A Manley Daughter

Growing up as the only girl in a family with four brothers is wonderful. I would highly recommend it. I adore my family. I may be biased but I think I have the most wonderful family in the world.
I have two loving parents who's love is unconditional. They support us kids in all that we do and believe in us, often more than we believe in ourselves.
My father is strong and tender. He gives bear hugs, messages my scalp, hold me while I cry, is endlessly patient, is a master smoothie maker, works hard, and is the righteous leader of our home.
My mother has given her entire life to my father, me and my siblings. She is selfless and has sacrificed a great deal in order to always be there for our family. There is no doubt in any of our minds where my mother's priorities lie. She makes funny jokes, sends sweet texts, watches Twilight in the theatre and doesn't laugh (I told her to be serious despite the corniness), has long girl talks and buys me Lucky Charms when I come home. She is my best friend.
My four brothers are the best and mean the world to me. They are strong, funny, intelligent, well versed in politics, athletic, protective and all around studs.
I am so grateful for family. I know that I am very blessed to come from a solid family, especially in a world where the family unit is deteriorating rapidly.
I hope to one day raise my own family. My mother hopes that for each of us kids too as she would love to have grandchildren,  a hope which she does not try to hide. When I am a mother I hope that I can embody many of the attributes that I so admire and love in my own parents.

Science in the City

I enjoy cities because there is so much to do. Salt Lake is no exception to this. The Malls are, of course, some of the highlights, Hogle zoo is entertaining, Jazz games are exciting, and there is the Clark Museum.

If you are looking for a little science in your life, pop in to the museum where you can sit back, and watch a few different films.

I enjoyed watching Exploding Universe. The movie is shown in a dome theatre so it as if the universe is surrounding you. The film goes from through the creation of the universe from the perspective of the big bang theory. It showed how the entire universe came about from small protons. These protons, with neutrons and electrons, eventually formed atoms. The elements which were created eventually formed stars, galaxies, and our earth. The earth then evolved until it became inhabited with life.

The movie was very interesting from a scientific point of view. It showed giant stars detonating to become supernova. It also talked about black holes and illustrated supermassive black holes and the havoc they can reek. The movie depicted super volcanoes and showed how they have helped in transforming the earth into a life bearing planet.  The movie also showed how the earth continuously changed even from the beginning of it’s creation. The meteorite which struck the Yucatan peninsula and caused the extinction of the dinosaurs was portrayed.

The end of the film returned to the small proton that began the universe and is still an elementary particles which continues to have a role in our universe. Exploding Universe suggested and showed how out of devastation comes creation. It seems to be the circle of life as well as the circle of the universe.  

The Race Car of Cats!

My favorite animal is... you guessed it, the Cheetah! They have been since I was a child. I used to write reports and make posters with pictures I cut out of National Geographic about Cheetahs. I did this purely for myself. They were not even for an assignment. Here are some of the things I have learned about these gorgeous cats in my life.

Cheetahs are some of the most beautiful cats that roam the Savannas. The fastest of big cats, they race through the tall grasses like bullets. They are born athletes, built for the chase. However, the cats and their homes are in grave danger of extinction and destruction. Cheetahs live in Sub-Saharan Africa. While they used to roam other parts of the world, their numbers are now declining. Female Cheetahs often have three cubs at a time who will stay with her for the first twelve to eighteen months of their lives. The male Cheetahs will often live together while the females will separate off on their own. Unlike some of the other big cats Cheetahs do not roar but they are quite vocal. Cheetahs are built to run and have characteristics which make them the fastest cat. They hide in the grass, camouflaged, awaiting their prey. When the time is right they dart after the prey, knock it down and suffocate it with a death bite to the neck. Unfortunately, these magnificent cats face extinction due to hunting, bottle-necking, and their habitat being destroyed.

Cheetahs are extremely beautiful cats whose bodies are built for speed. They are long, thin and lanky which makes them excellent sprinters. Their bodies are specifically designed to race quickly for brief distances. This assists them in catching prey that many other wild cats are unable to (Mammals: Cheetahs). The Cheetah’s build is more similar to that of a greyhound rather than typical cats. They have small heads perched on top of their athletic bodies. Black spots decorate their golden yellow coats as well as their tales which are long and often have rings of black on them. Black tear marks run down from their eyes to the corners of their mouth. These are thought to be a natural protection from the glare of the sun, much as a football player would do.

Unfortunately, every time I go to the Zoo the cheetahs are always sleeping or hiding in the grass. I can't imagine how amazing it would be to see one in action!

I've got the world on a ... screen?

Elder Bednar is very intellectual. Sometimes when I hear him speak I get a little lost. I suppose this is because his intelligence far exceeds that of mine own. That is not a hit to me, I am just not at his level quite yet.
He gave an address at Brigham Young University Idaho to young adults in the Church titled 'Things as They Really Are'. This was a fascinating address in which he warns about some of the dangers of social media and different cyber activities. This address made it clear that despite the General Authorities being older and having grown up in a different time, they are not out of touch. Many of the things he shared were surprising. It is discouraging to hear the drastic number of people who are addicted to gaming or who are allowing their virtual life to take over their real life.
Elder Bednar warned, "I raise an apostolic voice of warning about the potentially stifling, suffocating, suppressing, and constraining impact of some kinds of cyberspace interactions and experiences upon our souls." I am grateful that Heavenly Father loves us and sent His apostle to warn of the dangers of something that can seem harmless and fun.
A couple years later Elder Bednar later gave an address entitled 'To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood'. Conversely this address talked about utilizing social media as a great tool to share the gospel. The address was given at BYU Education Week where the audience was quite a bit older then the young adults he spoke to previously. This was evident by his explanation of what certain social media sites were and what they could be used for. He said, "I exhort you to sweep the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth." Social Media is a non invasive way to share our beliefs and to share the joy of the gospel.
These were two talks that I understood. Both of these talks are relevant to everyone. All can be more cautious to spend their time wisely and not allow distractions of any sort to become consuming or addicting. All can share the gospel online through a plethora of social media sites. Although evil and smut pervade the earth we can counteract it by sweeping the earth with beauty and truth!

A taste of Texas in P-Town

Utah is a difficult place to get used to, and I can't say that I have. Although, to be honest, there are parts of me that never want to. Being born and raised in Southern California I may be inflicted with a little bit of pride (little being an understatement). I will take the year round summer over the four seasons, the beach over the mountains, and the diverse population over Mormon country any day. However, Utah does have a plethora of delicious restaurants that you can not find in California. There seems to be restaurants every where in Provo and Orem. You can get almost any kind of food you want and from any country. I recently visited a little hole in the wall Joe's Café, and here is what I thought.

If you are craving a taste of the South in a clean and fun environment, then look no further than Joe’s Café. Upon entering, you will find Joe himself at the grill, preparing authentic Southern food. The feeling of family is palpable; Joe’s wife takes orders and runs the register. While waiting in line, you will be serenaded with classic hits from African-American artists playing over the speakers. The walls are lined with pictures of Joe, with his infectious smile, standing beside happy patrons. Posted on the walls leading to the register, are positive reviews about Joe and his café, which you will wholeheartedly agree with by the time you have finished your dining.  No matter which meal you and your family stop in for, I know that by the end of your visit you will agree, he ain’t no ordinary Joe!

So, while Utah is drastically different from my beloved home town, I can admit that it is home to some great restaurants, Joe's café being one of them!

I once heard...

People fear what they don’t know. Ignorance about any certain subject causes anxiety and often leads to irrational judgments. Why do people jump to conclusions so quickly? Why do we need to categorize and judge others? While it is frustrating to be judged we are often unable to parlay that into our own lives and not judge others. One of the subjects least understood and therefore greatly judged is religion. As a Latter Day Saint there are many times that others will misunderstand, misconstrue or purposely misrepresent our beliefs. This can be a great opportunity to help others understand the “Mormon” religion better. However, it can also be hurtful or frustrating, especially when people are immovable in their opinions.

Mormons have been frequently in the spotlight lately. When the Broadway musical ‘The Book of Mormon’ came out I saw many friends posting pictures of their playbills to show that they had gone to see the show. It was a great opportunity to now read the book and assure them that the book was even better than the play!

It is good to remember to show the same courtesy to others that we expect. We should be careful to not judge others harshly when we don’t understand their beliefs or positions.

The story of Lehi and Nephi in the Book of Helaman is an example of people misunderstanding and being quick to judge. Some believe Nephi is a prophet, others believe is a God and others just want him dead. We are not usually subjected to such drastic judgments but it is important to remember to be patient with others.

The Lord Jesus Christ was also judged and misunderstood. Some saw Him as a nice teacher, some as a King, and others wanted Him dead. I know that the Lord wants us to be patient and strive to understand one another before we jump to conclusions. I am grateful for His loving example. I know that He will strengthen us, both to know how to respond to misunderstandings regarding the Church of Jesus Christ and to be more understanding of others who may differ from us in beliefs or ideologies.

"To all who come to this happy place..."

"Welcome! Disney land is your land." ~Walt Disney

Disneyland, also known as the happiest place on earth, is one of my favorite places. I love to go to Disneyland with my family. The rides are so fun (not too intense or scary), the food is delicious (if you have spare change), and the atmosphere is unlike any other. I could spend all day in Disneyland and never even go on a ride. There are so many fun nooks and crannies in the park to explore. I enjoy going to the artist studio and being taught how to animate one of Disney's most beloved characters. It is also fun to go watch Steve Martin talk all about Disney and the creation of the park. Another great stop is Captain EO, watching Michael Jackson dance and sing in order to save the planet.

Disneyland is such a happy place and a wonderful destination for families. Growing up in Southern California, I often had a year pass and would go regularly. My favorite trips with the family were to the beach and to Disneyland.

California Adventure is also a don't miss! The best ride is Soaring Over California, where you glide through some of the most famous spots all over the state of California. The scenes are breathtaking, the music is magnificent and the special effects are top notch! This is is the only ride I have been on that people consistently clap at the end of.

If you ever have the chance to visit Disneyland I encourage you to go. Make sure to get some park hopper tickets and be prepared to have a wonderful time at a very happy place.

I say a little prayer for you...

"When I was first called as a General Authority nearly 50 years ago, we lived on a very small plot of ground in Utah Valley that we called our farm. We had a cow and a horse and chickens and lots of children.

One Saturday, I was to drive to the airport for a flight to a stake conference in California. But the cow was expecting a calf and in trouble. The calf was born, but the cow could not get up. We called the veterinarian, who soon came. He said the cow had swallowed a wire and would not live through the day.

I copied the telephone number of the animal by-products company so my wife could call them to come and get the cow as soon as she died.

Before I left, we had our family prayer. Our little boy said our prayer. After he had asked Heavenly Father to “bless Daddy in his travels and bless us all,” he then started an earnest plea. He said, “Heavenly Father, please bless Bossy cow so that she will get to be all right.”

In California, I told of the incident and said, “He must learn that we do not get everything we pray for just that easily.”

There was a lesson to be learned, but it was I who learned it, not my son. When I returned Sunday night, Bossy had “got to be all right.”

The story of President Packer and the family cow is so sweet to me. President Packer’s son prayed with pure and innocent faith for the Cow to be alright. The circumstances were such that President Packer thought it irrational to pray for the cow’s well being and knew that Bossy Cow’s time on earth was coming to an end. As people grow older it is extremely difficult to maintain that childlike faith. In Alma chapter 58 the Nephite armies are in dire circumstances. They are heavily outnumbered, they are not receiving support from the government, and have little to no provisions with which to wage war. To say that the situation was desperate would have been an understatement. One could well have thought that this situation was one in which it was irrational to pray to God. However, with sincere hearts the Nephites did pray. The Lord’s tenderness is evident as He speaks peace to their souls. When I was a child we lived in a cul de sac full of children. All of the children would gather in the street or front yards to play games together. There was one neighbor on the street that did not like this arrangement: Mr Black. Mr. Black was an older gentleman, crotchety and unhappy.  He would honk his horn and rev his engine at the playing children. He would take any toys left in his yard, and squirt kids with the hose that came too close to his house. Our family decided to pray for him, that he would have a change of heart and be more kind and gentle. As time went on nothing changed and he soon dropped out of our prayers. I was very young at the time and consistently prayed that Mr. Black, “could be a friend”. One day there was a knock at the door. There was Mr. Black, standing on our porch, having come to apologize. He did not apologize to any other neighbors on the block. The Lord answered my innocent prayer, and changed Mr. Black in to a friend. Whether it is a cow, an army, or a grumpy old man, the Lord will answer faithful prayers and fill our souls with peace.

~Small and Simple means~

“So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we.” This was a gentle reminder from Elder Holland in a conference address. It is so easy to get down on ourselves and think we are not good enough or judge others the same way. Sometimes we may see ourselves as insignificant. But the Lord says that “by small and simple means, great things are brought to past.”

It is the same with missionary work. The lord mainly uses young men and women as his missionaries. The Lord’s grace and mercy is exemplified in His calling of Corianton to declare His word. The Lord uses Heavenly beings to preach His gospel, but also uses less than worthy mortals. The Lord wants all of His children to receive the blessings of the gospel. It was a blessing to be able to participate in the work for the living as a full time missionary and it is a blessing to continue that work without a name badge. It is also a blessing to be able to serve in the Temple and do work for those who have passed on without receiving the blessings of the gospel. Just as the Lord has redeemed all of us, we are able to participate, in a small way, as saviors by acting as proxies for those who have passed on.

I have always found the notion, that only those who hear and accept the gospel while on the earth will be received into Heaven, grave and morose. This idea does not coincide with God being a just and loving God. I am grateful for the love Heavenly Father has for His children. Because He loves us He has provided His son as the Savior for all mankind. He is not concerned with when His children were born. All souls are precious to Him. This is clear by many parts of the restored gospel, such as, a living prophet, Priesthood, and all of the ordinances done in the Temple.