Yay Kris made it!!! I imagine the judges will pick Megan as a wild card. Travis says she didn't make it because she is too hot and no girls wanted to vote for her. I disagree but whatever. I vote for whoever I think has the best talent regardless of whether they have the "whole package" or not. Most years I think that the guys have more talent then the girls and honestly I always hated that it had to be six guys and six girls- I wanted it to be the best talent regardless of sex. So far this year only two girls are in the top 12. I wonder if the judges will pick all girls as wild cards to even things out. I am just happy to have two people I voted for represented. (Alexis and Kris).
I thought the group performance was really amazing and Brooke White is so beautiful and so real and that was such a beautiful song. Love her. I was just looking on Itunes and the song Misha sang by Train is in the top 100 now along with a couple other songs that the contestants sang. (including the one Megan sang). These artists should love American Idol.
On a very very sad note. David Cook is going to be at Campbell University in March and tickets went on sale this morning at 9 AM. I set an alarm on my phone weeks ago to remind me to buy a ticket. I was soooo tired this morning that I laid down on the couch for just a second and closed my eyes. When I woke up I was 30 minutes late for work and the concert was sold out. He is also going to be at the Azalea festival in Wilmingtion but the tickets are four times as much. I imagine they are sold out as well because they have been on sale a lot longer. I checked Craigslist and there are people selling tickets they purchased for 5 and 15 dollar for 200 dollars. Talk about gouging.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Group Two
Okay a few things right off the bat. If I hear Kara call someone a package artist or commercial one more time I am going to punch something. She is soooo annoying. I also really don't like having four judges. It is too much and it doesn't really bring anything to the show- if anything it just slows things down.
Looking at group two before anyone sings I think they have more overall talent then group one had. A couple people in this group I have never seen until now and with this new way of choosing the top 12 I think audition/hollywood week exposure makes a much bigger difference. Anyway on to the performances. For some reason my editing keys are gone and I can't change color font size- even my spell check is different. Bummer.
Jasmine- Yeah I want to punch Kara. No this girl didn't do well at all. I do give her some props for trying to make the song original but it was way too low for her.
Matt (dueling piano)- I loved him during Hollywood week and he has a great voice but I hate Coldplay and he kept his eyes closed the whole time which was totally annoying and his voice sounds very shaky like he is super nervous.
Jeanine- She is one that got no exposure in Hollywood. Dang she has nice legs. Dang listening to her sing is painful. Way way over sung. (dang the judges agree with me)
Normund Gentle/Nick- OH MY GOSH I love love love this kid!! I actually want him to make the top 12. He is so so so so entertaining!! If he doesn't make the top 12 I hope he at least gets a job out of this. He is amazing to me. (just checked he is vote for the worsts pick)
Allison- Seems much older then 16. I totally thought the judges were going to tell her she needed to sound younger more hip but no they loved her. I thought she was a little loud and screechy but I still like her.
Kris- Another one with very little Hollywood exposure. The few little clips I saw of him in Hollywood were really good. I was totally freaked out when he said he was going to be singing Michael Jackson- didn't he listen to the judges last week?
I was actually pleasantly surprised. He didn't try to sing it like Michael Jackson and made it his own. I like him- a lot.
Megan- She has an original voice but her performance is a little corny and the tattoo doesn't really match her personality or something so it is throwing me off. Parts of this are okay. I imagine the judges are going to love her. Call her commercial and the whole package and all that. Well three out of four. Simon kept it real thank goodness.
Matt (the welder)- He really has an amazing voice but he isn't "commercial" or "a package artist". I do have a hard time imagining him doing anything other then singing in bars or small clubs but I thought he sounded fantastic. I totally disagree with everything the judges said.
Jesse- Very original- interesting voice- I agree with Paula about the phrasing I loved it. What the heck is Randy talking about?? I mean seriously how many notes did that song Megan sing have? He is on crack.
Kai- super corny boring performance- I never really liked him anyway
Misha- I think she is my favorite girl from this group. I thought she sounded really good and she is super cute. Travis thinks she looks like a cat. I can see that a little I guess.
Adam- Way way way dramatic. I just can't take Adam seriously after watching this
I mean he can sing but I didn't think he was a good as the judges did. I may change my mind about him still. I am sure he will make the top 12- if he could tone it down just a tiny tiny tiny bit and leave a little of the Broadway antics in Broadway he may grow on me.
I voted for Kris and Misha. But I think Adam and Megan and Allison will make the top 12.
Looking at group two before anyone sings I think they have more overall talent then group one had. A couple people in this group I have never seen until now and with this new way of choosing the top 12 I think audition/hollywood week exposure makes a much bigger difference. Anyway on to the performances. For some reason my editing keys are gone and I can't change color font size- even my spell check is different. Bummer.
Jasmine- Yeah I want to punch Kara. No this girl didn't do well at all. I do give her some props for trying to make the song original but it was way too low for her.
Matt (dueling piano)- I loved him during Hollywood week and he has a great voice but I hate Coldplay and he kept his eyes closed the whole time which was totally annoying and his voice sounds very shaky like he is super nervous.
Jeanine- She is one that got no exposure in Hollywood. Dang she has nice legs. Dang listening to her sing is painful. Way way over sung. (dang the judges agree with me)
Normund Gentle/Nick- OH MY GOSH I love love love this kid!! I actually want him to make the top 12. He is so so so so entertaining!! If he doesn't make the top 12 I hope he at least gets a job out of this. He is amazing to me. (just checked he is vote for the worsts pick)
Allison- Seems much older then 16. I totally thought the judges were going to tell her she needed to sound younger more hip but no they loved her. I thought she was a little loud and screechy but I still like her.
Kris- Another one with very little Hollywood exposure. The few little clips I saw of him in Hollywood were really good. I was totally freaked out when he said he was going to be singing Michael Jackson- didn't he listen to the judges last week?
I was actually pleasantly surprised. He didn't try to sing it like Michael Jackson and made it his own. I like him- a lot.
Megan- She has an original voice but her performance is a little corny and the tattoo doesn't really match her personality or something so it is throwing me off. Parts of this are okay. I imagine the judges are going to love her. Call her commercial and the whole package and all that. Well three out of four. Simon kept it real thank goodness.
Matt (the welder)- He really has an amazing voice but he isn't "commercial" or "a package artist". I do have a hard time imagining him doing anything other then singing in bars or small clubs but I thought he sounded fantastic. I totally disagree with everything the judges said.
Jesse- Very original- interesting voice- I agree with Paula about the phrasing I loved it. What the heck is Randy talking about?? I mean seriously how many notes did that song Megan sing have? He is on crack.
Kai- super corny boring performance- I never really liked him anyway
Misha- I think she is my favorite girl from this group. I thought she sounded really good and she is super cute. Travis thinks she looks like a cat. I can see that a little I guess.
Adam- Way way way dramatic. I just can't take Adam seriously after watching this
I mean he can sing but I didn't think he was a good as the judges did. I may change my mind about him still. I am sure he will make the top 12- if he could tone it down just a tiny tiny tiny bit and leave a little of the Broadway antics in Broadway he may grow on me.
I voted for Kris and Misha. But I think Adam and Megan and Allison will make the top 12.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
What has the power to save?
I haven't been working on my journal for the second step like I should this week- I just haven't had the time. Hopefully I will be able to get to it this week. It is funny that all of the Sunday School Lessons, Sacrament talks and my Seminary lessons have seemed to be on Faith and the Atonement and have fit right into the things I have been studying and striving for.
I usually prepare a week of lessons in advance for Seminary that way I am not stressing out every night trying to make time to study. This week we are starting our study of Romans. Did you know that Romans is sometimes called a sealed book because those without a knowledge of the Fall/Plan of Salvation/works vs grace have a very hard time understanding the doctrine Paul was trying to teach? I thought that was pretty interesting.
The lesson for Chapters 4-6 says to imagine you are in the desert dying of thirst- on a hill nearby you see a glass of water.
Which of the following will save your life?
a. Your knowledge/confidence that the water will save you
b. Your effort to crawl up the hill to get the water
c. Drinking the water
This really is such an awesome analogy. There are so many ways you could go with it. I can't wait to share it with the kids.
Let's compare this analogy with our need for spiritual salvation.
What would the knowledge, the crawl up the hill and the water each represent?
The water represents the divine help given by God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (grace)
The crawl up the hill represents us striving to keep the commandments- I also imagine it could represent our works/service.
The knowledge/confidence in the saving power of the water represents our faith.
It is this faith- true faith that will motivate us to keep the commandments (climb up the hill) so that we can partake of the saving power of Jesus Christ's Atonement.
The lesson points out that this whole process requires us to have total reliance on the Savior. That even faith is a gift from Christ. We couldn't even have the need to drink the water nor walk up the hill if it wasn't for Jesus Christ. Faith and works are not enough to save us. We must use the power of the Atonement in our lives. I don't think that many of us use the Atonement to our full advantage. Sometimes when I am in Sunday School or Relief Society I often feel like we are just scratching the surface and I often leave feeling hungry for more. Maybe that is the point. Heavenly Father wants me to search and study on my own so that I can learn to be reliant on Him and on His son Jesus Christ.
The scripture for Step Two Day one is 2 Nephi 2:22- Thou knowest the greatness of God and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.
Consecrate= dedicated to a sacred purpose.
The journaling for this day is soooo intense.
Assignment- Write about the trials and afflictions you have had in your life. Include trials, heartache, illnesses anything that causes pain or distress- even your own mistakes. How have you seen the consecrating power of God applied to those afflictions?
I am not going put the things I wrote about here in my blog but will say that I can see in almost every difficult situation in my life how those things have helped me grow in one way or another. I can look back and say I am grateful for most of the things I have been through as difficult and life changing as they were. There are a few situations where I don't see the good yet but I hope that someday I will. Funny the things I haven't been able to find the good in I am still going through. I guess I have more to learn. Also looking back at some of the trials I have had since I joined the church- they were definitely things that brought me to my knees and made me totally rely on the Lord. I think some of the trials I am going through right now are things I keep trying to figure out on my own or things I spend a lot of time blaming myself for. It is also a lot easier to see the mistakes of others that impacted me working for my good then to look at my own mistakes and see them helping me.
The thing about these steps is you have to go through all seven days before you get to the discussion portion that kind of ties everything together. I always want to skip ahead.
I usually prepare a week of lessons in advance for Seminary that way I am not stressing out every night trying to make time to study. This week we are starting our study of Romans. Did you know that Romans is sometimes called a sealed book because those without a knowledge of the Fall/Plan of Salvation/works vs grace have a very hard time understanding the doctrine Paul was trying to teach? I thought that was pretty interesting.
The lesson for Chapters 4-6 says to imagine you are in the desert dying of thirst- on a hill nearby you see a glass of water.
Which of the following will save your life?
a. Your knowledge/confidence that the water will save you
b. Your effort to crawl up the hill to get the water
c. Drinking the water
This really is such an awesome analogy. There are so many ways you could go with it. I can't wait to share it with the kids.
Let's compare this analogy with our need for spiritual salvation.
What would the knowledge, the crawl up the hill and the water each represent?
The water represents the divine help given by God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (grace)
The crawl up the hill represents us striving to keep the commandments- I also imagine it could represent our works/service.
The knowledge/confidence in the saving power of the water represents our faith.
It is this faith- true faith that will motivate us to keep the commandments (climb up the hill) so that we can partake of the saving power of Jesus Christ's Atonement.
The lesson points out that this whole process requires us to have total reliance on the Savior. That even faith is a gift from Christ. We couldn't even have the need to drink the water nor walk up the hill if it wasn't for Jesus Christ. Faith and works are not enough to save us. We must use the power of the Atonement in our lives. I don't think that many of us use the Atonement to our full advantage. Sometimes when I am in Sunday School or Relief Society I often feel like we are just scratching the surface and I often leave feeling hungry for more. Maybe that is the point. Heavenly Father wants me to search and study on my own so that I can learn to be reliant on Him and on His son Jesus Christ.
The scripture for Step Two Day one is 2 Nephi 2:22- Thou knowest the greatness of God and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.
Consecrate= dedicated to a sacred purpose.
The journaling for this day is soooo intense.
Assignment- Write about the trials and afflictions you have had in your life. Include trials, heartache, illnesses anything that causes pain or distress- even your own mistakes. How have you seen the consecrating power of God applied to those afflictions?
I am not going put the things I wrote about here in my blog but will say that I can see in almost every difficult situation in my life how those things have helped me grow in one way or another. I can look back and say I am grateful for most of the things I have been through as difficult and life changing as they were. There are a few situations where I don't see the good yet but I hope that someday I will. Funny the things I haven't been able to find the good in I am still going through. I guess I have more to learn. Also looking back at some of the trials I have had since I joined the church- they were definitely things that brought me to my knees and made me totally rely on the Lord. I think some of the trials I am going through right now are things I keep trying to figure out on my own or things I spend a lot of time blaming myself for. It is also a lot easier to see the mistakes of others that impacted me working for my good then to look at my own mistakes and see them helping me.
The thing about these steps is you have to go through all seven days before you get to the discussion portion that kind of ties everything together. I always want to skip ahead.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Funny Girl
Here are some things that have come out of Kailyn's mouth the last couple of days that have had us all rolling.
Allias was laying on the floor and Kailyn came up to him and said in her best British accent, "Hallo are you Ronald Weasley? I am your biggest fan! Can I have your autograph?" Then she picked up our little dog Molly and said; "Oh my gosh is this your rat?"
We were watching Return of the King and Legolas was on the screen and Kailyn said; "does he work in Santa's workshop?" Then when Bilbo was walking onto the ship at the end of the movie it zoomed in on his bare feet and she said; "uh oh you are going to get splinters"
She was working on her spelling homework and said; "I wish ABC order was never invented."
She was getting sick and called me on the phone because she wanted me to come home- I asked her what was wrong and she said her body just wasn't in the right motion.
I love this girl!
Allias was laying on the floor and Kailyn came up to him and said in her best British accent, "Hallo are you Ronald Weasley? I am your biggest fan! Can I have your autograph?" Then she picked up our little dog Molly and said; "Oh my gosh is this your rat?"
We were watching Return of the King and Legolas was on the screen and Kailyn said; "does he work in Santa's workshop?" Then when Bilbo was walking onto the ship at the end of the movie it zoomed in on his bare feet and she said; "uh oh you are going to get splinters"
She was working on her spelling homework and said; "I wish ABC order was never invented."
She was getting sick and called me on the phone because she wanted me to come home- I asked her what was wrong and she said her body just wasn't in the right motion.
I love this girl!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
annotating????
We have Family Home Evening on Wednesdays cause it works for us and last night Allias taught the lesson. The theme we are using for February is LOVE- I know so original. Anyway he had us cut out pictures of different people from magazines and talk about how we thought the people were feeling- physically, mentally and emotionally. Once we were done with our discussion about feelings he had us cut out and make a collage of things we love. We all had a lot of fun.
For the feelings portion of our lesson Travis cut out a picture that looked similar to this one. Kailyn looked at the picture and said "look she is annotating!"
*I don't want to devote a whole post to the AI results- there were no big surprises- I wouldn't have chosen the Rough Neck but he does have that likability thing even if his voice isn't that great. There is no way Danny wasn't making it the producers have made sure to shove him down our throats every chance they can get and Alexis was the only girl that didn't suck from group one.
**And Ruth to answer your question the way it is working this year is they have split the top 36 into three groups. Each week one group will perform and the guy and the girl with the top votes advance to the top 12, then the person (guy or girl) with the next highest votes also advances. So 9 of the top 12 will be ones that were chosen by the voters. The remaining three will be chosen by the judges after a wild card show. They haven't done the wild card thing since Season One. Hope that clears up any confusion.
For the feelings portion of our lesson Travis cut out a picture that looked similar to this one. Kailyn looked at the picture and said "look she is annotating!"
*I don't want to devote a whole post to the AI results- there were no big surprises- I wouldn't have chosen the Rough Neck but he does have that likability thing even if his voice isn't that great. There is no way Danny wasn't making it the producers have made sure to shove him down our throats every chance they can get and Alexis was the only girl that didn't suck from group one.
**And Ruth to answer your question the way it is working this year is they have split the top 36 into three groups. Each week one group will perform and the guy and the girl with the top votes advance to the top 12, then the person (guy or girl) with the next highest votes also advances. So 9 of the top 12 will be ones that were chosen by the voters. The remaining three will be chosen by the judges after a wild card show. They haven't done the wild card thing since Season One. Hope that clears up any confusion.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo
"Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity To seize everything you ever wanted-One moment Would you capture it or just let it slip?'- Eminem (Lose Yourself)
I am pretty sure most of the contestants in group one let it slip. I also think that although the show may not be rigged the producers definitely have some ideas about who they want in the top twelve and make sure they get plenty of air time during Hollywood week and then let them sing last and encourage the judges to go ga ga over something that was mediocre at best. Anyway here is my rundown of the night.
Smoker Chick- Goodbye
Ricky Braddy- I didn't agree with Simon at all about the whole star quality thing. I think this guy has it. Paula hit my air time thing right on the head- and cool another contestant from NC.
Someone needs to tell Kara to move her mouth away from the mic a little bit. ACK
Alexis Grace- wowsers this girl can sing.
Brent Keith- not a fan
Stevie- blah- she sounded and looked really really nervous and her voice totally clashed with the backup singers. That seems to happen a lot
Anoop- So funny to hear these R&B songs coming out of his mouth. It was decent but not fantastic but he for sure can sing
Casey- so stinkin cute but wow that was unbearably painful. Travis called it bad karaoke before Randy did. Her facial expressions are really horrendous. She pretty much sucked.
Michael- Bo Bice sang it way better- he is making weird faces too. I hate it when they do that.
Ann Marie- started off really really bad- had some good parts but was like watching paint dry.
Stephen- Why oh why do people try and sing Michael (especially this song) or Prince or Freddie Mercury- the judges say it over and over and over again and yet for whatever reason people still think they can tackle these songs. Yeah that wasn't good
Tatiana- .....or Whitney. I tried very very hard to pretend she wasn't Tatiana and just judge her on her voice but it was impossible and the calm Tatiana is even more annoying then the obnoxious one.
Danny- He didn't blow me away and they have over milked the dead wife story so much that I am about to puke. No offense to him or his dearly departed but I just can't take it anymore. When David Cook was on the show his brother was dying of cancer and he never once talked about it. NOT ONCE. Ryan even tried to fish it out of him one night when his brother got to be in the audience and David didn't bite. People had to dig to find out why he had the initials AC on his guitar. Paula and Kara need to sit down. Goodness. Thank you Simon for bringing every one back to reality.
Travis said the two words Paula really needed to say were CRACK-SMOKE
I hardly ever vote before the Top 12 but I have decided I am sick of not having a say in who my top twelve are going to be so I voted.
My picks- Alexis and Ricky but I voted for Anoop too. I imagine vote for the worst will pick smoker chick (just checked and I am wrong they chose Tatiana- lovely) and that Danny will make it through no matter what.
A little side note about vote for the worst; with this new way of picking the top twelve they will now have the chance to try and push three bad contestants into the top 12- not sure I am happy about that.
Also I think the second and third groups are at an advantage- they got to see how bad the first group was and know what songs not to touch. I imagine they will touch them anyway.
I am pretty sure most of the contestants in group one let it slip. I also think that although the show may not be rigged the producers definitely have some ideas about who they want in the top twelve and make sure they get plenty of air time during Hollywood week and then let them sing last and encourage the judges to go ga ga over something that was mediocre at best. Anyway here is my rundown of the night.
Smoker Chick- Goodbye
Ricky Braddy- I didn't agree with Simon at all about the whole star quality thing. I think this guy has it. Paula hit my air time thing right on the head- and cool another contestant from NC.
Someone needs to tell Kara to move her mouth away from the mic a little bit. ACK
Alexis Grace- wowsers this girl can sing.
Brent Keith- not a fan
Stevie- blah- she sounded and looked really really nervous and her voice totally clashed with the backup singers. That seems to happen a lot
Anoop- So funny to hear these R&B songs coming out of his mouth. It was decent but not fantastic but he for sure can sing
Casey- so stinkin cute but wow that was unbearably painful. Travis called it bad karaoke before Randy did. Her facial expressions are really horrendous. She pretty much sucked.
Michael- Bo Bice sang it way better- he is making weird faces too. I hate it when they do that.
Ann Marie- started off really really bad- had some good parts but was like watching paint dry.
Stephen- Why oh why do people try and sing Michael (especially this song) or Prince or Freddie Mercury- the judges say it over and over and over again and yet for whatever reason people still think they can tackle these songs. Yeah that wasn't good
Tatiana- .....or Whitney. I tried very very hard to pretend she wasn't Tatiana and just judge her on her voice but it was impossible and the calm Tatiana is even more annoying then the obnoxious one.
Danny- He didn't blow me away and they have over milked the dead wife story so much that I am about to puke. No offense to him or his dearly departed but I just can't take it anymore. When David Cook was on the show his brother was dying of cancer and he never once talked about it. NOT ONCE. Ryan even tried to fish it out of him one night when his brother got to be in the audience and David didn't bite. People had to dig to find out why he had the initials AC on his guitar. Paula and Kara need to sit down. Goodness. Thank you Simon for bringing every one back to reality.
Travis said the two words Paula really needed to say were CRACK-SMOKE
I hardly ever vote before the Top 12 but I have decided I am sick of not having a say in who my top twelve are going to be so I voted.
My picks- Alexis and Ricky but I voted for Anoop too. I imagine vote for the worst will pick smoker chick (just checked and I am wrong they chose Tatiana- lovely) and that Danny will make it through no matter what.
A little side note about vote for the worst; with this new way of picking the top twelve they will now have the chance to try and push three bad contestants into the top 12- not sure I am happy about that.
Also I think the second and third groups are at an advantage- they got to see how bad the first group was and know what songs not to touch. I imagine they will touch them anyway.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Allias (Basketball)
I tried to take some pictures of Allias at his last game but the camera was acting funny so I only got a couple but figured I should post them anyway.
On a side note Molly ate the usb cord for my camera and I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to post these pictures but I looked at my computer and it had a little slot to put in my SD card. I am sooo excited.
Getting ready to come into the game
Warming the bench- he actually scored six or eight points during the game and had a couple assists. It was a very close game right up until the end but they lost. His team pretty much gave away the game by throwing up desperation shots their last four possessions- so frustrating.
Talking to us during half-time.
On a side note Molly ate the usb cord for my camera and I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to post these pictures but I looked at my computer and it had a little slot to put in my SD card. I am sooo excited.
Getting ready to come into the game
Warming the bench- he actually scored six or eight points during the game and had a couple assists. It was a very close game right up until the end but they lost. His team pretty much gave away the game by throwing up desperation shots their last four possessions- so frustrating.
Talking to us during half-time. High Drama and Kailyn's Concert
Kailyn had her first Orchestra concert last night. It ended up being a super stressful experience but once Kailyn was actually performing everything was fine.
The stress was mostly (okay pretty much all) my fault, I have known for at least a week that she needed a white button up shirt and black dress pants for the show but we have been so busy and I just didn't make time to go look. I had time on Saturday but totally spaced it so yesterday as soon as I picked K up from school we headed to White Oak to get what she needed. She gets home around 4 and it is about a 20 minute drive to the shopping center. She needed to be back at the school no later then 5:45 so I figured we had about 45 minutes to find what we needed, get home, get ready and then head to the school. I guess I forgot who I was taking shopping. Kailyn is very very very very (did I say very) picky about what she lets touch her skin. She is also ummm pokey and easily distracted. Our first stop was TJ Maxx- we were in there for about five minutes- they didn't have anything. Then we rushed over to Ross. We didn't find any pants but found an adorable ruffly white button up shirt with three quarter length sleeves that I thought would be perfect. I grabbed a medium and had Kailyn try it on right there in the aisle. She had a tank top on so I figured no need to go to the dressing room. Kailyn instantly started freaking out because the seams on the sleeves were itchy. I then tried to get her to try it on over the top of her regular t-shirt so she can see that with the right underclothing the shirt would work. She still wasn't happy. I finally convinced her to try on the same shirt in a bigger size. The large gave her just enough room in the arms to not feel the seams so after a few minor toy distractions we got to the check out line to buy it and leave. Unfortunately there was a line so we had to wait several minutes. Our next stop was Target. It didn't take long to realize that they didn't have any pants but at this point K was tired of rushing around, hungry and ready to give up so it seemed to take forever to get out of the store and back into the car. I still felt like we were going to be fine and on time as long as we could find some pants at Kohl's. They actually had a great selection and in no time we had four or five pairs, including a couple that were on clearance, to try on. We went into the dressing room and this is where the real drama began. The first few pairs were too small and every single other pair just felt wrong. The only pair she liked were way too big. We both ended up very upset but we finally found a pair of pants that fit and felt okay. I paid more for them then I wanted to but seriously at that point I didn't even care. When we got back to the car I looked at the time and it was 5:30. I was pretty stressed out and didn't think we were even going to make it to the concert at all. I called Travis and told him to meet us at the school with Kailyn's dress shoes, a hairbrush, her cello, sheet music and the camera. We got to the school first and he got there shortly after. I think it was about 5:55. I quickly brushed her hair and buckled up her shoes then we ran down the hall and waited for the rest of the orchestra who were already on their way down to the gym. We realized that Travis had only grabbed one of the sheets of music and hoped that her instructor had extras. I snapped a couple of pictures of her in the hallway and we started to relax a little. Her instructor is soooo laid back and that really helped. He was just so happy she had made it and when he realized she didn't have all her music he whispered to her to just fake the last song and she did beautifully. The entire orchestra consisted of about twenty violins, one viola, one cello and one bass. Kailyn was right up front and really did a great job. The whole orchestra did. I was very impressed with how well they did and how much they have learned in such a short time.
Blowing me kisses in the hallway before the show.
Cutie K!
Kailyn and Mr. Percy after the concert. He is a very cool guy. He plays bass which is what Kailyn really wanted to play. From what I have heard bass players are very quirky and that fits K for sure but I didn't want to have to drive two hours to rent one so we talked her into the Cello.
Getting ready to play! 
The Cello is so beautiful to me and I love the sound it makes. I hope she sticks with it. The next concert should be far less stressful because there won't be any shopping involved.
The stress was mostly (okay pretty much all) my fault, I have known for at least a week that she needed a white button up shirt and black dress pants for the show but we have been so busy and I just didn't make time to go look. I had time on Saturday but totally spaced it so yesterday as soon as I picked K up from school we headed to White Oak to get what she needed. She gets home around 4 and it is about a 20 minute drive to the shopping center. She needed to be back at the school no later then 5:45 so I figured we had about 45 minutes to find what we needed, get home, get ready and then head to the school. I guess I forgot who I was taking shopping. Kailyn is very very very very (did I say very) picky about what she lets touch her skin. She is also ummm pokey and easily distracted. Our first stop was TJ Maxx- we were in there for about five minutes- they didn't have anything. Then we rushed over to Ross. We didn't find any pants but found an adorable ruffly white button up shirt with three quarter length sleeves that I thought would be perfect. I grabbed a medium and had Kailyn try it on right there in the aisle. She had a tank top on so I figured no need to go to the dressing room. Kailyn instantly started freaking out because the seams on the sleeves were itchy. I then tried to get her to try it on over the top of her regular t-shirt so she can see that with the right underclothing the shirt would work. She still wasn't happy. I finally convinced her to try on the same shirt in a bigger size. The large gave her just enough room in the arms to not feel the seams so after a few minor toy distractions we got to the check out line to buy it and leave. Unfortunately there was a line so we had to wait several minutes. Our next stop was Target. It didn't take long to realize that they didn't have any pants but at this point K was tired of rushing around, hungry and ready to give up so it seemed to take forever to get out of the store and back into the car. I still felt like we were going to be fine and on time as long as we could find some pants at Kohl's. They actually had a great selection and in no time we had four or five pairs, including a couple that were on clearance, to try on. We went into the dressing room and this is where the real drama began. The first few pairs were too small and every single other pair just felt wrong. The only pair she liked were way too big. We both ended up very upset but we finally found a pair of pants that fit and felt okay. I paid more for them then I wanted to but seriously at that point I didn't even care. When we got back to the car I looked at the time and it was 5:30. I was pretty stressed out and didn't think we were even going to make it to the concert at all. I called Travis and told him to meet us at the school with Kailyn's dress shoes, a hairbrush, her cello, sheet music and the camera. We got to the school first and he got there shortly after. I think it was about 5:55. I quickly brushed her hair and buckled up her shoes then we ran down the hall and waited for the rest of the orchestra who were already on their way down to the gym. We realized that Travis had only grabbed one of the sheets of music and hoped that her instructor had extras. I snapped a couple of pictures of her in the hallway and we started to relax a little. Her instructor is soooo laid back and that really helped. He was just so happy she had made it and when he realized she didn't have all her music he whispered to her to just fake the last song and she did beautifully. The entire orchestra consisted of about twenty violins, one viola, one cello and one bass. Kailyn was right up front and really did a great job. The whole orchestra did. I was very impressed with how well they did and how much they have learned in such a short time.
Blowing me kisses in the hallway before the show.
Cutie K!
Kailyn and Mr. Percy after the concert. He is a very cool guy. He plays bass which is what Kailyn really wanted to play. From what I have heard bass players are very quirky and that fits K for sure but I didn't want to have to drive two hours to rent one so we talked her into the Cello.
Getting ready to play! 
The Cello is so beautiful to me and I love the sound it makes. I hope she sticks with it. The next concert should be far less stressful because there won't be any shopping involved.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Completely Aimless
Sweet Child of Mine by Guns N Roses never gets old.
Technology is pretty sweet. It can start snowing Tuesday morning and before the last flake has fallen you can have it recorded and posted on the Internet for all your friends and family to see.
Spending an hour on the phone with someone trying to get a program installed and working so you can uninstall it legally seems like a major waste of time.
If I see a typo or a grammatical error in one of my blogs I will go back and change it. I do this even if I notice it days later. I am sure there are many many more that I have missed. Feel free to point them out to me.
I bought Travis a ticket to see Coldplay for Valentine's Day. I only bought one because that is all we could afford but secretly I am happy because I really hate Coldplay.
Technology is pretty sweet. It can start snowing Tuesday morning and before the last flake has fallen you can have it recorded and posted on the Internet for all your friends and family to see.
Spending an hour on the phone with someone trying to get a program installed and working so you can uninstall it legally seems like a major waste of time.
If I see a typo or a grammatical error in one of my blogs I will go back and change it. I do this even if I notice it days later. I am sure there are many many more that I have missed. Feel free to point them out to me.
I bought Travis a ticket to see Coldplay for Valentine's Day. I only bought one because that is all we could afford but secretly I am happy because I really hate Coldplay.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Step One
So remember I talked about the book I am reading called He Did Deliver Me From Bondage? I started reading it to help me on my path to self-mastery, well I picked it back up again and finished the journaling for Step One. It wasn't easy at all. I tried to read with the assumption that everything in the book could apply to me but I often found myself wondering if it really did or then I found myself thinking well maybe it does and I just don't see it or maybe I am just too prideful to fess up.
Anyway I thought I would share some thoughts from the book and some of my own thoughts as well. Some of what I wrote may seem a little scattered but I was just reading and writing down the things that stood out to me and my feelings as they came. Sorry it is so long. I think I type these things out more for my own benefit anyway. Reading it again reinforces what I have learned.
The book gives you daily scriptures to read with writing assignments for each day. It breaks each step into one week of assignments. I found that there was no way I could just do one day because I needed some sort of closure or goal so I did a whole week at once.
Step One- Admitted we ourselves are powerless- nothing without God (Mosiah 4:5, Alma 26:12)
Day One- 2 Nephi 9:39- "To be carnally minded is death and to be spiritually minded is life eternal"
The dictionary defines carnal as in or of the flesh, bodily, material or worldly- not spiritual
The assignment was to write about an area of your life in which you are guilty of being carnally minded in regard to seeking solutions to your problems. My first thoughts were does this mean that looking anywhere other then prayer/scriptures/prophets/church leaders is being carnally minded? Honestly I don't think so. I think there is a lot of very good advise out there. My second thought was I don't consider myself to be carnally minded when it comes to finding answers to my problems. I know where I should look- I guess my biggest issue is sometimes I don't look at all.
Day Two- 2 Nephi 12:11- "And it shall come to pass that the lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day"
The book says that because we usually try to overcome our weaknesses alone we fail. The assignment was to write about a problem you have tried to solve yourself and how that worked out for you. The second part of the assignment was to write what you think "the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day" means.
Wow these questions really cut you to the quick. I can't really think of a specific problem that I have tried to solve on my own but I know that when it comes to raising my kids I don't always lean on the Lord like I should- not because I don't think I need his help but because I get caught up in the moment and for whatever reason I forget who I am and who they are- I become defensive and reactive. I also have never figured out how to make family scripture study and prayer a priority. It is something that weighs heavy on my mind but we have only managed to do sporadically in the almost 13 years since I joined the church. I often wonder if I would be having half the problems I am if were doing this consistently. The older my kids get the more I worry that I haven't laid a solid foundation for them. I study the scriptures and I try to teach them what is right but I wish I would have started a pattern of study and prayer with them when they were small. I am totally off track from the original question but I guess when it comes down to it the problems I am facing I haven't truly relied on the Lord to help me overcome. I don't think I really know how. That is really what I am searching for. The process or the way to truly rely on the Lord and to shape my will to His.
As for what I think the scripture means when it talks about the Lord alone being exalted in that day- wow I really don't know. Maybe it means that the only way to be exalted is through Him. I am very interested to find out how this scripture applies to setting and making goals and relying on the Lord.
Day Three 2 Nephi 31:19- "For ye have not come thus far save it were by the WORD OF CHRIST with UNSHAKEN FAITH IN HIM relying WHOLLY upon the MERITS of HIM who is mighty to SAVE."
The assignment had to do asking yourself if you or anyone else has every blamed your problems on low self esteem. I have never thought of myself as having low self esteem just low self control but the more I think about it I do often feel like I don't have the skills I need to be a good parent. I am often down on myself for the way I handle situations with my kids and blame myself for the poor choices they make. This scripture teaches again that we cannot rely on self. In other words there is no such thing as low self esteem there is only not enough esteem in the Lord. I may not have the skills needed to be the parent that I would like to be but if I can WHOLLY rely on HIS MERITS then He will make up the difference. I am starting to know what I need but how do I get it? How do I rely on His merits.
Day Four- Mosiah 2:21- "I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another- I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
Assignment- Does this scripture bring you despair or relief?
For me it is definitely relief to know that He is there supporting me form one moment to another.
Day Five- Alma 26:12- "Yea I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak, therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God for in HIS strength I can do all things; yea behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land , for which we will praise his name forever."
The book says "Many things in the world promise personal power- these things do not improve our relationship with the Lord or help us solve our problems."
Day Six- Heleman 12:7- "O how great is the nothingness of the children of men, yea even they are less then the dust of the earth."
Children of Men= those who have not yet been born of God and become his sons and daughters
Mosiah 27:25 says when we are born of God and changed from our carnal and fallen state we become sons and daughters of God. Heleman 12:6 says we need to follow his counsels and have him for our guide and acknowledge his goodness and mercy.
Day Seven- Moses 1:10- "And it came to pass that it was for the space of many hours before Moses did again receive his natural strength like unto man, and he said unto himself, Now for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed."
These scriptures are intended to help me realize that I need His help- I don't see myself as resisting that help or trying to lean on my own understanding- so my question still is HOW??? How do I truly humble myself. That is what I don't know. That is what I need to find out in order to reach my goals.
At this point I couldn't put the book down because I needed to find the how. The next chapter talks about the previous weeks assignments and helps you to apply them to your life. It talks about how no power is given to any of us that not a gift from God. It goes through the times in the Book of Mormon when the people begin to be prideful because they though their riches and success came because of their own industry. It talks about Korihor and how he convinced the people that it was man's own genius/strength/management of self that determined how one fared in life. This kind of belief/action is what brings us into bondage. There is no such thing as self-reliance when it comes to salvation.
Alma 37:37 says to council with the Lord in all thy doings.
This next quote really stood out to me
"TRUE SELF MASTERY COMES FROM TURNING OURSELVES OVER TO THE MASTER."
How? How? How?
It sounds like the right thing to do. I can feel the truth of the statement but how do I get there? I feel like reading this whole book at once to find out what I need to do to empower my life. As I read through the scriptures the book points out I am realizing that I have each and every one of them marked already in my scriptures. They have stood out to me at some point in my reading but somehow I haven't made the real connection. I haven't completely applied them to my life.
Moroni 10:32- "Yea come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourself all ungodliness: and if ye shall deny yourself all ungodliness, and love God with all your might mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ and if by the grace of God you are perfect in Christ, ye can nowise deny the power of God."
My hand hurts but I feel so desperate for the answers I am looking for that I want to/need to go on. I have been terrible about working on my goal of not yelling. I feel like I am yelling even more then ever. I often feel like a child fighting with her siblings when I try and deal with my kids. I don't feel like I am respected as a parent and that is a very hopeless feeling sometimes. I need to find a way- His way- the only way- to make things better.
There are three really awesome quotes from General Authority. I am not going to write them all down but I would like to read them again.
Since I am now typing this out and my hand has somewhat recovered I think I will put the quotes here.
" If we increase our dependence on anything or anyone except the Lord, we will find an immediate decrease in our freedom to act." L. Tom Perry, Ensign, Nov 1991, p.65
"We should put God ahead of everyone else in our lives." Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1988, p.4
"Yet no matter what the source of difficulty and no matter how you begin to obtain relief- though a qualified professional therapist, doctor, priesthood leader, friend, concerned parent, or loved one- no matter how you begin, those solutions will never provide a complete answer. The final healing comes through faith in Jesus Christ and His teachings, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and obedience to His commandments." Richard G Scott, Ensign, May 1994, p.7
1 Nephi 10:6- lost and fallen forever save they should rely on the Redeemer
The book points out that a broken and contrite spirit will happen somehow because we have to know of the reality of Christ- exalted in that day- THE DAY WE KNOW HIM- sure knowledge. Which comes through humility.
Again I am asking myself how do I get there. That is what I am trying to figure out. How do I become humble- how do I truly know the Lord- how do I rely on Him????
The book talks about Enos- we need to have an intense hunger like he did. Then the promises in Ether 12:27 about weaknesses becoming strengths can be ours. Mosiah 11:21 says that if we don't repent and turn to the Lord we will be brought into bondage. The book points out that often times we become ignorant or complacent toward the enemies for our spiritual life. Those enemies are fear, resentment, guilt, sorrows. We choose to hide or cover them with behaviors rather then confront them. Repent.
Alma 32:6- Afflictions humble us- prepare us to hear the word.
Heleman 3:27- "Thus we see that the Lord is merciful unto all those who will IN THE SINCERITY OF THEIR HEARTS call upon his Holy name."
This means we call on him like there is no other resort- like if a loved one was dying. I have prayed like that. I know what those kind of prayers feel like- but the book is right it has been in situations that were SO BIG and SO TRAUMATIC that I knew there was no other resort but God.
The book says these prayers are like "Every word every emotion was being ripped straight out of our deepest most central inner place- our heart"
Okay I am getting it now!!! Doing this every day is where true humility comes from. If we repent and pray facing life like we would pray facing death then we will be able to become humble and rely on His strength and release ourselves from bondage.
It seems so simple and yet the intensity of it seems almost overwhelming- but the promises are what I need- weaknesses made strengths, mercy, the ability to do all things, perfection- so I am going to start today.
Stay tuned for Step Two- Came to believe that God has all power and all wisdom and that in His strength we can do all things (Mosiah 4:9, Alma 26:12)
*edited to add a link to the website where you can order the book "He Did Deliver Me From Bondage."
http://www.heart-t-heart.org/
Anyway I thought I would share some thoughts from the book and some of my own thoughts as well. Some of what I wrote may seem a little scattered but I was just reading and writing down the things that stood out to me and my feelings as they came. Sorry it is so long. I think I type these things out more for my own benefit anyway. Reading it again reinforces what I have learned.
The book gives you daily scriptures to read with writing assignments for each day. It breaks each step into one week of assignments. I found that there was no way I could just do one day because I needed some sort of closure or goal so I did a whole week at once.
Step One- Admitted we ourselves are powerless- nothing without God (Mosiah 4:5, Alma 26:12)
Day One- 2 Nephi 9:39- "To be carnally minded is death and to be spiritually minded is life eternal"
The dictionary defines carnal as in or of the flesh, bodily, material or worldly- not spiritual
The assignment was to write about an area of your life in which you are guilty of being carnally minded in regard to seeking solutions to your problems. My first thoughts were does this mean that looking anywhere other then prayer/scriptures/prophets/church leaders is being carnally minded? Honestly I don't think so. I think there is a lot of very good advise out there. My second thought was I don't consider myself to be carnally minded when it comes to finding answers to my problems. I know where I should look- I guess my biggest issue is sometimes I don't look at all.
Day Two- 2 Nephi 12:11- "And it shall come to pass that the lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day"
The book says that because we usually try to overcome our weaknesses alone we fail. The assignment was to write about a problem you have tried to solve yourself and how that worked out for you. The second part of the assignment was to write what you think "the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day" means.
Wow these questions really cut you to the quick. I can't really think of a specific problem that I have tried to solve on my own but I know that when it comes to raising my kids I don't always lean on the Lord like I should- not because I don't think I need his help but because I get caught up in the moment and for whatever reason I forget who I am and who they are- I become defensive and reactive. I also have never figured out how to make family scripture study and prayer a priority. It is something that weighs heavy on my mind but we have only managed to do sporadically in the almost 13 years since I joined the church. I often wonder if I would be having half the problems I am if were doing this consistently. The older my kids get the more I worry that I haven't laid a solid foundation for them. I study the scriptures and I try to teach them what is right but I wish I would have started a pattern of study and prayer with them when they were small. I am totally off track from the original question but I guess when it comes down to it the problems I am facing I haven't truly relied on the Lord to help me overcome. I don't think I really know how. That is really what I am searching for. The process or the way to truly rely on the Lord and to shape my will to His.
As for what I think the scripture means when it talks about the Lord alone being exalted in that day- wow I really don't know. Maybe it means that the only way to be exalted is through Him. I am very interested to find out how this scripture applies to setting and making goals and relying on the Lord.
Day Three 2 Nephi 31:19- "For ye have not come thus far save it were by the WORD OF CHRIST with UNSHAKEN FAITH IN HIM relying WHOLLY upon the MERITS of HIM who is mighty to SAVE."
The assignment had to do asking yourself if you or anyone else has every blamed your problems on low self esteem. I have never thought of myself as having low self esteem just low self control but the more I think about it I do often feel like I don't have the skills I need to be a good parent. I am often down on myself for the way I handle situations with my kids and blame myself for the poor choices they make. This scripture teaches again that we cannot rely on self. In other words there is no such thing as low self esteem there is only not enough esteem in the Lord. I may not have the skills needed to be the parent that I would like to be but if I can WHOLLY rely on HIS MERITS then He will make up the difference. I am starting to know what I need but how do I get it? How do I rely on His merits.
Day Four- Mosiah 2:21- "I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another- I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
Assignment- Does this scripture bring you despair or relief?
For me it is definitely relief to know that He is there supporting me form one moment to another.
Day Five- Alma 26:12- "Yea I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak, therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God for in HIS strength I can do all things; yea behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land , for which we will praise his name forever."
The book says "Many things in the world promise personal power- these things do not improve our relationship with the Lord or help us solve our problems."
Day Six- Heleman 12:7- "O how great is the nothingness of the children of men, yea even they are less then the dust of the earth."
Children of Men= those who have not yet been born of God and become his sons and daughters
Mosiah 27:25 says when we are born of God and changed from our carnal and fallen state we become sons and daughters of God. Heleman 12:6 says we need to follow his counsels and have him for our guide and acknowledge his goodness and mercy.
Day Seven- Moses 1:10- "And it came to pass that it was for the space of many hours before Moses did again receive his natural strength like unto man, and he said unto himself, Now for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed."
These scriptures are intended to help me realize that I need His help- I don't see myself as resisting that help or trying to lean on my own understanding- so my question still is HOW??? How do I truly humble myself. That is what I don't know. That is what I need to find out in order to reach my goals.
At this point I couldn't put the book down because I needed to find the how. The next chapter talks about the previous weeks assignments and helps you to apply them to your life. It talks about how no power is given to any of us that not a gift from God. It goes through the times in the Book of Mormon when the people begin to be prideful because they though their riches and success came because of their own industry. It talks about Korihor and how he convinced the people that it was man's own genius/strength/management of self that determined how one fared in life. This kind of belief/action is what brings us into bondage. There is no such thing as self-reliance when it comes to salvation.
Alma 37:37 says to council with the Lord in all thy doings.
This next quote really stood out to me
"TRUE SELF MASTERY COMES FROM TURNING OURSELVES OVER TO THE MASTER."
How? How? How?
It sounds like the right thing to do. I can feel the truth of the statement but how do I get there? I feel like reading this whole book at once to find out what I need to do to empower my life. As I read through the scriptures the book points out I am realizing that I have each and every one of them marked already in my scriptures. They have stood out to me at some point in my reading but somehow I haven't made the real connection. I haven't completely applied them to my life.
Moroni 10:32- "Yea come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourself all ungodliness: and if ye shall deny yourself all ungodliness, and love God with all your might mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ and if by the grace of God you are perfect in Christ, ye can nowise deny the power of God."
My hand hurts but I feel so desperate for the answers I am looking for that I want to/need to go on. I have been terrible about working on my goal of not yelling. I feel like I am yelling even more then ever. I often feel like a child fighting with her siblings when I try and deal with my kids. I don't feel like I am respected as a parent and that is a very hopeless feeling sometimes. I need to find a way- His way- the only way- to make things better.
There are three really awesome quotes from General Authority. I am not going to write them all down but I would like to read them again.
Since I am now typing this out and my hand has somewhat recovered I think I will put the quotes here.
" If we increase our dependence on anything or anyone except the Lord, we will find an immediate decrease in our freedom to act." L. Tom Perry, Ensign, Nov 1991, p.65
"We should put God ahead of everyone else in our lives." Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1988, p.4
"Yet no matter what the source of difficulty and no matter how you begin to obtain relief- though a qualified professional therapist, doctor, priesthood leader, friend, concerned parent, or loved one- no matter how you begin, those solutions will never provide a complete answer. The final healing comes through faith in Jesus Christ and His teachings, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and obedience to His commandments." Richard G Scott, Ensign, May 1994, p.7
1 Nephi 10:6- lost and fallen forever save they should rely on the Redeemer
The book points out that a broken and contrite spirit will happen somehow because we have to know of the reality of Christ- exalted in that day- THE DAY WE KNOW HIM- sure knowledge. Which comes through humility.
Again I am asking myself how do I get there. That is what I am trying to figure out. How do I become humble- how do I truly know the Lord- how do I rely on Him????
The book talks about Enos- we need to have an intense hunger like he did. Then the promises in Ether 12:27 about weaknesses becoming strengths can be ours. Mosiah 11:21 says that if we don't repent and turn to the Lord we will be brought into bondage. The book points out that often times we become ignorant or complacent toward the enemies for our spiritual life. Those enemies are fear, resentment, guilt, sorrows. We choose to hide or cover them with behaviors rather then confront them. Repent.
Alma 32:6- Afflictions humble us- prepare us to hear the word.
Heleman 3:27- "Thus we see that the Lord is merciful unto all those who will IN THE SINCERITY OF THEIR HEARTS call upon his Holy name."
This means we call on him like there is no other resort- like if a loved one was dying. I have prayed like that. I know what those kind of prayers feel like- but the book is right it has been in situations that were SO BIG and SO TRAUMATIC that I knew there was no other resort but God.
The book says these prayers are like "Every word every emotion was being ripped straight out of our deepest most central inner place- our heart"
Okay I am getting it now!!! Doing this every day is where true humility comes from. If we repent and pray facing life like we would pray facing death then we will be able to become humble and rely on His strength and release ourselves from bondage.
It seems so simple and yet the intensity of it seems almost overwhelming- but the promises are what I need- weaknesses made strengths, mercy, the ability to do all things, perfection- so I am going to start today.
Stay tuned for Step Two- Came to believe that God has all power and all wisdom and that in His strength we can do all things (Mosiah 4:9, Alma 26:12)
*edited to add a link to the website where you can order the book "He Did Deliver Me From Bondage."
http://www.heart-t-heart.org/
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Fort
Kailyn and Allias decided to build a fort in our living room. Then they decided to turn the fort into some sort of department store- this entailed dragging stuffed animals, clothing, monopoly money, books and other random stuff from various rooms in the house and putting them in the fort. They even slept in it with both dogs that night.
Here is the tent.
Here is what my living room looked like after they took it down the next day
Here is the tent.
Here is what my living room looked like after they took it down the next day
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Top 36
Well I think I am the most frustrated I have been with American Idol since the season began. They sent home adorable talented super original Leneshe Young and let annoying crazy obnoxious Tatiano Del Torro through. ACK what on earth were they thinking. I bet you that Tatiana will be first pick on Vote for the Worst and in the early stages of the competition they do have some power because less people are voting. I don't think I can take more then one week of watching her live.
Okay so here is my "live" blog. I wrote this down as I was watching.
Von- Not happy with this pick. This kid is so beyond over the top. Maybe they will help him tone it down. We shall see.
Cody and Alex- I actually cried during their sing off. They both seem like such nice kids. I really really wanted Cody to make the show but he choked during the sing off. Plus remember my previous blog- They need a nerdy looking guy who surprises you every time he sings.
Adam- Ummm yeah he is hot but there is something about him that gets on my nerves and I hated that Cher song he sang during Hollywood week.
Tayler- WOW- she got much much better during Hollywood week!!! Go Tayler!
Jasmine- boring or maybe she is just shy. Maybe she will grow on me.
Arienna- even more boring (she is who I was thinking of when I said personality of a chalkboard)
Casey- very pretty girl- love the way she dresses- hope she has a voice to match
Megan- I am looking forward to hearing her sing again. I liked her audition
Misha- blah
Stevie- double blah
Joanna- I was soooooo beyond mad when she made the show. I was yelling lame lame lame. She forgot her lyrics every song. I kept thinking there has to be something going on. First Kara recognizes her at the auditions and then they actually talk about her being a recorded artist and deserving a chance and it just all smelt a little funny to me. Well come to find out she isn't going to be on the show after all. She has been disqualified. Something about her knowing or being friends with a bunch of people at Studio 19 where the show is produced and being a "planted" contestant. They have replaced her with Felicia Barton who I can't even remember.
Kendall- I am not sure how I would take Simon calling me commercial but they got their country girl with Kendall
Another sing off this time between Jen and Kristen- I agreed with the judges that Kristen sang better. I didn't think her outfit was as bad as Simon did but I do think she is somewhat annoying.
Alexis- AMAZING voice. I think she is my favorite girl so far
Scott- great guy seriously overrated but I am glad he made the show
Lil Rounds- even more overrated then Scott. She hurts my ears. I can guarantee she will be one of the first to go and will be the judges wild card pick
Another sing off- Frankie and Jessie. Wow Frankie needs a better bra. I was so worried during this one because I thought they would go for the whole image thing with Frankie. Jessie sang circles around her. I was very happy that they made the right choice and kept Jessie
Alison- WOW!!!! I cannot wait to hear this girl sing again and she is only 16! Crazy mad vocals.
Danny- If they would quit talking about his dead wife I think I would like him better. They are totally setting it up for him to stay and Jamal to go home. LAME. I actually think Jamal is more original and I liked him from his audition.
Ricky- no idea who this guy is.
Matt (dueling piano guy)- I have liked him so far- glad he made it
Ju'not- I have only heard him once and it was decent
Jorge- Another overrated one I think they just wanted some diversity.
Brent- I can't really remember ever hearing him sing- so either he was forgettable or I am forgetful
Stephen- I really like this kid. Glad his screw up during Hollywood week didn't send him packing.
Nick Mitchell aka Normund Gentle- YES YES YES. I don't want him to win but I sooooo hope he sticks around for awhile. He is beyond entertaining!
Jackie- How did I know they were going to let her in the top 36. They always have to have their Janis Joplin sound alike I tell you. She will be gone soon enough.
Tatiana- ACK ACK ACK ACK
Nathanial and Jackie(?) sing off. Nathanial has really annoyed me during Hollywood week but I have a little bit of a softer heart toward him after hearing his back story. He sang amazingly during the sing off and so did the other guy. I now officially hate sing offs.
I totally cracked up at Nathanial's face when Tatiana made the show. Too funny. He is just as dramatic as her though. Okay not quite that dramatic but close. I am sure you can figure out for yourself which category I would put Nathanial in.
Jeanine- Haven't ever heard her but she is a cute girl
Kai- didn't like his audition but I am curious to see what he will bring to the show
Ann Marie- She is forgettable
Kris- YES YES YES- He is my favorite boy right now
And the last sing off- Matt and Michael- I had a feeling they were going to let them both through. I told you they need a couple of "older" married guys- honestly they are both adorable and both great singers. Highly unlikely either will win. Michael is so stinkin' sweet and soooo polite. I am glad they made it.
Where the heck is Anoop? I was about to freak out and then they finally showed a clip of him at the end. Phew he made it!
Let the competition begin!!!!!
Okay so here is my "live" blog. I wrote this down as I was watching.
Von- Not happy with this pick. This kid is so beyond over the top. Maybe they will help him tone it down. We shall see.
Cody and Alex- I actually cried during their sing off. They both seem like such nice kids. I really really wanted Cody to make the show but he choked during the sing off. Plus remember my previous blog- They need a nerdy looking guy who surprises you every time he sings.
Adam- Ummm yeah he is hot but there is something about him that gets on my nerves and I hated that Cher song he sang during Hollywood week.
Tayler- WOW- she got much much better during Hollywood week!!! Go Tayler!
Jasmine- boring or maybe she is just shy. Maybe she will grow on me.
Arienna- even more boring (she is who I was thinking of when I said personality of a chalkboard)
Casey- very pretty girl- love the way she dresses- hope she has a voice to match
Megan- I am looking forward to hearing her sing again. I liked her audition
Misha- blah
Stevie- double blah
Joanna- I was soooooo beyond mad when she made the show. I was yelling lame lame lame. She forgot her lyrics every song. I kept thinking there has to be something going on. First Kara recognizes her at the auditions and then they actually talk about her being a recorded artist and deserving a chance and it just all smelt a little funny to me. Well come to find out she isn't going to be on the show after all. She has been disqualified. Something about her knowing or being friends with a bunch of people at Studio 19 where the show is produced and being a "planted" contestant. They have replaced her with Felicia Barton who I can't even remember.
Kendall- I am not sure how I would take Simon calling me commercial but they got their country girl with Kendall
Another sing off this time between Jen and Kristen- I agreed with the judges that Kristen sang better. I didn't think her outfit was as bad as Simon did but I do think she is somewhat annoying.
Alexis- AMAZING voice. I think she is my favorite girl so far
Scott- great guy seriously overrated but I am glad he made the show
Lil Rounds- even more overrated then Scott. She hurts my ears. I can guarantee she will be one of the first to go and will be the judges wild card pick
Another sing off- Frankie and Jessie. Wow Frankie needs a better bra. I was so worried during this one because I thought they would go for the whole image thing with Frankie. Jessie sang circles around her. I was very happy that they made the right choice and kept Jessie
Alison- WOW!!!! I cannot wait to hear this girl sing again and she is only 16! Crazy mad vocals.
Danny- If they would quit talking about his dead wife I think I would like him better. They are totally setting it up for him to stay and Jamal to go home. LAME. I actually think Jamal is more original and I liked him from his audition.
Ricky- no idea who this guy is.
Matt (dueling piano guy)- I have liked him so far- glad he made it
Ju'not- I have only heard him once and it was decent
Jorge- Another overrated one I think they just wanted some diversity.
Brent- I can't really remember ever hearing him sing- so either he was forgettable or I am forgetful
Stephen- I really like this kid. Glad his screw up during Hollywood week didn't send him packing.
Nick Mitchell aka Normund Gentle- YES YES YES. I don't want him to win but I sooooo hope he sticks around for awhile. He is beyond entertaining!
Jackie- How did I know they were going to let her in the top 36. They always have to have their Janis Joplin sound alike I tell you. She will be gone soon enough.
Tatiana- ACK ACK ACK ACK
Nathanial and Jackie(?) sing off. Nathanial has really annoyed me during Hollywood week but I have a little bit of a softer heart toward him after hearing his back story. He sang amazingly during the sing off and so did the other guy. I now officially hate sing offs.
I totally cracked up at Nathanial's face when Tatiana made the show. Too funny. He is just as dramatic as her though. Okay not quite that dramatic but close. I am sure you can figure out for yourself which category I would put Nathanial in.
Jeanine- Haven't ever heard her but she is a cute girl
Kai- didn't like his audition but I am curious to see what he will bring to the show
Ann Marie- She is forgettable
Kris- YES YES YES- He is my favorite boy right now
And the last sing off- Matt and Michael- I had a feeling they were going to let them both through. I told you they need a couple of "older" married guys- honestly they are both adorable and both great singers. Highly unlikely either will win. Michael is so stinkin' sweet and soooo polite. I am glad they made it.
Where the heck is Anoop? I was about to freak out and then they finally showed a clip of him at the end. Phew he made it!
Let the competition begin!!!!!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tagged
Simple rules- Go to your sixth picture folder and choose your sixth picture. Post it!
Tag Six People
This is my beyond adorable niece Lily the first time I met her. She was just over a month old. She is now almost two and is still just as cute with a personality to match. I haven't seen her since last summer and I miss her like crazy. I hope she remembers me the next time I see her. She is going to be a big sister and they just found out today that she is going to have a little BROTHER!! Can't wait!
I tag Marianne, Britt, Kristine, Shannon, Jessica, Lynelle
Tag Six People
This is my beyond adorable niece Lily the first time I met her. She was just over a month old. She is now almost two and is still just as cute with a personality to match. I haven't seen her since last summer and I miss her like crazy. I hope she remembers me the next time I see her. She is going to be a big sister and they just found out today that she is going to have a little BROTHER!! Can't wait!I tag Marianne, Britt, Kristine, Shannon, Jessica, Lynelle
Sound Familiar
Let's see if you can guess which season of American Idol I am talking about. The contestants that make it through to the final cuts consist of a super nerdy looking guy who surprises you every time he opens his mouth to sing, a sixteen year old girl with a decent voice but the personality of a chalkboard, your token (could be) gay guy with a flair for dramatics, the girl that has been trying and trying for years to make in the industry- has even been signed and recorded an album but just can't seem to get her big break, a blond chick who sings country, a couple older married guys one sings country the other is a rocker, a Janis Joplin sound alike, a few random teenagers who can sing, a couple really hot girls who can't and a black chick who makes your ears bleed every time she sings but the judges love her.
Having a hard time figuring out which season I am talking about. Yeah me too.
I was sad to see both Leneshe Young and Michael Castro out. We didn't even get to hear Michael sing again- bummer and Leneshe is just plain adorable with an adorable voice. I totally thought she was going to make the show. Her being cut is my biggest disappointment so far. I really really hope she comes back next year.
I actually pretty much hate most of the contestants they are showing over and over again. I don't think the blind guy (Scott) has that great of a voice and Tatiana is on my last nerve. I did see the little horror film dude in one of the rooms that made it so that gives me some hope. Oh and Normund Gentle!!! How I love him! I want him on the show.
I am excited for the sing for your survival edition- way to put people on the spot!
Having a hard time figuring out which season I am talking about. Yeah me too.
I was sad to see both Leneshe Young and Michael Castro out. We didn't even get to hear Michael sing again- bummer and Leneshe is just plain adorable with an adorable voice. I totally thought she was going to make the show. Her being cut is my biggest disappointment so far. I really really hope she comes back next year.
I actually pretty much hate most of the contestants they are showing over and over again. I don't think the blind guy (Scott) has that great of a voice and Tatiana is on my last nerve. I did see the little horror film dude in one of the rooms that made it so that gives me some hope. Oh and Normund Gentle!!! How I love him! I want him on the show.
I am excited for the sing for your survival edition- way to put people on the spot!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Extra Skin
This morning I was doing Kailyn's hair for school and I asked her if the working out was helping me (we joined a gym and have gone all of twice). I lifted up my shirt and showed her my belly- which was hanging over the top of my pants. She said "it's okay mommy that is just extra skin you need to grow into."
Friday, February 6, 2009
Month in Review
I am sure my family is wondering why in the heck I haven't posted any pictures of the kids lately. Honestly I haven't taken any. I am terrible about bringing the camera with me places. I promise that I will bring the camera to any and all events involving my kids in the month of February. (And there will be plenty, I can think of five or six off the top of my head)
But for those dieing to know here is what Travis the kids and I have been up to in January. This is going to be another long post. I promise to update more frequently in the future so you don't have to swallow so much information at once.
Allias and Tyler are both playing basketball. Allias plays on a city league team and both boys play on our church team. Travis is helping coach the church team and they are all having a great time. Travis is an excellent coach and role model for these boys. Tyler has been fantastic on rebounding and being a big guy underneath. Allias is really helping teach the younger kids and has even set up some plays for the team to try. He actually has even been trying to help some of the players on the girls team with some fundamentals. Tyler has been very supportive of the girls as well. He had all the 12 year old boys from the team helping him cheer on the sidelines. The girls were wearing yellow jerseys so Tyler was yelling B-A-N-A-N-A-S!!!
The next game the boys had the yellow jerseys so we were yelling from the sidelines Go bananas go go bananas! Good times.
Travis and I are feeling very blessed that so far our jobs have been very secure and it doesn't look like that will change anytime soon. Travis actually was even able to get a friend of ours a job when the company he was working for didn't have any work for him to do. We thought for sure we were going to have to pay taxes again this year but I did our taxes and we are going to get some money back. Woohooo! That was such a relief because Travis already had to take some of his vacation money (thank goodness we had it) to pay off our property taxes.
Potty training the puppy has been very difficult. For the most part she goes outside if I take her but I am still running into some obstacles. The first problem is for the first 12 weeks of her life she was never taken outside to potty so she has no aversion to going in the kennel. Second problem- when I'm not here the kids never remember to take her out. Third problem- her pee is about the size of a quarter so half the time I don't even notice if she has gone until way after the fact. She does really good during the day when I am working. She sleeps by my feet or in the kennel until I take my break. We go outside and then she runs around a little bit and then when I go back to work she goes back to sleep. She likes to sleep in my lap part of the afternoon. It is once the kids get home and she gets fed and we are all trying to get things done that things go downhill but we will get there I am sure.
Allias had a chance to try out for all districts for band. His band director has told him several times that he could make all states (a step up from all districts). He chose not to go. He said that it wouldn't do anything for him. The kids who didn't make all districts had a chance to try out for all county and a ton of people including me were encouraging him to go. Again he decided not to. He said he didn't see the point. He hadn't practiced the solos for either competition and so we just came home. I asked him if he would play the solos for me and he played them in the car on the way home. He played both pretty much flawlessly. I know he could have gone to all states if he had practiced and played in the all district band. Agency is such a pain in the butt sometimes. I hope someday he realizes what an amazing talent he has and really uses it. Maybe once he is in the High School band his attitude will change. We have our first parent meeting next week. Band is HUGE here and people are way into it. It costs like 1200 dollars for each kid to be in the HS marching band. That is for the base travel fees. They have to raise even more for big trips. This year the band was invited to play in the Macy's Day Parade so Allias is pretty excited for what trips and fun things he may get to be part of. He knows for sure they are going to Indianapolis for Nationals. They get to play in the Colt's stadium.
I made an appointment for Allias to get braces. It will be a little while before he gets the actual metal. They have to put some brackets on the inside of his teeth and wait for the last of his baby teeth to come out He isn't really excited but I know he will thank me when he is older.
Tyler got suspended for skipping class. Honestly I think it is the stupidest thing in the world to suspend a kid for skipping. They don't want to be in school so they skip and then you "punish" them by kicking them out of school. Makes no sense to me. If I was in charge they would go to school on Saturday for three weeks in a row or something. That would be punishment. The new semester just started and he says he is going to really work hard and try to improve his grades and what not. I am sure that has something to do with the fact I had just let him buy a cell phone the day before he got suspended. I found out the same day he got suspended that he was failing most of his classes. The cell phone came in the mail but it is put up for the next three or four weeks at least. The weird thing about Tyler is even though he can be a total pain in the butt and drive me to the brink of sanity he is still a nice kid.
Tyler has actually been fairly responsible when it comes to his job. I think he takes a little advantage of the fact the his boss is a friend of ours (calls her to help him find people to cover a shift etc.). He seems to really enjoy the job and a little bit of money in his pocket.
Kailyn has her first orchestra concert in a few weeks. I think she likes her cello but she hasn't really been practicing like she should. She finally the last week or so started practicing every night. She signed up with some other girls to sing in the Ward talent show and Allias actually agreed to play his clarinet- although he hasn't chosen a song or practiced.
Kailyn is loving having her own dog. She gets really mad at me if I come to school to pick her up and I don't have Molly with me. We finally got the piano set up and she is going to start taking lessons next week. She is incredibly excited. She is learning times tables at school and is doing pretty well. What she lacks in academic success she makes up for in being super well behaved.
On a sad note the trampoline that the kids got for Christmas from Travis' parents decided to take flight during a wind storm a few weeks ago. I was in the living room and all of the sudden saw it flipping through the air. It managed to bounce over one side of our four foot fence tumble through the backyard, take out one side of our fence, tumble some more and then landed on the top of our neighbor's six foot fence. It was pretty much destroyed. We were sooooo bummed. I didn't even get very many pictures of the kids jumping but they were out there every chance they got. Travis did get the store we purchased it at to take it back and we are going to be looking for something a bit more sturdy.
Between exams, holiday, snow days, teacher work days and a few days where no one in my seminary class had to be at school I only ended up teaching nine days in January. Even though I enjoyed the extra hour of sleep and being able to work in my pajamas again, I actually missed it. I can't believe what a blessing this calling has been in my life. I LOVE teaching. I actually love studying even more. I hope the kids are getting something out of being here. They are such great kids and I love each one of them dearly. I have memorized 16 out of 25 scripture mastery versus. I am currently working on Ephesians 4:11-14. This verse was definitely written for our day.
11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelist and some pastors and teachers;
12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ;
13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith , and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of Christ;
14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
January was actually kind of a low key month but I just entered in all our appointments, basketball games and practices, birthday parties, parent nights and other random events into my calendar and February is going to be way way busy.
But for those dieing to know here is what Travis the kids and I have been up to in January. This is going to be another long post. I promise to update more frequently in the future so you don't have to swallow so much information at once.
Allias and Tyler are both playing basketball. Allias plays on a city league team and both boys play on our church team. Travis is helping coach the church team and they are all having a great time. Travis is an excellent coach and role model for these boys. Tyler has been fantastic on rebounding and being a big guy underneath. Allias is really helping teach the younger kids and has even set up some plays for the team to try. He actually has even been trying to help some of the players on the girls team with some fundamentals. Tyler has been very supportive of the girls as well. He had all the 12 year old boys from the team helping him cheer on the sidelines. The girls were wearing yellow jerseys so Tyler was yelling B-A-N-A-N-A-S!!!
The next game the boys had the yellow jerseys so we were yelling from the sidelines Go bananas go go bananas! Good times.
Travis and I are feeling very blessed that so far our jobs have been very secure and it doesn't look like that will change anytime soon. Travis actually was even able to get a friend of ours a job when the company he was working for didn't have any work for him to do. We thought for sure we were going to have to pay taxes again this year but I did our taxes and we are going to get some money back. Woohooo! That was such a relief because Travis already had to take some of his vacation money (thank goodness we had it) to pay off our property taxes.
Potty training the puppy has been very difficult. For the most part she goes outside if I take her but I am still running into some obstacles. The first problem is for the first 12 weeks of her life she was never taken outside to potty so she has no aversion to going in the kennel. Second problem- when I'm not here the kids never remember to take her out. Third problem- her pee is about the size of a quarter so half the time I don't even notice if she has gone until way after the fact. She does really good during the day when I am working. She sleeps by my feet or in the kennel until I take my break. We go outside and then she runs around a little bit and then when I go back to work she goes back to sleep. She likes to sleep in my lap part of the afternoon. It is once the kids get home and she gets fed and we are all trying to get things done that things go downhill but we will get there I am sure.
Allias had a chance to try out for all districts for band. His band director has told him several times that he could make all states (a step up from all districts). He chose not to go. He said that it wouldn't do anything for him. The kids who didn't make all districts had a chance to try out for all county and a ton of people including me were encouraging him to go. Again he decided not to. He said he didn't see the point. He hadn't practiced the solos for either competition and so we just came home. I asked him if he would play the solos for me and he played them in the car on the way home. He played both pretty much flawlessly. I know he could have gone to all states if he had practiced and played in the all district band. Agency is such a pain in the butt sometimes. I hope someday he realizes what an amazing talent he has and really uses it. Maybe once he is in the High School band his attitude will change. We have our first parent meeting next week. Band is HUGE here and people are way into it. It costs like 1200 dollars for each kid to be in the HS marching band. That is for the base travel fees. They have to raise even more for big trips. This year the band was invited to play in the Macy's Day Parade so Allias is pretty excited for what trips and fun things he may get to be part of. He knows for sure they are going to Indianapolis for Nationals. They get to play in the Colt's stadium.
I made an appointment for Allias to get braces. It will be a little while before he gets the actual metal. They have to put some brackets on the inside of his teeth and wait for the last of his baby teeth to come out He isn't really excited but I know he will thank me when he is older.
Tyler got suspended for skipping class. Honestly I think it is the stupidest thing in the world to suspend a kid for skipping. They don't want to be in school so they skip and then you "punish" them by kicking them out of school. Makes no sense to me. If I was in charge they would go to school on Saturday for three weeks in a row or something. That would be punishment. The new semester just started and he says he is going to really work hard and try to improve his grades and what not. I am sure that has something to do with the fact I had just let him buy a cell phone the day before he got suspended. I found out the same day he got suspended that he was failing most of his classes. The cell phone came in the mail but it is put up for the next three or four weeks at least. The weird thing about Tyler is even though he can be a total pain in the butt and drive me to the brink of sanity he is still a nice kid.
Tyler has actually been fairly responsible when it comes to his job. I think he takes a little advantage of the fact the his boss is a friend of ours (calls her to help him find people to cover a shift etc.). He seems to really enjoy the job and a little bit of money in his pocket.
Kailyn has her first orchestra concert in a few weeks. I think she likes her cello but she hasn't really been practicing like she should. She finally the last week or so started practicing every night. She signed up with some other girls to sing in the Ward talent show and Allias actually agreed to play his clarinet- although he hasn't chosen a song or practiced.
Kailyn is loving having her own dog. She gets really mad at me if I come to school to pick her up and I don't have Molly with me. We finally got the piano set up and she is going to start taking lessons next week. She is incredibly excited. She is learning times tables at school and is doing pretty well. What she lacks in academic success she makes up for in being super well behaved.
On a sad note the trampoline that the kids got for Christmas from Travis' parents decided to take flight during a wind storm a few weeks ago. I was in the living room and all of the sudden saw it flipping through the air. It managed to bounce over one side of our four foot fence tumble through the backyard, take out one side of our fence, tumble some more and then landed on the top of our neighbor's six foot fence. It was pretty much destroyed. We were sooooo bummed. I didn't even get very many pictures of the kids jumping but they were out there every chance they got. Travis did get the store we purchased it at to take it back and we are going to be looking for something a bit more sturdy.
Between exams, holiday, snow days, teacher work days and a few days where no one in my seminary class had to be at school I only ended up teaching nine days in January. Even though I enjoyed the extra hour of sleep and being able to work in my pajamas again, I actually missed it. I can't believe what a blessing this calling has been in my life. I LOVE teaching. I actually love studying even more. I hope the kids are getting something out of being here. They are such great kids and I love each one of them dearly. I have memorized 16 out of 25 scripture mastery versus. I am currently working on Ephesians 4:11-14. This verse was definitely written for our day.
11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelist and some pastors and teachers;
12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ;
13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith , and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of Christ;
14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
January was actually kind of a low key month but I just entered in all our appointments, basketball games and practices, birthday parties, parent nights and other random events into my calendar and February is going to be way way busy.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Hollywood Week Part Two
Goodbye Bikini Girl!!! Finally- I was so beyond done with her.
Travis kind of ruined group night for me because he was complaining about the abundance of drama and lack of singing. I "gently" reminded him that if he didn't like it he could leave the room and go watch something else but I think he was enjoying getting on my nerves so he stayed put. The one thing that I did get from group night is a early favorite. Adam- he is so cute and I think he has a good voice too. He may need to tone it down just a tiny bit but overall I was impressed- oh and Kris- the two very brief times I have heard him sing I have LOVED it.
I was disappointed that I still haven't got to hear Leneshe Young or Jason Castro's brother sing again since there audition but I did see both of their groups make it through- I really hope they make the show.
I can't stand the kid with the piercings and tattoos that was crying and raging over his stupid group. I really wanted all three of those guys to GO HOME.
I am thinking some of the best talent is yet to be seen, the producers of this show aren't stupid they hold back HUGE talent every year that we don't get to see until the show. I didn't see Jason Castro at all up until he came down that elevator as one of the top 24. I totally remember thinking wow he is super cute- I can't wait to hear him sing and he was really my favorite all season long.
Can't wait to find out who the top 36 are. I have read a few spoilers here and there even though I try really really hard not to and I saw somewhere that Nick Mitchell aka Normund Gentle makes the show. I wonder how Vote for the Worst will react to him. This could be interesting.
Travis kind of ruined group night for me because he was complaining about the abundance of drama and lack of singing. I "gently" reminded him that if he didn't like it he could leave the room and go watch something else but I think he was enjoying getting on my nerves so he stayed put. The one thing that I did get from group night is a early favorite. Adam- he is so cute and I think he has a good voice too. He may need to tone it down just a tiny bit but overall I was impressed- oh and Kris- the two very brief times I have heard him sing I have LOVED it.
I was disappointed that I still haven't got to hear Leneshe Young or Jason Castro's brother sing again since there audition but I did see both of their groups make it through- I really hope they make the show.
I can't stand the kid with the piercings and tattoos that was crying and raging over his stupid group. I really wanted all three of those guys to GO HOME.
I am thinking some of the best talent is yet to be seen, the producers of this show aren't stupid they hold back HUGE talent every year that we don't get to see until the show. I didn't see Jason Castro at all up until he came down that elevator as one of the top 24. I totally remember thinking wow he is super cute- I can't wait to hear him sing and he was really my favorite all season long.
Can't wait to find out who the top 36 are. I have read a few spoilers here and there even though I try really really hard not to and I saw somewhere that Nick Mitchell aka Normund Gentle makes the show. I wonder how Vote for the Worst will react to him. This could be interesting.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Hollywood week part one
One down one to go. Good riddance Dennis.
If bikini girl makes the show I really do think I will throw up. I tried to close my eyes and pretend it was someone else singing just in case it was just me being insecure but the girl can't sing. She also isn't even that pretty. I do like her hair darker and she has great legs but that's about it. She isn't even entertaining.
I definitely think the judges have some favorites that they are letting through one more round. In some cases this is good because it gives them another chance to prove they deserve to be there but in other cases it just puts off what should be coming anyway.
I still can't stand the smoker voice chick. Travis says she sounds like Janis Joplin. I am sorry but there can be only one Janis, plus she just annoys me period. The other person that I can't stand is Lil Rounds. She sounded like she was screaming that song. It hurt my ears. I about fell out of my chair when Kara and Paula gave her a standing O. WHAT? The judges constantly talk to people about being over the top. That was sooooo over the top. I have a feeling she will be on the show and I am not happy about that. I can totally see her being voted off early and then the judges bringing her back as a wild card. I also can't believe they let Von Smith through. He was screaming his song and he is beyond painful to watch. Again I closed my eyes to see if it would help. It didn't.
I saw Jason Castro's kid brother in one of the groups that made it through to the next round so that made me happy and there are two guys who's auditions they didn't show but I am going to be watching now. Stephen Fowler (big fro) is one. I remember seeing him run out with his golden ticket but never heard him sing. He is really good!!! The other guy is way hot but they didn't actually let us hear him sing. We only got Randy saying he could be a star. His name is Adam. I so want to hear him sing now.
I thought the oil rig guys sounded much better in Hollywood then he did during his audition but he is kind of boring and Danny the music teacher is getting on my nerves for some reason. I am sure it isn't his fault that the producers are over milking his sob story but it is still grating on me. Travis was bummed out that they didn't show Megan (super cute single mom-tattooed arm). I am sure she made it through and we will see her tonight during groups. We also didn't get to see Leneshe Young (sang an adorable original song at her audition) but I have no doubt she also made the first round of cuts.
Oh and can I just say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE Norman Gentle. Oh my gosh I was laughing my butt off. They need to keep this guy around for comic relief. Randy called him a banoodles kind of guy. I can see the signs and t-shirts now. I would totally wear a Banoodles shirt. I also agreed with Randy that he can indeed sing and I love how amazed and almost humbled he looks every time they let him through!!! At first I didn't want him to make the show but now I totally do.
I have to say I love group night because of all the drama. I missed it last year. Can't wait for tonight!!!!
If bikini girl makes the show I really do think I will throw up. I tried to close my eyes and pretend it was someone else singing just in case it was just me being insecure but the girl can't sing. She also isn't even that pretty. I do like her hair darker and she has great legs but that's about it. She isn't even entertaining.
I definitely think the judges have some favorites that they are letting through one more round. In some cases this is good because it gives them another chance to prove they deserve to be there but in other cases it just puts off what should be coming anyway.
I still can't stand the smoker voice chick. Travis says she sounds like Janis Joplin. I am sorry but there can be only one Janis, plus she just annoys me period. The other person that I can't stand is Lil Rounds. She sounded like she was screaming that song. It hurt my ears. I about fell out of my chair when Kara and Paula gave her a standing O. WHAT? The judges constantly talk to people about being over the top. That was sooooo over the top. I have a feeling she will be on the show and I am not happy about that. I can totally see her being voted off early and then the judges bringing her back as a wild card. I also can't believe they let Von Smith through. He was screaming his song and he is beyond painful to watch. Again I closed my eyes to see if it would help. It didn't.
I saw Jason Castro's kid brother in one of the groups that made it through to the next round so that made me happy and there are two guys who's auditions they didn't show but I am going to be watching now. Stephen Fowler (big fro) is one. I remember seeing him run out with his golden ticket but never heard him sing. He is really good!!! The other guy is way hot but they didn't actually let us hear him sing. We only got Randy saying he could be a star. His name is Adam. I so want to hear him sing now.
I thought the oil rig guys sounded much better in Hollywood then he did during his audition but he is kind of boring and Danny the music teacher is getting on my nerves for some reason. I am sure it isn't his fault that the producers are over milking his sob story but it is still grating on me. Travis was bummed out that they didn't show Megan (super cute single mom-tattooed arm). I am sure she made it through and we will see her tonight during groups. We also didn't get to see Leneshe Young (sang an adorable original song at her audition) but I have no doubt she also made the first round of cuts.
Oh and can I just say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE Norman Gentle. Oh my gosh I was laughing my butt off. They need to keep this guy around for comic relief. Randy called him a banoodles kind of guy. I can see the signs and t-shirts now. I would totally wear a Banoodles shirt. I also agreed with Randy that he can indeed sing and I love how amazed and almost humbled he looks every time they let him through!!! At first I didn't want him to make the show but now I totally do.
I have to say I love group night because of all the drama. I missed it last year. Can't wait for tonight!!!!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Football?
So like I said on Sunday I taught primary at the last minute and I actually thought the lesson went really really well. I love teaching at the last minute because you totally have to rely on the spirit and you don't over analyze what your are going to say. During the lesson I could tell the kids were really thinking about what I was saying and they were totally participating so I was feeling pretty good about myself. After church was over my good friend Denise (who also happens to be the Primary President and the one who asked me to teach at the last minute) and I were walking out to our cars and she asks me how it went. I go on to tell her how amazing it was and how well the kids paid attention and how much I thought they got out of it blah blah blah. To prove to her just how great it was I say to Kailyn "tell Sister Rentz what we learned about in Primary today". Honestly I was totally expecting her to elaborate on Joseph Smith and all the things he had to go through and how he made sure to keep the plates safe when she yells at the top of her lungs "FOOTBALL!"
Refuge from the Storm/ How Firm a Foundation (super long but worth it?)
I was asked at the last minute to sub in Primary on Sunday. The lesson was on all the trials that Joseph Smith had to go through to keep the plates safe but that because he did his part the Lord helped him and the plates were kept from the hands of evil men. It was a really great lesson and I think the kids were impressed by all that Joseph went through.
Then during sharing time the chorister taught the kids the fist verse in the hymn- "How Firm a Foundation". She talked about the leaning Tower of Pisa and how because the foundation was "flawed from the beginning" it couldn't stand up straight. She compared it to the foundation of the temple in Salt Lake that was built "so strong that it will endure through the Millennium."
The words to the first verse of "How Firm a Foundation" are;
How Firm a Foundation ye Saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say then to you he hath said,- who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
The whole time she was talking I kept thinking about a talk I had to give a few years ago. The topic was the Temple as a symbol of our membership and a refuge from the storm.
When I got home I read the rest of the versus to the hymn and it really is about how Heavenly Father protects us from the storms of life. That He will give us what we need. The last verse says;
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake
This is going to end up being a HUGE post but I just reread the talk and it goes so well with the messages from the lesson and the Hymn and the things Angie taught about having a firm foundation that I am just going to copy my whole talk here. You might want to make a cup of Hot Cocoa or something this could be a LONG read. I was asked to give this talk during one of the most difficult times of my life- a time when I felt so battered by the storms of life that I didn't feel like I could go on. I truly felt like I had no refuge.
My heart has been full this week, as I have thought about what I might say to you. I have been asked to speak on the Temple as a symbol of our membership and a refuge from the storm. I am so very grateful for this opportunity and as I have prepared and prayed I have felt a great desire to put some things in my life in order and get back on a path that will lead me in the direction I need to and want to go. I know that Heavenly Father loves each one of us, I know that He loves me and He is mindful of the things I need. There have been many times in my life when I have lacked the faith necessary to do all the things that are required of me so that I can enter the House of the Lord and in doing so I have been missing out on the blessings and protection and peace that my Heavenly Father wants me to have. I am so grateful for His tender care and His willingness to continually bless me and guide me despite my weaknesses.
Howard W. Hunter referred to the temple as “The Great Symbol of our Membership”. He said, “I invite the members of the Church to establish the temple of the Lord as the great symbol of their membership and the supernal setting for their most sacred covenants. It would be the deepest desire of my heart to have every member of the Church be temple worthy.” “Let us make the temple, with temple worship and temple covenants and temple marriage, our ultimate earthly goal and the supreme mortal experience.”
Some of the most spiritual experiences of my life have taken place in the temple. I remember clearly the way I felt when I took out my own endowments. I remember feeling the full extent of my membership in the Kingdom. I remember feeling and knowing the sacredness and sanctity of that place as soon as I walked in the doors. I knew in those moments that I was making some of the most sacred and important promises I would ever make in my life.
I have felt the joy of doing the work for those who are not here to do it for themselves and I know the happiness and peace that I have felt while sitting in the celestial room with members of my family or with my friends is only a small measure of what we will feel when we all sit down in Heaven together.
Travis has a little brother who for a short time drifted away from the church. I was not there when he took out his endowments but I did have a chance to go through a session with him a few months later. I remember looking at him from across the celestial room and having an overwhelming feeling of joy come over me. I was so happy to have him there. I gave him a huge hug and with tears in my eyes I whispered in his ear. I am so proud of you. He also unable to hold back the tears whispered back, “ I am proud of you too.”
As I have pondered over the topic of this talk and life has stormed on around me it has been made extremely clear to me that each one of needs a refuge from the storm. The Lord has established his temple as that refuge. In 2 Nephi Chapter 14:5-6 Nephi quotes Isaiah, "And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defense. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and a covert from storm and from rain"
The following comments on this scripture were taken from an address given by S. Michael Wilcox at a BYU women’s conference. “When the forces of the world bear down on us like a hot summer day and we feel we cannot bear it any longer, the Lord seems to say, ‘Come home. Sit in the shade of my house. Feel the breezes of my Spirit. Be refreshed. Drink from my fountain of truth, and swim in my healing river. Now you can face the heat of the day with greater strength.’
He goes on to say “ As we protect our part of the defensive line in the great battle between good and evil, holding the sword of truth and justice, sometimes it appears as if all the forces of temptation and worldliness are attacking our position. We feel isolated and fear we will be swept away. It is as if the Lord were calling to us, "Come home. Retreat into the safety of my house of refuge. Put your sword down. There are no battles to be fought in my house. No enemy penetrates these walls. See in panoramic vision the great battle for the souls of men. Receive instruction on how to hold firm even when others give way. Understand the adversary’s strategy. Be comforted in the knowledge that it was foretold in the Garden of Eden that Lucifer would be crushed. Now, you can Return to the battle front with greater courage and swing your sword confident of ultimate victory."
When the forces of life beat upon you like a mighty storm, when the flood waters of trial or the pelting hail of day-to-day irritations leave you cold, discouraged, and looking for shelter, the Lord seems to whisper, "Come home. No stinging hail penetrates the shingles of my house. The flood waters cannot sweep away its foundations. No worldly wind can chill your spirit here. Sit by my hearth and listen to my truths. Feast at my table. Be warmed by the love of your Eternal Father.”
I am so extremely grateful for these inspired words and as I read them I felt like they were a personal invitation to me and to each of you from Heavenly Father to come home. Come to the temple and receive strength, courage and the warmth of Heavenly Fathers love. Prepare yourself to enter the Temple if you have never been before. If you are like me and have somehow gotten off the path, fight for your way back so that you can again experience the peace and refuge of the Temple, and if you are like many who just can’t seem to find the time for temple worship make it a priority.
Brother Wilcox speaks of the parable of the feast " The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that He would prepare a feast of the finest things, "yea, a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all nations shall be invited" (D&C 58:9). The feast of the temple consists of the richest doctrines, the most nourishing truths, the most life-sustaining covenants and ordinances. During his earthly ministry, Jesus spoke of this feast in a parable:
A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled" (Luke 14:16–20, 23).”
Brother Wilcox goes on to say, “Sometimes our lives become so busy that we realize it’s been quite some time since we’ve been to the temple. We know the feast is waiting, and we sense our need for its spiritual nourishment, but there is ground to see and oxen to prove and we ask to be excused. Yet the parable testifies that the Lord truly desires that his house be filled.”
It is my prayer that each one of us will strive to fill the house of the Lord. They we will go and partake of the feast and realize the full extent of our membership in the Kingdom of God. I hope that we will each receive the rest and shelter from the storm that is so necessary and that we will feel the love of our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for a kind and loving Heavenly Father, who through his prophet has made temple worship accessible for all those who are worthy, I am so grateful for that wonderful blessing. In ancient Israel only one man, the high priest, and a descendant of Aaron, could pass through the veil of the temple and only once a year. Now we can pass through that veil and into the most holy place in the temple as often as we wish. There used to be travel restrictions on temple worship. When the church was first established and for many years there were only a handful of temples scattered around the world. Many people in this chapel can probably remember when Salt Lake was nearest temple. The Washington DC temple was dedicated in 1974 and that was the nearest temple for almost thirty years. Now there are hundreds of temples throughout the world and we have a one in our own backyard. This church is true. Jesus is the Christ and we have a loving Heavenly Father who wants us to come home. The temple is the Great Symbol of our Membership. It is a refuge and a protection and should be our ultimate earthly goal.
Real quickly I just wanted to tie this all together. We have to do our part and the Lord will do his. We have to work to build our foundation so strong it can stand through the storms of life. Heavenly Father cannot forsake us we we are leaning on Jesus Christ. He will be there to give us refuge. The Temple is a place of refuge from the storm. THE GOSPEL IS TRUE!!!!
If you finished reading this you are pretty cool!
Then during sharing time the chorister taught the kids the fist verse in the hymn- "How Firm a Foundation". She talked about the leaning Tower of Pisa and how because the foundation was "flawed from the beginning" it couldn't stand up straight. She compared it to the foundation of the temple in Salt Lake that was built "so strong that it will endure through the Millennium."
The words to the first verse of "How Firm a Foundation" are;
How Firm a Foundation ye Saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say then to you he hath said,- who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
The whole time she was talking I kept thinking about a talk I had to give a few years ago. The topic was the Temple as a symbol of our membership and a refuge from the storm.
When I got home I read the rest of the versus to the hymn and it really is about how Heavenly Father protects us from the storms of life. That He will give us what we need. The last verse says;
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake
This is going to end up being a HUGE post but I just reread the talk and it goes so well with the messages from the lesson and the Hymn and the things Angie taught about having a firm foundation that I am just going to copy my whole talk here. You might want to make a cup of Hot Cocoa or something this could be a LONG read. I was asked to give this talk during one of the most difficult times of my life- a time when I felt so battered by the storms of life that I didn't feel like I could go on. I truly felt like I had no refuge.
My heart has been full this week, as I have thought about what I might say to you. I have been asked to speak on the Temple as a symbol of our membership and a refuge from the storm. I am so very grateful for this opportunity and as I have prepared and prayed I have felt a great desire to put some things in my life in order and get back on a path that will lead me in the direction I need to and want to go. I know that Heavenly Father loves each one of us, I know that He loves me and He is mindful of the things I need. There have been many times in my life when I have lacked the faith necessary to do all the things that are required of me so that I can enter the House of the Lord and in doing so I have been missing out on the blessings and protection and peace that my Heavenly Father wants me to have. I am so grateful for His tender care and His willingness to continually bless me and guide me despite my weaknesses.
Howard W. Hunter referred to the temple as “The Great Symbol of our Membership”. He said, “I invite the members of the Church to establish the temple of the Lord as the great symbol of their membership and the supernal setting for their most sacred covenants. It would be the deepest desire of my heart to have every member of the Church be temple worthy.” “Let us make the temple, with temple worship and temple covenants and temple marriage, our ultimate earthly goal and the supreme mortal experience.”
Some of the most spiritual experiences of my life have taken place in the temple. I remember clearly the way I felt when I took out my own endowments. I remember feeling the full extent of my membership in the Kingdom. I remember feeling and knowing the sacredness and sanctity of that place as soon as I walked in the doors. I knew in those moments that I was making some of the most sacred and important promises I would ever make in my life.
I have felt the joy of doing the work for those who are not here to do it for themselves and I know the happiness and peace that I have felt while sitting in the celestial room with members of my family or with my friends is only a small measure of what we will feel when we all sit down in Heaven together.
Travis has a little brother who for a short time drifted away from the church. I was not there when he took out his endowments but I did have a chance to go through a session with him a few months later. I remember looking at him from across the celestial room and having an overwhelming feeling of joy come over me. I was so happy to have him there. I gave him a huge hug and with tears in my eyes I whispered in his ear. I am so proud of you. He also unable to hold back the tears whispered back, “ I am proud of you too.”
As I have pondered over the topic of this talk and life has stormed on around me it has been made extremely clear to me that each one of needs a refuge from the storm. The Lord has established his temple as that refuge. In 2 Nephi Chapter 14:5-6 Nephi quotes Isaiah, "And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defense. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and a covert from storm and from rain"
The following comments on this scripture were taken from an address given by S. Michael Wilcox at a BYU women’s conference. “When the forces of the world bear down on us like a hot summer day and we feel we cannot bear it any longer, the Lord seems to say, ‘Come home. Sit in the shade of my house. Feel the breezes of my Spirit. Be refreshed. Drink from my fountain of truth, and swim in my healing river. Now you can face the heat of the day with greater strength.’
He goes on to say “ As we protect our part of the defensive line in the great battle between good and evil, holding the sword of truth and justice, sometimes it appears as if all the forces of temptation and worldliness are attacking our position. We feel isolated and fear we will be swept away. It is as if the Lord were calling to us, "Come home. Retreat into the safety of my house of refuge. Put your sword down. There are no battles to be fought in my house. No enemy penetrates these walls. See in panoramic vision the great battle for the souls of men. Receive instruction on how to hold firm even when others give way. Understand the adversary’s strategy. Be comforted in the knowledge that it was foretold in the Garden of Eden that Lucifer would be crushed. Now, you can Return to the battle front with greater courage and swing your sword confident of ultimate victory."
When the forces of life beat upon you like a mighty storm, when the flood waters of trial or the pelting hail of day-to-day irritations leave you cold, discouraged, and looking for shelter, the Lord seems to whisper, "Come home. No stinging hail penetrates the shingles of my house. The flood waters cannot sweep away its foundations. No worldly wind can chill your spirit here. Sit by my hearth and listen to my truths. Feast at my table. Be warmed by the love of your Eternal Father.”
I am so extremely grateful for these inspired words and as I read them I felt like they were a personal invitation to me and to each of you from Heavenly Father to come home. Come to the temple and receive strength, courage and the warmth of Heavenly Fathers love. Prepare yourself to enter the Temple if you have never been before. If you are like me and have somehow gotten off the path, fight for your way back so that you can again experience the peace and refuge of the Temple, and if you are like many who just can’t seem to find the time for temple worship make it a priority.
Brother Wilcox speaks of the parable of the feast " The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that He would prepare a feast of the finest things, "yea, a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all nations shall be invited" (D&C 58:9). The feast of the temple consists of the richest doctrines, the most nourishing truths, the most life-sustaining covenants and ordinances. During his earthly ministry, Jesus spoke of this feast in a parable:
A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled" (Luke 14:16–20, 23).”
Brother Wilcox goes on to say, “Sometimes our lives become so busy that we realize it’s been quite some time since we’ve been to the temple. We know the feast is waiting, and we sense our need for its spiritual nourishment, but there is ground to see and oxen to prove and we ask to be excused. Yet the parable testifies that the Lord truly desires that his house be filled.”
It is my prayer that each one of us will strive to fill the house of the Lord. They we will go and partake of the feast and realize the full extent of our membership in the Kingdom of God. I hope that we will each receive the rest and shelter from the storm that is so necessary and that we will feel the love of our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for a kind and loving Heavenly Father, who through his prophet has made temple worship accessible for all those who are worthy, I am so grateful for that wonderful blessing. In ancient Israel only one man, the high priest, and a descendant of Aaron, could pass through the veil of the temple and only once a year. Now we can pass through that veil and into the most holy place in the temple as often as we wish. There used to be travel restrictions on temple worship. When the church was first established and for many years there were only a handful of temples scattered around the world. Many people in this chapel can probably remember when Salt Lake was nearest temple. The Washington DC temple was dedicated in 1974 and that was the nearest temple for almost thirty years. Now there are hundreds of temples throughout the world and we have a one in our own backyard. This church is true. Jesus is the Christ and we have a loving Heavenly Father who wants us to come home. The temple is the Great Symbol of our Membership. It is a refuge and a protection and should be our ultimate earthly goal.
Real quickly I just wanted to tie this all together. We have to do our part and the Lord will do his. We have to work to build our foundation so strong it can stand through the storms of life. Heavenly Father cannot forsake us we we are leaning on Jesus Christ. He will be there to give us refuge. The Temple is a place of refuge from the storm. THE GOSPEL IS TRUE!!!!
If you finished reading this you are pretty cool!
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