Now is the Time to Prepare

When the time for decision arrives,

The time for preparation is past.
Thomas S. Monson

If only... I have said those words, over and over again

If only... have you said them too?

Don't say them again, my friend

If only we could see, how we all used to see

If only we could know, what we all used to know

If only we could be, who we all were meant to be

If only life were easy, but life wasn't meant to be

The challenges we face in life, are meant to shape our souls

Experience, relationships all help us to behold

The person that we are, and who we can become

Through eternity, we know, our growth is never done

But here, this time, this place, right now, it's time to begin

Awaken, see and know, and then endure until the end

Mortality, a blink, a melting snowflake, falling rain

With its radiating joys, alongside educating pain

Be ready to meet challenges, be awake, be aware

Be ready for our suffering, for yes, it will be there

Don't fear the trials we will face, the fire we all pass through

 We stand with honor, strength, courage, 

and faith to aid us too

Move forward on life's path, move on with quiet surety

Keep focused on a point ahead, walk the path of purity

Treat others as you wish they all would treat you, as a rule

Forgive the ills, abuses and guiles of the fools

This world's a stage, it seems a game, mirage that can confuse

But if we see with eyes of faith, then we are free to choose

The treasure that is hidden, that will uplift our soul

Give thanks to the Gracious One, who paid the pricey toll

With gratitude and serenity, we can embrace this life

And smile through the good times, and the times of strife

Pray and learn, stretch and grow, believe in God above

All things are truly possible, through His perfect love

So reach for higher planes, for knowledge that is true

Remember who we are, once upon a time we knew

Even though at times is seems, we do not know quite how

Don't wait, don't procrastinate, the time to start is now

No longer say, if only, but do, and do it well

At first it's strange, and difficult, but time will surely tell

When habits formed are good and true, 

all will be well with me and you

Blessings sent from heaven, will settle as the morning dew

Let us make today the day, let us find a way somehow

Because the time for all to prepare, is absolutely, right now

-liz  

6/22/15

Remember No More

Bury your weapons of war

Remember them no more

Remember just enough

Don’t reminisce too much

Dismiss the destructive

It can only destroy

Look towards the future

There’s much to enjoy

Each wonderful day is new

And full of beauty too

The future holds the key

To your own reality

So bury the things that hurt

Cover them over with dirt

Expose the glorious day

As you gladly go on your way

-liz

3/5/14

Poems are hard...

 

To Please My Lord and God

Lies, deceit and backstabbing, delivered cruelly by those I love

Can only be erased and fixed by He who is above

Pain and anguish, loss and failure, misunderstandings and mistakes

Flinging mud, accusations, how much of this can one girl take

At least I know who I am, and I know who he is too

We’ve never been these people that we are accused of being by you

Don’t know what your motive is, but I can surely guess

For sure it is a selfish one, because it hurts like heck

But it’s alright, what’s done is done, and we’ll continue on

Unfortunately from our lives, some are up and gone

But my life remains so full, because of those around me

And because I don’t allow the crazy drama to affect me

Sure it hurts, sure it sucks, yeah, you got your pleasure

But I still have unconditional love, trust and support without measure

And success, it’s always ours, sorry if that irks you

But it comes from up above, because our lives are filled with love

We know who we truly are, despite all the stupidity

The longer you repeat those lies, the worse your lives will be

We are moving on, our hearts in Heaven, our feet on the ground

Learning to forgive, is where Happiness is found

The worst part is the sad, sad loss of our dear families

And second worst is that there seems to be no loyalty

But we’ll continue helping others and working very hard

To fulfill our purpose here and please our Lord and God

-liz

1/22/14

Enough

Not enough for them, nowhere near enough

Too much for the others, this is really tough

Searched deep inside for any clues,

Learned just how to feel it through

I must do what I must do

Through Christ, I am simply enough

 

-liz

1/22/14

 

 

Start Now

Start Now, don't wish you could start over

Don’t let your mind to those thoughts wander

Now is it, now is yours,

Stand up, be strong and open the door

Your life can be whatever you choose

Your actions will ultimately bring to you

Consequences of good or strife

Your heart and head will guide your life

Each Spring we see the earth renew

The flowers bloom with morning dew

They don’t remember the Springs before

Or even who they’re blooming for

But we are aware of what has been

Our lives are affected by the works of men

Don’t ask why, don’t ask how

Cuz we are in the here and now

Set goals, have dreams and follow them

Try not to judge or to condemn

Each day will bring a new perspective

Just don’t forget, you’re here to live

Live as if there were no tomorrow

Live as if there were no sorrow

Live for joy and happiness

For all the sadness will soon pass

And streaming through the clouds of white

Golden beams of warm sunlight

Will cover you, will fill your cup

If you will only just look up

 

Start Now

-liz

1/15/14

Small Town

Peaceful in a small town, golden leaves falling down
Blowing to and fro, where happiness abounds
Driving past the Craftsman houses, beautiful and standing strong
Families live in harmony, love that lasts ever so long

Many tall, stately trees, line the streets like spectators
Who watch the constant parade, of townspeople and visitors
Children playing in the yard, barking dog fetches a ball
Rolling hills of parks display both bright and muted shades of fall

A man and woman with bags of groceries, waiting for the bus
As we drive by and notice them, they smile and wave at us
We pass the cemetery, place of rest for our dear dead
Flowers, flags and stones adorn the ground on which we tread

The green, green grass of golf courses, the blue river, it flows
Along the edge of town, where the weeping willows grow
Apple cider, popcorn balls, Thanksgiving turkey, tastes of autumn
Curl up near the fireplace, smoky, and so toasty warm

A biting chill in the air, warns of winter coming
The sky will soon be filled with sparkling snowflakes falling
Seasons mark the time, our lives are passing by
Enjoy each moment, relax and have a piece of pumpkin pie

Small towns are the best, like a little slice of Heaven
Sunday, see the churches fill with those who love the Lord
The small town experience is just impossible to beat
A small town is the place where I will always choose to be

-Liz
11/14/13

Rely not Deny

For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Cor 13:12

I know thy works: behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Rev 3:8

The Holy Spirit is what I rely on

There is no way for me to deny it

I can’t deny the witness I’ve gotten

I won’t deny the Father who loves me

The prayers I’ve had answered

The guidance I’ve followed

The path I’ve been shown

I can say I know
 

I know who I am

I know where I came from

I know what I’m doing

I know where I’m going

 

A place full of beauty

Where we’ll live in peace

With unconditional love

From our family above
 

A Father who loves us

A family tree

Rejoicing in goodness

Living for service

The knowledge of this

Fills me with peace

I travel with surety

And strive for purity

Sin is forgotten

Pain is no longer

Hard work is light

Because it is right 

Heaven is as real

As the love that we feel

Faith is the evidence

For which we are blessed

 

Christ is the Shepherd

And we are the sheep

Not following blindly

Just promises to keep

 

With strength and with knowledge

And testing the process

The payoff is there

Try if you dare

 

Search in your heart

It was there from the start

But time can erase

What once was in place

The Holy Spirit is what I rely on

I know it and so I cannot deny it

I can’t deny the answers I’ve gotten

I won’t deny the Father who guides me

 

-Liz

11/11/13

 

By Design

How could this have happened?  It was by design

Didn’t see it coming?  Didn’t see the signs?

How could this have come about?  It was all a plan

Full participation in the downfall of man

Deceiving tongues, both Left and Right, deliver lies, dressed in white

Turning daylight into night, right is wrong, wrong is right

Intent was not to implement, but simply to invade

Thought they dealt in hearts, let’s call a spade, a spade

Will we exchange our souls for a vile loaf of bread?

Will we use our hearts, or only use our heads?

Will we follow darkness, labeled as if it’s light?

Or will we take the hard road now and choose to follow right?

God created man in his own image, this is true

And what we do with all of this, is up to me and you

Will we plunder, waste, and ruin all that we’ve been given,

Or take this life and make it like a little bit of heaven?

Do we think there is no plan? Truly think that through

There is no way to follow none, choices will choose who

Will we let ourselves be led, by standing in that line?

How could this have happened?  It was by design

-Liz

10/21/13

Sunflower Gold

Sunflower gold,

Blinding beauty to behold

Red, white and blue,

Patriotic hues

Breath-catching presence,

Delicious essence

Surface identified,

Regret ever rectified

Adrenaline junkie,

Forever young,

Possessing me?

Naught, but one

Vindicated innocence,

Why so bold?

Suffocating cynicism,

Growing old

Completely completed,

Having succeeded

Blue sky masterpiece,

Blanketed with peace

- Liz

10/18/13

Good Timber

The tree that never had to fight
For sun and sky and air and light,
But stood out in the open plain
And always got its share of rain,
Never became a forest king
But lived and died a scrubby thing.

The man who never had to toil
To gain and farm his patch of soil,
Who never had to win his share
Of sun and sky and light and air,
Never became a manly man
But lived and died as he began.

Good timber does not grow with ease:
The stronger wind, the stronger trees;
The further sky, the greater length;
The more the storm, the more the strength.
By sun and cold, by rain and snow,
In trees and men good timbers grow.

Where thickest lies the forest growth,
We find the patriarchs of both.
And they hold counsel with the stars
Whose broken branches show the scars
Of many winds and much of strife.
This is the common law of life.

- Douglas Malloch

Sieve

Some say it is a choice, some feel it is elusive

It runs like careless sand through the hourglass I hold

I know that I should always feel it, but I cannot say I do

In the equation, in the puzzle, what is missing, where is truth

If I can overcome, if I can only overcome

Past the pitfalls, traps and fears, just relax a bit

Let go the misery and the failings, accusations and the lies

Embrace the whole, look past the few, just enjoy the ride

When it is present, I am full, life is bliss it’s true

Then I can see outside myself, beyond the walls I’ve built

The world is beautiful and clear, when it's flowing freely

But, those times depart, life can pass so miserably

At times I’m sleeping, or I’m numb, I cannot feel a thing

Then there’s pain and longing, a darkened emptiness

When I awake, remembering, I wonder where and how

Changes come, ebb and flow, for all I know is now

Some memories elude, some stick like gum in hair

Entangled and so painful, I need to move beyond

What is done, what I do, to what is necessary

Cease to care, strive to learn, remain aware, be wary

Happiness, I have all the ingredients to make you

I have the things I need to possess you, to embrace you

My life is full of love and growth, I know life is a gift

Some days my cup, it overflows, some days it is a sieve

- Liz

5/7/13

Aрмагеддон

Final war is imminent; world game to be leveled

‘Tis foretold who wins, fight shall be unequaled

Truly don’t recall, began so long ago

Rages on around, below, life facade we know

Beast desires and devours our very lives, our selves

One can lift and ransom from the very jaws of Hell

Sick, infected pus, this Earth has labeled fear

Destroying Heart and Soul, future seeming drear

Deception intertwines, veins through marbled stone

Love interwoven, Ah! to never feel alone

Cling to the thought, Faith is there, waits patiently

Never leaves, never sleeps, watches o’er you and me

Strength found within yourself, ever pulls you through

Strength found within the Word, absolute for you

There’s going to be a war, of that we can depend

But in the strength of God, lies all the hope for Men

-Liz

4/26

Love the Potential

Don't love or hate what is

Don't see with human eyes

But search within the soul

Where true potential lies

-Liz 
4/23/13

Not Yet

As you walk, as you pass, there is no romance or balance in the voices
Just a chilly laughter
Do not mix with the crowds yet - the spirit has not changed them
As you walk, as you pass, you defend all the defeated and defenseless fears
But gold still refuses to be sifted
Do not blossom yet - all the shovels are looking for you
As you walk, as you pass, there is a helmet on each crown
And life seems like an illusion that can never be conceived by you
Do not open your eyes yet - the cages are still bigger than the land
- Akiane

A metaphor of my life-

A ship caught in the turbulent ocean
Seeking a glimpse of light
The moon’s pull of the tide
Dim silver light reflected off the dark clouds
... The rage of the wildfire
The caress of candlelight
The strength of the redwood
The frailty of the falling leaf
Faced with a choice at the edge of a cliff
Overcoming the mountain in front of me
The choppy waters pacify
A lighthouse appears from the fog
The ship is sailed by a new captain
Dawn beginning to break
The stability of a rock
The fluency of a river
The surety of the sky
The piercing purity of light
Finding the parachute strapped to my back from the start
And the map leading to the valley of rest
 
-Kenyon

Don't Need Proof - for don & lance

Havin’ a bad day, ever have one of those?
Surrounded by people, still feelin’ alone
Wish you were here or that I was there
Wishes can’t help me, wish I didn’t care

Send me a smile, and some of your love

Share some of you, a small piece, a hug
Feelin’ so empty, feeling so low
Feelings like this, wish they would go

So far away, you are today

Still you are near, feel you inside
Like part of me, that I can’t hide
I’m only me, when you’re by my side

The best part of me, is what you’ve done to me

The best part of you, is what you give freely
I know you won’t read this, you never do
But I will still write it, I simply have to

You may never know, what words I write for you

But that doesn’t mean what I write isn’t true

You don’t need to see, what you know is real

You don’t need proof, of what you already feel

- liz

4/23/12

Spider - for Rachel

I slept with a spider last night
He bit me on the thigh
I know he was not invited
He came in on the sly
I think he sought revenge
Because I smashed his cousin
I left it on the wall
To scare of all the others
But he came anyway
I hope he will not stay
I really don’t like spiders
Do you? 

-Liz
4/13/12

Springtime in the Dollhouse Neighborhood

The beauty of this earth is so astounding
Oh!  How can I explain
Sing with sweet refrain
The delicious fragrances that now surround me

Springtime trees lined in a row so tidy
Blossoms swirling in the breeze
Falling softly, rain on me
Gathered up with hands, petals so tiny

Heavenly scents, perfumes that can transform

Breathe in boldly, breath I hold
Planting deeply in my soul

Lasting memory, eternal, soft and warm

Tree-lined streets, these feet cannot resist them
Walk beneath the covering
Hummingbird seen hovering
A bird flies, gently calling in the distance

Picket fences, bordering white rows

Flowers blooming, petals sway
In the breezes, perfect day
All around is happiness that grows

My soul, it swells with every step I take

Emotion rises to the surface
A smile beams upon my face
It seems to me a dream, although awake

Whilst in this special place, linger alone

Never to be lonely
Quiet thoughts speak to me
Prayers of gratitude rise for my home

Gurgling fountain, cool, clear water swirling

Dollhouse neighborhood
Pretty flowers, painted wood
The beauty of this earth is so astounding

-Liz
4/12/12

Submission

What is submission, is it to give in
Is it to give up, never to win
Is it for the weak, the feeble-minded

Or for the strong, the most determined

Is it a compromise, a trust to form

Choose to submit, be forewarned

Submission to those who desire to use

Is but unhappiness, each will lose

How courageous it is to give of will

A difficult struggle, climbing a hill

Submit to the Savior, our cup to fill

Submit to the Spirit, when we are still

Submit to the Love we feel for each other

As a small child, submits to his mother

Submit to a loved one, to eventual death

Submit to obedience, giving your best

Submission can be a beautiful task

When it creates a bond that will last

Submit to your Lord, submit all your will

Trust in His care, His gift on the hill

He submitted completely, the Greatest of all

He submitted for man, because of the fall

Give all you can, give to others until

You’ve given enough, for He gave you free will

- Liz

4/11/12

The Savior showed us a great example of such a prayer of submission. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane as He worked out the Atonement that His Father’s will would be done. He knew that His Father’s will would be for Him to do what was so painful and so terrible that we cannot comprehend it. He prayed not simply to accept the Father’s will but to do it. He showed us the way to pray in perfect and determined submission.  - Henry B Eyring

The total submission of our will to His is one of the most difficult obstacles we face on our journey toward eternal life. - Lowell D Wood

The Savior’s perfect submission to the Eternal Father is the very essence of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Christ’s example teaches us that a broken heart (versus a proud heart) is an eternal attribute of godliness. When our hearts are broken, we are completely open to the Spirit of God and recognize our dependence on Him for all that we have and all that we are. The sacrifice so entailed is a sacrifice of pride in all its forms. Like malleable clay in the hands of a skilled potter, the brokenhearted can be molded and shaped in the hands of the Master. - Bruce D Porter

As we come unto Christ, we must surrender our worldly ways, our pride, and our selfishness. As we yield to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we should experience a “mighty change in [our] hearts” (Alma 5:14)  - Lowell D Wood