Light Solution

Saturday night Paul hung this light (that I love) above our dining table.  This is a light fixture that I purchased for the new home we were planning on building (prior to our moving here - our plans changed).  This item has sat in a shed collecting dust because we just didn't think it would work in this dining area because of the lower ceiling height.  However, we finally figured out that we could simply remove a foot of chain link on each side and that it would work perfectly!  Why didn't we think of this solution two years ago?  I love this new addition....our home is slowly become a part of me.

O Come, Emmanuel

I love John Schmidt (pianist) and Steven Sharp (cellist) also known as the Piano Guys.  I have seen them in concert and they are amazing!  

My Big Birthday

Today I turn 40 years old, can you believe it?  I just thought this birthday would be like any of the others, but NO -this one is different and memorable (already).  Paul skillfully planned a surprise party - it really was a surprise!  

It started out with Jody calling to ask if she could take my girls home after school to play.  Of course, my girls loved the chance to play but I was a little hesitant.  I really didn't want to drive across town later to pick them up because I had a terrible headache (result of my long nap).  But I thought I better let Jody "have her way" because we take turns being the "bossy one".  (Thanks Jody for assisting Paul with his secret plans).

So I drove to pick up the girls and Jody told me that we were going to drop off the girls at my house and then meet the guys somewhere.  I didn't know any better so I went along with the plan. But I did remind her that I don't really like surprises, because I like to be in control  (isn't that true!).  However, in the mean time, her and Paul had talked on the phone.  Paul warned her that I might not be in a good mood.  I didn't know I was upset, just not feeling my best.

So we came to my house to drop off the girls and I asked if she would like to see my newly painted living room.  When I opened the front door (it got stuck on the rug) I saw the Merrills just standing there by the fireplace!  Then I said, "OH NO!"  because it was all registering that something was amiss.  Then everyone yelled - SURPRISE and the party began!

The party was total hit!  Paul did such a great job with the food, the decorations, the games - everything!  I was totally amazed at his party throwing skills.  The party began with me blowing out all 48 candles - Porter didn't count.  But at least I know I can blow that many!

 We divided into teams and played several "Minute-to-win-it" games, including: chocolate unicorn, elephant march, bottoms up, defying gravity, paper dragon, ping tic tac, hanky panky, dance with me baby, use the backboard, and face the cookie.  

They gave me some funny gifts.  Of course, the depends from Tisha and David are going to come in handy really soon along with the walker from the Turleys!  Everyone was very kind and thoughtful - thanks for making my birthday a big one!

And a special thanks to my dear husband, Paul.  He threw me an over-the-top birthday even when I have been rotten all week!  I love you, honey.

 More pics and birthday news to come.....

I Have Enough

I found this free printable on Pinterest, check it out here.

Today I am thankful:

for a friend who exercises with me three times a week.
for all of you who have called/emailed/texted words of encouragement.
for good church leaders who provide additional fun learning activities for my children.
for a good book and a long nap (I love napping).
for a week of no school (next week) for the children - it means we can sleep in!
that the temple will be opening soon.
for lots of sisters (I have four of them, including 3 brothers).

Cake Boss to the Rescue

Yesterday was one of "those" days.  It just wasn't a happy day.  Usually I blog about the best parts of my life, the happy times, because who wants to see the laundry room piled high in clothes, the dirty bathrooms, the messy bedrooms, and the untidy kitchen?  But life isn't picture perfect, at least not in my home.

A couple weeks ago I dropped off Olivia at a friend's home.  On their front door they had a sign that read "Excuse the mess, our children are making memories".  I commented to the mother how much I liked the sign.  To my surprise, she made me a sign and sent it home with Olivia!  Now I have that sign on my front door for all to see.

Do you all have tough days?  I don't know what triggered my depressing emotions and unhappy day.

Was it:

• because a child told me that morning how much she hated me and that she always had?
• that I was tired (even though I had a long Sunday nap)?
• that I was jealous of other people's accomplishments?
• because my house was a mess?
• because I have heard enough complaining and whining from my children?
• because I felt like a family member didn't care to spend time with me after I drove a long ways to see her (this constantly bothers me)?
• because I am tired of being the initiator in some relationships?
• because I have felt "out of sync" in my calling lately?
• because my candidate lost the presidential election and that I am grieving that loss?
• because the weather turned cold and gloomy?
• because I am searching for my purpose and watching others find theirs?
• because I am lonely from spending day after day by myself with little social interaction?
• because I want more out of my relationships?
• because I am not spending enough time reading my scriptures and feeling the spirit?
• because I am cold and not liking our wood stove (a reminder of all the work it takes just to keep our home a little bit warm - I feel like a pioneer sometimes)?

Yesterday I had to fight off the urge from staying in bed all day.  I did try getting in bed at noon, but after laying there for 30 minutes and not falling asleep, I decided to get up.  That is when I had a tug of war with myself.  I forced myself to do something.  So I canned 7 more quarts of salsa - the last ones of the season and made dinner.  To help fight through my discouragement and gloom, I watched several episodes of the Cake Boss from Netflix while working in the kitchen.

Then I looked forward to dinner being over and the kids going to bed.  We had a quick FHE from Paul.  He might have been surprised when I asked if he could give a "one scripture verse lesson"!  After everyone was in bed, I crawled back into my bed by 8 pm.  Then I just cried my little eyes out.  Paul could tell that something was wrong.  He tried to comfort me (but nothing was working because I couldn't pin point why I was sad).   In the end all I wanted to do was be held in his arms and watch the Cake Boss with him!  We watched two episodes in bed and that brought a smile to my face.  I love their passion for cake decorating and for their creativeness.  I also like the love that they have for one another and their fun pranks.  This reminds me that a visitor in Sunday School reminded the class to take the time to show love and appreciation for family and friends.  When he shared his feelings, my heart was touched.  I think that is what I am needing...to just feel loved and appreciated.  I know I need to share my love with others so that they know how much they mean to me.  So today I will start counting my blessings.

This morning I knew that I needed to work through these feelings.....slowly.  I have battled with depression years ago and know where it can lead, so I don't want to go there.  Yet it is so hard to fight off those feelings.

Today's Blessing:  I am thankful for a healthy body.  As I went on a run with the dog this morning, I was thankful for the dog's constant pull of the leash.  He got me through the run.

The Star Spangled Banner Challenge

Madison Rising has a goal to reach 5 million views by July 4th!

Abrahamic Covenant 101

I came across this great resource that explains the Abrahamic covenant with illustrations.  We used this for our family home evening lesson last week.  It is very insightful for all of us!

P.S.  With this above storybook link, you have to be patient for it to load.  It won't show up right away on your screen because it's working.  Here is the direct link to her blog.

Olivia's Harry Potter Birthday

Yesterday I threw a birthday party for Olivia.  I hosted "friend parties" for all the kids this year (which is a rare treat....I only do this every couple years or so).  She has been in love with the Harry Potter books (she read all seven books in a couple months) so she asked for a Harry Potter party.  With the help of Pinterest and many hours, I was able to pull it off.

This morning when I was out looking for broom stick branches, I thought "what in the heck am I doing?"   I then reminded myself that I am doing this for Olivia because I love her.  This is what us, moms, do!

The party got started by sorting everyone into the four houses of wizards: Huffle Puff, Gryffindor, Slytherin, and Ravenclaw.  I didn't know how much fun the girls would have with just a simple activity.  Then we went on a snitch hunt using the Maruader's Map.  They each found a snitch (a Ferrero Rocher gold wrapped chocolate with attached wings) after searching everywhere inside and out.

Then we played a game of Bernie Bott's Beans, you never know what kind of bean you will be eating.  It could be licorice or skunk spray, canned dog food or chocolate pudding, or other surprising choices.

Dinner also brought some interesting foods, including:  Butter Beer, Herbology Bites (a baguette slice with flavored cream cheese and cucumber), Polyjuice Potion (chili cheese dip) and chips, Hogshead cornish balls (sweet and sour meatballs), witches' wands (Pirouline rolled wafers), chocolate covered frogs, Weasley brother's Fever Fudge, and french bread pizza.  Then we topped the party off with a Harry Potter Birthday cake (made by Aulina, one of Olivia's friends) and icecream.

I could tell the girls had a great time by their noise level!  Corbin told me he was grateful that we only have two girls in our family.  They were LOUD with all their happy noises and singing!

The 'Haves' and 'Have nots'

Thank you Suszette for sharing this quote with me.  Here is the transcript from this talk that was given at a BYU devotional in 1966 while he was in the quorum of the twelve (he later became our 14th prophet).  I started cutting and pasting bits and pieces of his talk but then felt like it was loosing it's meaning and power.  I have included it below in it's entirety, I bolded and italicized some key truths that spoke to me.  PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS POWERFUL MESSAGE ! --Tiffani

The Law of the Harvest: As a Man Sows, So Shall He Reap. Elder Howard W. Hunter. BYU Devotional. March 8, 1966

My dear brothers and sisters, what an inspiration and thrill it is to be with you on this oocasion. I congratulate you on your desire for an hour of worship in the midst of your classes and studies. I commend you for your devotion to the gospel and the Church which is so vital to the establish­ment of Zion, a society of the pure in heart, and for the advancement of the kingdom of God on the earth.

I approach my responsibility today with a sense of inadequacy and with a great desire for the blessings of the Lord. Will you share this responsibility with me? Will each of you offer a silent prayer within your heart that the Lord will inspire us today? If you will sincerely do so, and hunger and thirst for truth and righteousness and yearn for the understanding of the Spirit, I assure you that our prayers will be answered.

The Learning Process Lies Within You

Over 50 years ago a wealthy captain of industry was approached by representatives of Harvard University for a substantial contribution in cash to help establish and build a graduate school of business. At first this prominent industrial leader hesitated to contribute, until he was persuaded in his own mind of the worth and importance of this educational enterprise. Once convinced, he contributed many times more than what was initially requested of him.

As they were preparing for the dedicatory services they asked this great benefactor to make a speech. He declined. They tried to prevail, but again he declined. When the dedicatory services were being held, they again persisted and asked him if he would say but a few words on this important occasion. He stood before the assembly and essentially said: “I have but one thing I would like to say to you today, to the leaders and faculty and to the students of this business school …” Then after a long pause he said: “The learning process lies within.”
In these five words, “The learning process lies within,” is contained a wise and profound truth – a truth which to my understanding has helped shape the objectives and the methods of that great school of business for over a half century.

Responsibility for Education Is Yours

Beloved students, the learning process does lie within. The primary responsibility for your education here at Brigham Young University is yours. It is not the Church’s; it is not the administrators’ responsibility; it is not even your teachers’ – it is yours. To the degree you accept this responsibility and are diligent in discharging it, you will succeed, you will grow and develop an educated mind and an educated heart. As you are true to the laws of God you will develop a divine character.

To the degree that you do not accept this responsibility you will not grow and develop within. If you should “make it through school,” rather than obtain an education, you will receive only a diploma. This diploma may open certain doors of opportunity to begin with, but it will not keep them open. These doors of opportunity will only stay open if you truly become educated and grow and develop from within.

Resources and Opportunities

What does it mean to be responsible for your own education? It essentially means this: You realize fundamentally that your learning, your growth and development are based upon your own efforts. The teachers become a great resource for you – they represent a reservoir of knowledge; they stimulate your thoughts; they challenge your ideas, your concepts. They help you gain new ones; they give you abundant oppor­tunities for self-expression, for the development of your communication skills.

The library is also a resource, as are your textbooks and your fellow students. The whole atmosphere is conducive to learning. Grasp this opportunity. You may never be surrounded by more helps, more advantages and more opportunities in your entire life than you are right now.

You remember the essay of Elbert Hubbard, entitled “A Message to Garcia.” Let me read part of it.

When the war broke out between Spain and the United States, it was necessary to communicate quickly with the leaders of the Insurgents. Garcia was somewhere in the mountain fastnesses of Cuba – ­no one knew where. No mail nor telegraph message could reach him. The President must secure his cooperation and quickly.

Someone said to the President, “There is a fellow by the name of Rowan who will find Garcia for you, if anyone can.” Rowan was sent for and given a letter to be delivered to Garcia.

How the “fellow by the name of Rowan” took the letter, sealed it up in an oil-skin pouch, strapped it over his heart, in four days landed by night off the coast of Cuba from an open boat, disappeared into the jungle, and in three weeks came out on the other side of the Island, having traversed a hostile country on foot, and delivered his letter to Garcia – are things I have no special desire now to tell in detail. The point that I wish to make is this: McKinley gave Rowan a letter to be delivered to Garcia; Rowan took the letter and did not ask, “Where is he?”

Students, put this matter to a test. Suppose you are teaching a class. You give to your students an assignment for Friday after next to hand in an essay describing the essential elements of the President’s proposed national budget, giving their best over-all evaluation of it.

Will your students say, “Yes, sir,” and then go to the task and on Friday next, eleven days from today, hand in the finished assignment? Or will they come to you individually and ask: “Where can I find the President’s budget?” “Where is the information found? In magazines or books?” “What part of the library?” “What is the budget, anyway?” “Which President do you mean?” “What do you mean by ‘evaluation’? ”

Assume you have answered these questions. What, then, will happen Friday next? Will the asignments be handed in? By how many? Will there be some excuses such as: “Couldn’t get hold of the book – ­someone kept it out of the library too long,” or “I didn’t quite understand what you meant when you gave the assignment,” or “I just simply didn’t have enough time – can I hand it in late?”

Let us return to Elbert Hubbard’s closing paragraph:

My heart goes out to the man who does his work when the “boss “is away, as well as when he is at home. And the man, who, when given a letter for Garcia, quietly takes the missive, without any idiotic questions, and with no lurking intention of chucking it into the nearest sewer, or of doing aught else but deliver it, never gets “laid off,” nor has to go on a strike for higher wages. Civilization is one long anxious search for just such individuals. Anything such a man asks shall be granted. He is wanted in every city, town, and village – in every office, shop, store and factory. The world cries out for such: he is needed, and needed badly – the man who can carry a message to Garcia.

A True Story

To further illustrate the importance of accepting the responsibilities for your own education, I tell you a true story of a friend of mine as he learned this vital lesson the hard way.
In my friend’s university training, not here at the “Y,” he became “caught up” in an exciting new social life. He could fairly easily handle the academic side for he had a good mind and was capable of concentrating and memorizing under pressure.

His objective in university life was to get a degree and “have a lot of fun” in the process. He learned a short cut in getting what he wanted. Rather than paying the daily price of conscientious study and preparation for his classes, he learned to concentrate in his classes and to take thorough, exhaustive notes. He seldom bought textbooks, let alone read them. His preparation for his tests involved intensive cramming sessions in which he would summarize all of his notes and essentially memorize the summary. Like the open hungry sponge he would sop up all of the knowledge he could by cramming and then would squeeze it and squeeze it on the blue books until it was completely dry.

Using this “clever” study philosophy he consistently received good grades; in fact, he graduated from that university with honors, which, incidentally, reflects badly on both himself and the university. His goal was accomplished – he received his degree and had a lot of fun in the process.

He went on to graduate school. Then something happened. This school cared but little for knowledge alone and cared even less for a student’s ability to memorize and regurgitate. My friend was overwhelmed. Competition was stiff. The other students seemed far more informed than he; they seemed to be able to think more clearly, to analyze, and to create. They could communicate in a more organized, clear, and persuasive fashion. The school emphasized thinking and decision-making and the power to communicate.

My friend said to himself, “What have I done? I have deceived myself. My old short-cut techniques won’t work here. What can I do now?” For some time he tried to shift the responsibility; he wanted to excuse himself. He blamed his alma mater, his teachers, and then in honesty – himself.

It was a bitter pill he had to swallow. His classes demanded more than he could deliver. In his frustration he got his trained, self-disciplined roommate to do part of his work – the hard part. But his roommate couldn’t help him on his tests. Soon each day became a test, and for the first time in his life he faced real failure.

The Law of the Harvest

He learned the truth of the Law of the Harvest: As a Man Sows, So Shall He Reap. Little by little he had to unlearn his lazy school habits and learn new habits of diligence and perseverance and self-reliance. Even­tually, by paying the price of long, late hours, mental sweat, and continuous struggling for over two years, he was able to undo his past self-deceiving error and achieve a real success. He now attributes his real formal education to those two years.

Immutable Laws

The laws governing mental or social or spiritual development are as immutable and unswerving in their spheres as are the laws governing physical development. This coming week our great basketball team will make a bid for victory at the National Invitational Tournament in New York. Rather than conscientiously practicing basketball every day, what would happen if our team just took it easy, took the course of least resistance, and then the day before the basketball tournament really crammed in an intensive practice session? The foolishness of this is transparent.

Likewise, it is a foolish thing, a self-deceiving thing, to attempt to reap success to any endeavor by cramming or by any short-cut method. You cannot force the physical growth process overnight; neither can you force the mental growth process. People grow mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually only to the degree they obey on a daily basis the laws governing such growth.

The Lord tells us this clearly and powerfully:

There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated – And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (D&C 130:20–21 .)

“Every Act Rewards Itself …”

Many consider Ralph Waldo Emerson one of the wisest Americans. He discovered in his own way the truth that all blessings are predicated on obedience to both natural and spiritual law. His expression is very profound, so you must listen very carefully:

…Every secret is told, every crime is punished, every virtue rewarded, every wrong redressed, in silence and certainty…
Every act rewards itself, or in other words inte­grates itself, in a twofold manner, first in the thing, or in real nature; and secondly in the circumstance, or in apparent nature. Man calls the circumstance, the retribution. The casual retribution is in the thing and is seen by the soul. The retribution in the circumstance is seen by the understanding; it is inseparable from the thing, but is often spread over a long time and so does not become distinct until after many years. The specific stripes may follow late after the offence, but they follow because they accompany it….

I wish time would permit us to study this great essay.

Nations Also Subject to Basic Principles

My fellow students, what is true with an individual is also true with a nation. You can absolutely rely on this – a nation cannot violate basic principles with impunity, that is, without paying the awful price, anymore than an individual can violate basic principles with impunity.

We hear a lot of economic and political arguments going on around the country today. We have for a long time. Words like “socialism,” “free enterprise,” “the welfare state,” “states rights,” “federal control,” “human rights,” “property rights,” “communism,” are bantered around widely. You may wonder what these words mean. I wonder myself because they are used with such varieties of meaning. Often in your search to understand them you run into a barrage of more such words and even prej­udice and bull-headedness, and you come out of the fray more confused and more frustrated. I believe much of this can be simplified.

There is operating in your own daily life here at Brigham Young University the basic principles which lie at the heart of all of these argu­ments, words, and issues.

Socialism and the United Order Compared

Last week you were given a great message by Elder Marion G. Romney which was inspiring and profound. He compared socialism with the United Order. I encourage you to study carefully that message. He gave much of the basic theory, the principles, the similarities and the differences between these two basically conflicting systems. As I accept his premises, logic, and conclusions, with your permission, at this time, I would like to use his message as a springboard for my own. The basic principle in his message is the same principle in mine, as already discussed – the principle of the Law of the Harvest – As a Man Sows, So Shall He Reap.

From my own experience in business and as a lawyer and church worker, and from my firsthand observations in this country and other countries of the world, there appears to me to be a trend to shift responsibility for life and its processes from the individual to the state. In this shift there is a basic violation of the Law of the Harvest, or the law of justice. The attitude of “something for nothing” is encouraged. The government is often looked to as the source of wealth. There is the feeling that the government should step in and take care of one’s needs, one’s emergencies, and one’s future.

Just as my friend actually became a slave to his own ignorance and bad habits by refusing to accept the responsibility for his own education and moral growth, so, also, can an entire people be imperceptibly transferred from individuals, families, and communities to the Federal Government.

Right of Free Agency

The right to own and control private property is not only a human right; it is a divine right. We will largely be judged, if I understand the Savior’s teachings correctly (see Matthew 25 ), by how we use our property voluntarily for the blessings and benefit of our Father’s other children. President McKay continually teaches us that this right of free agency is our most precious heritage. It is our greatest gift in this world and is to be valued even more than life itself.

If you deprive a man of his right to fail in the righteous use of his property, you also deprive him of his right to succeed. If you remove from a man his right to “go to hell,” you likewise remove his free agency to go to heaven. Satan’s entire philosphy is based on a “something for nothing” philosophy: salvation without effort – a free gift. This counterfeit doctrine was rejected by God our Father. Our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, accepted our Father’s plan and agreed to pay the infinite price to become our Savior and Redeemer and to show us the way back to the Father. The way is often the hard way. It is the Law of the Harvest. It is the same basic law in the spiritual realm which the farmer must obey in the physical realm. He plants in the spring and cultivates, waters, weeds, and nourishes the ground and its new life and then harvests in the fall.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ Restored

Christianity in its fulness and truth has been restored to the earth by direct revelation. The restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most significant fact since the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What was restored? In a very real sense, the true Law of the Harvest was restored – the law of justice, the law of mercy, the law of love. It was restored in a free country under the influence of a God-inspired Constitution which created a climate of freedom, opportunity and prosperity. The basic virtues of thrift, self-reliance, independence, enterprise, diligence, integrity, morality, faith in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ, were the principles upon which this, the greatest nation in the world, has been built. We must not sell this priceless, divine heritage which was largely paid for by the blood of patriots and prophets for a mess of pottage, for a counterfeit, a false doctrine parading under the cloak of love and compassion, of humanitarianism, even of Christianity.

Working on the Roots of Prosperity

Under a free enterprise economy, little more than 6 percent of the population has produced nearly half of the world’s goods. We can today best wage a war on poverty by working on the roots of prosperity, not by sapping their vital strength. To sap the self-reliant spirit of enterprising independent souls in the development of a welfare state can bring only “poverty equally divided.” When the responsibility for their own welfare is completely shifted from the shoulders of individuals and families to the state, a lethal blow is struck at both the roots of our prosperity and our moral growth.

What is the real cause of this trend toward the welfare state, toward more socialism? In the last analysis, in my judgment, it is personal unrighteousness. When people do not use their freedoms responsibly and righteously, they will gradually lose these freedoms.

Let me illustrate: If I, as an employer, in my policies and practices exploit my employees, I will either lose them and my business, or my employees will gather together and threaten to strike me. They will strive to exercise an influence on the legislative process so that laws will be enacted dictating fair employment policies and practices, thus limiting my freedom to determine these things for myself.

If man will not recognize the inequalities around him and voluntarily, through the gospel plan, come to the aid of his brother, as outlined by Brother Romney, he will find that through “a democratic process” he will be forced to come to the aid of his brother. The government will take from the “haves” and give to the “have nots.” Both have lost their freedom. Those who “have,” lost their freedom to give voluntarily of their own free will and in the way they desire. Those who “have not” lost their freedom because they did not earn what they received. They got “something for nothing,” and they will neither appreciate the gift nor the giver of the gift.

Vital Freedoms Endangered

Under this climate, people gradually become blind to what has happened and to the vital freedoms which they have lost – just as my friend, the student, was blind to what was really happening as he took the short­cut route through school, until one day he was caught up in a new reality, demanding far more than he was prepared to deliver.
Let me remind you of the first thing Cain said after he murdered Abel. In his blind fury and hatred and envy of his brother, he swore to himself and to Satan in secret that he would kill his brother because Abel’s offering in righteousness was accepted by the Lord where his own was not. Listen carefully:

And Cain went into the field, and Cain talked with Abel, his brother. And it came to pass that while they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and slew him.

And Cain gloried in that which he had done,saying: [Now listen to this.] I am free; surely the flocks of my brother falleth into my hands.

And the Lord said unto Cain: Where is Abel, thy brother? And he said: I know not. Am I my brother’s keeper? (Moses 5:32–34 .)

Cain said that he was free. How deceived he was. In fact, he became a slave.

A thief takes something and gives nothing. He thinks he is free but sooner or later his freedom vanishes into walls and bars. Likewise, a person becomes a thief of his own soul by deceiving himself that he can live unrighteously, immorally, that he can cheat, lie, and take advantage of his neighbor; but all the while he is imprisoning himself behind bars and walls of his own making. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked.” (Galatians 6:7 .)

Freedom Through Personal Righteousness

Dear students, the only way we can keep our freedom is through our personal righteousness – by handling that freedom responsibly. We are our
brother’s keeper. We must be concerned for the social problems of today. We must take that responsibility upon ourselves according to the gospel plan but not according to the socialistic plan.

You know that it is vain and foolish for a doctor to criticize the symptoms of a disease and refuse to work upon the roots. So, also, it is superficial to only criticize socialism and the welfare state and the many other evil “isms” growing up among us unless we work upon the roots. Thousands of you here have served missions. You worked upon the roots. It is only in the changing of a man’s heart – a second birth – the changing of an individual, that the root strength comes to change a people or a nation.

Righteousness, Responsibility, Freedom

I sincerely hope that the net effect of this message this morning is that each of us, each of you, will be ever more determined to live righteously. Why? Because righteousness and freedom are inseparable, just as respon­sibility and freedom are inseparable.

If you are dishonest in your dealings, if you cheat in your examinations, you are sowing the seeds of slavery and you will reap that harvest even though you might rationalize to yourself, “I am free.” If you are involved in necking and petting and immoral practices, you are becoming enslaved to your own passions and appetites, even though in your self-justifying pride you may say, “I am free.” If you, yourself, resist these satanic temptations and determine to pay the daily price, to live the Law of the Harvest by clean, moral thoughts and practices, by upright, honest dealings, by integrity and conscientiousness in your studies, by fasting, prayer and worship, you will reap the harvest of freedom and inner peace and prosperity.

What Can We Do Now?

What can you do here and now? First, resolve to live the Law of the Harvest and realize that this will involve a price, and with some that price will be very, very heavy. Then go to work, resisting temptation, overcoming bad habits, and developing the good habits of an upright character, and be a diligent student. A wise educator and leader, William George Jordan, beautifully describes this process of acquiring self-control:

It is only the progressive installment plan Nature recognizes. No man can make a habit in a moment or break it in a moment. It is a matter of development, of growth. But at any moment man may begin to make or begin to break any habit. This view of the growth of character should be a mighty stimulus to the man who sincerely desires and determines to live nearer to the limit of his possibilities.

Like the light set on a hill, like the leaven of a loaf, you will influence for good our entire country and help preserve this great Republic and its inspired Constitution and its great climate of freedom.

The Real Issue Is Righteousness

God will preserve our country and protect it from all enemies, within and without, if we will worship the God of this land, who is Jesus Christ. The real issue is righteousness. We must not pray, as did Augustine, “O God, make me clean, but not yet.”

I witness that Jesus Christ lives, that He is the Author of freedom and the perfect exemplar of the Law of the Harvest.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatso­ever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7 .)

We love you and believe in you, and in a very real measure we entrust the future of our country and great Church into your worthy hands. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Family Time - Let's Pull Together

We decided to make election day a family event with a party and fun!  We enjoyed the great weather outside before enjoying our All-American dinner.  Olivia and Vivian gave a final cheer "Go Mitt" as they rode around outside.  I thought for sure the cat was in the bag and we could have a night of celebration (and maybe a few days to enjoy a sigh of relief).  But the night ended very differently than what I expected and Mitt Romney was not elected for presidency, instead the people chose to re-elect our current leader, President Obama.  Another four years!  For the first time in history two states, Maryland and Maine, voted by the people's vote to honor gay marriage and Colorado and Washington voted to legalize the use of recreational marijuana.  What is America coming to?

It's time to double down and get even more serious about the fight of good versus evil.  I know we are living in the last days before Christ comes.  I have a greater responsibility as a mother to teach and shield my children from the works of darkness.  I will fight until the end.  I will stay strong and true to my values and principles.  I will continue to link arms with family and friends in this great battle.  May we strengthen each other in the great cause of righteousness. ---Tiffani

 

I had fun capturing some memories!

Vote for Revenge or for the Love of Country?

 And at the time the Republican congress...and a senate candidate by the name of Mitt Romney (Boos from crowd) No, no, no. Don’t boo. Vote. Vote. Voting’s the best revenge. – Barack Obama

Did you see what President Obama said today? He asked his supporters to vote for revenge. For revenge. Instead I ask the American people to vote for love of country. - Mitt Romney

Get out and vote today!

Election Day is Tomorrow!

Tomorrow we vote!  I think my children are beginning to understand the importance of our right to vote and how much this election means to me and our country.  I am going to make it a special day.   We will enjoy the All-American hotdog, a patriotic taco salad, along with an American Apply pie (homemade and my favorite recipe), some patriotic popcorn to snack on while watching the polls close, and a layered red, white, and blue jello salad!  In addition to enjoying all this food,  Olivia told me that she was excited to color in an electoral college map.  Need some party decor?  Here is a link for election labels, to make it real!

Get out and vote tomorrow!

Menu Monday

Crunch Wrap Tutorial
Classic Tomato Soup & Tuna Melts
I canned my own sweet and sour sauce this year - that was a first for me.  It makes for an easy meal when I add that to meatballs that I pull out of the freezer.

Someday:
Caramel Apple Bundt Cake

Final Call to Ohio

I anxiously await the election this Tuesday. 
"We have to be people that behave like people determined to be free." 

From the Blaze:  "With just four days until arguably the most important election in a generation, Glenn Beck andFreedomWorks CEO Matt Kibbe hosted a gathering of conservatives from across the country in the crucial swing state of Ohio on Friday. The event was aptly titled “The Revolution Rises,” a final call to action for grassroots fiscal conservatives to Get out the Vote (GOTV).

“Hello Ohio,” Beck said to cheers. “This is the group that is about to change the world…and you are going to do it on Tuesday.”

Opening his impassioned keynote speech, Beck read a letter that a fan wrote to him who had nearly hit rock bottom after losing custody of his son, his financial security and being forced to live in a tin storage unit. Beck got choked up as he read the words, but he plowed through the letter anyway. The man, as Americans tend to do, picked himself up from the depths of his misery and committed to living his life around the following motto: “The moment a man stops trying to do his best is the moment a man starts to do his very worst.”

Today, the listener who wrote to Beck is a different man. He rebuilt his career, restored his financial situation and even regained custody of his son. He was also in the crowd at the rally on Friday and got a shout out from Beck himself.

Beck went on to tell the crowd that America is at a crossroads, and the country will take one of two very different paths come Tuesday, Election Day.

“We have become a zero sum nation,” he explained. “One family goes up the ladder, another one has to come down.”

In other words, a “zero sum nation” is one where individuals think they can only do better if it is at someone else’s expense. But that’s not the way it has to be, he added.

“This Tuesday you’re going to send a message to the whole world. On Wednesday we’re going to wake up to a new America,” said Beck.

He went on: “Our choice on Tuesday is greatness, not mediocrity, but greatness. Not just holding on, but greatness. That is the choice: to be better than we ever have in our lifetime. It is an honor to be those people who strive to be so much more.”

Watch Beck’s keynote address at the FreedomWorks even in Ohio on Friday via UStream:  (His speech begins at the 1 hour mark).

Video streaming by Ustream

Beck also made sure to discuss the ongoing scandal erupting out of Benghazi, Libya, where four Americans were killed in a fiery terrorist attack on Sept. 11.

Regarding Mercury Radio Arts’ charity Mercury One and Hurricane-ravaged New York City, Beck told a cheering audience that the organization had already raised over $1.2 million in funds for the city from good-hearted Americans. Even though NYC has treated him and his family terribly over the years, Beck said he was proud to take part in helping the city.

“America this is your moment! Ohio this is your moment! This is the moment you lead us out! This is the moment where you give us courage and lead the way so America gets off the mat and knocks the bullies out,” Beck proclaimed, concluding his fiery speech.

Pumpkin & Friend Time

The girls had another couple days of no school for parent teacher conferences.  (They have had 9 days of no school while the boys have had no breaks)!  We had the Richael girls over for the afternoon.  The all carved pumpkins and kept themselves busy.  It was the easiest pumpkin carving event because Emily and Amanda helped my girls!  It was fun to watch them work together.  

Happy Halloween

 As tradition for the past few years, we went trick or treating with the Richael family. Jody and I took the girls around the neighborhood (our old stomping grounds) while the guys manned the door.  It was pretty funny coming back and seeing Paul giving the kids candy - where was Craig?  Vivian was an easy cat and Olivia dressed up as Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter (Olivia read the whole set in just a few weeks).

Corbin Takes the Girls on a Date

Corbin was so kind to take Olivia and Vivian on a date to Linder Farms (where he worked the past month).  They were thrilled to see part of the corn maze and to buy a few treats.  Thank you Corbin for being such a good big brother!

Menu Monday

I am making a couple repeats (Zesty Ravioli Skillet and White Chili) and the others I didn't make last week.  Who knows what we ate instead?

Zesty Ravioli Skillet  - this is a delicious meal all in one skillet. This is my second time making it.
Coconut Curry Soup  - I didn't get to this recipe last week.
Creamy White Chili (crockpot) - this was a delicious soup enjoyed by my family.  It's a keeper.  Next time I need to quadruple the recipe so we have leftovers.  I 2 1/2 x the recipe and it was only enough for dinner that night and for the kids to take soup in their lunch thermos containers.
Jalapeno's Spinach Enchiladas - it looks good.
Spinach Artichoke Pasta (from the Pioneer Woman - it looks delicious)
Smothered Pork Chops (crockpot)  Hopefully I remember to plan ahead this Sunday!

Attempting a Ruffle Scarf

Today I got my sewing machine out for the first time in years!  I thought this would be a 15 minute project, but it wasn't, isn't that always the case.  I saw this ruffle scarf (or a similar one) at My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe in Logan, Utah. I thought it was cute so I bought some ruffle fabric and attempted it today (just in time for Halloween).  I followed the directions found here (click on the photo) that they demonstrated for Studio 5.  I thought I knew what I was doing from the short video.  However, it took me a phone call to the quilt shop to understand that there are slight variations that you can do with this scarf.  On my scarf (5 ruffles wide), I sewed down the scarf three times with the stretchy elastic in my bobbin (I wouldn't have known to do that from the video....I thought it was one time down.  But when my scarf looked a little strange I called the store for further instruction).  The one shown on display was down with a narrower scarf (only two ruffles wide) just doubled up with another scarf.  

I made a flower out of a sweater (that shrunk) using the technique she used in the video segment to make fabric pumpkins.  My flower turned out a little big with the 5" square, next time I would reduce it to a 3 or 4" square.

Time to Clean out the Fridge

I've been stuffing the fridge for the past several weeks so today was the day to clean it out!  I just hate seeing how much food that I have to throw out because it goes bad.  Deseret News had an interesting article back in June 2012 about this "food money pit", which suggestions that we waste 14% of our food purchases (read a segment below).  The article gives suggestions of ways to cut how much we waste.  Today I saved some food by giving it a new life in the freezer. 

I learned that I can freeze jalapenos, fresh ginger root, tomatillos, and spinach (which usually goes rotten in the fridge).  I put together several freezer bags with ingredients for green smoothies!  Now instead of finding these items stuck in the back of my fridge rotting, I can find them fresh and preserved in the freezer. 

From the article:  "Food waste costs each family in America big time — growing by 50 percent since 1974 according to a study inPLoS ONE by Kevin D. Hall, Juen Guo, Michael Dore, and Carson C. Chow.

And how much is being wasted?

A 2004 study by Timothy W. Jones, who was an anthropologist at the University of Arizona at the time, put the national food waste figure (including all the food wasted in production, food manufacturing, restaurants, etc.) between 40 and 50 percent. He found households waste 14 percent of their food purchases.

American households spent an average of $6,129 on food in 2010 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If Jones' figure of 14 percent waste is correct, that is about $858 per year or about $71 a month wasted on food thrown out. Some food waste experts say the food waste figure is as high as 25 percent or about $1,532 a year."

The Mouse Wins

After losing Smokey our beloved cat, we rescued a cat from the animal shelter.  This new cat, Ninja, has made himself right at home.  He is a nice, loving cat BUT he can't catch a mouse and that is what we need out here in mouse country.  We are having to use mouse traps again.

This mouse has me baffled!  Are all mice like this?

Soccer Season Ends

 Porter enjoyed another season of soccer at M.Pal.  He had a coaches and teammates - he is looking forward to playing again in the spring.  Porter usually played half of each game as the goalie.  He did a great job and got after that ball.  Way to go, Porter!  

He had two sets of grandparents cheering him on this last game along with two cousins, Lacy and Braden.  Thank you for all your support.

  Corbin played JV soccer for KHS.  It was his first year playing school soccer.  He had a good season and got in great shape with their daily practices (M-F).

Way to go, Corbin!

Menu Monday (late)

Here is my menu for the week

I don't always follow my plan, for instance, we had the Zesty Ravioli Skillet on Sunday!  I cook according to my mood or time restraints so often times I re-shuffle the days or I don't cook at all.  So don't feel like you have follow your menu 100% of the time; be flexible.

Note:  These are all new recipes to me.
Creamy White Chili (crockpot) - this was a delicious soup enjoyed by my family.  It's a keeper.  Next time I need to quadruple the recipe so we have leftovers.  I 2 1/2 x the recipe and it was only enough for dinner that night and for the kids to take soup in their lunch thermos containers.
Zesty Ravioli Skillet  - this was a delicious meal all in one skillet.  It's a keeper.  
Creamy Swiss Cheese Chicken Bake
Smothered Pork Chops (crockpot)
Coconut Curry Soup  - I stocked up on coconut milk during my last grocery trip (23 cans).  I love curry!
Southwest Chicken Stacks (crockpot)
Spinach Artichoke Pasta

Our Temple is Almost Ready!

From the LDS newsroom:  The First Presidency has announced a public open house beginning Saturday, 13 October and continuing through 10 November 2012, excluding Sundays. Tickets for the free tour are available by visiting www.boisemormontemple.org or by calling 1-855-537-2000.

The temple is located at 1121 South Cole Road in Boise, just north of the I-84 Cole Road exit. Tours, consisting of a 12-minute video presentation followed by a 30-minute walking tour through the temple, will begin at the meetinghouse adjacent to the temple.

Following the public open house, the temple will be formally dedicated on Sunday, 18 November 2012. Three dedicatory sessions will be held, with the services broadcast to Latter-day Saint chapels in the surrounding area to accommodate Church members who are unable to attend in the temple. The dedication will be preceded by a cultural celebration featuring music and dance by the youth of the Church on the evening of Saturday, 17 November.

The Boise Temple is the 27th operating temple of the Church’s 139 temples worldwide. It is one of four temples in Idaho, with others in Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, and Rexburg. A fifth temple in Meridian is currently in the planning and approval phase.

The temple closed in July 2011 for an extensive renovation of the grounds and the interior. The temple’s exterior has been replaced with white granite. A new gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni sits atop the temple’s tallest spire. The temple’s interior now features a syringa flower and trees motif, which can be seen in the art glass and decorative painting. Beautiful grained hardwoods from Africa and the United States add warmth and ambience.

 Latter-day Saint temples differ from the meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Temples are considered “houses of the Lord” where Jesus Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. Inside, members learn more about the purpose of life and make covenants to serve Jesus Christ and their fellowman."

 I am totally on fire about the temple being open for public tours!  The very first day that it opened, we were there!  Then I was able to go with Danielle, my sister-in-law and again with my friend, Kim.  Then I went a fourth time on Saturday with my family (their second time) since we had extended family in town.

 It is absolutely breath taking!

 I can feel the spirit there and I look forward to it's dedication on Nov. 18th.

I am getting excited to return to the temple, I have felt a void of not being able to attend as frequently as I would like. I look forward to making it a weekly commitment again.