Priesthood and Princesses :)

Just a couple random thoughts I would love to have your feedback, insight, etc. on...

It strikes me, as I listen to a talk by Elder Neil A. Anderson about being not offended, the essential role of men in the Gospel with their stewardship over the affairs of the church, not to mention the awesome responsibility that comes with bearing the Priesthood of God. Those women who cry out against the "unfairness" of not holding the priesthood need to gain a testimony of their own sacred role and powers as a woman, mother, and nurturer...it is not a priesthood problem! :) As he described the faith of a brother in having to publicly demonstrate his faith in Ukraine by being called to be branch president and registering the church at a time of religious disapproval, I envisioned the faith of the sisters, possibly for years before, waiting such an action. Were they frustrated that they needed a man to do these things? Are we sometimes to our own great power for spirituality, faith, and goodness that we don't realize the complementary capacity of these brethren acting in their sacred Priesthood office, the need of us women for the strength and surety that a priesthood holding man, confirmed in the mantle of the Priesthood, as he goes about his own directed work from His God? I pray that my heart will be soft when the temptation of "feminism" rears its ugly head, suggesting, insinuating a lesser role because I do not have the exact same role as the men around me. I pray that I will me reminded of the graciousness, the gentility and the sweet balm of Gilead that I can administer as a woman. "The errand of angels is given to women..oh, naught but the spirit's divinist tuition can give us the vision to truly succeed!"

And now onto princesses!...

I have also been struck by a passage in "The Princess Academy", where it describes their quarry-talk with which they communicate without using their voice...mind to mind and heart to heart. As I thought, "How cool!", I was struck by the main character, Miri's, observation. It was their shared memories that made such communication possible. How essential it is to spend time with each other, friends, families and neighbors, because it is through these shared memories, these shared experiences that we are able to communicate on an even deeper level...

...and that leads to the thought, "how much do I want that with others? Am I willing to pay that price?" Is this communication not the peak of humanity, the crowning moment of human interaction and achievement when one soul can truly communicate their message to another, be it through art, accomplishment, music, sports, writing, speaking, loving, serving, etc.?

Driven

In Larry H. Miller's autobiography (which happen to randomly fall in my lap of "need to reads"...not something I would have chosen myself!) his wife shares the following quotes:

Are we mortal beings having a spiritual experience, or are we spiritual beings having a mortal experience?

When the student is prepared, the teacher will appear.

Children are the messengers we send to a time we'll never see.

When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.

If we are charged with being followers of Jesus Christ, would there be enough evidence to convict us?

Something to think about, anyway...

advice to young moms :)--Happy Mother's Day!

I have been thinking a great deal about motherhood since talking to a dear friend about her daughter's struggle to feel that she is doing little more than "babysitting" all day long with her two little ones at home. I remember those days so vividly! The days full of seemingly endless repetition of cleaning up messes, feeding mouths, and comforting and napping that just started over again sometimes even before you "finished" with one task! I have thought long and hard what I would say to such a young woman, and have written down a few of my thoughts on this gorgeous mother's day morning.

I have been "brainwashed" over the years by countless wonderful older women that before I know it...the kids will be gone, and I must enjoy their littleness while I can. It took many times hearing it, but I am coming to appreciate it more and more. Unfortunately, it took me losing a child to truly appreciate even their messes, their orneriness, and the frustrations they can bring on, but hopefully others can learn from me without having that experience. :)

I realize that one of the great struggles as a young mother is seeking to find meaning and validation in the daily experience. There are things that a woman can do as a mother that accentuate her mothering experience and don't compete against it! Find ways to make motherhood a mode of life, not just something you are enduring temporarily. Motherhood is about progressing personally in a way that completes, not competes with your progression as a daughter of God. Only you and your Heavenly Father can know what books are yours to read (sometimes they are children's books!), what goals there are to set (not yelling for one whole day :)...),... what ways there are to keep "becoming". Seek His counsel daily and be content with what He advises is best for you to do that day! You will find that you will blossom and progress more as a woman, as a daughter of God, as you find joy in the ofttimes self-less service of motherhood.

Motherhood is not limited to the changing of diapers and endless routine! Motherhood and womanhood is about creating an environment physically (clean bottoms and full tummies!), spiritually (personal and family prayer and scripture study and temple attendance/personal worship), and emotionally (the mentality that you, your children, and others around you have intrinsic worth which will be literally liberating as you come to accept that!) that allows you, your children, and others around you to feel the love of God, be open to His inspiration, and imperfectly try to become the people we yearn to become.

The beautiful thing about doing God's will, though, is that He lets you enjoy the journey! Don't get so caught up in whether your child knows their ABC's and your house is immaculate or has all the latest "decor". Enjoy watching your child discover the wonders of the world around them, the wonders of their body! Enjoy watching the peace that settles over other's faces as you warmly invite them into your less-than-immaculate home and accept them for who they are. Enjoy the feeling of love and acceptance that can wash over you at the end of a day full of chaos in which you caught a couple of verses of scripture, prayed and snuggled with your little ones in between messes and battles, and the house is still standing...knowing that God has accepted your offering.

My final advice to all mothers and women is that we must learn how to find joy in an imperfect existence:
(1)find reasons to laugh and smile in the monotony and in the messes
(2)find things to be grateful for in every situation!
(3)Paste a smile on until it fits there more naturally :)
Our lives and the lives of those around us will never follow our personal expectation of perceived "perfection", until we come to change our definition of perfection! "Perfection" is a process that includes life's idiosyncrasies, life's challenges, life's "interruptions"...that is our perfect life as we allow these to shape us to become the daughter of God we were meant to become.

A parting quote from Eliza R. Snow: We want to be ladies in very deed, not according to the term of the word as the world judges, but fit companions of the Gods and Holy Ones....Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time. I know we like to be appreciated but if we do not get all the appreciation which we think is our due, what matters? We know the Lord has laid high responsibility upon us, and there is not a wish or desire that the Lord has implanted in our hearts in righteousness but will be realized and the greatest good we can do to ourselves and each other is to refine and cultivate ourselves in everything that is good and ennobling to qualify us for these responsibilities."

Enjoy the journey and happy Mother's Day!

"Unit" studies...for a day!

During my youth group, my 12 year old son runs a great Unit study each week. Just in case it is useful to anyone looking for ideas, I thought I would post it.

Basically, I just go to the library, pick out anything that has to do with the topic I or they are interested in (this week it will be knights and the middle ages). Then I try to tie in every game, craft, puzzle, movie that I can think of. It would probably be more effective over the course of a week or month, but a day is fun! It is also good to keep the activities short for younger participants, with lots of chances for movement, snacks, and activities. Kids will believe anything is related if you tell them so! (Space treats were crackers--dry like "space food"--and cheese--like the "moon"--.)

One week, we went down to what sounded like chaos (we had about 6 more kids join us unexpectedly, but we welcomed it!) They were all in different parts of the room, actively but purposefully planning out their own puppet "skit". I didn't know what to say but "Good work, guys!"

We have done "Bugs and Ponds", "The Ocean", "Boot Camp" (the Revolutionary War), "space", and now, the "Knights" one.

Below is an example if you'd like. This could be fun over the summer for projects when kids are out of school, or for homeschoolers alike. The first part is part of a booklet that I gave to the kids. The second part was my "instructions" for older son, the "space commander":

__________'s
☼SPACE CHASE☼
book!
Launch Date: 3.25.2010

Congratulations!
You are now authorized by Space Command to watch "The Cat from Outer Space"!!!!!!
Welcome, Star Chaser!
You have been selected to go on a mission through space!
Your journey will take you from the sun to the outer reaches of the galaxy!
To be a true explorer, take good notes of your journey in the following book.

Once you have completed the following, you will be invited to participate in a special ceremony to watch
"The Cat from Outer Space"!!!!!
Only those who have completed the following may participate. Good Luck!

Go through Astronaut Physical training: ______
Listen to The Magic School Bus & Color #1: ______
Put together space puzzle: ______
Listen to book about "The Sun" & draw #1: ______
Watch "The Star": ______
Play "Astronauts & Space Wyrms" ______
Look through space books while listening to
"Jupiter" as you quest through space: ______
Stock up on Earth for lunch: ______
Roll out space mats for quiet reading time: ______
Listen to "What the moon is like" & Color #2: _____
Watch "The Moon": ______
Pretend like you are bouncing on the moon!: _____
Return to space port & listen to "The Star People"
while coloring your own space scene: ______
Watch "Lifted" and eat space snack: ______
Write space words or trace the "space letters": ___
Listen to "Touchdown Mars" while doing your astronaut stretches" ______


Commanding Space Officer Instruction Guide:
Thanks, Commander, for accepting this commission to lead this group of bold astronaut explorers through space! Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to guide by leading with encouragement the young astronauts in your charge. Some may fall by the wayside, but do your best to not lose a man (or boy or girl!) during this quest!Please refer to the following to help with each task. Good luck, and thanks again!

Go through Astronaut Physical training: turn on "Also Sprach Zarathusra" and welcome them to the space chaser astronaut training program, lead them in exercises like jumping jacks, push ups, sit-ups, and run around the yard a couple times.
Listen to The Magic School Bus & Color #1: you read the book while they color the Solar System page
Put together space puzzle: make this into a timed event; have them try three times and see what their fastest time is!
Listen to book about "The Sun" & draw #1: you read the book while they draw a picture of their own space ship, the sun, and stars
Watch "The Star": if they get bored, they don't have to finish this one to get marked off.
Play "Astronauts & Space Wyrms": try to encourage them to play well with the little ones :)...be patient!
Look through space books while listening to "Jupiter" as you quest through space: this is on the CD in the box by the books
Have an astronaut snack! (LUNCH) this is basically free time for about half an hour...too much more and you'll run out of time :)!
Roll out space mats for quiet reading time: I will try to have several blankets for them to choose from, and they can come and "check out" or rotate books through you. This should be about 20 minutes.
Listen to "What the moon is like" & Color #2: you read the book while they color the Planets page
Watch "The Moon": just like "The Star", watch as long as they are interested. If a couple wander off, you can keep watching it.
Pretend like you are bouncing on the moon!: Tramp time! Spend 15-20 minutes bouncing on the tramp.
Return to space port & listen to "The Star People" while coloring your space scene: encourage them to be creative in their art!
Watch "Lifted" and eat space snack: This is on the "PIXAR" short films,...it is the alien one, which I think is "Lifted". The snack is sliced up cheese from our house, and the *other family* are bringing some crackers and other stuff.
Write a space story or trace the space letters: You could help the older kids spell if they are doing this, while the younger ones trace the letters I gave them.
Listen to "Touchdown Mars" while doing your astronaut stretches: The "stretches" are contorting their bodies into the shapes of the ABC's for each letter that you read about.
CONCLUDE SPACE MISSION!! --Congratulate them on their hard work and tell them they are now officially Junior Astronauts! I will have some stickers for them to mark off in their books, have them put their name on the back of their books, pop popcorn and turn on movie. Congratuations, and THANKS!

Solitude and flowers

Have you ever had a time when you just wanted to be a hermit? I have been struggling with that lately! All I want to do is stay in my own, safe little world and not go anywhere, call anyone, plan anything with anyone else outside of my own little group of bodies...

Perhaps it is "nesting" with this pregnancy; perhaps it is seasonal--combining with my urge to spend hours and hours delving into the dirt in my yard--; or perhaps it is sheer laziness....who knows.

It takes so much gumption, sometimes, to go out an face others, even those we love. (yes, I am an introvert on any personality test I have taken!)

Perhaps it is just time to "seize the season", finish my commitments, and "withdraw myself from the world" for a while. :)

*******

Today I purchased flowers, annuals even. This is a first for me for many years (my last attempt to grow annuals was about 12 years ago, and a pathetic return I got for it!) I have no sense of style, organization, nor taste when it comes to selecting flowers. Unfortunately, the purple blends of petunias attracted my eye just as much as the pot of carnival-colored snap dragons (reminiscent of my dear S. Teuscher teaching my kids to "make faces" with them). We won't even go into the dahlias that my neighbor grows so well that I just had to get some, as well as the geraniums that my five year old boy fell in love with. Like I said...I don't think they will "blend" well.

However, there is good news! I have an army of flower pickers that will probably keep up with my blooms as fast as they can unfurl their little faces to the world! I probably won't have to worry about clashing colors nor styles in my yard as long as I have their help! My dear three year old daughter comes into the house so proud of herself as she methodically picks each new bulb that comes up...especially the "one of a kind" ones. *sigh* At least they last for sometime in the house, and the precious look of delight on her face with each new bloom will change as she grows older, so I guess I will settle with my indoor arrangements and the radiance of my three-year-old daughter's face :).

Generals and True Love

Just a "love" thought that came up last week in my Vanguard Youth group. It is a quote from "The Road Less Traveled", by Peck:

There is a vacuum of competence in the world which must be filled. In a world crying out in desperate need for competence, an extraordinarily competent and loving person can no more withhold his or her competence than such a person could deny food to a hungry infant.

Spiritually evolved people, by virtue of their discipline, mastery and love, are people of extraordinary competence, and in their competence they are called on to serve the world, and in their love they answer the call.

They are inevitably, therefore, people of great power, although the world may generally behold them as quite ordinary people, since more often than not they will exercise their power in quiet or even hidden ways. Nonetheless, exercise power they do, and in this exercise they suffer greatly, even dreadfully. For to exercise power is to make decisions, and the process of making decisions with total awareness if often infinitely more painful than making decisions with limited or blunted awareness (which is the way most decisions are made and why they are ultimately proved wrong). Imagine two generals, each having to decide whether or not to commit a division of ten thousand men to battle. To one the division is but a thing, a unit of personnel, an instrument of strategy and nothing more. To the other it is these things, but he is also aware of each and every one of the ten thousand lives and the lives of the families of each of the ten thousand. For whom is the decision easier?

It is easier for the general who has blunted his awareness precisely because he cannot tolerate the pain of a more nearly complete awareness. It may be tempting to say, "Ah, but a spiritually evolved man would never become a general in the first place." But the same issue is involved in being a corporation president, a physician, a teacher, a parent.

Decisions affecting the lives of others must always be made. The best decision-makers are those who are willing to suffer the most over their decisions but still retain their ability to be decisive. One measure—and perhaps the best measure—of a person's greatness is the capacity for suffering. Yet the great are also joyful.

Just My Nature!

This is a fun book by Carol Tuttle, by far and away the best "personality" type book, more because it tends to deal with a more whole picture of seemingly contrasting personalities, not only describing strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies, but also how all of them are needed and valuable, not just tolerated or anything to be ashamed of. (I know that last sentence was ridiculous, but I am too tired to go back and change it :). Sorry, Quinn!)

Rather than try and tell us how we are so different, the author seems to seek us all help see the uniqueness in each other and appreciate it.

Of course, there is the money-making aspect of the whole book that makes it feel like a testimonial about Amway, but I liked the rest of it :).

Parenting your Ephraim's Child

Parenting your Ephraim's Child:

Although it is LDS based, it is a fabulous book about dealing with a child who is "more" of anything: sensitive, intense, demanding, assertive...pretty much any characteristic in an intense way. The author lists about nine different areas with positive labels for those feisty behaviors and tendencies...and I could relate to quite a few of them in myself, not to mention my children (my parents will not be surprised).

The basic premise according to Mary is that we can take these things that drive us crazy, substitute positive labels to them, and eliminate so much of the tension we feel on a daily basis...or maybe it is just me :).

Role of Religion

Do we allow our religion to shape us into God's perception of "what needs to happen" or do we shape our religion to fit into what we think needs to happen? I would love your thoughts...

Response of Political "guy" :)

Hello everyone!

Good news! I received a very contrite and apologetic response from the city planning commissioner to which I wrote that letter...only days later! It sounded very sincere, and he even mentioned taking a look at the books I recommended. I sent him an email (which he had provided in his letter) expressing my thanks at his time and consideration. Quinn had gone to the next meeting and noted a significant change in his demeanor. He even asked for people's comments at the beginning of the meeting. We can make a difference!

Woohoo!

Now I just need to do that more often... :)