It demands to be felt.

What I know ... pain is real. Especially emotional pain.

And when we are hurting - we need to pay attention.

Stuffing stuff away does not help anyone.

Pain... it demands our time, focus and energy.

To everything there is a season ...

A time to cry
A time to laugh
A time to dance
 A time to miss
A time to mourn
A time to reach out
A time to be silent
A time to speak

My heart goes out to all of those in pain ...

Please know that God is listening and hears your prayers.

Please move forward with faith and know that better days are ahead.

With and through the tough days, we can grow, learn and become!

A few ways to deal with pain -

Talk to a trusted friend
Forgive
Move forward
Pray
Listen
Write in a journal
Blog
Be patient with yourself
Get extra sleep
Spend time outside
Seek professional help

He is the Gift ...

This is a beautiful reminder about the true meaning of Christmas ...

Slow down a little ...

One of my all-time favorite speakers is - Dieter F. Uchtdorf. He is a person full of light. Whenever he speaks, I feel peace, love, guidance and inspiration. I am so thankful for the wonderful people in the world who lift us with their lives filled with service, kindness and light!

Today, slow down a little - and see the things that matter most.

Say a prayer for London ...

The riots in London during the past few days have held my attention. It's sad to see such events unfold ... please join me and say a prayer for peace in London and for peace throughout the world.

The Sound of Silence …

Have you ever really thought about the sound of silence? Here’s how Webster defines silence: absence of any sound or noise; stillness.

I just put my kids to bed (late night for us!) and am sitting here in complete silence. OH it is heavenly… There is something beautiful and calming about a still, silent Sunday night.
(Any night for that matter :) ...

Don’t you find it amazing how silence and stillness can calm the soul and allow it to be filled with answers, direction and peace?

I would add nourishment for the soul to Webster’s definition of silence …

{The places we love …}

As a freshman at college, I remember having an assignment in my English class to write a paper about our favorite place. This place could be anywhere and our professor encouraged us to describe what it was about our place that brought us serenity, happiness and/or peace.

Back then, I wrote about my Grandma Call’s house in Afton, Wyoming. I described the gorgeous mountain behind her old farmhouse, my walks through her canyon, the smell of wheat, and my memories of family reunions, hay rides to the mountain and the endless supply of love that seemed to grow in the grass and trees. As a young girl, I learned to love this place – and that will never change. (see photo above)

If I were to write a paper today it would be about the walking path along the river. I have walked this path 100s of times – sometimes alone but most often with my mom, sisters or my husband and children. The banks of the river have an amazing way of helping me sort out life … one step at a time!! :)

What are the places you love??!