doing so."

I loved President Monson's article in this month's Ensign entitled The World Needs Pioneers Today.  President Monson says, "These pioneers remembered the words of the Lord: 'My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion.'....A dictionary defines pioneer as 'one who goes before to prepare or open up the way for others to follow.' Can we somehow muster the courage and steadfastness of purpose that characterized the pioneers of a former generation? Can you and I, in actual fact, be pioneers?  I know we can be. Oh, how the world needs pioneers today!"

And President Uchtdorf teaches, "We all share pioneer legacy."

Princes and Princesses

I wasn't into the royal baby watch, but I have to say when I saw pictures of Kate and William and the new little Prince of Cambridge making their appearance I was touched by a few things:

1. This is what it's all about! - the miracle of life and love; the safety and security and happiness of family.  There was something very sweet about watching this new little family together (and any new parents, I think) - I saw genuine JOY, love, confidence, humility and awe.  It was really sweet and in stark contrast to other news and trends of the day.
2. We should celebrate love and family more!  :)
3. All babies should be anticipated and loved as much as this one was/is/will be.
4. We are all princes/princesses of royal birth and origin and destiny.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorifed together (Romans 8:16-17)."

"And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him (D&C 84:38)."

Little Cottonwood

I don't think I've ever experienced a more beautiful day of wildflowers in my life.  I don't know if you could even call this hike exercise today, because it was too much fun to watch the flowers....and take lots of pictures and try to soak it all in.  What a wonderful world!  :)

glad to be home

It's nice to be home and back to a routine and not chasing trains all across Europe.  :)  But it's mostly great to be home to hang out with this bunch.....  :)

July Trip - Israel, Italy

I've been looking forward to using my passport for three years and was so grateful for the "break" and opportunity and time to visit a couple of places that have been at the top of my list for a long time....and for the chance to explore with my dad!  We had a nice long-layover in Paris with time to explore and then spent 4 days in Israel and 7 days in Italy.  It was wonderful!

Here's our trip by the numbers:

• 11 full days
• 10 nights
• 4 countries - France, Israel, Italy, Vatican City
• 15 cities - Paris, Jerusalem, Galilee, Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Greve in Chianti, La Spezia, Porto Venere, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Siena
• 5 hotels
• 5 planes (nearly 14,300 miles)
• 14 trains (at least 625 miles)
• 6 buses (at least 125 miles)
• 2 bikes (at least 50 miles)
• 80+ miles of walking
• 4 sea contacts
• 1 friend
• 3 family members
• 7 maps
• 2100 pictures
• lots of sunscreen, a gelato a day and many memories

Here are some of my favorite highlights:

• Ramparts Walk around the old city walls of Jerusalem
• swimming in the Dead Sea
• Galilee - Jordan River, Capernaum, Church of the Loaves and Fishes and Church of St. Peter's Primacy (both right on the lake), Mount of Beatitudes
• visiting the Western Wall on Friday evening at the beginning of Shabbat
• The Garden Tomb on a peaceful Sabbath morning
• church at the BYU Jerusalem Center
• Garden of Gethsemane
• night walk around Rome - Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, St. Peter's Square
• biking through Tuscany (Firenze to Greve in Chianti) with a serendipitous stop at the Florence American Cemetery on the way back to the Piazzale Michelangelo
• bus ride and swimming at Porto Venere
• hiking the Cinque Terre (from Vernazza to Corniglia and from Vernazza to Monterosso)
• watching two Italian fathers set up a sleeping area/fort (complete with beach umbrella) at the Rome airport for their children to sleep - and then watching everyone else smile as they walked by :)

One of my favorite things about traveling is the opportunity to learn by seeing, observing, experiencing.  Here are a few lessons learned and/or things I want to learn more about:

• The world is a beautiful place! There are so many beautiful, historic, important places to explore.
• There are so many good, interesting people in the world.
• There are many diverse, very distinct and passionate cultures. It was fascinating to learn more about and observe the Jewish, Muslim, and Italian cultures! 
• It was interesting to see the distinct quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem - switching from Hebrew to Arabic. People seemed to get along, even with VERY apparent differences.
• It was fascinating to watch the devout Jews and how they worship and live.
• Muslim also have noticeable practices and customs - it was fun to watch the preparations for Ramadan in East Jerusalem.
• Italians aren't known for being efficient, but they enjoy life. Relationships, family and gelato seem to be important, too. :) 
• There is so much I want to go home and study more thoroughly - especially Israel's history, the Old Testament and the New Testament.
• I have never seen so many OLD cities and civilizations with such LONG histories. Incredible!
• I don't understand why people smoke.
• It's kind of nice to be disconnected for a bit, but internet cafes are harder to come by it seems - communication is crucial and such a part of our life now.
• I enjoy traveling with my dad - we enjoy similar things and it was fun to spend time together.
• It's nice to be home! Traveling always makes me appreciate home, family, where I live and what I do.
• Travel is tiring, but so rejuvenating and exciting - there is so much more to see and learn....and so nice to have a little break from the regular routine.