Let There Be [Light]-- Quentin L. Cook

Advice from Elder Busche

Denny's [Light]

Denny's Profile <--Link. Go read it. Stat.

So, I happened upon this a while back, courtesy of my wonderful friend Lia. I reread this today, and wanted to share a piece of it with all of you. He is so beyond wise! I love his beautiful definition.

Denny said: 

 "Hope 

is what lifts us from the depths of despair. 

Hope 

gives us strength to overcome life’s tragedy. 

Hope 

is a gift you can give someone who's lost theirs and you still have yours. 

Hope 

can bring joy well in advance of the cure. 

Hope 

when shared brings strength to others, 

communities, cities, nations, the world. 

Hope is strong even in its meekest form and is unstoppable in its mightiest and the two can become as one in the flash of a light."

So, take Denny's advice, and channel your inner hope! The darkness will always break. There's no question about it. 

I Love You allll! :) Hope on, my enlightened friends! 

-Jamie 

More Holiness Give Me

Remembering the [Light]

 (Photo of the Week)

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re·mem·ber

  [ri-mem-ber] 

verb (used with object)

1.

to recall to the mind by an act or effort of memory; think of again: I'll try to remember the exact date.

2.

to retain in the memory; keep in mind; remain aware of: Remember your appointment with the dentist.

3.

to have (something) come into the mind again: I just remembered that it's your birthday today.

4.

to bear (a person) in mind as deserving a gift, reward, or fee: The company always remembers us atChristmas.

5.

to give a tip, donation, or gift to: to remember the needy.

"To remember means to keep in memory. In the scriptures, it often means to keep a person in memory, together with associated emotions like love, loyalty, or gratitude. The stronger the emotion, the more vivid and influential the memory." -Dallin H. Oaks
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     My thoughts this week have been turned to the word remember. Especially since taking the sacrament this week. In the scriptures, I think the word remember can in a sense be replaced with “Humble Yourselves”. Because in my eyes, remembering not only takes humility to do, but provides us with so much more humility than we could have on our own. God is so great, and if we would just remember that, we would be all the better. I don’t know about you guys, but I know I wouldn’t have to learn the same lessons over and over if I could just remember what He taught me the first time.

“Oh remember, remember, my sons…” (Heleman 5:9)

So, a word of advice (and personal reminder):

Even when it feels like the light is hidden above the clouds: Remember its always there. 

I remembered a story I want to share….

     I went for a drive a while back to clear my head. As I was having some time with my Heavenly Father, I approached our beautiful temple up on the hill. Or at least where it should be. It was a "yucky weather" kind of day, and the fog had completely enveloped the beautiful sight that was usually there to provide comfort. As I sat at the stop light just in front of the temple, I still couldn't see the lights that I knew where there. As the quiet words entered my heart, so did the Spirit. "You can't always see me, but I am always here." 

     As I pulled into the temple parking lot, I was able to see the lights perfectly again. As we will all be able to someday. Once the fog has lifted, once the storm has passed, we will be able to see the lights again. We will be able to feel that comfort. And no matter how dark, and lonely, and distant it might feel, He is ALWAYS standing in the wings, giving us just enough comfort to get us through. Though His comfort and love are infinite  we just can't always feel it as so. The Son is always there. We are always within its orbit. But sometimes the clouds that stand between us here on earth and Him way up there seem to heavy to cut through. The truth of the matter though? He is always there! ALWAYS! And He is making sure that just enough light gets through, so we can find our way. Because He loves us. He loves you! Loneliness is the antithesis of godliness.

     So when you can’t see the light, do yourself a favor. Remember the Light. Remember  the Light you have had in the past. Because if it was true then, it is JUST AS TRUE right now. The darkness does not change the beauty or the power of the light. 

     “It won’t be easy to remember. Living as we do with a veil over our eyes, we cannot remember what it was like to be with our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, in the premortal world; nor can we see with our physical eyes or with reason alone the hand of God in our lives. Seeing such things takes the Holy Ghost’s companionship in a wicked world. This is why forgetting God has been such a persistent problem among His children since the world began.” –Henry B. Eyring

And one more thing: Remember I love you, too. :)

Remember the light, my faith filled friends!

-Jamie

"Remembering the Light" By Kevin Kern

SO BEAUTIFUL! :)

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

 It is our [LIGHT], not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD

 Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing en[LIGHT]ened about shrinking

so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God

that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own [LIGHT] shine,

we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

 As we are liberated from our own fear,

our presence automatically liberates others.”

-Nelson Mandella 

The Lord is My [Light]

I have had a lot of special experiences this week that have shown me a little extra, the love my Savior has for me. I am so grateful for Him! And I love Him back with ALL my heart! I was talking with my great friend Amanda the other day, and she shared some beautiful insight with me. We are counseled to love the Lord with all our "Heart, might, mind, and strength." (D&C 4:2) and as we do this, as we give Him all of our heart, He will help others feel our love, through His love! Isn't that a beautiful concept? That's what charity is.. possessing the true love of Christ. When that is the love we give other people, how can we go wrong! This song has always been one of my favorites, and it has an even more special meaning with this idea in mind. 

Also, scripture of the day: D&C 127: 2-3... Such a beautiful reminder! I am so grateful that my Savior is such a great lifeguard, because sometimes I find myself in some pretty deep water. But how else am I supposed to become a great swimmer?? 

 "And as for the ^aperils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me, as the ^benvy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life; and for what cause it seems mysterious, unless I was ^cordained from before the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves. God ^dknoweth all these things, whether it be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in ^etribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it.

 Let all the saints rejoice, therefore, and be exceedingly glad; for Israel’s ^aGod is their God, and he will mete out a just recompense of ^breward upon the heads of all their ^coppressors."

Ok... Im sorry.. I know this post is so scatterbrained! But all these things have been weighing on my mind so heavily! One more random point.. 

I listened to this talk today. It was so great. (I count BYUI radio as one of my biggest blessings, by the way!) When I hear the title, "Good, Better, Best" I felt like I knew what the talk was about. Until I listened to it again! There is so much meat in here. Please... Take the time to listen. 

I have realized that so many times in my life, I get so impatient when Heavenly Father has to teach me over and over again what a football is! But if I would just remember the basics, He could be teaching me so much more! Take the time for the basics people. You can't have a spire without a foundation. 

He also tells a story of the ball point pen in space. When they realized the pen wouldnt work up there, they launched into problem solving mode and went a little crazy fixing something that could have been fixed with a simple pencil! 

"Leonardo da Vinci is quoted as saying that “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ³ When we look at the foundational principles of the plan of happiness, the plan of salvation, we can recognize and appreciate in its plainness and simplicity the elegance and beauty of our Heavenly Father’s wisdom. Then, turning our ways to His ways is the beginning of our wisdom." -Deiter F Uchtdorf

There are so many other dynamite topics he covers here, but I will let you uncover them for yourself. 

My sweet friends.. The gospel is true. It is rooted in our True Redeemer. Life is good. Simply enjoy it. And as always, embrace His light.

All My Light Hearted Love, 

Jamie 

Sunday Funday...

I needed these things today. Take a listen :) Love you all! May God prosper you in your trials. Keep walking. Keep trying. The best is yet to come! 

Burdens That Are Not So [Light]

"God knoweth all things, whether it be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it." -Doctrine and Covenants 127: 2

Trials. 

I remember being a little girl, and at church, we would always talk about trials, and I would always hear the adults talking about how hard life was. Back then I didn't have the slightest idea about life. I had barely scratched the surface of faith and understanding. I guess I would like to think that my scratch is a little bigger now, but still so very very small compared to all I have left to learn.

BUT. 

I have learned a few things this week about trials, and if you will allow me, I would love to share them with you. I do so in hopes that maybe I can say something that will bring comfort to you in the trials you are facing. 

Yesterday, some friends and I went to Monkey Rock, a legendary swimming hole nearby. We piled in the car, ready for a good time. I didn't realize what a profound realization was just around the corner for me. I recently made a new friend, Alex. The Spirit, through him (probably without him even realizing) taught me something beautiful. 

Alex was sitting on the bank all by himself, so I went to keep him company for a minute. As we sat and talked, and watched the rest of the group interact- splashing and playing, he started skipping rocks across to top of the water. He threw the flat, round pebbles with such ease, throwing them at the perfect angle so that they would slap across the choppy water three or four times, causing so many beautiful ripped everywhere they touched. But these rocks eventually lost momentum and dropped to the bottom of the river, where they would stay, and eventually be molded and changed by the rushing water. The rough edges would be rounded, and their color made so much more deep and radiant when the dirt was washed away. 

With trials on my mind, I made a very personal connections with those rocks. With the help of much wind, pressure, and time, in the spirit world, we are made and formed into rocks.  We were placed here on this earth, though this is not meant to be our final resting place. In fact, we have a loving Heavenly Father, who picks us up out of the dirt, and with much grace, "throws us into the water" in a sense. He does so with much care and purpose, sometimes so unknown to this small pebble that is me. He throws me out across the choppy sea, where I am able to make small splashes, ripples that change other people and add beauty to the world around me. But still, this is not His final design. 

From the second this pebble left His familiar hand, He knew I would land in the bottom of the water. And this is where He can do His best work with me. It is in the depth of our trials that we are mold-able and humble. Though the water is cold and a shock to my system, it changes me as it gushes past. My rough edges broken off and carried away. All the dirt is removed, and my true colors left to shine. The Living Water purifies me. 

Our natural response is to curse God for throwing us so far out into the unknown.. for giving us trials we aren't sure if we are capable of baring. He gives us things so very personal and heart wrenching that we can’t handle them. But how dare we think He is so cold and thoughtless?

Does that really sound like the Loving Father we know? No. But that's just it. He gives us things we can't handle, alone. Our burdens are exactly as heavy as He needs them to be, to get us to exactly where He needs us to be. He knows us perfectly. He knows our lives. He knows. That is something I know. And when the trials get hard, and the water seems too deep, it is because we are trying to do it alone. 

I feel like that is what this life is. On throw after another. When we have gained all the refining we can from one part of the river, we get another throw and new chances to learn and grow. New purity to be given. And when we are finally taken out of the water by His loving hand, we will be beautiful stones, precious beyond measure. With worth that cannot be purchased. 

So I guess what I am trying to say.. If you are finding yourself in the very deepest of water right now as I am, keep working. When you find yourself in your personal Gethsemane, keep reaching. Keep praying. Keep growing. Fully submit to His will, and allow the Living Water of His Son, Jesus Christ to purify you and wash away the dirt of sin. It’s ok to be discouraged, but don't fight the growth. Embrace it! He thinks you are worth fixing. He thinks you have potential. Rise to the challenge. Follow the Master. In Him, you can find peace and rest. In Him, you will find life. 

I know God is real. I know He loves us. I know He gives us trials for a reason. He gives us hardships for a purpose. 

Even when it gets rocky: stay in His light, My friends.

-Jamie 

Photo(s) of the Week:

Worth Watching-- That We Might Not Shrink

Blinded by the [Light]

     Today I have been in a very reflective mood. I started the day off very early with a beautiful service opportunity, and made a good new friend in the process of helping Gods children around me. I have heard it said that you have not lived until you do something for someone who can never repay you. Lately, I have found so much joy and peace in service, and it has taken a step forward in my day to day priority. There is something so liberating and elevating, and yes I’m doing it: enlightening, about doing something for another child of God that they cannot do for themselves. I think service holds such so much importance, because it is in fact, a beautiful way to emulate our Savior. He did the ultimate service- did that thing that none of us will ever be capable of doing by ourselves. He did the thing we can never fully repay Him for. And He gives that gift to us over and over, a new chance to make the most of it every single day of our lives. His atonement is continuous. 

     Elder Derek A Cuthbert said, “Service changes people. It refines, purifies, gives a finer perspective, and brings out the best in each one of us. It gets us looking outward instead of inward. It prompts us to consider others’ needs ahead of our own. Righteous service is the expression of true charity, such as the Savior showed.” I love serving because I truly believe the words of Moroni, when he said, "if ye have not charity, ye are nothing." 

     As I mentioned my thoughts have been everywhere today. But they continuously come back to the idea of light. (there seems to be a theme going on here, huh?) I have been thinking about the idea that light always exists somewhere. Never in any point in time is it ever completely dark in all the universe. But the thing is, sometimes we are not in a position to see it. Whether there are things standing between the light and us (sin), whether it is distance from the source of that light that is hindering us (pride), or maybe: just maybe, we have our eyes closed to the light that is right in front of us. Whatever the reasoning may be, we are created to live in light. The fact that we are not enjoying a life full of light and truth does not change the integrity of the light, or the purity from which it springs. 

     Life Heavenly Father has a way of bringing us back to reflection. Sometimes a little "divine discontent" might be aimed at helping us realize the absence of light in our lives. IF you started making changes today, what aspects of my life could be more illuminated tomorrow? 

     Sometimes, I feel like being here at BYU-Idaho, we get so much light. All the time. So often, there is an uninterrupted flow of the Spirit in my life. And sometimes, I worry that I get casual in receiving that light. Is it possible to be blinded by that very light we seek? Is it possible to become passive about our discipleship by the very act of being a disciple? 

    I am going to wager, and say that yes, indeed it is. And how does it happen? It is when we lose the intent of our worship. It is when the mere motions become the MO, and no longer is the heart involved in the process. We can see the light of Christ with our eyes all day long. But if the light never sinks to our hearts, we are never any better than the people in the time of Christ, who witnessed all His miracles, but never let those miracles change their behavior. 

     So I guess what I mean to say by this long winded reflection... Step one: Open your eyes to the light that is right in front of you. Step two: Let that light change your heart. Step Three: Serve people and let that light shine in your countenance. 

Doctrine and Covenants 121:4 

"O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol—stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy pavilion be taken up; let thy hiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us." 

Live in the light, by radiant friends.

-Jamie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EbM6CMc5Mo

Painting With [Light]

Hey Guys! Here is the picture of the week! Enjoy! 

Live in the light, my friends! 

-Jamie

Worth Watching-- Discerning [Light]

A Second In the Spot[light]

It was close to the end of my shift, and as I was packing up my till to go count it, the consecutive beeps pierced through the drowsy bookstore to announce that someone important had something to say. As myriad of people in black polo's that covered the landscape of our small kingdom stood at attention to hear the instruction from the unseen voice.

"Can I have all the student employees to the main office. All student employees to the main office-"

The calm voice of the general manager ironically made my heart race a little bit. As is typical for most, and especially me, thoughts started racing through my mind about things I had done wrong. I wondered if he found out I used to shove things under my bed instead of really cleaning my room as a kid. The possibilities were endless as we started the long trek back to report.

To make a long story short, he had not found out about the bedroom cleaning menagerie. (Ps.. sorry mom..) It wasn't even about that time I was running late that week. Instead, he was asking for volunteers to pray in devotional. As the invitation deployed all kinds of avoidance oriented shifty eyes, I felt my hand go up. I felt like I was starting some kind of bidding at an auction. No one wanted to be first, but the ball will get rolling one way or another, I guess.

A few days passed and the assignment was in the back of my mind. I went back and forth between being nervous and excited at what seemed like light speed. I went from, "its just a prayer.. its not a big deal. Chill out kid." to "it is my responsibility to say what Christ would say if He was starting out that meeting, after all- I AM praying in His name. The success of this entire meeting and probably the entire universe is riding on my shoulders."

I will admit, I was a wee bit fidgety at work that day, and my shift seemed to drag on. But I felt pretty confident for the most part. Finally, it was time to take my place. I got up on the stand and enjoyed a little people watching and introduced myself to the speaker and a few other bigwigs on the stand: so far so good. I tried to make conversation with the kid sitting next to me who was to offer the closing prayer, and I would tell by his short answers and the way he was tirelessly wringing his hands, he wasn't exactly in a mental state for light conversation. I was feeling surprisingly cool for the situation at hand. But don't you worry they came.. the nerves. They didn't hit me until I sat down, and looked over at Brother Miasaki's notes for conducting the meeting. A cringing shock twisted up form my stomach and wrapped around my entire heart as I saw MY name on that list. Such an important looking document, with the letters J-A-M-I-E   M-U-R-R-A-Y typed so neatly on it. What was little old me doing up here?? How did the vice president of the college get my name?

As we sang the opening song, my heart was pounding so much I worried that the microphone right in front of me would pick up and amplify the sound, and proclaim my nervousness to everyone in attendance. Was it silly to be praying for confidence to pray? Well, there is no fooling Heavenly Father. He already knows I am silly. So I prayed on.

I got up and said my quick prayer with heaven's comfort in my heart. It ended just as quickly as it began, and my heart slowly returned back to its regular pace. Simple as that.

But my reason in sharing this experience, was not to tell a funny story, or bring attention to the event.

Doing the simple service got me thinking.

Why does prayer really matter anyway? If it really was "just a prayer", why did they even bother with it anyway? Was I really speaking in the name of Christ? Does starting with a prayer really change the potential outcome of something? Why do we take it more seriously when we pray in front of people, than we do when we take one on one time with God?("To strengthen our relationship with God, we must spend quality time alone with Him. -Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

The truth of the matter is, it is never "just" prayer. We are never uttering "just" words to the Creator of All. Prayer is such a sacred privilege. I am so grateful for a God who will let me pray over "silly" things. A loving Father who knew I would be a worrier, and need to check in often. Because no matter the weight of the matter, I know He listens. I know He hears and answers prayers. I know it from the bottom of my silly heart. What a privilege it is to pray to Him. To know He lives. To feel of His love and comfort. But most of all, to know Him.

"Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with Him as our Father. Actually, because He knows how desperately we need His guidance, He commands, “Thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private.” -Richard G. Scott