You are what you want to be!

Today as I was sick in bed my younger sister came up to me and said "you can't be sick without me! I am better why are you sick?"

"I don't know" I whispered in response, "I don't want to be sick"

"Then you are better!" She replied cheerfully "you are what you want to be"

"Is that so?" I said 

"Yep, mommy wants to be sick so she is. She doesn't feel good...actually that's my fault."

That made me smile because I knew that was probably true.

And although I cannot decide to feel better and stop coughing in the same moment she has a point. I am what I want to be. What I will become is completely based on my thoughts feelings and actions. It is the same for you. Don't loose sight of you goals, dreams or talents.

Color to the World

A couple weeks ago I went to see "The Giver". I really liked the book, so I was kinda nervous to go see the movie. On the way home after watching it I was thinking of how life was for Jonas before he got the memories. Dark, gray, colorless. He also seemed to have a lot less worries. After his world changed he seemed to change. He had a lot more responsibilities, worries, thoughts and he seemed to become more independent.

This reminded me of my mission, to bring color to the world. Right now the world seems pretty gray. Everyone is getting rid of the worries and just playing. It definitely feels nice, everyone seems to be happy. Everything is under control and innocent right? When Jonas gets the memories he sees a bigger picture, a unique picture and a picture full of color. He wonders why everyone doesn't have this knowledge. Why can't they see the bigger picture?

Adding color to your world is pretty amazing, but its not all fun and games. It takes some work and adds some stress. After Joseph Smith had the first vision no one believed him and a lot of stress was added. However when color was added light was shown and questions were answered. 

I think that part of my mission is part of Jonas' mission. Helping the world accept the color, even when its hard. Help people to accept the light and to understand the importance of understanding more and seeing things more clearly. Isn't that what missionaries are doing? Spreading light, color, and truth. :) That's what I want to do too.

Its time to show the world our color!

-Color Girl!

Life

This week has been super stressful. My social life is the biggest mess it has ever been, I'm frustrated about dance and church and I don't know what to do about school. I feel like I don't know anything! Today my mom told me that I had three years before I was to leave the house. I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't do math or history or geography. I have no clue how to cook or clean. I do okay with taking care of children but if I decide to homeschool, I'm toast! I have no social skills, I am incredibly shy, I have no working skills and I really need a job but I don't have anything to give. But....

I can do all things through Christ which is in me.

I'm thinking about teaching piano, I do know how to do that and I love to do that. The other day when I was in tears because I didn't know what to do with my life, my mom pointed out that I kept going back to the piano. Its true. No matter whats happening in my life and no matter where I am the piano is like my best friend. I can put my fingers to the keys and the piano will play exactly what I'm feeling I can write out a tune and the piano will put it to words. I can always go back to the piano when I'm happy, frustrated, sad, confused, inspired or lonely. And...

I can do all things through Christ which is in me.

So the piano is what I love, I also love to sing but I'm not very good at it. I bet if I worked on my singing voice I could build that up too! Then I could teach piano and voice lessons.

So like I said before I have three years until I move out of the house. That gives me three years to really work on my piano, to really work on my voice and to start teaching my siblings and friends so I can get some practice!!! That means I need to take piano, choir and maybe voice lessons.

I can do all things through Christ which is in me

But I can't just do piano for the rest of my life. I need some other skills too, I need to know math, history, geography, writing, and probably some science. So I need some ideas on how to learn these things, got any ideas? Thanks for listening to my ranting!
-Color Girl

A pebble in the sand, a pebble in the pond.

When you drop a pebble in the sand, how much of a difference does it make? It falls to the earth and blends in with all the other pebbles and particles. It falls on top, you forget about it and no one notices it. When you drop a pebble in the pond, how much of a difference does it make? The ripples stretch for a long time, ripples come off of those ripples and the water is moved from just a single pebble.

Each of the choices we make in our life's are like a pebble being dropped, sometimes for good, sometimes for bad. Sometimes we don't feel confident, so we drop our pebble in the sand, hoping no one will notice. Sometimes our hearts are in the wrong, we drop them in the pond with a splash! We dropped it in a good place, but we didn't drop a good pebble; that makes the water the ripples off of that pebble bad as well.

Who knew you had that much influence in the world! Each of us were meant to do something great, and by dropping in good pebbles along the way, we can inspire others to find their unique mission.

How can we be a pebble in the pond, rather then a pebble in the sand? I believe there are three ways of doing this, 1. Do what you love, to love what you do. 2. Leading the follower. and 3. Setting the mood. Each of these have an impact on where we drop the pebble and whether the pebble is good or bad.

Number 1: Do what you love to love what you do:

"I have never worked a day in my life." This phrase indicates that the person saying it is either lazy, or loves to do their job. Can everyone love to do their job? We all have different talents, skills and hobbies, why couldn't we use them to make a living and do what we love? If you are doing what you love you have a greater understanding for that thing and you have a better attitude about doing it.

Number 2: Leading the follower:

How do you lead? Who do you follow? Does anyone follow you? Blind following is like dropping your pebble into the sand, trying to make it fit in with the others, not daring to stand out, stand up, and stand firm. Remember that in order to follow you have to stand, you have to reach out and often times you have to be the odd one out.

Number 3: Setting the mood:

The way you treat others, as well as yourself, sets a mood of how people are going to treat you. If you are prideful or stubborn, not many will want to listen or follow you, the ripples you send out will be disheartening and hurtful. People will see you for your actions and desires. Remember, "where your treasure is their lies your heart also" (Matthew 6: 19-21)

When we are watchful and careful with the pebbles we send out into the world, then we will open ways to inspire others to find their missions, we will work hard at doing what we love to do. We will lead others in the right direction, Offering suggestion as to do what they love also. We will set the mood for what is planned. Above all when we listen to God, he will direct our paths in ways that are good and lead us to places where we can throw our pebbles in the right place for the right reason.

What makes a ripple?

What makes the ripple,

Circle out and never stop?

What makes the sunshine,

Glitter off a water drop?

What makes the water,

So sparkling, crystal clear,

What makes the pond,

So still, not a tear.

What makes the river,

Never stop it's moving?

What makes the ocean,

So big and fascinating?

What makes the rain,

So heavy, yet so light,

What makes the rainbow,

That can't be seen at night?

What are like the ripples,

In our life's that don't quite flow,

What do we drop in the world,

That goes and goes and goes?

What happens when we drop,

An unkind word or deed,

What happens if we change,

Kindness to our simple creed?

What if we inspired,

Good things by our ripples,

And they spread out so quickly,

In doubles or in triples.

Then the world would be sent,

Good things in lots of ways,

We would love all those around,

And show it each and every day.

Ogden Temple

Participating in a Temple open house and celebration has always been one of my dreams.... On my bucket list you could say. I have always wanted to do something like this, to join in celebration for a temple. Now that the Ogden temple has been rebuilt and I have received the amazing experience of participating in this fun as well as spiritual event, my testimony has grown with each practice and my heart as been overflowing with joy. I have met new people and had experiences that can never be copied. A few weeks ago I went to volunteer at the temple. I had the chance to sit right outside the temple and put the little booties on to keep the temple clean. All different sorts of people came to go through the temple. The old and the young, the members and the non-members the missionaries and the other volunteers. So many people who were in awe of the temple and the spirit that was there.

 

There was one guy that came up to me and said "try getting one on THAT!" he was a size 16 with huge cowboy boots. It took forever, but I finally got it on... then I realized there was still one more foot..... The next guy that came along said "Are you sure you want to do this? I am a size 19." A size 19?! What?! At least he didn't have cowboy boots on. :)

 

A five hour shift with only a few short brakes between groups and tons of back-bending service but it was totally worth every minute of it. One non-member asked us how long our shift was, I explained that it was five hours. "Five hours?!" he said "Wow! How long are you breaks?" "We don't get any!" The girl next to me said cheerfully "No brakes? the man said, crossing his arms, "How much are they paying you?" "Nothing" I said "Its all a service" "Are you sure?!" the man said then his wife came and pushed him along saying "Its okay dear, let them do their job." :D

 

Since August we have been practicing for the Ogden temple cultural celebration. I am in the choir, consisting of over 2,000 youth from around the Ogden temple boundary. The music is so powerful and inspiring, the dancing is perfect and shows the Ogden community changing and growing. It is an amazing experience. During the ending finale we are singing a song about sharing the light, 700 youth come on the stage with puzzle pieces that they put together to create the old Ogden temple. At the climax of the song each of the youth flip their picture over to reveal the new Ogden temple. Every time I think about It I get emotional, this is going to be an amazing experience. I'm so glad to be in.

Music

Often I've been asked the question: "How do you play impromptu on the piano? I could never do that!" Today, I want to answer that question, and share a few feelings on music.

When learning to play the piano, (or any musical instrument) you start by leaning the feel of it, reading notes, and learning different techniques. It is not a simple task. It takes much diligence, time, and practice. But it can be done.

Impromptu, may look like another technique, something else you can learn, something that can be taught, and perhaps it is. But that is not the way I see it.

After you have learned to read music, once you can keep a beat and play many wonderful songs you can stop there. Of course you must keep practicing and playing but once you have accomplished that much you can stop and feel satisfied with yourself, and most people do. I feel however that you can go further, and that I have still further to go.

You see, I believe that music is not learned, music cannot be put on paper or memorized. Because music is free. Music floats on the wind, flows through steams, skips through forests and slides down mountains. It lives in hills and dances in flowers. Music is alive, in each of us. And you have to find it before you can play it.

So you can learn pleanty of songs, you can perform all the songs you can find but until you catch the music in the air you cannot truly play music.

That is how I play impromptu, I sit down at the piano and put my fingers on the keys. I close my eyes and play a note or two, and then I hit the right note and the song flows from the air, to my heart, to my fingers, to the keys and then everyone can hear it! 

Some are afraid to ear the music, to begin to play it and play it wrong. But there is no way to play it wrong. Once you begin to play the music you cannot make a mistake, the music will play itself.

To everyone who is reading this I must sound very silly and you are probably still confused in how to play imporomtu. But someday I hope that many people will be able to hear the music that is always around us. That many will catch it and play it a short while so more people can hear the beauty o the earth singing out to us and hear the fairy peoples songs and laughter ringing through the air. And I hope that this has inspired you to listen to the music, and to listen, for the purpose of catching a few notes of the music alive in you. 

Mentoring and Friends.

I found this quote on mentoring by Steven Spielberg: 

"The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves."

As I have been preparing to mentor vanguard this year, I have been thinking about what mentoring really is. In life, everyone needs a mentor to guide them, whether their mentor is a family member, a friend, or Heavenly Father. So what makes a good mentor? This quote suggests that a mentor invites someone to create themselves. Some mentors mentor certain things that they have mastered. Last year when I was asked to mentor poetry I felt pretty confident that I was close enough in mastering poetry that I could teach it, however, I soon felt otherwise. I learned way more last year, about poetry, then all the years I've been writing it.

So this year they asked me to help mentor apprentice class, with a few other youth. This time, instead of focusing on one thing (poetry) I have to focus on many things, somethings which are my strengths and somethings which are my weaknesses. So what I want to know is, how do you mentor something you yourself need to be mentored in?

Luckily I get to work with some of the most amazing youth that I know. I have met lots of people through the years but you can't get much better than Vanguard. They make me laugh, cry, sing, dance, act, draw, mentor, and go crazy. But they never cease to inspire me.

My Vanguard Friends!

Animal Farm

I read Animal Farm for the first time today. It made me sad. And then it made me mad. And then it made me worried. Here are a few of my thoughts:

Made Me Sad.

I felt really sorry for all those animals that were being...controlled...by the pigs. I felt sorry that they were being tricked and how gullible they were! It was sickening how they were, little by little, becoming trapped, stuck, and disabled. After a while they became so trapped that there seemed no possible way out.

Made Me Mad.

Then I got mad. Why weren't they doing anything? They were just sitting there! How can people be so ignorant?! But it is a book and I can't change what it says. Every time the pigs changed the rules I would laugh (even though I was so mad) because the animals were made to think they were too stupid to lead and therefore they left it up to the pigs. 

The pigs made me really mad, but also made me want to get more involved and try to catch when our government is trying to change something. I want to make sure that they don't change it, but that leads me into my next topic.

 Made Me Worried.

And then I thought "I am just like them!" I know next to nothing about whats going on in our government, and I often consider myself "unqualified for leadership." I need to get more involved and stop things from happening, especially if I feel it is wrong. I don't want to be like the animals who think of themselves as stupid and "not qualified for leadership." I don't want to end up like the Animal Farm.

Other Thoughts.

I thought it was interesting how every time they took away a rule, they got more messed up. The more rules they took away, the more things was getting confusing. However, in our society, it feels like the more rules we make the more confusing things get and the more messed up we are. So too many or too few laws are going to mess things up.

Wrapping It Up.

• No possible way out. -Get involved before its too late.
• They left it up to the pigs. -Don't leave it up to other people to determine our future.
• Think of themselves as stupid and "not qualified for leadership." -Anyone can lead.
• Too many or too few laws are going to mess things up. -Keep it simple, but not too simple.
• Get more involved -Go and do!

-Dassia :D

Friends

I have been thinking about this lately, I am so blessed in so many ways. I know so many amazing people, and a lot of them are my friends. The insight they share with me, their spirituality, their talents and examples all blow me away. I could have never asked for a better group of friends than the ones I have now.

Today I got a letter in the mail, (which in itself is exciting. I mean, how often do you get a letter in the mail?!) from one of my dear friends. She just sent me a sweet note, it was so heartfelt and sincere! In that moment I felt loved, appreciated, and cherished. What a blessing it is to have friends.

This week I've received many random notes and thoughts saying how much people appreciate me. It totally made my year! Every single one of them is kept dear to my heart, both letter and friend. I try to think of a time when I did not know these wonderful people, I am so glad I've had the chance to get to know them.

Friends, as I've come to know you through Vanguard, Acting, Choir, Piano, Book Clubs, Dance, or all of the above, I want to thank you for all you do for me! You are examples of the believers, your light shines who you are. Thank you.

So this all got me thinking, when was the last time I brightened someones day? Like a time when I really made someone feel special? When was the last time I gave someone a compliment or thanked someone for something they did for me? Its been awhile! So I have decided to start something big! Something unchangeable, unforgettable! (Drum roll please...)

The Serve button! 

I'm going to send this out and give someone a compliment/thought/quote/something to brighten their day and tell them to pass it on. These will be going all over the place! I want people to know someone cares, I care and Heavenly Father cares.

Love you all!

-Dassia