Words

I have learned much this last week about the power of words. The power they have to harm and the power they have to heal. In the book of Proverbs it says death and life are in the power of the tongue. The 3rd chapter of James tells us that just as a great ship is turned by a very small helm, the tongue also is a small member with great power for good or evil. I remember growing up and saying that rhyme about sticks and stones breaking bones but words will never hurt me. That's a great affirmation, but I think I would rather have sticks and stones than harmful words used against me that cause fear and uncertainty in my heart. On the other hand, the words of friends and family have been so powerfully comforting to me more than anything they could have given me. As words have crushed me, kind words have built me up and strengthened me. I repent of the harmful words that I have spoken to and about others, and I promise to start fresh with a resolve to speak kind words and build love and confidence in everyone my life touches.

Valentine's Day

For me there were pluses and minuses to being homeschooled, but one thing I always thought would be fun was the Valentine's Day party at school. Just the thought of receiving 20 or 30 valentines seemed like so much fun, since I have this need to be verbally validated that people love me. So for Valentine's Day this year my awesome sister Cherish decided to make my day and sent me LOTS of cards. It was really fun, and I felt so loved. We were cleaning the house the other day and I found them and wanted to share my favorite.

4 Things

Four things about me that you may or may not have known...in no particular order.

1. Four jobs I have had in my life: Exercise class babysitter, Receptionist at a midwife clinic, Missionary, Mom!

2. Four Places I have lived: Garden Grove, CA; Ardmore, OK; Hemet, CA; Westminster, CA

3. Four Shows that I watch: 48 Hours Mystery, Ugly Betty, Without a Trace and Backyardigans of course!

4. Four Places I Have Been: Disneyworld; Roseville, CA; Coronado Island, Oklahoma City, OK

5. Four Blogs I Read Regularly: Way more than 4!

6. Four of MY Favorite Foods: Tacos, Smoothies, In-n-Out Burgers, Salmon

7. Four Places I'd Rather be right now: Asleep, getting a facial, snuggling my family in bed, or at the hospital having the baby.

8. Four things I look forward to in the next year: Baby, beyond that is bonus!

Now I tag: Cherish, Susan, Cory, Jamie

Poll Results

So twice as many of you would rather live in a hot place than a cold place. The heat makes me grouchy and I can put on more clothes when I'm cold, but I can only take so many clothes off when it's hot.

Scripture Study

Last night we had the Phillips over for Family Home Evening. Jon taught the lesson on Family scripture study. I was really glad because I had just been thinking we should get into that again. It's hard when the kids are little. At bedtime we read a verse with Jeremy and then say our family prayer, and David and I read the scriptures separately, but we haven't been reading them together. We used to read together every night, but it was a little less effective because I would say to David, "Read to me," and then I would fall asleep. So I would like any suggestions you have on how you make scripture study work in your homes. Thanks!

Like Mother, Like Son

When I was growing up, one of my favorite things to do in our backyard in Hemet was to dig a big hole in the dirt and fill it with water. Then I would sit and wallow in the mud pit. I still think it would be fun today! Jeremy loves mud just as much as me and I love taking pictures of him enjoying it.

Pray at the Pump

I love to read the news headlines on Yahoo, because I can pick and choose which ones I want to know more about. Today this one caught my eye:

Tired of high gas prices, some Americans pray at the pump

I'm reminded of the scripture that admonishes us to pray over all things, both temporal and spiritual. I am humbled by the faith that these people have to pray over something that seems unrelated to God, but is very much affecting His children. Lately my prayers have been full of thankfulness for my family and friends and pleas for us to be kind and loving to all we come in contact with and foster peace and understanding in our relationships. President Hinckley said Heavenly Father would be pleased if we would mention the less fortunate in our prayers, and I am reminded again of how fortunate I am that I don't have to choose between gas and food.

My Painful Mansion

A few weeks ago in church a speaker used the following quote from C.S. Lewis:

Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of — throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.

I love the religious musings of C.S. Lewis, and I have always loved that analogy because I know it to be true. The trials I experience don't make sense and are so painful at times. I try to remember others, whose lives are far worse than mine; after all I am very blessed. But sometimes, it's hard to trust God to rebuild my house and I long for that simple cottage.

Poll Results

So overwhelmingly you would rather be deaf than blind. That's what I would choose. Those of you who know me well know that I am very jumpy and the slightest little thing can scare me. I feel scared to think of one of my senses being taken away that would make me less aware of what was going on around me. But, I think it would be harder for me and more panicky to be blind than deaf. Plus I learned sign language a long time ago, so I think I could pick it up easier than Braille. Why did you vote the way you did?

Tagged!

How did you meet your spouse? At the Golden West Institute of Religion, though it's funny because I went to his band performance and high school graduation without even knowing it.

How long have you been together? We've been married 8 years, and have known each other since 1995.

Who eats more? Him.

Who said I love you first? I don't remember.

Who is taller? He is, just enough.

Who sings better? Toss up.

Who is smarter? We each have our strengths. I think this question is a bit offensive.

Who does the laundry? I used to have this one until I got pregnant, now he has temporarily taken over.

Who does the dishes? Both of us.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I've always been confused by this question. It depends on if you're looking at the bed or in the bed. How does that work?

Who pays the bills? Me

Who mows the lawn? Him

Who cooks dinner? Both of us.

Who drives when you are together? It really varies but it's more frequently him.

Who is more stubborn? Another toss up.

Who is the first to admit when they’re wrong? Me

Who kissed who first? Pretty much had the same idea at the same time.

Who proposed? He did, at the Los Angeles Temple.

Who is more sensitive? Me, but he's a closeted sensitive.

Who has more friends? Him

Who has more siblings? Full siblings - him. Half/step - there's no beating me!

Who wears the pants? Waistbands make me sick to my stomach, so I'll say him.