Just Begin! - The Spoken Word

What a great reminder right before Finals...

This played on The Music and the Spoken Word on the Sunday morning session of the April 2013 General Conference, and then as well as now, I think the message is inspirational.

Sometimes, it is very easy to get overwhelmed with all of our challenges that we have going on, but the best way to overcome them is just to start...

Flower Power

I like this picture because it contrasts directly the expanse of the hugely infinite universe and yet the minutely infinite universe at the same time. In the background is the Planetarium of the Eying Science Center where millions of stars beyond the Earth are seen. However, in the foreground is a lovely daffodil. 

"Astronomers have attempted to count the number of stars in the universe. One group of scientists estimates that the number of stars within range of our telescopes is 10 times greater than all the grains of sand on the world’s beaches and deserts.⁴

Given the vastness of God’s creations, it’s no wonder the great King Benjamin counseled his people to “always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness.”⁶ But even though man is nothing, it fills me with wonder and awe to think that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”⁷

And while we may look at the vast expanse of the universe and say, “What is man in comparison to the glory of creation?” God Himself said we are the reason He created the universe! His work and glory—the purpose for this magnificent universe—is to save and exalt mankind.⁸ In other words, the vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me. Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters.

This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God. While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast. We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation—worlds without end—within our grasp. And it is God’s great desire to help us reach it." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "You Matter to Him" October 2011 General Conf.

 As surely as the Lord cares for each tiny daffodil, the Lord will protect and watch over us.

The Lord loves each one of us and will not leave us alone.

Expand Your Mind

Since the challenge for 52 Clicks this week is "Expand Your Mind," I thought it would be appropriate to feature the very competitive Neuroscience program at my university...

The department office

What a creative way to publish your research - the words actually have to do with the subject

Wow. I was not aware of the Brain Awareness week - and it's coming up - I'll have to check it out!

It would be cool to pick apart a Cambridge Professor's Brain...


Or to go to England ...


Or to go to Europe...

Or just to go on any type of study abroad would be cool - so that's a great way for me to "Expand My Mind" - by viewing other cultures, other teaching methods in other cultures, how we interact with other cultures, and what the world is really like...

White

The White of the Mountains...

The White of the Snow...

 A White out at the Basketball Game ... Go Cougars!

True Love

Around Valentines Day, many people like to claim that they have found "true love"? But can this really be?

Yum

Ultimate Brownie and Smores Cupcakes

 Secret Family Recipe Cupcakes

PERSPECTIVE

First, to demonstrate a picture of perspective, I would have gone to climb Y mountain, because whenever I look out from Y Mountain and see how little everything in my world that seems to be so difficult and overwhelming appears to be, I am filled with perspective. However, it's pretty cold and snowy now, so as much as I love hiking, it didn't sound too appealing. So I settled on a picture of the mountains from farther away.

Okay, I have to admit, while I was waiting for the inversion to clear, I took alot of pictures of the moutains, just because I think they are SO pretty! This is one of my favorite spots - seeing the mountains in reflection...

However, when I am truly seeking peace and hope, this is where I go:

And I gain an "eternal" perspective here.

 

From Small Things to Great Things ...

See these little rocks?

Yep. Not much. But look - they came from these big rocks:

And Queen of the Rock:

 

Thus, we see that:

By Small and Simple things are great things brought to pass!