March Challenge: Day 27

Hey everyone!  I'm sorry Mica and I haven't been posting!  This month has been crazy busy for both of us!
So, my wonderful little sister Gracie has made a blog of her own!  She is posting her story from her point of view, and is going to write about many other things involving Type One Diabetes!  You should definitely check out her blog here!
Well, I decided that today my post would be on music.  Music is most definitely inspirational!  People of all ages listen to music, and it can greatly influence their behaviors and emotions.  A lesson I have learned is to listen to the kind of music that puts you in the mood you want to be in.  Let me explain.  For example, I am sometimes feeling sad and down in the dumps.  (Haven't we all felt that way?)  When I am feeling like this, I have a tendency to listen to slower and more sad songs.  However, instead oh helping me feel happy, these songs encourage my sad feelings and help them stay, and even at times increase.  Throughout this month, I have noticed this principle a lot.  Because of this idea, I have decided to listen to happy music constantly when I am feeling down.  It had helped a lot!  Instead of skipping the upbeat and uplifting songs on my iPod, I listen and seek them out.  It has certainly helped my moods improve!
Another big thing for me is playing music.  I play the ukulele, and playing it even more when I am sad or stressed helps me to feel more peaceful.  For those of you who do not play an instrument, that's okay!  Listening to music is just as good!
This post is kind of random, but I just thought I would share my opinion on music with you!  I love music, and when used in a good way, it can be very encouraging and uplifting!  ~Sky

March challenge: day 25

Okay well as you can probably tell month 2 didn't go as well, but the month isn't over and i hope we can retrun back to normal, which probably won't happen with everything that is going on....well let's see what has happened Ed recently...my sister got engaged! That was in Feburary did I already share that? Well it's still exciting I'll share it again. Okay so the other day my seminary teacher was talking and he said something that really stuck..."God doesn't expect us to be perfect, but he expects us to try our best" this is a simple saying that sounds like tons of others, but this one stuck with me! I know that God loves each and everyone of us and that he knows we will make mistakes, that why he dies for us so that we can repent. I challenge you to try your best!

March Challenge: Day 16

My mother inspired me today.  I went to a tennis meeting with her, and it was there that she met an old tennis friend of hers, who also happens to be the mother of one of my best friends.  They sat at a table together with my other best friend's mom and chatted and laughed.  My two best friends looked over and saw them talking, and it made us laugh because we were looking at the adult versions of ourselves.  I found that moment today to actually be extremely inspiring.  It was odd to me to think that our parents had been our age, and had laughed and acted silly and enjoyed time together just as my best friends and I were.  It put a smile on my face to see how, after all that they have done, they are still good friends who enjoy each others company.  I hope that my best friends and I will one day be able to come together and laugh and talk, and be an example to our children on how life can be a wonderful thing if you work hard, and enjoy every moment.  These wonderful women/mothers have done an amazing job of showing me and my friends how mothers should be.  Thank you to all of the fantastic mothers out there!  ~ Sky

March Challenge: Day 15

Okay, so I know our theme is on inspiration, but I felt I should instead write about my family's recent endeavor with type 1 diabetes.  I've already posted about what is was like on the first night, and how terrible it was.  However, as I am reflecting back on these past weeks, I can see blessing after blessing scattered throughout each day.
  When Gracie, my little sister, was extremely sick that first night, I was praying nonstop.  My prayers went something along the lines of, "Help her to be safe.  Help her to recover quickly.  Help her gain back her health and strength."  As I began to realize how critical her condition really was, my prayers sounded more like, "Please don't take her from me.  Please don't let me lose her."  These turned into, "Why her?  Why not me instead?   Let this happen to me, not her."  I stood in her room crying and praying, wondering what was going to happen.  I was angry and sad and confused, and I felt lost.
  My older sister  came into her room and walked me out to the couch, and we sat together, me crying on her shoulder and her comforting me.  My brother came home from a friend's house, and we all at together and talked.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family, and to have such wonderful siblings who are always there for me and one another in times of need.
  The first few days while my parents and Gracie were away at a hospital were very hard for me.  I was constantly worrying about her.  I stayed up late and slept terribly.  I had to leave class once because I started crying.  I had a lot of homework, and I felt completely overwhelmed.  But as the week went on, I became great friends with  guy at my church.  He has helped a ton through it all, and he can always find a positive side of things.  I also grew closer to my friends at my school.  They were always by my side, and if they saw me start to get distant, they would find a way to make me smile.  I have gained friends and strengthened my friendships during this difficult time, and that has been a huge blessing to me.
  During the week, each of us received calls, loaves of bread, and lots of hugs.  All sorts of families came to us to give comfort and support.  It has been such a blessing to get to know these families more, and to see how much people care.
  When my parents and sister came home, I was ecstatic.  I was so glad to be able to see them again.  I'm so grateful that Gracie is home again.  We have grown so much closer in the time she has been back.  I have also grown closer to my wonderful loving parents who have been doing everything they can to make Gracie as happy as possible.
  I have seen so many blessings throughout this time, and in a strange way, I am grateful for this experience.  I'm not saying I find joy in the fact that Gracie has type 1 diabetes, but I am grateful for the blessings I have seen come out of this.  I know it will be hard at some points, but I know that the Lord will be there with me and my family every step of the way.  He has been this whole time, I just needed to take a step back and look at everything from a different perspective.  I love God, and I know that he loves me.  I am forever grateful for all He has done for me.  ~Sky

March Challenge: Day 12

In the Webster's dictionary, it says that one of the definitions of inspiration is "to motivate as by divine influence."  It says the definition can also be, "to arouse a thought or feeling in someone."  Lately, I have been thinking about inspiration, and the people who inspire me.  I have great friends that are constantly inspiring me, and I have great adults at my school who inspire me.  One of these adults is my fantastic English teacher.  If I ever become a teacher, I want to be just like her.  She is one of the most selfless people I have ever met.  She is constantly doing everything she can to help students reach their full potential.  She shares stories of struggles she has had, and how she has overcome them.  She is constantly teaching us important life lessons.  I find it so easy to relate to her because of her behavior, and the lessons she shares.  My English teacher is a woman that could be described as motherly because she cares about everyone she meets.  I am so grateful for everything she has taught me.  She is a truly inspiring woman.  So, thank you my amazing English teacher for being so inspiring.  :)  ~Sky

March Challenge: Day 11

Oh my goodness I am so sorry!  I have not posted in days!  I have been so very busy!  I made my varsity tennis team, my little sister went back to school today, and I have had a lot of homework!  Anyway, my inspiration is a quote from my seminary teacher today.  He shared a quote with us that his brother actually posted on his blog.  It is, "Be the kind of person your mother thinks you are."  At least I'm pretty sure that's how it goes. :)  In my class, some people laughed and asked, "What if your mother thinks you're a bad person?"  However, that is not the point of this.  The point is to be your best self.  I don't know about you, but my mother wants the best for me, and I know she loves me.  She respects me, and is one of my best friends.  I hope I can make her proud with the person I am becoming.  I'm so grateful for my wonderful loving family, and the expectations they have for me.  They help me to strive to exceed my goals, and to be my best self.  They are so inspiring to me.  I love them so much.  ~Sky

March Challenge: day 10

I feel so bad that I haven't posted recently... Things have been really crazy! I have to go to bed so I'm just going to remind whoever is reading this, that you are loved! You are important, God knows who you are, and he is always there to listen to you, and so are sky and I! Love you guys! Good night!

March Challenge: Day 7

Hello everybody!  Sorry I haven't posted in a few days.  As you know, I have been very busy.  My little sister and my parents came back from the hospital yesterday!  My little sister has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and has learned a lot about it!  Over these past two days, I have learned a lot about carbohydrates and insulin and beta cells in the pancreas.  It's been a lot to take in.  Throughout this whole experience, I have had the opportunity to have my eyes opened to how good people can be.  During this week, my family and I have received calls, texts, hugs, and food. Gracie has received three bouquets of flowers and five stuffed animals.  We are truly blessed.  Our family has so many friends that have been there for us the whole time, and I am so so so grateful for everything they have done.  It's amazing.  Thank you so much to everyone who has been there for us!  ~Sky

March Challenge: Day 4

So today I had the opportunity to preform in front of the whole school. Anyone that knows me knows that I hate preforming in front of people and that I get really nervous. I don't mean like oh little butterflies, I mean like shaking so bad it looks like I'm having a seizure, and my stomach aches until I think I am going to throw up, kinda of nervous. It's bad. I was freaking out yesterday, because I didn't want to end up getting nervous and not be able to dance. I decided to say a prayer and ask God to help me out and to not get nervous. It worked! Today I wasn't nervous at all, but instead I was excited! I was able to go and preform my dance routine with the rest of my swing club! And we all did great! I didn't fall or get laughed at, and I had fun! I know that God hears our prayers, and answers them and that he is always with us no matter what! God loves you! ~mica

March Challenge: Day 4

Well, my little sister is doing way better!  Her blood sugar and CO2 levels are back to normal.  She's acting like her old self.  Today and always, she is my inspiration.  She has not complained once through this whole process, and has been very grateful to all of the doctors.  She is wise beyond her years, and I hope I can grow up to be just like her!  I love her with all my heart, and I can't express how grateful I am to have her in my life.  This is a short post because my week has been super busy and I'm really tired, but I thought I should give an update on her condition.  Thanks again to everyone who has helped and supported us! ~Sky

March Challenge: Day 3

Sorry I missed blogging yesterday!  Yesterday was an extremely stressful day.  It was the first day of the tennis season, which went great, and my little sister became extremely sick.  She was sleeping for most of the day on Sunday, and she didn't have a lot of energy.  She threw up a few times early in the morning yesterday, so we assumed she had the flu and we kept her home from school.  She got a fever and she was extremely pale and skinny.  I had to watch her for about an hour and a half after school yesterday, during which she was barely coherent and didn't have the strength to shift around on the couch.  Her knees were purple, and she was breathing as if she had just worked out.  Thankfully, our neighbor is a doctor, and my dad asked if he could come over and help give her a blessing, and then evaluate what we should do about her.  He came over, and together they gave her a blessing of healing.  (Our neighbor is LDS too).  After that, he looked her over and told my mother and father that she needed to be taken to a hospital.  They took her, and discovered that her blood sugar was 620 over what is is supposed to be.  They flew her to a hospital elsewhere, where she is with my parents recovering.  She has diabetes.  None of us know about diabetes, so my parents are with her at the hospital learning about it and what we will have to do.  She is doing better now, but it will definitely be a life changer.
Throughout this stressful time, I have had comfort from my wonderful friends.  One friend in particular has helped me so much during this time.  He's listened to all of my rants and has been so comforting.  I saw a message from him this morning telling me that he had prayed for me, and had felt prompted to share these scriptures with me: Proverbs 3: 5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."  This scripture had the exact words that I needed to hear, and the Lord knew that.  I'm so grateful to my friend for sharing it with me.  He has been such a blessing to me.  I'm also extremely grateful for today's technology, and how it was able to help my sister.  I'm grateful for scriptures, and I have a sure knowledge that God answers everyone's prayers.  He has most certainly answered mine.
Thank you so much everyone who has been so supportive of me and my family through this!  I hope this wasn't too long for you guys to read.  Thank you friends and family and everyone else!  You guys are amazing. ~ Sky

March Challenge: Day 2

Today was the first day of the tennis season! I had so much fun playing along side my friends! Although I have never played tennis before a couple of my fiends are very good at the sport. It was inspiring at how much effort they put in. I loved watching their determined faces and the enjoyment they found in the game! I am very glad that I have such great friends! Also please pray for Sky's sister Gracie she is very sick right now, and could use your prayers! ~mica 

March Challenge: Day 1

I am inspired by my sister. My sister Sarah has Down syndrome. She is so nice and always brings a smile to your face. I can't imagine what it must be like to have down syndrome but I know it must be hard! My sister is constantly being made fun of and it is hard for her to be able to express what she is thinking or feeling. Though she has her trials she has a strong testimony. Sarah has had the oppurtunity to go through the LDS temple and attends 1 or more times a week. Every fast Sunday she gets up and bears her testimony. I am so glad that Sarah is my sister. She has had such and influence in my life and I have no idea what I would do without her!

March Challenge: New Theme

Yay! Me and sky have had our blog for a month! And now it's a new month! Since its a new month we are also going to be starting a new theme. Sky and I chose that each day in March we are going to either share our testimonies about Jesus Christ, or what inspires us. We both hope that through this month we will be able to strengthen our own testimonies and hopefully yours too! We hope that you guys are and will continue to enjoy our blog! Thank you so much for reading our posts! 

March Challenge: Day 1

Hey everyone!  Our February challenge went very well, and Mica has now come up with our theme for March.  Our March challenge is to post about something or someone inspiring!  My post for today is about my mother.  My mother is Superwoman.  She is extremely talented in everything she does, and she sacrifices so much of her time for every one of her kids.  She is kind and smart and beautiful, and she is as close to perfect as anyone can get!  She is my mother and my friend.  She is wise and loving, and she always tries her best.  I'm so thankful for her and the motherly example she sets for me.  She is amazing.  So, thank you mom for your inspiring example of how to be a loving mother.  I couldn't ask for anyone better.  ~Sky