God Loves You, You are Important and You are meant to be in this World Now

You can Feel Peace and Love

"Trust in God and his love. Be merciful, non-judge mental and kind- towards those suffering with mental illness." -Elder Holland

Jesus Heals the Heavy Laden

The Atonement Covers All Pain

A Woman Who was Healed by the Scriptures and Knowing God's love for her

A Thankful Heart

It has been a hard 2 years for my family. I want to thank my Higher Power, my Heavenly Father, and his son Jesus Christ for all they have done for us in that time. I have had a few positions at call centers and Day Care Centers that were not ideal, I am glad that I had the employment so that I can have Medical Insurance for the Health Problems we've been experiencing recently. I'm thankful for Homeowner's Insurance which allows us to fix our home by paying a deductible which is thousands of dollars cheaper than the actual cost of fixing our basement- due to a recent flood in our basement. Our basement work is coming along now, We have sheet rock up now, and paint will be added on Monday. Our basement will be cleared out on Monday so that the paint can begin and dry- then our new carpet will arrive. I'm very thankful for fall. It is my favorite time of year. It did not used to be that way when I was younger, I enjoyed summer best. But, now- I enjoy fall and autumn the most. These are some of the reasons why.
 1. Change of the Seasons

I also love The Wassail, Pumpkins, Hot Cocoa, Apple Cider and Festive Decorations of the Halloween and Thanksgiving Season. Last Year we went on the Alpine Slide and the Alpine Coaster up at Park City. 

It was simply gorgous to see so many colors up in the trees and mountains. Lots of fun too!

Views of the Cottonwood Mountains this Morning

Changing Leaves

 Fall is my favorite season here in Utah. The Gold, Orange, red, brown and yellow leaves- and the colorfulness of them on the mountainous terrains is such a testament to God's Amazing Grace in creation. And in the changing of the seasons beauty is found, before the ressurection of life. (Of the Trees in the Spring).I have not 1, but 2 positions! Two new jobs! I am a Group Leader (Teacher and Tutor) for 10-11 year old 4th Graders in the Salt Lake School District. We have lots of fun. The other day we made Jack-O-Lanterns out of Paper Plates, Feathers, Paint, and Fuzzy Pom Poms. I am starting my 2nd job on Monday as a Teacher's Aide for Middle School Students at South Jordan Middle School in the Jordan School District. I am the T.A. for a Special Educatioin class, of some students I know from my neighborhood.I love Halloween, and I love dressing up and trick-or-treating with my family and going to costume parties and celebrating my husband's birthday!

2. General Conference of My Faith

You are a Genuine Individual

You Matter a Great Deal in this Life

You are Unique

Your Talents and Hobbies are Yours Alone

You are a;

Child
Parent
Mother
Father
Hard-Worker
Sister
Brother
Aunt
Uncle
Grandpa
Grandma
Niece
Nephew
Cousin
Friend
Counselor

This week is National Suicide Prevention Week. If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please talk to them. Tell them you love them. Remind them of how important they are to you and the world. No one can replace them. A hello or how are you in the hall at school can save a life. Listen to your family and friends when they talk about this stigmatized topic. Do not shun them, listen and give them love and hope. You could save so many lives.

Most people who have such thoughts are in a deep depression, and have often had family problems like divorce or domestic violence happen to them

There are secure hotlines that can be called, even a hello or a how are you doing to a friend can save a life. You never know how some have been emotionally and psychologically scarred in their lives. Kindness and love can save so many from this tragedy. If you've lost your job, if you're spouse left you high and dry with nothing, if you failed a class at school, or got dumped by your boyfriend or girlfriend.... Talk to someone. Anyone. A Counselor, Friend, Family Friend, anyone... Please talk about it and you will find that there are many other solutions than the one you were thinking would take all your problems away. There are so many who love you and want to help. http://twloha.com/find-help

If you are struggling with Depression or Anxiety or Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, OR any other psychological or mental short-term illness--remember, there is life after loss and happiness can be yours.

You may think that harming yourself is the answer to all of your problems. Let me be the first to tell you, it is not! Pursuing that route will hurt everyone who loves you, all of your family and loved ones. It is a sad, desperate cry for help. If you need help call 911, call a secure suicide prevention hotline.

You are loved, You have Value. You are Important, to you, your friends, your family, your community and the world. You are a vital part of our Universe. You can Never be Replaced. You are LOVED!

Love, Chelsea Merkley

Sunday Will Come Joseph B. Worthlin

Return to Sender

I have been M.I.A. for quite a while on this blog, I apoligize for that. I have been going through some major changes in life and am now working full-time to support my family. Many I love are going through challenging times and role-changing experiences, including depression and joblessness.

 I stumbled upon some great articles today;

Developing a Healthy Self-Concept http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/self-concept.html

How to Resolve Conflicts, in different stages
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/conflicts-their-stages-and-how-to-resolve-them

 Why some men need a woman's approval: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/relationships-why-do-some-men-need-a-women-s-approval

 Balancing Independence and Intimacy in Relationships
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/how-to-balance-the-need-for-independence-and-intimacy

 Why Commitment in Love is Difficult-
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/why-is-commitment-to-love-difficult

 Positive Self Image and Self Esteem Steps

 http://www.mtstcil.org/skills/image-3.html

Have you done any Good in the World Today?

Reactions to Recent Events

As most of you know there was a horrible shooting which took place at the Opening Night of the Batman movie in an Aurora, Colerado movie theater. I have been so saddened by these tragic events that I have decided to write about how it makes me feel. Twelve innocent lives were taken that night by one crazed gunman. I cannot fathom to know what the fallen victim's families are feeling right now, nor can I understand what the survivors are going through. I know that 58 people were wounded and there are several in critical condition, while others are recovering faster.

I am of the opinion that if the gun control law was made so that innocent victims can carry legal registered weapons to protect themselves from crazy people, the night may not have turned out so bad; and more lives could have been saved. I understand that this is a very controversial topic. I am not wanting to start a debate or push an agenda. I am sharing my opinion, that if citizens of the U.S.A. who are innocent civilians being attacked could more easily protect themselves, I think they should do it. Whether that is by being trained in Martial Arts, Fencing, or any other kind of self defense training; I think they would have been more well protected.

I read on the Internet that Switzerland promotes responsible gun ownership for self defense. "What America can learn from Switzerland is that the best way to reduce gun misuse is to promote responsible gun ownership."
By David B. Kopel and Stephen D'Andrilli (American Rifleman, February 1990)
Read this Article to learn more; http://www.guncite.com/swissgun-kopel.html
 (  http://www.policymic.com/articles/11778/james-eagan-holmes-shooting-strict-gun-laws-only-lead-to-more-violent-crimes)

Statistics of Switzerland's deaths by guns; (http://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/switzerland)

My point here is not that we should let every citizen have a gun. I believe that those citizens without a criminal or a Police Record, the law abiding citizens of the United States of America should have the right to protect themselves by owning a gun and by teaching gun safety rules and regulations for its use. Of course, there are exceptions those who may have served in the Armed Forces may have issues with guns or may have PTSD or other reasons that it would not be a good idea to let them use a firearm. On the other hand, they may also be the people most well-trained in how and when to use a gun for self-defense and to save others lives.

This is just my opinion. I think educating the American Communities on Gun Safety and when, how and why to use a gun for self defense, teaching possible scenarios etc. would be a good idea.

What do you think?

Here's some good news: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/christian-bale-visits-aurora-reminds-us-why-hes-batman/2012/07/25/gJQAksDd8W_blog.html

Hope Rises out of the terrible tragedy of last week:http://www.smh.com.au/world/miracle-woman-who-survived-thanks-to-brain-defect-she-never-knew-she-had-20120725-22odr.html

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/colo-shooting-victim-remains-icu-wife-gives-birth-173442732.html

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/he-provided-me-the-opportunity-to-survive-woman-describes-how-military-boyfriend-took-a-bullet-for-her-during-shooting/

Chelsea Merkley