The Benefits of Age

Tonight I am at work. I just finished moderating a focus group composed of teens. And it was so painful!! There were nine of them, but the group just did not gel. I would ask question after question and they would sit there, afraid to speak, to express themselves. Even now, as they are waiting for their parents to finish up in another group, they are all sitting there not talking to each other.

It was so painful to deal with that it took me right back to high school. I can remember feeling that uncomfortable often back then. Once I asked a friend from church to take me with her to a neighboring school's football game. This friend was pretty and popular. She was active in student council and had many friends. At the game she flitted from friend to friend while I sat there not knowing what to say to anyone and feeling extremely insecure.

Let me just say that tonight I am glad not to be in high school anymore. I am so glad to know who I am, feel good about what I have become and the choices that I have made. That it is easy to sit next to someone I have never met before and talk, express opinions, and try to get to know them.

Age has its benefits!

Scripture of the Day: Matt 25:10

Emma

Did you enjoy watching Emma? Here is a clip that was cut from the Masterpiece Theater showing last night. I am not sure why because I think it is one of the best scenes. Plus, there was about five minutes of commercials after the screening was over last night. I would have rather watched this scene than the ads. Enjoy!

Saturday Morning Cartoons #16

I don't usually get political on my blog, but this was too humorous to pass up.

Have a great weekend!

Scripture of the Day: D&C 131:2

Double Duty

I love it when I find something that can help me multi-task. And yesterday I found a book that does just that. How Does the Holy Ghost Make Me Feel? (Carnesecca, Deseret Book 2010) is a cute children's book with a very practical side. In a simple manner it tells of the many different ways the Holy Ghost can make us feel, and then also provides scriptural references on each page.

Last night Sweetie Peach read the book (with a little help from me on a few different words) and really enjoyed it. She particularly liked the illustrations. I loved that she was learning eternal concepts while enjoying herself.

I also love the scriptural references because (you know me...) next month I will use the book for our morning scripture devotional and we will work through each different reference in the book. There are more than enough for the month, so it will be an easy-peasy task!

Scripture of the Day: D&C 132:15-16

A new pet

I ran out of time to post yesterday. Work ran late and then after dinner I took the girls to run errands. I got a lot done, except for posting. Which is too bad, because I needed to tell about out new "pet."

Steve was out changing the oil on the car in the night (he is such a night owl). He was doing it on the driveway (because for some strange reason the previous owners of this house carpeted the garage) when at one point he looked over and saw a large mouse on the lawn. Using a bowl, Steve caught the mouse and put it in an old terrarium we had sitting in the garage. He gave it a few pretzels and some water and then placed it on the back porch.

On the terrarium he taped a sign that reads:

"Don't Touch! I Bite!" (with a picture of a skull and crossbones)

Of course the kids think this new "pet" is super cool. They have shown it to all the neighborhood kids and have been proposing names for it.

But I think it is awful. What if we have mice in our house somewhere? What if the kids get bit? Who is going to take care of this germ-infested creature?

As you can tell, pets (in general) are not my forte. What should I do?

Scripture of the Day: Luke 20:34-35

Look Around You

Many times while writing this blog I struggle with knowing what to write. Honestly, I think I live a pretty boring life. I like to go to bed early, I rarely go out, and that leaves little to post about.

Today, however, I read on LDS Publisher the following quote, which made me think.

"Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day.
The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them.
Most people don't see any."
—Orson Scott Card

I am not seeing enough.

So, I decided to look around my office to find something to write about. And I did.

In our home office I have hung up my degrees, as well as Steve's. Steve and I both worked hard to graduate with Bachelor and Master's degrees. He at ASU, myself at BYU. We started dating about the time we were going to graduate school and had to lead a long-distance relationship for six months while doing so. I was glad to be able to finish my thesis courses in Arizona so we could get married. But now I am straying from my topic.

The four framed certificates figure prominently on one of the office walls. Inspecting the certificates closely reveals a lot about where we went, who we are, and our general backgrounds. But one of the most interesting things are the signatures on the certificates.

Steve's degrees are both signed by (among others) Fife Symington. Who is Fife Symington? He is a former Governor of Arizona. Here is what Wikipedia says: "Symington was indicted on charges of extortion, making false financial statements, and of bank fraud. He was convicted of bank fraud in 1997. As Arizona state law does not allow convicted felons to hold office, Symington resigned his office on September 5, 1997." Symington was not all bad, but the conviction is a black mark on his record; he was later pardoned by President Clinton.

My degrees are signed by contrastingly different people:

• Ezra Taft Benson (former US Secretary of Agriculture, prophet of LDS church for 10+ years)
• Rex E. Lee (former BYU president, man who has argued in front of the Supreme Court more than any other person)
• Gordon B. Hinckley (former LDS church president)
• Merrill J. Bateman (Emeritus general authority of the LDS church, former General Sunday School President, president of BYU 1996-2003)

These signatures tell a wonderful story about BYU. This institution is led by some of the greatest leaders of our time. Although it is not a perfect place (certainly not going to be lifted up to heaven any time soon), I am so proud to have such men endorse my education. I loved my time at BYU and will always hold a corner of my heart in reserve for the way my life was positively impacted and blessed by these good men.

I hope I can live up to legacy they have given me. And pay attention enough to the world around me to see the stories worth telling.

Scripture of the Day: Matt. 22:4

Come see me!

Today I am posting over at ANWA--it's a true story that wrapped up last night. I think you will enjoy it. Come see me and leave me a comment!

Have a great Monday!

PS, I will post February's new theme later today.