I decided it would be fun to make my blog have a daily Christmas thought. You know, like an advent calendar of sorts. Of course, I am starting nine days late. Better late than never, right? I'll probably post things that are especially meaningful to me. I'm not sure what use they will be to other people, but my goal is to make my family's and my Christmas celebration a time of sacred worship.
Last year, I read the four Gospels during the month of December in an attempt to focus my Christmas season on the worship of my Savior. The other day, I read this statement from President Gordon B. Hinckley that encouraged me to once again read the New Testament.
"We need to read the scriptures more. We need to read the New Testament and renew our knowledge of the birth and life and ministry, the death and the resurrection of Jesus. Each is a part of the same picture. Had there been no resurrection there likely would not be any remembrance of the birth. They all go together in one great life: Jesus Christ, the most perfect man who ever walked the earth. We ought to get to know Him better. We would have more of the spirit of Christmas, more of an outreach to others, more concern for our neighbors, if we would do it." (Gordon B. Hinckley, Stand a Little Taller. 356.)
I started the New Testament yesterday. I figure if I read 7 pages a day, I will finish the Gospels before the new year. That is my goal and now it is on the internet for the world to see (or at least my sisters and mom who are the only ones who read this blog).
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
How do you measure an influence?
A few years ago, I made a list of the ten men and women that I thought had been most influential in my life. I excluded family members and people I hadn't met (i.e. leaders of the church). On my list was a BYU professor of religious education, E. Dale LeBaron.
I read in this news that Brother LeBaron has passed away after being hit by a car. I am deeply saddened tonight over the loss of a truly wonderful person.
When I was in school, I was the sort of student that sat on the back row. I was happy as a lark if I never got any attention from my teachers. I took copious notes, studied on my own, and usually did pretty well. I only talked to teachers if I had to and even then, once the teacher had approved my subject for my term paper (or whatever the reason for conversing), I was out of there. I was not a memorable student to my teachers. (Except of course when they would look over the grades and say, "Who is this faceless name who scored so high on all tests that I have to discard her grade as an anomaly to make the curve fair?")
I attended BYU, where 14 hours of religious education courses are required for graduation. I so loved my freshman experience in religion that I went a little crazy. I took more religion than required, way more, and then some. I saw my religious education as the most beneficial education I could receive. BYU is a unique place and I am so grateful that I chose to take advantage of its uniqueness in a way that has benefitted me ever since. Even before I met Chris, I knew that my life's employ would be as a mother, and what would make me a better mother than understanding all I could about gospel doctrine? So, I took religion and more religion.
The semester before I paused my education to serve a mission, I took a class called Teachings of the Living Prophets. The subject matter was amazing in itself, but the teacher brought the subject to a higher level. I already had a testimony of the reality of a living prophet. After taking this class from Brother LeBaron, that testimony became deep and abiding. I don't like to use the word life-changing to describe small experiences because it seems a little too dramatic. I think a better word is life-shaping, and that is how I felt about learning from Brother LeBaron.
Brother LeBaron taught details of gospel doctrine as well as principles for application in a wide variety of circumstances. I am not exaggerating when I say his teachings influence my everyday decisions. He was a man of character and charisma. He was so humble and approachable. I found myself approaching him outside of the classroom when I had questions about church doctrine. (You will note that this was totally out of character for me.) It was very easy for me to talk to him and to listen to him. He was also available. Even when I was no longer a BYU student, he would find time to sit and explain to me things I needed to understand to confirm my own testimony. (He sincerely cared about my well-being and he remembered my name. No one remembers my name.) He would open file drawers and pull out doctrinal papers and other material to give to me. He was never selfish with his knowledge--some professors are--he was excited to teach and to share everything he knew. I owe a part of my testimony to his devoted teaching. I believe the Lord has received one of his own home this week and that Brother LeBaron's great work of sharing the gospel will continue in the spirit world.
Thanks for listening. :-)
I read in this news that Brother LeBaron has passed away after being hit by a car. I am deeply saddened tonight over the loss of a truly wonderful person.
When I was in school, I was the sort of student that sat on the back row. I was happy as a lark if I never got any attention from my teachers. I took copious notes, studied on my own, and usually did pretty well. I only talked to teachers if I had to and even then, once the teacher had approved my subject for my term paper (or whatever the reason for conversing), I was out of there. I was not a memorable student to my teachers. (Except of course when they would look over the grades and say, "Who is this faceless name who scored so high on all tests that I have to discard her grade as an anomaly to make the curve fair?")
I attended BYU, where 14 hours of religious education courses are required for graduation. I so loved my freshman experience in religion that I went a little crazy. I took more religion than required, way more, and then some. I saw my religious education as the most beneficial education I could receive. BYU is a unique place and I am so grateful that I chose to take advantage of its uniqueness in a way that has benefitted me ever since. Even before I met Chris, I knew that my life's employ would be as a mother, and what would make me a better mother than understanding all I could about gospel doctrine? So, I took religion and more religion.
The semester before I paused my education to serve a mission, I took a class called Teachings of the Living Prophets. The subject matter was amazing in itself, but the teacher brought the subject to a higher level. I already had a testimony of the reality of a living prophet. After taking this class from Brother LeBaron, that testimony became deep and abiding. I don't like to use the word life-changing to describe small experiences because it seems a little too dramatic. I think a better word is life-shaping, and that is how I felt about learning from Brother LeBaron.
Brother LeBaron taught details of gospel doctrine as well as principles for application in a wide variety of circumstances. I am not exaggerating when I say his teachings influence my everyday decisions. He was a man of character and charisma. He was so humble and approachable. I found myself approaching him outside of the classroom when I had questions about church doctrine. (You will note that this was totally out of character for me.) It was very easy for me to talk to him and to listen to him. He was also available. Even when I was no longer a BYU student, he would find time to sit and explain to me things I needed to understand to confirm my own testimony. (He sincerely cared about my well-being and he remembered my name. No one remembers my name.) He would open file drawers and pull out doctrinal papers and other material to give to me. He was never selfish with his knowledge--some professors are--he was excited to teach and to share everything he knew. I owe a part of my testimony to his devoted teaching. I believe the Lord has received one of his own home this week and that Brother LeBaron's great work of sharing the gospel will continue in the spirit world.
Thanks for listening. :-)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
And the logic of a little girl
The other day, I overheard this conversation:
Sarah (holding a doll): "Her name is Veenavix."
Nathan: "That's a weird name. Why does she have that name?"
Sarah: "I don't know. That's just what her parents named her!"
Then, a few minutes later...
Sarah: "Well, her name used to be Kate. But she decided she needed a more powerful name. So she changed it to Lord Veenavix."
(I wonder where she got that idea.)
Sarah (holding a doll): "Her name is Veenavix."
Nathan: "That's a weird name. Why does she have that name?"
Sarah: "I don't know. That's just what her parents named her!"
Then, a few minutes later...
Sarah: "Well, her name used to be Kate. But she decided she needed a more powerful name. So she changed it to Lord Veenavix."
(I wonder where she got that idea.)
The logic of a little boy...
For some time, Ammon has maintained the stand that he will never get married. Why? Because when you are married you have to kiss a girl and kissing spreads GERMS!!!
But he recently had a change of heart. Now he is planning to get married someday. Why? Because he wants to pass on his name Forest Woods to his son. Ammon is the fourth generation Forest Woods, and someday, there will be a fifth generation.
But he recently had a change of heart. Now he is planning to get married someday. Why? Because he wants to pass on his name Forest Woods to his son. Ammon is the fourth generation Forest Woods, and someday, there will be a fifth generation.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Permission granted
Beth asks permission to do everything. It's really very sweet. Maybe you've noticed, but I think just about everything Beth does is sweet. Lately she has started to ask permission to go to sleep in the car. I've realized it's probably because sometimes I tell her, "Don't go to sleep!" You know, because if she sleeps at 6:00 p.m., it will probably ruin my whole night. The amazing thing is that if I tell her not to go to sleep, she obeys. If I grant permission, she promptly sleeps.
On Monday, we were driving with my nephew, Malachi (age 7), in the car. Beth asked, "Mom, can I go to sweep?" (It's not a typo. It's phonetic.) I said, "No, Beth. Please stay awake." She said okay and proceeded to absolutely DOMINATE the conversation. She wouldn't let Ammon, Nathan or Malachi get a word in. At one point, she announced, "I have a joke." And the boys politely listened. (Sarah was in another car.) Beth said, "Why did the chicken cross the kitchen?" Malachi said, "Why?" "To get a drink of orange juice on the other side."
Malachi politely forced some laughter. Beth shouted, "DON'T WAFF AT ME!!!!" So I explained to Beth that Malachi was laughing at her joke. She said, "It's NOT FUNNY!" Well, she's right about that.
Anyway, after we finished home evening with my grandma, we got back in the car to go get some ice cream. When we pulled into the ice cream place, I looked back at Beth who was starting to drift away. She said very sleepily, "I'm tired. Can I go to sweep now?" Before I could answer she noticed the car next to us. She woke right up, put both arms high in the air and said, "Mom, everybody's here! There's all my cousins and Lisa." (We were obviously meeting some family for ice cream.) That woke her up sufficiently to eat her ice cream. Afterwards, she asked one more time, "Mom, can I go to sweep now?" This time I said yes and she was asleep within seconds.
On Monday, we were driving with my nephew, Malachi (age 7), in the car. Beth asked, "Mom, can I go to sweep?" (It's not a typo. It's phonetic.) I said, "No, Beth. Please stay awake." She said okay and proceeded to absolutely DOMINATE the conversation. She wouldn't let Ammon, Nathan or Malachi get a word in. At one point, she announced, "I have a joke." And the boys politely listened. (Sarah was in another car.) Beth said, "Why did the chicken cross the kitchen?" Malachi said, "Why?" "To get a drink of orange juice on the other side."
Malachi politely forced some laughter. Beth shouted, "DON'T WAFF AT ME!!!!" So I explained to Beth that Malachi was laughing at her joke. She said, "It's NOT FUNNY!" Well, she's right about that.
Anyway, after we finished home evening with my grandma, we got back in the car to go get some ice cream. When we pulled into the ice cream place, I looked back at Beth who was starting to drift away. She said very sleepily, "I'm tired. Can I go to sweep now?" Before I could answer she noticed the car next to us. She woke right up, put both arms high in the air and said, "Mom, everybody's here! There's all my cousins and Lisa." (We were obviously meeting some family for ice cream.) That woke her up sufficiently to eat her ice cream. Afterwards, she asked one more time, "Mom, can I go to sweep now?" This time I said yes and she was asleep within seconds.
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