Lost and Found

I love art. I love the feelings that a mere piece of print or canvas can evoke. I love trying to figure out why the artist chose the subject and medium that he did. Most of all, I love the peace and beauty that can be found and portrayed.

{Now, before you begin to test my knowledge of Da Vinci, Van Gogh, or Alexandros of Antioch, I must admit that I am not the most educated of art critics. I still have much to learn as I collect other people's art and experiment making my own.}

Today, I found a picture that I just had to get.

It is called, "Lost and Found" by Greg Olsen.

Perhaps the purpose was to:

• Show that Christ cares, no matter why the young man is in his current situation or where he is going.

• Contrast the Savior's reaction to our own reactions. Do we see others around us as children of God who are loved just as much as us?

• Say that Christ can be seen in the kindness of others. Could Olsen possibly have envisioned the Savior shining through a caring stranger who stopped to talk to the lonely boy on the bench?

Is there a possibility that all three are valid?

You decide.

That is what I love about art.

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

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.

Sonnet Sunday: Dancing Lilies

So, it's not quite a sonnet, but it is Sunday!

Here in Utah, the snow is beginning to melt. Yesterday, the sun was shining and it was almost 50 degrees!! It was the first day in a long time that I could grab my guitar and just sit outside playing. I even needed to take my sweater off after a while! =D

So, as a tribute to spring, here is an original poem written my senior year of high school.

Dancing Lilies

The dancing lilies seem to ask,

"Didst thou forget the silent breeze,

The fragrant soil, the whisp'ring trees

That thy father made for thee?"

I answer, "Only for a time."

To this the lilies do implore

That I will come and visit more;

For in their presence I will find

The most delightful peace of mind.

Photo is not mine. For information about it, visit the photographer's page.

Where Do I Belong?

Sometimes, it can feel like you don't belong. Maybe it is with your friends, your co-workers, or just the world in general. 

For me, I feel like that a lot. I have many acquaintances, but few close friends. I don't have a group of friends that I hang out with regularly. Much of that is due to how busy I like to be, and part of it is self-imposed. I love to socialize, yet sometimes, I just feel out of the loop. Like there is something greater than the everyday gossip and movies. Some higher purpose that I should be working towards. So, I take some time by myself to figure out what that is. Now, I know.

I know that I am heading somewhere better and working to make someone proud. Since high school, I have taken solace in the fact that I don't belong here. One day, I will return to my Father. Until then, "I can go the distance." Will you?

An Attitude of Gratitude

In life, there are so many things to be grateful for; it's easy to overlook the majority of them. Sometimes, I consider myself a grateful person. Then, I write a list of 10 things that I am thankful for and I always have more to say by the end. I write a "Thank You" note to someone and realize something stunning: I have been blind. With eyes downcast, I missed the setting sun and how beautifully it illuminated the snow upon the mountains, turning white to pink and gold. I only thought, "Man, I'm cold."

Last semester, in one of my classes, we discussed the idea of gratitude journals. The idea is actually quite simple. Take this test, the Fordyce Emotions Questionare, to measure your current happiness. Every night for 3 weeks, write in a journal 5 things that you are grateful for. (I prefer 10.) At the end of the 3 weeks, take the test again and look at the difference between the two. As you take the time each night to ponder your blessings, your satisfaction with life will increase.

If you believe in a higher power, or have even considered the possibility, I challenge you to ask yourself one more question: How have I seen God's hand in my life today?

Miracles happen all the time. We just have to open our eyes to see them.

That Bitter Cup

Lord, I've begun to stall in life

Through blind focus on my own strife.

But what of Christ? Gethsemane?

He bled and cried in prayer for me.

Remembering that bitter cup

And how he said, "I'll drink it up,"

Sober streams from my eyes.

Truth in His words. I realize

He suffered not for sin alone

Though did for all the world atone.

How great His love; He bore my pain

So that he might erase all stain.

Always there's Him to show me care

When neighb'ring men are unaware.

He stands etern'ly at my door.

''Oh, let me in,'' He doth implore.

''Each drop I shed, I gave you grace,
More than the tears upon your face.

I feel each strain upon your back.

Giving you strength when ye lack.''

He whispers peace to my heart

For all to me He doth impart,
I turn my face up to the sun
And praise the Lord, the Holy One.

Dear Child

 How much the world’s toils do hold thy mind,

And body captive to their will and then,

Do leave a sense of emptiness behind.

You’re words to me as well: the same again.

They give you naught to feel till you confess

To me. Forgo self-swindling. Dear child,

Every burden to thy numb soul, express.

Please tell me all your raging wars so wild.

Please let me in. Oh hear my voice and know

If you but step into the dark and try

To faithfully follow the path I show,

I’ll be with thee till from you, darkness shy.

Please chose my path, with faith my words are true.

My yoke is light. Drink from my living well.

Thine eyes now dull, bright flame it will renew,

As you remove that dark worldly bushel.

My child, to you this gift I give:

That ye might chose my path and live.

Finding Grace

Folded arms, bowing head,
Streaming tears upon my bed.
Pretense gone, lies forsook
Staring at that open book
Piercing words, parable,
Leads me to defer control.
Melting stone, changing heart
Filling in a missing part.
Speaking truth, hidden fears
Crying out till hope appears.
Searching soul, finding grace
Now safe within thy warm embrace.
Broken door, open wide
Lets him rush forth to my side.
Peaceful calm, He doth send
Oh Savior, my best friend.

Welcome!!!!

So, if you have read the column titled "About Me" then you know a bit about why I created this blog and where the name came from. For those of you who haven't read it and don't feel like looking across the screen, I will reiterate and expound.

The Wind is Blowing

The name is derived from a quote by a man I very much admired growing up, Gordon B. Hinkley. Among the plethora of wonderful sayings he left behind is one stating this: 

"I am the last leaf on the tree and the wind is blowing." 

I don't know about all of you, but there are definitely times where I feel just like that. As if I am using all my might to just barely keep holding on, as everything else is changing and crumbling around me. Some weeks I can find myself sitting in my room staring at the wall. I find myself stressed and in tears even though nothing horrible has happened. I know that I'm not the only one with hardships. I think it's safe to say that we have all felt the wind blowing at some point.

However, the wind cannot blow indefinitely. No matter how long and hard the storm rages, it will cease. It doesn't always cease when we want, but all who stay strong are promised a time where "they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow."

Mission Statement

My mission statement for this blog is as follows:

Through providing uplifting personal stories, quotes, expositions, and original poetry, "The Wind Is Blowing" will attempt to facilitate the spiritual, emotional and compassionate growth of others so they might have hope and strength, even when "the wind is blowing" and then in turn become a strength to others.

 I had the idea for this blog months upon months ago, and I have finally gotten it up and running. (Well, kinda.) I hope that this can be a place where you can find strength in times of weakness, light in times of darkness, and hope in time of confusion.