Ode to Sunshine

Conference weekend is over! So sad. Much to say about that.



But first, I found something today that was...interesting. It's an internet-button-deal that proclaims:

"Just shut up, okay?
I'm allowed to dislike somebody who hurt me.
I'm allowed to say what I want,
laugh how I want,
do what I want,
and be who I want.
This is my life, and if you don't like it
then there's something wrong with yours, not mine."
I'm sorry but I had a really hard time not laughing when I read that! It occurred to me that the fact that someone felt it was cool or even just acceptable to not only have an attitude like that but to wear it means things have changed quite a bit. It's true- anyone is allowed to dislike someone who hurt them or to do whatever they want. Clearly the purpose of the blurb was to revile judgement, but what it really ended up doing was identifying an individual who was seeking to dodge consequences. What does it help to dislike someone who causes you pain? We all get hurt. A better proclamation would incite forgiveness to those who don't ask for it, saying whatever would uplift and encourage, laughing with those who need a good laugh instead of at them, doing good, and being good. Sure, hormonal preteen- you have the ability to live your life however you'd like. Just make sure you know what it is you're asking for.


These are the kinds of things I learn doing internet proselyting. Sheesh.


Ok! So I would tell you which talk was my favorite from conference but I can't pick because there were too many! I think my favorite session was Saturday morning....maybe Saturday afternoon. They were all spectacular and I got a lot of answers to things I've had questions about. More importantly, I got homework! Kind of. Ha :) I've found that normally an answer to prayer comes in the form of homework. Rarely do I ask questions like "Should I go to church on Sunday?" because those questions have pretty easy answers. The questions I come to meetings like that with are normally a lot more difficult. How do I help someone who is hurting? What should I do to get rid of this pain? How can I prepare for my future family? How can I be a better citizen? Those questions yield some serious results- and leads me to change who I am afterwords! Every experience reading scriptures, praying, and receiving direction from the spirit should lead us to be stronger, and more aligned with what we need to do to find happiness- the REAL stuff- for ourselves and for others.

One story that really stood out to me was that of when Christ comes to some of His apostles after He has risen from the dead. Peter and several other apostles, grieved and seemingly defeated after Christ's death, return to fishing. They were fishermen, and now that their leader was gone, they would go back to what they knew how to do. This is where Christ asks Peter, "Do you love me?" The experience ultimately flings the "fisherman again turned apostle" into his full throttle discipleship- a discipleship that worked wonders until his martyrdom. Christ needed Peter to understand that if he was to do this work, he needed to really do it! There's no turning back, you know? We never go back to our nets. Did Peter expect that the work would stop? In a way, I could see the exchange between Peter and the Savior happening to me. If I were asked, "Do you love me?" and if I were to reply, "Yeah Lord, Thou knowest I love thee," would He then turn and ask me, "Then why are you here again? Why are you doing this?" I want to be good and do good. Not because I'm trying to earn anything, but because it's what He's asked of me. Does that make sense?


You may have guessed...I have a new song this week haha. I don't know WHAT the deal is with Brockport but here we are again. One day I really will record these, if only for memory purposes.


Dawn dispels the darkness
When the window lets it through
Rise and shine and pull the blinds
And hope for something new
Keep your faith in people
Even when your read the news
Sometimes we all lose our way
When we are left to choose



Don't look now, but tomorrow is coming
And you still can't catch today
Full of hope that this time will do it for you
If you wake and nothing's changed
You'll make it through the day anyway

Paralysis of life's regrets
Comes knocking now and then
Days when I am stifled by
"If" and "could have been"
Aching for the innocence
That left you long ago
Sometimes begging God above
To take back all you know

Don't look now but tomorrow is coming
And you still can't catch today
Full of hope that this time will do it for you
If you wake and nothing's changed
You'll make it through the day anyway


Don't give up, keep going
All the seeds you're sewing
Cannot be seen from where you stand
But there's a bigger plan
Don't you quit- keep walking
Even if the whole town's talking
Kneel when you've no strength to stand
There's a bigger plan
Don't look now but tomorrow is coming
And you still can't catch today
Full of hope that this time will do it for you
If you wake, and nothing's changed
You'll make it through the day anyway



That song took a lot out of me- I spent a few days in some kind of recovery haha. My hope is that these will help/have helped someone along the way. I always think of Alaina because I know she appreciates lyrics the same way I do. Anyways folks I'm heading out for today. If you're wondering what you should do now that this email is ending, let me help you. Go watch conference or watch it again!

Aren't I helpful :)

Love!

Sister Raines