Category Archives: Songs

Music

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I am not a huge music follower, but I love music. I forget to listen! I love it when I hear it, but I don’t need it going all the time. I enjoy pop or at least the “pop music from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and more” as the radio station used to say. When a song comes on the radio or I hear it in a store somewhere, I find myself humming or softly singing a long.

The very first song I remember liking as a kid was a song called Sugar, by The Archie’s that came out in 1969. We danced to it in the 5th grade. I loved it, and it takes me back in time. I loved the sound the dancing and the boys that we danced with.

Then there was a song called Brandy by Looking Glass that me and my friend Julie used to sing together.

Sometimes a song would be popular and be heard at the time of a significant event and that song forever reminds you of that event. When a family friend died, Midnight at the oasis by Maria Muldaur played in the car on the way to the funeral.

Pretty much any Dan Fogelberg, Billy Joel, Elton John, Jackson 5, Blondie, Cindy Lauper, Eagles, or Chicago songs remind me of high school. Although a lot of the songs I liked were one hit wonders for some bands, so I won’t mention them. Anything that would play on the pop radio station back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s was my favorite. I didn’t have the ease of listening to music that I liked -like the kids do now. Just what the radio played and occasionally what I bought, but it was a cassette tape then.

The song Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield used to be a favorite between me and my friend Julie. We’d sing at the top of our lungs playing our air guitars, and then play it again. So much fun!

Since the late 1980’s I was introduced to Yanni. My little brother would play his music at the house I grew up in while we were there on Sunday’s for dinner. I loved it from the start. No vocals just instrumental. Yanni is from Greece and has a very unique sound to his music, but it just touched me and I love it. I used to blast Yanni on Saturday mornings so the kids could enjoy it while we got our Saturday chores done. I have seen him in concert at least 3 times. I really don’t do concerts so that is more that anyone else. I love Yanni.

Since I’ve gotten older and have struggled more with depression I have come to love Paul Cardall. Instrumental again. Very soothing and calming. I love instrumental hymns and piano music. The older I get the less I like drums, loud noises and scream singing. In fact most of the time that I’m in the car driving, it’s either silent or I’m listening to a podcast.

Isn’t it interesting how we change as we grow older?

“It’s Glorious!”

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I have had a certain song on my mind….for days, possibly weeks. Here is the song:

It’s

Glorious!!!

It is the theme song from the movie: Meet the Mormons.

I have so many emotions tied up in this music.

First, I am a member of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

the “Mormons”.

I love belonging to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was raised in the church. It makes my heart so happy when there is so much negative going on, to know there are so many wonderful people in the world.

As long as I can remember, I have known I have a Father in Heaven. I Know this life is part of a bigger plan He has for us. He loves us and wants us to have all the experiences that will help us become what we are meant to become.  We are here together to support and help each other as we go through our life. That’s why we have families! and friends!

Second, The message of this song

is that even though we sometimes don’t know which way to turn. We don’t know what is next for us in life, if we are listening with our hearts to what God is trying to tell us, we can receive help. He will guide us, sometimes through other people. We all “play a piece.” Sometimes others help us, and sometimes we’re the ones helping. We will figure out our “part.”

Third, Others are watching us and we can be their example.

If we believe in God, that life has a purpose, that Our Savior Jesus Christ lived and died for us, that He was resurrected and lives today. That we have a responsibility to love and serve God and others in our lives, and that we must love others, because we love God. That example can help someone who is not sure about why we are here. Our confidence and faith in God can help others know it’s okay.

“There are melodies in each one of us!”

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This last week our cousin lost his 14 year old daughter. She was beautiful, talented and a wonderful girl. At her funeral her sister sang this song. It was so beautiful. The message continued to be felt in my heart. Let us all use our life to find our piece, our melody, and share that melody with all that we meet.

President Thomas S. Monson said: “Along your pathway of life you will observe that you are not the only traveler. There are others who need your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save.”

It’s Glorious! 

the joyful nest!

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I don’t know if you remember, but one of my first posts was about “choosing joy”.
It is what I do.
I have come to a time in my life,
when the chicks are mostly grown.
Time flies when you’re having fun, and
I know that in just a few years the nest will be empty.
OUCH!
I feel a pain in my heart. I’m OK, it’s just so hard to have my childers growing up and leaving. What’s weird is, I have been looking forward to this for quite sometime. I just didn’t know it would come quite so quickly. Being a mom has been the greatest, hardest, most amazing experience. When they were tiny, I would give anything (pretty much) for a break. Just 20 minutes! You know, run to the store by myself, take a shower, eat MY food by myself. I think all I did was feel overwhelmed and worry. Come to think of it, I still worry. But now they’re gone alot and doing so much, I worry when they don’t come home at the designated time. Did the car break down? Have they even looked at the clock? These days, I miss having them all safely tucked in bed by 8:30 pm.
After all is said and done, life is wonderful. It is a challange, and I love it. I choose to love it, all of it.
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I sent my oldest son off to boot camp on Tuesday, he has chosen to serve his country. It’s going to be a great thing! I will miss seeing him for a while. Then my second son will be leaving on his mission in July. Oldest daughter is at a crossroads, as well. Bonus baby just turned sixteen on the 19th and had her first date all in the same week. Wow! I  know that I’m still their mom and hopefully they will always come home to the nest for visits, bringing lots of grandbabies and sharing love and  togetherness.
When I first heard Eva Cassidy sing the song, “Who Knows Where The Time Goes” I cried….I sobbed. I thought of my darling children flying away. It’s hard, but when it’s time for them to go, I know it. I have to have faith in them and in God. I know I have taught them, and loved them, and they are amazing!!
I had a friend tell me once, “Joy, you’re not the only one who loves them.” Father in Heaven loves them even more than I do. They will be just fine!!!

Fireflies!

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The first time I saw a firefly was on my mission. I’m not sure fireflies exist in Utah. When I was serving in Austin, Texas we had just arrived at a teaching appointment and gotten out of the car. It was dusk, which is about when they appear. I saw a flash, then another, then I said to my companion, “Look!” She wasn’t as excited about them as I was. I think she’d seen them before.

Why do they do that? What is the purpose? Maybe the creator has a sense of humor. “Let’s make these cute little bugs, and let’s make their bums light up at night fall.” Maybe that’s what He said. Well, it makes me think about the scripture in Matthew 5:16,

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

What if I were like this little bug, pleasant and did my best to be beautiful inside and out, and what if my actions and example caught someones eye. What if they said, “I like her! What makes her special?” And then they asked me why I have a little light? Why I am the way I am? What if I was able to tell them that I am special, but so are they! What if I told them how much our Father in Heaven loves them and that they have a little light, too?

I have been told I’m an example. I hope I’m a good example. I know I’m not the most spiritual, I’m just doing my best. I know I sometimes do silly things, but that’s not wrong. I hope I’m the kind of example who loves others, and brings a little laughter to life. I hope when others see my example they think, “She’s doing her best. She is good. She loves others.” And I hope that makes them want to do their best, be good and love others.

I’m so grateful for that little bug with the bum that lights up.

It just makes me happy!