Glorious

This beautiful song was written by Stephanie Mabey and performed by David Archuleta.

I just love the lyrics. They are so uplifting:

[Verse:]
There are times when you might feel aimless
You can't see the places where you belong
But you will find that there is a purpose
It's been there within you all along and when you're near it
You can almost hear it.

[Chorus:]
It's like a symphony just keep listenin'
And pretty soon you'll start to figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece and there are melodies
In each one of us, oh, it's glorious

[Verse 2:]
You will know how to let it ring out as you discover who you are
Others around you will start to wake up
To the sounds that are in their hearts
It's so amazin', what we're all creatin'

[Chorus:]
It's like a symphony just keep listenin'
And pretty soon you'll start to figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece and there are melodies
In each one of us, oh, it's glorious

[Bridge:]
And as you feel the notes build
You will see

[Chorus:]
It's like a symphony just keep listenin'
And pretty soon you'll start to figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece and there are melodies
In each one of us, oh, it's glorious

You can download a free mp3 of the song HERE. Simply skip to Step 3 if you don't want to enter your email address and it will hop into your iTunes lickety split. Very quick and easy... and yes, free!

Meet the Mormons--the film

Last Saturday Eric and I went and saw the film, Meet the Mormons. I was happy that he agreed to see it because I wanted to watch it in the theater before it was available to stream online.  We went with another couple from church (who just happen to be the bishop and his wife.) I am Mormon (a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as LDS.) Eric is not LDS, but he is as supportive a spouse as I could possibly hope for despite us not being of the same faith. I love him so much.

In a brief 70 minutes the film focuses on 6 LDS individuals from around the world and their unique stories. Belief in God plays a large role in their lives, but mostly the stories are just about the people, their accomplishments and challenges. It did not feel heavy handed. It did not feel like an hour-long commercial. It felt like a glimpse into the window of other people's lives who just happen to be Mormon.

I wish I could tell you which story was my favorite of the 6, but they were all wonderful. I was very touched by the final story of the once struggling mom who sees her teenage son off on his mission, but I think everyone who sees the film will find some element of it with which they can identify. Why? Because it is about people and our similarities. When we focus on what we have in common, as opposed to our differences, everyone's a winner.

Whether you are LDS or not, have questions or not, I encourage you to see it. You will be uplifted and leave with a smile. There aren't many movies that can promise that--and all proceeds from the film go to the American Red Cross. (More on this here.)

Below is a link to the film's website, where you can watch the trailer, find a showing in your area, and listen to American Idol's David Archuleta sing the beautiful song, Glorious, which is highlighted at the end of the film.

Meet the Mormons Official Website

See it. It will touch your heart.

October, When Did You Get Here?

I told myself that the next time I posted something on my personal blog it would be pictures from Education Week at BYU.  Ahem...that was 2 months ago.

It isn't that Life has been busier than normal, but I do think Eric's schedule has contributed to my procrastination.  The poor man was on graveyard shifts for nearly 3 weeks straight, with only 1.5 days off before that and 6 days of day shift before that.  See, I'm counting backward.  That's not mornal. I mean normal.

Days for me have been spent going to the gym in the morning while Eric sleeps off his graveyard shift, then I come home and do my morning routine. This involves drinking my breakfast shake in front of the computer while checking email and usually watching an episode of The Good Wife. (Love that show.) Then I go shower in the downstairs bathroom so as not to wake my tired husband and then creep out of the house to run errands.  Or I do laundry, which is the one main household chore I can do while he's sleeping because the laundry room is downstairs.

We have dinner at 3:30, send him off to work at 4:30, and just when I have the freedom to be as loud as I want vacuuming or clinking dishes around, I don't feel like doing those things. Go figure! But I do them in a condensed way so the house doesn't look too neglected. Graveyard shifts are a part of our life, just not so many in a row.

Trust me, I'm not complaining. My husband has a decent job that supports us, and in this economic climate, you'd be crazy not to be grateful.  Still, those graveyard shifts can be challenging on the spouse (me.)

I don't know why I'm writing about that.  That wasn't the plan.

Anyway, his schedule is back to normal, and after 2 more days of day shift he'll be free! We actually have a trip coming up next weekend. We're heading up north to see BJ Thomas in concert. Inexpensive tickets at a little casino in Kingston.  I've never even heard of Kingston.  But hey, a getaway is a getaway.

Following that is Halloween, always a big event in this neighborhood because we get hundreds and hundreds of trick-or-treaters. (We're talking 600-800 kids.)  Our neighbors across the street have a small gathering with appetizers and soup, and then the neighbors in attendance all scatter when the little goblins start appearing. We sit in our dining room distributing candy for the next 3 hours, keeping a tally to compare with the neighbors later.  At 8pm the porch lights all go off.  Halloween is over for another year.

In November I'll be flying to California to see my family.  Aside from my mom, no other relatives have seen me since I lost weight this year.  I'll get to see my cute 96 year old grandma and my cute niece and nephew. There's a Disneyland trip planned with my cousin too. I haven't been in 3 years, which is a long time for me!  And it will be during the holiday season--best time of year at the park. Of course I'll be spending time with my mom, seeing friends, and looking longingly at my CA house that sold last year.

Yes, it is that crazy holiday time of year!  The whirlwind has begun.

(More posts in the works! There are other things to share.)