If the South woulda won....

Okay, so i heard this song on the radio today and, very slowly, this HUGE grin just spread across my face...I'm so proud to be southern. :D This is worth hearing on youtube, should you so desire...but here are the lyrics for your enjoyment.

If the South woulda won...

If the South would won

We'd a had it made

I'd probably run for president

Of the southern states

The day Elvis passed away

Would be our national holiday

If the South woulda won

We'd a had it made

I'd make my supreme court down in Texas

And we wouldn't have no killers gettin' off free

If they were proven guilty

Then they would swing quickly

Instead of writin' books and smilin' on TV

We'd all learn cajun cookin' in Louisiana

And I'd put that capital back in Alabama

We'd put Florida on the right track

'Cause we'd take Miami back

And throw all them pushers in the slammer

Oh, if the South woulda won

We'd a had it made

I'd probably run for president

Of the southern states

The day young Skynyrd died

We'd show our southern pride

If the South woulda won

We'd a had it made

I'd have all the whiskey made in Tennessee

And all the horses raised in those Kentucky hills

The national treasury

Would be in Tupelo, Mississippi

And I'd put Hank Williams' picture

On one hundred dollar bills

I'd have all the cars made in the Carolinas

And I'd ban all the ones made in China

I'd have every girl child sent to Georgia to learn to smile

And talk with that southern accent that drives men wild

I'd have all the fiddles made in Virginia

'Cause they sure can make 'em sounds so fine

I'm going up on Wolverton Mountain and see old Clifton Clowers

And have a sip of his good ole Arkansas wine

Hey if the South woulda won

We'd a had it made

I'd probably run for president

Of the southern states

When Patsy Cline passed away

That would be our national holiday

If the South woulda won

We'd a had it made

I said if the South woulda won

We'd a had it made

Might even be better off...

~Hank Williams, Jr.

There's no denying it...

...I'm in love with Spanish. I mean, I guess, I always knew it...ever since I chose to study it in school, but I guess I didn't realize how deeply the love affair ran. :)

My friend came over today and asked me to teach her Spanish so she could converse with the local Panamanians when she goes on her mission trip in March. I was completely ecstatic! I had no idea that I loved Spanish so much...I'm so excited to teach her--I might teach the rest of her group, too.

She told me about the work they do there--run a week long medical mission with her Methodist church--and I just got so proud! I love it. I don't know that it'll work out, but, if at all possible, I plan to go with them in March.

Meanwhile, I'm going to devote myself to teaching these people Spanish so that their efforts are as productive as possible. I'm so excited...I wish there was a way for me to properly and accurately describe my level of excitement, but there's not, I suppose.

HA--I guess that means I'm done running from Fate. She's been pushing me to get my teaching credentials and teach Spanish at the high school level...I suppose this means she's won. As I learned in Stake Conference on Sunday, you can't be given knowledge or understanding without the accompanying responsibility to act on said knowledge. I suppose, now that I realize how much I love teaching this language, I'm obligated to act on it and teach. :)

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

~Rudyard Kipling

Truth

Remember when you argued that point of church doctrine with someone--and you thought you might get somewhere...then, after a couple hours, all you have is an exhausted brain, a confused feeling and disappointment that the other person never did see your point of view--or the truth as you know it?

I had the most wonderful stake conference today...I left feeling spiritually fed and I was in great spirits. Pres. Bess had reminded us that "hey--Satan is a professional" and he has known our spirits for thousands of years...he was our brother...so he knows how to get us. Well, little did I know how quickly this truth would manifest itself in my life:

I had a run-in this afternoon with someone I don't even know. A total stranger. But hey, I was enjoying a wonderful Sabbath evening and was in high spirits...so when they asked if I wanted to chat, I thought "why not?" Well--it didn't take long for me to realize that his version of Gospel truth was a bit different from mine...but he's the one studying for his PhD right now, so he's bound to know something, right? By the time I realized I was in a situation that wasn't going anywhere--his point of view and mine were never going to agree--he'd gotten so angry that he'd become verbally abusive.

Now anyone who knows me, really knows me, is probably thinking "yea, I'll bet that went over really well with her...did she skin him alive or something?" Truth is, I was so shocked that I just took it. I didn't know what to say: I've never before been spoken to in that manner. By the time I pulled myself together enough to hang up the phone, I was rattled. I mean, I don't get upset easily...I try to let things just roll off my back--but the things this person said were awful.

And for one brief moment, I believed some of them. Then I remembered a beautiful truth: I am a child of God. And He loves me. Even with all my imperfections and shortcomings. I don't have to be perfect today...I just have to be trying. Perspective began to return and I realized that this person must have some serious issues, because no one--no matter what they believe--has the right to speak to another human being in such a disrespectful manner.

I'm still slightly shaken up, but I'm better. I'm grateful that I have friends and family who aren't verbally abusive. I'm grateful for the Gospel. And I'm grateful for simple truths--especially the ones we learn in Primary. I am a child of God.

Eat. Pray. Love.

Since I've begun meditating a little every day, peace in my life has increased dramatically--suddenly, life isn't so crazy and the unimportant things just fade into the background. It's simply marvelous. You should try it.

Well, I was wandering around Wal-mart the other day waiting for Sarah and I saw this book (I did NOT know it was being made into a movie...I don't watch TV...). It intrigued me and I picked it up.

Love it. Gilbert is witty and frank and very insightful. She's definitely not LDS...I don't even think she's Christian, but I'm loving her book. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to regain or adjust their perspective on life--she'll help you do it.

Why can't I just take a year and travel the world? Oh yea, 'cause I don't have a publicist who'll pay for it. LOL.

Great read.

The Boys of Fall

I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass

I'm back in my helmet, cleats and shoulder pads

Standing in the huddle listening to the call

Fans going crazy for the boys of fall

They didn't let just anybody in that club

Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood

To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall

Kings of the school man, we're the boys of fall

Well it's turn and face the Stars and Stripes

It's fighting back them butterflies

It's call it in the air, alright yes sir we want the ball

And it's knocking heads and talking trash

It's slinging mud and dirt and grass

It's I got your number, I got your back when your back's against the wall

You mess with one man you got us all

The boys of fall

~Kenny Chesney

You guessed it, folks...It's time for COLLEGE FOOTBALL! It's time for camaraderie and competition; Pizza, chips, and good friends on a Saturday night...

The Alabama Crimson Tide promises to have another smoking hot year--we creamed poor San Jose State 48-3...and, for most of the game, our 3rd string were playing.

The BYU Cougars struggled a little, but prevailed over

Washington 23-17: they've got a good backup quarterback lined up behind Payne....

What can I say? Football is infused in Southern blood...I just can't help it. :D

...and to top off the wonderfullness....there was a slight chill to the air when I opened my door this morning. :) Fall is on it's way!

Words from 8.28

Words have power. And once spoken, can't be unspoken. There is wisdom in the advice to listen at least twice as much as you speak. Here are a few words that stuck out to me recently at the Christian Rally I attended in our nation's capital:

That which you gaze upon, you shall become.

As Americans, there is a lot that we can disagree on, but our principles and values can and should unite us.

America is great because she is good; we must each be good, so America can be great.

Tell the truth. America is crying out for truth.

Connect with your family. Charity begins at home.

Have a firm reliance in what you believe. Being a child of God has huge blessings and huge responsibilities...we must know God and follow Him. If we are going to change our lives and our country, we'll reach a point, as did George Washington, when we'll ask "Have I not done enough for my country?" No. God is not done with man's freedom yet.

There comes a time when we must pledge our lives, we much take it on so our children can have a chance. Pay an honest tithe; allow those in our churches to have the means to be charitable.

Life is short and there is work to be done. So pick up your stick and heal the nation.

God is not on our side, but shape up so we can be on God's side.

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come; but we have Today to make a difference.

*At this point, 500,000 Americans stood around the reflecting pool of our Capital and sang Amazing Grace. Wow.

The rally I refer to was the Restoring Honor 8.28 rally held last weekend in DC. Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, several members of Martin Luther King Jr's family spoke on Faith, Hope, Charity, Honor, and Truth. It wasn't political. It wasn't racial. It was just incredible.

What I Know

Things i know:

• Rain may be cleansing, but Sunshine is healing.
• Unconditional Love--be it from a family member, friend, or a pet is what life is all about.
• Musicians often express my feelings better than I can, so I'm grateful for music.
• No matter how badly I want to pick up my new violin and figure it out on my own, I'm not getting anywhere...it's time to find a teacher.
• Experience is a painful teacher, but the lessons last.
• Ether 12:27 could be one of the best promises in all the scriptures...I mean, if we must be perfected, what greater promise can there be than the one that tells us how can be.
• Life is all about putting one foot in front of the other. Then again. And again. And again.
  
• Meditation--in whatever form you do it, it essential for health.
• Nothing of value comes free. And nothing free holds it's value.
• Life is beautiful. And good. And happy.