Wednesday, January 17, 2018

This Is Me!

As we are on this journey, we best be finding some joy in it. But, alas it often seems hard and tedious. So, what do you do? How do we live our best life when everything around us seems awful?
A few years ago I decided to go on a journey of self actualization, in my naivety I thought for sure I could do it by my 30th birthday! Oh how I was wrong, but that is okay. I quickly realized that the journey I was on was a life time journey.
(Self Actualization: the motive to realize one's full potential, to find ones self and to be proud of that person, finding love within yourself for yourself, a quest to good spiritual, emotional, physical health.)
This is what else I have learned, in this journey we must find that unique piece of our self that we love and cherish. We must find the piece of us that our Heavenly Father wants us to become. When we find love for ourselves we find joy. We see the world a lot brighter when the light in us is shining bright. We do more good when we see our worth.
As I work on self actualization I love to find things that remind me that I am enough. This month I found a good reminder in watching The Greatest Showman! The song, This is Me penetrated my heart deeply. I loved how it reminded me that you and me deserve love and acceptance, and not just from others, but from ourselves. This song reminded me to love me and others. At some point in our lives we all feel like we are broken, feel like we are judged, feel like we are not enough. Listening to this song made me ponder and realize that each of us are an outcast in some situation.



I am not a stranger to the dark
Hide away, they say
'Cause we don't want your broken parts
I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars
Run away, they say
No one'll love your as you are

But I won't let them break me down to dust
I know that there's a place for us
For we are glorious

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen I make no apologies, this is me

Another round of bullets hits my skin

Well, fire away 'cause today, I won't let the shame sink in
We are bursting through the barricades
And reaching for the sun (we are warriors)
Yeah, that's what we've become

Won't let them break me down to dust
I know that there's a place for us
For we are glorious

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen I make no apologies, this is me

And I know that I deserve your love
There's nothing I'm not worthy of

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
This is brave, this is bruised
This is who I'm meant to be, this is me

Look out 'cause here I come (look out 'cause here I come)
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum (marching on, marching, marching on)
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me

I'm gonna send a flood
Gonna drown them out
THIS IS ME!

These lyrics make my light want to shine! This song reminds me that you are enough and so am I. I am reminded that if we want to make it in this world we need love, we need compassion, we need acceptance. Not just for others, but  for ourselves too. We can not do all that is in store for us if we don't love ourselves, have compassion for ourselves, and accept who we are. May we each go into the world with a little more light and lot more love. Being the best person we have inside.

Love, Lacie Jo  

Friday, September 16, 2016

God Even Cares About Breakfast Burritos




Image result for breakfast burrito

Sometimes in the most random times we are reminded that God loves us. Like when all we want is a breakfast burrito and everywhere we go doesn't have the one we love. (Okay back story, I was running on 2 hours of sleep after helping a family in the hospital with the loss of a baby.) 
Well, I was taking my daughter to dance class and really all I wanted was a breakfast burrito, the ones my brothers would bring home when they lived with me. After driving all over town I had given up and went to make the 20-minute commute to dance class when I had a distinct nudge to turn right. So, I did and low and behold going a new way to dance I passed a place with a DRIVE THRU with breakfast burritos! 
In that moment it just hit me GOD EVEN CARES ABOUT BREAKFAST BURRITOS!
Okay, so maybe that is silly, but it got me thinking. How many times a day could we find evidence of God's love for us and others? Really how many? Right now close your eyes and think for just a second and see what comes to mind...
That day I sat and talked to a good friend and was reminded of the blessing of earthly angels that help us and love us through this journey we are on. I watched my child, who was never supposed to walk, let alone dance, dance her little heart out. I got to talk to a role model and mentor, who filled my soul with joy. I went to dinner with a neighbor and friend for her birthday. I got a hug from the Relief Society President and a text from someone telling me I was awesome. In that day I looked around and thought WOW God really does care, even about breakfast burritos and me. And especially you.  
He loves us, he gave us not just any savior, but His only begotten Son. He gave us a path back to Him and to our loved ones. My mind is blown thinking of all the ways our Heavenly Father, our God loves and cares about us. Not just the big things, but the little things. The smile we get at the grocery store, the compliment we get at the park, the hug we get from a child and so much more. 
May we be aware of the love that surrounds us, even in the darkest of times, the hardest of times that love is still there. I had the privilege of going to Time Out for Women put on by Deseret Book. It was awesome and while there heard from many amazing humans. But talking about this subject I think about something Michael McLean talked about. He was talking about a hard time he was having, a faith crisis of the sort and when that LONG faith crisis came to a close he went back and read in his journal and counted 30 times he could see that God was trying to talk to him, show him love and guidance. He didn't see those things in the midst, but they were still there.  And they are still there for you. I know that God loves us, I know that He cares about the little things and the big. He even cares about breakfast burritos. 


Image result for god loves you lds




Monday, March 28, 2016

Gratitude

" he or she who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him or her, even an hundred fold, yea, more" D&C 78:19 emphasis added
Image result for gratitude

This is a topic that I feel is always good to hear again and again and again. Gratitude is a topic that when applied can help us in our lives so quickly.

I received most of my inspiration for this talk from a LDS General Conference talk from April of 2014 called "Grateful in Any Circumstance" By President Deiter F. Uchtorf.

Think of life, it's not a piece of cake. Flooded basements, a job lost, waiting for promised blessings, money troubles, the loss of a loved one, sickness and disease… yuck!

These are trials, hard times, circumstances and life. One Sunday I was taught a wonderful lesson. We had a beautiful lesson on circumstances of life given by a sister in my Relief Society. She taught us beautifully that there are trials and hard times in our lives that happen that are out of our control, that just because they happen does not mean we are being punished, but that they are part of life and we must find what to learn out of them and let the Lord guide us and strengthen us. What a beautiful lesson that life is good even when unfortunate circumstances are in it.   No one goes without trials. Not one of us hasn't felt pain and sorrow. Every single one of you have had circumstances in your life. BUT NOT ONE OF US HAS TOO MUCH GOING ON IN OUR LIVES TO NOT BE GRATEFUL!

"Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.
We can be grateful!
It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to God. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding." President Uchtdorf

So, we are told to be grateful… WHY? Why do we need gratitude in our lives?

Let me tell you of some circumstances in my life that changed my life. When I became grateful to be a mother even though most of my children were not on this earth things changed in my life. Losing children is hard, I would say the hardest thing I will do in this life, but when I became grateful for them, for who they are, what they taught me and grateful that we have a Savior that died for us so I could be with them again I felt joy, I saw beauty again, I started doing things again and loving more and appreciating them. That is when I became able to talk about them and feel joy instead of sorrow and when I was able to take what I learned and help others. I am not saying I am a master at being grateful, I surly am not. It took years and years and years for me to get to this point and I still have hard times, but I now can see what gratitude does in my life and can always go back to it.

So why have gratitude?
Just like everything else we are asked to do, there is a benefit to us, we are not asked to do things that will harm us. We are asked to be thankful and grateful, to use our agency. Using our agency to receive blessings. One of those blessing is to develop an attitude of gratitude (like President Thomas S. Monson says), this attitude will change our lives. Is it easy? Maybe for some, but most of us have to work on in. It takes faith. President Uchtdorf says;

"Being grateful in our circumstances is an act of faith in God. It requires that we trust God and hope for things we may not see but which are true. By being grateful, we follow the example of our beloved Savior, who said, “Not my will, but thine, be done.

True gratitude is an expression of hope and testimony. It comes from acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life but trusting that one day we will."

We either make a conscious choice to dwell on every hard, miserable, bad thing in life or make a conscious choice to find the light and joy in our lives and develop into Christ like saints.

"Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues."

President Monson says in a talk called "The Divine Gift of Gratitude" (lds.org)
"If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."

Those two quotes makes me feel like I have underestimated what a grateful heart could do in my life.

What are we doing to make our gratitude a higher form of gratitude? One that is a catalyst to Christlike attributes in our lives? One that is a virtue?

Being grateful is more than just being grateful for our things. If we are wanting our gratitude to change our lives and help us to gain more Christlike attributes, we must be more than just thankful for STUFF. It is so much more that that. President Uchtdorf says;

"Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be.

We can choose to be grateful, no matter what.

This type of gratitude transcends whatever is happening around us. It surpasses disappointment, discouragement, and despair. It blooms just as beautifully in the icy landscape of winter as it does in the pleasant warmth of summer.

When we are grateful to God in our circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation. In grief, we can still lift up our hearts in praise. In pain, we can glory in Christ’s Atonement. In the cold of bitter sorrow, we can experience the closeness and warmth of heaven’s embrace."

I have a testimony of having an attitude of gratitude. Because of gratitude I have been able to face trials that I never believed I could face. Because of gratitude we can see this world through new eyes and become saints that love more, judge less, give more and take less. President Joseph F. Smith said; “The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life. Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!"

With gratitude we can come closer to our Savior and our Father in Heaven as we attain an attitude of gratitude, I know this to be true. We can show Christlike love to our brothers and sisters around us and live in our circumstances with humble and grateful hearts. President Monson says this about gratitude.

"... to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."



It is not happy people who are grateful, it is grateful people who are happy. I pray that we may all gain a stronger testimony of gratitude in our lives and become a light in our family and neighborhood, a source of joy and love to those we meet, those we work with and live with. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen. 

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

My Favorite Christmas Song This Year





As I sit pondering this beautiful season and the beautiful spirit that comes with it I feel joy. Christmas is a season of joy, if we only remembered that the birth of Christ was remarkable and for each of us. When I think of how grateful I am of the birth of my Savior I think of a verse of Hark! The Herald Angel Sings:


Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die



Our Savior came to give us peace, He is righteousness and light and brings that to each of us, if we but let it in. He brings healing and glory that is unimaginable to our mere mortal understanding. And the line that gets to me each time is "BORN THAT MAN NO MORE MAY DIE" What a indescribable blessing. 

Music during Christmas brings the spirit into my life and I love it. This years I have pondered the words and the meaning of the song Little Drummer Boy a lot. (I have posted a music video below this post) Here are the lyrics with the pa rum pum pum's out. :) 

Come they told me

A new born King to see

Our finest gifts we bring

To lay before the king

So to honor Him

When we come

Little baby

I am a poor boy too

I have no gift to bring

That's fit to give our King

Shall I play for you

Mary nodded

The ox and lamb kept time

I played my drum for Him

I played my best for Him

Then He smiled at me

Me and my drum


Come they told me

A new born king to see

Me and my drum

Me and my drum...

When I read these words tears come to my eyes, for the emotions are overwhelming. This song to me is more than a song sung by Neil Diamond (that's for you mom and dad). I see myself in the place of this little boy. I am the child that hears of the birth of a king, of a savior and as the world around me rushes to give him the finest things they can find I am but a child and what I have to give is my talents, my love, my heart, my best. And that is all. At first is seems as if that it could not even be close to enough, but then His mother approves and a smile I receive. What I give is pure and is enough. What we give is ENOUGH my friends, if it is pure, our best and from our heart. We are not expected to do, make or be something we are not able. What our Savior wants is for us to share our love, share our heart and do good to all men. 

Luke 2:6–7, The holy family

Merry Christmas and know that the birth of that little babe was for you! His birth is the reason we can have healing in our lives, have our families forever and be with our Heavenly Father again. Love you all! 

[Official Video] Little Drummer Boy - Pentatonix





My favorite Christmas song this year is Little Drummer Boy.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

My Soul Delighteth

2 Nephi 11
My Soul Delighteth

As I read this chapter today my soul delighted in it. Not only because of the things it says, but for the overwhelming desire to write down the things that my soul delighteth in. So, as I read and than wrote I decided that this poor blog has been very much neglected and this was something I could blog about. 

Nephi tells us a few things his soul delighteth in:
"I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words."
"Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ..." 
"And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers..."
"...my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death."
"And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish."
(2 Nephi 11: 2-6)

As you read the words of Nephi what does your soul delight in? This is what I thought of. 

My soul delighteth in the gospel of Jesus Christ. In doing things that bring the spirit in my life and home. In being part of a ward and full filling my callings. In doing things that strengthen my testimony. 

My soul delighteth in my family. In a husband who is good and pure, worthy and wonderful. In my three children that give me more hope and love that I could have ever imagined. In Riley who is smart and wise beyond his years and who completes our family. 

My soul delighteth in helping families who have lost a child. In serving others. In spreading to others their children will live again. In feeling the love of those who have passed on. 

My soul delighteth in friends who are truly my family. In friendship that heals my heart, lightens my days and brings joy to my life. 

My soul delighteth in living in the promised land. In living in a place that is beautiful and protected. In a place that is forodained. 

My soul delighteth in knowledge. In the ability to learn and choose. In finding what is best for me and my family. 

My soul delighteth in children. In their spirits, laughter, joy and light. In the happiness they give me. 

My soul delighteth in Christmas time. In my savior Jesus Christ, in His birth, life and death and resurrection. In the feelings of magic and love this time of year.

Amen ;)
Until next time. God be with you.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Beauty

Today I had a wonderful heavenly hug!
As I was swimming laps at my local rec center it became really quiet. I was the only one in the pool, I took advantage of the silence and as I looked up the sun had broke through the clouds and was beaming through all the windows in front of me. It was beautiful and as I turned around the other side of the pool was covered with the reflection of the water, a brilliant shimmering all around me. I stopped amazed by the beauty and the silence and in that moment the spirit embraced me and I knew with no doubt that my Heavenly Father loves me, He knows my struggles and hardships, He knows what I can do better and things I am too hard on myself about, He knows. I continued swimming amazed by the love of our Father in heaven and our Savior.
How often do we "swim" right by the beauty in our lives? How often do we not see the spirit right in front of us? I am guilty of too often, but I know that these moments help me to stop and listen, stop and look, stop and feel.
What can you do to see, or feel, or hear a Heavenly Hug today? Go out and feel the beauty around you! What do you get from it?
Have a good day and God be with you till we meet again. :)