Help to heal the hurt.

I can't help myself. This has been on my mind for a solid week. Like, all day every day for a week. 

2,000 years ago, a man committed the most solitary, unselfish act that has ever been done/recorded in the history of our knowledge of everything. What does the Atonement mean to you? Why is it personal? Why don't enough people understand it fully? Yesterday in sacrament meeting, my lightbulb powered by this subject turned completely and fully on for the first time in almost twenty years. The Atonement is a process of constant re-conversion--to ourselves, God, and the gospel. Every time we sin, we go back to it, and we become re-converted and stronger than we were before. I think that this is why the Atonement is so personal and deep. You can memorize the scriptures word-for-word and read every conference and Ensign talk that has ever existed in the history of this church, but until you come to Christ to be healed of pain or wrongdoing, you cannot fully experience what the Atonement is. When you go to Christ to be healed, his Atonement is the means to your becoming whole again, and that stays with you for eternity. To those who still do not feel like they have a solid understanding of the Atonement, I can assure you that you can have one this very day if you want it. GO to Christ. Seek His help, love, and healing. He will re-convert and heal you every. single. time. Now, at this point, you're probably all thinking that I have committed some major sin. ;) I can promise you that I have not. My lightbulb turned on for another reason. I have been battling with feeling alone for the past week. I am a home girl, and I have just really, really missed my family this week. Yesterday, our YSA ward held family day, and mine wasn't able to attend. As I looked out over the congregation of students and their families, it hit home just how much I really missed mine, and I cried. I realized that what I was feeling must be what our Heavenly parents feel when they see us making wrong choices here and realize that they will not get to be with all of us again. I think that they have probably cried, too. The Atonement healed me of my homesickness and loneliness this week, and I know that it can heal you of anything you are struggling with too. Christ atoned for YOU. He atoned for Hitler, Stalin, Ted Bundy, the terrorists who flew two planes full of innocent people into the twin towers 12 years ago, the people who martyred Joseph Smith, and YOU. You and me both. Go back to Him. He is waiting to give you that hug that you need when your family can't be with you on family day in your YSA ward. ;) He WILL give you at testimony of the Atonement, because you are giving Him the chance to forgive and bless you. God delights in nothing more than blessing and forgiving his children.

Why is she superwoman by today's standards?

Pinterest tonight is my inspiration. I mean, isn't that how women gain inspiration? Going to Pinterest? ;) I was looking through some of the quotes, and I was surprised by how many of them were really, really sarcastic, mean, and rude. Our world has turned a corner. In order to be an empowered and successful woman, by today's standards, you have to be tough, mean, and know how to "dish it out". You have to know how to tell people off and walk away with that proud, swinging gate of just having accomplished something. You have to know how to put others down in order to build yourself up, and you have to tell the world that you are a WOMAN, and you are INVINCIBLE. Since when did being mean and telling people off make you successful and powerful?

I began to wonder what happened to being soft-spoken, non-offensive, and warm hearted. I began to wonder why we feel the need to stir the pot so often to create drama...or I guess, ACCOMPLISH something and "set things straight". Whatever happened to courtesy, love, and acceptance? Whatever happened to being humble and approachable? As women we need to be genteel and kind. We need to be nurturing and open-hearted. We need to let go of grudges. I am not saying that we should not be successful in life and pursue the things we want, but why is it that a teacher who whispers has a quieter, more obedient class than the one who yells to gain the attention of her students? Let's stop role-playing the model of today's empowered and successful woman. Let's change the world by whispering. Let's be kind, loving, and infinitely more powerful because of it. Make a change today. Apologize first next time...don't write that nasty note to your neighbor who lets their dog poop in your yard...love as Christ did. Infinitely and purely. 

Just a box. :)

I had one of the most humbling experiences of my life today. I have been humbled before, but for some reason, this experience took me to a whole new level of gratitude today. I went to the cafe in the music building up here at USU, tired and sore after a long day of rehearsals, practicing, and classes. As I was sitting waiting for for my food, I noticed a young lady sitting on the couch across from my table. I observed her for a moment. She has a walker due to physical and mental handicaps. This isn't what humbled me, however. She had purchased a piece of cake that was packaged in a clear box. As I watched, she picked up that box and began to try to open it. Due to her handicaps, her hands were not physically able to open the box. I watched her struggle for just a moment, and then I couldn't take it any longer. I walked over and opened her cake box for her. As I sat back down at my table, I tried not to let the tears slip out of my eyes. This beautiful girl was going to school and doing amazing things with her life despite her struggles and disabilities. She couldn't even open a cake box on her own, but she is here, trying and learning. I realized how ungrateful I am sometimes for my education. It is such a blessing to be able to be here, learning and growing. I also realized that I really don't appreciate my functional body and mind. I take it for granted EVERY day. This girl humbled me beyond measure today. I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to help her....It made me appreciate my beautiful, charmed life. So today, I challenge you to be grateful. Grateful for your working hands and legs. Grateful for your sharp intellect. Don't take it for granted, guys. We can open our cake boxes on our own.