The Farmhouse Dream.

This is a story of a dream come true.

I suppose it began a long time ago when I was just a little girl. You see, I grew up in a little red brick house that sat on an acre of land. It wasn't the house or the land that made it particularly special - it was the way my parents created a home out of love for our family and faith in God. And yet even though a sacred home can be created in any location, this little spot was heaven to me. The sloping hill with shady maple trees, the springtime blossoms, the summertime apples and sweet cherries, the old red barn, the pasture that stretched on for what seemed like miles...these are the things I treasured.  This was home to me.

So I guess it shouldn't have surprised me that when I grew up and moved away, all I ever really wanted to do was move back home. Maybe not literally, but figuratively I had this dream to create for my own family what my parents created for me.

Since Patrick and I have been married, we have lived in eight different abodes and have brought our "home" with us wherever we've gone. And yet, even so, there's been this yearning in my heart to find a spot of land in this great big world where the location, the surroundings, and the area feel similar to the home I had as a child.

When we built our house where we now live, it was so close to perfection. We built our cozy cottage perched on a hill with splendid valley views. It has a large yard and sits in a quiet neighborhood. And to everyone else's standards, it's perfection indeed. But even before we started building, Patrick and I had been looking for land. It was our shared dream to build a home on a few acres somewhere in the countryside, but that dream was not yet to be. We did not have sufficient funds for acres of land, so we decided to purchase our 1/3 acre lot and make an untamed rocky hillside into a haven of sunshine for our children. But we promised each other that one day the farmland would come. And I always knew in my heart that it would.

For three years we settled into this bright little cottage, creating a home and taming the wilderness. With generous help from family, friends, and neighbors, and through our blood, sweat, and tears, we hauled boulders, raked rocks, spread ten dump trucks of fill dirt, bordered gardens, brought in truckloads of compost, built a sandbox, laid pallets of sod, planted six fruit trees, and dozens of flowers and bushes. It was truly a labor of love and our yard seems to smile at me every time I look at it.

During this time, I kept my "Farmhouse Dream" alive in my heart. I told only a few close friends and family members because most people just didn't understand why I would ever want to move. So I prayed for contentment with what the Lord had given me and I worked for it every day. With time, I fell so in love with this "Sunhaven Cottage" and it's outdoor eden that I thought maybe my childhood dream was not meant to come true. I tucked this dream on a shelf in my heart and decided to come alive in the home I was in. So we lived and laughed and cried and played and made so many memories that I will cherish forever. But every so often, I would take out my little Farmhouse Dream and feel this twinge of "what if?" What if this dream could still come true? But was it selfish? Should I just give it up and stay here forever?

I took my questions to the Lord and He answered with a host of feelings and assurances that now take up pages in my journal. And through it all, He whispered so gently that there would be a farmhouse someday and my Farmland Dream would indeed come true. His whispers reassured me that my dream was not selfish but intrinsically connected to who I am and my purpose in life. The answers from on high calmed my fears and gave me the courage to live joyfully in the present while at the same time nurturing a hope for the future.

So last summer I began land searching. Not in any desperate, need-to-escape kind of way, but just so I could get a feel for the county we live in and where I would someday like to be. Many summer days after swimming lessons the children and I would go for a drive through the countryside and find plots of land for sale. It was a lovely pastime, but I never found anything I loved. I knew that when I saw it, I would know. It would be right and it would feel like home.

After a year of driving and dreaming, I decided that when our family outgrew the current bedroom situation in our cottage, it would be time to either move or finish the basement and settle in for the long haul. When I found I was expecting our fourth child at Christmas, we made plans to turn our daughter's room into a shared bedroom for her and the new baby. With four children, we would still easily fit in our house, so I told the Lord that maybe in a year or two I would consider moving.

Then one day as I was vacuuming I noticed several damaged areas of the carpet and thought we would definitely need to redo the floors if we ever moved. I filed the idea in my long-term to-do list, but no more than a few days later, our son accidentally flooded the toilet with too much toilet paper and we had a small-scale flood on our hands. Two minutes of damage turned into two miserable months of repair and insurance calls and workers in and out of our home every waking minute while I was extremely morning sick. All the carpet was torn out and replaced with wood flooring that I had always wanted. I was grateful that this trial brought about such a fortuitous blessing. Because little did I know, that in the midst of the flood repairs, we would find our farmland...

It was a cold and snowy Sunday evening, just before dusk. We were on our way home from my parent's Sunday dinner and I was feeling morning sick as usual. As we neared closer to home, I thought maybe a drive through the snowy countryside would do me good. So I asked Patrick if we could take the long way home, but I didn't tell him where to go. I was hoping he would make a certain turn into a little town I love. It's not on our way home--it's a bit out of the way. But to my surprise, without a word, Patrick turned at the exact spot I had hoped. Just a little coincidence, but it didn't stop there.

As we drove down the quiet country road, I remarked to my husband, "Why can't there ever be any land for sale out here? I love this countryside! I wish there was just a little spot of land for sale!" I grew silent for a moment and reminisced on the evening a few years back when we had come out here to a sweet man's homemade ice skating rink. We skated for hours and I had wished I could stay there forever.

Suddenly, pulling me out of my reverie, I noticed a little sign up ahead. "Is that a for sale sign?!" I exclaimed. We slowed down and pulled over to the side. Sure enough, the sign read "FOR SALE" and I got this overpowering feeling of warmth in my heart. This was it. I could feel it.

The next few days offered hope and momentary disappointment as we found out the land was already sold. But then we found out that there was another plot of land for sale in the very same field, but it was already under contract. But maybe, possibly, if the buyer fell through, the farmland could be ours. I felt so much peace throughout the whole process. When I prayed about it, I felt peace, like everything would work out exactly as it should. And work out it did. After a month of waiting, we were offered a piece of the farmland and we made an offer.

We still didn't know how it would all work out. Now we'd have to sell our house right after we made it so beautiful. And how could I leave our friends and neighbors? We had grown so close to our church family here. I was still sick and we weren't sure this was the right time to be moving and building - with a baby on the way. But each day, we put our trust in Heavenly Father and He guided us step by step - lighting the path in front of us.

The timing was definitely not my own. But the Lord knows best. He knows when we need to settle and when we need to move. And for some reason, this is our season to move. The house sold in less than a week. I didn't even have time to put a for sale sign in the yard. And we have to be out now in just nine days.

There is still so much uncertainty that lies ahead. We hope to have our Farmhouse built by Autumn, but we will see how it goes. The Lord keeps opening doors and windows and little crawl spaces. So we follow where His Spirit leads and put our faith and trust in Him forever. He cradles our lives in His hands and is ever so involved in every detail. This is my faith.

So as we embark on this journey, I hope to share with you the adventure that lies in nurturing and growing a dream. I hope that deep in your heart you have special tucked-away dreams that are intrinsically connected to who you are and why you came to earth. As we follow the nudges of the Holy Ghost, we can sort out which dreams are God-given and when to plant and nurture them. May you have the courage to examine your seed-like dreams and surrender them to the Gardener. He will help them grow and bloom in His own due time. Of this you can be sure.

Secrets to a Heartfelt Valentine's Day

Is there a way to elevate Valentine's Day from one of high expectations and disappointment to one of meaningful, heartfelt memories?

I've experimented over the last nine years to find the secret formula for the perfect Valentine's Day. These 5 simple tips below are the essence of what I have found.

1. Give Love. First and foremost, change your focus from "getting love" on Valentine's Day to "giving love." This tip is the single most important thing I can offer you.

It will change your world.

Dream up all the ways you can make this day magical for your family, friends, and loved ones, and watch your heart expand and open. This one simple shift in thinking will allow you to receive more love than you can possibly imagine.

2. Celebrate YOUR Family. I could easily call this tip, "Don't compare," but I don't like the negative statement. Instead of allowing yourself to get caught up in all the ways your friends, neighbors, and social media photos celebrate Valentine's Day, be unique. Be authentic and create your Valentine's Day in a way that brings you and your family joy. It doesn't matter how anyone else is celebrating. Honestly take stock of what is important and meaningful to you and cut out the rest guilt-free. This tip is vitally important as you read the rest of my tips. I offer our family's celebrations as mere ideas. Please don't feel like you have to do or be like me. Just be YOU.

3.  Simplify Traditions & Decor. Not all the loving plans and gifts we dream up will be realistic or even feasible. Hone your list of dreams to the very most meaningful ways you can make Valentine's Day special.

{Our simple Valentine's Day celebrations include gifting the children a bowl of candy and chocolates when they wake up, along with a new book or two that I have recorded reading to them so they can listen anytime they would like. My husband and I take turns planning our evening date for after the children go to sleep.

My Valentine's decor is very simple, yet lovely. I fill my red glass basket that belonged to my grandmother with Valentine's chocolates, and place an empty chocolates box on the table. This empty box is sometimes filled with love notes that we write to each other. This year I am on the lookout for when my children are kind and serve one another. I write it on a little heart and place it in the box. On Valentine's Day I will assign one of the children to be Cupid, and they will get to pass out the hearts to those who did the service. I hang on my shelves a simple banner of 5 vintage Valentine's cards on red & white striped twine. And the final touch for me is a big bouquet of fresh flowers. This is the icing on the cake for me...my flowers have yet to arrive this year, but I will be posting a photo on Instagram when they come if you follow me there.}




4. Create a Heartwarming Meal. Now, this meal doesn't have to be fancy or glamorous or even homemade. Plan a meal that will bring you joy (and not much stress). If our holidays are so consumed with busyness, they lose their sparkle and cease to be a joy and delight. Make your menu, then don't second-guess yourself. If a night out at a special restaurant would be more joyful to your family than hours in the kitchen, don't hesitate. But if you prefer a gourmet feast with all the trimmings, follow your heart. There is no right way to create a heartwarming meal. The key is to make sure whatever you do is heartwarming to you and those you love.

{For breakfast we are trying out a new tradition of a special Valentine's cereal bar where the children get to create their own bowl of "cereal love" (Rice Crispies topped with heart-shaped marshmallows, tiny dehydrated marshmallows, and sprinkles). Dinnertime always involves hearts of some kind. Some years we make a heart-shaped pizza, but usually, we have heart pancakes.

This year the menu will be: heart-shaped pancakes topped with strawberry or raspberry jam & a dollop of whipping cream, along with cherry pomegranate juice, bacon, eggs, raspberry pretzel salad, and chocolate-dipped strawberries for dessert.}

5. Let this holiday be a pattern for your life...

Day 26: The Reward

So often we want to get to a desired destination to reach happiness. But, truth be told, we will never reach that "perfect" destination. There will always be something just over the next horizon for us to pursue. The trick is to enjoy the now and find happiness in the present. And this little quote helps me visualize just exactly how to do that.

Life is a journey, my friends. And how blessed we are to be on this journey. Stay present.

Let the journey itself be your reward.

{Find this print in my shop by clicking here.}

Day 24: Do What You Love

What do you love to do? Have you ever made a list? If not, stop what you're doing and go make one this moment. If you have children at home, let them make a list too.

Now hang up your list where you will see it often.

Life is too short to spend too much time doing unbearable things.

It's Saturday...so it's time to do something you love. Pick just one thing on your list (or two or three) and do it today. No ifs, ands, or buts.

See what a difference it makes in your day.

Now, repeat. Every day. As often as you can. If you do this, you will look back on your days at the end of your life and see the beautiful life you created.

xoxoxo,

Jamie

{To view this print in my shop click here.}

Day 17: Fly

Life is full of possibility. Endless opportunities await us. When our hearts call us to action, all that is required is a simple "yes." But more often than not, great opportunities are accompanied with a certain degree of risk. We argue with ourselves. Should we stay where we are, comfortable in our little space of familiarity...or should we reach for the stars?

Of course you might fail. But what if you fly?

Is it worth the risk? No one wants to fail. But what you must remember is that no one ever truly fails. Every failure is a blessing in disguise. The lessons we learn will only add to the gleam in our character. Besides, this failure may lead to an entirely different dream altogether.

So trust your heart.

Say yes.

Either way you'll fly.

{To view this print in my shop, click here}

Day 13: Beautiful Destination

What is your destination? If you have a great vision of where you want to be in life, then hold fast to that dream even if your road today feels rough. Keep your dreams ever before your eyes and savor the little moments along the way. It will all be worth it in the end. 

Sometimes dreams are easily chosen, but other times they're more elusive. If life finds you traversing a difficult road without a specific "dream," take heart. Keep walking the path. Stay close the Lord and He will guide you just where you need to be. You see, sometimes dreams come true that we never even knew would be possible. Your next destination may be a beautiful surprise.

My dreams right now are many: to raise a happy, righteous family, make wonderful memories, write and publish a book, live in a little farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, return to Portugal, go on missions with my husband, and maybe even change the world through words...What are your goals and dreams?

{To view this print in my shop, click here}

Day 11: Happiness

The secret to finding happiness is really not about "looking" for it. It's about creating it.

We can best create joy in our lives by living righteously and doing the things that light our hearts with  happiness. I've wasted a lot of time looking for happiness by trying to be perfect instead of simply trying to be the very best me.

Life is so precious. I encourage you to do at least three things today that fill your soul with joy. In this way, you will be creating your very own happiness.

How to Turn your Dreams into Reality

Are you ready for an adventure? It's time to harness your big dreams and turn them into a reality. The first step is to pick a dream--anything under the sun that you would like to achieve in your life. If you need help finding one, or you feel somewhat unsettled or dissatisfied with how things are in your life right now check out this post first: To Dream is a Grand Adventure {this post will really help you find your next dream}

Once you've picked a dream {for me, it was redecorating my home}, it's time to begin.

THE 7 STEP DREAMING PROCESS

Phase 1: Dreaming Phase 

During this phase, the sky is the limit. Look at Pinterest boards, cut out pages from magazines, make collages and dream boards, look around you for inspiration. Dream about all of the possibilities and don't cut out a single one. This is a time to let your imagination soar. Note: This phase can sometimes take only a few hours. With more complex or massive dreams, this process could take up to a few months--or even a year or more. Judge the size and feasibility of your dream at this stage in your life. You'll know when it's time to move onto the next phase.

You can check out the Pinterest board I created when I embarked on this journey of redecorating my home {back in December}. This is the place I put the ideas I found online. For physical inspiration, like printouts and magazine pictures/articles, I began compiling a binder.

Phase 2: Design & Visualize Phase

After you've spent some time dreaming, you need to craft a vision. For me, it was writing down on paper some of my design ideas for my house. Once I had a rough sketch, I spent several days just letting it settle. I would take a few minutes at the end of my day to lay on my bed, close my eyes, and visualize myself living in the home of my dreams. It's tempting to skip this step--but this step is vital! When you begin visualizing your dream coming to life, that's when things start to get magical. If this is important to you, and you've felt the Spirit whisper to you that your dream is good, then Heavenly Father will help you achieve it. That's why it's imperative that you keep your thoughts positive and visualize your dream coming true. Because the very moment you start visualizing, your dream will start gradually turning into your reality. Note: This phase needs to continue throughout the whole dreaming process. It will fuel your dream with the enthusiasm you will need to achieve it.

Phase 3: Research & Refine Phase

Now it's time to dive into researching just exactly how you are going to make your dream come true. Write down all the questions you have, and all the worries you have. Then research them one by one. This phase can take a while as you explore all the details, so don't expect it to be completed overnight--especially if it's a big dream. And don't get overwhelmed. Just work on it little by little, bit by bit, and keep updating your dream boards with the how-to's and inspirational articles you will need to reference when you're in the creation phase. This phase took me over a month to complete, but it was well worth it. There is something about researching all the details that calms your worries. As you research, refine your dream vision--tweaking things here and there until your dream is doable and manageable.

Phase 4: Budget & Save Phase

The budgeting aspect of this phase may not take very long. If you've done your research, you should know a ballpark range of how much this dream will cost {and for business dreams, how much profit you will make after you invest in education and supplies}. When you have a projected expenses document {I made mine first on paper and later in Excel}, you can look at your budget to see how and when to allocate your funds. There may be some parts of your dream you have to cut out, and others you have to put on hold while you save up the money. But don't get discouraged. It will be worth it, and like I said earlier, the Lord will help you. I finished my re-decorating budget last month and have been waiting for our tax refund and other savings to be accumulated. Many of the aspects of my dream {like painting, can lights, new light fixtures, several pieces of new furniture, and other small decor will be feasible over the next few months. Other things, like my countertops and floor will have to wait...for several, several years. And that's okay. I am feeling so content and blessed with all that I have received.

Phase 5: Planning Phase

After you have made a budget timetable, it's time to make a plan of when you will work on and complete each aspect of your dream. For me, I made a "Remodel Timeline" in my notebook complete with my list of projects to do and the date I wanted to do them. Of course, this plan won't be set in stone and I will be tweaked as regular life happens, but with a plan, you will be more motivated to move into the next phase. Be advised--while it's very good to research and plan and refine, be careful not to get stuck too long in the researching phase or the planning phase as you wait for perfection. Eventually, you just have to take a deep breath and take the plunge. Things will work out as you go along--I promise. Note: this phase took me only one afternoon to complete. With my research done, it was a cinch.

Phase 6: Creation Phase 

Are you ready to get started on actually achieving your dream now? This is the phase I am in right now. It's exciting and nerve-racking and head-spinning and wonderful all at the same time. Enjoy each moment--even the unpleasant ones {like painting vaulted ceilings...coming soon}. When you start to wonder why you ever started on this journey, remind yourself of what you are trying to accomplish, and how it will bless your life and the lives of those around you. Remind yourself that it will be worth it, and every problem will be solved. Pray for strength, and rely on His grace. He will help you if things start to look bleak. This phase may be done in one day or it may take several months or even years to achieve. But remember that joy can be found in the journey as well as the destination.

Phase 7: Gratitude & Celebration Phase 

Since I'm not finished with my creation phase yet, I will hold off on explaining this last phase for a bit. I will dedicate a whole post to this when my house dream is completed.

And that's it! That is the "Dreaming Process" in a nutshell. I would love to have you share with me in the comments the dream you are working towards, and update me on your progress. You can follow me on Instagram @writinginthestillness to follow along with my house dream journey. I will also be posting lots of inspiring quotes there to keep you {and me} excited and motivated.

Good luck! {And "Good Faith," as my mother always says.}
With the Lord's help, you can do anything!!!

To Dream is a Grand Adventure

 Everyone needs a good dream. A dream that lights you up inside and makes you want to jump out of bed each morning with excitement. To me, a dream is more than just a goal. Goals are good. They are the small landmarks along the way that help us reach our destination. But dreams? They are the destination.

A good dream builds you, empowers you, and molds you into a truer disciple of Christ while simultaneously helping you reach outward, beyond yourself to bless those around you. Dreams can be small or large or somewhere in-between. They might bless your family, your community, or even the world at large. But they are all important. Because God delights in the growth of His children.

I was pondering on this thought a few mornings ago as I washed the breakfast dishes when my sweet little 3-year-old daughter bounced into the kitchen and announced: “Mommy, I’m going on an adventure!”

I gazed down at her enthusiasm and asked, “You are?”

“Yes. I’m all ready! I have everything I need!”

She held up her sparkly light-up purse filled with “necklaces, toys, and snacks.” And with that, she was off to happily pursue her special make believe adventure. I smiled to myself. We all need an adventure. Following our dreams as an adventurous quest puts a sparkle in our eyes and a lightness to our step. Yes, we all need a good dream.

Where are you in regards to following your dreams? You may already be pursuing a bold quest to make a difference in the world. Right now, this is where I am. I have a lofty vision for the near future and I am striving little by little to achieve it.

But there have been other times in my life when I haven’t felt so sure. Times when my progression slowed or even stopped—like I was standing on an isolated, flat plateau and had no idea how to get off. Or perhaps you’ve just completed an adventurous quest and are wondering what’s next. Have you ever been in a similar space?

What do you do when you’re stuck in a rut, or standing on a plateau, or at the end of a quest and don’t know where to even begin when it comes to finding your next dream?

You start right where you are, because “here” is all you have in the grand scheme of things. Bless this present moment—no matter how high or low you feel. Remember that feelings are temporary and they do not define who you are. You are a spirit child of God living in this mortal experience to grow and become. So let the emotions flow through you and accept where you are with open arms. Because this rut you stand in today will lead you to a mountain vista tomorrow.

Once you accept where you stand, glance around. Take in this “view from the valley.” Gaze off into the distance and observe your surroundings. Do you see perhaps a far-off mountain or nearby hill, beckoning you to climb its peak?

What does this look like in practical application? Kneel before your Maker and ask Him to give you a vision of your next mission to perform. Then be still and listen. Your answer may come in that moment, but maybe not. If it does, embrace it with open arms, write it down, and commit to take the steps necessary to achieve it.

But if not, stand up and live with a heightened awareness of the little things in your daily life. Because the Lord will send you a message through something as simple as a verse in your scripture study, a sunrise, a phone call, an article read, a chance conversation with a loved one, an act of service performed, a message from church, or just a simple idea that switches on like a light bulb.

Pay attention—for your petition is important to your Heavenly Father. He delights in giving His children a vision of what they can become and how they can personally make a difference in the lives of His other children throughout the world.

The scriptures say, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (D&C 88:63)

In my count, I found a similar admonition repeated more than 15 times throughout the scriptures. Truly, this exhortation is a sure promise we can believe.

In the words of Elder Jeffrey R Holland:

“God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t believe.” (This, the Greatest of All Dispensations, CES Fireside, September 12, 2004)

I believe this. I know He will answer. And when He does, it will be like a hilltop off in the distance lights up with a conduit from heaven, and deep down you just know that this adventure is the one for you.

Faith: Walking on Water

I was so privileged to have my post featured on Multiply Goodness a few weeks ago. I am posting my words here as well in case you missed them:

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I have a painting on my wall that I treasure: “Christ Walking on Water” painted in 1880 by Julius Von Klever. It was a gift from my mother at a time when I desperately needed it. I was discouraged, trying to become the mother of my dreams. But the days were long in our dark little basement apartment with two toddler boys and my husband in graduate school. My dream glowed like an ember before me, but it seemed so far out of reach. I just felt too small and weak to realize my divine potential.

Do you ever feel this way? Like God has this grand vision of how His glorious purposes will shine through you, and yet you feel so ordinary?

The day I hung this painting on our tiny dining room wall I felt a newfound courage well up inside me and our home was filled with a special sort of holiness. And as I gazed upon this painting day after day, the beautiful story of Christ walking on the water came alive in my mind and I became like Peter. I chose each day to go beyond the boat and walk on water—a place where I had no control, but learned to trust in my Savior and His plan for my life. Through those years that seemed to stretch on forever, but really swept by too swiftly, I surrendered to Christ’s will, and He in turn healed and empowered me. And little by little, He taught me how to be the mother I’d always dreamed of becoming.

Now I stand a bit farther down the road of life and can feel that He’s not done with me yet. There are still mountains for me to climb and dreams for me to realize.

As I knelt to pray a few nights ago, I was quite unexpectedly given a new charge from the Lord. Flashes of inspiration and insight flooded my heart and I was struck with wonder.

But then I began to doubt the reality of little me achieving something so grand, and for one brief moment, fear paralyzed my aspirations. But my scriptures beckoned to me from the nightstand, promising answers. So I picked them up and opened to where my ribbon marked my place in Matthew 14:25-31.

Where do you start when your dream looms like an ocean before you?

Right where you are.

“And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea….

“And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out in fear.

“But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

“And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.”

Peter asks his Savior to invite him to come unto Him. You do the same every time you ask the Lord to show you His will for your life and how you can shine His light in your own special way.

“And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.”

And so the Savior invites and Peter steps out of the security of the ship and down into the rolling waves. Whether you do so boldly or perhaps with a bit of hesitation, you too step out of your ship of comfort and familiarity to accept the glorious task you’ve been given and walk towards Christ to learn how to achieve it.

“But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

“And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

The wind and waves beat vehemently and for one split second Peter removes his eyes from the Savior. This moment of turning from faith to fear is when he starts to sink. Do you ever heed your doubts, fears, and the tempestuous voices around you when you embark on a dream?

After reading these verses, I felt my Savior reach down and catch me. My doubts and fears fled away, replaced with enveloping peace. I realized then that I’m really not so small and ordinary if I am walking on the water with the Savior of the world.

Are you ready to embrace your God-given dreams, walk to the Savior, and discover from Him how to shine forth His glory to the world?

Armed with faith in my Savior and with my gaze fixed steadfastly upon Him, I am ready to learn how to walk on water again.

When Afraid to Follow Your Dreams

I truly believe that if we trust Him, Heavenly Father will allow each of our days to unfold in miraculous wonder. Opportunities will fall into place, challenges will come to show us where we can grow into more peace, and tender mercies will find us at precisely the right moment.

But it really does take faith.

The other day I opened up Facebook and right at the top was a post from a dear friend from another state. She had shared this quote:

It came to me on a day when I needed courage to move forward with my dreams--dreams of homemaking, dreams of writing, and dreams of turning my home into a beautiful haven of peace. So I wrote it down on a sticky note and placed it on my desk where I would see it every day.

Since then, I have researched this quote and found that it's is actually a summary of a passage that Thoreau wrote in Walden:

“I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. . . . In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty poverty, nor weakness weakness."

And after reading this, I loved it even more.

As we advance in the direction of our dreams, whether large or small, we are showing our Heavenly Father that we are willing to take action to fulfill our dreams in the best way we know how. And as we pray for His help, He will create a path in front of us and remove the obstacles that appear. He will clear the way.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seekethfindeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 

~Matthew 7:7-11

So believe Him. Believe He is good, because He is. And because He loves you. He cares about your dreams and righteous desires. And He will help you achieve them.

Finally, one last word of confidence as you take your first uncertain step towards achieving your dreams:

"Be not moved. You have a great destiny before you. This is your moment! I truly believe that one virtuous young woman, led by the Spirit, can change the world!" ~Elaine S. Dalton

 And you will.

Simple Pleasures.

Fog enshrouded the frosty morning.

But inside, the world was cozy as my little girl and I enjoyed a January tea party.

We used her tiny tea set and dined on animal cookies and milk.

Quaint, small, and simple.

I want these days to last forever...

Do you have little rituals that are unique to you and your child? Special little pastimes shared just between the two of you?

For my daughter, there are tea parties and painting fingernails and trying new hairstyles.

For my oldest son, there are art projects and writing books.

For my second son, there are cuddles and puzzles.

For all three of them, there are dance parties and story time.

Being a mother (or a grandmother or an aunt....) is so joyous. 

Because as nurturers, we get to fill up our days {and our hearts} with these simple little pleasures enjoyed with pure, innocent, radiant children.

It doesn't get any better than that.

When your dreams seem far away.

There are moments when my house is clean and serene.
But then there are other times...

And sometimes during those "other times" I feel down on myself--for not being more talented, or more on top of things, or better at this or that--{like creating a home that is a candidate for the cover of Country Living Magazine}. Do you ever feel that way?

But when I look a bit deeper and let myself "feel" what my home is like instead of viewing it through the eyes of critique, I realize that my although my house may not be perfect, my home is pretty close.

My home is lived in and loved. It is cozy and colorful and loving.

It is messy and glorious all at the same time.

Do I dream of someday living in and decorating a Country Living cover farmhouse? Yes. Because dreaming gives me a bright glow of hope. And because a good dream is like chocolate to the soul.

But this? Here? Right now? This is where my heart is. And when I wake up each morning, I make the choice to embrace this crazy beautiful life.

Because right here, right now, this is exactly where I'm supposed to be.

3000 Days

It was on Monday that I opened an app on my phone to see how many days before Thanksgiving...and I noticed this:

3000 days? Really? It's only been 8 1/2 years....but I never would have guessed it's been 3000 days!

I forgot to tell Patrick the news until the next day, but when I remembered, I texted him:

Reaching this landmark really caused me to reflect on the journey my sweetheart and I have traveled. Together we have:

• lived in 8 different residences and 2 states
• owned 2 cars
• welcomed 3 children into our family
• adopted 7 pets
• traveled to 3 different states
• worked at 10 different jobs
• finished 2 bachelor's degrees and 1 doctorate degree
• and held 16 callings in our Church

But the numbers are only a representation of the stories behind them. And we have experienced so many wonderful stories....

Like the time we ran out of gas on our honeymoon, and later were pulled over by a small town deputy because we didn't have a license plate on the front of our car. Or how our families moved us into our second apartment the day we were in the hospital for our first son's birth. We've had scary stories like when our oldest son fractured his skull, or the day our second son split his forehead, or when we had an intruder in our house. We've also had countless days of miracles, like the day we found out we were having a little girl, or when Patrick was accepted into his doctorate of Physical Therapy program, the day he passed his boards, or the day he was offered his dream job right down the street from where we were building our home.

The memories could go on. There are just too many to enumerate. Great, big grand ones, and small and simple little ones. Each year has added layers of friendship, trust, and endearment to our love story, and I'm just so grateful that I get to be with my very best friend for eternity.

I don't know who I would be today if I had lived 3000 days without my best friend. He has loved me, encouraged me, supported me, listened to me, and shaped me into the woman I've always dreamed of becoming. 

"Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord." ~1 Corinthians 11:11

I can't wait to see the countless pages of our love story that will be added in the next 3000 days...

What stories have been written for you over the past 3000 days? Can you see how far you've come and the amazing person you have become? What stories will you write in the next 3000 days? Consider writing your hopes and dreams for the future in your journal tonight...

Day 21: Best Day of Your Life

We have a favorite song in our family as of late. It's called "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors. We sing it often and use it as a soundtrack when we do a quick pick-up of the house. The tune is catchy and the lyrics are fun. But I think what I love best about it is the epiphany that came to me one day as it played on the radio.

I was on my way to the grocery store on some ordinary day when it played. I remember singing along and thinking,

"This is going to be the best day of my life?! But today is pretty plain--nothing exciting happening."

And then it occurred to me that it doesn't matter. Every day has the potential to be the "best day of my life." And ever since then I wake each morning with a smile on my face, trusting and knowing that this is going to be the best day of my life.

Because every day can be the best day.

I can't tell you how much this has changed my paradigm and shifted my world to the positive. To maintain this outlook is really quite liberating and allows miracles, coincidences, celebrations, and good things to unfold for me every day.

Could this day be the best day of your life? What if you chose to adopt this perspective too? What amazing wonders would come to pass for you today? And every day? Try it for yourself.

This could really be the best day of your life...

31 Days to Peace Index

Day 15: Book Ends to Your Day

We are halfway through this 31 Days Series to Peace. I hope you have been able to fill your heart with peace as much as I have. These last few weeks have stretched me to be sure, but I have benefitted and grown, and we're only halfway done!

For today, I want you to think about how you begin and end your day. Do you have a special routine?

Nearly ten years ago when I was living in Portugal, I would end each and every day by one of the old windows in my bedroom.

If I looked left, this was my view:

If I looked right, my view was out to the front of the house:

It was an old window with two sides that opened with a latch. On winter nights I would huddle by the radiator and gaze out the window. On warm summer nights I would throw open my windows and gaze at the scene below me from my second floor bedroom. These were my most special times of communing with the Lord. I would still do a formal prayer kneeling down, but afterwards I would always go to my window to just talk with my Father in Heaven. My chats were usually accompanied with tears, and they were always accompanied with warm feelings of love in my heart from a Father to a daughter. I treasure those precious hours I spent at that window in Portugal. How I wish I could go back and have one more Start Chat with my Father there.

I like to think of the beginning and ending of my day as bookends. Without them, the rest of my day would fall apart, just as books would fall over on a bookshelf. These two times of day could be considered the most important parts. What you do in the first few minutes of waking and the last few minutes before sleeping have a profound impact on your day and your sleep. These two time periods, if used well, can ground you and center you and bring you immense inner peace.

To be honest, my bookends have never been entirely perfect or consistent or high-quality. Long ago, I used to let the events of the day, (usually the negative ones) run on replay in my mind depriving me of much-needed rest. I thought that a good night's sleep would make all the worries go away, but what really happened was I would wake up with the haunting worries flying right back to my mind like a magnet. I didn't feel rested and the worries were ever-nagging. Over time I have learned how to use these pivotal points of my day to nourish and soothe me. And now with each passing day I am shaping my mornings and evenings into vital time frames that serve me.

As you ponder on your own circumstances, maybe a few of these questions will spark an idea of something you could implement or tweak or fold into your morning or evening bookend.

MORNING BOOKEND
Do you start your day with things that energize you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually? Do your activities leave you feeling refreshed, recharged, and powered up?

Physical Ideas: drinking a glass of water to jumpstart your metabolism, an invigorating shower, exercise you love, moving your body, stretching, yoga, aerobics, dancing, walking in nature, jogging, Zumba, lifting weights, etc.

Spiritual Ideas: prayer, pondering, study of the scriptures, gratitude listing, listening to the Spirit to plan who needs you and what most needs to be accomplished

Mental/Emotional Ideas: listening to or writing your positive affirmations, reading a thought-provoking book, listening to an uplifting talk, working on one of your projects, meditation, creative visualization, journaling, prioritizing, art, writing


EVENING BOOKEND
Do you consistently end your day with a sequence of things that soothe you and allow you to wind down, preparing you for a good night's rest? When your head falls into your pillow do you feel calm and relaxed?

Physical Ideas: drinking a glass of water or warm juice, a soothing bath, massage, yoga, stretching, deep breathing

Spiritual Ideas: prayer, pondering, study of the scriptures, gratitude listing, communing with the heavens to make an accounting for your day

Mental/Emotional Ideas: listening to or writing your positive affirmations, reading a calming book, meditation, relaxation, creative visualization, journaling, art, writing, talking with a loved one about your day's happenings


A FEW TIPS:

First, you might consider naming or labeling your bookends: Morning Routine/Evening Routine,  Power-up/Power-down, Magic Mornings/Enchanting Evenings...be creative and create a name that resonates with you. This will allow these special times to be up close and personal to you.

Second, don't be afraid to play and experiment with different elements. There's no one right way, just many good ways to make your bookends powerful. Don't worry about getting it right the first time. Try a few elements for a few days and change them up until you arrive at what feels best for you and brings you the most peace. I'm still molding and tweaking my bookends to get them just right. Enjoy the process, and remember that life is a process and a journey--not a destination. Enjoy every step.

Lastly, try to be consistent. I know there are days, and more than we care to admit, that leave us taxed and drained and exhausted beyond our breaking point. On these days it's tempting to skip our morning and evening routines for lack of time or an overload of stress. But these routines, if consistently practiced, will be the very things that anchor us to our core and offer a foundation of peace and wellbeing. They are not to be used only when stressed, nor are they to be used only when everything is going fantastic. They are to be employed day after day, week after week, and month after month. They will ground us and center us to the things that will nourish our bodies, minds, and spirits and give us the energy to live the amazing life of our dreams!

What do you do to make your morning and evening bookends powerful times of grounding and centering? Please share your ideas. I'd love to learn from you!

Day 13: Create your Rhythm

Along with yesterday's post to "Envision," today's post will greatly enhance your sense of peace as you create your ideal, yet realistic daily routine.

There are many different words we use to describe the rhythm of our day....daily structure, routine, schedule, plan. I love the word "rhythm" because it sets me up for a reliable, yet flexible daily routine. For me, the other words seem too rigid, and I much prefer to flow through my day at a comfortable, disciplined, flexible pace.

Back on Day 2, when we talked about "Finding Yourself" I encouraged you to find a pace to move through your day that is comfortable for you. This helps in creating an ideal structure for your day.

As a quick review, here are the 4 questions I posed to help you find your movement:

• Do you enjoy a fast-paced, goal-driven approach to life and the thrill that comes with each new accomplishment? 
• Or would you choose a slower, more flowing lifestyle that meanders through a flexible rhythm?  
• Maybe you prefer a highly-structured day, a routine that is steady and methodical yet still?
• Or maybe you love to randomly bounce from one task or project to another in a fun, lighthearted fashion?

Once you have determined your movement, it's time to set up your daily rhythm (or routine, structure, plan....depending on your favorite term). I like to call mine my "Master Rhythm."

So let's get started! Here are 6 easy steps to creating your Master Rhythm:

1. Create your Master Rhythm where you will see it often. Whether you write it down on a piece of paper, type it on your computer, or use your phone calendar, make sure you hang it in a location you will see often or store it in a place you can easily access.
2. It doesn't have to be perfect!! I can't stress this one enough. Sometimes we are so concerned about creating the perfect schedule that we fail to create anything and then our days lean toward chaos. Anything is better than nothing. Use pencil if you are afraid of pen being too permanent. 
3. Remember you can revise your Master Rhythm at any time!!! I can't even count the number of revised and brand-new rhythms I have created throughout the years. Each season requires different things. A schedule for a full-time student will look very different than one for a business owner or one for a stay-at-home mother. Even though I am a stay-at-home mother, my routine has changed dozens of times with the addition of each child and the differing needs of growing children. 
4. Plan to revise or rewrite your Master Rhythm at the very minimum of once a year. Before my children were in school, I typically revised mine at the change of each season--Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Now that I have two children in school and one at home, I rewrite my rhythm once before the new school year and once before summer break. Then I make small revisions to my plan as needed.
5. Start with the non-negotiables.  For me, no matter how many times I revise my daily/weekly rhythm, the following must always be included: 
1. Daily scripture study, twice daily personal prayer, twice daily family prayer, adequate sleep for myself and my family, family dinner, weekly family home evening, Sunday church services, service in my church calling, a few minutes of daily playtime with my children, evening time with my husband, afternoon story time, planning-shopping for-and cooking healthy meals, exercise, and some time for myself to pursue some of my dreams.  
2. NOTE: Your non-negotiables may be very similar or different than mine. That's okay. We are unique individuals with various needs. Schedule your most important priorities first and the rest will fall easily into place. 
6. Start with what you Know!! I don't know about you, but when I look at a blank calendar or day planner with all of the times written down the left-hand side, I tend to get a little anxious. Where do I even start? A good rule of thumb is to start with what you know. Some of your non-negotiables you have been neglecting and so you don't quite know where to fit them in. That's okay. Start with the things you do know. Start with the daily habits that are essential and are already working. Pencil those in and then move onto the other essential non-negotiables that you're unsure about. If I start with what is already working, it makes this planning stage so much smoother.
7. Jump In! For me, planning always comes easier than execution. Don't be afraid to call your Master Rhythm "good enough" and try it out. Once again, it doesn't need to be perfect. Seasons change, we change, our family needs change, and that is okay. Change is part of life. I used to resent change and the inevitable fact that I had to rewrite my schedule so many times. I kept wondering if I would ever find "the perfect schedule." Let me tell you a little secret I learned: Every schedule you create is perfect for this particular moment in time. There isn't just one perfect schedule. There are many! Peace comes in creating a workable rhythm that allows you to focus on your priorities. If you are living your daily rhythm in a manner that brings you joy and peace, then it is the perfect rhythm at this time for you. Trust in this.

Tomorrow I will post for you my current workable "Master Rhythm" to give you a few ideas if you are still stuck! See you tomorrow!

 31 Days to Peace Index