Vote

Yesterday I voted and I truly recognized it as an honor and blessing to voice my opinion and have a say in what goes on in the country.  It's easy to feel small in such a big world but as we each go vote and stand up for what is right, together, we will make a difference.  Sounds so corny but it's true.  Seriously though, I felt grateful to have the opportunity to vote!

Light

A great moment in an ordinary day

I turned around today & saw this & I'm so glad I was able to capture it in a photo.
Something that is interesting about this picture is that they are both laying in the light, surrounded by darkness & it just made me think about light and darkness in our lives and in the world.  I've been doing a lot of deep thinking and pondering lately.  Don't we all, as human beings, crave light in our lives? 

I found a church article called "Light" by Ted E. Brewerton and will share some excerpts from it.
The dictionary defines light as something that makes vision possible or something that enlightens or informs.

Two types of light are physical light and spiritual light.

Physical light, especially natural light, affects the moods of people. When summer’s light begins to fade, days grow shorter, and the winter season looms darkly ahead, natural light becomes a more precious commodity, especially to people who live in extreme northern climates. There, where darkness reigns for up to three months a year and then summer blooms into three months of constant daylight, moods swing with the seasons.

Light does have a profound effect on human mood and behavior. Mounting evidence indicates that people who are feeling a little down and need a lift can get it by going outside in daylight. Walking in the light is a natural mood booster. Many who simply walk for half an hour or more during the daylight hours receive a distinct benefit. (See The Walking Magazine, Jan./Feb. 1989, pp. 28–30.)

Scientists are not entirely certain which wavelengths cause light’s mood-boosting effects.

Researchers believe that these effects are traceable to light taken in through the eyes and not through the skin.

A second medical use of light is light therapy for treating some cancers. Certain chemicals combined with light can destroy cancer cells. Research is under way to identify the best source of light and to determine how to direct it to body areas. (See Time, Canadian ed., Nov. 1989.)

Is that powerful or what?!

Shifting from these brief remarks about physical light, I should like to consider a kind of light that has infinitely greater power and effect. I speak of spiritual light. It comes from God and his gospel. In the scriptures, we find reference to a relationship between the physical light of the sun and spiritual light.

Jesus Christ is the Light of the world.

How does light enter into us? How do we receive it?

As the light of the sun enters the body through our natural eyes, so the light of heaven—the light of the Spirit which illuminates our souls—enters through our spiritual eyes.”

Light is truth.  Light persuades us to do good; it leads us to Christ. The light of the gospel illuminates the path of life to eternity that otherwise would be dark and nondirecting.

We can be like a mirror and direct light even into dark places. We are not the sources of light; but through us light can be reflected to others."  (End of excerpt)

We have the power to bring light into this dark world.  May we be an example of light to those around us!

Heroes of our Day

My Dad, Ken.  Served in Navy for 5 years and Coast Guard for 25 years

My brother, Nathan who currently serves (on right)

I'm so grateful to come from a family of soldiers. I know first hand what it's like to have your loved one deployed across the world & even more important, to recognize their profound service & sacrifice. It gives you an entirely different perspective on war and what our freedom represents. To my ancestors who served, to my Grandpa Gene, My Dad, Ken Champion, and my brother, Nathan Champion...thank you for your service & thank you to everyone else who serves and has served our country. You are the heroes of our day.

Happy Memorial Day.  May we all remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

I Stand Before You


I stand before you all today
But not one eye can see my way


My time arrived, to leave this earth
A fact so planned, to every birth


It happened where I had to go
My torch for life was so aglow


I transferred while in uniform
Protecting freedom, through a storm


Should I resent I died for you
Not on my life, red white and blue


Please help my family through each day
Tell all my friends, try not to stray


And of the country I did love
Do think of me, through God above


Your memories, brought forth this day
Send love to us, who could not stay


Roger J. Robicheau
Former SP5 US Army

One Day at a Time

I loved our Relief Society lesson today.  It was based on the talk "Believe, Obey, and Endure" by Pres. Monson. 

I just read it and absolutely loved this part:

"I have spoken over the years with many individuals who have told me, “I have so many problems, such real concerns. I’m overwhelmed with the challenges of life. What can I do?” I have offered to them, and I now offer to you, this specific suggestion: seek heavenly guidance one day at a time. Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it’s a cinch. Each of us can be true for just one day—and then one more and then one more after that—until we’ve lived a lifetime guided by the Spirit, a lifetime close to the Lord, a lifetime of good deeds and righteousness. The Savior promised, “Look unto me, and endure to the end, ...and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.”
 
To read the entire talk, click here.

The truth is, I've felt like I've had the world on my shoulders this past year.  Challenges have appeared around every corner.  But I have learned so much.  And it's no coincidence that during this time, I've really come to understand how to actually let go and turn my concerns and problems over to the Lord.  They are not for us to hold onto and try to fix by ourselves.  They are meant for us to learn how to trust in Him and in the path that He's leading us on.  I like to envision that He's holding my hand as we walk down this path together.

I read this scripture recently and it brought me so much comfort.

"In all their afflictions he was afflicted.  And the angel of his presence saved them; and in his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them, and bore them, and carried them all the days of old." (D&C 133:53)

We also sang the song How Gentleness the Lord's Commands today. What amazing lyrics.  I cried.

1. How gentle God’s commands!
How kind his precepts are!
Come, cast your burdens on the Lord
And trust his constant care.

2. Beneath his watchful eye,
His Saints securely dwell;
That hand which bears all nature up
Shall guard his children well.

3. Why should this anxious load
Press down your weary mind?
Haste to your Heav’nly Father’s throne
And sweet refreshment find.

4. His goodness stands approved,
Unchanged from day to day;
I’ll drop my burden at his feet
And bear a song away.

Text: Philip Doddridge, 1702–1751

Can't you just feel of His love when you read those words?  I can feel His compassion & mercy in those words.  I have truly come to understand what it means to drop my burdens at His feet.  What a gift.

My Daughter's Hands

This morning I was helping Blakeley wash her hands so my hands were touching hers and I had the impression, "My hands are going to teach her hands."

With that, I can teach her good things or I can teach her bad things.  It all comes down to the individual choices I make on a daily basis.  Recently, someone at church made the comment that our character is revealed from the things we do daily...the small, everyday things.

I want to teach her that her hands represent hard work, service, giving, friendship, sacrifice, and compassion.  I want to teach her that her hands represent the Lord's hands here on earth.

I will hold her hand throughout her life and be her biggest fan.

My hands are going to teach her hands.