Reminders from above

Sometimes you have to laugh at how well the Lord knows us. It cannot be explained as coincidence the way things fall into place and how people, thoughts, or events give you little "messages" from the Lord. It amazes how He speaks to us and always lets us know He is there when we are in tune.

Life is always busy and full of chaos, ups and downs. That's just life. Lately I have had a really hard time being patient and trusting in the Lord. I know He knows what is best for me, but there is always the "human" part of me that wonders if He has considered reasons "A-F" why things should happen the way I think. Obviously, He has, but it's so much easier to see my reasoning than His own because His requires faith. Silly, I know, but I also know that we all do it.

Needless to say, these times of "more than regular trials" have been not so fun. Like when are trials ever fun, right? Maybe having the trial of being too rich or the trial of having too many baked goods always in your house. Those could be fun. But I digress. It's been hard and I have had some very blue days. It doesn't help that I already have depression that I battle on a daily basis. (Seriously, there should be some clause for people who suffer from depression only being allowed a certain amount of trials since getting out of bed some days is hard enough.) To sum it up, I've been down in the dumps of dumps.

Today I opened up my Young Women Manual to review the subject for the lesson I am teaching on Sunday. And what do you think the topic was on? Optimism! I had to laugh at the subtle hint and thought, "I am the LAST person to teach these girls about optimism right now!" All of a sudden my mind was saturated with talks and scriptures about being positive, grateful, and enduring through times of trials. Hmmm, I wonder if the Lord was sending me a message? Point taken. I need to be more positive and optimistic. No more wallowing in sadness. It doesn't help anyone or anything. It just prolongs misery. Doesn't sound like fun at all. Time to get up and move on!

I am so grateful for those little wake-up calls, slaps in the face, cold water on my head, or whatever else you want to call them, from the Lord. It reminds me that He is aware of me and knows my heart, life, and trials. He is always there. Thank goodness we are not alone!

Just Sayin'

Wasn't I just decorating for Halloween? Seriously, where did the time go? I am excited for Christmas, really I am. But my baby can't be turning two this soon!

Give Thanks

Today is one of my favorite days of the year, the day before Thanksgiving. All the preparation and excitement for Thanksgiving with the knowledge that Christmas is right around the corner. It's the beginning of all that holiday magic that seems to pass in the blink of an eye. Well, if one is an adult it does. For children the holiday season lasts for what seems like an eternity. But I love this time. I spent the morning making pies. I love having my kids home in their jammies, watching cartoons and bouncing off the walls with holiday excitement. I love the smell of pie baking filling my house and warming us as we watch the cold air whip around outside. I love feasting with my family on Thanksgiving and being reminded how blessed we are to have so much food and freedom. I love getting out the Christmas decorations on Friday and getting into the Christmas spirit. I love this time of year!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and take a moment to reflect on all that you have been given. No matter your life, we all have at least one thing to be grateful for. Here's just a few of mine:
- Spirit of Revelation
- Temples
- The Savior
- Loving Father in Heaven
- Scriptures
- Restored Gospel and Priesthood
- Joseph Smith
- My adorable husband and sweet kids
- My husband's job
- Having a roof over my head
- Two cars
- Having plentiful food
- Good friends
- My husband's calling and how I've grown from it
- My calling
- My ward family
- Wii and Netflix
- Music
- Laughter
- Clorox wipes
- Shout stain spray for laundry
- Chocolate
- Modern medicine
- Appliances
- Running water
- Electricity
- Being an American citizen
- Being educated and literate
- Smiles

I think you get the idea! Now do one of your own! Happy Thanksgiving!

The Story behind "The Phantom"

After seeing the musical "The Phantom of the Opera" at Dixie High, I was left with a lot of questions about the story line. Let's face it, the show is all about the music. The plot can be intense at times, but also very lame and flat at others. I mean, what is up with Christine Daae and the power the Phantom has over her? Hello sister, wake up and stop following the guy with half a face down into the cellars under the Paris Opera house and then freaking out. Stop leading him and Raoul on. Snap out of your little "la la land trance". And what is Raoul's deal? Why is he so in love with Christine when she keeps going with the Phantom? She's kind of hard to read. It's pretty obvious that the Phantom is insane so I have no qualms with his actions because he is, um, nuts.

Needless to say, when I learned there was a novel that the musical was based upon I wanted to read it. I was hoping there was more to the story and was pleasantly surprised. The book, written by Gauston Leroux, is awesome and much better than the musical. Talk about fast paced action, suspense, love, and mystery. No boring parts. I loved it!!!! And I gained more insight into the characters of the Phantom, Christine, and Raoul. I still think Christine is whacked, but I better understand why. Her father's belief in fables and her eternal mourning for his death is a big part of it. Raoul is the typical head strong "hero" who over reacts at times and is worth cheering at others. And the Phantom is a fascinating character with a wicked past that builds upon his sinister yet pitiful person. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about these characters and the story.

If you're looking for a good classic suspense, check out this book!

Scatter Brained Thoughts

- Being sick when one is a mom is just not cool. I've had a sore throat all week and have felt "blah" all day today. Ugh. Why won't the kids just let me stay in bed and rest? Not like Jacob would burn down the house or anything!

- I love keeping cards and letters people send me, especially love notes and poems from Marshall. That way when I am feeling down on myself I can go to my "file of happiness" and be reminded of all the good I do and am. Everyone should keep such a file.

- I am almost finished with my Nativity set I made out of wood for the front yard. I have always wanted a white silhouetted set since seeing a gorgeous one in Indiana. So I decided to bust out the jig saw and make my own this year. And I did. I have Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus. They have turned out very well. I am almost finished painting them. Maybe next year I'll add animals and such. I'll send a picture of the completed project. I love creating things from wood!

- When did it get to be the middle of November? Thanksgiving is next week and it doesn't seem possible. Wasn't it just the beginning of October? Time is flying by! I am excited for Christmas, but I am not excited for my little Jacob to turn 2. he is growing too fast.

- Harry Potter comes out this week! I am so excited to see the movie! I hope it doesn't disappoint.

- Since taking the kids to see "The Phantom of the Opera" at Dixie High, I have been intrigued by the story. I checked out the novel the musical is based on. It was written around the turn of the century. It's a great read, filled with suspense and action. I have been very pleased. Too bad they couldn't have made the musical as interesting as the book. The music is fun, but the story is "blah" in the production. And even after reading the book I still don't understand Christine. I don't know if I want to slap her or take pity on her.

- A Green Lantern movie is coming out. Too bad Rachel, who is our biggest fan, will not be able to see it for a few years.

"Lie to Me"

I've always liked Tim Roth as an actor. He's talented and has a cool accent. We recently started watching the TV show "Lie to Me". It's been on our Netflix que forever, waiting patiently until we watched all the seasons of "24" that were available for instant view. Now we've moved to "Lie to Me" and have thoroughly enjoyed it. A totally new concept about a doctor who has studied intensely the physical and vocal cues of lies. His company is hired by various clients who want to know the truth behind a slew of situations, like murder, bribery, rape, and various felonies. Roth's character always catches the bad guys with his vast knowledge of how people act when they lie. Pretty cool and clean so far. It's a fun, interesting show to watch. Check it out!

What matters most

Often we can learn and gain much from the experiences of others. I have been in constant awe as I have watched a dear family in our ward prepare for the loss of their wife and mother to breast cancer. What makes this so tragic is that she is a younger mom, only in her 40's, who has much left to enjoy with her kids. Her battle with cancer has lasted four years and has been fought with great courage and faith, but it's obvious the Lord's will is for her to return home. What completely humbles and inspires me is the faith, patience, and understanding with which her family has accepted this conclusion. As their mother lingers between this world and the next, they press forward with great faith that this is part of the Lord's plan. I am sure they have their moments of sorrow, but watching them endure this most difficult trial with such trust in the Father's Plan of Salvation has made me take inventory of my own life.

I know I take the Gospel for granted at times. We all do. We get caught up in the daily grind that is life. Paying bills, work, packing lunches, getting the kids to school, doing laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, preparing Sunday lessons, mowing the yard, visiting teaching, doctor appointments, picking up toys, etc. Not to mention the things we want to do with our time and money. There are so many distractions, unfulfiulled desires, takers of our thoughts that we forget what really matters in life.

The Gospel isn't something tangible, like a precious golden egg protected by a glass case, proudly displayed in our home. Wouldn't it be nice if it was? You'd walk by it every day and be reminded of posessing the thing that is most valued in life. I'd see it and think, "Who cares if I didn't get the laundry done today? I have the Gospel in my life and that is what really matters." or "So what if I have an old junker car! I have the Gospel and that is precious above all." When I am having a bad day, thinking the world is out to get me, I'd see that valueable object in my home and remember that I do have everything. But we don't have that golden egg to remind us. We try to remind ourselves through reading our scriptures, prayer, Family Home Evening, going to church, hymns, and Gospel art in our home. We try, but still we often forget. At least I do.

I do my best to remember, but it is tender experiences like this with this sweet family in our ward that reminds me what I do have. As I watch them unite together and are strengthened by the ward during this trying time, I have the chance to pause from "life" and take a moment to look up and remember what I have. The Gospel, the most important thing I could ever acquire in this life. I know that I can be with my family forever. That life does not end with death. That Jesus Christ atoned for my sins and was resurrected so that I can receive eternal life and exhaltation. Does aynthing else beyond that really matter?

Men and Women ARE Different and That's OK!

I have been meaning to blog about this for some time now. A few months ago my sister-in-law sent us a set of marriage workshops on CD that she had enjoyed and thought we would like too. She was right! I wish everyone could listen to Alison Armstrong's "Understanding Women: Unlock the Mystery". Her message is positive, uplifting, and insightful.

What I love about Mrs. Armstrong is that her whole premise is along the idea that men and women are different, though we often fail to see each other that way and that is where the whole problem lies in relationships. Women see men as hairy women and get frustrated when men don't understand them and their actions. Men see women as weaker emotional guys and don't get why women do what they do. It may sound silly, but it is true. Armstrong spends her workshop discussing women, mainly how and why we are different than men. During my morning walks I would listen to her lectures and every day I was blown away by how accurate she was concerning my feelings and how well she explained their origin.

Men and women were "wired" according to their differing tasks in life. Men are the hunters and women the gatherers and everything they do stem from those inherit roles. Whether or not you believe in the whole hunter/ gatherer idea, there is merit to Alison's argument. From a Gospel perspective we believe men and women are differently and divinely created for different, but complimentary roles. The male is the one to provide, preside, and protect, and the women to nurture. This parallels Mrs. Armstrong's images of the hunter and gatherer very well. It was amazing to both my husband and I how well she explained these differences and why women act how they do. It was almost as if she had taken a look inside my mind and uncovered my deepest thoughts. And for my husband it was a great eye opener into who I am and why I am that way.

What I love about these lectures is that Armstrong is always positive. She never puts down or condemns men, but praises them. Men and women are different, here's why, now let's see how we can best work together with those differences. Too often men are belittled for not understanding or relating to women. Not here. Alison tells it how it is and gives responsibility to both men and women to act accordingly with that knowledge. No one gets off the hook. Women need to realize their behavior, where it is coming from, and curb the negative. Men need to be aware of why the behavior is happening and help the woman deal with it. Armstrong gives great tools and exercises that create wonderful discussions among couples and better help them work as a team, which is her ultimate goal.

It has been awesome to better understand myself as a woman. And it's been great for my marriage because I now know more about who my husband is and why he reacts to me the way he does. Anything I can do to improve what is already so amazing in my relationship is good for me. It has helped my husband better understand me, my chemical make-up as a woman, everything who I am.

When I find something that is good, uplifting, and beneficial to marriage, I have to pass it along. Check out these lectures. Both husband and wife should listen to them like we did. They are great and will create a lot of great conversations and understanding in your relationship!

And they're off!

After months and months of preparation and planning, Marshall's parents checked into the MTC today to begin their mission to Portugal. We are so excited for and proud of them. The people of Portugal will be so blessed by their service.

I don't think I have seen a more dedicated pair of people. They were awesome to begin with, but watching my in-laws prepare for their mission was an amazing experience. They took their call seriously and did everything to get ready. My mother-in-law had month by month charts of what needed to be done before they headed out on their mission, like taking care of bill pay, mail, insurance, doctor visits, house maintenance, etc. She was super organized. So much so that she even gave all the kids birthday cards and money for the grandchildren birthdays that she would be missing while away. And Christmas cards as well. Who is that organized? They also studied Portuguese diligently. There were charts, lists, and more strewn over counter tops with Portuguese vocab words, verb conjugations, and prayer formats. Although she got frustrated at times, my mother-in-law and father-in-law worked with their tutor numerous times a week to learn the language. They prayed in Portuguese, they read in Portuguese, they bought Portuguese Primary music Cd's. If this gives any indication about their level of dedication to their mission, I think it is safe to say Portugal is going to be blessed by their efforts.

Although we will miss them, we are so proud of their example. Last night we took pictures with them and each of the kids to help remember them. Thanks to modern technology we will be able to video chat with them while overseas. We cannot wait to hear all about their adventures. Look out Portugal, Elder and Sister McConkie are coming!