Individual Reformation

As I was studying my scriptures this morning, I came across a related quote. As I considered it thinking about our world today, I was amazed at its veracity.

The Crying Need of Mankind is for Individual Reformation

"The voice of the pessimistic agitator is heard in the land today. He is loud in denunciation of existing systems and vigorous in demand for new laws and governmental reforms. Progressive legislation is undoubtedly necessary, and abuse of power, neglect of duty, or other evils in national or local administrations, should be promptly corrected; but the crying need of mankind is individual reformation. The thorough purification and effective regulation of society as a system through repressive legislation is a stupendous and well-nigh hopeless undertaking. The natural and rational plan of improvement must deal largely with the education of the society unit, the individual citizen".

More than anything this statement 'wowed' me. Then, as I looked at the reference, I realized that this statement was made in the year 1917 by Joseph F. Smith.

I am awed in realizing that a statement made almost 100 years ago could continue to be so spot on and applicable in our world today.

The world can't become a better place until it's inhabitants become better people. Starting from the inside out.

What every woman and girl should know about the media

I saw one of these videos on my sister's blog a while ago. Then, while researching something else, I came across the other. I believe that every one, but especially girls and women should see both of these clips. We are so barraged by what the world tells us we need to look like, act, etc etc. yet, everything we see and are sold has been tampered with. Anyways - enough soapbox. I'd love to hear your comments on these.



One of the most interesting parts of the following clip is where she says that the magazines believe that everyone knows that the images have been doctored. Something to think about.

The Day After Crazy Hair day

Crazy Hair day

Our kids had crazy hair day today. Here's the special do my little one sported.

 

 

The Mighty Huntress

There really is never a dull moment at our home.
As we were getting dinner ready, my daughter went to the back door. "Oh, look - the cat has a bird!"

My husband began to shout - "Don't open the door, don't open the door!"

She opened the door.

In came the kitty with it's live bird in it's mouth. The bird began to flap around while the kitty began to chase the bird, while we chased the bird and the kitty.

We finally got the bird and the kitty back outside and shut the door. The cat brought the bird back up and was once again trying to get in.

We know she was thinking "How dumb can they be? What is wrong with them? I can't believe they let that bird go in the first place".

 

 

I wish it had been on purpose!

I'll start with - today was trash day.

While we were out of town a month ago, we received a letter and a couple of green plastic tubs which were placed on our porch informing us that our town was now recycling.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love the earth. However, I feel like I've got so much going on all the time and if I could really just get my dishes, or laundry done then I might (maybe) have the energy to think about recycling. Unfortunately, we sort of live in hippie/yuppieville.

My children go to school and have been brainwashed. I get dirty looks when I dispose of something improperly. Sometimes I am verbally reprimanded. It isn't pretty - I just wasn't raised that way, and don't consciously think about it. Nor have the resources been in my area to do so until recently.

My three year old had a mantra of reduce, reuse, recycle. She was three! As such, I sort of dug my heels in, telling my kids that I'd start when their room began to be clean.

However, I started today. Since we had the green buckets, I did some research and figured out what we were supposed to do with them (the note had blown away in the wind while we were out of town). Today- we hauled out a tub full of papers, and a tub full of cans and plastics. They took them and returned them to me empty.

I officially recycled.

Happy Earth Day. I wish it hadn't been a coincidence.

Soccer season has begun

I can't believe that I sign myself up for this. Okay - well, my kids. They love the soccer, and the exercise and teamwork is great. But really - should it take over my life? Because it does! Regardless, I know that it will last for just a couple of months. However, after long winters, I have to admit that ANY excuse to get outside is a welcome one. Here's our daughter's first soccer game last week. While it rained and snowed that morning, miraculously, it cleared up for the game. I even got my first official sunburn - which I totally didn't expect.

 

 

 

 

Cousins

Our cousins came into town last weekend. From wrestling, to peanut butter play dough, we loved having them here!

 

 

 

Resurrecting the old blog

As my faithful readers may know, I taught an early morning religious class last year, focusing on the Old Testament. It was a 6:00 am class comprised of the 14-18 year old youth form our church, called seminary.

In an effort keep the students and parents up to date with class activities and curriculum, I set up a blog. When I finished teaching the class, I sort of let the blog go by the wayside.

Lately however, it has been recently resurrected and has become a forum and online journal for my spiritual thoughts and insights.

It is alive again - feel free to stop on by and share your thoughts!
www.earlymorningmoments.blogsspot.com

Coyote Chase, and My little 'correcaminos' RoadRunners

Yesterday we had all sorts of running going on around our house.
While my husband was out for his morning run, there was a thick fog and no one was about. A little creepy. Well, as he was running in town, he saw a coyote go down a road he'd been thinking about using. He changed his mind and passed that particular road and went on. However shortly after passing that road, he saw the coyote come back out and it began to run behind him for a while. It really tripped him out.

Later yesterday, our daughter came home from school with some exciting news. While she is habitually late for school (or at the brink of tardiness,) it seems that she's had some great sprint training.

While in PE yesterday her class did track and field. They had a 100 meter race in which she took first place. She took second in the 200 meter race because she thought it was over before it was. They had a final round for all of the first place winners, another 100 meter, and she smoked them all. While she has sore muscles for the first time, it looks like we've got another sprinter!

Easter Sunday and thoughts on Fathers

I love Easter time when everything seems so fresh and new and the whole world seems to stop for a moment and reflect on Jesus Christ. We had a quiet Easter morning getting ready for church, and then had some guests for dinner later that afternoon.

Yesterday as I was reading my scriptures I came across something that I had never quite grasped previously. We have and need three fathers. 1. Heavenly Father who is the Father of our spirits. 2. Our earthly father who gives us our physical body. 3. Jesus Christ is our Father, as through His resurrection our bodies and spirits will once again be reunited after the death at Resurrection. I had always understood that Christ is our Father also because He created everything under the direction of the Father, but never in the literal sense of the resurrection. How much more grateful and indebted to Him I am as I contemplate his love and the personal sacrifice which He lovingly made for me.
Here are some pictures of the girls Easter morning.

Pato Bantan Concert

Every now and then I receive e-mails regarding local events, and earlier in the week I received one regarding a concert. The performer's name is Pato Bantan. I heard him MANY years ago on the radio, and the one song I heard really impressed me.

I started to think about going, but don't do much of the night life, but I kept kicking it around. I finally asked a couple of girlfriends and while they didn't know any of the music, they were happy to try it out with me.

We arrived at 9:27 (since the doors opened at 9, and the concert supposedly started at 9:30.) We were pretty surprised since we were the only ones there, but figured we'd sit down and wait and see what would happen.

Well, around 10:45 a cover band began to play - we couldn't believe how late it was and the cover was just starting!
They continued to play until 12:00 when FINALLY Pato got there. As he came in, we saw him and as he came right by, we asked if we could take a picture with him and so we got to meet him.

Later, during the concert, we sidled up to the front. After a long set of really energetic stuff, I shouted out, "Opinion" which was the first song I'd heard of his that I loved. He then dedicated the song to me - how about that?

Well, after the show ended at 1:30 (yes, AM) we were heading out, and my friends decided to get a photo with him since he was again right there by our coats. He shook all of our hands, said it was a pleasure to meet us and gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek.

It was a pretty fun and crazy night. I haven't been to a concert in years, and never to a reggae concert. I loved the intimacy of the smaller venue, and loved the music and to be able jam. While the timing (lateness) thoroughly threw off my personal clock, it was definitely one of those rare experiences that are so fun to look back on.

Birthday

This week we celebrated our daughter's birthday - ALL week long!

While her grandparents were here over the weekend, they wanted to celebrate, then during the week, she got a package from grandparents that she was thrilled about.

Since I volunteer in the school, I brought in a Sundae bar for her class and they had a little party for her.
We had a family party (with just us), and then a couple of days later we had a party with a few friends.

I can't believe how quickly time flies - it seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital! Happy Birthday Baby!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

First Tooth!

My baby lost her first tooth!

 

April 2009 General Conference Packet

As I've been thinking about General Conference this weekend I am excited to hear the words of our prophets. Just six months ago the prophets spoke, there were words shared in regards to many things which have helped me. Most poignant to me however were the words regarding higher ground, and dealing with opposition. I found these words truly prophetic as Prop 8 exploded just days and weeks after these words were spoken. They gave me much guidance and comfort as I spoke with friends who had questions or who held different beliefs. I am so grateful that I don't have to figure this all out, just listen and follow the direction given by a loving Heavenly Father through His prophets.
That said, I found a conference packet on-line for kids and thought I'd share the link. I remember how hard it was to sit and listen and be quiet. Too bad these weren't around when I was a kid! Here's a link to the packets: http://d.scribd.com/docs/1y8qkrk113z9gvo5cbsu.pdf