Sister

Lord Byron’s poem struck me as pretty silly the first time I read through it. I thought, “What love sick sap wrote this? It was not until I saw my sister as a bride that I fully understood what was intended by his words. On that day you could see the eternal nature of her soul in her radiant countenance.

I created jewelry for my sister using mother of pearl, with red marble and gold for accent. She strives to follow Christ’s example. Pure white mother of pearl exemplified this desire of her heart. It also includes an allusion to her motherhood. Red marble teardrops reminded me that all the good in life comes through the power of the atonement. Gold places in my mind’s eye a visual of seeds that will one day grow into a queenly crown. The spirit of this poem will always remind me of the eternal beauty and nature of the family: Epitomized in my mind when seeing my sister, a profoundly happy eternal bride. I tried to create jewelry that would convey the same spirit.

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes:

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every golden tress,

Or softly lightens o'er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express

How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!

Culture

I find myself in an interesting situation. I have been out of work for ten months. My favorite pass time is to lie in bed thanking my Father in Heaven for all the blessings I have in my life. I start with my blankets and progress outward… Expressing gratitude for a spoon, dirty dishes, ants that eat my oranges, friends. I can’t describe the peace that fills my soul for which I am most truly grateful. The love of God is so real to me, it is my bread. I fill my time with daily activities that allow me to listen to prophets new and old, the back ground music in the culture of God.

I hear the words of the prophets in my car, when I work out, doing my dishes, cooking my meals. I am completely submerged in the word of God trying to swim to the bottom of His eternal ocean. I have to find out what is at the bottom. Spontaneous deeds of kindness abound in the ocean of God’s word creating so many good friendships. I love the temple, attending the temple lets me know God will change the world for me, by changing me. God is so much better at fixing lives than I am. Somehow I know that as I continue to do the work of the Lord Jesus Christ all my true needs and wants will be given to me. I think that is how faith works.

I will have a good job soon. I will be married soon. I will be in school soon. I will have children soon. Because: these are now the true desires of my heart as they have only been what I knew I should be pursuing. I actively work toward these things but always, always, I will be submersed in the culture of my God. God’s culture is eternal culture, the way, the truth, and the life, freedom to do and be, hope for a better world. The culture of love; death, fear, contention have no power. He said it is enough, it is finished. He has taught me how to love. I may now enter into the rest of the lord for the remainder of my life and beyond. Will I accept His invitation? Yes.