Conference

Conference this weekend was amazing. 

It always gives me hope and guidance— And for a weekend, all seems right in the world. 

It is so reassuring to see these incredible leaders who devote all their time and attention to God’s work.

I love the peace that comes with their eternal perspective. 

Although Conference weekend means a lot to me,

I’m most excited to go back through all the talks and study more closely each message.

For the next six months, I will enjoy this new encouragement and guidance from the Lord. 

I know that He speaks directly through these ordained and inspired disciples. 

I know that we are so blessed to live in a day with living prophets;

And the technology to hear from them no matter where we are in the world. 

“Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever.” -Jeffrey R. Holland 

Yay for Tech!

This week I'm feeling extra grateful for technology.

My husband has been on a business trip for 9 days (the longest we've been apart since we were married) 

It's definitely been hard to be separated..

But every night, I get an hour or more face time session with him--

It has literally saved my life!!

It's amazing that we can stay connected and even talk "face-to-face" so many miles away.

I got to go meet up with him on Friday for his last couple work days.

The night before my flight, delta sent me a notification that it was time to "check-in".

I was able to sign in and send a confirmation bar code to my cell phone without stepping foot in the airport.

The next day, I arrived and went straight to security with my cell bar code, skipping all the check in process. 

They scanned my phone and let me through security!

Brilliant system right?

I was late (of course) and the security line was long...

So I honestly made my flight thanks to my little pre-checked bar code.

Technology is truly a beautiful thing!! 

Face-to-Face

I got to watch the Face-to-Face with Elder Holland this last week.
Not surprisingly, it was absolutely amazing!
I even looked on his Facebook page after and saw the hundreds of questions still coming in...
He was doing his best to go through and personally answer a lot of those.
It struck me in that moment how incredible media is.
The global LDS presence had immediate access to an apostle of the Lord,
To answer their individual questions.
Isn't it almost mind-blowing that such access exists?

I'm so grateful for the technology that makes it possible,
And for the representatives of Christ that take the time and interest to cater to the needs of each one of God's children.
It's a privilege to live in a day where such miracles are a reality.

Coding

I started my coding this weekend,
My group is studying the objectification of women in magazines.
One thing that I noticed was that about 90% of the objectified women were white...
Which brought up a lot of questions for me.
I'm really interested now if this is because most magazines feature a white majority,
Or if they are really targeting white women as more sexual objects.
Either way, the message being sent to women is loud and clear--
So common also, that unfortunately we are starting to take it for 'normal'.
After coding and watching "MissRepresentation" this week,
I've started to realize what a poisonous epidemic objectification is...
And that I've become so conditioned to it that I've been dominantly desensitized until recently.
I'm grateful for this class and the media awareness it has brought to my life.

Create

This week I have just been in awe of the media!
I am doing an internship this semester, and unexpectedly,
I've had the opportunity to do a lot of graphic creation and design.
This is definitely not my area of expertise...
But as I've learned to use different programs like Illustrator and Acrobat,
I've been amazed by all the resources we have to create.

My husband is a filmmaker.
He is an amazing artist, and his work is uplifting and inspiring.
I love that because of the media and technology,
He is able to do something he loves and is passionate about.

As President Uchtdorf says,
It is an inherent human gift to create.
I'm so grateful for the media available in our world--
that gives us greater opportunity and capacity to do what we were made to do.

Bednar's Wisdom

I was so touched by the Mormon Message we watched in class.
I had never heard Elder Bednar speak about media and his words were so powerful.

This last weekend, my family went to St. George.
There is this new scrabble game app that my mom loves called "Words with Friends".
Many of us downloaded the game so we could all challenge each other.
Throughout the weekend, we continuously played the game...
On the drive home, I noticed that there was a lot more playing than talking going on.
It was a Sunday morning, we were driving early so we could be home in time for church--
I realized that I had only read half a chapter in the Book of Mormon,
But I had managed to play 5 rounds of the game during the 4 hour car ride.

Elder Bednar's talk really hit home for me.
I loved his two questions,
"Does it invite or impede the Holy Ghost?"
"Does it enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, to love, and to serve?"

I realized that I would have to answer no to both those questions after this weekend.
I, first off, forfeited the companionship of the spirit,
and secondly, forfeited the opportunity to build greater relationships with my family.

Starting today, I'll frequently ask myself Elder Bednar's questions,
and start living my life accordingly.

Think Twice America

I was listening to a podcast by Michael Medved the other day.
He reported that the average American watches 4 hours a day of television...
And unfortunately we don't have a news business, but a " bad news business"
Since over 70% of news content highlights crime, sickness and natural disasters.
Michael believes that the affects of watching too much TV include:
negativity and pessimism,
short-term attention span,
emphasis on the superficial/material
and loneliness.

I think based on the popular content consumed today, this evaluation is true.
However, it doesn't have to be!
As Americans, we need to be more conscious of our media consumption.
Great programs that offer education, perspective, positivity and enrichment are available.
We just need to seek them out.
I'm grateful for this class because it has helped me to see all both sides of the media coin.
I know that our lives are what we make of them, as is our use of media.

A Digital World

This morning I got up to start doing my homework...
My laptop battery life was at 7%.
I started searching frantically for my charger,
Finally realizing that I had left it at the internship office.
I thought it wouldn't be a big deal,
Maybe I'd just go pick it up the next day?
After I studied my scriptures,
I went to do my homework and realized there was absolutely NOTHING
for me to do with no computer.
I didn't want to start writing my essay on real paper,
Because I knew it would take twice as long and I'd have to retype the whole thing later.
I couldn't even do my readings since I needed learning suite to find out what they were.

It's amazing how much of our lives exists inside of technology.
I'm grateful for the productivity and efficiency it brings to my education.
I know that our learning is enhanced and advanced if we choose to embrace its benefits,
And minimize its distractions.
Yay for the media!

Teach them Truth

For our group project, we are studying about the objectification of women in the media.
One of my team members brought this TED Talk to my attention and I loved it.
http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/02/the-sexy-lie/
(You should listen for yourselves)
There were so many points I found educational and intriguing,
But the point I wanted to comment on was this...
"We raise our little boys to view their bodies as tools to master their environments.
We raise our little girls to view their bodies as projects to constantly be improved."

Our society has created a cultural monster for the female self-image.
We have given beauty unrealistic dimensions and a photoshopped face.
Setting up every girl to believe that her perfectly functioning body is somehow lacking...
Eating disorders, body shame, appearance anxiety and depression result.

I don't know if the media and its messages will ever change...
But we can individually instill different messages into our own girls.
I read this exert on Facebook the other day and I loved it.

"How to talk to your daughter about her body, step one: 

Don't talk to your daughter about her body, except to teach her how it works.
Don't say anything if she's lost weight. Don't say anything if she's gained weight.
If you think your daughter's body looks amazing, don't say that. Here are some things you can say instead:
'You look so healthy!' is a great one.
Or how about, 'You're looking so strong.'
'I can see how happy you are -- you're glowing.'
Better yet, compliment her on something that has nothing to do with her body.
Don't comment on other women's bodies either. Nope. Not a single comment, not a nice one or a mean one.
Teach her about kindness towards others, but also kindness towards yourself.
Don't you dare talk about how much you hate your body in front of your daughter, or talk about your new diet. In fact, don't go on a diet in front of your daughter. Buy healthy food. Cook healthy meals. But don't say, "I'm not eating carbs right now." Your daughter should never think that carbs are evil, because shame over what you eat only leads to shame about yourself.

Encourage your daughter to run because it makes her feel less stressed. Encourage your daughter to climb mountains because there is nowhere better to explore your spirituality than the peak of the universe. Encourage your daughter to surf, or rock climb, or mountain bike because it scares her and that's a good thing sometimes.

Help your daughter love soccer or rowing or hockey because sports make her a better leader and a more confident woman. Explain that no matter how old you get, you'll never stop needing good teamwork. Never make her play a sport she isn't absolutely in love with.

Prove to your daughter that women don't need men to move their furniture.
Teach your daughter how to cook kale.
Teach your daughter how to bake chocolate cake made with six sticks of butter.
Pass on your own mom's recipe for Christmas morning coffee cake. Pass on your love of being outside.

Maybe you and your daughter both have thick thighs or wide ribcages. It's easy to hate these non-size zero body parts. Don't. Tell your daughter that with her legs she can run a marathon if she wants to, and her ribcage is nothing but a carrying case for strong lungs. She can scream and she can sing and she can lift up the world, if she wants.

Remind your daughter that the best thing she can do with her body is to use it to mobilize her beautiful soul."

~ Sarah Koppelkam

Who We Will Become

Our first day of class, Professor Coyne posed the question,

"In your opinion, is the majority of media good, bad or neutral?"

Her question reminded me of a speech that I attended by Matt Townsend.

He concluded that technology is most definitely neutral.

The messages we receive become positive or negative based on the information we seek. 

Dr. Matt then taught something profound,

"Technology is a magnifying glass of your greatest weakness."

Our phones, computers, and electronics are extensions of ourselves.

They reflect our interests, passions, and personalities. 

Other people can often learn more about us from our Facebook page, 

Than from a first impression or personal encounter.

Matt explained that if we had low self-esteem or insecurities,

We might post shameless selfies and obsess over others' seemingly 'perfect' lives.

If we struggled with lustful desires, 

We might seek after and entertain pornographic material.

If we were self-absorbed and less concerned for those around us,

We would be more occupied by our phone than people trying to interact with us;

Never offering our full love or attention.

That was the the first time I considered technology to be mirror-like,

Reflecting the most current concerns and choices in my life.

I had some great introspection that day, 

Wondering what my phone might write on my existence...

Obviously, if technology magnifies our greatest weaknesses, 

It also our demonstrates our strengths.

I wanted my most opened apps to be the gospel library, 

Educational podcasts,

Texts and calls to relatives and old friends. 

I wanted my personal profiles to reflect modesty, faith, confidence, and happiness.

I wanted my virtual interaction to inspire and uplift,

Rather than discourage, contend, or offend.

I wanted my life to be one of discipleship.

I finally realized this desire would be propelled or inhibited by the way I use technology.

"Because what we love determines what we seek. 

What we seek determines what we think and do. 

What we think and do determines who we are --

And who we will become." 

--Dieter F. Uchtdorf