Music is my Therapy

Song:  The Holly and the Ivy Artist: King College Cambridge  MERRY WEEK OF CHRISTMAS ! ! 🎄🎅🌟 Wow. Christmas will be here so soon! I'm out of time...I have only so many days to wear so many Christmas sweaters, finish watching all the Christmas movies, listening to Christmas music, etc. It's a little stressful but I've also been happy with what I've done so far, so I'm going to calm down. And allow these next three days to just be. Live in the moment. Don't stress and rush so much. My shopping is done. Neighbor and friend gifts have been given. It's time to just... be. Let myself relax a little and take in the season. Today was the Christmas service at church. It was nice although I didn't love the remarks of the last speaker, it felt a little condemning and then they just threw in Jesus; I don't know, it was weird. Not exactly the "Christmasy" message I was hoping for. But that doesn't matter. The music was beautiful and I got chok...

Song: Emmanuel God With Us Artist: Chris Tomlin & Anne Wilson I love a good worship song! 🙌🙏 Go tell it on the mountain The one that we've been waiting for The King of our salvation Born on this day, our savior Christ the Lord Go tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere That we can be forgiven The weight of all our sin He came to bear Emmanuel, God with us, Emmanuel, King Jesus The Savior of the world is born Emmanuel, God with us, Emmanuel, King Jesus The Savior of the world is born Go tell it on the mountain Humbly in a manger lay Mercy sent from Heaven The angels fill the sky with highest praise Emmanuel, God with us, Emmanuel, King Jesus The Savior of the world is born Emmanuel, God with us, Emmanuel, King Jesus The Savior of the world is born Go tell it on the mountain This baby born of virgin birth The ruler of all nations The Glory of our God has come to earth Emmanuel, God with us, Emmanuel, King Jesus The Savior of the world is born Emmanuel, God with ...

Song: He Prepares A Way Artist: Angie Killian & Blake Gillette As always....I'm in need of a re-set. And Sundays always feel like a good day to do so. Heard this song performed at church today. It was beautiful. I need to get back to the basics. I need to read my scriptures and put more time and thought into my prayers. I need to exercise faith and follow the example of Jesus Christ and keep the covenants I have made with Him more fully and honestly. I need to trust in His word and promises. He led Lehi and Sariah  To the promised land He gave light to Jared’s brother With His outstretched hand He heard and answered Enos Shielded Samuel on the wall Freed Amulek and Alma When He made their prison fall He prepares a way When we follow Him I’ll walk with faith And trust His light within My star in the sky My compass, my guide He prepares a way For me He gave power and protection To Abinadi Nurtured Helaman’s two-thousand At their mothers’ side He lifted Alma’s burdens Aided Abish...

Song: Hard Fought Hallelujah  Artist: Brandon Lake I'm not feeling super inspired musically at the moment. Perhaps it's due to the fact that I'm starving after a long day of work (long, but really good day 🙏), or the fact that I'm still experiencing major withdrawals from my Hanson concerts 😭 Why do they have to be so good?? Like, it would help if they were not just as good live (if better) or maybe didn't have the most perfect setlists, covers, voices and gave it their ALL every single time that your left with a permanent grin on your face, floating on a cloud in a state of utter euphoria...that might help 😉 I guess I'll settle with the fact that my favorite band is actually the very BEST so I'm just going to have to deal until the next time I get to see them live (or at least hear them perform via livestream....🎄🙏🤞). This song popped up on my youtube feed the other day (how many times have I referenced finding songs via youtube?? I guess I spen...

Song: Dive Artist: Steven Curtis Chapman It's re-set Sunday!  I'm trying to re-commit myself more fully to Christ. I want to be all in! I truly believe it will change my life if I choose Him over everything else. I heard this song on an Instagram reel recently and a wave of nostalgia rushed over me...and I don't even remember how I know the song! 😂 But it's a jam (if a bit dated and cheesy 😉😆) and I love it! Feel good, poppy sounding music with a message focused on Jesus, it's perfect! 💖 The long awaited rains Have fallen hard upon the thirsty ground And carved their way to where The wild and rushing river can be found And like the rains I have been carried here to where the river flows, yeah My heart is racing and my knees are weak as I walk to the edge I know there is no turning back once my feet have left the ledge And in the rush I hear a voice That's telling me it's time to take the leap of faith So here I go I'm diving in I'm going deep In...

Song: We Don't Talk About Bruno Artist: From, Disney's Encanto Had to keep things lighter today because of the Sabbath and this beautiful Conference weekend. I love our Latter-Day Prophet President Russell M. Nelson. 💗 At 100 (!) years old he is still so sharp, eloquent and well spoken. Truly the sweetest, most humble, faithful man. I enjoyed getting to hear from him today; his words filled my heart with peace and the desire to do and be better. To remember my Savior daily and re-commit my life to him through my thoughts, words and actions. This song has already become a Disney classic! My family of all adults (besides my nieces and nephew) love this song and movie! I kid you not, there have been times where there have been no children present on a road trip and we are jammin' to this song! 😂 What can I say? We're nerds! Disney is for everyone... the young and the young at heart 💚 And the song totally fits in on this Halloween playlist...Bruno has a very mysterious...

Song: Processional: O Come, O Come Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square & Orchestra I listened to this song as I was getting ready for church today. I really enjoyed it. It is beautiful, moving, spiritual and triumphant! Full of joy in praises or our Lord and King, Savior and Redeemer. I had a good time at church (even if I still only attended sacrament meeting) and am glad I went. I had a difficult weekend, wrestling with feelings of guilt and shame, anger and hostility. But I'm ready to leave all of that behind and move forward this new week in the spirit of Christmas. 🙏🌟  MERRY CHRIST - MAS ! !

Song: Glory (Let There Be Peace) Artist: Matt Maher I'm having some serious dejavu to  exactly one year ago today . This is weirdly uncanny. And sad that I'm still struggling with the same things I was a year ago...I'll spare you the details of my difficult morning. Just know, I made some bad choices and was left with the inevitable feelings of guilt and regret that always comes when willingly giving in to temptations.  I felt very hopeless today. I felt numb, like I knew what I was doing was wrong but I didn't care. I tried to repent, but didn't really feel sorry and that upset me while at the same time left me feeling... nothing. I'm so sick and tired of my life. I really don't see much of a future for myself. I allowed myself to get caught up in self-pity. I knew I needed to try and feel the Christmas spirit so I read a small book I recently received entitled The Generous One by President Dieter F. Uchtodorf. It was exactly what I needed and his ending ...

Song: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Artist: Matt Maher  Matt Maher is BACK! 😁🎉 And his super fun arrangement of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing is awesome!! I love it! This song in general has become a favorite of mine over the years. I love the joyfulness of the lyrics in praise, worship and gratitude for the life of the Savior. I know of several different versions of this song with slightly different verses and I love them all! Every time I sing it, I have a big grin on my face because it's full of so much JOY!! At least for me it is!! Hark, the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem Hark, the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King Christ by highest heaven adored Christ, the everlasting Lord Late in time, behold Him come Offspring of a Virgin's womb Veiled in flesh the Godhead see Hail the ...

Song: O Come, All You Un faithful Artist: Sovereign Grace Music My sister sent this song into a family group chat. The lyrics speak directly to me, especially since I'm feeling unfaithful and unworthy right now. I allowed my fear, pride and shame to win out once again and skipped going to my church services today. This is the best time of year to go to church and I missed it. I also had some...disturbing dreams last night. The reason they were so disturbing isn't because they were scary nightmares, it was because they felt real. They dealt with actual things I've been struggling with that make me feel very guilty and ashamed. It almost felt like, as I was dreaming, I was also half awake and willingly having those thoughts. I don't know how to explain it but it made me feel gross and also....numb. Like, here I am again, struggling with these same sins and guilt. I'm so used to it at this point I have a hard time feeling just about anything at all. It's hard fo...

Song: Gratitude Artist: Brandon Lake 🙏🙏🙏 I don't have much to say besides... I'M GRATEFUL. Grateful for my family and our health, safety and LOVE. Grateful for peace and security. I'm trying not to get too depressed and sad that another Thanksgiving has come and gone. Another year of stress cooking for two days straight (😅) and then eating all our hard work within minutes. Watching the Macey's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Puzzleing. Watching Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. It's all come and gone in a blink of an eye. It won't happen again for a year. And who knows where we'll be then. If there will be more additions to the family. More family missing and unable to be with us. I hate change. I'm grateful I had this day with so many of my family and loved ones present. This song is most appropriate for this day of love, thanksgiving and GRATITUDE!! 😌🙏 Above all, I'm grateful each and every day for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Atoning sac...

Song(s): He Is Risen &  This Is the Christ Artist(s): Nashville Tribute Band & Calee Reed Easter Sunday, He Is Risen Read and Ponder: Matthew 28 , Mark 16 , Luke 24 , John 20 , 1 Corinthians 15:20–22 , 3 Nephi 11 First Presidency Easter Message What feelings do you experience when you think about Jesus Christ’s Resurrection? - Gratitude. Peace. Joy! After having lost so many dear ones within the past two years, and knowing this will continue throughout my life, it makes me ponder upon the miracle and JOY of the Resurrection more deeply! I am so grateful that Christ "took upon Him death, that He might loose the bands of death." That I will see and live with my loved ones again someday. "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" ( 1 Corinthians 15:55 ).  "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." ( John 20: 31 ). Because of Jesus Christ, I have new life. Because of Jesus Ch...

Song: Because He Lives (Amen) Artist: Matt Maher The Tomb Read and Ponder: John 14:15–16, 26–27 , Matthew 27:55–61 , D&C 138 When has Jesus helped you find comfort during difficult times? - When I lost my sweet dog. When I lost both my grandparents. When I was afraid of doing something I knew I couldn't handle and He provided another way for me to get through it. When my siblings left on missions. He comforts me all of the time, whether I recognize it or not. It can be in the form of a great song, the sun shining, getting a good nights rest, having a good conversation or just feeling content. He truly gives me strength when I feel I have nothing left. I am trying to acknowledge that more fully and thank Him for it more regularly.   Additional songs for this sacred Easter Weekend. Wide Awake This song doesn't necessarily correlate with a specific verse of scripture but I think it is so beautiful. It's from the perspective of Peter after Christ's death. I'm sur...

Song: Lord, I Need You Artist: Matt Maher Good Friday, The Crucifixion Read and Ponder: Matthew 27:1-61 Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of forgiveness. How can you be more forgiving of yourself and the other people in your life? - Wow. This is a loaded question. The best way to find the courage and strength to forgive someone who has wronged me is to remember the teachings of the Savior when He commanded us to forgive our enemies. "Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin... I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men."  ( D&C 64:9-10 ). It's a hard thing to do, but knowing I want to follow Him makes it a little easier, knowing that all the injustice and unfairness of this life will be swallowed up in His mercy and be made right. Forgiving myself ...for some r...

Song: Son of Suffering Artist: Bethel Music & David Funk feat. Matt Redman His Sacrifice Begins Read and Ponder: Matthew 26 , Luke 22:14–20, 39-54 Jesus instituted the sacrament so we would always remember Him and His sacrifice. How can you honor and remember Him daily? - By keeping Him in my thoughts and allowing His influence and exemplary life guide and direct my thoughts and actions. To live in such a way that would please him. To begin each day and end each night with prayer. To focus on gratitude and acknowledging His tender love, guidance and goodness in my life each and every day. To worthily partake of the sacrament each week, with a repentant and humble heart. To make the sacrament a priority in my life. My song choice for today, this Holy Thursday that commemorates the suffering of the Savior in the garden of Gethsemane, is a true worship song in praise of Christ and His atoning sacrifice on my behalf. I will never fully comprehend what He alone had to endure in that s...

Song: Run to the Father Artist: Matt Maher  The Greatest Commandments & Continued Teaching Read & Ponder: John 15:9–12 , Matthew 24 - 25   How does your love of God help you to love and serve other people? - By remembering this scripture: "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." ( Mosiah 2:17 ). By remembering that Christ commands us to love and serve others, since when we do, we are really serving Him ( Matthew 25:31-46 ). Because I want to treat people the way I would want to be treated by others. And by the way I want people to treat (and help) my family and loved ones when they are in need. Serving others brings me closer to God and my Savior, which is somewhere I want to be. This song has been on repeat in my mind for days! I love it so much. The message is where I'm currently at. I need the constant, loving, guiding influence of my Savior and Father every second of every day. Especially now. I feel so sad...