Day 116: Messages and Massages

Aha:

I went to stake conference today; it was a special, Canada-wide broadcast from Salt Lake City. There were two thoughts shared today that stuck out to me and I wanted to put them on my blog.

1. "Choose the path of faith", Anthony D. Perkins

I liked this quote because there are times when things are out of my hands and all I can do is trust God. I have to consciously choose that path of faith because the alternative (worry) doesn't help me get anywhere or understand any better.

2. "Remember who you are...and remember who you oughta be.", Linda K. Burton

I liked this because it makes me realize my potential. I am a child of God and I should act that way. :) Act faithfully, act obediently and act Christlike.

Haha:

Clinton is creative. For example, when I ask him for a back massage I am always surprised what he uses to accomplish this task. Tonight it was the corner of the remote. In the past it's been things such as pens, his elbows, a cellphone, Peter's bone, or any other blunt object within reach. 

Nothing's quite as nice as strong thumbs, but I gotta give it to him, the corner of the remote was pretty darn effective. Ha!

Day 91: Chatty Cathy

Aha:

I don't think I had ever met someone who had never met a Mormon until today. I don't remember what started it exactly but my supervisor asked me if swearing bothered me. I told him I personally didn't do it but unless someone was swearing at me I wasn't going to tell them they couldn't. He said he'd noticed I didn't swear and asked me why.

This started a whole Q&A session about my beliefs. I had already told him the day before that I didn't drink coffee, tea or alcohol and so today he asked me why that was. We talked about temples, prophets, modern revelation, the Word of Wisdom, tithing, fasting and fast offerings, covenants and temple recommend interviews. 

The whole thing was kinda neat cause I've never met someone who truly had no clue about Mormons. I told him I'm an open book and if he ever had a question I would give him honest answers. I don't think he has any interest in the church, per se, but it was just a no-pressure (for him or me) information session and I really enjoyed it!

Haha:

At another point during the day I had a completely different kind of conversation with a female coworker that involved words like "periods", "cycle", "doing 'business'", "sperm" and "eggs". Lol

Oh how different conversations can be in just a short period of time. Ha!

Day 77: I Once Was Lost, But Now Am Found

Aha:

I am thankful for the comfort and peace the Holy Ghost brings. This may come as a surprise (insert sarcasm), but I tend to be a worrier and am easily anxious. Well, when those uncertain times come I am thankful for the companionship I feel from the spirit--reminding me that there is One who knows my concerns and can make things right.

Haha:

I don't know why I do this to myself, but for some reason when I have a little time on my hands I start a new series on Netflix. 

I have watched 8+ episodes of Lost today. I never saw it when it was on and I'm beginning to see why people were so obsessed with it before. 

Why do I do this? I know my chores and social life suffer and yet I can't help myself! Anyway, better get to bed so I can squeeze one more episode in before sleepy time. Ha!

Day 74: Easter, Teased Her

Aha:

Well, I wanted to just take a brief second and publicly thank my saviour, Jesus Christ, for his willingness to die for me so that I can repent and one day return to live with God. 

I have felt the power of His atonement in my life and the peace and comfort it brings. I have been enveloped in His arms during hard times and felt His love when I needed it most. I am thankful that He knows me and cares about me, even the little things are important to Him.

I love Him.

Haha:

My FIL spent about an hour and a half raking all of the garbage and dog crap left in the backyard from the previous renters. When he came back in he said, "Well that was a crappy job."

Clinton and I laughed at the pun; my MIL said, "Why? Is your back ok?"

Clinton: No, it's a joke.

She: Oh.

Then we all laughed...at her. ;)

Day 59: I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked...and Peter Pooped

Aha:

You probably didn't know this but we live in the same neighbourhood as the stake centre; it's literally one street away from us. Well, I decided to take Peter for a walk before the second session of General Conference began and as I was on our way home I passed by the church. On the sidewalk across the street I saw two missionaries talking to a couple. I couldn't hear everything but as I was passing one of the elders just started bearing his testimony about how living the gospel has blessed his life.

I didn't stick around to listen but it put a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart. I love to hear people talk about Jesus; especially in such "out of place" places. In fact, some of my most spiritual discussions have happened in commonplace locations.

A blog isn't necessarily "out of place", but I too love Jesus and am thankful for His gospel in my life. His message is good news! It is one of selflessness and charity and I am thankful for the example He gave me to follow. I love that so many people in the world want to be like Him, regardless of religious affiliation. He is The Good Shepherd and I am so happy to be one of His many sheep trying their best to get back to Him.

Haha:

Now that the weather is improving and much of the snow has melted, I took advantage of the first opportunity I've had to pick up all of the crap Peter has relieved himself of over the winter.

There was only the thin layer of a plastic produce bag between me and the grocery bagful I gathered of cold dog poo. 

It was an interesting bonding moment between mother and pup. Each handful of crap inspiring memories of what he must have eaten that particular day. Every mound reminding me of the special responsibility I have in taking care of my little boy. All of it, a token of love. 

Or at least that's how I tried to see it instead of as the gross job it really was.

When I came back inside and told Clinton how much I had to pick up he said, "Yah, Peter really puts out a lot of poop."

Thanks. I know.

Day 372: That Sounds Fair

Aha:
During a sister's talk in Sacrament meeting last week (based off of Jeffrey R. Holland's talk, "Laborers in the Vineyard"), she said that many of us, at times, may say, "life's not fair".  We all have trials, but if we trust that the Lord is mindful of us and that he sends trials our way to make us better, then shouldn't we really be saying, "life is fair"?  He knows what we need to go through to become the people we need to be.  Our trials make us who we are and if certain trials are what it takes for us to learn and grow, then doesn't it make God completely fair?  He is doing all that he can to help us return to him.  Though it at times seems that life can be unfair, we must remember who sets the terms and trust that he knows best and will reward us accordingly.

Ha ha:
Clinton and I were so beat from playing at the water park on Saturday that we totally slept in till 10 am on Sunday!  We really must've played our little bodies into total exhaustion...and I'd totally do it all over again!

Day 370: What Happens in the Dark

Aha:
I forgot to post these from our trip to Carthage.  These are pictures from the Dungeon Cell (actually upstairs).  This is where John Taylor was hid until the mob dispersed after killing Joseph and Hyrum.

Here is one of the two windows in the room.  They really didn't make much of a difference for light.  The walls were 3 feet thick!

I sat in this room for about 10 minutes while the other tour group finished their tour.  The guide and I sat on little benches and shared our testimonies of the restoration with each other.  It was a special experience to do so in such a sacred place.

Ha ha:
Here are a few recent pictures of Peter and his snuggling with us.

He loves us so much!...but, I guess it's mutual. :)

Day 369: So Much to See, Feel and Smell

Aha:
Day 2 consisted of a trip back to Nauvoo (to see what had been closed to us the day before) and a trip to Carthage.  I think my favorite was Carthage.  Fortunately for me, I had just missed a tour group and so a sister offered to take me through by myself.  I got to sit in that jail (just me and the guide) and listen to the retelling of the events leading up to and after the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith on June 27th, 1844.  The building was so quiet and I couldn't help but feel like I was being let in on a secret or something; the spirit of that place was awesome.
I gained a new appreciation for Joseph Smith and the work he did to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth.  I am so thankful for the Book of Mormon; it is filled with truth and testifies of the divinity of Jesus Christ.  I am thankful for the Bible; it too is filled with truth and is a wonderful source of history and examples of how to be a disciple of Christ.
Here are more pictures (there are repeats from yesterday's post, but they were taken with Clinton's good camera as opposed to my poorer-quality phone).

 Smith Family Cemetery (about 25 family members--and friends--of the Smiths)

 Outside the window that Joseph Smith fell from when he was shot and killed

 The top window is the one he fell from

 Notice the warped panes?  These are originals.  Apparently the jail keepers could avoid paying taxes for the glass if the panes were not perfect, so they'd request them to be made imperfect to save a few bucks. :)

 This is the second bullet hole in the door.  It was with this bullet that Hyrum was struck in the face and killed.

 This was the first shot.  It broke the lock on the door and made it possible for the mobs to push their guns further inside.  Interestingly, this piece, as you can see, had been cut from the door.  Until only a few years ago it was missing.  Someone from the family who had the piece, found it in the shed of a relative's home, recognized what it was and brought it to the church to restore to the door.  Pretty cool, huh?

 Window that Joseph fell from.

 Statue of Joseph and Hyrum outside the jail

 These are from Nauvoo.

 Examples of documents that were discussed/used in the upper room of the Red Brick Store (ordinances of the priesthood, organization of the Relief Society, and other special events took place here)

 Statue of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young overlooking the Mississippi River

 Trail of Hope: a series of plaques with the thoughts and quotes from early pioneers and leaders of the church as they were preparing to leave Nauvoo and cross the Mississippi to travel West. (Notice the temple in the background.  It must have been so hard to leave this place.)

Ha ha:

Clinton and I drove down to the pier so we could touch the Mississippi River.  There were mayflies everywhere (shudder) and the smell was rather unpleasant.  It took us a bit to discover where it was coming from.

Here I am.

 Why am I reaching out so far?

There's about a 12-inch wide sludge of washed-up dead mayfly bodies right at the shore line, made for a pretty horrid smell.

 Here's Clinton

Day 368: Meeting and Making History

Aha:
Clinton and I drove down to Nauvoo, Illinois on Wednesday to see some of our church history.  The weather was bloody hot (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit) but it was really neat to know I was actually standing where so many important individuals from history once stood.  If anything, the weather made the experience all the more real to me.  I can't imagine working and living the lifestyles they did in weather so extreme.  It made me all the more grateful for our air-conditioned car and our air-conditioned hotel.
Here are some pics from Day 1 (We got there at about 4pm and everything was closed.  We didn't find out until the next day that there were celebrations going on in Carthage in commemoration of the 168th anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.  We totally would have gone if we'd known, but went back to our hotel instead. :( )

 Nauvoo Temple

 Statues from the Monument to Women Garden

 Joseph & Emma

 Cultural Hall

Ha ha:
On our trip, our car made a very special milestone...

We had a countdown for about the last 10 miles or so.  We cheered, took a picture and then shrugged our shoulders.  Hey, this was pretty darn interesting compared to all of the many, MANY fields of corn we were driving through.