Laine and I went to see Man of Steel in the expensive theater. Usually we wait to see movies in the $3 theater, but we wanted to do something a little special.
We both loved the movie! I had a hard time letting go of "past superman" at first, but once I just accepted that this wasn't going to match what I "knew" of superman, then I was fine and really enjoyed it.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Thoughts on the atonement
I've been thinking about some comments I received regarding the man who stole my retirement money. It's caused me to ponder forgiveness and the atonement again.
I look at it this way. Yes, the man did wrong. Yes, he should be held accountable (forgiveness and accountability are not the same thing). Yes, losing the money hurt me tremendously financially speaking. However, there is a BIG caveat.
When I accepted Jesus' atonement in my life, I also accepted that his atonement is active in the lives of others. When Jesus died for our sins, he died for ALL of them...the ones that are repented of and the ones that aren't. He paid the price for every sin...made an infinite atonement. This transfers the burdens of all the sins that others commit against us onto the shoulders of our Savior. So in this case, when I forgive the man who stole my retirement, I am really "forgiving" Jesus...who, though he did no wrong, already paid the full price of this man's sin. It's hard to forgive a man who steals my savings and that of many of my friends, who transfers all of his assets to his wife, divorces her, declares bankruptcy and runs off to Panama to play with his ill-gotten gains. But my Savior, who died for me, comforts me, and teaches me daily about his grace...toward him, I can hold no ill will. And he is the Mediator between me and those who sin against me.
It is hard to remember these principles at times. I'm only human, and I struggle from time to time to forgive others. But because I am constantly needing his forgiveness, I am often reminded that the atonement is there not just for me, but for others. And that makes all the difference.
I look at it this way. Yes, the man did wrong. Yes, he should be held accountable (forgiveness and accountability are not the same thing). Yes, losing the money hurt me tremendously financially speaking. However, there is a BIG caveat.
When I accepted Jesus' atonement in my life, I also accepted that his atonement is active in the lives of others. When Jesus died for our sins, he died for ALL of them...the ones that are repented of and the ones that aren't. He paid the price for every sin...made an infinite atonement. This transfers the burdens of all the sins that others commit against us onto the shoulders of our Savior. So in this case, when I forgive the man who stole my retirement, I am really "forgiving" Jesus...who, though he did no wrong, already paid the full price of this man's sin. It's hard to forgive a man who steals my savings and that of many of my friends, who transfers all of his assets to his wife, divorces her, declares bankruptcy and runs off to Panama to play with his ill-gotten gains. But my Savior, who died for me, comforts me, and teaches me daily about his grace...toward him, I can hold no ill will. And he is the Mediator between me and those who sin against me.
It is hard to remember these principles at times. I'm only human, and I struggle from time to time to forgive others. But because I am constantly needing his forgiveness, I am often reminded that the atonement is there not just for me, but for others. And that makes all the difference.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Financial News
Well, the man who stole $25,000 of my retirement savings is going to jail for 6 years, 6 months and will be under "supervised release" for another 3. He has been ordered to make restitution for the $3.3 million he stole from us and other investors. Yeah, right. Like that will ever happen.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
My chili was a flop - literally. :)
Yesterday on my way to a party with a big bowl of chili in the backseat, traffic came to a very sudden stop thanks to one idiotic driver. I had to step pretty hard on the brakes to avoid an accident (along with about twenty other drivers), and the chili flopped onto my floor. What a mess!
Later in the evening, I stopped at a gas station and cleaned off the floor mat while getting gas, and I could tell others around me thought it was vomit by their reactions (groaning, grimacing, etc).
As I was relaying this story to my almost 16 year old son this morning, he said, "Mom, you should have dipped your finger in the chili and licked it in front of them!"
I haven't been able to stop laughing since. Why didn't I think of that?
Later in the evening, I stopped at a gas station and cleaned off the floor mat while getting gas, and I could tell others around me thought it was vomit by their reactions (groaning, grimacing, etc).
As I was relaying this story to my almost 16 year old son this morning, he said, "Mom, you should have dipped your finger in the chili and licked it in front of them!"
I haven't been able to stop laughing since. Why didn't I think of that?
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Sierra Chamber Opera
We had the Sierra Chamber Opera come and present a short opera for our residents at work today. It was so much fun putting it all together and seeing the residents experience so much happiness. The food was a great hit. Everyone who attended was very complimentary. I couldn't have been as successful without the great family volunteers who came, and Rosemary and Sara who pitched in to make it extra special. Anoline put together a great menu that the residents loved. All in all a very satisfying day!
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Driving Miss Kelly
Or rather, Miss Kelly driving! She finally has her official permit, and now...(insert drumroll) she is driving us everywhere!
I want her to have a TON of driving experience before she gets her own license. She is loving running errands with me now. Can I just say that I'm loving it, too? For too long now, shopping, which I hate with a passion, was grueling because I had to go all by myself. Now, I have a willing driver! And it's too hot for her to stay in the car, so she actually comes in with me. And since she hit that cool teenager phase, hanging out with mom (and/or siblings) is not preferable to most other options. So I'm squeezing every little blessing I can out of this experience!
Saturday was her first day of driving with me. She is doing a great job! Of course, I'm stricken with panic from time to time, but I just try to remember what it was like learning to drive and how much I appreciated people who were patient and kind as I was learning.
The kids aren't taking it as well. This morning, on the way to church, Kelly asked if she could drive. I said, "Sure." Joe asked quickly, "Can I walk?" We all laughed, but there is a certain element of responsibility that comes with driving passengers and I want her to learn that as soon as possible.
I want her to have a TON of driving experience before she gets her own license. She is loving running errands with me now. Can I just say that I'm loving it, too? For too long now, shopping, which I hate with a passion, was grueling because I had to go all by myself. Now, I have a willing driver! And it's too hot for her to stay in the car, so she actually comes in with me. And since she hit that cool teenager phase, hanging out with mom (and/or siblings) is not preferable to most other options. So I'm squeezing every little blessing I can out of this experience!
Saturday was her first day of driving with me. She is doing a great job! Of course, I'm stricken with panic from time to time, but I just try to remember what it was like learning to drive and how much I appreciated people who were patient and kind as I was learning.
The kids aren't taking it as well. This morning, on the way to church, Kelly asked if she could drive. I said, "Sure." Joe asked quickly, "Can I walk?" We all laughed, but there is a certain element of responsibility that comes with driving passengers and I want her to learn that as soon as possible.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
These Moments
Tonight was Laine's final concert for the Bullard TALENT concert band. We listened to some wonderful songs which were beautiful (and surprisingly spiritual for a public school choir) and I thought back to watching her in the Bullard Balladeers when she was in fourth grade.
After their beautiful songs, while her older brother sat by me doing his pre-calculus homework, we were tortured with almost thirty minutes of video from the choir's Philadelphia trip, which Laine did not go to. (Every year we have to sit through that! Urgh! Even when Laine DID go on those trips, I hated being forced to watch those dumb videos.)
Then the Bullard Balladeers performed and did such a wonderful job that I immediately felt better.
It's a bitter-sweet time, these last days of eighth grade at Bullard Talent. I've had at least one child there since 2007, so it's been a while! When Laine is promoted and heads off to Bullard High School, I will have only one child left to cross the threshold into high school.
Why don't my kids ever listen when I tell them to quit growing up so fast??
After their beautiful songs, while her older brother sat by me doing his pre-calculus homework, we were tortured with almost thirty minutes of video from the choir's Philadelphia trip, which Laine did not go to. (Every year we have to sit through that! Urgh! Even when Laine DID go on those trips, I hated being forced to watch those dumb videos.)
Then the Bullard Balladeers performed and did such a wonderful job that I immediately felt better.
It's a bitter-sweet time, these last days of eighth grade at Bullard Talent. I've had at least one child there since 2007, so it's been a while! When Laine is promoted and heads off to Bullard High School, I will have only one child left to cross the threshold into high school.
Why don't my kids ever listen when I tell them to quit growing up so fast??
Lessons in Humility
"I thought I was all alone," she said as she grasped my hand and kissed it. Her next words were as mixed up and confused as they are 90% of the time. Then, with her eyes closed, my hand pressed to her heart, and with great reverence as I sat next to her, this: "Oh, God, last night when I was alone in my room and I prayed for someone so I would not be lonely and afraid, you heard me." I must admit, I teared up. Not because of her kind sentiments about me, but because this sweet lady, who sometimes couldn't remember what to do with a fork or the word for the bathroom, still remembered how to pray.
I'm fairly sure that God translated her words for my benefit. And in my heart of hearts, I too offered a prayer. Please, Father, if I ever get dementia, please let me never forget how to pray. Even if I forget all the names of all my children, or my own name, or even how to form sentences, please help me remember thee.
And right now, please bless my efforts to be the best friend I can to any and all who need me.
I'm fairly sure that God translated her words for my benefit. And in my heart of hearts, I too offered a prayer. Please, Father, if I ever get dementia, please let me never forget how to pray. Even if I forget all the names of all my children, or my own name, or even how to form sentences, please help me remember thee.
And right now, please bless my efforts to be the best friend I can to any and all who need me.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Peace, Prayers and Precious Moments
I had the pleasure of visiting the temple this evening. When I first got off of work, I debated about going because I was tired and didn't want to fall asleep in the temple. I squashed all the worldly objections my mind was raising, and committed to going anyway, stopping to get Del Taco on the way home so that I could cross food off my list of objections. At home, I was preoccupied doing some planning for tomorrow and answering emails, but I managed to change, eat and get on my way in plenty of time. Along the way, however, traffic was difficult, and to make matters worse, there were emergency vehicles heading in the same direction as me, causing even more traffic delays. I walked in just a few minutes before the session was to start, and changed quickly.
There were quite a few people from our ward there, which delighted me. As I sat there, I pondered for a few moments, but noticed my mind was unfocused and still distracted by the busy-ness of the day and all the concerns I have for various situations. I closed my eyes and tried to focus my attention on my breathing and on the peace of the temple, and it really helped. As the session progressed, I finally felt my mind and heart fill with peace, and I could pray in earnest.
Toward the end of my time at the temple, my bishop did a kindness for me that really touched my heart, and because of that kindness, I felt the spirit very strongly and an abiding peace that filled my soul. It was truly a precious moment that I shall not forget. The temple is a place of refuge and strength for me. It is one of the ways that the Lord can speak to me and quiet my worries. I'm so grateful for it, and for the beauty of it. It teaches me about consecration and duty, and helps me feel the Lord's love more abundantly in my life so that I can share it with others throughout my days of working with others. I'm so very thankful!
There were quite a few people from our ward there, which delighted me. As I sat there, I pondered for a few moments, but noticed my mind was unfocused and still distracted by the busy-ness of the day and all the concerns I have for various situations. I closed my eyes and tried to focus my attention on my breathing and on the peace of the temple, and it really helped. As the session progressed, I finally felt my mind and heart fill with peace, and I could pray in earnest.
Toward the end of my time at the temple, my bishop did a kindness for me that really touched my heart, and because of that kindness, I felt the spirit very strongly and an abiding peace that filled my soul. It was truly a precious moment that I shall not forget. The temple is a place of refuge and strength for me. It is one of the ways that the Lord can speak to me and quiet my worries. I'm so grateful for it, and for the beauty of it. It teaches me about consecration and duty, and helps me feel the Lord's love more abundantly in my life so that I can share it with others throughout my days of working with others. I'm so very thankful!
Birthday Weekend
I celebrated my birthday this weekend. We were lucky enough to have Erin and Nick in town for Nick's sister's wedding, so they were able to be here and attend church with us on Sunday morning. On Saturday, the kids mowed the lawns and tidied up the yard a bit, so that was a HUGE gift to me. (I don't have to be depressed anymore when looking out of the windows!) I received a meyer lemon tree, which my former husband Patrick planted for me along with a fig tree that I had yet to plant. During the day on Saturday, I happened to glance outside and noticed a hummingbird on my porch, right outside the window, hovering there for a few minutes. I consider that one of many gifts from my Heavenly Father. I also received a gift card for Chipotle and CHOCOLATE...how can any birthday be bad when it involves lemons, hummingbirds, chipotle and chocolate? (Especially Lindoor Truffles.)
Sunday was kind of a lazy day, for which I was grateful. The kids played Settlers of Catan and taught Nick how to play, and now he has a new favorite game! We had scrambled eggs and waffles with strawberry topping for dinner.
On Memorial Day, the kids of course had no school, but I had to work. Fortunately, Erin and Nick were able to be home to keep the kids occupied. When I returned from work, we cleaned up a bit, and I prepared ribs, rice pilaf (a ton...three bags to freeze for later use!), corn on the cob and lemonade. I also made myself a birthday cake...lemon with lemon frosting. Are we noticing a theme here?? LOL
On Monday, Erin & Nick surprised me with new non-stick frying pans. I guess they noticed that my small and medium frying pans were old and icky. I used them to fry eggs this morning!
I feel very blessed to have my children, good health and many wonderful intangible things in my life. Here's to another good year!
Sunday was kind of a lazy day, for which I was grateful. The kids played Settlers of Catan and taught Nick how to play, and now he has a new favorite game! We had scrambled eggs and waffles with strawberry topping for dinner.
On Memorial Day, the kids of course had no school, but I had to work. Fortunately, Erin and Nick were able to be home to keep the kids occupied. When I returned from work, we cleaned up a bit, and I prepared ribs, rice pilaf (a ton...three bags to freeze for later use!), corn on the cob and lemonade. I also made myself a birthday cake...lemon with lemon frosting. Are we noticing a theme here?? LOL
On Monday, Erin & Nick surprised me with new non-stick frying pans. I guess they noticed that my small and medium frying pans were old and icky. I used them to fry eggs this morning!
I feel very blessed to have my children, good health and many wonderful intangible things in my life. Here's to another good year!
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