Peace Out

I have been reading the last two days about Peace. Joseph Smith, the first prophet of the LDS church said that "Peace is the very essence of happiness below, and bliss above." As I was reading I was trying to decide when I've felt that peace in my own life. Immediately, thoughts of my experiences in New Zealand came to mind. I remember one Saturday morning I set off on my bike to volunteer at a horse-riding place for disabled children. It was a long bike ride and I was never able to find the place. I decided since I was already late, that I would just keep riding my bike. I rode on a small gravel road through a few farm-like neighborhoods. Then I made my way over to the beach, about 8 miles from home. I locked my bike to a tree and just walked along the sand. It was early and kind of cold, so there were only a few people there walking their dogs. I found a log and sat down to watch the waves. It was peaceful. I kind of felt like I was the only person in the world and I knew that God was completely aware of me. You know, God gave us the Holy Spirit to help guide and protect us through life. Everyone can at times feel a prompting from that Spirit--whether it be a warning to stay out of danger or a thought to help someone else. I've found that when I listen to those feelings I get, which I believe come from the Spirit, I feel the same peace as I did that day on the beach in Invercargill, New Zealand. I feel the same closeness to God--probably because I am doing what He would have me do.

My friend Sandi's mom had a magnet on her refrigerator when we were in 7th or 8th grade. It said something like, 'Peace is not the absence of noise and chaos, it's the ability to remain calm in your heart when there is chaos all around.' I really liked that, and although I can't remember the exact wording the concept has always stayed with me.

Enjoy some pictures of my beautiful New Zealand.