The Spirit of the Season

The best time of year.

A time of giving, tradition, friendship, family and laughter.

There is glittery snow on the ground and ice cycles hanging from the roof.

I love having everyone together. The house smells like cinnamon, apples and bread baking in the oven.

The table is set for 12. 

This will be my last Christmas with my Family before I head out to New York. I'm just taking in every minute, and feeling grateful to have such a wonderful family. 

I can't imagine Christmas without them. I know it will be very different. Still good, but different.

That brings me to think about people who don't have their family close at Christmas. Or a warm house, or Christmas dinner. I pray that they can feel the love of God. I hope they know that the baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem for them. Born for all of us. He lived a perfect life that we might also live, and with his help, also become perfect. I wish I could open my door to anyone who needed a family on Christmas, because it breaks my heart to think someone is alone today.

The spirit of this season is truly a special one. I wish EVERYDAY could be like Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Sleeping

We're all disgusting when we sleep. EVERYONE. 

Yes. Even you.

Maybe to a lesser degree than someone else... but you are none the less.

Honestly... have you ever looked at your old pillow without a pillow case?

It looks like a bandage from The Civil War. 

Apparently we humans just start seeping syrup and leaking battery acid as soon as we doze off.

Some people sleep with their mouth wide open. We all know how attractive that is.

Others sleep with their eyes half open. 

We all know how freaky that looks. 

People who do both? WOW. Well... that's just one big college-roommate-black-mail-video waiting to happen.

St. Bernard Sleepers and their drool, anyone?

 Don't even get me started on snoring...

Disgusting.

Let's just all agree that "Beauty Sleep" is the worlds greatest oxymoron.

Llamados A Servir

Hoorah for Israel!

Last Saturday Brooklyn, Shelby and I got make history. 

Sister missionaries-to-be gathered at the Provo, Salt Lake City, Honolulu, Logan, and Rexburg temples to celebrate the BOOM of missionaries stepping up to serve. It was truly amazing.

(I'm the one with the 'I HEART NY' sign in front of the Rexburg temple.)

The Three Amigos

Or... Should I say Las Tres Hermanas?

Two of my best friends/roommates are headed to the MTC the SAME DAY, February 20th. 

HOW did this happen? Who knows. But I think it must be God's favorite day.

Shelby: Ohio, Cleveland...English speaking

Tara: New York, New York... Spanish speaking

Brooklyn: Portugal, Lisbon... Portugese speaking

Dear Sister Franklin

His Truth I Will Proclaim

The last 16 days have truly changed my life forever.
I'd say it's a story worth telling.

Waiting for my mission call to come was a very long and lonely process. I felt like I had been forgotten. (Impatient? Yes.) But that was a very real concern.

Why did everyone else get theirs, and not me?

The answer to this question came in a rather unexpected way.

The day after I was on the brink of just giving up, Shelby asked me if I wanted to come to Utah and be there for her mission call opening. How could I go? How could I possibly hide that I was feeling sorry for myself? This was HER special day. And I didn't want to ruin that for her. After getting no sleep the night before I decided to use exhaustion as an excuse not to go. But when it came time to tell her I wouldn't be going... I couldn't. I literally felt like someone was shoving me toward the door. Something was telling me, "You NEED to go." So I did.
When we arrived in Salt Lake City we went to Temple Square. A friend of ours gave us tickets to Savior of the World. I'd seen it several times before, so I wasn't expecting it to be all that different from past experiences.
But I was wrong.
Much of the second half of the performance is dedicated to the story of Thomas, and the doubts he had when the Savior returned as a resurrected being. As Thomas recognized his redeemer and friend, he fell down at Jesus' feet and cried. In that moment, I was Thomas. I knew that I needed to take this sorrow, worry, frustration, confusion and doubt from my heart and lay it at the feet of the Savior. He would take it from me. He was the only one with the power to do so.
"But how? How will I do this Lord? Help me to Believe without seeing."
The next day I went to Shelby's ward. All the lessons I learned were beautiful and profound. And I couldn't help but feel excitement about the gospel. 
I hadn't felt this hopeful in quite some time.It was good to remember.
I felt something that day that I can't really explain. I felt... Love. Love that was pouring over me from all directions. I didn't know why, at the time...I only knew that Heaven was not so far away after all. 
And that I was not forgotten.
When we came home from church we began preparing for people to come watch Shelby open her call. Before, I had been afraid to come because I was fearful that wouldn't be able to be happy for my best friend on such a special day. But that was hardly a concern now. ALL I could feel was happiness. I just knew that all was well.
All was well.
About 10 minutes before Shelby opened her call I checked my phone and found that I had missed a call. I listened to the voice mail. It was my dad's voice telling me that my mission assignment had been made and that it was on it's way in the mail.

What a miracle. That was the answer I spoke of earlier. 
This was not really about a mission call anymore. This was about the choice to believe. 
This was about having faith, hope, and charity. This was about affirming my testimony. 
I know God lives. 
He is there always and forever. I have hope because Christ has overcome the world. He lived on earth, he lives now, and he will come again to reign over his people. 
He paid the price of sin when he suffered in the garden and hung on the cross. 
He loves each and everyone of us individually and perfectly. He loves us perfectly because He knows and understands WHO WE ARE. 
I know that if I were the only person on earth who needed the atonement He still would have done it all for me alone. 
I have faith in His everlasting love and mercy, and I will trust in him.

With tears in my eyes I listened to Shelby read allowed her assignment of service to the Lord. She is going to Cleveland, Ohio to preach the gospel for the next year and half. And what an amazing missionary she is going to be. She is an angel.

By definition an Angel is a class of spiritual beings; a celestial attendant of God, represented with wings, usually clothed in white robes.
Who knows, maybe they do have wings and white robes in heaven. 
However, I know lots of angels without wings or white robes.
Words can't really express how thankful I am for all the angels who come in and out of my life, those who are beyond this world and th

ose of you who walk around like ordinary people here on earth. To me, you are far from ordinary.
All I know is that I've always had someone, tangible/visible or not, to help me fight my battles and protect those I love.
I've had several reminders in the last week that life is short. Really short. Too short to go a day with out expressing gratitude and love. So thank you, to all my angels out there.

I know many of you were with me, praying, fasting, and thinking of me that day. And words can't say how much it meant to me.

 

"Be a living, breathing example of the Highest Truth that resides within you."

Neale Walsch

After such a wonderful weekend spent celebrating Shelby and her decision to serve. I got to spend a beautiful five days with my family for thanksgiving. We went to my aunt Jane's home in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Such a beautiful place, I'm overjoyed every time we get to visit her. It was great to spend time with all four of us together for the holiday, that doesn't always happen. 

Thanksgiving gave me a good opportunity to reflect on all that had happened and be truly thankful for that many blessings I have.

I live a good life, and I hope I never forget it. 

When I arrived back in Rexburg, my mission call was waiting for me. 

This was it. The moment I'd been prayer for, for what seemed like a long time.

I walked up to my empty apartment (everyone else was in class), mission call in hand, along with another letter that had just come from Tanner Christensen, who was in the MTC at the time. I had always wanted to open my call by myself in a secluded area where I could react exactly as I wanted. This was the perfect opportunity. 

I decided to read Tanner's letter first. Good thing I did. He encouraged me to read a couple scriptures in preparation to open my call. They were EXACTLY what I needed to read. He wrote me his testimony in Spanish. It was so powerful and my heart beat a little stronger and faster as I read it. I had a feeling Spanish was going to be a big part of my life for the next little while. I felt God's arms of love around me as I knelt in prayer to thank Him for the people in my life who had helped me get to this point. I felt so much gratitude for this opportunity I had been given.

My hands were shaking. As I gently tore open the envelope, I was hardly breathing.

I slowly pulled out the letter signed by the prophet, everything felt surreal.

"Dear Sister Franklin,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

You have been assigned to labor in the New York, New York South mission. 

It is anticipated you will serve for a period of eighteen months. 

You will report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on February 20th, 2013. 

You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language."

Joy. True joy.

I didn't know what it felt like until that moment. I am ready to serve my brothers and sisters in New York. Every minute of waiting was worth it.

God knows each of us. He really does. He knows our needs, and he is no stranger to our sufferings. He sent his perfect son to be our Savior, to suffer and die for us. 

"At the throne I intercede;

For thee ever do I plead.

I have loved thee as thy friend,

With a love that cannot end.

Be obedient, I implore,

Prayerful, watchful evermore,

And be constant unto me,

That thy Savior I may be

That thy Savior I may be."

The Gardener

Thank you, for loving me enough to hurt me.

Sometimes I let myself believe that all is lost. 
Sometimes I feel that God has forgotten.
Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve pain.
Sometimes I think that prayers don't really work. 
Sometimes I want nothing more than to give up.

But other times in the waking hours of the morning, when I feel only despair, anger, confusion, and sadness...
I remember. 

I remember that God is the creator of all things.
I remember that he is all knowing.
I remember that he is constant.
I remember that he will heal those who trust and love him.
I remember that there is a plan.
I remember that he is my father.
I remember that one day, through faith in his plan..
 I will be like him.

He is the gardener here.

Workers Compensation Fund

So, what does it mean to be "accident prone"?

Would you say it means someone who has more accidents during their lifetime than the average person?

Or does it refer to a person who CAN'T seem to avoid injury no matter what sort of activity they're participating in?

Well, whatever the extent of that phrase, I've concluded that, I, Tara Franklin am ACCIDENT PRONE.

I got this beautiful "shiner" at the Recycling Center.

Word to the wise: Never, EVER strip copper wire without safety glasses on. 

Duh.

The Recycling Center, again....

More words to the wise: Don't use pipe wrenches as hammers. 

You'll probably break your finger.

(My new nickname at work is Workers Compensation Fund.)

And to top it off last night, I got knocked clean out in an intense game of "water polo" basket ball. Took an elbow to the head and pretty much don't remember any of it.

At this rate I should start planning my funeral and keep the ambulance on speed dial...

All in a weeks work.

The Lightning Storm

The sky was dark. 
The clouds lit up with flashes of electrifying light.
It was quiet. It was peaceful. The thunder was distant and soothing.
I often think back on that night and I can't help but marvel at the nonexistence of coincidences.
There have been times in my life when I literally feel the presence of a higher power so close, so real, that it consumes me.
That was one of those times. 
I knew God loved me.
I knew God loved you. 
He loves us. 
I know it, because you told me so.
And when you told me so, it was as if HE told me so.
You are not just you. You were, and continue to be an answer, an instrument in the hand of God.
He is proud of you.
Your life has not been perfect, or easy. 
Yes, you still have a long way to go.
And you will make it. You'll see.
Because of your experience you have seen miracles; You have become a miracle yourself.
You have changed me.
When I leave this place, I will teach others what you have taught me.
If you ever wonder 'have I done any good in the world today?'
The answer is YES. 
Absolutely.

The Girl Who Knows

Shelby.

Thank you.

Your smile. Your laugh. Your brightness. Your faith. Your understanding. Your artwork. Your compassion. Your passion. Your determination. Your drive. Your testimony.

Thanks for being YOU Shelb. 

Lake Winnipesaukee

Yet ANOTHER incredible weekend. 

Carving pumpkins, sledding, engagment photoshoot, Alfred Hitchcock, Bob Wiley, sleepovers, chocolate popcorn, homemade sushi, holding hands, casual kissing (cough, cough...Shelby...), and miracles.

Aiga.

The past four days have been some of the best days I've had in quite a while. 

It's been a good reminder that I am TRULY lucky to live the life that I do. I'm constantly surrounded by people who uplift me and are shining examples of Christ-like living.

Family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with my wonderful family. It is a rare, beautiful occasion when all four of us are together.

And thankfully, it didn't just stop at the four of us being home to spend time together, two of my mom's sisters were in town staying with us. So I got to see aunts, uncles and cousins too. [Could I ask for more??]

Meet my cousin Ross. This kid is the definition of QUALITY ENTERTAINMENT.

I also got to spend time with a family-to-be. 

My dear friend, and current roommate Hannah Abbott, will soon be married to Nathan Hartshorn.

They asked me to do some engagement photos for them, and I gladly obliged. All I can say about it is that it was perfect. After spending the afternoon with those two I realized that I eventually want what they have. 

Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they listen to everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. 

When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. 

There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. 

The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. 

Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. 

In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. 

You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even storm cloud. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure. Pleasure so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life. 

  

                                    

                         

"LOVE was made for me and you."
I'm so happy you two found each other. And I'm so excited to see where life takes you. Thanks for being such wonderful examples and friends to me.


OH. 
And one more wonderful thing about this weekend...
My mission papers are done. 

Let it all begin.

Imagination. Creativity. Work.

"Do you have a blog?"

"No."

"WHY NOT??"

"What's the point?... It's just another way for me to waste time on the computer."

"...But it's a way to be expressive and creative with your thoughts. It's not like Facebook or Twitter. I feel like you would LOVE it. And yours would be STELLAR to read, I just know it."

1 YEAR LATER

Well. Thanks to Miss Shelby Alyse Frampton I have a blog.

After years and years of reading/stalking/following [whatever the term is these days] blogs I finally decided to start one up.

[I know, I know. And to think I claimed to be a creative, artsy, mormon girl WITHOUT a Blog.... tisk, tisk. NOW I can properly play the part.]

. . . 

The Name

What's with the name? Well, as we were setting up the blogger account last night Shelby asked, "What do you want the name of your blog to be?"... Since I had no ideas and no energy to think a title up on the spot... I glanced up at her bookshelf and caught sight of a book entitled Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. 

There you have it folks.

But while we're on the subject of brain hemispheres... According to the theory of left-brain or right-brain dominance, each side of the brain controls different types of thinking. People are said to prefer one type of thinking over the other. A person who is "left-brained" is often said to be more logical, mathematical, analytical and objective, while a person who is "right-brained" is said to be more intuitive, creative, thoughtful and subjective. So does one side of the brain really control specific functions? Are people either left-brained or right-brained?

I'm no scientist, but I'd say yes.

I'm a right-brainer. I'm an artist. And I'm stimulated by creativity . 

Creativity is at the heart of success. It finds expression in beautiful visual art, wonderful music, solid performances, stunning writing, profitable businesses, awesome new products and countless other mediums. 

Pablo Picasso once said, "Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.”

Well said, Pablo. 

I think that to some extent we all imagine what we truly want. And imagining is the beginning of creating. Therefore through this formula we can make our desires a reality. 

Imagination + Creativity + Work = Success.

Productive work is the process by which thought and creativity control our existence. It's a constant process of acquiring knowledge and then shaping matter to fit our purposes, translating an idea into physical form. A process of remaking the earth in the image of one's values--that all work is creative work if done by a thinking mind. Whereas no work is creative if done by a robot who is satisfied copying others...Our work is ours to choose, and the choice is as wide as our mind.

Aside from being a portal to success, our ability to be creative, to be different, original, innovative, visionary, and inspired is something that makes life worth living and even joyful.

To be creative means to be in love with life. You love it so much that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring attention to the little things that people wouldn't normally notice at all.

In short, don't underestimate the power of 

The Right Side of the Brain.