tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80575391481057686652024-02-20T02:54:30.158-08:00Tori's ThoughtsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-56710908989982191302014-09-20T06:43:00.001-07:002014-09-20T06:43:09.576-07:00WWJD<p>I have never been one to be a part of the in crowd. I don’t know that you can choose or not choose to be part of the in crowd, but in a way I chose not to be. I sixth grade I had a pair of jeans with a ‘?’ on the front button. Well, my friends (well, mostly the boys) would giggle and say, do you not know what is inside your pants? Haha, HeHe… So off to junior high and low and behold, ALL the cool girls had ‘?’ on the buttons on their pants, But my pair were too small by then. I decided then that I would never try to be part of the in crowd.</p> <p>A few years back, a popular phrase came out. Everyone was saying it. Bumper stickers had it. Those trendy plastic bracelets…. The list goes on! I didn’t like the phrase because it was trendy and cool! WWJD… can people use real words instead of acronyms?</p> <p>Well, some years have passed, it is not so trendy anymore, and I have matured =) I have decided it is a fabulous phrase! When someone says something mean to you, you should ask yourself, ‘What would Jesus do?’ When you are angry, you should stop and say ‘What would Jesus do?’ When your life is at the very bottom and there is no where else to go, ask yourself ‘What would Jesus do?’</p> <p>Our Savior is a perfect example for us. The scriptures teach us through parables, stories, and revelations what Jesus would do. When we are stuck, we simply need to ask ourselves what the Savior would do, then act upon it. Our lives will be blessed and so will the people’s around us!</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-36138466931377906642013-09-05T22:49:00.001-07:002013-09-05T22:49:18.071-07:00Waterproof Computer<p>My thoughts come while I am in the shower. I need a waterproof computer. I never remember them when I get out. My brain must be going down the drain =)</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-62802134090800747972013-02-17T23:06:00.001-08:002013-02-17T23:06:50.223-08:00It’s not about Me, It is about Them<p>I really like this article. It really hits home =)</p> <p><a title="http://www.latter-dayhomeschooling.com/2013/02/get-life-mom.html" href="http://www.latter-dayhomeschooling.com/2013/02/get-life-mom.html">http://www.latter-dayhomeschooling.com/2013/02/get-life-mom.html</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-15683720636709063352012-11-06T08:30:00.001-08:002012-11-06T08:30:31.948-08:00Official Political Piece<p>Vote if you want to complain =) Otherwise, no complaints allowed!</p> <p>Our country wasn’t ruined over the last 4 years and it won’t be ruined in the next 4 years.</p> <p>Yes, we are in a decline of leadership all around and I pray that that will change.</p> <p>The president can’t make all the decisions, but he can hire a good time of advisors! Still, Congress has to approve most of his decisions.</p> <p>We should get rid of the electoral college! Votes should strictly be majority wins! Or, a compromise would be to split electoral college votes based on popular votes. Why should any state have already awarded their votes when voting day just began this morning?</p> <p>I vote based on morals and as strange as some of you may find this, one of the reasons I will not vote for Obama is because he has two little girls and I believe they deserve to be raised in a home with a father who can be there for him. As my president, he should be at my beck and call and obligated to serve ALL hours of the day. He cannot possibly be a father to little girls and be my president! Go home and play dad until they are older, then play president! Your bucket list shouldn’t supersede the needs of children. Stop being so selfish. It is not about what you want and fulfilling your dreams. They NEED you now!</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-2234402013591719102012-08-26T19:55:00.001-07:002012-08-26T19:55:59.867-07:00Fast Food<p>I try never to eat fast food for a multiple of reasons: it is very expensive, I can make it at home, it is beyond unhealthy (mostly), the children start to think they can ask for it for dinner, etc… We have had exchange students in our home all year and OF COURSE they have to experience some fast food while they are here. So, this year, and I have not gained any weight showing you can eat out and not be super sized, I have started to really decide where I like to go (and so have the children). I will start with the children. Benjamin has begun to think that french fries and ice cream is a choice for dinner. Third child, what more can I say? All places are the same to him, but Wendy’s and MacDonald's win the cheap ice cream competition. Costco is always a winner because of samples, smoothies, and ice cream =) Isaac has developed an adult taste and LOVES In-n-Out Hamburgers, Chipotle, Wendy’s (Frosty), …. At In-N-Out he gets a cheeseburger with onions and extra pickles =) Bekah is most like her younger brother so Wendy’s is her favorite =) Anything for a frosty. I think Mac Donald’s would be just as good, BUT ice cream doesn’t come WITH the meal =) So, what do I like…. well, I really think Mac Donald’s and Carl’s Jr have the best hamburger choices. So many sauces and vegetables, and chilies… yummy! I also love mexican food, so Chipotle and Café Rio are WONDERFUL =) And, of course, Farmer Boys has great food and Costco Polish Sausages are great with sauerkraut! I think In-N-Out has the best price of hamburger, and since it tastes great, it is a number one choice always! However, I think the french fries at In-N-Out are not so great! Carl’s are much better! Recently we have tried a new place, Five Guys! I think their hamburgers taste very good, but not worth the money. Their fries are really good, but there is something very special about Five Guys which sparked me to write this… their soda fountain =) So cool just to look at! It is all touch screen. They have everything in regular and diet, including diet caffeine free coke!!!!!! So, I loved it even more =) They over regular water for free, and bottle water with and without bubbles. they have lemonade and Sports drinks. Now to the best part…. flavors =) They offer vanilla, peach, cherry, raspberry, orange, and much,much, more! So, for every soda/water/lemonade/etc choice, you can add any flavor! Watching my cup fill reminded me of watching the paint bucket have color added to it at Home Depot. The neatest thing ever! I am lucky there isn’t one in the high desert or I might become a soda junky!</p> <p>So, where won’t I go… Burger King.I haven’t been there since college. I didn't like it the handful of times I went, so why go now with all the choices available to me? I don’t choose Wendy’s, but their salads and chili are okay. </p> <p>Unfortunately, I don’t get to go to chinese very often. Exchange students want hamburgers and they don’t sell ice cream, so the children don’t like to go there =( I also don’t get enough mexican type food! </p> <p>I am ready for some home cookin’=)</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-82325633329052695182012-07-23T07:58:00.001-07:002012-07-23T07:58:08.325-07:00Penn State Punishment<p>Okay, so I am not a sports fan. In fact, I really dislike how much time and money our country puts into sports (and actors, but that is another post). However, I think the punishment for Penn State is a little over the top. The PEOPLE involved did a horrific thing. The people should be punished. I realize they represent Penn State, so I understand the school being fined, or something. But to have all the wins stripped from 1998 until 2011 is telling all those football players that they didn’t do their job and they didn’t win. They did win! Joe Paterno was a winning coach! You want to remove his statue, okay, but you can’t change the fact that he did an excellent job at coaching football! There are many football players that currently go to Penn State who are looking to the school to provide them with an education AND possibly help them with a future in football. These boys have already chosen Penn State. Now they are being told they can transfer elsewhere! It isn’t that easy to simply transfer colleges when you are dealing with sports. If they have a school scholarship, another school isn’t going to take over that scholarship. Penn State can’t afford to pay their football players to attend another University! Penn State is having to start fresh with so many new leaders at the school. That in itself will be a punishment and will take a long time to recover from. The PEOPLE will be punished! Let the students enjoy their college career and heal together! Let them rejoice in all the other wonderful positives the school has offered for many years and will continue to offer for years to come! </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-63224362868370986262012-07-15T22:15:00.001-07:002012-07-15T22:15:07.879-07:00Boiling HOT!<p>I am not a band geek like my husband, but I do appreciate music! Our local high school has decided to NOT have a band director next year. They have a football team and lots of resources for a virtual PE class using the Wii and its add-ons, but no band! </p> <p>I am so very grateful that I not only get to homeschool, but next year spend the time studying art and MUSIC everyday. My children will not have a homecoming football game to attend, or be on the prom court, but they will learn how to think and how to appreciate more than just text books with test!</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-78745612277856106922012-06-02T00:12:00.001-07:002012-06-02T00:12:37.132-07:00Book Review ~ The Giver by Lois Lowry<p>So this strange book was of course a Newberry Medal winner and it was of course… STRANGE! I didn’t understand the point of the book until chapter 10. But chapter 10 was a major turning point. Before this chapter I was reading because I was supposed to read this Newberry winner. After chapter 10, I was reading because I wanted to see the character develop. <em>The Giver</em> does an outstanding job of teaching the basic gospel principle of agency. The main character has the opportunity to contemplate this principle and is able to act upon it and use it for good. With all that said, I would not say that I liked the book. I think it had a horrible ending! Most reviews I read LOVED the book and LOVED the ending. There was only one review (out of the 50 or so that I read) that gave me a glimpse of hope for our society. Only one, in my opinion, was able to actually make connections in the book and was therefore able to understand the ending. Most reviews said the ending was ambiguous and was so on purpose for the reader’s sake. Shallow responses! Only one person was able to connect the ending with the book. So, thank you to that person. You make me like the book a bit more. There are 2 more books written after T<em>he Giver</em>. The second book is completely separate from book one. Book three ties the characters from book one to the characters from book two. I am tempted to read the next two simply because they are an extremely easy read and I would like some closure. </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-44827537026748396182012-05-23T15:07:00.001-07:002012-05-23T15:07:30.552-07:00Who likes schedules?<p>I love them! I love to make them, I love to keep them, I love when everyone else keeps them too.</p> <p>So, who wants to figure mine out? =) I can’t get it right! I would think with homeschooling it would be easy. We are all home all day long! It seems to make it worse. There are even more fun activities to do, so we are never home (except for right now). And when we are home, we are too tired to do anything, haha. My children love it!</p> <p>And while we are on the subject, who likes to rearrange furniture? ME! Who wants to figure out where I can put everything for school and crafts and pleasure reading and music and and and and……I know the solution! Smaller house, throw away your unused stuff! I am grateful for a 9 year old boy who lives this motto. Do I have to keep that? Yes, but put it in your binder and put your binder away =)</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-15931833812287963922012-05-23T05:23:00.001-07:002012-05-23T05:23:38.350-07:00Air Head<p>It is so windy right now that I am up at 5 in the morning after only 5 hours of sleep (maybe a bit more)! The wind kept waking me up, so I finally got up to close all the windows and post something fantastic that has been flying through my head. However, I can’t think of anything right now =)</p> <p>However, I will say how blessed we are when we are patient and know that it is not our ‘time’ in which blessing come. Sometimes they come earlier and sometimes they come later… much later. But hey come!</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-30094187900192007752012-03-24T08:08:00.001-07:002012-03-24T08:08:20.303-07:002 Thoughts Right NOW!<p>Teenagers should take longer than 2 minutes in the shower. Isn’t that a rule of thumb? I know I shouldn’t complain…. but 2 minutes? That just isn’t normal =)</p> <p>Audiobooks are GREAT! I can still ‘read’ classic literature, and non-classic while, ironing… and washing dishes…. and running… and Warren while driving to and from work… and weeding…and whatever else! I am not big on teaching the children to color or have a busy activity to do while listening because I want them to learn to sit and listen during sacrament meeting… and in the car…. but you can do get so much mindless activities done and still enjoy great books! With that said, there is a place for meditating while washing dishes because great ideas always come around running water =)</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-15220878089782410262012-02-24T14:52:00.001-08:002012-02-24T14:52:17.212-08:00Such a Waste<p>While the entire waste is not my fault and is not a waste on the other end… today has been a waste! I stayed up way too late for 3 days in a row reading JUNK on the computer. I took a nap yesterday for 2 hours and then again today for 3 hours! Has anyone been outside these past two days? Gorgeous! And I have wasted the entire time sleeping =( </p> <h5 align="center"><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/88.124?lang=eng#123">Doctrine and Covenants 88:124</a></h5> <p>124 Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful;<font style="background-color: #ffff00"> <font color="#000000">retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary</font></font>; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated. <p>Now I will say that I have gotten up early to exercise (today just got up early). But early means 5 am instead of 5:30 am =)</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-91617728280438378802012-02-14T19:59:00.001-08:002012-02-14T19:59:13.342-08:00Ironic<p>DISCLAIMER****** this is not a political statement. I am not saying anything for or against the war or our troops. this is simply a true story********</p> <p>Okay, so I know someone who served in our military for an extended period of time. Willingly volunteered his time and fought in the middle east. So, this next part is what I am ‘diverted’, as Mr. Bennett would say. This soldier’s most terrifying experience happened just the other day here in a 7-eleven. While there, the store was robbed and this person had a gun put to his head by one nice robber, while the other nice robber got the whoppin’ $140 out of the till. So, even fighting in Iraq and having all that wonderful combat time. The only time he ever really felt threatened in life was HERE IN AMERICA in a 7-elven! At least the guys on the other side in Iraq are fighting for a cause or belief! This robbery was for $140, split between 2 people.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-75161852310810256732012-02-09T10:17:00.001-08:002012-02-09T10:17:13.085-08:00When Alone, Talk to Yourself =)<p>So, today I went running with a friend of mine. We normally run together and quit together… but today she kept going and I was alone to talk to my self. ***Side note, she is training for a half-marathon and I am just training to get off my backside*** So, while running, and we did pretty good today, maybe 14 min miles, I was thinking about the idea of discipline and control. I have had the opportunity to have Chinese and German people in my home. Our country has every freedom, well almost, yet we aren’t nearly as patient as they are. Back to the point, they are both very calm, disciplined, controlled people. Of course, these are my personal views. So why is it that we are not.***I will stick to me and not the collective whole*** Each month we fast. Meaning, no food or water for 2 consecutive meals, which should be about 24 hours, if you eat on a schedule. It also means we should have a purpose and a prayer in our hearts. It takes a lot of control to not eat or drink for 24 hours. Also, you have to be disciplined. Disciplined meaning willing to be taught. While fasting, the Holy Ghost will talk to you and teach you, but you have to learn to listen. The Latin root of discipline is discipuli which means… STUDENT. (so when a person starts saying you need to discipline your child, politely remind them that that means to teach NOT spank and yes you teach them everyday!) Point being to all of this…. while running I really wanted to quit, but my friend was so far ahead of me and I didn’t want to be left alone so I kept going. I had a purpose, a goal, a (you fill in the blank). Not that it didn’t before, but the entire conversation made life all fit together. Whatever your goal in life is, you have to gain control and be disciplined if you want to succeed. </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-12238599678694067672012-01-28T14:15:00.001-08:002012-01-28T14:15:25.286-08:00I Love Reminders!<p>I choose to enroll Frederike in a performing arts school. She loves to dance and I thought that would be a great place for her. When asking about the dress code, the Admissions Secretary told me that as long as they can’t see their undergarments or stomachs, then it doesn’t matter. They are artists you know and they need to be able to express themselves. So artists have no standards? Last week I went to Frederike’s High School to help her pick out classes. The front Office Secretary was just plan rude/nasty/unlikable. I don’t know how to describe it. It is sad how unpleasant (that is a better word) school secretaries generally are =( WE then took a tour of the campus and while we were there, we saw 4 or 5 girls coming running out of on of the buildings giggling and such and the went running somewhere else. They were so happy. When we got in the car Frederike couldn’t stop laughing at the boy who was running through the halls with the girls. The boy who was dressed and acting like a girl! Thursday I took her to school and stopped to pay for the bus. Again, she was not welcoming, but not really mean, just not pleasant. We pay for the bus then go around the corner to get her Student ID (which is needed for a bus pass). While waiting we saw piercings of all kind on the face (sparkly though) and hair various colors. the IDs were taking about 10 minutes each. A student walked up and was talking to the Admissions lady about classes when all of a sudden the ADULT says, “Are you flipping me off?” THE ADULT! IS that how adults teach children to interact and communicate with others? The girl looked at her and with a bit of disgust said,” I was scratching my nose!” Around this time the lady behind us leaves and returns with a temporary bus pass for her son because there wasn’t enough time for them to get their passes before school. So, I went back to the front of the office to talk to the oh so pleasant secretary and I politely ask for a bus pass. She replies with,” I am not giving out temporary passes today.” I am dumbfounded. And I simply tell her that the other lady just got one for her son. And she continues to say, she didn’t give it out and that they aren’t handing them out today. First of all WHY NOT! and Second, SHE JUST GOT ONE! So I repeat that the lady just got one and walk out the door and the lady yells after me, “ I’m not lying to you.” What ever! I am SSSSOOOOOOOOOOO glad that I will most likely not ever have to deal with this on a regular bases! Thanks Encore staff and students for reminding me how lucky I am to be homeschooling and how happy I am that I have the option of NOT dealing with you for an extended time!</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-91911471181325306142011-12-16T22:31:00.001-08:002011-12-16T22:31:35.100-08:00Am I being punished?<p>No I am not. I know that. God doesn’t punish anyone. With that said, he doesn’t always intervene and therefore bad things happen. Well, nothing bad has happen! But, for those who know me know I don’t like guns, real or fake. I don’t think it is fun when children shoot at me. I know it is normal for children to play guns, but I still don’t like them. The only guns my children own are squirt guns from this last summer and the guns that come with Isaac’s clone trooper action figures. Isaac never turned any toy into a gun until his 2 or 3 year old sister did! And Benjamin, being the youngest, is always shooting at something. So what is the punishment I have been given? Tonight, Isaac was walking down the hallway and said, “ Daddy, can you imagine if your nostrils were guns?” So, the next time I see him wiggling his nose, I am going to think that he is trying to shoot at me!</p> <p>This happens to go well with a conversation I had about guns and boys blowing things up the other day. The conversation was the same as any conversation until my friend asked how I liked bows and arrows since they are meant for hurting others. Great question! It really made me think (which is why I like her so much). to me bows and arrows are cartoon, fictional toys. So,I don’t think anything bad about them. You can even make them! However, they are meant for killing. They were used throughout the middle ages for war and hunting food. So are bows and arrows any less violent or do they portray any less evil than guns? Well, for me, at this time, yes. In our day and age, guns are associated with crime and hurting others. I don’t think hunting is a necessary sport. While I am not a vegetarian, I don’t see the need to go kill an animal for food. I can buy my chicken at the store. Unless I am a. officer of the peace, I don’t see a need to learn to shoot a gun. I guess also I don’t see how playing guns or shooting guns makes me a better person. </p> <p>So, for all the guns lovers out there, just so you know, Isaac did get his BB Gun Belt Loop at scout camp AND I know someone who takes their 6 year old daughter to a local gun club and I have thought that maybe Isaac, and Bekah but she doesn’t like to shoot the bow and arrow yet, might like to go sometime. So while I am so weird compared to the rest of the world, I am not completely out of touch with reality. I still think that guns are a yucky evil in our world, but they are here and I do try to understand Isaac’s happiness in playing with them.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-56571729119825024222011-12-06T06:40:00.001-08:002011-12-06T06:40:28.625-08:00Mrs. Jennings<p>I love Jane Austen books. I love the love stories. I am fascinated how the people never talk to each other! In <em>Pride and Prejudice</em> Jane’s own mother asks Elizabeth about what happened while Jane was in London. In <em>Sense and Sensibility</em> there were numerous times when the sisters openly conceal things from each other. No communication. And who is the bad character? Mrs. Jennings who talks! She doesn’t talk bad about anyone, she just talks. So, while I would love to be able to conceal so much, I am more like Mrs. Jennings. Well, I would like to be more like Mrs.Jennings =) Someone who just talks. My problem is that I have opinions, so while I am talking like Mrs. Jennings, I tend to voice those opinions and hence consider myself a gossip =( Sad, but true. And something I am working on! So, the point of this blog post, is that while I have said some horrible things about people (when voicing my opinion), I recently said some non-horrible things about a person I know. These non-horrible things were really expressed concerns that were formulated from information I had from a year and a half ago. Apparently someone told her (super mad message posted to Facebook, followed by threatening comments from her husband, and thus being completely blocked from her). While I say things that people should be mad at me about, this was honestly a mistake. However, she never talked to me personally about it. Only put comments on Facebook and then blocked me (and in my opinion, she should have come to me). So,m in my efforts to be Mrs. Jennings, I will continue to try and keep my opinions to myself to other people about other people, but I will continue to talk and not conceal everything =)</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-56144599000702419112011-11-29T08:48:00.000-08:002011-11-29T08:52:10.432-08:00Albertson'sSo Albertson's is not my favorite store. It is just too expensive. It is also almost 5 miles away from my house! I have Stater Bros, WinCo, Food 4 less (never step foot in that store), Target, and Costco all within 2 miles, so why travel 5 miles to an expensive store. Today I needed Potato Dumplings for St. Nick, saffron, caraway seeds, currants, and ultra tampons. So why did I travel 5 miles to an expensive store? Because they carry all those items and the stores closer to me do not!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-46255925156053698892011-11-12T20:52:00.000-08:002011-11-19T07:49:32.807-08:00No painkillers please, we're British - USATODAY.com<a href="http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/story/2011-11-10/British-doctors-more-cautious-about-prescribing-painkillers/51154360/1">No painkillers please, we're British - USATODAY.com</a><div><br /></div><div>Last year, our book club group began the discussion of Freedoms versus Securities. It is actually interesting to think about. China is a very safe country. They have lots of security. However, they have minimal freedoms! The freedoms we have here in America make it so some of our security is taken away. Now I am not concerned about the security of going outside for a bike ride, but my children are not protected in the public school with the curriculum being taught. For the most part, I would have to say that America does have freedom AND security, but our country was founded on freedoms, not securities.</div><div>The above article is a great look at the securities in England, but not necessarily their freedoms.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-63797205975041030332011-11-12T20:25:00.000-08:002011-11-12T20:27:01.113-08:00Mommy Life: Transgendered Girl Scouts - yes, really<a href="http://mommylife.net/archives/2011/11/transgendered_g.html#.Tr9GkFsmkAk.blogger">Mommy Life: Transgendered Girl Scouts - yes, really</a><div><br /></div><div>No thoughts need be expressed. He sums it up!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-48872725802113109282011-11-08T09:31:00.001-08:002011-11-19T08:15:46.030-08:00The Awakening<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612930670/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0380002450&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=134JM2S5B7PYMY7KPZZX"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QyZo16MZL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" alt="The Awakening" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So, my niece (16) was required to read this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612930670/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0380002450&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=134JM2S5B7PYMY7KPZZX">book</a> for school. She was enjoying it, so I asked to read it after she was finished. I think it is an moderately-easy read and something I want to keep reading to learn more about. With that said. I am not finishing the book. It is a women's lib book. The main character is married with 2 children and the family is spending their summer on an island resort. She spends her time with an unmarried man while her husband goes to work on the ferry and her children spend their time with a nanny. So of course this will eventually lead to divorce, a broken family and all because of selfishness! This book is not making me a better person. The husband is not a bad guy. He is very nice and attentive, when the wife lets him. I do not appreciate Warren more because of this book. I don't appreciate my life better. Her life is great, she just is choosing to be selfish! </div><div>So my question is, why on earth does a 16 year old required to read this book for school? Maybe there is something else to come in the book? I read 57 of the 133 pages and yet, nothing to make me a better person. There is a selection of short stories by the same author in the book. One of the titles is 'A Shameful Affair'. Great choose of books for our impressionable teenagers! No security! (see post on pain killers) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-50099876028472008442011-11-02T06:47:00.000-07:002011-11-02T07:10:25.899-07:00'Brocket'Almost three years ago, my mother got a new puppy. It was very tiny and was often cold. My mom solved her problem by carrying the dog around in her 'brocket'. Clever. Since then many girls and women are using their 'brockets' for cell phones, money, lipstick, etc. In fact, I believe my grandma used her 'brocket' for her tissues. So, this idea is actually not new, but very popular. It is so popular, that at the LA County Fair, there was a lady selling bras with pockets! Now, she didn't have my mom's great name, but still, she was selling them =)<div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" >So, why am I thinking about his at 5 in the morning? What else should I think about at 5 in the morning while folding laundry? </span></div><div>Mother Theresa came to mind. Do you think she would have stuck her hand down her shirt, IN PUBLIC, IN FRONT OF THE POPE to pull out a list she had made or to get a tissue? NO!!!!!! Are you kidding me. That would have been gross. The media would have had something unpleasant about Mother Theresa to talk about. And what about President Obama or any other male pubic figure? How would you like to see them stick their hands in their UNDERWEAR to get some money? Anybody else here grossed out?!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">So the bigger problem is really the lack in class, respect, etc. in our society as a whole. The 'What is convenient for me is what I am going to!' attitude. Our standard of dress and standard about what is acceptable to do and say in public and mixed company has changed. I know I contribute to it, but hopefully I can make some positive changes in my life might just be old-fashioned =)</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-87242997445469032252011-10-23T11:50:00.000-07:002011-10-23T12:02:16.640-07:00Encircled About in the Arms of Love (my talk)<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px; "><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 31px; ">Long ago in a beautiful garden filled with peace and love, a man and a woman were created; a paradisiacal creation. They were immortal and were able to live forever. They could talk to their Father face to face any time they wanted. However, they were not able to age or gain wisdom, have children, or understand true happiness because they were unable to understand sadness. They were not able to fulfill the commandments given to them. Their creation needed a change.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">That change came when the man choose to partake of the forbidden fruit. This man and woman were now a mortal creation. They were not able to see their Father when they talked to him. However, they were able have children, laugh, cry, run and get out of breath. They were able to fall and break a bone and then heal. They were able to die. <span> </span>They knew they had to keep the commandments given to them here on earth so they would be able to see their Father again.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">Now, this man and woman did keep their commandments and when they died here on earth, they entered their immortal creation. Their bodies became perfect. They were reconciled with their Father.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">When I think of the word reconciliation, I think of accounting and balancing my checkbook. But if you know any Latin, or remember your grammar, you will remember that ‘Re’ means ‘again’, ‘Con’ means ‘with’, and ‘Sella’ means ‘seat’. So, the word means ‘to sit with again’.<span> </span>So, to say that they reconciled with their Father, it is saying that they were able to sit with their Father again. After all that time on earth in their mortal existence, all that time when they suffered and had sorrow and were unable to see Him while communicating with Him, I can only imagine the joy they felt when they were able to sit with their Father and see him face to face. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">Now the main character of this story has not been mentioned. Why hasn’t he been mentioned? Because He is so good and so loving; Because he is always there even when you don’t know he is there; and because He wanted to be the One to make this man and woman’s happiness possible without recieving any credit. From the beginning, He was willing to give us His life, so we could have ours. His name is Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">The word Atonement is often defined as at-one-ment, meaning, to be at one with God. In Hebrew, the word for atonement is kaphar which means ‘to cover’ or ‘to forgive’. In Arabic the word kafat means ‘a close embrace’. I like that one. Lehi taught his children ‘<i>…I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.’</i> When someone is having a bad day, isn’t an embrace, isn’t being encircled about in the arms of love what makes everything better? Because of the Atonement of our eldest Brother Jesus Christ, we are ‘encircled about eternally in the arms of His love.’<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">Elder Russell M. Nelson says, “To be redeemed is to be atoned-received in the close embrace of God with an expression not only of His forgiveness, but of our oneness of heart and mind.” ‘Oneness of heart and mind.’<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">Most often, when we hear the word Atonement, we think of the sacrifice the Savior made for our sins.<span> </span>President James E. Faust reminds us that, “The Atonement not only benefits the sinner but also benefits those sinned against- that is the victim.” When we pray each day and while we take the sacrament, after we have repented, do we thank our Savior for atoning for our sufferings; for enabling us to be encircled about eternally in his arms in our times of needs? President Faust continues, “The Atonement brings a measure of peace and comfort to those who have been innocently victimized by the sins of others. The basic source for the healing of the soul is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” I think that statement has strong words with a strong meaning. I have met many people who have had tragic events occur in their lives. Those who have a testimony of the Atonement and understand that the Atonement applies to their sufferings have that comfort and peace. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%"><span> </span>In the April 2010 Ensign, Elder Jean A Tefan, former member of the Seventy, shared an experience he had when his wife became ill. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">“<i>It was at the height of my wife’s suffering that I came to better understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I remember feeling completely overwhelmed by what Gisèle was experiencing. What had she done to deserve such an affliction? Hadn’t she served the Lord faithfully? Hadn’t she lived the Word of Wisdom? Why couldn’t He have prevented this illness? Why?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%">One particular night I let my heart and my feelings burst in prayer as I recounted to the Lord all of my frustrations. “I can no longer stand to watch my dear wife endure such pain!” I told Him. Then I decided to turn to the scriptures. I found these comforting verses about Jesus Christ in </span></i><st1:city><st1:place><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height: 150%">Alma</span></i></st1:place></st1:city><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%"> 7:11–12:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%">“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%">“And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">The Lord knows how to help us when we are suffering. He knows because he has felt those pains.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">In April of this year, there was a reprint of an article by ELDER BRUCE R. MCCONKIE (1915–85) <i>Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles</i> in the Ensign. It said, <i>“Two thousand years ago, outside </i></span><st1:city><st1:place><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%">Jerusalem</span></i></st1:place></st1:city><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height: 150%">’s walls, there was a pleasant garden spot, </span></i><st1:place><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height: 150%">Gethsemane</span></i></st1:place><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%"> by name, where Jesus and His intimate friends were wont to retire for pondering and prayer. There Jesus taught His disciples the doctrines of the kingdom, and all of them communed with Him who is the Father of us all, in whose ministry they were engaged and on whose errand they served.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%"><span> </span><i>This sacred spot, like Eden where Adam dwelt, like Sinai from whence Jehovah gave His laws, like Calvary where the Son of God gave His life a ransom for many, this holy ground is where the sinless Son of the Everlasting Father took upon Himself the sins of all men on condition of repentance.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%">We do not know, we cannot tell, no mortal mind can conceive the full import of what Christ did in </span></i><st1:place><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height: 150%">Gethsemane</span></i></st1:place><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%">We know He sweat great gouts of blood from every pore as He drained the dregs of that bitter cup His Father had given Him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%">We know He suffered, both body and spirit, more than it is possible for man to suffer, except it be unto death.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%">We know that in some way, incomprehensible to us, His suffering satisfied the demands of justice, ransomed penitent souls from the pains and penalties of sin, and made mercy available to those who believe in His holy name.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%">We know that He lay prostrate upon the ground as the pains and agonies of an infinite burden caused Him to tremble and would that He might not drink the bitter cup.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%">We know that an angel came from the courts of glory to strengthen Him in His ordeal, and we suppose it was mighty Michael, who foremost fell that mortal man might be.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%">As near as we can judge, these infinite agonies—this suffering beyond compare—continued for some three or four hours.”</span></i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">Now, I cannot comprehend His ability to do this, but <b>I know He did</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">As a child, I never went to any church. But seeds were planted because sometime in my teen years, I fell in love with the poem <i>Footprints</i>. I didn’t know <b>then </b>the significance of the meaning found within that poem. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%">One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. <span> </span>Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%"><span> </span>This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%"><span> </span>So I said to the Lord, "You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most,<span> </span>you have not been there for me?"<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%"><span> </span>The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you."</span></i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:150%"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">He does carry us. He is with us every single step of the way. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">During the General Relief Society Meeting this past Conference, President Uchtdorf said, “Whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you “(Sept. 2011).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">“Allow His divine love into your life, It can dews any wound, heal any hurt, and soften any sorrow” (Sept. 2011).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; line-height:150%">“We long for the ultimate blessing of the Atonement—to become one with Him, to be in His divine presence, to be called individually by name as He warmly welcomes us home with a radiant smile, beckoning us with open arms to be enfolded in His boundless love.” (Faust, Alma 26:15; Morm. 5:11; Morm. 6:17; Moses 7:63)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16pt;">Those reading, know that I have a testimony of my Savior and all that he has done for me and continues to do for me. I know that He volunteered before the earth was created to suffer the pains that I have so I can have peace and be comforted. His arms are open and waiting to embrace me at all times. When I am finished here with my earthly experiences, I can </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;">and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16pt;"> will be greeted by a Loving Father and Loving Brother in Heaven. I am and will be encircled about in their arms eternally. I say this in the name of my Savior </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;">and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16pt;"> Redeemer, my Eldest Brother, Jesus Christ. Amen<o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-7114051069989795082011-10-21T22:27:00.000-07:002011-11-19T07:39:27.673-08:00Mix Matched<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Before you read this, please know that today I was working in a garden, pulling weeds in holey jeans, a baggie t-shirt, with hair in a not so great braid, and on the way home, I stopped to shop at Costco. With NO lipstick on (don't tell my mother).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>Today at Costco I saw so many women nicely dressed. Their hair was done, make-up looked fresh, clothes all pristine! And next to them were these grungy, unkempt men. It was amazing to me the number of couples I saw. She was on her way to the runway and he was on his way to homelessness. I laughed. Later I was writing this post in my head and it occurred to me that I have had this observation before. Actually, I have had this observation before, but backwards. On Sunday, the men wear suits, with coats, and ties, and are all clean shaven. The women wear knit t-shirt type shirts with jean skirts and flip-flop sandals. Does anyone else find this match-up strange?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057539148105768665.post-44025121506739968792011-10-19T21:24:00.001-07:002011-10-19T21:28:43.430-07:00AtonementI have been asked to give a talk on the Atonement in church this Sunday. Now, if I were a missionary giving a 5 minute definition, that would be ssssoooo easy (or so i think). Instead, I get to talk for 15 minutes, I think, about how to apply the atonement to our lives. SSSSSOOOOOOO not easy =) I am think that I will take the approach of how the atonement is also meant for those who have been hurt by the sinner, not just the sinner. There, that one sentence summed it up =) Now I need a bunch more!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2