The color of butterfly wings ...

I had a very sweet experience today ... It involves a song, a missionary son (who is far away) and the tender mercy of the Lord.

I thought about my son all week - he was on my mind. I prayed for him and hoped that all was well. This is the first week I did not receive a letter via the mailbox - so I knew he must have been really busy.

last night, I felt impressed to blog about one of my favorite songs! It's a song I sang as a child at church and I often sang it to my children (when they were young - before they went to sleep).

I always liked the line in the song about the butterfly wings! :) (He did too!)
It brought back some fun memories of 'putting our kids to bed' and the nighttime songs ...

He gave me my eyes that I might see

The color of butterfly wings.

He gave me my ears that I might hear

The magical sound of things.

He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:

I thank him rev'rently

For all his creations, of which I'm a part.

Yes, I know Heav'nly Father loves me.

I sent my Missionary son an email this morning and felt impressed to share the lyrics above as part of the letter.

Here is the response I received from him this morning -

I was singing that song last night before bed! It is such a sweet song. I have honestly thought a lot about you too mom over the course of this journey. I think I just needed to leave before I could truly appreciate all that you do for me and all that you are. Thanks for being such an awesome mom. 

So sweet - it made me cry ... :)

Happy Monday - I hope you too, will see the hand of the Lord in your life today!
Our little moments matter ... especially to HIM.

Lyrics for I Know My Heavenly Father Loves Me

Whenever I hear the song of a bird -

This is one of my all time favorite songs. I used to sing this to my kids before they went to sleep :)
I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father and this beautiful world we have to live in! Yes, I know he loves me!

I Know My Heavenly Father Loves Me ...

1. 1. Whenever I hear the song of a bird
   Or look at the blue, blue sky,
   Whenever I feel the rain on my face
   Or the wind as it rushes by,
   Whenever I touch a velvet rose
   Or walk by our lilac tree,
   I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world
   Heav'nly Father created for me.
2. 2. He gave me my eyes that I might see
   The color of butterfly wings.
   He gave me my ears that I might hear
   The magical sound of things.
   He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:
   I thank him rev'rently
   For all his creations, of which I'm a part.
   Yes, I know Heav'nly Father loves me.
   
   Words and music: Clara W. McMaster, 1904-1997

No one is too old for fairy tales ...

My little Neighbors invited me for a Princess tea party on Monday ... It was so fun! We wore princess gowns and pink lipstick and sipped pink lemonade and talked about happy things.

Don't we all need days with a little fairy tale magic?

Thanks Sophie, Paige and Jenn ...

Princess,
Wendy

Every day.

A few little things from my day so far ...

Driving to Prosser and seeing Mt. Adams - gorgeous day, clear view, filled me with renewal!
(I love mountains)

Shopping for outdoor yard flowers at the Home Depot - flowers are so amazing! Pure joy.

Waving at my neighbor and her 4 adorable kids - they add so much happiness to our neighborhood.

Thinking about where to plant the beautiful flowers in the yard ...

And the list goes on!

Enjoying the little stuff makes the day so much better and happy :)

What little things are going on in you life?!

It was a very happy birthday!

From my sweet neice - Avery :)

Another little card from my niece, Lilly ...

I woke up to flowers and cards and an "I Love You" balloon
My husband made me breakfast! 

Spent some time with my sister ... 

My son got his braces off!

We had a youth talent show for our church youth group ...
The Bishopric performed a country rendition of
"Book of Mormon Stories"

I took some time yesterday to reflect on the blessings that are so abundant in my life.
I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude, of humility and LOVE.

I thank Heavenly Father everyday for the gift of life and the journey
we are all on to learn, grow and become!

It's the people that matter.
It's the love we share that makes life happy and good!
It's the light of Christ that guides us through ...

Hello new year - let's do this!
me.

Hello, pink ...

These flowers are beautiful ... just wanted to share a little happiness and joy today!
And if you get the chance, stop and smell the roses.

Happy Monday -

Wendy
:)

Everyday is a brand new day -

To wake up is a gift.
To breathe, to live, to laugh, to learn to LOVE ...

Today matters - enjoy all it has to offer.
And all that you have to give!

After all, it is a loving Heavenly Father who lends us life each day.

What will you do with the gift of this day?!

Happy 44th birthday – Travis!

It wasn't the digital era - I only have a few, precious photos of my brother ... However, I have a million memories locked in my mind (I visit them often) and I smile and remember a life that will always touch mine! Happy birthday big brother - I love you! ‪#‎Lich‬

Today is my brother’s birthday. He died when I was 15, it was the summer before my sophomore year. He was 17 – just about to enter his senior year of high school.

I’ll never forget the day he died. Time stood still. My world changed forever. I won’t lie and say that it was an easy time getting through the rest of my high school years. In fact, it was very challenging. I can attribute four things to pulling me through that time – the cross country team, my friends & family and a loving Heavenly Father who gave me hope and patience and a desire to keep ‘running’.

It’s been 28 years since he passed away. I find myself reflecting today, on his birthday, full of gratitude and love for the journey it’s been. I’m a different person today because of his life and death. I am stronger. I am filled with more faith. I have more love to share. I have empathy, understanding and a desire to live every single day with joy, enthusiasm and with a loving heart. I know the Lord has his purposes in all things.

My brother’s life was short but wonderful. His race was not long … but important.

We all have a race to run.

I thank Heavenly Father every day for blessing me with a big brother who made me laugh, try, reach and believe! 

And today I celebrate his life and the wonderful memories we shared!

Happy birthday Travis!

My black socks are on. I’m still ‘running’ forward and think of you often.

I love you,

Little Lich

Light.

On my bucket list of dreams ... I'd like to visit all the lighthouses in America! Big dream, I know ...
Last week, I had the opportunity to hike up to the above pictured lighthouse - Cape Disappointment.

It's a beautiful hike and the view from the top is breathtaking. Ocean for miles!

I love knowing that the light is there to serve the sailors in the dark - who are trying to find their way home or to the shore.

The light stands there steady and strong - guiding all who may be lost at sea.

Today, be the light in someone's darkness!

Stand tall and immovable - Hold your light high!

Be an Uplifter (3 tips) -

Uplifter - Someone who inspires those around them to see the possibilities!
Look up and Live ...

A - ACT ...
It's easy to think our little moment don't really matter or that we can't make a difference. This is not true! Each of us has an important role to play in the world ... Our smile, our words, our actions - they matter! And if we really understood the impact we all have on each other and the ability we have to lift and serve we would be totally astonished. Today - use your moments to lift someone else. Share a kind thought, your smile or your time. Never underestimate your ability to do good! Your actions matter - choose to do something good and be amazed at the far-reaching affect it will have on others.

B - Believe in yourself and others ...What we choose to believe shows up in the way we live! Do you believe in the power you have to lift another person? The world has enough critics already - be a believer. Believe in the goodness of the people in your life. Believe in the gifts the Lord has blessed you with. Believe that you can and do matter!

I love this little quote: What if I fall? Oh, my darling - what if you fly?

Can you see the fear disappear with belief? What if you fly?! So beautiful. Give someone wings to go and do and TRY and FLY with your belief in them!

We lift and give each other wings to fly as we Believe.

C - have Courage! No fear. Only love - sometimes love takes courage! Do not give up. Keep moving forward... Believe in the ability you have to create positive change with your courage to act, believe and DO!

Speak up for the good around you. Your voice matters.

Be an uplifter - start today.

You got this...

Fly. I believe YOU CAN!!

:)

Ladies Night - 4/4/15

With Kate Larsen - Ladies Night, Far West Books

Last Saturday, I was able to participate in Ladies Night at Far West Books in Kennewick Washington. It was great to be part of such an uplifting event! Special thanks to Ben and Jodi Archibald for inviting me to be part of the night.

I was able to hug a lot of friends and make a few new ones! I am thankful to be blessed with so many wonderful people in my life! Feels good to make a difference and to use my little moments to share a ray of light ...

PS: Hold your light high - YOU matter!

Love,
Wendy