Change #2

ALL of My Family and Friends will be reminded of my Open Door Policy. I am always here if they (you) need me.

But you (they) know how to contact me.

I'm done inviting.

I'm done pushing to be there.

If you (they) invite, I will come. If they (you) want to be a part of our festivities, they (you) are always welcome.

Change #1

My first Resolution... that I'm not waiting until New Year's for:

I will not be buying "Luxuries" until those in my immediate circle have what they need.

If My Mom is in need of new clothes, they come before my movies and play time.

No Success can Compensate for Failure in the Home

My Cousin posted a status about how semi automatic weapons should not be allowed in the general public's hands.

I agree.

My Aunt commented "Did you see what happened in China, yesterday, as well? They have banned guns but are now using knives and box cutters. We need to get back to serving and caring for our neighbors. Home teaching and visiting teaching, in my opinion, is a beginning and can do much to help families who are in need."

And I say "Too much responsibility has been taken from the Family."

Society is expected to carry the slack for what the family fails to do. And society (yes, sometimes the family too) pays when the individual "breaks".

While visiting teaching, and caring for our neighbors is good advice, the care of the individual rests with the immediate and extended family. Not everyone in the world has visiting teachers, but most have some family.

Which brings me to the 2nd topic on my Blogging mind. Homeschooling, or Un Schooling as what Home Schooling with out a curriculum is now called, is what I have come to believe is the divinely inspired choice for Our Family.

And I believe that more and more people are going to turn to it. I don't believe in living in fear. But I do believe in being proactive about My Family's safety. And I also believe that in this changing for the worse world we live in currently, that keeping My Children home with me is the right choice.

My short comings as a parent need to be worked through. Not pawned off on society.

Society is so busy trying to compensate for and control the environment that Parents, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles need to step us and be in charge of.

And it's just not Society, or the Governments job... or right!

If we as Parents, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles fail in our God given right and responsibility to raise upstanding adults, then what can we expect?

Are you a Sheep or a Shepherd?

I went with Abby and My In Laws to The Forgotten Carols on Abby's Birthday.

And I'm glad we could be there with them, but sitting separately.

The need for The Spirit to be there in the intimate way it was with just Abby and Me.

And I realized that all of these people sit together in an auditorium and sing, and cry. And then they leave. And once they are out those doors, it's over.

They are sheep. They come to be fed. They feel The Spirit. They feel a connection. And then, they go back to what they were doing before.

They do not take on the role of Shepherd. They might not go out and be unkind. But their connection to their Brothers and Sisters is replaced with the busy routine of their lives.

And I remember General Conference in October where we were reminded of The Lord coming to Peter and asking "Do you love me?" When the answer was "Of course, I love thee." The Lord responded with "Then Feed My Sheep."

We are all Children. Even those of us who are Parents.

And though we are all Sheep, we need to eventually become Shepherds as well.

We need to leave being fed, and then go and feed others.

I am FULL!

I am overflowing with so much this Holiday Season. Some good, some bad, some in between.

I am angry, I am grateful, I am sad, I am awestruck....I WAS afraid. I AM hopeful.

I L O V E my life and My Little Family.

I think I am seeing clearer than in the past. And now I need to make my mouth be quiet till I sort out if I'm actually supposed to SHARE what I see.

I WILL say that Christmas is going to be a turning point. I swear it is.

I am not spending ONE penny that I don't have a SUPERIORLY good reason to.

This is hard, as I have looked around, and Jacob and Elizabeth DEFINITELY need some new clothes. And all of My Kids need at least one pair of new shoes.

But I'm going to pay my tithing FIRST. And then my major bills. And see what that does.

And starting Christmas, I am expecting more of certain people, including myself. And not including as many people in as many things.

Safe Harbors

There are refugees among us
That are not from foreign shores;
And the battles they are waging
Are from very private wars.
And there are no correspondents
Documenting all their grief,
But these refugees among us all
Are yearning for relief.

There are refugees among us.
They don't carry flags or signs.
They are standing right beside us
In the market check out lines;
And the war they've been fighting
It will not be televised,
But the story of their need for love
Is written in their eyes.

This is a call to arms,
To reach out and to hold
The evacuees from the dark.
This is a call to arms,
To lead anguished souls
To safe harbors of the heart.

Can you see through their disguises?
Can you hear what words won't tell?
Some are losing faith in Heaven
'Cause their life's a living Hell.
Is there anyone to help those
Who have no where else to flee?
For the only arms protecting them
belong to you and me.

This is a call to arms,
To reach out and to hold
The evacuees from the dark.
This is a call to arms,
To lead anguished souls
To safe harbors of the heart.
Can you feel the pleas of the refugees
For safe harbors of the heart?

This is a call to arms,
To reach out and to hold
The evacuees from the dark.
This is a call to arms,
To lead anguished souls
To safe harbors of the heart.
Can you feel the pleas of the refugees
For safe harbors of the heart?

Election 2012 comes to an end

In our home, we have used the election as a chance for educating Our Children. We (I can't speak for David, but considering what he has said in the past, I can guess he agrees) are a "We'd like a new President" household. So, we have included this in our prayers as a Family. We would really like the election to end with a change of habitation in the White House.

However, I have also discussed with the Children that if Obama wins, that doesn't mean their prayers weren't heard. It just means God has a different plan in mind, and that's OK.

So, now we wait :-)