Monday, July 29, 2013
Turning into a Hippie
Lately I've been more and more interested in making everything I can for myself. I'm really starting to feel like the cause of my infertility might be all the toxic things I have around me. My doctor has advised me to avoid foods with added hormones. We've been trying to do this by eating organic as much as possible for at least eggs, dairy and meat.
I also recently made my own deodorant. Regular antiperspirant deodorant has aluminum and is known to cause cancer so I decided that I need to stop using it. I don't want to be smelly though. Luckily I have a friend that recently gave me a recipe for coconut lime deodorant. Oh my gosh it smells amazing and it is so creamy and light. Best of all it lasts all day. I'm never going back to store bought deodorant.
My most recent experiment was last night making yogurt. I've been wanting to do this for a while. I've really gotten into Greek yogurt and it is just so expensive so I thought I'd try making my own. It's not completely done yet, but so far I'm really excited with the results.
I can't wait for it to finish straining so I can add some honey and have some delicious yogurt.
Monday, January 2, 2012
New Years Without Kids
New Years Eve is definitely one time that I don't miss having kids. We were invited over to a friend's house and it was nice to be able to stay out as late as I wanted. All of the people at the party were couples that haven't been able to have kids. It was nice to be able to avoid uncomfortable conversations about kids and just be able to hang out.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Strawberries in November?
This has been such a wacky year for gardening. I have yet to pull out my garden and winterize the area because it is still producing. Just today I picked some cherry tomatoes, Anaheim peppers, zucchini and strawberries.
Here is a picture of my strawberry haul. Some didn't make it into the picture because I was eating as I picked.
Here is a picture of my strawberry haul. Some didn't make it into the picture because I was eating as I picked.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Profound Thoughts
I'm sure we've all had moments when we are listening to something and someone says something that completely hits home. I don't know if it is the way they say it that makes the difference or if is just because we having been thinking about a certain subject and that person opens their mouth and gives an answer to our prayers. It's probably a combination of the two.
I was up late on Saturday night after I wrote my last post and was listening to a Christian radio station through Dish Network. There was a program called "music and the spoken word" that was playing. During this program they will have someone share a brief thought and then the choir will sing a song related to what was just being mentioned.
The conductor of the program shared a story about three women who were talking. Two of the women were going on and on about all of their children's achievements. The third woman didn't have anything wonderful to share about her child, but was genuinely happy for the other two women. Afterwards she was asked how she took the successes of these other people so well when she didn't have any successes of her own to share. She simply said: "It's much easier to celebrate than compete."
The conductor then went on to share that "Victories for others don't mean failures for us." For some reason this one line really seemed profound to me. Looking back this seems really obvious, but I think I needed a reminder that I can be genuinely happy for people and that I need to stop comparing myself to others so much.
Who cares if other people seem to have things that I want but don't have. I need to forget myself more and be more willing to praise other people's achievements. You can all be my witness that here and now I am recommitting myself to banishing the green-eyed monster that lives inside me.
I was up late on Saturday night after I wrote my last post and was listening to a Christian radio station through Dish Network. There was a program called "music and the spoken word" that was playing. During this program they will have someone share a brief thought and then the choir will sing a song related to what was just being mentioned.
The conductor of the program shared a story about three women who were talking. Two of the women were going on and on about all of their children's achievements. The third woman didn't have anything wonderful to share about her child, but was genuinely happy for the other two women. Afterwards she was asked how she took the successes of these other people so well when she didn't have any successes of her own to share. She simply said: "It's much easier to celebrate than compete."
The conductor then went on to share that "Victories for others don't mean failures for us." For some reason this one line really seemed profound to me. Looking back this seems really obvious, but I think I needed a reminder that I can be genuinely happy for people and that I need to stop comparing myself to others so much.
Who cares if other people seem to have things that I want but don't have. I need to forget myself more and be more willing to praise other people's achievements. You can all be my witness that here and now I am recommitting myself to banishing the green-eyed monster that lives inside me.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Truth About Trying
I found out about Redbook's "Truth about trying" campaign through a friend's blog. (Click on the title of my post to be linked with Redbook's website.)The goal of the campaign is to end the secrecy and shame connected with infertility. They are encouraging women to make short videos about their struggles with infertility so that those of us dealing with infertility don't feel so alone and those who are not can be more educated about what 1 in 8 women are experiencing.
This is a very worthy campaign and I am so glad they are doing it, but I can't be a part of it right now. I'm in a place in my life right now where I'm trying not to be defined by my inability to have children and thinking about infertility is bringing everything front and center. I know that ignoring the issue isn't going to solve anything, but I can't fix the problem right now so why focus on it.
I watched some of the videos and felt extremely depressed afterwards. I know this isn't the point of the campaign. The whole point is to let people know they aren't alone and give them hope. It just breaks my heart that so many women deal with infertility. It also breaks my heart that no matter what else I try to do in my life I will never escape the fact that I have no control over making my desire to have children become a reality.
Since this subject is extremely depressing I'm going to stop talking about it now. I promise that my next post will be more upbeat.
This is a very worthy campaign and I am so glad they are doing it, but I can't be a part of it right now. I'm in a place in my life right now where I'm trying not to be defined by my inability to have children and thinking about infertility is bringing everything front and center. I know that ignoring the issue isn't going to solve anything, but I can't fix the problem right now so why focus on it.
I watched some of the videos and felt extremely depressed afterwards. I know this isn't the point of the campaign. The whole point is to let people know they aren't alone and give them hope. It just breaks my heart that so many women deal with infertility. It also breaks my heart that no matter what else I try to do in my life I will never escape the fact that I have no control over making my desire to have children become a reality.
Since this subject is extremely depressing I'm going to stop talking about it now. I promise that my next post will be more upbeat.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Time to give an update
This is going to be short because I don't really feel like posting. I just thought I should let you know I'm still alive. I have been feeling pretty crappy the last few weeks and have had almost no energy. I wonder if I have a parasite or something. ;)
Most things are pretty much the same. I haven't lost any more weight, but at least I haven't gained any back either.
The only thing new is that I will no longer be teaching the Sunbeams at church (3 and 4 year olds for those of you who are not familiar with what I'm talking about). I'm so excited! I was literally counting down the weeks until the end of the year. It was so trying on my patience and most Sundays I would come home ready to cry because I was so frustrated. I will now be the Second Counselor in the Young Women's Presidency. I'm excited for this new calling with the 12 and 13 year old girls and I'm hoping that I'll be able to come up with a lot of fun activities for us to do together.
Most things are pretty much the same. I haven't lost any more weight, but at least I haven't gained any back either.
The only thing new is that I will no longer be teaching the Sunbeams at church (3 and 4 year olds for those of you who are not familiar with what I'm talking about). I'm so excited! I was literally counting down the weeks until the end of the year. It was so trying on my patience and most Sundays I would come home ready to cry because I was so frustrated. I will now be the Second Counselor in the Young Women's Presidency. I'm excited for this new calling with the 12 and 13 year old girls and I'm hoping that I'll be able to come up with a lot of fun activities for us to do together.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
We have a plan
I was watching a friend's son today and their house and had my hubby come over for a visit after he got off work. We were sitting on the couch talking about a lot of different things and the conversation turned to having kids. (I would like to add that I'm not the one who brought it up.)
I mentioned that fact that I can't believe I'm going to be 29 on Monday and that I feel like I should still be in my early 20's. Soren's response was that he can feel my biological clock ticking (this was not said in a rude way whatsoever). He went on to say that when we were married I was almost 24 and he thought we had plenty of time and now he realizes that time is slipping away from us.
We agreed that we are going to try IUI (intrauterine insemination) this January, March and May. Hopefully one of the times will work.
Until then we are going to both continue to focus on losing weight. Soren has lost over 10 pounds so far and I have lost 7. I would like to lose at least another 30lbs by the end of the year. That would be a 1 1/2 pounds a week for me which seems do-able, but we'll see if my body cooperates.
I mentioned that fact that I can't believe I'm going to be 29 on Monday and that I feel like I should still be in my early 20's. Soren's response was that he can feel my biological clock ticking (this was not said in a rude way whatsoever). He went on to say that when we were married I was almost 24 and he thought we had plenty of time and now he realizes that time is slipping away from us.
We agreed that we are going to try IUI (intrauterine insemination) this January, March and May. Hopefully one of the times will work.
Until then we are going to both continue to focus on losing weight. Soren has lost over 10 pounds so far and I have lost 7. I would like to lose at least another 30lbs by the end of the year. That would be a 1 1/2 pounds a week for me which seems do-able, but we'll see if my body cooperates.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Review of "Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mother"
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy ChuaMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have to give Amy Chua credit for being so honest with the reader about how she chose to raise her daughters when she realized that the "Western" style of parenting is so different from the "Chinese" style and that her views would not be popular. I don't agree with her polarized view of parenting that there is one right way and I would have thought that she would admit this fact by the end of the book, but she never did. By her own admission this book started out being about how "Chinese parents are better at raising kids than Western ones. But instead, it's about a bitter clash of cultures, a fleeting taste of glory, and how [she] was humbled by a thirteen-year-old." In the end it would have been nice to see her admit that maybe her intensity in following the Chinese model was a bit over the top and that some moderation in parenting styles would have been good.
After hearing such an uproar in the media about this book I expected that I wouldn't enjoy it as much as I did. I went into the book thinking it might be something that I just half-heatedly scanned to get the gist of. I was glued to the page through out the whole thing. There were some parts that I completely agreed with and others that horrified me.
It really seemed to me that she was much more strict with her daughters than her own Chinese parents were with her. I think this came from a fear that her daughters would be spoiled by America, become lazy, self entitled, and have no future. In her book she included a whole chapter on generational decline and how it is one of her greatest fears. Here is how she explained it:
"The immigrant generation is the hardest working. Often they will start off in the U.S. penniless, but they will work nonstop until they become successful engineers, scientists, doctors... As parents they will be extremely strict and rabidly thrifty. Everything they do and earn will go toward their children's education and future."
"The next generation, the first to be born in America, will typically be high-achieving. They will usually play the piano and/or the violin. They will attend Ivy League or Top Ten university. They will tend to be professionals - lawyers, doctors, bankers, television anchors - and will surpass their parents in income... They will be less frugal than their parents. They will not be as strict with their children as their parents were with them"
The third generation (the author's daughters) "will be born into the great comforts of the upper middle class. Even as children they will own many hardcover books (an almost criminal luxury from the point of view of immigrant parents). They will have wealthy friends who get paid for B-pluses. They will expect expensive, name brand clothes. Finally and probably, they will feel that they have individual rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and therefore be much more likely to disobey their parents and ignore career advise. In short, all factors point to this generation being headed straight for decline."
The author declares: WELL, NOT ON MY WATCH!
This unfortunately resulted in her not letting her daughters have any freedom or even have the ability to play and enjoy any part of childhood. From the moment they were born she was training them to be perfect, high achieving automatons.
I will admit that there are several things about main-stream parenting in America that annoy the crap out of me. I hate how so many parents make excuses for their children. "Oh, they don't know any better. They're just a little kid." No, they don't know any better because you haven't taught them any better. I also hate how there is absolutely no respect for teachers or other figures of authority. If a parent has an issue with their child's teacher I feel it shouldn't be discussed in front of the child. Unfortunately too many children see the authority of their teachers being undermined by their parents.
I will agree with the author that I don't feel that parents should be so worried about being their children's friend. It is inevitable that sometimes your kids are not going to like you. This is part of being a good parent because they won't always know what is best for them (or like what is best for them). I disagree with the fact that she seems to believe that children should be given no choices in life. I feel that children should gradually be given more and more choices in their life. Obviously, you aren't going to give your baby any choices in life since you have to do everything for them, but a teenager should have the ability to help make some decisions.
Overall, I feel the biggest tragedy (and irony) is that she treats her students better than her own children. In the book her daughters commented to her: "You're so nice to your students. They have no idea what you're really like. They all think you're nurturing and supportive." What's worse is that she freely admits this is true. "The girls are actually right about that. I treat my law students (especially the ones with strict Asian parents) the exact opposite of the way I treat my kids."
View all my reviews
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Family Reunion
This last weekend we had a major family reunion on my dad's side of the family. It included all the family since my great-grandparents came to the U.S. from England 100 years ago.They had 8 children including my grandmother. One of my dad's cousins did a tally and there are over 400 descendents. We had about 200 at the reunion. I knew very few people, but was excited to see the people I do know.
I was most excited about seeing my cousin Julia (she is really the daughter of my dad's cousin and I'm not sure of the exact title of how we're related so I just say she is my cousin). We are two months apart in age and we met when we were 6. Since then we have been really good friends. It is amazing how sometimes we will go years without seeing each other, yet we still get along so well. I flew out to Utah for her wedding and she came out to California for mine. I love her to pieces and she is one of the best friends I could ask for.
It was a great weekend, but I'm glad to be home in my own bed again. We drove all day on Thursday, were there for 2 days and then drove back on Sunday.
I was most excited about seeing my cousin Julia (she is really the daughter of my dad's cousin and I'm not sure of the exact title of how we're related so I just say she is my cousin). We are two months apart in age and we met when we were 6. Since then we have been really good friends. It is amazing how sometimes we will go years without seeing each other, yet we still get along so well. I flew out to Utah for her wedding and she came out to California for mine. I love her to pieces and she is one of the best friends I could ask for.
It was a great weekend, but I'm glad to be home in my own bed again. We drove all day on Thursday, were there for 2 days and then drove back on Sunday.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Busy Day
I wish there were more hours in the day. There never seems to be enough time to get everything done. I was busy all day and still have so much to do around the house. I scrubbed every inch of our bathroom, washed and folded/hung up six loads of laundry, vacuumed, cleaned the kitchen and went grocery shopping. I'm proud of how much I accomplished, but wish I could have done more. Our house is still so messy.
Next on the list of things to do is restock the pantry now that the shelves are done.
Any one have any suggestions on how to delegate some of the chores? I have made a chore list, but no one follows it. Maybe we will have to have a new rule that there is no TV until chores are done. I hate to treat adults like children, but I'm not sure what else to do.
Next on the list of things to do is restock the pantry now that the shelves are done.
Any one have any suggestions on how to delegate some of the chores? I have made a chore list, but no one follows it. Maybe we will have to have a new rule that there is no TV until chores are done. I hate to treat adults like children, but I'm not sure what else to do.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
What I've been up to
I know I have been MIA for quite a while now. I'm fine. I just haven't really felt like posting lately. I have been reading everyone's blog though.
The biggest thing I have been working on is crocheting baby afghans for my co-worker who's wife is having twins (A boy and a girl). I just finished the blankets and thought I'd share pictures. Enjoy!
The biggest thing I have been working on is crocheting baby afghans for my co-worker who's wife is having twins (A boy and a girl). I just finished the blankets and thought I'd share pictures. Enjoy!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Vegas baby
We just got back from a trip to Vegas and boy did I enjoy myself. It was my first time there, but I'm sure it won't be the last. I will update with details and pictures soon.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Mom for a day
I love watching other people's kids. Every few weeks I watch my niece and I completely love it. I had her with me today. We had to go out to do and do a couple errands. People always think she is mine when I take her out and I usually correct them and let them know she is my niece. Today I just let them think she was my baby and it felt good to let myself be a mom even if it was only for a couple of minutes.
Here is a picture I took of the little cutie. She is such a character. I just love her and feel so blessed to have her in my life.
Here is a picture I took of the little cutie. She is such a character. I just love her and feel so blessed to have her in my life.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Cleaning out the garage
It fascinating what you can come across when you are cleaning out the garage. We were recently going through some old boxes of my grandparent's. In one of the boxes were a bunch of books. One of the books peaked my interest for purely anthropological reasons. It is titled: "Sex Life in Marriage" and was written in 1946 by Oliver Butterfield, PhD.
It is obvious that this subject was somewhat taboo because in the very beginning of the book the author cites Federal court decisions regarding sex education. Federal Judge Augustus N Hand said: "The theory that information about sex matters should be left to chance has greatly changed... It may reasonably be thought that accurate information, rather than mystery and curiosity, is better in the long run."
Can you even imagine a court case about whether a sex book would be allowed nowadays? There are so many books about sex now that it ridiculous.
I haven't read the book, but I find it very interesting to see how differently sex was looked at back then just by looking at the table of contents. It is also interesting to see how many of the topics touched upon are still relevant today.
Here are some of topics: Sexual Attitudes and Emotions, The Technique of Sexual Intercourse, Frequency of Intercourse, Children (and for those of my IF friends there is a section on infertility), and Overcoming Sexual Maladjustment.
Most of you probably don't care about my little discovery, but I thought it was interesting and wanted to share it.
It is obvious that this subject was somewhat taboo because in the very beginning of the book the author cites Federal court decisions regarding sex education. Federal Judge Augustus N Hand said: "The theory that information about sex matters should be left to chance has greatly changed... It may reasonably be thought that accurate information, rather than mystery and curiosity, is better in the long run."
Can you even imagine a court case about whether a sex book would be allowed nowadays? There are so many books about sex now that it ridiculous.
I haven't read the book, but I find it very interesting to see how differently sex was looked at back then just by looking at the table of contents. It is also interesting to see how many of the topics touched upon are still relevant today.
Here are some of topics: Sexual Attitudes and Emotions, The Technique of Sexual Intercourse, Frequency of Intercourse, Children (and for those of my IF friends there is a section on infertility), and Overcoming Sexual Maladjustment.
Most of you probably don't care about my little discovery, but I thought it was interesting and wanted to share it.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Lovin My Nook
Almost 2 weeks ago Soren bought me a Nook. I had been wanting one for a while, but kept telling myself that there was no point in buying one until I finished the big pile of books I have lying around. I am totally loving it and take it everywhere with me. In the last week and a half I have already read 3 books. I'm a total Nook addict. ;)
Monday, January 31, 2011
My very first blog award
I'm a little late getting to this post since Angie let me know last Wednesday that she had awarded it to me. All I can say for myself is that I have been busy taking care of my hubby that just had his wisdom teeth out.
Thank you so much Angie for nominating me! You can find her at Random Thoughts from Angie .
Here are the rules for accepting this award:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you the award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 other bloggers (I'm lowering this to 5 for future people. 15 is just way too many.).
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.
So here are seven things about me:
1. I love having things organized. I actually printed out labels for our pantry when I was a teenager so that everyone would now exactly where to put things. I was so tired of everyone putting things in random places and having to hunt for them.
2. I'm a perfectionist. This kind of goes along with the first thing I listed. Since it is so rare that I can get things perfect sometimes I don't even try and things can get really messy.
3. I love to bake. Now I just need to be better about not eating the things I bake so that I will be able to lose weight. Thank goodness for being able to share food with co-workers.
4. I love digging in the dirt, but I also hate being dirty. (I know this may seem contradictory.) I really like gardening but as soon as I'm done I go straight to the sink to wash all the dirt off my hands. (I can't wait for spring so I can start my vegetable garden.)
5. I am rekindling my love of crocheting. My most recent project is two baby afghans for one of my co-workers that is going to be the proud dad of twins in a few months.
6. I have never been outside the U.S. Even when we lived an hour from the Canadian border we never took the time to make the trip. I know, it's pathetic.
7. I love to read. I have a such a huge list of books that I want to read that it will probably be a year or two before I get through it.
I nominate... (drum roll please):
Robin
Sherry
Jayme
^J^
Lindsay Logic
Sweet Pea
Jennifer
M
Jen
Andrea
Melinda
Pierson Family
Holly
Anna
Megan
Thank you so much Angie for nominating me! You can find her at Random Thoughts from Angie .
Here are the rules for accepting this award:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you the award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 other bloggers (I'm lowering this to 5 for future people. 15 is just way too many.).
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.
So here are seven things about me:
1. I love having things organized. I actually printed out labels for our pantry when I was a teenager so that everyone would now exactly where to put things. I was so tired of everyone putting things in random places and having to hunt for them.
2. I'm a perfectionist. This kind of goes along with the first thing I listed. Since it is so rare that I can get things perfect sometimes I don't even try and things can get really messy.
3. I love to bake. Now I just need to be better about not eating the things I bake so that I will be able to lose weight. Thank goodness for being able to share food with co-workers.
4. I love digging in the dirt, but I also hate being dirty. (I know this may seem contradictory.) I really like gardening but as soon as I'm done I go straight to the sink to wash all the dirt off my hands. (I can't wait for spring so I can start my vegetable garden.)
5. I am rekindling my love of crocheting. My most recent project is two baby afghans for one of my co-workers that is going to be the proud dad of twins in a few months.
6. I have never been outside the U.S. Even when we lived an hour from the Canadian border we never took the time to make the trip. I know, it's pathetic.
7. I love to read. I have a such a huge list of books that I want to read that it will probably be a year or two before I get through it.
I nominate... (drum roll please):
Robin
Sherry
Jayme
^J^
Lindsay Logic
Sweet Pea
Jennifer
M
Jen
Andrea
Melinda
Pierson Family
Holly
Anna
Megan
Monday, January 24, 2011
Loving the Weather
It has been sunny and in the 60's during the day. This is so weird for January, but I'm not complaining. It has been feeling so great to go outside and feel the warmth of the sun. I LOVE living in California. It's only January and I'm about ready to bust out the spring wardrobe. I would really love to buy some cute new clothes, but I have made an agreement with myself that I only get to buy new clothes if they are a smaller size.
On that note: I went to the gym tonight for the first time in weeks. It seemed like I was sick for over a month straight. I'm going to have to get back in the habit now.
On that note: I went to the gym tonight for the first time in weeks. It seemed like I was sick for over a month straight. I'm going to have to get back in the habit now.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Happy Christmas!
I just felt like going back to my English roots there for a second. (In England they say Happy Christmas instead of Merry Christmas.) Plus, I figured there would be a million posts titled "Merry Christmas" today and I wanted to stand out. ;)
I truly hope that this is a wonderful day full of peace and love for all of you.
I truly hope that this is a wonderful day full of peace and love for all of you.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas eve
Scripture ~ On the eve of Christ’s birth, the prophet Nephi prayed in behalf of his people who were about to be slain by the wicked. Read the Lord’s response and the fulfillment of the prophet Samuel’s prophecy in 3 Ne. 1:9–22.
9 Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.
10 Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.
11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers.
12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:
13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
14 Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given.
15 And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.
16 And there were many, who had not believed the words of the prophets, who fell to the earth and became as if they were dead, for they knew that the great plan of destruction which they had laid for those who believed in the words of the prophets had been frustrated; for the sign which had been given was already at hand.
17 And they began to know that the Son of God must shortly appear; yea, in fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth from the west to the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth.
18 For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at hand; and they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief.
19 And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given.
21nd it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.
Story ~ "Teach The Children"
Just last Monday night I had a strange visitor. This is how it happened. I had just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door of the front room, and to my surprise, a special visitor stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.
He placed his fingers over his lips so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask, but the words choked up in my throat as I saw that he had tears in his eyes.
He then answered me with the simple statement of "Teach the children." I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement, brought a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood there in my night shirt bewildered, the visitor said again, "Teach the children." My perplexed expression still showed in the near darkness.
"Teach them the old meaning of Christmas*the meaning that Christmas now-days has forgotten." I started to say, "How can I?" when the visitor reached into the toy bag and pulled out a brilliant shiny star. "Teach the children the star was the heavenly sign of promise long ago. God promised a Savior for the world and a sign of the fulfillment of his promise. The countless shining stars at night*one for each man*now show the burning hope of all mankind."
The visitor gently laid the star upon the fireplace mantle and drew forth from the bag a glittering red Christmas ornament. "Teach the children red is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood which was shed for all people by the Savior. Christ gave his life and shed his blood that every man might have God's gift to all*eternal life. Red is deep, intense, vivid*it is the greatest color of all. It is the symbol of the gift of God."
As the visitor was twisting and pulling another object out of his bag, I heard the kitchen clock begin to strike twelve. I wanted to say something but he went right on. "Teach the children," he said, as the twisting and pulling suddenly dislodged a small Christmas tree from the depths of the toy bag. He placed it before the mantel and gently hung the red ornament. Here was the second color of Christmas. "The pure color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round," he said. "This depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. Green is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature. All the needles point heavenward*symbolic of man's returning thoughts toward heaven. The great, green tree has been man's best friend. It has sheltered him, warmed him, made beauty for him, formed his furniture.
The visitor's eyes were beginning to twinkle now as he stood there. Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound. As it grew louder, it seemed like the sound of long ago. "Teach the children, that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, so should it ring for man to return to the fold*it means guidance and return. It further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord. Who is there among you if his son ask for bread would give him a stone?"
As the soft sharp sound of the bell faded into the night, the visitor drew forth a candle. He placed it on the mantle and the soft glow from its tiny flame cast an erie glow about the darkened room. Odd shapes in the room slowly danced and weaved upon the walls. "Teach the children," whispered the visitor, "that the candle shows man's thanks for the star of long ago; it's small light is the mirror of the star light. At first candles were placed on the Christmas tree*they were like many glowing stars shining against the dark green. Safety now has removed the candles from the tree and the colored lights have taken over in that remembrance."
The visitor now had turned the small Christmas tree lights on and picked up a gift from under the tree. He pointed to the large bow ribbon and said, "A bow is placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of the brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is tied as man should be tied*all of us together, with the bonds of good will toward each other. Good will forever is the message of the bow."
Now my mind began to wonder what else the visitor might have in his bag. Instead of reaching in his bag, he slung it over his shoulder and began to reach up on the Christmas tree. I though he was hungry as he reached for a candy cane purposely placed high on the tree. He unfastened it and reached out toward me with it. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. The crook on the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep of the fold. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keepers."
The visitor then paused. He seemed to realize that he should be on his way. As he looked about the room a feeling of satisfaction shined on his face. He read wonderment in my eyes and I am sure he sensed my admiration for this night. He was his old self as he approached the front door. The twinkle in his eyes gave the visitor away. I knew he wasn't through yet. He reached into his bag and brought forth a large holly wreath. He placed it at the door and said, "Please teach the children the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases, stops, or ends. It is one continuous round of affection. The wreath does double duty. It is made of many things and in many colors. It should remind us of many things of Christmas. Please teach the children."
I pondered and wondered and thrilled with delight as I sat and viewed all those symbols that night. I dozed as I sat in the soft candle light, and my thoughts were of the visitor and all he made right. To give and to help, to love and to serve, are the best things of life, all men can deserve. Jesus the Christ Child as small as an elf, is the very best symbol of Christmas itself. He's the sign of the gift of love and of life, the ending of evil, the ceasing of strife. The message to me on this pre-Christmas night has opened a treasure of deepest insight. The one thing on earth we all ought to do, is the teaching of children the right and the true.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
2 days till Christmas
Scripture ~ Matthew 2:1-12
1 Now when Jesus was aborn in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Story ~ "Christmas Day in the Morning"
By: Pearl S. Buck
He woke suddenly and completely. It was four o'clock, the hour at which his father had always called him to get up and help with the milking. Strange how the habits of his youth clung to him still! Fifty years ago, and his father had been dead for thirty years, and yet he waked at four o'clock in the morning. He had trained himself to turn over and go to sleep, but this morning it was Christmas, he did not try to sleep.
Why did he feel so awake tonight? He slipped back in time, as he did so easily nowadays. He was fifteen years old and still on his father's farm. He loved his father. He had not known it until one day a few days before Christmas, when he had overheard what his father was saying to his mother.
"Mary, I hate to call Rob in the mornings. He's growing so fast and he needs his sleep. If you could see how he sleeps when I go in to wake him up! I wish I could manage alone."
"Well, you can't Adam." His mother's voice as brisk, "Besides, he isn't a child anymore. It's time he took his turn."
"Yes," his father said slowly. "But I sure do hate to wake him."
When he heard these words, something in him spoke: his father loved him! He had never thought of that before, taking for granted the tie of their blood. Neither his father nor his mother talked about loving their children--they had no time for such things. There was always so much to do on the farm.
Now that he knew his father loved him, there would be no loitering in the mornings and having to be called again. He got up after that, stumbling blindly in his sleep, and pulled on his clothes, his eyes shut, but he got up.
And then on the night before Christmas, that year when he was fifteen, he lay for a few minutes thinking about the next day. They were poor, and most of the excitement was in the turkey they had raised themselves and mince pies his mother made. His sisters sewed presents and his mother and father always bought something he needed, not only a warm jacket, maybe, but something more, such as a book. And he saved and bought them each something, too.
He wished, that Christmas when he was fifteen, he had a better present for his father. As usual he had gone to the ten-cent store and bought a tie. It had seemed nice enough until he lay thinking the night before Christmas. He looked out of his attic window, the stars were bright.
"Dad," he had once asked when he was a little boy, "What is a stable?"
"It's just a barn," his father had replied, "like ours."
Then Jesus had been born in a barn, and to a barn the shepherds had come...
The thought struck him like a silver dagger. Why should he not give his father a special gift too, out there in the barn? He could get up early, earlier than four o'clock, and he could creep into the barn and get all the milking done. He'd do it alone, milk and clean up, and then when his father went in to start the milking he'd see it all done. And he would know who had done it. He laughed to himself as he gazed at the stars. It was what he would do, and he musn't sleep too sound.
He must have waked twenty times, scratching a match each time to look at his old watch-midnight, and half past one, and then two o'clock.
At a quarter to three he got up and put on his clothes. He crept downstairs, careful of the creaky boards, and let himself out. The cows looked at him, sleepy and surprised. It was early for them too.
He had never milked all alone before, but it seemed almost easy. He kept thinking about his father's surprise. His father would come in and get him, saying that he would get things started while Rob was getting dressed. He'd go to the barn, open the door, and then he'd go get the two big empty milk cans. But they wouldn't be waiting or empty, they'd be standing in the milk-house, filled.
"What the--," he could hear his father exclaiming.
He smiled and milked steadily, two strong streams rushing into the pail, frothing and fragrant.
The task went more easily than he had ever known it to go before. Milking for once was not a chore. It was something else, a gift to his father who loved him. He finished, the two milk cans were full, and he covered them and closed the milk-house door carefully, making sure of the latch.
Back in his room he had only a minute to pull off his clothes in the darkness and jump into bed, for he heard his father up. He put the covers over his head to silence his quick breathing. The door opened.
"Rob!" His father called. "We have to get up, son, even if it is Christmas."
"Aw-right," he said sleepily.
The door closed and he lay still, laughing to himself. In just a few minutes his father would know. His dancing heart was ready to jump from his body.
The minutes were endless--ten, fifteen, he did not know how many--and he heard his father's footsteps again. The door opened and he lay still.
"Rob!"
"Yes, Dad--"
His father was laughing, a queer sobbing sort of laugh.
"Thought you'd fool me, did you?" His father was standing by his bed, feeling for him, pulling away the cover.
"It's for Christmas, Dad!"
He found his father and clutched him in a great hug. He felt his father's arms go around him. It was dark and they could not see each other's faces.
"Son, I thank you. Nobody ever did a nicer thing--"
"Oh, Dad, I want you to know--I do want to be good!" The words broke from him of their own will. He did not know what to say. His heart was bursting with love.
He got up and pulled on his clothes again and they went down to the Christmas tree. Oh what a Christmas, and how his heart had nearly burst again with shyness and pride as his father told his mother and made the younger children listen about how he, Rob, had got up all by himself.
"The best Christmas gift I ever had, and I'll remember it, son every year on Christmas morning, so long as I live."
They had both remembered it, and now that his father was dead, he remembered it alone: that blessed Christmas dawn when, alone with the cows in the barn, he had made his first gift of true love.
1 Now when Jesus was aborn in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Story ~ "Christmas Day in the Morning"
By: Pearl S. Buck
He woke suddenly and completely. It was four o'clock, the hour at which his father had always called him to get up and help with the milking. Strange how the habits of his youth clung to him still! Fifty years ago, and his father had been dead for thirty years, and yet he waked at four o'clock in the morning. He had trained himself to turn over and go to sleep, but this morning it was Christmas, he did not try to sleep.
Why did he feel so awake tonight? He slipped back in time, as he did so easily nowadays. He was fifteen years old and still on his father's farm. He loved his father. He had not known it until one day a few days before Christmas, when he had overheard what his father was saying to his mother.
"Mary, I hate to call Rob in the mornings. He's growing so fast and he needs his sleep. If you could see how he sleeps when I go in to wake him up! I wish I could manage alone."
"Well, you can't Adam." His mother's voice as brisk, "Besides, he isn't a child anymore. It's time he took his turn."
"Yes," his father said slowly. "But I sure do hate to wake him."
When he heard these words, something in him spoke: his father loved him! He had never thought of that before, taking for granted the tie of their blood. Neither his father nor his mother talked about loving their children--they had no time for such things. There was always so much to do on the farm.
Now that he knew his father loved him, there would be no loitering in the mornings and having to be called again. He got up after that, stumbling blindly in his sleep, and pulled on his clothes, his eyes shut, but he got up.
And then on the night before Christmas, that year when he was fifteen, he lay for a few minutes thinking about the next day. They were poor, and most of the excitement was in the turkey they had raised themselves and mince pies his mother made. His sisters sewed presents and his mother and father always bought something he needed, not only a warm jacket, maybe, but something more, such as a book. And he saved and bought them each something, too.
He wished, that Christmas when he was fifteen, he had a better present for his father. As usual he had gone to the ten-cent store and bought a tie. It had seemed nice enough until he lay thinking the night before Christmas. He looked out of his attic window, the stars were bright.
"Dad," he had once asked when he was a little boy, "What is a stable?"
"It's just a barn," his father had replied, "like ours."
Then Jesus had been born in a barn, and to a barn the shepherds had come...
The thought struck him like a silver dagger. Why should he not give his father a special gift too, out there in the barn? He could get up early, earlier than four o'clock, and he could creep into the barn and get all the milking done. He'd do it alone, milk and clean up, and then when his father went in to start the milking he'd see it all done. And he would know who had done it. He laughed to himself as he gazed at the stars. It was what he would do, and he musn't sleep too sound.
He must have waked twenty times, scratching a match each time to look at his old watch-midnight, and half past one, and then two o'clock.
At a quarter to three he got up and put on his clothes. He crept downstairs, careful of the creaky boards, and let himself out. The cows looked at him, sleepy and surprised. It was early for them too.
He had never milked all alone before, but it seemed almost easy. He kept thinking about his father's surprise. His father would come in and get him, saying that he would get things started while Rob was getting dressed. He'd go to the barn, open the door, and then he'd go get the two big empty milk cans. But they wouldn't be waiting or empty, they'd be standing in the milk-house, filled.
"What the--," he could hear his father exclaiming.
He smiled and milked steadily, two strong streams rushing into the pail, frothing and fragrant.
The task went more easily than he had ever known it to go before. Milking for once was not a chore. It was something else, a gift to his father who loved him. He finished, the two milk cans were full, and he covered them and closed the milk-house door carefully, making sure of the latch.
Back in his room he had only a minute to pull off his clothes in the darkness and jump into bed, for he heard his father up. He put the covers over his head to silence his quick breathing. The door opened.
"Rob!" His father called. "We have to get up, son, even if it is Christmas."
"Aw-right," he said sleepily.
The door closed and he lay still, laughing to himself. In just a few minutes his father would know. His dancing heart was ready to jump from his body.
The minutes were endless--ten, fifteen, he did not know how many--and he heard his father's footsteps again. The door opened and he lay still.
"Rob!"
"Yes, Dad--"
His father was laughing, a queer sobbing sort of laugh.
"Thought you'd fool me, did you?" His father was standing by his bed, feeling for him, pulling away the cover.
"It's for Christmas, Dad!"
He found his father and clutched him in a great hug. He felt his father's arms go around him. It was dark and they could not see each other's faces.
"Son, I thank you. Nobody ever did a nicer thing--"
"Oh, Dad, I want you to know--I do want to be good!" The words broke from him of their own will. He did not know what to say. His heart was bursting with love.
He got up and pulled on his clothes again and they went down to the Christmas tree. Oh what a Christmas, and how his heart had nearly burst again with shyness and pride as his father told his mother and made the younger children listen about how he, Rob, had got up all by himself.
"The best Christmas gift I ever had, and I'll remember it, son every year on Christmas morning, so long as I live."
They had both remembered it, and now that his father was dead, he remembered it alone: that blessed Christmas dawn when, alone with the cows in the barn, he had made his first gift of true love.
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