12 days of Christmas

Here is a cool history about this song that I was sent in an email from my grandma.  I like things that bring the gospel back into Christmas and help us forget about the commercialism and materialism that many focus on at this time of year.


From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves are the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds are the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping are the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

i love the Book of Mormon

I have a dear (Christian) friend that I have grown up with.  Recently as we watched our kids play together, and had to intervene at times to get them to share, we got to discussing the nature of children.  She commented on how naturally sinful these little toddlers were and how we are all sinful beings.  I agreed with the natural man we all have inside us and how we all have to learn to fight it as we come to understand right and wrong.  I added though that while some of Beckett's bad behaviors are purely his own, many have been learned by example from us as parents or from older kids at church in nursery.  She again asserted that that couldn't really be the case because he was sinful from birth on his own.  As I held her sweet innocent five month old on my lap who hadn't made a peep for nearly an hour, I couldn't agree with her.  I tried to wrack my brain to explain that I know that kids can and do sin, but we as parents are here to help teach them right and wrong, and that in our church we don't believe they are accountable for these sins until the age of eight.  This is why we baptize at that age...the age when they should really understand right and wrong completely for themselves, and when the atonement becomes necessary for them.  She then said that  she believed that her toddler knew and understood when she was doing wrong, and that the doctrine of us being evil from birth comes from the bible, and don't we believe in the bible?  I sat a little dumbfounded and all I could answer was yes, we did.  Our conversation moved elsewhere, but this concept of little children did not leave my mind for a few days, and of course I later thought of many things I should have said (not to argue, but to clarify our beliefs).

I didn't recall until Saturday the biblical passage in Matthew 18:3-4 where Christ tells us we must become converted and humble like little children or we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.  But the main scripture I thought of was Mosiah 3:19:

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

This scripture illustrates all the amazing Christlike attributes that are naturally found in children that King Benjamin urges us to emulate.  Don't get me wrong, I know that children exhibit the natural man and do sin, but I feel that dwelling on a belief that we are evil from birth is not correct.  We are spirit children of God, and come into this world with unique and inherited godlike characteristics.  In this last week's conference, President Uchtdorf emphasized that we should view ourselves as God does...as the beings that we are designed to become.  I feel that both of these sets of scriptures, and this added counsel clarify the purity of heart and submissiveness that little children have naturally, but I didn't feel that sharing them with my friend would really clarify much because she doesn't believe in the Book of Mormon.  We have had many gospel conversations over the years that I have known her, and I once gave her a Book of Mormon with my testimony written inside.

Then I heard Tad R. Callister's talk on the necessity of the Book of Mormon in clarifying biblical doctrines, and it all clicked!  I finally feel that I can explain our beliefs, why they differ from hers, and where they come from in a better way than I have tried to in all the years I have previously.  Even though we believe the Bible to be correct and the word of God, so many different churches exist and claim to be Christian because of how they interpret the doctrines differently.  The Book of Mormon is necessary to add another witness of Christ in alignment with the Bible that also acts as a tool for clarification.  Also, the Book of Mormon is either true, or it is not.  It is from God, or it is from the devil.  It urges us to follow Christ, and therefore how could it be from Satan?

Anyway, sorry for my ramble.  I just needed to get that off my chest.  I love this gospel and its clarity.  The end.

Conference Favorites

-The Lord sees us as the beings we are designed to, and can become.
-Trials are given to us to see if we will choose to follow the Savior by waiting upon the Lord and saying "Thy will be done".
-We ultimately have one choice: choose to follow the Savior, or choose to follow the world and its -influences.
-The Lord wishes to grant us the righteous things we ask for, but He will not do things for us if we can do them for ourselves.
-Pray and then act.

There were also two other topics spoken about that really touched me.  The first was Tad R. Callister's talk about the necessity of the Book of Mormon as clarification for doctrines found in the bible.  The second was Quentin L. Cook's talk on tragedies and why they are allowed by God to happen in this life.  I'll explain why in later separate posts!

i'm a cry baby

I had some strong feelings last weekend during stake conference, and I thought that on the cusp of another weekend full of events and non-stop-ness that may press on my sanity, now would be as good a time as any to write down my thoughts before I forget them.

First off, our stake merged with the other Escondido stake, which I think is awesome.  We gained a new Stake President who seems full of love and caring for all his new members, and who picked some amazing counselors (I did not see President Moore coming, but duh!  It just makes perfect sense!).  Alex said after conference that she felt that this would be the stake presidency that would see her through her young adulthood, finishing high school, going through the temple, marriage, etc.  I almost lost it again (after crying for nearly two hours straight during conference anyway).  President Haynie had been that for me.

For most of high school I got to know our stake president and his counselors pretty well.  I was really bummed when he moved just a few months before my application for BYU needed to be filled out.  I didn't know how a new stake presidency that I didn't know at all could write the things necessary to help me get into school (silly me).  President McBeth did my interview, and I felt really excited to get to know the new stake presidency more after that.  A few years later I was getting my papers ready for my mission, and I was able to meet with President Haynie, and he said some amazing things and talked to me about the temple...just pure awesome!  He said he felt prompted that I should come home and take out my endowments as quickly as I could once I got my mission call.  About six months later I was back home, endowed, but with a disease that left me unable to serve my mission.  I understood that the Lord had other plans for me and that I should trust His timing, but still felt so lost, confused, and without a purpose in the meantime.  Then I was called to be the temple and family history chair in the single's ward, being one of the few endowed sisters in the ward.  I attended the temple every week, at least once if not more.  Then President Haynie instituted the Nauvoo temple project.  I again felt like my life had a purpose, like I was endowed early to be able to take part in that historic project.  I was so blessed due to President Haynie's wisdom on both accounts.  Let me also add in that he was the main priesthood example and father figure to my husband during his youth in a time when he needed one most, and you'll understand why I was overcome with emotion the entire two hours as I sat and looked at the former stake presidency that had been so instrumental in my young adult life.

I have to tell you (or write it so I remember) the other emotions and messages that I came away with after both sessions.  The gospel, for all intents and purposes already IS in all the nations of the Earth via the internet, and is almost translated into all languages but a few.  In these  emotionally, economically, and spiritually trying times, we must continue to have faith.  The righteous need not fear.  Life is good!  The Lord is mindful of all of us.  The apostles of the church are profoundly grateful for members who read their scriptures, hold family home evening, have family prayers, and magnify their ward callings.  The Lord leads His church thru inspired leaders.  We need to spread the gospel.  WE need to find those whose hearts are ready so that the missionaries can perform their call to TEACH.  The best way to teach our young children the gospel is to read to them the stories and teachings found in the scriptures.

Meeting Jeffrey R.

So, mom has been the Regional Public Affairs graphic artist for the church in San Diego for a few years now.  Last year we got to benefit from mom's calling and go to the Mormon Battalion Visitor Center's re-dedication (mom took pictures for the Church news).  Jeffrey R. Holland was the Apostle there to perform the dedication, and we got in the long line to meet him, his wife, and a few other general authorities.  Elder Holland was really confused/fascinated by Jeremy's faux-hawk.  It was awesome!

"Wow, you've really got that hair going right up there don't you?"

Reflections of Christ

Remeber this post?  Well Mark Mabry, who took the photos of the Easter Pageant in Mesa, AZ a few years back, went to Honduras and took some more amazing pictures.  I love it.  It makes me want to go and visit Jeremy's mission in Guatemala even more.  Like the first set, you can also purchase a dvd or book of the pictures from Deseret Book.  Enjoy.

Sunday Goodness

What a spiritual power-house of speakers and topics on Sunday! There are so many amazing things that were personal answers to me, as well as reminders of things I need to work harder on/improve/overcome. One of the most powerful to me was Elder Hales talk about turning the other cheek.

On the Sunday that overlapped with our Christmas vacation, my father asked each of us to pick 2-3 attributes of Christ that we wanted to work on throughout this year. After the trip, I went home, picked a few, and studied and wrote things I needed to do accompanied with scripture references to help. I chose to try to be quicker to forgive, to not have/speak guile, and to not be as sarcastic. Well, I can testify that when you want to improve yourself, the Lord will give you the perfect opportunities to test the specific things you want to better in yourself.

I personally went through a tough experience this summer where all of the attributes I chose to try and better in myself were tested. Months later I am still left feeling uneasy and not knowing whether my "no response/reaction", was enough to allow me to let it go. It has been hard to do so because someone made it appear that I did react, when in fact I hadn't. I had kept my mouth shut and didn't lash back, but was given the opportunity to forgive. Elder Hales gave some great counsel about how, many times, some may try to provoke us, but our response may need to be to say nothing at all rather than set the record straight. He also taught that we should reach out to our accusers with love, and muster Christian Courage and move on. What bold and perfect counsel. This was mainly the outcome in my experience, but now I feel that I have fully let go even though the record may never be set straight. In hindsight I see that the Lord was merely giving me what I asked for in an opportunity to grow.

The second talk that touched me deeply was that of Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Quorum of the Seventy. Throughout my life in the church I have heard experience after experience related as people (especially members who grew up in the church) tell of their "ultimate conversion". These times are when they learned the church was true and broke away from their parents' testimonies that they had been feeding off of until then. I always knew that although I had never had this type of experience, it did not mean that my testimony was less valid or strong than those who had. At the same time, it has been hard growing up in the church for me because I feel that if I am ever asked about this like Elder Godoy was, I will not have an experience to share of that "Aha!" moment.

I have often felt that people may think I am one of those who just fed off the testimonies of their parents and perhaps never searched out the gospel on their own. This isn't true however. In the talk he said that for him and others, their testimony may come as a process of many combined smaller and perhaps unmemorable experiences that together are very strong. Also, for those who have great events that have given them the majority of their testimony, having those experiences does not mean that their testimonies will always be strong (for example, Laman and Lemuel). I thought that was very cool and comforting because I had never really felt an answer about why my testimony hadn't come like "everybody else's".

Another reason I always felt I would be viewed as a testimony borrower is because I've never had doubts where the gospel is concerned. With each principle taught by my parents or in church lessons, I feel of the truth and accept it. With this always being the case, I had a testimony very early. I know there are plenty out there who feel the same as I do, and Elder Godoy's talk was just another testament to me of that. My testimony has been strengthened continually over the course of my life. Each trial and tribulation overcome allows me to better understand one gospel principle at a time. Each one may teach something different, but they also all share echoes of the Savior and His perfect knowledge of my sorrows, heartaches, and experiences.

After conference yesterday, the sister missionaries from our ward stopped by to chat about inactive neighbors and also conference. One of them shared that her favorite talk this weekend was Elder Holland's, and how she felt inspired to write to those she felt had been mortal angels to her in her life. She then challenged us that we might try to find at least one of those in our lives and do the same and express thanks and let them know that they were so influential for us in our time of need. I immediately thought of a sister missionary who was serving in the singles' ward the summer before Jeremy came home. I cannot remember her name, and don't know how to contact her, but I want to share the tender experience I had with her.

It was a few months after I had found out about my disease and that I couldn't leave on my mission. I had been called as the temple and family history chair in the Palomar ward, and had started to get lost in the service of the temple. This had replaced the great majority of the emptiness and sadness I had felt not being able to go on my mission, but every now and then despair and confusion about the direction of my life would begin to creep back in.

It was one of those days of confusion when, as I sat waiting in the foyer on a Sunday before ward correlation meeting started, I was almost in tears. As a few of us got up to walk towards the bishop's office, the new sister missionary who had been serving in our ward for a week walked towards me with a huge smile and open arms. This sister missionary had bore her testimony the week before in testimony meeting which was the only way I knew of her. She was from New Zealand and had the most beautiful accent and voice I have ever heard. She engulfed me in a tender hug and then said "How are you Ashley?" I was so shocked and confused at how she even knew my name because she had never been introduced to me, but at that moment she was just what I needed. All my fears departed. All my despair left me. I felt comfort. I knew that the Lord was mindful of me, and He had sent her to me to let me know that. She was my angel.

" 'My spirit shall be in your heart, and mine angels round about you to bear you up.' In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith, and the covenant wherewith we have covenanted."

-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Refiner's Fire

Today I used a church journal that I hadn't seen in a while (thanks to teaching primary) to take down notes from conference. At song breaks and whatnot I was able to look back at some past notes that I took down. Here are some of the most poignant things I found:

• You can show the world that you're a disciple of Christ by how you dress. (my last lesson from young women's, 6-15-03)
  
• We're not true disciples of Christ when we say something unkind about others. (President Hinckley, April 2006)
• These latter days are perilous times, especially for the family...How have so many betrayed in life the decision they made in the war in Heaven? Our Father must weep...They've chosen to walk the path of evil...This is the great time that was spoken of from before the world began...Who's on the Lord's side, who? (President Hinckley, 4-4-04)

I definitely could work on the second with speaking less guile about others. I was also struck with the words of President Hinckley about these days being perilous times as I thought about the current situation with our state legislation and Prop 8. Yesterday I was doing things around the house with TLC on the tv, and two of the shows about preparing for birth and bringing home babies were about lesbian couples. While I am not judgmental about gay lifestyles, I found it extremely disturbing to watch and listen to that show. The women on it addressed how others believe children need to be raised with both a mother and a father, but that they don't feel that to be true or necessary. Well what I know to be true is how I felt during that program and that children indeed need the nurturing and influence of a mother and a father. I know that the family is without a doubt under attack, and that we must do what we can to help.

I also want to share some of the phrases and lessons from today that I found tender and thought provoking. Some of them would be great in picture frames someday...

• It's the responsibility of the members of the church to preach the gospel.
• Reading the Book of Mormon daily brings a strengthened resolution to walk uprightly.
• No texting in sacrament meeting.
• We need to have hope for future events...beyond mortality.
• "Come what may, and love it!"
• Angels will attend to us and bear us up. Let us all be more angelic.
• The Lord's way is not hard. Life is hard, not the gospel.
  

25 years, and Prop 8

Today is a very special day, the 25th wedding anniversary for my parents. In awe we all look on at this huge accomplishment. Way to go mom and dad! Someday Jeremy and I hope to be there too. As we celebrate this today, something else weighs on my mind...what marriage means. More specifically, what marriage means to our state. We must pass prop 8. While only a definition is really what we aim to solidify, it is imperative that it be known as union of a man and a woman. If it does not pass, state curriculum will be altered and our children will be taught that marriage is a legal union between any two people. Teachers will no longer be able to use phrases like "mom and dad" or "parents". Instead a child's parents must be referred to as partners. With this in the mix, I felt that I needed to write the following and share it...


In Civil Disobedience, by Henry David Thoreau, the author states that “when a sixth of the population of a nation which has undertaken to be the refuge of liberty are slaves…I think that it is not too soon for honest men to rebel and revolutionize,” (pg. 3). This phrase caused me to think differently about rebellion and the government as Thoreau calls out to the public to rebel. He then appeals to our emotions by asking, “Why does [the government] always crucify Christ, and excommunicate Copernicus and Luther, and pronounce Washington and Franklin rebels?” (pg. 6). With this sentence I can only think, “If these great men found throughout the world’s history are named rebels, then I’d be proud to be one as well.” The use of these great figures and icons stirs up feelings of contempt in me for the government as a Christian, a scientist, and a patriot. These emotions make me want to emulate these icons and reevaluate the government which I live under.

“I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it,” (pg. 1). I immediately think about how the government could be better and the problems I have with it. Thoreau teaches us that we are deeply rooted in the destiny of our country, and we need to know what change we want to see so that we are better able to bring it about. Also, Thoreau says that the government “must have the sanction and consent of the governed,” (pg. 15). This phrase causes us to evaluate the power we have as voters, as well as the responsibility politicians have to please those that voted them into power. Thoreau states that the government “does not keep the country free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate. The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished,” (pg. 1). While men are placed in positions to uphold the documents established by our forefathers, they are not the ones who do the great things in this country. I make this country what it is, as do millions of other Americans today and as millions of others have done throughout history. If we want to see a difference in our community, state, or the world, we are the ones that must start making a change.

While government is a machine that is necessary for our nation Thoreau suggests that “all machines have their friction…let us not have such a machine any longer,” (pg. 3). Thoreau explains that too much friction came from the machine of the American government because it governed slaves. While this is not a concern that we have today, it does help us see that there may be things about this country today that we do not agree with. The current issue of this nature that we must rise up to fight is that of gay marriage, its definition, and the threat that definition poses to our nation’s and children’s futures. We may not be seen as rebels today for voting for this proposition to change things we do not want to see in the future, but we are finding what needs change, and we are taking action. If the outcome is not what we desire then we have no one to blame but ourselves. If we do not devote our own time and means to this cause, then our children will live in a world that suffers the consequences.

this weekend with the Smiths...

Yesterday I made Cafe Rio-type burritos for the parents' early anniversary celebration. Thanks Julie-friend for the recipies.

The Class Rules in our primary class are starting to work! We had the best behaved class yesterday that we've had since we started (and sadly that includes times when parents or the primary president sat in). But yay! The rules might seem a bit silly, but they were chosen by us and the class and they make a huge difference. Here they are:
• Be Quiet
• Raise Your Hand to Talk
• Don’t Turn Off the Lights
• Stay In Your Seat
• No Sitting or Climbing on Chairs in the Back
• No Bathroom or Drink Breaks During Class
• No Telling Stories Unless Asked

BYU played an awesome game! PAC 10 announcers blamed Washington's loss on a bad call and penalty given for celebration after the last touchdown. I have yet to understand how BYU blocking a point after try was due to Washington having to kick from a further distance. Um, isn't a block a block? I'm pretty sure we would have had the same outcome regardless of that penalty. Way to go Jan Jorgensen!

Cousin Melanie is engaged and I am so excited!! We tried to find pictures of things she wanted for decorations (chinese lanterns, green and black for colors). We came up with this...

And now for an Essay

I was just going through my flash drive, cleaning it out and reorganizing it (something I do periodically), and I found a lot of essays that I have written in the past. I love writing and feeling like nobody can argue with what I say because my point is so clear and strong. I think one of the things that make pieces of writing the strongest are using examples that are personal. I want to post an essay I wrote arguing against points made in Henry David Thoreau's Civil Disobedience, because I love reading it. Maybe someday soon I'll post my other essay about the things that I absolutely love about Civil Disobedience, but for now here you go:


In Civil Disobedience, by Henry David Thoreau, there is a common theme existing throughout that adds up to Thoreau’s statement “‘that government is best which governs least [or not at all]’,” (pg. 1). While many of his appeals and arguments are sound and agreeable, some issues are presented in a disagreeable manner. Thoreau presents one idea which is a bit unsettling. His views on servicemen that fight to keep our country free contradict reason and are likely to upset many. His main position is that those who fight for the country do so like machines with no morals or consciences. While the times of Thoreau were littered with reasons that support his claim, his conclusion that with servicemen “there is no free exercise whatever of the judgment or of the moral sense,” (pg. 2) is wrong.

In the midst of World War II, my great grandfather was serving in the military. With a small group, he was given the job of entering a German army camp and gaining any information that could be found. It was early in the evening, and the camp was vacant. My grandfather entered into an empty building. Inside he found information with some of the camp’s strategies and plans of attack. Before he was able to leave the camp, the Germans returned. My grandpa was able to quickly hide inside one of many ovens that were lined up next to each other along the wall. He knew he would have to wait a long time if he was going to escape at all. A few German soldiers came in and used the oven next to my grandfather to cook their dinner. My grandpa held back from screaming despite great pain as his skin burned for hours. He remained silent for fear that the soldiers would kill him if he was found. The entire left side of his body contains scars that are with him to this day. Finally, morning came, the soldiers left the camp, and my grandpa was able to crawl out of the oven and return to safety. The information he left with was able to help prepare American troops for an eminent attack by the Germans.

When I look at my great grandfather today and see those scars, I am so grateful for him and the service he provided to protect our country. I’ve always wanted to know more about this story and everything that happened to my grandpa during World War II. Unfortunately, all memories he has of his time serving his country are not very pleasant and he won’t talk about them. When I see his eyes as his mind searches over memories he wishes he didn’t have, I am in great awe at the servicemen who put their lives on the line for all of us. Thoreau says in his discussion of men fighting mindlessly for the country that “Such command no more respect than men of straw or a lump of dirt,” (pg. 2). I shudder at this statement and can’t disagree with it more. This statement strikes a nerve in those today that support American troops and what they fight for. Men serving in the armed forces support this great nation, have answered a call from leaders, and put their lives on the line for our safety and freedom. Not only do they give their lives for our country, but for the cause of freedom for the whole world and countries that can’t fight for themselves. If such men don’t command respect, then there must be little else in existence that does.

Thoreau’s main issue with servicemen comes from his great disdain for the Mexican-American War. He says that “The mass of men serve the state thus, not as men mainly, but as machines,” (pg. 2). He disapproves of men serving a country with leaders who participate in slavery and have an insatiable desire for gaining more land. I cannot say that I disagree with his feelings and frustrations with the government and slavery. In retrospect, however, I believe we find a reason for the acquisition of Texas and other lands with the war-ending Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. In 1845 a rebel province of Mexico voluntarily allowed for ceded lands of Texas to the United States. The rest of Mexico did not recognize the secession, and war ensued in 1846. Not very far away, the Latter-day Saints continued their endurance of persecution, threats, and extermination orders. About the same time that the Mexican-American War began, the Saints traveled across the plains in search of Zion and an end to persecution. I do not believe it coincidence that within one year of the first company of Saints reaching the Salt Lake Valley, the Mexican-American War ended and Utah became a Territory of the United States. Only there did the Saints at last find peace and the opportunity to worship free of persecution.

With this information brought to light, I see a great purpose and reason that existed for the Mexican-American War to be fought and a great need for men to fight it. Thoreau felt that such men were machines without consciences, and very few were heroes. It is my feeling that all of the men who fought in that war were heroes. Without knowing it, they fought for something that was urgently necessary for the Lord’s people (even though it appeased manifest destiny simultaneously).

Whether you are related to someone serving the country today, have a relative who fought for the country in the past, or are someone who avidly supports the government, you know that the men serving our country are not performing a self-serving function. They are not worth the same as dogs or dirt. They are not machines that act without a moral sense. They fight for God, family, and country. They are great men and cannot be replaced by wooden men. They are heroes. Whether one agrees with what they fight for or not, their caliber and valiance cannot be disputed. When the motives of leaders throughout history are not always valiant, I find it important to look at where they’re actions have led our country. Those who fight have courage beyond my own, and I feel that at times they are instruments in the hand of God and should be seen as such if nothing else.

the Scorp...

Well we all made it down okay, despite a few injuries to people and our cars, and had a fun week (except Alex who was at girl's camp). However, we picked the wrong week to go because the waves are usually much better than the ones we had and of course the swell picked up the day after we left. While we were there we met three men camping next to us, two from England and one from Australia. They were all in their late 20s and we were able to have them come to our site and eat with us a few times. They always offered to bring beer so we finally told them that we were Mormon so we didn't drink ever. Surprisingly none of them knew anything about our church and what we believed. We, the returned missionaries of the family mostly, just gave them a brief synopsis of our beliefs and what makes us different. At the end, one of them (Dave, a 1st mate on yachts) said that he was really glad to be able to hear about everything without us trying to shove it down his throat and make him believe it. He said that we were great ambassadors for the Mormon church. I think they were really glad to hear about some of our doctrines, and all three basically expressed that they were at a time in their lives where they were ready to find something to believe in as far as religion. My dad exchanged emails with all of them and we are going to try to do something with them as they will all be passing through San Diego in a month or so before heading to their respective homes. It was really neat.


We rushed home a few days earlier than we originally planned from vacation to make it back for Kasey's homecoming. He gave an amazing talk and spoke Portugese amazingly as well (Andrew served in Brazil and could verify that). He also was his normal self just like when he left, only the way he talks is a little different. Kasey talked about how he always thought that he was not very smart. This led to him feeling that he wasn't smart enough to learn another language when he went into the mission. He came to realize that he could do anything he wanted with the Lord's help if he worked hard enough. This realization only came at the year mark half-way through his mission when he still couldn't speak or understand the people. He knew that he was called to teach the people, something he hadn't done and couldn't do until he spoke the language. He opened his heart and sincerely wanted to love and teach the people, so he promised the Lord that he would not speak a single word more in English for the rest of the mission unless absolutely necessary. He forced himself to only speak Portugese to everyone and his companions even though he was bad at it, and after a little while he was finally able to talk to the people.

My mother-in-law is currently half-way through her mission in the Czech Republic and is still struggling with the language. I felt like Kasey's experience was so wonderful to share with her because her desire to teach the people is already so strong despite the language barrier. She also loves the people there immensely and has been able to do some amazing things like starting the visiting teaching program in the branch she is serving in. No one but the Lord knows exactly what He plans to use her for as she serves, but I know that she can still teach and master the language if her desire is strong and she commits to learning the same way Kasey did.

Reflections of Christ

So while we were in Arizona last month we were able to go into the visitor's center at the temple and see this fine art photography exhibit of photos taken of the Easter Pageant actors by Mark Mabry. This one was Jeremy's favorite, but the rest were also amazing. You can view a slideshow of all the pictures here...Reflections of Christ. I love these so much!!! The actor this year definitely seemed to be the most accurate portrayal of Christ (according to my imagination) that I've ever seen.

Firsts...

So it's been well over a week and I'm sorry I haven't posted anything...I dislike looking around at blogs that have been the same for about a week, so I understand your feelings of annoyance (is this even a word?). School is coming to an end forever and I'm starting to stress about finals and finding a job...oh well, it'll all be good. Last week was a week of firsts for me and Jeremy. Never having a cavity before in my life I was scared to go to the dentist last week to get my first three fillings. Luckily for me they were small and I didn't have to get shots because the dentist didn't have to drill very far into my poor teeth. So it wasn't so bad! Plus nobody will really ever know because they aren't silver fillings and just blend in, yessssss!

Figuring it was our last time living here so close to the conference center and because Jeremy's never been to a session before, we decided to go up and try to get in by waiting in the standby line on Sunday for General Conference. As it turns out, it is pretty simple to get extra tickets from people who have come from far distances by asking for extras a couple blocks away from the conference center from people walking towards it. We didn't even have to wait in that long line and got some pretty good seats! Jeremy loved it...and I have to say it never ceases to make my spine tingle when the loud conference center falls silent in about two seconds as all stand when the prophet enters the room. Very cool.

Lions, Witches, & Wardrobes

The Lion - During sacrament meeting on Easter Sunday I flipped to John 20 and started to read the account of the resurrected Lord appearing to His disciples. "Doubting" Thomas did not believe that the Savior had appeared to the others while he was gone. Only upon seeing Christ himself does he believe that He had risen. Vs. 29-"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." Growing up in the church it seems like it was always mentioned that it would have been harder to have faith in Christ before His birth when there were only prophets and writings testifying that He would come than it would be to believe in Him today. Some probably feel that this verse applies to those in biblical times, but I think it applies all the more to us today. We have writings and prophets that testify of Christ, but we have not seen Him and have just as little physical evidence of His ministry on the earth as those who lived before He came did. However, while they believed that Christ would come and die for the sins of the world, we believe that He came along with an added belief that He will return again.

The Witch - So much lately I have been seeing people slowly make small mistakes or slip a little in their integrity or just be "naughty" like my dad says (most often when referring to "that Heidi girl" from The Hills). It's little things...wearing super short shorts and spaghetti strap shirts, drinking, people I know as "good Mormon girls" cussing, betraying someone's trust, or being rude to a friend. It's as if for attention people will forfeit integrity...saddening. Anyway, the White Witch in the chronicles is like this. She is a lot like Lucifer with her power, cunning, and alluring outward appearance (at least before she became the White Witch). She lures people in as they can't help but notice her breathtaking beauty, and then she gradually steals away hearts. It makes me sad for these people and reminds me of the scripture, "...it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from [it]." They are lured by a need for attention or by the enticings of the world, and as a dog returns to his vomit so also do fools return to their folly. No man can serve two masters...

The Wardrobe - I'm not usually one to get into fads, so rather than start reading the Twilight series (which I'm sure I would end up liking) I decided to read the entire Chronicles of Narnia.  This is a feat that I might not be able to accomplish until after we have moved back home, but we'll see. In elementary school I read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (click for a treat), but that's where the chronicles and I ended our relationship. Growing up my dad always tried to connect books/movies to gospel principles. This was a stretch for movies like "Star Wars" (the only parallel was using the force required faith). For stories from Christian writers like Tolkien and Lewis however, there were actually many clear biblical symbolisms and parallels. In the prequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, you get to see how the Lion (the Christ figure) creates Narnia. This creation is almost exactly like the account of the Earth's creation in the Bible. You also get to see how the White Witch came into Narnia...I'll come back to that later.