Chelsea's Writers Block

This Past Week

2024-02-08T14:32:00.000-08:00

Christopher took this picture, his feet are so cute.

This past Saturday we went to Lagoon.

This is the only ride we have pictures of.

The Camera died after the ride:( Dead battery

On Memorial Day Chris went to Heber Valley Railroad!

He rode Thomas the train, with Grandma and Grandpa Merkley

I took pics of him when he got home.

darling boy!

I love you sweetie!

He took these last few pictures. He's getting better at picture taking.

Daddy playing some basketball video game for a few hours.
Guess all that shopping made him stressed.

My Experience with Utah Voices

2014-06-25T14:49:00.004-07:00

I wrote a brief overview of how amazing it was to sing in NYC with Utah Voices and shared fun photos from our trip back East!

http://merkleyadventures.blogspot.com/2014/06/utah-voices-performed-at-carnegie-hall.html

Chelsea B. Merkley

Utah Voices Carnegie Hall Performer

2nd Soprano

June 22, 2014

A True Friend

2013-05-24T18:16:00.000-07:00

A friend is like a golden ray of sunshine, peeking through the dark night.
A light in the darkness of life.
Someone who shares your joys and sorrows, and lifts you to higher ground daily.
A hug from them, or a kind word or deed; can lift your heart from despair to pure happiness.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder with true friends.
Even if you have not seen each other in years, warm thoughts and sweet words are exchanged; friendship shines like a roaring flame.

I have heard it once said that; " Friends are a single soul dwelling in two bodies."

While I know we have distinct and separate souls, I like to think that it means that we are one in unity and purpose. Dear friends often have similar values and goals in this journey we call life. The joy of human love and friendship is you can have relationships and true friendship, with someone as different from you; as night is from day.
Mutual respect, kindness and an understanding towards dynamic values among friends gives us eternal perspective.

God knew we could not sojourn on this earth alone, so he gave us the opportunity to build eternal relationships that last forever. I believe that friendships are some of those golden opportunities.

Chelsea Merkley

May 24, 2013

Happy Mother's Day! Thank you to all the Mentors and Teachers and Wonderful Moms out there

2013-05-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

What does it mean to be an Angel Mother?

A blessed balm of God, a rightous vessel of heaven- someone who listens when you need to talk.

A Mother holds you and hugs you when you need strength, she compliments your efforts and accomplishments.

She always reminds you that doing your best is the most important at everything you do, and you are always a winner at life.

A Mother gives you encouragement and hope for the future.

She realizes the beauty and majesty of you just the way you are.

Yet, gently nudges you to reach your goals and aspirations.

Mother explains that no one can tell you, you are not good enough, or that you cannot do any particular thing.

The words, "I can't"- are not in her dictionary. You can do and be anything and anyone you choose and set your mind to be.

The best Mother, is a Teacher and Facilitator, a guide for life.

She teaches by constant and quiet example- reminds you when to wash your hands and face, go to the restroom, helps fix your food and teaches you manners.

She may be bossy at times, she wants to teach you to be determined and safe.

To be wise and firm, yet kind.

She bakes with you, you love to help.

She cleans and tidies up the home, or may sometimes prefer to leave it messy to spend time with you.

You are her priority. Her spouse and her children. She loves you dearly, and so does your Heavenly Mother.

Chelsea Merkley

May 11, 2013

2012-09-29T16:14:00.001-07:00

A Little Perspective and a Poem

2012-09-22T21:34:00.000-07:00

Here I am today thinking about how I could earn some income, I stumble upon this on the web.
http://gma.yahoo.com/quadruple-amputees-inspiring-recovery-photos-100159724--abc-news-topstories.html

http://abcnews.go.com/US/slideshow/inspiring-recovery-taylor-morris-lost-limbs-afghanistan-17292939

Imagine being in the war and having all 4 limbs blasted off in a bomb accident!
I was thinking my life was hard and challenging and I just got a reality check.
Thank you my Heavenly Father for my arms and legs and my loved ones.
My goodness. The blessings I take for granted.

The joy and happiness that we get from our simple gifts from God.
From who we are, our charachter, our personalities, motivation and determination.

Today is the day to give thanks for all of them. Think of what you have.

Have a wonderful Night!

Chelsea

For more stories like this visit my Joy In the Journey Blog-

http://joyinthejourneyhopeandhappiness.blogspot.com/2012/08/angels-calling.html

Angels Calling

A Poem I thought of recently
I hope you enjoy it.

Chelsea Merkley

Melancholy Morning

2012-08-18T14:07:00.002-07:00

For some reason this morning I thought of this Poem and wrote it down.
The words flooded my mind as I arose from slumber.

http://authspot.com/poetry/angels-calling/

I hope you like to read it.

Chelsea Merkley

Newly Published Poetry!

2012-08-07T17:12:00.009-07:00

My newly Published Poems! Please Read, Share, Comment and Critique!

If you have a facebook you can like my work at the bottom of the article.

I also have some articles on Expert Column listed to the right.

Every comment I get helps me out too. Thanks for the love and support!

Elegant Transformation- http://authspot.com/poetry/elegant-transformation/

The Epitome of Loneliness- http://authspot.com/poetry/the-epitome-of-loneliness/

Stars: http://authspot.com/poetry/stars-59/

Spiritual Healing- http://authspot.com/poetry/spiritual-healing/

Inside of Me- http://authspot.com/poetry/inside-of-me-6/

Sweet Agony: http://authspot.com/poetry/sweet-agony/

Dreams- http://authspot.com/poetry/dreams-273/

Deep Sunshine- http://authspot.com/poetry/deep-sunshine/

True Beauty- http://authspot.com/poetry/true-beauty-6/

Spring: http://authspot.com/poetry/spring-88/

Heartbroken-http://authspot.com/poetry/heartbroken-23/

Solitude: http://authspot.com/poetry/solitude-42/

Regal Royalty: http://authspot.com/poetry/regal-royalty/

Enlightenment: http://authspot.com/poetry/enlightenment-10/

Thanks for your comments and support!

Chelsea Burbidge Merkley

Sonnets of the Heart

2012-04-14T19:10:00.001-07:00

I have always loved to read Shakespeare and see his plays.
His style of writing resonates with me so completely.
These are my favorite Shakespeare Quotes.

Favorite one ever;

"If you love and get hurt, love more.

If you love more and hurt more, love even more.

If you love even more and get hurt even more, love some more until it hurts no more..."
— William Shakespeare

"To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action.--Soft you now!
The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remember'd!"
— William Shakespeare (Hamlet)

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date:
Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And too often is his gold complexion dimm'd:
And every fair from fair sometimes declines,
By chance or natures changing course untrimm'd;
By thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this and this gives life to thee."
— William Shakespeare (Shakespeare's Sonnets)

"Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
O no, it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wand'ring barque,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved."
— William Shakespeare (Great Sonnets)

"Thus with a kiss; I die!" — William Shakespeare
	"Words are easy, like the wind; Faithful friends are hard to find." — William Shakespeare
	"When he shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars, And he will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night And pay no worship to the garish sun." — William Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare Collection))

Expression Of Love

2012-01-17T10:28:00.001-08:00

This story is an expression of how I feel towards my son Christopher. It explains the wonder and majesty of being a mother and a parent. I gave this Poem to my sister in law right before she and my brother had their first child, a baby girl. She is due April 21, 2009.

A Lifetime of Memories

The first time you look at your daughter she’ll probably be red and look kind of like an alien to you. With the umbilical cord still attached to her and maybe not quite crying yet.

Then when the Nurse cleans her up, and sucks the amniotic fluid from her mouth; you first hear her cry. You never thought baby’s tears could bring you so much joy. When the doctor weighs her; you have your husband take a picture of how much she weighs, you know time flies. You want to make sure she’s alright, have your husband count her fingers and toes. You want to cherish this moment forever.

When finally, you hold her; you get a glimpse of what God’s grace really is. She is forever a part of you; she has a special angelic aura about her. The first time you hold her you may wonder if this is how good heavenly father felt when he sent you to earth. No one else is quite like her; she is truly gifted and unique. You never thought that being a mother would change how you felt about life in an instant, but it has. Now you will forever have these maternal instincts for the safety, love and comfort of your daughter. You think what a masterpiece she is. God is the best artist and has perfected the beauty of designing children in his own image. You wonder who she looks more like, you or your husband. Time will tell. The first time you hold her you won’t want to let go. You think to yourself how could we have created such a perfect little girl? Then you know how truly blessed you are.

The first time she gets a bath she can fit in a small sink, and her Daddy gets to perform the task. He never thought it would feel quite so spiritual. When she fits in your kitchen sink to take her first few baths protecting her umbilical cord; you love the time you get to spend with her. When she has to move to a baby bath tub you can’t believe how big she is getting!

The first time she really smiles at you, you wonder if she’s seeing angels or just happy to see you. When she looks off into the distance beyond the veil you can’t help but imagine the glories she’s beholding. She is so new, you think, she smells like heaven. The first time she sleeps through the night, you probably didn’t because you kept checking on her to make sure she was okay. You are amazed and so proud of her. Eventually you will learn that she can breathe on her own and it’s okay to sleep too.

The first time she coos you wonder what she’s thinking and trying to say. The first time she puts her feet in her mouth you think how flexible she is and wonder if she will be a great gymnast like her mama.

The first time she rolls over you know your hands are going to be full very soon with an explorative curious baby. You constantly worry about her hurting herself when she finds something to play with.

The first time she looks at you when she’s being mischievous and doing something she’s not supposed to, you wish you had the camera to catch that adorable moment. Yet, she still seems to be looking for your approval and love even when she’s being a trouble maker.

The first time she can roll over 5 feet switching directions and grasping toys you know she’s growing up so fast. Catch those fleeting moments and cherish them.

The first baby babble she says makes you laugh, you talk to her and sing to her and she talks back now, you are so privileged to watch her develop.

When you realize how big her head is compared to her body you wonder how big of a brain she has and hope that there is room for growth in it. You think wow with that noggin you must have a lot of intelligence!

The first time she laughs and smiles with her eyes at you because you did something extremely silly; you are so glad that she’s the only one who can laugh at you even if you’re not really funny. She thinks you are as amusing as you think she is.

The first time you realize your face is a toy to be tampered and prodded at, makes you smile.

When she puts her tiny hand to your hand and seems to be thinking, hey I have one of those too; she captures you with those inquisitive eyes. She is exploring the similarities you share.

Being a parent is the most rewarding and challenging task God ever gave us. I believe he needed a way for us to learn more about him and ourselves through these little bundles of joy.

By Chelsea Merkley March 4, 2009

A life without children will never have the same laughter and noise in it. Anonymous

Humanity

2011-12-07T19:00:00.000-08:00

Today I wanted to contemplate over someone else's amazing work.
This Poem really makes me ponder how I judge others.
"There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the place of their self-content;
There are souls like stars, that dwell apart,
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths
Where highways never ran-
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
Where the race of men go by-
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat
Nor hurl the cynic's ban-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
I see from my house by the side of the road
By the side of the highway of life,
The men who press with the ardor of hope,
The men who are faint with the strife,
But I turn not away from their smiles and tears,
Both parts of an infinite plan-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead,
And mountains of wearisome height;
That the road passes on through the long afternoon
And stretches away to the night.
And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice
And weep with the strangers that moan,
Nor live in my house by the side of the road
Like a man who dwells alone.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by-
They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong,
Wise, foolish - so am I.
Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban?
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man."

--Sam Walter Foss

Does feeling unified with all of Humanity change your view on mankind's existence?

I'd be interested to hear your comments.

Chelsea Merkley

Dec. 7, 2011

Divine Freedom

2011-11-15T15:12:00.000-08:00

It is the end of the term and my brain is beginning to be frazzled.
My husband and I entertained the idea of going to Italy or France for a few days or a week to unwind.
Therefore, this is the poem which came from those feelings.

Today I want to run away.
Across the Field of dreams.
Revelling in the get away;
Of my childhood schemes.

Flying through the pain.
Above the sorrow and Tribulation.
Wandering to an Island of Dreams
Where I receive divine salvation.

Pondering beauty, love and peace. Given to us without cease.
Given the life of ease that is sure to please.
Learn, laugh and love.
Soar free like a pure, white dove.

Chelsea Merkley

Nov. 14, 2011

Godliness

2011-09-05T10:17:00.000-07:00

When I am a Goddess, then will I be clean?
Or do I wait until the world invents me a cleaning machine?
Do I wait until the next world to become the Queen of a Perfectly Pristine Palace?
Are the streets of Heaven lined with Maids and Housekeepers?
Or are there majestically beautiful Golden Road Sweepers?
Is there Magic that makes it always spotless in Heaven?
Wouldn't it be neat to see if these queries were true?
I'd be happy to wait and I bet so would you!

Chelsea Merkley
- September 6, 2011

A Brighter Future

2011-07-14T22:57:00.001-07:00

A Brighter Future

Silver wishes roam, from my heavenly home—

Where my father sits on his majestic throne!

Pure, sweet angels guard me with love.

The Holy Ghost descends and soars in my heart, like a dove.

Pain and sorrow give me hope for a better tomorrow.

Precious children of God; What I wouldn’t do to meet you someday.

Even if it’s after this life: and far away.

This hope I have within me—like a fire will never dim!

Your possibilities surround me and reach inside my skin!

Today I’ll pray and fast for you my future child!

Someday I’ll see you with the help of the meek and mild!

Chelsea Merkley

July 14, 2011

Blessing From Above

2011-05-18T12:37:00.000-07:00

Rain descends from above; I truly need a hug.

Tic Toc, Drip, Drop.

Sounds of water falling on my window pane, makes my efforts to sleep vain.

One request to my beloved, and he helps my fears and distractions disappear.

Certainly then, I can see clear.

A blessing from the power of God soothes my mind and heart.

The joy and happiness are about to start.

Sweet clarity and peace fill my soul as I slumber with the feeling of safety.

-May 17,2011

By Chelsea Merkley

Part Poem Part Faith; Story of my Life

2011-05-16T22:27:00.000-07:00

Once their was a little girl, not too long ago.
She loved to sing, and dance for fun and smile wherever she did go.
She was always joyous and carefree;
What zest for a little child- she did possess you see!
She loved life and everyone in it and wanted to spread her joy to all.
Spinning and frolicing all around, not worried about who might watch her going around and around.
She thought of the positive and happy things she could do, not the ones which made her feel blue.
Well, somewhere in her childhood years she lost part of the spark of past youthful cheer.
She tried her hand at many a craft, but gave up to easy- since her guardian implied- she was daft.
The Guardian called her, "The Quitter", to which she became quite defensive and bitter.
She began to think, "I wonder what they think of me?"And "Will this make make them happy?"
Instead of, " How great this get together will be!"
The dark cloud of misery descended unhesitantly.
Self-Pity and doubt shrouded her thoughts.
The truths in her faith and religion were fading in what the Guardian now taught.
Confusion ran through her mind, as clashing ideals and self image intertwined.
She thought, "Who am I?" and do I really matter?
As the girl inside the woman pondered that, she heard her conscience utter;
"I am a daughter of God who loves me and I love him, I will stand as a witness of God in all things,at all times and in all places." Standing for a witness starts with me. I am capable of marvelous talents and wonderful skills. All I need is faith, hard work and perserverance to overcome any obstacle. I can beat any negative thought with optimism and idealism. Fantasies and dreams for my future, can and do become realities. Love for all mankind is critical to forgiving myself and others close to me. As I learn to see the world through Heavenly Father's Eyes I can be more like him and divinely see the light in every person's countenance more clearly; including my own.

Chelsea Merkley
May 16, 2011

Dreams

2011-03-25T13:22:00.001-07:00

Dreams

Dreams visit me wholeheartedly.

Sleep eludes me constantly.

As I lay awake my mind wanders,

My body is weak--

Though my soul, ponders.

Wide-eyed stories, of a life I might have led.

Told perfectly in the book I have just read.

Silver whispers from a friend long gone.

Quiet my fears with heaven’s angel song.

Possibilities of a life within me,

Give me happiness where there was pity.

Worries and pains thrive,

Yet in my spirit they will not survive.

My heart sees freedom and cheer,

And finally begins to see clear.

-March 24, 2011