Those of you who know me, know I read a lot. I have been known to read around 10 books at a time. Right now I am reading 4. Raising the Emotionally Intelligent child, Verbal Intelligence (kind of opposite ends of the spectrum), The Inner Game of Tennis, and for fun Pride and Predjudice. Although they are all fun. P and P just requires a little less brain power I guess- brain candy.

Right now what intrigues me the most is The Inner Game of Tennis. It is about achieving the ultimate “zone”. Being able to perform your best, at anything not just tennis, by letting go, not thinking, not trying hard, etc. The author talks about self 1 and self 2. When we say “I’m talking to myself” self 1 is talking, or chiding self 2. Self 2 is the doer and thus the one blamed for all the mishaps, ans self 1 the accuser, or judge. In this book he explains that when we stop judging and just observe ourselves we are more able to correct and enjoy the experience.

It occured to me that Self 1 is basically the same as the “natural man”, the instinctive person we all have judging ourselves and others. Self 2 is the spiritual self, who is the one who will be carried on into the eternal life, and has an innate understanding of right and wrong.

Any thoughts? Anyone else read this book?

Comments(0)

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year
> old son waiting for him at the door.
>
> SON: ‘Daddy, may I ask you a question?’
>
> DAD: ‘Yeah sure, what it is?’ replied the man.
>
> SON: ‘Daddy, how much do you make an hour?’
>
> DAD: ‘That’s none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?’ the man
> said angrily.
>
> SON: ‘I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?’
>
> DAD: ‘If you must know, I make $50 an hour.’
>
> SON: ‘Oh,’ the little boy replied, with his head down.
>
> SON: ‘Daddy, may I please borrow $25?’
>
> The father was furious, ‘If the only reason you asked that is so you can
> borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you
> march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you
> are being so selfish. I don’t work hard everyday for such childish
> frivolities.’
>
> The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.
>
> The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boys’
> questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money? After
> about an hour or so, the man had calmed down , and started to think: Maybe
> there was something he really needed to buy with that $25.00 and he
> really didn’t ask for money very often. The man went to the door of
> the little boy’s room and opened the door. ‘Are you asleep, son?’ He
> asked.
>
> ‘No daddy, I’m awake,’ replied the boy.
>
> ‘I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier’ said the man.
> ‘It’s been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here’s the $25
> you asked for.’
>
> The little boy sat straight up, smiling. ‘Oh, thank you daddy!’ he yelled.
> Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills. The
> man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The
> little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.
>
> ‘Why do you want more money if you already have some?’ the father
> grumbled.
>
> ‘Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do,’ the little boy replied.
> ‘Daddy, I have $50 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home
> early tomorrow. I would like tohave dinner with you.’

> The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he
> begged for his forgiveness. It’s just a short reminder to all of you
> working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers
> without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those
> close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $50 worth of your time with
> someone you love.

I cannot tell you how many people come up to Brent and I, separately and together, to tell us how they did not spend the time they had wished with their children. They advise us to enjoy them as much as possible, etc. I cannot tell you how many grandparents I have seen try to replace the time they missed with their own kids - With their grandkids… only to find that their children have a better understanding than they had… and the time is not there for the grandparents to lavish upon children not their own. Brent and I have a very good understanding of this valuable time we have with our children- we know it is so limited and we take advantage as much as we possibly can. But we are so sad when we see other parents squander these vanishing moments, and we are sad to see grandparents regret. However, the only thing we can change is us and how we refuse to take these moment s for granted. We cannot change the decisions of others, nor can we reverse the time gone by. Got time? What do you use it for?

Comments(0)

We have chickens, we have a lot of chickens. We just recently enlarged our flock. Anyway, it is our 10 year old’s responsibility to take care of them: he lets them out in the morning, feeds them scraps, waters them, counts them twice a day, etc. Well, my husband and I watched him put them away last night. We watched him hold the hen house door and while waving his hand in invitation spoke them telling them it was time to go in so they would be safe from coyotes and other predators. To our astonishment all of the older chickens, and most of the younger crowd actually obeyed his kind instruction. Now up until a week or so ago, he persisted in chasing them- which worked but took a lot more time- and we, his parents did not approve of. So, apparently he has found a better way, and these tiny brained creatures actually pay attention and obey. Some of the few who resisted, he spoke to and beckonned with a hand gesture and they came to him so he could pick them up- WOW. If you know anything about chickens, they are not overly curious, they take flight over fight everytime as well. But obviously, they and our eldest understand each other and have developed a relationship such that they are able to work so calmly together.

My husband and I were amazed to be sure. I still am. But it also similar to the way our 4 yr old daughter is with other animals. I found her one morning, naked (can’t remember why), in the neighbrs field surrounded by 4 unknown horses. They were sniffing her hair and practically begging to be petted. I believe this all proves that animals do indeed have spirits, not as developed as our, but spirits none the less. I believe this because my children speak to their spirits, not the dumb anmals bodies. It is the same thing when you get to know a feral cat, or some other wild animal. If you are quiet and calm and very patient eventually you develope a relationship with them in which both can be happy.

Comments(0)

Matthew said some interesting things, quoting Christ of course, in chapter 19. Specifically verse 29. Where it states, to the effect thereof, that any who have forsaken brothers, sisters, parents, homes, etc will be blessed an hundredfold and will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

Unfortunately some of us have been in that uncomfortable position of needing to choose between loved ones and spiritual growth, becoming more like Hevanly Father wants us to be. In fact, it is equally important that many are unable to make the correct choice in these situations. But this scripture states that God is aware that choosing the True Church is a difficult task, and His love for those who choose Him over all else increases exponentially.

It is sad to be estranged from one’s family in part or whole… but is it not a worse punishment to be farther from the Father?

Comments(0)

Life and Faith. Life and knowledge. Phrase it however you want. But none of them are truly separate. If you truly believe, what you believe becomes part of your life - nay, the center of your life. What you learn becomes part of who you are, thereby becoming part of your life. Even the bad, until you overcome it. Them it becomes part of your past, through which helping to make you who you are. Church is not going to church on Sundays and putting on a good show, for yourself or others. It is not running through the same prayers everyday. Church is a building in which you worship together, learn together, those things you need to apply in your daily life- these things are different for everyone. These things you take home, ponder, pray about, and learn to empliment into your lives. Life is about growth, change, and how it comes about. Becoming better. Comfort is not even in the equation. There is no change in comfort- there is no comfort in change… unless of course you get used to the constant change in yourself and your life. Stagnation is what brings about comfort, which believe it or not brings about contentment. Now, I don’t know about all of you- but I do not wish to spend my life merely content. It’s grey. Grey is okay once in a while, but I prefer yellows and oranges. But you don’t get the yellows and oranges witout the blacks. There must be opposition in all things. True happiness comes to those who have known true despair, true misery. You can’t find happiness in contentment or a stale life.

Try new things, make mistakes, repent and be better for it. Force the growth, cry in the pain, then be happier for it. I have learned the purposeful pain is a form of beauty- not a Gospel principle, just a personal observation. Purposeful pain makes you better, greater, more humble, more understanding, more charitable, more loving- therefore more beautiful. If there is anything lovely or of good report or praiseworthy- seek after these things… especially in yourself.

It’s hard. It hurts. It is symbolic of so much. Get through and when you climb out revel in the sunshine for w few. Then begin again. Eventually you’re not trying, it just happens. Eventually, you’re not forcing yourself, you just plow through. Because you’ve gained an understanding of the rewards. If it doesn’t take hard work- is it truly worth anything? If it doesn’t take your effort, patience, tears, and a little pain… is it truly worth your time to get to the end? Personally, I don’t think so. Is it fun? It gets that way. But, no, not at first. Not for a while. But boy is it worth it? YES!

Comments(0)

I love answering questions, that I know the answers to, of course. And I do not pretend to know all. But if anyone is interested in learning more about the LDS church there is a new website designed to answer questions, share testimonies, there is video, and even a way to get in touch with missionaries in your area. www.mormon.org It’s there for you to check out. But like I said I love to answer questions too.

Comments(0)

A comment was made by someone I love very much, and I wanted to share it and respond more personally.

She asked: “You stated that your son’s testimony came from The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covanents and the Pearl of the great Prince, you never mentioned the Holy Bible. So you are teaching your son to follow & worship Joseph Smith and his words, not God and his true words which are only found in the Holy Bible?”

I mentioned only those because the ladies who visit already believe the Bible. They were specifically contesting the validity of the Book of Mormon and other books we believe in. We believe and study the Bible as well. We use all of these wonderful scriptures to further our understanding of the Gospel. As a matter of a fact Gavin was reading about Daniel again on Sunday and talking about it with me. We alternate as well, sometimes I’ll study with him, sometimes he studies alone and discusses it with me later- when he feels like it. Believe it or not I do not force the Gospel down his throat-not that you implied that. But some may think that because of his forward attitude about the Gospel. And on some topics his understanding exceeds my own. He certainly is better at remembering where scriptures and topics are located within the holy books.

The other idea I wanted to comment on was the idea that we “worship” Joseph Smith. We do not “worship” the present day prophet, President Thomas S. Monson- nor do we worship Joseph Smith. We rever them, as we do many other great people in history. Benjamin Franklin for example. George Washington, etc. Joseph Smith did a great and wonderful thing, not unlike our first President of the United States. The difference being that Joseph Smith’s work was holy forwarding the work of Heavenly Father, while George Washington furthered the progress of the nation. Both very important works in our history and present day. But we do not “worship” either. We respect and revere their sufferings, memories, and accomplishments.

As I stated in on these ladies, The Holy Bible is a true word of God. But if I only had the Bible I would still be very confused, as many people are, about what church is right- as so many of them say they follow the words of the Bible. Present day revelation, in addition to the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covaments is so important if one wants to truly understand our purpose for being on this Earth and what we should do with our time here. The ladies, I don’t like to mention names on the blog, asked a very good question. It was how do I know if the Book of Mormon is true, how do I know that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet. I let Gavin answer the question then… but I think I’ll answer it here.

I know, not think, not believe. I KNOW that the Book of Mormon is true. I KNOW that it is another testament of Jesus Christ. I KNOW that the Pearl of Great Price , the Doctrine in Covenents, and the Bible (so long as they are translated correctly) are true. I KNOW that Joseph Smith is a prophet not unlike Moses. I KNOW that President Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of God. I KNOW these things because the Holy Ghost testifies of things things to me. And I have seen and experienced too many wonderful things (miracles some) to ever doubt the Gospel. I KNOW that Heavenly Father knows me, loves me, is aware of what is going on in my life, in the lives of my family, in the lives of everyone and blesses us daily. Without the Gospel I would be a very lost individual. With the Gospel I have found such happiness and fulfillment that I never imagined existed.

The only way to find out if these things are true, is to find out for oneself. One must pray with an open heart, and an open mind. Asking for the Lord to tell one what is right, what is true. The Bible says in James “If any lack wisdom let him ask of God and it will be revealed to him.)-I’m sure I missed puctuation, but that’s what it says. Joseph Smith followed this guidance. I did. And I know that if one asks with and open mind and heart truly desiring to know what GOD wants to tell one, the Holy Ghost will testify of what is right and true.

I am truly grateful for these comments and questions. They help me put into words my feelings in a more concrete way. Thank you all.

Comments(8)

There is this lady, nice lady, who comes by- sometimes with a friend or grandchild- to discuss religion. I’m sure you’ve all met one or two. And once you’re not rude or obnoxious they just keep coming by. Well, I like her. She’s an interesting lady. But she is trying to get me convert. Which is funny. And it’s only funny because I have such a strong testimony. Not because of anything about her. She gets all heated up about things she’s trying to convince me, and I’m just cool and let her know I will continue to disagree and it’s fine by me that she believes what she believes. She gets irritated sometimes. With all her documentation, dates, and scripture references- and I understand why she clings to such things. There are many intellectuals who need this stuff in order to believe anything, I know- I was once going that direction. But they fail to use the Spirit, or recognize it, I don’t know which.

I have nothing against her beliefs or religion. I like her very much- or I wouldn’t let her into my home. But her sales pitch is all wrong. My ten year old knows it too. She came with a friend last time and brought up lots of different topics. The ten yr old was to one who disagreed, quoting his own Book Of Mormon scriptures- explaining the three degrees of glory, the veil and why we went through it and cannot remember our heavenly lives, the Articles of Faith, and so on. As he spoke the Spirit was so strong in the room, and neither of these ladies felt it- or if they did they showed no signs of anything unusual. All I really said was that she had, through her visits, helped me build a better appreciation for the Book Of Mormon. I knew it was true, but I never realized how lost I could be religiously speaking, with out it… I mean just about the Bible Stories. And that without the continued revelations of our dear Prophet, I would also be much more confused. And how grateful I am for such parts of the Gospel in my life. Apparently my ten yr old also has a strong testimony as he sat there in front of two adults and discussed with them what he KNEW to be true, and why he knew it. He bore his testimony of the BOM, Doctrine and Convanents, and the Pearl of great Price, and the fact that we are blessed with a living Prophet. It was such a sight to behold, I am so glad I didn’t miss it by not letting them in our home. He glowed, positively glowed- with his scriptures in one hand, standing there trying to show them the truth. Unfortunately, they didn’t see it. They were very impressed with him, but not the truth he tried to share.

How blessed I am.

Comments(0)

I’m a busy bee. 5 kids, one on the way. Cows, goats, chickens, chicks, milk, cooking, baking, cleaning, training children, loving, laughing, puking on the side, sleeping when I can, playing when they want me, studying till the day I die and beyond I’m sure, writing, reading… yup I’m a busy bee. People ask don’t you have your hands full?… well, what on earth would I do with empty ones ‘cept fill ‘em up? Busy happy bee, that’s me. It’s a simple life, not climbing executive ladders- who needs the politics? I was never good at those social gymnastics. I’m doing what I’m supposed to. Doin what I choose. Living the way I want to. Surrounded by those who love me. How many people have it so good?

Comments(0)