The Dog Tree

The dog tree is a place on our property where I used to take Samson, and later Abinadi.  Now, Chief and Rose like to follow me down there.  It is a peaceful place I like to go to pray and think and enjoy nature.  

When Samson died a few years ago we were trying to decide where on our property to bury him.  The dog tree seemed like the logical spot to me.  That is where he and I spent many hours together.  So it has now become our dog cemetery.

I have always considered cemeteries to be sacred, peaceful places.  The dog tree has always been a sacred place to me – even more so now that some of my pack is buried there.

I spend a considerable amount of my outdoor time at the dog tree.  There is a bench there that Dad used to sit on when he would come visit me at the dog tree.  Now, I always picture him sitting on that bench when I am down there.  So in addition to the dog tree being my favorite place to pray and contemplate things, I also like to talk to Dad, as if he is sitting on that bench.  Like the old days.  He may very well be there listening to me.

Today, while I was down at the dog tree with Chief and Rose, I was praying, as usual.  When I looked up, I saw a beautiful full rainbow – spanning the sky from west to east.  It wasn't there before (it wasn't even raining today).  And it only lasted a few minutes.  I couldn't help but think that it was a sign from God.  

Interestingly, our Sunday School lesson this week was about Noah and the flood.  And of course the rainbow is a token of the covenant God made with Noah to never flood the earth again.  Perhaps it was my token today.

I don't believe in coincidences, so there was definitely a correlation between studying about Noah this past week and seeing that rainbow today.  God is definitely aware of each of us and our needs.

From this view, the rainbow arced high in the sky above that house over the top of my head.  Looking from Abinadi's view.  I love this party stance picture of Abinadi.  :-)  (This picture was obviously from several years ago.)

Samson's grave shortly after he was buried February 22, 2016. You can see Willie's headstone behind Abinadi.  Samson's headstone is on the other end by the tulips. Actually this picture was taken March 18, 2016.

Facing West.   Abinadi in the shade of the dog tree.  March 18, 2016

Facing east.  (Slightly southeast).  Abinadi again in the shade of the dog tree.   Dog tree far right.

Dog tree far left.  Facing South, slightly west. Samson's headstone just above Abinadi's tail.

Good view of the dog tree from the North looking South.  Abinadi's grave with the blue flowers, Samson's grave with the red flowers, and (Michael's dog) Dakota's grave with the white flowers.  October 5, 2019.

Elk bedded down at the dog tree.  Notice the gray bench on the far left of the photo.   February 2019.

A wider angle taken from the house looking east  towards the dog tree (center right of photo behind the elk.)  If you look close you can see the gray bench to the left of the dog tree. February 2019.

I thought I had a photo of the beautiful wildflowers at the dog tree, but I can't find it.  Perhaps it's only in my mind.

I feel so blessed to live in such a beautiful place where we are surrounded by wildlife and nature.

We often see elk, deer, red tail hawks, rabbits, snakes, and all kinds of birds.  We occasionally see coyotes (we hear them often), bald eagles, and Canadian geese.  We've seen a bobcat (lynx), Dad saw a huge gray wolf once, I've seen a black bear walk by my window, and I'm sure others that I can't think of right now.  I hope to see a cougar one day.

Just today I saw a flock of Canadian geese fly overhead.  A short time later, a couple of Mallard ducks flew from the neighbor's pond. Last year I saw a couple of coyotes go past the dog tree towards their den in the forest.  I always hear all kinds of birds chirping, frogs croaking, and insects buzzing.   I love it when dragonflies land on me.  And I don't even mind the spiders who crawl over me all the time.  :-)

I am truly blessed to live in such an beautiful, peaceful, serene piece of God's green earth surrounded by so many of His wonderful creations.

When I am at the dog tree I feel a oneness with my Heavenly Father because I am bathed in the peace and tranquility that being surrounded by His creations brings.  

That's my two cents.

A Child of God

When people ask you about yourself, what's the first thing you tell them?  What you say is very telling.  It reveals your core values and how you see yourself.  It depends on the circumstances, but generally, I think most people answer with what they do for a living, their profession, they will talk about their family, maybe bring up their heritage, where they are from, perhaps talk about their hobbies.  If it's not a face-to-face meeting, some people mention their physical characteristics – age, height, eye color, etc.  Usually sex/gender is easy to decipher by voice or in person.  So that's usually not mentioned.  

Lately though, a lot of people tend to share unsolicited information about themselves that really should be kept private.  For instance, I don't really care who you are attracted to.  Why do people feel it necessary to, without provocation, "come out" as homosexual?  I don't really care if you feel like pretending to be the opposite sex.  If you're a man and want to pretend to be a woman, or vice versa, feel free.  It doesn't concern me.  But, it does concern me when you try to force my opinion to embrace your lifestyle, or expect me to use incorrect pronouns to describe you.

Most people with psychological anomalies – or those who deviate from normal behavior – don't flaunt it.  In fact, it seems prudent to keep it private.  If I ask a schizophrenic, or someone with bipolar or clinical depression, or any mental illness to tell me about themselves, their mental illness is not the first thing they will likely mention.  In fact, they probably won't mention it at all.   It's not who they are.  It is an unfortunate illness.  Likewise, people with diabetes, cystic fibrosis, cancer, or any other illness don't tend to bring it up in casual conversation.  Their illness doesn't define them.

If someone asks me about myself, the first thing that pops into my mind is: I am a daughter of God.  That is my core value.  More generally, I could say that I am a child of God.  But sex/gender is really one of the most basic characteristics that define who we are, so it's important to include that distinction.  

I was a daughter of God before I came to earth.  I will be daughter of God after I leave this earth.  Other characteristics may change such as jobs, professions, hobbies, even relationships with others.  Hopefully our knowledge increases over time as we learn and grow.  Our opinions may change.  But what will never change is that we are all sons or daughters of God.

Being a child of God may seem innate to some.  But many people don't know that simple fact.  Many people also don't know that they lived as spirit sons or daughters of God before coming to earth.  Sex/gender is eternal.

"All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

"In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally."  – The Family: A Proclamation to the World, 1995

To those unfortunate souls who face the trial of same-sex attraction or body dysmorphia, I am sad for you.  But as with any psychological anomaly or mental illness – it doesn't define you.  And it's really nobody else's business what you struggle with.  There's really no reason to "come out" as anything.  What does define you is that you are a child of God.  You are a son or daughter of God.

My spinal cord injury is obvious, but it doesn't define me.  I don't announce it.  It definitely has a big impact on my daily life, but it's not who I am.  My spinal cord injury is a mortal trial.  It is temporary.  One day we will all be resurrected with perfect bodies and minds.  There will be no more physical or mental illness. After that resurrection, my body will be whole again.  As will be everybody's body and mind. 

Alma 11:42-44

42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.

43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.

44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

If everybody understood this scripture, there would be much more hope, and less anguish in the world. 

If everybody had eternal perspective, knowing that they are a son or daughter of God, there would be more joy and peace in the world.  Self-worth would increase and people would be less angry.

Knowing who I am – a daughter of God – and knowing that the trials we face here in mortality are temporary – thanks to our Savior; brings me comfort, joy, hope, and peace. 

The next time someone asks you about yourself, don't define yourself by certain trials, challenges, or hardships you face; or by superficial characteristics.  Instead, tell them you are a child of God.  Tell them you are a son or daughter of God.  Because that really defines who you are more than any other of your innate or acquired diverse qualities or characteristics you possess.

That's my two cents.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Today is my favorite holiday.  Happy Groundhog Day, everybody.  In honor of the animal we celebrate today,  I found this article with interesting facts about the groundhog.   I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  :-)

By the way, today is a special Groundhog Day.  I'm a numbers person.  So I can't help but notice the date today: 2/2/22.

T-shirt design I made a few years ago, which of course I'm wearing today.  :-)

10 Things You May Not Know About Groundhogs

ROGER DI SILVESTRO   |   JANUARY 13, 2011

The groundhog, also known as the woodchuck or the mouse bear (because it looks like a miniature bear when sitting upright), first won its reputation as a weather prognosticator in 1886, when the editor of western Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper, one Clymer Freas, published a report that local groundhogs had not seen their shadows that day, signaling an early spring.

This story begat Punxsutawney Phil, the legendary woodchuck weathercreature, which begat Ground Hog Day and the familiar idea that Phil (and his namesake successors down through the years) can predict the perpetuation of winter.

It is likely that the story of Phil is based on European beliefs that badgers and hedgehogs can provide signals about the future; lacking those species in his area, old Clymer substituted the local animal that most resembles a badger or a hedgehog.

But the groundhog is much more than a weather rodent. It’s also a real animal with a real life.

Here are 10 things you may not know about this roly-poly rodent:

1. Groundhogs are among the few animals that are true hibernators, fattening up in the warm seasons and snoozing for most of three months during the chill times.
2. While hibernating, a woodchuck’s body temperature can drop from about 99 degrees to as low as 37 (Humans go into mild hypothermia when their body temperature drops a mere 3 degrees, lose consciousness at 82 degrees and face death below 70 degrees).
3. The  heart rate of a hibernating woodchuck slows from about 80 beats per minute to 5.
4. Breathing slows from around 16 breaths per minute to as few as 2.
5. During hibernation—150 days without eating—a woodchuck will lose no more than a fourth of its body weight thanks to all the energy saved by the lower metabolism.
6. During warm seasons, a groundhog may pack in more than a pound of vegetation at one sitting, which is much like a 150-pound man scarfing down a 15-pound steak.
7. To accommodate its bodacious appetite, woodchucks grow upper and lower incisors that can withstand wear and tear because they grow about a sixteenth of an inch each week.
8. If properly aligned, woodchuck upper and lower incisors grind away at each other with every bite, keeping suitably short; when not in good order, they may miss one another and just keep growing until they look like the tusks on a wild boar; if too long, a woodchuck’s upper incisors can impale the lower jaw, with fatal results.
9. Woodchuck burrows, which the animals dig as much as 6 feet deep, can meander underground for 20 feet or more, usually with two entrances but in some cases with nearly a dozen.
10. Burrows provide groundhogs with their chief means of evading enemies, because the rotund little guys (just before hibernation, a hefty woodchuck may tip the scales at 14 pounds) are too slow to escape most predators in a dead heat: the rodents have a top speed of only 8 mph, while a hungry fox may hit 25 mph.

Bonus Fact: Although groundhogs may not be the best weather predictors, they do in fact emerge from dens in early February. This is the practice of males as they rouse themselves to wander around their 2- to 3-acre territories in search of burrows belonging to females, which the males will enter and where they may spend the night. Research suggests that no mating takes place at this time; the visits probably just let the animals get to know one another so that they can get right down to the business of breeding when they emerge for good in March. Outside of the mating season, woodchucks are solitary, except for females with young, which usually are born in early April.  (Source: https://blog.nwf.org/2011/01/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-groundhogs/)

I hope you learned something and gained some respect for the lowly groundhog.  I know I did.  Happy Groundhog Day!

That's my two cents.

Addendum: Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow.  Expect six more weeks of winter.  :-)

Agreement, Commitment, Follow-through

Another one of Cesar's mantras is agreement, commitment, follow-through.  Obviously, this applies to humans' relationship with dogs.  But it also applies to many aspects of life.

I'm sure Cesar could teach this better than I can, but I'm going to give you my interpretation of Cesar's principles.

When you decide to get a dog, you must learn the responsibilities required.  The basic necessities are food, water, shelter.  Dogs also require exercise, discipline, and affection as basic necessities.  Once you understand the responsibilities that dog ownership entails, then you agree.  You decide to get a dog and commit to provide those basic necessities along with toys and treats, etc.  

Once you have a dog, you must follow through.  This is the hardest part for most people.  Owning a dog is a long-term commitment.  10+ years for most dogs.  A lot of people, once they get a dog, may have good intentions, but slack off.  They don't follow through.  Cesar says you should walk your dog at least one hour every day.  I doubt many people do that.  A lot of people just provide food, water, shelter, and affection.  But don't give the dog rules, boundaries, limitations, exercise, mental stimulation, etc.  This takes work.   Most people don't take the time or patience to properly follow through.  That's why most dogs in America are not balanced.

Another example of agreement, commitment, follow-through would be goals.  When we set goals, we agree to do what's necessary to achieve that goal.  We commit to doing it.   Then we follow through.  All three – agreement, commitment, follow-through – are necessary to achieve the goal.

When I was a young child,  I wanted to become a doctor.   I learned what was necessary to achieve that goal.  Years of schooling,  hard work, moving to different parts of the country, etc.  Agreement.  Then I committed.  I applied, I interviewed, and accepted the challenge.  Then, of course I had to follow through.  I had to earn my bachelors degree.  I had to move to San Francisco.  And I had to work hard for four years to receive my diploma/degree.  Without agreeing, committing, and following through, I would not have received my degree.  I would not have become a doctor.

The same thing is true with marriage and relationships.  You date and get to know each other.  If you are compatible you agree to enter a relationship and mutually decide to commit to marriage.   When you marry you make vows to each other to commit to becoming a family.  But the wedding is not the end.  It is just the beginning.   Marriage and relationships take work.  If both parties in the marriage or relationship are not willing to follow through, then the marriage or relationship fails.

Cesar's trifecta of agreement, commitment, follow-through applies spiritually as well.  I saw this a lot on my mission.  We would teach people the gospel of Jesus Christ.  They feel the spirit and develop faith.  They like the happiness and peace that the gospel brings into their lives and want it to continue throughout their life.  Agreement.  Then they choose to repent and be baptized and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Commitment.  A lot of people think that's all they have to do.  But again, that is not the end, but just the beginning.  After agreement, and commitment – faith, repentance, and baptism  – there must be follow-through, or in other words, endure to the end.

Follow-through or enduring to the end is what we must do every day, after we agree and commit to living the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Without follow-through, everything falls apart.  I have seen many faithful, committed members of the church fall because they didn't follow through.

Follow-through is a continual process that requires effort, work, and patience.  If we don't continually work towards living a Christlike life, and following God's commandments (follow-through), our commitment begins to wane, and our faith (agreement) begins to wane – and we eventually fall.

Whether it's building and maintaining relationships, achieving goals, spiritually progressing or another facet of life – to achieve balance in all aspects of our lives, we must apply Cesar's principles of agreement, commitment, follow-through.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Cesar.

That's my two cents.

Follow Truth

If you know me, you know I like to watch Jeopardy! regularly. Recently a contestant, Amy Schneider, just finished a 40 day run.  Second only to Ken Jennings in number of wins.  Jeopardy! is claiming that Amy Schneider is the winningest woman in Jeopardy! history.  The problem is, Amy Schneider is a man.

When I first saw Amy Schneider as a contestant on Jeopardy, something was off.  I thought, this is either a man, or an extremely homely woman with hormone regulation problems.  So after a few wins, I decided to look it up.  Turns out, Amy Schneider is a man pretending to be a woman.  So, he really isn't the winningest woman in Jeopardy! history, but the second winningest man.

A few days ago I saw a clip on YouTube of Matt Walsh at the Dr. Phil show – I didn't even know he still had a show.  Also on the panel were two transgenders, "educating" people about pronouns.  Matt Walsh did a great job of defending truth.  Two of the points he made were that you can't choose your pronouns.  And you can't change your gender.

Truth is, you are born either male or female.  Every cell in the human body (except for red blood cells and platelets) contains a nucleus with 23 pairs of chromosomes (one from each parent).  One of those pairs are sex chromosomes which determine your sex or gender.   XX for female.  XY for male.  You receive an X from your mother and either an X or Y from your father.  It is basic science.  There are only two choices.

I understand that there are some unfortunate people who want to be the opposite sex, for whatever reason.  But you can't change the DNA in every cell in your body.  And even with extensive surgery and hormone manipulation, you can't change your anatomy.  Men will always have a larger bone structure, larger and stronger muscles, broader shoulders, and narrower hips – to name a few.  Women will always have a smaller bone structure, wider hips, narrower shoulders, and weaker muscles.  That's nature.

A man will always be a man.   A woman will always be a woman.  Regardless of how they dress or what they do to their bodies.  Therefore, you can't choose your pronouns.  Just like you can't choose your adjectives.  Calling a man she and her, or calling a woman he and him is absurd.  And is a lie.  

It's like me saying my adjectives are gorgeous and brilliant and if you don't use them when you describe me, I will be extremely offended.  Which actually isn't even as bad as transgenders changing their pronouns because the adjectives I chose are actually true.  :-)

The transgenders on the panel on the Dr. Phil show were completely astounded and offended at the truth that Matt Walsh was uttering.  They're used to people kowtowing to them and their delusional demands.

I have sympathy for people with mental illness and psychological issues.  It's sad to see people living miserable lives, trying to make themselves happier by altering their style of dress and/or bodies.  But feeding their delusion doesn't help them or society.

I'm all for agency and letting people make their own choices.  If someone wants to cross-dress and pretend to be the opposite sex, that's their prerogative.  But to expect society to lie and call a man a woman and vice versa is reprehensible.  It is deranged.

Amy Schneider is a man.  He is not the second winningest woman in Jeopardy! history.  Regardless of how he dresses, or how he manipulates his body, he is still a man.  He is not a she.

It is an insane world we live in where lies are accepted as truths.  When the basic science of biological sex is questioned, skewed, twisted, and perverted and people accept the lies as normal – then reality is obliterated.  When you can be fired, and shamed, for using the correct pronouns –  our normal, healthy society is not only sick, but dead.

Why do a few people with psychological issues get to dictate how society functions?  Why are lies accepted as truths?

These are the last days.  Evil abounds.  People are confused.

Isaiah 5:20-21

20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

We live in a complicated world where reality no longer exists.  We live in a complicated world where good is called evil, and evil good.  Where lies are considered truth, and truth lies.  Truth is simple.  Lies are complicated.

Keep it simple.  Always follow truth.

That's my two cents. 

Exercise, Discipline, Affection

Another one of Cesar Millan's mantras is exercise, discipline, affection.  This also not only applies to dog psychology but human psychology as well.  Cesar emphasizes the importance of walking your dog  as a basic necessity for having a balanced dog. But not your typical  American dog walk. Where the dog is pulling, sniffing and doing whatever it wants on the leash.  If you do it right, the exercise is more mental than physical. Because the dog has to focus on following you.  The person walking the dog has to be calm and assertive and correct the dog's behavior whenever he loses focus.

Walking the dog is also a form of discipline.  Now, when we hear the word discipline, many people think of punishment.  But that's not what it means.  Discipline is structure.  This also ties into rules, boundaries, limitations.  For instance discipline is teaching the dog to not bark and run to the door when the doorbell rings.  Or not to jump on the couch unless invited.  Or to learn that food on the floor is not a free-for-all, but that he has to be invited to eat it.  Things like that.  That's rules, boundaries, limitations and it's discipline. Waiting is a good example of discipline.  Making the dog wait until he's in a calm submissive state before putting a leash on him to go for a walk. Or making the dog wait until he's invited to eat.  Even if a bowl of food is in front of him.  That's discipline.

Affection is the easy one.  Most Americans and most dog lovers practice affection, affection, affection. And that's not healthy for the dog nor the human.  This is why Cesar has a TV show.  When you give affection to a dog when the dog is not in a healthy state, you are reinforcing that unbalanced behavior. So, for instance, if a dog is fearful and you give it affection, you are creating an association of being fearful with affection. If you give a dog affection while they are growling or being aggressive, you are reinforcing that unwanted behavior.  The only time  you should give a dog affection is when it's in a calm submissive state.  That's how you create balance and stability in a dog.  Everyone wants a balanced dog.

Affection isn't only petting the dog, saying good girl or good boy, or giving the dog food.  But affection can also be just your presence – your calm assertive energy.

To be balanced, people also need exercise, discipline, affection.  Children need mental and physical exercise.  Just like dogs, kids need to be able to run around and burn off pent-up energy.  Children also need mental stimulation for their brains to develop properly and to be balanced and stable mentally.

Children also need discipline. Children need structure. Children need rules, boundaries, limitations. Children crave discipline.  Discipline actually shows that you care and are willing to put forth an effort into raising your kids – or dogs. Unfortunately, many parents have become selfish and lazy and don't put forth the effort required to provide discipline and structure to their children. They'd rather stare at their stupid cheating machine and ignore their children – and dogs.  Discipline is absolutely necessary to create balance in children, dogs, and adults.

And of course  everybody needs affection. Dogs and humans. Everybody wants and needs to be loved. This is why a lot of people get dogs in the first place. They want that unconditional love that dogs can provide.  Because, unfortunately, a lot of unbalanced people can't find that affection in humans.  

Affection, affection, affection is not healthy for humans either.  Affection without discipline and mental and physical exercise leads to an unbalanced life.  Rules, boundaries, limitations are essential.  Structure provides stability.  Undisciplined, out-of-control people are not happy nor healthy.  Only providing affection and living without discipline – no rules, boundaries, or limits –  leads to misery.  I know plenty of miserable people who live undisciplined lives without rules, boundaries, limitations.

Now, the same principles of exercise, discipline, affection can apply to faith and religion as well.  Exercising your religion or faith is practicing it.  It is applying the principles taught in that religion to your life.  When people say they are exercising faith, they are putting their trust in God.  To exercise faith or religion requires discipline.  Structured religion is discipline.  I am a firm believer in structured religion creating balance in people's lives.  It certainly has in mine.

Exercising faith, exercising patience, waiting on the Lord, using our agency to make good choices, choosing to follow God and His commandments – all forms of discipline – are what bring us peace, happiness, confidence, love – all forms of affection. God's affection for us.

Cesar says exercise, discipline, affection.  He also says, calm, confident, love, joy.  The former brings the latter.

Exercise, discipline, and affection requires work.  A lot of people aren't willing to put forth the effort for the reward.  Cesar told the client on "Dog Whisperer" yesterday, "Life is work, lady."  Lisa and I got a kick out of that.  But it's true.  Life is work.  Anything worthwhile requires work.  If you are not willing to put in the exercise, discipline, affection.  You are not going to receive the reward of a calm, confident, happy life full of love and joy.

That's my two cents.

Rules, Boundaries, Limitations

Cesar Millan always preaches rules, boundaries, limitations to have a balanced dog. Most people with problem dogs don't practice rules, boundaries, limitations. They let the dog have free reign which they think is good but in reality is detrimental to the dog. Dogs need rules, boundaries, limitations to be balanced. In other words, dogs need rules, boundaries, limitations to be happy, healthy, and stable.

The same principle applies to humans. Humans also need rules, boundaries, limitations to be balanced. Children raised without rules, boundaries, limitations become monsters. They are unbalanced and mentally unstable.

So why would it be any different for us? Commandments are God's way of providing us with rules, boundaries, limitations. But a lot of people feel that commandments are stifling and restrictive and bad for us. When, in reality, commandments – obeying God's commandments – keep us balanced, stable, confident, and happy.

Those who don't practice rules, boundaries, limitations by obeying God's commandments find themselves living unbalanced, unstable, miserable lives. Much like the dogs who Cesar has to rehabilitate because their owners don't provide them with rules, boundaries, limitations and they become unstable and unbalanced.

A good pack leader provides rules, boundaries, limitations to create a balanced pack. A good parent provides rules, boundaries, limitations to nurture balanced children. And our Heavenly Father provides us with rules, boundaries, limitations through His commandments to help us be balanced, stable, confident, happy, calm, and peaceful.

I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who cares for us enough to give us rules, boundaries, limitations in the form of commandments. So that, if we so choose, we may find the happiness, peace, confidence, and stability that come from obeying God's commandments.

That's my two cents.

Sunday School Handout -- The Fall of Adam

Today Lisa and I taught our Sunday School class about the fall of Adam.  Our lesson was Genesis 3-4, Moses 4-5. 

There is so much doctrine found in these few scriptures.  I am so grateful for additional scriptures and modern-day prophets to clarify the doctrine of the fall of Adam.  The Book of Mormon and Pearl of Great Price give much more insight into the Creation and Fall than is found in the book of Genesis.

Most other religions vilify Eve and Adam because of their transgression in partaking of the forbidden fruit.  But we know that Adam and Eve's transgression and subsequent fall were necessary steps in God's plan.

"We and all mankind are forever blessed because of Eve’s great courage and wisdom. By partaking of the fruit first, she did what needed to be done. Adam was wise enough to do likewise."  -- Elder Russell M. Nelson, "Constancy Amid Change", October 1993 General Conference

I am grateful for Adam and Eve and their courage to make the choice which made it possible for us to come to mortality, receive a body, be tested and prove ourselves so that we can progress towards becoming more like our Heavenly Father.

There is so much more I could say about the fall of Adam but I'm kind of burned out on blogging right now.  So I'm just going to attach the handout I made  for our lesson today.  We attached an Almond Joy candy bar.  :-)

That's my two cents.

30 Year Anniversary!

30 years ago today I began an 18 month journey that was the best decision of my life.  I had contemplated serving a mission my whole life.  After I thought I might want to change my career path from pre-med to nursing, I thought it was a good opportunity to take a break from school and serve a full-time mission for the Lord.  Incidentally, after serving my mission, I decide to stay on the pre-med course after all.

So, I left school my sophomore year at Utah State University and came home and worked at KinderCare to earn money for my mission.  I worked there maybe eight or nine months.  I did the necessary steps and paperwork to apply to serve a mission.  After you submit your papers, there is about a three week wait until you get your call in the mail.  There is much anticipation during that time because you could be called anywhere in the world speaking any language.

I received my mission call in the mail in October 1991.  Opening a mission call is a rite of passage and something you never forget.

I was called to serve in the Florida Tampa Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  English-speaking.  (We did have Spanish speaking missionaries in my mission).  I was thrilled!  So excited to be staying stateside and speaking English! 

I was to report to the Provo MTC on January 15, 1992.  There I would receive intensive training for three weeks, then fly to Tampa, Florida.  What we call the mission field.

On Sunday, January 12, 1992 I gave my missionary farewell talk in church.  Then on Wednesday, January 15, 1992 my family drove the 4 mile, 10-15 minute drive from our house in Orem, Utah to drop me off.  Yes, the MTC was in my backyard.  Missionaries come from all over the world to train there, and I grew up there.  Made it convenient.  :-)

Back in those days, families could go with their missionary inside the MTC.  They had a meeting and then it was time to say goodbye for 18 months or two years and then families go out one door and missionaries out the other.  I think it actually made it a little harder knowing that I could walk home if I wanted to.

The MTC was an intensely spiritual experience.  It was a big change and quite a challenge.  But I made it through.  And before I knew it I was off to the mission field.  

Pointing to my mission on the giant world map at the MTC.  I think every missionary has this picture.

My MTC district with our evening teacher.  In the hallway outside of our classroom.  January 1992

This classroom is where I spent most of my waking hours at the MTC.  The empty chair is my desk.

Me (Sister Stone), Sister Paulson, Sister Parent in our MTC classroom.

Me and Sister Paulson studying in our MTC bedroom. Sister Parent shared the room with us and had a desk on the other side.  There were two sets of bunk beds per room.

Taking a break from studying pose for this picture.  Not sure what I'm doing with my hand.

The Elders in my MTC district on our way to or from the Provo Temple.  In the MTC we got to attend the temple once a week.

Sister Stone, Sister Paulson, and Sister Parent left side.  Writing letters and doing laundry on P-day in the MTC laundry room.

Another P-day (preparation day) with my companions in the MTC laundry room.

The Elders in my district posing in our classroom between classes.

My companions and I am with another sister companionship from a neighboring district.  Looks like we're practicing the first discussion.

Back then English-speaking missionaries spend three weeks in the MTC.  Foreign speaking missionaries spent eight weeks learning the language also.  

After my three weeks were up, I was excited to fly to the mission field, which for me was Tampa Florida.

From the MTC you board a bus to the Salt Lake City airport.  Also, back in those days you could meet your family at the airport and they could come wait at the terminal with you.

I like this picture of Lisa and me at the Salt Lake City airport as I await my departure to Tampa Florida.  February 5, 1992

This is the same photo as above but uncropped.  I couldn't find a picture of me with Juliet and this one is funny.  Juliet far left.  Michael far right.  I don't know why they both didn't just get in the photo.

Not the best shot of me but it is the only picture I had with Michael.  Michael was only 14 when I left, and 16 when I got home.  He changed a lot.

Me and Dad.

Me, Mom, Michael looking thrilled to see me.

Somewhere 30,000 feet over the United States of America between Salt Lake City and Tampa Florida.  February 5, 1992

My first area, Zephyrhills, Florida.  Tracting with my trainer, Sister Beck.  We ran into this little boy and his family on the road burning ants with a magnifying glass.  For some reason, little kids love me.  :-)  We had never met this family before.

This is where we lived in Zephyrhills.  A tiny one-bedroom apartment.  Those mailboxes are where I got all my letters.  And of course our mission car, a white Ford tempo.

We spent a minimum of 15 hours per week tracting (knocking doors).  We always carried Books of Mormon with us and usually a survey.

Notice the mud splattered on the back of my legs.  All in a days work.  :-)

This was taken doing our weekly service.  We were picking up trash on the side of the road.  It was Sister Beck's idea to pose like this with the armadillo.

Sister Beck and Sister Stone.  February or March 1992

A billboard we made in the Brooksville church.

Sister Beck and I both have a soft spot for animals, especially dogs we encountered.  We would always stop and pet them.  One time I remember we came across a stray hungry dog.  We went to the nearest convenience store and got him some food.  I don't know if it was this guy or not.

The changing of the guard.  Sister Beck was going home and I received a new companion, Sister Shorthill.  Brooksville, Florida.  April 1992

Shorthill and I received a trainee from the MTC, Sister Vega.

Sister Vega and I got along well.

Looks like we snapped this photo before we did our hair.

Sister Shorthill and Sister Vega preparing to go tracting in Brooksville, Florida.  Spraying our legs with bug repellent was a necessary ritual before tracting if we didn't want to get eaten alive by mosquitoes.  The downside was that bug repellent usually ruined the elasticity in our nylons.

Sister Vega and I got transferred to Port Charlotte, Florida.  My favorite area!

One day we got a call from the zone leader asking us to dress in white for our next zone development meeting.  So Sister Vega and I had to go out and find white dresses.  We were also asked to do a presentation for the zone on baptism. 

Fort Myers Zone.  Summer 1992.

Sister Vega and I did a rap about baptism to the tune of "Ice Ice Baby".  We were legends in the mission after that.  :-)

I had a crush on one of the Elders in this Zone.  :-)

Sister Vega got transferred out of Port Charlotte and I received a greeny from the MTC.  Sister Wilson.  She was old.  She turned 25 while we were companions.  I teased her about being a quarter of a century.  She was born in Samoa but her family moved to Inglewood, California when she was young.

Sister Wilson and I got along great.  She and Vega were my two favorite companions.

December 9, 1992.  My 22nd birthday.  We were at a member's house.  The kid behind me, Nick, we taught and baptized.

A couple we were teaching invited us out on their boat.  We told them it was against mission rules but we broke the rules.  :-(  They told us they would not keep taking the discussions unless we went on the boat with them.  We taught them the fourth discussion on the boat.

It was super windy.

Sister Wilson and Sister Stone.

These were our first regular district leaders.  This was at a ZDM I think.  We had to meet outside for district meetings.  I only remember having one.  :-)  I liked just having zone conference and zone development meeting.

As missionaries we do four hours of service each week.  This was when we worked at the Sheriff's office inputting data in the computer.  A lot of check fraud I remember.  :-)

Something I spent a lot of time doing.  Explaining the Book of Mormon to a lady we found tracting.

Somewhere in Charlotte County.  This was a large area.  I believe it was a 30 mile radius.

After nine months in Port Charlotte -- an unheard of amount of time in one area -- I got transferred to Seminole.  I spent half my mission in Port Charlotte.  It was my favorite area.

After being transferred to the Seminole area, I received another new greeny to train straight out the MTC.  Sister Collett was from Centerville, Utah.  I don't know why President Brimhall always had me moving to new areas and opening them for sisters while sending me a greeny to train.  But it was fine.

Both angles inside the car.  Of course I was always driving because I was the senior companion.  :-)

Even though I was the driver I always had to pull over and read the map because my companions didn't know how.  :-)

ZDM

Horsing around in the park.

Doing a favorite activity, door finding.

This was outside our apartment building in Largo, Florida.  Our apartment was on the bottom floor a few doors down underneath the 8302 numbers.  That's me heading to our mission car.

I ended my mission in Seminole with Sister Erickson.  She was a little older than me.  She was from Las Vegas, Nevada.  

Posing with my favorite breakfast cereal.

A kid we taught and baptized.

Another zone meeting.

This is Kate on her baptism day.  Her son loved me.  :-)

Doing service at the school.

This is my buddy, James.  I primarily tutored him.

This is the teacher we worked with and two of the students.  Sister Erickson tutored the girl while I tutored James.

James and me.  He was a sweet boy.  It's hard to believe he is close to 40 now.

Dennis and Shannon's baptism.  This is a brother and sister that we taught.  Shannon is wearing my dress.

Florida had the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen.

It's fitting to end this post with this picture.  As the sun set on my mission.

I flew home on July 23, 1993.  It was a wild 18 months.  My mission was quite the adventure.  As the saying goes, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."  A lot of hard work and difficult times, but definitely worth it.  Best decision I ever made.  As Ronnie Milsap would say, "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

It's hard to believe it's been 30 years.  Happy anniversary to me!

That's my two cents.