The Way

I'd rather not conduct an experiment on this theory, but I'm pretty sure that if there was no such thing as sunday I would die. Shall I explain? It's nothing you haven't heard before, but it's something I relearned yesterday.

I think it's safe to say (I have witnesses) that I've had a fairly melancholy weekend. Oh "melancholy"...that is such a deceiving word to me. It sounds fabulous, but it's not. Being sad or down-trodden is no fun, in and of itself, but then not exactly knowing why you are makes it even worse.

I guess if I was completely honest with myself I'd probably attribute it to the fact that I just take too many things on. There is a fine line between favors that build your character and favors that demean your sanity. The difference is quantity vs. quality. How can I ever expect to adequately serve someone if I'm rushing from one thing to another? Real service is giving time, not giving a loaf of bread and rushing out the door to attend to your next "noble deed."

Quality over quantity! ...wow! I really needed that reminder.

You know that song "I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Say No" from Oklahoma? Yeah, that's me! Not in terms of "handsome fellers" persay, but in terms of giving favors and volunteering. Everyday is a new search for balance. So, I figure it's probably a good idea to get my "volunteer capacity gauge" figured out before my life gets any crazier... I mean, I like to hope that it won't ever be more crazy than it is now, but if it's consistent with the past, then each new life lesson will be exponentially more crazy than the last. What's really important is my attitude toward life's lessons:

Is being stranded in a river stocked with hungry crocodiles a trial?

Or is it an adventure?

As my friend Bryce always says, "Well...it'd make a good story!"

Attitude determines altitude. What we take from our life's grand adventures, the ones we often call "trials," is up to us. We can't pick and choose which trials we'd like to have and which ones we'd rather sneak around quietly, undetected... It's like that bear hunt song you sang in kindergarden:

"...Can't go over it. Can't go under it. Can't go around it. Gotta go through it."

It's not easy, but gratefully, we are blessed with those moments when at last we reach the summit of a mountainous trial, we rest on a tree stump and happily take in the progress we've made and the beautiful view before us... A view we couldn't have seen if we had just given up at the trail (trial) head.

So, I guess what I'm getting at is this:

Life can change in an instant, but that's no reason to lock yourself in your bedroom and avoid change when it comes knocking. How boring would that be? Are you the same person you were 10 years ago? If yes, well then my friend, you've got some exciting catching up to do. If no, then congratulations ...you've CHANGED! That's good. In fact, it's normal. Change is constant. The trail isn't always going to lead the same way it did yesterday. Uncertainty can be scary or exciting. Happily, it's your choice which turn you take at the next fork in the road. And even more happily, you don't have to make that decision on your own.

That's why I love Sunday. It's a reminder that I'm not alone and that, thank HEAVENS, I don't have to rely on my own ridiculous problem solving skills to get me through the next bend in the road. My Savior has been to the summit before and he knows the way. He is The Way. I love knowing that.

Happy day. All is well.

Fly Away

I’m home…

{Pelicans at La Jolla Cove}

…for now, anyway.

On Monday, I’m flying away (more like driving) to Bear Lake for the week to be with my beloved family. I’m SO excited to be with them and have a vacation…the sit-on-a-hammock-and-relax kind of vacation. Annnnnd, I’m making another one of THESE with my n&ns! It’s pretty much going to ROCK some socks.

I’m nearly ready to post my bazillions of photos from San Diego, just a bit more tweaking and they’ll be up. YAY! I love that place so mucho.

By-the-by, this video is beautiful. You will cry, but it's worth it.

Happy Sunday!Love y'all!

My Favorite Day

Why do I love Sunday so much?

Because I am better acquainted with my best friend and dear Savior, Jesus Christ.

I learn how to better follow His commandments and teachings, so that I can be cleansed from the sin that seems to beat upon the world we live in more harshly each day.

I know that through the atonement of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, we are healed. We can overcome the prevalent temptations of the adversary. Jesus Christ is the true and only way back to our heavenly home.

I love my Savior with all the love that my heart can hold, and I know that He loves me, despite my many imperfections.

I know that He lives and that He reaches out to each of us with perfect and unconditional love. Therein is the true and eternal happiness that our spirits hunger for.

Ah.

Yes, I do love Sunday!

Happy Sunday, friends :)

My 3rd Eye - Day 30: Heigh Ho

When my n&ns come over each Sunday one of our favorite things to do is sit down and draw pictures. Their request of me tonight was Mr. Kermit the Frog.

Higher Ground

It's a bad habit, but it seems to happen at the about the same time toward the end of every week. My life collects a lot of clutter throughout the week, which eventually distorts my perception of what it is I'm actually supposed to be living for each day. That happens to you too though, right? I think that's why Heavenly Father invented Sundays. Church is such a willing "tidier" (pardon my made-up word) of our respective perspectives (say that 10 times fast).

However, I've found that my mind is the most clear and in-tune to the grand scheme of Heavenly Father's picture perfect plan when I take the time to remove myself from the cluttery surroundings of my clouded valley and seek higher ground.

It's no coincidence that on that higher ground sits my very favorite place in the world: The Bountiful Temple. There, I not only see the valley laid out like a toy car mat before me, but my spiritual perspective is restored as well.

I remember that I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father and that He has a perfect plan prepared especially for me. I think of all those times throughout the week that life, like a bully, tied my spiritual shoelaces together and watched me fall time flat on my face. You know, the kind of falls that hurt more than just your pride. But here on my higher ground I realize that the most important part is not how many times I fell down, but how many times I got back up and kept going. As Winston Churchill said, "Never never never never give up."

And I don't plan to.

My latest goal: spend more time up here. It certainly is a beautiful view!

Happy New Week, friends!

My 3rd Eye - Day 11: Sunday Blossoms

Ah Sundays...

...another opportunity for our spirits to bloom.

My 3rd Eye - Day 4: Bedtime Stories

I hope you had a lovely Sunday to jump-start the beautiful week that lies fresh before you.

Sunday Poem

Love is like the Sun -

Warmth and light, often blinding,

a peaceful, joyful fresh reminding

that each new day, our loving Savior,

allows us to change our behavior.

And in His love that never sets,

let us live with no regrets.

~short poem by me~

Happy Sunday!

Photo via Flickr

Sweet Sunday

I love Sunday and the reminders it brings of things like this:

Don't get caught in "the thick of thin things."

I love our prophet, Thomas S. Monson.

Thank you, Sunday, for starting each new week with determination and love

Instead of laziness and dread, and for making it so easy to love you!

Happy Sunday, cute people!

x o x o

Coming Tomorrow: New Pinky Promise tips to start your week off right

What Matters Most

I walked the week's path and when I came to the end

I looked back to review its long course

But when I saw I'd tread only very few steps

I heaved a great sigh of remorse.

There are weeks that I've run with hardly a rest

And days that I've sat to the side,

And yet those few steps that I'd marked in the dirt

Seemed to snuff out my credible pride.

So there, 'neath the trees, determined to pout

Discouraged and ready to quit

I knelt in the brush, tears stinging my eyes

Till a voice whispered, "You can do it."

And out from the trees came a brilliant man

Full of love, gleaming smile on his face

And he stretched forth his hand, and he lifted me up

And he healed me with his warm embrace

By Lindsay Kay

Copyright Nov '09

This is why I love Sundays. It's as if the Savior himself, with his abundant love, fills me from head-to-toe with determination and a new sense of purpose to get me through another week. He knows our potential is great and he is always willing to remind us, but we cannot do it without him. I love him for his patience, his trust and his love.

This week I will do better, for him.

Sunday

: the perfect ending of a great week &

the perfect beginning of an even greater week

Faith

Today is my favorite day of the week...Sunday.

Sunday is a welcome opportunity to reflect on the week and the blessings I have witnessed by the hand of my loving Heavenly Father.

I am so richly blessed for the friends and family who individually have shaped me into who I am today and I who I will be tomorrow.

There are many times in life when I find myself riding the surface of the water and forgetting about the abundant depth of life beneath me.

That is why I love Sundays, they give me the opportunity to dive down into the wonderful depths of life and rediscover God's wonderful and perfect plan for His children.

With that depth of perspective, nothing in life is too difficult to overcome.

Today I am grateful for two things specifically that have allowed me to plunge below the surface of superficial importance and immerse myself in the depths of things of eternal value.

First, today I spent an hour or so reading the blog of Stephanie Nielson (aka Nie Nie Dialogues). A year ago she and her husband Christian were in a plane crash and suffered severe burns. I am constantly astonished by her faith to move forward and her gratitude for her blessings, her family, and her personal relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Her story is truly inspiring. Each time I read a new post on her blog I am filled with a love for my knowledge of my loving Heavenly Father and His perfect plan. Thank you Nie Nie for the brightness of your abundant faith!

Secondly, a few days ago I received a beautiful letter from my good friend Jordan. He is currently serving the final stretch of his LDS mission in England. On June 13th, Jordan's older brother Jaman passed away unexpectedly from illness. Despite the considerable pain felt at this tragic loss, my dear friend's faith continues steadfast and unshaken that he will see his brother again through God's beautiful plan. That is beautiful and absolutely true. Thank you Jordan for your optimism in life and in the promise of sunshine after the waging of life's dark storms!

I'm grateful for these examples, along with countless others, who constantly help me realign my life each and everyday and remember God's beautiful tender mercies which manifest His individual and unconditional love for His children,

you and me

"Your future is as bright as your faith"

~President Thomas S. Monson~