Life

Yesterday I was standing outside at the car dealership waiting for the guy to bring me some paperwork to get the oil changed in my car. No one else was around really. There was a slight breeze blowing. I looked at the cars around me, looked at the palm trees, up at the blue sky, at the cars driving on the busy road nearby... and I just had this thought, "this is life. Life is happening RIGHT NOW." I don't know how to adequately describe it, but it was one of "those moments." 

I've also had the thought lately of, "I signed up for this." I'm not sure how much I knew I was getting into when I agreed to Heavenly Father's plan, but I do know I was excited about coming down to earth. With the amazing opportunity to live and breathe and get a body would come the trials of mortal life. 

Life is not all fun and games. I think way too often I wish it were. Don't get me wrong, Heavenly Father wants us to be happy and have a great time here on earth, but not every moment is going to be a party. I wish things could be easy. But, no. Unfortunately we have to deal with the hard things and the small and trivial matters of life including laundry, oil changes, dentist visits, etc. 

But, it's all part of the plan. Yes, laundry, oil changes and dentist visits are part of the plan. Dealing with these mortal matters teach us patience and humility. Life is not perfect, but it is helping us to become perfect people. 

This all reminds me of a quote. "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." Isn't that the truth?!

Happiness

"True happiness comes only by making others happy." -David O. McKay

 

It's true. Lately I've realized that I REALLY need to think of others more instead of myself. Dwelling on your own problems and only thinking of yourself is the best way to be depressed and leads to a really unhappy life! It's extremely easy to focus on oneself when you live the single life.

 

So, I've tried to open my eyes more to service opportunities recently and it's been great! The Lord will always put you to work when you are willing ("if ye have desires to serve ye are called to the work.") I have been really happy. It's awesome!

Insecurities

Insecurities. We all have them. Sometimes I wonder how I'll ever get over some of mine. Here's the answer:

"The Spirit—the Holy Ghost—will help us work out our insecurities." -James E. Faust

Boom. There we go. Anything is possible with the help of the Spirit!

This Too Shall Pass

This phrase has been on my mind lately. Trials come and go. Some quicker than others. I remember my dear Mom hugging me (while I was crying) and saying this phrase over and over one year during finals when I was really, really sick. Everyone needs to know that things will get better. It's so comforting.

Take Time to Be Holy

I've recently come to love this song. The words are awesome. It's so important to "Take time to be holy." Lately I've been realizing how much time I've been wasting on social media and how that time could be better used in other ways - such as more time with the Lord or more time serving others - just doing things that will make me holier and closer to Christ.

Sunday Will Come

I thought of this talk this morning as I was driving to work. It's been a LONG week and I am tired! I'm so glad it's Friday. In my case today is my "Sunday." It finally came after a long week.

There is always hope - a "light at the end of the tunnel" if you will - because of the atonement of our wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful for that.

He Can Make More Out of Our Lives!

I flipped open my scriptures tonight to Deuteronomy Chapter 1. I love verses 10 and 11:

10 "The Lord your God hath multiplied you...

 11 The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!"

It then reminded me of this quote:

"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will find out that he can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace."

It's so true. I know God can make SO much more out of my life than I can. As it says in Alma 26 (verse 12), "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak..." I am nothing with out my Savior.

Sometimes He Lets It Rain

You know, I've been thinking about the Gilbert temple cultural celebration which happened last night. It rained. In fact, it POURED (which is kind of ironic as it hasn't rained for months). But, the show went on. The youth smiled and danced in the rain. They had a blast! 

I'm sure there were a lot of prayers being said asking Heavenly Father to stop the rain. I was actually in Gilbert while it was going on and saw how hard it was raining and said a silent prayer. I felt so bad for those kids who'd worked and practiced so hard. 

I wondered why Heavenly Father didn't stop the rain. He, the most powerful being, could have stopped the rain. But, He didn't. He let it rain. He let it pour. Sometimes He lets it "rain" in our lives. In fact, He lets it POUR (we've all been there, right?!). But, the show (life) must go on. Sometimes we pray with all of our hearts that He'll make the rain stop, but He doesn't. Sometimes people around us - who are not in the rain - pray He'll make it stop. But, He doesn't. He blesses us and answers our prayers in other ways (but sometimes the "rain" itself is a blessing). In the meantime we must learn to dance and smile in the rain.

There's actually a song by an LDS singer and songwriter that talks about this: (sung by Katherine Nelson, produced by Tyler Castleton and Staci Peters)

She sees the storm clouds gather
The sky is turning cold and gray
She knows that somethings coming
when she starts to feel this way

She pleads for intervention
But heaven offers no relief
she would understand if she could only see

Sometimes He lets it rain
He lets the fierce winds blow
Sometimes it takes a storm
to lead a heart where it can grow

He can move mountains of grief
and oceans of pain.
But sometimes he lets it rain.

When her heart surrenders
to the master in control
Her spirit learns the lessons
and the tempest in her soul

when it's no longer raging
She can see how far she's come
through the wisdom and
the mercy of the son

Sometimes He lets it rain
He lets the fierce winds blow
Sometimes it takes a storm to
lead a heart where it can grow

he can move mountains of grief
and oceans of pain
but sometimes He lets it rain.

There is no joy without the pain
Sometimes He has to let it rain.

 I'm grateful Heavenly Father reminded me of this when I woke up this morning. Definitely a good reminder and much needed.