Happy Birthday Willa Michele

Sweet little angel,

You have a life that is long,

Filled with love, laughter and song,

It is not one,

You will live physically,

It exists in the heart of your family,

They have dreams,

Of all they will teach you,

Of all the amazing things you would do,

They were overjoyed,

And made decades of plans,

Then it was all ripped from their physical hands.

But you remain,

In their heart and mind,

No deeper love will you find.

Sweet little angel,

Though you get no birthday cake,

Today and every one is  filled with love for your sake.

Willa’s Gift Of Love in Ontario

As I mentioned in my last post, I embarked on a journey last year. During meditation my dear friend Michele’s face came clearly to my mind with the words Love of Butterflies. While visiting the butterfly conservatory that week I again felt the words in my mind “Remember Love of Butterflies”.

A day after this experience I learned that Willa Michele would not be going home with her mom and dad and big brother. She would be returning to her Heavenly Father and family on the other side of the veil. Her sweet spirit here just long enough to change the world forever and bring a love that was unimaginable and indescribable. This overwhelming love she brought to the world left a pain and emptiness of equally immense force that also filled her family’s world.

Not knowing how to offer support and love to Willa’s family I began the Personal Progress Program for Willa. This project of love went on to create Willa’s Gift…Acts of Love to create a smile for every tear, to give the love of a butterfly that she never had the chance to show the world.

Over the past year Willa’s Gift has given:

$748 Fresh Fruit gifts to those in need of a smile or love

$320 Vegetables

$2975 in clothing, food, personal items, art supplies, household supplies to shelters and food banks

$250 in musical instruments to help children find the love of music

45 books to share the love of reading with children

150 hours of Personal Care Support for individuals in need of PSW support

5 gift baskets to seniors who are in need of love

This is just the beginning. There are hours of time and love given as Willa’s Gift. Great plans are in the works for the coming year. As time goes by Willa is more a part of the world than ever. While I know her family misses and aches for her everyday to be here physically, She will forever be a part of the world Spiritually as her love is changing it with a butterfly effect that will forever keep her in the heart of many.

Beautiful Butterflies

On October 19^th of last year my daughter and I visited the butterfly conservatory in Cambridge about an hour away from home. Even though neither of us was feeling well we were in the area and I felt compelled to visit it and get some pictures. Later that evening I wrote in my journal and thought I would share my thoughts that night.

“I found the answer to my restlessness and anxiety lately. Heather and I visited the Butterfly Conservatory today. I was picking her up in Kitchener and even though neither of us felt well I was impressed to go anyway. I cancelled our plans with Sharon because I knew we would never make it to see her, visit the butterflies and then drive home.

Once I was surrounded by the tranquility, peace and beauty of the butterflies I was able to clear my mind. Stealing quiet moments between basking in Heather’s company and taking pictures of the beauty around me I was able to take advantage of the serene environment and ask Heavenly Father again about the parable of the talents. While asking for His help in recognizing what talents He wanted me to share A still small voice whispered “Love of butterflies”.  I have always loved butterflies I’m not sure what kind of talent that is. I guess it is the talent to see Heavenly Father’s love in everything He created in this world. I looked at each butterfly’s wings. Each is so beautiful in its own way.

As I sat on the bench before we left for home I thought of the many cocoons we saw. Each caterpillar working hard to create a cocoon that isolated them for everything they knew. I am sure it is dark and cramped and uncomfortable in the cocoon. I don’t think any of them know they will be a beautiful butterfly when they emerge. They just build it and have faith all their hard work is for a good reason. “Faith of butterflies”.

I wish I had that faith. I question so much. I never just trust that everything will be beautiful in the end. I watch Heather and see a butterfly that hasn’t seen her own reflection yet. She is beautiful, she just has no idea she changed while in her cocoon. She has always been beautiful she is just finally started using her wings. To know she has a destiny beyond her wildest imagination. It made me think of a book that a home teacher once gave me called Hope For Flowers. I still read it occassionally 15 years later. The following quote from it came to mind.

I think our experience on earth is like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. We are here on earth. Limited by our physical body and perception we are unable to know the true beautiful potential of our spirits.

I still don’t know what loving butterflies has to do with my talents but I do know I must watch for the love of butterflies and that if I have the faith of one, everything will work out because Heavenly Father created this incredible, beautiful, miraculous world. He creates beauty where none was seen before, If he cares so much about a caterpillar to give it a beautiful happily ever after, I know He will do the same for His own daughter.”

Little did I know the significance that day at the Butterfly conservatory would hold over the past year with Willa’s Gift. Thousands of lives have felt her love, hundreds of donations made (we are making a list to be posted later, of just the acts of love we’ve witnessed or performed with Willa’s love. The Butterfly Effect truly in motion as love flutters around the world as Willa’s Gift

Taking A Step In Faith…

Though it has been a while since I have written a post Willa’s Gift is a part of each and every day. My actions, thoughts, goals and life have forever changed because of Willa Michele and how her spirit has touched my life. Recently I have been working on the Personal Progress Value of Faith again.

Learn more about the sacrament. Read about the Last Supper in Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; and Luke 22:17–20. Establish a pattern of pondering during the sacrament by listening carefully to the sacrament hymn and prayers. Think about why we partake of the bread and water. After three weeks of following this pattern, write in your journal some of the promises you make as you partake of the sacrament and remember your baptismal covenants and what you do to keep those promises. Record in your journal how your understanding of these promises has strengthened your faith in the Savior.

For the first time in almost a year I was able to go to Sacrament meeting. It has been several years now since I have been able to regularly attend church because I have worked every weekend. This week I changed my work schedule so that I can at least attend Sacrament meeting every second week. It is amazing the blessings and changes in my life just from making that decision and taking other steps of Faith to fulfill Willa’s Gift.

Huge problems that have been weighing heavily on my mind were miraculously solved. Major financial issues instantly resolved in ways I never expected. Spiritual unrest over life decisions suddenly replaced by a calming peace of mind.

I thought giving up shifts at work to help others in need or to be able to attend church would leave me more stressed and financially ruined. And yet every single month I have sacrificed for another I have never been without. Now as I took a step of Faith not knowing how it would work out I put my trust in Heavenly Father to help me.  He has instantly blessed me with answers. I regret ever doubting Him, though doubts seem to come so easily to the mind. I worry about my capabilities and what I can do to solve problems and forget that if I trust Him…I never have anything to worry about.

I Will Stay Where I Sit…I’m No Judge

We often hear the statement “Judge Not”. It is repeated many times in the scriptures. I have tried to be non-judgemental and believe for the most part this is one of my strengths. I realized this week it is also an area I need to work on with one person…myself.

When someone else is struggling or perhaps makes a choice I may not feel is wise, I don’t dwell on that for a long time. I try to support them through it though it may take me a little while to find the right way to do that I truly want them to move on from the difficulty and see the best in themselves and their life….I don’t believe it is my place to judge another’s life. I don’t know their journey from start to finish. I don’t know their destiny. I don’t know who they will bless on their journey. Individuals they can only help and love because of the choices, struggles and life they live.

I don’t give myself the same compassion. Sometimes I mess up. That is fine, we all mess up. It is what I do after I mess up that determines what is to come. I will often get down on myself because I feel like a failure or I start to worry about the situation I am facing so much that I don’t think I can cope with it. I judge myself as weak and “less- than”. I am my own worst enemy and we are plainly commanded to love our enemy.

That’s really a big way the adversary gets to us. To have us think we are our own judge. We choose standards of what is good enough and put ourselves down when we don’t meet them. Some judge themselves on whether they have a good job, a good calling, money or an expensive house. Others judge themselves on whether they are a good mom, wife, friend or daughter. Some judge themselves on whether they complete a to-do list on time or if they are a perfect saint (which is impossible) We make judgemental statements to ourselves, sitting in judgement of who we are and what we are capable of. Yet only our creator really knows our capabilities. Only He can judge us…our commandment is to love all His children, including ourselves.

Words From Heaven…

Today I was feeling overwhelmed with stresses of life. While I am immensly blessed some days just seem more physically and emotionally draining than others. Tonight I was busy searching for some government information on line that was related to my worries and Heavenly Father brought me across these verses. A reminder of His love. I am grateful for the scriptures, for the gift of prayer and for tender mercies to help each of us through our own personal struggles and remind us we are never alone.

Matthew 6

 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shallhe not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Divine Nature…Develop Your Divine Qualities

As part of Willa’s Gift Personal Progress project I have been working on one of the requirements for Divine Nature. I am taking a college course on Character and have been studying ways to develop and strengthen the qualities that will most be most beneficial. I find it interesting that many of the Character Strengths taught to help students flourish in life are also the ones listed in the scriptures in the requirement for Divine Nature.

Develop your divine qualities.

Read

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers.

John 15:12 love one another, as I have loved you.

 Galatians 5:22–23 love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance.

 Colossians 3:12–17 mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing and forgiving one another,

charity, which is the bond of perfectness,

peace of God rule in your hearts, be thankful, be filled with wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, giving thanks.

 1 John 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Moroni 7:44–48.

44 If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptablebefore God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and enviethnot, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endurethforever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are truefollowers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Memorize your favorite verse from one of these passages. Identify the divine qualities mentioned in all these scriptures and list them in your journal. Select one quality, and for two weeks strive to make it a part of your daily life. Record your progress and experiences in your journal.

Character Strengths…Individual Worth.

I am taking an on-line college course from Relay Graduate School of Education on Teaching Character. It is part of my journey to reach future goals in life. This program is based on helping others develop the 24 Character strengths that help individuals flourish in life.

As part of this week’s assignment we had to take the psychological test of 120 questions to determine our own strengths. I like that they are all considered strengths that we have, just some are not as developed as others. After reading through my results I was surprised how close it is to who I am. There are Character Strengths that are a part of everything I do and everything I am. There are other character strengths that I am still working hard on every day. It is amazing how seeing yourself in a more positive light can help with realizing your individual worth. As a part of Willa’s Gift Personal Progress Individual Worth value I thought I would share my list of 24 Character strengths to celebrate my Individual Worth and maybe help you reflect on your own strengths and beauti

1. Fairness- Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice; not letting feelings bias decisions about others; giving everyone a fair chance.

2. Forgiveness- Forgiving those who have done wrong; accepting others’ shortcomings; giving people a second chance; not being vengeful.

3. Gratitude- Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen; taking time to express thanks.

4. Kindness- Doing favors and good deeds for others; helping them; taking care of them.

5. Humor- Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people; seeing the light side; making (not necessarily telling) jokes.

6. Teamwork- Working well as a member of a group or team; being loyal to the group; doing one’s share.

7. Curiosity- Taking an interest in ongoing experience for its own sake; finding subjects and topics fascinating; exploring and discovering.

8. Leadership- Encouraging a group of which one is a member to get things done and at the same time maintain good relations within the group; organizing group activities and seeing that they happen.

9. Spirituality- Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe; knowing where one fits within the larger scheme; having beliefs about the meaning of life that shape conduct and provide comfort.

10. Appreciation of Beauty & ExcellenceNoticing and appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in various domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics to science to everyday experience.

11. Creativity- Thinking of novel and productive ways to conceptualize and do things; includes artistic achievement but is not limited to it.

12. Love of learning- Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge, whether on one’s own or formally; related to the strength of curiosity but goes beyond it to describe the tendency to add systematically to what one knows.

13. Zest- Approaching life with excitement and energy; not doing things halfway or halfheartedly; living life as an adventure; feeling alive and activated.

14. Hope- Expecting the best in the future and working to achieve it; believing that a good future is something that can be brought about.

15. Love- Valuing close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing & caring are reciprocated; being close to people.

16. Humility- Letting one’s accomplishments speak for themselves; not regarding oneself as more special than one is.

17. Honesty- Speaking the truth but more broadly presenting oneself in a genuine way and acting in a sincere way; being without pretense; taking responsibility for one’s feelings and actions.

18. Social intelligence- Being aware of the motives/feelings of others and oneself; knowing what to do to fit into different social situations; knowing what makes other people tick.

19. Judgment- Thinking things through and examining them from all sides; not jumping to conclusions;  being able to change one’s mind in light of evidence; weighing all evidence fairly.

20. Bravery- Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain; speaking up for what’s right even if there’s opposition; acting on convictions even if unpopular; includes physical bravery but is not limited to it.

21. Prudence- Being careful about one’s choices; not taking undue risks; not saying or doing things that might later be regretted.

22. Perspective- Being able to provide wise counsel to others; having ways of looking at the world that make sense to oneself/others.

23. Perseverance- Finishing what one starts; persevering in a course of action in spite of obstacles; “getting it out the door”; taking pleasure in completing tasks.

24. Self-Regulation- Regulating what one feels and does; being disciplined; controlling one’s appetites and emotions.

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There are six main classifications of Character Strengths in this research as listed below:

1. Wisdom and Knowledge – Cognitive strengths that entail the acquisition and use of knowledge

• Creativity [originality, ingenuity]: Thinking of novel and productive ways to conceptualize and do things; includes artistic achievement but is not limited to it
• Curiosity [interest, novelty-seeking, openness to experience]: Taking an interest in ongoing experience for its own sake; finding subjects and topics fascinating; exploring and discovering
• Judgment [critical thinking]: Thinking things through and examining them from all sides; not jumping to conclusions; being able to change one’s mind in light of evidence; weighing all evidence fairly
• Love of Learning: Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge, whether on one’s own or formally; obviously related to the strength of curiosity but goes beyond it to describe the tendency to add systematically to what one knows
• Perspective [wisdom]: Being able to provide wise counsel to others; having ways of looking at the world that make sense to oneself and to other people

2. Courage – Emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition, external or internal

• Bravery [valor]: Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain; speaking up for what is right even if there is opposition; acting on convictions even if unpopular; includes physical bravery but is not limited to it
• Perseverance [persistence, industriousness]: Finishing what one starts; persisting in a course of action in spite of obstacles; “getting it out the door”; taking pleasure in completing tasks
• Honesty [authenticity, integrity]: Speaking the truth but more broadly presenting oneself in a genuine way and acting in a sincere way; being without pretense; taking responsibility for one’s feelings and actions
• Zest [vitality, enthusiasm, vigor, energy]: Approaching life with excitement and energy; not doing things halfway or halfheartedly; living life as an adventure; feeling alive and activated

3. Humanity – Interpersonal strengths that involve tending and befriending others

• Love: Valuing close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated; being close to people
• Kindness [generosity, nurturance, care, compassion, altruistic love, “niceness”]: Doing favors and good deeds for others; helping them; taking care of them
• Social Intelligence [emotional intelligence, personal intelligence]: Being aware of the motives and feelings of other people and oneself; knowing what to do to fit into different social situations; knowing what makes other people tick

4. Justice – Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life

• Teamwork [citizenship, social responsibility, loyalty]: Working well as a member of a group or team; being loyal to the group; doing one’s share
• Fairness: Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice; not letting personal feelings bias decisions about others; giving everyone a fair chance.
• Leadership: Encouraging a group of which one is a member to get things done, and at the same time maintaining good relations within the group; organizing group activities and seeing that they happen.

5. Temperance – Strengths that protect against excess

• Forgiveness: Forgiving those who have done wrong; accepting the shortcomings of others; giving people a second chance; not being vengeful
• Humility:  Letting one’s accomplishments speak for themselves; not regarding oneself as more special than one is
• Prudence: Being careful about one’s choices; not taking undue risks; not saying or doing things that might later be regretted
• Self-Regulation [self-control]: Regulating what one feels and does; being disciplined; controlling one’s appetites and emotions

   6. Transcendence – Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning

• Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence [awe,wonder, elevation]: Noticing and appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in various domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics to science to everyday experience
• Gratitude: Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen; taking time to express thanks
• Hope [optimism, future-mindedness, future orientation]: Expecting the best in the future and working to achieve it; believing that a good future is something that can be brought about
• Humor [playfulness]: Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people; seeing the light side; making (not necessarily telling) jokes
• Spirituality [faith, purpose]: Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe; knowing where one fits within the larger scheme; having beliefs about the meaning of life that shape conduct and provide comfort

You are a Junior Angel Crowned with Glory…

Divine Nature- Hindsight is 20/20…

Often when we are going through trials we forget our Divine Nature. I know at some of my most difficult times in life I felt incredibly weak. It is interesting now when I look back on those experiences it is to remind me how strong I am. It has been my darkest failures and deepest sorrows that had me search the hardest for my Divine Nature. The times when I felt my lowest are now the testimony that I am watched over because I got through them…that I do have strength and faith….because I got through them with a stronger relationship with my Father in Heaven and was able to develop some of my divine qualities, even if just a smidgeon. It helped me recognize, face and conquer my greatest weaknesses, mistakes and fears and learn from them, grow and develop new strengths enduring days I thought impossible to recover from.

We each have divine qualities and a divine mission in this life. We are told if we endure to the end we will have ever lasting peace. It isn’t about living a perfect life, handling every situation perfectly and never getting discouraged. There would be no need for endurance if it wasn’t hard to get through.