Tuesday, August 28, 2018

I know what to do

50mm, 1/200, f2.2 ISO 250

The thoughts rolling through my head-
I want them to lift me,
point me to my goals,
feel my successes,
and have a vision greater than today.

Instead, they are-
shielding me,
protecting me,
keeping me safe.

But safe is boring.
Being unseen is diminishing.
I am ready for more.
Ready for...

"I can"
"I know what to do"
"life is amazing"
"I have beautiful things to offer the world."

I know what to do.

Friday, August 17, 2018

the exit interview

iso400 35mm f2.8 1/160

It was the last day of my mission in the Argentina Rosario Mission.  I sat across the desk from my mission president, Jorge Ventura.  He asked me a question in spanish- "do you know how to find a husband?"  I wasn't sure what he meant or how to respond.  He filled the silence with profound wisdom that I will always be grateful for-

"Hermana Miller, tiene que casarse con alguien que no tiene miedo de trabajar y no tiene miedo de sacrificarse."
Translated: "Sister Miller...marry someone who isn't afraid to work and isn't afraid to sacrifice."

If you know Danny at all, you know that I followed that advice very carefully.  I am so grateful that my girls have him to learn from.  They see him work long days and come home with a smile on his face.  They see him frequently offer to help neighbors and friends.  They see him care of rental property that we have worked hard to obtain.  They have been given the privilege to work there.  They like the money they can earn...but what is even more valuable is the lessons of work and sacrifice they are learning by being at his side.

I will always be grateful for my mission, but especially that wisdom I received on my last day in Argentina.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

3 days left


There are only three days left of school-
Kate will do about anything to avoid writing her last English essay of the 8th grade.

Friday, February 2, 2018

CREATE > CONSUME


Photo taken on March 31, 2017.  Danny and I (with Michel + Jimmy) rose early our first morning in Hawaii to watch the sunrise over the ocean.  On our way back to the house (oh how I long to be there every morning!) I caught my shadow as I approached the lawn. Rising early to capture the sunrise over the ocean is one of my favorite examples of living the concept I learned yesterday.

I LOVE the podcast BOLD NEW MOM by Jody Moore.  (I can't find the episode on her blog right now.  It may be the very newest that was posted yesterday and not on the blog yet.)  Today she taught the concept of CREATE MORE THAN YOU CONSUME.  It was EXACTLY what I needed and what I have been praying to understand.  As a stay at home mom with 3 children in 10th, 8th and 5th grades I have a lot of time on my hands.  Time that goes quickly to be sure, but time that is really flexible to fill however I choose.  I have felt really unsettled the last few years...really unsatisfied truly.  I have this desire to be more...produce more...give more...

The concept of CREATE > CONSUME pierced me!  Many of my days are filled with approximately  80% as CONSUMER and 20% as CREATOR.

Some of my CONSUMER choices:

social media: especially IG.  I check IG ALL DAY LONG.  Most of the people I follow are people I know personally.  I check in on them over and over and over.  Photo posting then stories, then look by again in case I missed anything.  Then I head to "explore" anything there...  Facebook.  Honestly.  I hate FB.  I love people that I know on there which has been a great excuse to check in...but I really don't like how I feel when I visit.

audible...LOVE
podcasts...LOVE
shopping...LOVE
eating...LOVE

reading, Netflix, listening to music, magazines, YouTube (brilliant!), TedTalks (YES!), blog reading, NEW (love/hate), movies, TV.

Jody explains...and I am in complete agreement that none of these things are bad.  The trick is to make sure that we CREATE more than we CONSUME.

Some CREATE choices that I love (and don't do enough of):

write, play, art, cook, serve, walk, yoga, bike, swim, travel, photography, hugs, budget, FHE, calligraphy, yard work, cleaning, piano, guitar, blog....

I have a new plan.  I am done living under a rock of consumerism.  Why have I been afraid to be me...to live...to grow?  I am not sure but I am ready to live!




Tuesday, November 17, 2015

final post

This will be my last post to this blog.
I have loved having a blog open to the public.  I have "met" friends I would never have met otherwise.  Keeping this blog public, I sacrificed details that are important to us, but that I didn't feel comfortable sharing with those I don't know.  If we know each other and you would know many of those things (names of schools, teachers, activities) because we are friends, I would be happy to invite you to my new blog.  Thank you so much for taking the time to ever stop by here.  A part of me will truly miss having a bit of our lives open to meet new friends.  I would love to see you on Instagram!  Find me @ carindavis

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

not looking for applause


"If your intentions are to impress people or to get the big applause at the end then you are taking, not giving." -Teitur 
(found here)

To remember to share myself with the intent to give, letting go of what I will receive...that is true magic.  I have been a guitar student off and on (much more off that on unfortunately) for almost 20 years.  When I watched this TedTalk yesterday, my mind went, although this is true for almost any aspect of learning and interest, straight to guitar performances.  I only performed for my family, teachers and recitals.  I immediately felt a difference when other people were in the room (especially teachers and recitals).  My fingers fumbled, my voice weakened and quivered.  That was a large reason that I gave up learning with a teacher.  How limiting to allow a misguided motive change the direction of an opportunity to grow. 

Yesterday in Ellie's guitar lesson I saw the same struggle in her, although to a lesser degree.  I decided that I would make a better effort to play with her as she practices.  We had our first session yesterday. I held her back in a few ways, but in more important ways, we kept each other with a focus of sharing and giving.  Our minds didn't go near any intention to impress.  There was joy in learning for me, and truly if I can focus on a motive to give in all aspects of my life- the work in practice will be so much sweeter.




Friday, October 9, 2015

she still asks me to do her hair



She still asks me to do her hair in the morning and frequently seeks my advice on what she should wear.  She grabs my hand when we walk and tells me a play by play everyday of her time at school.  She leaves a bit of chaos in any room she enters.  Something tells me when she is grown that I will miss that chaos as much as that daily play by play.

Monday, September 21, 2015

plant a tree


“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb

When we were at Sundance for Labor Day, Papa pointed out several trees that were growing on the property in difficult places.  He grabbed pots so that we could replant them at home.  Danny planted them tonight and gave us a Family Home Evening lesson deciding who we want to be and what we want to do...and starting NOW.  

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Sunday



Ellie was asked to give a talk in church and she wasn't excited.  Not even a little bit excited.  Her topic was THE SACRAMENT.  They have had workshops in our congregation to improve talks and presentations.  One aspect in public speaking that has been emphasized is sharing relatable personal experiences.  That seemed a bit tough given her topic but she (really "we") pulled it together.  


When I was 9 years old my Grandma Davis passed away.  She loved movies, dolls, going out to eat and giving gifts.  Christmas was her favorite time of year.  She died a week before Christmas.  I learned some lessons at this time that are special to me.  

First; Life on earth is fragile and will not last forever

Second; Celebrating & reflecting on her life brings comfort to mine

Third; Feeling gratitude for all that she has done for me helps me to be a better person

If those things are true, and they are, for my Great Grandma, they are surely true for my Savior and the Savior of the world.  

The Sacrament, like my grandma’s funeral, is a time of reflecting, remembering and recommitting.  At my Great Grandmas funeral, it was a reverent peaceful environment. I played guitar and sang with my sisters and cousins.  I spent our time there thinking of her and her life.  If we approach the sacrament in this same way, we will benefit from its blessings.

Elder Holland taught “…every ordinance of the gospel focuses in one way or another on the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, and surely that is why this particular ordinance with all its symbolism and imagery comes to us more readily and more repeatedly than any other in our life. It comes in what has been called “the most sacred, the most holy, of all the meetings of the Church.  Perhaps we do not always attach that kind of meaning to our weekly sacramental service.”
  

Then he asked:  How “sacred” and how “holy” [is our worship?]”  

I know that I can make the sacrament more sacred and holy in my life.  I can take this ordinance more seriously, spend time reflecting & repenting.  I am promising to remember Him.  I can do better.

Elder Holland speaking of the night of the Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane shared this,

“One request Christ made of his disciples on that night of deep anguish and grief was that they stand by him, stay with him in his hour of sorrow and pain. “Could ye not watch with me one hour?” he asked longingly (Matt. 26:40). I think he asks that again of us, every Sabbath day when the emblems of his life are broken and blessed and passed.
'How great the wisdom and the love
That filled the courts on high
And sent the Savior from above
To suffer, bleed, and die!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!'”


After church I congratulated her on talking clearly, looking up from her notes and speaking confidently.  "Mom, I was shaking so much I spilled the sacrament water all over me.  I felt so sick. I didn't stop shaking until it was over!"  Even though we wrote the talk together, she made it hers.  She is surely glad it is over.  Hopefully each time it will get easier and easier.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

sleeping beauty


It is 10:37 am and this sleeping beauty is still asleep.
It is going to get a bit ugly around here in a few days at 6:30 am.