This got me thinking...

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."
Albert Einstein

I have had a lot of opportunities the past few months! I hope I have (or am) making the most of them.

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Scripture of the Day: 2 Nephi 32:3

Movie Review: Julie & Julia

I had been wanting to see this movie for about a month when my mom called me on Saturday and asked if I wanted to go with her to an afternoon showing. I rushed through the grocery shopping to make it on time, but definitely felt it was worth it. Julie & Julia is a cute show about two women: Julia Child (famous chef and cookbook author) and Julie, a New York wanna-be writer working a boring government job. Julie decides to blog about cooking her way through Julia Child's famous cookbook (Mastering the Art of French Cooking). 547 recipes in 352 days.

The story, well crafted by the talented Nora Ephron, goes back and forth between Julia's life in Paris (where she learns to cook) and Julie's life in New York blogging about her cookbook journey. I loved the French scenes and the 1950s fashion--it was really beautifully done. The contrast between the two time periods (worlds, really) is nicely highlighted. For example, while Julia Child lived in a beautiful French home, Julie's 900 sq. ft. apartment over a pizzaria was not decorated to be New York chic. I appreciated that honesty.

I also loved Meryl Streep's acting and would have liked the film to have given her more of a majority of the time rather than balancing it out with Julie (not that Amy Adams does a poor job--she doesn't). Streep's ability to bring Julia Child back to life is likely to get her several nominations, if not awards.

What did I not like about Julie & Julia? The use of occasional swear words (when they really were not necessary), an underwear-kissing scene (quite a few sexual references, to be honest), and Ephron's blatant support of the DNC (does everything have to be political nowadays?).

Would I see it again? Definitely. This may even be worthy of my library in the future. Especially if we get a ClearPlay.

Scripture of the Day: 2 Nephi 28:7-9

The 5 Ws

Keep in mind when reading scriptures as a family that the more background you can give, the better your children will understand and appreciate the scriptures. If you feel inadequate in your knowledge of the background, then make answering the 5 Ws part of your family study assignment.

• Who: Look for who is speaking or writing the verse(s) being studied. This is usually found in the chapter heading.

• What: Determine the main topic of the verse(s)--if it is part of a story, for what church talk topic might you use this story? Look at the footnotes for TG (Topical Guide) synonyms.

• Where: At what location was the verse(s) given? Occasionally this is given in chapter headings, but you may have to search earlier verses to find where.

• When: What year is it? The dates for verses are given down by the footnotes in the Book of Mormon; in the D&C check the section header.

• Why: What precipitated the writing of these verses? Sometimes the why is given, other times you and your family may have to think of possible reasons.
  

Working together as a family to answer these 5 Ws will help your kids learn how to use footnotes, chapter headings, and other study helps (such as the Bible Dictionary or Topical Guide). Additionally, you will find there will be more family discussion about the scriptures read in general.

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Scripture of the Day: 2 Nephi 9:28-29

New Mormons Made Simple Video

Earlier this year I posted a video from Mormons Made Simple. They have recently posted two new videos on their site--this one on LDS missionaries is my favorite of the two.





Mormons Made Simple has also launched a new program called the Facebook Missionary Challenge to help members share their beliefs online. Be sure to check it out!

Scripture of the Day: 2 Nephi 2:27

Happy Friday

Those darn BYU Police have not been on the beat for a few weeks now. I am beginning to go through withdrawal! Hopefully, since BYU starts up again soon, the police will be back on duty as well.

But in the meantime, here is another of David Letterman's Top Ten Lists to get you laughing as Labor Day weekend starts. It's a football one to honor the beginning of the season. Enjoy!


Top Ten Signs Your Team Won't Be Going to the Superbowl

10. Last year's mascot is this year's quarterback.

9. They dump Gatorade over the coach after they win the coin toss.

8. Just to be on the safe side, they often punt on the first down.

7. Inner-ear condition makes it impossible for starting halfback to stay between sidelines.

6. Team beaten by local teens in halftime "Punt, Pass, and Kick" competition.

5. Incredible goal-kicking mule no longer willing to play for apples.

4. Players constantly addressing each other as "girlfriend."

3. They are only giving 109 percent.

2. During last quarter, you notice players leaving early to beat the traffic.

1. Instead of helmets, halved honeydew melons!

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Scripture of the Day: 2 Nephi 2:25

I am feeling guilty

Today I had to do something that I now feel guilty about. It had to be done though. My husband wanted me to take care of it, as well as my parents. And even I feel somewhat glad that I have done it. But in the doing I had to be sort of unkind to someone I care about. This person has not been kind to me at all lately (sometimes family members treat each other that way), but it still does not justify things in my mind.

I hate feeling guilty.

Maybe Nephi felt a few twinges of guilt after slaying Laban.

(No, I did not kill anyone.)

Note to self: Never loan money to a family member again.

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Scripture of the Day: 1 Neph 19:23

New Month, New Theme

Welcome September!

September means:

• Beginning of the best time of the year,
• Labor Day fun,
• Football (Go BYU!),
  
• Cooler night temperatures,
• The desire to wear sweaters (although still completely impractical in AZ),
• Time to start planning for Halloween costumes, Christmas shopping, and Patch's birthday,
• And apple season! Yum!

And since it is a new month it is also time for a new scripture study theme. Is everyone ready to move onto Book of Mormon scripture mastery scriptures? These are some of the best of the best, so enjoy.

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Scripture of the Day: 1 Nephi 3:7