Halloween is exactly one week away and then all the focus goes to CHRISTMAS. My kids have already been scouting out the shelves at Wal-Mart and the ads from the mail with their latest wishes. I know I say this every year but this time we're going LITE! Y'know, LOW FAT!? There just isn't aot of spare change around these days for extra "fluff". I am determined to show my kids that you don't need a ton of cool expensive presents to have a nice Christmas. Unfortunately my husband's opinion differs from mine on this. He think we should get them 'cool, expensive gifts' anyway. This time I hope I WIN.
I remember modest Christmases when I was a kid. And yes, there were times that I'd wished for more. But i got over it. I survived. And I grew to realize that life isn't all about the stuff you have. My kids may not realize it now. Or in a few years. But someday they'll come to the same realization. At least I hope they do.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Good Readin'
If you haven't read already, take a moment and read THIS. Now read THIS.
There has been a lot of uproar in our area (I'm sure yours, as well) regarding Elder Packer's talk at Conference. The more I hear things on the new or read things on FB the more I want to scream. So I thought I'd scream it here.
The reason I listed cjane's blog is because I LOVE IT! She's normal, just like you and me. But she has the power to reach thousands of people and she does- with her testimony secure. She has reached critizism too. I don't think what she writes is doctrine- I take it for what it is. She's a woman in the gospel and these are her thoughts. However, I do know that she seeks the Lord's guidance and I keep that in mind when I read too.
Back to Elder Packer. And keep in mind- this is just my opinion. He speaks through the Lord as well. None of his words were meant to hurt. In fact, as I heard his talk I felt as if they were meant to heal. It is unfortunate the events in the world with those that have been mistreated and ended their own lives. However, it wasn't their gender attraction that ended their lives, it was the actions of those who were influenced by and follow the adversary. People without love in their hearts who felt it necessary to condemn other children of God. Elder Packer was simply stating what the church has believed all along and what those how are LDS (including those with same gender attraction) already know. This was not anything new. Also, I am sure that the talks written and prepared by our General Authorities are not a surprise to God or our Prophet. So all the hatred towards Elder Packer should stop. If you must direct it towards anyone, direct at the church as a whole- we can take it!
I have always held a stance as cjane wrote- just not as eloquently. And I have always supported homeosexuals. Now when I say 'support' I mean: They can do what they want. My view of the gospel has always been the same. But if someone makes that choice in life- so be it. Love them anyway. Heck, if we can love our enemies, those who have done wrong to or against us, then why not love those who have never hurt or bothered us.
Now to address the word 'choice'.Yes, I think it is a choice. Just as choosing to rob a bank or smoke a cigarette. We all have been born and brought to this world with agency. There was a few other talks during conference regarding agency- good ones. I have also been made aware of the power of Satan this past year. More so than I have ever realized. The way someone can just flip the switch and change their life for worse is the power of Satan. The way someone can turn their back on everything they once knew to be true is the power of Satan. He will not stop until he wins. And he often starts small. My feeling (and this is only mine) is that those who feel they have been BORN with same gender attraction are under the powerful influence of Satan. But that does not mean we should hate them.
There are those that whole-heartedly support and those that are hatefully against. I think there can be and IS a middle ground. I am still FOR Prop 8 because I believe in the Family entity as established by our Father in Heaven. But I also believe that we are to love ALL people regardless of skin color, religion, or gender attraction.
Way to cjane for reminding us what is most important- the relationship between GOD and OURSELVES.
And now I'm done.
(I am never too ashamed to admit when I'm wrong and because I'm just a backwards type of person I had the logistics of Prop 8 backwards- I fixed my mistake. But for those who caught it before ME- so sorry!!!)
There has been a lot of uproar in our area (I'm sure yours, as well) regarding Elder Packer's talk at Conference. The more I hear things on the new or read things on FB the more I want to scream. So I thought I'd scream it here.
The reason I listed cjane's blog is because I LOVE IT! She's normal, just like you and me. But she has the power to reach thousands of people and she does- with her testimony secure. She has reached critizism too. I don't think what she writes is doctrine- I take it for what it is. She's a woman in the gospel and these are her thoughts. However, I do know that she seeks the Lord's guidance and I keep that in mind when I read too.
Back to Elder Packer. And keep in mind- this is just my opinion. He speaks through the Lord as well. None of his words were meant to hurt. In fact, as I heard his talk I felt as if they were meant to heal. It is unfortunate the events in the world with those that have been mistreated and ended their own lives. However, it wasn't their gender attraction that ended their lives, it was the actions of those who were influenced by and follow the adversary. People without love in their hearts who felt it necessary to condemn other children of God. Elder Packer was simply stating what the church has believed all along and what those how are LDS (including those with same gender attraction) already know. This was not anything new. Also, I am sure that the talks written and prepared by our General Authorities are not a surprise to God or our Prophet. So all the hatred towards Elder Packer should stop. If you must direct it towards anyone, direct at the church as a whole- we can take it!
I have always held a stance as cjane wrote- just not as eloquently. And I have always supported homeosexuals. Now when I say 'support' I mean: They can do what they want. My view of the gospel has always been the same. But if someone makes that choice in life- so be it. Love them anyway. Heck, if we can love our enemies, those who have done wrong to or against us, then why not love those who have never hurt or bothered us.
Now to address the word 'choice'.Yes, I think it is a choice. Just as choosing to rob a bank or smoke a cigarette. We all have been born and brought to this world with agency. There was a few other talks during conference regarding agency- good ones. I have also been made aware of the power of Satan this past year. More so than I have ever realized. The way someone can just flip the switch and change their life for worse is the power of Satan. The way someone can turn their back on everything they once knew to be true is the power of Satan. He will not stop until he wins. And he often starts small. My feeling (and this is only mine) is that those who feel they have been BORN with same gender attraction are under the powerful influence of Satan. But that does not mean we should hate them.
There are those that whole-heartedly support and those that are hatefully against. I think there can be and IS a middle ground. I am still FOR Prop 8 because I believe in the Family entity as established by our Father in Heaven. But I also believe that we are to love ALL people regardless of skin color, religion, or gender attraction.
Way to cjane for reminding us what is most important- the relationship between GOD and OURSELVES.
And now I'm done.
(I am never too ashamed to admit when I'm wrong and because I'm just a backwards type of person I had the logistics of Prop 8 backwards- I fixed my mistake. But for those who caught it before ME- so sorry!!!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
