Easter: Sunday Will Come

Sometimes in life, like just the other night, I am tempted to let myself wallow in loneliness and discouragement. 

I sit and wonder when rest will arrive. 

• When will I find that loving companion who will walk eternity by my side? 
• When will I be blessed with the smiles and laughter of children, most innocent and pure? 
• When will I be able to establish a home of my own, filled with love and peace?

Sometimes, the road looks so long that I fear I may never reach my destination.

However, I know that I can always last one more day. 

The dark night will come to an end. The Son will come again and life to all will be restored. Soon, those who know Him will rest from all their cares.

As His return draws near, I hope that I am waiting by the tomb, that I will recognize my Lord.

"No matter how dark our Friday, Sunday will come." -Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Memories

Oh mother dear how I do long
To speak with you, to get a hug,
To hear you laugh once more with me
Just smiling brightly in the sun.

Oh, how the mind can twist the past
Twill just recall those memories
Congruent with the mood you wear,
Like a closet full of clothes.

Sometimes I think of yellow dress
In sunshine memories to dance.
While other time, I just have this:
My black raincoat that's full of holes.

My clothes of youth were not most choice;
Sometimes threadbare, with a patch.
Yet, to me were royal robes
At least, that's what my mouth did say.

But as I grew and left your home,
I left most of those clothes behind:
Tried to forget some did exist.
Yet, from the battered cloth, I learned.

They taught me love and charity.
Now you're gone and all I have
Are the values that you held
And wove into my clothes of youth.

The Good Life

In one of my classes last semester, we discussed an interesting topic.

What is "happiness?" What is "the good life?"

We decided on a couple definitions: a good life is one in which the full range of human emotions and experiences occur. 

Likewise, happiness is found or created through establishing connections and meaning in life.

So, just because there is occasional heartbreak or sorrow, that doesn't mean that life isn't good. Happiness can be found in even the hardest times through connecting with others around you. That is when you find yourself laughing through the tears.

I have to say, I have a really good life.

I have fantastic friends that make me laugh till my face hurts...

As we trudge together through the storms of life...

And family who make even the hardest days...

Into fond memories that will last forever...

And a Savior who never gives up on me.

What makes your life good?

March of Dimes

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

I am gaining an increasing understanding of just how many parents 

have to deal with the grief of a lost child.

My mother worked with premature babies. 

I remember her telling us about babies that fit in the palm of her hand.

I have also met many wonderful people who were born with defects 

and it is only due to the wonders of modern medicine 

that I was able to meet them in the first place.

This year, my sister is walking for the cause.

She has dedicated her walk to her best friend's son who was born 8 weeks premature.

If you want to donate to help her reach her goal, you can view her page here:

http://www.marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?pp=2410898&ct=4&w=6111911&u=KimmieF&bt=24

A Time For Questions

I have to say, questions are fantastic.

They can lead to wonderful answers,

even when they aren't fun in the moment.

As I have been challenged in my schooling, 

I have learned if I'm not forming questions, I'm not thinking.

Asking questions, and then putting forth the effort 

to really search out and ponder the answer,

can lead to amazing growth and knowledge.

Sincere questions have been a source of inspiration,

leading me to discover hidden treasures.

So, do you have questions?

Blind Love

“Love is not blind—it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less.”  - Julius Gordon

So, take some time with the ones you love.

Hold them close...

Feel the joy of their presence...

Dress up and take random pictures...

And just have lots and lots of fun!

Thanks for seeing more in me.

Sonnet Sunday: Empty Thoughts

Empty thoughts now fill my mind
Drifting through this painful mist
Of memories not half-recalled
What screaming silence bursts my ears

As I refuse to clear my eyes
To see the cause of all my tears.
A question simple yet complex
Oh I cannot find words to say

The answer to your due query
Of what it is that aches the most
What haunting questions do I fear
Deep within this heart of mine

I fear the possibility
That I will chose a path that leads
Back to darkness, not far hence
From the cold from whence I came.

But I know my Father's there
Waiting with His arm outstretched;
Angels sent will strengthen me
And guide me to the narrow gate.

What Do I Know of Holy?

Lately, I haven't felt as spiritual as I like. I feel like I have just been drifting along like a leaf battered by the wind.

I like to think I am knowledgeable about God and life, but really... "what do I know of holy?"

It amazes me how short my spiritual memory is sometimes. Constantly, I must re-dedicate myself to the things that I know are right. So, here I go again. Remind myself who I am, why I am here, and where I am going. 

After making a covenant to go where the Lord would have me go, to care for the sick and afflicted, and to mourn with those that mourn, how can I be comfortable being passive in life? 

I simply can't.

That's what faith can do.

A Stitch in Time

Wanna hear how I got stitches???

Well, on Friday, I went to play broom hockey for a friend's birthday. I was really excited because I have never played broom hockey before.

I got really into the game. The time spent playing roller hockey with my brothers seemed to lend me an advantage.

Then, a fateful moment came. I reached to scoop the ball out from another player and lost my balance. I fell, landing on my knees and then hitting my chin on the ice. 

I got up and was thinking I would just take a bit of time on the side recovering before going back into the game. Not so.

Turns out I split my chin. My friend, Kathryn, took me to the hospital where I got 9 stitches (4 deep and 5 superficial). We had a blast! We laughed and joked the whole time, listening to Tangled on the way to the ER. Then, we -or rather Kathryn- wrote "Thank you" notes to everyone at the hospital that we came in contact with.

I was thinking about it yesterday and was amazed. If I had landed any other way I could have had a lot worse than just a few stitches. It happened so fast that I don't recall any conscious decision to keep my head up. I just did. Somehow, I knew exactly what to do. 

Even right after it happened, I felt a calm that assured me it was going to be fine. I was able to laugh and take pictures of the wound before the stitches. Feeling kind of like my mom. I feel like she was there, laughing alongside me, protecting me.