Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Revelation 4:11 "for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Yeah and also a professional back massage once a month too :)
I know you just love leaving me the wallet and the freedom associated with it.
Um. . .I'm serious about the back rubs. Really. And . . . I know I'm spoiled but cum on . . . you want me still standing upright when you return, right?
I know you just love leaving me the wallet and the freedom associated with it.
Um. . .I'm serious about the back rubs. Really. And . . . I know I'm spoiled but cum on . . . you want me still standing upright when you return, right?
Hon,
When I get back, we are definitely going to line up a regular baby sitter for you for the coming year.
I agree with the girls. Crack does kill.
Today we started running more rehearsals for combat care. I hope that I am adequate for the task of training the medics under my care. I am trying to absorbe as much as I can, but in some respects, much of what I am learning now is quite different than what I learned in medical school. The principles are the same, but how those principles are applied in a combat environment are different. Even having gone to USUHS, military doctrine on how to treat hemorrhages, etc. has changed since I learned these techniques a few years ago.
It is good I am here learning, though at times, I am still feeling inadaquate. I guess it is good to realize my own inadequecy though.
I miss you and the children very much. I wish I could give you all a big hug. I don't like being lonely. Fortunately, there is a decent gym on post and a nice dining facility :) so I am keeping busy in my spare time. Looking forward to your company again in a few days! Please hug the children for me.
Love,
Yours
When I get back, we are definitely going to line up a regular baby sitter for you for the coming year.
I agree with the girls. Crack does kill.
Today we started running more rehearsals for combat care. I hope that I am adequate for the task of training the medics under my care. I am trying to absorbe as much as I can, but in some respects, much of what I am learning now is quite different than what I learned in medical school. The principles are the same, but how those principles are applied in a combat environment are different. Even having gone to USUHS, military doctrine on how to treat hemorrhages, etc. has changed since I learned these techniques a few years ago.
It is good I am here learning, though at times, I am still feeling inadaquate. I guess it is good to realize my own inadequecy though.
I miss you and the children very much. I wish I could give you all a big hug. I don't like being lonely. Fortunately, there is a decent gym on post and a nice dining facility :) so I am keeping busy in my spare time. Looking forward to your company again in a few days! Please hug the children for me.
Love,
Yours
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Mosiah 4:27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength.
Dear Bear,
This weekend was full. I liked how it kept me busy and my mind active but was difficult to keep up too. I need to find a balance with staying busy with the kids like I'm doing, but then find some babysitter once a week so I can rejuvenate and take it slow. Saturday, I took the kids to a craft fair. Lots of native things sold there. I like learning about what everything is. It was weird having them sell Christmas items with booths set up outside in the warm spring type weather.
We went straight to Emma's dance studio for nutcracker pictures in her angel costumes. We were there for 2 hours waiting. I tried my best to be patient (with the other kids).I was proud of myself so being so pulled together and things going as smooth as they could possibly go considering we had been out all day long and so busy. I'm so glad I get all these homeschool discounts on an account of homeschooling just one kid! $10 a ticket as opposed to $32 is quite a steal. Plus I got to choose where we sat! Since I got there so early I had my choice! I chose the 4th row back. I didn't know whether to scold the girls or to laugh with them when they couldn't stop giggling in the car at the prince in the ballet wearing his 'see-thru' white tights. "Say no to crack" they would repeat together. I liked how they were enjoying each other as sisters but not necessarily the topic matter.
Today (Sun) we went to Brian McArthur's farewell open house. I was sitting with a couple of sisters and they were asking if there was anything they could do while you were gone this month relating to Christmas preparations. I replied no. . .but then said, actually there is a favor you could do for me. "Could you scratch my back? I need some touch fulfillment." I had a nice back scratch for about 10 minutes and she had nails too! Debbie had told me they're 'just having soup and salad and to not bring anything!' But I knew better! In Hawaiin language that means, 'I have the main dish of _____ you bring whatever goes with that. I tested out my knowlege and brought a huge bowl of home-made donut holes. As soon as I arrived someone snatched it from me and asked 'side dish or dessert?' so they could get it in the correct section of the kitchen. I stood up taller (even though I'm taller than most already) because I am improving in my assimilation.
I still find myself on edge about learning the culture though, as today while eating soup I said, "Mmmm this carrot and apple soup is good! I made this once but it turned out gross!" Someone asked me, 'Did you just say gross?' I immediatly was on guard and asked, "Oh is that like a mainlander word or something?" It wasn't and she just hadn't heard me but look how sensitive I am about it. Shesh. Having the babysitter once a week would be better than a girls night in. That might just put more on my plate. I'd rather just go to there house anyway. They always have better things to eat.
Luv, Shan
My Dear Shandra,
It was so good to be able to talk with you on the phone tonight. Though I haven't really expressed this on the blog yet, as you know, I have had many mixed emotions the past few weeks. I would like to say that I am not bothered by it and always have the eternal perspective in view. Such would not be honest to say, however.
At times, I am angry about the upcoming deployment and our pending separation. I have feelings of anxiety about it at times as well. I would be lying if I said that I never have thoughts about the potential for harm to happen. This is unlikely, I know, but these thoughts still cross my mind at times. The biggest concern I have isn't so much for my own well being (though I am somewhat ashamed to admit that at times, I am concerned for this too) but more so is a concern that you could be left without the emotional or physical support you need... When these thoughts are present, there are then feelings of mild self-loathing that I would even have such feelings... after all, I'm not the one out there "pulling the trigger..." I know we committed to something, so I don't really have any specific feelings of anger to any one individual, but just that our world is such that this situation even exists at all. I don't like writing these emotions and feelings down because I feel like you need me to be strong. However, talking with you has helped me to realize that seeing where I am weak may help strengthen you as well.
I try to keep an eternal perspective on things and do feel comfort when able to view the situation from this mountain top. This assurance does predominate over feelings of fear, anxiety or depression that do sometimes cross my mind. However, I must admit that at times my natural man takes over as well and I am certainly not excited about the coming growing experience. I know it is a privelidge (and feel honored as well) to be able to serve those young men of ours who are putting far more on the line than I and those families which are sacrificing far more than ours. When realizing this, there are sometimes feelings of shame that I even would be upset or dissapointed about being deployed... though why shouldn't I... being away from my children and wife who need me as well?
I know... a confusing array of contradictory emotions and thoughts. Part of the human experience?
Your blog entries have deeply touched me on multiple occasions. I am thankful you are able to express yourself so eloquently. Hopefully, the entries I share will be such that you are able to draw closer to me as well. I don't think I am as good at writing what I am feeling and thinking as you are. I will work on it.
In the words of an infantry man a couple of days ago, "Guys don't talk about how they feel."
Maybe this is part of the reason why as a neurologist I see many conversion disorders come through my doors (difficulty walking, seeing, remembering, etc.). Conversion disorders by definition are psychogenic in origin. If emotional stressors aren't expressed, defined and dealt with consciously, they will emerge subconsciously.
I hope you have a wonderful evening. Sorry to hear about the 0830 church next year... what a year huh?! A part of me smiles when I think of how you love getting up in the morning... Again contradictory emotions though. I am only smiling because I love you. I really do feel bad about how much harder this is going to make your Sundays.
Take care and I will see you in a few days.
Love,
Me
p.s. Nothing beats writing in this room with people looking over my shoulder looking at what I am writing. Makes me feel GRRREAAT!! (you have to imagine Tony the Tiger now and a bowl of frosted flakes:)
It was so good to be able to talk with you on the phone tonight. Though I haven't really expressed this on the blog yet, as you know, I have had many mixed emotions the past few weeks. I would like to say that I am not bothered by it and always have the eternal perspective in view. Such would not be honest to say, however.
At times, I am angry about the upcoming deployment and our pending separation. I have feelings of anxiety about it at times as well. I would be lying if I said that I never have thoughts about the potential for harm to happen. This is unlikely, I know, but these thoughts still cross my mind at times. The biggest concern I have isn't so much for my own well being (though I am somewhat ashamed to admit that at times, I am concerned for this too) but more so is a concern that you could be left without the emotional or physical support you need... When these thoughts are present, there are then feelings of mild self-loathing that I would even have such feelings... after all, I'm not the one out there "pulling the trigger..." I know we committed to something, so I don't really have any specific feelings of anger to any one individual, but just that our world is such that this situation even exists at all. I don't like writing these emotions and feelings down because I feel like you need me to be strong. However, talking with you has helped me to realize that seeing where I am weak may help strengthen you as well.
I try to keep an eternal perspective on things and do feel comfort when able to view the situation from this mountain top. This assurance does predominate over feelings of fear, anxiety or depression that do sometimes cross my mind. However, I must admit that at times my natural man takes over as well and I am certainly not excited about the coming growing experience. I know it is a privelidge (and feel honored as well) to be able to serve those young men of ours who are putting far more on the line than I and those families which are sacrificing far more than ours. When realizing this, there are sometimes feelings of shame that I even would be upset or dissapointed about being deployed... though why shouldn't I... being away from my children and wife who need me as well?
I know... a confusing array of contradictory emotions and thoughts. Part of the human experience?
Your blog entries have deeply touched me on multiple occasions. I am thankful you are able to express yourself so eloquently. Hopefully, the entries I share will be such that you are able to draw closer to me as well. I don't think I am as good at writing what I am feeling and thinking as you are. I will work on it.
In the words of an infantry man a couple of days ago, "Guys don't talk about how they feel."
Maybe this is part of the reason why as a neurologist I see many conversion disorders come through my doors (difficulty walking, seeing, remembering, etc.). Conversion disorders by definition are psychogenic in origin. If emotional stressors aren't expressed, defined and dealt with consciously, they will emerge subconsciously.
I hope you have a wonderful evening. Sorry to hear about the 0830 church next year... what a year huh?! A part of me smiles when I think of how you love getting up in the morning... Again contradictory emotions though. I am only smiling because I love you. I really do feel bad about how much harder this is going to make your Sundays.
Take care and I will see you in a few days.
Love,
Me
p.s. Nothing beats writing in this room with people looking over my shoulder looking at what I am writing. Makes me feel GRRREAAT!! (you have to imagine Tony the Tiger now and a bowl of frosted flakes:)
Love you.
Dear Shan,
I read section 132 today. I have felt a great deal of solace and reassurance the last few days regarding our eternal covenants and our sealing. This has been a great source of strength to me despite the knowledge that we will be temporally separated for a time. Perhaps in the same way you had the experience of knowing we are One as you read the passage in the New Testament, this has been affirmed to me as well.
I have complete confidence in your ability to function on our behalf while I am gone. I also have complete confidence that our family will be blessed. All of these things work together for our good, and we will both be better people as a result of this experience. I think we can grow even closer together as a result of this as well. In the long run, I think this will also serve as a blessing for our children.
I love you and hope you are having a wonderful day. I look forward to seeing you and the children on Saturday. Please continue to include me in your prayers. I feel the strength of their power. Likewise, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't pray for your welfare and the well-being of the children at least several times a day.
Love,
Me
I read section 132 today. I have felt a great deal of solace and reassurance the last few days regarding our eternal covenants and our sealing. This has been a great source of strength to me despite the knowledge that we will be temporally separated for a time. Perhaps in the same way you had the experience of knowing we are One as you read the passage in the New Testament, this has been affirmed to me as well.
I have complete confidence in your ability to function on our behalf while I am gone. I also have complete confidence that our family will be blessed. All of these things work together for our good, and we will both be better people as a result of this experience. I think we can grow even closer together as a result of this as well. In the long run, I think this will also serve as a blessing for our children.
I love you and hope you are having a wonderful day. I look forward to seeing you and the children on Saturday. Please continue to include me in your prayers. I feel the strength of their power. Likewise, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't pray for your welfare and the well-being of the children at least several times a day.
Love,
Me
Saturday, December 11, 2010
My Dearest Shandra,
I am so blessed to have you in my life. You know we are One forever, right? There is no true separation. We are eternally connected. That stretches far beyond the bounds of space and time of our current state.
It is good to hear that Ben is coming out of his shell interacting with other adults. I am happy about the other gifts God is giving you as well.
I look forward to seeing you in one week and again feel so fortunate to have you as the matriarch of our eternal family.
Love,
Me
I am so blessed to have you in my life. You know we are One forever, right? There is no true separation. We are eternally connected. That stretches far beyond the bounds of space and time of our current state.
It is good to hear that Ben is coming out of his shell interacting with other adults. I am happy about the other gifts God is giving you as well.
I look forward to seeing you in one week and again feel so fortunate to have you as the matriarch of our eternal family.
Love,
Me
Hebrews 13:5 "for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Dear Ja,
I woke up this morning with a song in my head. You know when your dreaming of a song and the melody of a song just keeps repeating over and over? I didn't know what song it was so I just lied there humming it outloud waiting for the lyrics to come to me. Eventually, they did. . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZKrf11XmnI
Sorry. I don't mean to make you cry. Both women in this song are me. The first is when your gone. The second is when you return. The words are exactly the same, but with my story behind it. While you are gone I'm going to be alone at night with my heart still believing that you will return. When you come back, I'm sure you will be a different person, as will I. You may have difficulties assimilating back to family life or have some post-symtoms but I will still beilieve our hearts can mend our different experiences we have together so nothing keeps us apart. I will still believe whether we are physically apart or even emotionally apart at times we can journey together to bring us together as one line upon line.
There comes a time in every ones life, as difficult as it may be, when we learn to turn the page, and enter into a new chapter in our lives. When we do we will find Jesus right there to help us with every step we take. My human nature feelings of 'abandonment' sufaces sometimes. I know it's not true and you have no choice over this, but our bodies are fallen and have a way of responding irrationally. I was told this morning that when I live life through those songs to remember, "he Hath said I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Don't worry. . .Heavenly Father is just allowing me to keep seeing things with my spiritual eyes when my temporal eyes fight for attention. This will allow me to continue loving without reserves blocking my heart for fear of hurt.
Luv, me
PS: How come I always leave the computer with swollen eyes and a stuffy nose?
I woke up this morning with a song in my head. You know when your dreaming of a song and the melody of a song just keeps repeating over and over? I didn't know what song it was so I just lied there humming it outloud waiting for the lyrics to come to me. Eventually, they did. . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZKrf11XmnI
Sorry. I don't mean to make you cry. Both women in this song are me. The first is when your gone. The second is when you return. The words are exactly the same, but with my story behind it. While you are gone I'm going to be alone at night with my heart still believing that you will return. When you come back, I'm sure you will be a different person, as will I. You may have difficulties assimilating back to family life or have some post-symtoms but I will still beilieve our hearts can mend our different experiences we have together so nothing keeps us apart. I will still believe whether we are physically apart or even emotionally apart at times we can journey together to bring us together as one line upon line.
There comes a time in every ones life, as difficult as it may be, when we learn to turn the page, and enter into a new chapter in our lives. When we do we will find Jesus right there to help us with every step we take. My human nature feelings of 'abandonment' sufaces sometimes. I know it's not true and you have no choice over this, but our bodies are fallen and have a way of responding irrationally. I was told this morning that when I live life through those songs to remember, "he Hath said I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Don't worry. . .Heavenly Father is just allowing me to keep seeing things with my spiritual eyes when my temporal eyes fight for attention. This will allow me to continue loving without reserves blocking my heart for fear of hurt.
Luv, me
PS: How come I always leave the computer with swollen eyes and a stuffy nose?
Friday, December 10, 2010
Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Dear Ja,
I'm starting to be able to see into Heavenly Father's plan for Ben!
I went to a ward Christmas party tonight. The buffet tables were set up to dish up food. The dessert table was up as well. Ben skipped right passed the dinner tables and headed straight to the dessert table. As I soberly observed him, he looked over all the sweets then grabbed a plate. He cautiously approached a lady by the table and looking up at her asked (so nicely, barley audible) for a slice of cake. Her response, I kid you not, "Oh, you're so sweet and you asked so nicely! Here, take this piece and save it for yourself for after your dinner." "Thank you" he mumbled.
As I watched this I had a complete humbling experience. I felt like I was looking through Ben's eyes up to God.
As I act upon giving everything Ben asks for (when he asks kindly) I am able to see (a touch) through our Heavenly Father's eyes. In no way was this plan ever going to allow Ben to do whatever he wanted, or even get out of doing what he should be doing either. That was never said or done. It is merely what our Father is asking of us to do. He wants us to ask Him so He can give us good gifts.
No person ever thought of a child as 'spoiled' at a ward party that asked so nicely for anything. (even if the item they asked for was dessert before dinner.)
That really humbled me making me feel more like a small child in relationship to my Heavenly Father in need of (asking for, so nicely) good gifts.
Luv, me
PS Ben walked right out of the empty closet. No lock, no force just removal. Out of my sight was the safest he was going to be anyway.
I'm starting to be able to see into Heavenly Father's plan for Ben!
I went to a ward Christmas party tonight. The buffet tables were set up to dish up food. The dessert table was up as well. Ben skipped right passed the dinner tables and headed straight to the dessert table. As I soberly observed him, he looked over all the sweets then grabbed a plate. He cautiously approached a lady by the table and looking up at her asked (so nicely, barley audible) for a slice of cake. Her response, I kid you not, "Oh, you're so sweet and you asked so nicely! Here, take this piece and save it for yourself for after your dinner." "Thank you" he mumbled.
As I watched this I had a complete humbling experience. I felt like I was looking through Ben's eyes up to God.
As I act upon giving everything Ben asks for (when he asks kindly) I am able to see (a touch) through our Heavenly Father's eyes. In no way was this plan ever going to allow Ben to do whatever he wanted, or even get out of doing what he should be doing either. That was never said or done. It is merely what our Father is asking of us to do. He wants us to ask Him so He can give us good gifts.
No person ever thought of a child as 'spoiled' at a ward party that asked so nicely for anything. (even if the item they asked for was dessert before dinner.)
That really humbled me making me feel more like a small child in relationship to my Heavenly Father in need of (asking for, so nicely) good gifts.
Luv, me
PS Ben walked right out of the empty closet. No lock, no force just removal. Out of my sight was the safest he was going to be anyway.
1 John 4:18 "perfect love casts out fear"
Dear Ja,
Look what I bumped into when I was getting Emma's song. . .can I just say God is GOOD!! He's always throwing things like this into my lap.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ti1SULYteI&feature=related
Also, is it not fitting to put a rainbow there at the end? I'm on number 37 for how many rainbows I've seen since we moved here. Should I count a double rainbow as 2 or 1? Oh, this song IS my life at the moment. Literally and symbolically. Here's a pic off our back deck.
Now I have more of a respect and an understanding for the natives when they call this time the rainy season. It's been not raining or pouring as those words did not seem adequate or compare to what I'm used to. I'd use the phrase dumping for the last 3 days straight, NON-stop! Roads are flooded, the dirt/mud is everywhere and stains since it's bright red mud (volcanic). Hmmm maybe that's why everyone takes their shoes off before entering a house. I wake up in the middle of the night scared sometimes because it sounds like a big airplane coming closer and closer to the house it's so loud and overpowering. The wind too and all the trees waving. . .Thinking about the shores around us, what the waves are doing can make one feel very small in the middle of this vast ocean. Maybe it lulls the natives asleep while it keeps me awake. I just kept tying to think (in Polyanna's words) of 'glad things'. I focused on good things that keep me safe and dwelt on the love in my heart that I have for Jesus and my family. I have Emma's favorite song stuck in my head (since she's been playing it repeatedly) "Hallelujah, the light has come, a child is born to save us all, Jesus!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hZUJSF6PSs Sometimes it's okay to have a song stuck in your brain for times like these. Thank you Emma!
Luv, meLook what I bumped into when I was getting Emma's song. . .can I just say God is GOOD!! He's always throwing things like this into my lap.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ti1SULYteI&feature=related
Now why would they show ocean repeatedly when singing about a storm. . . .I'll tell you why firsthand: Because it's SCARY! That's why!
Also, is it not fitting to put a rainbow there at the end? I'm on number 37 for how many rainbows I've seen since we moved here. Should I count a double rainbow as 2 or 1? Oh, this song IS my life at the moment. Literally and symbolically. Here's a pic off our back deck.Thursday, December 9, 2010
Alma 56:48 We do not doubt our mothers knew it.
Dear Ja,
In my weak moments I am still feeding and thriving off my answer I got a few days ago. Sometimes I find I'm saying those words to myself amongst the noise and chaos, "I'm still just as strong and powerful." The same words Jesus spoke to me saying, "Even though I was seperated from the Father, I was still just as strong and powerful."
When the Lord commands and we do our very best, though the rest out of our control, He makes up the difference ten-fold as if we were obeying with exactness. Which reminds me the only time the word exactness is used in the Book of Mormon is when the stirpling warriors obeyed Helaman's orders. 'They did not doubt their mothers knew it.' They also had never done or practiced what was expected of them in war. I have no practice being a single mom or even living on my own; But just as those moms had confindence in the Lord to have their sons in a war-zone with no prior training, I can give my confidence to the Lord to sustain my husband in his war-zone and to help me raise the children by a mother who 'knew it' too.
Luv, me
PS Benjamin was a joy to have today in every aspect and situation.
I'm blessed to have you and 3 other children to support me in this conquest.
In my weak moments I am still feeding and thriving off my answer I got a few days ago. Sometimes I find I'm saying those words to myself amongst the noise and chaos, "I'm still just as strong and powerful." The same words Jesus spoke to me saying, "Even though I was seperated from the Father, I was still just as strong and powerful."
When the Lord commands and we do our very best, though the rest out of our control, He makes up the difference ten-fold as if we were obeying with exactness. Which reminds me the only time the word exactness is used in the Book of Mormon is when the stirpling warriors obeyed Helaman's orders. 'They did not doubt their mothers knew it.' They also had never done or practiced what was expected of them in war. I have no practice being a single mom or even living on my own; But just as those moms had confindence in the Lord to have their sons in a war-zone with no prior training, I can give my confidence to the Lord to sustain my husband in his war-zone and to help me raise the children by a mother who 'knew it' too.
Luv, me
PS Benjamin was a joy to have today in every aspect and situation.
I'm blessed to have you and 3 other children to support me in this conquest.
Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Dear Ja,
So in concern for Benjamin acting out, I've done a few things. I'm not claiming any of my reactions in this first paragraph are correct but it's what I did: First, I got frustrated. Last night I took him by the arms and forced him to do his zone (dustpan the piles) Then I took him up to bed with a, "you must be too tired to work." Of course, during all this he didn't express himself with words only screaming and kicking. That afternoon he took a good swipe at my Navivity set causing some to fall onto the floor. My REaction was to throw him into the nearest closet and shut the door with a, "you can't be here if you're not behaving good." Later I talked to him on my lap when he (and I) was calm. When I probed my 'what's wrong' and 'what do you need', he burst into tears and cried, "I have nothing to do!"
Now let me back track. I've been praying about this Ben dilema for a few days now since he wouldn't talk with you on the phone. In the middle of the night at 3am I woke up and thought about his primary teacher. He comes out of Primary with a treat each week and when I ask him 'what's that for' he replies, "when I talk." Now I know this dear Primary teacher had been seeking inspiration for her students because I got the same answer. I need to reward him immediately when he talks and expresses himself through words. This approach would not have worked with my other children because they would have become spoiled brats since they expressed everything they wanted but he has a difficult time putting feelings into words. Besides, this was God's idea, not mine. With that. . .
After suggesting lots of things he could do he replied that he wants another star book. (educational books with a sticker chart in the back). I praised him for expressing (and pinpointing) what he wanted and took him that SAME day to buy 3 workbooks. When I told the owner she spoke out with a, "you should try to taper him off these books and re-direct him to other things because I learned in my early childhood development class about obsessive compulsive. . . ." I wish I could finish her sentence but that's when my eyes began glazing over and my ears felt like Whinnie the Pooh's stuffed with fluff. When she was done blabbing, I came back to earth, smiled with a "if my boy wants an educational book, he's going to get an educational book. I can only imagine her judgement of my mothering.
So. . .conclusion. Ben gets whatever he wants when he calmly asks for it. I know . . .sounds crazy but this was the answer for him in the meantime until he becomes a more confident, fluent talker. Since then, he's been content enough and even passed up playing wii to cut and paste out of his book. This morning he had that crying look on his face again during breakfast. I reminded him about Primary and his rewards when he talks. He said, voice trembling, "I want the purple jam not the orange kind." I praised him and, by golly, got the grape jelly out for him. So far. . . God has been right. He started pushing Eliza off her stool. I implored him to talk. Tight voice, "Liza you're in my seat." As Liza began explaining there are no assigned seats I gave her the words, "Okay Ben. Since you talked so good." Liza looked at me weird and moved. I thanked her. I know what's coming. . the kids are going to say I "give Ben whatever he wants!" I'm just waiting for it.
I'm trusting Him with this one even though the 'experts' may not agree with this approach. I asked Him and He answered so I'm just following through. So when you call do you agree he's allowed to not talk to you if that intimidates him too much but he needs to say to you in the phone, "I don't feel like talking right now." ? Hopefully, taking the phone and talking in it about how he doesn't want to talk is just a step in the right direction. Will you pray about it and let me know if there are any additions to this approach?
Luv, me.
So in concern for Benjamin acting out, I've done a few things. I'm not claiming any of my reactions in this first paragraph are correct but it's what I did: First, I got frustrated. Last night I took him by the arms and forced him to do his zone (dustpan the piles) Then I took him up to bed with a, "you must be too tired to work." Of course, during all this he didn't express himself with words only screaming and kicking. That afternoon he took a good swipe at my Navivity set causing some to fall onto the floor. My REaction was to throw him into the nearest closet and shut the door with a, "you can't be here if you're not behaving good." Later I talked to him on my lap when he (and I) was calm. When I probed my 'what's wrong' and 'what do you need', he burst into tears and cried, "I have nothing to do!"
Now let me back track. I've been praying about this Ben dilema for a few days now since he wouldn't talk with you on the phone. In the middle of the night at 3am I woke up and thought about his primary teacher. He comes out of Primary with a treat each week and when I ask him 'what's that for' he replies, "when I talk." Now I know this dear Primary teacher had been seeking inspiration for her students because I got the same answer. I need to reward him immediately when he talks and expresses himself through words. This approach would not have worked with my other children because they would have become spoiled brats since they expressed everything they wanted but he has a difficult time putting feelings into words. Besides, this was God's idea, not mine. With that. . .
After suggesting lots of things he could do he replied that he wants another star book. (educational books with a sticker chart in the back). I praised him for expressing (and pinpointing) what he wanted and took him that SAME day to buy 3 workbooks. When I told the owner she spoke out with a, "you should try to taper him off these books and re-direct him to other things because I learned in my early childhood development class about obsessive compulsive. . . ." I wish I could finish her sentence but that's when my eyes began glazing over and my ears felt like Whinnie the Pooh's stuffed with fluff. When she was done blabbing, I came back to earth, smiled with a "if my boy wants an educational book, he's going to get an educational book. I can only imagine her judgement of my mothering.
So. . .conclusion. Ben gets whatever he wants when he calmly asks for it. I know . . .sounds crazy but this was the answer for him in the meantime until he becomes a more confident, fluent talker. Since then, he's been content enough and even passed up playing wii to cut and paste out of his book. This morning he had that crying look on his face again during breakfast. I reminded him about Primary and his rewards when he talks. He said, voice trembling, "I want the purple jam not the orange kind." I praised him and, by golly, got the grape jelly out for him. So far. . . God has been right. He started pushing Eliza off her stool. I implored him to talk. Tight voice, "Liza you're in my seat." As Liza began explaining there are no assigned seats I gave her the words, "Okay Ben. Since you talked so good." Liza looked at me weird and moved. I thanked her. I know what's coming. . the kids are going to say I "give Ben whatever he wants!" I'm just waiting for it.
I'm trusting Him with this one even though the 'experts' may not agree with this approach. I asked Him and He answered so I'm just following through. So when you call do you agree he's allowed to not talk to you if that intimidates him too much but he needs to say to you in the phone, "I don't feel like talking right now." ? Hopefully, taking the phone and talking in it about how he doesn't want to talk is just a step in the right direction. Will you pray about it and let me know if there are any additions to this approach?
Luv, me.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Dear Family,
Shan, that was a beautiful clip! I am missing you all and anxious to be home soon. Last night, I had the chance to lie on the grass gazing up into the stars (one of my favorite pastimes). It hit me in a way how small we are. Here I am... looking out to countless stars, and we are a very small speck of dust comparatively orbiting around one of trillions of stars. It helps put things in perspective in a way.... in the grand scheme of things our problems no matter how large are really so insignificant.
I then read D&C 88. God is in all things and through all things. I am not sure how to rectify this with other LDS doctrines, but I know it to be true. Perhaps it has something to do with God's relationship to time. If time does not exist to God... then I believe he would have to be everywhere. God is in me and each one of you. As we stare at the immensity of space, we are m seeing God. As we interact with each of our brothers and sisters on this earth, we are literally interacting with God, for, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these... ye have done it unto me." This is literal.
Being His child... despite being insignificant pieces of dust in some respsects, we each also have so much potential.... literally infinite potential. I can't even begin to fully wrap my mind around that.
I know Jesus loves us and that He lives.
I love each and every one of you so much and pray for your safety each night.
I love you.
Dad/J
Shan, that was a beautiful clip! I am missing you all and anxious to be home soon. Last night, I had the chance to lie on the grass gazing up into the stars (one of my favorite pastimes). It hit me in a way how small we are. Here I am... looking out to countless stars, and we are a very small speck of dust comparatively orbiting around one of trillions of stars. It helps put things in perspective in a way.... in the grand scheme of things our problems no matter how large are really so insignificant.
I then read D&C 88. God is in all things and through all things. I am not sure how to rectify this with other LDS doctrines, but I know it to be true. Perhaps it has something to do with God's relationship to time. If time does not exist to God... then I believe he would have to be everywhere. God is in me and each one of you. As we stare at the immensity of space, we are m seeing God. As we interact with each of our brothers and sisters on this earth, we are literally interacting with God, for, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these... ye have done it unto me." This is literal.
Being His child... despite being insignificant pieces of dust in some respsects, we each also have so much potential.... literally infinite potential. I can't even begin to fully wrap my mind around that.
I know Jesus loves us and that He lives.
I love each and every one of you so much and pray for your safety each night.
I love you.
Dad/J
Monday, December 6, 2010
Revelation 19:16 "King of Kings and Lord of Lords"
Watch Handel's Messiah LIVE! It will bring tears to your eyes.
http://lds.org/liahona/2010/12/handel-and-the-gift-of-messiah?lang=eng
http://lds.org/liahona/2010/12/handel-and-the-gift-of-messiah?lang=eng
Dear Shan,
I'm glad to hear Ben is cooperating better and that the weather is so nice. Thank you for all that you do. Mundane household tasks really do set a large part of the foundation of a stable healthy family life... despite their "mundaneness." I wish I was there to help with the dishes and other tasks. Thank you for everything you do above and beyond that as well. In the grand scheme of things, you are influencing the world far more than I ever will as your influence will be more heavily fealt throughout into the future generations.
I love you and will plan on calling later today. Not much is changed here, just more classes. I am going to go hit the gym. I hope you are still being able to take your personal time to take care of your own physical and emotional needs as well.
Look forward to seeing you in less than 2 weeks!
Love,
J
I'm glad to hear Ben is cooperating better and that the weather is so nice. Thank you for all that you do. Mundane household tasks really do set a large part of the foundation of a stable healthy family life... despite their "mundaneness." I wish I was there to help with the dishes and other tasks. Thank you for everything you do above and beyond that as well. In the grand scheme of things, you are influencing the world far more than I ever will as your influence will be more heavily fealt throughout into the future generations.
I love you and will plan on calling later today. Not much is changed here, just more classes. I am going to go hit the gym. I hope you are still being able to take your personal time to take care of your own physical and emotional needs as well.
Look forward to seeing you in less than 2 weeks!
Love,
J
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Dear Ja,
Clarks came by today with a huge plate of pumpkin mini muffins. I took one and set the plate down. When I came back to take another one, the plate was empty. Sometimes I think I have more than just 4 kids. Between all the laundry I had to wash and talking with my mom and you for the day, I wasn't depressed! Horray for lots of laundry!! uh. . . . .Isaac was walking around in only a t-shirt telling me he had no clean shorts left. SHORTS in DECEMBER ?! Well . . that's what I'm wearing too. The weather is so nice and all the windows are open letting in cool, crisp, fresh air. Ya know the temp you love to go to sleep in ? You want it, we've got it. Even the 2 bunnies are always doing the happy bunny dance when we let them out, they're so happy too.
I'm so glad for this modern technology. After watching a church movie, the dishwasher is cleaning dinner dishes, while we're listen to Christmas music. Even when Ben helped me put the laundry in the washer told me, "aren't you glad the washer machine washes the clothes FOR you? He was more cooperative tonight. It was time to clean zones and he was the only one not working. I counted and had to follow through by putting him in the corner for 4 minutes (since he is 4 yrs.) He was giggling the whole time. ?? Then he came out and happily cleared off the table. He even got a bowl to wipe the food into so as not to drop it on the floor. That's when he went out to the garage to help me with the laundry too. He told me he was done with his zone and was now helping me with my zone. It was all too weird. In case you're wondering if I live in bliss, at the moment (10:25pm) my perfect kids are all laughing, screaming and thumping upstairs when they should be asleep. Sometimes I really wonder who's the boss around here? Gotta go. . .until tomorrow.
Luv, me
Dear Shan,
Today we are continuing to drive on with our training. I wish there was time to go to church today, but the way our class schedule is set up, I can't today. I should have some time later today to get some good reading in though. I assume you are fasting today being the first Sunday of the month. I am with you.
I miss you and the children. It is becoming more and more evident the longer I am here that there is unlikely to be any end to the war and violence on earth until the Second Coming. I believe it important that we be His tools regardless of what nation we find ourselves a part of. All thing ultimately work together for His good. We need to keep faith in that.
I'm glad you had such a productive day yesterday. I will plan on talking to you later.
Love,
J
Today we are continuing to drive on with our training. I wish there was time to go to church today, but the way our class schedule is set up, I can't today. I should have some time later today to get some good reading in though. I assume you are fasting today being the first Sunday of the month. I am with you.
I miss you and the children. It is becoming more and more evident the longer I am here that there is unlikely to be any end to the war and violence on earth until the Second Coming. I believe it important that we be His tools regardless of what nation we find ourselves a part of. All thing ultimately work together for His good. We need to keep faith in that.
I'm glad you had such a productive day yesterday. I will plan on talking to you later.
Love,
J
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Mormon 9:19 "And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not;. . .and is a God of miracles"
Dear Ja,
Small miracle happened to me tonight. I put a plaque up on a high shelf above the sink to see how it looked there. It tipped and knocked over my glass temple (the one that sat on our wedding cake.) As it fell, spires down toward the hard corian counter, my right hand reached out and grabbed it midair. I didn't even realize what just happened until a few second after the fact. I looked at my hand with the temple in it and blinked dumbfoundly. Remember when this temple was broken before and I still displayed it? Then when Wynette saw it there, she had it sent to her dad to fix who was the actual maker of it? I felt just that was a miracle in of itself, and then this. My Heavenly Father knows that's the one posession I have that I really treasure and has meaning to me. How merciful for Him to perserve it for me. Makes me think. . . "Lord, I'm already in your debt and yet you bless me yet again with another underserving gift?" I stand in awe.
Luv, me
Small miracle happened to me tonight. I put a plaque up on a high shelf above the sink to see how it looked there. It tipped and knocked over my glass temple (the one that sat on our wedding cake.) As it fell, spires down toward the hard corian counter, my right hand reached out and grabbed it midair. I didn't even realize what just happened until a few second after the fact. I looked at my hand with the temple in it and blinked dumbfoundly. Remember when this temple was broken before and I still displayed it? Then when Wynette saw it there, she had it sent to her dad to fix who was the actual maker of it? I felt just that was a miracle in of itself, and then this. My Heavenly Father knows that's the one posession I have that I really treasure and has meaning to me. How merciful for Him to perserve it for me. Makes me think. . . "Lord, I'm already in your debt and yet you bless me yet again with another underserving gift?" I stand in awe.
Luv, me
Psalms 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Dear Ja,
We're reading Luke now as we always do in December. Oh how I love the Lord's word to us. How blessed are we to have it translated and published for us today? We have it available in print on paper, on internet, portable kindles and iphones. We can listen to it on cd or download it on ipods or blackberries. We have it at our fingertips and I am glad for that. It brought me joy when I heard Isaac struggling with some construction project at the table and he broke into scriputre: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" repeated over and over.
It was a good day balanced with hard work and reward. My good friend Rie invited the boys over to play with her boys which gave me an opportunity to help clean out the girls' messy room. Thankyou Rie!! We cleaned out the girls room in detail from the bookshelves, to the dresser drawers, under the beds, changing the bedding . . .on and on. 4 hours and 2 large, full garbage bags later we were finished. The playroom (where we threw everything) needs help now but that 's for another day. I only have that room, the boys room and the extra bedroom (yikes) to finish before you come home. I did the garage and the backyard last week so at least that's off the list too. After the work was done, it was about 3pm. I realized I was still in my PJ's and hadn't fed the kids any meals. Instead of starting a new mess with hungry kids and a tired mom, I took them out with the coupons the girls earned in school. First we went to Jamba juice for our appetizer. We got 4 jamba for the price of 2. Then we went to pizza hut and each of the kids ordered their own personal pan 1-topping pizza (all free from the kids reading list at book.it.com for homeschoolers.) I went next door to zippy's and actually bought myself a dinner of korean chicken. The kids saw a diplay of donughts next to the line and so I thought sure make an event of it. They each picked out their own donut. We ate our dinner there. We looked at the wii games at gamestop and the animals at the pet shop. It was nice to come home at 6:30 all fed and ready to settle down and read Luke for the night. I've got mount wash-more waiting for me tomorrow but for now I'm content with having a great deal accomplished with no one feeling neglected in the process. Liza even had time to complete her homework when we got home. Yeah. . no getting up early with her on Monday . . again! Tomorrow will be the first Sunday with you gone since we moved here. Those are usually long days. I hope I don't miss you too much with the thinking time I have on those days.
Luv, me
We're reading Luke now as we always do in December. Oh how I love the Lord's word to us. How blessed are we to have it translated and published for us today? We have it available in print on paper, on internet, portable kindles and iphones. We can listen to it on cd or download it on ipods or blackberries. We have it at our fingertips and I am glad for that. It brought me joy when I heard Isaac struggling with some construction project at the table and he broke into scriputre: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" repeated over and over.
It was a good day balanced with hard work and reward. My good friend Rie invited the boys over to play with her boys which gave me an opportunity to help clean out the girls' messy room. Thankyou Rie!! We cleaned out the girls room in detail from the bookshelves, to the dresser drawers, under the beds, changing the bedding . . .on and on. 4 hours and 2 large, full garbage bags later we were finished. The playroom (where we threw everything) needs help now but that 's for another day. I only have that room, the boys room and the extra bedroom (yikes) to finish before you come home. I did the garage and the backyard last week so at least that's off the list too. After the work was done, it was about 3pm. I realized I was still in my PJ's and hadn't fed the kids any meals. Instead of starting a new mess with hungry kids and a tired mom, I took them out with the coupons the girls earned in school. First we went to Jamba juice for our appetizer. We got 4 jamba for the price of 2. Then we went to pizza hut and each of the kids ordered their own personal pan 1-topping pizza (all free from the kids reading list at book.it.com for homeschoolers.) I went next door to zippy's and actually bought myself a dinner of korean chicken. The kids saw a diplay of donughts next to the line and so I thought sure make an event of it. They each picked out their own donut. We ate our dinner there. We looked at the wii games at gamestop and the animals at the pet shop. It was nice to come home at 6:30 all fed and ready to settle down and read Luke for the night. I've got mount wash-more waiting for me tomorrow but for now I'm content with having a great deal accomplished with no one feeling neglected in the process. Liza even had time to complete her homework when we got home. Yeah. . no getting up early with her on Monday . . again! Tomorrow will be the first Sunday with you gone since we moved here. Those are usually long days. I hope I don't miss you too much with the thinking time I have on those days.
Luv, me
4 December 2010
Dear Shan,
I am a bit hesitant to display my feelings and thoughts in a format such as this. However, perhaps there are others that will be able to benefit.
I miss being with you and the children. It is good though that we have this short time away from eachother now so that we will better know how to prepare for being apart for a longer period of time later on.
We have talked a great deal about leadership the last few days in some of the classes I am attending. We had to write up our "leadership" philosophy and turn it in today. I put a fair amount of thought and prayer into mine. I'm glad I had this opportunity, because I think the application of the principles that make a good leader will make me a better father as well.
I think good leadership can be boiled down to three principles. Vision, Selfless Service and Wisdom. All of these I believe stem from true vision. When these three qualaties are present, I believe that a multitude of other positive qualities naturally emerge as well such as initiative, persistence, courage, integrity, etc. Vision is seeing surroundings from the mountain top, seeing the big picture. As it says in Proverbs, "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." I think one of the reasons you have so much wisdom in the way you approach life is due to your vision. You are able to step back and see the whole picture... the long term. I hope to become more like you in this regard.
I'm sorry to hear the children are acting up more with me gone. This is going to be hard for them... but I also think it can be an experience that we all grow and become stronger from.
I love you and admire your outlook on life. I have been touched as I have read your thoughts and feelings. You truly have no guile. I am still only beginning to realize the gem you are. I hope to never take you or our dear children for granted. I'm looking forward to seeing you on the 18th!
Love,
J
I am a bit hesitant to display my feelings and thoughts in a format such as this. However, perhaps there are others that will be able to benefit.
I miss being with you and the children. It is good though that we have this short time away from eachother now so that we will better know how to prepare for being apart for a longer period of time later on.
We have talked a great deal about leadership the last few days in some of the classes I am attending. We had to write up our "leadership" philosophy and turn it in today. I put a fair amount of thought and prayer into mine. I'm glad I had this opportunity, because I think the application of the principles that make a good leader will make me a better father as well.
I think good leadership can be boiled down to three principles. Vision, Selfless Service and Wisdom. All of these I believe stem from true vision. When these three qualaties are present, I believe that a multitude of other positive qualities naturally emerge as well such as initiative, persistence, courage, integrity, etc. Vision is seeing surroundings from the mountain top, seeing the big picture. As it says in Proverbs, "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." I think one of the reasons you have so much wisdom in the way you approach life is due to your vision. You are able to step back and see the whole picture... the long term. I hope to become more like you in this regard.
I'm sorry to hear the children are acting up more with me gone. This is going to be hard for them... but I also think it can be an experience that we all grow and become stronger from.
I love you and admire your outlook on life. I have been touched as I have read your thoughts and feelings. You truly have no guile. I am still only beginning to realize the gem you are. I hope to never take you or our dear children for granted. I'm looking forward to seeing you on the 18th!
Love,
J
Friday, December 3, 2010
1 Corinthians 11:3 "the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God"
Dear Ja,
Tonight Ben wasn't obeying and being destructive to everything and everyone around him. I didn't like playing your part. I didn't like putting him in his place and feeling like an authoritative dictator. The girls were downstairs finishing up their cleaning zones while I read to the boys to wait. 6 stories later, they reluctantly came up for scripture study, (after a lot of yelling on my part). There was arguing in bed amongst the kids as well. Isaac told me he felt like he just ate junk for dinner (chicken nuggets and fries do constitute as that.) I'm tired. I'm tired of being you and me. I searched for solace in looking up roles of women and men in the scriptures to try to find some insight into playing both roles. Maliciously, I knew there could be nothing that says just that. I felt weak and wanted your strength. I shouldn't have to play your role, just my own, I thought. I wanted to confirm and justify my feelings in not wanting to play your part and actually craving the easier route in submitting to your leadership. I felt that before I inform God he wasn't being fair in letting me play your part too, I had to find leverage in His own word. Was I in for a wake up call.
Corinthians 15:28 Hit me like a ton of bricks. "then shall the Son also himself be subject unto Him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all."
The Son himself is said to be subject to the Father. Yet the Father and the Son are equally God; there is no difference in their degree of divinity. Their strength is one. One is not without the other as the man is not without the woman and the woman without the man. The Son (all perfect, all knowing, always there) is subject to the Father.
It is interesting to note that here the same verb is used for the Son's subjection to the Father as is used for the woman's subjection to the man in (Ephesians 5 and I Timothy 2). In I Corinthians 15:28 the purpose of the Son's submitting to the Father is not to put the Son in an inferior position, but to bring about a beautiful plan. The purpose of the wife's submitting to her husband is also to carry out a beautiful plan. The establishment of a marriage that not only lasts eternally but also has wonderful harmony, and the establishment of order. The Son was still God though separated from His Father that he was in subjection to. Doing the "will of the Father"
I guess what I'm trying to attempt to say and put into words is, just as the nature of God didn't change with Jesus coming to earth, the nature of our marriage hasn't either. It's strength and spirit still dwells in this home. We are united in purpose, deed and spirit which is the power needed to become perfect and whole in Christ. No matter how things are surfacing temporally, I need to have trust in Him that His promises are sure even without me seeing them with my physical eyes right now. I can go to sleep, and rest assure, in the midst of kids' bickering that all things will be for our good and the children will be trained up in the way they should go. The power of being one with you still exists though separated. Oh, how Jesus has first handedly felt my sorrows. He had been separated from the one He is one with too. He has cried my same tears. The sealing power is with us still, where ever we go in body. Christ was still God on earth as in heaven. God still sustains, sanctifies and blesses our marriage. . . physically together or not. His grace is sufficient for me.
Luv, Shan
Tonight Ben wasn't obeying and being destructive to everything and everyone around him. I didn't like playing your part. I didn't like putting him in his place and feeling like an authoritative dictator. The girls were downstairs finishing up their cleaning zones while I read to the boys to wait. 6 stories later, they reluctantly came up for scripture study, (after a lot of yelling on my part). There was arguing in bed amongst the kids as well. Isaac told me he felt like he just ate junk for dinner (chicken nuggets and fries do constitute as that.) I'm tired. I'm tired of being you and me. I searched for solace in looking up roles of women and men in the scriptures to try to find some insight into playing both roles. Maliciously, I knew there could be nothing that says just that. I felt weak and wanted your strength. I shouldn't have to play your role, just my own, I thought. I wanted to confirm and justify my feelings in not wanting to play your part and actually craving the easier route in submitting to your leadership. I felt that before I inform God he wasn't being fair in letting me play your part too, I had to find leverage in His own word. Was I in for a wake up call.
Corinthians 15:28 Hit me like a ton of bricks. "then shall the Son also himself be subject unto Him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all."
The Son himself is said to be subject to the Father. Yet the Father and the Son are equally God; there is no difference in their degree of divinity. Their strength is one. One is not without the other as the man is not without the woman and the woman without the man. The Son (all perfect, all knowing, always there) is subject to the Father.
It is interesting to note that here the same verb is used for the Son's subjection to the Father as is used for the woman's subjection to the man in (Ephesians 5 and I Timothy 2). In I Corinthians 15:28 the purpose of the Son's submitting to the Father is not to put the Son in an inferior position, but to bring about a beautiful plan. The purpose of the wife's submitting to her husband is also to carry out a beautiful plan. The establishment of a marriage that not only lasts eternally but also has wonderful harmony, and the establishment of order. The Son was still God though separated from His Father that he was in subjection to. Doing the "will of the Father"
I guess what I'm trying to attempt to say and put into words is, just as the nature of God didn't change with Jesus coming to earth, the nature of our marriage hasn't either. It's strength and spirit still dwells in this home. We are united in purpose, deed and spirit which is the power needed to become perfect and whole in Christ. No matter how things are surfacing temporally, I need to have trust in Him that His promises are sure even without me seeing them with my physical eyes right now. I can go to sleep, and rest assure, in the midst of kids' bickering that all things will be for our good and the children will be trained up in the way they should go. The power of being one with you still exists though separated. Oh, how Jesus has first handedly felt my sorrows. He had been separated from the one He is one with too. He has cried my same tears. The sealing power is with us still, where ever we go in body. Christ was still God on earth as in heaven. God still sustains, sanctifies and blesses our marriage. . . physically together or not. His grace is sufficient for me.
Luv, Shan
Hero's reply:
My Sweetest Shandra,
I am really looking forward to Emma's performance! Being away from you and the children makes me appreciate you all the more. Before I leave in January, we need to establish all of our computer connections so we can be "skyping" each other via video, etc.
I love you and appreciate your support and love. I am so thankful you are taking care of our dear children. I wish I could be there to support you better. I pray for you in all of my prayers. Likewise, I feel you support, your love and your prayers from a distance.
I think the sacrifices of love you are making will have long-term dividends for our family.
I appreciate you.
Love, J
I am really looking forward to Emma's performance! Being away from you and the children makes me appreciate you all the more. Before I leave in January, we need to establish all of our computer connections so we can be "skyping" each other via video, etc.
I love you and appreciate your support and love. I am so thankful you are taking care of our dear children. I wish I could be there to support you better. I pray for you in all of my prayers. Likewise, I feel you support, your love and your prayers from a distance.
I think the sacrifices of love you are making will have long-term dividends for our family.
I appreciate you.
Love, J
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Acts 20:35 "It is more blessed to give than to receive"
Dear Ja,
I went to a Relief Society activity tonight. It started at 7pm and felt like it was too late to be packing up and taking kids out of the house to start something new instead of winding down for the night. There is school tomorrow. . .again. I had to force myself to go since the kids were tired and the 2 youngest were breaking down. At the church we packed up Christmas care packages to send to the service men and women. Of course you laid heavy on my mind thinking about the Christmas season next year without you.
I am not pleased to say my thoughts burdened me tonight to the extent of not being soft towards others. As I wrote heart felt letters to put into the boxes, naturally other women were laughing and enjoying themselves while I felt more solemn inside; like it was supposed to be some sobering moment to remember those in the middle east that won't be with their families for the holiday. (All in my mind).
As we were dishing up refreshments, a brother took something on a plate stating it was for his wife who, 'oh woe is her' had to put the kids to bed all by herself tonight. I think I (regretfully) made a snorting noise at it while shaking my head.
It was an ornament exchange game tonight too. It's all I can do to keep up with everything all by myself much less go out and buy an ornament for tonight so I looked at my tree to see which one I could spare. Since all of the ornatments were a grandma annual gift, I picked the only one I ever bought for myself. I bought it just last year from the Christian bookstore. It has Santa kneeling down at the baby Jesus. I remember vividly looking at a figurine of that as a child and it made a big impact on me so I wanted to be sure the only picture of Santa in my home was portraying him as that. I felt bitter and cross to give that away and bring home a red plastic ball. I felt like a poor pitiful me doing it. I shouldn't have felt that way. . .not in the least. . .The mere fact that I'm doing and having all these things to do and have just shows how much I have to be thankful for!
Let's turn the situation around to what it should have been:
I went to a Relief Society activity tonight. I'm grateful for leaders who take time and effort to plan and schedule these things for us to do. They have families, jobs and busy lives too. I packed up the kids to take them which I was glad that they offered babysitting. Those youth doing it had to get up early the next morning for seminary. . .wow, bless them! I grabbed the only ornament on the tree that wasn't part of my family's annual tradition. I enjoyed it so much and it was time for someone else to enjoy it too. Just look at my tree anyway. How blessed I am to have such a tree full of senimental ornaments that family has given me. How loved am I? How rich am I? The windows truly are opened so the blessings are falling more than I have room to recieve it. And oh, I was able to winess the sweetest thing tonight too. A husband was taking treats home to his wife and thinking about her. It reminded me of when you'd go to priesthood meeting and bring me back a treat on a paper plate. I really melt when you do that for me.
There. Now my blog post is better and tweeked the way it should have been percieved in the first place. I feel better now. Well. . . maybe a bit longer on my knees will do the trick.
Luv, Shan
I went to a Relief Society activity tonight. It started at 7pm and felt like it was too late to be packing up and taking kids out of the house to start something new instead of winding down for the night. There is school tomorrow. . .again. I had to force myself to go since the kids were tired and the 2 youngest were breaking down. At the church we packed up Christmas care packages to send to the service men and women. Of course you laid heavy on my mind thinking about the Christmas season next year without you.
I am not pleased to say my thoughts burdened me tonight to the extent of not being soft towards others. As I wrote heart felt letters to put into the boxes, naturally other women were laughing and enjoying themselves while I felt more solemn inside; like it was supposed to be some sobering moment to remember those in the middle east that won't be with their families for the holiday. (All in my mind).
As we were dishing up refreshments, a brother took something on a plate stating it was for his wife who, 'oh woe is her' had to put the kids to bed all by herself tonight. I think I (regretfully) made a snorting noise at it while shaking my head.
It was an ornament exchange game tonight too. It's all I can do to keep up with everything all by myself much less go out and buy an ornament for tonight so I looked at my tree to see which one I could spare. Since all of the ornatments were a grandma annual gift, I picked the only one I ever bought for myself. I bought it just last year from the Christian bookstore. It has Santa kneeling down at the baby Jesus. I remember vividly looking at a figurine of that as a child and it made a big impact on me so I wanted to be sure the only picture of Santa in my home was portraying him as that. I felt bitter and cross to give that away and bring home a red plastic ball. I felt like a poor pitiful me doing it. I shouldn't have felt that way. . .not in the least. . .The mere fact that I'm doing and having all these things to do and have just shows how much I have to be thankful for!
Let's turn the situation around to what it should have been:
I went to a Relief Society activity tonight. I'm grateful for leaders who take time and effort to plan and schedule these things for us to do. They have families, jobs and busy lives too. I packed up the kids to take them which I was glad that they offered babysitting. Those youth doing it had to get up early the next morning for seminary. . .wow, bless them! I grabbed the only ornament on the tree that wasn't part of my family's annual tradition. I enjoyed it so much and it was time for someone else to enjoy it too. Just look at my tree anyway. How blessed I am to have such a tree full of senimental ornaments that family has given me. How loved am I? How rich am I? The windows truly are opened so the blessings are falling more than I have room to recieve it. And oh, I was able to winess the sweetest thing tonight too. A husband was taking treats home to his wife and thinking about her. It reminded me of when you'd go to priesthood meeting and bring me back a treat on a paper plate. I really melt when you do that for me.
There. Now my blog post is better and tweeked the way it should have been percieved in the first place. I feel better now. Well. . . maybe a bit longer on my knees will do the trick.
Luv, Shan
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Psalm 25:6 "Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses; for they [have been] ever of old."
Dear Ja,
Even though I got a stress headache trying to pay the bills for the first time in years, I have felt the Lord's tender mercies falling upon us with you gone. Liza has been sorrowful lately about her new bunny Paki about how he is too frisky and won't let her hold him. This is normal for being so young, I assured her, but she just misses that snuggle time she had with Cookie. The very next day after you flew to TX she found a white Holland lop that was a lost pet. The bunny is a older male and allows her to hold him, snuggling him as a baby for as long as she wishes. If you had been home I know you'd make us get rid of it end of story. . . but this has been good therapy for her to see the tender mercies of the Lord. It wouldn't have surprised me if He waited for you to leave to give her this experience. (no offense, dear)
I also think with you being gone for an extended period of time before deployment is a tender mercy too. It helps prep me with lots of thought but also list of things I want to accomplish before you go again. That was so good and wise of the Lord to give me a preview before the real thing.Luv, me
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Isaiah 9 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Dear Ja,
Tonight the kids and I were listening to Handel's Messiah. I think they have that scripture memorized now. I could hear Liza singing it in the bathroom while brushing her teeth. Ben was so tired tonight. He called me stupid and wouldn't apologize. Liza told me I was too lenient on him. So, I stopped what I was doing and told him that was wrong and 'are you sorry?' He screamed, no he wasn't so I washed his mouth with soap until he was. I told him he could come out of the bathroom when he was sorry. He tried coming out again and again so I finally held onto the bathroom door knob to keep it closed. All 3 kids were sitting like an audience watching me, so I did what anyone would do. I started. . .singing. "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." The kids smiled and I noticed they recognized the song and started humming along. Finally, he was ready to come out and apologize. He had not one tear either. Just a stubborn, eyebrows down look that was at war during our battle of the wits. He perked up at dinner time. Of course he said he didn't want any. I told him he still had to sit at the table during dinner anyway. I told him 4 bites but then happily he told me 10. He followed through counting on his fingers with each bite up to 10. Maybe he was just hungry? I wonder if it has anything to do with you being gone? He normally doesn't do anything like that.
I don't know why Emma asked you on the phone about deployment. I haven't been talking about it at all with anyone so she couldn't have overheard anything. Maybe just having you gone now reminded her of the possibility. She's probably going to be the one to take it (consciously) the hardest. Hope you're enjoying your visit with Tyler in Texas.
Luv, me
Tonight the kids and I were listening to Handel's Messiah. I think they have that scripture memorized now. I could hear Liza singing it in the bathroom while brushing her teeth. Ben was so tired tonight. He called me stupid and wouldn't apologize. Liza told me I was too lenient on him. So, I stopped what I was doing and told him that was wrong and 'are you sorry?' He screamed, no he wasn't so I washed his mouth with soap until he was. I told him he could come out of the bathroom when he was sorry. He tried coming out again and again so I finally held onto the bathroom door knob to keep it closed. All 3 kids were sitting like an audience watching me, so I did what anyone would do. I started. . .singing. "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." The kids smiled and I noticed they recognized the song and started humming along. Finally, he was ready to come out and apologize. He had not one tear either. Just a stubborn, eyebrows down look that was at war during our battle of the wits. He perked up at dinner time. Of course he said he didn't want any. I told him he still had to sit at the table during dinner anyway. I told him 4 bites but then happily he told me 10. He followed through counting on his fingers with each bite up to 10. Maybe he was just hungry? I wonder if it has anything to do with you being gone? He normally doesn't do anything like that.
I don't know why Emma asked you on the phone about deployment. I haven't been talking about it at all with anyone so she couldn't have overheard anything. Maybe just having you gone now reminded her of the possibility. She's probably going to be the one to take it (consciously) the hardest. Hope you're enjoying your visit with Tyler in Texas.
Luv, me
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."
Dear Ja,
As I walked around the house tonight cleaning (while you and the kids watched 'Flicka') the mess around me made my heart merry. Seeing your no shame bathing suit (since you wear it in public when you know it's too short) hanging on the bathtub nozzle meant you went swimming with the kids today. Seeing your hair mess all over the bathroom floor meant you cut your own hair saving us money/time/effort. Seeing your wet towel on the floor meant you are still living with us. It made my spirit light. The mere fact that a movie is just barley starting at 8:45pm must mean you are still living at home. That would only be carried out by you my fun-loving darling. I guess the kids are going to go into TV withdraws when you go.
Luv, me
PS it made my heart really merry when I reluctantly and discouragingly mentioned a swingset helping me while you are gone and you answered, "don't underestimate me. I can see to it that your needs are met when I am gone. If it's for you and not the kids, that's a different story." I liked that. Even if I don't get one, it's the response that fulfilled me the most.
Luv, me
As I walked around the house tonight cleaning (while you and the kids watched 'Flicka') the mess around me made my heart merry. Seeing your no shame bathing suit (since you wear it in public when you know it's too short) hanging on the bathtub nozzle meant you went swimming with the kids today. Seeing your hair mess all over the bathroom floor meant you cut your own hair saving us money/time/effort. Seeing your wet towel on the floor meant you are still living with us. It made my spirit light. The mere fact that a movie is just barley starting at 8:45pm must mean you are still living at home. That would only be carried out by you my fun-loving darling. I guess the kids are going to go into TV withdraws when you go.
Luv, me
PS it made my heart really merry when I reluctantly and discouragingly mentioned a swingset helping me while you are gone and you answered, "don't underestimate me. I can see to it that your needs are met when I am gone. If it's for you and not the kids, that's a different story." I liked that. Even if I don't get one, it's the response that fulfilled me the most.
Luv, me
1 Thessalonians 5:18 18 "In every thing give thanks"
Dear Ja,
Giving thanks in everything is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning me. It says so in Thessalonians. So I wanted to thank you sincerely for giving me the opportunity to learn and grow in myself while you are absent. I have potentials that I don't know exisist in myself that will give me independent confindence, something that I may be lacking and may not even know it. I've been spoiled my whole life through. I went straight from daddy providing for me, then months later straight out of high school married you. I've always been taken care of. Perhaps it's time for me to learn some of the things most people learn in that season of life in college or on a mission, on their own. I thank you for this opportunity. God is allowing me to gain back that which was lost in my life.
Luv, me
P.S. I'm having difficulty thanking you for allowing me to take out the garbage every night though. Blah.
Giving thanks in everything is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning me. It says so in Thessalonians. So I wanted to thank you sincerely for giving me the opportunity to learn and grow in myself while you are absent. I have potentials that I don't know exisist in myself that will give me independent confindence, something that I may be lacking and may not even know it. I've been spoiled my whole life through. I went straight from daddy providing for me, then months later straight out of high school married you. I've always been taken care of. Perhaps it's time for me to learn some of the things most people learn in that season of life in college or on a mission, on their own. I thank you for this opportunity. God is allowing me to gain back that which was lost in my life.
Luv, me
P.S. I'm having difficulty thanking you for allowing me to take out the garbage every night though. Blah.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanks for Thanks- Day Psalms 107:1 "O give thanks unto the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever."
Dear Ja,
Just wanted to thank you for a wonderful thanksgiving day with you. I liked how I just kept cooking away while you kept up with the dishes to make it enjoyable for me. I will miss that time with you next year. It made me giggle when I was trying to give away the rest of my artichoke dip to the McArthurs and you responded with, "Oh are you sure, you may just want it when you are wanting to snuggle up and watch a movie with me." In otherwords, thanks for the compliment and yes I will watch a movie with you tonight with or without the dip.
Luv, Shan
P.S. thanks for making me feel good about my little 12lb turkey (Fred) compared to the 25lb one we ate tonight. Our turkey had special meaning because it was the one Liza won in her archery contest, huh?
Just wanted to thank you for a wonderful thanksgiving day with you. I liked how I just kept cooking away while you kept up with the dishes to make it enjoyable for me. I will miss that time with you next year. It made me giggle when I was trying to give away the rest of my artichoke dip to the McArthurs and you responded with, "Oh are you sure, you may just want it when you are wanting to snuggle up and watch a movie with me." In otherwords, thanks for the compliment and yes I will watch a movie with you tonight with or without the dip.
Luv, Shan
Alma 37:37 "when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the cmorning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God;"
Dear Ja,
I woke up at 4am this Thanksgiving morning and just lied there with much to be thankful for. I just enjoyed having you lay next to me listening to you breath. My heart went out to you as I thought about you out there having no one to be connected with. Who's going to be your touch? Who will you hug or talk with? I think I was able to think outside of myself for a minute in the quiet darkness and I just inhaled it all in.
Luv, Shan
I woke up at 4am this Thanksgiving morning and just lied there with much to be thankful for. I just enjoyed having you lay next to me listening to you breath. My heart went out to you as I thought about you out there having no one to be connected with. Who's going to be your touch? Who will you hug or talk with? I think I was able to think outside of myself for a minute in the quiet darkness and I just inhaled it all in.
Luv, Shan
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Psalms 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."
Dear Ja,
As I continue to write my way through my feelings I hope that it not only feeds my soul or keeps family updated but I hope it can strengthen others going through the same situation.
I'm not looking for a '10 easy steps for depolyment' or a 'how to cultivate long distance relationships' or even navigating through military culture. I will face head on the challenges I will face personally, as well as monitoring how I respond to daily struggles that threaten to drag or weigh me down. God has a purpose for me just as strong as yours. I have been called too. God is in control. He has the power to manipulate the system to send you anywhere. He is in complete control, therefore, He approves our mission. . .Is there any difference, then, if He Himself called us to this mission?
Luv, me
As I continue to write my way through my feelings I hope that it not only feeds my soul or keeps family updated but I hope it can strengthen others going through the same situation.
I'm not looking for a '10 easy steps for depolyment' or a 'how to cultivate long distance relationships' or even navigating through military culture. I will face head on the challenges I will face personally, as well as monitoring how I respond to daily struggles that threaten to drag or weigh me down. God has a purpose for me just as strong as yours. I have been called too. God is in control. He has the power to manipulate the system to send you anywhere. He is in complete control, therefore, He approves our mission. . .Is there any difference, then, if He Himself called us to this mission?
Luv, me
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 "we do not war according to flesh"
Dear Ja,
I just got off the phone with you and realized I had to do the mourning process all over again. Switching the news from Iraq to Afganistan made me have the same reaction a few weeks ago when I first recieved the news: A saddness I have never felt before. I felt I had reached acceptance stage so I was able to write on the blog about it. I realize if I only write on the blog when I am in 'unwaivering, firm, like a brick' state, I will have only a few posts. I'm realizing that this is just the beginning and there is no end to the roller coaster journey of emotions this military life is going to offer me. The best way to cope, therefore, is to express along the way and live each day for what it has to offer in it's fullest. I think a letter to you on a consistent basis will allow me to feel closer to you while we are apart. Sometimes that 'apart' feeling can still exist while living under the same roof. We will call this stage the pre-deployment stage. I hope when we are old in our rockers we will, as a result, be closer than we ever could have been otherwise. If we do, they whole journey of sacrifice, my love, will be worth it.
Luv, me
I just got off the phone with you and realized I had to do the mourning process all over again. Switching the news from Iraq to Afganistan made me have the same reaction a few weeks ago when I first recieved the news: A saddness I have never felt before. I felt I had reached acceptance stage so I was able to write on the blog about it. I realize if I only write on the blog when I am in 'unwaivering, firm, like a brick' state, I will have only a few posts. I'm realizing that this is just the beginning and there is no end to the roller coaster journey of emotions this military life is going to offer me. The best way to cope, therefore, is to express along the way and live each day for what it has to offer in it's fullest. I think a letter to you on a consistent basis will allow me to feel closer to you while we are apart. Sometimes that 'apart' feeling can still exist while living under the same roof. We will call this stage the pre-deployment stage. I hope when we are old in our rockers we will, as a result, be closer than we ever could have been otherwise. If we do, they whole journey of sacrifice, my love, will be worth it.
Luv, me
Sunday, November 21, 2010
www.milblogging.com
Look what I found! A site that contains hundreds of military wives and their blogs. Whoa. . .In President Hinckley's words, "This is the greatest age the world has known!"
1 Peter 1:7 "These (trials) have come to prove the genuineness of your faith"
We Are all tested in God's Plan for Us.
to finish the verse: "of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed"
I guess the question is do we follow that plan or resist it? Do we melt because of the flames or become refined through it? I do believe if we resist our destiny or potential that God has in store for us, things in our life will feel unbalanced. Something will seem amiss or peace will be shaken. Otherwise, how can some people have all the worldly possesions society deems as providing happiness but have results of unhappiness? Yet others can be dealt the cards of tragedy or heartbreak and they seem to be at peace and still find joy in the smallest things around them. I don't believe in the lie, "you can be whatever you want to be" I do believe "you can become whatever you want to work at."
We all have cross roads in our lives that make us look back. Why do we look back? i.e. contemplate our lives and re-evaluate. Maybe for us to see our travels. How far we've come and which way now? Probably because we have a choice of which way to go next. More importantly, how we will respond to the next stone (or boulder) thrown in our path.
I realize only by first trusting God, I can do the rest. . . through Him. (over and over and over again). Welcome to a cross road in my life. Come and enjoy the jouney of bliss, falls, detours, valleys and mountains as I turn my commitment of marriage and share it with the country I'm commited to. God bless you America. It is God who created you. Take good care of my best friend and his family as we serve you.
"Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King!"
'God is America's King'. I am honored to be a servant of His cabinet.
'God is the giver of freedom'. Perseving it is our job.
'God bless America!' Oh King, please protect us all while we serve your country for your glory!
to finish the verse: "of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed"
I guess the question is do we follow that plan or resist it? Do we melt because of the flames or become refined through it? I do believe if we resist our destiny or potential that God has in store for us, things in our life will feel unbalanced. Something will seem amiss or peace will be shaken. Otherwise, how can some people have all the worldly possesions society deems as providing happiness but have results of unhappiness? Yet others can be dealt the cards of tragedy or heartbreak and they seem to be at peace and still find joy in the smallest things around them. I don't believe in the lie, "you can be whatever you want to be" I do believe "you can become whatever you want to work at."
We all have cross roads in our lives that make us look back. Why do we look back? i.e. contemplate our lives and re-evaluate. Maybe for us to see our travels. How far we've come and which way now? Probably because we have a choice of which way to go next. More importantly, how we will respond to the next stone (or boulder) thrown in our path.
I realize only by first trusting God, I can do the rest. . . through Him. (over and over and over again). Welcome to a cross road in my life. Come and enjoy the jouney of bliss, falls, detours, valleys and mountains as I turn my commitment of marriage and share it with the country I'm commited to. God bless you America. It is God who created you. Take good care of my best friend and his family as we serve you.
"Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King!"
'God is America's King'. I am honored to be a servant of His cabinet.
'God is the giver of freedom'. Perseving it is our job.
'God bless America!' Oh King, please protect us all while we serve your country for your glory!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
A new chapter of life. We'll see Cookie again someday. We waited a solid 3 weeks before getting a new bunny. His name? Well so far it's been. . Midnight, Eclipse, Shadow, Lapaki (rabbit in Hawaiian), Pearl, Star (for the white patch of fur on his forehead) but for
this moment its 'Joy'because of all the joy
he's been giving Liza since all the grieving that's been done with Cookie.
this moment its 'Joy'because of all the joy
he's been giving Liza since all the grieving that's been done with Cookie.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
I really couldn't resist:
At age 4 success is . . . . Not piddling in your pants.
At age 12 success is . . . Having friends.
At age 16 success is . . Having a driver's license.
At age 35 success is . . . ..having money.
At age 50 success is . . . Having money..
At age 70 success is . .. . Having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is . .. . Having friends.
At age 80 success is . . .. Not piddling in your pants.
At age 12 success is . . . Having friends.
At age 16 success is . . Having a driver's license.
At age 35 success is . . . ..having money.
At age 50 success is . . . Having money..
At age 70 success is . .. . Having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is . .. . Having friends.
At age 80 success is . . .. Not piddling in your pants.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Mr. Man just finished his residency!
I'm going to backtrack just a bit to show our journey's beginning of our military payback time. Here we are at his ceremony as an official doctor. A neurolgist. We'll be on our way to Hawaii now . . .
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Culture Shock
Sight seeeing on a Sunday. Drive the Kam highwy. It goes around the edge of the whole island. See the whole ocean around the island without ever getting out of the car. 
In my backyard. Look to the left and see mountains. Look to the right you see ocean.I decided it would be a good idea to post my reflections of what gives me a shock when I see it because I figured I will adapt and not see what pops out at me currently.
1) trees.
They are bursting either with flowers or fruit and in odd shapes. I have an avacado tree in my backyard and it's more than I can eat in a life time. We eat 1 a day. Death by avacados. This calls for tomatoes in the house all the time. (for who can eat avacado w/o tomatoes?)
2) weather.
All the windows and doors (w/screens) have been opened for the past 12 days 24/7. Never close them. All through the night and all thru the day including the 'rain falls'. It rains everyday but it's always like a mist or sprinkle. Wet enough to keep things growing and green all yr. round but not enough to ever carry an unbrella with you. It's July. Fans going constantly and it's hot enough to go swimming but cool enough to not put AC on? Weird. It does make for a sticky, humid house though.
3) Birds.
I feel like I'm in a rainforest or at the zoo looking at these interesting birds that are always seen in pairs! Wild roosters are crowing all the time so that Ben (4) is walking around the house crowing all the time.
4) Roads.
The dividing lanes are made up of reflecting bumpy things. I guess they don't have to plow so it's actually safer than paint.
5) People
They are always happy. In some parts, every person there in on Vacation so they're all. . . well . .smiling!! I've never been helped so much in stores in my life. Costco, Walmart and commissary. The cashier paid the bagger $5 tip FOR me w/her own $ cause I didn't have cash. The costco cahier packed up my cart for me and put it into smaller boxes asking if I could lift each one. The hardware store man walked around the whole store with me helping get the products for re-molding my shower. What's going on?
6) Bugs.
Freaking me out when I see centipeds that are thick, pricky and Long! They bite so watch out. BIG coakroaches. They crunch. I've found 3 in the house so far. Every time I open a cabinet I expect to see one. Geckos. They're EVERYWHERE. Walk down the sidewalk or go in the backyard and you'll hear something scamper away quickly from you. Eliza (10) has 3 geckos and 2 camilions as pets she caught. She feeds them crickets.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Saints saved in Haiti
Anyone who wants good news about the people in Haiti should look at the members there. They all have stories of saftey. A building collapsed and everyone in it died except for the children and babysitter of 2 parents that were gone in the church building accepting new callings. (Which by the way is still standing strong in the midst of rubble.
Also, so many other stories of saints that reacted in peace while neighbors all around them screamed out to God in fear. The quite whisperings of the Holy Spirit commuicated calmness to them. I love to read them their view points. The media doesn't have a clue.
Also, so many other stories of saints that reacted in peace while neighbors all around them screamed out to God in fear. The quite whisperings of the Holy Spirit commuicated calmness to them. I love to read them their view points. The media doesn't have a clue.
MY FAVORITE YOU TUBE VIDEO
A boy named David after dentist surgery. . . He's reactive from the drugs. I laughed till I cried.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs
A boy named David after dentist surgery. . . He's reactive from the drugs. I laughed till I cried.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs
Friday, February 5, 2010
Sting Magic
Plantain is really like magic! It's nickname is "Band-aid Plant" and it is regarded as one of the best healing herbs. The active ingredient is a powerful anti-toxin. Native Americans called it Snakeweed and carried it in their medicine pouches to treat snakes bites. Plantain stops pain quickly, speeds healing, stops bleeding, draws out foreign matter, stops itching, prevents and stops allergic reactions from bee stings, kills bacteria, and reduces swelling. Use it on sprains, cuts, insect bites, rashes, boils, bruises, chapped lips or hands, baby's bottom, and burns.
Something inspiring I learned about plantain is that it grows within a close distance to poisonous plants, like stinging nettle. God gave us the cure right next to the trouble, like he does so often in our lives. I've hunted it down on hikes or at the park, when a child is stung. It grows in most lawns, to the distress of the gardener. It grows most everywhere, including parks, playgrounds and in the cracks of the sidewalk. There is a broad-leaf version and the narrow leaf version. The most distinguishing feature for me is that if you turn over the leaf, there are 5 prominent veins are parallel to each other and run the length of the leaf. It also sends up a stalk with a "cat tail" looking seed-thing on the top. The seeds of plantain are sold as Psyllium, a bulking fiber (to treat constipation).
EASTER is coming soon!
Okay, so i know it's not even Valentines Day. But Easter is my Favorite holiday. Don't others look forward to their favorite holidays? After Halloween Christmas decorations come out, so I am anxiously looking forward to my favorite holiday in the world! There would be no Christmas without Easter. My favorite apostle is Jefferery R. Holland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc
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