Never put rocks in the microwave.

Things that have been said or done around my house recently-

Me:Why did you take the safety pin out?

N: Because if I leave it in the laundry the washing machine and dryer will blow up.

Me: It's the microwave that will blow up. If washing machines blew up over metal it couldn't handle zippers or snaps.

N: Oh, but never put a rock in the microwave. It will turn into lava.

Naomi: Phebe what is my name?

P: Book of Mormon stories.

During nap time Naomi made many snow flakes, found some unused fishing line and hung them all from the ceiling. I was quite impressed.

While I make brownies-

P: I want to eat some.... here... in my mouth. 

During scripture study-

C: How does an elephant die?

Ethan and I: Well, when it's body stops working, or it falls off a cliff, when a lion attacks it or a hunter shoots it. Pretty much whenever God decides it is done here. 

C: or if we hit it with an ax.

Obviously. 

We also had a huge portion of dinner that went like this-

V: Did you know.... (followed by a random fact about volcanoes.)

Then his awe struck brother and sisters would be amazed.Then he moved onto repeating more "Did you know" volcano facts. He then informed us he had been reading a Magic School Bus book about them. The best part came when Caleb put in this addition.

C: Yea, I read a book about volcanoes too. 

Um.. Caleb you are 4, and the only thing you can "read" is the Skate Castle sign down the road. 

The single life

This talk is specifically directed towards single parents, however I think that there are aspects from this talk that are perfectly applicable to all of us.

The text can be found here. 

I think this applies to us all- Your perspective and view of life will change when, rather than being cast down, you look up.

Many of you have already discovered the great, transforming truth that when you live to lift the burdens of others, your own burdens become lighter. Although circumstances may not have changed, your attitude has. You are able to face your own trials with greater acceptance, a more understanding heart, and deeper gratitude for what you have, rather than pining for what you yet lack.

A bit of dark humor

I have been reading quite a fabulous book as of late. I wanted to share it with you as it really is quite entertaining.

For anyone unfamiliar with DM of the Rings, you better work on becoming familiar because it is quite hysterical (at least if you are a role player, or know a role player or have ever read Lord of the Rings.Go, there will be much laughing.) Well the author of that online comic is Shamus Young. His website can be found here. 


He has recently written and published a book. It is entitled "The Witch Watch". (Yes, the Heather Young that illustrated it is in deed his wife.)


The premise of the book is that a dark arts lord has everything all set to be brought back to life as a lich after his death. The problem being, they bring back the wrong person.


This is what the author has to say about it -Gilbert has two problems. The first is that he died. The second is that he didn't stay dead. Now he's hunted by the Church, the cult that revived him, and Her Majesty's Department of Ethereal Affairs. Gilbert must keep his head long enough to save London, the Queen, and his brassy and opinionated mother from the forces of evil and good alike.


It is so very funny and engaging.  You can order it online as a paperback or down load it for your kindle. You won't be disappointed. Do it!

Some insight on the sacrament

You can read the text of this sweet talk here. 

Um... I need to work on this. I am sure it will make all the difference.-For the sacrament to be a spiritually cleansing experience each week, we need to prepare ourselves before coming to sacrament meeting. We do this by deliberately leaving behind our daily work and recreation and letting go of worldly thoughts and concerns. As we do, we make room in our minds and hearts for the Holy Ghost.

I found this to be particularly profound. I had never thought of it like this. When young men prepare, bless, and pass the sacrament in worthiness and reverence, they literally follow the example of the Savior at the Last Supper⁴ and become like Him.

The purpose of both temporal and spiritual self-reliance is to get ourselves on higher ground so that we can lift others in need. Whether we are young or old, what we do today determines the service we will be able to render and enjoy tomorrow. As the poet reminds us, “Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been!’”

It's sharing time!

Well my faithful audience, today's topic is.... Sharing.


Exciting, I know. Sharing can be so rewarding. It can make life so much richer. It strengthens the relationships you have with those around you. Sharing is a wonderful thing.

But what if you are the third child in a family with four children and just received a super awesome noisy play gun for your birthday? It is cool to have something other people want. Maybe you are super awesome and want to allow everyone the chance to enjoy the awesomeness.

Or maybe you don't. Maybe you don't want to hand over your brand new toy. Does that make you a bad kid? Does that make you selfish and greedy?
Do we as adults get toys that we don't want to share sometimes? Do you let any person who stops by use all your fabulous gadgets or collectibles?

Possibly it is simply my little corner of the world, maybe it is in your area too. I see people force children into "sharing". A new friend comes to visit and suddenly it is mandatory to hand over your most prized possessions to this foreigner. Even at the mall I see it over and over again. A child playing on the little motorcycle. Here comes a different child who is drawn to the fantastic potential this toy contains. The mother of the child on the motorcycle suddenly declares that he must "share". Meaning - any kid who shows any interest in this toy gets to have first claim over you.

How would you feel? Let me just say that if I were a child who was having my favorite things handed over in the name of "sharing" without my consent,  "sharing" would become a less than desirable thing.

So you probably have decided that you will never bring your children to my house because they won't be able to play with anything.Her children must be so selfish.  Honestly, I have had very little problem with other children coming into my home and being unable to find things to play with. True, there are a few toys that are not up for general child entertainment. I will gladly enlighten you about how I handle these important lessons in my home.

I feel as though espousing the virtues of sharing and then allowing the child to share at their own rate is much better. I have seen sharing become something that creates resentment. That makes me sad when I see a child who is so wrapped up in "stuff" that he can't enjoy the fun of working with or next to someone. For those few toys which are particularly treasured, they are placed in the bedroom while we have visitors just to avoid the contention. Yes, it is your toy and no you don't have to share it. But if you don't desire to share it go put it away where they won't want it.  


Some of the toys around here are simply considered "family" toys. They do not belong to anyone in particular and unless you had it in your hand it is up for grabs. I do not ascribe to the philosophy that a guest  should be able to take any toy or play with anything they want just because they want to. If one of my children has it you can ask if they will give it to you, attempt a trade, or simply wait until they are finished with the item. This may sound harsh, but it also works if the guest had the item first. My children are just as likely to have to wait as a visitor.

Every family has a different set of personalities. This is what works in my home. You may have to adapt for your families needs. However I would like to add a note here-
Why do you as an adult get to have special things that are not for others to touch or play with if children aren't allowed to have things they don't want to share? If everything is simply common property why isn't your jewelry up for grabs? Everyone should be able to have a special place where they can put things that matter to them and not have to share it.

Hording could be a side effect, I have watched it. However once you spend the time to sit down, playing beside them, talking about how fun it is to share and how glad you are they are sharing with you- it isn't nearly as common as you might suppose.

     Please don't make "sharing" a bad word.

The parable applied

This is one of the most incredible talks I have ever listened to. Please, please take the time to listen or read it.

You can find the text here.

This talk is truly amazing. 


He starts with some interesting insight about the parable in which Jesus speaks about the laborers who come to work in the vineyard at different times of the day but are paid the same wage.


This really is an important question, in my opinion, -Then this piercing question to anyone then or now who needs to hear it: “Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind?”He is so very right.


This is some fantastic imagery, and yes I am guilty of this offense-  envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment! It really does sound stupid to be envious when he puts it that way. . So lesson number one from the Lord’s vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live.


A second point I wish to take from this parable is the sorrowful mistake some could make if they were to forgo the receipt of their wages at the end of the day because they were preoccupied with perceived problems earlier in the day.


We consume such precious emotional and spiritual capital clinging tenaciously to the memory of a discordant note we struck in a childhood piano recital, or something a spouse said or did 20 years ago that we are determined to hold over his or her head for another 20, or an incident in Church history that proved no more or less than that mortals will always struggle to measure up to the immortal hopes placed before them.


Which leads me to my third and last point. This parable—like all parables—is not really about laborers or wages any more than the others are about sheep and goats. This is a story about God’s goodness, His patience and forgiveness, and the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a story about generosity and compassion. It is a story about grace.


I do not know who in this vast audience today may need to hear the message of forgiveness inherent in this parable, but however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.

His concern is for the faith at which you finally arrive, not the hour of the day in which you got there.

Mountains to climb

This talk is a bit on the long side.

Even if you haven't actually watched or read any of the other talks, please stop and pay attention to this one. If there are hard things in your life this can be a great source of comfort.

You can read the text here.

I love this quote so very much. It really helps me realize that my daughter dumping the entire box of cereal on the floor or the older children squabbling over a stuffed animal really aren't remotely important. “And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

“The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

“Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.”

I love that line "Art though greater than he?" I always feel like I need to hang my head for a moment and admit "No, I certainly am not." Then pull myself together and move on.

It is never too late to strengthen the foundation of faith. There is always time. With faith in the Savior, you can repent and plead for forgiveness. There is someone you can forgive. There is someone you can thank. There is someone you can serve and lift. You can do it wherever you are and however alone and deserted you may feel.


One of the characteristics of trials in life is that they seem to make clocks slow down and then appear almost to stop.

There are reasons for that. Knowing those reasons may not give much comfort, but it can give you a feeling of patience. Those reasons come from this one fact: in Their perfect love for you, Heavenly Father and the Savior want you fitted to be with Them to live in families forever. Only those washed perfectly clean through the Atonement of Jesus Christ can be there.

Sacrifice

As always, Elder Dallin H. Oaks is good for some deep doctrine discussion. If you are interested in following along with his text you can read it here.

When he said this it clicked to me. I have heard it many times but finally I got it. The Gospel of Christ always is about sacrifice. It is simply the kind of sacrifice that changed after the atonement. The incomprehensible suffering of Jesus Christ ended sacrifice by the shedding of blood, but it did not end the importance of sacrifice in the gospel plan. Our Savior requires us to continue to offer sacrifices, but the sacrifices He now commands are that we “offer for a sacrifice unto [Him] a broken heart and a contrite spirit”.

We are frequently asked, “How do you persuade your young people and your older members to leave their schooling or their retirement to sacrifice in this way?” I have heard many give this explanation: “Knowing what my Savior did for me—His grace in suffering for my sins and in overcoming death so I can live again—I feel privileged to make the small sacrifice I am asked to make in His service." It is kind of funny how things change if you have a different perspective.

“A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. … It [is] through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life.” Joseph Smith Jr.

He loves us

This was a rather touching talk. You can read the text here.

The blessing of humble prayer, offered with real intent, allows the Holy Spirit to touch our hearts and helps us to remember what we knew before we were born into this mortal experience. As we clearly understand our Heavenly Father’s plan for us, we begin to acknowledge our responsibility to help others learn and understand His plan.

The feeling of love from our Heavenly Father is like a gravitational pull from heaven. As we remove the distractions that pull us toward the world and exercise our agency to seek Him, we open our hearts to a celestial force which draws us toward Him.

Gospel and church are not synonymous

This was quite a fantastic talk in my opinion. He speaks about the difference between Christ's gospel and Christ's Church. I found it quite profound. You can read the text here.

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sometimes we use the terms gospel and Church interchangeably, but they are not the same. They are, however, exquisitely interconnected, and we need both.



The gospel is the glorious plan of God in which we, as His children, are given the opportunity to receive all that the Father has.

The Church was established by Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry, “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets”.

Some have come to think of activity in the Church as the ultimate goal. Therein lies a danger. It is possible to be active in the Church and less active in the gospel. Let me stress: activity in the Church is a highly desirable goal; however, it is insufficient. Activity in the Church is an outward indication of our spiritual desire.

By contrast, the things of the gospel are usually less visible and more difficult to measure, but they are of greater eternal importance. For example, how much faith do we really have? How repentant are we? How meaningful are the ordinances in our lives? How focused are we on our covenants?



I repeat: we need the gospel and the Church. In fact, the purpose of the Church is to help us live the gospel.

Teaching to understand

The text for this talk can be found here.

The Lord instructs parents to teach their children to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Notice the Lord doesn’t just say we are to “teach the doctrine”; His instructions are to teach our children to “understand the doctrine.”

Sometimes the most powerful way to teach our children to understand a doctrine is to teach in the context of what they are experiencing right at that moment.

As our children learn to understand gospel doctrines, they become more self-reliant and more responsible. They become part of the solution to our family challenges and make a positive contribution to the environment of our home and the success of our family.

My "princess" AKA the "Leprechaun enslaver"

Naomi has quite a bit going on in her world right now. I thought I should take a moment to let you know what it is like to live with her currently.

Reading. For a while her teacher told me "She just isn't, um, trying very hard." That's cause she is an all or nothing kind of girl and right now reading is at nothing level. However the switch has finally flipped and she thinks reading is awesome and is figuring things out on her own. I sincerely believe that the ability to learn is so over looked. The fact that my children are able to learn and progress I think of as a tremendous blessing. I am so excited for her.

There is a field trip coming up. She must be at school early.
N: My teacher says we have to be there early. I have to wake up at 3.
Me: 3? As in 3 in the morning?
N: Yes! It is really important that I get up at 3 so I can go on the field trip.
Me: I see...
It honestly isn't worth persuading her she is mistaken about 80% of the time. She doesn't even have a clock in her room or know how to tell time so I have no fear of her actually waking up at 3.Especially since getting her up for school on a normal day is challenging enough.

She also spent nap time duct taping two boards together to make herself a skateboard. Let me just tell you that is not a quiet activity.

Oh, I think I have forgotten to mention- there is no tape or paper safe from this child. I was out of tape for a while due to a serious need to make "Leprechaun traps". Sometimes I am tempted to get rid of some of our art materials. But then I realise that Naomi doesn't play with toys. She likes making things. Who am I to say toys are of value but paper and tape are not? So the over abundance of paper and small quantity of tape will stay.

I love her. I love her drive and passion and creativity. I'm glad I have her. The rest of you can have visiting hours with her.

I need to go here.

I really need to visit this place. Oh, and this guy is pure genius.

It is the Ice Castles in Midway Utah. Though I guess next year it is supposed to be in Colorado. I just think these are amazing.



Beautiful. Simply elegant. I love that they build the lights right in. This makes me smile

Children

Text found here.

I actually wrote this down in my journal while I was taking notes.-The creation of life is a great responsibility for a married couple. It is the challenge of mortality to be a worthy and responsible parent. Neither man nor woman can bear children alone. It was meant that children have two parents—both a father and a mother. No other pattern or process can replace this one.

The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is to see a husband and his wife and their children happy at home, protected by the principles and laws of the gospel, sealed safely in the covenants of the everlasting priesthood. Husbands and wives should understand that their first calling—from which they will never be released—is to one another and then to their children.

This is my favorite line of his whole talk- Family time is sacred time and should be protected and respected.

Fathers and mothers, next time you cradle a newborn child in your arms, you can have an inner vision of the mysteries and purpose of life. You will better understand why the Church is as it is and why the family is the basic organization in time and in eternity.

A little more violin

I just thought this was really neat. I enjoy talent. It makes me smile. Yea, she is a bit cheesey in some of her facial expressions, but I thought the music and dancing were quite awesome.

I love this man

Here is the opening talk for General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.  You can find the text of this talk here.

Before I delve into his talk I wanted to share something with you. I was able to listen to Thomas Monson (the current president of our church) in a slightly less formal setting. He shared some awesome pictures children had drawn for him and talked about how much he loved them. He also said something that really hit me. I do not have the written text so we will be going by my memory.  He said "Sometimes we get frustrated with young children when they can't sit still the way we want them to. I want you to understand those are big spirits crammed into such tiny bodies, of course they will have a hard time refraining from wiggles." I think I actually started crying. It made such a difference to me that this man of God understood how hard it can be with small children and was so willing to to be patient with them, encouraging us to be also.

OK, moving on....

According to a prophet this is the purpose of General Conference-We meet each six months to strengthen one another, to extend encouragement, to provide comfort, to build faith. We are here to learn. Some of you may be seeking answers to questions and challenges you are experiencing in your life. Some are struggling with disappointments or losses. Each can be enlightened and uplifted and comforted as the Spirit of the Lord is felt.

I can also testify that if allowed it really will do each of those things for you. You really can find your answers. I came to conference with a list of questions. Within the first 4 talks nearly all of them were answered.
I intend to continue sharing these messages. My husband and I found this to be one of the most amazing series of talks we have ever listened to. When you have a few minutes, please take some time to listen or read them. They really are so very uplifting.