Life: The ordinary miracle

             As a 25 year old woman who recently graduated from college I find myself faced with the opportunity to make many choices. This isn't a bad thing. In fact, it is a wonderful gift to exercise agency given to me by a loving God. However, I must confess that I sometimes feel torn as to which direction to go. I feel that there are good opportunities all around me, and I admit at times I fear I will choose the wrong option.In order to make a correct decision I have been pondering what causes us to do the things we do when we do them. Then it came to me. It is all summed up in one word. Motive: a desire that causes a person to act.          So what then should be our motive?  We sometimes get distracted by what is easy, convenient, and practical. We also sometimes put money making, pleasure, and anything that will make us feel "good" as the cause of our actions.  But I wonder will these things really make...

Recently I have been thinking in parables and thought that I would share them with whoever wanted to read... The parable of the goat  Sometimes life throws us curve balls and things that are challenging. With those curve balls the Lord sends happy and tender mercies sometimes even as random as a little goat to teach us that he knows who we really are and what we really need to become. You see, as I held harry (the goat) on my lap in the car it would get bumpy and he would get scared and try to run away. He didn't realize that he was safely in my arms and that it would be ok. For moments he did notice and he would cuddle up against me and embrace the journey. We sometimes recognize the savior in that way as well. We sometimes embrace his arms encircled about us and let ourselves feel safe. Other times we try to get away from them because we are scared or life gets a little bumpy. These things ought not to be so. (yes there are even gospel lessons to be learned from a goat) The...

    Today I begin by recounting a most wonderful adventure of three little boys. In primary recently my friend created a treasure hunt for her class. The three little boys were really excited to go and find the prize. They had no idea what they were looking for or where the path would lead. But someone told them they were going on a treasure hunt.     The three little boys were extremely excited. One of them rushed to find the first clue. They read the clue somewhat quickly and then raced to find the next. Sometimes the boys would be running so fast they would race right past a clue that would tell them where they were going and they would wander a bit. One time the littlest boy wasn't paying attention and he ran into a shiney metal column. It was beautiful from far away, and even up close, but when his head hit the metal, it didn't feel so beautiful any more. It took him some time to recover.      Eventually the primary children realized that ...

When I think of super heroes many people come to mind, like captian america, superman, spiderman, wonder woman etc. But do you recall the most famous hero of all? John Deere woman! Aka the arch nemisis of all super heroes! yes the one who can convince the world the crime of not driving a tractor! The crime of being indoors all day long and missing the smell of dirt! Mostly John  Deere woman is here to save you from a life of boredom! Her extremely bright clothes can add excitement to any classroom. Her strength is as the strength "of ten men" as she moves boxes and throws trees out of her way. John Deere Woman has spunk! Every kid needs to meet this super hero! If you didn't get it by now... for halloween this year I dressed up in five minutes and you guessed it, John Deere woman was born! :) Now she fights crime across BYU campus! Pictures may be included at a later time, for now... use your imagination!!

   When I came home from the grestest and most challenging experience of my life as a missionary for church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints I was a little lost and trying to regain a purpose and focus.All I wanted to do was go back and start it all again.  It was during that time that inspired leaders called me to serve in various ways in the womens organization known as the Relief Society.    For the last year or so I have been blessed with many opportunities to love and serve some of the most incredible women in the world! I have learned from them and their examples. Each individual has left a handprint on my heart. I am so overwhlemed by the amount of love I have now for my ward, and mostly for the Relief Society sisters.    All my life I grew up knowing that the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints was correct and true. It took me a little bit longer than some to gain such a powerful witness of the divinity ...

    Sometimes I think there is a sign on my head that says all weirdos please attract your attention this way. According to my friend, "You attract the creepers"  Yesterday was an exceptionally good example of that. They seemed to be hitting me from all sides!    First I was sitting at my kitchen table before work yesterday when suddenly the door opens. I looked up suprised because I wasn't expecting anyone. Well whoever was at the door wasn't expecting me either. She said, "Hi I was told this is a vacant apartment and the manager said he'd leave the door open for me to check it out" My reply, "Obviously I live here, but if you want to look around you are welcome to." Creeper, "No, if I were you I would be angry." Me "Why? mistakes happen" Creeper "Maybe it's the wrong address" Me "Can I see it and I'll tell you where you should go?" Creeper" No! I'll just call the landlord"    Inc...

    Do you ever have that moment when you are listening to the conversation going on around you and all you can do is restrain yourself from shouting "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" Well, that very experience happened as I listened to a conversation being hand on the couch next to me in my very own home.    I know you are all dying to know what on earth could cause me to write this post. Let me set up the situation for you. So here it is a quite thursday night at home with my roommates when suddenly there is a knock at the door. I answer and a kid from my ward is standing there with a bag of candy and some schpeil about how it is gratitude for helping the music committee at church. I take the candy, but he doesn't leave. So I invite him to sit down and join us. (Rather than stand there awkwardly holding the door open)    Conversation picks up and goes pretty ok for a while when all of a sudden out of what seems like no where this kid starts talking a...