Whitney Houston Tribute

I am stunned and heartsick that we have lost such an incredibly beautiful and talented woman. Whitney ... we will always love you. Fly with the angels.

One Nation Under God

"Christ is holding up the U.S. Constitution while behind him are the Founding Fathers and other patriotic heroes from the past two centuries speaking to us from the dust. They are asking us to remember the foundation of our country's greatness and the liberties defined under the Constitution.

"The fact that Christ holds the Constitution is very significant. I believe it was a God-inspired document. I believe God holds this country in the hollow of His hand. The Constitution gave Americans the kind of liberty unknown elsewhere in the world.

"I believe our country has been gradually weakened over the years, and we are reaching a tipping point. In the front of the painting, on the left side, are your strong Americans. On the other side are those who I believe have weakened the country."

"The painting One Nation Under God is very symbolic, and I wanted it to be that way to cause people to study it and ponder its message. I hope people will understand my feelings as they learn more about the meaning of the painting."
-- Jon McNaughton

Following Jesus

Random Comments

These are random comments I left in response to a post on a blog I found yesterday:

K – So I have a tribute to Randy “Macho Man” Savage on my blog. I like professional wrestling. Lots of people do.

I – I liked your comment “So just love what you wear, and own it.”

B – I wasn’t necessarily “chewing out” nor was I trying to be sarcastic. It saddens me when younger women poke fun at “old ladies.” One of those “old ladies” could be your mother or grandmother. Most older, mature women dress for comfort.

M – No, I am not an idiot. Why would you say that?

A – Thank you for checking my blog. Exactly what “kind of person” am I?

And to M – Next time you see an “old lady” wearing polyester pants and a t-shirt with embroidery, be thankful she is not wearing a pair of jeggings and a short top. Yikes!

I do tend to get myself in trouble, don't I?

RIP Randy "Macho Man" Savage

You were one of the best of the best. "Ohhhh yeah!!!!"

The Misunderstood Child

I found this poem and dedicate it to my son.

The Misunderstood Child
[A poem about children with hidden disabilities]
by Kathy Winters

I am the child that looks healthy and fine.
I was born with ten fingers and toes.
But something is different, somewhere in my mind,
And what it is, nobody knows.

I am the child that struggles in school,
Though they say that I'm perfectly smart.
They tell me I'm lazy --can learn if I try –
But I don't seem to know where to start.

I am the child that won't wear the clothes
Which hurt me or bother my feet.
I dread sudden noises, can't handle most smells,
And tastes --there are few foods I'll eat.

I am the child that can't catch the ball
And runs with an awkward gait.
I am the one chosen last on the team
And I cringe as I stand there and wait.

I am the child with whom no one will play –
The one that gets bullied and teased.
I try to fit in and I want to be liked,
But nothing I do seems to please.

I am the child that tantrums and freaks
Over things that seem petty and trite.
You'll never know how I panic inside,
When I'm lost in my anger and fright.

I am the child that fidgets and squirms
Though I'm told to sit still and be good.
Do you think that I choose to be out of control?
Don't you know that I would if I could?

I am the child with the broken heart
Though I act like I don't really care.
Perhaps there's a reason God made me this way –
Some message he sent me to share.

For I am the child that needs to be loved
And accepted and valued too.
I am the child that is misunderstood.
I am different -but look just like you.

Amen

I found this on a friend's FB page and thought I would post it on my blog.

Greatest man in history, named Jesus, had no servants, yet they called him Master. Had no degree, yet they called him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. Re-post if you believe In Him with all your heart.

Why LDS Men Are Single

This is way too funny not to share here.

Anyone out there?

I'm curious if anyone is reading my blog. If you are, please leave a comment.

In the meantime, I'm going to add some pretty pictures.







Peace.

Visit from the Bishop

Tuesday evening the bishop paid us a visit. Since then, I have been going over and over in my mind what transpired. I've wanted to write about what happened and came up with a letter to the bishop. It's one of those letters you write, but never send. The bishop is a decent man and DH and I both like him. The letter is just my way of sharing my reaction to the bishop's visit. If you have any thoughts after reading the letter, I hope you will share them with me.

Dear Bishop ____________:

Thank you for paying us a visit Tuesday evening. I am sorry I was the catalyst for DH getting up at Fast and Testimony meeting. We were both so excited with the results of my genealogical research and how it tied in to my patriarchal blessing. I realize now I should have discouraged DH from sharing our joy with the ward members.

I told DH I believe the purpose of your visit was to (1) explain why the note was passed to DH to tell him, in effect, to stop talking; and (2) to reprove him for some of the comments he made.

DH and I are both sorry for any harm that his words may have inflicted on those present. His intent was to explain why he was speaking for me. Obviously, he revealed too much information.

We appreciated your candidness. We hope you, in turn, appreciated our candidness. Having you visit us in our home, uninterrupted, gave us the opportunity to get better acquainted.

Before you left, you said that you would like to see me baptized. You challenged DH and I to read the Book of Mormon together. You said our lives would change for the better. You also said we would have the spirit in our home. As I've reflected on your words, and I may be reading more into what you said, I started wondering if you felt that because I am not a member, we do not have the spirit in our home. Am I to understand that unless I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there is no way we can have the spirit of Christ in our home? I hope that is not what you meant. If that were true, it would mean only members of the Church can have the spirit of Christ in their homes. I am a firm believer that ALL can have the spirit of Christ.

Will DH and I read the Book of Mormon together? No. Not together. As I told you, I have found it more inspiring when I open the scriptures (be it the Book of Mormon or Bible) to no particular page and find an answer to something that is troubling me.

You told us you like seeing us at church. I believe you were being sincere. We explained to you why we only attend Sacrament Meeting.

You mentioned that DH's testimony was talked about the most by the members of the ward. I do not know what to expect when we come to Sacrament Meeting this Sunday. Perhaps we will be shunned. If so, that is truly sad. But I know in my heart there will be one person who will never shun us. That person is our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Peace to you, Bishop ___________.

"Bloggernacle Illuminati" Revisited

I made a post in August, 2009 about the "Bloggernacle Illuminati." Since that time, I have noticed that not much has changed.

Here is part of what I wrote:

What follows is something I have been wanting to write for some time now.

First, let’s answer this question: What is the “Bloggernacle?” The Bloggernacle is “a name that has been adopted by some in the LDS blogging community to describe the Mormon portion of the blogosphere.”

Second, let’s look at the definition of “Illuminati”:

1. People claiming to be unusually enlightened with regard to a subject.
2. Any of various groups claiming special religious enlightenment.

I have visited blogs and noticed there is a tendency for the individuals or “permabloggers” to display an air of being exceptionally “enlightened” on all things Mormon. I have noticed that several of the individual bloggers also write “guest” posts on certain group blogs. You’ll often see the same names over and over. Hence I have come up with the term “Bloggernacle Illuminati.”

There is a definite cliquishness. I have also observed how some individuals are ignored or criticized when their opinions differ from the mindset of the “Bloggernacle Illuminati.” I have seen the permabloggers band together to defend each other and rip into the person who dares have a dissenting opinion.

It appears as if one has to receive a special invitation to join the "Bloggernacle Illuminati."

There is one particular blog I perceive as something of an on-line sorority. I'm still trying to accept "the things I cannot change," but it's rough at times.

I am developing a deeper appreciation for real life friends. I don't feel ignored or dismissed when I communicate with them on-line or face-to-face.

My thoughts for a Sunday evening.

On the Outside Looking In

I’m on the outside looking in at LDS forums. I have noticed over the years that unless you were brought up in the church, went on a mission, married in the temple and have a current temple recommend, you just do not belong to the “club.” I did not feel this way when I was a new convert. DH and I were quite active in the church back in Queens, NY. It didn’t matter that we did not fit the mold. Most of the members in the ward we attended were converts.

I’ve tried to find a home at various LDS forums, but there is no place for me. So I’ve pretty much decided to remain in the shadows. Besides, no one will even notice I’m gone. When you’re not part of the inner circle, you just don’t matter.

Feeling Sad

Perhaps it's because the one year anniversary of my older sister's passing is approaching ... perhaps it's because I feel old ... perhaps it's because I let other people get to me. I haven't been posting much on this blog because I don't feel anything I write is worth reading. And I'm sure I've lost any on-line friends I had.

If anyone is reading this, what do you do when you're feeling sad and lonely?

I don't know why I'm asking that question ... I doubt anyone will respond.

Oh well ... this too shall pass.

*************

Now this is absolutely adorable ...

In Need of Comforting Words

"You need not feel guilty that you turn to Me when you have exhausted all other possibilities for joy and there is nowhere else to turn. Thank yourself for going where you are sure to find comfort. Now is the only moment there is.
Now, we are joined as One."

I have been feeling quite depressed lately. I said a silent prayer today and received a reply in the form of an e-mail message I quoted above.

A Softening Heart

The above painting is titled "Angels Welcome"

I joined the LDS Church in March 1972. In November 1980, Steve and I asked to be excommunicated. We felt we could no longer be associated with the LDS Church due to some very unsettling experiences we had while living in Salt Lake City.

Fast forward to December 2009. Steve and I are now attending Sacrament meeting. I find myself looking forward to going to church.

It is odd because I have not sought to be rebaptized, yet I feel I belong in the church. I haven't felt this way for a very long time.

When we lived in SLC, I felt I was not one with the Saints because I was a convert. It seemed to me that if you were not born into an LDS home, you weren't truly LDS. This was disturbing to me because Steve and I held numerous callings back in New York. It did not matter that I was a convert because I was in a ward comprised mostly of converts.

Today I've been wondering if there are other LDS converts who moved to Utah and felt they were not welcomed. I found this talk by President Hinckley from 1999 and realized that perhaps my feelings had merit. This is part of what President Hinckley said:

Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep,” Ensign, May 1999, 104
From a satellite broadcast given at the Salt Lake Tabernacle 21 February 1999

Strengthening New Members

Having found and baptized a new convert, we have the challenge of fellowshipping him and strengthening his testimony of the truth of this work. We cannot have him walking in the front door and out the back. Joining the Church is a very serious thing. Each convert takes upon himself or herself the name of Christ with an implied promise to keep His commandments. But coming into the Church can be a perilous experience. Unless there are warm and strong hands to greet the convert, unless there is an outreach of love and concern, he will begin to wonder about the step he has taken. Unless there are friendly hands and welcome hearts to greet him and lead him along the way, he may drop by the side.

There is absolutely no point in doing missionary work unless we hold on to the fruits of that effort. The two must be inseparable. These converts are precious. Every convert is a son or daughter of God. Every convert is a great and serious responsibility. It is an absolute imperative that we look after those who have become a part of us. To paraphrase the Savior, what shall it profit a missionary if he baptize the whole world unless those baptized remain in the Church? (see Mark 8:36).

Maybe one day I will be rebaptized and return to full activity. Time will tell.

The Good, The Bad and The ...

can I do today over?

The day started out pleasant enough. Steve pulled out two "Dick and Jane" books to share with Jim. Steve read some stories and we all had a good laugh. "See Dick. See Dick run." "Oh, see Dick. Oh, oh, oh. Funny, funny Dick."

Think I'm making this stuff up? Take a look at these pages:



That was the "good." Now for the "bad."

I've written before that I'm a total techno-virgin. I found out this morning that it's not a good idea to push buttons on a digital camera that "delete" photographs without knowing what you're doing. This is how I felt after I learned I had deleted all of the photographs stored on the memory card.



Okay ... so the woman's not holding a digital camera, but you get how I felt and still feel. Christmas photos of Steve and Jim ... gone! Photos of one of Steve's brothers and his wife from their visit to us last weekend ... gone! Blasted digital camera!!!!

But all was not lost this weekend. I learned we have a duck in the trunk of our car. No ... really!! On Saturday I was putting grocery bags in the trunk when a man parked next to us asked "Do you have a duck in your trunk?" I didn't have a clue what he was referring to, until Steve told me that he ... well ... how can I put this delicately? He let one rip. He didn't know the man was by us, so he tooted his horn. The man thought for sure he heard a duck. Even as I write this, I'm still laughing. So here's my husband, Steve the duck.


So how was your weekend?

Steve did give me an adorable Valentine ... one without ducks.

Spiritual Nourishment

DH and I met with the bishop last Sunday. The bishop is a very, what I consider, humble and down-to-earth man.

We revealed to him that my paycheck is being garnished. After listening to us and going over our finances, he told us that the Church would help us with food. He was ready to arrange for the RS president to come to our home to see what our needs are. We told him that for this month (and possibly next month) we have enough food to last until I find out if the garnishment is going to be reduced. He did tell us that he would like to see us out at Church.

Today DH and I went to Sacrament Meeting. Maybe this sounds corny, but I came away feeling "spiritually nourished." I came away with good feelings about the Church. Then I made the mistake of reading some of the comments here.

Now I'm beginning to question if I'm only fooling myself that I will have positive experiences at Church. Am I just "pink clouding?" In others words, am I in "a state of temporary artificial euphoria?"

I am so confused.

Please send some prayers my way ...

My little family is in a dire financial situation. I learned yesterday that my wages are going to be garnished. That means a huge, and I do mean huge, amount of money will be deducted from my paycheck. I am going to submit a Claim of Exemption to reduce the amount. Please say a prayer for my family that all will work out.

And here it is rapidly approaching Christmas. I wanted so much to make this a special Christmas for Jim.

The "Grinch" has sure made a most unwelcome appearance in our home.

Remembering the Past

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana

Today I've been reflecting on the scripture “wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10). I look at the world today and cannot help but feel profoundly sad. Elder M. Russell Ballard Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke these words at General Conference in April 2009:

You don’t have to be a Latter-day Saint—you don’t even have to be religious—to see the repeating pattern of history in the lives of God’s children as recorded in the Old Testament. Time and again we see the cycle of righteousness followed by wickedness. Similarly, the Book of Mormon records that ancient civilizations of this continent followed exactly the same pattern: righteousness followed by prosperity, followed by material comforts, followed by greed, followed by pride, followed by wickedness and a collapse of morality until the people brought calamities upon themselves sufficient to stir them up to humility, repentance, and change.

If you are reading this post, do you agree with what Elder Ballard said? I do.

Elder Ballard also said:

We live in an era when the boundaries of good taste and public decency are being pushed to the point where there are no boundaries at all. The commandments of God have taken a beating in the vacillating marketplace of ideas that absolutely rejects the notion of right and wrong. Certain factions of society seem generally mistrustful of anyone who chooses to live according to religious belief. And when people of faith attempt to warn others of the possible consequences of their sinful choices, they are scoffed at and ridiculed, and their most sacred rites and cherished values are publicly mocked.

There was a time I would have scoffed at what Elder Ballard said. I would have thought "What does he know? He's just a stuffy old man and too old-fashioned in his thinking." But MY thinking has changed.

I pray that the calamities we have brought upon ourselves will "stir us up to humility, repentance, and change."

M. Russell Ballard, “Learning the Lessons of the Past,” Ensign, May 2009, 31–34

Gratuitous Kiss

On a recent episode of the new TV series FlashForward, there was a scene where two women kissed. It was known that they were lesbians. I read today that some people found the kissing scene "gratuitous." Why would anyone think such a scene was unwarranted? Why is it okay to show a male and female kissing, but not two females kissing? Why is one acceptable and the other is not?

I also read today where some active members of the LDS Church have decided they will no longer watch FlashForward because of the female-female kissing scene.

This is bugging the heck out of me today, so I thought I'd vent about it here on my blog.

Tell me … Would you honestly stop watching a TV series because of one scene?

And what is so horrendous about showing two women kissing?

Please leave a comment. Your thoughts would be most appreciated.