What was he thinking?!

So, today G. Diddy came to me with grey sticky stuff all over his cheek and eye .  

Me, "G., what is all over your face?"  

Him, "Gum."  

Me, "How did you get gum on your face?"  

Him, "I put it there."

Me, "Why?!"

Him, "I didn't know it would get stuck."

I had to laugh!  He is 6 1/2.  I thought we were beyond incidents like this.  Apparently not... Thank heavens for peanut butter.  It got off most the mess.

He is missing half his eyelashes on his right eye though.  Kids!?!

Wordfull Wednesday: Politics

Yes, I am going to tread into the political realm again.  Chocolate has been doing these Wordfull Wednesdays for a while and I have wanted to participate, but keep forgetting.  This week's assignment was to pick the most important issue for you from the following list and write about it.  The choices were Abortion, Economy, Education, Immigration, Marriage (just between one man and one woman or should gays be allowed to marry?) ,War (Iraq, Afghanistan, or war in general). I love that she chose this topic and that such varying views are being expressed.  I believe that one of the biggest reasons that we are in the current political mess we are in in this country is that we have stopped having healthy political discussions with people of varying political persuasions. We take too much information from the media and "Party Propaganda" and spend too little time researching the issues for ourselves.  

As for the topics, these are all important issues for me, but I can't really say that one is most important. As I have studied our country's history and have gained a greater understanding of our divinely inspired constitution, I have realized that all political questions can best be answered by looking at the proper role of government.  One of my favorite guides to understanding what that proper role is, is this article by Ezra Taft Benson.  If you have not read this, please do, even if you don't espouse all of Benson's political ideals.  This is a concise and well reasoned view of government that every person should read.  

With an eye to this standard, I will attempt to express my ideas about the issues.  

Abortion: “Are there not, in reality, underlying, universal principles with reference to which all issues must be resolved whether the society be simple or complex in its mechanical organization? It seems to me we could relieve ourselves of most of the bewilderment which so unsettles and distracts us by subjecting each situation to the simple test of right and wrong. Right and wrong as moral principles do not change. They are applicable and reliable determinants whether the situations with which we deal are simple or complicated. There is always a right and wrong to every question which requires our solution.” (Albert E. Bowen, Prophets, Principles and National Survival, P. 21-22) Taking the life of an innocent being who has no choice in the matter is not "freedom of choice"  it is wrong.  As many have said before me, I believe in freedom of choice.  A woman has the freedom to choose whether or not to participate in an act that can lead to pregnancy.  Once she heads down that path she has made her choice and must live with the consequences.

Economy: I agree with Crabapple Farm in that the economy is best left in the hands of the people.  In the words of Henry David Thoreau, "This government never of itself furthered any enterprise, but by the alacrity with which it got out of its way. IT does not educate. THE CHARACTER INHERENT IN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAS DONE ALL THAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED; AND IT WOULD HAVE DONE SOMEWHAT MORE, IF THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT SOMETIMES GOT IN ITS WAY. For government is an expedient by which men would fain succeed in letting one another alone; and, as has been said, when it is most expedient, the governed are most let alone by it." (Quoted by Clarence B. Carson, THE AMERICAN TRADITION, p. 100; P.P.S.N., p.171) There are so many things that have contributed to our current economic situation, but most of it can be traced back to the federal government meddling in affairs that it has no right to be involved in.  I whole-heartedly agree with President Benson's 

"A FORMULA FOR PROSPERITY
The principle behind this American philosophy can be reduced to a rather simple formula:

1. Economic security for all is impossible without widespread abundance.
2. Abundance is impossible without industrious and efficient production.
3. Such production is impossible without energetic, willing and eager labor.
4. This is not possible without incentive.
5. Of all forms of incentive – the freedom to attain a reward for one’s labors is the most sustaining for most people. Sometimes called THE PROFIT MOTIVE, it is simply the right to plan and to earn and to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
6. This profit motive DIMINISHES as government controls, regulations and taxes INCREASE to deny the fruits of success to those who produce.
7. Therefore, any attempt THROUGH GOVERNMENTAL INTERVENTION to redistribute the material rewards of labor can only result in the eventual destruction of the productive base of society, without which real abundance and security for more than the ruling elite is quite impossible."

Education: I love this quote by Max Victor Belz, "I don't want my children fed or clothed by the state, but if I had to choose, I would prefer that to their being educated by the state."   I am in total agreement.  The government is notorious for making worse, anything it tries to tamper with.  I found this website that says it perfectly. "For more than three full lifetimes — the 220 years from the 1620s to the 1840s — most American schooling was independent of government control, subsidy, and influence. From this educational freedom the American Republic was born.
Now, after 150 years of tax-financed schooling, we see more and more children failing to grow into responsible, caring, competent adults. A movement is growing to reclaim the American tradition of family responsibility in education by returning to the separation of school and state."   One last quote by Sir Walter Scott, and I'll leave well enough alone.  "All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education."

Immigration: “The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom. For in all the states of created beings, capable of laws, where there is no law there is no freedom. ” (John Locke, Two Treatises of Civil Government, II, 57: P>P>N>S., p.101)  I believe the freedoms of our country should be available to all who wish to enjoy them, but there is a right and lawful way to obtain that freedom.  Those wishing to reap the benefits should be willing to pay the price and go through the proper methods to do so.

Marriage: I refer to the quote in abortion.  I believe that "Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God."  (The Family: A Proclamation to the World) Anything else is wrong, and makes a mockery of this divinely mandated institution.

War: This is one area where my views have changed dramatically as I have studied the intent of the founders of our nation.  I used to believe the rhetoric that it was our duty to "promote the cause of freedom" in foreign lands.  I now appreciate the comments of John Quincy Adams when he said, "[America] goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. She will commend the general cause by the countenance of her voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example. She well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extrication, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, and ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard of freedom."  We can plainly see the wisdom of his statements as we calculate the needless loss of life in our most recent "war" that has no foreseeable end in sight, and whose merits are much less clear than they seemed to be at the outset.

I realize this post is rather long winded, but I am passionate about the cause of freedom.  Our country has strayed so far from the principles of freedom established for us by God through the "Founding Fathers", but I have hope that we will soon wake up and see the error of our ways.  I have seen many encouraging signs of this in my travels through the "blogosphere".  The real answers lie in us, as a people, becoming educated in the principles of freedom.  

I'll leave you with one last quote from President Benson, "An ounce of energy in the preservation of freedom is worth a ton of effort to get it back once it is lost. Today you cannot effectively fight for freedom and not be attacked, and those who think they can are deceiving themselves. While I do not believe in stepping out of the path of duty to pick up a cross I do not need, a man is a coward who refuses to pick a cross that clearly lies within his path.

A man must not only stand for the right principles, but he must also fight for them. Those who fight for principle can be proud of the friends they’ve gained and the enemies they’ve earned. We face days ahead that will test the moral and physical sinews of all of us. Those who hesitate to get into this fight because it is controversial fail to realize that life’s decisions should be based on principles, not on polls.

The basic purpose of life is to prove ourselves, not to be
with the majority when it is wrong.

In due time, when each of us has had a chance to prove himself, including whether or not we are going to stand up for freedom, God will interject himself, and the final and eternal victory shall be for free agency. And then shall those weak-willed souls on the sidelines and those who took the popular course lament their decisions.

(Anyone) who retreats from this battle jeopardizes his life here and hereafter. Seldom has so much responsibility hung on so few, so heavily; but our number are increasing, and we who have been warned have a responsibility to warn our neighbor. The fight for freedom cannot be divorced from the gospel. "(Pres. Ezra Taft Benson - CF Apr 1967)

Outdoor Hour Challenge # 33, #34, & #35- Oaks, Maples, and Apples

I am obviously having a hard time staying on top of these challenges, but I am so grateful for them.  The fact that we were behind on these challenges was nagging at me so I decided we should call grandma and go for a hike in our beautiful mountains this week to get caught up.  I am so glad we did! It was such a beautiful day and we had such an enjoyable time enjoying the beauty of the changing leaves, the clean mountain air, and the exercise. 

The first trees we encountered, and by far the most abundant on our hike were oak.  I don't know if this is the official name, but they are called "scrub oak" here and they grow like weeds. 

 

Their leaves were a variegated yellow and green or orange and brown.  I love the distinctive shape of the oak leaves.  The scrub oak does not have an acorn, that I am aware of, but they were beautiful.

We also saw a few maples among the oak.  Their leaves had the most brilliant color.

Next we came to this beautiful stream surrounded by aspens.  We stopped to catch our breath and enjoy the sights and sounds of the stream.

The boys were fascinated by this leaf that appeared to be suspended in mid-air.  It was actually being held aloft by a spider's web.

We loved the huge roots of this tree.  The perfect spot for another rest...

After working up a decent sweat, we finally made it to our destination. The reservoir was beautiful!

We could have stayed here all day, but we had one more stop to make.

We still hadn't seen any apple trees, so we made a stop at Farnsworth Farms.  They have an apple orchard where you can pick your own apples.  

Unfortunately we were about a week too late, but they had plenty of apples that we could buy. They also have their own cider press and sell the most delicious fresh cider ever.  


We also picked up a couple of pumpkins from their pumpkin patch.  

The kids brought home several leaves from our hike, and we all brought home memories of a wonderful day spent enjoying the beauty of God's creations.

Wordless Wednesday: Memories of Summer...

The Lesser of Two Evils...

Over the past couple of months I have received a barrage of e-mails, phone calls, and fliers urgently proclaiming that the upcoming election is the most important one in recorded history. They all have this basic message in common, "If the liberals win the upcoming election, America as we have known it will no longer exist."   My question when I hear something like this is, "So how will it be any different if a Republican wins?"  Don't get me wrong, I have been a "faithful Republican" all my life.  I have never not voted Republican.  I had these feelings of "gloom and doom" eight years ago when George Bush ran against Bill Clinton.  I remember anxiously staying up all night on election night waiting to see the final results, feeling certain that if Bill Clinton won we would be ushering in the Second Coming.  However, over the past few years I have begun to realize that the Republican agenda is not that different from that of the Democrats.  If you look at the outcomes the results are typically the same, no matter who is in office.  What we end up with from either party is more government "programs",  with a bigger National debt as a result, and more government control of our lives.  We can see that thanks to President Bush things are just as bad as they would have been with Clinton, if not a little worse. He has single-handedly taken away more freedoms from the American People than any President before him, violated the constitution over and over again, and left us with a country that is teetering on the edge of collapse.  In regards to this election, and many before this, I have heard a number of people express the sentiment that although John McCain isn't the ideal choice for President, in this case "you have to vote for the lesser of two evils."  My contention is, the lesser of two evils is still evil.  This is the President of the United States we are talking about.  This is supposed to be the most venerated secular position known to man. To think of settling for "the lesser of two evils" in choosing who should hold this high office should be reprehensible.  In fact, there is a scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants that addresses this way of thinking.  D&C 98:9-10 "Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn. Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil."

President Ezra Taft Benson expounded on this scripture saying, "Now that is a commandment to his Church and to his Saints. To me it means that we have a responsibility as Latter-day Saints to use our influence so honest men and wise men and good men will be elected to public office in the community, in the county, in the state, and in the nation. To me this commandment of God is just as binding upon the Latter-day Saints as is the law of tithing, or the Word of Wisdom, or any other commandment which the God of heaven has given us.

As I read that for the first time some years ago I thought, "What an indictment of corrupt would-be political leaders in many parts of the world—demagogues who deal in half-truths, innuendos, and falsehoods! Here the God of heaven has pointed out the type of men he wants elected to public office among his people." It is not enough, my brethren and sisters, just to stand on the sidelines and criticize what is taking place, and to point the finger of scorn at some political leader. It is our job, our duty, and our responsibility to take an active interest in these matters, and carry out the admonition and the commandment which God has given us to see to it that men of character—good men, as measured by the standards of the gospel—are elected to public office." ("Our Duty as Citizens" 920, 922)

This is a sobering thought.  We can't afford to compromise.  There is too much at stake.  I contend that whether you vote for John McCain or Barack Obama, the results will be pretty much the same.  Neither of them are committed to, or have a history of upholding the divinely inspired Constitution of our country.  Both of them will continue to squander the resources that we have been blessed with.  Neither of them will do anything to restore the freedoms that have been taken from us, and both will likely continue to take them away in the name of "the greater good".   That is why I am looking elsewhere when I cast my vote next month.  I will be voting for the only man running who is committed to God, the Constitution, and Freedom.  For the first time in my life I will be voting my principles rather than my party.  I will be voting for Chuck Baldwin. I have heard the argument that if you don't vote for one of "the two parties"  you are throwing your vote away.  I maintain that any vote that is not in keeping with your principles is a wasted vote.  In the words of John Quincy Adams, "Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." 

Most Americans will admit that we need a change, yet we keep looking to the same sources for that change.  It is time to look somewhere else.  To again quote President Benson, "Not cheap politicians but statesmen are needed today. Not opportunists but men and women of principle must be demanded by the people. In this time of great stress and danger we must place [in office] only those dedicated to the preservation of our Constitution, our American Republic, and responsible freedom under God. "Oh, God, give us men with a mandate higher than the ballot box."  This was never more true than it is today.  It is my prayer that we might use wisdom as we vote and that we might find and elect men of wisdom to lead this great nation that it might remain great.

Tender Mercies

It is beautiful the way the Lord shows us His love and mercy in our lives.  It is usually not through any miraculous event, but when it happens, and we notice it, it can be just as powerful. I have had several experiences lately that have let me feel the hand of the Lord in my life and I have been wanting to write about them, but just haven't gotten around to it.  I had some free time this morning, a rare and beautiful thing in and of itself, so I thought I would try to record my thoughts.

The first thing that happened really set the tone for the events that follow.  I would say that it prepared my heart to receive what the Lord needed to teach me.  Two weeks ago we had the marvelous blessing of having President Henry B. Eyring attend our Stake Conference!  He attended all of our meetings on both Saturday and Sunday.  The amazing thing about it is that he told us that members of the First Presidency never attend Stake Conferences.  They are just too busy, but he said that he felt prompted that he needed to attend a Stake Conference and that ours was the one he should attend.  How lucky was that?!  The entire Conference was wonderful, but there was one story that he told that really affected me and has changed the way that I look at life.  He told of a time when he was the President of Ricks college and he and his wife had left their three kids at home with a babysitter while they attended the Idaho Falls temple.  As they were leaving the temple the Temple President's wife told them that the Teton Dam had collapsed.  Their town lay directly in the path of the rushing water.  They were unable to get home to their children and unable to even call and find out if they were o.k..  He said that his wife was worried sick and watching the news to try to find any information she could.  He told her that he was going to bed.  She looked at him incredulously.  She asked how he could sleep at a time like that?!  He told her their children would be all right.  He said that he didn't know if they were alive or not, but they were good children, and their youngest wasn't even 8 yet so they would be all right one way or another.  What amazing faith!  It is one thing to have faith in the assurance that Heavenly Father would protect them from harm, but to have such a clear eternal perspective that you could be comforted by the assurance that He will protect them in life or death is quite another thing.  It caused me to do some soul searching about whether I had that kind of faith and perspective.  I think the answer was no.  But Heavenly Father has a way of waking us up and then gently teaching us the way to turn our lives and hearts over to Him.

The very next week I started (o.k., continued) worrying about the current economic state of our Country.  We have been doing our best to be prepared financially and physically, but we aren't quite where I would like us to be yet, and with a possible complete economic collapse, who knows if anything would really be enough.  The future seemed so uncertain and a little (all right, a lot) scary to me.  One morning I asked my husband how he could manage to not be stressed out all the time worrying about what may lie ahead.  He said he realizes that God is in control and whatever happens is what is meant to be, even if that means that we loose everything we have.  That was what I have always said I believe, but at that moment it seemed too scary to really trust like that.  As we started school that morning we were following our daily routine of memorizing one of the New Testament scripture mastery scriptures, followed by a story from the "New Testament Stories" book.  That day's story happened to be about when Jesus called His apostles.  As we read about how Peter and his friends had been unable to catch any fish all night, but when Jesus told them where to go they filled three boats full to overflowing I began to cry.  I realized that it is true that God can give us everything we need, but the next part of the story is the real lesson.  After providing them with enough fish, therefore money, to probably provide for them and their families for a very long time, Jesus asks them to leave everything they have and follow Him.  The kids and I had a wonderful discussion about the fact that Heavenly Father has the power to give us everything we need, but money and things are not really what we need.  This life only matters in that it is how we prepare for the next.  What matters most is that we follow Him and have faith in His wisdom and love for us.  The spirit was so strong as it bore witness to each of us of the truth of these things.  I was so grateful for this experience and for the fact that we are homeschooling so that we are able to have experiences like this together!  What a blessing!  

I thought my faith was pretty buoyed up, but apparently Heavenly Father was wanting me to turn everything over to Him, and I haven't done that yet.  Last weekend I was feeling pretty stressed and worried about being able to do everything that is required of me right now.  This is a common theme in my list of worries, but I was feeling pretty overwhelmed last week.  I am teaching 12 piano students this year and a "Mini Music" class of 4-6 kindergartners.  I am also our ward Young Women's President and, of course, I home school my three children, with a rambunctious toddler in tow.  I was beginning to feel like there was no way I could continue to do everything that has been asked of me and do it well.  I felt like we were really slacking in our school efforts, the house is always a mess and I never feel like I am devoting enough time to my calling.  On Friday I was telling my husband that I didn't know how I could keep it up.  Saturday we went for a bike ride with our team and I had a chance to talk to my friend and fellow-homeschooler about how overwhelmed I felt.  Talking to her helped me to realize that I'm not alone, but I still didn't know how I could possibly keep doing it all.  Saturday night was our General Relief Society Meeting and I was so excited to attend.  All of the talks were wonderful and I received so many answers to the things I had been struggling with, but President Uchtdorf's talk is where the spirit really took over.  He started by telling the cutest story about the difference between men and women illustrated by examples of how he and his wife cook.  If you missed his talk you really need to read it!  It was so sweet and funny.  He immediately followed this story by these words, "Today I would like to speak to those who have ever felt inadequate, discouraged, or weary—in short, I would like to speak to all of us.

I also pray that the Holy Ghost will amplify my words and bestow upon them additional meaning, insight, and inspiration.

We know that sometimes it can be difficult to keep our heads above water. In fact, in our world of change, challenges, and checklists, sometimes it can seem nearly impossible to avoid feeling overwhelmed by emotions of suffering and sorrow."

I went from laughing at his story to sobbing in a matter of seconds.  And the spirit did bestow upon me additional meaning, insight, and inspiration.  In my notes from the meeting I wrote these thoughts. "I can do what heavenly father has called me to do because he will help me and provide the way.  He has called me to home school my children so he will show me how to do it the way my children need me to.

Find out what heavenly father wants me to do most and have faith that he will show me the way to accomplish it.

Don't let fear of failure discourage you."  

I thought that these ideas were touched on in the talks, but as I went over the transcripts later I realized that they weren't really.  I love the way the spirit works when we have "ears to hear". 

Hopefully these lessons in faith have stuck and I can move forward with a more eternal perspective in life and with less fear.  I am so grateful for how much the Lord loves me and each one of us, and how he patiently works to mold us into the person he knows we can become.  I hope that I can always be humble and submissive enough to let Him.

Outdoor Hour Challenge #31 & #32 ~Trees~

We're back to blogging and back to Nature Study!  I hadn't mentioned it before, but Barb's "Outdoor Hour Challenges" were another contributing factor to my decision to start blogging again.  For some reason I can't motivate myself to do the things I know I should without some form of outside motivation...  

Well, I could tell we were out of the habit of "Nature Study" because when I mentioned that we were going to start doing nature study again this week I got lots lots of moans and groans from the boys.  I thought we had gotten past that by the end of last school year!  Oh well.  At least I have the hope that they will start looking forward to it again once we get back in the habit.

We decided to combine Challenge 31 & 32 so we wouldn't be behind to start out.  I am really looking forward to this challenge!  I love trees, but I really can identify only a few of them.

Here are some of the trees we saw on our walk down our street today...

This was G.'s favorite.  I believe it is a honey locust tree.  It is one of my favorites too.  I love the delicate leaves.

Here is G. resting in the shade of an apple tree.  This one doesn't have any apples on it, but the one right next to it does. 

I'm not sure why....

On to the Pine...  This tree is over the fence in our back yard.  I think this is an Austrian Pine.  It had two needles per bundle and they were about 3-6 inches long.  The needles were dark green.

I. found a young pincone on the tree that hadn't matured and opened yet.

We also found this pinecone at the base of the tree.  The kids were excited about their finds.  It felt so good to be out enjoying nature again.  We spent a lot of time outside this summer, but most of that was spent at the pool, or riding bikes and playing with the neighbors.  We ended up spending a lot of extra time out doors after we were done with our nature study, just playing and hanging out.  The weather was perfect!

The boys had fun doing crazy poses for me on the trampoline...

H. man,

G.,

and I-mac.  He is still holding his pinecone in his hand! =)

Little C. had fun mastering the slide.

again,

and again,

and again,

and again...

Then she and I-mac found some treats on our yellow-raspberry bush.

I-mac is such a good big brother.

Little C. had so many I was worried she might get sick...

They really are good though.  If you haven't tried the yellow variety, you really should get one.

Sorry this has turned into such a long post.  I guess I have harbored a lot of pent up blogging in the past three months, and I just needed to get it out...  (I also took 80 pictures today.  What fun!) All-in-all it was a wonderful day.  It's amazing what a little outdoor time can turn into!