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A few thoughts on news

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An important part of media literacy is learning about current events from a variety of quality sources, fact checking and thinking critically. This process takes more effort than passively scrolling through Facebook posts from like-minded friends, but once we view the different reports , we can then form our own conclusions. While there is a lot of misinformation out there (and it's easily shared on social media), many news organizations uphold high journalistic standards. But the people reporting do have personal biases, and the outlets reporting do have agendas. More often than not, their agendas are to have high viewership and make money. Journalists often come up with varying reports on the same topic. For example, if a woman was walking her dog and got struck by lightning, some reporters would concentrate on the woman, others on the dog and others on the weather. They focus on the part of the story that they think is most relevant and most interesting to their audience. We ma...
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If the world feels heavy, put it down

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Dear God, Where are you? Can't you see that we're struggling? Through pain, pandemic and political turmoil Through drought, disease and depression Through violence, war, injustice And so many other crises I've lost count. Where are you? We try to carry on without you. We try to do what's right. But the weight of the world is so heavy. Please write back soon. Love, Your child Dear child, If the world feels heavy, Put it down. I've asked you to bear others' burdens But not every other burden. Someone has already done that for you. Do what you can to lift up those around you. Your friends, your family, your workplace, you community. And when your muscles feel weary, Please take time to rest. Everything will be alright. For this world that you find so heavy Is my creation. And I promise I'll take care of it. And you. Always. Love,  God
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Life is a puzzle

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A couple years ago, my husband and I bought a puzzle on a whim, and soon it became one of our favorite hobbies. We spent hours assembling Van Gogh paintings and German castles. While we had fun, we also had moments of extreme frustration. (I definitely had some harsh words for the Netherlands as I struggled to sort through seemingly identical red tulips.) Then eventually, we would place the final piece and feel a great sense of accomplishment.  But after a few days of enjoying the image, we would throw the pieces back in the box. In a matter of minutes, our hours of hard work would be undone. Life is the same way. At the beginning of 2018, Taylor was applying for jobs as he finished up his bachelor's degree. He received an out-of-state offer that we felt he should accept. The only problem? I still had one more semester before I could graduate. We agonized over how to make it work, considering every scenario. We stressed and prayed and asked advice from anyone who would listen. By s...
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I'm Done Apologizing

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Over two years have passed since I've last posted on my blog. I've always been a sporadic writer, and so many of my posts start with "I should write more." And I should write more. But I shouldn't do it to impress my three followers or to build a brand. I should write more because I want to.  Instead of feeling guilty for not writing more, I want to feel grateful for writing at all: grateful to improve my skill, grateful to document my thoughts in this online journal and grateful to possibly touch the heart of someone else. Morgan Harper Nichols, one of my favorite creators, recently shared an original poem on her Instagram account (which you should really go follow @morganharpernichols). In the caption, she wrote how she hesitated to share the poem since it was shorter then her typical work. "Maybe I don't always have to do 'more,'" she wrote. "I don't question the speed of the waves or the size of the clouds as near as much as I ...
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Book of Mormon Lock-In

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I spent the weekend camped out in the church building with eight girls, ages 12-18. Together we read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover in 24 hours (pausing only for a four hour snooze and some food/yoga breaks). To be completely honest, when the other leaders first invited me to participate, I hesitated. I thought of the migraine that would surely come without adequate sleep. I thought of all the other things I could get done over the weekend. I didn't think of Christ. I didn't think of the relationship I would build with Him as I read His words. I didn't think of the love I would develop for His young daughters as we sat cross-legged on the floor. I didn't think of the sweet spirit that would enter my heart. I didn't think of the life-changing experience I would have. We read the Book of Mormon like a novel instead of like a textbook. I enjoyed seeing how the characters all connected. I enjoyed reading about their lives. They were real people who...
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Choose to be broken

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On Sunday night, I read about a fatal shooting at an LDS church building in Nevada. The news hit particularly close to home, as earlier that same day I also sat in a chapel singing hymns with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I can't imagine having my peace shattered with the crack of a bullet. And this act of violence doesn't even scratch the surface of the tragedies that occur every day. With the constant stream of bad news, it's difficult not to lose faith in humanity or to lose faith in God. It's difficult to avoid becoming cynical, numb, or hardened. These feelings (or the lack thereof) are often likened to having a hard heart. In the scriptures, people who are rebellious against God are described as having hard hearts, but I believe our hearts can be hardened by more than just sin. Health issues, failed relationships, corrupt politicians, loss of loved ones, financial difficulties, and mistreatments by others can all cause our hearts to be hardened. Lif...
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Act Well Thy Part

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Former LDS Young Women General President Elaine S. Dalton frequently shared her favorite saying, "Whate'er thou art, act well thy part." That phrase inspired the thoughts I shared with my church congregation back in August 2013, which I have repurposed to share with you. We all have different "parts" that we play in the world. Our parts may be professional:  doctors, lawyers, teachers, politicians, librarians, janitors, or secretaries. Our parts may be religious: bishops, missionaries, Sunday School teachers, or ministers. Our parts may be familial: mothers, fathers, brothers, daughters, cousins, aunts, and grandfathers. At this stage of my life, I am called sister, aunt, daughter, granddaughter, daughter-in-law, wife, sister-in-law, friend, student, writer, Mia Maid adviser, and volunteer. But my most important title will always be daughter of God.  Knowing and understanding this title--and wearing it proudly--impacts me daily. As I come to understand m...
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