Mind and Heart

"Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart."

~Doctrine and Covenants 8:2 

I've heard that scripture so many times. My basic understanding of it was that the Lord speaks to us through our minds and our hearts. That's the obvious, and quite accurate, understanding of this verse. However, my MTC teacher helped me see a new aspect to that scripture.

The Lord will tell you in your mind and in your heart. Okay, which means he can tell us something one of two ways . ..or even both of them. Yet, my favorite part of this verse is that what the Lord tells you "shall dwell in your heart."  Which means, logically .. .in your mind, it may make perfect sense. And in your heart, you may feel that it's right. But the Holy Ghost will dwell in your heart. Therefore, it's more important what your heart feels than what your mind thinks. And if it's not dwelling in your heart, then maybe it's not the true spirit of revelation.

Let's look at Nephi in The Book of Mormon for example. Here's what happened in Nephi's mind and heart:
Mind: Kill Laban.
Heart: What? Are you crazy? I ain't ne'ah killed no man 'fore! (Yes, his heart talked just like that).

Well, it looked like here, his heart wasn't too keen on what the Spirit was prompting him to do. So, in the Lord's true and patient fashion, He sends the prompting again for Nephi to slay Laban.

Mind: He tried to kill you and take all your stuff. You should just kill him.
Heart: The Lord delivered him into your hands, so that you could slay him and prevent future generations from dwindling in unbelief.

Then Nephi starts letting this thought dwell in his heart. "Okay, well, the Lord says He'll bless us if we keep the commandments. And I know the commandments are written in the scriptures. So .. .now I'm starting to see that I have to kill Laban in order to obtain these precious scriptures so that I can know what the commandments are so that I can keep them and receive the promised blessings."

And then he killed Laban.

So I think what I'm trying to say here is that the Lord sometimes tells us things that on the surface don't seem logical at all. They make no sense. Yet, the feeling and thought continues to dwell in our hearts. That's how we know for sure that it's the spirit of revelation. Sometimes, you just have to trust your heart.

Oh, and I looked up the definition for "dwell" just for kicks. One of the definitions says "to keep the attention directed." I think that adds a whole 'nuther dimension to this thought process here.

A New Kind of Beautiful

This is my grandma. I love this lady very much. Let me tell you about her.

She is 90 years old and one of the most beautiful people I know. For the past few years, she has been in a nursing/retirement home due to weakening health. Lately, I've had the opportunity to help her at mealtimes, and although I've visited and seen her several times throughout my life, I've learned so many new things about her over the last few months.

She never complains, and she's one of the most polite people I know. She has such a lovely smile, some of the things she says just warm your heart. Even when she makes jokes about not finishing food or me accidentally spilling on her . She sometimes doesn't remember who I am, but she's always happy to see me (or any visitors). We like and dislike the same foods. Pro: ice cream, onions, fruit. Anti: fish. You know, I bet it's pretty lonesome and boring being in a bed all day, but there is never an unkind word out of this lady's mouth. Ever. That is one amazing feat that I don't even think she realizes that she does.

One time, my Aunt Donna and I were there, and we held up a mirror for her to look at herself. "Wow, a little ugly today," she said. We quickly assured her that in no way, shape, or form could she ever be ugly. But then we did comb her hair to make it look a little less crazy. =)

Often I'll play music for her on her keyboard. She's always loved music, and although she's too weak to sing, she'll still move her hand in the conducting pattern of the music. She compliments my singing and playing, although I'm certainly not the greatest.

Sometimes when I get to her room, she's asleep. As I wait for the food tray to come, I read some in her life history book. I'm awed to think of the incredible pillar of faith and example she has been to so many people throughout her lifetime. Her writing style is so pleasant . ..just like she is. I find it quite appropriate that the title of her life history book is Life is Beautiful.

Yes, Grandma, life is beautiful. Because you make it so!

Good Things, Christmas Break Edition.

There are so many good things in life to enjoy! Here's just a few I've been enjoying recently . . .

-Red Robin Guacamole Bacon Burger and sweet potato fries.
-goofing off with Mom and Jen
-a new pair of slippers
-listening once more to John Mackey's Hymn to a Blue Hour
-getting a new nephew! Welcome to the family, Ethan Michael Steele!
-Eggnog. Mmm. Love that stuff!
-borrowing some of Heidi's cute clothes
-2 phone calls from Heidi within 2 weeks. Not bad at all. =)
-running. Well, it's more like jogging. But I'm enjoying it so far.
-beautiful weather
-rewatching The Help. Yup, it still makes me cry.
-reread of The Hunger Games (Thanks, Kerri, for letting me borrow them!)
-temple trip with Hannah.
-cheesy movies with the fam
-sleeping in. Mmm. And for that matter, staying up late.
-time to practice.
-the random video chats with my niece Sarah. What a doll!
-upcoming trip to the Bowl Game in Texas! (Yahoo!)
-free reign of the (soon to be in-tune) piano
-and of course, daily phone calls with Jacob! That's probably up on the "absolutely-fantastic-just-about-makes-my-day" list.

If 2012 is full of things like this .. ..well then, bring it on! =)

More in Store

Remember when I talked about my feelings about Wind Symphony in a previous post? Well, I've realized another reason why the Lord placed me in Wind Symphony this year, and it's not just the opportunity to play with an incredible band or tour Europe.

It's because He knew I needed to meet Jacob.

I think the Lord is rewarding me for the desires I left unexpressed in those countless hours of practicing and praying. It's like my life is like a box of chocolates . . .only it's double layered when I thought it was only one. =)

Christmas Cheer

Check out what I've been doing lately to get ready for the Christmas season!

First Time, Delilah

A few years ago when I got a new Lifehouse album, the CD came with an internet code for a free ringtone of their song "First Time". Of course, I jumped on it because I didn't have any cool ringtones on my phone. Plus also, I really like that band.And since it was my favorite ringtone, I set it for boy in my contact list that I was most interested in at the time. (Sometimes, it was 2 or 3 people, but mostly just one). That way, when he'd call (which c'mon here. NEVER. happened.), I'd get a double hit of happiness.

Then I went on a mission and I got a new phone when I came home. And I tell you what, with this new phone, there are NO good ringtones. Everyone else in the Blake family can attest to that .. .we all have the same phone. Heidi's phone was a different model, so somehow she still had a couple of past ringtones that had been sent to her. So using her phone, I sent a couple of them to me. (I don't even think she knew I did that). Now my best ringtone is Plain White T's "Hey There, Delilah." Eh, not my favorite song, but it's way better than the default Verizon tune, no matter how jazzed up it is. (My friend later sent me a Mario ringtone, which is pretty cool, but I overused it by setting it on my default. So, it's not special anymore.)

Now that I had a special ringtone, I had to set it! I definitely had it set for one contact over the summer. I almost set it for another guy, too, but when he heard my Mario ringtone, he thought that was way cool. So I left that one for him . ..and every other default person that called me.

Then, you know, summer ended. And I changed all my ringtones back to default. Nothin' there guys. Of all the male contacts in my phone, there just wasn't one special one worth changing my ringtone for.

Then, you know, the semester's ending. And I changed just one rigntone to not be default. Somethin' there in a guy. Of all the male contacts in my phone, I've found the special one worth changing my ringtone for.

So, if you think you're it, call me when you're with me and listen for Delilah. =)

Baths

Before you think I actually take baths, well . . . I don't. For several reasons.

1) college apartment tub. DIS-GUST-ING!! How many naked people have used that tub? Ew, gross, right? Never ever ever will I take a bath in a college apartment, no matter how sore my muscles are.
2) The idea of soaking in water that turns lukewarm rather quickly? Ew. And how would you wash your hair?
3)Time. Like I ever have that.
4)The soap scum and hair that'll line the bottom of the tub. Bleck. I want to puke just imagining it.

Needless to say, my favorite alternative to taking baths is just not doing anything. OK, well, I do shower . . .when I remember.

Anyway, that's not what this post is about. This post is about Christmas shopping. How, you ask? Well, I was thinking of buying one of those old-fashioned claw-foot metal tubs . ..
Nope.

I was going to buy some nice bath or after-bath accessories, like body lotion and yummy smelling body wash or soap. Can't you just smell the scrumptious scents of Bath and Body Works? It's like a party in your nasal cavity!

Hmm.
Lovely holiday scents. Delicious.
Clean-smelling goodness. Delightful.

(It won't make up for the grossness of taking a bath in a college apartment, though).

So, I cruised on over to Bath and Body Works tonight to buy some. Not really for me, though. (It's Christmas; don't ask questions!). There was a car backing out right near the door, so I totally scored his awesome parking spot. And then I walked in and realized . . .

I had walked into Bed, Bath, & Beyond.
And I didn't even want to buy anything there.
Doh.
I must be a pretty amateur Christmas shopper.
But I bet there was at least one holiday shopper who saw me parking in that spot. And I bet by the time he had parked significantly farther away and walked up to the door of the store, he would've realized that my parking spot was now empty.

Alas, I still don't have my lovely lotions and smelly soaps.