Sweet, I Think

The audio is Greek, but there are English sub-titles for my non-Greek speaking visitors.


I was not that good a mommy. Well, wait, maybe I was. I just don't remember! LOL

The Celestial Nature of Self-Reliance

This is the title of an article in the March issue of the Ensign. The newest issue is not available on line, but it is reprinted from a previous issue here. It is the text from a talk Marion G Romney gave in General Conference in October of 1982. Seeing that he spoke 30 years ago on this subject; it is truly amazing the insight he had into our day.

Consider these passages from the talk:

"Since the beginning of time man has been counseled to earn his own way, thereby becoming self-reliant. It is easy to understand the reason the Lord places so much emphasis on this principle when we come to understand that it is tied very closely to freedom itself."

"Many programs have been set up by well-meaning individuals to aid those who are in need. However, many of these programs are designed with the shortsighted objective of “helping people,” as opposed to “helping people help themselves.” Our efforts must always be directed toward making able-bodied people self-reliant."

"The practice of coveting and receiving unearned benefits has now become so fixed in our society that even men of wealth, possessing the means to produce more wealth, are expecting the government to guarantee them a profit. Elections often turn on what the candidates promise to do for voters from government funds. This practice, if universally accepted and implemented in any society, will make slaves of its citizens."

"We cannot afford to become wards of the government, even if we have a legal right to do so. It requires too great a sacrifice of self-respect and political, temporal, and spiritual independence."

He that hath an ear, let him hear... (Rev 3:6)

Insight on Love

When you are raising children, you know you are inadequate. That their spiritual, emotional and intellectual needs are greater than your ability to provide. Fortunately, parenthood is a co-operative effort between us and Heavenly Father. Reading my daughter's Valentine's Day comments on her blog yesterday, I realized* that He did his part excellently. She turned out great!

*Not that I didn't know that before! LOL

Days of Debate?

I just heard a report on Fox News Radio about the "compromise" on the Stimulus/Recovery Bill. The reporter said that after "days of debate" a compromise had been reached between the House and Senate versions of the bill.

Excuse me, but um, NO. The measure was passed in the House on January 28 after being introduced on the 27th. That was 2 weeks ago. It passed in the Senate on Tuesday of this week, the 10th after being introduced on the 3rd. The compromise was reached yesterday, one DAY after the Senate vote.

They have not had time to read it, understand it and certainly not to discuss the differences. This whole thing is a crock!

I'm disgusted. Really!

Gene Kelly

I was talking with friends about Gene Kelly, movie musicals, favorite songs, favorite scenes, etc, etc and yada yada... LOL I love musicals, I love to sing but I never learned to tap dance, or ballet. Today I was watching one of my favorite Gene Kelly movies, "It's Always Fair Weather". It has an amazing dance sequence; all on roller skates!

There Is Something About Kids

My oldest grandson enchanted my extended family when he was younger by singing "I Am A Child Of God". He was about 3 and it was brand new to them. The sound of a child singing is a beautiful thing, even if it isn't perfect. Of course, my grandson sounded perfect, but I don't have him recorded.

I found this little angel though. She's not singing "I Am A Child Of God", but she is singing my absolute favorite arrangement of "The Lord's Prayer".

Enjoy!

The Herminator's Intelligent Thinker's Movement

When in the course of human events...

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of Happiness.

We, the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Gives you goose bumps, doesn't it? Our founding documents are inspiring and as close to scripture as any sectarian document can be. The Declaration of Independence also says "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

A man I greatly admire, Herman Cain, believes that we must Take Back Our Government. In his words, "We, the people, must be able to provide succinct and intelligent feedback to Congress frequently and persistently. We can then hold them accountable intelligently at election time, which is our only leverage for holding their feet to the fire."

Have you called your Senator, your Congressman, your governor or your mayor? Have you told them what you want them to do? Have you written to them, emailed them? If you agree that our elected officials are not responsive to our wishes, check out H.I.T.M. If you don't agree with Herman, no problem. Find your own way, but let's take back America!

8 Things

1. Post rules on your Blog
2. Answer the 6 "8" Items
3. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving them a comment.

8 Favorite Shows

• NCIS
• Monk
• Psych
• What Not To Wear
• Glenn Beck (it will be when it starts Jan 19)
• Andy Griffith
• Designed to Sell
• Good Eats

8 Things I Did Yesterday

• Read the Sunday School lesson before class ;)
• Directed music
• Read blogs
• Studied Seminary lesson
• Cooked dinner
• Flirted with Ronald darling
• Emailed an old friend
• Went to bed on time!

8 Things I Look Forward To

• No mortgage
• Losing 60 more pounds
• Retirement
• Dental Work (really)
• Seeing my kids and grandkids
• Dinner at Tumbleweeds
• Seeing my brother and sister in law
• Vacation

8 Favorite Restaurants

• Tumbleweeds
• Texas Roadhouse Steakhouse
• Applebees
• Olive Garden
• Red Lobster
• Spaghetti Warehouse
• Any Chinese Buffet
• Cici's

8 Things on My Wish List

• Singing with the Mormon Tabernacle choir
• On stage in The Music Man (or any other musical comedy)
• Riding in a hot air balloon
• Enactment of the Fair Tax
• 401k returning to last year's balance
• Promotion and raise at work
• Appearing on What Not To Wear
• New house in new location

8 People to Tag

• Crazy Town
• Hudson Haven Happenings
• Run Run Rudolphs
• You Always Burn the First Pancake
• Williams Family
• Crazy and Happy Home
• Just Another Day in Paradise
• And the secret tag-ee; are you it? Let me know!

New Year's Resolutions

I will confess to making them and breaking them and starting over. But for now, I have an idea for you. Let me guess one of your typical (LDS) resolutions... is it more effective, spiritual, fun Family Home Evenings? Ding Ding Ding Ding!!!!!!!! I got it right.

Well, boy, do I have an idea for you! I'm going to try it to, if I can get Ronald darling to agree. Two oldish people get kind of used to counting dinner as FHE. Really.

But here's the good idea. There is a website that has used episodes of the Andy Griffith show, the original, not Matlock, as the basis for Sunday School lessons. They are fun, cute and spiritual. Honest.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

http://barneyfife.com/

This isn't a particularly spiritual clip, but speaking of Ronald darling.... I love the Darlin's!

Merry Christmas!!

It's Christmas Eve and we are all tucked in for the night. I'm leaving out cookies, just in case I made the Nice list this year. It's not a white Christmas, more of a gray one; but still the celebration of the birth of our Savior into the world. One of my very favorite, one of the most wonderful times of the year.

And to all a good night!