Mormon Musings

I'm kind of digging the title...maybe it should be a regular feature?! 

My good friend Carrie has me guest posting today, answering questions.  Go check it out.  (please... :D)

In Sunday School yesterday, I was asked to read this quote.  It hit me so hard, I want to share it with you today.

"To be a righteous woman during the winding-up scenes on this earth, before the Second Coming of our Savior, is and especially noble calling.  The righteous woman's strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times.  She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home - which is society's basic and most noble institution.  Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife."
(The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 326-27)

What a powerful reminder to me what an influence I can be to my children.  What a wonderful reminder as well to me that I am good enough.  Being a woman can sometimes be less than satisfying to the world, making someone who chooses to stay at home seem even less, but this reminds me that I also have an important job.  One that is not paid, but is important none the less.

Cheers

How Prepared Are We?

These are a couple thoughts I have had that I recorded before, but changed a bit as I have thought some more.

Last fall I sat watching the bees as they were collecting their pollen and getting ready for the last push before winter.

I couldn't help but think about us.  For over a hundred years we have been told to prepare, to get our houses in order, to have a food storage, to get spiritually ready for the days to come. 

Food storage is just one of those ways to get ready for that.  There are a few different things that are tossing around in  my mind about how my family might be better prepared.  I am reading some really great books that also make me think.

What sort of ways do we prepare?  Spiritually, physically, mentally or more.  How do we do it?  How do we keep busy and make sure we are as ready as we can be? 

We need to be continually readying ourselves and trying to be the best we can.

I have two tabs up top (preparedness and recipes) that might help you as you start.  Keep in mind that this is a journey that I am also on so I am not totally ready either, but I thought this might be a starting point for us all.

I would love it if you shared with me your families journey.  Please feel free to comment, email or whatever you feel comefortable with.  Please share.  Please tell me about your preparedness efforts, places you have prepared that you didn't even think of before, things you have accomplished.  I would LOVE to hear about it.
Cheers

Thoughts on Children...

While having a conversation with a friend the other day, I was thinking about my kids.

You know how everyone always says to young Mom's, "Don't wish away your kids' childhood, it will be gone before you know it!"? 

I used to burn hearing that!  I hated it.  What did they know?  Where did they get off telling me that MY experiences were LESS?  I was not wishing away the childhood of my children, I just wished that parts of it were done, like: walking the halls in church with a crying child, sitting in nursery because my child would not go without me, getting up for midnight feedings, snot on every shirt I owned - permanent it seemed, and so on...

The other day I realized I have left that Mom behind.

Instead I have this one in her place.

I am the Mom that misses the little slobber kisses when they first learn how...

...that warm, heavy feeling of a baby sweating as they cuddle close while sleeping....

...the wide eyed trusting look they give you as you care for them while sick....

...the joy and wonder as they experience something for the first time....

...the messy faces that mean they loved their food with out any self consciousness.

I find that this mother has changed to rejoice in the new experiences like...

 ...the first heartfelt, pleading of a child to their Heavenly Father...

...the simple help of a brother to another...

 ...teaching children and seeing their faces light up with that knowledge.  Then further using it in their lives...

 ...the simple joy of seeing the work ethic that has been instilled in the children.

This Mother rejoices in the young Deacon who works hard to honor his Priesthood and takes that responsibility so seriously.  The young 6 year old who talks almost daily of his desire to be baptized soon.  The 10 year old who loves seniors and children so much and is so gentle.

Each age and stage are so amazing and each time they pass into one I am so thankful I have been there with them.  It is so strange each time my last baby reaches some milestone and I have to sort of grieve that I will never be there again, but then my oldest reaches a new one and I remember how incredibly blessed I am to be their Mom. 

I am sure in my small way, this is the way our Father in Heaven feels as we reach one of our "milestones" of development as well.

Cheers

The Twisted Sister

Because I am still packing, and trying to move my house, I thought it might be fun to run a few of my older favorites.

(for your information, we are just moving to a smaller rental around the corner...not my farm yet...but we will be on our way hopefully next year)

A few years ago when I started this blog, I wrote a story that I would like to share with you, it is a little edited because I find that I am not the same writer I was before.  (I like to think I have grown!)  So here it is a little edited, but still the same story: 

When I was just a seed, I was just like my sister.

She and I were the same.

We came from the same two parents, and had the same life in the beginning.  As time went on, she and I were planted.

I was planted in soil that was a bit rocky, a little dry, and just a little on the lacking side. My sister was planted in the really nice soil. 

We both grew and tried to be the best we could. Both of us were really pretty.

My sister had a lovely caretaker. This caretaker loved her and wanted her to grow. He pruned her, he fertilized her, he kept all the bugs off her...generally kept a really nice garden.

Myself on the other hand, was forgotten. I tried to grow straight and tall like my sister, I tried to have a beautiful growth habit, but I got a bit twisted.  I didn't have someone pruning me, fertilizing me or taking care of me. 

One day, I was looking at my sister and was feeling really sad. I thought she was so pretty and I was not. I was so depressed because her caretaker really loved her and I didn't even HAVE a caretaker! I really hated being so much different than my sister, but what could I do?

All of a sudden a light came and warmed me.

What was this?

I felt the sun and realized deep inside me that I was a beautiful tree!

I grew up with leaves that were so red and beautiful.

I had wonderful moss that was gracing my trunk.

I could reach the warm, warm sun and it could give me light.

I had done all this in less than optimum conditions.

I was a good tree.

I gave shade and people loved to look at me. 

I was a wonderful addition to the garden.

I grew this way.

I grew up like this even though I didn't have the same optimum conditions that my sister had, but we were still both beautiful trees. I was blessed. I thank the Sun for showing me that I AM a wonderful tree, even though I am NOT the same as my sister. I am still a beautiful tree.

Cheers

What Do We Devour?

We just finished up a celebration for the Family.

I have had a chance to think about some things over the last few weeks.  Then I went for a day of photo shootin on Saturday.

I saw this spider, he was just chowing down on this fly (flying ant?).    It made me think about some things in my life. 

Spiders will eat pretty much anything that manages to get stuck in their web...but it has to be a bug of some sort.  They will not eat grass or leaves or anything that is not a bug.  (been there, tried it)

It soon led me to thinking about us.

Not to what we eat, but how we spend our time.

This past Saturday we had three things all on the same time as the RS broadcast.  Three things to choose from.  All three very worthwhile.  One was a baptism (don't ask me why it was at the same time...), one a chance to spend some very much needed time with a brand new school district  and our family, one a chance for me to go to the RS broadcast.  Three very worthwhile things that only happened at that time on Saturday.

How to choose?

How do we choose what is the best way to spend our time?

Do we have a chance to sit and just flip on the TV?  Or do we read our scriptures? 

Do we teach our children out of the best books?  Or do we just pick the most popular literature and choose that?

Do we listen to the radio?  Or selectivly choose what we listen to?

When our children are "bored" do we let them watch TV/play viedo games/veg in front of some other mindless entertainment the whole time?  Or do our kids know how to have fun without electronics?

Are our children well versed in the gosple?

Are we as a family ready to stand and choose the Lord's way?  Or do we like the things of the world a little too much?

All this from a simple little spider eating his lunch. 

What do we devour?

(please sound off in the comments, I would love to hear from you)

Cheers

Safety and Running Water

Do you ever think about safety?  Personal and family. 

When we were in Mexico, all of the windows have these bars on them:

Every.Single.One

There were also roll-up doors on the front door, with all their possessions and yards being behind that roll-up door.  Glass on all the ledges so on one would use them as a boosting up space, and fences around buildings like the church. 

Do you have to live in the same way?  Honestly curious here. 

I don't.  I was saying my prayers the other night and was thankful for my safety.  Then I had a thought about the way we live.  We don't worry for our safety the way so many others do.

We can be stopped by a police and generally we don't have to worry for our safety.

We can be in our homes, and even with a glass window beside our door, not worry about someone breaking it to get into our homes at night.

We can sleep soundly and not have to start at every noise we hear.  Worrying about people and the things that they do.

One thing I totally take for granted.  Safety.

Another thing is this:

Safe, running water.  These are wash basins.  This is where the surrounding area washes their clothing. 

We can turn on a tap and drink the water right from it.  We can brush our teeth with that running water.  If we have dirty clothes, we can wash them in a washing machine.  We also have a dryer if we so desire.

It is amazing the things that we take for granted.  Little things to us, but WAY bigger to others.  My post about food was just one of the places I am trying to think more about.  I take my lifestyle for granted.  What if it were all taken away?

I have thought about how we would cope if we had a disaster happen.  What if something along the line of the EMP that they are thinking might happen if the sun really does have a flare that causes a catastrophic EMP like they predict?

Do we know how to live like they do in places like Mexico?  If all of our conveniences were taken away, would we be able to cope?  Do we know how to hand wash all of our clothing?  Do we have food to eat?  Can we prepare it?  What if we have to use money to buy food or whatever and the bank machines don't work?  Do we have cash on hand?

Our prophets have been asking us to get prepared for any eventuality.  I love preparedness.  How did I get here with bars on windows?!  I love thinking about "what if's" and getting prepared for them.  I love storing up food and using it.  I love camping, we practice skills like cooking over a fire, using our dutch oven, living without running water, or if there is water it is almost always some we have to boil.  I love teaching my children about the plants and animals we share our world with.  I love seeing all my buckets of wheat, beans and other food and knowing that I know how to use it.  We will not have to live on a small loaf or bread with 1/3 C beans if we have to rely on our food storage.  I know how to make food that will be much tastier than that!  :)

What do you think?

What are you most thankful for?  Do you count your little blessings or are you more thankful for large things that you have?  I would love to hear about them.

Cheers

Breast Feeding

As I said before, we bought a movie called Human Planet.  It is made by BBC, so I knew it would be very (almost painfully) honest in it's depiction of people that live on this beautiful world.

When dh and I were watching the first part called Jungles, we noticed a common theme.  In the forest, they eat monkeys.  One tribe even takes the orphans into their homes and care for them as pets.  One woman said, "Pet's don't taste good".  They don't eat them, they raise them as children. 

One part I am still trying to come to grips with is that as children, they care totally for them, even breast feeding them.  (Warning if you do watch this clip, there are some glimpses of the tops of breasts.  The documentary deals with the life just like National Geographic does with native populations, they are depicted just as they live.  Just so you are aware, if this bothers you, don't watch it)




Then in the Cities portion, they talk about a religious sect that are said to be the first "environmentalists".  When gazelles are left as orphans and found, they are brought home and the woman breastfeeds it.
(this one is not graphic, but the topic is discussed)



I don't know.

What do you think?  I am not sure if I am comfortable with even the thought, but it is so far out of my norm that maybe I just can't fathom it.  I can't fathom feeding a three year old child by breast either...possibly this is another instance of me not being able to come to terms with something that is done so very different than my "normal".

These shows are amazing.  There are many different ways of living.  There are practices and living conditions that are so far beyond my "norm" that I was baffled/surprised/disgusted/amazed at the many people that live where they do, and the conditions they live in.  This earth is amazing, the people on it are equally amazing.  The things we take for granted sometimes are baffling.  I have never before thought to be grateful for something as simple as a bra.  (sounds silly, but true)  The DVD's have opened my eyes to some pretty different ways of living and totally new concepts to me.  Thinking ensues.  :)

Cheers

Just Like Two Peas in a Pod...

Sometimes mindless tasks make me think.  So here is a "thinking" session!

As I was shelling peas I was thinking about the term "just like two peas in a pod".  Wondering where that came from.  There are never just two peas in a pod...there are always many peas in a pod.

Then I was thinking about life.

As we go through life, hopefully we are lucky enough to meet many who help us on our way. 

I think as we go through our life, we meet people who are there for us at that point in our life. 

Let me illustrate:

• When I was a teen I transferred to a different school in my city.  I thought I was going somewhere I knew people (because I did) but turns out those people I was counting on being friends with, weren't.  Along came a girl who really did get me through my High School Hell.  (sorry, no other word for it)  She and I are just "acquaintances" now, but still have fond memories together.

• When I was in college, I had an apartment one summer all by myself for a few weeks.  Having grown accustomed to having the instant "friend" aspect of the life of a college roomie, I was lonely.  There was a young woman the same age as me living next door.  She befriended a lonely girl.  Save me really.  I lost her for a few years, but have re-connected a few years ago and we still keep in touch.  She is still a wonderful friend, but those years changed us and we can be different now.

• When we moved here, we met a family that really started us on our serious quest to be totally self-reliant.  We were always trying to be, but this moved us in a more serious direction.

• Blogging is amazing.  I have met some wonderful people that I count as my friends.  I talk all the time to dh about my women friends I haven't met!  He just humors me, and even reads your blogs!  :)  You uplift and inspire me regularly and I am so thankful to have "met" you.

So, are we just with one other person in our "pod"?  I like to think that we are sometimes in there with many who can influence us in so many wonderful ways.  I am blessed to know some amazing people right now in my pod. 

How about you?  Do you live in a pod of amazing-ness?  I would love to hear if you think it is just two peas in there or many.  :)

Cheers

Violence, Where Do We Stand?

To preface this post I must say a couple things:

1.  I do not write this to make myself seem better or worse than anyone.  I am using personal experiences just to illustrate a point.

2.  These are thoughts not meant to be insulting or demeaning to anyone, just thoughts that I have had lately.

OK.

When I was a young woman (about 16 or so) I read Jean M. Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear Series.  I thought I was super sophisticated, but I still hid the books from my parents.  I think in my heart I knew they were wrong.  I knew that pornography was wrong, my parents taught me that well, but I still read them because no one stopped me or thought to ask about what I was reading.

When I went away to college I had a very distorted body image and had an eating disorder.  Luckily I also had a friend that cared enough to help me overcome it.  I think this had alot to do with what I was reading and watching.  I watched some pretty nasty stuff, and read voraciously, some of it not so good.

As a young mother I often watched "the Soaps" and read adult literature.  Often saying to myself that I could skip the parts that were offensive or didn't agree with my teachings.  (like the language and nudity)

As a young married couple, we watched Titanic.

This was a turning point for me.

I swore then and there that nudity of any sort no matter how "tastefully" done it was, was not something I was going to condone or see.  Also, I made a vow with myself that I would not watch any movie over 14A.  This translates to meaning that I will not watch R or most PG13 movies either as that is what 14A ends up being.

Also that year we disconnected our cable TV and have been TV-less for over 10 years now.

A few years later I discovered that music was beginning to be disturbing to me and I quit listening to the radio.

A few years after that I stopped reading adult literature.  Skipping the "bad" parts was not working for me. 

Then we moved to the city we are in now.  We were prompted to do some things that were out of our comfort zone.  Huge food storage, moving to a farm, adopting children.  Of these three, one has been achieved and two are well on the way to being accomplished.

This year I have been re-thinking the music I listen to.  As I have been thinking of this, deleting music, trying hard to find some "guidelines" or whatnot, Cocoa has posted a few really great thought provoking posts about music.  I often feel as though we are prompted to write things, sometimes for us, sometimes for others.  These I feel were written for me.  :)  I know she didn't know it, but I needed them to help me.  (read them here and here)

On Sunday we had a lesson on pornography.  While we didn't have anything new or ground breaking discussed, it gave me a re-affirmation to be even more attentive to what happens in our home.  What I view or read.  I felt pretty good after the lesson because it was a great booster to what we have already been working towards.  Then dh came home and told me about his day.  He is in offices all day long fixing machines and helping them learn how to use them.  This is often done in a back room.  That is where dirty things are.  (just to leave it wide open there) Women are also often provocatively dressed now, even in a professional setting.  It gives us even more of a push to help him find alternate forms of work.

I have deleted music, chucked books, given away and chucked movies and generally cleaned up our viewing and listening stuff.  We have tried to follow inspiration where available and have been seeking it where it is not.

Then I read this blog post.

Many of my friends know that I will not read certain books, Harry Potter and Twilight, just to name two.  I disagree with some things about them so I just don't read them.  I try really hard to pick books that I would agree with the premise, or are popular and hope that I can help you judge if they would be appropriate for you or your kids.  Many of you know that there are certain things I put in my book reviews.  I make sure that I point out if there is language.  I make sure that if there is "objectionable" content, I tell you.  I also try to judge how old the audience would be appropriate for.  One of my first reviews was "Hunger Games".  This was the subject of the post above.  I have since removed it from my blog because I went back and re-read what I had written.  I now disagree with my own opinion.

Not because of what I read from the link above, but because the link above changed ME.  I have been tossing this around for a long time.  I have thought of little else this week.

I 100% agree with the author's opinion of violence.  I WILL NOT watch a violent movie.  I WILL NOT let my kids play violent games.  I WILL NOT tolerate fighting in my home.  Why do I allow myself to read these things?

I have a very active imagination.  I can read a story and visualize it very well. 

Why is reading it OK but other forms not?

I have reassessed what I am reading and recommending to you.  I am going to be going through my reviews and hopefully adding the violence factor to the review.  Those that are violent with descriptive wording will be removed from my reviews all together.

I know that this is pretty extreme.  But where do I begin?  Or stop for that matter?  This is where I have decided to start.

I was discussing with dh the other night how it seems that we are becoming rather strict.  We am becoming peculiar to an extreme.  Even among a "peculiar people".  We don't allow TV, most movies, I don't listen to the radio, now books...

I don't think that this is a bad thing, but it is a bit worrisome to me.  What if I am missing something.  What if I need to be more faithful in some other way.

What do you think?  Where do YOU draw the line?  Please weigh in.  Please also be kind to each other.  :)

Cheers

Judging Others

A couple years ago we bought a 1992 GMC Sierra.  It is old.  It is nicely maintained, but old. 

We decided to buy a truck because we were spending lots of money going to the dump and transporting lots of things that are big.  So, we checked with Kijiji and sure enough we found one that was in great condition with fairly little to do to it to make it good to run.

We drove up and I had to laugh.  It is totally an "old man truck".  Check out the interior...

See what I mean?! 

I love it.  It seats 6 so it fits our whole family really well.  We took it camping this weekend and could fit all our camping stuff in the back without crowding us in the vehicle (like we did with our van).  The best part of it all is, it is totally paid for with cash.  Both our vehicles are.  Both are old, but both have no payments left on them.

Now the judging part:

Sometimes when we drive somewhere people look at us like we are driving this:

We just moved to a new place that we are renting until everything all fits together in Heavenly Father's great puzzle.  Our new house sits in an older, well established, wealthy area.  While it is a great place to rent, with wonderful neighbours, we have noticed some disturbing things.  Our neighbours prefer our truck hidden in our garage.  One even asked us to put it back when I took it out for a week.  :)  I laugh at it now, but I think it is also disturbing.

Another example.  We lived in a different ward when we owned our other house.  It was a lovely ward with a great diversity of people.  We felt well loved there.  There were many that were struggling, some that were middle class, and some really wealthy, but down to earth people that lived there.  When we got our truck it was met with great joy because we could then transport things.  It was used for moves, transporting mass quantities of food from Lethbridge, and picking up large amounts of potatoes, corn and tomatoes.  We used it well there.  We are now in another wonderful ward.  We have many good friends in this new ward, having lived in it before, but have come to realize it is different.  I drive the truck (or dh) and we get looked at.  As I said before, we have wonderful friends in this ward, not everyone is like this.  BUT, our ward is considerably more wealthy, and likes the new vehicles, clothes and stuff that go with the money.  The people in this ward drive nice things, dress well and look like they have money.  NOT that this is bad...I am just making a point here. 

When do we draw the line?

When do we need to stop judging people?  I know that we are to exercise judgement when we are making friends and when we are making our decisions, but when do we cross that "righteous judgment" line? 

Do we hopefully look on others as Christ looks on us and see our brothers and sisters in this life. 

Do we let that little boy who always has a runny nose and dirty clothes play with our kids or do we turn him away because he should be better groomed?

Do we befriend someone who wears clothes that are a little odd or do we say they are too different based on appearances and move on?

Do we take that second look at the mother who is overwhelmed with her children and offer to lend a helping hand and in the process listen and find out that her husband was called away for the week for training?

Do we notice that someone drives a big old truck and realize that maybe they have different priorities, and maybe they are worth knowing even though they don't drive a huge SUV that is new?

What do you think? 

Do you think that I am totally out to lunch or do we sometimes need to take that second look and see what is underneath? 

I am totally guilty of doing this.  I have made judgements on people and later found out how TOTALLY and HORRIBLY WRONG I was.  I have been lucky to have some wonderful friends that I have learned this hard lesson from.

I still do this, but am trying so hard to curb the judging.

Just a little food for thought.  Please feel free to "weigh in" in the comments below.  (but please keep it nice...not that you wouldn't, just a little reminder)  And, just read this from Steph.  Dovetails so nicely.

Cheers

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.


- Dr. Seuss

Modesty: Take 2

I didn't know I was not alone in my last post...apparently I am not wierd in my thinking (on this at least!).  :)

So, Lynn passed on a few really great articles that I want to share bits of with you, just for my records, but also for you to read if you want.

From LDS Image Intregrity:

(Titled "Sexy is as Sexy Does")
A word highly overused is “sexy.” It seems, nowadays, everything has got to be “sexy.”
What happened to “pretty?” and “handsome?” and “romantic?”

 So, what does “sexy” look like? Red fingernails on a girl? A six-day shadow on a guy? Toes poking out from a peep-toe shoe? A skirt slit to the knee—thigh-high? Tight-fitting pants? Low-rider pants—better yet, a thong peeking over the pants? Cleavage—front or back? A ring on your toe or in your nose? The thrust of a hip or someone’s butt—in your face?

“So what does ‘sexy’ really mean? What are we really promoting here?”

 “Oh,” says one 30-something mom, “I never thought about it. It’s just something I say. Everybody says it. It doesn’t mean anything.”

 Webster disagrees. “Sexy,” according to Webster’s New World College Dictionary, means, “exciting, or intended to excite sexual desires; erotic.”

Guilty.  I say this all the time...some of the things listed are at the top of my all time pet peeves, but I say it.  What am I saying?!  I have never taken the time to actually look up the word and see what it ment.

This one  made me laugh!  (titled: "Why are you so dressed up?")

Men, women, and teens who still have higher standards of dress and grooming need some one liners already in their heads, ready for response. If that's you, then next time someone challenges you with, "Why ya so dressed up?" stand tall, make eye contact, smile politely, and say something like:

• "Thankyou."
• "I deserve it."
• "Cause I'm worth it!"
• "Cause I know better."
• "Today's a special day.
• "Because it feels so nice."
• "Because I respect myself."
• "I'm going to keep my job!"
• "Because I'm nicer to look at."
• "So you'll notice me--and you did."

The one on the bottom was stinkin funny...I could say that!  :)  I like to look nice, but I lack confidence in myself to wear those clothes that make me the most comfy.  I remember one time I ran out of pants that were clean...so I put a skirt on.  I wore it many places and lots of people I knew asked me that same question.  I was not as clever as this author and I just told them the truth!  :)

"You can be fully covered and still immodest."

Church President Harold B. Lee admonished members, “Do not underestimate the important symbolic and actual effect of appearance. Persons who are well groomed and modestly dressed invite the companionship of the Spirit of our Father in Heaven and are able to exercise a wholesome influence upon those around them. Person’s who are unkempt and careless about their appearance, or adopt the visual symbols of those who often oppose our ideals, expose themselves and persons around them to influences that are degrading and dissonant. Outward appearance is often a reflection of inward tendencies.” (Be Loyal To The Royal Within You, BYU, 11 September, 1973.)

Rubber flip-flops were originally created and worn as public shower shoes, pool or beach shoes. The wearer simply appears undressed. Worn with day, evening, or wedding clothes, flip-flops communicate that the wearer didn’t have time to dress, didn’t make time to dress, didn’t care to get dressed, and/or didn’t care about refinement and respect for the people, place, or occasion. The characteristic “shuffle-slop, shuffle-slop” sound that flip-flops make when walking is distracting—hence their name, flip-flops. Walking in flip-flops, posture is generally relaxed to the point of a tired-looking slump or slouch. Regardless, choice and intent again make the difference between appropriate, sloppy, and/or prideful. When our intent is to be reverent, respectful, or refined, then we will choose a more refined footwear, in harmony with the location and occasion.


Elder Jeffery R. Holland makes it clear, “. . . . neither should [our clothing or footwear] appear that we are on our way to the beach. When we come to worship the God and Father of us all and to partake of the sacrament symbolizing the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we should be as comely and respectful, as dignified and appropriate as we can be. We should be recognizable in appearance as well as in behavior that we truly are disciples of Christ. . . . (October Conference 2005, “To Young Women..)
 (above quotes found in this article here)

“For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments.” (Doctrine &Covenants 82:14.)
President Hinckley said : "Be smart in your appearance and in your manners. I am not suggesting that you need to go about dressed like a fashion model. I am suggesting that you be clean and neat in your appearance, that you be gentle in your speech, that you be courteous and respectful in your manner. So many people in our society today are sloppy in the way they look and in the way they behave. Sloppy dress signals sloppy ways and sloppy thinking."

There is a blog called Modern Molly Mormon...this is just an excerpt of one of their posts (found here):
I make a conscious effort to look put together whenever I go anywhere. Do I wear sweats and jammies at home? Heck yes. Do I go out in them? Never. I feel like I need to be an example to others and be respectful enough to put some effort into what I'm wearing. It doesn't have to be expensive, but we do need to look like we care about ourselves. I love watching What Not to Wear and get tips on clothes and what works for each body type. There is one thing they always say that I couldn't agree more "it takes just as long to put on a pair of sweatpants as it does a pair of jeans, a pair of flats as it does flip flots, a nice shirt as an old t-shirt". It doesn't take extra time to look more put together. It just shows to others and yourself that you love yourself enough to look good. Try it. You'll feel better about yourself.


Humm...very intrresting!  I have never thought about it that way before.  Sometimes when I am doing housework or whatever, while in my sweats/pj pants I run out to do an errand (usually to pick up milk or whatever) in them...while I am not intentionally trying to be sloppy, I am. Humm...

Found this interesting as well:

“Are Latter-day Saint girls exempt from standards of modesty in dress while they are performing in marching or cheerleading groups?”
Marilyn Arnold, “Q&A: Questions and Answers,” New Era, Feb. 1975, 10


My first reaction to this question is to ask another question: Are we, can we ever be, exempt from Church standards, whether in dress or behavior? Can we expect the Lord to bend his principles or put them aside for certain occasions? I think the answer has to be no to the general question, but there are some aspects of the specific question about marchers and cheerleaders that we need to examine. For example, does adherence to LDS standards mean a girl in a marching group has to wear a knee-length costume? Perhaps the answer to this question can also be suggested by another question: Should an LDS girl wear a knee-length bathing suit when she goes swimming or a turtleneck gown to a dance? Is a ballerina immodest if she performs in standard ballet attire? Modesty in dress is at least partly dependent upon the appropriateness of a particular costume to the occasion or activity for which it is worn. What is appropriate and modest for one activity may not be for another. We have to exercise judgment and make every effort to obey the spirit of the law.

I used to belong to a group on Yahoo where they discussed one time about making bathing suits to go over the garment.  Well, I don't think that would go over well with me...but I do agree with being as modest as you can with bathing suits.  For me, this means that one piece suits are a no go.  I am tall...have you seen me?  Seriously, I am tall.  A once piece is really low cut and really high on the thighs...so I have to buy two piece suits to make it work.  BUT, I do not own a bikini (besides the fact that I have had 3 kids, and my body should NOT be in a bikini) have never owned one, and have a huge pet peeve about women who wear them.

We do not have to dress like we live in the victorian era (although, corsets...now I might like one of those...3 kids remember...) I do think that I need to go through my closet and see what else I might untentionally be sending the wrong message with.  I have a long jean skirt that I love in the winter, it might not be what I should be wearing.  (see the beach wear article)  I have never thought about some of these point before, so I was greatful for the new food for thought.

I still have a list of pet peeves, these have not changed (bikinis, thongs hanging out the back of pants, tatoos, sleeveless tops, babys dressed as little hookers, teens and young girls dressed like that as well, hoodies and licenced tees to church, flipflops at church.  I do have more, but you get the idea) but now I have a few more things to think about/change with the way I approach this.

Whew, this was a long one!  I think it might be the longest ever...:)

Thanks again to Lynn for passing on some great things for me to read!

Cheers 

Modesty

I have a few thoughts percolating about modesty. 

What do you think is modest? 

How old should we be "starting" with our children?  (personally I think that all the "rules" we follow as adults should be right from birth...but that is my pet peeve)

I know that this picture is not real people, but the styles of today are represented here.  I have a problem with the SHORT skirts and shorts, the tops that haven't a sleeve to be found, and not pictured here...bras/bikini tops worn as shirts.  (and don't get me started about bikini's as a bathing suit...)

We don't have to dress as a 1800's woman, but I really would be happy if some of these so called styles would just disappear.

I know that I have boys, but really I think that teaching them is just as important as teaching girls.  I have trouble with teaching them to respect women when so many women/teens/girls dress the way the world dresses now.

When I go shopping it is getting incresingly hard to find clothes that fit.  I am uncomfortable with even shopping for my little nieces.  Girls clothing, while super cute without sleeves, or short with little bloomers, is not something I want to be buying or making.  Women's clothing....it is getting hotter, the shorts are becoming shorter, and the shirts tighter and less material.

What do you think is modest?  What are you thoughts on this?  What would you wear to church on a really hot day?  (flip flops...another pet peeve...sorry) Let me know if you blog on this, or post in the comments...

Cheers

Reasoning

So, *K* asked me in the comments last post WHY we would be getting our gun licences so for me and her...here are a few reasons:

1. I live in a house full of BOYS, when they all go off hunting, while I will enjoy staying home sometimes...it would also be nice to join them once in a while.

2. Remember my dream of living on a farm?! I want a farm in the Mountains...so there are lots of dangerous animals there...so, a gun would be great to protect yourself and family from that.

3. I think it would be awesome for FHE some nights to go to the firing range and practice with ALL the family.

4. Just because one time on YW camp (I think I was about 12) we had a shotgun we could practice shooting with, and tell you the truth, it kind of hooked me! (I haven't known anyone with a gun that used it since then)

So, that is why we went, together to get our gun licences. Let me tell you, I ROCKED that exam and came out with a 96% on the written part, and 96% on the practical hands on part! YAY!

Cheers

About a year ago we were inspired to do a couple of things.

We knew we were done having kids to add to our family but our family was not done. We went to the temple to find some more direction. We started in the adoption direction. This is where we felt we needed to be.

We also felt very strongly that we need to be out of a city. We need a ward with youth that are our children's ages, we need a place with more home school support, and we need to be self-sufficient as much as we can. Where do we find that? We have been searching for a place to live, but need to sell our house in order to finance it. (but where do you live until you find a place if you sell your house?!)

Our dilemma is that we have two things we feel very strongly we need to do, and we have had many interesting reassurances that we need to do both, but they feel like they are pulling in different directions and we can't do both.

Our house has to sell, but we need a permanent place to be in for our adoption home study. We need to have the cash for a down payment, and can't really look until we can sell it...but would like to get land first. If we live somewhere else, we have to remove our adoption paperwork and re-submit it to the other region authorities and hope that there is not a HUGE waiting list. We also need a job for P. Or if we have enough land, what do we do to make money off it...crops are dropping in price, beef is not a smart investment right now, farmers markets are good but very seasonal...

...so much of a dilemma running through my head. I just had to get it down. Sorry for "dumping" on all of you. :) I really just had to journal it for my own benefit. I feel a bit better now. Thanks.

Just a little thought...

On Sunday in Relief Society's lesson we were discussing something that has been turning over and over in my mind.

One lady said that it was impossible to stay ahead of all the "things we need to do". If we are trying to make it back to our Father in Heaven there is quite a list of stuff we need to do to be worthy. How do we do it all? It can seem quite daunting when we look at all we are "expected" to do.

So, here is what I am thinking. (please excuse me if you disagree)

If we just put aside all of the worldly things, we have more time for the rest of our list. (we all know I like lists!) So, how do YOU find time to do all that we have to do?

I love the picture above because my kids are constantly an inspiration to me. This was taken two years ago when I realized that even little tiny acts of service are amazing to one person. What if we all took time to just do one tiny act of service a day...how would we change the way we live?

My Mom is a great example of this. While I may wonder at her priorities sometimes, she is an amazing example of taking your life and dedicating it to service of others. Whenever I talk to her she is doing something for someone. What a great way to live your life!

Let me know what you think...how can we accomplish all that we need to do in this life? What do you do? What is helpful to you?

Thoughts

So here are a few random thoughts that I have been having lately...this may get long or it may be boring for some...it is mostly for my information. :)

I bought a book called When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff you need for surviving urban catastrophes last night. I read about it on Orson Scott Card's review of it and thought that it would be a great book to add to my library of survival books/cookbooks. I am excited to read about some of his mostly weird advice that we would not think of usually. (like cooking mice if you have no food left)

I have been trying really hard to be ready for any eventuality. I know I can't be, but it is a noble effort. I just got a list of stuff to pack up in the eventuality that we need to leave our homes and may never return...given that we have advance warning. I went though the list today and I thought I was prepared before, this make me realize there are aspects that I didn't even think of before. (found a tent that I really want though...I feel that we need a tent for winter as well as summer and this site is AWESOME!)

I have been reading a book by Roger K Young about dreams and visions of the Last Days. VERY interesting reading. I am now on a book about the Lost 10 tribes...I am excited to get this one done as well, because it is on to a book about the Word of Wisdom. Really enjoying the reading I am.

STILL canning and drying like crazy here. I am going to pick corn tonight. Hope I can get at least 20 doz or so. (no, I am not doing it all myself...but at least a 1/4 of it!)

What do you do when you want so very badly to move out of the city, but be debt free (including your mortgage) and still sustainable even though your hubby works at home...this is what we are trying to do. But still we come back to the issue of a job...any ideas?!

We went to the temple on Saturday, it is so good to go and feel so at peace. I love to take in sessions, we haven't been able to go as much as we used to living here now so it was especially nice on Saturday! Perry and I both went praying for an answer (not knowing the other was doing it) and came out with the same answers to the same question...so cool!

We are still in the adoption process with the kids we want. I am hoping that it goes faster but it seems to drag on and on...our kids better be still available! We know that these kids are supposed to be ours and we both feel so strongly that they are supposed to be a part of our family...now if we could just get them!

I think that is it...thanks for letting me post this, it may have been boring for you...but pretty good for me. :)

Cheers

UPDATE:

OK...
Yes, you can look at profiles of the children up for adoption through the Alberta Government. The only reason we say we are interested in specific kids is through this page. We are going to apply for a sibling group that when we read their profile and watched their video...they just felt like they needed to come to us. In the Temple we were both prompted to continue on with our goal of adopting these children. Hope that this clears it up. :) We are excited and hope that our family can be complete after this! :)

We inturrupt the program to bring you...

...a few thoughts and a list of things to do.

I have been mulling over and thinking about a few things this past week/two weeks.

I really want to keep up with certain things (blogging, emailing, keeping in touch with those far away and I don't see often, if at all, etc) and add more to my life (Homeschooling, and adopting a few more kids...) and really don't know where to find MORE time.

What to do? What to do?

So I was on a blog I follow and followed a link she had on hers to this blog. If you want to read her post it is well worth it and you can follow that link.

To summarize what I have taken into MY life....I am going to be taking a break from Face Book. It may be forever, it may not.

- When we were searching for a way to save money a few years ago (6) we thought that we would cut off TV and Newspaper for a few months, save that money and then turn them back on. Well, I have really enjoyed not getting them. We spend more creative time together as a family, (see this summer chart we are doing) we actually play games that we have had forever...and I actually beat Perry once in a while, we don't see all the crap that is in this world all the time. (we get our news still, just we get to pick what we read)

- Once for a RS goal setting thing we did I made a goal not to watch movies that were 14A or over. This was a personal thing. For over 8 years that was my habit until recently we rented a movie I really wanted to see that was 14A. Well, we turned it off not even 20 min into it. It was crazy, I didn't even realize how much I didn't see by not watching stuff like that for so long.

What I guess I am trying is a little experiment like the two examples above. I just want to see if I miss FB or if I have just totally become addicted to it. Why do I "friend" people I don't even remember? Why do I spend at least 5 min on FB EVERY TIME I turn on the computer? (even if I just checked it and there is only 1 new little red flagged item) What is the big deal for me?

So August and September I am going to do this instead, for me:

- There is an awesome fabric bracelet pattern I just bought from Etsy
- These little strawberries are so cute
- This necklace is kind of simple-ish looking to make a copy of somewhat...if I can find the stuff like it. :)
- Cutest skirt EVER right here...I need to make one as soon as I can figure out the measurements...anyone help me? I am quilting measurements challenged!
- Just downloaded this pattern for a cute little bag. And she has a big one I am going to buy to make later.

- Also, I want to dissect one of these STARFISH with the boys for science.
- Find some more cool stuff on this site for HS the boys
- This site is so full of fun science things that I want to do a few more.
- And finish my RAINBOW posts here. I am having such fun of taking only pictures of that color until I am done my assignment.
- I have to also get August's list posted here! I have it ready, just not posted. :)
- AND we are going to do a mini version of the 100 mile challenge. Go here to read about it. Please post if you want to do it as well in your city along with us. I am just going to blog a bit about it on my 1stpreparedness blog and maybe one or two here, but if you want to do it in your city, let me know.

We are also going to MEXICO! That is in only 8 more sleeps (maybe 9)! YES...I am so excited! (hence the exclamation marks and capitals)

So you see, I haven't the time for me to go FB-ing when I get on the computer. I am doing this until the end of Oct. If you need me, you know where to find me! Feel free to Email, Post or Call. I haven't turned my back on that! :)

Cheers

Just a brief thought...

I got to sit in church today with my hubby in the joint RS/Priesthood meeting...What a treat! I was released last week and it feels good...a few weeks of this and I will be ready for another calling, but I am totally enjoying this while it lasts!