Flight of a Heavenly Albatross

To touch the edge of heaven. 
Be kissed by tender fingers of sun.
To soar at untold heights, and leave the world behind.
Looking across a new world of white is relaxing to the mind. 
With no air up here to breath, there's more space in here to think.
The world and the vastness of it all, is really very small.
Blue and white is all I need, up here so high, above the greed.
Glorious! Oh glorious is heaven's view with every morning, see the world anew!
Deep within the explorer's heart, is a land so simple it's made of art.
This is not something you can mold. For who would dare to be so bold?
I see mountains in the distance, but they're not mountains at all.
Not of this world, or any I recall. 
Up here among the angels, my mind becomes quite clear. 
No harm clouds my peacefulness.
Slowly evaporates my last drop of fear.
Smile! You are free my bird, sing loud for the earth to hear.
For she is your mother, your life she holds so dear. 
Sing softly tunes of life and love and let it echo across the land.
My dear one you are safe, within almighty's hand.

Stuido C

The best wholesome sketch comedy show anyone could ever possibly watch.
Studio C is run by BYU (Brigham Young University) you can find episodes on www.byutv.com
I am lucky enough to get to go see a filming of one of their episodes for season 3.
Every sketch is wonderfully written and you will never want it to end!
If you like theater, comedy, or just like to laugh then this is the thing for you!
Check it out!

I love It

I love it when he smiles and looks back after I've closed the door.
I love it when his arms hold me close and melt me deep inside.
I love it when I look into clear blue eyes, and he looks into mine.
I love it when he compliments me through sarcasm.
I love it when he calls me beautiful, and he means it.
I love it when his laugh makes him double over in happiness.
I love it when he holds my hand.
I love it when he touches my arm and shiver runs up my spine.
I love it when he says goodbye and looks into my eyes.
I love it...all.

James 2:17-18

Faith without works wither and die.
Without action, your faith grows dim.
Call upon your Savior for he is nigh.
Shine forth with the the light he gave you.
Open.
Let him in.

Three Swords

My Father has three swords sitting on a shelf.

He even let me hold one once, all by myself.

These blades are very special, as anyone could see.

But no one may ever know how special they are to me.

The first, my Father told me, is for the strength we have inside.

The strength we find with practice in a talent we can't hide.

It has been through many battles, and can vanquish any foe.

Through endurance and determination it will protect from any blow.

The second is quite special, He says, we have to take our time.

By precept upon precept, and also line upon a line.

This shining blade is knowledge, what we learn and how we grow.

How sharp the edge can get, I may never even know.

The third sword is much lighter, and easier to bear.

But is also the most fragile, and so we take much care.

This blade is wrought in water and by light of flame.

At the strong and sturdy hilt, it bares my Father's name.

These swords are very special. I use them every day.

My Father gave them all to me, to help me on my way. 

Soon a battle will arise, as never seen before.

But I will be prepared, and shall be tempted nevermore.

Detective Scene

(A table is DC with two chairs. Rita sits at the SR chair with a mug of hot chocolate. A manilla folder sits on the floor slightly up stage behind her. She has just finished work and is really tired. Enter Joseph SR. He knocks on the door leading to the room where she is.)

Joseph

         Rita, may I come it? (She doesn't answer) Rita? (He tentatively opens the door and sees her at the table.) Why are you still here?

Rita

         Hmm?
                                         

Joseph

         Rita I had a few questions for- are you alright? (Rita realizes who she's talking to and has a moment of fear)
                                        

Rita

         Oh, hello Joseph. I was just taking a break after- (he notices the folder)
                                        

Joseph

         What's this? (picking up the folder and crossing SR)

Rita

         What's what?
     

Joseph

         How did these files get in here?

        Rita
         Are they important?

Joseph

         Important!? Rita the only people who had access to these was Officer Mclien and myself.

Rita

         Then what are they doing here?

Joseph

         (In an accusing tone) That's what I would like to know.

Rita

          You're not accusing me of-

Joseph

          Well that's what it looks like, doesn't it?
   

Rita

          Joseph, you know how much work I've put into this case. You can't honestly say I took them.

Joseph

          Do you know how important these papers are!? (shaking them in her face)

Rita

          Of course I do. (beat) We've worked together for as long as I can remember. You know me better than that Joseph.

Joseph

          I thought I did.

Rita

          What's that supposed to mean?

Joseph

          I'm sorry Rita. But I've had my suspicions for some time.

Rita

          What gave you any reason to suspect me?

Joseph

          You were on site before the fire. Way before. Which tipped me off at first. But I didn't want to believe it. Then as you were unexpectedly detained during the testimony afterward I learned that the stature of the figure described fits you perfectly.

Rita

          You can't just assume that-

Joseph

           You have, many times, been seen conversing with a man of whom we have yet to identify. Furthermore, you seem to have more input than anyone on specific details of the crimes that have been reported lately.

Rita

           Are you sure you're not jealous that I've been more successf-

Joseph

           And now I see this folder in your office. Do you want me to go on? (she doesn't reply) You make a very convincing bluff my dear. But you have failed on many marks.

Rita

           (moving toward her purse on the chair) You can't rightfully accuse me without solid evidence.

Joseph

           You are right. Then other actions must be taken.

Rita

           But I am innocent until proven guilty.

Joseph

           Haha! If you would like to think of it as such. Now if you'll come with me- (She reaches for her purse) Don't you try anything! (he says as he pulls out a gun and points it at her) Let's make this nice and easy.
          

Rita

           If you want it to be nice and easy Joseph, you'd put that gun away. (he falters a little) Think about it for a moment. You've worked with me along enough to know I can't lie. (beat) I am telling you you've got it all wrong. I would never do those things you're accusing me of.

Joseph

           Don't try and get out of this Rita.
   

Rita

           (slowly walking toward him) Let's not be hasty. You know you can trust me Joseph.

Joseph

           Stop right there Rita. Put your hands up or I'll shoot!

Rita

           You don't want to do that Joseph.

Joseph

           Don't underestimate me. Just step away from the chair and come with me.

Rita

           Be rational Joseph.

Joseph

           Stop Rita! (she stops)

Rita

           Joseph you're making a mistake.

Joseph

           No Rita! I made a mistake a long time ago. I should have realized who you really were.

Rita

           Joseph, really, what trouble could I cause. (she's stepping closer to him)

Joseph

            This doesn't have to be difficult Ri-   (she hits the gun out of his hand and chops down at the pressure point at the base of his neck, and maybe something else cool. He collapses. She picks up the gun and the folder)

                          Rita
            I'm sorry Joseph. For once, you were right. (end scene. She could exit or just stay there for a beat)

Oil Birds

           It dips once more, it's thirst unquenchable. There is a squeal of rust and steel as the large head rises yet again. It's claws dig deep within the earth. Stretching down into rough layers of sediment. The earth slowly crumbles under the weight of this creature.It continues it's rhythmic journey. Slowly bobbing up and down. Up and down. It will never stop. It cannot. It was made to fuel the greedy desires of the world. It may never completely fulfill it's task. For there never is an end. The barren ground odes not hinder the strong wind from kicking up dust and dry weds into the cool air. The lonely yellowed grasses sway; a demented dance, lost and rooted in time. Though the wind may howl and whine, the groaning bird will not cease to dip into the deep well. A continuous cycle. It's endless fate.

You can never truly master something unless you enjoy practicing it.

How's that for a bit of inspiration. Right off my cuff. :]

Nothing So Wonderful

In a world overflowing with 'tweets' and 'likes'. We are bursting at the seams with clicks, swipes, and flashing pixels. The strongest muscle of the human race may soon be the Abductor Pollicis Brevis. (the muscle below your thumb) No longer do you need to physically converse with someone or actually take the time to send them a letter. You might as well put all your conversations on Twitter or Facebook so the whole world can know what your personal conversations! They'll find out eventually anyway. 

Okay, yes this is quite the drastic description. But I got through to you didn't I. 

Think about it. How much time do you spend on social networking programs every day? How much of that time is spent actually doing something important? How much of that time could you have spent doing something else? We are so plugged into the world. And it's not just teens anymore. There is such a massive spectrum from kids who can't even talk yet to grandparents who would much rather get a hand written letter than a bleep from their phone or computer. 

Don't get me wrong. I think technology is wonderful and miraculous. 
But we shouldn't overuse it.

What kind of a world are we living in? Let me rephrase that. What kind of a world are YOU living in? You personally decide how to live your life, who you interact with, what you do every second of your day, and why you do it. 

I want you to take a moment and look deep inside yourself. Answer these questions below. Don't just skip over them. They really are important.

      What is more meaningful, a quick text that reads, "Hey honey how was yur day?" or coming home after school, your mom gives you a hug and says, "Hey honey how was your day?"?

      If you're having friend problems what should you do. (not what do you do what should you do) Text around and try to solve the problems using textlish such as "im so sry" or actually speaking to your friend?

      Imagine you're on a date. (and I have seen this) are you the person who answers a text or call during a date no matter who it is, or do you respectfully put your phone on silence before the date so it won't be annoyingly interrupting?

These are only a few scenarios. But look into your own life. Where do you spend too much screen time? Do you really need to check Facebook for the umpteenth time? Or tweet to the world what you had for breakfast? Let me help you. The answer to those last two questions was, no. A big N-O. 

Try to remember the last time someone hugged you. (not random and awkwardly) But perhaps someone like a family member or a good friend. How did you feel. I'm pretty sure you're smiling at the memory. I know you are. Things like hugs and personal letters in the mail always make us smile. There is nothing so wonderful as the love we can share with each other. The relationships we can create over time. (not really talking romantic right now) 

What would change, if we took the time to tell someone how much we appreciate them to their face? What would it mean to us if someone reached out the same way to us? There is nothing so wonderful as communication with our loved ones. 

We can't text our Father in Heaven. We can't put a picture on our Facebook wall and expect him to comment. We have been given such a splendid gift from God. We can communicate with him any time we want and he will listen. There is nothing so wonderful as His love for us. For you. His love is far beyond what we can even comprehend. Sometimes we need to put down our technology and look at the world for how it should be. For there is Nothing So Wonderful.

Sunrise Sunset

It's amazing how much you can see when one looks into a single sunset. It is full of color, shadow, dark and light. It is a soft or grand conclusion of the day. A moment of only a few minutes that could change one's life. Sometimes the glowing feeling of completeness that can be found in a sunset will be changed into a bright hope in the coming dawn.
But in such a miraculous thing are many views found. For not all people may see a sunrise or sunset as I do. It could be quite easily seen by anyone else as a great phenomenon of nature that must, and can only be, explained by scientific facts. Another could see it as a beautiful gift from God.
It is still the same sunset.
What if people are like sunsets. and if so, how do we see each other? Do we see the people around us as great phenomenons of nature that must, and can only be explained by some scientific fact or theory? (such as a 'big bang') or do we see each other as beautiful gifts from god? Of course I would immediately agree with the latter. But do you? Can we really see each other through God's eyes? It is my hope that most of us can. and that some day we will all discover our true worth as we rise each morning, shining with a light brighter than the sun!