My Pagan Abilities

(New plant) hope!

Sometimes I think I might make a pretty good pagan. Except for my plant growing skills.  I have not heard it from official sources, but I have always assumed to be a good pagan, you need to be in touch with nature.  I have tried to be nurturing, kind, and helpful for young growing plants before, but when it comes to plants I seem to be more prone to killing them.  I am currently in a Marriage and Family relations class at BYU (turns out they don't assign you a wife in the class, but you still need to find one).  Part of our class is that we need to grow a plant.  The lesson I have surmised so far, is that like a little plant- relationships need our time and care for them to grow.

Dead plant (trans-potted)

This is where the me maybe making a good pagan comes in.  I can't help but feel that the progress of the plant some how directly relates to the relationship I am supposed to be having with my future spouse.  I.e., plant thrives = I find wife and get married; plant dies = bachelor for life, no happiness.  Which, my mind keeps saying is totally irrational, especially now that the plant is dead (and I think I smashed both replacement seeds that I had, one is for sure- don't ask me how!).  Listening to the leaders of the church is such a great reminder of all the things I have been meaning to do, but haven't quite gotten around to yet. So, while I can't do everything tonight, I will try and at least take a little step! One first step I feel strongly about is prayer.

From my car, Bountiful, UT

Prayer I feel is the quiet rocking which brings peace to my soul. I desire to make it more of a soothing experience, by giving it time, being patient, and striving for open communication.  It helps me to vocalize my prayers, take time to organize my thoughts, speak a little, organize more.  Elder LeeMaster taught me the importance of praying with real intent and praying vocally.  It has forever impacted my relationship with my Father in Heaven.  As was taught today, as the Lord is first, the other good desires we have follow.  Or, as we read in the scriptures:
22 For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing. (Moroni 7)

Payback's a Chocolate

Some of you may be familiar with the letter the adventure I had with pies not too long ago.  For those who are not, let me fill in a little.  Over a year ago for Thanksgiving, I had gone home for Thanksgiving.  Sadly, my brother was unable to make it as he was newly married and was spending the time with his new wife.  Well, feeling sympathetic as mothers do, my Mom had made two apple pies which were frozen and ready to bake, and sent the pies back to Utah with me.  I, being logical had deduced that Chad (my brother) did not need two pies, and so decided to keep one.

Problem.  My brother knew that two pies were sent out, and mistakenly felt that both pies should be his. (His invalid argument was something about me enjoying pies all week, and already eating the equivalent of two pies).

Another problem.  My parents own the condo where I live, and my brother also had a key to the place, and could very easily come steal the pie while I was at school.  There are only so many places to hide a pie in a freezer.

Well, after some pondering and sleep, I came up with an idea. :)

Of Dating, Spring Snow, and Faith

 Life is a dangerous game we play.- all sorts of risks.  Although it isn't risking your life- sometimes it can feel like it in asking a girl out.  Here is part of a conversation I recently had with a girl, more or less this is what was said:

Me: So, you still dating that guy?
Her: I am taking a break from dating.
In my mind I thought "Ok, how about I talk with you in a month or so?  . . . no, that sounds lame"  then it seemed enough time had passed where it was getting awkward, so I opened my mouth and said:
Me: Ok, so how about frisbee golfing this weekend?- we have had some beautiful weather!

I have no idea where that came from, but I am glad I said it!  Now, we have something set up for tomorrow!

Except for it snowed tonight.
Really??

A Spicy Forthcoming

I made some salsa today. While eating it, I noticed the first few bites seemed like little bursts of joy in my mouth. I would definitely say I was hungry.  If I would have thought a little bit before hand, I could have taken some pictures throughout the creation process, but here is the final product! Salsa a la gladware.  It is a pretty standard recipe, and takes some effort to mess up. I am sure this salsa will be a tender mercy for me this next week!

*Some blessings are unexpected, some we can plan for. I am grateful for both!

Of Chocolate and Politics

Much like the need for chocolate- I have been feeling a need to continue with writing and posting on this blog on a more regular basis. I have decided this blog will take the best shape as I am more consistent about posting and sharing things here.  Although I am not currently sure what form it is I would like this blog to take! My Mom loves making chocolates. she recently made some, and mailed them. They were lost in the mail! :( But before you panic, please know I am finding a way to survive- somehow.
This week the caucuses are taking place in Utah, and at the University Devotional today Dr. James came to talk about health care in the political realm.  Paraphrasing a statement he made- a dollar invested in education does more to help public, then a dollar invested in health care.  I have a passion for education, and equalizing the learning opportunity. The devotional was a great reminder that the biggest effect on health was not the resources we have access to, but rather our behavior.  And what changes behavior? True doctrine, understood.



*people who say writing is static do not have experience with it.

Mother Dear :)

This is for my Mom.

Quoting a past Stake President which I had- he would often admonish in his booming voice- let us give ear to these “great hymns of Zion!”  No one can give a declaration of any kind as he did.  He was tall- maybe 6’6” (I never measured), gigantic hands and crooked fingers.  The fingers reminded me a little of those trees which stick out of the side of mountains, not quite straight, but tough as heck!

 

Being Mother’s Day, I am grateful for my mother (yes, I am grateful on other days as well)!  There are many things I could share about her and what she has done for me, but today I took some inspiration from the Stake President I mentioned and thought of a few hymns and songs from our church would express things a little clearer then I could-

Laughing Matters

Talking with a good friend in the library this evening I had the question come to my mind- “what has made you laugh today?” I liked the question so much, just me asking it gave me a little chuckle!  Being at BYU, our church group gets together every Sunday evening to spotlight at few people in the Ward (congregation) and share a thought and prayer.  I have had some excellent questions come to my mind while attending there these past few months:

“When we are children, we have hopes and dreams.  Where you are now in your life, which of those dreams do you feel you are living from when you were a child?”

“Inspired by the recent movie Warm Bodies; if you were a cold blooded zombie, what is one thing which would warm your heart and bring you back to the living?”

“What is your dream vacation- I mean an actual dream, if you could dream and vacation, where would you like to go?”

I have others, but those are good to start!  I have noticed a few common things which have come with these questions-