Sunday, December 4, 2011
IAT for Inspiration and Direction
IAT = I am thankful
I have a creative brain. I get lots of flashes of insight and inspiration. I wish I wrote most of it down. But, I don't. I've known for some time I had a book writing itself in me. I've tried on more than on occasion to begin writing the ones I thought I should, but they never really went anywhere.
This week, the inspiration came hard and fast. And I am really excited to begin the book that is within me. And to begin a new direction. Hooray! I hope it changes lots of lives!
Monday, November 28, 2011
My "Mormon" rant
IAT = I am thankful
All right, so I tried my best to keep calm, cool, and collected about the whole Mormons running for President thing. I've read and posted some articles on facebook, but let me tell you how I really feel. I hope you don't regret it. :-) And since I believe in being all positive, it's going to be really hard not to say things like I am sick and tired, so that is the only one you will see. Feel free to insert it before each and every point I address. Haha.
So, I suppose I've been a "Mormon" most of my life. Properly put, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. So, why is there a mormon.org? Well there's this little book we believe in called the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and people took to calling us Mormons. Mormon is one of the books in the Book of Mormon, named after the author, who we consider an ancient American prophet. So, although the official website of the church is www.lds.org, they realized many people would search for us by our nick name and we have my.mormon.org that discusses many of our beliefs. That particular one is my personal profile which gives a brief summary about my membership. (There is not really a my.mormon.org)
I met my first opposition to my faith in high school. A girl in my choir, who said she cared about me, told me I was going to hell because I was a Mormon. Huh? Wow. I vaguely remember discussing some of my beliefs with her. I was no more convinced I was going to hell than she was convinced I was, so on I went. My faith was very tender at that point, but I knew the fire I felt that told me it was true, even though I was not a typical LDS girl at that point in time.
The next opposition came from members of my own family, who I will leave anonymous for their protection. But, a change in their faith, and then their attendance of anti-mormon meetings and preachings, brought great concern from them for me. I have since over the years learned that nearly every member of my family has anti-mormon sentiments. Joy!
I'd say I was a sophomore when those accusations began that typically went like this. Family member: "So, you believe God had sex with Mary." Me: (horrified, incredulous, shocked, and completely caught off balance) "No, I don't! And I've never heard that before." Family member: "Well, your church believes it."
Me:
Family member: "You believe in a different Jesus than we do." Me: "I do? I thought there was only one Jesus, the one in the Bible." Family member: "Nope, you believe in a completely different Jesus." Me: "How is he different?" Family member: "Well, he is not exactly like the one we believe in, so he is different, so you are not a Christian."
Me:
Family member: "You believe Satan is Jesus' brother." Me (noting to self): "Why do they keep TELLING me what I believe." (To family) "ummm, not exactly, that's kind of an oversimplification." Family member: "AHA!!!! See, you are not a Christian."
Me:
You get the idea. I could go down a list a mile long of things I have been accused of believing but rarely asked if I believe, and even if I am asked, since they already have decided the true answer, my answer doesn't really matter. My missionary sons have likewise been accused, railed, yelled at, and attemptedly (is that a word?) entrapped. They learned there was no point in arguing and typically wished those kinds of people well and went on their way.
You may have heard some pretty wacky things about members of my faith. They are typically hacked up quotations taken out of context and dragged out of old histories that are not official sources of "doctrine." I would encourage you if you have concerns about that to find someone who is a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and simply ask them. Or you can ask me. *OR* all those young men going around in pairs wearing white shirts and ties, LOVE to answer questions. Are Mormons Christians, as we have so Un-Christianly been accused? Maybe the better question is Are Anti-Mormons Christian? (Yep, that's clickable) Here are some articles you can read from our perspective. Then you decide.
http://en.fairmormon.org/Latter-day_Saints_aren%27t_Christians (wiki type article)
http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/LDSChristian.pdf (Michael Hickenbotham)
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Latter-Day-Saints/2000/11/Hey-Who-Are-You-Calling-A-Cult.aspx (Orson Scott Card)
And if you really want a whole slew of other articles that will help you decide if you could possibly vote for a Mormon or be a friend of one, then you can go here:
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai052.html
If you want my very long story and TESTIMONY. Then click the word TESTIMONY.
And if you made it to the end. Wow! That should all keep you busy. You must really care about the answers. THANK YOU!
All right, so I tried my best to keep calm, cool, and collected about the whole Mormons running for President thing. I've read and posted some articles on facebook, but let me tell you how I really feel. I hope you don't regret it. :-) And since I believe in being all positive, it's going to be really hard not to say things like I am sick and tired, so that is the only one you will see. Feel free to insert it before each and every point I address. Haha.
So, I suppose I've been a "Mormon" most of my life. Properly put, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. So, why is there a mormon.org? Well there's this little book we believe in called the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and people took to calling us Mormons. Mormon is one of the books in the Book of Mormon, named after the author, who we consider an ancient American prophet. So, although the official website of the church is www.lds.org, they realized many people would search for us by our nick name and we have my.mormon.org that discusses many of our beliefs. That particular one is my personal profile which gives a brief summary about my membership. (There is not really a my.mormon.org)
I met my first opposition to my faith in high school. A girl in my choir, who said she cared about me, told me I was going to hell because I was a Mormon. Huh? Wow. I vaguely remember discussing some of my beliefs with her. I was no more convinced I was going to hell than she was convinced I was, so on I went. My faith was very tender at that point, but I knew the fire I felt that told me it was true, even though I was not a typical LDS girl at that point in time.
The next opposition came from members of my own family, who I will leave anonymous for their protection. But, a change in their faith, and then their attendance of anti-mormon meetings and preachings, brought great concern from them for me. I have since over the years learned that nearly every member of my family has anti-mormon sentiments. Joy!
I'd say I was a sophomore when those accusations began that typically went like this. Family member: "So, you believe God had sex with Mary." Me: (horrified, incredulous, shocked, and completely caught off balance) "No, I don't! And I've never heard that before." Family member: "Well, your church believes it."
Me:
Family member: "You believe in a different Jesus than we do." Me: "I do? I thought there was only one Jesus, the one in the Bible." Family member: "Nope, you believe in a completely different Jesus." Me: "How is he different?" Family member: "Well, he is not exactly like the one we believe in, so he is different, so you are not a Christian."
Me:
Family member: "You believe Satan is Jesus' brother." Me (noting to self): "Why do they keep TELLING me what I believe." (To family) "ummm, not exactly, that's kind of an oversimplification." Family member: "AHA!!!! See, you are not a Christian."
Me:
You get the idea. I could go down a list a mile long of things I have been accused of believing but rarely asked if I believe, and even if I am asked, since they already have decided the true answer, my answer doesn't really matter. My missionary sons have likewise been accused, railed, yelled at, and attemptedly (is that a word?) entrapped. They learned there was no point in arguing and typically wished those kinds of people well and went on their way.
You may have heard some pretty wacky things about members of my faith. They are typically hacked up quotations taken out of context and dragged out of old histories that are not official sources of "doctrine." I would encourage you if you have concerns about that to find someone who is a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and simply ask them. Or you can ask me. *OR* all those young men going around in pairs wearing white shirts and ties, LOVE to answer questions. Are Mormons Christians, as we have so Un-Christianly been accused? Maybe the better question is Are Anti-Mormons Christian? (Yep, that's clickable) Here are some articles you can read from our perspective. Then you decide.
http://en.fairmormon.org/Latter-day_Saints_aren%27t_Christians (wiki type article)
http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/LDSChristian.pdf (Michael Hickenbotham)
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Latter-Day-Saints/2000/11/Hey-Who-Are-You-Calling-A-Cult.aspx (Orson Scott Card)
And if you really want a whole slew of other articles that will help you decide if you could possibly vote for a Mormon or be a friend of one, then you can go here:
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai052.html
If you want my very long story and TESTIMONY. Then click the word TESTIMONY.
And if you made it to the end. Wow! That should all keep you busy. You must really care about the answers. THANK YOU!
Friday, November 25, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, and again, and again
IAT = I am thankful for EFT
Maybe some will think I am beating a dead horse. I'm actually tapping him. Haha. That won't be funny to anyone but those who've attended my EFT classes or been tapped by me. I wish I could look every person in the eye, that I know. And have them meet my gaze. Then sincerely explain to them how different their life could be with this phenomenal technique. Then have them believe me, and really apply it, and find for themselves that it is true.
No, it's not the first thing I always go to. But when I have a BIG, scary, I don't know what to do with problem, I approach it one of two ways. I pray and then I tap. Or I tap and then I pray. It's that simple. (Ok, sometimes my hubby gets all the details first).
I recently had an offer to help someone thrown rather rudely back in my face. To be fair, they thought a comment I made was much more judgmental than it was. And I shook my head in disbelief. I offered with my heart, and was pretty rudely denied. And that is ok. I learn from every experience. And I really do need to learn more just to share and not be offended. Or to give it to those who are truly seeking it.
But my trouble is, I think they don't know they are seeking it. So, I keep offering free classes. See, I heard that you should choose to do a think you love so much, that you'd do it for free. THIS IS IT!!! Until something better comes along. I've heard there are better things, but for me, it's what really resonates with me, fascinates me, and brings me so much joy in seeing others give up their burdens.
I do have private consultations and get paid for it. At least half of the time, it's done by phone or skype. How cool is it that I can tap with anyone in the world? I do have an EFT friend/client in Australia. Some day I want to go to Australia for sure.
Anyway, I had my free class tonight. Less Stress, More Living. Fewer people came than I hoped. But those of us who were there, laughed, and tapped, and unstressed. And like I told everyone. I brought chocolate. I gave it out. I did my thing. They didn't eat it. I took the whole bag home. I'm saving it for the next class. There will only be the few pieces missing that I used tonight. We brought our stress. We went home light hearted and left the stress behind.
I LOVE EFT!!!!! I'm so thankful for the additional peace it has helped me come to.
Maybe some will think I am beating a dead horse. I'm actually tapping him. Haha. That won't be funny to anyone but those who've attended my EFT classes or been tapped by me. I wish I could look every person in the eye, that I know. And have them meet my gaze. Then sincerely explain to them how different their life could be with this phenomenal technique. Then have them believe me, and really apply it, and find for themselves that it is true.
No, it's not the first thing I always go to. But when I have a BIG, scary, I don't know what to do with problem, I approach it one of two ways. I pray and then I tap. Or I tap and then I pray. It's that simple. (Ok, sometimes my hubby gets all the details first).
I recently had an offer to help someone thrown rather rudely back in my face. To be fair, they thought a comment I made was much more judgmental than it was. And I shook my head in disbelief. I offered with my heart, and was pretty rudely denied. And that is ok. I learn from every experience. And I really do need to learn more just to share and not be offended. Or to give it to those who are truly seeking it.
But my trouble is, I think they don't know they are seeking it. So, I keep offering free classes. See, I heard that you should choose to do a think you love so much, that you'd do it for free. THIS IS IT!!! Until something better comes along. I've heard there are better things, but for me, it's what really resonates with me, fascinates me, and brings me so much joy in seeing others give up their burdens.
I do have private consultations and get paid for it. At least half of the time, it's done by phone or skype. How cool is it that I can tap with anyone in the world? I do have an EFT friend/client in Australia. Some day I want to go to Australia for sure.
Anyway, I had my free class tonight. Less Stress, More Living. Fewer people came than I hoped. But those of us who were there, laughed, and tapped, and unstressed. And like I told everyone. I brought chocolate. I gave it out. I did my thing. They didn't eat it. I took the whole bag home. I'm saving it for the next class. There will only be the few pieces missing that I used tonight. We brought our stress. We went home light hearted and left the stress behind.
I LOVE EFT!!!!! I'm so thankful for the additional peace it has helped me come to.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
I am SO thankful for this time of year
IAT = I am thankful
October 1 to January 1 is my favorite time of year. The most wonderful time of the year. At the beginning of October (1st weekend) we have our semi-annual conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Lots of great wisdom to apply to my life for the next 6 months, and answers to prayers for current problems in my life. I love listening for the Spirit and it's instructions to me through prophets, seers, and revelators! This year, it was so fun to take a trip and attend in person with 3 of our 4 oldest sons. One of them being our newly returned missionary.
November is gratitude month. How I love Thanksgiving and the near inability to commercialize it. It is simply a time to be grateful. To be with family. To slow down. To remember blessings. To transition into the happiest time of the year for me.
December. My birthday doesn't even phase me anymore, but it's in December and I LOVE that I share it with the celebration of our Savior's birth. I love almost EVERYTHING about Christmas. The crispness in the air, even in Arizona. The MUSIC. I overdose on Christmas music. Family. Shopping. Light. Secrets. Stories. Traditions. Gifts. Surprises. Santa. The baby Jesus. Nativities. Food. Goodies. Trees. Ornaments. Decorations. Parties. And on and on. I could live without the overcommercialism. Other than that, PERFECT.
And finally. New Years. A time at the end of a year and beginning of a new one, to contemplate. How did I do? Where can I improve? What do I want to accomplish?
And then I leave it all behind and start looking toward Spring.
October 1 to January 1 is my favorite time of year. The most wonderful time of the year. At the beginning of October (1st weekend) we have our semi-annual conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Lots of great wisdom to apply to my life for the next 6 months, and answers to prayers for current problems in my life. I love listening for the Spirit and it's instructions to me through prophets, seers, and revelators! This year, it was so fun to take a trip and attend in person with 3 of our 4 oldest sons. One of them being our newly returned missionary.
November is gratitude month. How I love Thanksgiving and the near inability to commercialize it. It is simply a time to be grateful. To be with family. To slow down. To remember blessings. To transition into the happiest time of the year for me.
December. My birthday doesn't even phase me anymore, but it's in December and I LOVE that I share it with the celebration of our Savior's birth. I love almost EVERYTHING about Christmas. The crispness in the air, even in Arizona. The MUSIC. I overdose on Christmas music. Family. Shopping. Light. Secrets. Stories. Traditions. Gifts. Surprises. Santa. The baby Jesus. Nativities. Food. Goodies. Trees. Ornaments. Decorations. Parties. And on and on. I could live without the overcommercialism. Other than that, PERFECT.
And finally. New Years. A time at the end of a year and beginning of a new one, to contemplate. How did I do? Where can I improve? What do I want to accomplish?
And then I leave it all behind and start looking toward Spring.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
I'm so Thankful I'm Me
This weekend, we bought the DVD Tangled. What a fabulous telling Disney created with Rapunzel. The theme of the movie is about dreaming. Dreaming for something wonderful.
True stories, but how I used to Daydream!. I remember getting my work done early at school, propping my chin on my hand, and letting my imagination go. I don't remember most of them, but I do remember sometimes dreaming I would have my mother back. Not *A* mother...*MY* mother. Even though I knew things had not been right when my parents were together, I still dreamed of that happy family unit.
Eventually, I gave up that dream. I knew it would never be. My dad moved on. My mom moved on. And my brother and I adjusted and survived. There were many disappointments in my childhood without a mother of my mother own. But, I kept daydreaming.
Another dream that began to blossom, was a family of my own. I don't think I thought much of the whole family deal, but I sure dreamed of my prince charming. There were times I prayed for that future someone. I even sometimes thought I felt the presence of that someone through space and time. I knew I wanted to be his special someone and I made promises that would keep only for him.
The point of this post is dreams, not the whole story. So, we fast forward 30 years to where I am now. Through years of trial and struggle and beginning to really know myself. All of it, with someone wonderful at my side. First, one wonderful person, then another, and another, and another, until just me, became us, and turned into a family. And far many more laughs and joy and success, than trial and struggle.
There are still trials and major disappointments, but not in ways I continue to see others dear to me struggle. I watched Tangled tonight and saw that my rocky beginning has magically changed into something of a dreamland...a fairy tale. And I have learned that I am a big part of the creation of that story. I hope I continue to create dreams.
No, I don't sing and dance and twirl through each day. Some days are bland and boring. But I don't have to worry about food in my children's mouths. I don't worry where we will lay our heads. I know that my marriage is secure. I delight in the children that surround me near and far. And I am ever so grateful that a divine Someone led me by the hand, step by step, into my nearly fairytale life.
Every Disney movie has villains and heroes, as well as trials and triumphs. And my life has those too. But, I loved the lyrics in the song I See the Light. I felt like they described my life to some degree. And I felt happy and thankful. I don't have hair like Rapunzel, but The Bish sure has hair like Flynn, well, plus a lot of grey. Here is my favorite scene and song (that I identify with) from Tangled.
If you like this post, please share or comment.
I'm so Thankful I'm Me
This weekend, we bought the DVD Tangled. What a fabulous telling Disney created with Rapunzel. The theme of the movie is about dreaming. Dreaming for something wonderful.
True stories, but how I used to Daydream!. I remember getting my work done early at school, propping my chin on my hand, and letting my imagination go. I don't remember most of them, but I do remember sometimes dreaming I would have my mother back. Not *A* mother...*MY* mother. Even though I knew things had not been right when my parents were together, I still dreamed of that happy family unit.
Eventually, I gave up that dream. I knew it would never be. My dad moved on. My mom moved on. And my brother and I adjusted and survived. There were many disappointments in my childhood without a mother of my mother own. But, I kept daydreaming.
Another dream that began to blossom, was a family of my own. I don't think I thought much of the whole family deal, but I sure dreamed of my prince charming. There were times I prayed for that future someone. I even sometimes thought I felt the presence of that someone through space and time. I knew I wanted to be his special someone and I made promises that would keep only for him.
The point of this post is dreams, not the whole story. So, we fast forward 30 years to where I am now. Through years of trial and struggle and beginning to really know myself. All of it, with someone wonderful at my side. First, one wonderful person, then another, and another, and another, until just me, became us, and turned into a family. And far many more laughs and joy and success, than trial and struggle.
There are still trials and major disappointments, but not in ways I continue to see others dear to me struggle. I watched Tangled tonight and saw that my rocky beginning has magically changed into something of a dreamland...a fairy tale. And I have learned that I am a big part of the creation of that story. I hope I continue to create dreams.
No, I don't sing and dance and twirl through each day. Some days are bland and boring. But I don't have to worry about food in my children's mouths. I don't worry where we will lay our heads. I know that my marriage is secure. I delight in the children that surround me near and far. And I am ever so grateful that a divine Someone led me by the hand, step by step, into my nearly fairytale life.
Every Disney movie has villains and heroes, as well as trials and triumphs. And my life has those too. But, I loved the lyrics in the song I See the Light. I felt like they described my life to some degree. And I felt happy and thankful. I don't have hair like Rapunzel, but The Bish sure has hair like Flynn, well, plus a lot of grey. Here is my favorite scene and song (that I identify with) from Tangled.
If you like this post, please share or comment.
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