Hilary Weeks

This isn’t a typical blog post…(sorry!)

The purpose of this blog post is get the word out that I’m looking for products for my new website – billionclicks.org.

The goal of the website is to unite “clickers” (people who are clicking their positive thoughts) in an effort to reach one billion clicks!  When you visit the website, you can enter your clicks, be inspired by blogs about the power of positive thinking, read other “clickers” stories and share your experiences!  To support that goal we want to offer products for “clickers” – anything positive and uplifting to remind us of the power of optimism!

So…

I am looking for products for billionclicks.org!  I’ve seen lots of products on other websites – things like notebooks, cards, journals, backpacks, quote books, jewelry - all with positive words and messages!  I am a big fan of surrounding ourselves with reminders like that!

Are you a creative soul looking for an opportunity to show your work?

Do you know a creative soul who would be interested in this opportunity?

If so…please contact me via email at hw@hilaryweeks.com.  I would love to see what you have created!

Here are a few websites that I have visited – I love what they carry and I love their mission.  Take a look – it might be helpful in giving you an idea of the types of products I’m looking for.

http://www.live-inspired.com

http://www.naturallife.net

Pass the word along!!  I really, really hope to hear from you!  (or someone you know…)

Blog to you soon,

Hilary

P.S.  Here are a few pictures of products I am inspired by…

I’m the “bread” portion of the lesson…

I just learned that I spent three years on someone’s “to do” list.

That has to be some kind of record somewhere.  (Anyone have a Guinness Book handy?)

A wonderful woman from my former stake has had “bring Hilary homemade bread” on her “to do” list for three years.  THREE YEARS!!

I would have crossed me off after three days.

But not this woman.  Last Monday at 5:15, she dropped off TWO loaves of warm, homemade bread.  Braided bread.  It was delicious.  As we sliced the bread for dinner, I thought about the lesson in the bread.  One lesson stood out to me…

It is never too late.

After hearing me speak at our stake Relief Society Women’s Conference three years ago she decided she would like to drop of a loaf of thank you bread.  But she didn’t get around to it until now.  I thought of the countless times I have considered writing a thank you note and after putting it off for an embarrassingly long amount of time, I just took it off my list.  “Oh, they won’t remember anyway.   I’m sure they know of my appreciation.”  I thought of the many phone calls I should have made, but had passed on simply because time had passed by.   “It’s too late.  I’ll call next time.”

The chances of me delivering kindness three years after the fact is about as slim as me making my own braided bread.  Sad on both counts.

But not her.

She came through.

I’m so grateful for the bread.  I’m so grateful for the example.  I’m so grateful for her.

The ”butter” portion of the lesson comes from Emily Freeman and her blog post today - “A Pound of Butter.”  Enjoy.

Blog to you soon,

Hilary

I felt waves of anxiety all through Sacrament Meeting yesterday.  I was prepared to give the Relief Society lesson, but I still felt anxious.

It was an important message.

A vital message.

We all have a voice and the Lord needs us to use it.  Elder Holland said, “Satan cannot directly take a life.  That is one of the many things he cannot do.  But apparently his effort to stop the work will be reasonably well served if he can just bind the tongue of the faithful.”

The faithful…

that’s you

that’s me

that’s every sister that was sitting in Relief Society yesterday.

I so badly wanted to remind us of our voices – our influence.

We talked about other women who have had influence – in many different ways.  Influence comes in countless forms.  Sometimes our influence is noticed by one.  At times our influence is apparent to many.   Always, our influence is known to Heavenly Father.

We talked about Hilda Alvarenga.  I love Daughters in my Kingdom.  That is a book filled with examples of women using their voices.  AND it is filled with encouragment from prophets to do so.

“When we qualify ourselves by our worthiness,

when we strive with faith nothing wavering to fulfill the duties appointed to us,

when we seek the inspiration of the Almighty in the performance of our responsibilities,

we can achieve the miraculous.”   

(Thomas S. Monson)

I closed by singing ”A Song to Sing.”

After the lessons ended…so did the anxiety.

On another note…

Yesterday morning I found out that we were going to need to find a new web designer/programmer for billionclicks.org.

Discouraging.  Especially after a week of feeling discouragment.  This was a big hit.

An hour later our home teachers came.  They taught President Monson’s “Living the Abundant Life.”  How did President Monson know I would need to hear that?  How did my home teachers know to come at a time when I would need that message the most?

Sacrament Meeting was all about having the faith to climb our mountains and not give up.  At least that’s what I heard.

This morning I debated.  Should I call it quits?  There are plenty of acceptable and rational reasons why I could.  Should I keep going?  There are plenty of important reasons why I should.

I talked it over with Tim and he encouraged me to keep going.

So I will.

(And to Wendy, Amber, Mari and Natasha…thank you for your words of encouragement.  While I never expect readers to comment, today, I sure appreciated that you did.)

(P.S. Amber…unfortunately, the clicker section is not on the DVD.  Sorry.)

I end with Elder Holland’s words…

“Sign on and speak up.”

“Open [your] mouths and speak miracles.”

“Unbind your tongues and watch your words work wonders.”

Blog to you soon,

Hilary

Two things have been happening this week and I didn’t realize how interconnected they were until this morning.

I went for a walk with my friend Emily Freeman.  (Can you believe how gorgeous this weather is?  Two people can go for a walk at 8:00 am in the middle of January in Utah?  I LOVE IT!  Yes, I know the lack of snow now means that we’ll have two feet in July…but it is so hard to care when I can be outside today!)

I told her about the two things…

1.  I am working on a new website – billionclicks.org.  It is the outgrowth of the clickers that I’ve talked about on my blog, firesides and at TOFW.   Many people have had amazing experiences with clicking and paying attention to their thoughts.  I wanted to create a website where we could share those experiences, gleen more knowledge about the power of our thoughts and combine our clicking efforts to try to reach

ONE BILLION CLICKS!!!!!

Can you imagine the good that could come from a billion positive thoughts?!  Think of the good that has come from ONE positive thought!!

But this week I have been doubting myself.  I have questioned if the effort of creating billionclicks.org is worth it.  Will it make a difference to anyone?  Will it do any good in the world?  Why am I even doing this?  Do I really have something to offer?

In true Emily fashion, she encouraged me.  She reminded me of the purposes – to do good, to point to the Savior.  She helped me believe again.

2.  I have been working on my Relief Society lesson for Sunday - “We Are All Enlisted” by Elder Holland.  AWESOME.  It was given at the Priesthood session of General Conference last October.  One of the principles that has stood out to me this week and that I’m hoping to emphasize on Sunday is that we all have a voice.  Every single one of us has influence.  We each have the opportunity (and responsibility) to find out what our “voice” is and how the Lord wants us to use it.  Our voices come in all forms -

kind and encouraging words to our children,

support to our husbands,

compliments to our friends,

a smile to a stranger,

a testimony in Sacrament Meeting,

singing a hymn,

whispering a prayer,

testifying on a blog,

writing a book,

writing a note,

 noticing a need.

As Emily and I walked and talked it occured to me that perhaps I have been doubting the influence and potential of my “billion clicks website voice” precisely because of its potential influence.  I have a voice.  This new website is an opportunity to spead good – I have to believe that.  But as I have pondered the challenge and the call to use our voices, Satan tried to make me doubt mine.

I am grateful for my voice (click)

I am grateful for your voice (click)

I am grateful for walks (clicks)

for friends (click)

for the gospel (click)

for reminders of our potential (click)

and that the Lord trusts us to have potential (click)

Blog to you soon,

Hilary

I have never once gotten mad at a sunset.

Never said to myself as the sun went down, “That’s it?  That’s the best you can do?  Where are all the colors?”

In fact, I don’t know anyone who judges sunsets.  Nope, not a single person I know is disappointed if there isn’t a brilliant display of crimson, magenta and gold every evening at dusk.

But I have stood in awe at the hand of God when He has delighted us with a work of art as the sun drops behind the horizon.  I have witnessed the jaw-dropping beauty of an unexpectedly gorgeous sunset.

Some sunsets take our breath away.  There are sunsets so “beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of Heaven.”

But…

Most sunsets go quietly without any fanfare at all.  No one races for their camera.  No one calls their family to view from the front porch.  The sun just fades on its way to rise in another place.

That seems analogous for the day to day.  Some days we see miracles.  Some days are so perfect we hope we never forget them – and wish we could experience them over and over.  Some days – nothing goes wrong  – everything goes our way.  “For that’s the way it is with life, as some of the most beautiful days come completely by chance.”

But…

Most days come and go quietly without any fanfare at all.  We follow the routine.  We see to the important things of life.  We pray.  We hope.  We work.  We try…and try again.  Some days don’t get a write-up in our journal – simply because it was ordinary.  Typical.  Even predictable.

I have to admit, I like them both.  I like the surprise of a brilliant sunset and the predictability of a sunset, albeit plain.  I love the days to always be remembered and I love the forgetable days that flow seamlessly together.

Blog to you soon,

Hilary

And just remember, there is one Plan that won’t ever change – one Plan you can always rely on – one Plan that’s sole purpose is our happiness.

The best Planner, Creator and Organizer in the Universe designed it.  And He let’s us be part of it!

Travel plans can change.

Dinner plans may change.

Dreams, hopes and future plans might even change.

All sorts of things all around us change.  The only constant IS change.

But the Plan of Happiness, the best plan of all, will always be in place – consistent, unfailing, reliable, steady.  So, if your Plan A has become Plan J, K even L…just remember the “Main Plan A” is still in place.  And your plans still fit within it. 

Blog to you soon,

Hilary

Calli (12)  and I (41)  (I make myself laugh) have been cooking together for a couple years.

It is one of my favorite things to do with her.  In between chopping, stirring and measuring –  we giggle, talk and bond.  She has become a very good little cook.  One night while driving home, I called my oldest daughter and gave her instructions on how to start dinner.   She was confused.  I asked her to put Calli on the phone.

Calli recently decided to independently plan and prepare meals as one of her Personal Progress projects – one meal a week for ten weeks.   Kenzie realized she needs to know how to cook for college and decided to do the same – one meal a week, planned and prepared, with me in the shadows available to answer questions.   Last Sunday, Calli and Kenzie decided to join forces and make a homemade version of Cafe Rio Pork Salads.

As Calli walked into the kitchen she was carrying chef hats – made with her own two hands.  I cracked up.  (and then fetched the camera.)

They had a lot of fun cooking together…and the meal was delish!

Thought you might enjoy the recipes…

Creamy Cilantro Dressing

1-8 oz jar of green salsa, medium spiciness

1 pkg buttermilk ranch dressing (dry)

½ c sour cream

½ c low fat mayonnaise

½ c buttermilk

1 c fresh cilantro

2 cloves pressed garlic

¼ t cayenne pepper

½ t salt

2 T fresh lime juice

½ t cumin

¼ c sugar

Few drops Tabasco sauce (taste the dressing before adding this, you may find it is already spicy enough)

Blend all together in the blender until smooth and creamy.

Cafe Rio Pork

Pork loin, Large can of red enchilada sauce and 2 cups brown sugar.  Cook for 8 hours in a crock pot on high.  Shread and enjoy!

Blog to you soon!

Hilary

I made a mistake.

I know – that’s no newsflash. I make mistakes everyday.  But Saturday I made a bigger mistake than normal which had quite a painful effect on me – and on the injured party as well. 

The Reader’s Digest version of it is I was not very kind.  In a situation where I should have been considerate and compassionate, I was unthoughtful and impatient.  Instead of keeping thoughts to myself, I  let words of frustration escape my mouth. 

I’ve been unkind before.

I’ve said things I wished I hadn’t before.

I have certainly been impatient and frustrated many times before.

Sometimes I feel like Nephi did  – “My heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.”  I hate losing to the natural man.  I want so much to be more like the Savior – kind, loving, slow to judge and quick to forgive.   I knew better.  Why didn’t I show more self-control?

A few hours after the incident, I was in my room worrying and crying and trying to figure out how to make it better.  I felt terrible.  I prayed. I told Heavenly Father what had happened and how sorry I was.  I told Him how I wished there was more humility in my soul and expressed my frustration with the pride that seems to win out at times.  I told Him that I desperately needed His help making this right and I plead for strength, peace and forgiveness. 

And then I asked if He would be with me – even though I had wronged another.

If I could feel Him near me - even though I had been inconsiderate.

I didn’t want to be alone.  Maybe I deserved to be alone – but I needed Him.

In that moment, the Comforter came. 

He came with peace.  He came with courage.  He came with reassurance that everything would be okay and that I was loved. 

Armed with peace, courage and a feeling that I was loved…I made the phone call.  It was so scary.  My heart was pounding.  But I made the call and apologized.  The apology was accepted, and hearts began to heal.

In 2 Nephi 8:12 the Lord says, “I am he; yea, I am he that comforteth you.”  Today I know Him a little better, a little more.  He did comfort me – I know it was Him.  I am so grateful in our moments of need He is there.  He comes.  He stays.  He loves.  He guides.  He mends.

Blog to you soon,

Hilary