Thoughts On Sunday- Debunking My Own Testimony

I was sitting in church today during Sunday School, and someone made a comment that started me thinking. They talked about how part of life is figuring out how infinite the Atonement of Christ is. I would agree, and I feel like life is also a continual refinement of testimony, too.

I would say refinement because, especially over the past few years, I feel like my testimony has changed a lot. Where I used to say there was a reason for everything or an answer to ever question, I really don't think that any more. I think there is peace available in times of trial, challenge, or pain, but I don't think there are always answers.

I also used to think doing the right thing and being happy were synonymous. Not true. Sometimes we do the right thing and it's harder, it's less fun, and the payoff is not immediate.

I know none of this is super profound or unheard of, but it is interesting to me that I have always had testimony of Christ, but it has changed so much. I believe in Christ and I believe in His ability to provide peace and companionship in difficult times, and I do believe there are answers available as well. I guess my point is that when answers aren't clear, we still have a friend in Christ, and that's ok.

Feel Good About Yourself in 5 Minutes

Most people are aware that there is suffering in other parts of the world. Most people are aware that the US does a lot to help. However, what most people are not aware of is that the US spends less than 1% of its budget on foreign aid. What most people, or at least myself, are also not aware of, is that you can actually do something to change this. You really can help the starving children in Africa.

I work for The Borgen Project, and our goal is to help people realize they can impact the decisions Congress makes. Congress tallies the calls they receive.* If an issue receives enough attention, Congress will do something about it. So, if you want something to be done to help people receive electricity in Africa or for more people to have access to clean water (here's a list of issues trying to be passed), just follow this link, type in your zip code, and say, "I am calling because I support this act and would like it go through." Or, you can say what the site says, "I'm a Borgen Project supporter and would like to see increased funding for Foreign Aid."

Email is also an option.

So, take 5 minutes, call your people, and then you'll know you did something good for other people. :)

*For your interest, here's a copy of what the weekly tally sheet looks like.

Sometimes your house is messy but you blog anyway.

Nate and I have been married barely two and a half months. I think I have cried more in that time than in my whole life put together before I got married.

Now, before you think that my marriage is wholly at fault, just wait a second. I am married to a wonderful man, and the longer we are married, the more I realize this. Unfortunately, that doesn't stop the tears from flowing.

I am truly beginning to believe my tear ducts were somehow super-charged once I said, "I do." I cry ALL THE TIME. A cute commercial? Tears. A happy baby? Tears. A pretty hymn in church? Tears! I am telling you. Before I got married, I didn't even cry when I broke up with someone. (To be fair, anger and pride can usually neutralize tears) Now it's like I'm biting my lip every day so I can hold it back, because who cries over YouTube?

So now if Nate even barely disagrees with me, my mind isn't even bothered and I can logically tell I shouldn't be phased, but I can almost immediately feel my eyes welling up.

Maybe it's the birth control. Maybe it's because Nate never tells me not to cry or wonders why I'm upset (even if it makes no sense. Show me a man more compassionate and sympathetic than my husband.) All I know is that I am now a big baby. So it goes.

On to other things, I am volunteering as an intern at The Borgen Project. It's pretty cool- borgenproject.org- they advocate for Congress to increase funding on Foreign Aid. If anyone can make a difference in the world, it's the US government, so call you Congress person today!

I am also working at the Gap. It's great. I feel like my two occupations are rather revealing. Saving the world sounds good, but so does wearing cute clothes. I guess I'll do both!

Something Nice

I came across this video because someone had posted it on facebook (Yep, my day was made better because of facebook. What have I come to?) and it was actually perfect timing.

This video was a little ray of sunshine when I was having a slightly rough morning. While there is much to love about my new life, I would be lying if I said all the changes have been easy to adjust to. I'm not worried- I think anyone would have a hard time graduating, getting married, and moving all at once. So a big part of my focus right now is just letting myself have a hard time and making adjustments instead of being angry for not being happy every second. Luckily I'm married to the greatest guy in the world, and he's very patient.

I liked this video because it reminded me how grateful I am for Christ, and goodness in general. There is so much good in the world, and there is so much good in my world. Thinking about Christ reminds me of that and helps me to be patient, trust in God, and be at peace. I get stressed out no matter what life hands me- good or bad, and so I'm glad that I can remember Christ in any situation as well.

On a Lighter Note...

I knew my last post would generate a lot of heated opinions. However, I didn't realize how much I wouldn't appreciate fueling the debate, and if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. So, I deleted the facebook link. Turns out almost no one reads my blog if I don't have it on Facebook. :) I left it on my blog, because that's still how I feel, but yeah- no more facebook.

But, on a lighter note, I was making my lunch, and was again, again again again, reminded that Nate and I do not have a microwave. Initially I didn't think it would matter much, and- to be fair- it takes mere minutes longer to use the stovetop or oven- but you would be amazed how hard of a habit it is to kick. I apparently used the microwave several times a day, considering how often I am reminded I don't have one.

A recipe calls for melted or softened butter. Nope, pull out the saucepan. Leftovers for lunch or dinner? Nope- do a quick analysis of what belongs in a pot and what requires a cookie sheet or casserole dish. Thaw some meat? Better get some warm water running.

It's probably better to not have our food zapped and then instantly available. It teaches patience and minimizes the need for instant gratification. However, it is one more thing to add to the list of "Why I'm Grateful I Wasn't a Pioneer"

That is a great list actually.

I'm grateful I wasn't a pioneer because...

-I like being warm
-I don't like being wet
-or cold
-or dirty
-I like to have a variety of foods on hand. Last night was Mexican, tonight will be Thai, and I'm planning Italian for tomorrow. Pioneers ate the same thing every day
-I like to do my hair and makeup
-I prefer to go to church inside a building
-I sleep with a night light
-I love our BeautyRest mattress
-Having carpet and a vacuum is nice
-I may not have a microwave, but I do have an oven. And sink.

First world problems.

The list goes on, but next time you are uncomfortable, just think, "At least I'm not a pioneer."

Strictly Opinion: Women and the Priesthood

In the recent past, there has been much discussion in my church about women receiving what is called the priesthood. For those who don't know, the priesthood is a spiritual gift, power, and/or authority given to men to act in the name of God, usually in the instance of performing ordinances such as baptisms or blessings.

The priesthood is an outward thing- meaning you can never use it to help yourself. The priesthood will always involve an act of service- one person helping another- when it is used. So for some one to seek after this, in my opinion, is contradictory. It is contradictory because wanting something for yourself is inward, not outward, but also because the priesthood is a gift.

For something to be a gift, it means that it is being given by someone who has chosen to bestow it. The distribution is in their power. The priesthood is a gift. God has chosen to give it to men, and I don't remember God being swayed by large groups or protests.

Now, this is not to say there is no gender inequality in the church or that women don't need a stronger voice. I am all about women being equally represented and having equal weight in decisions, and I support change (as long as it's sound with doctrine). Just ask my husband, or really anyone who knows me. However, this inequality/discrimination/oppression is not just found within my church. It is a world problem. Misogyny is a real thing. But- this is my main point. In my experience, misogyny comes from man, not God. And this is the Church of Jesus Christ, not man. 

I have never felt that God loved me less than men, or that He revealed truth to me less often. If we look back to when Christ was on the earth, He was basically a huge liberal giving women credence in a time when they had none. His best friend was Mary Magdalene- she was the first person who knew He'd been resurrected. Christ had 12 (or 11, since Judas had died by then) male apostles in charge of running the church, but Christ went to her first (John 20:11-18). Women may be treated unfairly, but it's not because of anything Christ did. It's because people make mistakes.

Also, women have been given gifts from God as well. Women have made covenants with God as well. And I can't think of a higher form of service than motherhood- giving up your body for 9 months, and then all your time and energy ever after. I wonder if the attention should shift from what we don't have to magnifying and understanding what we do.

So, back to the issue at hand, the women who want the priesthood are planning a protest at a worldwide meeting the church is having. I wish they wouldn't. It's a huge disrespect to a gathering many people revere as sacred. Do it another day, and do it somewhere else. Also, if someone does have issue with not having the priesthood, the person they should go to is God, because He's the one that makes things happen and He's the one who decided who to give the priesthood to back at the beginning of the world. 

I talk a lot. Since I'm home alone, I'll blog a lot.

I like to read those silly articles people post on facebook. You know- the ones that have titles like, "What is ACTUALLY wrong with Miley Cyrus" or "The Best 10 Ways to Wear Pants". It's like dessert for my mind- useless, no real nutritional value, but still enjoyable.

Anyway, today I saw one that was called "5 Relationship Myths" or something like that. They always have numbers. However, unlike most of these mental dessert articles, this one had a little quote I found rather profound-

As a rule, notice how many times the word should enters your thinking process when it comes to your relationship and try to let it go. There are no shoulds or molds that you have to squeeze yourself into; there's only what works for the two of you.*

I love it because I feel like my mind is filled to the brim of "shoulds". Not just in a relationship, but in everything. I think there are so many external expectations for what we wear, listen to, eat, think, handle social situations... the list goes on. It'd be hard to break it, but I'd like it if I could always do things just because I wanted to, and not because I felt like something else was telling me I should. And, I'd like to practice not being disappointed or frustrated when things don't go the way they "should".

***Because I read enough syllabus in college to know that plagiarism is wrong,  here is the article-
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10294/5-damaging-myths-we-believe-about-relationships.html