Lessons I've learned from Peter

Matthew 14:24-33

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And ^ain the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

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

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good ^acheer; it is I; be not afraid.

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

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

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

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little ^afaith, wherefore didst thou ^bdoubt?

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Lessons learned:

1) It was Peter's idea to walk on the water.

Peter was looking for a miracle. The Lord didn't walk on the water to test Peter. Peter walked on the water to challenge his own faith.

2) Peter didn't rely on past experiences. He only looked to the Lord.

Peter was a fisherman. He was out on the sea constantly. He knew what the sea was like when the winds were blowing. He didn't rely on his own past experience with the sea. He looked to the Lord and used Him as an example.

3) Peter had the faith necessary to actually walk on the water.

He did it! He actually walked on the water! What great faith Peter had!

4) He only began to sink when he stopped looking at the Lord.

We are all in the midst of high winds and tumultuous circumstances. We must always look to the Lord to remain afloat.

5) When Peter began to sink, the Lord immediately stretched forth His hand to lift Peter back up.

The Lord is there to help us succeed. When we don't, we need to cry for His help and He will immediately stretch forth His hand that is always there, to help us when we don't have the strength to help ourselves.

Mormon 9:11

But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.

Let us be a people that look for miracles in our lives. The Lord has certainly shown us He will produce them.

Every, Every Minute

The last few days have been a bit difficult for me. I have had way more things to be grateful for than I had to be upset about but I was upset. I did not focus on the positive. I wallowed in my bad mood. I had happy moments - don't get me wrong. I was just having a hard time choosing to be happy. Today was another day where I was upset.

I was tired when I woke up this morning so I didn't want to go to school. My ride to Salt Lake was late picking me up. There was traffic on the freeway. I was tired in class, so it was all I could do to just write down the bare minimum of what the professor was talking about. I left my backpack in the class after it was over so I had to go back to get it. On top of all of that, on the way to get the car registered, it ran out of gas. This is the second time in three weeks my ride's car ran out of gas! At least this time it wasn't on the freeway. I got out and ran and pushed. The owner of the vehicle also got out and ran and pushed while he steered the car. Three gentlemen ran up and helped us push the car about a mile down the road. I tell you what, if you need a good workout... push a car while running for about a mile. It tears your lungs apart! That's exactly what it did. When we finally got gas in the car, the owner couldn't hold in whatever he had for breakfast and I followed suit about ten minutes later. I took the owner home to his apartment so he could rest while I took his car and went to class. The key got stuck in the ignition. I could NOT get the key out. I was so frustrated. I ended up leaving the keys in the ignition while I went in for class.

That's when my whole outlook changed. Today was devotional day in Concert Choir. I sat back, arms folded, ready for anything.. ha. Her devotional was on finding joy in the journey. It was based off of President Monson's talk with the same title. The first story she told was this, "Some of you may be familiar with Thornton Wilder’s classic drama Our Town. If you are, you will remember the town of Grover’s Corners, where the story takes place. In the play Emily Webb dies in childbirth, and we read of the lonely grief of her young husband, George, left with their four-year-old son. Emily does not wish to rest in peace; she wants to experience again the joys of her life. She is granted the privilege of returning to earth and reliving her 12th birthday. At first it is exciting to be young again, but the excitement wears off quickly. The day holds no joy now that Emily knows what is in store for the future. It is unbearably painful to realize how unaware she had been of the meaning and wonder of life while she was alive. Before returning to her resting place, Emily laments, “Do … human beings ever realize life while they live it—every, every minute?”

It definitely helps that the main character's name is Emily. That story spoke right to my heart. I have been so ungrateful lately. I need to stop, relax, and experience life in the moment. After she gave that devotional, I was holding a drink in my hand during our warmup in choir. It started vibrating because of the sounds that the basses were making. It was awesome.

Let me start over with my day. This morning, I was tired because I had such a fun time laughing with my roommates last night. I have a ride to Salt Lake that takes me every week. I left my backpack in the classroom because my hands were full of a gift someone had given me in class. When we got the car registered, I stopped and played with the cutest puppies I've ever seen in my life. When our car ran out of gas, three gentlemen came and pushed and ran with the owner and I. What a blessing! Today really has been an incredibly blessed day. I am so grateful for today.

"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now." (President Monson)

Radiation - What do we inspire in others?

David O. McKay taught that we affect others constantly by “radiation.” He said the effect of our words is being broadcast to the world. “There is one responsibility which no man can evade; that responsibility is his personal influence. Man's unconscious influence is the silent, subtle radiation of personality -- the effect of his words and his actions on others. This radiation is tremendous. Every moment of life man is changing, to a degree, the life of the whole world. Every man has an atmosphere which is affecting every other man. He cannot escape for one moment from this radiation of his character, this constant weakening or strengthening of others. Man cannot evade the responsibility by merely saying that it is an unconscious influence. Man can select the qualities he would permit to be radiated. He can cultivate sweetness, calmness, trust, generosity, truth, justice, loyalty, nobility, and make them vitally active in his character. And by these qualities he will constantly affect the world. This radiation, to which I refer, comes from what a person really is, not from what he pretends to be. Every man by his mere living is radiating either sympathy, sorrow, morbidness, cynicism, or happiness and hope or any one of a hundred other qualities. Life is a state of radiation and absorption. To exist is to radiate; to exist is to be the recipient of radiation.” (David O. McKay, April 1948, emphasis added)

“Every man and every person who lives in this world wields an influence whether for good or for evil. It is not what he says alone; it is not alone what he does. It is what he is. Every man, every person radiates what he or she really is. Every person is a recipient of radiation. The Savior was conscious of that. Whenever He came into the presence of an individual, He sensed that radiation -- whether it was the woman of Samaria with her past life; whether it was the woman who was to be stoned, or the men who were to stone her; whether it was the statesman, Nicodemus, or one of the lepers. He was conscious of the radiation from the individual. And to a degree so are you, and so am I. It is what we are and what we radiate that affects the people around us. As individuals, we must think nobler thoughts. We must not encourage vile thoughts or low aspirations. We shall radiate them if we do. If we think noble thoughts; if we encourage and cherish noble aspirations, there will be that radiation when we meet people, especially when we associate with them. (David O. McKay, 1964, emphasis added)

After All We Can Do

I had been in that hole for a very long time

In the dark and the damp, in the cold and the slime.

The shaft was above me; I could see it quite clear

But there's no way I ever could reach it from here.

Nor could I remember the world way up there

So I lost all my hope and gave in to despair.

I knew nothing but darkness, the floor, and the walls

Then off in the distance I hear someone call:

"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter.

Take rocks and old sticks and build up a fine ladder."

This had never occurred to me -- had not crossed my mind.

But I started to stack all the stones I could find.

When I ran out of stones, then old sticks were my goal,

For one way or another I'd get out of that hole.

So I soon had a ladder that was sturdy and tall

And I thought,"I'll soon leave this place once and for all."

I climbed up my ladder. It was no easy chore,

For from lifting those boulders, my shoulders were sore.

I climbed up on the ladder, but soon had to stop

For my ladder stopped short -- some ten feet from the top.

I climbed back down my ladder and started to cry

I'd done all I could do. I gave my best try.

And in spite of my work, in this hole I must die.

And all I could do was to sit and think, "Why?"

Was my ladder too short? Or my hole much to deep

Then from way upon high came a voice, "Do not weep."

And then faith, hope, and love entered into my chest

As the voice said to me that I'd done my best.

He said, "You've worked very hard, and your labor's been rough,

But the ladder you've built is at last tall enough.

Do not despair. you have reason to hope.

Just climb up your ladder; I'll throw down my rope."

I climbed up the ladder, then climbed up the cord.

When I got to the top, there stood the Lord.

I couldn't be happier; my struggle was done.

I blinked in the brightness that came from the Son.

I fell to the ground, his feet did I kiss

I cried, "What can I do to repay thee for this?"

Then he looked all about Him. There were holes in the ground

They had people inside, and were seen all around.

There were thousands of holes that were damp, dark, and deep.

Then the Lord turned to me and he said, "Feed my sheep."

Then He went on his way to help other lost souls,

And I got right to work, calling down to the holes:

"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter.

Take rocks and old sticks and build up a fine ladder."

It now was my turn to spread the good word.

The most glorious message that man ever heard.

That there's one who is willing to save one and all

And we've got to be ready when He gives the call.

He'll pull us all out of the hole that we're in

And save all our souls from death and from sin.

So do not lose faith; there is reason to hope

Just build up your ladder; He'll throw down His rope.

~Robby Pierce

"If"

I am now in the BYU Concert Choir. It's a mixed choir (no longer just women). It has a different feeling to it, but I absolutely love it. On Saturday of last week, we had our choir retreat. We get to know one another, eat delicious food, and sing our songs. Interjected in the rehearsal are words of wisdom by the wonderful Sister Hall. One of the songs we sang at retreat really struck me. The music is set to the poem, "Another Spring". It's written by a woman who is dying. She is looking back on her life and saying, "if".

Another Spring
Christina Rossetti

If I might see another Spring
I’d not plant summer flowers and wait:
I’d have my crocuses at once,
My leafless pink mezereons,
My chill-veined snowdrops, choicer yet
My white or azure violet,
Leaf-nested primrose; anything
To blow at once not late.

If I might see another Spring
I’d listen to the daylight birds
That build their nests and pair and sing,
Nor wait for mateless nightingale;
I’d listen to the lusty herds,
The ewes with lambs as white as snow,
I’d find out music in the hail
And all the winds that blow.

If I might see another Spring—
O stinging comment on my past
That all my past results in “if”—
If I might see another Spring
I’d laugh to-day, to-day is brief;
I would not wait for anything:
I’d use to-day that cannot last,
Be glad to-day and sing.

As we sang the song, my eyes actually filled with tears. I am young so I haven't asked myself too many "what if" questions. I have asked some, and those have left me wondering what my life would have been like if I had chosen differently. How tragic would it be if I live to an old age and wonder what my life could have been if only I had chosen differently? What if I never take risks? What if I never do those things that are the hardest for me, but also the most rewarding? What if I don't listen to the promptings of the spirit as He guides my life? What if I don't spend quality time with my husband and nurture that relationship to become the best it possibly can? What if I don't spend quality time with my children?

My Grandpa wrote each of his grandchildren letters and gave us all money. In the letter he said that the money was to make up for his actions and lack of actions in building relationships with us grandchildren. He is 90+ years old. How tragic it is that I have only seen him 3 times in my life. "If I might see another spring... oh stinging comment on my past. That all my past results in 'if'".

This woman has lived her life saying the word 'if'. Her past results in ifs. I remember a story Mom sent out that talks about a woman that never wore her expensive clothing because she wanted to save it for a special occasion. It sat in her drawer with the price tags on. It was not worn once.

Every day is a special occasion! Life is special. Those mundane tasks are special! Walking home from school is special. Listening to professors is special. Waking up this morning with construction in my backyard is special because I will never have another September 10, 2010. What does this day hold for me? What am I choosing to focus on today? I am choosing to live life fiercely. I am choosing to remember the small things. I am choosing to listen. I am choosing to be happy and live in the moment. Don't wait for tomorrow. As the wise Harold Hill says in The Music Man, "You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering."

A New Hobby

So I have a new hobby. All of a sudden this summer I've become addicted to photography! I LOVE taking pictures and editing them to make them beautiful! I recently joined a group on facebook where we put in our pictures and people comment on what they like or suggestions they have on how to make the picture better. I love it so much!! Here are a few that I've submitted to the group. You've seen some of them... but I've edited them a little bit since I posted them last. Enjoy! If you have any suggestions let me know!

Nauvoo 2010!

As I rounded the river bend for the first time in 11 months and read the sign, “Welcome to Nauvoo”, tears streamed down my face. These are the streets I walked with two wonderful companions. This is the river where I read scriptures and made dreams for my life. That is the temple I went to almost every week, seeking direction, seeking service, seeking time with my Heavenly Father. There is the home I lived in with 9 of the most wonderful women I’ve ever met. This is the place I prayed more than at any other time in my life. I gave tours in these homes and shops.

I initially hesitated coming to Nauvoo again. I heard from past YPM’s that it’s a very difficult thing to come and see the new performers performing your shows, singing your songs, saying your lines, and wearing your dresses. We arrived on a Sunday evening when the YPM’s were performing the sing along with the community. As I saw the YPM’s in their white and black outfits (just like us last year!), my heart was full to the brim. I immediately loved each of those YPM’s. I was so excited for them. I was so excited for everything they are learning. I was so excited for the testimony growing inside of them and what they were testifying to the rest of the world. Elder Camp told us (Mary-Martha and I) that he was going to put us back to work. He said we were going to be saying the prayers. We both thought he was joking, but when the sociable began, the senior missionary conducting the meeting announced that former YPM’s Sister Jackson and Sister Gardner would be saying the prayers. I loved it. :)

It was fun to be famous again for a couple of days. Many of the senior missionaries recognized Mary-Martha and I and ran up to give us hugs and see what we were doing with our lives. They mentioned my clogging and mentioned Sister Jackson’s fiddling.

I really enjoyed watching the shows and seeing the changes the new directors have made. I feel like High Hopes and River Boats makes sense now. :) They have done a beautiful job with the blocking and with the feeling of the whole show. Just Plain Anna-Amanda was a true joy to watch. I laughed at the puppet show like it was my first time watching it (I suppose in a way it is!). Each of the casts had their own twists and hilarious things they did. It was fun to see the differences. The only show that made me miss Nauvoo was Sunset by the Mississippi. I put my heart and soul into that one last year. I loved that show so much. The new directors have cleaned it up and made it a very classy classy show. I LOVED how they blocked Frog Kissin’. I love how much the band is a part of the show. It’s just a delight to see everything they have done.

Pageant was amazing as usual. I really enjoyed seeing it and not worrying about being home at a certain time. :) It was fun to remember what I was doing backstage during the different parts of the show.

Nauvoo was wonderful. It is still the city beautiful. The show lives on and grows and becomes better every year. I am so grateful for my time there. I am so grateful for everything I learned. I also know that my life didn’t end in Nauvoo. Like the saints, I am moving and growing and learning new and greater things in my life all the time. Before I left Nauvoo last year, I was having a hard time thinking that Nauvoo would be the highlight of my life. I told a YPM who had been there previously that and he said that he asks himself every day if he is a better person than he was the day before. If the answer is yes, he knows he is headed in the right direction. I’ve made that my commitment to myself. Sometimes, I fall short, but in the end, I will make every day better than the last. I will make every summer better than the last. I will make every year better than the last.

June 6, 2010 - LONDON! (Windsor)

Windsor Castle

Me with Windsor castle

me with Windsor castle again!

Windsor Castle again! The Queen lives here sometimes

And me with another part of the Windsor castle

Today we went to Sacrament meeting at the London family ward. I really enjoy family wards. I went to a sung Eucharist with Chris and Matt at 11. It was beautiful! They only had four voices instead of a full choir. The male alto was also the conductor and the organist. He was a very busy man. They sang “O Sing Joyfully” which is what I sang when I went to Corpus Christi so it was really fun to listen to them singing it. It was really well done! The soprano was awesome! I’m noticing that I love British sopranos so much!

We went to Windsor on a coach and I had the most delicious Sunday roast at a pub. It was so good!! It was only 7 pounds too!! Later we went back and I got a toffee waffle. Um... I think Americans need to learn how to make real belgian waffles. It was so delicious.

We went to Evensong and I loved the performance! They were fantastic. I really love boys choirs. They are so free up high. I love it. I’m feeling really sick though so I’m going to go to bed now. :) Have a wonderful night!

June 5, 2010 - LONDON! (Natural History Museum, V&A Museum, London Philharmonic Choir)

An urn at the British museum. Oxen... interesting, no?

A cool Asian thing

Her name is Emily!

I love this one!

Ok... the next few are just a TON of amazing cars that I saw on my way to these museums.

Heather and I at the Natural History Museum

Heather and I slept in today!! Oh happiness!! I really needed it. We made our delicious scrambled eggs and potatoes. I’m excited to be her roommates in the fall so we can make that yumminess again at home. (yes, yumminess is a word... I have decided so) After that happy happy breakfast Jonnie, Chris, Heather and I went to the Natural History museum. They had a cool exhibit about ants. They also had a human body exhibit that was interesting. We went to lunch at a British Chinese food place. We also went to the Victoria and Albert Museum. I thought that museum was about Victoria and Albert. Turns out... it has nothing to do with them. It has some really amazing sculptures of humans. It also has a replica of The David. It was amazing!! We also waded in the wading pool. That was one of my favorite parts of the day.

We went to see the London Philharmonic Choir perform Haydn’s “The Creation” tonight. The soloists were phenomenal. I really enjoyed the soprano and tenor sounds especially. They both were very free and powerful at the same time. The choir struggled a bit with pitch as did the orchestra. They got a little better throughout the evening. I love the piece, so it didn’t bother me very much because I was just excited to hear the music. I performed in that piece when I was at MSUB. It was one of the highlights of my time there. I went to McDonald’s with a bunch of people after the show. I think it’s funny that I’ve eaten at McDonald’s way more in London than I ever do in America. Actually, that’s a little bit sad. Anyway, another good day in London town!

June 4, 2010 - LONDON! (World Wars)

Signs in the trenches during WWII

Today was a heavy day. We talked about the origins of the World Wars and how it affected Britain. Honestly for my post today, I’m just going to write my notes from class and from my own research. We went to the war museum. My favorite part of the museum was the war through children’s eyes. I cried when I saw how much those children went through. I bought a small book of encouraging words. During the war, Britain put posters all over that said, “Keep calm and carry on”. I think those are some powerful words. Britain went through so much and I had no idea. There are buildings all around London that have chunks taken out from the bombings in London during the wars. War is horrific. It is tragic. I learned so much today and I felt so much today. There is a poem called In Flanders Fields that is very poignant. Read it. I think you’ll get some really good inspiration from it. I am so grateful they had us learn about the wars from Britain's perspective. My eyes really have been opened.

HOMEWORK

What significance the wars hold for me personally

Both Grandpa’s fought in WWII

Favorite book The Hiding Place

I have a fascination with WWII

Grandpa Gardner was on a submarine that was never ever attacked. He said there were some scary times though

I studied WWII with my sister in-law in depth for about 2 months

President Uchtdorf’s stories

Vietnam war... had an impact on my parents getting married when they did.

Grandpa Jim was in the air force. He doesn’t talk about what happened

Nauvoo escorting military up the steps to sing all of the military songs to them and honor them for their service. Crying many times because of what they had been through and that I could see how it had impacted them.

I’ve been to Pearl Harbor. The exhibit there was very moving

Cambridge War memorial was very moving for me.

CHORAL WORKS

The one that I heard in music history that was Hiroshima

I remember a cello composer - I don’t remember his name though

High Flight

Benjamin Britten - War Requiem

Battle Hymn of the Republic

When Johnny Comes Marching Home

Keep the Home fires Burning

Flanders Fields

Yankee Doodle

Reasons for WWI to start:

Britain was had the most power out of all the countries in Europe in the 1900’s. Britain had the largest navy and the most money. Germany was jealous and decided to build up their navy. Germany took over some areas of France and that made France upset. Also, Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated by the Serbians and that began the conflict between the Austro-Hungarian government and Serbia. Germany sided with Austro-Hungary and Russia sided with Serbia. Germany therefore declared war on Russia and on their Ally France. Germany also sent troops into Belgium which broke the peace treaty and started WWI.

Notes from class:

WWI began as a “spat between cousins”

The “Great War”

The governments are not the same! Germany didn’t become a nation until 1871 - before that it was a number of principalities but not a nation. It was very autocratic and militaristic. England was stressing parliamentary government, culture, trade etc... This created a lot of tension between Germany, England, Russia, and France. England felt they had solved the tension with the alliances that had been formed.

England felt that if you can balance power then no one with drop the bomb.

Because of all the alliances, everyone became involved.

WWI was fought over about 40 miles because of the accuracy of the weapons.

God was one of the casualties of this war - at least faith

Three reasons for the war

Imperialism

Competition about who could go the farthest

Alliances

Arms race

Who could accumulate the most

Reasons for WWII to start:

Germany was bitter because of what happened during the first WW. Germany had to be reparation damages of the war. They were blamed for the war. They were upset! WWII began when Germany invaded Belgium. The treaty of Versailles had been broken with that invasion. France and Britain now care because Belgium was completely neutral until the day the Germans invaded. The treaty of Versaille threw Germany into deep poverty. There was worldwide depression but it was even worse in Germany. Because they were poor and did not have employment, it enabled the Nazis to begin. The Nazis were led by Adolph Hitler who was a corporal from WWI. He used this group to preach his brand of subversive rhetoric. Eventually, Germany followed Hitler to go annex back territories that had been taken because of the Cersailles Treaty. Eventually, this led to the invading of Poland. France and Britain had to declare war on Germany because they had a pact with Poland. Other factors contributed to the war like Japan invading Manchuria, but the biggest problem was that Germany invaded Belgium which broke the peace treaty because before they did that, Europe didn’t really care so they didn’t need to do anything.

Timeline WWII-

1939

• Hitler invades Poland on 1 September. Britain and France declare war on Germany two days later.

1940

• Rationing starts in the UK.

• German 'Blitzkrieg' overwhelms Belgium, Holland and France.

• Churchill becomes Prime Minister of Britain.

• British Expeditionary Force evacuated from Dunkirk.

• British victory in Battle of Britain forces Hitler to postpone invasion plans.

1941

• Hitler begins Operation Barbarossa - the invasion of Russia.

• The Blitz continues against Britain's major cities.

• Allies take Tobruk in North Africa, and resist German attacks.

• Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, and the US enters the war.

1942

• Germany suffers setbacks at Stalingrad and El Alamein.

• Singapore falls to the Japanese in February - around 25,000 prisoners taken.

• American naval victory at Battle of Midway, in June, marks turning point in Pacific War.

• Mass murder of Jewish people at Auschwitz begins.

1943

• Surrender at Stalingrad marks Germany's first major defeat.

• Allied victory in North Africa enables invasion of Italy to be launched.

• Italy surrenders, but Germany takes over the battle.

• British and Indian forces fight Japanese in Burma.

1944

• Allies land at Anzio and bomb monastery at Monte Cassino.

• Soviet offensive gathers pace in Eastern Europe.

• D Day: The Allied invasion of France. Paris is liberated in August.

• Guam liberated by the US Okinawa, and Iwo Jima bombed.

1945

• Auschwitz liberated by Soviet troops.

• Russians reach Berlin: Hitler commits suicide and Germany surrenders on 7 May.

• Truman becomes President of the US on Roosevelt's death, and Attlee replaces Churchill.

• After atomic bombs are dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrenders on 14 August.

The GreatWar 1914-1918

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.