"Increase in Learning"

I've been reading this book, I'm not finished yet, and it's taken me some time.  I've just put reading off. I can't tell you how long it's been since I started it, but for a while I was praying for understanding of some things, and I decided I'd start reading this again.  So, opening the book to where my bookmark was, it said, "Understanding is the keystone that is erected upon the cornerstone of knowledge and precedes intelligence. Interestingly, the word understanding commonly is described in the scriptures in relation to the heart...." and then there was a big section on understanding.  Interesting, huh?! 

Then last night as I was reading, I really liked this part it said about prayer.  "We should be simultaneously persistent in and patient with this active process of asking, seeking, and knocking."  I like the word "persistent".  It's an action word.  There have been things in my life that I've prayed and prayed and prayed for, and then after a long time of not feeling like it's even being heard, I stop praying for that.  What's the point?  Well, in the above quote, and then the section following it in the book, he talks about being persistent, while being patient.

He says, "Simply saying the words 'Thy will be done' is not enough.  Each of us needs God's help in surrendering our will to Him.

'Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other' (Bible Dictionary, "Prayer," 752-53).  Humble, earnest, and persistent prayer enables us to recognize and align ourselves with the will of our Heavenly Father.  And in this the Savior provided the perfect exaple as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane:

       "Saying, Father if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will,

        but thine, be done...   And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly"

Submitting our will to God's will is a theme often emphasized in the scriptures."  ("Increase in Learning, Bednar, 114)

I love that part in the Bible Dictionary.  My attention was first drawn to it reading this blog.  I can't find the exact post on there, it's been quite sometime, but reading any of the posts would touch your spirit. 

I'm grateful for the power of prayer, and that we have a loving Heavenly Father who knows us and loves us!  I'm grateful for answered prayers, and I'm grateful that I know that those seemingly unanswered prayers are still going to be answered, not in my time frame, but in His.

What Happens When Life Gets One Degree Colder?

I was talking to my mom today, and she'd just listened to a devotional in KBYU 89.1 at 11:00, while she was working on some things in her office, and said it was amazing!  I looked it up, and read it, and I have to say, I was so touched!  You can find it here. 

I loved it!  There were so many great points!  There was a quote in there by Joseph Smith, Jr. that stuck out to me for a funny reason. 

"Hope and courage have always characterized the righteous. Ever the optimist, 
Joseph Smith was once quoted as saying:

I should never get discouraged, whatever difficulties should surround me, if I was sunk 
in the lowest pit of Nova Scotia and all the Rocky Mountains piled on top of me, I ought not to be discouraged but hang on, exercise faith and 
keep up good courage and I should come out on the top of the heap.^7"

 

Optimism, hope and courage are all characteristics I try to have, although, I admit I've not been the best at some of these.  There's always room to improve, right?!

 

So, one of the reasons I loved this is because it says Nova Scotia!  My dad loved to say Nova Scotia.  Whenever we'd ask him where we were going, he'd always say Nova Scotia.  So funny!  I don't know why he picked Nova Scotia, but it was a common name in our household.  Someday, I hope to be able to ask him!

 

Really, though, anyone struggling with anything should read that talk!

Last night I had a meeting with the committee heads of the midsingles program.  We were talking about our spring conference.  I was talking about how I want a workshop that is based on identifying yourself.  Last time, I had Matt Townsend come and speak.  He talked about it doesn't matter WHAT you are, it's WHO you are.  I thought it was a great message.  It wasn't anything new, it was something that people needed, though.  A great reminder!

My reason behind this is that I've been sad with the way some people identify themselves.  One older guy at an activity introduced himself as (names will be changed, not that anyone knows him, I don't think I'd know him if I saw him, again.)  "Hi, I'm Rob, I'm unemployed and live at his parents house, too," pointing towards the guy next to him.  Others are like, "Hi, I'm Vanessa, I'm divorced."  Yes, these are things that are a part of you, but they AREN'T you!  You are a Daughter or a Son of God!  That's your divine identity!  Believe it!  Live it! 

However, all that being said, I identify myself as "Hi, I'm Pyper.  I have severe trust issues."  I can't wait for the day, that someone comes along that helps me overcome that!  Well, I've had someone like that before, but, well...  yep, I need to work on that.  I know that people can't make you one way or the other, you LET yourself be affected.  It's just hard!  I deal well with lots of different kinds of people, and I LOVE people, but when disappointments come along, it just pushes me farther into that hole of not trusting.  Then, it takes a lot to get me back to trusting that person, and being able to really trust what seems to be happening, or trusting myself that I can really discern what is happening. 

I've been praying that I'll be able to discern things better, and I'm grateful for the answers to those prayers.  Hopefully, I can continue to better myself in that way!  Anyways, those are my thoughts for the day! 

For God So Loved the World... Watch this!

The other night, I was out in the parking lot at church talking to one of my good friends, and one of the midsingles came over and talked to us.  She has a lot of challenges in her life, healthwise.  She was talking about all of the things her siblings have done, that she's not been able to, and said, "...but that's okay.  I'm waiting for the Second Coming, and then I'll be able to be perfect and do all of those things, but until then..."

What a fantastic outlook on life!  It was a great reminder!

Summer!

It's been a while, again!  Since my last post lots has gone on!  My computer died at Daughters of Faith, so that's one of the reasons I haven't blogged.  (This loaner computer stinks, and sometimes doesn't read the keystroke, but sometimes doubles the keystroke, so I'll try to make sure I spell check, but forgive me if there are mistakes.)

So, I'm going to write by month what has gone on...

June

Months ago I emailed Jenny Oaks Baker to see if she could do a fireside for the midsingles.  I never heard from her, so I didn't think anything of it.  For whatever reason, I've branched out and am able to ask people I don't know to do devotionals; I still feel funny asking people I know to do things.  So, on May 30, I got an email back from her saying she'd be able to do it either on June 24 or on August 26.  I already had one scheduled for August, so we went with June.  She was really concerned that she was spreading herself too thin, and not enough people would attend.  Here's a link to her "Amazing Grace" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uQIPFc-8jw.  Listen through her talk, you'll love the music, and her message on faith is fantastic!

She called me two days later and said that she couldn't do it that day anymore, because her accompanist wasn't going to be in town until July.  Before I could even think, out of my mouth popped, "Well, I can do it!  I am a piano teacher."  Her first question was, "You're a piano teacher, but can you actually play anything or are you one of THOSE teachers?"  I told her I could pretty much play anything, and she said, "Okay, I'll send you some music soon," and that was that.  After getting off the phone, I was like, "What the heck did I just say?"

I know that I've worked really hard, nearly my entire life, to play the piano.  I had a fantastic teacher that taught me so much, and loved me, and that made me all the better.  However, I have to acknowledge that my sight reading abilities are a true gift from Heavenly Father.  Had I not practiced all that I have, I wouldn't have known of that gift, and I am so grateful for it!

She sent me most of the music, and it was a challenge!  I practiced and practiced and practiced.  My mom at one point said, "You know there is such thing as practicing TOO much."  I practiced at home, I practiced at the church, etc. and then went to Daughters of Faith four days before.

DOF is a camp just for laurels (young women 16-18 years old).  It's an amazing two days of total devotion to feeling the Spirit and learning the gospel.  Not unlike years passed, it was amazing!  I didn't get to participate in a lot of the things, because I had to put together the slideshow, and that took FOREVER! Then we had this really neat activity that talked about the journey of the golden plates from Nephi to Moroni to Joseph Smith and then to us.  It was amazing!  Then I showed this short message  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHY-Y9yraR8.  It's so touching!  Elder Holland is amazing!  Then, I unplugged the projector from my computer, and my computer fried!  So horrendous!  So, the next day, I had to spend the whole day doing another slideshow on someone else's computer.  I only broke down twice about this, so I think I was alright!  Cute Cassie kept checking on me!  She was great!

When I got home, I got to practicing, and Jenny and I set up a time to practice on Saturday at 11:30.  She was busy teaching at a Suzuki camp, and we had a half hour to practice seven songs!  In my mind, I kept thinking about musicians and artists and what kind of people they are, but then I was thinking who she was a daughter of, and I figured I'd get a mix of the two.  Well, let's just say, it was a terrifying next 32 hours!  We didn't ever get to go through a whole song without stopping for some interruption, and we didn't play through the last song, which I had just gotten all of it that day.  We set up a run through time for Sunday, and that was that.  Sunday came, and it was one of the busiest days of my life!  Thank heavens for those girls and guys that came to help set up, and all the people that brought refreshments.  Jenny had emailed me in the morning asking for someone to tend her kids during the devotional, and to bump our time up by about 15 minutes.  My cute cousin, Ashley, babysat the kids, and I was ready to practice when she wanted.  She called a minute before it was time, and said she was going to be late, and that we wouldn't have time to practice.  She thought we'd be fine, though.  This was pretty stressful to me, but showed she had confidence in me, so that helped me out.

Her message was about having faith.  It was interesting, because as she ws sharing certain scriptures, my mom was giving me the look of "you should be listening, this will help you out."  She knew how scared I was!  She talked about how watching one of her friends having a baby and getting married and having an awesome job made her think, "Hey, I'm following the commandments, why aren't these things happening for me?"  Let's just say it hit really close to home!  I only had a couple mistakes, one that was quite big, and she gave me a look, but other than that, I felt really good about it.  I gave the guy conducting the program, and didn't have me on it, because I didn't want it to be about me.  I was accompanying, and that was it.  In her introduction, she announced, "Pyper Nicholes and I are going to perform for you tonight."  It was really amazing!  I had some great support there, Mom, Grandma JaNae, Bart, Jen, Linds, her roommate, Ashley, and Amy and her parents.  It was amazing!  At the end, I was so touched, because not only was there a huge line to meet her, there was  a line to talk to me.

If you're still reading... we're to July!!!

Well, sort of... On June 30, one of my most favorite people threw me a birthday party!  It was so much fun!  Amy was still in town, and I was thrilled she was here!  Her dad brought his karaoke stuff, and we ate, played games, visited, and sang karaoke.  It was a great night!  There was a funny mix of people, from work, my neighborhood, my family and my midsingles.  It was fantastic!

I turned 32 on July 4th.  It was a great day!  It's so weird to think my dad was my age when he passed away.  On july 11th, I was exactly the same age, and it may sound morbid, but that day has been in my mind for a very long time.  I was thinking that there was something wrong with me, in thinking that if I made it past July 11th, I'd be fine.  Reading that right now, makes me feel like the biggest dork!  However, a few days ago, Collin had a scare that ended up being that he was dehydrated, but he immediately said to mom that he knew she was worried, because he was 29, and dad was 29 when his heart stuff started.  My heart broke for him that he was scared about it, but I know that I am not alone in my weird concerns.

July was filled with lots of busy-ness, lots of family, lots of friends, and pretty much a great time!  I have one huge complaint, and that is with PC Laptops!  They claim to have great service, and great products.  They do have great warranties.  However, there service stinks!  I bought my laptop in November from them, and have never been as satisfied as I was with my hp laptop, but I've been fine with it.  When it died at DOF, I took it in, and they told me it would be 4-6 days, 9 days later, I called, after I had called since day number 5, and they said it was just sitting there waiting for me.  I was thrilled to have it back.  I got it home, and there was no sound, so I took it back in on Monday, and they had it for a few days, then said I could have it back again, so I could show the slideshow at the DOF fireside, but needed to have it back on Monday, and they'd give me a loaner computer, and it worked only with external speakers.  I was sick that Monday, so I took it in on Tuesday.  I stood there for 25 minutes, because the guy that usually helps me was helping someone else, and no one wanted to help me.  I finally asked them to at least start the paperwork, and so the guy took my laptop, but didn't give me the loaner one.  Then, Sterling, the guy that is working on my computer finally came over and told me the loaner wasn't going to be there for a couple days, and he'd call me.  He never did!  I kept calling, and they never said it was there.  The next Friday, so a week later, my computer died, again!  So, I took it in, and Sterling acted put out that I was in a hurry to leave, because he had stuff to do, but I had not ever been told the loaner was there, so I didn't know we were doing a data transfer.  When I was leaving, I said, "Now you're really going to call me when my computer is ready, right?"  He said of course he would.  I responded with, "Well, you keep saying that, but not once have you or anyone else here ever called me to tell me anything or return any of my phone calls."  He apologized, and said he'd call me in 10 days when it was ready.  Well as of today, it has been 14 days, and still no phone call!!!  The final diagnosis for the computer was a fried hard drive, partially fried motherboard, and fried internal speakers.  They had said they hadn't seen anything like it before.

We had girls camp the last week of July, and it was a great experience for the girls!  I wish I was of more use up there.  They didn't really have our presidency do anything, other than one activity on the last day.

We had a three hour block, where each ward and our presidency had a tent, and we'd do 20 minute rotations, working on a value in Personal Progress (https://www.lds.org/young-women/personal-progress?lang=eng).  Our presidency had the value of Virtue.  There aren't a lot of things you can do in 20 minutes for Virtue, but we had a great time!  Cyd had found an activity that young women had a glow in the dark bow on their backs, and they had to run through the dark, through some obstacles, keeping the bow (which represented their virtue) and make it to the end, where there was a picture of the temple.

Since it was daylight, and we were outside, we had to alter the plan.  We played flag football.  We had three girls with gold flags in their pocket, race to get up the hill to the picture of the temple, while Mom, Cyd and I tried to steal their "virtue."  It was really fun!  Then I had the girls take a piece of unwrapped candy, which looked like it was going to be sweet, but really was a warhead, and talked about how Satan impersonates the Spirit and ways to develop strengths that will help you discern where the impressions are coming from.  Cyd gave them Treasures that were chocolate with caramel or peanut butter in it, and talked about how our virtue is our treasure.  Mom went through their Virtue  project #3 that has them read Alma 5 (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/5?lang=eng#)  It was such a great experience!  It was really fun for them to get to know us on a different level, than just sitting in the meetings with them.

Let's just say this summer has been great, and it's not over yet!  I've been learning lots and enjoying lots of things and people!

Lessons...

I don't know that I ever mentioned this before, but  a neighbor and good friend of ours passed away on April 20th.  He helped us so much!  He was always looking out for Mom, and making sure she had everything taken care of.  One day we came home and had a new mailbox.  When our bathroom was fixed for us, while we were gone, we came home to new lighting in the bathroom and the garage.  He couldn't believe that two single women would come home, without having any light on in the garage.  The other night the lightbulb on the garage door opener died, and everytime I'm out there, I think about Scott and that he's probably put out with us letting it stay that way. 

The night before he passed away, he called me and said he was someone from the Jehovah's Witnesses and that they'd been observing me, etc...  Then he said, "Just kidding, it's Scott..." and went on about how he wanted to be a good piano dad, so could I please explain somethings to him.  So, as he asked me questions about symbols, he'd play them to see if he got it right, so he could help his son.  I have to say that this is the first time, ever, that a dad had gotten so involved with his kids piano lessons. 

The next morning, there were things going on down the street, and I knew something was up, but had no idea it would be that.  I was kind of in denial, because it seemed totally impossible.  It was really strange, and too familiar!  His oldest is just younger than I was when my dad died, his daughter is how old Collin was, and then they have a baby, that just turned one last month.  His wife was teaching part time, my mom was teaching part time.  His wife was in the relief society presidency, my mom was in the relief society presidency.  Our neighbor across the street was over at their house, she was over at the house next door, where I was when we found out about dad.  Just too familiar! 

I found myself being grateful that I knew what they were going to go through, so I could help them through it.  Had I been in different circumstances, maybe having a family of my own, and not living around here, I wouldn't be able to help them.  I'm really glad that I was already teaching their oldest, so we had a relationship already, because he feels comfortable with me already.  His first lesson after his dad died, he told me he'd be really good at this part, because his dad made him practice a ton.  Then, he did really well, and he said, "It's like someone is helping me, but no one is."  That's the kind of gift you get from your deceased relatives.  I know that Heavenly Father lets them help us.

Another lesson I've learned through the example of someone I admire and appreciate, is how I deserve to be treated.  Thank you!

Four years ago, yesterday, I went through the Mt. Timpanogos temple for my first time.  I'm so grateful that I decided to go through the temple.  It has been such a blessing to me!


I had been shopping for some young women things at the distribution center, and overheard a bunch of missionaries showing each other the pictures of the temples that they received their endowments in.  While I was observing this, I was like, "I want to do that."  The thought had come when I was younger, I wanted to be able to be there when Collin got married, but it just didn't seem right.  However, in that distribution center, I knew it was time.  I went to the church that night to drop some stuff off for one of my primary kids, and just stopped into the bishop's office to see what I needed to do to get ready to go to the temple.  Fifteen minutes later, I had a temple recommend and was told the next temple prep. class wasn't going to start for a while, and he thought I should just go.  So, three weeks later I went through this temple.  It was a great experience!  It was wonderful to have so many of my family and friends there.


I've seen so many blessings in my life, and in the lives of those I know and love, because of the temple.

(I hope that Steven and Seja don't mind me posting this)

This little girl's parents found out while they were expecting her, that she had a heart defect.  Their names were put on the temple prayer rolls in many temples, and one day as I was walking out of the temple, I got a text from Seja saying that they had just met with the specialist, and that she was totally fine.  She's a happy, healthy wonderful little girl! 

The power of the temple and the power of prayer are such amazing gifts!

Easter

This morning we had Collin and his family over for breakfast.  It was really fun!  Those kids are amazing!  We had yummy food, egg fights, easter baskets, and an easter egg hunt.  It was great!  After they left, we went to Sacrament meeting.  Pres. Theurer spoke about the last week of Christ's life, it was very touching.  There were some musical numbers, some were really good. 

After Sacrament, we left church, so we could pick up Aunt Ann and take her to Uncle Don's and Aunt Mil's house.  I'm really glad that we could help out, and get her down there, so she had some family time on Easter.  It's really hard for me.  Aunt Ann has dimentia, like Grandma Mamie did.  They have the same eyes, so when Ann looks at me with really confused eyes, not knowing who I am, it brings back the horrible memories of Grandma's disease.  Grandma generally knew who I was, but it still hurts to think about the confusion.  Right as we were getting to Mil's, Ann was concerned, because she hadn't told her family where she was going, and she didn't want them to be mad at her.  It was too close to home.  (I have to say, that Baba (they're mom) has a lot to answer for.  The terror she put inside them is so unbelievable.)

While she was visiting with them, and having dinner, Mom and I took flowers to Grandma and Grandpa, and then down to American Fork to take flowers to Daddy and Grandpa.  Dad and Grandpa Dan have been gone for so long, but I still find it hard to believe that Grandpa Ross and Grandma Mamie are gone.  They both went so quickly and way too close together; no one should have to go through that so close together. Walking around through the cemeteries, I thought about how many wonderful people I've lost in my life.  I have friends that have never lost anyone close to them, and I've had a number of people that are close to me.  It makes me even more grateful that Jesus Christ atoned for me, and that He lives again; because He lives, I'll be able to be with all of these great people again. 

I sure miss these guys...(I don't have any pics of Grandpa Dan, Grandpa Gib or Grandma Orpha on my laptop, but I've sure been missing all of them today)

 

I love General Conference!  It's such a great blessing to be able to listen to the words of the prophet.  I know that preparing for conference with a question or questions in mind, that you will receive answers.  I enjoyed every moment of this weekend, feeling the spirit so strongly!

Loved this!  http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2012/04?lang=eng&vid=1540737895001&cid=5

I really loved this, too! It fits so well with my upcoming midsingles conference.   http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2012/04?lang=eng&vid=1540737917001&cid=12

I'm grateful for the gospel in my life!  I'm grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the Plan of Happiness!

Akston...

I have a new nephew!  He was born on tuesday.  He's darling, and was cuddly when I last saw him.  He's been in NICU since wednesday morning early, so I've seen some pictures of him.  He looks a lot like his biggest brother.  The nurse that helped in the delivery, said she was trying to be all professional, but the second he came out, she was like,  "holy cow!  That's a little Collin!"  Way cute!  I'll post a picture later, gotta get little Ford off to school!

Having faith in

Heavenly Father,

includes having faith

in His timing

I was reading in 3 Nephi the other day about the destruction that happened in the America's during the three days between Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.  Every time I've read this, I've read it at it's face value.  The people were destroyed, because of their wickedness.  However, this time, while I was reading, I had an overwhelming feeling of while the people in the Americas were being destroyed, the feeling of those people that were Jesus Christ's disciples in Jerusalem, what Mary, his mother, was feeling.  My testimony grew so much from my position on the Colonade, during The Savior of the World.  I'm so grateful that I was able to feel the powerful affirmation, once again, of His life and what He went through for me!

I love this!!!

During conference, Elder Lawrence of the Seventy talked about our youth theme for the year:  Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."  I love this verse!  It's one of my most favorite ones.  It's such a wonderful promise, that He is here, no matter where and when.  I loved how he applied it to the parents of the youth right now.  I think it is so important that the parents are strong and have good courage, to stand up for what needs to be done.  I liked how he talked about how if you saw your daughter sitting on the train tracks and heard the train horn honking, would you run and get her off the track or be worried about offending her and let her make her own decision about getting off.  The train is a physical threat, but there are so many other threats that aren't, that parents need to step up and take care of.  I loved it!

In other news... ReAL is in 1st place for the first time ever!!!  (Except of course, winning the actual MLS championship last year).  Of course, this will be ending in about 20 minutes, when the LA Galaxy vs. Chivas is over.

Blessings... :)

I am so grateful for the many blessings my Heavenly Father has given me!  It's amazing to see the power and love of God daily!  As many of you know this summer has been a huge struggle!
 Here's just a few examples of the Mighty miracles that have taken place in my life...

• First of all, my family doctor had suggested that I have a gallbladder ultrasound in May '09.  I didn't, because he said I should wait until I have insurance, which I never got.  I know this doesn't sound like a miracle, because obviously he had a concern.  However, the blessing in this is that, because I didn't have that ultrasound at Tanner Clinic, I didn't have to be treated for this at Davis Hospital.  (Davis Hospital is so scary!!!)  So, because of my lack of insurance, I didn't have to suffer through being there.
• My surgeon, Dr. Varela, is really young (and cute :)).  The procedure (T-TUBE) has not been done for decades.  The fact that he knew this from so long ago, and was able to make it work IS a miracle.  Every injury or sickness I have ever had is always worse on me then it is on whoever gave me the sickness, so I just planned on that.  Overall recovery was easy!
• The many priesthood blessings I received.  The wednesday after my surgery, my liver numbers were still extremely high.  I called Collin for a blessing, and the next morning, my numbers were near normal.
• I have never felt better in my life!  I never realized how sick I actually was until the past two weeks where I have felt amazing! 
• I've had a sinus infection for the last five weeks.  Instacare had said it was a virus, and wouldn't give me any antibiotics.  So, I went to the aforementioned family doctor, and because Collin and his son played on the same comp. soccer teams, and he's known me, he gave me a free doctors appt, and prescribed me some antibiotics, that are working quite well!  Thanks Collin and Krystal for your help here!
• My business has been quite slow, and piano lessons have been at a minimum with people moving and going on vacation during the summer.  So, it's been a financial struggle, not to mention my hospital bills and no insurance (more on this later!).  Had business been good, there is no way I could've done it during the last few months with me being so sick, having surgery, and the six week recovery.  However, within the last week, I've had four design contacts and new piano students referred to me.  I start work on a house next week and new piano kids in two weeks! 
• My hospital bills were over $34,000.  My surgeon was about $2500.  The anesthesiologist was about $2500, as well.  There is no possible way that I could do this on my own.  I'm extremely grateful for the kindness of those that are close to me that have helped with this situation.  The hospital has financial assistance and they've been amazing.  Up until today, they were taking care of 80% of my surgeon's fees, and about 89% of some of the hospital bills, and no word on the largest part.  So, I've been able to pay the doctor, except for $25 that will be taken care of soon.  Today I got a bill in the mail saying that I owed $24,862 that was due in full on August 10.  I was having a total meltdown, so I called the number on the bill to really hear my balance.  After hearing it, I was pretty certain it was mistaken or not all inclusive.  So, when I got home, I got online to check.  All of it was there except the anesthesiologist.  My total balance is just over $300!

I am completely humbled and so extremely thankful for all I've been given!  I know that the Lord's hand has been in all of this.  It's His plan, and I am in awe!