Being Published- Sneak Preview

If you asked me at any point in my life if I would ever write something that would be published I would have laughed and said NEVER, I am not a writer. Most of my nevers in this life have been blasted to pieces and blown to the wind. This one is no different. Amazingly enough I am being published. It is not a big deal- a very short article for the Ensign I submitted a month or two ago. BUT... it is still a surreal , exciting moment to receive an acceptance letter to have your name in print.



Dear Author:
We are pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been accepted for possible publication in the Ensign. We ask that you sign the attached form. The purpose of the attached document is to define and protect your rights as the creator of the work, as well as our rights as the purchaser...


Here is a sneak preview of the article for all of my loyal readers!

Similarities and Differences

There is a particular Relief Society lesson given in a young single adult ward I will never forget. At the beginning of the lesson there was a T table on a white board with the first section labeled Similarities and the second labeled Differences. As the lesson proceeded, the teacher asked us to start by making a list of the similarities between a married Relief Society sister and a single Relief Society sister. There was an almost audible groan from the collective whole and a collective mind freeze at the onset of this activity- What could possibly be similar? One sister started us off with a hint of sarcasm stating, “Well we are all female”. And that seemed to neatly sum up how we felt on the subject. But the teacher persisted. Gradually hearts opened and the list began to grow: hopes, fears, strengths, weaknesses, responsibilities, talents, the gospel, covenants, faith, courage, potential, pain, sorrows, fatigue, personal need of the atonement… and the list continued. Finally, the teacher had to stop taking comments to move on with the lesson. The teacher now continued by asking us to list our differences. Everyone immediately called out, “Husband!” But then there was a stunned silence- there HAS to be more than that! The board ended up with a few attempts at finding our differences such as -may or may not have kids and different responsibilities/priorities. What we thought would be the short list ended up being the long list and what we thought would be the long list was actually the short list. I did not know how different I let myself believe I was from other sisters in the gospel simply because they are married and I am not. I felt this simple list instill a kindred bond of unity and I saw with new eyes.

This simple lesson not only built a bridge between married sisters and I- a single sister, but between all of God’s children and I. As children of God, our differences lie in the details and packaging of our lives. The similarities between God’s children are so great that if we choose to focus on them unity is bound to increase. Satan and his work thrive by enhancing our differences, teaching us that we cannot relate to one another. I hope and pray we will see each other with eyes focused on our similarities enabling us to come closer to Zion- being of one heart and one mind.

Dancing

31

I did it! I successfully managed to turn 31. It was touch and go there for awhile. Meaning- despite the mixed feelings I was having the weeks proceeding my birthday - I had a really good day. Thanks to my friends who remembered me! It was a great reminder to me on how important recognizing and honoring others truly is. It was great to feel the love and support of so many. So cheers to another year!

Picture Journal

I love That is one of the great joys in life (if your blessed). My grandma hosted Dinner and Women's Conference for any of the women inn the family that could attend.

The beautiful colors of a successful outing to the Farmers Market- Isn't it joyful!!

Breakfast inspired by the berries! I needed a pick me up that morning and this definitely brought a smile to my face. Creating something is a joy all its own.

A hike with a friend brought me up close and personal with some of the beautiful leaves in Mill Creek canyon as fall begins.

And that sums up most of the highlights from last week.

Talena and Heather Take to the Hills

Talena and I decided to go for a hike together because she was tirelessly looking for a job and it was my week off- meaning we both had a mid week afternoon to play. We drove up big cottonwood canyon looking for some "inspiration" to strike regarding which trail head to choose. Well- all I have to say is that we found our inspiration! The firemen were doing their physical training at that trail head. When we pulled over they were all in a circle doing push ups and stretching in their workout uniform. I took this picture as they were heading out for the day from up above where the gawking wouldn't be obvious. I was amazed at the two girls who literally stopped right in front of them and shamelessly stared. I was embarrassed for them.

The butterflies were beautiful and captured our attention- photographing butterflies is a difficult business!

The trail was beautiful- the best part was the mountain biker that fell off his bike and down the embankment as soon as he passed us. I'm still claiming our stunning beauty and charm as the cause rather than chain catching as he was changing gears. Out of courtesy I didn't take a picture of him.

Dog Lake- on a log eating PB and J

Happy flowers!

Not so great action shots.
One of the great parts of the hike was the conversation- I have a few new books on my list to read now!

And that was our afternoon!

Thanks to the firemen we had a beautiful hike- just right. It is wise counsel to always heed inspiration =).

I Saw God

Yesterday, I found myself on my knees pleading for strength. Strength to accept, strength to have the faith to trust God does love me, and strength to pick myself up- brush off the dirt pull the sticks out of my hair and keep moving forward. What I REALLY wanted was for God to say j/k you actually get your hearts desire- Surprise! Or, a second however less desirable answer, yet still acceptable, I know your hurting so I am going to first take all the pain from your heart and then send immediately something even better to replace what you have lost. But I have learned over bitter-sweet experiences that although God has the power to fulfill my wishes in the manner I prefer- He has the wisdom not to. Therefore my pleas have changed to what I need rather than what I want.

This is not always easy. There is a two-year old within me that pushes back with a big pout and whine saying- “No, I don’t wanna.” Sometimes I am surprised how hard I have to fight back with humility and work to WANT to “eat my vegetables”. Then I expect to see instantaneous results! Hours after my little heart to heart with God the burden felt so heavy I wondered where I could possibly find the strength to move forward. That was when I first saw God.

I saw God in remembering words from Sacrament meeting and I saw Him the next day in the art work at the conference center. God was in the CD that was playing in my car today, in the quotes used by my yoga instructor in class, He was in the lesson I began studying to prepare to teach, and God was even in the activity /lesson at family home evening... Everywhere I went was one quiet sermon after another- over and over until I could not deny it- Until I KNEW. Until I knew God was all around me reaching out His hand to help me over the boulder that was just a little big for me to step over on my own. With each appearance I grew gradually stronger and more confident. Nothing changed in the situation- but I changed. What appeared so large yesterday suddenly seems much smaller.

The interesting part for me was the lesson God used to help me. Over and over again I saw trials, suffering, and difficulties- and yet people endured. I think I needed to know that I am not unique in my hardships- they come to everyone. The history of the Saints of God is filled with people being pushed to the point where they did not know where they would find the strength to continue- and yet they got up and pressed on. This is my heritage and this is life. Somehow knowing life isn’t supposed to be neat and pretty made dealing with the muddiness much easier.

I know I saw God today. And that has made all the difference.

Picture Please

Yesterday was chore day. Clean the house, mow the lawn, cut back the roses, do laundry etc. In the midst of my lawn mowing an elderly gentleman with a lot of spunk came straight up the lawn toward me. i turn the lawn mower off and pulled my ear phones out of ears to ask if I could help him. His response was a little shocking to me- Can I take your picture of you mowing the lawn? What? He continued to explain that it just isn't something you see everyday- a woman mowing the lawn. He asked if I lived there or if I did all the lawns in the neighborhood. I explained that I live here and be my guest if you would like to take my picture. My only hesitancy and regret was that I decided to mow the lawn right after dance class while I was already dirty and then shower after it was all finished rather than changing a million times. I was not as attired as I would like for a photo op- tank top verses a preferred shirt.

What are the Odds?