Last year my family went to explore some caves. Before we got out of the car, we each chose a flashlight to take in with us. My husband handed me a flashlight and said this is the newest and best. So, we entered the cave, I was excited, this was going to be a grand adventure, it had been years since I had been in a cave. We turned on our flashlights. Everyone had a bright light but mine seemed to be dimmer than the rest. This was supposed to be the newest and the best. I found I didn't like walking alone, my light was too dim, I had to walk close to someone else so I could see by their light. The floor of the cave was uneven, and wet from the recent rain seeping through the roof of the cave, making the floor slippery. The further we walked, the dimmer my light became and the more nervous I became. I really couldn't see well enough to go forward with just my own light and I began to want to turn back.
When we got to the end of the cave, I decided to change the batteries and see if it made this less than desirable flashlight (it may have been new but it was not the best) any brighter. Wow, now the was flashlight was bright! I could see much better and didn't have to walk close to anyone else to walk in their light. As we continued back towards the cave opening, I felt much happier. I could see on my own!
This experience reminds me of the grand adventure of life. We must carry a good strong light with us in order to stay on the strait and narrow pathway back to our Father in Heaven. If we don't renew our spiritual batteries, our light dims and we begin to lose our way. We can depend on others, family and friends, for awhile, but, it is never as easy to walk by someone else light for long. We must keep our own spiritual light strong.

Rain

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby." - Langston Hughes

We moved to the Pacific Northwest about 18 years ago. I think that everyone knows that it rains a lot here. However, I don't think that is rains as much as everyone thinks it does. Without all the rain it would just be a desert. Don't misunderstand, I think the desert has it's own kind of beauty. I prefer the lush greenness here. The marvelous mountains are full of hiking trails, fishing rivers and lakes, and abundant in wildlife. In the winter the alp-like mountains are great for skiing and snowboarding.
The beaches are cool and rocky but there is always a calming sereneness there. There is always something fun and interesting to be found at the beach. My family loves to explore the tide pools, and throw logs that have washed up on the beach, into the water and then see who can throw a rock onto the log as it drifts further and further away. I once counted around 75 starfish and on another beach I have counted around 100 bald eagles, all at one time. It is hard to plan outdoor activities here. Sometimes we use plan B but we have also shivered through many windy picnics. Somewhere behind the clouds in the above picture is Mt St. Helen's. Yes, it does rain a lot here and when the sun shines it is glorious.

Thoughts on Becoming a Butterfly

Some of my most treasured moments are those when I feel the peaceful reassurance from my loving Heavenly Father that all is well. However, there are times when I struggle to feel his presence. Such trying times are often those when I feel I need him most. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin offers a this beautiful explanation for such times.

"Your answer may be found in considering a butterfly. Wrapped tightly in its cocoon, the developing chrysalis must struggle with all its might to break its confinement. The butterfly might think, Why must I suffer so? Why cannot I simply, in the twinkling of an eye, become a butterfly?

Such thoughts would be contrary to the Creator’s design. The struggle to break out of the cocoon develops the butterfly so it can fly. Without that adversity, the butterfly would never have the strength to achieve its destiny. It would never develop the strength to become something extraordinary.

President James E. Faust explained that “into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful.” 7 And then the suggestion that the adversity we experience allows our souls to become like clay in the hands of the Master. “Trials and adversity,” President Faust taught, “can be preparatory to becoming born anew.” 8

Adversity can strengthen and refine us. As with the butterfly, adversity is necessary to build character in people. Even when we are called to sail through troubled waters, we need to know the place of adversity in shaping our divine potential.

If only we would look beyond our present suffering and see our struggles as a temporary chrysalis. If only we would have the faith and trust in our Heavenly Father to see how, after a little season, then we can emerge from our trials more refined and glorious."

When your eyes meet

When your eyes meet your husband's, what does he see there? Does he see your faith in him, your love for him, your admiration of him, your enjoyment of him? Does he see the Savior's light spilling forth? If so, chances are good that you will see the same things reflected back to you in his eyes. by Allison Warner

Children

I wish I had started blogging when my kids were little, well actually, there were no blogs when my kids were little. Anyway, as I read the blogs of young mothers, I think it is a fun way to journal a family's growth and activities. My children are all adults except for the straggler who is 13 years old. She does display great maturity for her age, though (I had to mention that because she reads this, it is true, though). Being the grandmother of a two-year-old brings back fond memories of my own children when they were two years old. I truly think that ages two and three are my most cherished memories of my children. I love to see the spontaneous delight that not only glows on their faces but bounces from their bodies, as they discover and learn new things. They take joy in pleasing others and revel in silliness. Even though my children are older now, there was plenty of silliness going on over the Christmas break as you can see by the quotes below. I love my children, they will always be a delight in life.



Blake: We're boys from the same family.
Thane: We're brothers.
Blake: That's what I just said.
Thane: Don't make me stick my lollipop to your face.

Thane: "We're not here to argue; we're here to trade Tiddly-Winks."


Andrea: "This is the sound of my face exploding."
Thane: "And of all things, it's 'La Bamba.'"


Andrea: "This snow is bouncy! It's bouncing off the windshield!"
Kaylyn: "It's frozen rain."
Andrea (in denial): "Shh. It's snow."
Kaylyn: "Wow, this snow is bouncy!"

Waiting in a restuarant

A few months after my husband and I were married, we were in our favorite restaurant waiting to be seated in the dining area. I noticed a girl walk in that I recognized from high school but, I couldn't remember her name. We chatted for a few minutes and then she said, "I'm sorry I don't remember your name." I said, smiling, "It's Jill, and I don't remember you name either." She smiled back and said, "It's Jill!"

Creating Myself

...the self is not something one finds, it is something one creates. ~Thomas Szasz

I read this quote on my daughter's blog. I love it, however, I've thought about it and have decided that it is not entirely true. I believe that we are free to create ourselves to be whatever we want but first we must find or discover who we truly are or our creating of ourselves will be random and meaningless. We must have a foundation to build on. Each of us must discover (if we don't already know) that each of us is a child of God. We are created by God, in his image, to become as he is. God has given each of us gifts and talents that we must also discover for ourselves. By discovering and developing these gifts we show gratitude to our Creator for gifts he has given us. With the knowledge that we are God's children and that we have been given priceless gifts as our foundation, we then can create ourselves in a meaningful way. I have often asked myself, "Who was I created to be?" In the preexistance was I kind and charitable? Did I love poetry and music? Who and what do I want to be? I believe that God has a plan for each of us. He has a plan for me. Am I creating myself to be who I was created to be?