Over Christmas break I decided I wanted to work on a craft this semester, something that could keep my hands from being too idle during all my spare time. So of course I turned to the always dependable cross-stitching. When I walked into Michael's I new exactly what I wanted, something that would last; something that would be useful. So I picked my package from the shelf and took it home with me to begin the exciting adventure of creating beauty.
At the beginning it seemed it would take me eternity to complete the project, but once I really dove into it I started to think I was going to fast because once it is finished.... what do I do? When I first made a mistake I panicked that I had ruined the beautiful blanket and thought it would stand out like a stain. But then I realized something profound - each glitch I may make according to the original pattern makes the blanket more and more personalized as every stitch is made with love.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said "What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. So what if the eggs are greasy or the toast is burned? Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside... The desire to create is one of
the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before. Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty—and I am not talking about the process of cleaning the rooms of your teenage children. You might say, “I’m not the creative type. When I sing, I’m always half a tone above or below the note. I cannot draw a line without a ruler. And the only practical use for my homemade bread is as a paperweight or as a doorstop." If that is how you feel, think again, and remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination."
At the beginning it seemed it would take me eternity to complete the project, but once I really dove into it I started to think I was going to fast because once it is finished.... what do I do? When I first made a mistake I panicked that I had ruined the beautiful blanket and thought it would stand out like a stain. But then I realized something profound - each glitch I may make according to the original pattern makes the blanket more and more personalized as every stitch is made with love.
the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before. Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty—and I am not talking about the process of cleaning the rooms of your teenage children. You might say, “I’m not the creative type. When I sing, I’m always half a tone above or below the note. I cannot draw a line without a ruler. And the only practical use for my homemade bread is as a paperweight or as a doorstop." If that is how you feel, think again, and remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination."
ed me of one incredibly important fact: I am not alone. As everyone gives me advice as to how I should handle my struggles there is a great deal of truth in that I will do what I will do, even if it could be perceived as detrimental. But the truth that goes above and beyond that is I have the most amazing support system, one that I could never have imagined or deserve. Someone that makes me smile and laugh when all I want to do is frown. Someone that wipes away my tears before they can hit the pillow. Someone that encourages and lifts when I feel all hope is lost and I have no more strength to carry on. Someone that really is saving me. We all need saving, so don't tell yourself you can't lean on someone else. 
