Sanctus Real - Forgiven (Official Music Video)

Brandon Heath - I'm Not Who I Was

Beautiful Heartbreak

Dark Blue fades to Clear

The saying goes "God will never give us a trial we can’t handle" and I think that's true but, we don't have to get through our trials alone.  

Once, during a hot summer in Australia, I was driving to pick up Brian at work and while I waited for him in the car, I got really hot. I grabbed a pen and used it to put my hair up.  Later,  we  pulled in the driveway and as I got out of the car I reached back and  wiped away the sweat.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw my hand covered in dark blue ink.  I didn't notice I had put a broken pen in my hair. 

I walked to the bathroom, shut the door and looked for the hairspray.  I was positive I had read somewhere that hairspray gets ink out of things but when I sprayed the back of my head all it did was spread the ink all over my now tangled and  matted hair.  I spent 20 minutes trying everything I could think of to get out the ink. Then Brian knocked and asked if he could do anything to help.  When I opened the door, I turned to show him how much worse my hair was.  I heard the kids start laughing and Josh said "you look like a really messed up smurf."  Awesome... Just the look I was going for.

Brian convinced me to lean over the tub while he started scrubbing.  The next hour was spent watching the dark blue water slowly get lighter and lighter as it ran from my head to the drain.  Brian had to scrub pretty hard to get it to this point.  I was almost in tears from all the scrubbing and when we were done my head was very sore.  In the ENSIGN was the following statement:


 When possible, the injured should do what they can to work through their trials, and the Savior will “succor his people according to their infirmities.” ³⁴ He will help us carry our burdens. Some injuries are so hurtful and deep that they cannot be healed without help from a higher power and hope for perfect justice and restitution in the next life. Since the Savior has suffered anything and everything that we could ever feel or experience, ³⁵ He can help the weak to become stronger. He has personally experienced all of it. He understands our pain and will walk with us even in our darkest hours. -- Elder James E. Faust 

 Others may laugh at us and we may be to proud to admit we need support.  Our trials may be as obvious as having blue hair.  We may need others to help us scrub and it may really hurt as they do.  It may even take quite a while before we are not sore from all the scrubbing but if we get rid of our pride and keep scrubbing eventually we will see the water become clear again.

The saying goes "God will never give us a trial we can’t handle" and I think that's true but, we don't have to get through our trials alone.  

Once, during a hot summer in Australia, I was driving to pick up Brian at work and while I waited for him in the car, I got really hot. I grabbed a pen and used it to put my hair up.  Later,  we  pulled in the driveway and as I got out of the car I reached back and  wiped away the sweat.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw my hand covered in dark blue ink.  I didn't notice I had put a broken pen in my hair. 

I walked to the bathroom, shut the door and looked for the hairspray.  I was positive I had read somewhere that hairspray gets ink out of things but when I sprayed the back of my head all it did was spread the ink all over my now tangled and  matted hair.  I spent 20 minutes trying everything I could think of to get out the ink. Then Brian knocked and asked if he could do anything to help.  When I opened the door, I turned to show him how much worse my hair was.  I heard the kids start laughing and Josh said "you look like a really messed up smurf."  Awesome... Just the look I was going for.

Brian convinced me to lean over the tub while he started scrubbing.  The next hour was spent watching the dark blue water slowly get lighter and lighter as it ran from my head to the drain.  Brian had to scrub pretty hard to get it to this point.  I was almost in tears from all the scrubbing and when we were done my head was very sore.  In the ENSIGN was the following statement:


 When possible, the injured should do what they can to work through their trials, and the Savior will “succor his people according to their infirmities.” ³⁴ He will help us carry our burdens. Some injuries are so hurtful and deep that they cannot be healed without help from a higher power and hope for perfect justice and restitution in the next life. Since the Savior has suffered anything and everything that we could ever feel or experience, ³⁵ He can help the weak to become stronger. He has personally experienced all of it. He understands our pain and will walk with us even in our darkest hours. -- Elder James E. Faust 

 Others may laugh at us and we may be to proud to admit we need support.  Our trials may be as obvious as having blue hair.  We may need others to help us scrub and it may really hurt as they do.  It may even take quite a while before we are not sore from all the scrubbing but if we get rid of our pride and keep scrubbing eventually we will see the water become clear again.

The Clothesline Project

T-shirts, simple t-shirts. Who among us doesn't have dozens of them in drawers or on shelves somewhere? Thanks to a group of women from Cape Cod, Mass., we will never look at t-shirts the same way again.

They are founders of the Clothesline Project, a small core of women who are finding a way to take the staggering, mind-numbing statistics on violence against women and turn them into a provocative, in-your-face, educational and healing tool.

Inspired by the AIDS quilt, they came up with the idea of using shirts hanging on a clothesline. "Doing the laundry has always been considered women's work, and in the days of close-knit neighborhoods, women often exchanged information over backyard fences while hanging their clothes out to dry," says Carol A. Chichetto of East Dennis, Mass., chair of the project's steering committee.

  

"The concept was simple -- let each woman tell her own story, in her own unique way, and hang it out for all to see. It was and is a way of airing society's dirty laundry."  Dozens of their shirts were hanging like banners from balcony to balcony at NOW's 1992 national conference in Boston. Others were hung at ground level during NOW's 1994 national conference in Texas, which made their messages even more visible:

"Teach me to cry and when I have learned to cry, teach me to dance so that I may dance in the puddle of my tears."

"The only time you bought me new glasses was when you punched me in the face."

"...raped me, beat me, and stole my pride and faith, and made me afraid ... BUT MY SPIRIT ROSE UP and I found courage and hope. I DID NOT DIE!"

"You can batter my body but you can't touch my spirit."

The project began with 31 shirts, displayed on the village green in Hyannis, Mass., in October 1990 as part of an annual Take Back the Night March and Rally. Throughout the day, women came forward to create new shirts and the line kept growing.

Now it has grown to include dozens of projects nationwide and internationally, with an estimated 35,000 to 50,000 shirts. Some of the most active projects are in areas that also have active NOW chapters and state organizations -- Massachusetts, New York, California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky and the District of Columbia.

And like NOW, Clothesline Project organizers have been reaching out high school and college students. Chicetto says that even after 12 years of activism she is amazed at the impact the project has on young women and men.

"At least 30 percent of our organizers are brand new activists who have chosen the Clothesline Project as their first step into the political arena," she says.

As visitors walk among the shirts, they hear sound effects -- a gong, a whistle and a bell. The gong sounds several times a minute, to indicate that another woman has been battered. The whistle sounds once a minute, to indicate that another woman has been raped. The bell sounds several times a day to indicate that another woman has been killed by an intimate partner.

If you are not busy on November 2 or 3rd, and would like to join me in helping to bring attention to domestic violence, take a look at "The Clothesline Project" taking place at Utah Valley University. You can volunteer to help for any amount of time or just stop by. I'd like to take those of you who show up and have a bit of time, out to grab something to eat afterwards so let me know if you're coming!

Click here to get more information on Ther Clothesline Project at UVU, or email me at june.haskell@gmail.com or if you have any questions,  just leave a comment below. 

THANKS!! 

T-shirts, simple t-shirts. Who among us doesn't have dozens of them in drawers or on shelves somewhere? Thanks to a group of women from Cape Cod, Mass., we will never look at t-shirts the same way again.

They are founders of the Clothesline Project, a small core of women who are finding a way to take the staggering, mind-numbing statistics on violence against women and turn them into a provocative, in-your-face, educational and healing tool.

Inspired by the AIDS quilt, they came up with the idea of using shirts hanging on a clothesline. "Doing the laundry has always been considered women's work, and in the days of close-knit neighborhoods, women often exchanged information over backyard fences while hanging their clothes out to dry," says Carol A. Chichetto of East Dennis, Mass., chair of the project's steering committee.

  

"The concept was simple -- let each woman tell her own story, in her own unique way, and hang it out for all to see. It was and is a way of airing society's dirty laundry."  Dozens of their shirts were hanging like banners from balcony to balcony at NOW's 1992 national conference in Boston. Others were hung at ground level during NOW's 1994 national conference in Texas, which made their messages even more visible:

"Teach me to cry and when I have learned to cry, teach me to dance so that I may dance in the puddle of my tears."

"The only time you bought me new glasses was when you punched me in the face."

"...raped me, beat me, and stole my pride and faith, and made me afraid ... BUT MY SPIRIT ROSE UP and I found courage and hope. I DID NOT DIE!"

"You can batter my body but you can't touch my spirit."

The project began with 31 shirts, displayed on the village green in Hyannis, Mass., in October 1990 as part of an annual Take Back the Night March and Rally. Throughout the day, women came forward to create new shirts and the line kept growing.

Now it has grown to include dozens of projects nationwide and internationally, with an estimated 35,000 to 50,000 shirts. Some of the most active projects are in areas that also have active NOW chapters and state organizations -- Massachusetts, New York, California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky and the District of Columbia.

And like NOW, Clothesline Project organizers have been reaching out high school and college students. Chicetto says that even after 12 years of activism she is amazed at the impact the project has on young women and men.

"At least 30 percent of our organizers are brand new activists who have chosen the Clothesline Project as their first step into the political arena," she says.

As visitors walk among the shirts, they hear sound effects -- a gong, a whistle and a bell. The gong sounds several times a minute, to indicate that another woman has been battered. The whistle sounds once a minute, to indicate that another woman has been raped. The bell sounds several times a day to indicate that another woman has been killed by an intimate partner.

If you are not busy on November 2 or 3rd, and would like to join me in helping to bring attention to domestic violence, take a look at "The Clothesline Project" taking place at Utah Valley University. You can volunteer to help for any amount of time or just stop by. I'd like to take those of you who show up and have a bit of time, out to grab something to eat afterwards so let me know if you're coming!

Click here to get more information on Ther Clothesline Project at UVU, or email me at june.haskell@gmail.com or if you have any questions,  just leave a comment below. 

THANKS!! 

Quotes especially for my Lost friend

Brandon Flowers - A Fire Still Burning

Another reason to help your children with homework!

Awesome! 

Awesome! 

The FIRST step is small & simple

I have to start this blog post by saying that I am a big time slacker when it comes to reading my scriptures every day.  I tease my husband and tell him the reason I don't read as often as I could, is because then I would have no faults and POOF!  I would be instantly translated up into heaven therefore leaving him alone, and obviously he could NEVER function without me!  Heavenly Father is way to smart to let that happen.

The interesting thing about my erratic method of reading is that when I finally get my butt back in gear and sit down with my scriptures, within 10 minutes of reading I come across something that relates directly to a challenge I am dealing with at that time.  This week it happened again.  And this time.....I'm going to share it with you.

Last week, while I was sitting in my room reading Book of Mormon, I came across this:

"And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works." (Alma 37:40-41.)

Now fast forward to the following day.

I was with my son and his lovely fiance taking their engagement pictures (yeah!) when I ran into a family member I hadn't spoken to in a very long time. 

Let's just say that as with most families, there had been drama and hurt feelings, but this particular drama ended in a family split & parting of ways. 

I figured we would cross paths eventually so,  I had tried to prepare myself for all sorts of scenarios except one.  I never prepared myself to feel compassion and love for this person.  I prepared my mind to be ready for attack.

Of course, when I found myself face to face with this person, I went blank.  Every scenario that was on stand-by in my brain disappeared.  With out even batting an eye, my heart took over. I smiled, I said hello.  He said hello.  We waited for a second or two and when the perfect storm failed to form around or above us, we began to talk.

We talked alot, I cried a bit, and after a while I finally understood a few things, and he said that he did too.  I apologized for a few things and he did too.  We actually laughed a bit towards the end and then somewhere in sky, the planets aligned and we hugged goodbye.   I couldn't believe it.... No, seriously.  I half expected Ashton Kucher to jump out of the bushes and yell "You've been Punk'd!"  The last time our paths crossed things elevated to an insane level of mayhem involving lots of family members and the police.  And yet, here I was feeling (gasp) love and compassion instead of anger.  I didn't see this coming.  I was happily surprised and the details of this talk will stay between he and I except for this...

One of the last things this person said to me before we parted ways, was that maybe  "...things can get better but it's going to take time.  It's going to take baby steps." 

I've been praying like crazy  for over a year and had all but given up on salvaging some sort of relationship.  I was frustrated and had given up on praying for things to be different.   I felt my prayer was not being heard, but I was wrong.  I needed to be on the Lord's time frame instead of my own.  I struggle alot with this.  If only things would be resolved in the way I think they should instead of waiting and having to have faith.  Alas, I am still learning.

I need to start praying for Patience....Lots of patience...  I will now pray not only for Patience, but for help in making those important baby steps.  It's going to be a long process, I'm sure. But it's worth it.  At least, I hope it's worth it. 

I think the key is to just remember to be thankful for any and all progress made.  Perfect for this time of year.  Thankfulness & an attitude of gratitude for every small and simple thing I have been blessed with. 

I have to start this blog post by saying that I am a big time slacker when it comes to reading my scriptures every day.  I tease my husband and tell him the reason I don't read as often as I could, is because then I would have no faults and POOF!  I would be instantly translated up into heaven therefore leaving him alone, and obviously he could NEVER function without me!  Heavenly Father is way to smart to let that happen.

The interesting thing about my erratic method of reading is that when I finally get my butt back in gear and sit down with my scriptures, within 10 minutes of reading I come across something that relates directly to a challenge I am dealing with at that time.  This week it happened again.  And this time.....I'm going to share it with you.

Last week, while I was sitting in my room reading Book of Mormon, I came across this:

"And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works." (Alma 37:40-41.)

Now fast forward to the following day.

I was with my son and his lovely fiance taking their engagement pictures (yeah!) when I ran into a family member I hadn't spoken to in a very long time. 

Let's just say that as with most families, there had been drama and hurt feelings, but this particular drama ended in a family split & parting of ways. 

I figured we would cross paths eventually so,  I had tried to prepare myself for all sorts of scenarios except one.  I never prepared myself to feel compassion and love for this person.  I prepared my mind to be ready for attack.

Of course, when I found myself face to face with this person, I went blank.  Every scenario that was on stand-by in my brain disappeared.  With out even batting an eye, my heart took over. I smiled, I said hello.  He said hello.  We waited for a second or two and when the perfect storm failed to form around or above us, we began to talk.

We talked alot, I cried a bit, and after a while I finally understood a few things, and he said that he did too.  I apologized for a few things and he did too.  We actually laughed a bit towards the end and then somewhere in sky, the planets aligned and we hugged goodbye.   I couldn't believe it.... No, seriously.  I half expected Ashton Kucher to jump out of the bushes and yell "You've been Punk'd!"  The last time our paths crossed things elevated to an insane level of mayhem involving lots of family members and the police.  And yet, here I was feeling (gasp) love and compassion instead of anger.  I didn't see this coming.  I was happily surprised and the details of this talk will stay between he and I except for this...

One of the last things this person said to me before we parted ways, was that maybe  "...things can get better but it's going to take time.  It's going to take baby steps." 

I've been praying like crazy  for over a year and had all but given up on salvaging some sort of relationship.  I was frustrated and had given up on praying for things to be different.   I felt my prayer was not being heard, but I was wrong.  I needed to be on the Lord's time frame instead of my own.  I struggle alot with this.  If only things would be resolved in the way I think they should instead of waiting and having to have faith.  Alas, I am still learning.

I need to start praying for Patience....Lots of patience...  I will now pray not only for Patience, but for help in making those important baby steps.  It's going to be a long process, I'm sure. But it's worth it.  At least, I hope it's worth it. 

I think the key is to just remember to be thankful for any and all progress made.  Perfect for this time of year.  Thankfulness & an attitude of gratitude for every small and simple thing I have been blessed with. 

I am LDS - I am Christian

I found this Poem and fell in LOVE!

It's perfect.

I found this Poem and fell in LOVE!

It's perfect.

I Believe...

My talk with that girl in the mirror

Today, I looked in the mirror and thought;

"One of us is lying to the other".

This girl in the mirror and I do not always get along.

What I call laugh lines, she calls wrinkles.

What I call curves, she calls fat.

Where I see potential, she sees despair.

Where I see wisdom from experience, she only sees scars.

My eyes look and see a survivor, her eyes look and only see hidden pain.

I see a woman who proudly gave all she had to be a mother,

and she sees a woman who's kids are getting older, who doesn't have a career.

I see a girl who wants to be true to what she believes,

and she sees a girl who still wants to fit in with the cool girls.

I look in that mirror, again but this time  I am looking deeper... 

 deep within myself to find what I have  always been,
a daughter of a King with a divine purpose.

It's only when I believe this much is true

That my real beauty comes shinning through.

and both reflections match..

I don't care how long it takes ladies, go have a chat with that girl in the mirror until you are both seeing what is real.    The truth is that you are pretty wonderful.  Enjoy the fall break and have a great weekend!! 

Today, I looked in the mirror and thought;

"One of us is lying to the other".

This girl in the mirror and I do not always get along.

What I call laugh lines, she calls wrinkles.

What I call curves, she calls fat.

Where I see potential, she sees despair.

Where I see wisdom from experience, she only sees scars.

My eyes look and see a survivor, her eyes look and only see hidden pain.

I see a woman who proudly gave all she had to be a mother,

and she sees a woman who's kids are getting older, who doesn't have a career.

I see a girl who wants to be true to what she believes,

and she sees a girl who still wants to fit in with the cool girls.

I look in that mirror, again but this time  I am looking deeper... 

 deep within myself to find what I have  always been,
a daughter of a King with a divine purpose.

It's only when I believe this much is true

That my real beauty comes shinning through.

and both reflections match..

I don't care how long it takes ladies, go have a chat with that girl in the mirror until you are both seeing what is real.    The truth is that you are pretty wonderful.  Enjoy the fall break and have a great weekend!! 

The more you know, the stronger the weapon.

I had a conversation last week that I can't get out of my mind. 

I got to talk to Alana Kindness, Executive Director of the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault and I am in awe of the time and effort being put into this wonderful cause.  One of the major things that has stuck in my mind is when Alana told me that even more than getting information out to our youth, we need to educate the parents/mothers of these young people.  If the mothers don't understand what to look for then how can they educate and inform their daughters? 

I started thinking about that in detail and realized that if you can get the right information to a mother, you have not only helped her, but all her children will be informed.  I still have friends and family who are unaware of certain terms or warning signs to be on the lookout for with their teens.  I've had one of my friends say she would feel to awkward or uncomfortable discussing these sort of topics, especially when it involves sexual assault.  Well, let me ask you this..... How uncomfortable will it be if, heaven forbid, something terrible  happens to your daughter?  Trust me when I say it is much more uncomfortable to sit through a police interview where the details of an assault have to be told and relived in court.  Bottom line?  Mom's, it is time to get informed.

If there is someone at your church who is willing to talk to not only the youth but the mothers, make it happen.  If you have a friend who is willing to talk to your daughters and yourself, find a time and do it.  There are lots of good websites devoted to getting the word out about domestic violence and abuse.  Click HERE  for a good one to share with your teen. 

Talk to your neices or your grandchildren.  Talk to your friends.  Most of all TALK to your child.

Talk all the time and about all sorts of things.  Then,  when they need to talk to someone about serious topics, they wont feel to uncomfortable to talk to you. 

And, don't leave out the boys!  Make sure your sons know what is and is not acceptable when it comes to dating and how to treat young ladies.  

By talking, sharing and educating our youth we arm them with another strong weapon to use in their daily fight against all the evils in this world.  Moms, by arming yourself you add strength to your daughters armour.  What mom doesn't want that?

I had a conversation last week that I can't get out of my mind. 

I got to talk to Alana Kindness, Executive Director of the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault and I am in awe of the time and effort being put into this wonderful cause.  One of the major things that has stuck in my mind is when Alana told me that even more than getting information out to our youth, we need to educate the parents/mothers of these young people.  If the mothers don't understand what to look for then how can they educate and inform their daughters? 

I started thinking about that in detail and realized that if you can get the right information to a mother, you have not only helped her, but all her children will be informed.  I still have friends and family who are unaware of certain terms or warning signs to be on the lookout for with their teens.  I've had one of my friends say she would feel to awkward or uncomfortable discussing these sort of topics, especially when it involves sexual assault.  Well, let me ask you this..... How uncomfortable will it be if, heaven forbid, something terrible  happens to your daughter?  Trust me when I say it is much more uncomfortable to sit through a police interview where the details of an assault have to be told and relived in court.  Bottom line?  Mom's, it is time to get informed.

If there is someone at your church who is willing to talk to not only the youth but the mothers, make it happen.  If you have a friend who is willing to talk to your daughters and yourself, find a time and do it.  There are lots of good websites devoted to getting the word out about domestic violence and abuse.  Click HERE  for a good one to share with your teen. 

Talk to your neices or your grandchildren.  Talk to your friends.  Most of all TALK to your child.

Talk all the time and about all sorts of things.  Then,  when they need to talk to someone about serious topics, they wont feel to uncomfortable to talk to you. 

And, don't leave out the boys!  Make sure your sons know what is and is not acceptable when it comes to dating and how to treat young ladies.  

By talking, sharing and educating our youth we arm them with another strong weapon to use in their daily fight against all the evils in this world.  Moms, by arming yourself you add strength to your daughters armour.  What mom doesn't want that?

Life lessons I learned this week

For a wonderful talk by Susan K. Bednar called

By Small and Simple Things click HERE!

For a wonderful talk by Susan K. Bednar called

By Small and Simple Things click HERE!

Life. Changing. Day.

What an incredible, emotional day. Met and talked to a young man who I will never forget. Cried with him, hugged him and listened to him. I shared my belief that we have within us strengths we are not even aware of. He held my hand and told me something I will NEVER forget... He said; "I am just beginning to find my voice. Today you said words I couldn't speak. Thank you for being my voice when I had none."

Holy Cow... If I ever doubted what it is I am to do with this life of mine, today cemented my resolve to raise my voice & help those who are not able to do the same.

Life. Changing. Day.

I wrote this and then thought maybe I needed to explain a bit.  I decided last minute to attend a viewing at UVU of the amazing documentary: Sex+Money: A National Search for Human Worth. 

I spent the first half crying and the second half wanting to do anything at all to help in any way I could.  I definitely didn't plan on saying anything but of course, I couldn't help myself.  I ended up sharing a bit of my story with an entire theater as well as a panel of amazing people helping make a difference here in Utah.  I actually ended up apologizing for sort of raising my voice at a Utah State Attorney.  Thank heavens the people that filled this room could feel that I was sincere in my desire to know what we have to do to make a change in the laws. 

I could go on and on but I will just say that today's events will stay with me forever.  I ended up being asked to talk to a reporter from the Salt Lake Tribune and shared a bit of my story with her.  So I guess I might as well just keep on raising my voice because my name, my words and  the name of this blog will be in black and white for all to see.  And that's the point right?  It only takes one voice, speaking one time, to be heard by one person, who needed to hear that they are not alone.  One voice may inspire another to raise their voice as well.  Who knows what that one moment can lead to.  Now, imagine if that one person decides to raise their voice again and they share their story with still another.  Just imagine.... How can I not speak up? How can I not use the voice I have been given. I refuse to let the negative experiences of my life define who I am as anything less than a survivor who turned something bad into something that can help others.  I refuse...It will not happen.  I have a voice and by God I will use it every chance I get.  What a day.

What an incredible, emotional day. Met and talked to a young man who I will never forget. Cried with him, hugged him and listened to him. I shared my belief that we have within us strengths we are not even aware of. He held my hand and told me something I will NEVER forget... He said; "I am just beginning to find my voice. Today you said words I couldn't speak. Thank you for being my voice when I had none."

Holy Cow... If I ever doubted what it is I am to do with this life of mine, today cemented my resolve to raise my voice & help those who are not able to do the same.

Life. Changing. Day.

I wrote this and then thought maybe I needed to explain a bit.  I decided last minute to attend a viewing at UVU of the amazing documentary: Sex+Money: A National Search for Human Worth. 

I spent the first half crying and the second half wanting to do anything at all to help in any way I could.  I definitely didn't plan on saying anything but of course, I couldn't help myself.  I ended up sharing a bit of my story with an entire theater as well as a panel of amazing people helping make a difference here in Utah.  I actually ended up apologizing for sort of raising my voice at a Utah State Attorney.  Thank heavens the people that filled this room could feel that I was sincere in my desire to know what we have to do to make a change in the laws. 

I could go on and on but I will just say that today's events will stay with me forever.  I ended up being asked to talk to a reporter from the Salt Lake Tribune and shared a bit of my story with her.  So I guess I might as well just keep on raising my voice because my name, my words and  the name of this blog will be in black and white for all to see.  And that's the point right?  It only takes one voice, speaking one time, to be heard by one person, who needed to hear that they are not alone.  One voice may inspire another to raise their voice as well.  Who knows what that one moment can lead to.  Now, imagine if that one person decides to raise their voice again and they share their story with still another.  Just imagine.... How can I not speak up? How can I not use the voice I have been given. I refuse to let the negative experiences of my life define who I am as anything less than a survivor who turned something bad into something that can help others.  I refuse...It will not happen.  I have a voice and by God I will use it every chance I get.  What a day.

Go get your prince

The HERO kit with SPANX

Not long ago, I got to go with my daughter to a Church meeting given by the special needs youth in our area. She was asked to be a "buddy" of a specific girl but helps out with everyone. It's been almost a full year of being a buddy and she has loved it.
I have been to three of these Sacrament meetings now, and each time I walk out to the car after crying off most of my make-up. I look pathetic, but I am smiling.

I’m not sure I can explain how it feels to be in a room full of some of Heavenly Father’s choicest sons & daughters.

It is truly overwhelming .   As I watched these individuals give talks, sing and pray, I thought about how different the world would be if our outer beauty was purely a reflection of our inner beauty and the strength of our spirit.

Why do we allow ourselves to forget who we are and what we are meant to be?! What happens to make us think that being a daughter of God isn’t as important as what the world sees? At my house, we call it the Clark Kent syndrome.

I have always thought the movies & TV shows about Superman were dumb. Dumb because it drives me crazy! I want to scream at the TV “Come on Clark, who do you think you’re fooling?!”  

How on earth can the lovely people of Metropolis not recognize that if Clark Kent didn’t have those stupid glasses he would look exactly like Superman!?   It’s pretty lame, but that’s another blog post.

My theory is that the only person he is ultimately fooling is himself. He wants so badly to just be an average guy, that he is forgetting he’s a Hero with a fancy pair of spanx and a Cape!

In some ways, I feel like I do the same thing. It’s easier to tell ourselves we aren't special. We pretend to be like everyone else until we start to believe it. We listen to the world and soon we doubt who we are, and settle in to getting comfortable wearing the clark kent glasses when, in fact, we each have been given our own Hero kit.

I remember the moment I realized I was a Hero.  I had a bright red handprint on my left cheek and a ripped shirt.  I had walked with my 4 month old baby boy in my arms, down a dark hallway in our tiny apartment and sat in the corner.   Usually, when I ended up with a red cheek or a bruise I would try and figure out what I had done wrong. By the time the physical marks had faded, I had come up with some new idea of how to fix things that were wrong with my situation. But on this day, things were different.  

I had tears running down my cheeks but I wouldn’t call it crying. It was almost as if that hit to my face had awakened some forgotten part of my spirit and suddenly I remembered my hero kit. I felt like someone had flipped a switch inside my soul and I instantly realized I was not going to go another day, another hour or another minute settling for less than I deserved. These tears were not tears of sadness. They were tears of a very young mother feeling a strength and determination she had forgotten she had.

I remembered who and what I was and I felt that undeniable warmth and love of my Heavenly Father telling me I was not
alone.

Each woman has her own separate, unique strengths tucked into her kit. Being a daughter of God means that if you seek it, you can find your true identity. You will know who you are. This will make you free; not free from restraints, but free from doubts, anxieties, or peer pressure. You will not need to worry about things like: “Do I look all right?” “Do I sound OK?” “What do people think of me?” "Do I deserve better?" or "Am I settling for less of a life than I should?" "What if I fail?"

In my opinion, we are all "special needs" children of God. The only difference between me and the ones I watched today at church is that they know who they really are and make no apologies for knowing.

A conviction that you are a daughter of God, gives you a feeling of comfort in your self-worth. Make sure you have your Hero outfit tucked away in your purse where it is easily accessible. Add to your kit as necessary. I borrow items from other Hero's all the time and they usually have no idea! Some of them don't even know they are hero's!

If you have forgotten where it is, start looking. I have even borrowed a cape a few times to remind me what I was looking for until I found my own. Take off those darn Clark Kent glasses and get in touch with your inner hero! Embrace the spanx instead of fearing them!! Don’t settle for less than you were meant to be!

And on a side note, a good pair of spanx can make a girl look and feel just a little cuter so it’s a win-win!!

reposted from earlier this year

Not long ago, I got to go with my daughter to a Church meeting given by the special needs youth in our area. She was asked to be a "buddy" of a specific girl but helps out with everyone. It's been almost a full year of being a buddy and she has loved it.
I have been to three of these Sacrament meetings now, and each time I walk out to the car after crying off most of my make-up. I look pathetic, but I am smiling.

I’m not sure I can explain how it feels to be in a room full of some of Heavenly Father’s choicest sons & daughters.

It is truly overwhelming .   As I watched these individuals give talks, sing and pray, I thought about how different the world would be if our outer beauty was purely a reflection of our inner beauty and the strength of our spirit.

Why do we allow ourselves to forget who we are and what we are meant to be?! What happens to make us think that being a daughter of God isn’t as important as what the world sees? At my house, we call it the Clark Kent syndrome.

I have always thought the movies & TV shows about Superman were dumb. Dumb because it drives me crazy! I want to scream at the TV “Come on Clark, who do you think you’re fooling?!”  

How on earth can the lovely people of Metropolis not recognize that if Clark Kent didn’t have those stupid glasses he would look exactly like Superman!?   It’s pretty lame, but that’s another blog post.

My theory is that the only person he is ultimately fooling is himself. He wants so badly to just be an average guy, that he is forgetting he’s a Hero with a fancy pair of spanx and a Cape!

In some ways, I feel like I do the same thing. It’s easier to tell ourselves we aren't special. We pretend to be like everyone else until we start to believe it. We listen to the world and soon we doubt who we are, and settle in to getting comfortable wearing the clark kent glasses when, in fact, we each have been given our own Hero kit.

I remember the moment I realized I was a Hero.  I had a bright red handprint on my left cheek and a ripped shirt.  I had walked with my 4 month old baby boy in my arms, down a dark hallway in our tiny apartment and sat in the corner.   Usually, when I ended up with a red cheek or a bruise I would try and figure out what I had done wrong. By the time the physical marks had faded, I had come up with some new idea of how to fix things that were wrong with my situation. But on this day, things were different.  

I had tears running down my cheeks but I wouldn’t call it crying. It was almost as if that hit to my face had awakened some forgotten part of my spirit and suddenly I remembered my hero kit. I felt like someone had flipped a switch inside my soul and I instantly realized I was not going to go another day, another hour or another minute settling for less than I deserved. These tears were not tears of sadness. They were tears of a very young mother feeling a strength and determination she had forgotten she had.

I remembered who and what I was and I felt that undeniable warmth and love of my Heavenly Father telling me I was not
alone.

Each woman has her own separate, unique strengths tucked into her kit. Being a daughter of God means that if you seek it, you can find your true identity. You will know who you are. This will make you free; not free from restraints, but free from doubts, anxieties, or peer pressure. You will not need to worry about things like: “Do I look all right?” “Do I sound OK?” “What do people think of me?” "Do I deserve better?" or "Am I settling for less of a life than I should?" "What if I fail?"

In my opinion, we are all "special needs" children of God. The only difference between me and the ones I watched today at church is that they know who they really are and make no apologies for knowing.

A conviction that you are a daughter of God, gives you a feeling of comfort in your self-worth. Make sure you have your Hero outfit tucked away in your purse where it is easily accessible. Add to your kit as necessary. I borrow items from other Hero's all the time and they usually have no idea! Some of them don't even know they are hero's!

If you have forgotten where it is, start looking. I have even borrowed a cape a few times to remind me what I was looking for until I found my own. Take off those darn Clark Kent glasses and get in touch with your inner hero! Embrace the spanx instead of fearing them!! Don’t settle for less than you were meant to be!

And on a side note, a good pair of spanx can make a girl look and feel just a little cuter so it’s a win-win!!

reposted from earlier this year