Is Anybody There?

Is anybody there? Does someone actually read this? If not, why do I do it? It's another form of journal writing but oddly enough, it takes a different shape. In journal writing, I feel like I have to catch the reader up on the highlights of my life since the last time I wrote. When I write in this, I kind of write whatever I am thinking about. I think my journal writing should be more like this.

It's nice to write the blog and throw it out there into cyberspace, but it's always kind of disappointing when no one actually reads it. I find myself checking my blog just to see if anyone has made a comment. Is that lame or do other bloggers do the same?

Hmmm...

:)

Answers to Prayers

It is so weird how answers to prayers can be so different for people. Over the last two weeks, Jason and I have pondered a particular decision (I'm not saying what it is right now - and it's not about having more kids!). As I have though and prayed about it, I have felt really good and very peaceful about it. On the other hand, Jason has really stressed and has been concerned about it. It was frustrating that we both were not receiving the same answer. I even prayed that if I was wrong, that I would know. I truly was trying to do what Heavenly Father wanted us to do.

Today, we moved forward with the decision, even though Jason had not received the same witness I had received. Things are still up in the air and parts of the decision are yet to be made, but when Jason came home tonight, he said he felt really good and really peaceful about our decision and moving forward.

Sooo... his answer came after the fact (i.e. ye shall receive no witness until after the trial of your faith). Mine came before. It would be so much easier if we both received the same answer at the same time!

But, I am grateful that at least we are both on the same path and feel good about it.

:)

Emergency Planning

I have been watching the show "Jerich" and absolutely love it. Honestly, if you really want to plan for an emergency - whether it be a bomb, virus outbreak, whatever, watch Jericho and observe everything they go through.

In our church, we are told to have 72 hour kits with everything you would need for 72 hours in case of disaster, and also a 1 year supply of food. 1 year supply of food could go a very long way, not just for the food, but also as a bargaining chip if you needed something you didn't have.

In this show, food is extremely low (they don't have enough to get through the winter), they only have electricity for a few hours a day (and it is winter so imagine how cold they are all the time), and they have extremely limited fuel.

Watching this show truly has made me re-evaluate our food and emergency preparedness storage. Above and beyond just food, you need candles (tons of them), flashlights, batteries, clothing, blankets, medical supplies (including prescriptions), etc.

When money is no longer the currency, what will you have that is? Food? Medicines? Shelter? Blankets?

:)

Definitely To Dog

So, we (ok, I, with the approval of my husband of course, but only because he really loves me) decided to get a dog. He is 12 weeks old and is a Shar-Pei. He is the sweetest thing there ever was!!! His temperament is so sweet and gentle it just makes me melt. He has tons of wrinkles and is so cute, but truly the best thing about him is how sweet he is.

After having him for about 48 hours, and much debate (most of which was with our 4 year old daughter), we finally decided to name him "Mac." (You know - Macintosh!) We had been calling him "puppy" so much I think he thought that was his name. Thankfully, he is getting used to his new name now and truly has been a pleasure.

:)

To Dog, or Not to Dog

We have been considering getting a dog over the last month or two. I have felt an emotional desire to get a dog, but on the physical side, it's more convenient not having one. The last thing I want to do is get one and then regret it because of the time investment. However, for the last several weeks, I can't stop thinking about it and feel a little sad when I think about not getting one.

To Dog, or not to Dog, that is the question. :)

The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side

My sister, Esther, called me this morning. It was funny to hear her say how much she admired me and wished she could be more like me. It was funny because I feel that same way about her. I admire her so much... her strength, her kindness, her gentle nature, everything. She sets such a great example for me and I hope that someday I can be more like her.

Sooo... the grass is always greener on the other side. No matter how much she thinks I'm great and wants to be like me, I will always feel the same about her. We always seem to think everyone else is better than us, has more than us, etc. Where is the line between striving to be better and being happy with yourself, who you are, and what you have? We were not all created equal... on purpose.

A couple of years ago I listened to a talk at a Stake Young Women Leadership meeting. The sister spoke about accepting herself, faults and strengths and all, and in essence, saying to Heavenly Father "Here I am. I know I'm not perfect but I'm trying. Please let me be a tool in Thy hands, as I am now." It wasn't a "I'm never getting better than this," it was a "I know I'm not perfect but I still want to be useful." I really like that. We don't have to be perfect to have an impact. We can and should accept ourselves, allow ourselves to see our strengths (not just our weaknesses), and recognize that we are actually pretty good!

WE DON"T HAVE TO BE PERFECT TO BE A GOOD PERSON! Making a mistake doesn't meen that we are a bad person. Even really great people make mistakes. I would venture to say that if the prophet was asked if he made mistakes, even today, he would say "Yes." There was only one perfect person and that was our Savior. No one else is perfect but there are still lots of good people.

So to my sister, Essy, and all my other siblings and friends, I say... My grass is not greener than yours, it's just a different shade. :)

I love you, Essy, Angel, Jani, Laralei, Aimie, and Chelsea.