Before school started, we shared with the boys a story that really made them stop and think. Have you heard about the rice experiment? These guys explain it really well in the middle of the video. Basically the idea is that the way you talk to anything- even a jar of rice- has a big impact!
1 Corinthians 16:18 is a bible verse that relates to that: “For they have refreshed my spirit and yours.” I want to be that kind of a person- one that has a “refreshing” influence on someone else.
This is just a silly video we used to teach this principle further: pretend your influence is what comes out of the each canteen.
I am preparing music for an upcoming multi-congregation conference (Stake Conference). A youth choir will be singing this number, which I sang as a teenager and was touched by the message. Enjoy!
For Stake Conference (a multi-congregation meeting in October for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) I have been asked to put together a youth choir and prepare two musical numbers. This is one of them!
Hello friends! This week in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, my youngest son and I read about a dragon hatching (shhh- Hagrid has been hiding an illegal dragon egg in his hut!). Harry was there with Hagrid for the last few seconds as the dragon emerged and we delightedly read about the adventures that followed.
It got me thinking about things in our lives that take a really long time to hatch (unlike the story!). When you have a good idea and you pursue it, sometimes it feels unreasonable when it takes SO MUCH LONGER than you had planned on! When we moved to our current little town 14 years ago, we talked about building a house, but the time wasn’t right and we decided to move into a cute little duplex for a year. After about a year, we talked again about building a house, but for various reason we decided to buy a house that would be another step in the direction of our dream house. My husband spent hours creating floor plans and preparing for the day we would build. A few years later we found a piece of land that was perfect and we purchased it. About 7 years ago, we got really serious about building, but a new responsibility for my husband required us to wait, which we did. I could tell you about a lot of other steps, but it would probably be boring for you so I’ll spare you…but I don’t have the end of the story yet to tie this up. However, we have lined up excavators and concrete guys for this fall, and we’re moving towards framing in the spring! And just like that- the dragon is hatching. Perhaps someone getting to know me for the first time this summer could feel like Harry, arriving at the scene and witnessing the action right as it begins to move. For us, the egg just needed a looooooooong time to incubate!
I do have to add that even though I have had my frustrations, I can see that our delays have been a blessing. Even so, we are ready for this dragon to hatch- and we’re excited to watch as the process unfolds!
Hi friends. I’m here in my music room writing and thought I’d drop you a note. Every once in a while someone from China or India or Canada trips over my site- and I have thought about what I would want to share with someone who only spends a few moments here.
I found this video that expresses what I’m feeling and it’s this: that Heavenly Father, or God, whatever name you know Him by, really is there for you. He hears your prayers. He knows your heart. He’s in the process of answering your prayers before you even know to be worried about something. He is so loving, and because He is there, He will help you through whatever it is that you need.
I think it’s amazing the many ways that Heavenly Father has shown me He is nearby and aware of me. At times it has been a hug from one of my children at just the moment I feel a need. There have been moments that a phone call has come in the middle of a prayer and it’s just what I need. There have sure been times that I’ve wondered, probably like all of you, “Where are you right now? I could really use some help…”
It’s in those times that I remember a story I’ve heard about a little girl who jumped into a lake and though she had a life jacket on, she cried out for help. Her parents were right there- she wasn’t in any real danger, but she felt so afraid. I picture myself as that little girl when I am afraid and calling out for help and it seems like no help is coming. And I remind myself, “Maybe I’m not in any real danger. Maybe I can do this. Maybe I need to try to swim, and as I do that, I will get help along the way.” Maybe the answer isn’t always the rescue I feel I need, but quiet, so that I can remind myself “I CAN do this.”
Here is a video that I enjoyed that discusses that idea.
MELODIES OF LIGHT 