solicitors WELCOME

Years ago, a 20-something man came to my door asking if I would like to purchase a magazine subscription.  When I politely declined his offer, I assumed our conversation would be over.  I was wrong.  We continued to talk and he asked if I was Mormon.  I told him I was.  He then told me that Mormons never buy subscriptions {clearly, he'd never heard of the Ensign, New Era, Friend or Liahona} and attempted to make me feel like I was not fulfilling my Christian duty by purchasing 12 months worth of Sports Illustrated.  Once he left my house, I spent the rest of the day being mad and frustrated that this person had so unfairly judged me.

I decided a NO SOLICITING sign would be a worthwhile purchase.  I contemplated where I'd put the sign so that it was noticeable, but not tacky.  After a few days, I gave up on the idea and resolved to just not answer the door the next time a solicitor came knocking.

Fast forward to today and I officially made the decision to never display a NO SOLICITING sign on my house. 

As mentioned above, I am Mormon.  Officially, I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  For the sake of simplicity, I'll refer to myself as LDS and my religion as "the church."

As of December 31, 2016, there were over 70,000 LDS missionaries serving worldwide.  Missionary service is strongly recommended for all able young men beginning at the age of 18 (after completing high school or its equivalent).  Young men (referred to as Elders) serve for up to two years.  They have no official say in where they serve, they pay their own way, and, besides weekly e-mails, they do not contact their families except for on Christmas and Mother's Day.  Young women are welcomed to serve missions beginning at age 19 for up to 18 months.

We Mormons love our missionaries.  We take pride in the fact that we send our young people all across the world to preach about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We love the missionary program so much that when the Broadway play The Book of Mormon hit the scene {you know, the play that mocks missionaries, an entire religion with over 15 million members, and then some} the church simply made this one official statement:

"The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people's lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ."

When the production made it's way to Los Angeles, the church bought space in the playbill with ads like "the book is always better" and "you've seen the play, now read the book."  Considering the importance of the Book of Mormon and the missionary efforts to those of the LDS faith, these responses were pretty brilliant.

See, so not even an offensive, perverted, vulgar, yet acclaimed, Tony Award winning production brought to you by the same industry that demands inclusion from Mike Pence can sway us from sending out and loving our missionaries. {To be clear, #I'mWithHer}

But, here's the ironic part of it all.  Missionaries are solicitors.  One of the ways they meet, connect and eventually teach people is by going door-to-door.  Missionaries, of course, can and do meet people under different circumstances, but the fact remains that most of them knock on doors in hopes of finding someone who will listen to them.

My parents both served missions in Germany.  My husband served a mission in Canada.  All three of them went door-to-door practically everyday.  How, then, can I openly deny solicitors at my own house?

Believe me, I've thought of a plethora of reasons how to justify displaying a sign:  it's illegal, it's dangerous, it's inconvenient, people make cute signs now (seriously, google "Cute No Soliciting Signs") so I don't have to worry about my house looking tacky, etc.

But, then I think about my parents, my husband and the thousands of missionaries currently serving for a religion that I belong to.  When I think about them, an outward, physical declaration denying solicitors on my house just seems......unnecessary.  Wrong even.

I know I'm probably in the minority when it comes to this.

But, at the end of the day, I feel best inside when I say, "Solicitors, Welcome."

a change in PRIORITIES: {FAMILY dinner}

Shortly after LL was born, I found a new job.  I was so happy to go back to work after a brief hiatus.  The only downside was there was a three-hour gap between when I had to be at work and when Dustin got home.  So, we hired a baby-sitter.  It was a really good arrangement and was still cost effective for me to work despite having to pay a sitter.

A year later, I had the opportunity to change my hours and completely eliminate the need for a sitter.  Basically, I would leave for work the minute Dustin got home.  It also meant I would be gone during dinner time and not get home until after the girls were in bed.  It was a lot to think about, but ultimately, Dustin and I decided to give the new schedule a go.

A few months ago, it was obvious the schedule wasn't working for our family anymore.  The lack of quality time spent together was proving to be too much, and I knew something needed to change. 

Months prior, I had read a quote by Elder L. Tom Perry.  It read:

"Never let a day go by without holding family prayer and family scripture study.  Put this, the Lord's program to the test; and see if it does not bless your home with greater peace, hope, love, and faith."

This simple piece of advice kept entering my mind, and I knew incorporating family prayer and scripture study into our daily routine would be the key to positive change within our home.

So, even though it meant less income, I rearranged my schedule so that our family could eat dinner together every single night.  I also decided that dinnertime would be the perfect time to read the scriptures together.  It was also the perfect time to have our family prayer.

Our dinner begins at 4:30.  We all sit at the table, say our prayer, and while we eat, Dustin or I read the scriptures.  After dinner, we clean the kitchen together, spend what available time is left talking together, and then exactly one hour from when Dustin got home, I'm heading out the door.  The change was literally that basic.

Now, a few weeks later, I am in awe of the changes I have seen and felt in our home.  It is undeniable.  Truly, I have witnessed greater peace, hope, love, and faith - just as Elder Perry described.

Now, full disclosure, when I say "read the scriptures together" I really mean "read a scripture together."  And, LL is usually only involved in the process long enough to look at her dinner, decide it looks revolting and immediately retreat to her room to play.  Please don't mistake our hour of quality time as perfect.  Because it's not, and it never will be.

But, the point is, we're trying.

How thankful I am for the small and simple things of life.  They really do make all the difference.

 

{#picturedaboveisnotourfamily}

reGROUNDING

I read something today that posed the question, "What makes you happy?"  It didn't take long for me to decide that one thing that makes me happy is writing.  I've neglected my blog for far too long, and in an effort to go about making some change in my life, I've realized I need to write regularly {regardless of how many comments it generates} in order to keep myself grounded.

As I begin to reground myself and share the changes I've made and hope to make, I hope I haven't lost too many readers and that you and I can learn and grow from each other.

To begin, I'm going back to what inspired me to begin this blog in the first place.  This video is based off of a talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf during the Relief Society General Meeting in October 2008 of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I heard this talk during my first pregnancy and its message helped me significantly as I struggled with my new identity as a mother.

Here's to a new chapter of blogging!

LOADS of LAUNDRY

I literally don't know the last time I bought laundry detergent.  

And I do laundry multiple times a week. 

Every time I go to use it, I keep thinking I'm reaching the end.  But, always to my surprise, the measuring cup fills without any reservation.

source

There's no logical explanation as to why I haven't had to buy laundry detergent in the last little while. 

But, there is a spiritual one.

I contribute 10% of all of my earnings to my church.  It is something I have been asked to do, and I do so willing.  As a result, I have been blessed immensely.  Not blessed in that I wear only the most stylish clothes or go on frequent, lavish vacations, but blessed in smaller, simpler ways.

And there is no doubt it is a blessing from paying my tithing.

I am currently dealing with a baby that adores spitting up.  I swear she is trying to make it into an olympic event.  Between the two of us, we go through at least 5 wardrobe changes a day.  I used to do laundry once a week.  Those days are long gone.

I'm thankful for the little things in life, like a seemingly limitless supply of laundry detergent, that help remind me that God is real.  He loves me.  And He blesses me even in the most mundane ways.

{day TWENTY-FOUR} PRAYER

I try not to get uber religious on my blog.  I'm not ashamed or shy to talk about my faith, but religion in general is not what my goal is for this blog.

But, I can't put together a grateful list without mentioning a few aspects of my faith that mean the most to me.  And one of them is prayer.

I pray daily to my Heavenly Father.  I pray by myself and with my family.  I pray about everything and anything.  Whenever I feel our of sorts, scared or just need to feel peace and comfort I pray.

I have no doubts that my prayers are heard.  I have no doubts that my prayers are answered, according to God's will.

I can't imagine a life without prayer.  The comfort I get from prayer is unlike anything else, and I'm so grateful for that avenue of communication I have with my creator. 

this MORMON in AMERICA

Last week, NBC aired an hour-long program about Mormons called Mormons in America.  As a Mormon myself, I was excited about the program and made sure to DVR it as soon as I heard about it.

Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed with the broadcast.  It wasn't horribly done, but I really felt it could've been much better.

There was one thing in particular that really stood out to me as being blatantly false, and that was when it was stated, not as a matter of opinion, but as a matter of fact, that boys and girls are not considered equal.  And if you believe that, you must believe that men and women are not considered equal either.

I am here to tell you that girls and women are considered equal and every bit important by the leaders of the LDS church.  Period.  And here's a few quotes to illustrate why I feel, and have always felt, this way.  All the quotes come from a talk entitled "The Women in Our Lives" given by President Gordon B. Hinckley, one of the presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"There are some men who, in a spirit of arrogance, think they are superior to women. They do not seem to realize that they would not exist but for the mother who gave them birth. When they assert their superiority they demean her."

"The women in our lives are creatures endowed with particular qualities, divine qualities, which cause them to reach out in kindness and with love to those about them. We can encourage that outreach if we will give them opportunity to give expression to the talents and impulses that lie within them. In our old age my beloved companion said to me quietly one evening, “You have always given me wings to fly, and I have loved you for it.”

"Women are such a necessary part of the plan of happiness which our Heavenly Father has outlined for us. That plan cannot operate without them."

"How thankful I am, how thankful we all must be,  for the women in our lives."

I love this talk by President Hinckley.  I remember hearing it for the first time during the church's general conference.  I distinctly remember feeling so empowered, so uplifted and so grateful that I was apart of the LDS faith.

Of course, I also feel grateful to have come from a wonderful family.  My mom has always been a strong, independent woman.  She was always busy doing one thing or another.  She always encouraged me to do well in school, attend college and not once did she ever ask me when I was going to get married.  And my dad has always been right there beside her.  He has always supported her in whatever new endeavors she has wanted to do.

My grandparents are the same way.  I recall my grandma making the decision to study abroad as part of her education at the University of Utah.  She was probably in her 60s at the time.  My grandpa, who had obligations at work, couldn't go with her, so my grandma went off and traveled the country of Spain by herself for three months.

My other grandma, who has since passed away, always told me that my grandpa, "Never said one mean thing to me."  And, she was right.  My grandpa treated her with the upmost respect, including waiting on her hand and foot during the last few years of her life.

I continue to be blessed in my own life because of my husband Dustin.  He has never once given the impression that he feels superior to me.  There is a sense of unity in our marriage.  We both know we are in this together, that our roles and personalities both matter.  That both of us are responsible for raising our children.

I've often wondered why other faithful, LDS women don't feel the same sense of equality as I do.  Why some feel that they are less than.  The only conclusion that I can come up with is that it has to do with the men in their lives - be it their local church leaders, co-workers, fathers or even husbands.  

In the end, the only thing I know for sure is that women are most definitely considered important and equal in the eyes of the church's general, worldwide leaders.

And for those of you who may not know much about the LDS church, please know this:  women are equal.

why I GO TO CHURCH

One of the posts I decided to showcase on my SITS day was about the time we skipped church.  The post generated a lot of comments, more than I was anticipating; however, one comment that basically said, "What's the point?" really caught my attention.  I decided I wanted to spend a little bit of time talking about why I go to church.

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Or, I'm a Mormon.  Or, I'm LDS.  I was born and raised LDS.  After I left home and started living life on my own, I chose to remain LDS.  Being a Mormon is so much more than just attending church on Sundays.  It's an entire lifestyle.  No, I'm not one of 15 wives married to the same man, but I am a  Christian who firmly believes in the teachings of the LDS faith.

It is because of this that I choose to deal with the ups and downs of taking a toddler to church.  I have been blessed beyond measure for doing that which I know to be right, even when it seems to have no purpose.  Before I was a mother, I would attend church and feel so uplifted and motivated to be a better person.  After my daughter was born {and before she was old enough to attend the nursery}, I rarely, if ever, had those same feelings.  I was going to church strictly out of obedience to God, having faith I would be blessed for it later.

Some Sundays are great.  Others not so great.  Either way, I always feel like I did the right thing when I go to church, regardless of what I got out of it.  At the very least, I know by consistently going to church, I'm teaching my daughter what I deem important in life.  And I want my daughter to know that I don't just talk about what I believe, but that I put into action what I believe.

So, to the person that asked, "What's the point?"  My simple answer is, "Because it is the point."  I can't imagine how my life would be if I didn't believe in a Heavenly Father that knows and loves me.  I can't imagine how my life would be if I didn't feel like I mattered.  Because of church, I know I matter.  I know who I am.  I know where I came from.  I know where I'm going.  I know I am here for a reason.

And that, my friends, is why I go to church.

happy birthday, SHANNON

I spent most of yesterday recovering from the non-stop fun we had the last few days celebrating our daughter's birthday.  To accommodate everybody's schedules, we had three different parties and it was FUN but tiresome.  Even the little one was done by the end of it all.

But, this post today is not about that.  It's about another birthday our family celebrated this week for my sister-in-law Shannon, who would've been 36 on January 19th.

Just as a brief reminder for any new readers, Shannon {whom I've never met} was killed by a drowsy semi-driver 14 years ago.  She was only 21 years old.

Marrying into a family that had experienced such a tragedy was a bit of an adjustment.  I wanted to learn all I could about Shannon, but wasn't sure what I could ask and what were too sensitive of questions.  I enjoyed seeing pictures of her, hearing funny stories that involved her, but I never quite felt a connection to her like everyone else did.

And, since I never met her, I figured this was perfectly normal.

Then, years after my wedding, I recall one evening being at my in-laws house and being overcome with a sense of loss.  As I spanned the house and saw all of my family, I became distinctively and overwhelmingly aware that there was something missing.  Someone was missing.

I realized for the first time that I missed Shannon.  In my mind's eye I imagined what our family gathering would've been like were she still alive.  I imagined it being a little louder, definitely more nieces and/or nephews running around.  Whatever it would've been like, for sure it would've felt more complete.

I wish I could describe the feeling I carry with me everyday of missing someone I have never met before.

Fortunately for me, I have a firm belief that Shannon is still alive and is watching over our family.  

Death is not the end by any means.  

I have no doubt that I will meet her one day.  

And while I am in no rush to end my life here on earth and move on to the next phase of my existence,  I can say with no reservations that I am excited for that day.  Not only will I be reunited with loved ones that have passed before me, but I will get to meet Shannon.

In the meantime, Happy Birthday, Shannon.  

I miss you!

my ROOTS...

As this year comes to a close, and we welcome 2012, I feel inclined to make some changes to my blog.  I'm working on organizing it and focuses my posts on the topics I love most:  relationships, parenting, every day observations and pictures.  In all honesty, my blog won't change too much, but I feel the more consistent it is, the more "theme-ish" it is, the better it will be.

I've also spent some time reflecting on why I began this blog to begin with.  Examining my roots, if you will.  I was inspired by this video, which is where I got my blog description, "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul."  The message from this video, which is based on an address specifically written for women, is that we all have an inherit need to create.  I have felt that need before, and this blog has helped me feel more fulfilled, more creative.

I absolutely love this video and I hope you will take the time to watch it.  You have less than 2 minutes to spare, right?

I hope I can continue to invite readers to my blog and that you can learn from my experiences and that I can learn from yours.  Let's be creative together!

oh, TLC!

"I thought you'd be some place were U.S. law can't touch you like Bali or Utah."

-Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock

Have we all heard about TLC's latest show Sister Wives?  I suppose having shows about little people and incredibly fertile families (19 kids, seriously?) got boring, so they had to throw in a show about polygamists to keep the public's interest.

While I've only see bits and pieces of Sister Wives, I will say the show really bothers me.  For one, I am a LDS (Mormon) and one of the greatest misconceptions about the LDS church is that we all practice polygamy.  Granted, that was the case many years ago, but as of 1890 the practice ceased and it has been that way ever since.

The other reason Sister Wives bothers me is because it takes place in Utah.  I was born and raised and currently live in Utah.  So, now this show, in my opinion, sheds a bad light on Utah.  I mean, these people are clearly violating civil law, and yet here they are, going about their daily routines on camera as if it is all normal and legal.  Oh, and let's throw in a paycheck while we're at it.

Apparently, there has been some talk about an investigation, but in terms of Kody and his four wives ever being prosecuted for breaking the law is highly unlikely. This is especially true when you consider that the children don't appear to be abused, specifically sexual abuse, which is too often the case with other polygamist families.

As for me, when it comes to this Kody guy, he's wrapping this lifestyle up in a nice little package labeled religion when all it really boils down to is having his cake and eating it too.

In the end, so long as viewers know that this lifestyle is not the norm in Utah and that the LDS church does not practice polygamy, I'm happy!

Thoughts?

the DESIRE to CREATE

"Everyone can create.  You don't need money, position or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty."

-President Dieter F. Utchdorf

Today's thought was inspired by this video, which was put together by the LDS (Mormon) church.  It was compiled from a talk given by one of the leaders of the LDS church, Dieter F. Utchdorf.  You can read the entire talk here.

I am LDS.  I know religion can be a touchy subject, but I absolutely love this video.  I believe it has such a great message that is applicable to anyone regardless of religious affiliation.

In addition to this post, this video inspired my blog.  In fact, my blog description "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul," is from this President Utchdorf's talk.

I hope you enjoy it!

I think the words create and creativity are often confused with being crafty or artsy.  For example, you're only creative if you can put together a great scrapbook, if you are an excellent photographer or have written your own novel.  Because I so often view creativity or creating this way, I often feel like I'm lacking in a big way.

But, then I thought I should define it differently.  After all, one technical term of the word create is "to bring into exsistence."  That really opens up what being creative means, which makes me feel better.  Maybe I'll create a new friendship, create a happier day by being more positive, create a stronger family unit by always making sure my husband, daughter and I have dinner together.  The possibilities are endless.

Thoughts?