Unlike my darling hubby, I enjoy pondering. About what, you ask? Many things! One day, as I was pondering what heaven might be like, I thought:
"Are there animals in heaven?"
My answer is yes. Here's why.
1) Heaven is all about eternal happiness, and I love my fur-babies. I thoroughly enjoy laying in bed and having my cuddly little heaters cozy up next to me and turn on their purr-boxes. Heaven! Plus, my babies are gorgeous. I am in awe when I see sunbeams lighting up their fur, or view their ability to flip through the air like they've been training for the Olympics all their life. Heaven, to me, would not be complete if I couldn't enjoy these amazing creations. I feel I should include some photos for reference. Enjoy! More after the break.
Aren't they adorable?? I think so. Nay, I know so!
2) I don't know about you, but I believe the whole walking-on-clouds-flying-around-singing bit is not an accurate description of Heaven. I honestly believe Heaven is meant to be an improvement on life here, but not entirely different. Would someone with a passion for painting or photography be happy flying around singing all day? I dare say not. This isn't to say they wouldn't enjoy it for a while, but I can't believe all this hard work here on earth would lead to eternal singing. What would be the point of learning all these lessons and trying to make yourself better? Scientists would be miserable. Avid gardeners would yearn for the satisfaction of a fresh, perfectly plump tomato (because, of course, there would be plants there too!)
I submit that Heaven is more like earth on steroids. The good kind, that is. The scriptures say our bodies and minds will be quickened. I take this to mean, first of all, that we will be able to use our full brain capacity - that learning disabilities and other barriers to gaining knowledge or happiness, such as Dyslexia, ADD, Depression, Bi-Polar Disorder, etc. will be lifted and we can finally be free to pursue all kinds of experiences we never dreamed possible. Second of all, physical limitations will be no more. To someone who has never had use of their legs, I'm sure that will be heavenly enough. (But, for the record, I believe our new understandings of particles will help us do something much like flying. That's just me, though.)
Anyway, for someone like myself who has had and loved animals all their life, Heaven would not be heavenly without my little furballs. Now, I'd like to believe they wouldn't poop on my rug or claw my furniture in Heaven, but the most important thing is that they'd be there. They'd cuddle with me and demand my attention. They'd turn on their purr-boxes and let their happiness ring in my ears as I study the reality of particles, or teach someone about the Gospel. That's Heaven. I'm sure of it.
"Do you have any packing tips to make packing less of a headache?"
As this is a "Poll the People" post, I have collected input from real moving gurus! I feel this question has two different applicable scenarios: travel and moving. First, we'll tackle travel, since people typically do that more often than moving!
Travel:
The first, a friend from college who travels on a regular basis with her husband, offers some travel advice:
"Roll everything super tightly on a hard surface. That's how I packed a 14 day vacay to Europe into one [carry-on] with a good 5 extra outfits. And I can even get my hubby's [clothing] (10 days worth) into one [carry-on] also (his clothes are a tad bigger than mine lol). I've only had to check a bag once in my life and that was 'cause I had bought a pocket knife."
I have personally used this method before and love it! When you roll things, it seems like you get a much better, more compact, fit than when you put loosely-folded items in a pile. Plus, rolled clothing is much easier to sort through than folded clothing because it doesn't come apart as easily! You can also try rolling outfits together so it's one simple grab in your suitcase, as opposed to digging around for a particular top/bottom combination. I'm not entirely sure how she does it*, but I like to neatly fold my clothes, then roll them from there.
*UPDATE: My friend read this post, and sent me a little bonus post: Woo! I've been waiting for this post to come! You asked how I roll my clothes? All I do is fold the clothing item once (hot dog way) tuck in anything hanging out (sleeves, ties, collars…) and grab a tiny bunch a fabric from the top and start rolling. The smaller the grab, the tighter/tinier your roll will be. Also, don't be afraid to use pressure when rolling. If I'm going to be wearing an undershirt with my top or a slip with a skirt I include them in the roll.
Sweet! Thanks!
The second, a former co-worker who routinely travels to serve mission trips, has this to say:
"When I go overseas on mission trips (2 wks) I put each day's clothing/needs in a 2 gallon ziplock bag. Just reach in the suitcase for a bag. No digging through everything. AND it keeps everything dry and bugs out!"
Great idea! This is especially useful if, like her, you travel to places where you don't have the luxury of a cushy hotel room. This would also work well for camping trips! I personally have also brought plastic bags for putting soiled clothing in, because I don't like the idea of having my dirty laundry mixed in with my clean laundry.
Do you have any packing tips specifically for travel which you'd like to share? Feel free to add them to the comments!
Moving:
As mentioned in my Qualifications post, I've moved a lot. However, throwing a bunch of stuff in a box in no particular order doesn't make me a professional.
1) Again from my former co-worker, I have this tip:
"I used cheap coffee filters to put between dishes. Cleaner than newspaper [and] cheaper than bubblewrap."
As soon as I read this, I was reminded of a tip I recently saw on Pinterest from The Frugal Girls: Packing your plates with foam disposable plates between them instead of wrapping them in icky newspaper! I love that!
(They add that you should "wrap and pad" the stack of plates after you put the foam plates in there.) I'm all about extra protection!) I think this would work for saucers too, if you got the saucer-sized foam plates.
2) I also like to hold onto the boxes things come in. That way, when you need to pack something up again you have the perfect-sized box and sometimes even some foam to hold your more expensive or fragile belongings in one place.
3) You don't have to pack all at once! Unless you've been given an immediate eviction notice, you can pack whenever you have free time so it doesn't have to weigh down on you. I know I'm one of those people who feels like if something needs to be done it should be done all at once, then I get frustrated when I don't have the time or energy to do it all. Packing can be a huge process, so take it a bit at a time. Go room by room, or pack all of a certain thing. For example, you don't need every single dish in your kitchen. Go ahead and pack everything you won't use before you move, and you won't have to pack everything last-minute as your blood pressure spikes. When you do move, it's okay for your last couple boxes to be your needed-things boxes, and not necessarily sorted into rooms.
4) Listen to music! I get much more done when I have something like music to help pass the time.
That's all I can think of right now. What are some of your favorite moving tips?
So, I got my bum in gear and read the whole book of Ruth last night for this question from Anonymous:
"Why is Ruth from the Bible so admired? I hear about what an example she is of selflessness. I read her story and I just don't get it."
First of all, without even reading, I came up with this answer: Women are so rarely mentioned in the scriptures, that I think people tend to idealize them when they do finally appear, no matter how small their role. (This isn't to say I think they're regarded as unimportant, necessarily, that's just how things were.)
The Bible Dictionary explains her significance this way: "The story of Ruth beautifully illustrates the conversion of a non-Israelite into the fold of Israel, giving up her former god and former life to unite with the household of faith in the service if the God of Israel." I feel that some of this information is implied, rather than expressly stated in the text, so I will answer based on what I gleaned from my reading.
Although I can't honestly say reading the book of Ruth really changed my mind much on the fact that people get excited when a woman shows up in the scriptures, I have two main insights to offer:
First, Ruth was fiercely loyal. After the passing of both her husband and brother-in-law, her mother-in-law, Naomi, basically tells her and her sister-in-law that she has nothing more to offer them and they should return to their parents' homes. I'll share a couple verses I like:
"11) And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12) Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13) Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me."
It always makes me chuckle when I find little gems like this in the scriptures. It's so great to be able to detect a definite voice from what the people within them say, especially if this voice is sarcastic like Naomi's! I mean, can you imagine if you lost your husband and your mother-in-law was like "I'm sorry - I have no way to make you another husband, and would you really want to wait for him to grow up anyway?" Ha! Maybe it's just me.
Moving on. Orpah, Ruth's sister-in-law, decides to go back to be with her family. However, Ruth says:
"16) ... Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither though goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17) Where thou diest, will I die, there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."
I've heard these verses before, and I'm sure many of you have too even if you've never specifically heard about Ruth. If you think about it, it was pretty noble of her to stay with her mother-in-law, when her mother-in-law really had nothing to offer her. At that point, Ruth had no prospects and no reason to think she might have them in the future. Things would have seemed pretty hopeless if I were in that situation, and I personally would probably have gone back to my mother's house, like Orpah did, because I have a very close relationship with her. But hey, that's just me.
After being adamant about staying with Naomi, they traveled to Bethlehem, where Naomi's husband was from. Ruth, ever the devoted daughter-in-law, began gleaning corn in "the field" to help provide for her and Naomi. Eventually, Ruth ends up in the part of said field owned by a relative by the name of Boaz. Ruth catches his eye, they realize they're "kinsman," and it goes from there.
As it turns out, the closest male relative has the first say to their family member's widow, lands, and such, as stated in Matthew 22:24. ("If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother." - I guess that's so everyone gets taken care of, as a woman in those days wouldn't have a great chance of making it on her own.) This is why Boaz ends up calling that meeting with the first closest relative, since he was so taken by Ruth's virtuousness, but was only the second in line - and since the first closest didn't want to take Ruth as his responsibility, Boaz got to have her.
But none of this is anything you couldn't have read on your own. My point is, Ruth worked very hard to provide and be faithful to her mother-in-law, to the point that she was known around Bethlehem for how virtuous she was. She further displayed this devotion by laying at Boaz's feet, as instructed by Naomi, to show she was willing to become his wife, as was the tradition.
Second, Ruth is an ancestor of Jesus Christ, which is quite possibly another reason why she is of particular note. Of course, there are a few generations between them, but an ancestor is an ancestor no matter how far back they go.
To sum up, Ruth - a woman - was fiercely devoted, and an ancestor of Christ. I hope that sufficiently answers your question!
I have a few questions from someone I will refer to as Madame Black (no relation to Sirius, sorry. He's alive, by the way.) Our first question from the lovely Mme Black is:
"What are some of your favorite, easy to make, few ingredient dinners/desserts?"
Great question! Like many people in the last year or two, I have a sincere appreciation of the bookmarking website, Pinterest.
*** Ahh!! I just got distracted by Pinterest's charms! Check out this awesome giveaway I just found! ***
That's how Pinterest works. Anywho, I have quite a few boards devoted just to food. (Don't judge me!) I'd have to say one of my all-time favorite dinner recipes would be these Oven Baked Chimichangas I found on Tasty Kitchen. I've personally modified the recipe so I can throw everything into a slow-cooker and forget about it for a while, and they end up DIVINE, plus I like how I end up with shredded chicken instead of ground. I also like to save some of the meat and make quesadillas the next day. Mmm. However, I think they're probably a little more ingredient-heavy than you had in mind. A simpler recipe would be these Baked Tacos from the blog One Good Thing by Jillee (which I would recommend checking out if you have the time.) She even includes a method of making your own shells from corn tortillas! Sweet, right?? Oh, and I definitely recommend using green salsa, preferably Herdez brand, on your tacos. It's legit.
Since I seem to be giving all Mexican-type food, I'll throw in one more recipe I like. These Skinny Tuna Melts from Skinnytaste.com are great too. They put in a bunch of superfluous ingredients - I really think you could add whatever you usually enjoy in your tuna and get away fat fab and happy. Their home page reminded me of one more thing I like to do: Salmon. I really enjoy salmon but fish is so expensive! I didn't even know how to cook it when I got my hands on some. Ultimately, I slapped some salmon on an aluminium foil-covered pan, salted and peppered them, and threw them in the oven at around 300 degrees, then waited to take them out until they were nice and flaky. Salmon is so flavorful it doesn't require much more than that salt and pepper, but feel free to try other things with it too, like my personal favorite, straight mustard. It also goes great with some steamed veggies, and then you also feel really good about yourself for eating veggies! Woohoo!
Before I get to desserts, I want to add a couple of my favorite snacks/lunch recipes. I love, love, love cottage cheese and tomatoes. Yum-E. There's a lot of wiggle room here, too. You could add cucumbers, carrots, eat it in lettuce, really anything which tickles your fancy. It's simple and great, and one of my all-time favorite quick munchies. Then there's these Ranch Oyster Crackers which are joyously delicious. I love to make a batch then eat some here and there when I want something salty or quick.
As for desserts, the hubbs and I love these Brownies from How to Cook Like Your Grandmother. They're simple and fast, totally tasty, and you probably already have most of the ingredients on-hand! They're dangerous, to be sure. I also love what I affectionately call Reindeer Balls, or Oreo Truffles. I've never actually used a "recipe," as my dad taught me how to make them, but this recipe covers your basics. I am a mint fanatic, so I like to substitute the regular oreos for mint oreos, and the baker's chocolate for mint chips, and they turn out fantastic. They're really easy, and oh-so-yummy.
There you have it! Some of my favorite recipes, most of which came from Pinterest. Speaking of which, if you'd like to follow me, click here! I would be giddy to have new followers. In particular, I have a board called Tested/Reviewed Recipes where you can read my reviews of each new recipe I try! As a special incentive, if you find a recipe you'd like to try but you're a little scared, let me know. I'd be glad to try something out for you, and I'm sure the hubster would love a new recipe for a good home-cooked meal!
Thanks, Mme Black! This was quite a fun question to answer. I'll get to your second one in no time!
This post does not come from my musings, or a question I received. Rather, I found it on a friend's page and thought it contained some wonderful and humbling lessons. I felt something similar when dealing with our daughter's diagnosis (my experiences with her can be read here), although I can only imagine what she has been going through facing this particular experience. Please read and keep this family in your prayers, as her husband has since passed away.
"Before I share Jordon's latest update, I hope you won't mind if I indulge a little bit. Lately, a matter has weighed heavily on my mind. I believe in faith and trusting in the Lord's will, but I struggled with knowing if my faith in the Lord's will and what I hoped/believed to happen actually aligned with the Lord's will. As many of you know, my sweetheart was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer shortly after our marriage five years ago.
His diagnosis came as a result of a grand-mal seizure, caused by a massive brain tumor. While the EMTs worked to save my sweet husband's life and stop the seizure, I went into a back bedroom and poured my heart out to the Lord. I was scared and didn't know what was wrong, but I knew that whatever it was, it was very serious. I also knew that I was not strong enough to carry this burden and concern, whatever it would turn out to be, on my own.
I asked the Lord to help me through whatever journey was ahead, and to give me peace. As I prayed and turned my concerns over to the Lord, I felt a warm peace wash over me and the enormous weight of worry was lifted from my shoulders. The spirit whispered to my heart that all would be well, that my sweetheart would be okay, Heavenly Father knew exactly what He was doing.
As I followed the ambulance to the hospital, I continued to pray for my sweetheart, and was again reassured that all would be well. When the emergency room physician showed me the cause of the seizure (a tumor the size of a grown man's fist), and explained the gravity of the situation, I began to panic and fear begin to rise, but was again calmed by a sweet peace that all would be well, it was in the Lord's hands. As the days and months, and years passed, I relied heavily on those feelings of peace and the promise that all would be well.
I have often thought of that night over the past 5 years, as we have experienced the highs and extreme lows that accompany a loved one battling cancer. I have been reassured many times that my sweet husband would be fine, and all was well. My simple, mortal mind clung to the reassuring phrase that "all would be well", my husband would be okay, while doctors and science blatantly pointed that my husband was not well, and all was not okay.
It is almost comical how mortal minds cling to finite thoughts, instead of infinite possibilities. With my simple mind, I at one point believed that the promise that all would be well meant that my husband would be magically cured of his cancer, and while he has indisputably proved the doctor's wrong time and time again, there has yet to be a miraculous curing take place within his body. He still continues to battle cancer, yet I knew, and still know, that all will be well, it is in the Lord's hands.
God, in his wonderful and infinite wisdom, has blessed man with a glorious and wonderfully powerful imagination. It is that imagination that allows us to dream, hope, plan, and achieve what science deems impossible. Out of imagination, incredible discoveries, inventions, and technological advances have been born, in spite of the world saying it can't be done. It is that imagination that allows us to hope for the impossible.
Just as our imagination has the ability to dream the impossible, our imagination also has the ability to vividly imagine worse-case and faith debilitating "what-if" scenarios. Satan knows the power of the imagination, and, if we are not careful, will lead it to run wild with the negativity.
In a moment of mortal weakness, I gave into the "what-if" thoughts and allowed Satan to run rampant with my imagination of doom and gloom. On that particular day, my husband's doctor had been quite candid regarding my husband's statistics and chances. Instead of relying on the knowledge that all would be well, my mind dwelled on statistics scientific "knowledge", and phrases from the doctors that all was not well, at least according to science. I immediately conjured up worst case scenarios in my head and began to spiral into a pool of doubt, grief, and self-pity. In those moments, I gained a better understanding of what the mists of darkness may have been like, the hopelessness swirling around me. The uncontrollable spiral was terrifying and something I don't ever want to feel again.
By divine intervention, in my mind flashed a glimmer of my faith and my hope, my Savior kneeling in Gethsemane suffering exactly what I was suffering mentally and emotionally so he would know how to help me, Wendi Mott, at that VERY instance. Once my mind and heart grasped that light, that iron rod, I clung to it, and it only grew brighter in my heart until I was overwhelmingly filled with peace and a knowledge of my Savior's love, our Father in Heaven's love, for both me and my sweet husband. I allowed it to change my heart, and my mind again began to imagine the wonderful and impossible, rather than the negative. I also came to realize that what I had hoped for from the beginning was that the Lord's will be done, whatever it may be. The very thought now, brings a sweet sensation of peace and understanding of what my spirit has clung to the entire time, even in spite of my body and brain flittering to thoughts of scientific reason.
That night too, plays over in my head. I have a testimony of God's love. I have faith in our Heavenly Father's will and plans for us. I have faith that we will and currently are witnessing miracles in our lives, and my sweetheart is a miracle, a daily witness of God's love for me.
With all of that being said, I would like to share Jordon's latest status update. His doctor's finally were able to come and talk with us regarding the results of his MRI. The MRI showed continuing slow growth, nothing drastic, however the news that followed shortly was drastic. Jordon's oncologist has decided to stop all chemotherapy treatment and is arranging for hospice. The OKN-007 was the last effort, medically possible.
Please don't think me naive, depressed or in denial, but when I heard those words, I did not cry, as one might expect. I admit I became extremely angry. Not anger at God, but more toward the very unattached, almost cold way, Jordon’s doctor had delivered the news. However, I cannot judge that man. Every week, if not daily, he has to deliver very hard news, and in his effort to cope and protect himself from extreme emotional turmoil he is constantly subject to, he has to be very matter of fact, very black and white. At some point between letting the words sick in, and my feelings of anger coming and going, I again had the reassuring peace fill my being: God is fully aware of what is going on, all will be well. Jordon has a purpose on this earth and a special mission to fulfill.
I firmly believe that each of us have a mission here on the earth, some have very long missions, others very short. I also know that only God knows when our mission is complete. Upon hearing the doctors words, a very powerful phrase came to my mind; a very wise man once said, "Cancer is not a death sentence, rather an opportunity to view life from a different perspective". That wise man was my dear father, whose cancer battle ended almost 2 years ago. Just as Cancer is not a death sentence, so too was Dr. Colman's declaration of stopping treatment. This is not a death sentence. It is an opportunity, a gift from the Lord to grow and gain understanding and eternal insight from a different, albeit sometimes painful, perspective. Who are we, as mere mortals to immediately declare death sentences? That power alone lies with our Supreme Father in Heaven.
I invite you to participate in this new perspective that Jordon and I have been blessed with. I invite you to pray for inspiration in what lessons are to be learned. I also invite you to fast and pray this Sunday with sincere heart that our Heavenly Father's will be done. That we may all be wonderful instruments in the hands of an infinitely kind and loving Father in Heaven, who has allowed for us to climb this mountain, and the glorious perspective and view we will have from the top.
I know very matter-of-factly that our merciful and all-powerful Father could have easily moved this spiritual mountain, as was done with physical mountains in Biblical stories. I am humbled and grateful, however, that our loving Father knew the opportunities for growth and understanding this mountain would provide. We love you all, and again, thank you for allowing me to indulge tonight. My heart was overflowing, and I wanted to share a little of my learning with this perspective."
Some of you may be thinking "What does Lora really have to offer?" or "What could a woman barely into her 20's possibly know which would help me?" I understand your dilemma. In fact, I ask myself similar questions every time I consider the fact that I am among the youngest, if not the youngest, people in my ward's Relief Society, yet I teach every third week of the month.
Basically, I know nothing, and I am convinced more and more of that every time I "learn" something. The world is a vast, confusing place and when you place what I am sure of next to what I have no clue about next to each other, there is really no comparison. However, I do offer several desirable traits.
Among these traits is my tendency toward research. In fact, I often over-research things, especially if they have to do with my health, faith, or the well-being of those I love. I am a firm believer that there are always two sides of each story, and I make the best effort possible to know what those are. I believe people are generally good, and generally reasonable, but there are always exceptions. I am diligent in my studies, especially if I am passionate about them, and strongly dislike feeling I haven't done everything I can to understand something of importance.
I met my husband online, at LDSPlanet.com. You can read that whole story here. The hubbs has a daughter from his first marriage, Onnamaria Sophia, who was born July 6, 2010. She is alive and well, living with her mother in southern Iowa. We see her one Sunday a month. She also has an older half-brother.
I have a daughter, Sophia Grace (not named after her half-sister), who was born with a neural tube defect called Anencephaly. Our experience with her is chronicled on my other blog, Dear Sophia;;. She was born 1:30pm September 19, 2012, and lived - shockingly - until 3:59am on September 24, 2012. She cried only a handful of times, only barely opened her eyes, and needed to be held constantly so she could breathe easily. Subsequently, I have only about 4.5 days of parenting experience, but she was an amazing little baby and required little effort. Also, I had a lot of help.
For about three months now, the hubby and I have been trying to conceive. Currently (and this is a treat for only people who are reading this blog!) my period is five days late. I had extremely light spotting several days before my period was due, but it tapered off and has been stopped altogether now for three or four days. I have typical (and increasing) pregnancy symptoms, but no positive test as of yet. Prayers would be appreciated for both a healthy pregnancy and a baby who is whole! We greatly desire to actively be parents!
Speaking of young ones, I have a dirty little secret: I'm not a fan of children. They're loud, smelly, have a penchant for stickiness and short attention spans, and we plain just don't really get along (so it totally makes sense that I want to make my own, right? Yeah.) I try, though. I'm one of those people who will smile or wave at your baby and they'll look at me like I have two heads or just pointed a gun at them. However, if your baby is one of those rare angels who actually like me, please hand them over. We'll get along just fine.
As far as schooling is concerned, I moved a lot during my primary to high school days. I'm not even sure how many schools I attended, but I can certainly say I empathize with the position of "New Kid." I graduated from a small school in Missouri which I only attended the last semester of my senior year but I made a few good friends (which is good, considering my graduating class was only 13 students, as compared to the high school I attended before that, which was 500+.) I graduated at the top of my class, though without any distinction (moving around tends to make that happen) and generally enjoyed school.
After high school, I attended Brigham Young University - Idaho (which, as I like to emphasize, was my choice because I was actually accepted to Brigham Young University) for two semesters. I LOVED it there, and even registered for a third semester, but met my handsome husband on Summer break and decided to suspend my education in favor of marriage and staying close to his daughter. I still think it'd be mighty swell to re-enroll, and have been considering the Pathways program, which is an amazing opportunity the LDS Church offers members to complete their education online through BYU-Idaho at a reduced rate.
I love to sing, crochet, paint, occasionally dance (but considering the pallor of my skin, I didn't have much of a prayer in that department - I kid, I kid), write, cook, bake, and be goofy with the hubster. I have read the Book of Mormon in its entirety only once, but I am working on a second time, and am currently in the process of reading the entire Bible (this, of course, is not to say I haven't studied them, but I'm talking front-to-back, no jumping around.)
I have lived in Washington, Idaho (for school), Pennsylvania, Texas, Nevada, Iowa, and currently reside in Missouri. I think California is gorgeous (particularly San Francisco), and I'd love to visit Mexico someday. I love and have three gorgeous, sibling cats. The hubbs loves dogs, so we have two cocker spaniels. The younger one regularly drives me crazy. I'm not a fan of puppies. Kittens, however, I will take by the truckload (although we are currently at capacity, so please don't offer me yours... I might not be able to resist.)
So that's my history. I try to be as honest as possible without being inconsiderate. I have a tendency to be sarcastic, and find dry humor to be hilarious. I am not above laughing at a toot, ill-placed burp, or inopportune cellphone disruption. Basically, I have a lot of time on my hands, and would love to fill it with blog posts answering your questions. I may not know everything, but I try my best to be sincere and if I don't know something, I will attempt a suitable answer or point you in the right direction. Please feel free to inundate me with questions, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.
First, I must apologize. I've been a bit preoccupied with the whole trying-to-conceive thing and haven't done anything "Ask Lora" related. (No news yet - or rather, no news I can report publicly.) Don't maim me!
Now, for the third question from "Anonymous," as I have yet to research their fourth question.
"What is your favorite book of scripture and why? And what about your favorite non-scriptural book?"
Well, Anonymous, that's a question I'll answer with a story. One year at Girl's Camp, there was a theme which had something to do with flags - maybe ships? I dunno, but it's not important. Anyway, we ended up decorating our own flags. They were supposed to represent us through our favorite colors, sayings, scriptures, etc. I believe I was in the Stake camp that year, so I had quite a bit of time to decorate my flag.
While my friend and I were rifling through our scriptures, looking for our favorites, it occurred to me that I wasn't really sure what to pick. As I searched, I would exclaim one book was really great, then the next. After a while, my friend would roll her eyes and say something along the lines of "Let me guess. It's your favorite."
I couldn't help it! They were all so good! That said, I've always gravitated toward the book of Enos. I've just always been touched how a man could have faith enough to get down on his knees and pray his heart out, enough to have his sins forgiven. Then he prays for other people. What a guy!
Past that, I wouldn't say I have a particular favorite book. Something I've always believed is that all parts of the scriptures are for us at some time or another. I might like a particular scripture a little more for a while because it's the one which fits my current situation, but even that changes. A scripture I've liked for a while is 1 Corinthians 10:13:
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
I don't know about you, but I regularly mess up, and it's nice to know I'm not alone. Not only is my particular mistake not completely unheard of, someone else has also made it! Oh, humanity. Then there's the part about how the Lord doesn't allow you to be tempted more than you are able to bear. In other words, you will always have the strength to resist and/or recover from the temptations which vex you. That gives me such great hope!!
The second part of Anonymous's question references non-scriptural books, mainly my favorite one. I think my favorite book would have to be "Reflections of a Scientist" by Henry B. Eyring Sr. I'm that weird girl who actually enjoys assigned readings (when they're not ridiculous like The Grapes of Wrath, which I loathe - in fact, I wrote a paper during high school on how I hated that book and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, although it was excellently composed. Yeah, I got full marks for that gem.)
Anyway, this was an assigned reading for my Science Foundations class (which I also enjoyed - I know, I'm sick in the head.) It's about how Henry Eyring, as a scientist, closes the gap between his faith and science. Really, it was eye-opening for me. I would consider finding this book well within the top ten best things which happened to me because of my year of college, and would heartily recommend it to anyone who finds reconciling an interest in science and their faith in God difficult.
I have yet to procure my own copy, but I thoroughly intend to do so. Thanks for renewing my desire to do so!
As always, feel free to send your questions so ask.lora@yahoo.com. I'll respond post-haste!
I'm getting sleepy, so I'm going to answer one of Anonymous's less-involved questions. The question is:
"Why would you move to another city when Cameron is so awesome and we miss you?"
Oh, Anonymous, you make me smile! We moved to have a place to call our own, and this is where the house was! As much as I love being able to spend time with my family - especially my mother - a married woman needs some alone time with her spouse, and a space she has control over! I think you understand those things, though.
We actually like it here. Believe it or not, we save money by living away from the grocery store and yummy places to eat! I will say we didn't pick Plattsburg on purpose, though. In fact, we had actually considered staying with my mother simply because we loved being in the Cameron ward so much, but, in the end, having our own space won out. I would also like to add that Hubby and I miss you too, and wish we could have gotten a couple more game nights in before we had to be all terrible and move away! You may have noticed, but we haven't actually been great about staying completely away. *winky face* Maybe we can work something out in the near future?
Imagine me jumping for joy, because I am! More lovely questions to answer from another lovely friend, Anonymous. First off, we have:
"Why do Mormons eat so unhealthily when we have a strict dietary code?"
Seriously! I mean, I can't say I'm not in the same boat, but that's something I've been thinking of as of late. I have a particular friend from Iowa who is vegan (she says "raw vegan," although I don't know if that's an important distinction or not.) Regardless of her motivations for being vegan, I'm sure she has found many benefits to eating all kinds of fruits and vegetables as opposed to copious amounts of over-processed, chemically-altered meat. Now, lets get one thing clear: I will never, ever go vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, or any sort of variation of the aforementioned diets. I do see how they could potentially benefit an individual in general, although I don't believe things need to be that strict.
But that's beside the point. As Anonymous mentioned, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have a "strict dietary code," (known as the "Word of Wisdom") which is outlined nicely in Doctrine and Covenants 89 (click the link if you'd like a gander.)
Here's a summary:
Verses 1-4 are the introduction. Basically, it says this is for everyone as the "will of God," and a warning.
Verses 5-9 deal with what we are instructed to not put into our bodies. These are things like wine, "strong drink" a.k.a. alcohol, tobacco, and "hot drinks." It also offers up alternate and appropriate uses for a couple of those things, such as using tobacco as "an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill."
Verses 10-17 focus on what is good for our bodies: "wholesome herbs" in the "season thereof," as well as every fruit in their season, "flesh... of beasts and of the fowls of the air," grain, and "that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground." We are, however, consistently warned to use everything with "prudence and thanksgiving," and it even goes so far as to say meat should be used "sparingly" and "only in times of winter or of cold, or famine."
Verses 18-21 outline all the blessings we get for keeping faithful to these guidelines, such as "wisdom and great treasures of knowledge" and "run and not be weary... walk and not faint."
Great! So... where does the green jello fit in? How about the cookies and all the other sweets typical of an LDS gathering? Yikes! The question stands: If we, faithful members of the LDS church, have these guidelines available to us, why is it that they aren't always observed?
I believe, to an extent, that people are actually pretty good about the guidelines. Where we get caught up is in the whole "prudence" and "sparingly" parts. When it says different foods should be used with "thanksgiving," it is NOT referring to the holiday where you stuff yourself silly. Think more along the lines of desperately wanting a chocolate bar, and how grateful you would be if someone showed up with the last one you would have for a while.... not that chocolate is necessarily great for you either.
Then there's the part about meat which specifies "only in times of winter or of cold, or famine." We're definitely not going through a famine, but it is winter and pretty cold so... we're good, right? Well, keeping in mind this is all my personal opinion, I believe the part where we need to focus our attention is again on the word "sparingly." Unfortunately for those who love their meat, even if studies had not shown that an abundance of it isn't very good for you, those are the instructions we've been given. No, I do not think it is a sin to throw some hamburger in with your pasta during the spring and summer months. I do, however, think having meat every day should be avoided, and, when you do partake of it, there should be a balance of fruits and vegetables with it. Generally, according to the Word of Wisdom, it is best to receive sustenance from fruits, vegetables, grains, and herbs.
Where's the disconnect? Food is good... really good. The world teaches us to enjoy, and enjoy as much as we want. (Did anyone else just think "eat, drink, and be merry?") Sometimes you take a bite of something and all you want to do is stuff your face with it for the rest of eternity, but that's not what life is about. Our life here is about building on our character and learning to be the best versions of ourselves possible. Those versions of us don't pig out all the time - they have self control, and make wise decisions about what they put in their bodies. It's so easy to allow food, which is a natural part of life, to consume more than its fair share of concern. No, I'm not going to say it's a sin to have dessert every now and then. The key is to be reasonable. Only by carefully monitoring what it put in our bodies can we reap the amazing benefits we have been promised at the end of the Word of Wisdom.
Don't go alerting your Bishops you have been breaking the Word of Wisdom at all the ward holiday celebrations. Do make a conscious effort to improve the quality and restrict the quantity of food which goes into your body and the bodies of those whom you provide for, realizing that even your occasional candy bar brings consequences.
I love my friends. I love them a zillion times more when they ask me questions. This question comes from a wonderful young woman who has one of the most adorable little babies I've ever laid eyes on. I know she has friends who have been attempting to conceive for varying lengths of time, and I also know it can be difficult to balance sensitivity toward those who are struggling in that department, and excitement over your precious miracle. Thus, she has posed the following question:
"How can couples who have children be sensitive and supportive to couples who have not had children yet but are trying?"
Wow. Before beginning, I will mention that I am in the unique position of both having a child whilst not having a child, and trying to conceive. Please keep in mind that this is the mindset and level of experience from which my answer comes.
Imagine, please, that you and your husband have decided you want to add a baby to your budding family. At first, it's all fun and giggles.You think something along the lines of 'It can't be that hard to get a baby if a bunch of random people who don't even want kids can do it on accident.' Then a month passes. Two. Then it's three or four, and, if you haven't been crying about your cycle before, now you are. Maybe there's a month where your cycle comes late, or you feel those tell-tale pregnancy signs, only to be let down again when your cycle suddenly decides to show. It feels like a cruel joke. You might even start to wonder if you and your spouse are even capable of conceiving together, and what if you're the problem?
Putting it frankly, trying to conceive sucks. Once you do conceive, no matter how long it took you, you become one of the "others" to those who are still trying. We love you, and we desperately try to support and be happy for you, but you have what we want. For those who are continuing to face that harsh red feeling of failure each month, even looking at you can be painful. The same goes for pictures of your adorable baby bump or your new bundle of joy. It gets even more difficult when you delve into the area of those who have lost a child, whether through miscarriage or otherwise, because we keep track. We may not always talk about it, but our loss doesn't fully leave our minds, and your success only reminds us of it. We see your however-old baby, and think about how our child might have compared at that same age. We see what we're missing, and yearn to have it for ourselves.
This is one of those circumstances where the cliche "It's not you, it's me" really does hold true. For those who have or are expecting children, please believe me when I say you did absolutely nothing wrong. Deep, deep down we are extremely happy for you, and admire your little ones. We want to hold and cuddle them... and take them home, and call them ours. There's the problem.
Here's where it gets tricky: everyone is different. For me, I struggle every week in church because there's a little girl only a week younger than my daughter would be. I see her in cute outfits, see her mother holding her and walking around with her, and see other people getting to love on her cute little self too. However, I have yet to approach them, and often find myself avoiding them (and eye contact) whatsoever. I have no problem with mother or baby - they just bring up painful memories for me. The first time I saw a dear friend's baby girl, I emotionally couldn't hold her, and ended up crying on the way home. (I now wish to hold her, though, and can't wait to see them again!) I have less of an aversion to baby boys, probably because my little one was a girl. For another friend of mine who has had trouble carrying to term, she struggles with seeing pregnant women in general. It just depends.
The best suggestion I can come up with would be to talk to your friends who are trying to conceive. They will most likely appreciate your concern, and let you know where their personal sensitivities lie. Offer to let them hold your baby, if that's something which will make them feel good. Let them know you love them. Pray for them and their future children. Initiate contact, because it may be difficult for them to do so. If you have happy baby news or excitement to share in a group where they are present, make an effort to talk to them individually, perhaps even ahead of time.
Most of all, though, enjoy your baby. There's very little more annoying than wanting a child more than anything, and seeing others who don't appreciate what they've been given. It's okay to post pictures and talk about exciting benchmarks your child has reached. When you're up late at night, dead-tired and annoyed you have to change their diaper, keep in mind that there are people all around you who would gladly do your job. If you're already concerned about being sensitive to those who are trying to conceive, you're already on the right track.
Remember: We love you, and we want you to succeed. Please help us remain close to you, regardless of our struggles in childbearing.
Thanks again for a fabulous question! It was nice to talk about a topic which has been on my mind a lot as of late. Have any more suggestions? Feel free to add them in the comments!
I'm so excited! As of yesterday, I've officially received questions from a non-hubby source. Sure, both of them were from the same person, but I'll take it! (For the person who asked, they will be two separate blog posts so don't worry that I'm ignoring your second question!)
The question, which I will attempt to answer with as much clarity as possible, is:
"What is your opinion of how women are viewed and treated in the LDS church?"
Well, my darling friend, that's something I've often thought about, and something I'm sure many people looking into the Church struggle with. I've come to this conclusion:
The LDS church views women as sacred and immensely powerful beings.
At first glance, it appears this is not the case. Women are not allowed to hold the Priesthood, or officiate in ordinances relating to it. They are also not regarded as the "head" of the household, and there are many scriptures in the LDS cannon which state such things as "The head of the woman is the man;" (1 Corinthians 11:3) and "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection." (1 Timothy 2:11)
We read in "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" (which will subsequently be referred to as "The Proclamation") that "Each [man or woman] is a beloved spirit son or daughter or heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." So, are we to deduce that a woman's "identity and purpose" is to be in subjection to a man; that we are to simply subject to a man's wishes and carry out his demands? I believe the answer is no.
The Lord did not mean women to be mindless, silent slaves, nor did He intend for them to be the "lesser" sex. Upon further inspection, you find this following the very verses which seem to prove the opposite point. 1 Corinthians 11:9-12 states:
"(9) Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
(10) For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
(11) Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
(12) For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God."
Take that in for a second. Reading verses 9 and 10, I almost started laughing. Woman was created to be for man, and needs power from angels to do it. Then comes the real kicker in verses 11 and 12: "neither is the man without the woman.... even so is the man also by the woman." So wait. If man is so awesome and just needed woman as slaves, why are they so important to man? The Hebrews weren't terribly important to the Egyptians - they just didn't want to do the work they were having them do.
The answer is God entrusted His greatest gift to man inside the woman. In the midst of all this talk of coverings and silence, you find the woman is not a dirty little secret, she is a beautiful treasure. 1 Corinthians 11:14-15 says:
"(14)Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
(15)But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering."
This is not to hide woman, people! This is to protect and sanctify her! Continuing in The Proclamation, it says "We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life (note that it doesn't say only a man's life) and of its importance in God's eternal plan. Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children." It goes on to quote Psalm 127:3, which states "children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Again, there is no specification that the man is more important to the Lord than the woman. In fact, I'd be surprised if you ever found something stating that. We are specifically counseled that it is our responsibility as both men and women to take care of each other and raise both our sons and daughters to the very best of our abilities.
Going on, we read that "Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." These principles are not to be one-sided. Next, The Proclamation explains, "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.... [F]athers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."
Yeah, you read that right. Not semi-equal partners; not as master and dutiful, silent servant; but as equal, 50/50, partners. Guys, this was only released 18 years ago. It stands - not as a new, reformed way of life - but as an explanation of what God says a family always should look like. In fact, there is a paragraph warning, rather blatantly, that abuse and/or violations of marital fidelity will not be tolerated. This, again, goes both ways.
I feel I have sufficiently beaten that topic with a very pokey stick. I will, however, add this disclaimer: I do not believe these standards are always maintained. Let me explain.
Regardless of the way the Lord sees us, women in the church very often feel like they are under-valued and overlooked. Why? Often, this is due to the simple differences between men and women. I love my husband dearly, but he can be forgetful, insensitive, and all kinds of pig-headed. It's a basic fact of life that men and women think and communicate differently so there is often a disconnect where, I believe, women feel lost. Then you must take social customs into consideration. There is a fine line between a man or woman appreciating the opposite sex for their talents and abilities - being friends, even - and getting way too close for comfort. This, compounded by the lack of adequate communication, creates a scale where, on one side, women feel under-appreciated, and on the other side, men and women can fall into compromising situations. I believe, rather than chancing the latter, most men tend to lean toward the former, leaving women to realize their infinite and divine potential through associating with other women (and they wonder why we travel in groups!)
It can all be a big, thorny mess, but I can't blame it all on men, either. The fact is, women are powerful. Amazingly so. Just ask my husband - whatever I put my mind to, it will get done. Putting aside the fact that we were created in the Lord's image (which means there is undoubtedly a Heavenly Mother as well!), I believe we were created to need each other. Man has the Priesthood, with which he is only able to bless those around him, not himself. Man was inherently created to take care of woman. Woman has the ability to grow children inside of her, for which she needs the man; and be right all the time (okay, maybe not that one.) We need each other. We cannot be without each other "in the Lord."
That said, I do think the Church has done fairly well to make women, as a whole, feel more like the goddesses they can become, and less like the servants the world would like them to be (which was a customary flaw, not an eternal one.) The creation of the Relief Society early on was a great step, then you have the Visiting Teaching program. Callings are another great source of encouragement. Women are becoming leaders and teachers in the Church, and becoming more and more empowered as they are encouraged by other men and women. Anything which makes us feel otherwise is not of God, and should be disregarded.
I very honestly believe that the Gospel as it pertains to women is perfect. God intends woman to be a miraculous gift, not a burden. It is society which has imposed cumbersome roles which hamper that divine potential, not the Church. It is important for women, especially those in the Church and those investigating the Church, to be thorough in educating themselves on the word of God, which clearly outlines how amazing and important we are. He loves us, and He has proven that over and over again. It is up to us to find these positive affirmations, and to fulfill our role beside our husbands, helping them as they travel with us through this crazy mess called mortality.
I hope that answers your question. I feel like I might have been a little long-winded, but that happens when I'm passionate about something! Thanks for the opportunity to answer such a marvelous question, friend!
Sincerely,
Lora.
EDIT: The Church website is down right now, but here's a video from a former church leader which supports the fact that women have many privileges and rights in the Church. Sweet!
To make this even better, here's another, more-recent video of one of the Apostles. I think even the title speaks for itself!
(Just to be clear, I'm not trying to make any political statement. S.I.A.M. stands for "So I Asked Myself.")
One day, Self and I were reading in Genesis. Genesis 48 and 49, to be exact. These two chapters describe Jacob/Israel's last actions, as far as the Bible is concerned, which just happen to be the blessing of all his sons, and the claiming of Joseph's first two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (whom he also blesses.) According to the record, he claims E&M because they were born to Joseph in Egypt before he and Jacob were reunited. Now, I can't say I quite understand that process because if my mom just randomly decided my kids were hers, I'd be less like "Okay, here they are" and more like "What you talkin' 'bout Willis??" Maybe the world wasn't quite ready for the latter response or, more likely, it's some kind of Hebrew tradition I know nothing about.
In any case, Jacob blesses all of his sons, including the newly-claimed E&M, and "gives up the ghost." Everything's good, right? WRONG. At precisely that moment, Self figuratively tapped me on my shoulder:
"Yes, Self?"
"This doesn't make sense."
"What doesn't, Self?"
"Well... he has twelve sons."
"Yes."
"But he just claimed two more, so that makes fourteen sons."
*brow furrowing* "Yes, Self, I suppose it does."
"So... how can they be the twelve tribes of Israel if you've got E&M thrown in there too?"
Hence the dilemma. I turned to the source of all a lot of knowledge (a.k.a. my Grandma and Grandpa.) There was more brow furrowing, some research in both the scriptures and a book called Mormon Doctrine by Bruce R. McConkie. From those sources and the collective brainpower of my beloved grandparents, my very best shot at an answer to this conundrum is thus:
I'm not entirely sure.
Here's what I do know. First off, as stated in Genesis 48:22, Joseph inherited a double portion. The best I can think of is one of those nifty little drop-down deals like you might see in a genealogy chart, where E&M end up as an off-shoot of Joseph, and comprise the whole "tribe." There was also something in Mormon Doctrine saying the tribe of Levi (which Moses came from!) wasn't always held on the same level as the other tribes because they were the ones entrusted with the Priesthood. With that said, either Ephraim or Manasseh could take his spot, and the other would take Joseph's spot, leaving twelve tribes again.
I feel like the former explanation is probably more correct. However, my word is certainly not the end-all-be-all of Gospel knowledge, and I'm not sure it really matters all that much anyway, as long as everyone does their part as a member of their tribe, inductee or otherwise.
So there it is. If you have any more solid knowledge, or even evidence that one of my explanations is correct (or *gulp* wrong), I'd love to hear it!
After polling a few of my good friends in a highly-scientific way (a.k.a. a status on Facebook), it has been decided that "Ask Lora" is totally going to happen! Since this gig is in its infancy, I have resorted to obtaining my the first question from none other than the handsome man sitting next to me. (And yes, this is seriously the first question he could think of. Goofy smile included.)
"Do you love me?"
-Hubby
Dear Hubby,
That's a tough one, but, after much consideration, I believe the answer is a resounding heck yes! For proof, I would like to cite the year and a half I have happily remained in our relationship, and the piece of paper with our sealing certificate printed upon it. Oh, and you're currently still alive, so I think that's a good hint.
Sincerely,
Lora.
So there you have it, folks! Here's a picture of a pair of shiny gold scissors cutting a ribbon to signify the official opening of "Ask Lora." -insert yet to be determined catchphrase here-
Please send questions to ask.lora@yahoo.com. For the record, please don't hold back! I am really willing to answer anything I am capable of answering, even if it's as simple as a question about me, or a bit of clarification on some LDS doctrine. It doesn't have to be deep, but it can be if you'd like. Also, don't let the fear of letting your identity out scare you. I am absolutely willing to withhold identities. If you'd like, please include the name I should refer to you as in your e-mail. (Please keep them appropriate.)
Thanks in advance! I look forward to reading your great questions and the challenge of answering them all to the best of my abilities!
I'm a wife and mother to an angel named Sophia Grace and our rainbow, Charlotte Rose. I love to craft, take naps, try new recipes, plan fun date nights, and love on my three cats.
