Power to Heal 

     

                      by Shauna Brown 

                     There was a time in my youth that when an unsightly pimple irrupted on my face and I didn’t want to be seen in public. I was self conscience, constantly aware, imagined that everyone was looking at it, poor me. Then I heard a talk given by a young man, Peter Jeppson. He shared that one day he too awoke with a big pimple on his cheek.  He had a date planned for that night. He didn’t want his date to see the pimple so he went to the    Maitre d and asked to be placed in a dark corner of the restaurant so that the pimple would not be as noticeable or distracting. 

    We all laughed aloud as we clearly understood his sensitivity. 

    Then he told of a horrific car accident he was involved in. It happened not too long after that night.  He had filled the car up with a full tank of gasoline, and later that evening was involved in a head on collision. Upon impact the car exploded. He was so badly burned that he was unrecognizable, and even pronounced dead. He then told about the years of surgeries to construct a new nose,mouth,  eyelids, lips, and ears. He described how looking in the mirror for the first time rendered him faint. It must have been horrific.  Peter experience a full year in the hospital, dozens of operations, countless nights of pain, endless prayers. Then he thought about the pimple, the simple pimple. I listened intently as he described the many experiences where people stood frozen and stared at him, children screamed and called him a monster. The accident had launched Peter into trusting in God and years of patience and pain.  Purpose and possibilities mixed together to create a humble, teachable young man.  I was mesmerized as he took us deeper into his experience of learning. His scars seemed to testify of the many miracles, he had experienced. 

    One thought I remember, and it is written in his story,  is that Peter “prayed to have the feelings of ugliness leave him, which changed his life. He learned how to handle adversity and was given peace of mind.” Peter came to realize and appreciate that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Yes, Peter has scars, but in their own way they testify of courage and trust. 

    Another person who inspires me is a young mother, Stephanie Nielsen, who was burned in over 80% of her body when the airplane in which she was traveling crashed. She too has faced years of painful reconstructive surgeries. I have followed her blog of healing . I have marveled with her courage and faith. It is clear as she writes of her humble love of God and His will. She once was beautiful, a model, but listening to her words, I clearly see that her beauty is deeper than what man can see on the outside. 

If Peter prayed to have the feelings of ugliness leave him, what then can we pray for? What do we need help with? Is anything too small for God? Can God move mountains, heal the blind, bind the wound, mend broken things?  Forgive? Peter and Stephanie, would answer yes to all, for theirs has been a personal witness of the power to heal. Peter and Stephanie, are each a miracle. To many they are a living, walking testimony of answered prayers.  

     May we each take a moment, review in our hearts and minds what we would like to change or remove from our life.  

Stephanie shared,“Use the power of prayer in your daily life. Have faith and hope, and remember people love you.” 

        “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most 

massive  characters are seared with scars.”  ~ Khalil Gibran 

Enjoy your Sabbath.  

Love Always,

Shauna 

       

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