All is Well

 All week I have been telling myself to slow down and stop looking forward to things that are so far ahead. "It's only July" keeps running on loop in my head as I sit on my balcony and enjoy the cool breeze looking forward to fall, to pumpkins, to more hot chocolate (because let's be honest, the heat has never stopped me from drinking hot cocoa), to cooler nights, to sleeping with windows open, to General Conference, to being able to bundle in a blanket without being so hot. 

Then, I look at my planner and realize we are in August. We are nearing the end of AUGUST. All of those things are within reach. 

Schools are starting. This time of year always makes me reminisce about my school days. This year, I have particularly been thinking about my time at BYU. On the hour, the belltower rings with the tune of "Come, Come Ye Saints." At first, I enjoyed the music but paid no mind to it as I rushed off to my next class, but as time went on I took the meaning to heart. Maybe I am recalling this specific memory now because it is something I need to remember. 

"Come, come, ye saints, no toil nor labor fear; but with JOY wend your way"- I have never been afraid of hard work. I will go and work in the yard or on a project without thinking twice, but sometimes the toil and the labor come from something other than the physical work we expect. When that toil is mental or spiritual, it seems to be harder. I truly think this kind of labor is what the song is talking about. Yes, the pioneers walked hundreds (thousands) of miles with little food, but don't you think it was the strength in their beliefs that kept them going? How many times did they wonder if it was true? If it was all worth it?  

"Though hard to you this journey may appear"- When you're in the middle of a trial (like right now) it seems to consume your life. I truly believe it is looking for the bits of sunshine peeking through or even just knowing the sun is still behind those dark clouds that keeps us going. 

"Grace shall be as your day"- Through the grace of Christ and the power of the Atonement no matter how bad your day may seem we are never alone. He is with us always. Grace shall be as our day as long as we can make it through. Take things a day at a time. 

"Tis better far for us to strive our useless cares from us to drive"- If our trials teach us anything, they show us what is truly important. Working from home has given me more time to read, to craft, to spend time with family, and to spend more time with my dogs. Are our time and talents not our most important resources if we use them wisely? 

"Do this, and joy your hearts will swell--All is well, ALL IS WELL."

Walking to class or a test or just walking home after a long day, this was sometimes my greatest comfort. All is well. Even if I just failed that test or did not understand a word the professor said all lecture. Today it holds true. All is well. We have a living prophet. We have the Book of Mormon. We have the priesthood in our home. We can still partake of the sacrament. We can still feel of His love. We can still be worthy of all of His promised blessings as long as we try. As long as we do not let our standards fall. As long as we endure. 

Weekly Roundup

This week I have been focusing on things that make me happy! Here is a roundup of my favorite things from this week including pictures, quotes, and even some songs. 

First, my sounds of the summer are 80's music along with some Dolly Parton. Here are my favorite songs at the moment because I feel like we need to hear them right now. 

I watched a devotional that Meg Johnson was the host of, but it had Elaine Dalton, Tim Ballard, and Britain Covey as the speakers. One of them mentioned that one of the general authorities had said Heavenly Father and the Savior are not waiting for the world to be more wicked for the second coming, but they are waiting for their people to be more righteous. This is a trial period (and sometimes it feels like our winds in life are relentless, unceasing, and stronger than we are), but those winds are either making people fall over and give up or strengthening them. I am hoping to be the latter. 

This week I have also been putting what matters most first. Has anyone else realized the Come Follow Me lesson for this week is 10 chapters?! Yikes. But, I have been doing my scripture study every day and reserving time in my day for it. 

I love this following quote because you always hear people say to take a leap of faith. But, that's scary. I know I am not always ready or willing to leap. This quote is asking for a simple step. Just one step in the right direction isn't so scary. I can handle a step. 

My volunteer and her therapy dog were spotlighted on Children's Twitter account, and Ryan Seacrest actually retweeted it with a comment saying how his dog was their biggest fan! I don't always feel like I am doing the best I can at my job right now because it is completely different than it should be, but I am still working on virtual opportunities for my volunteers. A special thank you goes out to each of them for continuing to make life better for children even through the crazy. 

In the same devotional I mentioned earlier, Meg Johnson was commenting on something someone had said, and she mentioned how in heaven we made covenants with the Lord. We knew what our lives would be like, and because we had so much love for our Heavenly Father and Savior we said, "Yes! Send me!!" We didn't have the adversary there to scare us or tell us it was all too hard. Now that he has power over us we have to outlast him and his influences while searching for and holding fast to a more eternal perspective. 

I got to go visit Merrywood with my mom, Ashley, and Lisa this past weekend. It was really special since the school is up for sale now. I dropped off a copy of the magnolia picture I drew and a poem I wrote for Mrs. Ogden. I also took a picture of the bell on top of the school, and Mrs. Fitz is going to frame it for Mrs. Ogden's house!

These two just make my heart happy. Every time I lean back they attack with kisses! In this instance, Clark even brought Dragon for kisses. They're kind of my favorite. 

I have always loved this painting, but with the description from the artist I love it even more. These forces "persist impossibly." I am thankful because heaven knows I need all the help I can get!!

A message from our beloved prophet went out this week. "The road ahead may be bumpy, but our destination is serene and secure." 

This is from my scripture study this week. In a time of turmoil I loved the blessing from Alma and know it continues to bless our country today. I love the last line of this quote from President Benson: "God grant that the faithfulness of the Latter Day Saints will provide the balance of power to save this nation in time of crisis." I think this is another witness that the second coming is not based on the wickedness of the people but the faithfulness of the saints. 

Last but not least for this week is this quote. As long as you are trying, you are doing better than you think you are. I have to tell myself to believe in myself, and hopefully this will inspire others to do the same. 

Lots of love goes out to everyone this week. I hope this brings some inspiration, hope, and strength to whomever may read it.