Pain and Suffering

A couple of days ago while reading my mission journal I came across this quote. " Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional." This quote was given by David Osmond. David Osmond came and spoke at a fireside while I was on my mission. It was really neat to get to meet him personally. He has a very uplifting story and he positive attitude is inspiring. Here is a really good video of him and his story!

I was thinking a lot about this quote lately. Pain is defiantly a part of my life and I sometimes fall into the trap of pity parties. When I was reminded of this quote, I thought about the difference between pain and suffering. Pain is a hurtful experience. Suffering is a reaction to something that is hurtful. There are certainly ways that we can react to pain. Suffering makes the situation even worse than it already is. We can choose how we react. Isn't that the beauty of life? I want to apply this more to my life. Instead of suffering, I want to find the joy.
This whole scenario made me think of a dear family that I know. The dad of the family got cancer. His sister had died of this same type of cancer a year ago. But not once did I see this young family lose faith or hope. They knew that all might not be as they would like it to be in the end. But they believed in God's plan and knew that they would see each other again. Talk about when life gives you lemons. This family wasn't suffering through their experience they were living through it. Of course they weren't joyful and happy every second of the journey. I am sure they were sad and heart broken but they exemplified faith in every footstep, whether joyful or sad. The dad is now in remission and is doing well, but even if he wasn't the family wouldn't be suffering! What a great example to all around them!

Mustard Seed

A week or so ago at institute we were talking about faith. My teacher started talking about the mustard seed. We are told in the scriptures to have the faith of a mustard seed (and we assume that our faith must be small) but then many are told that they have little faith. My teacher read this commentary about the mustard seed to us and I then went on the internet to see what I could find out about the mustard seed. This is what my teacher read:

"If you plant tomato's close to jalapenos you will get hot tomato's. Many other plants and vegetables cannot grow around certain types of other plants or vegetables. Because they take on the characteristics of what they are around. Certain plants cannot grow near a black walnut tree, or even near its roots, because they take in the toxins that the black walnut tree produces. However, a mustard tree, can be grown around anything! It is not affected by its surroundings! You could plant a mustard seed right on top of a jalapeno seed and it will grow to be nothing BUT a mustard tree, completely unaffected by the jalapeno.

Now,with this knowledge, reading the scripture again, brings new understanding. It isn't so much on how "small" the mustard seed is, But rather that the mustard seed is unaffected by its surroundings, environment, or what conditions may be present!
Therefore, so should our Faith, "be like unto the mustard seed".
Unwavering, unaffected by what we see, or what conditions may exist, no matter where we are. To ever keep our eyes upon the Lord, trusting in, clinging to and relying upon Him."

(http://my.opera.com/MzDaMzEL/blog/show.dml/164539)

I loved this little commentary about the mustard seed. But when my teacher read the first part of this quote my immediate thought was that of standing alone. It reminded me of a quote.

"My young friends, be strong. ... You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that [truth]. If your so-called friends urge you to do anything you know to be wrong, you be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone."

-President Thomas S. Monson

Sometimes I feel like I am standing alone. I am not trying to say that I am perfect or am I trying to point out others faults. But there are defiantly times when I stand up for something and others mock me. It is hard to stand up for the things that we know are right and true. But it is easy because we remember that the Lord is the greatest of all. No matter how many are against us, there are so many more behind those that stand up for truth. Just like the mustard tree that stands alone from any other plant, so must we at times stand away from the world. We are not to conform to the world and its standards. We are to stand up for truth and righteousness even if that means standing alone!

(P.S This is for Michelle G.)

Tale as Old as Time

When I was six years old Beauty and the Beast was my favorite Disney Movie. I loved Belle and thought I looked like her. The night before my sixth birthday my family gathered at my Grandparents home. There house was my favorite place to be. I loved my Grandpa's garden and all the wonderful food that came from it. I loved my Grandma's hugs. I remember the cake specifically that year because my mom had bought a Beauty and a Beast figurine to go on top of the cake. I can't remember much else about that night but I am sure it was filled with love.
The next morning I awoke early to find a present wrapped and waiting to be opened. My parents were out on their morning walk and me and my brothers gathered in the living room to wait for them to come home. Before my parents got here my grandmother called. My grandfather had passed away that morning. As a six year old I didn't quite understand what was happening. On such a happy day for me everyone was sad. I was sad too. I don't remember much about my Grandpa but what I do remember is sweet. He was an amazing man full of integrity.
Beauty and the Beast has always meant a lot to me because I feel it is my connection to my Grandpa. When I see it I cry and laugh. It reminds me of the love that my Grandpa had for all people. It reminds me to love and let others love me in return!
This last week my mom and I went and saw the play Beauty and the Beast. Our neighbor across the street was Belle. We had several other neighbor kids in the play as well. One was a feather duster, two others were village people. It was so fun to see them all and to hear their wonderful voices. I was so proud of them. They did such a good job with the play. There wasn't a moment that I wasn't entertained.
It made me think of my Grandpa Bowen. It is a tale as old as time.....love conquers all. It is my Grandpa's legacy. Love surrounds the broken, the desperate, the lonely, the down trodden, the lost and helps them to overcome. This is what I remember most about my Grandpa; LOVE! What a great legacy to have passed down!

P.S. Do you want to know about my Grandma's legacy. It is pretty much the same. Several years ago at a family reunion my Aunt wrote a beautiful song about my Grandma's legacy. We, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren sang this to her at the reunion. It was beautiful and there wasn't a dry eye in the room!

Grandma’s Legacy

(sung to the tune of “God Bless America”)

Love is your legacy

Down through the years

Knit together, forever

Reaching out through

the joys and the tears

There were good time

-there were hard times

Making stronger family ties

This is your family-we honor you

Love binds this family- and we bless you

Kindness and sacrifice

These things we know

From example, a teacher

Tender heart, words to lift,

help us grow

Patient mother, willing helper

Testimony strong and true

We are your legacy- and we love you

Each of our lives reflect a part of you

The Gift of Friendship

One of my favorite books is titled " The Ultimate Gift." It is a wonderful book about a man that is very rich. The book starts with the death of this man and the giving of his inheritance to his relatives. His family is a bunch of greedy, selfish and rude people. He feels bad about how his family turned out because he feels that he never taught them correctly but instead gave them everything monetary that he could. He feels the worst about his grandson. To his grandson he leaves 12 gifts that he will receive throughout the year. These gifts end up changing his life for the better as well as my life. I have recognized these gifts in my own life and am very thankful for them.
What I would like to do this year is write about a different gift each month. It may be a gift from the book or it could be one that I have seen evident in my life. These gifts are blessings to me. I do not believe in luck but I do believe in being blessed! I hope you enjoy this series of posts and that you will look deep for the gifts/blessings in your life!
This month I want to write about one of my favorite gifts I have in my life. This is the gift of friendship. Life has been difficult after coming home from my mission. A lot changes in 18 months, especially the people you know. Most of my friends from BYU are gone. I have been stuck on this concept for awhile. But I am starting to realize just because they are gone doesn't mean they don't care. And also that not all of them are gone. I have friends that I didn't even know about. I want to name them all by name and tell them how great they are but I simple don't have the time or the room, so I will write about three of them that have really touched me. For all those that I love and care deeply for, THANK YOU. Your smiling faces have made life wonderful this last year and have helped me so.

The first friend I want to talk about is one of my old roommates. Her name is Ashton. Ashton is one of the most amazing people I know. She is so kind, gentle and meek. She emanates Christ love. Ashton got married right before I went on my mission and had a baby a couple of months after I got home. While I was on my mission, her and her husband moved to California to finish up school. I missed her so much when I got home but was able to talk to her occasionally on Skype. Her example helps me greatly to remember who I am and all that I can become. Every time I hear from her I feel my strength renewed and feel like I can face the world again. I cannot accurately describe what an angel she is in my life. I love her so much and thank my Father in Heaven for her. During finals week, I got a phone call from her and we were able to meet up and see each other for the first time since my mission. What a blessing it was to see her and her sweet baby girl. It was one of my favorite Christmas gifts! Thanks Ashton for all you do, in word and in silence!

The next friend I want to address is my friend Heather! Heather and I met when we were 12 years old. She moved in across the street and we instantly became friends. We did everything together from milking cows to eating lots of junk food. But eventually our paths separated and she moved to American Fork when she was 14. I missed her so much when she moved. I did get to see her on occasion but it was only about once or twice a year. I had a really hard time when she left. I really cherished the times that I got to go and see her. Well, over time I lost pretty much all contact with her. And then one day I got an invitation to her wedding. I was excited to see her so happy to get to go and see her. We then started to keep better contact but it was still very sparse. She texted me a week before my mission and I went up to see her before I left. It was really fun to see her but I wasn't for sure if we would stay in contact over my 18 month leave. Heather was one of many that wrote me every couple of months. While I was gone she had a baby and now she is expecting her second. I love her so much. It is so fun to go up to her house and visit her. It is nice and relaxing to be in her company. I am so grateful to her especially because she is a great example of courage and determination to me.
The third friend that I want to talk about is named Marisa. Marisa and Ashton were my roommates in the same year. I really idealized both of them and still do. Marisa is so sweet and nice to everyone. She never says anything negative about other people. She is a great cook and great host. I love Marisa's family so much. There is no one like her mother and father. I have been in there home and have felt the spirit that resides there. Marisa also got married right before I went on my mission and now has a little boy. There is defiantly something different when you walk into her home. It is peaceful, quiet, and full of the spirit. I hope my home will be like that one day. I am thankful that Marisa lives just up the street from me. It is so fun to go see her and her baby!

Dreams Come True!

Ever since I left my mission, I have dreamed of going back with my Mom. I have missed my family and friends in Florida so badly. I have tried to save my money but something always seems to come up and the money goes fast. But my dream of Florida will never die. To see the sunset and walk on the beach, to eat Sweet Scoops, and best of all to recieve much needed hugs is my dream come true!
I have also been dreaming about going to New York for awhile. I have also wanted to go see the big city. But my desire to fulfill this dream became more real this summer when one of my favorite cousins moved to New York and also because I fell in love with the musical Wicked this summer. I want to be able to spend unlimited amount of time with my awesome cousin.
I didn't think that either of these dreams would come true and I knew that I could probably do one but not both. Well, I am writing to say that DREAMS DO COME TRUE! This weekend my mom and I bought airplane tickets to fly to New York and then to Florida! It is cheaper for us to go both places at once. I am ultra excited and can't wait for June!

Grannies Memorial

My Granny Comte passed last Sunday. She had been ill for awhile. The last time I saw my Granny was probably when I was 8. I didn't know her well, but I loved her. I hope that she will listen to the missionaries on the other side! What a joy to learn about the gospel and be able to join the church! My dad needs pictures for her memorial and this is the easiest way to get them to him! So here are some good family pictures!