Just a little bit about me: I am an Idaho girl born and raised currently living and studying in Rexburg, Idaho with my Californian, but Idaho converted, husband!

 

Don't let the height intimidate you (4'11") but I love people! I love learning about a person and their story of how they came to be who they are today. I also love laughing! I've been told I'm pretty bad at telling jokes and only those who really get to know me understand my humor, but I am that person who will laugh at anything from a Laffy Taffy joke to a story (although I will probably need to have it explained).

 

What's my purpose with Silver Linings?

 

I created this blog for you! First, to share that there is hope during the hardest of times and where it can be found, and second, to share personal stories of others who have been through tough times and the things that they have learned through resilience. I will also be sharing things that are most important to me like what I've come to learn and know, experiences I have been given, people who have been a strength and direction to me, my family, and most of all the hope and peace I have found through my Savior Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. 

 

How did Silver Linings start? 

 

In the summer of 2017, a friend of mine and I were taking an evening drive after a rainstorm. It had been pouring rain all that day and the forecast for the rest of the week didn't seem like it was going to change. As we were driving, I noticed that one of the clouds wasn't completely dark. There was something coming from behind it that caught my attention. As I scanned the gloomy cloud I noticed a lining of light surrounding the outside of it. I've heard of silver linings before and knew the general definition, but I was curious and asked my friend to look the definition up online and this is what she found:

 

Silver Lining:

• A hopeful or comforting prospect in the midst of difficulty.

• A comforting or hopeful aspect of an otherwise desperate or unhappy situation. 

• A consoling aspect of a difficult situation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(This is the exact picture I took that night with Marije Scherf) 

 

Since that drive, I have been searching to know more about silver linings. They are a glimmer of hope; the good things going on around us during the darkest rain or hail storms. I'm starting to realize that it's about perspective; changing paradigms. Life is hard, and I am not saying to expect bliss all the time, to be ignorant of troubles in the world or our own lives, but rather to look for the silver linings and remember that there is hope. 

 

As I said earlier, I love to learn from people and how they have become the person that they are today. If you want to comment below or send me an email to mar14010@byui.edu, please let me know what brings you hope during difficult times. If you're currently going through a hard time and just want someone to listen to you, please feel welcome to send me a message or email. 

 

I have found great support of people around me, but I know I have not felt more strength, love, and comfort come to me during difficult times than when I have knelt down and prayed to Heavenly Father. I know He's there. And the amazing thing is, He really does listen! I know He does. Prayer and these hard times are how I've come to know that God is really there. It's given me the opportunity to share with Him all the thoughts and feelings that I have. I have felt Him heal my heart through prayer as well as give me a bigger perspective on my circumstances. 

Some things happen that we cannot explain the "why", but I will share with anyone that God loves you. Please never ever forget that, and if you don't know if He loves you, I will invite you to find out for yourself. 

 

"And I said unto him: I know that He (God) loveth His children, nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." - 1 Nephi 11:17 (The Book of Mormon)