Archive for the 'Religion' Category...
Filed under All About Eve, Religion
Once again I am sitting at home while my family goes to church without me. I miss going to services and meeting with ‘the Saints.’ I have many decisions ahead of me and deeply need heavenly guidance as I make those decisions. My own wisdom often lets me down - I don’t see the end from the beginning as does God. I need to know what He would have me do. I need His help in making these choices.
Sometimes I wonder how much my health actually keeps me from attending church and how much it is a habit to stay home. I managed to go to the doctor this week and even to have my nails done. Is church that much more difficult? I even managed to buy groceries yesterday - a real challenge! (I haven’t put them away yet, but I did go shopping.) So how much harder is it to sit through church services?
Why can’t I seem to get it together and go and worship the Lord? I’ve always like church. This isn’t some delayed rebellion - I even liked church when I was a little kid and a teenager. I think maybe I’ve struggled so long with my health that I have developed a fear of doing anything that I don’t have to do. And I’ve gotten out of the habit of church attendance. So - can anyone tell me how to re-establish that habit?
Filed under Holidays, Religion
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I got this in an e-mail. I had seen it before, as I’m sure many of you have, too. However, I wanted to share it again with those who have seen it and bring it for the first time to those who have not. Enjoy!
  
THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
My husband and I had been happily
married (most of the time)
for five years
but hadn't been blessed with a baby.
I decided to do some serious
praying and promised God
that if he would give us a child,
I would be a perfect mother,
love it with all my heart
and raise it with His word
as my guide.
God answered my prayers
and blessed us with a son.
The next year God blessed us
with another son.
The following year,
He blessed us with
yet another son.
The year after that we
were blessed with a daughter.
My husband thought we'd
been blessed right into poverty.
We now had four children,
and the oldest was only
four years old.
I learned never to ask God
for anything unless I meant it.
As a minister once told me,
'If you pray for rain,
make sure you carry an umbrella.'
I began reading a few verses
of the Bible to the children
each day as they lay in their cribs.
I was off to a good start.
God had entrusted me
with four children and
I didn't want to disappoint Him.
I tried to be patient the day
the children smashed
two dozen eggs on
the kitchen floor searching
for baby chicks.
I tried to be understanding...
when they started a hotel for
homeless frogs in the spare bedroom,
although it took me nearly two hours
to catch all twenty-three frogs.
When my daughter poured
ketchup all over herself and
rolled up in a blanket to see
how it felt to be a hot dog,
I tried to see the humor
rather than the mess.
In spite of changing over
twenty-five thousand diapers,
never eating a hot meal
and never sleeping for more
than thirty minutes at a time,
I still thank God daily for my children.
While I couldn't keep my promise
to be a perfect mother -
I didn't even come close...
I did keep my promise
to raise them in the Word of God.
I knew I was missing the mark
just a little when I told
my daughter we were going
to church to worship God,
and she wanted to bring
a bar of soap along to
'wash up' Jesus, too.
Something was lost
in the translation when
I explained that
God gave us everlasting life,
and my son thought it was
generous of God to give
us his 'last wife.'
My proudest moment came
during the children's
Christmas pageant.
My daughter was playing Mary,
two of my sons were shepherds
and my youngest son was a wise man.
This was their moment to shine.
My five-year-old shepherd
had practiced his line,
'We found the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes.'
But he was nervous and said,
'The baby was wrapped
in wrinkled clothes.'
My four-year-old 'Mary' said,
'That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly.
That's dirty, rotten clothes.'
A wrestling match broke out
between Mary and the shepherd
and was stopped by an angel,
who bent her halo and lost
her left wing.
I slouched a little lower
in my seat when Mary
dropped the doll representing
Baby Jesus, and it bounced
down the aisle crying,
'Mama-mama.'
Mary grabbed the doll,
wrapped it back up
and held it tightly as
the wise men arrived.
My other son stepped forward
wearing a bathrobe
and a paper crown,
knelt at the manger
and announced,
'We are the three wise men,
and we are bringing gifts
of gold, common sense and fur.'
The congregation
dissolved into laughter,
and the pageant
got a standing ovation.
'I've never enjoyed a Christmas
program as much as this one,'
laughed the pastor,
wiping tears from his eyes.
'For the rest of my life,
I'll never hear the
Christmas story without
thinking of gold, common sense
and fur.'
'My children are my pride
and my joy and my greatest
blessing,' I said as I dug
through my purse for an aspirin.
Jesus
had no servants,
yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree,
yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines,
yet they called Him Healer.
Had no army,
yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles,
yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime,
yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb,
yet He lives today.
Feel honored
to serve such a Leader
who loves us.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
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Comments (2) Posted by Eve on Wednesday, December 24th, 2008
Filed under America, Environment, Family Life, Just Talking, Memes, Politics, Religion
I share a home with my daughter, her husband and her children. She has four children ranging in age from 4 to 10. If there is one lesson to learn from sharing a home with children it is that peace begins with each individual. It then spreads to include those with whom we live. If our homes fail to produce peace, we will never be at peace with the world. I long for world peace - love and harmony shared by all mankind. I work for peace in my home - love and harmony shared by siblings, parents, and grandparents. When I achieve the latter, I will go to work on the former.
Filed under America, Environment, Family Life, Idaho, Just Talking, Memes, Politics, Religion
5/29/08
Mimi Writes had a good idea and decided to share it with others. I heard about it from Roger at Idaho Photo. Below is the story from Mimi herself. This is not a meme for which I will be tagging you. Please tag yourself and join the BlogBlast for Peace on June 4, 2008. I’ve already begun working on my post for peace. I think this is an idea worth supporting. Be sure to check out the blogs on June 4 whether you participate or not.
BlogBlast For Peace Meme ~ Join The Revolution
Here are the rules and the story.
Copy this into a post, ADD YOUR NAME to the bottom of the tag list and tag as many people as you’d like.
The Peace Globe project began in the fall of 2006 with a simple post from one blog, Mimi Writes. The post ignited a flame in the blogosphere. The flame became a passion. The passion became a movement. It amazingly traveled from blog to blog to blog across the globe. Bloggers wrote passionate articles on what peace means to them, along with the promise of three Latin words scribbled on a globe - Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace) - branded with the integrity of their names or blog names. It was positively inspiring to watch. And it began to happen all over the world - from Singapore to China to Afghanistan to Brooklyn.
It was simple. And powerful.
In less than one week bloggers from all across the globe will blog for peace.
We will speak with one voice. One subject. One day.
Won’t you join us? June 4, 2008
1. Choose one of the four Peace Globe designs in this post. Right CLICK and SAVE in JPG format. Grab the globe at the top or go HERE for other choices.
2. Sign the globe using Paint, Photoshop or a similar graphics tool. Decorate the globe anyway you wish. You can even include the name of your blog. Click here for hundreds of inspiring examples from previous BlogBlasts. If you need help with this, ASK! I will help you myself or send someone else to your blog.
3. Return the peace globe to me via email ~ mimiwrites2005 at yahoo.com - Let me know your blog’s name and url by leaving a comment here and signing the Mr. Linky. Your submission will be numbered and dated in the official gallery . Your globe and post will be listed on the Official BlogBlast For Peace website and The Peace Globe Posts page.
Here’s the most important part.
4. On June 4, 2008 DISPLAY YOUR GLOBE IN A POST. Title your post “Dona Nobis Pacem”. This is important. The goal is for all blog post titles to say the same thing on the same day. Write about peace that day or simply fly your globe. Click here for examples of peace globe posts from previous BlogBlasts.
I, Mimi Pencil Skirt, royally tag the following.
A Simple Life Alasandra & The Cats Amel’s Realm Amori,poesie,arte,chat by Hanna
And Miles To Go Before We Sleep… Another Desert Rat Anyhow Blogs Ask A Lesbian BearsMountain Bijoux & Banter Cafe At the End Of The Universe Caught In The Stream Clumsy Mommy Dottie’s Place Drowsey Monkey Feathering On My Nest Heart Of Rachel Hello?….Is This Thing On? In Search Of Life It’s All Good It’s Not A Weekend: It’s A Lifestyle JB’s Small World Julie’s Blog Just About Scrapping Just Me And My Creations
Just Write akeside Lair Laketrees Late Night Latte Leaping Before I Look Life Is A Roller Coaster Mama Pajama Maremagnum Marie Millard Maryannaville Momto3cubs My Dogs Keep Me Sane My So-Called Site Pet Monologues Rainbow In The Golden State Real World Mom
Reba’s Run Rooms Of My Heart ose’ World Sarah Spelled The Right Way Secret Monologues
Ship’s Log Of GT281 Simply Sassy Speedcat Hollydale Tarheel Ramblings Tell Me About It
That Grrrl The Backwoods Drifter The Cookie Sheet The Evil Blogger Twin The Furry Diva
The Gaytheist Agenda his And That this is Jo Beaufoix.com…..like Kate Moss, but not
This That and The Other Thing Vixen’s Den What She Said Too Will Write For Food
Witty Writer Gal Wonderland Or NotWorld So Wide Your Caring Angels Adams Wife’s Weblog
I shall return with Round 3 and an official globe count and list of missing locations…….
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE TAGGED TO PLAY.
Please consider passing this meme through the blogosphere.
This is Mimi Pencil Skirt reporting from the lovely land of the Peace Globes.
Memeing the Movement.
Won’t you please add your voice to the many others? No - it won’t instantly end all wars and conflicts around the world, but it will unite us in a common cause and perhaps reach millions who need to hear the hope of peace.
Filed under Photo Ops, Religion
This post is for Jientje and any others who have wondered about the white building visible in my weekly shots of the Snake River. The building is the Idaho Falls Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons). It shows up in all my pictures because it makes a good landmark to get the same shot each week. Since some of you have commented/asked about the building I decided to get some close-ups to share with you. These photos were taken the same day we had snow last week, hence the dark clouds.
The Temple from the Back
(This is the side you see in the river shots.)
Side view from the SW
From the Front
Thank goodness for computer editing. This shot was taken facing almost directly into the sun. I wasn’t sure it would come out at all. That’s the main reason I went around back and took another shot from there. I figured it would turn out a lot better. However, my Kodak editing managed to save it. For a larger image right-click on the photo and then choose “view image.” Clicking on the image again will enlarge it.
Filed under Family Life, Health, Religion
I’ve spent the weekend listening to LDS General Conference. I have been inspired to take charge of all aspects of my life. I have always felt that being in tune spiritually is the first step in taking charge. When I get my spiritual life in tune everything else seems to just fall into place - exercise, diet, family relations, and my moods. I do not suffer from depression when I tend to my spirituality. So, today is a new beginning. Let’s see how well I do, and how long I can hang on to the inspiration and keep going. How far will this take me?
Filed under Holidays, Religion
“Christ, the Lord, is risen today, A-a-a-a-le-e-lu-u-jah!”
“…Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?…”
Filed under Family Life, FunStuff, General, Religion, Silly Quizzes, Thursday 13
Edition 3
A meme for Thursday Thirteen, with a bonus because it’s a list of 20 things. Enjoy!
Here’s the rules: Remove 1 question from below, and add in your personal question, making it a total of 20 questions, then tag 8-10 people in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that they have been tagged.
1. At what age do you, or did you, wish to marry? I was married at 23 and again at 29. I don’t wish to marry again, ever.
2. What color do you like most? That would have to be blue.
3. Where do you want to go the most? I don’t have a lot of desire to travel. If I have to choose something, probably the inland cruise to Alaska. 
4. Which part of you do you hate the most? My dry skin. Sometimes I itch so bad you’d think I was an old dog with fleas. 
5. When you encounter a sad moment, what do you do? Experience it, and then move on.
6. What are you afraid to lose the most? My sanity
7. If you win $1 million, what would you do? Pay off all my doctors, buy a nice little house, hire a nurse so that Ed could come home until he dies.
8. What’s your wish for the year ahead? Better health than I’ve experienced in several years.
9. How did you celebrate the New Year? A party with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. Everyone went to sleep before midnight except my 8-year-old grandson and me. 
10. What one thing has had the greatest influence on your life? My membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has influenced everything I have ever done or hope to do.
11. Which type of person do you hate the most? Anyone who would abuse a child in any way - sexually, physically, emotionally.
12. What is your greatest ambition? To see my grandchildren grow to be good men and women.
13. If you had one wish what would you wish for? Money? Prestige? Fame? Fortune? World Peace? I don’t think so. I would wish to see the Second Coming of Christ.
14. Name one of your body parts your hubby or boyfriend tells you he adores: My boobs - They’re not as enticing as they used to be, but for some things he has a good memory. 
(not mine, but very similar)
15. What is the best gift you can give someone this year? Unquestioned love
16. List two of your Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions. I didn’t make any resolutions. I have, however, taken on two challenges this year - 1) Read and ‘report’ on 50 books, and 2) use up my yarn stash and unwanted fabric to make warm things to donate next winter, probably to the women’s shelter.
17. What is the craziest thing you’ll do or have done in 2008? I don’t generally plan ahead for craziness. However, anything crazy will probably involve my favorite cousin. We have been known to supply sound effects for a too-quiet fireworks display, 
to laugh until we wet ourselves, and to run away in the middle of the day to escape our children for a few hours.
18. What are the Top 2 things you are most thankful for in the year 2007 that made you even happier for 2008? One thing I’m thankful for from 2007 is blogging. I was a total novice when my friend, Zazzy, introduced me to the concept through her website Diabetic Round Table. It has helped me to feel connected to the world outside my home. It is also one of the changes that helped me out of a depression that was worsening rapidly. The other thing I am most thankful for is the improvement in my daughter’s mental health. She has struggled with mental illness related to her thyroid imbalance and resulting lack of sleep (sleep deprived psychosis) and from PTSD. She has grown stronger during 2007 and continues to be happier and healthier in 2008
19. What was the best lesson you learned in 2007? Never let a doctor operate on me with only a local anesthetic!
20. In this very moment, are you doing what you thought you’d be doing at this stage in your life? Nope! Not even a little bit. I learned a long time ago not to make too many plans for the future. You know what Bobby Burns said about the best-laid plans. I had a vague idea that at this point in my life I would be sharing a home with my husband where we had lived for a minimum of 15 years. 
We would have many friends in the community. Our family would look forward to coming to visit us. I would teach school for 9 months each year building up a nice retirement fund and then spend the summers gardening and preserving the harvest. Life happens when you’re making other plans.
I accepted a voluntary tag for this meme from Sandy at Momisodes. I will, like she, leave it up to you whether you would like to be tagged. If you decide to take the tag, let me know and I’ll add your link. Thank you.
Filed under Family Life, General, Religion
One day as I was surfing through the blogosphere I came upon a blog written by Solomon Broad wherein he posts each day a list of things for which he is grateful. In reading his daily lists I have been inspired to make a similar posting. So, in no particular order, the following are 13 things for which I am grateful:
1. My eyeglasses 
- I have for the last 45 years cursed my glasses (I was, of course, wearing eyeglasses when I left the womb). They slide up and down my face, they make my ears hurt, they fog up and I can’t see, when it is cold outside they conduct that cold into my face and make it hurt. I have learned from Solomon to be grateful for my glasses. Without them I would be helpless - I cannot see to watch tv, to drive, to blog on my computer, or to enjoy all the beauties of the world around us.
2. My son-in-law - he has provided me with 4 beautiful grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren and 4 step-great-grandchildren. He loves my daughter and takes good care of her. He invited me into his home to live and to have an area that is private for myself.
3. My God and His Teachings 
4. My parents who loved me unconditionally and taught me all that they knew (or at least all that I would learn). They set an example for me to follow that has never led me into trouble.
5. My sister and her husband - they listen to me whine, give advice when I need it - whether I want it or not, and love me despite knowing me so well. My sister has been there for me all my life since she first shared chocolate cake with me by climbing into my crib when I was 6 weeks old. 
6. My husband, Ed 
- He says when we met he knew he wanted me for his own and has never made me feel that he changed his mind.
7. My Chair 
- it holds me when I nap, accommodates grandchildren who need a lap to sit on, anchors me when the world becomes too exciting around me.
8. My car 
- it gets me where I need to go and has never let me down.
9. My grandchildren - they make me smile and remind me not to get too old, too soon.
10. A warm fire on a cold day 
11. Books 
- especially a really good mystery novel or one that makes me laugh.
12. My country
13. Change - how dull life would be if nothing ever changed, not the seasons, not the political leaders, not the fashions, not even my mind.
Filed under Religion
We share our church building with another congregation. So every year we switch off on times. This year we have services starting at 1:00 pm. So this blog is being written before I go to church. I am very optimistic about being able to attend services today.
I think I have isolated the cause of my frequent distress to one of the meds I have been taking. I talked to my doctor Friday and we agreed that I should stop taking it. I’m doing better already. I figure out what’s wrong, tell the doctor, and he agrees. Who should be paying who?
I enjoy attending church services each week. It gives me the illusion that I have a life. ;) I have conversations with adult people, get a chance to discuss issues and beliefs that are important to me, and have a really good reason to comb my hair and put on a bit of makeup. It’s a good thing.
