I got to learn this lesson a couple of years ago. While prepping for my Make It Happen Call Series (with callers calling in from all over the world), my computer froze and I was forced to shut it down 8 minutes before I was supposed to start.
When my computer restarted it asked me for a password. Something I have never been asked to enter. I had no idea what the password even was.
Read MoreI have been moved this week by my study in Come, Follow Me. The intro for this week said to “Read Acts 10-15 CAREFULLY” (caps added for emphasis). Previous weeks have said thinks like “As you read, write down insights...” This change intrigued me and I committed to slow and careful study, when I typically rush.
At first I thought it odd that we were asked to carefully study Acts, when other scriptures and authors seemed “more valuable” to me. However, as I dived in I found many things quite interesting and especially applicable to me and my prayers right now. I thought I would share my notes and would love to hear what you’re learning, too.
Read MoreI’m thrilled to be in the debate episode of the Still Rowing podcast with Tara McCausland. This podcast is all about faith and how we each have the choice to continue rowing despite the times and trials that we face.
In this episode I share some faith stories I don’t typically share. And a few you may have heard, if you’ve followed for a long time. Either way, Tara is fantastic and it was fun to chat with her about something we have in common...faith.
Read MoreA few years ago I had an interesting chat with God about some things that I needed and told him, "I'm willing to do the work, just show me the way." Amazing things happened that week and later on. I'm realizing, yet again, it's not just about the prayer, it's about the actions I'm willing to take. And thanks to the beautiful Elizabeth Anderson for planting that seed in my head.
Read MoreWhat does it cost you to be right? Pride has a way of breaking down and ruining the things we claim are most important to us. We blame others for things we ultimately cause ourselves to "make a point" or "stand our ground" or "save face". In an effort to be right we sacrifice our relationship with God, our relationship with a spouse, family member or friend, or even a boss or coworker to the point that we lose our jobs or business from a client.
Read MoreIt's Father's Day. I have lots of thoughts and emotions on Father's Day. I love my father James dearly. I never doubted his love for me. He taught me many things. He gave me a love for learning, of books. He told me I was beautiful without makeup and not to let the world tell me otherwise. He took four kids to church on Sunday as a single dad and I got to see from BOTH of my parents that we go to church even when it's hard. He took me to movies and gave me my love for the big screen. He taught me piano and instilled a love for classical music. I love reflecting on the way he would laugh at me lovingly when I tried to negotiate for things. He told me he laughed because I impressed him with the way I thought about things (as a parent I totally get that now). He taught me "To be good is to be weird. To be weird is to be good." And laid the groundwork for confidence and not allowing labels and others determine my worth. This is just the beginning.
Read MoreComparison is one of satan’s favorite tools to make us doubt ourselves. If he can get you to believe that you’re not smart enough to share your testimony or give a talk, he wins. If he can get you to believe that because you don’t know the scriptures as well as Brother Jones, or that you’re not as outgoing as Sister Taylor, or that you’re not a good writer like Sister Adams, then he wins again. And you know who loses?
Read More“These are the best of times in the history of this work. What a wonderful privilege and a great responsibility are ours to be an important part of this latter-day work of God. Do not become side tracked by the wiles of Satan that seem so rampant in our era. Rather, let us go forward with faith and with the vision of the great and marvelous future that lies ahead as this work grows in strength and gains in momentum.” -President Gordon B. Hinckley
Here's a story of a young piano student. His mother, wishing to encourage him, “bought tickets for a performance of the great Polish pianist, Paderewski. The night of the concert arrived and the mother and son found their seats near the front of the concert hall. While the mother visited with friends, the boy slipped quietly away.
Read MoreOn Monday night I had a STRONG prompting to post my testimony on facebook. I tried to get out of it by telling Heavenly Father that I didn't want to offend people and that I'd rather just post it on Sunshine In the Middle, but I felt like God was asking me to DECLARE, and Facebook to all my friends and family was what He was asking for. This is what I posted:
Read MoreI had the privilege to spend some extra time with my Grandpa Joe before he passed in 2015. In fact, when I realized I had a "light" (for me) week, I knew it was to spend more time with him and helping ease the load my Aunt Mary Ann carries as she cares for him in his final days.
Read MoreI believe in a higher power. For me, it's God. That knowledge has brought me more comfort and joy than any human achievement or event. Sometimes I forget or the relationship feels out of touch and I have to work a little harder and pray a little more to re-connect.
Read MoreAbout 11 years ago we bought our first home and our first washer and dryer. After about a month in our new home, we had invited some friends for dinner. After they left, I put the red tablecloth in the washer and then the dryer. When I pulled it out, the entire inside of my dryer was red. Even though it was too late, I read the tag and it said, "Line dry". Sigh. For days I tried various cleaning products, made trips to the store for new "heavy duty" solutions and even called a few dry cleaners to see if they had any suggestions. Nothing worked. I couldn't do any more laundry, I didn't want the red to rub off onto our clothing! After a couple of weeks of desperation, I had the thought to call the dryer company directly. I called the 1-800 number on the side of the dryer and they said, "All you need is a little laundry detergent and a rag, and it will come right off." Sure enough, it did.
Read MoreA couple of years ago I was having a day where I was feeling a little bit sad. It was my fathers birthday who had passed away and I was struggling. I prayed that I would be happy and that I would get through the day. I busied myself with a breakfast with a friend who came to Provo, some shopping for a photo shoot with a good friend and Halloween details for my kids.
Read MoreThis morning I checked my email and burst into tears when I saw a mention from my kid’s school about a safety drill they are having.
I burst into tears. Sobbing. And I still have tears streaming down my face. It’s not an earthquake drill, it’s not a fire drill, it’s some-people-take-guns-to-school-and-start-shooting drill.
My kids and I have talked at elementary school levels about tragic school shootings going on around the country and my heart aches every time it happens. We even had an incident in our own community last year and it really hit home. But this is breaking me today. The reality that I’m sending my kids off into a world I don’t understand, but I desperately want to have faith and not fear. That cowering under my kitchen table and never leaving the house is no way to live.
I need to spend more quiet time in nature. It is so good for my mind and my soul. Reminding me what I need MORE of is QUIET, stillness, and reflection on abundance that God gives me.
Read MoreA couple of weeks ago I felt like I had a break through parenting moment. During a rough week, God taught me something about patience and parenting I desperately needed. I have been a different parent since. I have also been supremely grateful.
Read MoreThe last 4+ weeks have been a little rough, okay A LOT rough. But instead of sharing all the bad stuff, I'm going to share all the wonderful things that made it all bearable. (in no particular order)
1. Family time, especially my brother who flew in from Philly to hang out with us for the holidays.
2. Friends. We truly have the bestest in the world.
3. Pajamas and hoodies.
“Who are we trying to kid [with our polite prayers]? Jesus has just seen the stove where the spaghetti boiled over, and it was pretty obvious that wasn't the only thing that had ever boiled over on that stove. He heard what you muttered when you picked up that one sock, just as you've been doing for the past 8 years…
Read MoreToday I hosted a baby shower for a dear friend that I've known for many years. We were going with a pink/white/black theme so I went to get balloons and spent some time selecting colors and designs. This isn't my first rodeo so I carefully looked at the spotted balloons and stretched them out to make sure I wasn't getting navy blue or purple. I handed the stack to the gal and did some shopping while they were filled with helium. When I got back to the bouquet my heart sank. TWO PURPLE BALLOONS?!?
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