If you haven't seen this, you need to. It's very funny, especially if you are like me and don't care for the real Bill O'Reilley. It's especially funny if you watch this, then watch the real interview.
Enjoy,
Colin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK631vOJ9LY
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Prop 8
Has anyone else heard about this yet?
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-protest7-2008nov07,0,2736316.story
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-protest7-2008nov07,0,2736316.story
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Bruised Heels
So I got a voicemail from Jason today, offering his election condolences, and asking me if I was "mourning the loss of the Republican Party, and wondering if the whole country was going to go down in shambles?" Sorry I didn't get back to you Jason, but this post will be my response. Actually, last night and this morning I was feeling pretty forlorn, being sure that the world would soon be going to Hell in a handbasket. And, I still think it may do, but then in a rare moment of meditation, I had an epiphany, what I would like to think of as a little spiritual prompting to give me some solace. So, I'll share it here with all of you.
As most of you are endowed, you will get my drift. Having recently served a two-month stint as #1 on the I.F. Temple endowment cast, I pretty much have the script memorized. I focus on it in that setting, but I don't often contemplate it out of the blue. This morning was different. I don't know what lead to it, but a certain part of the ceremony just popped into my mind, and I found myself mentally reciting it over and over. You can read the essentials of it in Moses 4, but I'll just synopsize and paraphrase it here to protect the temple version, and still get you to the applicable principle. As with most things in the temple, this is highly symbolic, but of course it thereby makes a powerful point. It relates to the episode where Adam and Eve have succumbed to the Satan's enticement and then admitted their transgression to the Father. He then calls Lucifer onto the scene and gives him a chance to explain himself. Lucifer attempts to minimize his guilt by blaming his actions on tradition, but otherwise directly admits what he has done - even the father of lies knows better than to lie to God. The Father then curses him, equating him with a serpent, a snake, to crawl on his belly and eat dust for eternity. Always having more insolence than brains, Lucifer then arrogantly threatens that if cursed, he will get even by wreaking all sorts of havoc, even to the point of having his followers possess the physical bodies of God's children. To that, the Father suggests the futility of such vengence because He will place enmity between Lucifer and the "Seed of the Woman," a reference which we know refers to Christ, the Savior and the God of this world. Then, again applying the serpant symbol, the Father qualifies that while the applied state of enmity will allow Lucifer sufficient power to bruise the Savior's heel, or in other words, to create some degree of opposition against the Savior's cause, the Savior will have the power to crush the serpent's head, or in other words, to negate his efforts and ultimately bind him for eternity.
That's it, and not knowing why, I mentally recited ver batim the script 2-3 times before I realized what it was supposed to mean to my present concerns. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting that our new president-elect, nor any of the majority democrat congress represent Satan in any way. I believe that although much of their ideology is misguided, they have good intentions, and I want to give them a chance to do the right things, once they recognize the full gravity of our country's present state. At the least we can hope that the remaining republicans and a mojority of the democrats will sense the need for moderation, to control the more extreme voices of their bodies. I sincerely hope they can turn things around. We should all pray for them, and us in that regard.
However, countering this hope, I concurrently believe that the lack of respect for life, the entitlement mentatlity and the lack of personal accountability that have become so prevalent in our country, and that are so openly promoted by the far left agenda, are in fact Satan's ways. Our country's diminishing dependence on God is certainly Satan's way. I also believe that anything that would challenge our rule of law, our divinely inspired constitution or that would promote socialism is Satan's way. I also believe that any measure that would diminish America's support of Israel is Satan's way (1 Nephi 21:21-22, Mormon 8:21.) I believe these are evil developements, which are a result of Satan's influence on man as he attempts to thwart the Savior's plan. We see increasing levels of these interests among our politcal leaders, both new and old. We see our countrymen's attitudes progressively giving way to these lamentable philosophies and practices, and I have feared that it could ultimately take our country down (Ether 2:8-12.)
So, this is where I've been lately, and I have feared that Satan has been winning. However, my above experience has put it into perspective, and I now see our present circumstance as simply a good heel bruising - we're experiencing a good case of plantar fasciitis - and although it is painful, it will not kill us if at least some of us remain righteous. Ultimately, through His atonement, the Savior will crush the serpent's head. Only the gospel and the atonement can provide that hope.
Dad
As most of you are endowed, you will get my drift. Having recently served a two-month stint as #1 on the I.F. Temple endowment cast, I pretty much have the script memorized. I focus on it in that setting, but I don't often contemplate it out of the blue. This morning was different. I don't know what lead to it, but a certain part of the ceremony just popped into my mind, and I found myself mentally reciting it over and over. You can read the essentials of it in Moses 4, but I'll just synopsize and paraphrase it here to protect the temple version, and still get you to the applicable principle. As with most things in the temple, this is highly symbolic, but of course it thereby makes a powerful point. It relates to the episode where Adam and Eve have succumbed to the Satan's enticement and then admitted their transgression to the Father. He then calls Lucifer onto the scene and gives him a chance to explain himself. Lucifer attempts to minimize his guilt by blaming his actions on tradition, but otherwise directly admits what he has done - even the father of lies knows better than to lie to God. The Father then curses him, equating him with a serpent, a snake, to crawl on his belly and eat dust for eternity. Always having more insolence than brains, Lucifer then arrogantly threatens that if cursed, he will get even by wreaking all sorts of havoc, even to the point of having his followers possess the physical bodies of God's children. To that, the Father suggests the futility of such vengence because He will place enmity between Lucifer and the "Seed of the Woman," a reference which we know refers to Christ, the Savior and the God of this world. Then, again applying the serpant symbol, the Father qualifies that while the applied state of enmity will allow Lucifer sufficient power to bruise the Savior's heel, or in other words, to create some degree of opposition against the Savior's cause, the Savior will have the power to crush the serpent's head, or in other words, to negate his efforts and ultimately bind him for eternity.
That's it, and not knowing why, I mentally recited ver batim the script 2-3 times before I realized what it was supposed to mean to my present concerns. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting that our new president-elect, nor any of the majority democrat congress represent Satan in any way. I believe that although much of their ideology is misguided, they have good intentions, and I want to give them a chance to do the right things, once they recognize the full gravity of our country's present state. At the least we can hope that the remaining republicans and a mojority of the democrats will sense the need for moderation, to control the more extreme voices of their bodies. I sincerely hope they can turn things around. We should all pray for them, and us in that regard.
However, countering this hope, I concurrently believe that the lack of respect for life, the entitlement mentatlity and the lack of personal accountability that have become so prevalent in our country, and that are so openly promoted by the far left agenda, are in fact Satan's ways. Our country's diminishing dependence on God is certainly Satan's way. I also believe that anything that would challenge our rule of law, our divinely inspired constitution or that would promote socialism is Satan's way. I also believe that any measure that would diminish America's support of Israel is Satan's way (1 Nephi 21:21-22, Mormon 8:21.) I believe these are evil developements, which are a result of Satan's influence on man as he attempts to thwart the Savior's plan. We see increasing levels of these interests among our politcal leaders, both new and old. We see our countrymen's attitudes progressively giving way to these lamentable philosophies and practices, and I have feared that it could ultimately take our country down (Ether 2:8-12.)
So, this is where I've been lately, and I have feared that Satan has been winning. However, my above experience has put it into perspective, and I now see our present circumstance as simply a good heel bruising - we're experiencing a good case of plantar fasciitis - and although it is painful, it will not kill us if at least some of us remain righteous. Ultimately, through His atonement, the Savior will crush the serpent's head. Only the gospel and the atonement can provide that hope.
Dad
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
7 quirky things about myself
1. I love numbers. They are running through my head all the time. I can't adequately describe it, sometimes i add them and divide them to get a median number, sometimes i average them, when people talk about numbers in talks, speeches, i start adding, subtracting and dividing to see if what they said is true. it is pretty obsessive. I even had an even number of children. I take full credit for Elliot, it is an organization thing.
2. Do Sudoku all the time (see number 1)
3. I sometimes get distracted when i am talking on the phone, mainly to family members. Sorry everyone, it is my multitasking gene forcing its way to the surface.
4. I cannot go to sleep without saying my prayers, and if i do, because of extreme fatigue, i don't sleep well.
5. I am the rules queen. Rules were made for us to obey. and everyone else should be keeping them too!
6. I like the dishwasher loaded MY WAY.
7. I don't want a job, but I work for free--4 to 6 hours a week.
2. Do Sudoku all the time (see number 1)
3. I sometimes get distracted when i am talking on the phone, mainly to family members. Sorry everyone, it is my multitasking gene forcing its way to the surface.
4. I cannot go to sleep without saying my prayers, and if i do, because of extreme fatigue, i don't sleep well.
5. I am the rules queen. Rules were made for us to obey. and everyone else should be keeping them too!
6. I like the dishwasher loaded MY WAY.
7. I don't want a job, but I work for free--4 to 6 hours a week.
Tagged--I'll have dad do this too
8 shows I love to watch
Fringe
Eli Stone
NCIS
BYU Devotionals
Price is Right
Wheel of Fortune
The Office
Ugly Betty
8 Things that Happened Yesterday
Went out walking (this is as exciting as it gets)
Had FHE with Dad--read from Preach My Gospel
Did the Washing
Drove to IF for a Temple Devotional
Watched a guy win a car on Price is Right--total long shot, Lucky 7, used $5 on his first number--for those of you who watch the show--Drew Carey was as excited as the guy who won.
Posted a blog
Stayed up too late
Talked to my mom
Lunch at Olive Garden
8 places I love to eat
Mama Inez
Olive Garden
Baja Fresh
Chick Fil-A
Macaroni Grill
In and Out
5 Guys
Senor Iguanas
8 Things I am Looking forward to
Retirement
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Grandbaby #12
Grandbabies #13-...
The Millenium
Everyone being in the temple together when Abby gets married
Peace on Earth
8 Things on my wish list
Get island chandellier put up
paint kitchen
paint bedrooms downstairs
recarpet stairs
Thanksgiving
Abby coming for Thanksgiving and Christmas
Becky and fam coming for Thanksgiving
Leslie and Alex coming for Christmas
Colin and Lori moving back to the west
Great new job for Matt
Asher sleeping through the night
Seeing my grandchildren any time
seeing becky, ray, grace, elliot and maggie next week
8 people I will tag
valerie, crystal, pennygale, shirley, grandma christensen (my mom), heather christensen, hilary christensen, leslie, abby,
now how do i tag people?
Fringe
Eli Stone
NCIS
BYU Devotionals
Price is Right
Wheel of Fortune
The Office
Ugly Betty
8 Things that Happened Yesterday
Went out walking (this is as exciting as it gets)
Had FHE with Dad--read from Preach My Gospel
Did the Washing
Drove to IF for a Temple Devotional
Watched a guy win a car on Price is Right--total long shot, Lucky 7, used $5 on his first number--for those of you who watch the show--Drew Carey was as excited as the guy who won.
Posted a blog
Stayed up too late
Talked to my mom
Lunch at Olive Garden
8 places I love to eat
Mama Inez
Olive Garden
Baja Fresh
Chick Fil-A
Macaroni Grill
In and Out
5 Guys
Senor Iguanas
8 Things I am Looking forward to
Retirement
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Grandbaby #12
Grandbabies #13-...
The Millenium
Everyone being in the temple together when Abby gets married
Peace on Earth
8 Things on my wish list
Get island chandellier put up
paint kitchen
paint bedrooms downstairs
recarpet stairs
Thanksgiving
Abby coming for Thanksgiving and Christmas
Becky and fam coming for Thanksgiving
Leslie and Alex coming for Christmas
Colin and Lori moving back to the west
Great new job for Matt
Asher sleeping through the night
Seeing my grandchildren any time
seeing becky, ray, grace, elliot and maggie next week
8 people I will tag
valerie, crystal, pennygale, shirley, grandma christensen (my mom), heather christensen, hilary christensen, leslie, abby,
now how do i tag people?
Great blog!!
I was reading a comment on Crystal's blog that led me to another food storage/emergency prep blog and started looking at it. It seems to be a great resource and guide. Just wanted to share.
http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/
http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/
Monday, November 3, 2008
It can't be November!
Hi everyone,
It is a beautiful fall day in Pocatello. It has been kind of rainy the last few days, and there are lots of leaves on the ground. It is cool, but not really cold yet. Anyway, we are doing fine here at home. Dad continues to work on the crib. Things are getting busier at the office. Grandma and Grandpa left Friday, and Gerald and Scott drove them down and cleaned everything that needed to be cleaned up inside and out down there. Grandma and Grandpa are blissfully happy, back with their friends. Gerald retired officially last week. No more railroad. Did I tell you Gloria has uterine cancer, stage 2? Not good news for Connie. Andrew, Brooke's little boy is getting baptized I think the end of this month. He has been seeing the missionaries. Election day tomorrow. Yikes. I am praying already for whoever wins. We will miss most of the hype, since we will be at the temple. We are getting a new temple presidency tomorrow. It will be interesting to see those changes. The new president is from Pocatello.
I wanted to send all of you a link to this talk I heard on KBYU. It is an excellent treatise (good word, huh?) on the importance of the family being defined as one man and one woman. Here is the link. Go to this page http://www.byub.org/devotionals/?selectedMonth=10&selectedYear=2008 and click on:
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
On the Moral Purposes of Law and Govenment
Robert George
I hope everyone is doing well, getting your food storage a little bit at a time, teaching your children and yourselves the gospel. Take care of yourselves. I love you all. xoxoxo mom
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Summer 2009... Got Plans?
My visiting teacher came by today and was telling me how she and her husband and their 9 children have a "family reunion" every year and it sounded like so much fun. I asked her how they decided where to hold it and she said they just take turns and every one hosts for 3 days in a rotation...
It got me to thinking... I am not sure how feasible it is, but no one is expecting this summer (that I am aware of) and Virginia is packed full of things to do, and although VERY HOT and Humid, it is the BEST kind of place for visits... We would be happy (that means me) to plan a long weekend of things to do for everyone if you are interested in coming. As added bonus, our house is tiny and not much room for staying here, but we could take all the kids overnights who are willing to stay giving the parentals some time together.
By then, surely Matt will have a better job and we could do it. What do you all think?
We have really close by, caverns, a olde style european museum, a huge water park, golf (bah), monticello, civil war sites (maybe not everyone's favorite), Charlottesville (which is featured as a town in my Women's Day magazine this month) and further away 2 theme parks with King's Dominion having the added bonus of a huge kids (nickelodean theme) park and water park (this could be one all-day thing) and the beach a little further still.
What does everyone think?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Happy Birthday Jason--29th, right?
Jason,
It was hard to find a photo of you that didn't have you holding one of your children. Not a surprise, you are such a great, devoted dad. We are so grateful to have you in our family--not even including any of those many holes you have dug. We hope you have a wonderful birthday, and that you guys will really enjoy your weekend in Monterrey. Happy, Happy Birthday!!! We love you. David and Debby
Look What I found!
I borrowed Valerie's camera (hers is better at 180$ from her dad for graduation mine cost $600 4 years ago...) to take pictures of Asher (posted on my blog) and look at what I found!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)