An Odd Life Indeed

Family friendly films are my favorite!  The film “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” came out in 2012 and tells the story of a couple who are unable to have children of their own.  The night after they receive the news they overcome with emotion.  They start writing down characteristics and talents their “would-be” child would possess and then bury them in a small chest in the front yard.  That night a terrible yet magical storm comes.  They discover the chest they had just buried has been dug up.  They discover instead a young boy named Timothy who calls them Mom and Dad.  They soon realize Timothy possesses all the characteristics and attributes they had recorded for their child.  An additional odd thing about Timothy is the leaves growing on his legs.  I will leave it up to you to watch the movie to learn what happens to the family and what the leaves mean.

The Frozen Craze

Why do people love the new Disney movie Frozen so much?

It could be because of an adorable snowman named Olaf who dreams of experiencing summer...

Or maybe it's because of the music...

For some it may be relating to the relationship of the sisters...

And maybe just maybe it is the love story...

Whatever the reasons, there is no doubt this movie has hit the big times in only a short amount of time.  If you haven't seen it I recommend you do.  The story does not follow the typical Disney pattern of boy meets girl, fall in love, go through hardship, and end in marriage.  The focus of the story actually centers on the relationship of the sisters and how the ultimate tool for saving them and their kingdom is there love for each other.  It is refreshing to have a new fairy tale story that has never been told.  I would give this movie a big thumbs up!

Music's Influence

Music: the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

It is interesting to me to see how different types of media influence people.  Music itself can shape a person’s mood and feelings or build on them.  Have you ever considered how the music you listen to influences you?  When you are having a bad day what do you want to listen to?  When you want to be happy what tune do you turn on?

I feel there is a special connection to our spirits and the world around us.  Our spirits have a sensitivity to the world around us.  This sensitivity can decrease over time when we surround ourselves with filth and evil.  However, when we are in tune we are happier.  I love the truth taught in the below scripture that was given to Emma Smith when she was compiling the first LDS hymn book:

“For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.” – D&C 25:12

When I read this I ask myself whether the music I listen to is “prayer worthy.”  Consider the quote below:

“Through music, man’s ability to express himself extends beyond the limits of the spoken language in both subtlety and power. Music can be used to exalt and inspire or to carry messages of degradation and destruction. It is therefore important that as Latter-day Saints we at all times apply the principles of the gospel and seek the guidance of the Spirit in selecting the music with which we surround ourselves.” (Priesthood Bulletin, August, 1973.)

Music can and does influence us.  Bad music can be found easily but so can good music.  Recently I discovered a Christian artist, Kari Jobe.  I love her song “What Love is This” that you can listen to here.

My challenge to you is to take a day and pay close attention to the music you listen to and how much you listen to.  In the car, headphones, at home, at work.  You may be surprised at what you find.

Good Things Will Come

Since my return from the holidays I have been sick and I mean sick!  There has been H1N1 outbreaks and I tend to think I caught it.  Needless to say it has not been fun.  There were days I couldn't hardly get out of bed and definitely couldn't walk straight.  Luckily I have made a relatively quick recovery and I owe it all to a priesthood blessing, prayers, and medicine.

Each of us go through hard times.  While in the trial it can feel as if life will always be hard.  I have come to know that there is someone who is there to help us through the hard times.  Our Savior Jesus Christ can be our true comfort as he is the only one who has suffered it all for us (Alma 7:11-12).

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke on a time in his life when things became overwhelming.  Looking back now he sees that things can and will always get better.  I am also grateful the Church has such an awesome media department and put together this great video clip that illustrates his talk.

"Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom." - George S. Patton

Despicable Me and Family Values

Recently I watched the new movie Despicable Me 2.  The first movie came out when I was serving my mission, and to be honest I could not understand the sudden obsession with all things "minions."  Eventually, I did watch the movie and was hooked.  With the making of a second movie I was interested to see if it was any good as sequels always tend to bomb.  However, before I even saw the movie I noticed a new billboard near my apartment:


The second movie shows Gru taking on the role of being a dad to the three, sweet girls he adopted in the first movie.  He throws a princess birthday party and even dresses up as a fairy princess.  As the story progresses, Gru realizes his daughters are lacking a mother in their lives and by the end of the movie (spoiler alert!) he marries.  I like how the movie portrays traditional family values of a mother-father home.  It shows the soft side of a man who is overly protective of his daughters and panics at the first mention of the word "date."  It is always nice when popular media teaches good values.