Predictability

Where are my stinking keys? Some things in life a just plain predictable. I was thinking for instance the sunset. Don't worry, I couldn't help myself and I googled predictable things. As any good internet searcher I went to the first sight listed that didn't have any obscenities in the view-able lines. Reddit did not disappoint! What is as predictable as me losing my keys......the agony of pooping after eating jalapenos. What? TMI? Mkay. I digress.... I work in an environment that is often VERY predictable. As much as each patient is different there's so much about their stay and their care that is to be expected. I'm blessed beyond measure to work in a NICU and as you can imagine there are times that we (the parents, staff, the doctors) often call upon the Heavens on behalf of the babies. I was able to do my part as a daughter of God and communicate with my Heavenly Father on behalf of the tiny infant as well as his parents. I was given the opportunity to share in a sacred moment with them. When the noise of the hospital stopped, the Spirit was strong, and the humble father took a minute on behalf of his son to communicate with his Heavenly Father. To call upon the angels to surround his tiny baby and to comfort him. While it of course went back to business as usual here in the nursery, for one small moment it felt as though the Heavens had opened and the angels had descended. I hope that the parents felt what I felt. I draw comfort from the prophet Elisha when he said, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:16) Angels attend to us during some of the most difficult moments of our lives. They surround us when we are discouraged, depressed and scared. I had an experience myself during a hospitalization that I will share at a later date, but it solidified my testimony of Angelic presences in our lives. I know we have both earthly angels as well as Heavenly. How predictable are the angelic presence in your life? Are you living in such a way to be in tune with those around you that have come out of love for you? Are you inspired by their love? After my experience where it is near impossible to deny their presence. That experience, those memories, and feelings. They inspire me to be a better person. To love more freely. To be the kind of person that uplifts others. Who's with me? What uplifts and inspires you? How can you uplift and inspire another? I read a great quote that said,"By uplifting others, you rise higher towards your own destiny."

Hide and Seek

As a child it was such an adrenaline rush to hear the person counting out loud and take off running in search of the best spot to hide. Who didn't want to be the one that was never found? The one still hiding even after they gave up looking. I loved being that kid. The one who would then stroll in nonchalantly and say,"How did you not find me?" Maybe that game of hide and seek was much like my life in terms of self worth and confidence. I knew if I was found there was no way I was going to be able to out run them. I knew when they didn't find me it was so much because of their inability to see me but because they were distracted with the excitement of the game. I wasn't really hiding because I had this great spot. I was hiding because I knew I would never be able to tag someone else out and I would be stuck as "it" forever. I hid until everyone gave up so I could pretend I was better than them. So I could go in and tease them for not finding me. I was embarrassed to be me. Maybe instead of focusing on myself so much I should have been more willing to play the game. Be found and take my turn being "it" so that someone else didn't feel self-conscious. In an article titled, "Finding Self-Worth in a Selfie World" the author Henry references the game hide and seek. He says,"What if outward compassion rather than inward reflection is the barometer with which God measures our intended purpose and value?" Well craptastic. All that time spent wallowing in my own imperfections. All the time spent measuring myself next to my friends. All that wasted time. If I really wanted to serve my Heavenly Father maybe as Henry Unga suggests, as I love and serve others as my Heavenly Father expects there wouldn't be such wasted time rolling around like a hot pig in my mud puddle of self loathing. "I’ve swung too far from what I once understood about self-worth and have parlayed my divine identity into an idea of someone I’m not quite and perhaps never will be." I look at others and I don't think twice about their best being all they have to give. Why on earth would the expectation be different when I look internally? This afternoon I leave you with the lyrics from Daughter of a King. Here's to kicking those steel toed boots right in my buns and remembering yesterday's Note to Self. Love more, laugh when you want to cry and for Heaven's sakes, take off that white silk and throw on some camo! Daughter of a King Solos to Sing, Submitted Music (2007-2011) Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? Who will I be? Did Heavenly Father really send His Son to die for me? Yes, He is real. I feel his spirit whisper from heaven, guiding my way, Helping me understand His love is never far away. I believe He knows my purpose; He knows my spirit; He knows my name. His love gives me the faith to learn of Christ and why He came. I will stand among the faithful, my testimony lighting the way. I’ll be a witness of and walk the path of Christ today. I gaze up towards heaven, and my soul begins to sing. Heavenly Father loves me; I’m the daughter of a king. Text: Lana Osmus Music: Lana Osmus Album: Submitted Music (2007-2011) Composition Date: 2009 More Info: CMS 2009

Renewal through writing...

I am renewing this blog for several reasons. One, I sell jewelry. Affordable items that share inspiration, uplift, recognize and share The Lord's hand in my life. But two, as a means to leave a journal for my posterity. If you have followed the bread crumbs here looking for a girl with perfect grammar, rhyming skills, quick come backs and hilarious one liners.....move along little doggie. If you are looking for someone with good intent, sass and sarcasm and an unfaltering love for her Savior Jesus Christ, her family and her chihuahua. Then hop on in the wagon and come along for the ride. The first story I want to remember was from the boutique show I just attended as a vendor this weekend. I seem to have a great gift for picking show's that are either new or run by some one who is inexperienced. Either way, this was a two day event and it was SO slow. I think I had only sold a couple items the first day. Saturday, the second day went much the same. Although there were lots of people that stopped to look. It was nearing the end of the show and gal waled into my booth. She came in, started looking around and loved everything. She commented on the "feel" of the booth. She said it "felt right". Anyhow, she came in and started looking around. She looked through the charms and started a handful of ones that she wanted. She asked about charms that were on necklaces already packaged and ready to go. I went ahead and decided to take them out of the package and remove them from the necklaces. She proceeded to tell me that she loved the feel of my booth. That there was something special about me and my products. As corny as it may sound, she told me that she had prayed before coming into the show that Heavenly Father would lead her to the place she needed to be to get whatever it was he would have her buy.I'll admit, I'm not sure I have ever put that much thought into a shopping trip. I'd have never guessed that Heavenly Father would lead someone to buy a $12 necklace, but it was then that I realized. It's not about the price. It's about the symbolism. The love and hope. It's about the uplifting messages. I set out to be a light to others and I am so grateful that when my own flame began to burn out that Heavenly Father sent this woman to me. To brighten my life and strengthen my spirit. It's my hope and prayer today that we all remember that we are worth much more than the price tags on our clothes. We are loved, powerful and strong. We are capable, cherished and adored. We are DIVINE daughters of a Heavenly Father that loves us. Note to self: Price has little to do with the sparkle of the heart. If you are still following along at this point and it's not because you are hoping for a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow....then check out my first listings for hand stamped jewelry. I'm feeling especially blessed and made this piece to express it. https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/DivineEnergyCTR/tools/listings/view:table,stats:true/279940012

Divine Energy

I have had so many people comment on the name I chose to represent my jewelry. I've been pondering over many different comical ways to introduce you to the idea behind the name. Truth is, there isn't anything comical about it. There's so much meaning and symbolism behind the name Divine Energy. I'd be remiss if I used this opportunity to show of my sass and sarcasm. Divine Energy is the Light of Christ. It's an influence for good. After the year of health issues that the previous posts address I was left with a heavy heart, great financial burden, and an all around darkness. On an especially dark day in January, I was overwhelmed with the torment of my mind. In desperation I went to my Heavenly Father, I prayed, more like begged for relief. Relief from myself and the trials that I was facing at the time. I know I am not alone in feeling that way. The adversary will have us believe we have been abandoned. Forgotten. That our good wasn't good enough. That the world would go on without us for the better. It was in those moments of desperation when pleading with my Heavenly Father that the name Divine Energy was manifest. We each have within us divine qualities. Not unlike Esther of the Old Testament, we have each been placed here at this time for a divine purpose. I believe that The Lord can place us each in particular circumstances so that we can be of service to others. As President Utchdorf said “The Lord gave you your responsibilities for a reason. There may be people and hearts only you can reach and touch. Perhaps no one else could do it in quite the same way” (“Lift Where You Stand,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 56). In that statement is my hope for Divine Energy. To share my love for my Savior Jesus Christ. I am just an imperfect, anxiety ridden woman hanging onto the handlebars of life. I am striving to be strong, to serve more and love unconditionally. I'm just a simple country girl hoping to be a light in the storms of life to others. I pray thatt these little pieces of light will shine for you or for those you are considering buying jewelry for. May we all be a little kinder, laugh a little more often, love our Savior faithfully and wear more camouflage. Note to self: I AM ENOUGH Check back tomorrow to see what kind of uplifting trouble I can get into!

one of the leaders of my church was quoted as having said,“Adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way.” I'm tired of character development! He has also been quoted as having said,“It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop.” Tonight my life's story is a sad one. It's frustrating when I can't even sit in a chair long enough to type this without having to bend and contort my body to relieve the pain. Can't walk 600 steps around the block. Can't stand to do dishes, bend to clean bathrooms, the list goes on and on. Tonight I give up the fight. Tomorrow I will start again, try and have renewed fight. Tomorrow I will make waves and I'll be alright. As for tonight I've had it. I am indeed choosing to develop this story by putting myself to bed. I hope your tomorrow is sunny and bright. I pray for us all that the pain and gray skies of life might quickly give way to lots of SUN. Bright clear skies and a wonderful warm sun.

Roller coaster Ride

On Friday I was so pleased. I followed up with my Dr and we had a plan. He wanted to do a PICC line and do some hard core antibiotics for a week. The IV antibiotics must decrease my lymph nodes just enough that they quit causing pressure on whatever it is that hurts me. It's been almost 4 months now of nearly constant pain. I was so excited at the prospect of it going away! Excited to move normal and not hurt. This morning that all changed. Dr.G talked to the Infectous Disease Specialist, Dr. Ford and now we are doing yet MORE tests! Yesterday I cried about it and today I am getting my fight back. Reminding myself that I'm ok! That I'm alright! http://youtu.be/LVxon65u3tA

Attitude of Gratitude

Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be. I'be been working each day at changing my health by changing myself. Creating that attitude of thankfulness and gratitude. I have been given so much in my life and would be remiss if I didn't say so. I have a sign above my computer that I reference often. So often. It says, "Note to self: I Am Enough" Each day is ours for the taking. I can choose to focus on my limitations or to focus on all that I can do and to set goals to do more. I remember going up the slide the wrong way as a child. The slides were slippery and sometimes you'd fall backwards, regain your footing and then climb again. Upon occasion you'd even slide all the way back to the bottom. It didn't deter me at the time from hoping up and climbing again. Why allow the slips of life to keep us from the fun of climbing up and the accomplishment of making it to the top? I am committed each day to climbing. I slip lots. Sometimes it hurts more than others but in the end I get each new day to try it again. There's a quote from one of the apostle's of my church, in regard to My Savior Jesus Christ that says,"Only one who has taken the full brunt of such adversity could ever be justified in telling us in such times to “be of good cheer.” Such counsel is not a jaunty pep talk about the power of positive thinking, though positive thinking is much needed in the world. No, Christ knows better than all others that the trials of life can be very deep and we are not shallow people if we struggle with them. But even as the Lord avoids sugary rhetoric, He rebukes faithlessness and He deplores pessimism. He expects us to believe!" I believe. I believe in new days and new beginnings. I believe in climbing each day if I have to just to experience the fun of the slide back down. "You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.” Here's to smiling another day, smothering out the sadness so that the smoke will give light to the sun, the blessings of this life and the new day that's mine for climbing.