Nicole Sheahan Notes Above the Noise

Off to Poland!

2011-09-05T21:35:00.000-07:00

I am leaving in two days to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Poland Warsaw Mission. Woohoo! This song, "Set the World on Fire" is one of my favorite songs - I love the message and wanted to share it with you.

I will be at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) for nine weeks learning Polish and practicing teaching in Polish, and then I'll fly to Poland. It's always been a dream of mine to serve a mission because what I believe has changed me - I know who I am and why I'm here. Jesus Christ is why I believe in everything I believe. And He is why I'm serving a mission.

I will be gone for 18 months and will return to the states in March 2013. If you'd like to write me (I'd love to hear from you), here's where to send your letters! :)

From Sept. 2011-Nov. 8, 2011, write me at:
Sister Nicole Betty Sheahan
MTC Mailbox # 153
POL-WAR 1108
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

After that (Nov. 9, 2011-March 2013), please send letters (and packages of Nutella! haha just jokes) to:
Sister Nicole Betty Sheahan
Poland Warsaw Mission
Swietych w Dniach Ostatnich
UI. Wiertnicza 135, 1 Pietro
02-952 Warszawa
Poland

I pray that God will be with you in your life - He always is if we'll just ask and put Him first. I will definitely be creating more music when I get home, but I've really felt this is where my Heavenly Father wants me right now.

I'll be MIA from this blog until about March 2013...

Onward & upward my friends!

Much love, Nicole

I am His Daughter

2011-09-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

I had the blessing to sing this song, "I am His Daughter" on the EFY 2010 album, written by my amazing friends Stephanie Mabey and Debra Fotheringham. I ran across this beautiful video that a lady made and put with this song; I love this video because you can see the light in these women and they radiate that they know who they are. It just reminded me of how lucky I am to know that I am a daughter of God. Truly knowing and remembering that every day changes everything.

I'm going on a mission!!!

2011-05-24T21:31:00.000-07:00

Since I was a young girl, I dreamed of serving a mission for my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I wanted to go because the gospel of Jesus Christ has completely changed my life, because it’s changed me and brought me true joy. I want to tell everyone about it, and give them the chance to hear this glorious message - that Christ's true church has been restored on to the earth and that God continues to speak to His children and guide us.

I wasn't sure if a full-time 18-month mission was what God had in mind for my road in life. For a while I thought, "No, my focus needs to be on music and serving God in that way."

I do feel that music is a big part of my life's mission. But earlier this year I wasn't feeling at peace in my life. I was enjoying my jobs and being in Nashville, but I think Heavenly Father was giving me that unsettled feeling so I'd really search out what He wanted me to do at this point in my life.

So after a lot of prayer and nights where I went back and forth wondering if going on a mission was right for me, I just felt this incredible peace about it. That unsettling feeling I had had before stopped. I knew that peace was from God.

Well, God has a way of making our dreams come true...this was kind of an unexpected thing for me right now. Late Friday night I got home and there was a white envelope from Salt Lake City addressed to Sister Nicole Betty Sheahan. !!!!!! I was freaking out, running around the house...because it came much earlier than I expected, and I realized this white envelope contained the location where I'd spend 18 months of my life. Wowzers.

I got my parents on the phone and had them make guesses of where I might be called. It could beanywhere in the world! The leaders of my church pray and receive revelation from God to know where He would send them. There are 140 LDS missions around the world.

Mom guessed Spain, Italy and New York.

Dad guessed France and Florida.

Shantell (my awesome roommate) guessed SoCal.

I guessed England...

I opened the letter, trying to stay calm...

It read...

Dear Sister Sheahan:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Poland Warsaw Mission...

DAHHH!!! POLAND! I never could have guessed. I am beyond excited. I was googling Poland all weekend and am trying to learn about their history and people. I will be entering the Missionary Training Center September 7, 2011 to prepare to preach the gospel in the Polish language.

I can't wait! My sister served a mission in Rome, Italy. And my twin brothers are currently serving in different parts of Chile. Each of them said that it's been the most amazing part of their life where they've found greater joy than they ever imagined.

I'm going because I believe with all my heart that Jesus is the Christ, my Savior and Redeemer. God lives. We are all children of our Heavenly Father, and He wants us to know Him and seek Him. He answers us. I grew up in this church. However, if I didn't know it was true, I would not be doing this. I would not use all the money I've been saving to buy a keyboard and to record another album to go do this for 18 months. If I didn't believe in this with all my heart, I would not be leaving jobs I love and going far away from my family and friends. Time and time again, God has confirmed its truthfulness to me, that it truly is from God, another testament of His son, Jesus Christ – and a companion to the Bible that contains a fullness of the gospel. And because I believe, I can't keep it to myself. That's why I'm going.

Poland, I'm so excited to get to know you and share the thing that has made me happier than anything with you.

And to each of you, I invite you to really take a good look at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...Not from what other people may say, but from actual members of the church. Find a church building and visit, or contact the missionaries or me, or visit mormon.org. It's either true or it's not. It's either is God's church or it isn't. So with such an important message, shouldn't we each take the time to find out for ourselves?

Enjoy yourself while you're still in the pink...

2011-04-25T18:43:00.000-07:00

Here's a little song from my Grandpa...he's a rock star. This makes me smile.

Focus

2011-03-30T23:02:00.000-07:00

Tonight my head is spinning because I’m thinking about everything I want to do tomorrow…and as usual, there are only so many hours in the day. And it’s 1 am and I’m getting up in five hours…(Can you believe I'm writing a blog?! For reals! It helps me to get it out so I can sleep.)

I want to do and be so many things so I try to schmoosh it into the time I have, and guess what….I’m limited. Hate to admit it, but I sure am.

I want to practice the piano a lot and learn more music theory.

I want to read tons of books.

I want to be healthy.

I want to help my friends and be there for them.

I want to write new songs.

I want to meet new people.

I want to go to concerts and learn from other musicians.

I want to respond to people’s emails in a timely manner.

I want to…I want to…you get the point.

But I don’t want to run around like a monkey with her head cut off (I’d rather be a monkey than a chicken right now…). I want to live each day in a way that’s truly meaningful. I don’t want to just fill up my time, but I want the things I do with my time to fill others and myself up.

It’s not a bad thing to want to be/do a lot of things, but I’m reminded of what one of my heroes, Dieter Uchtdorf, said:

"Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia—even during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives. It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Overscheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks."

So tonight, I’m re-focusing. And that’s personal for me and for each of us on what God needs us to focus our time on. We can’t be/do EVERYTHING…unless we want to be headless monkeys (or, if you prefer, chickens). But we can live each day for God and listen to Him. He will definitely help us know where our focus should be, because He loves us and wants us to be happy.

And that is where I find true meaning.

He wants it all...

2011-03-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

I was in a Zumba class the other week (I LOVE Zumba). The teacher turned on this song, "He Wants It All," as we were stretching. I immediately went home and bought it off of iTunes...and pretty much had it on repeat in my car for the next week.

I love it because I need that reminder to give my ALL at work, home, church, with friends or strangers. God does need hearts who are desperate to be close to Him, but so often our hearts are divided or distracted.

I think it's something we must choose to do every day - to wake up and say, "Heavenly Father, I'm going to give You my heart today, I'm going to serve You with my whole heart."

Our all is not going to be perfect - that's why we need our Savior. So we must rely on Him as we seek to give our all. To me, "all" means all the strength, sincerity, and energy you can give right now, and then our all is supplemented by His grace.

My all always falls short. But that's ok. I'll keep trying to give my Heavenly Father my all, and He mercifully fills in the cracks.

Outside my own little world

2011-02-08T17:17:00.000-08:00

Trying to get outside my own little world...

In my own little world it hardly ever rains
I've never gone hungry, always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet
In my own little world, population: me

I try to stay awake during Sunday morning church
I throw a twenty in the plate but I never give 'til it hurts
And I turn off the news when I don't like what I see
Yeah, it's easy to do when it's population: me

What if there's a bigger picture?
What if I'm missing out?
What if there's a greater purpose?
I could be living right now
Outside my own little world

Stopped at a red light looked out my window
I saw a cardboard sign said, "help this homeless widow"
And just above that sign was the face of a human
I thought to myself, God, what have I been doing?
So I rolled down the window and I looked her in the eye
Oh, how many times have I just passed her by?
I gave her some money than I drove on through
And my own little world reached population: two

What if there's a bigger picture?
What if I'm missing out?
What if there's a greater purpose?
I could be living right now
Outside my own little world
My own little world

Father, break my heart for what breaks Yours
Give me open hands and open doors
Put Your light in my eyes and let me see
That my own little world is not about me

What if there's a bigger picture?
What if I'm missing out?
What if there's a greater purpose?
That I could be living right now
I don't want to miss what matters
I wanna be reaching out
Show me the greater purpose
So I can start living right now
Outside my own little world

(Matthew West)

A Baby Changes Everything

2010-12-19T13:11:00.000-08:00

I was thinking about these words this morning from Faith Hill's song, "A Baby Changes Everything."

My whole life has turned around
I was lost, but now I'm found
A baby changes everything

As Christmas gets closer, I'm just grateful to look at my life and how a baby has changed everything. Jesus lived his life for me and you. Because of Him, my entire life has been turned around. I keep going because no matter what happens, His hope, His atonement, and His resurrection are real.

Why I Believe

2010-08-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

My talented friend, Seth Adam Smith, just finished this video for my song, "Why I Believe." This is the message I want to share with the whole world.

I know that Christ lives. I know that He is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. I know that because He died for all of us, I can repent of my sins and become more like Him. He is why there is always hope. No matter how we've grown up, no matter what we’ve done in the past, and no matter where we are right now, through Christ, we can change and become new - not just once or twice, but every single day. I have seen and felt that in my life, and it is real. And can I just tell you, it’s worth everything! I know that following our Savior brings true peace and lasting happiness.

Many thanks to Liz Lemon Swindle for letting us use her beautiful artwork in this video, to Seth for sharing his incredible talents, and to Phil Goodwin for the original cinematography. And thank you for letting me share this with you. Please share it with your friends and family.

Meeting two of my musical heroes

2010-07-11T14:44:00.000-07:00

My dear friend, Kimberly, and I went to JFEST in Chattanooga, TN.

We got to meet two of my FAVORITE singer/songwriters ever...it was one of my dreams to meet these two women and I'm SO grateful I got to.

We met Britt Nicole - this girl has a heart of gold and one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard.

Also met Natalie Grant. I love how her music is to glorify God and help others remember His love.

Britt and Natalie aren't just musical heroes but they're heroes to me because they use their talents to share God's love and to lift other people. That's what I want to do, what I'm trying to do with the music I write and share.

Here's my favorite Britt Nicole song that has really strengthened me, "Walk On The Water." It's one of my top five songs ever ever. Take a listen.

Roadtrippin' to Nashville

2010-07-11T13:42:00.000-07:00

Au revoir Montana! I'll miss you!

2,000 miles from Hamilton, MT to Nashville, TN. Who better to drive it with than my Momma?!

Hot dawg! We're going to Nashville!

First gotta make a couple stops along the way to see....

.....this beautiful cloud.

Ta da! The cloud decided to move. It's actually Mt. Rushmore! Thank you clouds for moving. (What are those little men doing up there? I wanna stand on Thomas Jefferson's head!) The carving started in 1927 and they finished in 1941.

Yay Momma for driving across the country with me. What a Mom I have. :) Love you Momma.

So important to remember.

We visited Liberty Jail in Independence, Missouri.

Liberty Jail is where the Prophet Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Alexander McCrae, Lyman Wight and Caleb Baldwin were imprisoned for four months - from Dec. 1, 1838 to April 16, 1839. They were unjustly charged with treason to the state of Missouri.

It's crazy the conditions they were in - it was an extremely cold winter, their food was often poisoned, they had a bucket to go to the bathroom, hard floor to sleep on, and they couldn't even stand up straight - the ceiling wasn't high enough. But I love this quote that was on a pamphlet I got there.

"We remember Liberty Jail not as a place of suffering, but as a sacred spot where faith was tested and found sufficient. A place where the voice of God was heard again as He spoke to a living prophet. A place where revelation was given for all mankind."

I love that. Faith in God is sufficient for anything.

It makes me think of Hebrews 6:12: "Be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Fur coat, Shakespeare Man and Golden Headband

2010-06-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

Saw this band play last week. No words needed.

Best and truest rap I've ever heard

2010-05-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

Flashbacks from the past

2010-03-17T13:55:00.000-07:00

My parents raised me on country music. And you know what? I love it.

Reba, Trisha, Garth, George, Billy….I love em. I grew up with my parents taking me to Reba and Garth concerts. I'd get the Reba t-shirt (I was like five years old so the smallest size they had drowned me. So Reba shirts were my night gowns). I did go through a rebellious stage though in 6^th grade where I thought country wasn’t cool so I denied that I never really liked it. But everyone has those rebellious stages, eh? ha!

Why do I love country music? Well…I’ll let this video tell you why.

Besides the classic mullet...it’s just fun! It can say “You can tell your dog to bite my leg.” And hello! You can line dance to it! Yeehaw!

Now I do have to have a disclaimer, I don’t love ALL country…but there’s a lot of awesome country music out there.

Btw, there’s a sweet country concert and dance Thursday, March 25^th at the Loft with Nashville Star top 12 finalist Charley Jenkins and Hollywood American Idol finalist Anna Kaelin. If you're a country music fan or just love to dance, you don't want to miss this! Tickets are normally $7 each and sold at 24tix.com. Hopefully see you there!

Want to smile? Watch this.

2010-02-16T13:51:00.000-08:00

I promise it's worth the 16 1/2 min to watch this.

Isn't it cool how when someone gives you a sincere compliment or just smiles at you, it's hard not to smile? We can do that for someone.

Try it. Even if it's something you're not used to doing, even if you think it's "fake" at first. The world needs more smiles.

And YOU have a beautiful smile.

Food for the Brain

2010-01-08T21:03:00.000-08:00

Here are three interesting things I learned in my classes today:

1) We got the "Star Spangled Banner" tune from a drinking song... interesting, huh?

2) If you listened to songs like this ("Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin) in 1899 you'd probably feel guilty cuz it was more edgy than anything else at that time...which is just crazy to me! This music is completely innocent. Compare this to the music people are listening to a hundred years later...I wish we could go back to the innocence in popular music today.

3) Dvorak's New World Symphony is the tune to one of my favorite French cantiques, "Souviens-toi, mon enfant." I love that melody, and the French words are beautiful.

School is cool. Just wanted to share with you some of the interesting things I learned today. Hope you feel super duper smart! :)

I love guacamole... but I love this more...

2010-01-06T22:31:00.000-08:00

I Believe

2010-01-04T20:37:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite songs ever, put together with a beautiful video. Definitely worth the five minutes and 16 seconds to watch. "I Believe" by Natalie Grant.

Title of the Song

2009-12-29T22:27:00.000-08:00

My friend, Alan, shared this song with me and I couldn't stop laughing. Had to share it with ya'll.

“Title Of The Song” by Da Vinci's Notebook
From the album “The Life And Times Of Mike Fanning”

Declaration of my feelings for you
Elaboration on those feelings
Description of how long these feelings have existed
Belief that no one else could feel the same as I
Reminiscence of the pleasant times we shared
And our relationship's perfection
Recounting of the steps that led to our love's dissolution
Mostly involving my unfaithfulness and lies
Penitent admission of wrongdoing
Discovery of the depth of my affection
Regret over the lateness of my epiphany

(Chorus)
Title of the song
Naïve expression of love
Reluctance to accept that you are gone
Request to turn back time
And rectify my wrongs
Repetition of the title of the song

Enumeration of my various transgressive actions
Of insufficient motivation
Realization that these actions led to your departure
And my resultant lack of sleep and appetite
Renunciation of my past insensitive behavior
Promise of my reformation
Reassurance that you still are foremost in my thoughts now
Need for instructions how to gain your trust again
Request for reconciliation
Listing of the numerous tasks that I'd perform
Of physical and emotional compensation

CHORUS

Acknowledgment that I acted foolishly
Increasingly desperate pleas for your return
Sorrow for my infidelity
Vain hope that my sins are forgivable
Appeal for one more opportunity
Drop to my knees to elicit crowd response
Prayers to my chosen deity
Modulation and I hold a high note...

CHORUS

Anything Can Be

2009-12-04T23:02:00.000-08:00

Listen to the mustn'ts, child.

Listen to the don'ts.

Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts.

Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me...

Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.

-Shel Silverstein

Amen, Shel! I believe that. The sky is the limit! But I forget that sometimes.

My Bible as Literature teacher, Steven Walker, shared this in class the other night. I've been thinking a lot about my dreams and goals as graduation gets closer and trying to figure out what the next step is.

Music is not an easy industry; I know that. You don't just graduate and know what jobs you're going to apply for...it's a different world. I also know that music is inside my heart for an important reason. I just want to do what God wants me to do with music. What is that exactly? Right now I don't know exactly what that is, although I have a lot of ideas of what I want to do. But I do know that if I put God first, work hard and keep trying, God will guide me and give me strength.

The uncertain future can be scary...I think it's natural for us to want to see what's ahead. But sometimes we have to move ahead and try and fail, and then try and try again. I think that's the beauty of life -- God stretches us to become more than we think we can be. He teaches us that anything really can happen, and anything really can be because He created us to do amazing things and He believes in us.

Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.

My Song in the Night

2009-11-15T17:34:00.000-08:00

The Lost Get Found -- Britt Nicole

2009-11-05T22:39:00.000-08:00

Ok, my friends. I am in love with Britt Nicole's music and I wanted to let you know about her. She is an amazing Christian Contemporary artist and her music just speaks to my heart.

Why do I love her music so much? It's HONEST. Honest about imperfections and weaknesses, but also honest about the truth that God is real and He can heal us and help us with anything.

Check out her new music video below "The Lost Get Found." You can listen to more of her music here. My favorites are "Walk on the Water", "Safe," and "Have Your Way" which you can buy on iTunes.

From the richest to the poorest

2009-10-19T21:58:00.000-07:00

Scott and Brian before leaving the MTC

As you may know, both of my twin brothers are serving two-year missions for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are both serving in Chile. They've been there for two weeks now and are learning so much. Scotty shared a beautiful experience with me today in his email. He said:

"At about 9:30 pm the night before, Elder Killian and I were walking in the street and this drunk woman or baracha stopped us and was really sincere about asking for help to stop drinking. So we set up an appointment to teach her at her home the next day. To make a long story short, we went there to teach her the next day.

We went to Pasaje 1 in Chiloe and found Ana´s home, a little one room shack made of plywood and other scraps that had a sheet for a door. We sat outside on a log and taught Ana about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how it could help her stop drinking. And how nothing is impossible with God as it says in Luke 1:37. She really liked what we had to say and she said she would start praying for Gods help in stopping her addiction.

The lesson was great, but the greater lesson I learned from this was that all people from the very rich to the very very poor, like Ana, need the help of God in their life. I had never seen such primitive living conditions, even here in Chile and I judged Ana before the lesson on the way her house looked. But after the lesson I realized that the size or shape of one's house isn´t important at all and that all people are equal."

That really hit me. From the richest to the poorest, every single person needs God in their life. I know that wherever we are, whatever our circumstances, we all have one thing in common--we need God. I've felt how much I need Him and how much I need His love. When I feel His love, it gives me energy to do anything. It gives me strength beyond my own and it is the best feeling in the world.

I feel and see His love in the sunshine, in the warm smile of a friend, in the wind, the colors of the autumn leaves, music, in learning, in the taste of chocolate :) and in so many things! Heavenly Father reminds us how infinite His love is for us. He is all around us--we just need to seek Him and we will find Him everywhere.

This is one of my favorite songs ever put to a beautiful video. Take a minute to watch it and to reflect on how you feel God's love every day. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts.

Lessons Learned from Tinkerbell

2009-10-10T19:55:00.000-07:00

True fact: Sometimes you just need a good girls’ night. I had a much needed girls' night yesterday with one of my best friends. We ordered pizza, talked about boys, and watched Tinkerbell. (Another true fact: I love pizza. And I might have eaten a lot of it yesterday.) LOVED this movie! It’s clean, great animation, great music and an awesome message = that equals my kind of movie! Definitely worth watching.

Sometimes I think I’m like Tinkerbell...let me explain. Tink is a tinker – she fixes things. But she didn’t feel like that was important in comparison to the other fairies that got to go to the main land when seasons changed. So she got some other fairies to teach her their talent, but it didn’t work. She spent so much time looking at others gifts but she was neglecting her unique and important talent, and what she really loved deep down.

But she finally realized her talent for fixing things. When she was using her talent to help others, she was happy. She was just being herself.

I think it’s very easy for anyone to be like Tinkerbell was, but we don’t have to be just like so and so. I am unique. You are unique. We each have something so important to offer. And I know God will help us as we find our gifts and He’ll help us know how to use them.

If you don’t want to watch the whole movie, here’s a clip from it that I love. It’s at the climax of the movie where Tink is trying so hard to prove herself to the other fairies, but then she discovers…well, you’ll just have to watch…

“Your talent makes you who you are. You should be proud of it.”-Tinkerbell

Thanks, Tink. I needed the reminder.

School is cool. Homework rules?

2009-09-22T23:31:00.000-07:00

School is in session! I've been doing homework all day--listening to Haydn, Gluck, Stamitz, Mozart, and other amazing composers for my music history exam. Some of their pieces can sound so similar on the test so I listen over and over. My favorite is John Gay's..."My heart was so free, it roved like a bee!" haha It makes me smile. Maybe I should use language like that in my songs....hmmm...

I love learning and stretching myself and my classes are definitely doing that this semester. I haven't posted in a while but will do better. In the meantime, here are links to my weekly music blogs for MormonTimes.com which I absolutely love writing. Here are a few of the most recent ones--check em out! If you're looking for fresh new music, you might find something you like there. :) Loves!

On tour with Truman
Lowe does 3rd tour with David Archuleta
Faith-promoting music from fellow Christians
Musicians, community combine for great cause
Summer showcase finalists seek to uplift

Make You Feel My Love [cover]

2009-08-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone who came to the Hammer Hands LIVE Playlist Concert Tuesday Night! It was one of my favorite shows ever, and that's because YOU guys are awesome. My friend, Chris, recorded "Make You Feel My Love" from that night so I wanted to share it with you. It's one of my favorite romantic songs. I remember first hearing it at the drive-in in NY when I saw "Hope Floats." Thank you Bob Dylan for writing this gorgeous song!!

Natachia Li joined me for a couple songs on the cello and it was so beautiful. I love the warmth and depth the cello brings. Hope you enjoy this and that you're doing well!

Brian Regan Ab Workout

2009-08-17T16:16:00.000-07:00

I'm home in Montana for a few days and my family and I have been watching some Brian Regan videos. He is hilarious. Watching his videos is a great ab workout too ;) Here's one of my favorites...

Writing for Mormon Times

2009-08-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

Some of you know I write music articles for The Mormon Times. I've been meaning to post links to them on here for a while. So here are the links to some of my articles if you want to check em out:
Summer Jam West emphasizes building a strong music community
Summer Showcase voting closes Aug. 15
Summer Jam West calls on all Utah talent
Showcase: Songs that deserve a listen
Tuesday night summer concert series
Summer Showcase's Chelsey Stallings
The power of art centered in Christ
Summer Showcase: Something for everyone's musical taste
The Mormon Times' Showcase contest: A hop towards the hip

Good People doing Great Things

2009-08-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

On Monday, I read an article in the Daily Universe about a humanitarian group called Rising Star Outreach. They started a mobile medical clinic to help treat those affected with leprosy and they also started a school for children who come from leprosy-affected families. The article really touched me - there are people all over the world using their blessings to do good things and help others. That is what it's all about! I want to be a part of that. These things are what make life truly meaningful.

The president of Rising Star Outreach, Becky Douglas, said, "It seems like if you just lift your hand to help your fellowmen, God multiplies what you do by a thousand."

This morning, my friend Tiffany called me and told me there's a fundraiser tomorrow night for an organization who helps people affected with leprosy. The organizations for this fundraiser are Promethean Spark and Rising Star Outreach -- both are doing great things to help leprosy-affected individuals in India. Tiffany's friend is in charge of it and a couple of the musicians dropped out last minute so she asked me to play at it. I'm excited to get to play and hear more about the great things people are doing. If you're in the Provo, Utah area and can come, please do and spread the word! Here's the info:

Date:	Thursday, August 13, 2009
Time:	7:00pm - 8:00pm
Location:	Tahitian Noni Auditorium
Street:	333 West River Park Drive
City/Town:	Provo, UT

Price:

Suggested $10 dollar donation

Two of my BESTEST friends

2009-08-04T20:24:00.000-07:00

They will always be my little brothers but they sure have grown into amazing men!

My twin brothers, Brian and Scott, go into the MTC (Missionary Training Center) tomorrow where they'll be for two months. Then Scotty's going to the Santiago Chile Mission and Brian's going to the Osorno Chile Mission for the next two years.

I'm SO proud of them. It's funny looking back and remembering when they were babies and would love to play in the toilet...it was HILARIOUS. Now 19 years later, here they are going to share something that they have come to know for themselves is true, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with the people in Chile.

Thinking of that makes me look at little babies in a whole different way. Each baby grows up and has such great potential to change the world for the better.

I'm definitely going to miss my brothers while they are gone the next two years, but I'm more excited for them. They are going because they want to go and because they know Jesus Christ is their Savior and they want to share the beautiful message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone.

I talked to Brian and Scott on the phone tonight to say goodbye. I already gave them a zillion hugs when I saw them a week ago. :) Their advice to me for the next two years? Flirt. Hahaha my brothers. I love everything about them. They're two of my bestest buds in the whole wide world.

Scooter and I

Brian the lion and I (...and Scotty's waving arms in the background)

Yay for family and color coordination ;)

Counting Our Blessings

2009-07-24T00:23:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite blogs is Paul Cardall's blog. He was born with CHD and has been waiting for a heart transplant for a while. His faith and perspective have really inspired me. One particular post really has helped me look at things with a better perspective - click here to read it.

Sheahan Family Dance Party

2009-07-23T18:05:00.000-07:00

I got to go HOME to Montana last weekend. All of my family was home and it was heavenly. Whitney just got back from teaching English for a year in France and we are soooo happy to have her back.

Main reason for going home: my brothers spoke in church before they go on their missions to Chile. They both did a wonderful job. I'm so proud of them and sooo excited for them. They will be amazing missionaries.

The Sheahan Family dance party was definitely one of the highlights of the weekend. Whit learned this fun dance to a song called "Cupid Shuffle" while she was in France. So here we are getting our groove on. You'll see Whitney, my Momma, Brian, Scott, and I and then my cute cousin Alyssa, and my Aunt Natalie. You should buy "Cupid Shuffle" on iTunes and then learn the dance from us here and have your own family dance party! Wicked fun and a decent workout! Scooter went a little crazy at the end of this one and broke the dance up with his monkey moves... =)

Grateful

2009-07-03T21:08:00.000-07:00

I'm grateful I can completely trust in my Heavenly Father who is so real. I may not be able to see Him, but I know He's all around me and He hears me. I'm grateful I can get on my knees and ask Him for help. I'm grateful He knows what's best for me and that He is shaping me.

I'm grateful for my family who support me and give me strength to follow my dreams.

I'm grateful for the freedom to dream; the freedom to try and fail, and get back up and try again. I'm grateful to be able to grow and become who I want to be.

I'm grateful for love. To love, to be loved, to be surrounded by love. I love love. :)

I'm grateful for you. Yep.

I'm grateful to live in this beautiful country and for my freedom. I know it has not come without a price, and I'm so grateful to be here and to have so many amazing opportunities.

I'm grateful to know where freedom comes from. It comes from our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is why we can choose. He is why we can be free of sin. He is why our weaknesses can become strengths. He is why we always have a best friend no matter what changes go on in our lives. He is why there is always hope.

What are you grateful for?

Kermie & Cookie Monster...

2009-06-29T23:53:00.000-07:00

I love Sesame Street.

There's No Such Thing as Perfect People

2009-06-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite songs by my favorite artist, Natalie Grant. I saw her in concert last summer at the Utah State Fair and took this sideways video. I've looked back on it in moments for the beautiful reminder it gives me and that I often need. It's called "Perfect People." I love these lyrics:

There's no such thing as perfect people
There's no such thing as a perfect life
So come as you are, broken and scarred
Lift up your heart
And be amazed and be changed by a perfect God.

I'm learning more and more how imperfect I am. Sometimes seeing your imperfections, especially on those days when they seem to be completely up in your face, is scary and not fun. But that is why God is perfect. That is why He sent His Son to make a way.

We don't have to be perfect. God is and His love is unconditional. But we must learn to trust God and let Him change our hearts. I know He can and He will. No matter what mistakes we've made in the past or will make today or tomorrow, He can change us to be more like Him.

I have felt Him change me. I know it is not wishful thinking. It's real. We are never stuck the way we are. We were created to be something better, something more than who we naturally are. It is only through our Savior. I know it can't be done on our own.

There was a time in my life where I did feel stuck. But that was a complete lie and deep down, I knew there was a way. It just takes giving your heart. Since then, I have learned that no matter where I am, God can take the broken pieces and heal. Not just part way or temporarily, but can completely heal.

So come just as you are. If you're hurting, if you're broken, if you need healing, if you need forgiveness, if you need grace, if you need redemption, He is the perfect, the perfect God.

Listen to the entire song, "Perfect People" and other beautiful songs by Natalie Grant here.

Learn more about our Savior, Jesus Christ here.

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

2009-06-21T15:37:00.000-07:00

My Dad is AWESOME. He has taught me so much about working hard and being diligent. In high school, I would go to him all the time with questions and we'd spend hours working on math and physics problems together. He is such a hard worker and SO smart. He's a nuclear engineer and right now is away working in Florida on a project and often works 10-12 hour days! He is amazing. My Dad has always been so supportive of me following my dreams. I know I wouldn't be where I am without all of his incredible support and love.

One of my favorite memories with my Dad is when I broke my ankle in high school playing soccer. Our team went to state and so my Dad drove me all the way to State Championships. And in Montana, where everywhere you go is at least three hours away, it was a long drive. But it was so much fun to just be with my Dad. He is wonderful.

Here's a little tribute video we made for you. Wish we all could be together today but know we all love you so much. Mom, Whit, Brian, Scott and I are so grateful for you, your love, and all you do for us. Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Brand New Song - "Crush"

2009-06-15T22:36:00.000-07:00

At the Hammer Hands Live Playlist Concert @ the Tahitian Noni 6/9/09. Featuring Ryan Innes and Jordan Rose on djembe.

If You've Never Failed, You've Never Lived

2009-06-11T22:21:00.000-07:00

I remember when I opened my letter from the School of Music in March 2007 after waiting weeks to hear back after auditions. I didn't get in. I was full of all kinds of emotions. I was bummed, I was confused, I was unsure about what to do next...but I remember getting down on my knees and praying. And that was where I found the strength to turn this "failure" into something.

After that prayer, I read Mormon 5:23 in the Book of Mormon: "Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?" I remember feeling this incredible peace come over me that was definitely a gift and answer from God. That was when I started writing the song, "In Your Hands" that's on my album. Not getting in made me dig deeper and realize that writing and creating music is my passion. And if it meant auditioning again the next year or doing it some other way, then so be it.

As you may know, the director of the Media Music program, Ron Simpson, called me in about three weeks after that. He told me a spot had opened and they wanted me in! I felt that same peace from God and I know that it needed to happen that way. I learned way more from failing than I would have learned if I made it in in the first place. So when I stumbled on this beautiful video, it reminded me not only of that experience, but just that life is about failing and succeeding. We learn from both. Failure is nothing to be afraid of. It's part of life and part of really living. It means we are taking risks; it means not being satisfied with being mediocre; it means trying something new that stretches us; and it means recognizing even more that we are in God's hands. He is shaping us as we give everything we have. Those experiences are what mold us and help us to be the kind of people that can make a difference in this world and help lift other people.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~Mark Twain

What makes you alive?

2009-06-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

~ Harold Thurman Whitman

Things that make me alive:
1) Following my dreams no matter what people say - giving it my all even if I fail. And then learning to get back up again.
2) Having deep conversations with people that open my eyes and inspire me.
3) Being around people who make you want to be better.
4) Discovering new things about the world. Traveling, meeting amazing and unique people everywhere you go.
5) Living the gospel and learning to rely on my Savior more each day. Feeling and allowing the change that Christ can make in my heart makes me feel alive. I realize that He loves me despite all my weaknesses and imperfections. And He helps me find who I really am and become more of who He made me to be.
6) Writing songs and digging down deep to express something and being completely honest with how I feel. And then being able to share it and connect with other people through music.
7) Listening to music that touches my soul. Like the first time I heard Natalie Grant's song, "In Better Hands" and Mandisa's song, "God Speaking."
8) Eating French food (specifically, crepes. Yum!). :)
9) And as you can probably tell, bright colors. And finding the good in everything that I can and noticing God's hand in my life breathes life into me. I'm not always the best at it, but I'm trying and learning.

"My father says almost the whole world's asleep. Everybody you know, everybody you see, everybody you talk to. He says only a few people are awake. And they live in a state of constant total amazement."
~Joe Vs. The Volcano

What makes you alive? Comment and let me know!

Mystery Man in San Fran

2009-05-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

Not only is this song amazing (see the youtube video at the bottom of this post), but this song happened to me a year ago so I can totally relate. It was in San Francisco...I saw this guy at least seven times in one day! So now that I've started, I have to tell you the story...

First of all, I tend to have these "Handshake" experiences too much (listen to the song on the music player to the right to understand what that is). Basically, crushing from a distance. I don't do it on purpose! It just happens, I swear!

Starting the story now. First, I saw him at Alcatraz, and he was taking a picture of something. I was a little bit in the way of his picture, so I moved to the side trying to be courteous. Anyway, it just was crazy from there. Every time I saw him after that, I was like, this is crrrazy! We kept making eye contact...and I could swear there was something there. You know how sometimes you can just sense that you have a connection with someone? It's not always right, but sometimes it is. But then I started being practical with myself, telling myself I was imagining things and it was just ironic and I should forget it cuz I wouldn't ever see him again.

So the last time I saw him was on a cable car. We were on the SAME cable car. No stinkin way. There wasn't a ton of room, so I was on one side, and my mom and sister were on the other side. A friend of this mystery man (I recognized him cuz he was always with him when I saw him 7 times) came over and tried to stand by me, but I guess it wasn't a safe spot, so he had to move. When he moved, he was next to my sister. She could tell he was French (it was obvious from the way he was dressed), so she started talking to him. They talked until he got off the cable car with his friends. But in the middle of their conversation, he asked my sister and mom if it was just them two on vacation. Whitney said, "No, my sister, Nicole, is with us too - she's over there." She pointed me out and I waved and said "Bonjour!" But I wasn't in a convenient spot to join or hear their conversation. So this friend of mystery man goes on to tell my sister that his friend was halfway in love with me! Whitney had no idea that I was crushing on that guy all day - I normally would have told her. She's my best friend, I tell her everything. But I was assuming that I was being a silly girl and so I kept it to myself. Well, they got off the cable car before we did, and I didn't find all this out until we got off later and it was too late.

Dah! You can imagine how frustrated I was. That hardly ever happens! Only in movies! So this is my version of the song...instead of "Brown Eyes" it would be called "French Man" and go a little something like this:

I know he was French man (ooh lah lah)
I know he had a nice camera
I know he was on a business trip with three friends...

And that's all I know about him. What's a girl supposed to do? lol Well, this girl is writing a song about it. It's called "San Francisco" and it's close to being done. It was a year ago and I'll probably never see him again. BUT it did teach me to not be afraid to take chances. It can't hurt to just say hi to someone and take that risk. Otherwise, you might not ever get the chance and it hurts more when you wish you had just taken the chance. Easier said than done, but definitely worth it to try. So, my San Francisco mystery French man...if you ever read this...call me. :)

The Smartest Eight-Year-Old I've Ever Met

2009-05-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

I met the smartest eight-year-old I've ever met on Saturday. Sometimes I get to go play my music at the soup kitchen while people eat. It's probably my favorite place to play...I leave with a lot of good memories and a reminder to be grateful for my blessings. It's a less formal "show" and people just come talk to me in the middle of my songs. I love it! So I sang there on Saturday evening and met some wonderful people. This one guy came up during "Handshake," and started making up his own version of the song, Indian style. It was great. :) He said next time I come, he's going to write a song for me and him to sing together. Watch out for that one! :)

I have a soft spot for 8-yr-old Ann. She's smart and beautiful. Her eyes shine with determination to do great things with her life. Her heart is pure and innocent, but she hasn't had an easy life. I found out Ann's parents divorced when she was four, so that's been really tough for her. Just talking to her for 15 minutes, I could feel that Ann is a very special and valiant daughter of God who was sent here to make a difference. She opened her heart to me and told me about her dreams. She said, "Sometimes people fight about such silly things. I don't get it. But I want to help people and change that." She told me about a boy at school who got in a fight over a bag of chips, and she said, "It's not worth it to fight! Especially over chips! And the kind of chips he had were a disgusting kind too!" :) Seriously, this 8-yr-old has a heart of gold. I was so impressed that at such a young age, she was trying to figure out how she could make a difference. She wants to go places and she has big dreams. But with the fire she has inside her to go places, she will get to those dreams and beyond. Ann really made me think about my own dreams. Am I doing everything I can to make them come true? How can I make a difference?

Thanks, Ann, for reminding me about using each day for the things that really matter. I know that each one of us has a purpose in being on the earth at this time and things that Heavenly Father has specifically sent us here to do. We are here to make a difference - to love deeply, to change lives, to take risks and grow and learn. It's never going to be a piece of cake. But finding our purpose and living to fulfill that is more rewarding than anything else.

Memories on Marco Island

2009-05-14T22:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted for a few days cuz I was in FLORIDA. We stayed on Marco Island and it's gorgeous.
Favorite memories on Marco Island:
~Parasailing with my brothers and seeing dolphins
~Watching the sunset with my mom almost every night. I could watch the sunset over and over. God is an amazing artist. It's so cool how every night it's different and breathtaking.
~Going down the water slide at least 50 times with my family
~Collecting sea shells early in the morning with Mom and Dad
~Seeing starfish for the first time! (besides in pictures and movies)
~Our crazy parasailing guides who told me to "don't move - seriously don't move!" when I was getting out of the boat, pretending there was something dangerous in the water that I was about to be attacked by. Scared the living daylights out of me until I realized they were joking. Whew! Boy were they jokesters (and good at it too)! :)
~Alligators! There were tons in the everglades and brave little turtles were all around them too.
~My brothers and Dad eating alligator tail. Yuck! But interesting. They said it tastes like chicken. I like chicken but I'm not so sure about this alligator tail.

I highly recommend going to Marco Island. Beautiful, relaxing and renewing. Here are a few pictures...

Scott and Brian on the boat after parasailing

This is a very common part of the vacation where Brian and Scott wrestle each other. Boys and wrestling...I just don't get it. :) But gotta love em!

Dolphin!!! Mr. Flipper! I was so excited! If I had to be an animal, I would be a dolphin. Why? They're smart, cute, jump in the water, and are pretty much at the top of the food chain! I bet now I've convinced you to be a dolphin...

Brian & I parasailing

Those shadows are the clouds...you might have figured that out already.

Scooter and I parasailing. When we came down they dunked us in the water a little! That was my favorite part. So fun! They said they would have gotten us more if Scotty didn't have the camera with him. Oh well! Next time. Parasailing made me want to go skydiving. Are you game?

I can't figure out how to rotate this pic. Hmm.

"Have you ever watched a sunset and felt you could not breathe? What if it's Him? What if it's God speaking? Who knows how He'll get ahold of us. Get our attention, to prove He is enough. He'll do and He'll use whatever He wants to. To tell us, I love you." -Lyrics from one of my fave songs called "God Speaking" written by Ronnie Freeman, performed by Mandisa. You can listen to it here. I brought my ipod and listened to this song while watching the sunset. God is in everything. He created so many amazing things for us to enjoy and also so that we remember Him. I know He loves you and me.

"As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made." ~ D&C 88: 7

Cool Blog - Give Away Today

2009-05-02T00:28:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I discovered this really unique and cool blog. There was an article in the Daily Universe about this blog called "Give Away Today." They give away something (or sometimes several things) every single day! Pretty rad, right?!

Anyone can enter - usually each person can enter up to three times a day (see the instructions on their site on how to enter). It's really simple to enter and is totally worth it. Plus you get to learn about unique things that you might be interested in and not know about otherwise...unique clothing stores, photographers, jewelry, music, etc. Three of my CDs are going to be given away as part of their Mother's Day give away next Friday. You should check out the site here...who knows, maybe you'll win something!

Bird busts a move to Ray Charles

2009-04-30T21:40:00.000-07:00

My Dad sent me this, and it made my day. This bird knows how to groove! You gotta check it out (and pick up some new dance moves).

Old Pics & Memories

2009-04-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

I was looking through a few of the pictures on the computer at my home in Montana and these (below) made me smile. It's funny/crazy how fast we grow up, huh?

My talented cousin, Sherelle, took these pictures (the one above and the two below) when she was visiting us one morning. She's amazing! You should check out her blog here: My Crazy Life

Model pose=one hand in the pocket. Ow ow! :)

This is a signature pose for the Sheahan family. Love it! I don't know if I can get my Mom and Dad to do this pose, though. I'll have to try.

It would take a lot of bribing to get my brothers to do this pose now. Glad I got it while I could!

No Place Like Home

2009-04-29T17:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome my dear friends! I'm excited to start blogging. I've wanted to start a blog here for a while. Finals finished up last week and now I'm back home in Montana visiting for a few days. What better time to start a blog than with a slow internet connection! :) It's really not that bad, but compared to the internet I have in Utah...it's like a cheetah vs. a turtle.

There really is no place like home. Here are just a few things I love most about home in Montana:

Momma's cooking. For breakfast today she made a peach strawberry smoothie and it was heavenly! (In my opinion, way better than Jamba Juice.)
My water bed. My Dad built this water bed for his Dad before he passed away, and it's been my bed since I got out of my crib. I love feeling like I'm sleeping on the ocean! When I was little and I couldn't sleep, I imagined I was out on the ocean. (there were no sharks, of course). Somehow that helped me relax and get to sleep.
My best friends live with me. Not all my family is here...one of my best friends is in France (my sister, Whit - I miss her lots!), and my Dad's away at work for a little bit (who I also miss tons but get to see next week!). But to have my brothers and my mom be my roommates is the best! Family is the best.
My dog, Penny...have to admit I've missed her! Even though she is a little crazy and eats everything in sight, she makes me happy.
My 80 year old neighbor was wearing a hot pink jacket the other day and it just made me smile. My neighbors here are so friendly and warm.
The creek right behind my house. I love listening to the sound of water.
The piano. We have a piano that I can play whenever I want! At school, I usually have to go to campus to play. But it's just right there! Love it.
Seeing old friends. I got to meet up with my friend, Justin, for dinner last night, and I'm meeting my friend, Jane, for lunch tomorrow. Catching up on life with someone you haven't seen in a while is wonderful!
Going for walks with my mom. My mom religiously walks our dog morning and evening. I love going with her and just having mommy/daughter time. Nothing better!
People here drive ten below the speed limit (not all, but a lot of them). Which sometimes is not my favorite thing when I need to get somewhere (it's the complete opposite of Utah driving where everyone seems to drive ten over the limit), but in a way it says a lot about Montana. People aren't in a rush. They enjoy life and take it as it comes. Everyone waves at you as they drive by (the little finger wave on the wheel which is kind of funny). And people are just warm and friendly. If you haven't been to Montana, I recommend it. Here's a quote about Montana that I like:
"I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love, and it's difficult to analyze love when you're in it." -Steinbeck's "Travels with Charlie"