I recently read an article in the Arizona Republic about a couple that took one week to live more "eco friendly." It intrigued me. The couple were not going extreme, they were just rethinking some of the things that they were currently doing. Each day the explored a less environmentally impacting aspect of their life, ex. food, transportation, water, electric consumption, waste production.
I am a big fan of re-thinking every-day practices and so it go me thinking what parts of their experiment would be applicable in our life both currently and in the future as we hope to have a home of our own. I discussed them with Josh a bit this morning, and too my great pleasure, Josh also thinks there are wonderful things we can do to become more 'self-sufficient' (which is a much better serving term for us since we really don't make changes based upon the effects they are having upon our planet, more so upon our checkbook). Could we survive in a convinient society without any outside resources? Or more effectual, can we save more of our hard earned money by consuming and wasting less?
I did a bit more research this morning online and found out that according to a Low Impact site, we are doing pretty good at being eco-friendly, but my favorite part of the site was that they showed you projects you could implement starting pretty simple to getting pretty big. I liked most of the list it came up with for our current household. I am a big champion for being frugal, so the part I liked most was the comparison of how much it would cost to make the change, and then the annual savings it would give you. Somethings saved you nothing, and it was nice to see that honest comparison. Point being - alot of the current rave of 'living green' fall into our family goals of being provident providers and living self-sufficiently.
Some goals/ideas we like:
-Drying all our clothes on the line
-changing all lightbulbs to low efficiency (we just broke down and bought our first box of lowE and were surprised to see that a bulb that puts off 60w of light only takes 13w of energy! cool)
-install solar panels
-save waste water to reuse in irrigation for your yard and garden (which currently has no effect on us because we don't pay for water in our apt and we have no yard, but it is nice to plan)
-turn down the water heater (or make it solar/radiant heated)
-buy less packaged food and make more from stratch
-buy everything second hand (thanks to a low budget we have been doing a pretty good job of this, but after ripping tabs off some new pants for Faith this morning I realized I can do much better)
- recycle more
-create a compost for your home (the 'No-Impact Guy' did this even in their NY high rise apt)
-walk anywhere within 5 miles, bike anywhere within 15 miles and only drive when necessary
-turn off, or get rid of the TV (we really like this, we find we have more time as a family to be creative, literate, and fun! especially the time it profits in the evening for Josh and I to just talk together)
- turn off the water during the parts of the shower you don't actually need it (it is an intriguing idea which reminds me of parts of the world that take bucket showers, it is possible)
-buy biodegradable detergents (which would be helpful when we are using waste water as irrigation)
- make the pretty embroidered personalized hancerchiefs of yester-year (this idea just came to me as I witnessed Faith just go through yet another box of kleenex that was part of my 3 month supply which has been reduced to 1 sick week with the help of Danny transfering all the tissues to a minute blow at the nose, crumpled, and then put in the trash)
for more of my half-baked frugal ideas you can visit my other blog
Friday, October 30, 2009
What the Constitution is for ---not just liberals!
I have recently been feeling rather economic and political, all of which things tie deeply to the doctrines I believe in. Yesterday I read this article which has really been cycling around my thoughts:
Apostle Says Religious Freedom Is Being Threatened
My heart aches when I think of the world that my children are facing. I know, that sounds rather extreme, nonetheless, I truly feel the responsibility I have to my children to raise them in righteousness. In fact, that was the Visiting Teaching message this month. I know the Lord has prophets and apostles on the earth today to continue teaching us the truths that we need to know so that we can be safe and happy. After all, the Lord's plan is the Plan of Happiness. It is just so sad that the opposition is getting so very combative.
Elder Oaks says:
In choosing my subject I have relied on an old military maxim that when there is a battle underway, persons who desire to join the fray should “march to the sound of the guns.”[i] So it is that I invite you to march with me as I speak about religious freedom under the United States Constitution. There is a battle over the meaning of that freedom. The contest is of eternal importance, and it is your generation that must understand the issues and make the efforts to prevail.
Continuing the states:
Along with many other religious people, we affirm that God is the ultimate source of power and that, under Him, it is the people’s inherent right to decide their form of government. Sovereign power is not inherent in a state or nation just because its leaders have the power that comes from force of arms. And sovereign power does not come from the divine right of a king, who grants his subjects such power as he pleases or is forced to concede, as in Magna Carta. As the preamble to our constitution states: “We the People of the United States . . . do ordain and establish this Constitution.”
Go read the rest! It is amazing. Josh and I have had several more political conversations lately based on many of the principles that the Constitution and the Gospel are founded on. Perhaps it has taken a president that we don't exactly agree with to awaken us to so many of the other subtle battles that are being fought politically and morally in our country. I am just so extremely grateful to have the words of apostles, prophets and seers to guide me during these last days. *sigh*
Apostle Says Religious Freedom Is Being Threatened
My heart aches when I think of the world that my children are facing. I know, that sounds rather extreme, nonetheless, I truly feel the responsibility I have to my children to raise them in righteousness. In fact, that was the Visiting Teaching message this month. I know the Lord has prophets and apostles on the earth today to continue teaching us the truths that we need to know so that we can be safe and happy. After all, the Lord's plan is the Plan of Happiness. It is just so sad that the opposition is getting so very combative.
Elder Oaks says:
In choosing my subject I have relied on an old military maxim that when there is a battle underway, persons who desire to join the fray should “march to the sound of the guns.”[i] So it is that I invite you to march with me as I speak about religious freedom under the United States Constitution. There is a battle over the meaning of that freedom. The contest is of eternal importance, and it is your generation that must understand the issues and make the efforts to prevail.
Continuing the states:
Along with many other religious people, we affirm that God is the ultimate source of power and that, under Him, it is the people’s inherent right to decide their form of government. Sovereign power is not inherent in a state or nation just because its leaders have the power that comes from force of arms. And sovereign power does not come from the divine right of a king, who grants his subjects such power as he pleases or is forced to concede, as in Magna Carta. As the preamble to our constitution states: “We the People of the United States . . . do ordain and establish this Constitution.”
Go read the rest! It is amazing. Josh and I have had several more political conversations lately based on many of the principles that the Constitution and the Gospel are founded on. Perhaps it has taken a president that we don't exactly agree with to awaken us to so many of the other subtle battles that are being fought politically and morally in our country. I am just so extremely grateful to have the words of apostles, prophets and seers to guide me during these last days. *sigh*
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
My Favorite Day of the Year
October 27th is my very FAVORITE day of the year! It beats all holidays and birthdays by far! I didn't even know until 4 years ago that October 27th would be the day that everything changed for the best for me!
And here's why:
See those gleaming rings and goofy grins?! That says "We just got married!!!"
Joshua Andy Button and Nancy Hancock were sealed in the Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple at 10am on Thursday October 27th, 2005.
What a gorgeous autumn day it was!
We actually broke tradition and held a pre-reception which we just called a celebration the night before on Wed Oct 26th at my parents' cabin in St. Anthony Idaho just on the banks of the Henry's Fork of the Snake River.
We did the family meet and greet-all that night; My folks flew in from CT that day and Josh's family drove over from WA and they all met for the first time all dressed up at the cabin. Josh and I really weren't even available to do the introductions cuz we were getting ready. We were blessed to have all of our family together comprising travelers from WA, TX, UT, AZ, CT, and FL.
as well as both sets of my grandparents (Grandpa Rasmussen was 90years old and Grandpa Hancock just passed last year)
We cut the cake that night. It was a yellow cake that I pleaded with Josh to not smear since I really wanted my dress to be nice for the actual wedding day. We saved the top tier for our 1st anniversary and served the other two layers as refreshments.
My beautiful sisters and bestest friends were my matching maids.
Josh got a censored garter pull and I threw the bouquet to the gals the next day. Of the four running for the flowers (Jill was leaving for a mission a month later so she really didn't need to catch it) Charisa was the next to get married although Ellie caught the bouquet (height advantage) who is actually the last one of the bridesmaids not married..;)
Yet, despite all the fun and excitement of those two celbratory days, what I remember most is this: knowing I was absolutely happy and that I would always be happy as long as Josh was with me. In four years we have moved 9 times, had 2 beautiful children, gone through graduate school and plenty of other 'stressers' yet we have not had more than one major fight! As I knelt across the altar from Josh, just waiting to say my part, I got more and more excited until I finally got to burst it out in a "YES!" All those promises I made to Josh that day I still hold true to. He is my one and only, my best friend, flesh of my flesh and I cleave to him as I do to no one else. I love him or today than I did on that day I felt I would burst with love, and I will love him more tomorrow! Happy Anniversary! This is the best day ever (so far)!
And here's why:
See those gleaming rings and goofy grins?! That says "We just got married!!!"
Joshua Andy Button and Nancy Hancock were sealed in the Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple at 10am on Thursday October 27th, 2005.
What a gorgeous autumn day it was!
We actually broke tradition and held a pre-reception which we just called a celebration the night before on Wed Oct 26th at my parents' cabin in St. Anthony Idaho just on the banks of the Henry's Fork of the Snake River.
We did the family meet and greet-all that night; My folks flew in from CT that day and Josh's family drove over from WA and they all met for the first time all dressed up at the cabin. Josh and I really weren't even available to do the introductions cuz we were getting ready. We were blessed to have all of our family together comprising travelers from WA, TX, UT, AZ, CT, and FL.
as well as both sets of my grandparents (Grandpa Rasmussen was 90years old and Grandpa Hancock just passed last year)
We cut the cake that night. It was a yellow cake that I pleaded with Josh to not smear since I really wanted my dress to be nice for the actual wedding day. We saved the top tier for our 1st anniversary and served the other two layers as refreshments.
My beautiful sisters and bestest friends were my matching maids.
Josh got a censored garter pull and I threw the bouquet to the gals the next day. Of the four running for the flowers (Jill was leaving for a mission a month later so she really didn't need to catch it) Charisa was the next to get married although Ellie caught the bouquet (height advantage) who is actually the last one of the bridesmaids not married..;)
Yet, despite all the fun and excitement of those two celbratory days, what I remember most is this: knowing I was absolutely happy and that I would always be happy as long as Josh was with me. In four years we have moved 9 times, had 2 beautiful children, gone through graduate school and plenty of other 'stressers' yet we have not had more than one major fight! As I knelt across the altar from Josh, just waiting to say my part, I got more and more excited until I finally got to burst it out in a "YES!" All those promises I made to Josh that day I still hold true to. He is my one and only, my best friend, flesh of my flesh and I cleave to him as I do to no one else. I love him or today than I did on that day I felt I would burst with love, and I will love him more tomorrow! Happy Anniversary! This is the best day ever (so far)!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Mosiah 20:24
As we were reading, a bit speedily, through the Book of Mormon tonight to the kids, I was a bit stupified when Josh stirred from his slumpish sickness and began to pull his arms into his shirt. I thought undoubtedly his fever was rising again and he was getting a chill since I had the fan on in the kids' room. A very sly grin snuck across Josh's face and he said, with a twinkle in his blood-shot eyes, "Hey Faith!" Faith looked at him startled, not knowing what was really going on. Danny had observed the whole thing from Josh's lap also trying to ascertain what was the meaning of his movement.
"Hey Faith," Josh grins "they went in 'without arms!'"
I am certain the pun was lost on our 2 year old daughter and one year old son, but the humor of the moment was priceless. Out of a drug covered fervor came the ultimate cleverness. Faith and Danny both began giggling as Josh bounced up and began to wave around his torso 'without arms' (see titled reference to the people of King Limhi approaching the Lamanites without weapons). Faith began pulling her arms into her sleeves and pleaded for help from her armed mother. Danny sheepishly, but no less getting the great fun of the moment, began tugging on his shirt sleeve motioning that he wanted in on the game too. Soon it was as if Ammon himself had swept through the Button house and every one was 'without arms."
"Hey Faith," Josh grins "they went in 'without arms!'"
I am certain the pun was lost on our 2 year old daughter and one year old son, but the humor of the moment was priceless. Out of a drug covered fervor came the ultimate cleverness. Faith and Danny both began giggling as Josh bounced up and began to wave around his torso 'without arms' (see titled reference to the people of King Limhi approaching the Lamanites without weapons). Faith began pulling her arms into her sleeves and pleaded for help from her armed mother. Danny sheepishly, but no less getting the great fun of the moment, began tugging on his shirt sleeve motioning that he wanted in on the game too. Soon it was as if Ammon himself had swept through the Button house and every one was 'without arms."
Yabba-dabba-BOO!
These aren't the best pictures yet of our family costuming for this years' Halloween. We had a church halloween carnival so we got the trial run for the variation on the Flinstone family. Hopefully I can convince Josh to put on his costume again for Trick-or-Treating.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Ready for Retirement
Danny found his hat on Sunday. All decked out in plaid, crocs, kahkis and a floppy hat he practically requested to go on long slow walks, sit quietly in the park and get paid by the government for having lived more than sixty years (which happens to be the only requirement that he doesn't already fulfill).
Arizona State Fair
If it weren't for this mini-petting zoo and a few very large cows I would have had to petition that they change the name of the Arizona State Fair to the Arizona State Carnival. As it was - I was grateful for some passive animals that Faith could screech near and Danny could systematically pat three times on whatever part of the body presented itself.
We were so turned off by the non-fairness of the place we didn't even have an elephant ear, just juice and granola bars we brought from home. Josh was on call and had some patients trying his patience throughout the trip as well. Ah well. It was fun to be out as a family, that is the best part of any day.
We were so turned off by the non-fairness of the place we didn't even have an elephant ear, just juice and granola bars we brought from home. Josh was on call and had some patients trying his patience throughout the trip as well. Ah well. It was fun to be out as a family, that is the best part of any day.
Totally legal
I figure it is totally okay with child-labor laws to have them do all the cleaning if they are the ones that made the mess in the first place.
Really, I think it is adorable that the kids always want to help me with the cleaning that I am doing. Hence my strong belief that children need to see you cleaning and play along. You shouldn't shoo them away and deny them the joys of making your home a nice place to live. Plus, it won't be as much of a shock later down the road when you decide to give them chores!
Monday, October 19, 2009
And we did liken the scriptures unto ourselves
In the Book of Mormon in the book of Alma in the 60s chapters, there is a little epistle exchange that I have come to appreciate a bit deeper today.
Captain Moroni is in a tough spot. He is fighting a wicked war and feels like he is not getting the support he needs from the chief judge. In an emotionally heated epistle Moroni writes some rather irrational things to Pahoran. Who knows how long it takes for an epistle to get from one place to the other, but some time passes before Moroni receives Pahoran's response. What Moroni did not realize was the Pahoran was in a tougher spot than the captain. He regrets not being able to help Moroni more but is kinda in a bind having been run out of his city by lawless men. He does what he can to send Moroni some back-up regardless and closes his humble epistle with "and now I close mine epistle to my beloved brother, Moroni."
I happen to have a rather Moroni-like temperment in my record keeping. I use very little tact and quite a bit of 'in the moment' dialogue. To my great blessing, I am surrounded by Pahorans, who, regardless of my weakness, may 'rejoice in the greatness of [my] heart.' Moroni's response to the epistle from Pahoran is this - he rejoices that Pahoran is a great man and he does all he can to go and help him as quickly as possible.
The scriptures say that if all men were like unto Moroni that hell would have no power over the hearts of men. Maybe, if I am a bit more like Moroni, I will become better at action than words and be lead by the Spirit of the Lord with great purpose to help and uplift others.
Captain Moroni is in a tough spot. He is fighting a wicked war and feels like he is not getting the support he needs from the chief judge. In an emotionally heated epistle Moroni writes some rather irrational things to Pahoran. Who knows how long it takes for an epistle to get from one place to the other, but some time passes before Moroni receives Pahoran's response. What Moroni did not realize was the Pahoran was in a tougher spot than the captain. He regrets not being able to help Moroni more but is kinda in a bind having been run out of his city by lawless men. He does what he can to send Moroni some back-up regardless and closes his humble epistle with "and now I close mine epistle to my beloved brother, Moroni."
I happen to have a rather Moroni-like temperment in my record keeping. I use very little tact and quite a bit of 'in the moment' dialogue. To my great blessing, I am surrounded by Pahorans, who, regardless of my weakness, may 'rejoice in the greatness of [my] heart.' Moroni's response to the epistle from Pahoran is this - he rejoices that Pahoran is a great man and he does all he can to go and help him as quickly as possible.
The scriptures say that if all men were like unto Moroni that hell would have no power over the hearts of men. Maybe, if I am a bit more like Moroni, I will become better at action than words and be lead by the Spirit of the Lord with great purpose to help and uplift others.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
You can take the girl out of the country.....
You know how they say that 'everything is bigger in Texas?" Well, I was just looking at our pictures of this years' attempt of a pumpkin patch, farm animal petting, hay ride, and straw maze and couldn't help but think "Everything is smaller in Arizona."
I took the kiddos to "Mother Nature's Farm," which must have been a distant cousin to THE Mother Nature; what a feeble attempt to let city kids have the farm feel in October (I was certainly glad that I at least got a coupon for my admission free, the rest was a rip off).
Here are the pathetic animals that are kid friendly. The cow gave a good show and bellowed a lot. I did get Faith and Danny to touch their noses, which makes me happy thinking of all the days on Grandpa's farm when we got to feed the baby calves and they would slobber all the way up to your elbow.
Here's the straw maze. Pretty cute for little tikes, although Faith really did have more fun in the large one, she got bored fast with this one.
Kid size pumpkin patch, which was cute. Danny insisted on hauling his own pumpkin to the 'decorating' tables. They supplied foam stickers to decorate your pumpkin..lame. Faith took all the stickers of that evening and tried to feed them to her brother.
And, last but not least, the hay ride. Yep, there is a bale of hay there inside of he rails that I insisted that the kids sat on instead of the benches. The tractor was small but did sound tractorish. I am pretty sure I have seen trucks on the freeway here with bigger tires though. Good thing the kiddos are small for this year, hopefully they won't remember much about this, well, Arizonan fall spectacular. [we are trying the fair on Saturday, here's to hoping it turns out a bit more impressive]
I took the kiddos to "Mother Nature's Farm," which must have been a distant cousin to THE Mother Nature; what a feeble attempt to let city kids have the farm feel in October (I was certainly glad that I at least got a coupon for my admission free, the rest was a rip off).
Here are the pathetic animals that are kid friendly. The cow gave a good show and bellowed a lot. I did get Faith and Danny to touch their noses, which makes me happy thinking of all the days on Grandpa's farm when we got to feed the baby calves and they would slobber all the way up to your elbow.
Here's the straw maze. Pretty cute for little tikes, although Faith really did have more fun in the large one, she got bored fast with this one.
Kid size pumpkin patch, which was cute. Danny insisted on hauling his own pumpkin to the 'decorating' tables. They supplied foam stickers to decorate your pumpkin..lame. Faith took all the stickers of that evening and tried to feed them to her brother.
And, last but not least, the hay ride. Yep, there is a bale of hay there inside of he rails that I insisted that the kids sat on instead of the benches. The tractor was small but did sound tractorish. I am pretty sure I have seen trucks on the freeway here with bigger tires though. Good thing the kiddos are small for this year, hopefully they won't remember much about this, well, Arizonan fall spectacular. [we are trying the fair on Saturday, here's to hoping it turns out a bit more impressive]
When you read It, you love IT!!
And what is better, you know it is TRUE. And you know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. You know that He calls prophets. You know that God loves you, He has a plan for you, and He most certainly intends for you to be happy with all His tender mercies! I have been reading the Book of Mormon through 'quickly' looking only for evidences of the Lord's "tender mercies;" the Book of Mormon is laden with evidences of Jesus the Christ, how He saves us, and how very much He loves us now as evidenced through His thoughtful and loving care of people through time! I love this book!!!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Paying for a natural look, silliness really
Here is the new fall do:
I got some highlights and some lowlights put in keeping my shaggy-blonde-brown as the base. You can't really tell can you? I guess that is the point - too look done up but in a natural way. I got it trimmed too. Okay, so maybe this is just an updated picture of me since usually you just see my kiddos.
Today in church, the little old organist had the cutest little perma-grin on her face. Really it was permanently there the whole hour long. I thought, maybe I can practice a lot to have a perma-smile, so my face naturally goes that way. Here's to practicing.
I got some highlights and some lowlights put in keeping my shaggy-blonde-brown as the base. You can't really tell can you? I guess that is the point - too look done up but in a natural way. I got it trimmed too. Okay, so maybe this is just an updated picture of me since usually you just see my kiddos.
Today in church, the little old organist had the cutest little perma-grin on her face. Really it was permanently there the whole hour long. I thought, maybe I can practice a lot to have a perma-smile, so my face naturally goes that way. Here's to practicing.
We bought a new rug, and therefore changed the whole apartment.
This wall was a giant blank of wasted space. I couldn't think of any picture that would be appropriate to put above your sink. Luckily I found this fabulous stainless steel system. Viola!! Organization. I can even plant herbs in the little pot and have it hanging there (that is if there were any purpose of putting herbs on a wall that got no light).
See the magnetic knife strip? It is awesome and totally out of the kids' reach. The drying rack folds up when you don't have dishes on it too.
That front patio is our 'yard.' During the summer we had the couch in front of the doors since you didn't want to go outside at any point of the day. Now we leave it open and the kids draw on the cement outside instead of the tile inside (the rug is in the way). Our 'office' in the corner is way more functional now too! You can even see out the window and feel like a real person while working on the computer.
In the corner by the book shelf is the kiddo's 'book nook,' which they love! Now when I can't see them or hear them, they are reading (instead of hiding or running away from me).
Whole Wheat
"Please use your spoon to shove all your squishy soggy soup bread into your mouth."
"Don't chew with your mouth closed, uh, I mean open!"
"You are what you eat, you must be whole wheat!"
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Non-Preservationist
We had a short visit to a wildlife conservation center this morning. My visit there was not so pleasant. The whole time I kept thinking, "Why are you preserving these!!!"
Example:
This is the Arizona Bark Scorpion. I found one yesterday in my house on a rag in my cleaning supplies bucket. My first reaction was ANGER. I was mad that this critter, although talked about yet unseen until now, really existed and is dangerous and was dangerously close to my children!! After the first quell of anger, I took it outside, sprayed it with toxic cleaners (to deaden it's senses of course, kinda like mace for bugs), pushed it onto the cement with a cleaning toothbrush and SMASHED ITS IRRIDESCENT GUTS OUT!!!! So the glow in black light. So what?!
Up until now I have been tolerant of the renegade roaches that do not even have the decency to find a descreet final resting place (I find at least 3 on their back every morning on my floor. I still haven't figured out how they flipped over and died, it is just a phenomenom I guess). I have provided hotels for the ants and shooed the little Jimney Crickets outside. But I will NOT tolerate scorpions.
And what were the other wildlife on display in the fine concervation center? Oh, only the other 4 things on my top 5 list of things on this planet I hate: snakes, spiders, wasps and very large flying bugs. This is where I draw the line folks. Arizona, you may as well make a play land out of cactus (which may actually exist, heaven help us) as to say that I need to preserve these critters.
Example:
This is the Arizona Bark Scorpion. I found one yesterday in my house on a rag in my cleaning supplies bucket. My first reaction was ANGER. I was mad that this critter, although talked about yet unseen until now, really existed and is dangerous and was dangerously close to my children!! After the first quell of anger, I took it outside, sprayed it with toxic cleaners (to deaden it's senses of course, kinda like mace for bugs), pushed it onto the cement with a cleaning toothbrush and SMASHED ITS IRRIDESCENT GUTS OUT!!!! So the glow in black light. So what?!
Up until now I have been tolerant of the renegade roaches that do not even have the decency to find a descreet final resting place (I find at least 3 on their back every morning on my floor. I still haven't figured out how they flipped over and died, it is just a phenomenom I guess). I have provided hotels for the ants and shooed the little Jimney Crickets outside. But I will NOT tolerate scorpions.
And what were the other wildlife on display in the fine concervation center? Oh, only the other 4 things on my top 5 list of things on this planet I hate: snakes, spiders, wasps and very large flying bugs. This is where I draw the line folks. Arizona, you may as well make a play land out of cactus (which may actually exist, heaven help us) as to say that I need to preserve these critters.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Pornography is EVIL!!!
Josh had a conversation with a friend yesterday that he shared with me. In essence, she had watched General Conference and giggled at our silly attention to labeling pornography as bad. She does not feel there is anything wrong with porn.....?!!!!
I have been trying to settle my mind and my heart for the past 24 hours over such a careless disregard for truth and evil. Oh what a mixed world we live in! It is the time when the prophecy is being fulfilled that man "will call good evil and evil good."
As I lay in bed last night trying to get to sleep I developed a passioned rebuttal to such a disregard of significant evidences from history in which societies were destroyed when their government allowed immoral acts and disregarded the sanctity of marriage, family, and chastity; God's law in which he has NEVER varied from the declaration that adultery in any from is a sin and even Christ himself when walking on this earth rebuked men for lusting in their hearts and minds after things of the flesh; current day horrifying news of abuse, exploitation, child pornography, prostitution, rape, murders and so on.
What it boils down to is this: Pornography is Evil. It is not of God for that which is of God edifies the Spirit of man. Nothing good comes from the selfish indulgence of physical desires. Evil mounts on evil as one desensitizes their spirit by allowing the body to be the ruler. In the Book of Mormon the prophet Jacob mourns that he has to touch about the subject of sexual immorality because of the tender hearts of children and women that have been broken. Elder Richard G. Scott, a modern day apostle called of God had tenderly pleaded at every opportunity that we stay away from the evils of pornography. Men and women alike are victims of this horrible vice. And don't think it is just pictures we talk of - written word, sexual explicit movies or any communication that degrades another person. How can we think of our brothers and sisters, for we are all children of God, as mere objects of pleasure?
I know that God speaks to us through His prophets words of warning. They are speaking to our day now, the evils that infest our world. I am so glad that my husband and I have commited to one another, and daily recommit, that we will never participate in pornography of any sort. Frequently we ask each other in trust whether or not we have been true to this commitment and it helps us to stay on the right path. Oh please to not mix good for evil and evil for good. Pornography is evil.
I have been trying to settle my mind and my heart for the past 24 hours over such a careless disregard for truth and evil. Oh what a mixed world we live in! It is the time when the prophecy is being fulfilled that man "will call good evil and evil good."
As I lay in bed last night trying to get to sleep I developed a passioned rebuttal to such a disregard of significant evidences from history in which societies were destroyed when their government allowed immoral acts and disregarded the sanctity of marriage, family, and chastity; God's law in which he has NEVER varied from the declaration that adultery in any from is a sin and even Christ himself when walking on this earth rebuked men for lusting in their hearts and minds after things of the flesh; current day horrifying news of abuse, exploitation, child pornography, prostitution, rape, murders and so on.
What it boils down to is this: Pornography is Evil. It is not of God for that which is of God edifies the Spirit of man. Nothing good comes from the selfish indulgence of physical desires. Evil mounts on evil as one desensitizes their spirit by allowing the body to be the ruler. In the Book of Mormon the prophet Jacob mourns that he has to touch about the subject of sexual immorality because of the tender hearts of children and women that have been broken. Elder Richard G. Scott, a modern day apostle called of God had tenderly pleaded at every opportunity that we stay away from the evils of pornography. Men and women alike are victims of this horrible vice. And don't think it is just pictures we talk of - written word, sexual explicit movies or any communication that degrades another person. How can we think of our brothers and sisters, for we are all children of God, as mere objects of pleasure?
I know that God speaks to us through His prophets words of warning. They are speaking to our day now, the evils that infest our world. I am so glad that my husband and I have commited to one another, and daily recommit, that we will never participate in pornography of any sort. Frequently we ask each other in trust whether or not we have been true to this commitment and it helps us to stay on the right path. Oh please to not mix good for evil and evil for good. Pornography is evil.
Monday, October 5, 2009
The price of Saving
I have recently been trying to iron out a 1 year plan for getting a 1 year food supply. In doing so I broke down the Church's basics prices per pound so that I can compare them to what I find in grocery stores and other storage sites. I figure the Church storage is the standard so I would go off that. I do realize you have to take into account the excellent storage packaging that the Church does that you rarely find elsewhere, but I figure I can get at least half the storage in the cheaper format if I am rotating them frequently. So here is the break down, if you are curious.
Red Wheat $.45/lb
Sugar $.62/lb
White Rice $.51/lb
Powdered Milk $1.20/lb
Black Beans $.75/lb
Pinto Beans $.71/lb
Quick Oats $.50/lb
Regular Oats $.50/lb
Spaghetti $.78/lb
Macaroni $.83/lb
White Flour $.52/lb
Pancake mix $.52/lb
Potato Pearls $2.05/lb
Potato Flakes $1.20/lb
The First Presidency recommends that you have the following per 1 adult for one year:
Grains (including wheat, flour, rice, oatmeal, pasta) 400 lbs = aprox $200
Legumes 60 lbs = aprox $43
Powdered Milk 16 lbs = $19
Cooking Oil 10 qts (16 lbs) = $10
Sugar or Honey 60 lbs = $38
Salt 8 lbs =aprox $8
Water (two weeks) 14 gallons = $free (plus cost of container...)
Total for 1 person for a year = $318 divide that by 12 months and you can do it for $27 a month per person! That is manageable. Then do the coupon shopping for the 3 month supply stuff when it is on sale. Viola! All is safely gathered in.
Red Wheat $.45/lb
Sugar $.62/lb
White Rice $.51/lb
Powdered Milk $1.20/lb
Black Beans $.75/lb
Pinto Beans $.71/lb
Quick Oats $.50/lb
Regular Oats $.50/lb
Spaghetti $.78/lb
Macaroni $.83/lb
White Flour $.52/lb
Pancake mix $.52/lb
Potato Pearls $2.05/lb
Potato Flakes $1.20/lb
The First Presidency recommends that you have the following per 1 adult for one year:
Grains (including wheat, flour, rice, oatmeal, pasta) 400 lbs = aprox $200
Legumes 60 lbs = aprox $43
Powdered Milk 16 lbs = $19
Cooking Oil 10 qts (16 lbs) = $10
Sugar or Honey 60 lbs = $38
Salt 8 lbs =aprox $8
Water (two weeks) 14 gallons = $free (plus cost of container...)
Total for 1 person for a year = $318 divide that by 12 months and you can do it for $27 a month per person! That is manageable. Then do the coupon shopping for the 3 month supply stuff when it is on sale. Viola! All is safely gathered in.
Big Shoes to Fill
I have taken a lot more pictures of Danny lately. He is in my favorite stage - just about 18 months. He is the cutest little toddler! Both he and Faith have become really affectionate with one another lately. While Danny was waking slowly from a nap, Faith was comforting with pets on his golden hair saying "This is my Danny. I love my brother." She bent over slightly (she still is about a heads height above Danny) and kissed him on the cheek.
Later, while watching a movie together. Danny sidled up behind Faith, put his arms around her from behind and then swung his head around one side to give her a sweet kiss on the cheek followed by a gigantic smile. Faith barely recognized his affection, but I definitely caught the tender moment.
I have to suppose that much of this tenderness is a tribute to my husband, who is so tender to me and always being affectionate around the children. I love them and kiss them to boredom, but they certainly turn on the radar when they see Daddy loving Mommy. I am glad that I have such an amazing husband who is teaching my children the really essential skills they will need.
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