Thought

Sing!

October 17, 2026October 17, 2026 Melodies of LightLeave a comment

Hello Friends!

Do you enjoy singing? Or humming along to a tune on the radio? Singing is such a natural, organic process- honestly we do it as babies just by making sounds that we sustain for a few seconds. Sometimes as we grow older we lose confidence that we can sing “good enough” and many stop singing around others because of their insecurities. How sad is that! The vocal cords you have – your instrument – is unique to you! No one else in the world has the exact same one as you have. And though there are things we can learn to train our voices, so much of learning how to sing is about developing confidence that our instrument (as well as our perspective and feelings – that comes out too!) is worth sharing.

Today I thought I’d share just a few quick thoughts about our vocal cords!

One of the tricky things about singing is that though our vocal chords are where the sound originates, our vocal chords are pretty sensitive and we can easily require too much of them- and create strain. One of the ways to not strain them is to learn about the diaphram, ribcage, and belly breathing- all which I can share in another post. It takes practice to coordinate that system effectively, but if you want to get good at singing, that’s a big part of the work. Anyhow…today we’re focused on the vocal cords.

Have you ever seen a video of what the vocal cords look like when you’re singing? I saw this for the first time when I was studying Speech Therapy at BYU and it was FASCINATING to me. This video is looking down on the vocal cords- a small tube with a camera on the end is going through this individual’s mouth and is pointed down the throat looking down on the vocal cords. Note that the vocal cords are moving in slow motion here- they vibrate so quickly it’s hard to see what’s happening if it’s in full speed! Pay attention to how the vocal cords are different when the note is low verses when the note is high.

Isn’t that fascinating?! Did you notice what happened when the tone was lower? The vocal cords became more relaxed and shorter! When the note was higher what happened? The vocal cords were stretched and elongated, creating a higher sound.

Also notice that the vocal cords are quite moist in this video. They are partially made up of mucosal tissue (also ligament and muscle) and need good hydration to have good flexibility and low friction when vibrating. What that means in simple terms? Drink lots of water!

The amazing thing is that we do not directly control what is happening with our vocal cords. An amazing Creator set it all up so that we could enjoy singing without all the technical knowledge of how to turn on this muscle or stretch this ligament. Our breath sets it into motion and we can enjoy expressing ourselves through our unique sound.

More thoughts on this at some point in the future.

Until then, enjoy the vocal cords you were gifted. They are amazing!

Love

Laur

Thought

Thoughts on a Fall Friday

October 9, 2026 Melodies of LightLeave a comment

Happy Friday friends! This weekend has been a blur for me. Here are a few things on my mind to share:

~Last weekend was General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It’s broadcast from Salt Lake City, Utah that we watch in 4 sessions (8 hours total). We get to hear from a living Prophet of God (!!!!) and receive guidance and counsel and so much light. One of my favorite talks this time was by Elder Kearon. He talked about how flying a glider is very similar to our lives. He told us about lift and sink- the upward current of air that is exhilarating and draws you upward (lift), and sink that pulls you down toward the ground and a potentially unsafe landing. He gave counsel and direction about how to turn toward the Savior who is the One that loves to lift, and decisively turn away from sink as we feels its affects pulling us down. Here is a link in case you’d like to check it out (and I highly recommend that you do!). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2026/10/27kearon?lang=eng

~Last night we enjoyed a delicious Greek salad. You might want to try this! I love Mels Kitchen Cafe and she came through once again. Here’s the link to the recipe: https://www.melskitchencafe.com/greek-pasta-salad/

~This week we found out that some kittens need a home. Against my better judgement we’re going to go see them today. It’s a dangerous arrangement but way too fun to pass up the opportunity with my 2 teenagers who are quite excited about the outing. Wish me luck!

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Love,

Laura

Music

Let Her Fly

October 3, 2026 Melodies of Light1 Comment

Hello friends!! I’m proud of myself tonight- I’m here because I committed to myself that I would be. And I followed through!

This piece of music means a lot to me, and I am excited to share it with you.

Somewhere around the beginning of the year, I started working on “Let Her Fly.” I was reflecting on my relationship with my parents and specifically drew from experiences from my childhood like walking up the hill behind our white farm house to find the first buttercups in the Spring (verse 1) and a moment my Mom remembers watching me walk up toward campus and feeling that “she’ll be okay” (verse 3). I thought about the process of letting an adult fully have the opportunity to spread their wings and fly- and the gradual letting go that a parent does over many years (though a mother and father will never fully grow out of their role and I’m grateful for many times my parents have stepped in for a period to help more intensely after letting me fly initially!).

After writing over half of this song, in the middle of preparing my oldest son to leave home, I realized that I was now writing this song about my relationship with my son and was processing the letting go that I was currently experiencing. Wow the power of music to help us through challenging, new experiences! Suddenly instead of the little girls I write about in verse 1, I was picturing little boys (I have 3!) and memories would drift through my mind (and sometimes tears) as I sang to myself about letting go…letting him go…(You’ll notice I decided to keep it “Let Her Fly” – since that’s how I started it and it felt too complicated to change it!).

Eventually it was time to say goodbye to my son who was ready to leave home. There at the airport, standing with the suitcases in a moment by myself, I considered what I wanted to say in our final moments before he walked off into the distance- what one last thing he would hear from me (for now!). I immediately knew what I wanted to say and the tears came to the surface quickly. How silly of me to think I might not cry! A minute later in that last big hug, I told him, “I guess all that’s left to say is ‘I love you’ and ‘you’re so ready for this.'”

The last part of the song is tender for me to listen back to. I worked on the vocals after my son left, and it gave me a chance to process, especially in this bridge section: “I’ll always be here, loving you so- loving you enough to let you go…” And then the final chorus starts. The timid, shaky vocals here represent the Mother (me! but also any of you who have experienced this!) feeling the pain of the separation. Even though she knows it’s the very best thing for this child and she’s SO happy for him, the separation from this boy she loves is painful! As the chorus continues, she gains momentum and strength. He can do this. I can do this. He- and I- will be okay. I can let him fly.

Enjoy!

A special thanks to my amazing piano arranger and pianist (you are hearing her playing the piano in the recording!), Shari Orme!

Lyrics, Composition, Vocals, String arrangement, Recording, Mixing and Mastering by Laura Harper

Thought

Random Thought Friday

September 26, 2026 Melodies of LightLeave a comment

Maybe the last Friday of the month will be random thought Friday. We’ll see. For today, let’s see where this goes…

On my heart: “God meant it for good.” This is in Genesis (the Bible) where it talks about Joseph who was sold into Egypt. All the challenges Joseph went through were difficult for him, but the summary of the story in some ways is that one line- God meant it for good. All the bad stuff? It was leading to all the good stuff. Suddenly the entire land is in famine and he is in a position to help his family and many, many others. He was able to experience SO. MUCH. GOOD. – not despite the bad things he experienced, but because they led him to the good things. Fascinating. Is there something in your life that’s been really hard? Is it possible that “God meant it for good” in your life? My experience tells me if it’s true for Joseph and I, it must be true for you too.

On my counter: 6 zucchini and many cups of rhubarb. My garden is still giving and I’m loving it! Tomorrow I’ll be canning strawberry rhubarb jam (YUM!!). I’ve already frozen many bags of garden tomatoes, zucchini, etc, and done one batch of salsa. I think after the jam I’m going to make some fruit leather and maybe some applesauce! What fun!

On my playlist: 2 songs have been on my mind this week. One is a song that (I forgot) my mom introduced me to the month that I got engaged. It really was a turning point for me in deciding to marry my sweetheart. It had the sweetest message, talking about how I will be there for you in whatever situation, emotion, or struggle you may be in over the years- I want to be that person for you. My Mom recently reminded me of my experience hearing it for the first time and I thought it would be fun to share here!

Also, I have been listening to a Nichole Nordeman song (sung by Nathan Pacheco) that has been instrumental in helping me process a child leaving home. What a weird experience this has been. I am so SO proud of my oldest spreading his wings and doing wonderful things in the world. There’s nowhere else I’d rather him be right now. The joy and excitement I feel from his successful launch and wonderful experiences so far are incredible and sweet. Also, there are moments that it feels like the more independent he becomes, that my heart is gradually ripping out of it’s place. Can your heart bleed from emotion? It sure feels like it sometimes. It hurts. I find myself glowing in his growth and having a hard time shutting up when someone asks about him (I have to tell you all the great stories and brag on him endlessly!). I also have been grieving – waves of emotion well up from so deep inside of me that it can feel like I’m about to throw up. The feelings overflow into tears, or sometimes make me feel jittery or like I need to curl up in a ball. It’s hard to find words to express what I feel and I find myself reaching for something to help me feel better. Sometimes that’s music. Sometimes it’s a hug or someone to cry with. Sometimes it’s chocolate. Lots of chocolate :). I’m grateful for many good friends and a wonderful family that have been a huge support as well as a place to brag anytime I want to. Overall? I’m functioning just fine (don’t worry, I don’t spend most of my time curled up on my living room floor crying…) but the waves of emotion are as challenging as the highs are wonderful. I’ve been told that’s how it goes with your first leaving home. And I’m sure I’ll survive. For now this song has been helpful in processing the feelings. And if you ask about my boy you’ll probable get an earful. He’s doing wonderfully, and we are so proud of him.

On (in) my view: This sunrise was breathtaking this week. A little hug from heaven on my morning run. It filled my heart.

Okay that’s all for today, folks!

Happy weekend!

Love,

Laura

Thought · Uncategorized

Spiritual Growth

September 18, 2026September 18, 2026 Melodies of LightLeave a comment

It’s been a week already?! Wow, time is flying. September is well on its way and here I am for another Friday post.

Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about spiritual growth. How can we tell we (or someone we love) are growing spiritually? And if we want to grow more, what does that look like? In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we just went through an adjustment to our meeting schedule. We have 1 hour where the entire congregation meets together, and then instead of 1 meeting that alternates every other week (either Sunday School with all adults together, or split into classes for men and classes for women), we have 2 meetings so that each week we meet for Sunday School for 25 minutes and then in our classes for another 25 minutes. The meetings go quick and we are out of there before we know it.

With less time for any particular lesson or topic, I’ve been thinking a lot about conversion-(that state where our heart is progressively becoming more like Jesus Christ and turning toward Him). How can I use this meeting schedule change to deepen my conversion to Jesus Christ?

Our Sunday School President (shout-out to Sister Loftis!) prepared a beautiful bookmark recently helps us use the time during the week to do work on our conversion to Jesus Christ and prepare ourselves for our next set of instruction/discussions on Sunday. She wrote this:

Prepare your heart before Sunday

As you study this week’s Come, Follow Me, ask Heavenly Father to help you recognize something that will bless someone else.

What touched my heart? -an ah-ha!” moment, -a verse that stood out, -something I hadn’t noticed before

What is the Spirit teaching me? -a gospel principle I need to strengthen, -an invitation to change, -a prompting I received

What am I still pondering? -a scripture I don’t fully understand, -a question I’d love to discuss, -a connection I’m still exploring

What will I do? -one way I’ll follow the Savior this week, -one truth I’ll apply in my life, -one person I can bless

This week the Savior is inviting me to….

I found this set of thoughts SO helpful, and I’ve found myself pondering how similar our personal study is to practicing the piano. I’m a piano teacher, and if the student isn’t practicing between lessons (or only one or two days), we can do very little at the lesson to progress further. Lessons become a time to oversee the practice that should have been happening before getting here! Over time that gets really boring, and the student loses interest in learning the instrument. The minimal growth takes all the fun out of it. However, if the student is practicing most days during the week, by the time the lesson rolls around, they are ready to share what they’ve learned, and they’re ready to take another step. As their teacher I can help them do that.

Spiritual growth can happen much the same way. As we spend time during the week not just reading scripture but studying, asking questions, discerning truth, noticing things we hadn’t seen last time….and then go to church ready to share what we’ve learned with others and take another step forward spiritually, our Sunday experience is that much richer and all of our studies and meetings are directly impacting this upward spiral of conversion to Jesus Christ. Studying spiritual material won’t always feel amazing or enlightening- practicing the piano is like that too. Some of it feels rather routine and monotonous. That’s how it is being human! If overall our efforts are allowing us to come away feeling something, with our hearts or minds munching on something and our desires are taking us toward connection, balance and consecration, we are growing. That light inside us is growing brighter.

I can see more clearly how to be more committed, more diligent in my efforts to study, learn, grow, and share and come closer to Jesus Christ. I’m excited about the spiritual momentum I’m feeling and the opportunity to continue to share my feelings with my family, my church family, and now you!

Love,

Laura