A Confession

Dear Life,


When I went to church for the first time with Sofi, I got my feelings hurt.  People didn't know what to do with her, what class she should go to, what to think. I mean, she was so teeny tiny, she didn't look like a five year old, she was like a baby.  

 I went into fight mode.  This was my baby we were talking about.    I spoke with our bishop expressing my frustration.  Then I took a minute and realized I needed to TEACH people what to do, not ASSUME they know what to do when they see children that are disabled.  I live with disability day in and day out.  Most people don't.  I forgot that.  I was not being fair to those in our church.  For that, I am so sorry.  I took my sweet girl into Relief Society, dressed in her prettiest dress with her hair as perfect as could be, and introduced her to the women. 

 I shared her story.  And with tears in my eyes I asked them to please consider taking turns with her so that I could go to class.  I needed spiritual edification more than ever.  The sisters were amazing.  They got lists together and every week people took turns taking her to primary.  I have since communicated with the Primary President to talk about the best placement for Sofi.  Talking together, sharing what works and what doesn't, and putting aside my very tender heart to be able to not get my feelings hurt but hear what people are actually saying really helped me resolve our issue.  Since then, our church has put a great article about how to reach out to those with disabilities.  I love this article so much and it's applicable to so many areas.  It's called "Reaching Out to Those with Disabilities-And Their Families" in the February 2015 issue of the Ensign.    Please take a few minutes to read it.  Its opened my eyes and touched my heart.  It can be applied outside of a church environment as well.  Be a friend, take the time to listen, be understanding.  Parents of children or caretakers of adults that have disabilities are often exhausted, and don't realize that they need to take the time to explain what their life is like.  I am so thankful for Sofi.  She is such a bright light in our family.  And we are so thankful to everyone who has taken the time to spend an hour with her, to sing with her, to ask how she's doing.  

Mending hearts

Dear Life,

So grateful for girls time.  All I had to do was text this to Sarah:

"So in a funk".

She asked me why....in three sentences I tell her and in one sentence she says:

"Let's meet on Tuesday".

How grateful I was to go by the harbor....sit outside with my friend and drink our diet cokes...talking about life...our kids...and how to get through stuff.  Sometimes you just need a little pick me up to help you realize how blessed you are and how amazing life really is. 

Our conversation was like it always is...all over the place...from childhood to adulthood and beyond.  It's  crazy how many side conversations we have when we get together.  There is one thing Sarah shared with me that was so powerful....I just have to share it.  

After talking in length about something troubling my heart....Sarah shared with me how she gets through the things that really break her heart.  

"When my heart is so heavy I can't bear it one more moment, I close my eyes and envision a  box....and I put all of my heartache...all of my troubles in that box.  Then I wrap up that box, and give it to the Lord.  When I humble myself...and give my troubles over to Him...suddenly I am lighter and I know that He will help me and it's all in His hands." 

 I wept as  I felt the truthfulness of this statement.  I knew I needed to lay down my burdens to the Lord.

Matthew 11

 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

And I know this to be true...as my heart was heavy I felt prompted to text Sarah.  It was Sunday night...at 10 pm.  We NEVER text that late.  She answered me.  And I was comforted.  My heart lightened.  As we talked to day...my heart lightened.  God knows my heart...and provides the way to hear the messages I need.  

So grateful for friendships that help mend my heart.

Jewels

Dear Life,

I have met two girls whose beauty rival any precious jewel.   They both sparkle and shine like prized precious jewels.  

 via
Elizabeth Taylor jewels....

Although both girls are beautiful on the outside, their hearts are so full that their faces shine with inner light and beauty.  
These two seventeen year olds don't rely on womanly wiles, don't flaunt their faces with too much makeup or their bodies with not enough clothes.  

These two girls have tapped into the most important thing in life...

One of them has recognized that my son is feeling down....and that he's unsure of who his friends are and what his beliefs are. She has decided to make him a scrapbook with letters from his friends....with pictures...with CD's for different moods...to help him realize when he's in Hawaii that he is never alone.  I am totally amazed by this girls ability to realize that something like this can totally make a difference for my boy.  (If you're a teen reading this it's a secret...so don't tell him).  She's been worried about him and felt like this was a way she could help him.   I can't believe she tapped into exactly what he needs to hear right now....LOVE her!!

Another has taken a family tragedy and strengthened her own personal relationship with God and is helping strengthen others in her own sweet way.  To see a young girl deal with a tragedy that could flatten an adult....  with grace and a never ending smile, and realizing that having an eternal perspective on life changes everything blows my mind. Then her willingness to share that testimony with others....her joy for the gospel radiates from her sweet smile.... LOVE her!!

 via

These two find their love for their Savior, their love for their friends, their love for their families, and allows it to change them into better people.   


I love these two girls...and I love their families.  And to be fair....these aren't the only two.

I am learning more from these two...

one day....
 
maybe one day...

 I'll be able to shine like these two young girls.

This is what these girls learn about...and I think they both GET it!

We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us,
and we love him. We will "stand as witnesses of God at all
times and in all things, and in all places..." as we strive
to live the Young Women Values, which are:
Faith
Divine Nature
Individual Worth
Knowledge
Choice and Accountability
Good Works
Integrity and
Virtue
We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values,
we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep
sacred covenants, receive ordinances of the temple, and
enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

Don't forget about the giveaway...before it's GONE....