I can't really take credit for smarting myself on this one because I have been asking the gurus A LOT of questions. I have been returning to the study of how/why people cloth diaper in the modern world of disposables. My conclusion is we are going to give a really really good effort to get into cloth diapering. Nothing more environmental than saving pennies. See, if we really plan on having 9 kids, that would add up for disposables. Just today we spent $80 on diapers and that is an almost monthly thing. I had mentioned to Josh I wanted to try it with our next baby and he looked me askance and said "why wait, we are our poorest now?" So, here is the basics of where I have started to get into the CD world (if you look at websites the cloth diapers have a whole acronym lingo, super confusing).
There are basically 4 types of Cloth diapers now:
1- "Pre-Fold" Diapers - this is the same stuff our mom's used. Surprisingly many people still prefer to pin and fold the rectangle around the baby. It is the most economical and easiest to wash. They have basically done away with the plastic pants outer cover and have many more breathable alternatives, including wool. The wool thing confused me for days. And a lot of moms knit or sew their own wool outer coverings. That is more thrifty than I had thought of getting, but now I am thinking....
2- Fitted Diapers - these are just the rectangles with some elastic around the leg and velcro to shut it. You still have to use the waterproof outer layer. Bonus is you don't have to use pins and the elastic around the legs can prevent leaks on some babies.
3- One size Diapers - these diapers are pretty cool. they can be made as just fitteds (still needed outer layer) or with waterproof outside. They basically have snaps of some sort that make it so they waste and the bum can be smaller or bigger, thus accomodating your kiddo until potty training. A one time investment. This really appeals to me...
4- All in One diapers - these have the absorbant part and the waterproof part together. Also appealing for quick changes and not so many layers, however they are told to be harder to launder. And they don't as often come in one size fits all so you have to get all the sizes, which means more money (they are pretty spendy).
All these for types of diapers can then be 'stuffed' or you add more cloth of sorts inside. They come in a myriad of fabrics, which apparently different baby bums are sensitive to. They come in a rainbow of colors. Once you find the type of diaper you like, you then have to find the brand you like. Additionally you have to know how to 'take care' of each type of diaper. Some you can't use butt creams with, some have to have spiffy detergents, some have to have a specific dry routine.
Yikes! That is enough to scare people away. I have almost gotten scared more than once. BUT, I know this works and could possibly be easier than the world wide web makes it out to be. So, we have ordered some samples of each and will give it a try (thank goodness I ordered from a 100% return policy site). I am not a convert yet, just a serious investigator. Why? Because it will save a lot of pennies. There is a pretty substantial start up cost (think $500 when all is said and done) but then you should be set for life. Here's to learning something new.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
True Bosiean Runner
I ran Robie Creek half marathon yesterday. It was not the official race (that was the week previous, but who really needs to run with four thousand other people and pay $60 to break your ankle). It was good. I don't have pictures, or really any bragging rights. The course is acclaimed to be the "toughest half-marathon in the Northwest."
If I had done it officially I would have gotten 17th in my age division. That is amazing! Considering the longest run I did was 9 miles almost 2 months ago. I decided to run friday night with some friend ladies. The last minute decision meant I did not fuel my body well enough and I bonked 200 yards from the finish. We didn't know where the part was and it was winding roads. Lucky I had a camelback to save me. I would have knocked 3 minutes off my time. I am encouraged by my time, really good for a very steep course for 10 miles then 3 really steep downhill. Fun run. I am a bit stiff today, but overall I can say that I am pretty in-shape.
Final Friday: Ex-straw-vaganza
Final Friday, again! I was excited to have some fun with straws this month. I got a lot of them from the dollar store. We didn't use as many because we are loosing our fun families following. Lucky for the Ricks family, they still fall in both the family and fun category (thanks for still showing up). We did have fun with straws! I was only disappointed that my geiser idea did not work out, baking soda and vinegar are just not potent enough.
We DID have a straw blowing foosball/air hockey table where you could try and score a ping pong ball through the opponent hole. Eve was best with the slimer approach.
We DID make air planes that you launch off your straw (great idea born from the drive thru wrapper blowing concept). We haven't yet perfected the right design to keep them in the air.
We DID have lemon-lime jello to slurp through the straw. That sound is so satisfying, probably the origin of the word slurp comes from the union of straw and jello.
We DID have the bubble table, which was the biggest hit. All you need is water, a table, and bubbles. You blow the bubbles directly on the table, or in a bowl, or in your hand, or in each other. Aidan and I were the best team, creating some amazingly large bubbles (we're talking base bigger than a large dinner plate).
We DID have a straw blowing foosball/air hockey table where you could try and score a ping pong ball through the opponent hole. Eve was best with the slimer approach.
We DID make air planes that you launch off your straw (great idea born from the drive thru wrapper blowing concept). We haven't yet perfected the right design to keep them in the air.
We DID have lemon-lime jello to slurp through the straw. That sound is so satisfying, probably the origin of the word slurp comes from the union of straw and jello.
We DID have the bubble table, which was the biggest hit. All you need is water, a table, and bubbles. You blow the bubbles directly on the table, or in a bowl, or in your hand, or in each other. Aidan and I were the best team, creating some amazingly large bubbles (we're talking base bigger than a large dinner plate).
Arrow Of Light
Thursday night was pack meeting and we were doing a multiple Arrow of Light ceremony. It is fun to work with Jamie, my brother-in-law, as the cubmaster, since he lets me play out some of my creativity. I guess that degree in English and Theatre does come in handy - or at least the Lord has allowed me to use my talents in my calling. Here is the story I wrote for the ceremony. Brooke made the tepee. Jamie played the part of Big Chief Little Tepee. It took about an hour and a half for me to set up all the glowing lights for the cues, but it was a pretty cool 30 minute meeting. (pictures are blurred to protect those who have not given permission to post pictures on the world wide web, yeah right, I just have an old camera)
“In the beginning…” came the soft yet thrilling voice of the wise old chief seated decorously at the head of the fire. So many of the young men sat cross-legged around him and the glowing flames, eager to learn from this trusted shaman.
“In the beginning when the great Chief was to create this world, He called a great counsel. To that counsel he called the crafty bobcat, the young wolf, the strong Bear, and one warrior.
‘Little bobcat, you have a job, though small, it will be very important as we begin this new world. Go, gather with your small and skilled paws the seeds that will make great things grow upon on the land. You must work quickly and do your best to bring them all back to me,’ spoke the great Chief first to the craft bobcat. Bobcat pounced away in search of the seed that would help things grow.
‘Young wolf, your job must be to chase the waters into our new world. With your keen ears and swift paws, run the mighty waters down from the high peaks into the valleys where they will gather and be drunk up by all the seeds to make things grow.’ With a low growl, wolf darted away into the dark universe to gather the waters.
‘Strong bear, with your great strength you must gather all the rocks and place them together to create an earth strong enough to support all the growing things and firm enough to stay in place as the waters rush over it.’ Bear plodded away slowly under the heavy task given to him from the great Chief.
‘And you, warrior, to you I give the greatest task. A task that no one else can perform. You must gather the light from the universe. It will be a great journey to the sky and a awesome hunt to bring in at last the light that will give life to all. But I have trusted you, the loyal warrior, to do this task.’ The loyal warrior threw his bow over his shoulder, strapped his arrows to his back and began the greatest hunt of his life.
[Lights out, glow stick and stars around the room should glow as the story continues]
Young warrior traveled long and far, and with his skilled arrows, he hunted light that would bring life. He shot down star after star that fell from the heavens into his hands. But what could he do with these stars? How would they light the earth? So he brought them to the great Chief.
‘Great Chief, I have brought you the light that I have hunted from the sky, but I do not know what I will do with it to make the seed of Bobcat grow, or the waters of Wolf glisten, or the strong earth of Bear give back heat.”
‘Loyal warrior,’ began the great Chief, ‘You are wise and humble. You have made your journey and done as you were asked. In bringing the light to me you have humbly admitted that there is much still to learn. Give the fallen stars to me.’
With a tired hand the loyal warrior handed over the stars that had replaced his arrows. Once grasped in his hand, the great Chief threw them together to the ground and began the first fire.
[turn on fire only]
Part of that fire he threw back into the sky as the sun and more of the fire he pushed down into the deepest rocks of the earth.
The loyal warrior watched all with wonder. Noticing the young warrior still standing there, the great Chief pulled out of the fire a bright arrow. An arrow of filled with light.
[pull your glowing arrow out from under the fire, or a black covering under the fire]
‘Loyal warrior, for your great journey I return to you part of the light you have brought to this great world. This Arrow of Light will always glow as you continue along your journey and do many great things..’
Will (webelos receiving arrow of light) please join me around the fire.
Like the young bobcat, you started out cub scouting planting little seeds of knowledge and activity in the scouting program. Then as a swift wolf you quickly caught on to the rush of information available to you and moved forward faster in cub scouting. In strength you continued steadily through the Bear requirements, firm in your cub scouting commitments. Now, as a Webelos, you have proven your prowess, loyalty, and great skill as a cub scout and are ready to move on to the Scouting program.
Like the loyal warrior will each of you gather a shard of light from this room and bring it to the fire. …. As you last task in cub scouts, to prove that you have turned on a light of scouting within you that will remain for the rest of your life, will you all drop your light shards into the fire at the same time…
[as they drop the light sticks in, plug in the string of white Christmas lights]
Not only will the light that you have brought into this pack help to brighten the life of others, it will be carried with you into the Boys Scout program. Before you leave us, we present to you this Arrow of Light. Use it to remember the journey you have taken and use it to light the path as you continue on into scouting. You have been a loyal warrior and we congratulate you on this great achievement.
“In the beginning…” came the soft yet thrilling voice of the wise old chief seated decorously at the head of the fire. So many of the young men sat cross-legged around him and the glowing flames, eager to learn from this trusted shaman.
“In the beginning when the great Chief was to create this world, He called a great counsel. To that counsel he called the crafty bobcat, the young wolf, the strong Bear, and one warrior.
‘Little bobcat, you have a job, though small, it will be very important as we begin this new world. Go, gather with your small and skilled paws the seeds that will make great things grow upon on the land. You must work quickly and do your best to bring them all back to me,’ spoke the great Chief first to the craft bobcat. Bobcat pounced away in search of the seed that would help things grow.
‘Young wolf, your job must be to chase the waters into our new world. With your keen ears and swift paws, run the mighty waters down from the high peaks into the valleys where they will gather and be drunk up by all the seeds to make things grow.’ With a low growl, wolf darted away into the dark universe to gather the waters.
‘Strong bear, with your great strength you must gather all the rocks and place them together to create an earth strong enough to support all the growing things and firm enough to stay in place as the waters rush over it.’ Bear plodded away slowly under the heavy task given to him from the great Chief.
‘And you, warrior, to you I give the greatest task. A task that no one else can perform. You must gather the light from the universe. It will be a great journey to the sky and a awesome hunt to bring in at last the light that will give life to all. But I have trusted you, the loyal warrior, to do this task.’ The loyal warrior threw his bow over his shoulder, strapped his arrows to his back and began the greatest hunt of his life.
[Lights out, glow stick and stars around the room should glow as the story continues]
Young warrior traveled long and far, and with his skilled arrows, he hunted light that would bring life. He shot down star after star that fell from the heavens into his hands. But what could he do with these stars? How would they light the earth? So he brought them to the great Chief.
‘Great Chief, I have brought you the light that I have hunted from the sky, but I do not know what I will do with it to make the seed of Bobcat grow, or the waters of Wolf glisten, or the strong earth of Bear give back heat.”
‘Loyal warrior,’ began the great Chief, ‘You are wise and humble. You have made your journey and done as you were asked. In bringing the light to me you have humbly admitted that there is much still to learn. Give the fallen stars to me.’
With a tired hand the loyal warrior handed over the stars that had replaced his arrows. Once grasped in his hand, the great Chief threw them together to the ground and began the first fire.
[turn on fire only]
Part of that fire he threw back into the sky as the sun and more of the fire he pushed down into the deepest rocks of the earth.
The loyal warrior watched all with wonder. Noticing the young warrior still standing there, the great Chief pulled out of the fire a bright arrow. An arrow of filled with light.
[pull your glowing arrow out from under the fire, or a black covering under the fire]
‘Loyal warrior, for your great journey I return to you part of the light you have brought to this great world. This Arrow of Light will always glow as you continue along your journey and do many great things..’
Will (webelos receiving arrow of light) please join me around the fire.
Like the young bobcat, you started out cub scouting planting little seeds of knowledge and activity in the scouting program. Then as a swift wolf you quickly caught on to the rush of information available to you and moved forward faster in cub scouting. In strength you continued steadily through the Bear requirements, firm in your cub scouting commitments. Now, as a Webelos, you have proven your prowess, loyalty, and great skill as a cub scout and are ready to move on to the Scouting program.
Like the loyal warrior will each of you gather a shard of light from this room and bring it to the fire. …. As you last task in cub scouts, to prove that you have turned on a light of scouting within you that will remain for the rest of your life, will you all drop your light shards into the fire at the same time…
[as they drop the light sticks in, plug in the string of white Christmas lights]
Not only will the light that you have brought into this pack help to brighten the life of others, it will be carried with you into the Boys Scout program. Before you leave us, we present to you this Arrow of Light. Use it to remember the journey you have taken and use it to light the path as you continue on into scouting. You have been a loyal warrior and we congratulate you on this great achievement.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Gifts of the Spirit
'Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.'
Studying the student guide for the Doctrine and Covenants lesson 15, with the aide of the Institute Doctrine and Covenants Student manual has been inspiring. Not only have a I recognized a few spiritual gifts that I have received at one point or other in my life, or may still possess (on a good day), I learned that I can receive all the spiritual gifts that I need to continue unto perfection!
"How many of you...are seeking for these gifts that God has promised to bestow? How many of you , when you bow before your Heavenly Father in your family circle or in your secret places contend for these gifts to be bestowed upon you? How many of you ask the Father, in the name of Jesus, to manifest Himself to you through these powers and these gifts? Of do you go along day by day like a door turning on its hinges, without having any feeling upon the subject, without exercising any faith whatever; content to be baptized and be members of the Church, and to rest there, thinking that your salvation is secure because you have done this?....
...If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. Have I imperfections? I am full of them. What is my duty? To pray to God to give me the gifts that will correct these imperfections. I f I am an angry man, it is my duty to pray for charity, which suffereth long and is kind. Am I an envious man? It is my duty to seek for charity, which envieth not. So with all the gifts of the Gospel. They are intended for this purpose. No man ought to say,'Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.' He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them. If a man lack wisdom, it is his duty to ask God for wisdom. The same with everything else. That is the design of God concerning His Church. He wants His Saints to be perfected in truth. For this purpose He gives these gifts, and bestows them upon those who seek after then, in order that they may be a perfect people upon the face fo the earth, notwithstanding their many weaknesses, because God has promised to give the gifts that ar enecessary for their perfection." President George Q Cannon 1894
I had always believed that charity was a gift from God, it being the pure love of Christ, then logically only He would be able to give it to you. I had nevere before read 1 Corinthians chapters 12 and 13 in sequence to understand that I was EXACTLY RIGHT! Charity is a gift, the greatest gift of the Spirit. And with all the qualities that come with it, it is now wonder.
Here are other gifts listed in both 1 Corinthians 12 and Doctrine and Covenants section 46:
*A knowledge that Jesus is the Christ
*To believe in the testimony of others that Jesus is the Christ
*Differences of Administration (understanding the ways/orginization by which the Lord works)
*Diversities of Operation (distinguish between operations of devil and of God)
*Word of Wisdom (gift to give counsel or recieve counsel from the Lord for those over whom you have stewardship)
*Knowlege (more than book learning - wrought by study, obedience, and revelation)
*Discern Spirits (both good and evil in persons. Stephen L Richards: "arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions- spiritual impressions - to read under the surface as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed. The highest type of discernment is that which perceives in others and uncovers for them their better natures, the good inherent within them.")
*Faith or Faith to be healed
*to heal
*Working of miracles
*Prophecy (1 Corinthians 14 really fleshes this one out)
*Tounges (loved in the study guide how it mentioned that 'within the true Church it is a gift so often manifexted by young missionaries who quickly grasp a foreign language that it is sometimes considered commonplace.')
*Interpretation of Tounges
**Charity - the greatest of all
Section 46 concludes with instructions on how to receive, or seek, after these good gifts of God, starting verse 28: And it shall come to pass that he that asketh in Spirit shall receive in Spirit; that unto some it may be given to have all those gifts, that there many be a head, on order that every member may be profited thereby (reminiscent of the whole body in 1 Cor 12). he that askethe in teh Spirit asketh according to the will of God (see Helaman 10:5); wherefore it is done even as he asketh. And again, I say unto you, all things must be done in the name of Christ, whatsoever you do in the Spirit; and ye must give thangs utno God in the Spirit for whatsoever blessings yea re blessed with. And ye must practise virtue and holiness before me continually.
HOW? enter into a covenant relationship with the Lord, obey the commandments, seek perfection with all your heart, give gratitude for what you do receive and continue in Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
But covet earnestly the best gifts; and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. -Paul
Studying the student guide for the Doctrine and Covenants lesson 15, with the aide of the Institute Doctrine and Covenants Student manual has been inspiring. Not only have a I recognized a few spiritual gifts that I have received at one point or other in my life, or may still possess (on a good day), I learned that I can receive all the spiritual gifts that I need to continue unto perfection!
"How many of you...are seeking for these gifts that God has promised to bestow? How many of you , when you bow before your Heavenly Father in your family circle or in your secret places contend for these gifts to be bestowed upon you? How many of you ask the Father, in the name of Jesus, to manifest Himself to you through these powers and these gifts? Of do you go along day by day like a door turning on its hinges, without having any feeling upon the subject, without exercising any faith whatever; content to be baptized and be members of the Church, and to rest there, thinking that your salvation is secure because you have done this?....
...If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. Have I imperfections? I am full of them. What is my duty? To pray to God to give me the gifts that will correct these imperfections. I f I am an angry man, it is my duty to pray for charity, which suffereth long and is kind. Am I an envious man? It is my duty to seek for charity, which envieth not. So with all the gifts of the Gospel. They are intended for this purpose. No man ought to say,'Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.' He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them. If a man lack wisdom, it is his duty to ask God for wisdom. The same with everything else. That is the design of God concerning His Church. He wants His Saints to be perfected in truth. For this purpose He gives these gifts, and bestows them upon those who seek after then, in order that they may be a perfect people upon the face fo the earth, notwithstanding their many weaknesses, because God has promised to give the gifts that ar enecessary for their perfection." President George Q Cannon 1894
I had always believed that charity was a gift from God, it being the pure love of Christ, then logically only He would be able to give it to you. I had nevere before read 1 Corinthians chapters 12 and 13 in sequence to understand that I was EXACTLY RIGHT! Charity is a gift, the greatest gift of the Spirit. And with all the qualities that come with it, it is now wonder.
Here are other gifts listed in both 1 Corinthians 12 and Doctrine and Covenants section 46:
*A knowledge that Jesus is the Christ
*To believe in the testimony of others that Jesus is the Christ
*Differences of Administration (understanding the ways/orginization by which the Lord works)
*Diversities of Operation (distinguish between operations of devil and of God)
*Word of Wisdom (gift to give counsel or recieve counsel from the Lord for those over whom you have stewardship)
*Knowlege (more than book learning - wrought by study, obedience, and revelation)
*Discern Spirits (both good and evil in persons. Stephen L Richards: "arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions- spiritual impressions - to read under the surface as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed. The highest type of discernment is that which perceives in others and uncovers for them their better natures, the good inherent within them.")
*Faith or Faith to be healed
*to heal
*Working of miracles
*Prophecy (1 Corinthians 14 really fleshes this one out)
*Tounges (loved in the study guide how it mentioned that 'within the true Church it is a gift so often manifexted by young missionaries who quickly grasp a foreign language that it is sometimes considered commonplace.')
*Interpretation of Tounges
**Charity - the greatest of all
Section 46 concludes with instructions on how to receive, or seek, after these good gifts of God, starting verse 28: And it shall come to pass that he that asketh in Spirit shall receive in Spirit; that unto some it may be given to have all those gifts, that there many be a head, on order that every member may be profited thereby (reminiscent of the whole body in 1 Cor 12). he that askethe in teh Spirit asketh according to the will of God (see Helaman 10:5); wherefore it is done even as he asketh. And again, I say unto you, all things must be done in the name of Christ, whatsoever you do in the Spirit; and ye must give thangs utno God in the Spirit for whatsoever blessings yea re blessed with. And ye must practise virtue and holiness before me continually.
HOW? enter into a covenant relationship with the Lord, obey the commandments, seek perfection with all your heart, give gratitude for what you do receive and continue in Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
But covet earnestly the best gifts; and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. -Paul
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Cheesy
Josh asked me what I wanted for lunch. I replied "Something with cheese."
I guess the love comes with the entree at this hot restaurant.
I guess the love comes with the entree at this hot restaurant.
Adventures in a running stroller
Ah, she is asleep, what shall I do now?
Probably I should get my way out of this contraption and push this rolling machine far away. But wait! I can't walk or undo this buckle.
She's got me pinned now, might as well stay.
what goes around comes around.
Laundry is good for something...
just so long as what is playing with the clean laundry is also clean.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Consecration and Blessings
I have been thinking quite frequently about two principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; consecration and blessings. They have become more and more connected the more I have been pondering them. My overall conclusion:
The Lord is waiting to bless us, as long as we recognize that all we receive (and blessings fall into so many categories, not just material, or even what we expected) comes from Him and is to be used for the righteous building of His kingdom.
Here is a sampling of guiding scriptures/quotes that have really hit home, along with attending the temple -
Doctrine and Covenants 82:3,8,10 - My dad had made us memorize verse 10 growing up, but I had never realized that it was connected to the commandment given to us to consecrate our good to the Lord. Thus, He is bound -through His loving nature more than anything- to bless us as we do as He says and succor the poor.
Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-19 - I have always had an image in my mind of Heavenly Father sitting somewhere comfortably in the heavens (puffy white clouds for this version) with an armful of blessings and peeking over the mound of good things in His arms watching expectantly for me to do something good, anything good! In the instant I act nicely, a twinkle in His eye brightens and He opens his arms with a great happy sigh, then watches as the blessings poor down on me, hoping, but not expecting, that I will look up and give a little wink of thanks.
It has been a pleasant image to me but I had never had more scriptural backing than "the windows of heaven shall be poured out upon your heads," now I know, that as a little child I am watched over by a loving Heavenly Father anxious to bless me.
Joseph Smith Lesson 30, pg 354: Men not unfrequently forget that they are dependent upon heaven for every blessing which they are permitted to enjoy, and that for every opportunity granted them, they are to give an account.
The Lord is waiting to bless us, as long as we recognize that all we receive (and blessings fall into so many categories, not just material, or even what we expected) comes from Him and is to be used for the righteous building of His kingdom.
Here is a sampling of guiding scriptures/quotes that have really hit home, along with attending the temple -
Doctrine and Covenants 82:3,8,10 - My dad had made us memorize verse 10 growing up, but I had never realized that it was connected to the commandment given to us to consecrate our good to the Lord. Thus, He is bound -through His loving nature more than anything- to bless us as we do as He says and succor the poor.
Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-19 - I have always had an image in my mind of Heavenly Father sitting somewhere comfortably in the heavens (puffy white clouds for this version) with an armful of blessings and peeking over the mound of good things in His arms watching expectantly for me to do something good, anything good! In the instant I act nicely, a twinkle in His eye brightens and He opens his arms with a great happy sigh, then watches as the blessings poor down on me, hoping, but not expecting, that I will look up and give a little wink of thanks.
It has been a pleasant image to me but I had never had more scriptural backing than "the windows of heaven shall be poured out upon your heads," now I know, that as a little child I am watched over by a loving Heavenly Father anxious to bless me.
Joseph Smith Lesson 30, pg 354: Men not unfrequently forget that they are dependent upon heaven for every blessing which they are permitted to enjoy, and that for every opportunity granted them, they are to give an account.
The Same Yesterday, Today, and Always
Deuteronomy 4:29-31:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
31 (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenants of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Joseph Smith: “It [is] clearly evident that the Lord gave us power in proportion to the work to be done, and strength according to the race set before us, and grace and help as our needs required.”
Pres Henry B Eyring: With all the differences in our lives, we have at least one challenge in common. We all must deal with adversity. There may be periods, sometimes long ones, when our lives seem to flow with little difficulty. But it is in the nature of our being human that comfort gives way to distress, periods of good health come to an end, and misfortunes arrive....My purpose today is to assure you that our Heavenly Father and the Savior live and that They love all humanity. The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of Their infinite love. God gave us the gift of living in mortality so that we could be prepared to receive the greatest of all the gifts of God, which is eternal life. Then our spirits will be changed. We will become able to want what God wants, to think as He thinks, and thus be prepared for the trust of an endless posterity to teach and to lead through tests to be raised up to qualify to live forever in eternal life. It is clear that for us to have that gift and to be given that trust, we must be transformed through making righteous choices where that is hard to do. We are prepared for so great a trust by passing through trying and testing experiences in mortality. That education can come only as we are subject to trials while serving God and others for Him.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Joseph Smith: “It [is] clearly evident that the Lord gave us power in proportion to the work to be done, and strength according to the race set before us, and grace and help as our needs required.”
Pres Henry B Eyring: With all the differences in our lives, we have at least one challenge in common. We all must deal with adversity. There may be periods, sometimes long ones, when our lives seem to flow with little difficulty. But it is in the nature of our being human that comfort gives way to distress, periods of good health come to an end, and misfortunes arrive....My purpose today is to assure you that our Heavenly Father and the Savior live and that They love all humanity. The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of Their infinite love. God gave us the gift of living in mortality so that we could be prepared to receive the greatest of all the gifts of God, which is eternal life. Then our spirits will be changed. We will become able to want what God wants, to think as He thinks, and thus be prepared for the trust of an endless posterity to teach and to lead through tests to be raised up to qualify to live forever in eternal life. It is clear that for us to have that gift and to be given that trust, we must be transformed through making righteous choices where that is hard to do. We are prepared for so great a trust by passing through trying and testing experiences in mortality. That education can come only as we are subject to trials while serving God and others for Him.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Early Easter in Benton City
For Conference Weekend we got to go play in Benton City. We did egg hunts, egg coloring, flying kites, and had the Easter bunny came to visit early. Best of all, time with the Button clan.
The Greats and the Grands
Josh, Great Grandpa Floyd Button, Danny, Grandpa Dan, Faith
Grandma Betty, she doesn't know who she is holding, but he is oh so cute!
A Great and a Grand
Playing with Faith
The tender moments with our little ones are the best. If you flip from one photo in this sequence to the next, you can tell that Faith and I are singing a duet to coreographed pony tail grooming. I am pretty sure the song went something like this;
You are my Pooony
oh so preeetiee
All my lovely hair is being made so beautiful
beautiful poooony hair!
Ahhhhhhhhh, pretty.
When I sing so preeeetiee
to my Pooony
Then all the lovely hair just looks so beautiful
beautiful lovely shineeeee
Ahhhhhhhhh, I luvvv you!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Words of Faith
Yesterday, as I was getting shower ready, Faith looked at me a bit more perceptively than normal. She pointed, got my attention, and said very clearly, "You have a bum!"
"Yes, I have a bum." I replied smirking. She paused slightly with a thoughtful expression and then smiled brightly while patting her backside, "I have a bum!" she reported with glee.
"Yes, you have a bum too." I agreed. "I have bum too." she agreed nodding. She then got down on hands and knees next to Danny's play saucer and said, half questioning, "Danny have bum."
"Yes, Danny has a bum, he is just sitting on it." She was satisfied. We giggled a little together and then I took my shower. The bum epiphany had passed.
"Yes, I have a bum." I replied smirking. She paused slightly with a thoughtful expression and then smiled brightly while patting her backside, "I have a bum!" she reported with glee.
"Yes, you have a bum too." I agreed. "I have bum too." she agreed nodding. She then got down on hands and knees next to Danny's play saucer and said, half questioning, "Danny have bum."
"Yes, Danny has a bum, he is just sitting on it." She was satisfied. We giggled a little together and then I took my shower. The bum epiphany had passed.
Self Smarted Myself: Budgeting and Finance
1Here's a little I learned that has already helped (one week -wahoo!)
Pay your tithing and be generous in your service to others in all areas as well as monetarily. The scriptures are repleat with pronunciations from the Lord about the absolute neccessity of paying our tithes and offerings. I was studying today in the Doctrine and Covenants about the law of consecration.....there are so many blessings that the Lord is willing to give us if we just remember Him in all things, including balancing our checkbook.
-2 There is always room to cut back. Of course you have fixed expense (things you have to pay so they don't cut off power or send you to jail), then there are variable expenses. Variable expenses are generally the cut back area. I found, thanks to a quick browse of "Rick on Any Income" that within variable expenses there are also discretionary spendings. Those are monies spent basically to satisfy some sort of emotional need, not a 'real' need.
After sub-dividing our already wonderful excel budget sheet (Josh made one for us soon after we were married for an IS class), we found that within our variable expenses, we only had two categories that were not discretionary: Gas and Food. We then stole and idea from Dave Ramsey's system of having everything in cash and alloted a very small, but reasonable, amount for ALL the discretionary categories. We cash my work check that I get once a month and divy out the cash, and that is all for the month. Having cash makes one more stingy. Seeing the money go away makes it more real, especially for me who is really good at justifying and I always have a good idea of where our monthly budget stands. Hopefully, the roll-over cash will be rewarding too.
We do use our credit card as much as possible for big purchases so that we continue to earn rewards, which become our Christmas spending money at the end of the year. BUT you have to pay off the credit card every month! Otherwise it becomes part of the debt category.
3 Debt is BAD!! There is no such thing as good debt. Cheryl Carson had an amazing story about the freedoms of getting out of debt and some straightforward talk about how debt is of the devil, simply put. I loved the clear counsel of the prophets regarding getting out of debt as on the newly updated part of Provident Living. Debt is BAD! avoid it if possible. when in it, get out. This is basically the guiding principle of every book that I open on finances and becoming a millionare and such.
4 Make your money work for you. One books suggested putting away 10% of your monthly income away in savings. I grew up being trained to put 15% into savings. Right now Josh and I have an auto withdrawl of $75 into savings just so we know that something is always going there. I good point I learned is while alloting monies to saving, put the largest chunk in your retirement and then the rest into kids funds for college/missions and all other activities. Someone said that kids can always find a way to get through college, but try and find loans for retirement, doesn't work. I hadn't thought of that. Build up your savings so you have at least 3 months supply of living expenses and then for longer term of at least a year. We will be opening additional savings accounts with our kids names and having auto withdrawl to them as well, starting now!
Other good ideas I gleaned from peoples: Allot a set amount for all variable expenses for a weekly or bimonthly period and then you can use it where you need it knowing that some months you will need to spend more on car repairs and others on clothes. Have separate checking accounts for his and hers either for spending or for alloted bills that each is responsible for. Make sure that you are checking your budget regularly, at least twice a month. Some systems make you balance it out with every purchase, others weekly, whereas most people just balance it all out at the end of the month. I try to balance everything on Monday nights after FHE, seems to work.
There it is for us self smarters, a weeks worth of re-looking at our budget. If, with all my italized changes, we follow our new goals we will be saving at least $400 a month, which about one fith of our monthly budget! We are fast on the road to millionare! (if only our budget came from something besides student loans)
Pay your tithing and be generous in your service to others in all areas as well as monetarily. The scriptures are repleat with pronunciations from the Lord about the absolute neccessity of paying our tithes and offerings. I was studying today in the Doctrine and Covenants about the law of consecration.....there are so many blessings that the Lord is willing to give us if we just remember Him in all things, including balancing our checkbook.
-2 There is always room to cut back. Of course you have fixed expense (things you have to pay so they don't cut off power or send you to jail), then there are variable expenses. Variable expenses are generally the cut back area. I found, thanks to a quick browse of "Rick on Any Income" that within variable expenses there are also discretionary spendings. Those are monies spent basically to satisfy some sort of emotional need, not a 'real' need.
After sub-dividing our already wonderful excel budget sheet (Josh made one for us soon after we were married for an IS class), we found that within our variable expenses, we only had two categories that were not discretionary: Gas and Food. We then stole and idea from Dave Ramsey's system of having everything in cash and alloted a very small, but reasonable, amount for ALL the discretionary categories. We cash my work check that I get once a month and divy out the cash, and that is all for the month. Having cash makes one more stingy. Seeing the money go away makes it more real, especially for me who is really good at justifying and I always have a good idea of where our monthly budget stands. Hopefully, the roll-over cash will be rewarding too.
We do use our credit card as much as possible for big purchases so that we continue to earn rewards, which become our Christmas spending money at the end of the year. BUT you have to pay off the credit card every month! Otherwise it becomes part of the debt category.
3 Debt is BAD!! There is no such thing as good debt. Cheryl Carson had an amazing story about the freedoms of getting out of debt and some straightforward talk about how debt is of the devil, simply put. I loved the clear counsel of the prophets regarding getting out of debt as on the newly updated part of Provident Living. Debt is BAD! avoid it if possible. when in it, get out. This is basically the guiding principle of every book that I open on finances and becoming a millionare and such.
4 Make your money work for you. One books suggested putting away 10% of your monthly income away in savings. I grew up being trained to put 15% into savings. Right now Josh and I have an auto withdrawl of $75 into savings just so we know that something is always going there. I good point I learned is while alloting monies to saving, put the largest chunk in your retirement and then the rest into kids funds for college/missions and all other activities. Someone said that kids can always find a way to get through college, but try and find loans for retirement, doesn't work. I hadn't thought of that. Build up your savings so you have at least 3 months supply of living expenses and then for longer term of at least a year. We will be opening additional savings accounts with our kids names and having auto withdrawl to them as well, starting now!
Other good ideas I gleaned from peoples: Allot a set amount for all variable expenses for a weekly or bimonthly period and then you can use it where you need it knowing that some months you will need to spend more on car repairs and others on clothes. Have separate checking accounts for his and hers either for spending or for alloted bills that each is responsible for. Make sure that you are checking your budget regularly, at least twice a month. Some systems make you balance it out with every purchase, others weekly, whereas most people just balance it all out at the end of the month. I try to balance everything on Monday nights after FHE, seems to work.
There it is for us self smarters, a weeks worth of re-looking at our budget. If, with all my italized changes, we follow our new goals we will be saving at least $400 a month, which about one fith of our monthly budget! We are fast on the road to millionare! (if only our budget came from something besides student loans)
Monday, April 6, 2009
Holy Week: Anointed One
I occurred to me that not only is today a special day, the revealed date of the actual birth of Jesus Christ, but this whole week ought to be one of special remembrances. Pity that we don't reflect on the daily actions of our Savior in our daily actions, but at least one week of the year, the Christian world is trying to make a chronology of one week that changed the eternities.
Yesterday was "Palm Sunday" - the recorded day that Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem and the people "took branches of palm tress, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel That cometh in the name of the Lord." (John 12:12-15)
However, I would like to remember also something that happened previous to the Triumphal Entry. It is recorded that prior to that day, Christ dined with his apostles at a banquet prepared by Mary and Martha. Meticulous Martha served a special dinner for Christ, some of his apostles, and her recently raised from the dead brother Lazarus (I rarely think beyond Christ raising him from the dead, but the fact is, he lived after he was no longer dead, and he had dinner). Ever sensitive Mary anointed the feat of the Savior during the course of the meal. Judas Iscariot rebuked her for such an action, but Jesus loved her for her devotion and the sweet symbolism of her action. (Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9) He said "she hath come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying" fulfilling the translated meanings of his name Messiah and Christ meaning "the anointed one."
On this day I pray that I will be both a Martha and a Mary; preparing the necessary situations than allow the Savior to be with me, and recognizing those moments in my life that I can give what I have to He who has given all.
Yesterday was "Palm Sunday" - the recorded day that Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem and the people "took branches of palm tress, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel That cometh in the name of the Lord." (John 12:12-15)
However, I would like to remember also something that happened previous to the Triumphal Entry. It is recorded that prior to that day, Christ dined with his apostles at a banquet prepared by Mary and Martha. Meticulous Martha served a special dinner for Christ, some of his apostles, and her recently raised from the dead brother Lazarus (I rarely think beyond Christ raising him from the dead, but the fact is, he lived after he was no longer dead, and he had dinner). Ever sensitive Mary anointed the feat of the Savior during the course of the meal. Judas Iscariot rebuked her for such an action, but Jesus loved her for her devotion and the sweet symbolism of her action. (Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9) He said "she hath come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying" fulfilling the translated meanings of his name Messiah and Christ meaning "the anointed one."
On this day I pray that I will be both a Martha and a Mary; preparing the necessary situations than allow the Savior to be with me, and recognizing those moments in my life that I can give what I have to He who has given all.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Coupons 102 for Self Smarters
Here is the Coupons For Self Smarters 102:
1-Never go to the store without a list that you have checked at home previously to see if there are coupons available for everything on the list - most of the time there is a coupon for everything (or at least a brand on sale).
2-When checking your list, check for the best deals; compare the stores that you normally go to (honestly, if a store has the best deal that is more than 10 miles out of your way, are you really saving money?).
3-Never end a transaction at a store without asking if they have any coupons or deals available. Josh does this all the time and it surprises me how often they will knock off a 10% just because you asked.
4-Never checkout anything when buying online before opening a second window in your internet browser and searching for promotional codes. You can get a deal almost always, even for the really obscure companies.
5-If you know a store is going to have a sale, even if you have walked in the doors and see the sign advertising for it tomorrow, wait! You are more likely to save money and less likely to buy on impulse if you have already stopped yourself and rationally waited for a sale.
6-Buying at 2nd hand stores is cheap and not a dent to your pride (not to mention it can give you that 'thrill of the hunt' endorphine, especially at quarter sales when it is really crazed women.
7- Get Red Box movies on Monday night and save yourself a dollar, otherwise, rent them from the library.
8- Ask anyone and everyone you know if they have recently gotten a good deal at the store.
9- Spend time planning out how you will use the coupons so you don't look like a gomer at the check out stand.
10- USE COUPONS.
There are the top 10 lessons I learned after one week of self smarting myself. They are super general, but still the same, they are the basic things that I needed to revamp in my shopping so that I save more money. Maybe another week I will get more specific and hit Coupons 201, but for now, even if I do the top 5 on the list, I will probably save myself hundreds, if not a dollar.
1-Never go to the store without a list that you have checked at home previously to see if there are coupons available for everything on the list - most of the time there is a coupon for everything (or at least a brand on sale).
2-When checking your list, check for the best deals; compare the stores that you normally go to (honestly, if a store has the best deal that is more than 10 miles out of your way, are you really saving money?).
3-Never end a transaction at a store without asking if they have any coupons or deals available. Josh does this all the time and it surprises me how often they will knock off a 10% just because you asked.
4-Never checkout anything when buying online before opening a second window in your internet browser and searching for promotional codes. You can get a deal almost always, even for the really obscure companies.
5-If you know a store is going to have a sale, even if you have walked in the doors and see the sign advertising for it tomorrow, wait! You are more likely to save money and less likely to buy on impulse if you have already stopped yourself and rationally waited for a sale.
6-Buying at 2nd hand stores is cheap and not a dent to your pride (not to mention it can give you that 'thrill of the hunt' endorphine, especially at quarter sales when it is really crazed women.
7- Get Red Box movies on Monday night and save yourself a dollar, otherwise, rent them from the library.
8- Ask anyone and everyone you know if they have recently gotten a good deal at the store.
9- Spend time planning out how you will use the coupons so you don't look like a gomer at the check out stand.
10- USE COUPONS.
There are the top 10 lessons I learned after one week of self smarting myself. They are super general, but still the same, they are the basic things that I needed to revamp in my shopping so that I save more money. Maybe another week I will get more specific and hit Coupons 201, but for now, even if I do the top 5 on the list, I will probably save myself hundreds, if not a dollar.
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