Wednesday, July 28

Healing Without Scars

Last night I went to Deseret Book and purchased a talk on CD, called "The Savior Heals Without a Scar," which was given by two of my favorite speakers, Sheri Dew and Wendy Watson Nelson. Originally I wasn't there to purchase that CD, but it caught my eye and I felt like it is what I needed to listen to at this point in my life. And it really was.

Sister Nelson told the story of how, on a visit to NYC, she slipped on the sidewalk and fell flat on her face, cutting it up enough to show the bone. She was able to stop the bleeding, fly back to Salt Lake, and see a plastic surgeon that day. The surgeon told her that, while the surgery would be painful and time-consuming, the way that he would fix it wouldn't leave a scar. She likened this to the idea that, when we go through an unexpected change or trial, the process of dealing with it will be painful and time-consuming, but with the help of the Atonement, a scar will not be left. We will be completely healed.

Sister Dew told the story of driving over a large piece of unseen metal one night in her car, which caused it to get stuck. She was in a scary area, and feared for her safety. A police officer showed up after she prayed, and they decided that, instead of putting her car in drive and try to drive over the metal, which had been impossible, to put it in reverse. When she did, she was able to pull the metal out of the way and drive forward. She said, "What may be stopping our forward momentum? It's usually something small. All I had to do was back up, and I didn't have to back up very far." Sometimes we need to back up and re-evaluate ourselves before we can move forward.

Sister Dew said, "Hope, peace and healing gifts come when we plead to the Father in the name of his son to be healed. There is no limit to his capacity, no limit on his gifts. The Lord can heal you and still heal me...Because of the atonement, the Savior can enable us to do things we could never do on our own. He sanctifies us and renews us. And he can heal a wounded, heavy, sad heart without a scar."

Mary Ellen Edmunds, another LDS speaker, said this, which I really liked. Speaking about Humpty Dumpty, she said, "This is a fairytale, but there is one who can put us back together. He knows where all the pieces are, and he knows where all the pieces go. He is our Savior, our redeemer and our healer. He is the only one who can gather all those pieces and put them where they belong."

Tuesday, July 20

A Day in the Life

A typical day at work: I got to watch from my office as Y mountain caught fire, and as it was put out (I'm lucky and have a great view). Scary, but slightly fascinating. Also, I just have one question. My office faces a glass door and windows, and I just want to know why people (men and women) stare at me as they walk by. Why? I know it isn't for my good looks! :) Do they not realize I can see them? It just weirds me out. That's all.

Saturday, July 17

Ugly Ducklings

I know I've become a bit obsessed with posting videos lately, but I saw this one today by President Uchtdorf that was put out by the Church for the youth. I think it's so neat that the Church is making videos for the youth (I for sure could have used videos like this one as a gawky 13-year old), and even has a new website for them (youth.lds.org). I especially appreciate this video because, even though it's meant for teenagers, I, as a 21-year old, still get something out of it. Because sometimes, I do feel like the ugly duckling! And it's okay. Like President Uchtdorf says, "Think of where you come from. You are sons and daughters of the greatest, most glorious being in the universe. He loves you with an infinite love. He wants the best for you. This knowledge changes everything." Enjoy.

Ugly Ducklings

I know I've become a bit obsessed with posting videos lately, but I saw this one today by President Uchtdorf that was put out by the Church for the youth. I think it's so neat that the Church is making videos for the youth, and even has a new website for them (youth.lds.org). I especially appreciate this video because, even though it's meant for teenagers, I, as a 21 year old, still get something out of it. Because sometimes, I do feel like the ugly duckling! Enjoy.


Monday, July 12

Swan Dive!

Yet another one. Who is this guy? I very much want to meet him. Oh and P.S. The Octopus Oracle was right. Viva Espana!