Spray on! 

by Shauna Brown 

I love spray paint!   

I continue to be amazed at how quickly a good coat of enamel can take something rusted and worn, and bring it back and make it look new again!  Today the terminolgy used by many in this procedure is called “repurposed, recycling or upcycled.”  Amazingly it can be a realitively quick fix that brings about an incredible and sometimes even dramatic change. You’ve seen it I’m sure, a simple coat of paint can cover, conceal : scratches, remove discoloration, change colors, even give it a new texture and appearance.  Whala!  I usually stand back, admire the work, and give myself a pat on the back for even thinking about “saving it.” 

    ‘Renewing’, upcycling, an old rusty light fixture yesterday has led my imagination to contimplate how wonderful it would be if something so simple as applying, spraying, rubbing, a spray of “renewing” to my soul would be.  The thoughts of an upcycling procedure to my spirit on a daily basis makes me smile.   I mean, personally I am hard on myself. I frequently give myself dings and dents, rusty spots and scratches:  “Why couldn’t you,”  “You should have”  “Come on! “ “You can do better.” “What were you thinking.”, etc.  My  expectations of self can sometimes be difficult and daunting.  

Imagine the Ozone levels, if such a blessed can of spray even existed. Opening a cupboard, and reaching for the can on a shelf would be fantastic! ...or possibly too simple of a process or quick fix for God’s perfection? 

A couple of months ago I came across a thought by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin that is like a can of renewing spray to my soul.  

           “Perseverance means to continue in a given course until we have reached a goal or objective, regardless of obstacles, opposition, and other counterinfluences...Perseverance is a positive, active characteristic...It gives us hope by helping us realize that the righteous suffer no failure except in giving up and no longer trying.” 

Our Father in Heaven is aware that our lives will be full of bumps, bruising, dings and dents.  We will encounter countless smudges, scars and stains. Yet, gratefully I have learned that my Savior is the master of renewall. He is the ultimate in refreshing, upcycling and mending seemingly useless things.  He clearly knows our value, our worth, for He is our redeemer.  He renews us personally and declares it so, as He clearly focuses on the possibilities within each of us. His touch is perfect. He can mend all things, making them even better. 

“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely. ... He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.”  Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf

So, this Sabbath day let’s think about the incredible healing art of the master. Time and time again He is there with grace and peace. Instilling within our matter the reason to matter. 

SPray on! 

Love Always

Shauna 

“You can always,always give something, even if 

it is only kindness!” 

by Shauna Brown 

     Last night,  while my sweetheart and I tended five of our grandchildren, my grandson Reed, informed me: “We need a story now.” Evidently a closing story for the day is one ritual his family holds tightly to.  We had read scriptures, said family prayer, and I thought I had shared a good story, but evidently not good enough.  So,  sitting on Jamison’s bed I told them about Anne Frank.  How she and her family and a few others lived in a secret room above an attic for two years. Anne and her family were Jewish, and Hitler was a evil ruler who wanted  to cleanse the world from Jewish, people.  Her family was forced to go into hiding. 

     Anne had been given a small book for her thirteenth birthday.  She wrote within it’s pages her feelings, fears and moments of hope. It later became known as, The Diary of Anne Frank.  Because of her writings, many people have a better idea of how it must of been for those who were hunted down by Hitler and his Nazis Party.  I  asked the boys to imagine living in their bedroom and never leaving it for years.  The Franks and a few others survived for two years before someone reported them to the Nazis. Despite her limited opportunities and restraints, it seems that Anne appreciated the simple things of life, and counted her blessings. I told my grandsons  how Anne found joy around her. Looking through a window she could see the sky and use her imagination. I’m sure Anne was filled with hopes and dreams for a better future. Anne had shared with her written word her appreciation of life and her outlook of it.  It would have been wonderful if I could have remembered a few of her thoughts.

“As long as this exists, this sunshine and this cloudless sky, and

as long as I can enjoy it, how can I be sad?” Anne Frank

Then I asked my little boys what they were grateful for.  We talked about our blessings and how grateful we are for that which we sometimes take for granted.  We talked about our eyes and Helen Keller, or fingers and legs that let us walk. I told of Nick Vujicic ,who lives without arms or legs and yet appreciates his life.

Oh, I am grateful that a young girl of thirteen wrote within her little journal.  She always dreamed of being a writer someday. Without knowing she was, and lives on.  

“How noble and good everyone could be if, every evening before falling asleep, they were to recall to their minds the events of the whole day and consider exactly what has been good and bad. Then without realizing it, you try to improve yourself at the start of each new day.” 

“How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment, we can start now, start slowly changing the world! How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make their contribution toward introducing justice straightaway... And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!” 

     So this Sabbath day might we all look around us and imagine how we can improve ourselves and become all that we are meant to become.  

I hope some day I can meet the girl call Anne Frank, for she has made such a marked difference within my soul.  I believe that God planted within her heart the will to live, and share eternal purpose. I am thankful that I know Anne lives on. 

Love always,

Shauna 

                                          Take Note

by Shauna Brown 

          I can’t remember when I started, but I have  carried a notebook or journal with me  for years.  

I probably have a hundred of them. Whenever I attend church, firesides, seminars, etc. Taking notes helps me concentrate on the meeting. Allowing me to listen and hope for a great idea or motivating thought.  I know some people have order in their journals, dates and times, but in looking within mine, one will find notes, sketchings, doodling, random thoughts, key words or phrases that might not make sense to anyone. To be honest even after a few months they might seem strange to me.  Anyway, I continue to take notes.  One never knows what stories, or some incredible book might be triggered from something scribbled on a page. I write in hopes of remembering a moment valued.     Let me give you an example of one of my jottings:   

        Today the bread used for the sacrament was forgotten. 

        Miscommunication. 

        Waiting for it to arrive. 

        Music plays on.  

        Red faced young man enters  

        Music plays on, as bread is quickly broken in to pieces. 

        Extra time for thoughts to focus upon Christ. 

        Remembrance. 

        Imagine. 

        The young man will never forget the bread again. 

        But do we?  

        Do we think about Christ enough?  

        The loaf of bread left on the kitchen counter- 

        Forgotten. 

        Do we willingly partake of His love? 

        He never forgets us. 

        Perhaps the note speaks to my heart alone. Yet, even in the recalling of the moment I can feel and relive the moment.  Gratefully it is renewing to my soul.  

        How about this one: 

                                My little Granddaughter Paige,is an artist. To the dismay of her parents she is leaving her two year old signature on many surfaces throughout the house.  Many walls have had to be scrubbed. Even, Mr. Clean Super Eraser has been employed in their house. Anything that is stationary for more than thirty seconds has received of her artistic touch. Couches, chairs, tables, and doors.  Listening to Brittany (my daughter ) describe her frustration in this matter, brings an instant remembrance for why I wrote a song.   “Crayon marks will disappear.”   

         

        Life is filled with random jottings and colored markers moments.  

        Each of us has an empty page to fill each day. Let’s write down that thought provoking idea, look for those ‘aha’ moments. Doodle a bit, perhaps even take a bright orange marker and draw a sunflower. Maybe today I will use crayons and draw a rainbow as I remember it--  just because I can.   I love remembering, but I love living!  

        Albert Einstein shared:  

        “There are only two ways to live your life.  One is as though nothing is a 

miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”  

        So this Sabbath - let’s look for the miracles. 

        Love Always, 

        Shauna  

                        Each Life

by Shauna Brown 

     I smile as I think of the great blessing friends and neighbors have meant in my lifetime. Upon reflection I can see the many faces that have been planted within my growing garden. Since early childhood some have blossomed right beside me. They have shared the water, the light, and we grew together. Some stood taller than I, and caused me to reach and seek the sun. I had a few that bloomed for what seemed a few moments, their petals faded, withered and fell, but still, I remember their once vivid colors of hope and faith, as they played their part within my garden.  I am forever grateful for those that have encouraged me, by their words,and often their example, that helped me see the possibilities within.  I thrived, and sent forth new budding bursts of growing confidence.   Oh, how grateful I am that I was planted in the garden intended by God.     

Just the other morning I was talking with my oldest daughter, Heather, about the blessing it is to be surrounded with family and friends. I shared how many times I haved gleaned lessons from those planted beside me. Some of them unaware of my needs, yet, they strengthened me.  

        Life naturally stirs those up and down moments, and so there were times I  felt intensely scorched with life’s challenges. Gratefully, there were those who were timely planted in my garden to shade me and give me reassuring confidence and hope.  Timely conversations have literally lifted me from moments of wavering faith. It was as if a good drenching of faith was poured around my roots and thankfully, it penetrated deep. Some have cheered me on, extending a few words that held me. Some have been there to just stand beside as support. Because of them, their experiences, their wisdom, insight, and their willingness to reach out and share, I grew.  I grew taller and sought for greater light. We are meant to help one another grow and develop. Blooming where we are planted is essential to life.  Clearly, time and time again, I have been watered and nurtured by so many in my purposefully, planted gardens. I have marveled how the Master Gardner, knew just who I needed planted beside me. I have been impressed how many have come, touched, fertilized and nurtured my seedling soul.

Karen Lynn Davidson, a good friend planted within my husband’s garden during college, wrote lyrics to a song that I believe reflects my thoughts. 

  

 Each life that touches ours for good

Each life that touches ours for good. 

Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessings from above    

Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,

What greater goodness can we know

Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways

Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

     Yes, if everyone realized how “Blooming where you are planted,” can be life lifting, enriching, and can often make a difference. Well,  we should bloom bigger.  May I testify that I continue to be blessed by those who share. It is because of their  lasting influence - I value the growing seasons, and our Masterful Gardner even more.  

“I love my garden, and I love working in it. To potter with green growing things, watching each day to see the dear, new sprouts come up, is like taking a hand in creation, I think. Just now my garden is like faith - the substance of things hoped for.” 

~ Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne’s House of Dreams

Take a moment and look into those faces that surround you, and know God planted them near for a purpose--perhaps it is your purpose.

Enjoy this Sabbath Day of Wonderful

Love Always,

Shauna 

                         Happy  Everything!

by Shauna Brown 

         I love garage sales! As a young bride,  my mother-in-law first introduced them to me years ago. Since then I have found treasure upon treasure, and have enjoyed timeless memories, as I have reviewed and remembered items from my past. “Oh, I had one of those when I was growing up.” “Grandma, had a dish just like that.” I frequently giggle when I find a toy, similiar to one, once held by my own children’s hands.  

         Some thirty three years ago, I wrote a play, Within the Four Walls, centered around a family’s garage sale. The leading couple, who had recently passed away, found their married children preparing for an estate sale. Peeking through the veil, the couple was stirred by the items that helped them to recall the many miracles, precious moments, and spiritual tutoring within their earthly time.  

        You can imagine it, I’m sure, you’ve seen garage sales-- items piled high upon table tops, clothes hanging from the garage doors. Objects are bulging within crates and bins, flowing from garage to front yard. People are eagerly digging through boxes and bags, while some are dickering for a better price.  Everyone in hopes of securing something that they consider a treasured or needed find. 

Trust me, it’s fun! 

            Yesterday, we followed the signs that led to a fundraiser/ garage sale. Many friends and neighbors had gathered together, and donated items to raise money for a young fourteen year old girl in their neighborhood, who is in need of heart surgery. Her picture was placed upon a table top. As I looked at her picture, one of  her neighbors came up to me and said,“She’s a wonderful young woman. She could use any help. We are  trying to raise enough to lift the family’s burden. We are hopeful for her.”  I nodded my head.   “We’ll take any offer you make,” she added. 

I wanted to buy something. I looked around. I didn’t need bedding, curtains, skis, or tons of baby clothes.  Then I saw it, a large polka-dotted platter. It didn’t fit any of my “need - want” evaluation criteria. However, it instantly made me smile, as I read the words written upon it: Happy Everything!  

        Happy Everything!  Sometimes we only celebrate birthdays, or Valentines, and Christmas is usually a happy time. In reality-- it should be a happy everyday, and everything!  Happy- every adventure, happy -heart, happy -attitude, happy thoughts.  

         Yes, I know there are always ups and downs in this life, and heaven only knows we pay good money to go and ride on a merry-go-round.  But even then we seem happy, contented, the music plays on, and we go round and round with a smile on our face. 

        My donation was small in comparison to the sweet reminder written on a platter.  Happy Everything!  I must continue to ask myself each day, “What are you dishing out Shauna?” or “Who will I serve today?”  “Feed my sheep.” “Can I make someone’s day better- a touch happier?” “Can I lift a burden?”   

        Things are just things until you define their purpose and value. 

        “Happiness is not a possession to be prized, it is a quality of thought, 

         a state of mind.”   ~ Daphne du Maurier 

        Yes, garage sales, even a play written years ago about a family’s garage sale, still generate the message of living with purpose, appreciating the lessons learned within the four walls, and then some.  It reminds me that our loving parents in heaven have encourged us to “Go forth, be of good cheer, and serve well.”  

            Now, when you have a moment stop by a garage sale and see what it mayhold for you.” 

        Enjoy your Sabbath as you enjoy a happy everything around you.  

         

        Love always 

Shauna 

                                                                       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