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
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