Treating Scorpion Sting Holistically

 Before we moved to the scorpion territory, I did a lot of research about what to do if one of us got stung. Thankfully, for 2 years we never had to test any of the treatments personally, despite seeing a handful of scorpions every year. We'd just take them carefully outside where they belong. 

Now our family are more fully initiated to the low desert life. Not only have we survived summers where it is "cooling off" when it gets to the low hundreds, we've now experienced the sting of the Arizona Bark Scorpion. If you want to skip the story and background, I have a summary with a list of what we used at the bottom.

A Bit About Scorpions

First I want to dispel a few myths about scorpions. Scorpions aren't out to get humans. They eat insects (like cockroaches and grasshoppers) and would sooner run and hide from you than sting you. Of course, running and hiding can include inside the couch cushions or LEGO bin, which can get a little awkward. They have bad eyesight, and are usually hiding along edges of walls, shoes, piles of clothing and not in the middle of the floor. Coyote Petersen does a great job showing that scorpions don't want to hurt you unless pressured too and even freehandles a bark scorpion. They like to live in palm trees and are the only type of scorpion around here that can climb (so if you see one on your wall, it's easy to know what type you are dealing with).

Most scorpions in North America have a sting comparable to a bee sting. The exception is the Arizona Bark Scorpion. The antivenom is available at Arizona hospitals and the side effects can be serious and troubling. Some neighbors suggested that if a kid gets stung, it is best to just go over to the hospital just 3 minutes away just to be safe. Scorpions can choose how much venom to release, and every body will respond differently. Since kids are smaller, they are more likely to be effected worse by the venom.

Our Story

The Arizona Bark Scorpion that did the stinging...
after a night in the freezer

Let me start by saying I'm not making any medical recommendations, just telling our story of what happened to us. I had a hard time finding much info online when I was researching (probably in part to Google's filtering, which will still affect less biased search engines.) This is what tools I was grateful to know and chose to use for my kid. You do what is best for you and your family.

So, after our family movie night we were all doing a few things around the house and getting ready for bed. Suddenly, my 5 year old starts screaming. He was just walking across the room, no one else was near him and I couldn't see any thing around that could have hurt him. My first thought was that it much be some sort of bite or sting. He wasn't in a state to give me much feedback, but it was obvious that his leg was hurting so I pulled down his pants in case the culprit was inside and took him over to some remedies. 

I didn't even think about the hospital as an option. I was too busy trying to take care of the immediate problem and getting in the car wasn't on the list of potential solutions in my brain. Before I even knew the cause, I was going for the Apis Mellifica 200c homeopathic remedy. Before I was able to get to it, I happened to see the scorpion on the pants I'd pulled off and alerted my husband who immediately went to work capturing it. 

Now we knew for sure what we were dealing with. It was an experience I'd been dreading since before moving here and know my nightmare was reality. Through God's grace, I was able to stay calm and know what to do. Soon I had the dropper of Apis out and put a few drops near the area, knowing that getting him to hold still so I could do it on his tongue wasn't a viable option while he was screaming in pain. Unable to find the bentonite clay (good for pulling out toxins) at a glance in the cupboard, I grabbed the Apple Cider Vinegar and splashed it on, not caring about how much or how to get it on while he continued screaming. 

Still hoping to put some clay on it, I took him upstairs where I thought it might be. Still no luck, but there was more apple cider vinegar so I put more of that on for good measure. A friend had used ACV on her kids and found it to be the cure all in her situations, but we still needed something more. At this point he is still screaming and in a great deal of pain, but able to talk/cry about it in detail, which to me was a good sign. He described the pain as burning or worse than burning and hurting worse than a bee sting. While obviously still in intense pain, I knew that he needed more than TLC to get him through it so I left him for a few seconds to grab my essential oils. 

I remembered another friend when we first moved here recommended Frankincense Essential Oil so that is what I grabbed first. Again, not taking time to be careful with dilutions or application (and not even sure where the exact sting zone was) I just splashed a few drops in the area. This was this first thing that gave him noticeable relief . (Like I said before, I noticed positive effects from what we'd already been doing, but it wasn't noticeable from his perspective). 

By this time, he'd calmed down enough that TLC and mommy hugs was one of the more powerful things I could be doing to continue his recovery so I was grateful for other family members that were able to grab books and look up things for further treatment. Someone brought the homeopathics upstairs to me and I gave him some Hypericum Perforatum 200c, this time he was calm enough to talk it orally. I also mixed up a bit of bentonite clay (it was exactly where it was supposed to be, just not where I looked) and started lathering that on. 

Looking over the list of homeopathics revealed I'd already chosen the best options (I'd done the research before, but wanted to double check in case I forgot something). The EO book led me to the Purifying Blend essential oil (We don't use the Essential oils often, but they were still powerful after years of storage) which also provided noticable relief.

After all this, he was starting to get tired. This was a really good sign. A common side effect of these type of stings is anxiety and intense pain, so I knew there were no concerns with sleeping, especially since it was late. Even though he was doing fine, I wanted to have something on him working through the night so I wouldn't have to. I didn't have any plantain on hand, but that would have been my herb of choice. Instead I mixed some dried comfrey with more bentonite clay and purify essential oil, put it all over his leg, wrapped the tatters of an old cloth diaper around it and saran wrap over that. As I was wrapping he complained that it was actually hurting when I touched it...further investigation revealed that what was hurting was the itchy comfrey leaves not the sting (if itchy leaves are your worst problem less than an hour after getting stung, I'd say you are in good shape!). He was tired enough we decided he could try sleeping through it and if it bothered him, he could wake me up and I'd take it off. 

After we put him in bed, he got a Priesthood Blessing from his dad. He was asleep shortly after laying down. It had been less than an hour from screaming from terrible pain to fast asleep. In the middle of the night, after he'd been asleep about 3 hours, he woke up and wanted the itchy bandage off. I took it off and rinsed off his leg. No pain from the sting and no signs of it. He slept through the night and got up just as usual. The next morning there was no pain or complications.

Summary

After being stung by an Arizona Bark Scorpion, our 5 year old was in intense pain. Less than an hour later, we'd administered remedies we had on hand and he had little to no pain and was sleeping peacefully. I don't make any guarantees about how effective these were individually or collectively. I don't know how many times he was stung(scorpions can sting more than once) or how much venom was used. 

Here is a list of what we used:

• Apis Mellifica 200c homeopathic (a few drops near the sting site)
  
• Hypericum Perforatum 200c homeopathic (on the tongue)
  
• Apple Cider Vinegar (poured near the sting site)
  
• Bentonite clay (near sting site. Left on for many hours)
• Frankincense Essential oil (near sting site. Very effective)
• Purify Essential oil (near sting site. very effective)
• blend of clay, comfrey and purify essential oil (applied near sting site and left on for many hours to continue drawing out any residual poison)
• Priesthood Blessing 
• Plantain (didn't actually use this, but if I had it, I would have)
  
  
  
   
  

I'm really grateful for all the resources and friends that helped me know what tools to turn to when I needed them. I'm grateful we were able to effectively take care of this at home and hope that this may be helpful to someone else too.

Seeds

Many people have expressed appreciation for what I shared in my last post and I wanted to do a bit of a follow up. It will be one month today since Jay was killed in a car accident. It might seem a little strange, but one of my predominant feelings is still gratitude. I had a lot to be grateful for before, but now I'm more grateful for many things that I took for granted.

I'm more grateful for every day and moment that I have with my family. I'm more grateful for every day and moment that I have. I'm more grateful that angels and the Spirit World are so close. I'm grateful for the amazing and thoughtful support I've received some so many people. I'm grateful for all the true principles I've learned throughout my life that have prepared me for a time such as this. 

Librarian Triumphant-A message of hope in hard times

I have felt a multitude of tender mercies lately. I have felt deeper sadness, sorrow and mourning than ever before. But I have also felt a more profound sense of peace, gratitude and closeness to my Savior than ever before. My hope is that by sharing some of my personal experience, I can help mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. Just a few weeks ago I was still one of those people that have no idea what to do, how to help or how to relate to those suffering deep loss. I still don't claim to understand or relate to every situation. But I'm a little bit closer and a lot more in the know of what it is like.

I've been through life changing and paradigm shifting events before. Some I signed up for on purpose (like weekend seminars) and some are just part of the school of life (like growing up and moving out of the house). But I don't think I've ever been through a trial of my faith quite as significant as I have the last week and a half. Lucky for me, a kind and loving Heavenly Father knew what was coming and has been preparing me for it for a long time.

On June 2, 2016, I was in Southern California. I was getting ready to attend one of those life changing seminars, starting that night. When invited, I felt that going was important, but I wasn't sure if it was because of the seminar itself or other events that would occur that weekend. I had some guesses, but turns out I was way off.

On this trip, I brought along my kids, husband and brother. Partly because I would need someone to watch kids while I was in classes, but mostly because I love my family and thought it would be a great excuse to play on the beach and other fun stuff.

I love the temple. It is a wonderful place of peace in the midst of a tumultuous world. So before starting the busy seminar, we set aside time to attend the Newport Beach Temple. My baby brother was walking the grounds with my kids while my husband and I were inside. It was beautiful day in a beautiful place.

When I got out of the temple, my little brother said he got a call from Ogden that our brother Jay was in a serious car accident, he had forwarded Jay's wife's contact info to the caller, but wasn't able to pass on my parents contact info because they were on a mission in the Phillipines (and probably still asleep). We didn't know details until my other brother called a few minutes later.

"Natalie called me and said that Jay was killed in a car accident."

A moment of silence ensued while the world stopped.

I was mentally prepared for lots of things, but not that. Broken bones, brain damage, comas...the kind of things that involve lots of fasting and prayer followed by miraculous recovery. But my brain had no place to store the info of "Your 29 year old brother who was alive and well a few hours ago is now dead."

"So that's it then." I said, still in shock.

No rushing home to spend some last moments together. No long recovery. No wheelchair for life. No relying on my medically literate friends and relatives to translate what is going on to me. Nothing complex about this. Whether my brain had a place to comprehend it or not, it was what it was and nothing I could do would change that.

 

Gratitude

Despite being in shock, I was instantly grateful for a number of things.

Even though it was the middle of the day on a weekday, I was at the temple-the most peaceful place I know of-with my husband, kids and brother. It took a night of driving to get there, but even knowing we would be heading back very soon, it was completely worth it. I knew that this would be burned in my memory forever, and I'd rather have a memory of being at a peaceful place far from home, rather than being hit with a sorrowful memory every time I walk in the living room of my house.

I'm grateful that even though there were questions and shock, I never had to ask, "Where is my brother now?" I know exactly where my brother is, and have a general idea of what he is doing, and that hasn't been a concern or worry at all.

I found myself grateful for the wide array of classes I've taken that focus on emotional healing. I've been helping others through trials as part of my business, so even though I hadn't experienced something like this personally, I had a lot of resources to draw on to help myself.

Even at the funeral home, I was grateful for my little 1 year old providing comic relief (nothing like pulling mint wrappers out of the garbage can, turning it upside down and dancing on top of it to lighten the mood). We were also grateful for the options of very pink casket options. Choosing a casket when you are still in shock of an unexpected death can feel pretty heavy, but options pink caskets with pink lining help lighten the mood a little.

This is a tragedy and a very sad thing for our family. But even now, I'm grateful it wasn't worse. When I used to prepare to perform or compete in front of an audience, I would sometimes worry, "What if I mess up?" Sometimes I would be really nervous and concerned at first, then a little bit in I'd make a minor mistake (maybe noticeable to others, maybe not), and realize that the roof didn't cave in, I wasn't struck down, my friends and family didn't walk out in disgust, and the world didn't end. I'd expended a lot of worry, but when it happened it wasn't really that bad.  After the first mistake, I wasn't so concerned about other ones.

I realized that I've spent time worrying about what would happen if someone in my family died. Maybe Hollywood (which often lacks an eternal perspective) had something to do with my perception of death. Maybe worries about the manner of death grew into troublesome false realities of "what if?" Now I don't have to worry about how Jay will die. I don't have to worry about what will happen to the family if it happens. My world and my perception is changed, but it isn't over. This isn't Hollywood. Yes, like the movies, there were buckets of tears cried by many. But there were also little kids rolling around on the floor during prayers, or trying to eat the flowers. Real life doesn't stop, for better or worse.

There was also the hugest outpouring of love and prayers that I have ever felt. I've heard people say they felt sustained by prayers. Now I know what that means and how it feels. It is such an interesting contrast. To feel sorrow and sadness deeper than I've ever felt. To start crying uncontrollably at random moments. And at the same time to feel so much love from people near and far, even from people I didn't know. And to feel more peaceful and closer to Christ than ever before. It is an amazing dichotomy. I love the quote from Jeffrey Holland: "You can have what you want, or you can have something better."  Of course I would never want my brother to die young, but even now I can see how God in His infinite wisdom has chosen something far better than what I (or numerous other people, probably including Jay) thought we wanted most.

I also found myself being very grateful for a lot of things that seemed little at the time. All the siblings came together for Jay's recent graduation. If you don't know Jay, you may wonder why I would call that "little". Let me tell you something about my brother.

In 2005, Jay graduated from Tumwater High School, at the same time he received an Associates degree from SPSCC. In 2009 he received an Bachelors degree in History. In 2009 he also married the love of his life for time and all eternity. A few years later he had a Masters degree in Library Science. Jay had been doing hard and even nigh impossible things (did I mention he had dyslexia and became a librarian?) for such a long time, it was almost commonplace. Like music performances for me. The first one is a big event, but when you get to the point that you are performing a concert almost every night of the week, its not such a special occasion, even if it took a lot of work to get there.

Family Photo at Jay's graduation in April.
All of us are part of an eternal family.
Jay is still a brother, husband and son.
A temporary thing like death doesn't change that.

The end of April, Jay received his second Master's degree, so all the siblings and their families came out for his graduation. Despite being hesitant to bring little kids to a formal ceremony (turned out not to be a problem, Weber State has a lot more fun than other graduations I've been to) we all came and had a lot of fun together. You can bet I won't be making dumb excuses (like it's too far, or its inconvenient with kids) to miss future family gatherings.

Should Haves....

 

This has been quite a paradigm shifting experience for me, and I've actually been able to see a lot of good in it, as well as finding incentive to make some changes.

One thing I've noticed is the tendency to say things should or shouldn't be a certain way. Like I shouldn't have to clean my kids room for them or I shouldn't have to press 1 for english on a phone. This week we got some deeper, more poignant looks at what would or wouldn't happen in a perfect world. First off, there wouldn't be death or pain in a perfect world, so that makes most things irrelevant.

I shouldn't have to help pick out a casket and flowers for my brother before he is even 30.

My father shouldn't have to bury his own son (for the record, my dad wasn't a pall bearer for that reason).

My sister-in-law shouldn't be a widow at 29 years old.

My parents shouldn't have to fly home from the Philippines half way through their mission to help with their son's funeral.

My brother shouldn't be unexpectedly killed on his way home from work.

I shouldn't be young enough to need a baby sitter for my kids while I play violin at my brothers funeral. (I've always been kind of ok with siblings dying before me if needed, but it was supposed to be long after we were all grandparents and great grandparents.)

The list could continue on for a long time. But such statements lack faith and perception. I have agency. I don't have to do anything.

I didn't have to help pick out a casket. But I love my brother and family enough that I would rather pick out a casket with them than abandon them in a time of need.

My father didn't have to bury his son or fly to the states half way through their mission. They could have stayed out there, but they love us enough that they wanted to be close to family at this time.

My sister-in-law is now a widow. Whether it should or shouldn't be that way doesn't really matter. We have to trust that God has a bigger plan in store and that Jay is going to be able to do more for her from the other side of the veil than this one. They are still married. They are still husband and wife. But now there are a few big changes in their relationship. She has some pretty awesome guardian angels on her side, and I think it ticks Satan off.

I didn't have to play violin at his funeral, but I love my brother and thought he deserved a nice tribute from me. And I trusted my violin skills (despite viola fingers) a heck of a lot more than my ability to speak at the funeral.

I'm not saying its bad to question or wonder why something happens. But I've learned that there is a difference between feeling sorrow, sadness or grief and feeling despair, hopelessness, depression or doubt.

As thoughts inevitably come, I have a choice to make.

Will I let myself get swallowed up in despair and the unfairness of the situation?

Will I allow myself to feel sadness and grief, but also to look forward with faith and gratitude?

Do I choose to listen to the voices telling me to give up or be numb?

Do I choose to listen to the voices encouraging me to push forward?

Do I choose to believe this is the end and all I've been taught is a lie?

Do I choose to believe the still small voice that whispers comfort and peace to my soul?

Do I choose to start patterns that will lead me to being ordinary, depressed and overwhelmed?

Do I choose to fight the natural patterns and cherish the life and opportunities God has given me and will continue to give me?

Do I believe I will never see my brother again, or that it will be unbearably long of a wait?

Do I know that my brother's spirit lives on and now I have an angel helping me out that I know personally?

The choice is there. Every thought I have will help me come closer to healing, or further away. I don't believe my brother is in the spirit world with his new friends saying, "Watch this, 58 people had to go on depression medication because of my death. You only got 17 when you died. I'm so awesome." Rather, I think he is actively working to help and comfort us here on earth and trying to help us live up to our potential. He always could see the good and potential in others, but I think he probably has even more discernment now. And judging from the huge rainstorm that started right before the graveside service and finished right after, I'd say he has some powerful influence in other ways too. 

 

A Parable

I want to share a parable that will hopefully illustrate how death, especially in this instance, can be seen as both happy and sad.

Imagine that your best friend lives next door to you in a small, run down apartment. They love the location and the neighborhood, even though their home isn't the best.

One day you are talking with them and they confide something with you.

"You won't believe what happened to me this week. I was doing some genealogy work and tied into this ancestor I hadn't heard of. I was excited to find the connection and stories. This ancestor owned their own personal island!"

"That's really cool. I hear that if you go back far enough, everyone can find royalty." You answer.

"That's not even the crazy part," your friend continues, "About a week later, I was contacted by some society I'd never heard of and they said they had been holding onto this fortune, searching for an heir. There were no heirs until I made the connection, now there is me."

"No way! Are you sure this is for real?"

"I didn't believe it at first either. But I looked into it. It is actually a well known and respected association, I'd just never heard of them before. So I guess now I'm a billionaire."

"That is fantastic! I'm so excited for you!" You respond.

"Yeah, I'm pretty excited. I can finally start up that charity I've always dreamed of and help so many people. I also inherited that island and the huge mansion on it. It would be the perfect place to run my charity."

"That is amazing. So what are you planning on doing?" You query.

"I don't know actually. I love this neighborhood so much, and the island is out of the country. I was told I can't get the inheritance until I move out there. I hear the people out there are nice, and I won't have to learn a new language or anything. I've seen some pictures, it looks like paradise. But I'm so attached to living here, I don't really want to give it up. I know you have lives and families here, I can pay for you  to come visit sometimes and help you pay for some of your projects out here, but I know I can't just have everyone I know and love get up and move out of the country. I would miss you all so much, I don't really know if I want to go." Says your friend.

"I would really miss you too. You are my best friend, life wouldn't be the same without you."

So what do you do? Is it best to counsel the friend to stay here, keep washing clothes at the laundromat and dishes by hand, just so you can keep them nearby? Are you worried your relationship will suddenly shatter if they move away? Or do you encourage them to live their dream and recognize that it will be better in the long run for both of you? Would seeing your friend move away to paradise be a sad or happy occasion?

In some ways, Jay is far away. I won't be able to send him a text next time I have a research question. He can't show me and my kids how to use the latest gadget or toy he bought. We won't be playing more violin/viola duets. His body will be in the ground instead of in family pictures. That makes me sad. I love my brother, and I miss him. And sometimes the resurrection feels like a long time to wait to give him a hug again.

A picture of Giacomo Jacques.
Because as we were planning the funeral,
Jay kept bugging me to include Giacomo,
and I try not to get on the bad side of people on the other side,
especially for their own funeral.
See more at infoscientist.org

In other ways he is closer than ever. It isn't like he ceased to exist. I won't go into details because they are too personal or spiritual to throw out in the internet. But I know that Jay has already had a hand in doing some amazing things that he wouldn't have been able to do before. I know that the power and influence he can have now can have a more far reaching effect than his aspiring youtube channel ever could. I know that he can offer help to me and the rest of his family and friends in far more important and meaningful ways than he could as a librarian or church leader (and he helped a lot of people in big ways in his life). I know that the difference he will be making in the world will be of a more eternal nature and in different ways. I know he doesn't have to worry about some of the pain, inconvenience and annoyances of living in a fallen world, and will be hyper-focused on things that really matter.

As the oldest daughter and oldest son, Jay and I were often competitive with each other. Now the playing field has changed. We each have an unfair advantage in some areas. I can create a youtube video of myself and publish it with very little effort or skepticism. If Jay creates a youtube video now, it would take more effort on his part and be met with skepticism by those that don't believe in ghosts. If I want to be with family, I have to get in a car, train, plane or some other method and travel for a while to get to where I want to be. Jay can be there as quick as thought.

In some ways things are worse, in some ways they are better. Not knowing why facebook was full of condolences to me, someone asked if I was ok. I didn't really know how to respond. So I said something like "Temporarily I am not ok, but eternally everything is absolutely perfect."

Right now things can be a bit difficult, and I don't expect that to suddenly change or disappear. I don't expect this to be an easy transition. I could remove pain and sorrow by removing love. But that isn't a worthwhile trade for me, so I choose love even if it is accompanied by sorrow. Right now things may not make sense. But 500 years from now it will make perfect sense. One day, when it is my turn to be escorted to the other side, I'll see my Savior and think, "Is that all that was required of me?" and know that every pain and sorrow here is worth it. My Savior suffered all things for me. Even though things may seem bad now, in the eternal perspective, it is a worthwhile  sacrifice. So worthwhile that it can hardly be called a sacrifice.

I want to share a quote that has helped me through coming to grips with such an unexpected death of such a good person:

"We don’t need to get a complex or get a feeling that you have to be perfect to be saved.  You don’t.  There’s only been one perfect person, and that’s the Lord Jesus, but in order to be saved in the Kingdom of God and in order to pass the test of mortality, what you have to do is get on the straight and narrow path – thus charting a course leading to eternal life – and then, being on that path, pass out of this life in full fellowship.  I’m not saying that you don’t have to keep the commandments.  I’m saying you don’t have to be perfect to be saved.  If you did, no one would be saved.  The way it operates is this, you get on the path that’s named the “straight and narrow.”  You do it by entering the gate of repentance and baptism.  The straight and narrow path leads from the gate of repentance and baptism, a very great distance, to a reward that’s called eternal life.  If you’re on that path and pressing forward, and you die, you’ll never get off the path.  There is no such thing as falling off the straight and narrow path in the life to come, and the reason is that this life is the time that is given to men to prepare for eternity.  Now is the time and the day of your salvation, so if you’re working zealously in this life – though you haven’t fully overcome the world and you haven’t done all you hoped you might do – you’re still going to be saved.  You don’t have to do what Jacob said, “Go beyond the mark.”  You don’t have to live a life that’s truer than true.  You don’t have to have an excessive zeal that becomes fanatical and becomes unbalancing.  What you have to do is stay in the mainstream of the Church and live as upright and decent people live in the Church – keeping the commandments, paying your tithing, serving in the organizations of the Church, loving the Lord, staying on the straight and narrow path.  If you’re on that path when death comes – because this is the time and the day appointed, this the probationary estate – you’ll never fall off from it, and, for all practical purposes, your calling and election is made sure.  Now, that isn’t the definition of that term, but the end result will be the same." — Elder Bruce R. McConkie, “The Probationary Test of Mortality,” January 10, 1982

Jay's body is in the ground. But Jay isn't gone. Some things are changed.  Some in quite big ways. But eternally nothing has changed. 200 years from now, all of us that were at the funeral this week will be dead too, and we'll laugh about how we thought it was such a big deal. Right now we're sad, and that is OK. Even God and Christ weep. I can have what I want, or I can have something better. I don't have to understand how or why God sees this as better. I just need to have faith that He knows even when I don't.

I love my little brother. I'm incredibly grateful to know that our family will be together forever.

An Open Letter To the Future Foot Zoners of Washington State

Dear Reader,

Is it you? Are you the one?

I’ve learned some amazing things over the past year, and for a few months I’ve felt strongly that I need to bring these things “home” to Washington. There is someone that needs these tools in their life and either knowingly or unknowingly is crying out for help.

Well, I got the message, and I’ve realized that this cry for help is from more than just one person. I know there are many people that will benefit from the knowledge and skills I have to share. But even if it were just one person, it would still be completely worth it.

One Size Fits All

Do you ever have one of those moments when you are in the middle of typing a facebook message, responding to a friend you haven't talk to in a long time and trying to make it meaningful and heartfelt when you accidentally hit enter before you were able to edit it? And then the smell of poop comes wafting up from under the computer desk where a toddler is sitting and you have to make the decision of whether to finish the letter in a thoughtful way or hurriedly finish, take the toddler before he manages to seep the mess onto the floor instead of just sitting in it, wash him off, let your mind wander about other things you want to write about and then when said toddler is clean and down for a nap you end up writing a blog post you have been meaning to write for a long time instead of the facebook message you started?

No? Well maybe it is just me then...I even managed to have make a number of connections from the facebook message to writing in my blog (like how I was writing to the person who introduced me to NaNoWriMo, NaNoWriMo is fun because I like to write. Because I like to write, blogging is an enjoyable activity. I have lots of things I have been planning to write blog posts about, so I should just do it!)

What Power Do You Have Access To But Don't Realize It?

I just got back from a meeting featuring Sheri Dew as the guest speaker. It was amazing, if you don't know who she is, I highly recommend getting familiar because she is an amazing woman, with great things to teach by knowledge and example. I just want to share some highlights of her presentation because it is far too good to keep to myself.

She shared this quote, which is a "nonscriptural elaboration" of what the Lord might have said to Peter after the "Lovest Thou Me" conversation:

Then Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore, by these same nets, having this same conversation? Wasn’t it obvious then and isn’t it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world.

The Power of Hope

With all the crazy stuff going on in the world and in our personal lives, it is so easy to be filled with despair and overwhelmed with everything. I'm grateful for the examples of many people around me that remind me how I should be looking at life. As I observe such valiant examples, I am convinced that our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy and hopeful instead of complaining and pessimistic.

Trials Are a Part of Life

Life After Death (Tribute to Diana Jex)

I just found out about the passing of a good friend of mine. We were sixth cousins actually. When I was new to the area, everyone would ask me if I was Diana's sister (Jex isn't a very common last name). It didn't take long before I was introduced to Diana, found out we were 6th cousins, and I was proud to be related to such a great person. She was kind to everyone and her home was always open. She was about my age and healthy, so her passing in her sleep came as a complete surprise.

I know Diana is in a good place, a happy place. It is hard for us here, but it isn't the end. I love the way one of my friends put it, "To all those who know her, be glad you got to meet her. To those who don't, she is one of the sweetest, most loving, loyal, joyful people and you should totally make a point to get to know her in the afterlife."

At times like this, it can be easy to ask "Why?" Why would God take such a wonderful, beautiful young woman at the prime of her life? Why couldn't she stay to get married and have a family? Why can't she stay and continue being a friend to everyone and contributing so much to her family and the community?

I don't expect to get answers to all of those questions in this life, but I know that God has his purposes. She always went about doing good. I'm sure she is still going about doing good, and even more of it because she won't have the limits of mortality to hold her back. 

In "Tragedy or Destiny?" by Spencer W. Kimball, we are taught that there is no tragedy in death, only in sin. I saw Diana described accurately as a person without guile, so no worries there! Through the teachings of Christ and His restored Gospel, we know that death is not the end of life. If we looked upon mortality as the whole of our existence, then death would be a tragedy indeed, but we existed before we came to earth, and we will continue to exist after death. There is much more to life than what happens between birth and death.

The prophet Alma teaches:

Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
Alma 40:11-12

I've been reading a very fascinating book: Life Everlasting. I started reading it because I could get it at a good deal from a local used bookstore, but I'm very grateful for the things I have learned when faced with things like this. For anyone that is looking for answers or has ever faced the death of a loved one, I highly recommend it.

Through reading accounts of those that have seen the Spirit World or talked to those that have (it includes scriptures, near death experiences, accounts of visits from family members and friends that have passed on, dreams, visions and more), I am able to form a much clearer picture of where my friend is going. There is a lot of work to do and valiant saints are needed.

Diana didn't serve a full time mission for the church in this life, but last weekend she was called to serve a mission to the Spirit World. She was a great blessing to her friends and family in mortality, and I know she will continue to bless the eternal lives of her friends and family on both sides of the veil.

I know that the next time I see Diana, we will still be friends, and still be cousins. She won't just be some random spirit or angel. She will be herself in all her awesomeness, even more so. She will be greatly missed in the mean time, but I know God has a plan and this is part of it.

"And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy." D&C 130:2

I know that there are some people who don't believe in religion or life after death. They think it is a crutch that is used to find answers to questions or to help us feel better in sad times. But I know that truth is true regardless of whether I am going through good times or bad. I know that God lives, He loves us. We are His children and He is very mindful of us. He has a plan for each and everyone of us, even if we don't understand it. I don't know what His plan is for Diana, but I know He wouldn't have taken such a wonderful person from this life unless He had a wise purpose. I know she was needed more on the other side and has been welcomed there. I know I will see her again and we will still be friends and cousins. Not just because it sounds nice, but because it is true.

We will miss you Diana! Until we meet again!

Why I Will Never Apolagize For The Book Of Mormon

When we include the Book of Mormon, we have another witness of Christ and His doctrine, and with two witnesses, we get more clarity and less different interpretations.

When someone is learning about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one of the hardest parts  to swallow is often the Book of Mormon. If we are a Christian religion, why do we put so much emphasis on the Book of Mormon and the Joseph Smith story? Why can't we stick to the Bible like everyone else? If our religion is true, it should be found solely in the Bible without adding extra scripture, right?

When I am defending my viewpoints, I won't hesitate to use teachings from the Book of Mormon or modern prophets, even if I know my audience may not believe the same as I do. I want to use this post to explain my reasoning behind my methodology. I don't intend to change what I am doing or how I explain myself, and I want my readers to understand why.

What Is Truth?

Oh say, what is truth? 'Tis the fairest gem

That the riches of worlds can produce,

And priceless the value of truth will be when

The proud monarch's costliest diadem

Is counted but dross and refuse.

-John Jaques, 1827-1900

Truth is things as they really are, and it can be pretty hard to come by. 

I recently finished listening to the book "1984" by George Orwell. If you are into dark, depressing, futuristic stories that are eerily similar to the present even though they were written over half a century ago, this book is for you! If you want something inspiring and happy, don't read it. ;) 

Besides a feeling of hopelessness, the reader is left to ask this question: "Is the lunatic a person who believes there are problems in the world and that life and the system are less than perfect, even though they are the minority or even the only person who believes these things are so? Or is it lunacy to believe everything along with the crowd even when it doesn't really make sense?"