One Day at a Time Blog - One Day at a Time

Songs for the Sabbath- In Christ Alone

5/6/2018

Happy Sabbath to you!

Today's post is going to simply feature a beautiful song. It's one that I talked about almost a year ago in another Songs for the Sabbath post that you can find here if you are interested.

But, honestly, I don't have the mental capacity to write a full post today. I'm tired. Lol, and I didn't get this post written before Sunday like I usually like to do. Since I want to spend time with my family today, I'm going to leave you with three sentences...

I know that when we turn to Christ in our loneliness, we can find peace.

Christ is my strength, my rock, my hope.

Let Christ take your loneliness, your sadness, your anger, your frustration, and whatever else is burdening you. Turn to Him. Trust in Him.

In Christ Alone- BYU Vocal Point

Songs for the Sabbath- Peace in Christ

4/29/2018

It has been a while, hasn't it? A whole month, to be exact. My apologies to those handful of people who are my biggest fans. I am grateful for you and love the feedback you give me.

I have missed blogging, and it's been an interesting week as I have tried to get back into it. It has been met with some resistance in my mind. I have wanted to write posts, but have not been able to make myself actually sit down and do it!

I have some time now. This semester, I am only taking one class because the semester ends on July 23rd and I learned last year that taking a full load of classes in the summer is not something I want to do.

But, I have just not been able to make myself sit down and focus on writing a post and that made me sad. I thought, "Does this mean that I should give up on blogging? Is that phase of my life done?" I didn't want that to be the case, but I also want to do what the Lord needs me to do.

To blog or not to blog? That is the question.

Needless to say, I have spent some time pondering the future of this blog this week. I finally sat down and started writing out a plan of things I would like to post. As I did that, I found myself feeling excitement about posts that I want to do. The ideas started flowing and I got my answer...do not stop blogging. Even if no one reads my posts or cares if I blog or not, I need to do it. Maybe it will just be for me. Blogging is therapeutic. Maybe it will be for someone in my posterity who will want to read his/her grandmother's posts. Maybe it will be for someone who stumbles upon my blog someday. Whatever the reason, I'm excited to get going again.

Without further adieu...

Now that you have made it through my ramblings, let's get on with this week's Songs for the Sabbath post, shall we? In preparing for new posts, I went through my past Songs for the Sabbath posts so I could remember which songs I have highlighted. I realized that I have not shared the theme song for the youth in our church this year.

Peace in Christ

This year in our young women and young men programs in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are focusing on how to find Peace in Christ. The scripture that this theme comes from is found in D&C 19:23

"Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me."

This has been such a great theme and I have loved pondering and leading discussions on how we can find Peace in Christ in this world of turmoil, pain, and hardship.

I hope that as you listen to this song, you will be able to feel peace and know that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is the one true source of eternal peace and happiness.

Here is another version that the adorable Claire Ryann Crosby and her dad shared at Easter time this year.

Songs for the Sabbath- He Lives

3/25/2018

Easter is fast approaching and this year, it coincides with LDS General Conference.

I love it when that happens.

I get to celebrate the resurrection of my Savior while listening to counsel from those He has chosen to bear testimony of Him.

I get to hear a prophet of God speak. How cool is that?

Today's song is the perfect one to prepare you to celebrate Easter next week. The title is two simple words, but put together, they pack a powerful punch.

He Lives

by Chris Tomlin

"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said."

-Matthew 28:6

Songs for the Sabbath- KIND

3/11/2018

It has been a week full of celebrating women, hasn't it? I feel like my social media feeds have just blown up with women empowerment posts and I have loved it!

One other piece of exciting and AMAZING news that came out of this week is that my friends and I over at She Teaches Fearlessly have decided that it is time to get that site up and running again.

After we completed our series on the Book of Mormon, we all just kind of collapsed mentally, I think. There were a few posts here and there, but it has been pretty silent for a long time.

NOT ANY MORE, my friends.
She Teaches Fearlessly is coming back and I am SO excited!!

As I was getting ready for church this morning, I thought that today would be a great day to squeeze in a new Songs for the Sabbath post. As I have mentioned, life is a little crazy right now and I have not had the time to devote to keeping up this blog. But, the writing bug bit me today and I asked God to direct me to a song to share.

That's when I heard the song, "Kind", start playing on my phone. It's in my "Sunday Sounds" playlist. Written by Jenny Phillips and performed by Brooke Stone, it's a song that talks about how the world is in need of more kindness, specifically the type of kindness that comes from strong, righteous women of God. I love it, and I hope you will love it too.

I spent some time putting a little video together, and I think it adds that special something to the song. I wish I could have fit pictures of every single kind and amazing woman I know in my life, but I would have had to loop the song at least 7 times to do that! I have so many examples of kind-hearted, wonderful women in my life and I am grateful for each and every one of them.

Kind- by Jenny Phillips. Performed by Brooke Stone.

Let's do this, my friends. Let's keep the Kind-hearted women's movement rolling.

We need to flood the world with kindness,

and it begins with you and me.

Songs for the Sabbath- Strong

1/28/2018

Oh my goodness! It has been so long! Dear "Songs for the Sabbath" posts...I have missed writing you! I wish that I had more time to write, but times and seasons of our lives, ya know?

As I was listening to music this morning, I decided to turn on the new LDS Youth album for this year's theme "Peace in Christ". So much goodness! Oh my. You have to check it out. (You can download all the songs for free if you go here...)

I had a hard time deciding which song to share, but I keep coming back to this one called, "Strong". When I think of my girls and the young women in our ward whom I serve, this is one word that I would use to describe them. They are so strong and they have the capacity and potential to keep getting stronger and stronger every year.

What do you mean when you say they are "strong"?

When I say that these young ladies are strong, I am not just speaking of their physical capabilities. I am speaking of the strength of their souls. Their souls are so genuinely good. They are kind-hearted, sweet, and strong in their desires to follow the Savior.

I am so lucky to be the mother of 3 strong, capable, beautiful, powerful daughters of God.

Photo cred: Tracey Kimber

I am also so lucky to serve the strong, capable, beautiful, powerful daughters of God in the Young Women organization of our ward. Every week I am amazed at their enthusiasm, their love of the gospel and of each other, and the strength that they show by just simply living their lives in this crazy world.

And so, I dedicate this post to all of the Strong young women and "not so young" women in my life. Thank you for your examples. Thank you for your strength. Thank you for being you.

Strong- by Nik Day and McKenna Hixson

You are an overcomer
Born with a lion heart
You can pass through the wind and the fire
But it will help you to shine even brighter
Like the jewel you are

There may be disappointments
Sometimes you'll make mistakes
But when it feels like you've lost all your chances
There you are rising up through the ashes

CHORUS:
Come what may
Come what may
You are strong
Strong enough to make it through whatever comes
You'll be amazed what you can do
You're a force you're a fighter
A precious daughter of God
And He made you strong
And He made you strong

You're like a mighty ocean
Trapped in a hurricane
Though the winds may be blowing around you
There is nothing that could ever drown you

CHORUS (2 x's)

Related Posts:

Because He Lives

You Can Do Hard Things- Sara Isom

Songs for the Sabbath- Just Be Held

Loving the Brick Wall

Songs for the Sabbath- Light the World

12/10/2017

It has been so long since I have been able to post a Songs for the Sabbath post! (Insert crying face.)

I have missed it, but I have been busily engaged in lots of wonderful things, so again, the website has to take a back seat, but I promise, it won't be forgotten. :)

As I was perusing Facebook this afternoon, I stumbled upon this beautiful video and song. Two extremely talented kiddos, Evie Clair and Benson Baril, bring this incredible song to life.

The message is simple.

We Can Light the World.

Each and every one of us.

Light the World- Evie Clair featuring Benson Baril

How will you #lighttheworld today?

Click here for some ideas.

Related Posts:

Songs of the Season-
O Holy Night

Songs of the Season-
Sleep Well Little Children

Songs of the Season-
Son of God

Songs of the Season-
Homeless

Songs for the Sabbath- Come, Ye Children of the Lord

11/19/2017

I woke up this morning with a song running through my head,
and it wasn't this one.

I can't tell you how many Sunday mornings this has happened. I wake up with a particular song in my mind and I think, "This must be the song I need to share today." So I sit down at my computer and look on YouTube for a video with the song I am thinking about. But sometimes, I cannot find the song I am thinking of and then I am left to wonder, "Why was I thinking about that song?"

That is when I stumble upon the song that I am really meant to share, and that is what happened this morning. Although the song that I woke up with is a great one, and you should listen to it (Come, Sing to the Lord), this song that I have chosen for today is the one that I need to share with you.

Come, Ye Children of the Lord- The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Lyrics
1. Come, ye children of the Lord,
Let us sing with one accord.
Let us raise a joyful strain
To our Lord who soon will reign
On this earth when it shall be
Cleansed from all iniquity,
When all men from sin will cease,
And will live in love and peace.

2. Oh, how joyful it will be
When our Savior we shall see!
When in splendor he’ll descend,
Then all wickedness will end.
Oh, what songs we then will sing
To our Savior, Lord, and King!
Oh, what love will then bear sway
When our fears shall flee away!

3. All arrayed in spotless white,
We will dwell ’mid truth and light.
We will sing the songs of praise;
We will shout in joyous lays.
Earth shall then be cleansed from sin.
Ev’ry living thing therein
Shall in love and beauty dwell;
Then with joy each heart will swell.

This song gives us a little taste of what life will be like during the Millennium. (For more information about the Millennium, click here.) Some of my favorite phrases?

Oh, how joyful it will be, when our Savior we shall see!
When in splendor he'll descend, then all wickedness will end.

(Isn't that a lovely thought? NO wickedness on the earth?

Photo cred: lds.org

Earth shall then be cleansed from sin.
Ev'ry living thing therein shall in love and beauty dwell;
then with joy each heart will swell.

My heart swells with joy right now with the thought of looking upon my Savior's face and living on an earth that has been cleansed from sin.
I leave you this Sabbath day with an invitation...
How will you come unto the Lord this day?
How will you prepare to behold His face?

Photo cred: lds.org

Related Posts:

Songs for the Sabbath-
I Look to You

Songs for the Sabbath-
I Feel Heaven Here

Drenched in Gratitude:
The Gratitude Perspective Challenge

Songs for the Sabbath-
Heavenly Homesickness

Songs for the Sabbath- Silver Lining

11/12/2017

Do you ever wonder if there is any truth to the saying,

Every cloud has silver lining?

I have never really thought much about it before, but this song popped up on shuffle the other day while I was cruising in my new mini van and I couldn't help but pause and think about some of the silver linings in my life.

Some are big and some are small--miniscule even--but they are always there, no matter the situation or problem.

I love this definition that Google provided. The tricky part about this? The silver lining "may not be immediately apparent". In fact, I would say that usually the silver lining is not apparent. It takes some searching to find, but once you find it...BAM! Perspective changed.

I hope you enjoy today's song as much as I do. It's a fun, catchy number that was part of EFY in 2014. If anything, I hope the message of looking for silver linings helps you seek out that hidden, shimmery lining in the troubled clouds that may be in your path at this moment of your life.

Silver Lining- Stephanie Smith

Sometimes there is stormy weather,
that makes us want to run for cover.
But what if we stop to look around?

And dance a little, while it's pouring,
cause living life inside is boring,
We'd be missing all the sights and sounds.

Even if the clouds are coming,
and the wind is blowing,
We can still enjoy the breeze!

'Cause we know the sun is shining,
even when it's hiding,
if we look then we can see:

The Silver Li-i-i-i-i-i-ning
The Silver Li-i-i-i-i-ning

So no matter what we're facing,
in every single situation
there is always hope to light the way!

We'll see the little things that go right,
when we're looking on the bright side.
There's always a rainbow after rain.

Even if the clouds are coming,
and the wind is blowing,
We can still enjoy the breeze!

'Cause we know the sun is shining,
even when it's hiding,
if we look then we can see:

The Silver Li-i-i-i-i-i-ning
The Silver Li-i-i-i-i-ning

If we look closer, we can see
there is beauty in everything.
In the ups, downs, and in-betweens,
We will find

Even if the clouds are coming,
and the wind is blowing,
We can still enjoy the breeze!

'Cause we know the sun is shining,
even when it's hiding,
if we look then we can see:

The Silver Li-i-i-i-i-i-ning
The Silver Li-i-i-i-i-ning

Songs for the Sabbath- I Look To You

11/5/2017

I don't know about you, but I really need to look at this picture today. My heart weeps for the tragedy and sorrow of innocent people that suffer at the hands of evil in this world. I feel as though every single day we are bombarded with news of another mass shooting, another terrorist attack, another kidnapping, another case of child/sex trafficking and it is absolutely tears my heart to shreds.

What can be done? Why doesn't God stop the madness? What can we do to combat evil? Is there any hope of a brighter tomorrow?

I don't have all the answers.

Here are the answers I do have:

1. I have faith. Faith that there is a God out there who loves each of us and weeps every time something tragic happens to one of His children. Faith that
our Savior has already won and that someday, when the time is right, He will reign on this earth and every knee shall bow to Him and every tongue will
confess that He is our Savior and Redeemer.

2. I have hope. Hope in that same Savior and His Atoning sacrifice. Hope that there is a brighter tomorrow as we look to the Savior. Hope that someday,
Satan will be bound and we will live in peace with our neighbors, family, and friends.

3. I have peace amid the chaos. I know this is easy for me to say when I am not the one directly affected by tragedy (at the moment.) . But, I have had tragedy in my life. I have seen evil rear its ugly head and take people, whom I love dearly, captive. I have wept with those who have lost family
members to violent crimes and suffered from the consequences of someone else using his/her agency poorly. But I still have peace, because I know,
have faith in, and look to, the Savior of the World.

"I Look to You" -Selah

I know that my words will not bring back the lives of those that have been lost due to the evil actions of another human being. I know that my faith, hope, and peaceful "warm fuzzy" feelings will not change the fact that there is a real and awful problem with people committing violent acts in various, heinous ways. I know that. I get it. We want something more than "warm fuzzy feelings" and prayers for the victims and their families.

What is the "something more"?

In my humble opinion, the something more is people turning to Christ. The people of this world need to put down their judgments, their anger, their weapons, their biases, their frustrations, their evil thinking, their nature to be easily offended, and whatever else is keeping them distanced from Jesus Christ. He truly is "the way, the truth, and the life". (St. John 14:6) . It is only through Him that we will truly "find rest". (St. Matthew 11:28-30)

Songs for the Sabbath- Ask of God

10/22/2017

Remember in my last post when I said things have been crazy busy in my life and I am cutting my posting way back? Well, one of the things that has changed in my life became a reality today.

I have the absolute privilege of serving the young women (girls ages 12-18) in our ward as their president. Wow. Didn't see that one coming, Heavenly Father. Remember when I prayed to you to give me help in balancing my busy school, work, and mom schedule? Ya, so I wasn't really asking to add something else to the mix...Lol. But in all seriousness, I could not be more thrilled to be with the Young Women (and 1 out of 2 of the YW in my household is thrilled as well. For those of you who know my girls, I will let you guess which one is thrilled and which one is not).

As I have already witnessed by spending years at Girls Camp and with my job as a substitute Seminary teacher, the youth in this gospel of Jesus Christ are absolutely phenomenal. Hands down, the best ever. I am so looking forward to learning from the beautiful young ladies in my ward. (And yes, this means I get to go to camp this summer. Words cannot express how excited I am about that. :) :) :) )

But enough rambling now...the song I have chosen for today is the theme song for the youth this year. The worldwide theme for the youth of our church is "Ask of God" taken from the bible--

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

James 1:5-6

I love this concept and blessing of being able to ask God when we have questions on our hearts and minds. He is there waiting. Sometimes the answer does not come immediately and often times the answer is far from any that we were expecting. Sometimes the answer is just, "For now, you need to wait." (Ugh. I don't like receiving that answer.) But, I know that God does answer our prayers. He does hear each and every prayer whether it is shouted, spoken, whispered, or just uttered in the recesses of your mind. He is there. Ask of God.

Ask of God (2017 Mutual Theme Song) by James Han

Related Posts:

2017 Mutual Theme: Q & A

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I'll Go Where You
Want Me To Go

Des Goes to School-
In the Thick of It

Songs for the Sabbath-
With Him We Can