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.