I'm sitting on my ottoman on my little porch enjoying the nice weather. I guess we're in a tornado watch but right now it's 73 degrees, not too humid, somewhat windy but, gorgeous. My tulips started blooming last Saturday and they're pretty. My pictures don't do them justice.
You know, the strange thing about this state is I have never seen a lilac bush/tree.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
popcorn popping on the....tree
The trees were probably at their peak last Sunday. Leaves are starting to show now and we had rain the last couple of days so a lot of the blossoms fell. But, this neighborhood was still pretty - and the tulips aren't even blooming, yet. Well, I saw some today but while I was driving but, not many.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
"Jayhawks don't like sharing"
I don't remember which announcer said that but, I told my friend that early in the 2nd half so, I'll take credit :) That was an intense game against Texas but, that just makes it more exciting. I think that making our free throws helped (23-26). Although, they shot 20-22 for their FTs. Anyway, I should get my shopping done. I'm just glad that we are the regular season Big XII champs. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
it's finally winter
It has "snowed" a couple of times this winter but nothing ever stuck. This was before church now four hours later, the snow is all gone and we're having our first sunny day in awhile.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
wheat = healthy?
Another one of those baking entries...sorry. A family in my ward gave me some freshly ground whole wheat flour. They also had us over for dinner last week so, to thank them, I used their whole wheat chocolate chip cookie recipe and made cookies for them. Cookies made with whole wheat flour don't count as treats, right? I think I might like the dough more than regular cookie dough. At the end of the slideshow there are some pictures of the dough and cookies (since you all wanted to see them...).
I also posted some pictures of the remodeled kitchen/living room for those who haven't seen it yet. Hopefully you can piece the pictures together to get the full effect. Well, gotta run.
I also posted some pictures of the remodeled kitchen/living room for those who haven't seen it yet. Hopefully you can piece the pictures together to get the full effect. Well, gotta run.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
christmas decorations
Okay, so most people decorate for Christmas after Thanksgiving but, since I'll be home before Christmas I figured I could decorate before Thanksgiving. Sounds logical enough to me. I haven't been too impressed with the artificial trees this year so, I decided to get a real one. I've never had a real one before so it should be interesting. I was at least able to get it to stand up straight (mostly). I've heard different opinions on how long real trees last and I'm choosing to believe the opinions which I like best. The pictures don't really do it justice. I guess that's what I get with a $20 camera.
My trip to Atlanta was good. It was fun to see Erik. I even made it back in time for the second block of church. And, I have a YSA activity in like 30 minutes so I should get going.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
random
I’m watching the election results right now so my mind is only half here so hopefully this is coherent.
A few weeks ago, I heard two ladies in the grocery store mention that they couldn’t vote for either candidate with a clean conscience. I felt the same way. I can’t say that I agree with either one enough to make me feel good about voting for them. Yesterday, my sister-in-law mentioned voting for the candidate that you feel would best uphold the Constitution. That helped a lot. That said, my vote is in, at least one person that I voted for won today (on the local level).
My sister-in-law also shared a New Era article with us from 1976. I was going to copy a few of my favorite quotes but, the whole thing is good so read it, please.
I have also thought a lot about what was said in the Worldwide Leadership Training this year.
“The first commandment that God
gave to Adam and Eve pertained to
their potential for parenthood as husband
and wife. We declare that God’s
commandment for His children to
multiply and replenish the earth
remains in force. We further declare
that God has commanded that the
sacred powers of procreation are to
be employed only between man and
woman, lawfully wedded as husband
and wife. You’ll note as we go through this
that declarations such as this are challenged.
The world wants to change it.
We will not. We cannot. When you
wonder who we are and why we are,
remember that we have this pattern
and we will follow it." - Pres. Packer
“When you wonder why we are the
way we are and why we do the things
we do and why we will not do some
of the things that we will not do, you
can find the authority for that in this
proclamation on the family. There are
times when we are accused of being
intolerant because we won’t accept
and do the things that are supposed
to be the norm in society. Well, the
things we won’t do, we won’t do. And
the things we won’t do, we can’t do,
because the standard we follow is
given of Him.” - Pres. Packer
“More and more the world is filled
with chaos and confusion. Messages
surround us which contradict all that
we hold dear—enticing us to turn
from that which is “virtuous, lovely,
or of good report or praiseworthy”
(Articles of Faith 1:13) and embrace
the thinking which often prevails
outside the gospel of Jesus Christ.
However, when our families are
united in purpose, and an atmosphere
of peace and love prevails, home becomes
a sanctuary from the world.” - Pres. Monson
“In all that we have discussed, I think
it is fundamental for us to avoid taking
the world’s models as our guides for
parenting and marriage and all of
those things that have eternal importance.
I’m mindful of the counsel the
Apostle Paul gave to the Corinthians.
This is recorded in 2 Corinthians,
chapter 6. He was speaking to those
who had the gospel, and he said,
“[Don’t be] unequally yoked together
with unbelievers; for what fellowship
hath righteousness with unrighteousness?”
(2 Corinthians 6:14). He’s telling
us that we cannot afford to stand side
by side, yoked with the world, when
we are trying to make these fundamental
eternal decisions.” - E. Oaks
“And it seems to me that if we will
cling to the doctrine of the Church—
again I keep coming back to the idea
around which we started this conversation,
the idea of a plan and counsel
that our Father in Heaven gave us
before we ever came here—if we
can cling to the doctrine, we will get
through, we will have answers to our
prayers, and we will stay founded on
true principles.” - E. Holland
With all of the excitement with the Kansas City Temple being announced, I didn’t hear Pres. Monson say this: “It has been my privilege during the past six months to meet with leaders of countries and with representatives of governments. Those with whom I’ve met feel kindly toward the Church and our members, and they have been cooperative and accommodating. There remain, however, areas of the world where our influence is limited and where we are not allowed to share the gospel freely. As did President Spencer W. Kimball over 32 years ago, I urge you to pray for the opening of those areas, that we might share with them the joy of the gospel. As we prayed then in response to President Kimball’s pleadings, we saw miracles unfold as country after country, formerly closed to the Church, was opened. Such will transpire again as we pray with faith.”
Another thing I’ve been thinking about lately is how it was mentioned at least 3 times in Conference that, “…no unhallowed hand will stop the work.” The work of the Lord will go forward. "Life is hard, but life is simple. Get on the path and never, ever give up. You never give up. You just keep on going. You don’t quit, and you will make it.” - E. Corbridge
And also, a couple of speakers mentioned the story of Lehonti. Alma 47: 10-14, 18-19
10 And it came to pass that when it was night he sent a secret embassy into the mount Antipas, desiring that the leader of those who were upon the mount, whose name was Lehonti, that he should come down to the foot of the mount, for he desired to speak with him.
11 And it came to pass that when Lehonti received the message he durst not go down to the foot of the mount. And it came to pass that Amalickiah sent again the second time, desiring him to come down. And it came to pass that Lehonti would not; and he sent again the third time.
12 And it came to pass that when Amalickiah found that he could not get Lehonti to come down off from the mount, he went up into the mount, nearly to Lehonti’s camp; and he sent again the fourth time his message unto Lehonti, desiring that he would come down, and that he would bring his guards with him.
13 And it came to pass that when Lehonti had come down with his guards to Amalickiah, that Amalickiah desired him to come down with his army in the night-time, and surround those men in their camps over whom the king had given him command, and that he would deliver them up into Lehonti’s hands, if he would make him (Amalickiah) a second aleader over the whole army.
14 And it came to pass that Lehonti came down with his men and surrounded the men of Amalickiah, so that before they awoke at the dawn of day they were surrounded by the armies of Lehonti.
• • •
18 And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer apoison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died.
19 Now, when Lehonti was dead, the Lamanites appointed Amalickiah to be their leader and their chief commander.
Just some food for thought. I know it was a random blog - remember, I’m watching the election results.
A few weeks ago, I heard two ladies in the grocery store mention that they couldn’t vote for either candidate with a clean conscience. I felt the same way. I can’t say that I agree with either one enough to make me feel good about voting for them. Yesterday, my sister-in-law mentioned voting for the candidate that you feel would best uphold the Constitution. That helped a lot. That said, my vote is in, at least one person that I voted for won today (on the local level).
My sister-in-law also shared a New Era article with us from 1976. I was going to copy a few of my favorite quotes but, the whole thing is good so read it, please.
I have also thought a lot about what was said in the Worldwide Leadership Training this year.
“The first commandment that God
gave to Adam and Eve pertained to
their potential for parenthood as husband
and wife. We declare that God’s
commandment for His children to
multiply and replenish the earth
remains in force. We further declare
that God has commanded that the
sacred powers of procreation are to
be employed only between man and
woman, lawfully wedded as husband
and wife. You’ll note as we go through this
that declarations such as this are challenged.
The world wants to change it.
We will not. We cannot. When you
wonder who we are and why we are,
remember that we have this pattern
and we will follow it." - Pres. Packer
“When you wonder why we are the
way we are and why we do the things
we do and why we will not do some
of the things that we will not do, you
can find the authority for that in this
proclamation on the family. There are
times when we are accused of being
intolerant because we won’t accept
and do the things that are supposed
to be the norm in society. Well, the
things we won’t do, we won’t do. And
the things we won’t do, we can’t do,
because the standard we follow is
given of Him.” - Pres. Packer
“More and more the world is filled
with chaos and confusion. Messages
surround us which contradict all that
we hold dear—enticing us to turn
from that which is “virtuous, lovely,
or of good report or praiseworthy”
(Articles of Faith 1:13) and embrace
the thinking which often prevails
outside the gospel of Jesus Christ.
However, when our families are
united in purpose, and an atmosphere
of peace and love prevails, home becomes
a sanctuary from the world.” - Pres. Monson
“In all that we have discussed, I think
it is fundamental for us to avoid taking
the world’s models as our guides for
parenting and marriage and all of
those things that have eternal importance.
I’m mindful of the counsel the
Apostle Paul gave to the Corinthians.
This is recorded in 2 Corinthians,
chapter 6. He was speaking to those
who had the gospel, and he said,
“[Don’t be] unequally yoked together
with unbelievers; for what fellowship
hath righteousness with unrighteousness?”
(2 Corinthians 6:14). He’s telling
us that we cannot afford to stand side
by side, yoked with the world, when
we are trying to make these fundamental
eternal decisions.” - E. Oaks
“And it seems to me that if we will
cling to the doctrine of the Church—
again I keep coming back to the idea
around which we started this conversation,
the idea of a plan and counsel
that our Father in Heaven gave us
before we ever came here—if we
can cling to the doctrine, we will get
through, we will have answers to our
prayers, and we will stay founded on
true principles.” - E. Holland
With all of the excitement with the Kansas City Temple being announced, I didn’t hear Pres. Monson say this: “It has been my privilege during the past six months to meet with leaders of countries and with representatives of governments. Those with whom I’ve met feel kindly toward the Church and our members, and they have been cooperative and accommodating. There remain, however, areas of the world where our influence is limited and where we are not allowed to share the gospel freely. As did President Spencer W. Kimball over 32 years ago, I urge you to pray for the opening of those areas, that we might share with them the joy of the gospel. As we prayed then in response to President Kimball’s pleadings, we saw miracles unfold as country after country, formerly closed to the Church, was opened. Such will transpire again as we pray with faith.”
Another thing I’ve been thinking about lately is how it was mentioned at least 3 times in Conference that, “…no unhallowed hand will stop the work.” The work of the Lord will go forward. "Life is hard, but life is simple. Get on the path and never, ever give up. You never give up. You just keep on going. You don’t quit, and you will make it.” - E. Corbridge
And also, a couple of speakers mentioned the story of Lehonti. Alma 47: 10-14, 18-19
10 And it came to pass that when it was night he sent a secret embassy into the mount Antipas, desiring that the leader of those who were upon the mount, whose name was Lehonti, that he should come down to the foot of the mount, for he desired to speak with him.
11 And it came to pass that when Lehonti received the message he durst not go down to the foot of the mount. And it came to pass that Amalickiah sent again the second time, desiring him to come down. And it came to pass that Lehonti would not; and he sent again the third time.
12 And it came to pass that when Amalickiah found that he could not get Lehonti to come down off from the mount, he went up into the mount, nearly to Lehonti’s camp; and he sent again the fourth time his message unto Lehonti, desiring that he would come down, and that he would bring his guards with him.
13 And it came to pass that when Lehonti had come down with his guards to Amalickiah, that Amalickiah desired him to come down with his army in the night-time, and surround those men in their camps over whom the king had given him command, and that he would deliver them up into Lehonti’s hands, if he would make him (Amalickiah) a second aleader over the whole army.
14 And it came to pass that Lehonti came down with his men and surrounded the men of Amalickiah, so that before they awoke at the dawn of day they were surrounded by the armies of Lehonti.
• • •
18 And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer apoison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died.
19 Now, when Lehonti was dead, the Lamanites appointed Amalickiah to be their leader and their chief commander.
Just some food for thought. I know it was a random blog - remember, I’m watching the election results.
everything is better when it's free...
I guess that maybe not everything is better when it's free - work is definitely important. But, I must say - there was free pizza at a BYU event once and although, I would never pay for this pizza, it was enjoyable because it was free. With that said - my work was giving away free tickets for the UAH hockey game this Friday. I wish I had researched seating before. I got there and they had about 60 suite tickets...probably a couple hundred box ones and the same with general admission tickets. Now, 10 suite seats at a Havoc game are $6000. I'm guessing that's not the same for the college games but, still...So, I grabbed some suite ones and some box seats and they ended up being on different ends of the venue. Oh well. They are free.
Okay, so once again, I'm in a hurry and so the pictures aren't great and are um...sideways. But, yes, I voted. I went during lunch time and it took me maybe a total of 40 minutes and 25 of those were traveling to and from the place. There is something wrong with how they divide the precincts/decide where we vote in this city.
This is my new drying rack.
Anyway, I'm going to head out. I have a long post idea but I think I want to type it up in a Word document and then post it. So, maybe later tonight...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
a picture is worth a thousand words...
I was tagged by my sister-in-law to blog about the fourth picture from the fourth picture folder (did I get it right?). I don't have four picture folders so, out of my two...here is the 4th picture from one of them. This is Sis. Swenson and I in Tallinn's Old town. We went up there on a preparation day with our investigator, Nina, and had fun. It was my first transfer, Sis. Swenson's last, and a couple of days before Nina's baptism. Yes, I do have a nametag on. It was really windy that day and it got flipped up. I got a magnetic nametag a few transfers later...never had a problem with that one. I now live in Sis. Sweson's home stake (but she's at BYU) and her sister is in my ward. And, there's also a picture of Nina and I (with a nametag). The 4th picture in my other folder is already on my blog in my "Is it Christmas, yet?" post.
Before I found out I was tagged, I was going to post a photo in this post. But, I forgot to take the picture so, this works out. I was going to take a picture of my gas receipt. Gas at Kroger is $2.91/gallon today. I'm guessing it's cheaper in other places but, only spending $11.42 on gas was an exciting thing.
I'm slowly getting unpacked. Most of what I have now are things that need to be washed to get the smoke smell out of them. That'll wait until my dryer works. It's nice to know where everything is, though. I opened up my box with decorations and realized that I only have one Fall one and the rest are Christmas. So, to quote myself, "Is it Christmas, yet?" I love Fall and everything (except, here it's weird...it's still in the 80s and the leaves are already falling) but, I love my Christmas decorations.
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