An Easter Thought

There is a blog called "project mayhem" that I tune into when the subject and writing seems interesting enough. This evening I saw that this man gave an Easter Sermon and posted it on his blog. He starts off with Mel Gibson, Braveheart, and The Passion of the Christ. Interesting beginning, and I felt it was worth the whole read if you want to check it out here. But here are his words in conclusion that hit spot on as I think about what our life here on earth is all about; growing closer to Christ:

"As the cross shows—as Christ on the cross shows us—the true love of Christ is not always easy, and it is not always rewarded. It is a love that can make us vulnerable and uncomfortable. I do not believe that it necessarily requires us to put ourselves at risk as others have...In fact Apostle Paul warns us not to do more than we are safely able. However it does require us to extend our selves, to reach out, and to speak out in ways that may be new and uncomfortable.Just as the cross on Calvary points back to the life of Christ, it also points forward to the resurrection—in both the literal body of Christ (which announces or literal resurrection) and the figurative body of Christ, which calls for us to continue that which Christ was doing. Pilate and the Jewish elite thought that by ending Jesus’s life that they would end what he had started. His resurrection signified that they could not end it, and the growing body of Christ showed that they did not. It is for this reason that we are not asked to look upon the cross, but are called to take upon the cross as well. As Christ taught, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mk 8:34)

On this Easter—and in every day—as we reflect upon the cross of Calvary. May we think about the sacrificial life of Jesus Christ and how we might join, follow, and emulate our Savior. As we rise up as the body of Christ, let us extend ourselves beyond our comfort zone to reach out to those who need some lifting up. Let us extend our love, help, and our means to the homeless, the mentally ill, and the struggling drug addicts. Let us open our hearts and friendships to the strangers and those who are different—to people of different faiths or no faith at all, to immigrants and persons of different races and nationalities, and to our gay, lesbian, and transgendered brothers and sisters. Let us forgive those who have hurt us and stand up for those who have been hurt.We are called to be saviors on mount Zion. We are called to not just be like Christ, but to be a Christ to others. So let us take up the cross and be saviors to those who are in need, for “whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ” (Mosiah 5:9). "

Well, I couldn't have said it better myself, so I won't. I realize some of these things may be harder than others to do, but we all have to start somewhere. I have a hard time thinking about Christ's crucifixion without tears welling up in my eyes and heart, so I will continue to think about taking up the cross and helping those in need, reaching out, and being uncomfortable as I look for hope in the future and move forward with faith.

Seeing Christmas Through New Eyes

Deiter F. Uchtdorf gave a beautiful talk at a Christmas devotional this year. You can click here to hear his talk, but I'm going to include the notes I took below as my gift to you this Christmas. He suggests 3 things to do this season to celebrate:

1. Rejoice in the birth of our Savior

• When Christ was born the angels sang in heaven, the veil was parted, and all could hear the good tidings of great joy.
• Wise men fell down and worshipped Him and gave gifts
• Take TIME and REJOICE

2. Ponder His influence in our lives today

• slow down and reconsider what matters most
• Time of: remembrance, friendship, forgiveness
• Time to: renew, recommit, obey His commandments

3. Look steadfastly for His coming

• There is HOPE in His return
• It will be a time of: peace, joy, and learning

Look for the good!

Merry Christmas!

Notes from General Conference:

• Priesthood keys
• Be grateful
• Kids, take my hand
• Priesthood keys
• Repentance
• 14 Fundamentals of following the prophet
• Teach with the spirit
• Priesthood keys
• Pornography, bad
• Something about a stupid cow
• Family Proclamation
• Priesthood keys
• Freedom of choice
• 14 Fundamentals of following the prophet, revisited
• Trees are like airplanes and have turbulence :)
• More keys
• More priesthood

It was a good thing I had these: (Thanks, Diane, for the cute idea!)

Naw, in all sincerity, I had a very enjoyable conference weekend. I chuckled each time a speaker said something about the priesthood keys, and was actually quite inspired as Elder Oaks devoted his whole talk to receiving personal revelation, and revelation through your priesthood line. He's quite the man. So was President Eyring as he taught to trust in the Lord.

All good stuff I tell ya. Can't wait 'til I can have it in print. Seriously.

Pen, Pencil, or Crayon. The Game.

This game can be played with a variety of ages. Young players will tend to follow the older crowd, so no worries if the concept of the game is not understood, even a non-talker will have fun.

Step 1: Borrow a backpack full of pens, pencils (colored or regular), and crayons. There can be markers in there as well, and there adds a bit of surprise if the lids come off easily or are not pushed on all the way.

Step 2: Get at least 2 unsuspecting children and don't explain the rules because there are none.

Step 3: Grab a hand full of pens, pencils and crayons and hold it low in the bag so that the children can't really see what you have in your hand.

Step 4: Ask, "What do you think I will pull out? A pen, a pencil, or a crayon?"

Step 5: The children will guess. Often times the younger child will just copy the older child. That's OK. If it continues to happen you may ask the younger child to go first.

Step 6: Pull out one writing utensil and see if anyone got it right. Cheer, laugh, cry... whatever seems appropriate based on the item that was pulled out.

Step 7: Put the item back in the bag and ask the children an abbreviated version of the question: "Pen, pencil, or crayon?" They understand by now because they are bright children and it's not a hard game.

Additional tips:

• you probably don't have to have a backpack for this game, just a container that you can somewhat hide the items in.
• when you pull out a marker, "accidentally" pull the lid off. This is funny.
• when you pull out a short colored pencil, think that it is extra long and then it will fly out of your hand and fling down the hall
• if a totally cute Asian boy sits down next to you and watches, let him play. It doesn't really matter if he speaks English or not, he's 2 and is just copying the other kids. He'll get excited and clap when they get it right.
• if a player starts to get discouraged that they are not guessing right, make sure you pull out their guess next. This is rewarding for both you and the child.
• sometimes an older child may ask, "what letter/sound does it start with?" Assuming you know what you're pulling out, you can tell them. If this occurs, you may add "marker" to your list of items since it adds an additional sound to the line up.
• if the children try to peek to see what you are going to pull out, let them. Who cares. This isn't really a game anyway.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of "what to do at the end of a 3 hour block of church when you've exhausted all other games, snacks, and ideas..."

Some Clarification

Well, after my last post, I've talked with several people and had a few comments on the quote I put in there. I was kind of seeing if that quote could stand on it's own and make sense, but it doesn't. For several reasons I was trying to just include part of the author's statement. But here you go, I'll give it all to you. It is from Confronting the Myth of Self-Esteem- Twelve Keys to Finding Peace, by Ester Rasband. The chapter is titled "Stand ready to sacrifice your self-esteem".

"As I studied the baffling and plentiful writings on self-esteem, the more I read of secular things, the more I found myself concentrating on the scriptures. I began to see how placing importance on self-esteem itself instead of on the "just and right" and its "management" has evolved into mass selfishness in every age. When we believe we must feel worthy in and of ourselves to think well of ourselves, we look skeptically at the need for growth: it threatens our self-satisfaction. We must not look up to others, because we can't consider ourselves any less. We must not give ourselves constructively critical evaluation, because we must believe we deserve life's rewards just as we are. Preoccupied with the self's status quo, we eschew growth and therefore forfeit progress toward eternal life. Peace doesn't come. Insecurity remains." (page 16)

Yeah, yeah, it makes perfect sense now. What was I thinking?! I kind of feel like I've wasted a day in preparation, but I've also had some great conversations on the subject. So, it is what it is. The question was brought up as to what the author meant by "look up to others". What do you think? I was thinking it was referring to admiring others. If you admire someone else that means they can be better than you and, by the world's definition, that would lower your self-esteem. Admiring someone should be a good thing (provided it is a righteous quality), and we should always be trying to improve ourselves to become more like God. The quote above is a little confusing since she has used the negative before what we really should be doing. Make sense?

Here's a couple more quotes from C.S. Lewis that I liked on the subject. (I'm really going to have to read his book Mere Christianity someday.)

"If you really get into any kind of touch with Him you will, in fact, be humble- delightedly humble, feeling the infinite relief of having for once got rid of all the silly nonsense about your own dignity which has made you restless and unhappy all your life. He is trying to make you humble in order to make this moment possible." (pg 114)

and what's the opposite of humility? Pride...

"As long as you are proud, you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you." (pg 111)

I suppose, if you don't like the idea of giving up your self-esteem, you can use the word pride instead. It is my understanding that Sister Rasband is using the word self-esteem like many people use the word pride.

Thanks for all your input thus far! Keep it coming.

Your Thoughts, PLEASE...

I'm trying to prepare a lesson and came upon the following thoughts on self-esteem...

• In the 20th Century having self-esteem has become a right and given preeminence. We are told that we must feel or believe that we are valuable, not that what we do must be of value. You can feel your inadequacies deep inside, but in today’s world don’t acknowledge them.

• “When we believe we must feel worthy in and of ourselves to think well of ourselves, we look skeptically at the need for growth: it threatens our self-satisfaction. We must not look up to others, because we can’t consider ourselves any less. We must not give ourselves constructively critical evaluation, because we must believe we deserve life’s rewards just as we are” (pg 16)

• If we look at the Christian paradox, we must lose ourselves to find ourselves, there really is no room for self-esteem. Is there?

"I know who I am...I am a nobody."

These are not my words, they are a quote of a quote of a quote. What? In stake conference today, President Clegg said them referencing a conference talk by Elder Andersen in which he quoted Boyd K. Packer. I'm not sure that makes much more sense. Anyway, you can read his conference talk here:

"Come unto Him." by Elder Neil L. Andersen, but here's the exact quote:

As (President Packer) addressed the congregation, he said, “I know who I am.” Then after a pause, he added, “I am a nobody.” He then turned to me, sitting on the stand behind him, and said, “And, Brother Andersen, you are a nobody too.” Then he added these words: “If you ever forget it, the Lord will remind you of it instantly, and it won’t be pleasant.”

I think I am understanding what this quote is supposed to be suggesting, but it seems contradictory to everything I've ever been taught and tried to teach. It's talking about humility. He's trying to instill in us that we are not the great ones, the Lord is. He's trying to teach us that if we are prideful we will be struck down. I guess I just don't like the wording because some people will only hear, "I am a nobody" and that is what will stick with them. This wouldn't be the first time I've had an issue with the way that President Packer has said something. Maybe that's what keeps me humble. Maybe that's what makes me a nobody. (See, it doesn't sound good, does it?)

Elder Andersen talks about how we share a faith in Christ with many people in our communities and around the world and that we shouldn't minimize other people's faith just because they do not share our exact same beliefs. People all around us believe that family is important, they continually do good, they make sacrifices, they are unselfish, and they prayer to the same Heavenly Father that we do. And, Heavenly Father loves them just as he loves us. And by "them" and "us", I mean you and I, people we know and people we don't, people all around.

But how is it that we can be beloved children of God, children of a divine birthright, and nobodies at the same time? I'm just trying to figure out how to teach this to my children and the young women while at the same time convincing them of their individual worth. I worry about the wording because it can be misunderstood. Many people walk around their whole lives thinking that they are nobodies. They think they don't matter, don't make a difference, and don't have a say in what happens to them. That is the complete opposite of what we know to be true in the eyes of God. Every spirit matters to Him.

Any ideas on how to teach both concepts? Do you teach one before the other? Is the lesson on humility only important to those that become prideful? HELP!

"Know Who You Are"

We had a lesson in YW today about marrying in the temple. Among the many things discussed, was how you find your eternal mate. I liked that we weren't writing a list of qualities to look for in a husband or date, but more of how you get to the point that you are ready to go to the temple and be sealed to someone for eternity. I was so impressed by a comment by one of our young women. She said, "you have to know who you are" before you can find out who you want to be with the rest of your life. WOW! She admitted that her mom told her that, but how important it was for her to understand. That, my friends, is individual worth. How, on earth, will you be good for your companion if you don't first know who you are?

From the Mouths of Babes (?)

Typical Sunday lesson time going down. The teacher is up teaching, because that's what they do. The students were busy pondering their scriptures, commenting and learning. Then, out of the blue...

Student: OUCH!
Teacher: What?
Student: That hurts.
Teacher: What? Are you going to be OK?
Student: Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine. I have a wedgie.

He Lives!

"If a man die, shall he live again?"

-Job questioned (14:14)

"Yes."

-answered the empty tomb

Doctrine and Covenants 89:22-24

If the Lord were to write me a verse of scripture in relation to the Word of Wisdom, it would read something like this:

And to my servant, Helena Durrenberger, I say: caffeine is not for the body, and is not for use in cold or hot drinks, and is not for candy or sweets of any kind, even if only found in a cookie, bar, or cake.

And it is pleasing unto me that it be used only for the healing of the brain in times of severe migraines, to be used with judgment and skill; nevertheless it is to be used sparingly and is not pleasing unto thy breastfed children.

And, again, caffeinated beverages are not for the body or thy children, but for healing purposes only to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

And then, in the margin of the scriptures I would write my note: NO Coke or chocolate while lactating!

General Conference Packet, 2010

Try clicking on this link for a packet of fun things for the kids to do during conference. It's in a google doc that I did not create. I'm not that computer literate. I only know how to open them when people send them to me. I never understood why people didn't just create this stuff in a word document and attach it, but now I'm quite impressed that I don't have to forward this to everyone I think might like it via email.

Anyway, the activities look like they cover a wide range of ages. I believe that both of my girls will have some fun things to do. Some of them are old ideas (conference bingo where you listen for the words that are said), and some are new (I've never seen pictures of ties to color in to match the speaker, cute!), or maybe they are all old and I'm just out of the loop.

Happy Family Week!

"Once Upon A Time..."

There was a girl who was born into a family.

They had some trials and not everything was perfect, but life went on.

The girl grew up and got married and had a family of her own.

They had some trials and not everything was perfect, but life went on.

The girl had some great friends and some great family members come and go through her life. There were good times and there were bad times. She met some adversity and had some sadness, but she perservered. And life went on.

The Savior was an important part of her life. He was always there for her.

The girl was happy most of the time. She could forget her troubles and embrace the good times. She could let things go and focus on the positive. She laughed, a lot. She wasn't a worrier, about most things. She seized the moment and enjoyed the things that life threw at her. She loved, a lot. And life went on.

"...and she lived happily ever after."

Because she was an eternal optimist.

Thank you President Uchtdorf for your inspiring words to the young women in the world. We will all live happily ever after! And we will "Be strong and of a good courage." (Joshua 1:9)