If

If I could be the best version of me

What would I do? What would I be?

Would I lay down my weapons of war?

Would I realize what I am here for?

If I could do, my best, in all I do 

How would that feel? What would I choose?

Would I feel I've goodness inside?

Would the Spirit inside me reside?

If I could love and give all of my heart 

Who would I love? How would I start?

Would l make and keep the best choices?

Would I live as one who rejoices?

...if

If that is me, how will that be?

How will I get past the old me?

First- I must live as Jesus lived!

With all of my heart, for just Him,- give!

This is a song. I put it into AI and it made a nice version...Anyone interested in singing it?

[Verse 1] If I could be the best version of me What would I do? What would I be? Would I lay down my weapons of war? Would I realize what I am here for? [Pre-Chorus] If I could do, my best, in all I do How would that feel? What would I choose? Would I feel I've goodness inside? Would the Spirit inside me reside? [Chorus] If I could love and give all of my heart Who would I love? How would I start? Would l make and keep the best choices? Would I live as one who rejoices? (if that is me) [Verse 2] If that is me, how will that be? How will I get past the old me? First- I must live as Jesus lived! With all of my heart, for just Him,- give! [Chorus] If I could love and give all of my heart Who would I love? How would I start? Would l make and keep the best choices? Would I live as one who rejoices? (if that is me) [Bridge] First- I must live as Jesus lived! With all of my heart, for just Him,- give! If that is me, how will that be? How will I get past the old me?

Talent- This Light Within

Each talent is sacred

Each in some small way led

Towards light we can receive

As we desire to believe

A talent in the dark

Still holds but one spark

Till a new path is made

Where light is displayed

A talent is oft found

Midst darkness all around

As we search for light

We are warmed with insight

It is something to share

And not hold away tight

What of critics, who cares?

You have something of light

Let the lights gather

And bloom into something more

Your best to offer

This light within, is who it is for

Verse 1] Each talent is sacred Each in some small way led Towards light we can receive As we desire to believe A talent in the dark Still holds but one spark Till a new path is made Where light is displayed [Pre-Chorus] A talent is oft found Midst darkness all around As we search for light We are warmed with insight It is something to share And not hold away tight [Chorus] Let the lights gather Let the lights gather And bloom into something more This light within This light within Is who it is for [Verse 2] What of critics, who cares? You have something of light Let the lights gather And bloom into something more Your best to offer This light within, is who it is for [Pre-Chorus] A talent is oft found Midst darkness all around As we search for light We are warmed with insight It is something to share And not hold away tight [Chorus] Let the lights gather Let the lights gather And bloom into something more This light within This light within Is who it is for [Bridge] Towards light we can receive As we desire to believe A new path is made Where light is displayed What of critics, who cares? You have something of light [Chorus] Let the lights gather Let the lights gather And bloom into something more This light within This light within Is who it is for

2013

Love Is Something to Live For

Love is something superior
It is something to live for
Blessed with love, can one feel inferior?
As upon this cloud, one sees so much more...

I see part of myself
When I look in your face
My heart once upon a shelf
Now beats warmly with more space

When I look in the mirror
While dreaming of you
I can see much clearer
Why you love me too

For I see some of you
In my smile, in my eyes
As you've that sparkle too
That lifts me to the skies

Let's inspire romance
In those that surround
Let them see us dance
Up off the ground

And let's sing together
Our old love song
And dream of forever
Where true love belongs

Verse 1] Love is something superior It is something to live for Blessed with love, can one feel inferior? As upon this cloud, one sees so much more... I see part of myself When I look in your face My heart once upon a shelf Now beats warmly with more space [Pre-Chorus] When I look in the mirror While dreaming of you I can see much clearer Why you love me too [Chorus] I see some of you In my smile, in my eyes I see some of you Where the bright truth lies That sparkle in you Lifts me to the skies I see some of you And I know why [Verse 2] For I see some of you In my smile, in my eyes As you've that sparkle too That lifts me to the skies Let's inspire romance In those that surround Let them see us dance Up off the ground [Pre-Chorus] And let's sing together Our old love song Dreaming of forever Where true love belongs [Chorus] I see some of you In my smile, in my eyes I see some of you Where the bright truth lies That sparkle in you Lifts me to the skies I see some of you And I know why [Bridge] Let it reach the lonely room Let it open every heart If they see us in our bloom Maybe they will start Dreaming hand in hand Walking through the dawn Learning love can stand When the fear is gone [Final Chorus] I see some of you In my smile, in my eyes I see some of you Where the bright truth lies That sparkle in you Lifts me to the skies I see some of you And I know why Our old love song Where true love belongs

"Truly, Madly, Deeply" (by Savage Garden)
Happy Anniversary Dancing Grizzly!
From Warrior Woman

2009 10 year anniversay

Testing the Willpower

Seeing a pattern within kids that listen And those who wander off or disturb the rest The test of four year old's willpower began

Testing the willpower of four year olds
A man placed a treat before each
If they waited fifteen minutes, they were told
A second would be placed within reach

Thirty percent were able to wait
For they anticipated having more
The rest, hungry on impulse, just ate
Losing the bigger reward that was in store

The man tracked the children through adulthood
He found a pattern that shocked
Those with patience understood
The path of happiness to walk

Those able to delay gratification
Had healthier relationships and were motivated
They worked harder for their education
As for a higher income they aimed and waited

Patience is a purifying process
That helps us reach for that which we yearn
For it deepens us to possess
The tenacity to work and learn

Patience isn't merely waiting
It is steady and consistent effort
With wants and needs separating
While not being self-absorbed for comfort

As a parent what does this mean?
To indulge children, would this be wise?
With the broader picture now seen
Teach them what gratification denies

What about your mother and father?
Shall He give us everything we ask for?
Struggling builds patience and character
And refines us with faith, trust, and more...

Verse 1] Seeing a pattern within kids that listen And those who wander off or disturb the rest The test of four year old's willpower began A man placed a treat before each If they waited fifteen minutes, they were told A second would be placed within reach Thirty percent were able to wait For they anticipated having more [Pre-Chorus] The rest, hungry on impulse, just ate Losing the bigger reward that was in store The man tracked the children through adulthood He found a pattern that shocked [Chorus] Patience isn't merely waiting (merely waiting) It is steady and consistent effort Patience isn't merely waiting (merely waiting) It helps us reach for what we yearn [Verse 2] Those with patience understood The path of happiness to walk Had healthier relationships and were motivated They worked harder for their education As for a higher income they aimed and waited Patience is a purifying process That deepens us to possess The tenacity to work and learn [Pre-Chorus] Patience isn't merely waiting It is steady and consistent effort With wants and needs separating While not being self-absorbed for comfort [Chorus] Patience isn't merely waiting (merely waiting) It is steady and consistent effort Patience isn't merely waiting (merely waiting) It helps us reach for what we yearn [Bridge] As a parent what does this mean? To indulge children, would this be wise? What about your mother and father? Shall He give us everything we ask for? Struggling builds patience and character And refines us with faith, trust, and more... Teach them what gratification denies Teach them what gratification denies [Chorus] Patience isn't merely waiting (merely waiting) It is steady and consistent effort Patience isn't merely waiting (merely waiting) It helps us reach for what we yearn

Continue in Patience
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Continue in Patience
Ensign, May 2010, 56

The Lord's Body Was Taken Down

The Lord’s body was taken down
And placed inside a burial tomb
Was He but of temporary renown?
The grief of the Saints consumed

When Mary Magdalene
Saw the tomb was empty
She fell to imagining
Evil acts of the Pharisees

The body had been stolen!
She ran to tell of the thievery
But, in truth, death’s doors had been broken
That the dead could receive delivery

The most beautiful day of all

Jesus rose up from the tomb

To redeem us from the fall

What joy! In your hearts, make room!

[Verse 1] The Lord’s body was taken down Placed inside a burial tomb Was He but of temporary renown? The grief of the Saints consumed [Pre-Chorus] Then Mary Magdalene Saw the tomb was empty She fell to imagining Evil acts of the Pharisees [Chorus] Jesus rose up from the tomb Jesus rose up from the tomb Death could not hold Him there Joy is breathing everywhere [Verse 2] The body had been stolen! She ran to tell of the thievery But truth had split the silence open And emptied out the enemy [Pre-Chorus] Death’s doors had been broken The grave had lost its claim What looked like loss and ruin Became our highest praise [Chorus] Jesus rose up from the tomb Jesus rose up from the tomb Death could not hold Him there Joy is breathing everywhere [Bridge] The most beautiful day of all The stone rolled wide for me To redeemed us from the fall What grace, what victory [Chorus] Jesus rose up from the tomb Jesus rose up from the tomb What joy, what holy room In our hearts, make room

On the Most Important Sunday of All

On the most important Sunday of all
The earth shook and a tomb stone rolled away
Conquering the effects of the fall
The Lord was resurrected on that day

We need not have an angel's voice or trump
That of the first Easter, we can testify...
For already eyes tear and throats form a lump
When we pause to think of Him risen and alive

He is the Son of God, the only begotten in the flesh
The promised Messiah, our Lord, and Savior of worth
May we learn of Him and follow Him as we would a compass
For by and through Him there is direction on earth

The fundamental principle of the gospel
Is faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ
He stands, a central and solitary figure,
Offering hope and peace in this life

Through Him, we can gain truth and confidence
Knowing prayers are both heard and answered
Through Him, we can endure with persistence
Personally feeling loved by Him and treasured

Verse 1]

On the most important Sunday of all

The earth shook and the stone rolled away

Conquering the effects of the fall

The Lord was resurrected that day

We need not hear an angel's voice

For we testify with teers and awe

So much that our throats form a lump

When we pause to think of Him alive

[Pre-Chorus]

He is the Son of God

The only begotten in the flesh

The promised Messiah

Our Lord, our Savior, our rest

[Chorus]

He is the Son of God

Risen and alive

He is the Son of God

Hope for every life

Risen and alive

Risen and alive

He stands forever

Risen and alive

[Verse 2]

May we learn of Him and follow Him

As we would a compass in our hand

For by and through Him there is direction

A steady path through shifting sand

The fundamental principle

Is faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ

He stands, a central and solitary figure

Offering peace in this life

[Pre-Chorus]

Through Him we gain truth

Through Him we gain confidence

Knowing prayers are heard

Knowing prayers are answered

[Chorus]

He is the Son of God

Risen and alive

He is the Son of God

Hope for every life

Risen and alive

Risen and alive

He stands forever

Risen and alive

[Bridge]

Through Him, we can endure

With persistence in the night

Personally loved and treasured

Held in His sight

Through Him, we can endure

When the tears refuse to dry

Personally loved and treasured

By the risen Christ

[Chorus]

He is the Son of God

Risen and alive

He is the Son of God

Hope for every life

Risen and alive

Risen and alive

He stands forever

Risen and alive

thoughts from
14 day walk with christ- oviedo ward youth
click on title to go directly to sugardoodle and read...

Frederick Buechner Quote: “Pay attention to the things that ...

“Pay attention to the things that bring a tear to your eye or a lump in your throat because they are signs that the holy is drawing near.” — Quote by Frederick Buechner

Living Right

This world is in trouble
It's values have declined
When temptations double
Some do all they feel inclined

We have clear instruction
A pattern for success
When we reach a junction
We can pray when in distress

If we ask worthily
We're safe from destruction
When we react humbly
He will give us conviction

When e'er we trust in God
There's help in our dealings
Where our feet need to trod
He'll give us quiet promptings

Sometimes answers we need
Come a piece at a time
Without character we'd
Not benefit all mankind

Expanded character
Enhances our faith
This valuable factor
Helps us not deviate

How do we keep resolve
When decisions abound?
Temptations will dissolve
When to the scriptures we're found

Our moral character
Weaves one thread at a time
God's yardstick can measure
As upwards now man must climb

Verse 1] This world is in trouble It's values have declined When temptations double Some do all they feel inclined We have clear instruction A pattern for success When we reach a junction We can pray when in distress [Pre-Chorus] If we ask worthily We're safe from destruction When we react humbly He will give us conviction When e'er we trust in God There's help in our dealings Where our feet need to trod He'll give us quiet promptings [Chorus] We can pray when in distress (pray when in distress) We can pray when in distress (pray when in distress) Our moral character Weaves one thread at a time God's yardstick can measure As upwards now man must climb [Verse 2] Sometimes answers we need Come a piece at a time Without character we'd Not benefit all mankind Expanded character Enhances our faith This valuable factor Helps us not deviate [Pre-Chorus] How do we keep resolve When decisions abound? Temptations will dissolve When to the scriptures we're found If we ask worthily We're safe from destruction When we react humbly He will give us conviction [Chorus] We can pray when in distress (pray when in distress) We can pray when in distress (pray when in distress) Our moral character Weaves one thread at a time God's yardstick can measure As upwards now man must climb [Bridge] When e'er we trust in God The path grows plain to see A little line by line He forms humility What once felt out of reach Turns steady in His hand He shapes a better heart To stand where we must stand [Final Chorus] We can pray when in distress (pray when in distress) We can pray when in distress (pray when in distress) Our moral character Weaves one thread at a time God's yardstick can measure As upwards now man must climb (As upwards now man must climb

-Elder Scott

10–15, Jan 2007, Richard G. Scott,
“Living Right,” Ensign