The Hiding Place

This last week I found my old copy of "The Hiding Place." I remember reading this book in high school, and in young womens. It is a great story about Corrie ten Boom, a Christian woman, who after being found hiding Jews in her home was sent to a Nazi concentration camp during WWII. For the first time ever I finally realized that more than half the book is about Corrie's earlier experiences before being sent to a Nazi concentration camp. In fact, the in the beginning of the book Corrie says, 

That line has touched my heart, and mind ever since I read it a week ago.What a great lesson in the book's organization itself...our preparation, and experiences whether they be minor, simple every day things like appreciating the blue sky or big experiences as losing loved ones they will all prepare us to meet our future trials.  I haven't always been grateful for my past experiences, and the choices I have made in my life. In fact, I'm still healing from myself, and the harmful mindset I have created. So when I read that line, and then read the book I realize that her story can be mine too. She suffered so much, but in the end lived to tell her story of love. That was her mission, and she cherished it so much. I know that if I take her state of mind and attitude to my own life, I will see the hand of God in my life too--even through the pain of my mistakes. 

All of this reminded me of a time when my friend shared a line of her patriarchal blessing with me: You will be grateful for all that you experience. This knowledge gives me so much strength as I realize that one day I will be able to look back at my life, and be grateful for everything I have experienced--whether it be the best of times or the worst. Even NOW-- all the pain from past mistakes, and missed opportunities will shape me into a person that can help others with similar experiences. I too can be a voice, and a tool for the Savior---to lead others to his peace, forgiveness, and strength. 

I'm really glad that I read this book again! It has strengthened my motivation to be closer to my Savior, and to show others his love. Corrie, Betsie, and the ten Booms are amazing people with amazing faith. I hope one day to be as courageous as these people were. If you haven't read this book...please go read it!

BOOM! Hunger Games!

I can remember reading the first book of this series and wanting Gale and Katniss to be together so bad (although after reading the entire series, I am team Peeta)! I also remember staying up late for the midnight showing with my roommates and wondering how the film was going to portray this idea that pre-teens and older teens fight one another to the death. Although a creative and moral building plot, should we pay money to go see so much violence in our younger generation? I mean, if you take a step back...would we have ever agreed to see this movie 10 years ago? Does the overarching moral of the film outweigh the violence we witness in it? What do you think?
On another note, the first part of the last movie came out today--yeah! ...right? Actually, for the first time with these series, I'm not really that excited to see it. If it's like the first part of the book, it will be slow and repeatedly show Katniss suffering from PTSD and losing her mind!
It's interesting that I don't want to see that (which I believe most movies cut out the consquence of violence), but isn't it kind of cool that the writers of the book and movie include this to show a more realistic view of the effects of violence and war? Just a thought :)

Anyway, I haven't seen it yet, but if you have...please give me a review! I would love to hear what you think!

P.S. I just watched this video with Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) for Hunger Games and couldn't stop laughing! Enjoy!


Esquete Hunger Games Com Sofia Vergara [LEGENDADO] from JogosVorazes.Net on Vimeo.

7 Tips For Better Sleep

This is the first semester I haven't been able to fall asleep easily! After a week of observing my bedtime habits, I realized I was on my iPhone or computer until I went to bed. So I searched online and found this article called, "7 Tips For Better Sleep." This article shares some great tips and research on varying factors that can help aid or keep us away from sleeping.
Cellphones and other screen time forms are definitely on the top of the list:

"A National Sleep Foundation poll found that 95 percent of Americans use electronic devices within an hour of going to sleep at least a few nights a week."
"Artificial light exposure between dusk and the time we go to bed at night suppresses release of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, enhances alertness and shifts circadian rhythms to a later hour, making it more difficult to fall asleep," Charles Czeisler, Ph.D., M.D.

 So my husband and I made it a goal this past week to stop using our cellphones at least an hour and half before bedtime. It was amazing how much faster and better we fell asleep. It was also nice to use our paper-scriptures and read non-screen books before bed. Lastly, we found that we were able to have better conversations together during those hours before bed--instead of sitting in bed together on our devices, we read books or talked about cool things we learned that day.

Overall, if you're having a hard time falling asleep or having quality sleep, you should try these tips out (I know it worked for my family):

1. SET AN ELECTRONIC CURFEW
Make a rule to keep technology out of your bed, and turn off all devices at least an hour before bedtime.

2. KEEP A WORRY JOURNAL
Set aside time during the evening to create a to-do list, fill in your calendar with upcoming events, or write down any thoughts.

3. SET AN ALARM (reminder for BEDTIME)
Decide on and stick to a regular bedtime.

4. LEAVE WORK AT THE OFFICE (or school)
Set a time in the evening to power off--and leave your H.W./emails/texts for the next morning.

5. EXERCISE EARLIER IN THE DAY
Working out at least 4 hours before you go to bed can help you feel naturally tired at the end of the day and sleep faster.

6. START A ROUTINE
Get ready for bed earlier in the evening.

7. GO TO BED WHEN YOU'RE TIRED
"Do not push through and catch your second wind -- it will keep you up for three hours"

Taking a moment...

Phew...we just finished our Media Mock Trial! I feel so relaxed and relieved to have that finished! I do want to write about the actual case that did occur years ago (it's super interesting to listen to the differing points of view and see how research can be used to make policy changes), but for now I want to take a moment to relax and think positively.

I am very grateful that I have the opportunity to attend Brigham Young University and to take important classes like Family Media-- which has been life changing for me! I am grateful for a wonderful professor who feels passionately about what she studies, what she is becoming as a person and shares her gifts with all of us. I don't think I've ever left her class feeling like a failure or that I learned nothing. I always go away feeling empowered to change the way I live and how I can help teach others (particularly my own children).

I am grateful for a husband that chooses every day to love me and help me develop my own gifts and talents. I can be stubborn, a poor communicator and passive aggressive...and not only does he understand that about me, but accepts me for everything that I am (weaknesses and all). I love him and I hope I can remember that it's a choice to love and give of yourself.

Wow, that moment felt great. I didn't really know what I was going to say...but I'm glad that I took a moment to write about things I don't talk about or sometimes fail to see every day. I hope I can learn to take some time every day to appreciate the influences in my life that at times, I put on the back-burner.

Take time today to feel at peace and think of the good influences in your life :)