an award.

My sweet on line friend Yvonne gave me an award a couple days ago. Thank you. It's always nice to know that someone likes you :)




I love the beautiful picture on this. The symbol of light is widely used and always uplifting to me. It brings me a feeling of peace. I remember hearing a talk by Elder Holland many years ago. He came to speak at our stake and was wonderful. One of the things he talked about was his friend Eli Wiesel. At that time I hadn't heard of him and he told his story of being in a German concentration camp and losing his family and the horrible conditions that they lived in. As Elder Holland recounted Eli Wiesel's story he talked about the long dark, cold, bitter nights that were filled with despair and agony. And how he would pray to his God to sustain him and how miraculously each morning the sun would rise and bring a new day and a new hope. Eventually he survived the ordeal and went on to live a life that was rich and faithful and good.

I went home and read "Night" and "Dawn" two of Mr Wiesel's books.

At that time I was really struck with the profoundness of that metaphor. Just like the sun rises each day to bring us light and a fresh chance and new hope so did the Son of God rise, ending forever the darkness of sin and ignorance and offering us a hope for a future that is more wonderful than we can even imagine.

Since that time I have loved images of light.



So on to the rules of being awarded:


1. Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award that are inspirational, uplifting, and leave you with a feeling of hope or cheer that contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Link them on your blog.

3. Link to the person you received the award from.

4. Leave a comment on the blogs you nominated.

5. Add this link Beacon of Hope as the origin of this award.

6. Post these rules.



This is a funny thing to do. Of course it's always such an honor and you feel good to be chosen and recognized...and it's a little embarrassing at the same time. Then I have to think of someone else to award and that's where the hard part comes in. Blogging has been an interesting experience. I have gotten to know people on line that I never would have met in real life. Some I just visit once and enjoy taking a peek into their lives. Some I have gone back to many times and have become "friends" with them and some I stalk and never comment but read from time to time. Then there are real life friends that blog and I love that because I get a peek at their hearts and their creativity and see things that I might not have otherwise seen. And there are my families blogs, which I love most of all. I have some cousins that blog now and we don't live close to each other but I can still know what they are doing and see their kids grow. I love that. Who would have thought that blogging would be so fun or so meaningful (or so dysfunctional if you ask my sweet therapist friend who says it replaces real life :) : which I totally see how it could but our real life is busy too so I am not too worried).



Anyway:



I nominate Caroline Thinking. I have known her, in real life, since she was 12 and our families became friends. She baby sat for us, I was her YW leader. And I love her. She is so awesome and talented and fun and is a wonderful example to others around her. Now she is married and has a darling boy and it's fun to read about her young mom days.



I also nominate my cousin Sarah, who is clever and fun and sweet and funny and writes every day, I love that.



The Morton Clan is next on my list. I only stalk them but every time I peek in I am delighted to see their family and what they are up to. This is interesting. They are home school, courting, dress wearing Christians who are friends with another family named the Smiths (of similar minds). Well Grandma Smith and Grandpa Morton (who were both widowed) married each other several years ago. Since then the two families have had three more weddings as the fathers have matched up some of the couples. First Alan and Katie, then Michael and Kressent and finally Rachel and Wesley. (it's like watching a long running TV show) Now the younger three couples are having babies and they get together and have a most merry time. It's most fun to watch.



NieNie is fourth on my list. I have also been visiting her blog for a couple years from time to time. She's so pretty and dresses so nicely and her home is creatively decorated and her cooking looks yummy. Most of all I love to read her because she is so in love with her husband and devoted to her four children and it really shows in her writing. Sadly last weekend she and her husband were in a small airplane, he just got his pilots license, and they crashed. The third person in the plane died and they are both severely burned and in the hospital fighting for their lives. The children are being taken care of by their large and loving families. I chose her because her careful attention to making life and her home beautiful have always touched me and now I am praying for her recovery and her family.



Last I choose Livesay in Haiti. They are a missionary family living and serving in Haiti. I read a couple missionary blogs and I love when someone dedicates their lives to doing what they think is right. This family is not from the same church as I am but they are doing wonderful work and making a difference and I love that.