Planting the Seeds of the Gospel

Imagine with me if you will a seed buried in the ground, a little too deep perhaps, but there, and in the shade, out of the reach of any water source. Then, with the care of the grounds keeper, one day reaches a little further with the sprinklers, trims back the trees near where the seed was planted to allow sunlight on his garden, then finally hope reaches the little seed and it grows, and is fertilized and more seed is created from it and more new life springs from it.

My testimony was buried deep for so long, and as my younger brother told me, it was there, but I denied it was. I wasn't feeling or seeing anything that would make me think differently, in fact the adversary helped things along by making what anti-mormons and ex-mormons said against the gospel make sense to me and my testimony grew ever more hidden, shaded from the light of Christ and my thirst for the knowledge of the truth was no longer there.
Heavenly Father had his time and plan for me to return, and perhaps he wanted me to return earlier, but I wouldn't listen as it was just easy for me to become complacent in my daily routines, and make excuses for not believing anymore or going to church. But the ray of sunshine came in the form of a hymn, one which I had sung in church when I was a young adult, but had long forgotten over time. The delivery of the song came from a young man with the voice of an angel, David Archuleta. It hit me so strong listening to it on Youtube from a fireside where he sang it. I listened over and over and used tissues cluttered up my desk and the floor around me, but I couldn't stop. Later that same day, I had passed the temple, and I had this feeling of a pull toward it, like a magnet almost. Then back the other direction I passed it again on my way home with the same pull toward it, only stronger. This time I had to pull over because the feeling hit me so hard. I asking God what was happening, why was I feeling this way now, and the message was sure, that it was the music I had been listening to and I need to keep listening. This burst of sunshine to my testimony was the beginning of a journey eventually leading back to the church. (more of the story can be found in another blog I did here about Be Still My Soul).

As my testimony has grown, so too has my desire to spread the gospel, to be a voice for my Father in Heaven and for my Savior, and to never deny the truthfulness of the gospel ever again. The spirit dwells strong in me at times, and I can discern the spirit in others, David included. I have had the thrill of sending 4 Books of Mormon to some young people on the FB group "Learn About David Archuleta and His Religion "Mormon". One a young man Elysion in Taiwan, one to Cherry Mariano in the Philippines, (those two included testimonies from David), one to a young girl Virginia "Gin" in New York, and one to another young lady Cinthya Mendoza in Ecuador (with testimonies from me). I know and see the testimony of sweet young Gin, and I know she wants to be baptized and is looking forward to being able to drive herself to church. A new seed planted and a testimony growing. I have seen the work of our Father in Heaven reach and touch the life of Cinthya through her going to church, and now attending Institute classes, and she is slowly but surely reading the Book of Mormon. And I can see that her testimony will probably start to develop soon, through the examples of young people her age at the Institute classes and through missionaries which will be coming to her home soon.
I hope some day though that through my example and how happy my own children see me, that perhaps they will seek and return to the gospel I love and have a testimony for themselves. I pray for it all the time and hope for it. I just have to have faith.

Though Gin has not been baptized yet, I can already see her sharing her testimony and I see that testimony touching other people's hearts. I love these young people and love doing my part to bring the light of the gospel to their lives.
I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven for giving me Be Still My Soul as my beacon, and reminder that I am where I'm supposed to be. I'm grateful for my testimony and I know this gospel is true, I know it as the spirit has testified it to me. I know God lives and I am his daughter, I know Jesus is the Christ and my redeemer, I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know it with every fiber of my being. I hope I can help plant the seed of the gospel in the lives of more people, and see their testimonies grow and see them be baptized, then in turn they will share their testimonies with others, and so on. Planting the seeds of the gospel, seeing them grow with their testimonies, and planting more seeds to touch more lives with His truth. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Update: Cinthya was baptized on July 21st, 2013. I'm so happy for her!! :)

Remembering Christ in Christmas

A week or two ago I was feeling frustrated and worried about not having enough money to buy a lot of gifts for Christmas. I drove Alyssa to a party this evening and on my way home was mesmerized by the lights and decorations on homes in my neighborhood. I loved them all but especially one I saw with a beautiful manger scene in the front yard. Just by chance I was listening to my Christmas From the Heart CD by David Archuleta. "Oh Holy Night" was the song playing.  I had realized earlier today that it was 3 years ago this date that Alyssa, Kaili and I went to his Christmas concert, the tour for the same album. I continued to listen to the rest of the album in my parked car outside my apartment. With tears in my eyes my realization that helping others and giving to others, not with Christmas presents but in other ways is really what Christmas is all about. Not the hustle and bustle of black Friday, fighting over a $2 item that you or the recipient of your gift might not even need.
Money is a little bit better at the moment, though far from ideal, but today I was able to help my oldest daughter with some things she needs. That felt good to be able to do for her and seriously, my worries about being able buy Christmas presents was melted away when I helped her.
So back to Christ in Christmas. I remember the simple movie that so many of us know and watched when we were kids. Charlie Brown's Christmas. The part where Linus tells the story of the birth of the Saviour as is in the bible. The moment gave a light of hope in the commercialized Christmas being worried about in the story.
The birth of our Saviour needs to find it's way back into Christmas or otherwise if we "x" that out, it just becomes "x"-mas. My encouragement to anyone reading this blog; Find a neighbor, a friend or even a family member in need to do something for this Christmas. The gift that feels the heart with hope is far greater than the gift that you stick under a tree.

Luke 2: 8-14
8: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9: And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10: And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12: And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13:And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.


Merry Christmas to all my friends and family. And hope for a prosperous and joyous 2013 and beyond.

To Begin With Me

After reading David Archuleta's thank you letter to his Father in Heaven, the people who worked with him on his "Begin." album, and especially the fans, my mind is filled with so many thoughts and emotions.
Instead of the letter I'll give the link to Archuleta Fanscene where they shared it. http://archuletafanscene.com/2012/08/04/david-archuletas-begin-thank-yous/
Even though "Begin." is the name of David's album and I've began this post talking about him, this is actually not about him, but about me, and where I need my life to change directions and begin a new course.

Skinnier me in 1990

I know my health is not the greatest right now but I don't have the money or insurance to go to the doctor at this time. I know that if I lose weight my health will improve. My daughter Amanda is attending school right now to be a personal trainer. She said she wants to train me and help me to lose weight. I know I need to but I hope she'll be careful and not push too hard because of my sciatic pain. Over doing it can trigger the pain. I know though that if I lose weight this will help take pressure off my legs and back and that will help.
Just like anyone else I have weaknesses with things, and things I'm easily prone to fall into temptation with and the adversary knows this. I've been reading the Book of Mormon and most recently the Doctrine & Covenants where God clearly states that if we don't do what He says, we have no promise but He is bound when we do what He asks of us. Do what He says, the blessings will flow and don't and He won't be with me. I have to keep my mind straight on the path that leads to eternal life. I love how David talks about how God illuminates the way when the paths are hard so we can get through them. Isn't that true with any of us?

I know one thing I struggle with is feeling secure about my voice and being able to sing well. I have said before to others I think I can sing ok, but I lack in skills to read notes and have to rely on my ear to change up notes and what key it's in to suit my contra alto voice. Though, I have no idea what key I'm changing things in because I don't read notes. I'm a member of the Chauntenettes LDS Women's Choir and when our choir director Margaret tells us to sing a certain note or to "step" down or all these other things in music, I have no clue what she's talking about. I have to hear it on the piano or from the person singing next to me. In D&C 60 God tells us to not be idle with our time and waste our talents. I felt like that was for me because I have felt strong about singing and that I should sing but I haven't developed my talent to it's full potential.  I guess I can try to read notes but It's all so foreign to me. But, I will try, and I will sing more.

Chauntenettes LDS Women's choir

I need to begin to attend the temple more. I feel so blessed to live so close to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple and even though I go a couple times a month, there's no reason why I shouldn't go more, especially since right now I don't have a job and really won't start working again until school is in session. I feel so close to Heavenly Father and my Savior when I'm in the temple and feel inner peace I'm looking for away from the world. I also have tons of temple cards to go through online before I can get their work done. I can't keep putting my ancestors in a holding pattern waiting for their work to be done. They were names submitted by my sis-in-law Kathleen in 2006 (when I wasn't active in the church at the time), but since LDS family search changed their website to www.new.familysearch.org, names not reserved by anyone but previously submitted were put as "ready" for anyone to do the temple work. Because of that we have found that about 2/3 of the names that were submitted are already done. Unfortunately some of the names that are completed are our direct ancestors which both my brother Allen and I really wanted to do foremost before the extended family names. Once Kathleen and I are finished going through all the cards, we'll probably have some of my nieces and nephews do the baptisms and confirmations then we'll do the other work. No more procrastinating.

Mt. Timpanogos Temple, American Fork, Utah

I also need to substitute teach more and figure out other ways to make money for my family. I can't depend on Joe's ability to pay me alimony and child support or to live on that money alone. Right now he doesn't have a job, so not sure what is going to happen with his ability to pay me if that doesn't change. I need to rely on myself to make money, and budget money better too.
Begin to make things happen in my life. Don't be idle. Develope my talents. Take better care of me. Begin to live better. Begin to have confidence in myself. Just Begin.

Courage, Confidence and Character

Amanda at Camp Cloud Rim summer 2000

As someone who has been a Girl Scout leader for 12 years I try hard to live by the Girl Scout mission, to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. I started out as a co-leader with my daughter Amanda's Junior troop, when she was in 5th grade. I've been my daughter Alyssa's leader since she was in 2nd grade, and she is currently in 10th grade. 

I've seen so many young women who used to be my Girl Scouts grow up and have success. I figured out that I've had over 200 girls in my care as their leader. I can't imagine a better place to be!

Brownie troop 1011 Macey's trip. Alyssa kneeling, pink pants

My daughter Alyssa has been a Girl Scout since she was a Daisy. I started being her leader in second grade. She wasn't in a troop in Daisies, just an independent member and someone else was her leader in 1st grade because I was a leader of a different troop at the time. Alyssa has grown in Girl Scouts with more confidence. She started out being so shy to sell cookies and now she makes plans on how to sell the most cookies. She has been our troop's top seller for 5 or 6 years now. She's not a camper like her sister was. She'll go if I go. She is a program aide. Program aides help at various activities and in our service unit the program aides run our day camp. She has helped run our day camp now for 3 years. We are having a Fall day camp next week which she also has helped to make decisions and will run various activies along with some other girls.


Alyssa and Kaili with stuffed animals collected for the children in Afghanistan

Update April 2012, Silver awards and certificates

Along with her best friend Kaili, Alyssa has earned her silver award and will be presented to them at next April's award banquet. They followed the example of their idol, David Archuleta and helped children out through various ways with service. The place where they put most of their 50+ hours of service was collecting items for the children in remote villiages in Afghanistan. Mainly stuffed animals, school supplies, tooth brushes and floss. They also did free babysitting, giving gift bags to children in the hospital, collecting food items for low income families with small children for Thanksgiving, and giving their time at places like the Gingerbread festival and our local children's library. I'm proud of them and their time spent to earn it. Just started my 13th year as a leader (13 "actual" years will be in March). I have 46 girls in my troop and love it! I have fantastic leaders who are so helpful in my quest to make our troop be a place girls love to attend with fun activities, field trips and camps for them to go to. Our troop has rented Trefoil Ranch (Girl Scout camp) in a few weeks from now. Going to take them on some hikes and have some fun tracking and trail sign games. Help my older girls to earn their backpacking badge and my Juniors to earn their Camp Together badge. Going to be a fun year!

Bell Tower at Girl Scout Trefoil Ranch, Provo Canyon

One Mission Decision

I make no qualms about the fact that I am a fan of David Archuleta. It is because of him, his music, his testimony and his example that I am active back in the LDS church once again. He and David Osmond's personal testimony to me to return to church have changed my life for the better.

On December 19th at the My Kind of Christmas concert with David Archuleta, he made the announcement during his encore that he would be serving a full time mission. The crowd exploded and was behind him.

I was happy for him from the beginning but admittedly sad too because I knew I would miss him. My emotions and thoughts were a mixed mess on the way back home from the concert.
My thoughts were turned to noticing how calm everything was. No wind, so peaceful. My mixed thoughts soon turned into a calmness similar to the night air I was noticing. I had assurity in my thoughts that this calling for David was from Heavenly Father and that we as fans did not have the right to be possessive of him or his time. The time he spends on his mission will be for our Father in Heaven, teaching the gospel to those who will hear.
The morning of New Years eve I decided to use my new video camera and on my video I included a message to David and a song for him. "In the Hollow of Thy Hand" by Janice Kapp Perry. I wish David all the success on his mission and that the Lord will keep him safe. God bless him!

The speaking part of my video is a little soft, so this is what I said:

"Hi David! I know a lot of people have sent video messages and I didn’t take my chance yet to do that so here I am.

I wanted to let you know that being at the concert during your mission announcement was incredible! The crowd was so loud and behind you and you felt it with such emotion. Your decision hasn’t been easy for everyone but I feel in my heart that it is a calling from our Father in Heaven because I could feel the spirit so strong in the room.

I was reading in 2^nd Nephi today and was touched by chapter 32:3. Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

After reading it, some thoughts came to my mind. I know that through Heavenly Father we get personal revelation in our own lives and I know this is the feeling you get from the Holy Spirit when you talked at BYU Idaho how you do what you do for Him and because of Him. And at your announcement you said you need to follow that feeling you’ve always felt that directed you in your life.

. Though I will miss you I am proud of your decision, knowing too that it couldn’t have been an easy one to make. When and where you’re going is a well kept secret because nobody knows who aren’t in your family or closest friends, or those leaders in your ward who know. I hope wherever it is that you are kept safe and that you come back home safe and to the loving arms of your family and friends and will be able to be here again for your fans

So many fans have vowed to be here for you when you return from your mission. I’m putting together a scrapbook for you which will center around the LDS temples of the world and a list of fans who live near these temples who have vowed to be here for you and show their support for you. I hope to be able to present it to you before you leave for your mission but will share the pages here on your fan groups too so you and the fans can see it before you leave.

I was so touched by the fan videos and with those and my own personal experiences I know what an influence you are on countless people. People like me who have brought the gospel back into their lives, or have become baptized because they want to know what it is you’re all about so they seek the truth. People who have become better and more faithful in their own religions whatever they may be. People who have given service because of your example, or who have had the courage to share their talents because of your encouragement.

You are more than just an idol to us David, you’re a shining example of what kind of people we want to be. The people in whatever country you go to teach will be surely blessed that you are their missionary. For you, I want to give you my own personal gift of a song sung at many a missionary farewell. I tried to find sheet music for it that also wouldn’t cost way too much to ship but I wasn’t successful. So, I’m going to sing it a cappella so bare with me because just like you, I’m not a morning singer, though you sing better in the mornings than I do. The song is called In the Hollow of Thy Hand."

.

.In the Hollow of Thy Hand by Janice Kapp Perry

Dear Lord who blesses us with love

Please send this day thy spirit from above.

As this thy son, accepts a call from thee

Help him we pray to learn humility.

Direct his footsteps everyday

And keep him ever walking in thy ways

Inspire him as he spreads the gospel plan

Lord, hold him in the hollow of thy hand

Chorus:

In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man

Help his understanding deepen and increase

In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man

Let him know the special blessing of thy peace.

Dear Lord, who hears and answers prayers,

Please keep thy servant always in thy care

As he prepares to teach his fellow men

Oh keep him safe and bring him home again.

Protect him from all worldly ways

And always send they spirit when he prays.

Give him the courage of a righteous man

Just hold him in the hollow of thy hand

(Chorus)

(last Chorus)

In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man

Help his understanding deepen and increase

As he faces life’s demands, may he take a valiant stand.

Give him shelter in the hollow of thy hand.

Edit Nov 24, 2012. David has been gone now almost 8 months and he is in the Racangua, Chile mission. He already has been able to sing at a couple of music devotionals and will be doing some Christmas ones next month for the people in Chile. This time on his mission really is going by quickly. I love this time of year because seriously, nobody sings Christmas songs like David. Today is also the 3rd anniversary of when Alyssa, Kaili and I saw him in concert for his Christmas From the Heart tour. Amazing memories. Seems like yesterday!  In just a few weeks will be one year ago when David made his mission announcement. Wow!

Remembering Old Friends

Bluebird troop. Darlene in the center, I'm at the end

I've had a lot of friends in my life and lately I've been thinking about what those friends have meant to me. First I'll start by saying I've moved a lot of times in my life so it's been kind of nice staying in the same place for over 8 years. My first memory of a friend was in 1st grade in Glendale, California. My friend was Darlene but I'm unsure her last name. She and I were in the same Blue Bird troop of which my mom was the leader. We were also in the same 1st grade class together. Somewhere I have a picture of our first grade class, but can't find it. I'll settle on sharing the picture on the right of our Bluebird troop. I don't remember much about 1st grade, I do remember playing together. 

With my dad being in the Navy we never really stayed in one place long enough for me to remember who my friends were or even make many friends for that matter. My next memory of a good friend was in San Diego, California where I attended 4th-6th grade at Doris Miller, Elementary school. We lived in Navy Housing in Tierresanta Hill/Murphy Canyon. My good friend was Cindy McDonough. We walked to school together every day. I remember once we got bullied by some junior high kids on our way to school. Cindy managed to run away but they threw me to the ground and took my lunch. I know we did a lot together, hung out at each other's houses and I think we even had a crush on the same boy. She is one person who I've always wondered what happened to her. There are too many Cindy and Cynthia McDonoughs on Facebook. And she could be posting by a married name if she is even on Facebook.

My next memory of a good friend you might say was my salvation and my strength through the awful evil world of Junior High School. In 7th grade I was at Royster Junior High in Chanute, Kansas. I was pretty teased and really don't remember any friends that year other than ones I went to church with. But, I think most of them went to different schools. The last half of my 7th grade year I lived in Oklahoma then returned to Kansas for 8th grade where I attended Iola and Humboldt Junior high school. Iola was OK and once again I don't remember friends, but Humboldt was pretty much the worst place I was ever teased and called names. I was glad to leave that place for Chanute again but even though some of the same people who teased me in 7th grade were still there and continued with the teasing, I found solice in a friend. I'm glad that we are still in contact with each other to this day. Her name is Mary Simmons. I sincerely don't know how I would have gotten through 9th grade without her. As the year went on less people teased me. Mary helped me feel happy when Junior High was usually a sad place for me.

Santa Rita High School in Tucson Arizona brings me to my two best friends Barbara Tech and Lisa Hubbard. I had a lot of good friends in high school leaving behind the teasing and torment in Junior high and back in Kansas. I had some struggles in high school during my parents divorce and not being accepting of my dad's new marriage to my step mom. Barbara especially helped me through that, oh and her mom! Lisa, Barbara and I were in school choir together which is how we met and became friends. I think the three of us went through quite a bit of laughter, crushing on guys and fun times together. It seems like a lifetime ago. Had our graduation party at Lisa's house. I have photos....somewhere. LOL.

I'm so glad I'm still in touch with them on Facebook as well.

I've had a lot of friends in my adult life. They have all meant a lot to me in one way or another. Hoping I won't hurt feelings for not naming everyone, but need to limit the size of this blog, I'll name a few. All who I mention and don't mention know what they mean to me and I hope I am as good as a friend to them as they are to me. Kathy Calhoun, Lanise Thompson, Colleen Moore, Tamaya Dooley, Pam Ivan, Sandy Vander Wilt, Janet Sizemore, Melissa Guezmir, Kim Meche, Holly Martin Krepps, Barbara Rode, Rebecca Bruno, Dorothy Johnson and my two sisters-in-law Kathleen Newberry and Cindy Woodbury. A recent friend is Claudia Astwood. A sweet very funny lady in my church. I adore her!

Addition August 5, 2012: I need to add a couple of people to this list. A sweet lady Reina who lives in Georgia. She has been so nice a so supportive of me, encouraging me through hard times. Along with my friend Colleen some day I hope to meet her in person. I need to give her a good and proper hug for her words of encouragement and because of how sweet she is to me.
The other is Eleonora Campana De Berardino in Italy. The same as Reina, she has lifted my spirits, given me encouragement and has been like a sister to me. I just love how Facebook and the internet can bring someone on the other side of the globe together and unite them with new friends!

Also want to thank all the sweet young ladies and men in the Philippines who have become my friends and call me "Tita" Janel (like Dom, Cherry, Jaszie, Mary, Gregorie, and others). I am especially grateful to have been able to send a Book of Mormon signed by David Archuleta to Cherry Mariano in the Philippines and Lixuan Chen ("Elysion") in Taiwan. Also a BOM with my testimony to Virginia Hoblock in New York and Cinthya Mendoza in Ecuador. Wonderful young men and women seeking for answers in their lives and hopefully will accept the gospel some day.
Another new friend is my next door neighbor Kylee Zwahlen. She is my daughter Amanda's age and such a sweet young lady. She has two children, Brooklynn who is 3 and Ayden who is 1 1/2. In Relief Society we have these notes that are passed around and we can write one to friends who mean a lot to us and thank them. Just a few weeks after she moved into our ward she gave me a sweet thank you note. I adore her!! Sometimes when my granddaughter McKinley comes over she plays with Brooklynn. She also helped me to print out pictures for a certain temple scrapbook for a certain missionary who is on a certain mission in Chile. LOL
I would also like to mention a few David fan friends who have been so sweet to me. Jane Raburn, Tawna Whitney, Cathy Moriarty, Carolyn Preece Baker, Aimee Vargas, Gwen Porea, David Gonzalez and many many more.
My wonderful co-leader David Walling of whom I think is my sanity when it comes to our troop activities. He is so knowledgable in so many things and the girls adore him as a leader! He's been a true asset to our troop.

The History of a Powerful Song in my Life

Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
"Be Still My Soul" was written by poet Katharina von Schlegel (1697- c.1768) in the German town of Leipzig through what I believe was inspired by God. Published in 1752, the poem was entitled "Stille, Meine Wille, Dein Jesus Hilft Siegen."

Equally inspired by God was the English translation by Jane L. Borthwick and published more than 100 years after it was written.

Finland composer Jean Sibelius wrote the tune that would become connected to this hymn in 1899.

The arrangement used in the LDS hymnal today was arranged by the Presbyterian  Board of Christian Education in 1900 and its copyright renewed in 1961.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

In 2008 a young man with an angelic voice appeared on the TV show American Idol, named David Archuleta. I was so glad that week after week he kept getting through to the next round. I wanted to hear his beautiful voice over and over again. Though he didn't win in the end (runner-up) he gained a very strong following of fans which has carried through and a lot of the fans have stuck with him plus he's gained new ones along the way.

I'm not much of a concert goer, nor did I ever used to be, but I took my daughter Alyssa to the American Idol concert in June (July?) of 2008. David sang several songs including a cover of "When You Say You Love Me" by Josh Groban. Very beautiful song. After that concert Alyssa and I became even stronger fans, but we really didn't follow him much until we learned of his self titled album tour in 2009. We attended his Idaho Falls concert in March of that year. The much stronger fandom started to slowly come, especially for Alyssa who viewed David as her teen idol. As a mom, I was just fine with that. Not a better young man to have as your idol.

I started then to slowly look up David fan sites, choosing a few as my favorites just to visit sometimes and see if David had any more upcoming events, etc. I joined Twitter in the Fall of 2009 I believe, at first only following David, then a few other stars, then slowly but surely other people/fans.
Alyssa, her friend Kaili, and I attended David's beautiful Christmas concert on Nov 24th of 2009. I was captivated the most by his song Prayer of the Children, written by Kurt Bestor. The entire concert was stunning and stirring.

Note that at no time during this did I ever contemplate returning to church. I knew David was LDS, it was all over the news here in Utah, so what happened next wasn't something I sought out.

In January of 2010 I was YT surfing as I often do and found the video of David singing Prayer of the Children. Then, what I saw in the suggested video column on the right was a time when David sang Be Still My Soul at a fireside. I felt compelled to listen and I am so glad I did. It was so beautiful I bawled and listen to it over and over a few times. The first time I met David at Deseret Books in SLC, I felt the spirit of Heavenly Father strong in him, so strong that it brought me to tears. I've felt this in other people in my life with equal reaction. The next time I met him was just a couple weeks later in Rexburg, Idaho (BYU Idaho). Alyssa and I drove up there and I'm so glad we did. David sang "Be Still My Soul" as his encore song. It was even more beautiful than the fireside performance and it moved me to tears. In the M&G afterwards I told him that his testimony in his book "Chords of Strength" and him singing "Be Still My Soul" along with his other music was bringing me back to the church. He was so sweet to tell me he thought that was awesome and thanked me for telling him.

In August of 2010 I went to a David Osmond concert (outside Deseret Book in Orem). I had never met him but remembered him opening for David A. at BYU Idaho. His opener was Alex Boye. Very talented man and funny too. He sang some beautiful songs but then nothing prepared me for David Osmond. He sang my all time favorite hymn Nearer My God to Thee. I was in front and bawled like a baby. It was so beautiful. He came up to me and asked me why I was crying. I briefly told him everything to that point. He gave me a hug and bore his testimony to me saying that the messages were true and encouraged me to go to church and to let him know when I did. He was the extra nudge I needed to make my decision to return to church. While standing in line to get his and Alex Boye's autograph, I grabbed one of each of their CD's, not really paying attention to what I grabbed. David once more urged me to go to church and I promised I would.

On my way home, while at a stop light I grabbed David Osmond's CD and listened to it. Beautiful! I then looked at Alex's CD cover and the title was "Be Still My Soul". Tears began to flow as I listened to him sing it. Once again God using that song as a beacon to let me know I'm on the right path.
I didn't go to church that Sunday because I was sick. Probably made myself sick because of the nerves. I ended up going the following Sunday but not to my own ward. I instead attended my sister-in-law's ward in West Jordan. The prelude music was Be Still My Soul. I was shaking and crying as the spirit was whispering to me, "this was for you."

The following Sunday I went to my own ward and one of my friends Shawna, whose daughter was once in my Girl Scout troop said she felt like she needed to talk to me. She was getting ready to get married (her second marriage) and working on getting her real estate license at the same time. Twice she tried to have a lunch date with me and both times she had to cancel.

In Nov of 2010 I bore my testimony in Relief Society for the first time. It was a simple testimony and I didn't mention David or the BSMS story, in fact it was a couple years after that when I finally did tell it, also in Relief Society. Shawna came up to me and said once again she still felt so strongly that she needed to talk to me. She called me after church to come to her house. We sat in her family room and she listened to my story and was straight faced with no reaction. I thought it odd since she invited me over. She then said she had to go to her fiance's house because his home teachers were coming over and she wanted to be there, however, she had something she wanted to show me.

She brought over her laptop and sat next to me. She briefly told me the story of her divorce and why it happened (I'll keep that private) and how she became depressed. Shortly after she went to the Women's General Broadcast of the church at her stake center. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir started singing a song she had never heard before. The close caption was going across the screen "Be still my soul the Lord is on thy side....". I of course bawled and she bawled. She then showed me on her laptop she had 25 renditions of BSMS, but not David's which she promptly added. She said "I think we're kindred spirits." "Yeah, ya think?" I asked, with laughter from both of us, more tears and hugs, then we both had to go. 

I have heard so many other stories of how this song has touched other people's lives, even causing some of them to seek out the church and be baptized. A friend recently told me this was the song of her baptism 13 years ago, and to add to her own strong connection to it, this amazing young man sang it and strengthened her testimony and love for the song.

God has used this song, I feel, as a reminder that I can be still in hard times and remember that He is with me, but also as a reminder to stay faithful in the church and to Him. The reminders pop up everywhere and friendships with other fans have been forged because of this song. I am eternally grateful to God for bringing this song to my life and to David Archuleta for singing it.
"Be Still My Soul, the Lord is on thy side..."

I bet that Katharina Von Schlegel never knew when her poem was first published in 1752 that 258 years later a talented, beautiful young man would sing the hymn written to her poem and touch the lives of so many. God set this chain of events in motion so long ago!
Me singing "Be Still My Soul" :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL_fJdgapLQ

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“I want to sing a song that has helped me in my life, especially during American Idol. Just to know that, ummm, I owe so much to God, and what He’s done, and how his hand’s been in my life. And I know that I’m supposed to be-be doing music because of, because of Him and-and for Him, because he’s let me have a wonderful gift of-of being able to take in music and see how it touches other people’s lives. And, so I’d love to sing one of my favorite hymns for you, of, which is about, um, you know, despite the craziness and the chaos that might be going on in your life, just to know that you can be still….It’s called Be Still My Soul.” ~David Archuleta 19 June, 2010; BYU Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho.

Addendum: On August 7th, 2012 David's new CD Begin. was released. On it, was Be Still My Soul. I can never listen to it enough. It makes me cry every time. David recorded the CD before he left on his mission with Kurt Bestor's orchestra. Breathtaking, every note. My heart swells with how my life has come full circle for me because of this song. Thank you David!

Addendum: 1 April 2013, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir released a video of David singing Be Still My Soul to them in March of 2009. It is beautiful and it is the most beautiful performance of him singing it I've seen. Close ups of the emotion on his face, a little humbleness at the beginning when he tells the choir he's nervous and to forgive him in advance. It was stunning, and he received a standing ovation from the choir. Judge for yourself!

Addendum March 2013: In the LDS women's choir I belong to The Chauntentettes, we sang Be Still My Soul at our sacred fireside. Very pretty rendition. I sing contra-alto. I loved our part in the song. My niece Maggie attended the fireside and took the video.

Addendum 14 Sept 2014 my niece Samantha sang Be Still My Soul with her Young Adult choir at the CES devotional at BYU. It was pretty cool to see her there and that they chose BSMS. Elder Christofferson was the speaker. She's the girl toward the bottom of the screen cap blonde long hair, glasses.

Here's a link to the devotional: https://www.lds.org/church/events/elder-christofferson-to-speak-at-september-ces-devotional?lang=eng&query=ces+devotional+byu+2014

Addendum March 2015. I auditioned in my choir for the one and only special number in our sacred devotional and my choir director Margaret chose me. There isn't a video of me singing that day, but this is me practicing. Pretty much how it sounded.

Addendum 15 April 2015 Religious Symposium at UVU, David spoke and sang a few songs including Be Still My Soul. I couldn't contain my tears. It was as beautiful if not more so than hearing him sing it in person the first time in 2010. As you can see 5 years later, this song is still touching my heart and soul.

Addendum 15 April 2016 (1 year after the UVU symposium) David sang Be Still My Soul in Orlando, Florida at the Time Out For Women convention. He is scheduled to sing and speak at more of these across the country this year. I am still humbled and in awe of this young man especially when he sings Be Still My Soul. Every performance is different yet the same. The same song of course, but also the same in the beauty of the performance and the strong spirit he exudes when he sings it. Different in that every performance seems to have different emphasis on words and phrases when it strikes him to do so, making him emotional at times. Another difference is every time he sings it, it's more powerful each time.
For me it brings back the memory of when I first saw a video of him singing it and that was the pivot point for me to my journey back to the gospel I love. It's crazy that I first did this blog post 5 years ago. Each and every performance has a special meaning to me. I've only heard him sing this in person twice, but it was twice the spiritual experience both times. Every time it seems as a reminder to me that I'm where I'm supposed to be. David may never read this because of being busy to read everything fans write, but I'll just say it anyways...God Bless you David and thanks to God and you for your voice, and your performances of Be Still My Soul. Forever grateful.

Image of Jesus comforting the young girl from http://www.eons.com/photos/group/catholics-50-3/photo/260205-Jesus-comforting/jesus---preachinghealingcasting-out-demons
Information on the hymn "Be Still My Soul" gathered from Wikipedia