Living Color! 

                                     by  Shauna Brown

                  Last night I had a dream. When I awoke I was able to recall it with some sobering clarity, visual mind pictures, and naturally it left me pondering. I think it is worthy of sharing and thus, perhaps my dream can stir within you a lesson as well. 

             I was holding a large book within my hands. The size and shape of a large encyclopedia.  I could feel someone sitting beside me, but only felt of their presence. I was comfortable being there. It was clear that my focus was upon the book, and what was held within it’s pages.  

             As I read each entry, most often they were only small snippets or paragraphs of my life’s moments. I could instantly recall the experience and it was surprising to me, because the people, their names and places, were very easy to remember. In an instant I was there again.  I became very aware that my life’s book contained a unique rating system. As I reviewed the experience, color began to fill the margins beside each event.    As I read and remembered, it was apparent to me, how I had either partaken, learned of, acted upon an experience or missed an opportunity. Without instructions, as to the color’s worth I began to embrace and feel comfort when I saw the color turquoise pop up within the paragraphs. Evidently turquoise was symbolic for me of having achieved and reached the valued expectation for that experience,

              I must note here that often the experiences that I would have considered to be paramount and passionate about, sometimes didn’t even compare to a smaller event that brushed by me barely noticed. Gratefully, I found that I did take note of some of them, and it was important to my development. Even though I thought it something so small, it held significant value to my maker and to my growing season.  

        As I studied my book and saw colors magically appear within the margins, I could see patterns of purpose within the colors. Line upon line my life was filled with tutoring times and patterns of promptings that were invisible to my earthly eyes. Sadly I heard myself say, “I didn’t see that.” 

        Yet, upon some of the pages I found myself crying with joy as I read and remembered. Times when I had chosen to act, to say something nice, to give a compliment, to help another, to stand up, to speak up.  There were times when I sat and stared at a paragraph and wished I had seen what was there for me to discover. Yet I didn’t see, didn’t feel, didn’t act or respond. The moment was lost to me, and no color came within the margin. It was empty, and left me empty as well. What could have been?  

          “People observe the colors of a day only at its beginnings and its ends, but to me it’s quite  clear that a day merges through a multitude of shades and intonations, with each passing moment. A single hour can consist of thousands of different colors. Waxy yellows, cloud-spat  blues. Murky darknesses. ”  ~ Markus Zusak, The Book Thief 

             Paragraph by paragraph, color by color, here a little- there a little, I found that everything has purpose and worth, timely placed within our paths. 

Tears fell freely as I better understood how life’s sentences are meant to write upon our hearts. Moments meant to change us, and instill within us the desire to become everything God wants us to be. It was clearly visible to me - what I had chosen.   I cried, I laughed and smiled. Humbled, by a dream so real, vivid and in living color.  

As I read, my eyes were opened to God’s tutoring and colored palette.  I shall never look at color in the same way. For today, within, I want strokes of turquoise and yellow splashed within my margins.

Enjoy your sabbath

Love Always  

Shauna 

Living Water

by Shauna Brown

               

           A few years ago Rick and I spent a wonderful week on the Oregon sea coast.  Our condominium overlooked the water. I watched for hours, and witnessed ships of all sizes coming and going.  We walked upon the beach and gathered smooth rocks, and pebbles shaped by rolling tides. Starfish in all colors welcomed us to draw closer.   

        An old man walked upon the shore line, and with his  extended spoon, scooped up his pebbled, agate treasures. Listening to his enthusiastic description and infatuation with his daily discoveries, we too, filled our pockets full. 

          Travel always leads one to discovery. No matter where we have traveled we have been enriched by the surroundings, lessons learned, and the people planted within our path.  

        So walking upon the wooden board walks we set to learn all that we could. Boats, ships, heavy nets and crates dotted the sea coast. Some  ships were visibly freshly painted, while others displayed their age of work and rust. Hardy fishermen arrived and with bright eyes announced their fresh catch of the day.  I can almost smell it - fishy fresh. For moments I imagined what life would be like for me upon the blue expanse of ocean. 

        While set amid the laboratory of learning, I noted that hundreds of ships and cargo barges make their way to the Portland sea coast. Imagine it, there are twenty three ports . Everywhere it is easy to observe ships mooring and others setting out, embarking upon the ocean.   

        While seeking to learn more, we heard that ship captains perfer to port in Portland. Evidently as their ships travel the seas, a shellfish called a barnacle, fastens itself to the hull of the ship.  It has a rocklike shell and is difficult to remove. The barnacles attach themselves and welcome other barnacles to catch a ride. As more and more barnacles attach themselves, they increase the ship’s drag, slow its progress and decrease its efficiency. Because of this over growth, many ships have to go into dry dock and have the barnacles chipped and stripped away.  It is a costly procedure and very time consuming. Captains fear the loss of income.  Then it was discovered that if they take their ships to the fresh water coast of Portland the barnacles die and some fall away, while those that remain are easily removed. Thus, the ship returns to its task lightened and renewed.  

        I was fascinated that fresh water kills the barnacles, causing them to drop off. Fresh, living water.  The scriptures tell us that Christ is like unto the living water.  Those who seek him never thirst. 

        “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst” :John 4:6–15 

         

            What are the barnacles that drag upon our soul? What is holding us back, hindering us 

and slowing our progress?  Can you see the wonderful parallel?  Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the living water that is essential to lift our burdens, cast aside afflictions, carry us through deep waters and sustain us. As water is essential to sustain physical life, the Savior and his teachings (living water) are essential for each one of us.   

          We don’t need to go to the coast of Oregon to obtain the fresh, living water. We need to go humbly to our knees.  One by one we can cast our barnacles aside and start afresh. Isn’t that a miracle?    

Might we all enjoy a smooth sailing on this Sabbath day! 

Love Always,

Shauna 

                                                   “Go give them Heaven”

by Shauna V. Brown 

        Years ago I had the opportunity of teaching seminary at Waterford School, a private school in Sandy, Utah. I loved it! I enjoyed preparing my lessons, and observing the students who sought to assimilate the doctrines and teachings of Christ. 

Each morning, the seminary faculty would meet together for prayer, after which, Roger Christensen, my leader and good friend, would extend a statement that I came to appreciate and value:  “Go give them heaven.”  It always made me smile, but also instilled a sobering challenge. ‘What would my Heavenly Father wish me to express, to teach and to testify of today?’

“Go give them heaven.” 

Four words, broken down. Go - Give - Everyone - A Taste of Eternal Life

I continue to think and ponder upon that simple phrase each day, as I watch hundreds of youthful faces pass by my office doorway. I  have come to realize that a bright smile, a warm hello, a compliment, a word of encouragement,  might bring about a simple reminder of who they are, and who loves them. Trying to live my life in such a way to extend a portion of “heaven” helps me to focus upon His love. 

Life isn’t perfect. There will be bumps and bruises, deep gashes of pain, and moments when our breath is taken from us. It is within those times I have come to know just how personal, how close, how caring our Father in Heaven is. The amazing grace to me is that I know He is mindful of each of us. I can ponder upon the experiences of my life, and quickly realize how often He has carried me, lifted me up, inspired, healed, and truly loved and spoiled me.   I know He hears my prayers, and wipes away the tears, and calms my fears... because, that’s what I believe Fathers do.  His promises are real. He can move mountains, change hearts, define purpose and instill the possibility.  He knows every detail of our lives, and to me, that is an incredible miracle. 

“We can communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer, and those prayers will be heard and answered — perhaps not how and when we expected they would be answered,but they will be answered, and by a Heavenly Father who knows and loves us perfectly and who desires our happiness.” Pres. Thomas S. Monson

So, this day, I am thankful for all the Fathers in my life: my own loving earthly Father, my sweet husband and Father, but most of all, I am ever grateful for my Heavenly Father.  This afternoon we will launch our balloons into heaven. A great symbolic moment, as we seek to extend our thoughts and expressions of gratitude to a loving Father in Heaven.  I guess it will be our way of giving back to heaven.

Enjoy your sabbath

Love always,

SHAUNA

OPEN UP YOUR  HEART and  LET THE SUNSHINE IN!

by Shauna V. Brown 

  I am continually amazed at our ability to recall memories, events, and even melodies. 

       Growing up in our home, music was valued. I loved it when mother and I would sit at the piano, and song by song we would sing music. I loved lifting up the seat of the piano bench, to find a variety of sheet music and song books. Some of the music was old, 

and yellowed with time.  Sometimes mother would stop by Hart Brother’s Music Store, and purchase a song she had just heard on the radio, or sung at church.    I remember watching as she slipped the  sheet music from the brown paper bag. She was excited, almost as if she had brought me home a special, sugar treat.  Looking back, I think it was far better.   We would quickly make our way to the piano, spread the music open and begin our site reading.       

      Just the other day while driving to work, I began to sing a song. It was one I had learned as a little girl. I was amazed. I giggled, as it once again surrounded me with childhood thoughts and memories of Mama’s sweet tutoring. I could sing it, as if it was yesterday, recorded on my mind for time and all eternity. 

    Thinking about the lyrics, I realize now just how much words, and melody can influence, and penetrate the soul.  Some ask me why I always seem so happy. Perhaps it comes from a lesson learned at a piano bench.

OPEN UP YOUR HEART  by Stuart Hamblen

Mommy told me something a little girl should know

It’s all about the Devil and I’ve learned to hate him so

She says he causes trouble when you let him in the room

He will never ever leave you if your heart is filled with gloom

So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin

Smilers never lose and frowners never win

So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin

Open up your heart and let the sun shine in

When you are unhappy, the Devil wears a grin

But oh, he starts a-running when the light comes pouring in

I know he’ll be unhappy ‘cause I’ll never wear a frown

Maybe if we keep on smiling he’ll get tired of hangin’ around

If I forget to say my prayers the Devil jumps with glee

But he feels so awful, awful, when he sees me on my knees

So if you’re full of trouble and you never seem to win

Just open up your heart and let the sun shine in

So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin

Smilers never lose and frowners never win

So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin

Open up your heart and let the sun shine in

       

   I believe with full heart that we choose each day, if we are going to be happy.   

Might I share one of my favorite quotes, which has been a source of peace, and light to me. 

“It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers.”   Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

     Note that he said, “I say that to myself every morning...  ‘It all works out.”  Each and every day we are at a crossroads of possibilities. We choose to let the sun in, or wait and worry in the darkness of doubt.  

     I’m thankful that Mama brought home that piece of sheet music, for I believe I learned much more within the measures,  than just the melody.

     Sing on everyone! Go forth and spread the sunshine! 

Find a song that lifts your spirits, and brings the light.

   Within the measure you too, shall see the blessings .

Enjoy your Sabbath

Love Always,

Shauna 

                           

Streams of Mercy

by Shauna V. Brown 

      Yesterday, Rick and I drove up the canyon to breathe in the beauty of nature. I always marvel 

at the reverence and awe that it generates within  my soul.  As I look up, it seems that I see further  

into heaven’s arms. As I scan that which surrounds me, I feel as if I am dressed in emerald shaded  

robes.  Sitting by the stream, listening to the rush of the water, I feel cleansed.  Birds chirp, and ants  

crawl, then a little, white butterfly dances past me.  A sense of peace permeates my spirit and I feel at home--wondrous home.   A yellow jacket came close enough to buzz within my ear, and I sat still because of a stinging remembrance.   

        I guess it is in the sweet stillness that allows one to ponder upon those things we wish we could recall.  Oh, how I wish I could remember that heavenly home again. Some say it is much more beautiful than earth, nothing like one can imagine, but looking around me, all I see is majestic wonder.  

           Years ago I learned a song, Trailing Clouds of Glory.  It was originally written as an Ode by, William Wordsworth.  It is a lengthy Ode, yet I would like to share a portion that I feel is fitting for today:                        

                        Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: 

The Soul that rises with us, our life’s Star, 

Hath had elsewhere its setting, 

And cometh from afar: 

Not in entire forgetfulness, 

And not in utter nakedness, 

But trailing clouds of glory do we come 

From God, who is our home:  

            I have long understood that writers are frequently set to pondering. I have identified with Charlotte Brontë, as she shared: 

          “We know that God is everywhere; but certainly we feel His presence most when His works are on the grandest scale spread before us; and it is in the unclouded night-sky, where His worlds wheel their silent course, 

 that we read clearest His infinitude, His omnipotence, His omnipresence.”     

        Rick said, “Come, let’s put our feet into the water.” I hesitated too long, as fear of dirty slacks erased an added measure of pleasure. I didn’t want to disturb the moment I was soaking in.  

          The water’s cascading role wasn’t just felt by river rocks and fallen wood. I felt it surge within my heart and soul--Living Water. I guess that is why tender tears come, crest, and fall so freely, as one’s spirit is renewed.   

        In the quiet walk back into daily living, I breathed fuller, as I once again realized that feeling “streams of mercy,” is for real.  

        Enjoy your Sabbath 

        Take a moment and walk within God’s love. 

  

Love always,

Shauna