They Must Be Rich: Seeing the Dandelions for the Flowers

Earlier this year, I was walking in our neighborhood with my niece. who is 5 years old. We walked by several houses, some of which had beautiful flowers in flower beds. Others had dandelions and morning glory growing in their lawns. My niece admired the lawns. Her Flower Attitude Before long, my niece said, “Can…… Continue reading They Must Be Rich: Seeing the Dandelions for the Flowers

My Pity Party Revelation: Next Time, Listen to the Spirit

Several years ago, I was feeling like I didn’t have a friend in the world. I was having a bit of a pity party for myself. After a few days of feeling like no one cared, I began to pray. I prayed for one of those church magazine or General Conference story moments where someone…… Continue reading My Pity Party Revelation: Next Time, Listen to the Spirit

We Don’t Have a Monopoly on “Love Thy Neighbor”

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, service and “love thy neighbor” are emphasized repeatedly. While serving others is a great thing, sometimes as members of the church we can get prideful about it or other aspect of our religion. We can begin to think that we’re the only church that…… Continue reading We Don’t Have a Monopoly on “Love Thy Neighbor”

To See the Beauty, Just Turn Around and Look

As an ordinance worker at the Idaho Falls Temple, I get the chance to see pictures and murals from a different vantage point than most people who visit. I get to appreciate the beauty of the temple’s artwork. This artwork, particularly the handpainted murals throughout the endowment rooms, is unique. Recently, I was sitting in…… Continue reading To See the Beauty, Just Turn Around and Look

Maybe Their Blinker’s Broken: Don’t Be So Quick to Judge

This wasn’t the post I’d planned to write today. It wasn’t even on my list of potential future blog topics. Yet, as I was working at the temple yesterday, the outline for a blog about how we sometimes judge others without the full story came to me. Because of that, I felt that this was…… Continue reading Maybe Their Blinker’s Broken: Don’t Be So Quick to Judge

Repentance and a Food Mandoline Emergency

Lately, I’ve been thinking about a food mandoline emergency that happened almost exactly nine years ago. I won’t go into all the details of the incident, but feel free to skip ahead to the “Damage is Worse Than Expected” heading if you get a bit queasy regarding medical emergencies. Basically, I was slicing potatoes, didn’t…… Continue reading Repentance and a Food Mandoline Emergency

General Conference is Over- What I Learned- Now What?

Last week, I wrote a bit of a pre-General Conference post. I talked about some of the reasons that I looked forward to General Conference. Now I’d like to focus on what I learned from the most recent sessions as well as how my excitement matched up with each thing that I was excited about.…… Continue reading General Conference is Over- What I Learned- Now What?

General Conference Weekend: A Time for Revelation

This weekend is General Conference. That means two days of listening to general authorities and members of the general presidencies talk. I learned earlier today that President Russell M. Nelson, will not be there in person because of a fall. Hopefully, we will be able to hear his recorded message/s. General Conference is an opportunity…… Continue reading General Conference Weekend: A Time for Revelation

Getting the Church Pew Out of My Eye

Recently, my family got the chance to help clean the church on two occasions. In both cases, I ended up vacuuming the chapel. I’ll admit it. I’ve come into the chapel before on Sunday as the first ward in the building and been a bit judgmental about the quality of the chapel vacuuming. Never again,…… Continue reading Getting the Church Pew Out of My Eye

Sometimes It’s Not About the Bracelets

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about a story about obedience that a lady in my ward shared years ago. I was a student at BYU, so it’s probably been at least 18 years ago. I don’t remember the lady’s name or even for sure what ward I was in at the time. The details…… Continue reading Sometimes It’s Not About the Bracelets