The Robe, Mercy River

I was looking through my iTunes for a song for my lesson at church today, and I happened upon this song. I, of course, had heard it many times before since its on one of my Mercy River albums, but this time it made me stop, listen, and feel it. Maybe it's because I've had something deep on my mind lately, but I heard it in a different light today. This song is about the women who touched the hem of Jesus Christ's clothes as he walked by in a large crowd. He felt that tiny bit of faith touch him, turned around, and ultimately healed her.
This women had so much faith that she only needed to touch the hem of His clothes to be healed. This song has more of a story than this, but this is the part in particular that gave me these thoughts....

How do we have that much faith? Do we reach out, simply needing to touch to be healed? How many people did Jesus walk by during his ministry, that simply let him walk by without even trying to reach out to Him...maybe out of fear or being stubborn and unwilling? They surely must have felt a sense of his heavenly power as He walked by....they simply needed to have faith to be healed. We simply need to have faith to reach out to him to be made whole. We may not all suffer from physical ailments, but we all suffer from something- and we can be made whole, if we reach to him, allow him to heal us, and wrap us in his robe of warmth, safety, forgiveness, compassion, love, peace, comfort, and joy.

The Robe, by Mercy River

faithful women

reached through the crowd

and her hands gently touched your robe

and you through your grace made her whole

now my broken body, is fading fast

and like her, i'm searching through the crowds

desperate to find you somehow

and i'm reaching for that robe

i know that you can make me whole

but if its not meant to be that way

if i can't stay, then just wrap me in that robe

and hold me when i go

if you call me, home to you

please help those who love me understand

we are still held together by your hands

i'm reaching for that robe

i know that you can make me whole

but maybe in a different way

if i can't stay, then just wrap me in that robe

and hold me when i go

hold her when she goes.



Let Him hold you, heal you, and make you whole.

*This song is from the Mercy River album released in 2008 titled "Mercy River".

Just Like a Father Would

I know my last post was a lot about Mercy River... this one will be too, sorry! Time Out For Women in Salt Lake City this past weekend was streamed LIVE for free! I wasn't able to sit at the computer all day to listen, but for the 15 minutes I was able to, I was glad some of it was Mercy River! They sang this song, a song which I've heard many times before, but this time, it spoke to me. Maybe it was the story they shared before the song began that really caught my attention, because it was something that happens in my life daily...these are similar thoughts they shared, that were my thoughts exactly.

We all know we aren't perfect, and we all make mistakes daily. My most common mistake is losing my patience with my children (afterall, they are in the majority of my day). Then, as I hear them giggle, or walk in to check on them before I head to bed the guilt settles in. I see their innocent faces sleeping so peacefully and I am once again reminded that I am not perfect, and I have a lot to work on...which can be overwhelming for us all. It's at that moment that I feel the love of my Father above. He reminds me that its okay. He knows ME and my weaknesses, and reminds me to keep on trying to be better. I say a silent prayer to Him, thanking Him for those 3 sweet beings, and their health, and ask him to forgive me for my shortcomings. The next day I am faced with the same trials of patience and hopefully each day I do better.

Here's a picture of me and my dad from this past spring. I love this guy SO much. I'm definitely a daddy's girl. He has taught me SO much, and continues to each and every day. He and my mom have been through so much, and are great examples to me. Things don't always go right for them, but they pick themselves up, dust off, and continue on in faith. I'm thankful for my dad's example, and inspiring words that he's given me through out my life as I learn, and grow.

(you can look up this song on iTunes and listen to a clip of it,

it is so peaceful and thought provoking, go look it up!)

 Just Like a Father Would

From the Mercy River album Higher

You always know when I’m drifting
When I’m lost or I’m hurt
Somehow you know the pleadings of my heart
Before I’ve spoken a word
When I fail You’re there
To catch me and say
I know you did the best that you could
Just like a Father
Just like a Father would

You gently show me my weakness
And then You teach me how to change
And though I wander on my journey
Your love always remains
When the heartache comes and I’m devastated
Somehow You turn it for my good
Just like a Father
Just like a Father would

Your heart breaks when my heart is breaking
Because You’ve been down this road before
When You desperately want to rush in and help
You know I have to learn these lessons for myself

You know the burdens I carry
How they’ve built up like a dam
You help me see the mistakes I have made
They don’t define who I am
You softly whisper when it’s time to let go
When I hold the heartache longer than I should

You believe in me

You love me perfectly

As only the Father of my spirit ever could

Just like a Father

Just like my Father would

With today being November 1st I encourage you to write down something you are thankful for each day of the month, I will be, and I know it will help me be a better person as I concentrate on my blessings instead of what I am lacking. Today I wrote that I am thankful for my children. They drive me crazy daily, but just as often they make me laugh and love.

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Time Out For Women weekend

This post is a little late, but I am so excited to share with you some of the fun pictures from Time Out for Women Denver- which was in September! Time out for Women is put on by Deseret Book Company, and is a weekend full of laughing, crying, fun, and inspiration for women. I look forward to this event EVERY year, and never regret going. This year in particular I was SO SO SO excited about because, as is fully known here on this blog, my favorite music group Mercy River was going to be singing at it! To say I was excited was an understatement. This group seriously does not have a single song that I do not love, and that does not inspire me. They produce the most amazing albums, and they are amazing women too! I really enjoyed listening to them talk about the inspiration behind different songs they've written, or sung, and then to hear them perform in person was amazing. I just sat there in awe the entire time. I will even admit I went a little "groupie" on them and got teary eyed when they came out to do their first number, I just love them that much!

What was truly fun for me was to chat with them for a little bit!

I was so excited that my sister was able to come in town to attend TOFW with me, and that my amazing husband was willing to watch her 3 kids along with our 3 kids for the weekend too!

No, I won't end without sharing a few things I learned from the weekend....and I even have a fun video to share too! The theme for this year was "Seek the Good". How often do we go through life looking at the faults in people? I'll give a few thoughts on some of the speakers for us all to think about!

Virginia Pierce- spoke about forgiveness, it was an amazing message that she shared and gave me a lot of things to think about. Some of the notes I wrote down were "REFUSE to be offended, look deeper for the intent of their actions.- usually people aren't trying to offend!" and "Holding on to expectations is often the source of unforgiving feelings".

Sheri Dew- such amazing, strong women! She talked about the strength of women, and that we as women have specific roles to play. Something she said I really liked  was "Men and women are EQUAL in the sight of the Lord, not IDENTICAL." and  "There are some things the Lord will only show to those who seek and believe"

Chris Williams- author of "Let It Go", if you'd like a great inspiration video for the day go HERE and watch this mans amazing story of forgiveness, enduring, and moving forward through trials.

Anthony Sweat- spoke about the true meaning of Charity - "Charity is a relationship with God", "We all have hungers, needs, wants, and Charity is the food that feeds you- "if ye drink, ye shall never thirst again"

Julie De Azevedo-Hanks- spoke about being "Your most authentic self" - "Instead of trying of feel better, maybe we should get better at feeling!", Celebrate the good that is already in you. Acknowledging and owning my God-given strengths is humility." and my favorite "Instead of making a to-do list make a ta-da list!"

And lastly, here is a hilarious parody that Mercy River did....that is OH SO TRUE.

Better than a Hallelujah

A cell phone camera and a fun app provides lots
of entertainment some days.



I'm not sure I can say it enough, the group Mercy River is AMAZING. When I heard months ago that they were getting ready to release a new album I was SO excited! Mercy River is made up of three down to earth moms who have a passion for music. (I have posted about them previously) Maybe that's one reason why I have been so drawn to them, I can relate, and dream to be in their position one day, inspiring others with music! I was so excited when I found their album on iTunes the night before it was officially released, if we still listened to cassette tapes mine would be totally worn out because of how much I have listened to it. I have had a hard time picking just one song on the album that has inspired me, that I wanted to write about- they ALL have inspired me in some way.

After listening to the album, I don't know how many times, the song Better than a Hallelujah caused me to stop what I was doing, restart the song and really LISTEN, and feel the words. I know the spirit was telling me to stop being busy and take in the message of the song. Here are the words:

Better than a Hallelujah

by Mercy River, from the album Higher

God loves a lullaby
In a mother’s tears in the dead of night
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes

God loves the drunkard’s cry
The soldier’s plea not to let him die
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

The woman holding on for life
The dying man giving up the fight
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes

The tears of shame for what’s been done
The silence when the words won’t come
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

Better than a church bell ringing
Better than a choir singing out, singing out

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

I grew up in the south, and in the south there are many "Hallelujahs"! It was fun to sing the "clap your hands, sway back and forth, shout hallelujah " songs in highschool choir and the youth city choir. Those kinds of songs can uplift and inspire just as much as the more quiet, reverent songs. So, I really felt I understood what they meant when the said "Better than a hallelujah". As I began thinking about the words of this song, it made me think about the counsel we are given to pray always. I love the first phrase of the song because I can relate to them most, "God loves a lullaby, in a mother's tears in the dead of night." SO many times in my life in the past 6 years I have cried holding my crying baby that just won't go to sleep. My tears truly were a prayer, pleading for help with my sweet child, for help keeping my patience and showing them love, when I all I wanted was for them to sleep so I could sleep. The last 6 years of my life have taught me more about having a constant prayer in my heart than the previous 22 years. God wants us to turn to him, he wants to hear the honest cries of our breaking hearts.  Not that he enjoys seeing us this way, but more because he is there waiting with open arms to comfort and direct us. He wants to hear our honest cries more than he wants to hear our loud "Hallelujahs". He wants to hear our thoughts turn to him, He wants to bless us with peace. He wants us to turn to him in prayer as a family, and in the quiet peace of our bedrooms. I hope the words of the song can inspire you as much as they have inspired me!

"Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:12-13

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you" Matthew 7:7

"Prayer is the provider of spiritual strength. It is the passport to peace. Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father in Heaven"- Thomas S. Monson



A recent family picture taken at the Denver LDS Temple



Guess what?! If you don't already have the new Mercy River album, Higher, you can go enter for a  chance to win a copy of your own! Mercy River is on a blog tour and will be stopping by TODAY  to guest post on my sisters blog, Moments! So head on over and check out her fun blog and enter to win!

"Echoes" by Mercy River

A few months back I had a conversation with someone about if I, and they, believed in life before this life. They did not believe we existed before we were born and wanted to know why I thought we did. I didn't have much scriptural "proof" for them, but I did have my testimony. I had my firm belief that I know I have a Heavenly Father, and I was with him before I gained my body here on earth. After this conversation the subject has been on my mind a lot. I continue to find more scriptural references, but also continue to gain more of a testimony of the subject. I have had this song on my iPod for at least a year and have always loved the sweet, calming influence it had on me. One day not long ago I actually listened very intently on the words. I felt the spirit so strong knowing that this song is SO true. There are so many "Heavenly echoes" in my life that remind me of that far away place we call Heaven. My children's little giggles, the beautiful sunrise and sunset, MUSIC, the scriptures. All these things and more are constant heavenly echoes in my life reminding me of the life and family I had, and have, in heaven.

It wasn't until today that I actually realized that this song is somewhat of a lullaby. It is speaking to a baby. It says "Soon you won't recall his voice or his face, but baby sometimes if you're still, you will hear echoes..." I know that all those sweet, tender, absolutely beautiful babies we see all around and in our own homes are so close to our Heavenly "pre-earth" life. They still remember our Heavenly Father's face, and voice. As they grow each day that moves further and further from their memories, and soon they won't remember it, which is why He sends us Heavenly angels whispering echoes. They are wanting and waiting, to send us Heavenly echoes, if we let them.

Echoes

long ago and far away

you were in held in another place

and you were whispered words of sweet grace

and you were wrapped in the arms of mercy

soon you won't remember those days

soon you won't recall his voice or his face

but baby sometimes if you're still...

you will hear echoes

heavenly echoes

reminding you of another time and place

like waking from an old familiar dream

you will hear echoes

you may have feelings hard to understand

like you're a stranger in a foreign land

when your homesick spirit feels alone

remember, remember

this was not your first home

you will hear echoes

heavenly echoes

reminding you of another time and place

like waking from an old familiar dream

you will hear echoes

there may be times it seems

heaven never happened

but baby there will be angels,

wanting to send you,

waiting to send you

echoes, heavenly echoes

reminding you of another time and place

like waking from an old familiar dream

you will hear echoes

If you haven't heard this group or song before, take a minute to look up their website Mercy River, or look it up on iTunes! Their music is all amazing. They have such beautiful voices and unbelievable tight harmonies.