thoughts on a Sunday

This week, my darling baby niece Amy had skull surgery for her craniosynostosis. basically, her skull was fused together at birth, allowing her head only to grow length-wise. after her intense 7-hour surgery, Amy is doing great. Full recovery will take months, but she was released from the hospital today, right on schedule.

I was thinking about Amy in church today, when I realized the power of prayer and fasting. So many people have been praying for Amy in the last few months, and with a priesthood blessing and special family fast, everything was able to go well. Miracles happen.

I don't fully understand the Atonement, but I do know that through its power, Christ is able to lift us through times of need, be it the physical pain of surgery or watching a baby in need.

"...and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."
alma 7:12

what a great reminder during this Easter season!

so inspired

"promoting peace is based in hope. to overcome ignorance, we need courage, faith and persistence"

I have been a fan of Greg Mortenson since reading Three Cups of Tea and have been looking forward to his forum address for months. He didn't disappoint. It was wonderful to have him come to BYU and share a message with us.

It is easy to get discouraged in our endeavors, especially in international development. But Greg shows through his words and actions that change is possible, if we trust the people we work with enough to empower them.

"Even if the world ends tomorrow, I will plant my seed today" -Martin Luther King Jr.

blisters the size of planets

I learned an important lesson about shoes today. But let me back track.

I am a comms major, and I forgot how cute people in my major are until I showed up in flip flops and a tshirt on the first day of school and felt horribly underdressed. Today I decided to look nicer, so I opted to put the flip flops aside and wear some lovely black wedges instead. By the time I got to my first class, my pinky toes were red and raw. Luckily I had two bandaids, so I put them on and thought I was safe. But oh no, I was so wrong. It got worse and worse, rubbing at every part of my foot so that I litterally took my shoes off as soon as I got to each class. I even led my first freshmen discussion group (one of my reasons for wearing nice shoes) barefoot. I had planned on staying on campus longer, but I couldn't take it anymore, so after work I hobbled home, literally limped home until I got to the edge of my complex and went barefoot.

I am now the proud owner of atleast 5 large blisters on each foot. I guess it's flip flops from now on.