Peace, Be Still

I have been reluctant to write about the devastation in Japan, because natural disasters like that, and the tragedy that ensues, is hard to wrap my mind around- cities destroyed, families ripped apart, suffering, the terror and panic that must accompany it all. I tend to personalize the stories that I read about, and that does me no good. That being said, it seems pretty insensitive to ignore it all together, and write about underwear instead...
Over and over, I keep thinking the the only person who can make sense of any of this, or heal what seems impossible to heal, is our Savior. Events of this magnitude always remind me of that. So, I thought I'd share some quotes from a speech by Merrill J. Bateman, that provided peace to me at another time when I felt shaken:

"Even though we live in troubled times- and prophets have indicated that there will be turmoil in the last days- it is possible for each of us to feel peace, to have the peace of the gospel in our lives. We believe that is the most important message we have for the world."

"At the Last Supper, after finishing the meal, the Savior and his disciples sang the Hallel. The words of the Hallel are from Psalms 113 to 118..."
"So, at the Last Supper with His eleven disciples- Judas having left and Jesus knowing where he was going- Jesus is then singing about His own death.
"In that setting He went on to talk to His disciples about the most precious gift He had to give them. That gift was the gift of the Holy Ghost..."
"He knows where he is going, and there is peace in His heart. He knows He is going to the garden, and He is going to the cross. He is telling them He is leaving them His peace.
"'Peace I leave unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.' (John 14:27)" 

March 17th

"You are retiring, thoughtful, and rather philosophical, and you have definite opinions. You do not invite the advances of others, and, when you receive them, you are indifferent. Those who are fortunate enough to gain your confidence are true and loyal friends."

-Fortune-Telling Birthday Book

March Madness

It is that time of year when you will hear grown men saying things like: "sweet sixteen", "final four", "selection Sunday", "march madness", "tourney time", or "bracketology". Don't be fooled by the innocent use of alliteration. These phrases are not excerpts from nursery rhymes. They are a symptom of a very serious obession, for which the only treatment is to let it run its course. This takes about a month. It appears to be somewhat contagious, but 7 years of exposure has not yet affected me*. If you are like me, this SNL clip can help you laugh through the tears...

*. Jimmermania is a different thing.

**And on another note, who cares? Crises in Libya and Japan, balancing the budget... at least he has time to fill out his bracket.

**And in other news, who knew? Girls, if your husband is requesting a vasectomy about now, perhaps family planning is not the reason...

Incredible

This is why it is important for Dash's uniform to be constructed from fabric that can resist extreme friction:

(I'm going to miss those undies. A little boy could instantly become Dash, and run just as fast, just by wearing them).

You Know Enough

"Challenges, difficulties, questions, doubts—these are part of our mortality. But we are not alone. As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have enormous spiritual reservoirs of light and truth available to us. Fear and faith cannot coexist in our hearts at the same time. In our days of difficulty, we choose the road of faith. Jesus said, 'Be not afraid, only believe.' (Mark 5:36)
"Through the years we take these important spiritual steps over and over again. We begin to see that 'he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.' (D&C 50:24) Our questions and doubts are resolved or become less concerning to us. Our faith becomes simple and pure. We come to know what we already knew."

-Elder Neil L. Andersen, "You Know Enough"

One Man's Trash...

Last summer, my son started a collection, which he keeps in a shoebox in our garage.  It began innocently enough, as he collected rocks from the "moon", pinecones, and sticks. I loved it. It was so cute to see his fascination with ordinary objects, and brought me back to my own childhood (I had forgotten how valuable parking lot gravel can be). His collection was something I felt I could give him complete ownership over.
And then, things took a strange turn. My son began collecting garbage. Used lollipop sticks, candy wrappers, chewed gum, paper plates, empty milk boxes, an old pair of shoes, a sock with a hole in it... Things that I had thrown away in the kitchen, would mysteriously appear in his collection. In order to keep the bugs at bay, my husband and I have had to start regulating his collection. Being a sentimental person myself, I have been a little reluctant to completely hijack his choice of treasures, but, as my husband put it, "Sometimes trash is just trash."

And that's an important lesson to learn too.

The Earth's Core

"[F]rom 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World': 'Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and ... the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.' Ponder this statement. This single truth- that the cosmic purpose of this earth and the universe has as its central feature marriage and the family, with husband and wife at the core- should inspire our souls and our imaginations. Marriage and family are not human inventions or social constructs evolving from human necessity. They are part of a heavenly order that leads to eternal life and eternal happiness."

- Elder Eric B. Shumway, Ensign, Oct. 2008

My "Soap" Opera

In 2006, our apartment lost power for four days- twice. Once, during extremely hot weather, and once during extremely cold weather. Minutes after we lost power, my impulse was to clean. The desire to vacuum, do laundry, and clean has never been stronger. Of course, I was frustrated to find that most of the cleaning I wanted to do required electricity. After the second power outage, when the weather woman forecasted a strong front coming our way... I vacuumed and did laundry to prepare. (No, I don't know how that helps in an emergency).

When I had my baby girl, and I was on a rigid feeding schedule that allowed little sleep, my desire to vacuum, do laundry, and clean has never been stronger. Of course, I tried to rest like I knew I should, when I had the time, but the tumult drove me crazy. I looked forward to having the free time to keep the house in order.

Currently, I am not subject to any natural disasters, my baby sleeps through the night and takes two good naps during the day. My desire to clean seems to be MIA. What's the deal?!

It seems I want to clean the most when it is least obtainable. Will Circumstance and Wanting-To-Clean ever be united in sparkly bliss?
To be continued...

February 24

"You are sweet tempered, kindly, acquiescent, and retiring. You should choose a mate that is of strong character and robust to complement your quiet temperament. You enjoy serenity and like to be surrounded with luxury."

-Fortune-Telling Birthday Book

The Pendulum

Today over breakfast, my son happily informed me, "I don't want to miss the bus this morning. I love riding the bus, even more than car rider." This statement might not seem abnormal to you, if you didn't know that since the beginning of the school year, getting my son to ride the school bus has been an ugly, ongoing battle that has even been played out several times on our driveway. (And I am proud to say there have been no casualties... if you don't count my blood pressure). 
My inability to drive my son to school has been the ultimate injustice in his mind, as he just wants to spend more time with me. Cue the guilt. Lately, he has ridden the bus with no complaint, but this morning's statement was a major breakthrough. And then I realized the pendulum had swung a little too far in the other direction when in his morning prayers he prayed, "Help me to not want to come home."

All I can do is join Garth Brooks in saying, "Sometimes God's greatest gifts, are unanswered prayers."

Reptertoire

What do the following songs have in common?

• A mixed James Taylor CD
• "Eye in the Sky" by The Alan Parsons Project
• "Luna" by Smashing Pumpkins
• "Concert Fantasy on Carmen Op.25: I. Moderato" by Jules Massenet
• "Farewell and Goodnight" by Smashing Pumpkins

**If you guessed: "Songs that have been or are currently effective at soothing a crying baby in the car?", then you are correct! As  you can see, she has quite a diverse taste.

Slowly fades...

My baby girl is growing up. Her newborn look is completely gone... and I miss it a little bit. When she was born, I was pleasantly reminded of all the features of a newborn that I had forgotten I love:

• Little clenched fists all the time
• Bowed legs always tucked
• Puckered lips
• Impossibly small fingers and toes
• Tiny bottom
• The back of their head
• Lean little bodies
• Conking out after eating
• Lips making sucking motions while sleeping
• Little whimpers in their sleep
• An indescribable freshness

There really is nothing more beautiful, sacred, clean, breathtaking, and awe inspiring than a newborn baby.

Pure Energy

A recent article reports that Pediatrics (a medical journal) has found that energy drinks can be dangerous for children and teens to consume. The massive amount of caffeine, and ingredients used to enhance its effect, found in these drinks can lead to heart palpitations, strokes, seizures, and even sudden death. The authors of the report even feel these drinks should be regulated as stringently as tobacco, alcohol, and prescription drugs.
Of more than 300 cases of poisonings this year, a quarter of those included children under 6. My question? Why is anybody allowing children- who already have more energy then they themselves can contain- to drink energy drinks? That is not only irresponsible, but a form of self-torture.
I found it interesting that the senior vice president of the American Beverage Association defended energy drinks by pointing out that energy drinks contain "much less caffeine then some coffee from popular coffeehouses." Hmmm... for some reason that doesn't seem to justify its safety in my mind. I wonder if, for the most part, caffeine is a largely misunderstood drug.

As a side note, I found this article, "The Energy Drink Epidemic" in the Dec. 2008 Ensign interesting at the time it was published (I can't believe it was 2 years ago!). It is written by a doctor with the intent to educate and warn of the health effects caffeine abuse has on the body.