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I found a new heart song. On American Idol of all places. I didn't follow AI at all this season I just happened to watch the last bit of the finale. I love the message of this song

Hold on, to me as we go 
As we roll down this unfamiliar road 
And although this wave is stringing us along 
Just know you’re not alone 
Cause I’m going to make this place your home 


Settle down, it'll all be clear 
Don't pay no mind to the demons 
They fill you with fear 
The trouble it might drag you down 
If you get lost, you can always be found 


Just know you’re not alone 
Cause I’m going to make this place your home 


Settle down, it'll all be clear 
Don't pay no mind to the demons 
They fill you with fear 
The trouble it might drag you down 
If you get lost, you can always be found 


Just know you’re not alone 
Cause I’m going to make this place your home

Forever Childlike

I have always had a problem with people thinking I am younger than I really am, and for most of my life this has really annoyed me. I have been given a child's menu and crayons on a date. I am often asked what grade I am in, I reply that I am a Sophomore and the next question I get is "Which High School?". I have happened to be on campus during an EFY session and one of the counselors got after me to get back with my group. I have learned to let these moments become something to laugh about and not just feel embarrassed. Sometimes I got very frustrated with this continuous problem.

I try to act all mature, but honestly I am still a kid at heart.
 I love...
Singing to myself
Dancing spontaneously, especially in the rain and in puddles.
Playing 4-square, dodge-ball, and Frisbee.
Eating a bit of cookie dough when I am making cookies.
Talking to little kids
Wishing on a star or with a puff of dandelion fluff.

 I found this poem and it makes me feel okay with acting "child-like" at times. I don't know who wrote it, and google doesn't know either. Enjoy.

 Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions Author Unknown

 "When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.

 When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.

 When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen. My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.

 When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.

 I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children!
 Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

 I wish you Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions!!!

 "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away."

Is There Anything Christ Can't Do?

Is there anything Christ can't do?

Under the direction of the Father he was the Creator of the world “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3)

He directed the brother of Jared to build boats to travel to the Americas. He provided the Jaredites with a means to have light on their journey.

He directed, taught, and protected the people of Israel who remembered him. He led Joseph to Egypt, freed Moses and Israel from Egypt, provided for them in their travels and in their trials and led them to their land of promise.

It is easiest to see the hand of the Lord in my life and in the lives of the people of the scriptures when times are tough, but always in hindsight. and when I feel like I am doing everything I think I should be doing but it just doesn't seem like enough. It is easy to believe that something is wrong with me. That I'm not worth it, not good enough, or I don't have enough faith.

When the stress and trials of a hectic life way me down I know that I am not alone. Christ understands my pains and frustrations.

When I feel embarrassed and ashamed because of the things I do and what others think of me I just have to remember who I am. I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father. He loves me and I love him. I am to stand as a witness of him and Christ at all times, and in all things, and in all places. If I am doing these things I never need to be ashamed

When my many imperfections become all to apparent and I know that there is no way I can do enough or make myself perfect I know that through the atonement of Christ I am refined and become more like my Master.

When illness shortens the life of a loved one I do not fear, because Christ already overcame death. He won. There is no need to fear because death is not the end, and the grave is not the end of a man. Just the beginning of the next great adventure.

He was born in a lowly stable. He taught and served the multitudes and the individuals. He loved all, the humble, the leper, the sinner, and the little children. He suffered in Gethsemane, He died on the cross, and He rose again and ministered unto His Disciples and also ministered unto the people of the Americas. He overcame all. There is nothing he can't do. No trial, no heartache, no pain he can't heal. There is no sin or sorrow too big for the atonement as long as we have faith, are willing to repent, and come unto Christ.

I add my testimony to that of Elder Scott.

I Couldn't be Happier

Why shouldn't I be happy. It is getting warm outside. I have a family who loves me. I know who I am, where I am going, and that I am a daughter of God. I have the most wonderful husband ever! Sometimes I just listen and smile as he plays the banjo or guitar. I feel so blessed every time he holds my hand. I am so proud of him every time he holds a door open. He is so patient and is a great source of comfort and support in my life. I love him so much and I know he loves me "forever and for always".
Financially we are far from stress free but we are being provided for. There are so many blessing that are a part of our lives on a daily basis. We were married in the Temple of the Lord for time and all eternity. I know that he gets to be mine forever.
I am happier than I have ever been in my life.

The Songs We Cannot Sing

This talk was just what I needed to hear today, it was given by my uncle Thomas. I know that above all else, Everything Will be Okay.

Sacrament Talk: The Songs They Could Not Sing
3/18/2012 Given by my Uncle Thomas Leishman

I am grateful for the talks that have been shared on prayer and for the opportunity to sing in the ward choir. In a revelation given through the prophet Joseph Smith the Lord told Emma Smith that singing hymns is a form of praying.

Doctrine & Covenants 25:12

For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

Truly singing hymns is like saying a prayer. I know this because of the feeling I have when I sing. My wife tells me singing runs in my family. I grew up learning how to sing the base line of the hymns from listening and mimicking my fathers voice. His mother, my grandmother, sang in the tabernacle choir for 28 years. My mother and her brother were also members of that great choir. My siblings have also all been involved in choirs throughout the years.

One my favorite family traditions is Christmas caroling to my parents neighbors on Christmas Eve. With my parents, 8 siblings, spouses, and grandchildren we have a pretty decent choir. One Christmas Eve several years ago we went to the door of a non-LDS neighbor. We rang the doorbell and as she opened the door sang “Joy to the World” followed by “Silent Night”.

As this women stood in her doorway, tears came to her eyes. When we finished the Hymns, she thanked us by saying “I had forgotten it was Christmas Eve, thank you for reminding me”. I do not know what hardships she was going through that caused her to forget the approaching Christmas holiday, but I’m grateful we were able to sing songs that she could not sing herself and bring joy and peace to her Christmas.

Elder Quentin L. Cook said:

Many people face significant problems or even tragedy during this mortal journey. All over the world we see examples of trials and tribulations. We are moved in our souls by television images of death, acute suffering, and despair. Something stirs us when we become aware of such tragedy, especially when suffered by innocent people.

Sometimes tragedies are very personal. A son or daughter dies early in life or falls victim to a devastating disease. A loving parent’s life is taken because of a thoughtless act or accident. Whenever tragedy occurs, we mourn and strive to bear one another’s burdens. We lament the things that will not be accomplished and the songs that will not be sung.

Elder Cook mentions that the most frequently asked question of church leaders are:

Why does a just God allow bad things to happen, especially to good people?
Why are those who are righteous and in the Lord’s service not immune from such tragedies?


We don’t always have answers to these questions. We know from Peter that “God is no respecter of persons” or in other words bad things can happen to young & old, rich or poor, unrighteous or righteous people. Elder Cook highlights 3 other answers we know:

First, we have a Father in Heaven, who knows and loves us personally and understands our suffering perfectly.

Second, His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and Redeemer, whose Atonement not only provides for salvation and exaltation but also will compensate for all the unfairness of life.

Third, the Father’s plan of happiness for His children includes not only a premortal and mortal life but also an eternal life as well, including a great and glorious reunion with those we have lost. All wrongs will be righted, and we will see with perfect clarity and faultless perspective and understanding.

My father taught LDS Seminary for 36 years and served our country part time in the Army Reserves and National Guard for 31 years. He lived a life of service. A few years after he retired he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. I once thought it unfair that my father who lived his life serving the Lord would have to endure such a difficult trial and have his life cut short.

Elder Cook:

There are many kinds of challenges. Some give us necessary experiences. Adverse results in this mortal life are not evidence of lack of faith or of an imperfection in our Father in Heaven’s overall plan. The refiner’s fire is real, and qualities of character and righteousness that are forged in the furnace of affliction... perfect and purify us and prepare us to meet God.

When the Prophet Joseph Smith was a prisoner in Liberty Jail, the Lord declared to him that multiple calamities can befall mankind. The Savior stated in part, “If thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; … and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; … these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” The Savior concluded His instruction: “Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not … , for God shall be with you forever and ever.”

I recently expressed concern with my father about things I will miss when he is gone. I would miss getting an annual fathers blessing, or our General Conference Priesthood Meetings with dinner after, or the that he would be unable to be a part of my daughter Mia and my other kids lives as they grow up.

Elder Cook:

“A unique challenge for those who have lost loved ones is to avoid dwelling on the lost opportunities in this life. With our limited understanding, we lament the things that will not be accomplished and the songs that will not be sung. But when we look through the wide and clear lens of the gospel instead of the limited lens of mere mortal existence, we know of the great eternal reward promised by a loving Father in His plan. As the Apostle Paul taught, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

The Savior said: "Therefore, let your hearts be comforted. … Be still and know that I am God."
In his talk, Elder Cook quoted the 2nd verse from the beloved hymn “There is sunshine in my soul today” which reads:

"There is music in my soul today;
A carol to my king
And Jesus, listening can hear
The songs I cannot sing..."

With the coming Easter Holiday we are reminded of a song we could not sing. The ultimate song our Savior, Jesus Christ performed on our behalf so that we with our children and our parents will have sunshine in our souls and sing "songs of everlasting joy."

They REALLY Lived

This is my favorite fictional couple in the whole world. I hope that I can be as strong and optimistic as Ellie was. Enjoy.


They really lived. And had grand adventures.



I hope that everyone finds someone who loves them as much as Carl Loved Ellie. I'm glad I have. And even when one of us leaves this life I will still have my Christian forever. We will be together forever and I will never have to say goodbye to him, just I'll see you later.

My grandfather is nearing the end of his time here on earth. He is the most righteous and faithful person I have ever known. As well as a great example especially in how he treats his family, especially my grandmother. He loves the scriptures, the gospel, and the temple. He finds every opportunity to share his testimony and bring others closer to Christ. I know that everything will be alright, but I will sure miss him. I am so grateful for temples and eternal marriages so that families can be forever.

Living day by day...

Faith is an amazing thing. But as everyone well knows "Faith precedes the miracle". There are a lot of times when I forget to have faith and trust in God. Sometimes its because I despair and think that an obstacle is impossible, and other times I figure that I know best how to steer my life. There are times when I ask for help, but I end up doing things the way I think is best and ask for help in getting there 'my way'. I ran across this poem, its one of those "Author Unknown" poems, I don't know which is the original version, but this one is my favorite.


"When I decided to give my life over to the care of Christ it seemed as though I was riding a tandem bike with Christ pedaling on the back seat. I kept steering the bike as best as I could. It was a hard and rocky road. So I kept pleading for Christ to pedal harder to help me make it through the dangerous areas. There were treacherous corners, steep mountains, large rocks and deep holes on the road I was traveling. Because of the complexity of the path I kept crashing the bike and running off the road. I kept getting injured and I often lost hope that I could follow such a difficult path. After several serious mishaps, my Savior asked, 'Might I steer for a while?' Reluctantly, I agreed and climbed on the back of the bike and began pedaling as best as I could. I watched in wonder as to the new way that Christ maneuvered the bicycle through the obstacles on the path. He was able to navigate through every danger ahead. If I ever felt frightened He would lean back and touch me with comforting assurance. When I needed rest, He would stop pedaling to give me living water and the bread of life. He guided me to places and people who helped me gain knowledge, healing, acceptance and joy. Now I understand, the power of the tandem bike is to let Christ do the steering and when I think that maybe I can’t do it anymore, Christ always smiles at me and reminds me to keep pedaling."