I know what you’re thinking.
Lemmony Things is a weird name for a blog.
Well, it wasn’t THAT creative because my last name happens to be Lemmon.
I’m Kayla Lemmon–it’s nice to meet you!
I started this blog around the time my Dad got cancer. And although I’ve always been a writer, this was the first time that I put very personal and intimate thoughts and ideas out for the world to read, to talk about, to criticize, and to share. It was terrifying at first. But through the journey of my dad’s battle, and even after his death and now into new chapters of my life, this blog has been an absolute blessing to me. I’ve been able to connect with millions of people throughout the world who are tied together by the same kinds of struggles and the same kinds of joys. I’ve been able to share my heart, and in turn, learn the hearts of others and grow a deeper understanding of those around me who share this world and this life. Life gives us all lemons–but it’s what we make out of it that is truly something to celebrate.
I’m grateful you came to this blog today and my hope is that you’ll find something you need. Oh and before you leave, I’d love to hear from you. Because chances are, you have something I need too.
Have a sunshiney, Lemmony-bright day!
-Kayla Lemmon
all our lemmony things 
I just found you by way of your anti-feminazi-for-priesthood post and TOTALLY agree! I’m so grateful when you and women like you who are SO beautiful and working outside the home express so completely and eloquently what you’ve shared in that post (and others). And the fact that you’re personality (totally cute) comes through so clearly in your pictures and writing is such a gift! Thank you for writing!
I can’t find an email by which to write to you more privately about something else, so I’m just going to do it here and hope you are as sweet and gracious as you seem to be….
Have you ever worked with a Lilla Rose Consultant before? If not, may I send you a Flexi Clip gift to wear and enjoy? I’m pretty sure you’ll love it, so I’d also love to sponsor a giveaway for your readers.
If you already have a Lilla Rose Consultant with whom you work, I’m so happy for her! ^_^
Thank you, in advance, for considering! 🙂
http://lillarose.biz/TNJNTGivingGodTheGlory/
Hi Tori!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog, and thank you for your kind words! (MADE my day, completely!)
I looked at your website–you have the cutest things on there and I’d be honored to wear one of your flexi clips! I’m a sucker for anything sparkly and girlie, so you contacted the right girl 🙂 haha Also, you can definitely sponsor a giveaway for my readers. I’ve been overwhelmed by how many people are reading my blog and contributing in such a diverse, amazing way. I hope that population keeps growing and benefiting people in a positive way. I bet they’d love what you sell as well. You can e-mail me at kayla.lemmon@ymail.com if you have any information you’d like to send me so we can get it going! Have a wonderful day, Tori!
God just wants us to know that he is there with us, no matter what we are going through, to help us with each thing, and he will help us bear it. We do not have to go through it alone. We have him to give us the strength we need to handle it. I guarantee it. Sorry you feel like God can’t help you through the bad times. You are missing out on his help by not believing him for it. Maybe it’s just the Mormon religion that has misled you into thinking differently. I don’t know, but for whatever reason, you might consider trying just the Bible as it is written, and not any man made doctrine that is in conflict with what God really says. Maybe find a Christian, or non-denominational church, that doesn’t make up things other than what is written in the Bible, because God would never leave us in a situation without giving us hope, a way out, a solution, or strength to bear it.
If you found strength to make it through everything you have been through, I guarantee God gave it to you, even if you are not thanking or crediting it to him. No matter what it is, even if we can’t change it, he is there to give support and show us how much he loves us through our problems. He helps carry the burdens, and makes them lighter than when we try to carry them alone. He tells us not to forsake the assembly, or gathering of other Christians, that can help us through rough times, so maybe you just haven’t found the right church yet, or group of people of his, to help you. I go to Celebrate Recovery, a Christian based 12 step program group, that God has helped me immensely through. Before I started going there, I could not find a church in my area that gave me what I needed. They either didn’t accept me because my child is mixed, or the other women would act fake and pretend to be Christian, telling me to call them, but if I did, they would either refuse to talk with me, or tell me that they already had a best friend, and didn’t want my friendship. I had a lot worse things happen too, but I can’t write here about all of them, so I know sometimes it can be hard to find the right place to go.
When I thought I was going to fall completely apart when I was going through really bad problems with my daughter, God led me to Celebrate Recovery, and to a new church farther away from me. Through this group, and new church, God helped me amazingly, what I could not do all by myself, through the people, and especially pastor that leads the Celebrate Recovery group. I’ve met many pastors who have mistreated me, but not this one. He has been very kind, sweet, loving, and doesn’t look down on me for my problems. Not trying to offend you, or put down your religious choices, but to let you know that there are others that you might consider, or just be willing to give them a try, and see if you get more godly support and truth there. No matter where you pick to go, just know that only the devil would want to convince you of dark thinking to make you feel alone, and that what you are going through is too great for you to bear.
The devil would want to convince you that God will not help you, and has put more on you than you can handle, and that he has abandoned you, so you will feel that way, and then he can further beat you down and try to get you to do negative unproductive things, or put you into more dangerous situations, when we don’t see God’s leading. The devil wants to simply destroy your faith, so good will not happen. The devil wants to destroy you. God wants to give life, and life more abundantly. He wants to give us hope and a purpose, and success at what he leads us to. He wants to help us overcome everything, so that when we find his help with one thing, we will know to continue to turn to him with each new thing, and find the right answers, or things we should be doing. Leave the rest to him to do for us, believing, when we pray to him about it. He will be out working to prepare the way for our prayers to be answered.
The devil wants to bring us down with no way to get up, but God wants us to reach up to him at our lowest, so he can lift us up out of our problems, and show he cares. God will not do this to you what the devil has tried to convince you, when he has gotten you to believe that God will give you more than you can bear. I understand it may feel like that at times, and I have gotten mad at God myself before, and had to apologize to him, and he forgave me, and helped me to realize different, so he could help me, and not be left in despair. He didn’t want to leave me in my misery, that I could find no way out of by myself, and thought it would never end. I could not imagine things getting better, but it did with God’s help.
The devil had me convinced that things would never get better, even though I had been praying to God for years. He kept reminding me of how long I had been suffering, and telling me, “Why would it change now? God has not helped you yet, so he must not want to.” He was wrong, because it did improve, and still is improving, the more I search for God with all my heart, and everything that is within me, and overcome temptations that keep me down, that the devil can use to keep me stuck in one mode of thinking. Jesus loves you too much to give you more than what you can bear, that’s why he died for you and me, so we did not have to suffer what he suffered for us, so we could be made right with God and go to Heaven, but also to help us down here on earth until we get there. The devil will try to convince you differently, when he is the one that is the cause of all the destruction and heartache in this world. If we had listened to God in the first place, there would be none.
The devil tried to convince me, when I isolated myself too much, that I would never achieve anything, but I started realizing after I went to Celebrate Recovery, and got more support from God’s people, that it was a lie I had been believing in, even though I am a Christian. Maybe I can’t achieve much when I just look at what I am capable of doing, but if I ask God what his will is for my life, and ask him to help me to do it; because of him, no matter how impossible it might seem; I know I will be able to accomplish it, because God guarantees it, and he would never lie to me. The power to accomplish comes from him, not me, so I can do it. He is far too loving to leave me in such despair and misery that I was living in.
I have went through some hellacious times in my life, that I know, only by the grace of God, I made it through, and those times were very overwhelming what I had to go through. I had family that hated me so much, that they had me court committed to an institute that tortured me with psychotic drugs that made me go crazy and become suicidal, when I was not before. I simply had physical health problems, like delayed food allergies, environmental allergies, candida yeast problems, mitro valve prolapse, and other conditions that were causing me to have emotional and mental problems, but no one was smart enough to realize it, or cared enough to find out.
The devil used their bad feelings against me, to do the worst things to me, at my most vulnerable time, when I could not protect myself, but after I came back out of it, and God helped me recover by listening to his leading, and reject all the bad advice I was getting that had turned me into a zombie vegetable that wanted to quit living; God taught me the proper way to care for myself, so I would not get in that condition again, and to get away from my family, and all doctors who would do that to me again. God led me to what I needed to do, in order to protect me from that happening again.
I also realized my past disobedience to him in the first place, had taken me down a long road that had led up to that point and condition, where the devil could use my family to hurt me ever worse, than what led me to turn to the wrong things to comfort myself in the first place. I sought God, and he did amazing things to give me answers, and proved that I was right in what I told the doctors to test me for, when they would not even believe me, but the test proved that I was right. The only way I knew those things, was because God led me to the answers through the books, research, and divine touch of getting other people to give me tests that they didn’t even want to, that proved only God is the great physician. May God bless, help, strengthen, give you wisdom, peace, and assurance in your heart, that he is there, and will not give you more than what you can bear, with his help. When you feel like it is more than you can bear, make sure you turn to him. He does want to help, and he will! He will help carry your burdens. The weight of them, does not all have to be on you. Reading his word, the Holy Bible, and meeting with other Christians, helps immensely. May he keep you in his loving arms too.
Also, I did not mean to offend you by your choice of religious faiths, please do not get upset with me for just suggesting that you try to see what the Christian faith offers. If you do not agree with it, after giving it a fair chance, than keep what you have, but I was just asking for you to please consider it, and see if it helps you more than what you have now. My suggestion came out of concern, and not to put you down, or condemn you in any way. I do not mean it that way. I have tried more than one religion, and found the one that follows the Bible the closest, is the one that helps the most. Thank you for your consideration, ahead of time, and for trying to understand what I am saying.
Love in Christ,
Lisa Davies
Hi Lisa,
With all due respect, I don’t think you’ve read any of my posts. If you don’t think I rely on my Father and my Savior for help, you haven’t read a single word.
I am a convert to the LDS faith–I spent all of my life searching for truth. And I found it here. And within my trials he’s the only one who has given me the faith–and strength–I need to get through every single day of my life.
Thank you for the concern and I’m glad you are happy in your faith and strengthened. I encourage readers from all walks of life and religions. It gives great perspective. But I believe with all my heart that love and kindness are keystones to being a disciple of God..so I had to respond.
Kayla Lemmon
Lisa, I don’t think you know much about the Mormon church. The actual title is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So, it is a Christian faith. The LDS church studies and believes the teachings of the Bible, the New Testament, as well as the Book of Mormon. I would suggest that your religion is keeping you from knowing all there is to know out there and certainly all there is to know about Christ. He’s in the Book of Mormon too, did you know?!?! 😉 Open your mind and your will open your heart as well.
Hi, I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Congratulations! Please check out this post for details: http://seezooeyrun.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/surprise-by-a-versatile-blogger-award/
I came across your blog tonight on Facebook and it is a blessing in disguise. My dad is in hospice care coming to the end if his battle with cancer. Your post is absolutely amazing and I thank you for it. It is just what I needed to get me through this. Thank you!
I too have leaned on that phrase in hopes to reassure my own strength. I thank God that He showed you the better perspective; the ‘right side up’. Thank for doing God’s work, thats love! 🙂
Kayla, do y’all have a FB page to follow?
Judy, for now I just direct people to my personal FB. But I’ll have to get another one up and running 🙂 for now, on the home page, you can click on where it says Kayla on Facebook and it’ll take you right there. Thanks for reading!
Someone just shared your “God will give you more than you can handle” posting on Facebook and I followed the link to your site. What a wonderful find! I plan to read your past postings as well, as soon as I find the time. I married my Lemmon in May 2002 and we are still going strong! God bless you and your marriage.
Thank you for spreading God’s word and lifting my heart, it’s been 6 difficult weeks as we sit in Miami Children’s by our grandson death bed, our baby boy grandson was born with several rare congenital defects that doctors cannot
help . We have spent all the holidays since thanksgiving in the hospital and today I was struggling to find sense to friends usual comment that God has a purpose in all of this.
I believe with all my heart in Romans 8:28 , but my sadness and confusion is debilitating , but your article help me to focus on what has always been my stronghold and hope…. God is carrying us ! Sandra Robert
A friend shared this on Facebook, and it is a balm to my heart. It was a hard pill to swallow as my father struggled to survive cancer for the 4th time. Thank you for sharing…and my sincerest sympathies on the passing of your father. I think your relationship with your father was much like mine is – something incredibly special! Blessings to you and yours.
A friend of mine shared on facebook your post,”God will give you more than you can handle.” Wow, only someone who has been through fires in their life could express it so beautifully. I have had health issues for a good part of my life. Things I could never have handled without Him in my life. Thank you Kayla for sharing.
Thank you and appreciate your work and heart.
I love how unashamed you are of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!! 🙂 Sending you love, smiles, and encouragement!!!!!!! ❤ Don't stop doing what you do- no matter how you do it! Now I have a favorite blog!
I wanted to let you know your words are very uplifting. I read the story of your father, and loved it. You have a wonderful gift. Thank you for sharing. I know your Aunt Patricia Lemmon of Yuma, AZ, but am in Oregon. Patty is another loving, talented Lemmon. Peace be with you. Regards, Kathleen
I’m amazed we share some of the same life experiences including taking care of our fathers. i recently graduated top of my class with a healthcare degree and cannot find a job. It just kills me that i was able to overcome so many things but have failed miserably to land a decent job in healthcare. I drew some inspiration from your site and would like to share some of the pain and or things that have helped push me onward. Dan
Kayla –
You are a blessing in so many lives. You are Gods’ answer to fellow Christian’s desperate prayers of hope, help, and happiness. You have touched my heart and my soul. One of my favorite greetings/farewells: ONward and UPward! You :lead me, guide, and walk beside” me, and many others, in spirit.
Another one of my favorite (stolen) sayings: Keep on, keepin’ on! I read often and {loudly} cheer at many of your posts. Then there are the ones that leave me speechless, with my soul fed to the brim. Those posts, I have to share:
I just had to say: Thank you.
Melissa
Love your blog! It is just too cute. Excited to follow along 🙂
-Katie @ http://www.hotteaandtheemptyseat.com
I lost my father to cancer 10 years ago and it is still hard. I went through all the feelings you described in your blog. Also my mother had Alzheimer’s at the time which made it even harder. I just take one day at a time.
Awesome!! Sooo happy to find another wordpress mormon blogger! 🙂
I read you post about losing you father. I lost mine 22 years ago ( can’t believe its been that long) and I too didn’t understand that He would never give us more that we can handle, because I couldn’t handle it at all. With my family close together during this time I too learned to lean very closely on God and I believe what you say is true! During one of my worst moments during his dying phase, God showed my how very small our time on earth is compared to eternity with Him. That perspective helped me tremendously.
Hi Kayla. Thank you for being so honest and really raw with your posts. Your words speak to my soul. I lost my father in October, and from your posts, it seems we have been on a very similar path. Thank you for sharing every bit of it with us.
I tried to find an email address for you but I was unsuccessful. I just wanted to pass along something you might be interested in. Have you ever heard of “Momastery?” It is also a blog written by Glennon Doyle Melton who is the author of the book “Carry On, Warrior.” She is AMAZING, just like you. Anyway, this week, until (I think) April 18th, Momastery is hosting a sort of “blog sharing” for other writers. It is all about being “messy and beautiful.” All sorts of topics are discussed and I think yours would be PERFECT for it. I would love for you to check it out. It would be a great way for your work to reach many more people who (I believe) need to hear it.
I’ve included the link to find Momastery on Facebook. You can check out what it’s all about and read other bloggers who have joined this project.
Looking forward to your next post.
Amber Head
Thank you for your blog. I’m glad I came across it. I was reading a blog that I thought I liked, but recently her tone has changed and she was sharing an alternative view to a post you wrote. Anyway, I’m glad she linked it because now I have something to read in place of her blog. Thanks again!
Yes. Personal revelation comes first before media. Thanks 🙂
Hi,
I am a second great granddaughter of Joseph and Emma Smith and I LOVED what you wrote about Joseph and his multiple wives. Thank you so much, many people do not understand that there are many layers to those times, it’s not all black and white. But what you said is true and you laid it out so well. Like me some of his descendants have spent years trying to give people a clearer picture of what really happened those last few years of his life because so much has been twisted, but when all is said and done what matters is the gospel today, here and now, and if the Holy Ghost witnesses that it is true, then that’s all one needs to know…thank you so much!
Kimberly Jo Smith
Hi Kayla,
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! To usher in the Christmas season, I have released my first video, an original arrangement of the classic “O Holy Night”.
I hope that as you watch the video, you feel a renewed appreciation for that wonderful night when our Savior was born.
If you enjoy the arrangement, I invite you consider sharing the video link on your FB page and/or blog for the benefit of your followers. Best wishes for a happy and joyous holiday season! 🎄
– Garth
I just found your blog and I love it! You’re a beautiful writer and it’s refreshing to read thoughts about the Church from someone with a sense of humor 😜 Keep it up! Cheers!
HI Kayla, I also lost my dad in 2014 after a very difficult illness. I just found you and your blogs. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your words helped more than I could have imagined.
I would like to follow this blog please.
Thanks Amanda! There’s a follow button on the side bar and home page.
I came across an article of yours by chance- “God will give you more than you can handle” I was in the deepest despair I have ever known known with postpartum anxiety. After reading this it clicked, I was doing it all wrong. I sincerely thank you for an amazing article, I have since sent it to others who need a little lift.
That lifted my heart to hear, Angie. Thank you. I hope you feel so much love and comfort during this time.
I can relate so much to your “lemony” thoughts. Our son became a drug addict at 14. Now at 26 he prefers living on the street than being in recovery. I have felt the absence of God in my life too. At times when I needed him most! I love your perspective, that he trusts me. I know that to be true…but I just want that warm soft blanket of his live to encircle me when I need his live the most. Thank you for expressing your thoughts.
My niece posted your link to “When God Doesn’t Show Up” on Facebook a week or so ago and I fell in love with your blog! I’m teaching Relief Society on Easter Sunday, (on the atonement) and I’m going to share it as part of my lesson. I was struggling to come up with a way to teach the lesson without it becoming a snooze-fest. 🙂 You have an amazing way with words…thank you!
I also love your post regarding Trump. My daughter goes to school at BYU-Hawaii (where there are a lot of different nationalities) and her husband was born and raised in Hong Kong. Listening to her talk about different cultures over the past 2 1/2 years and seeing things through a different perspective has really opened my eyes to a lot of things. So…thank you again! I look forward to reading more of your posts.
I just want to say that I really, really love all of your posts. They lift me up and help me remember what is important. I’m a 16 year old young woman and I love the Gospel more than anything else in the world. I want you to know that you have truly touched me with some of your words. I love your post about the right choice sometimes being difficult. It’s probably my favorite and I read it all the time because it helps me remember that no matter how hard a decision may have been, if I received confirmation from my Heavenly Father that it was the right one, it was what I needed to do. I just really love your blog!! Thank you so much!
I enjoy your writing style and your choice of topics
A friend share your message via Facebook. Your thoughts speak to my soul. Thank you
I would love to get blog items via email!😊