My thoughts on things that make a difference

Just thinking about all the wonderful people around me, and all the good examples in my life. I am so grateful to have known the people that i have, and i look forward to the people that i have yet to meet. I used to wonder how i could make a difference in the world around me unless I deliver powerful speeches to millions of people or build a hospital in Zimbabwe or discover the cure for mysterious yet prevalent diseases. But then as I saw the kind deeds done around me, I got to thinking that the small things really are big. There is really so much that one single person can do to change the world around them. Standing for goodness and acquiring Christlike attributes can strengthen lives that you touch, people that you know, in a much more powerful way than I think we can understand right now. Love, forgive, have patience, faith, hope, diligence, cultivate your testimony - these things will lead to immeasurable service and worth to the sphere around you. I think about the Prophets of God and the faithful lives they led before their great calling, and the faithful lives they continued to lead throughout their lives. The pure heart and intentions of Mother Teresa and Ghandi. The kind, tender, infatigable and caring spirits of Betsie Ten Boom, Eric Liddell, and even the fictional character Melanie Wilkes. I see a beautiful sister from church each week that has gained such a strong testimony of Christ, and I see that radiate from her actions, words, and lovely face. I see the cosistant and compassionate service given by the church leaders around me. I think of the beautiful and aged sister that I've seen almost every Saturday working hard to serve others and who keeps a smile on her face and sincere concern for others' well-being despite her age and the arthritis I see in her hands; she also never passes up an opportunity to praise someone and offer confidential and loving correction when she knows it's necessary. There are so many others that come to mind. I stand awestruck when I'm able to just take a step back and realize how precious, beautiful, and amazing each person is and what a difference they can make to those around them, including themselves.
How wonderful and blessed and holy it is to have a change of heart wrought by the Savior. What a beautiful, beautiful thing to keep that change and allow it to become who you are and encompass your very being.

Drawing of a horse

I love horses. There is something about their gracefulness, their magesty and strength. So, although this picture is just a simple sketch, I like to draw them every now and then. :)

Thanksgiving

So on Thursday it was Thankgiving! I always really enjoy this holiday. First of all it was nice for the simple reason that I had time off work. :) But more importantly I love the family time and reflection on gratitude that this holiday brings. There is so much to be thankful to the Lord about. My sister Celeste was able to visit from Arizona which has been a big treat - I haven't seen her in a while.
Thanksgiving morning I woke up early to get the most out of the day. My mom and sister Esther were already busy in the kitchen and I came down to assist them. I soon found that the beautiful sunshine outside was also beckoning to me and I could not resist taking a little walk to the park. I really enjoyed walking barefoot in the sunlight - a rare occurence lately because of my new schedule. It was quite warm outside (about 80) and when I got to the park I just basked in the sun for a short time.
I soon walked home and started helping in the kitchen. I sat outside (still enjoying the daylight and weather) and peeled a ton of potatoes. I helped on the stuffing and other miscellaneous things while mom, Esther and Celeste were working on the turkey, pies, rolls, mashed potatoes, gravy, and fluffy green jello. After a while of busy cooking, baking, laughing, talking, and smelling delicious foods being prepared we were finally ready to eat around 2:00. Everything had come together wonderfully with the exception of the shoefly pie boiling over a little and the unintentionally flambayed marshmallows on the sweet potatoes.
After the feast we played a few games, went to the park and played football, and then came back and visited and some more and played more games while eating pie. :)
It was a great day.

Just another drawing

Inspired by Treselle perfume.

This one's for Esther. His name is Henry Wellerd.

2009

An experimentation with acrylic paints. 2005

Deep Sea

I know this is a bad copy, but this is a piece of 'non-drawn' art. I did it as a project for a class. There was going to be a small mermaid in there, but I never ended up putting her in. I liked the tri-fold theme and calming colors. I feel like there's a certain amount of mysticism to it. Unfortantly it got a bit damaged by a cup of spilled water.