Edible Playdough

One of our local tv stations has a morning show, Studio 5. Last week they showed how to make edible playdough. Ethan wanted to make some. So today after lunch we made some. Here is a link to the recipe.

We made pink, purple, green, and

blue! I used the Neon McCormick food coloring to give it a nice vibrant color.

Ethan said it was good!

I made a mini cake with a flower on top



Then I ate it, but not really. I took a small bite. It's much to sweet!

"Remember Who You Are"

In the April 2008 Ensign I read an article that really touched me. I can relate to the girl in the story. It is called "Remember Who You Are" (April 2008 Ensign, pg. 44). She tells how her mother use to always say "remember who you are", ever time she'd leave the house. The girl didn't completely understand what her mother meant at first. She explains that although her family were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, life wasn't always pleasant. She tells of one particularly bad night she had. She remembered staring at herself in the mirror and hardly recognizing herself. She began to cry, "not knowing what to do or think". She thought about running away or worse. Thoughts of ending her unhappy life crept into her confused thought process. She says "At no other time before or since have I felt so alone. I felt worn out, almost willing to let the surrounding darkness take over." She found herself saying the words "I don't even know myself!". As soon as those words tumble from her lips, her mother's words "Remember who you are! Remember who you are!" repeated clearly and distinctly in her mind.

Being a member of the church does not guarantee a perfect, sunny life. Sometimes I wonder if Satan works harder to tempt and frustrate righteous members of the church who are sincerely doing their best to obey the commandments and follow Christ. I too grew up as a member of the church. Growing up IN the church, to me, is different than growing up as a member of the church. (I will write a post about this another time) My family life wasn't horrible, but things were difficult growing up.

Let me just say right now that this post is in no way an attack on my parents, their weaknesses, or the way that I was raised. I admire my parents for so many things. They did what they felt was right at the time and did the best they knew how to do. I am grateful for the experiences, good and bad, that they gave me. I am the woman I am today because of what I was able to learn from those experiences.

When I was growing up my father was verbally, emotionally and physically abusive toward me. He had a bad temper and I never knew when or what would make him explode. I remember being confused going to church every Sunday and learning about happy families and "parents kind and dear", then going home and being yelled at and slammed against a wall repeatedly. I really related to the girl in this article when she described her feeling of loneliness. There were times when I felt really alone. I didn't know who I could trust. I remember being on my knees or laying in bed at night crying uncontrollably, pleading with my Heavenly Father to let me die or to help me in some way. There were many times when Satan would whisper awful things into my mind, about how I deserved how I was treated, that I worthless. There were many times that I thought of taking my own life. I had some very dark moments. As I would plead with my Heavenly Father for something, anything that could help me, I would feel warmth and peace. The feelings of loneliness would leave and I was able to go on, even if it was just for one more day.

The moment of realizing what the girl's mother's words mean was enlightening for her. For the first time, she had realized what her mother meant. It was her plea for her daughter to remember her divine heritage. The phrase "I am a child of God" from the Primary song (Hymns, no. 301) echoed in her mind. It was a sudden reminder that helped her to fight back Satan's temptation to take drastic action. The knowledge of her divine nature helped her to keep going and endure to the end.

Growing up as a member of the church was such a blessing to me, even though it also brought confusion. I always felt safe at church. The church created a consistency and source for a solid foundation. People in the church became a great strength to me. There were many people whom I consider angels (of sorts) and true answer to prayer. The testimony I received as a young child helped me to endure the trials I was faced with. It gave me something to hold onto.

She talks of her understand of the Savior and his perfect example of understanding our divine heritage. As his understanding grew the better prepared he was to fulfill his role as the Savior of the world. We will never be asked to suffer the way that Christ did, however our understanding of our divine nature will help us combat our trials. Heavenly Father knew of the things we would face in this life, he knew that at times we would face difficulties. We have been given tools to help us realize and understand our divine heritage.

At the age of 14 things changed and my father was able to overcome his difficulties with expressing his anger. This is one of the things I admire about him. I look to him as an example as I've learned to deal with anger in a healthy productive way. It must have been difficult for him to change, but he did and I admire him for that. Even though the abuse stopped, I continued to deal with other, more personal, difficulties in my life.

When I was 15 I started going to Seminary. Seminary was were I gained the greatest, thus far, understanding of my Savior. During my first two years in Seminary I realized the impact and role that the atonement played in my life. This knowledge helped me so much to endure my trials and bring me comfort. As I've gone throughout my life and continued to have difficult experiences I have gained a deeper understanding of how the atonement blesses me. The example of my Savior and the way he lived his life was always a comfort to me.

The scriptures teach us of other's experiences and how they used their knowledge of their divine heritage helped them to overcome challenges. There are also experiences that show us how they were able to gain that knowledge. As we read the scriptures and learn from them, we can apply the principles we learn in our own lives to gain a greater understanding of our diving heritage. The spirit will confirm to us that we are indeed children of a loving Heavenly Father. Reading the scriptures gives him a chance to loving and gently teach us of his existence and his love for us.

I never really understood the scriptures as anything but interesting stories till I was an adult. As I have prayed and studied the scriptures I have found so many different lessons in them. The Book of Mormon has become a treasure in my life. It has been the source of many answered prayers. I know that my Heavenly Father has guided and taught me as I have read the Book of Mormon. Some of my clearest answers to prayer and most amazing spiritual experiences have come from the Book of Mormon.

Prophets have been placed on the earth to teach us of our diving nature and potential. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ has given us many treasures revealed through our prophets. We have a greater understanding of the nature of God and his plan. The testimony of Joseph Smith and his experience in the Sacred Grove has brought a great understanding to me of who I am. Through the testimony of Joseph Smith as well as other prophets, we know that God lives, that he has a body of flesh and bone, that we are his spirit children, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and our obedience we are able to return and live with him again, along with so many other things pertaining to his nature and our relationship with him. As I understand the true nature of God, I am able to understand my relationship to him. The way that Joseph Smith endured trials I can't even imagine is a great example to me. Listening to President Hinkley's counsel during conference had always given me great peace. He was always so optomistic. He helped me to understand my divine nature as I followed his counsel. This is especially true when he challenged the membership of the church to read the Book of Mormon.

The priesthood, gives us the opportunity to receive inspired blessings where our Father in Heaven is able to give us counsel and express his love to us. Blessings reaffirm our relationship with him. I love my patriarchal blessing. It has been a great source of comfort and strength to me. As I have studied and prayed about my blessing I have received spirtual confirmation that the words that are in it are true, that they come from my Heavenly Father and the promises that are in it will come to pass.

Temples have been constructed here on earth as the house of the Lord. We perform sacred ordinances and receive divinely revealed instruction. Through these ordinances and instruction we are able to gain a greater understanding of the role we have the in our Heavenly Father's plan. I have been able to gain greater knowledge and understanding of my divine heritage while attending the temple. I have felt the love of my Father in Heaven within the walls of the temple. Great peace has come over mean, even in times of crisis. The experiences I have had while attending the temple have helped me endure trials and remember who I am as well as my potential.

Prayer gives us direct communication with our Father in Heaven. During times we forget who we are, prayer can help us to reconnect with our Heavenly Father and give him the chance to help us remember. Through experiences I had as a young child of my prayers being answered, I had the faith that if I prayed, my Father in Heaven would answer my prayer. My prayers have been answered countless times and in so many diverse ways, but they're always answered.

This post is so long. I will write later about how I have worked to remember who I am on a daily basis.

Being a Christian

Recently I watched a video made by a Christian group. The video was how Oprah was not a Christian. This video really rubbed me the wrong way. First, I really admire Oprah. She has done much in the way of helping people to better their lives. Now I don't agree with everything she does or all of her beliefs, but I do not believe that it is ok to attack her for a few things she has said or for her differing views on Christianity or how the world works. Something I have seen occur as a member of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints, is members who believe that the only truth there is on the earth is that which is IN our church. Somehow we get the idea that no one else is right, other than us. This was a mentality, that as child I had. I have worked on changing that view, because I believe that there are many people in the world who hold truth that are not of my religion. I also believe that this is a form of pride and when pride exists it is really difficult for the spirit to teach me. It is also hard to accept truth when I think I already have all truth.

Second, I believe Oprah is a Christian. Infact, I dare say she is a much better Christian than I am. She has many resources and because of her media presence she has a lot of power to influence people. She takes what she has an helps people. She gives much of her time and energy to good causes. Is she perfect? No, no one is. Why do we take a few of people's faults and short comings and exploit them. Why do we take a few comments she made out of context and exploit them and make them into a bigger deal than they are?

In the video it shows a quote she made on one of her shows. I don't know what that show was about, but someone in her audience said that Jesus was the only way to get to God. Oprah said something about the person on stage getting to God a different way. The person in the audience then said "What about Jesus?" Oprah said "What about Jesus?" There was also comments made about her new project "A New Earth" being her new church. Just last week in connection with the "A New Earth" discussion on her show I heard her say that she does believe in Jesus. Does a belief in Jesus make her a Christian, even if it is a different belief than you have of Jesus? I believe it does if her belief in Jesus compels her to live her life the way he lived his life, in the service of all mankind, non-judgemental, and loving.

How many times have members of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints been attacked for NOT being Christians because their belief in Christ is slightly different than that of other Christian faiths? I cannot attack another's belief in Jesus if that is what helps them to live the best life they can. Just because my religion works for me and I believe it to be Christ's church here on the earth and to be true, doesn't mean that it works for everyone to compel them to live their lives the way that Jesus did or to bring them closer to God. For whatever reason it doesn't work for everyone. I believe everyone should have the chance and ability to get as close to Heavenly Father as they possibly can.

I have seen many attacks on other's religious beliefs and views in the last little while. I choose to not take part in these types of bullying. If these people were harming others as a way to express their beliefs then I would take action against their behaviors. However, these people are good people, they do good in the name of their beliefs, they just don't have the exact same beliefs that I do. This is NOT a reason for me to attack them and spread gossip.

I really like what Kathy Green over at Mormon Momma had to say about this subject

"Oprah is accustomed to media attacks and probably will not suffer in the same way as a child who is being tormented by cruel internet posts.

I am more interested in the mentality of those of us who read and forward these derogatory posts. I don’t think Oprah’s public life threatens me, as an LDS woman. In fact (although it is beside the point), I think she generates a great deal of positive energy with her philanthropy. I haven’t observed anything in her philosophy that I find dangerous. Maybe our values don’t match exactly, but variety is the basis of positive evolution. The strongest ideals will survive; the more sources of ideas, the better the odds of a successful outcome.

Far more important, what sort of person does it make me, if I view a damaging video clip, then forward it for the express purpose of harming another person’s reputation? What if I just think it’s fun to share a laugh at somebody else’s expense? Bullying, gossip, lies, deliberate cruelty, or negative, destructive criticism harm their objects and can cause terrible anguish and long-term damage. Far worse is the harm the bully does to her own spirit.

But there’s good news. That’s the part we can control. It only takes a moment. Don’t forward the cyber-slam. Respond to the sender with something generous and positive. “Aw, I think Oprah’s a pretty good kid overall. I’m not going to forward this one.”

9 Years!!!

Tj and I have been married for nine years!
We were married April 16, 1999 in the Manti, LDS Temple.

I don't remember much about that day, but I remember being happy. TJ and I dated for almost 3 years before we got married. I remember for the first little while after we were married that TJ kept saying "I don't have to take you home." Since we lived in the same house. That was one thing he didn't like when we were dating is either taking me home after we went out or me or him having to drive home after. Lots of stuff has happened in the last 9 years, lots of things have changed. I'm happy I'm married to him. He really is my best friend, even though we don't have that much in common. We have fun together and have been able to work out our difference and have a deep commitment to each other. I'll have to post some of our wedding pictures later.



For our Anniversary we went to Sakura and had some sushi, mmmm, it was really good!



On a side note:


92 words

Speedtest

It's been so long!

There are have been so many things I wanted to blog about, but just haven't had the time to sit down and actually do it!

First: My mother-in-law Jean, became a Stampin' Up consultant. She had her first workshop a couple weeks ago. It was lots of fun and she had a few really fun projects.
Here are some pics:






My Nephew Hayden turned 1 year old on the 13th of March. His birthday party was at our house. It was a lot of fun! Erin, his mom, made the cutest monkey cake! She did a great job!
Easter, I decided that we would do Easter baskets the day before Easter so on Sunday we could focus on Jesus and the resurrection. Hopefully we can make Easter less commercial in our family. I made bird nests for breakfast. I took hash browns and pressed them into muffin cups then poured scrambled egg into them and topped with cheese. I put bacon on the ones I ate.