Connecting the Dots

Nothing out of the ordinary happened today, it was just a great day.

In fact, I think what really happened is that I finally opened my eyes a little wider and connected all of the ordinary parts of my life.

Thank heavens I got three hours of sleep last night, because it means that I'm in the college program of my dreams and that I am healthy enough to ignore when my body tells me I'm tired. Thank goodness I'm stressed, because it means I'm learning and growing. Good thing some classes are infuriating, because it makes the good ones that much better. Lucky me that I have tests, because it means that I'm worth testing. The dishes may be dirty, but clean water runs out of the faucet on command. The break room might be out of silverware, but that's about the extent of my problems at work. My problems are so minimal and my blessings so miraculous.

My heart has been so full this week. Full of gratitude and a sort of wonder for the way my Heavenly Father is connecting the dots. There have been times when I have felt as though there are too many dots and not enough lines. Too many things to be doing and not enough reasons to be doing them. But then there are times, like today, when I am blessed to see the lines connect the dots and make a picture that I know I could never have made on my own.

Why? Because I only know how to draw dots.

It is my Eternal Father who draws the lines.

My Name

I love my name. 

I always have, and I think it has a lot do with the women I share it with. 

I wasn't named after Emma David Rees, but she is my Great Great Great Grandma. She was born on August 5th, 1839 in Llanelly, Glamorganshire, South Wales and passed away on January 10th, 1915 in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Although I have never met this woman, her life greatly affects mine. Learning about her makes me want to be better, to do more, to be more like the Savior. 

This woman just had it together. If a baby was being born, she was there even if the doctor wasn't. If somebody was sick, she was by their side despite her own illness. When her community needed help, she was there to organize and cooperate even with 10 children and a husband to feed and care for. 

"[Emma] was very hospitable, kind-hearted, brave and generous. With her husband, she was always ready to give a helping hand to those in sickness and distress. She was very generous to the needy, always ready to aid her neighbors and friends where help was needed." (From her daughter, Hannah)

Basically, she was awesome!

On my 18th birthday, I inherited a small ring that was another Emma's. Emma Phillips Hughes is my Great Grandmother, the mother of my mother's mother. I never met this Emma either, but I know the women she helped raise and they are all amazing. My mother told me that ever since she was a girl, she knew that she wanted to name her daughter "Emma". I'm glad I get to be Emma! My Mom would show this little ring to me every few years when I was little and I just remember counting down the years until I could wear it. I love wearing that ring and the reminder it brings that I carry on a name that belonged to lovely ladies.

Ms. Emma


Coming Soon: DIY Mittens & Legwarmers Step-by-Step!