YOU IS

A few months ago I read a book at work. I think it might be called The Hidden Girl, but I'm not sure. Its a short story about a girl that was Jewish during WWII. She spent most of the war in a room and in a hole, with a short time in a camp; wearing only one dress the entire time. It created a lot of introspection on my life. There are so many prejudices in the world today. I thought to myself what I would do. Could I be as strong as the women who hid that girl. Would I have helped free slaves with the underground railroad. Is my faith strong enough to risk my life for another human life? How much charity do I have? Will I really live up to my covenant to stand as a witness and comfort those around me. I just watched the movie The Help tonight, and it brought up all these thoughts again. Do I take the time to make ALL other people feel important no matter the color of their skin, how much money they have, what religion, and the list goes on.

As I sit here pondering, I think it doesn't have to take a giant push for a civil rights movement, and luckily I don't have to risk my life hiding a child; but every day I can make other people feel important. I have been blessed to know that God has given me special and unique talents to help others feel His love. I often wonder if I am doing enough to use those talents. It reminded me of Dr. Seuess's book Horton Hears a Hoo; "A person is a person no matter how small." I'm not really sure if that concept is being taught in schools today. There is so much bullying. Everyone judging their neighbors instead of loving them. I just pray we don't revert back to thinking that you can get a disease from one "group" by using the same toilet. But even as I write this, there is a person judged for their skin color, a child going hungry, someone losing a battle to addiction, a person in a crowd that is deemed an outcast, another finding shelter to sleep, and a woman running from an abusive husband.

I have had an opportunity in my short life to help more people than I can count (at least I hoped I've helped) in brief small ways. I know that I alone cannot save the world, nor do I want to try, but I do want to help more people find hope. It is a dark and scary world out there. I want to bring light and peace. One of the maids in the movie told the little girl she cared for every day, "You are smart, you is kind, you is important". I just want to be one of those people for God. I just want to "be the change in the world you want to see" as Ghandi is attributed saying. I am so grateful that the priesthood has been restored and that there is a prophet in the world reminding people of that every day.

John Lennon said it best in his song Imagine. "Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can, No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man, Imagine all the people, Sharing all the world, You may say that I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one, I hope someday you'll join us, And the world will live as one."

All people matter. I wish I could to do more and God and I talk about that. It is His timetable though. I can trust that He will put me where I am needed. Above all, I hope that everyone that reads this remembers on one of those 'hard days' - YOU ARE SMART, YOU IS KIND, YOU IS IMPORTANT!

Goofy needs my help!

I just wanted to quickly update. That is my goal once a week; we shall see how true I am to my word.

I FINALLY moved into my new place this weekend. It is nice and spacious and not too shabby. I love being able to have a backyard and an up and downstairs. My parents came up with all the furniture collected from around the state. My cousins and their kids came to help unload and it went really quick. I was super grateful!

I already have pictures up on the wall, and almost have a place for everything.  And I did all this while watching Aaron and Rachel's baby as well...

I am waiting to “decorate” until I go to Salt Lake next week for training so I have more options than Wal-Mart or K-mart. My roommate, Amanda, who is form Denver and will be here for 2 months interning at the Hospital asked where the nearest health food store, I said well, you got Smith’s, Wal-Mart, and Jubilee…. And a farmer’s market on Sat. mornings until it gets too cold. I don’t think she liked that answer very well, but when she isn’t studying, she watches the cows and chickens behind the house and is just fascinated.

I am getting settled into work. Someone from the state came and did some training for me last week. I am working on Apartments and Condos to go smoke-free. As we went visiting, it almost made me feel like a missionary again, but this time instead of the gospel I am peddling no smoking, and Cassandra didn’t have to stand outside the car while I backed up J I will do more training next week, and then I think my confidence will grow even more in all that I have to do. Lots of reading still, and trying to keep all of the facts right in my head, but I am getting there.

So I will finally end with this video I watched this week – I think there is supposed to be a moral to this story, but I haven’t decided what point they are truly getting across. Don’t let your kids watch it, even if it is Disney….