I am a Mormon

I have seen some interesting commercials lately. I am sure you have also. They are everywhere. Television, radio and billboards. They follow an ordinary person, living an ordinary life through an ordinary day. They show us how this person lives a normal life just like you and me. Then at the end of the ad we hear the tag line.

I am a motorcycle lover ...and I am a Mormon.

I am a red head ...and I am a Mormon.

I am a third grade teacher...and I am a Mormon.

I am confident that the message of these ads is to inform us, the viewer, that Mormons are just your average run-of-the-mill people. That Mormons are no longer the stereotypical skirt-wearing, long-hair-rolled-in-a-bun, polygamist. That everything we think we know about this sect is no longer true anymore.

I am also confident that these ads have something to do with the fact that we have a presidential candidate this term who is a...wait for it...Mormon.

Now, don't get me wrong, Mormons have some wonderful family values. They practice tithing. They practice chastity before marriage and fidelity in marriage. They practice obeying the laws and submitting to authority. They even have the words “Jesus Christ” in the official name of their religion: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (LDS)

But before we jump on that band wagon of thinking Mormons are same minded as Christians lets look at their belief system. Before we decide that our next president should be a “religious” man let's make sure his religion is a worthy one. Let's not believe every ad we see. Because we all know that the Big Mac we get in the drive through doesn't always look like the one on the screen of our TV.

I have found their basic principles online. (http://mormon.org/articles-of-faith/ )

In a future blog I will dissect these beliefs and compare them to what the Bible, the true Word of God, teaches us.

Our Princess

We knew it might cause problems the first time we told he. We just never thought it would get this bad.

About a year ago we were reading a Bible passage with our kids about the King of kings and Lord of lords. (Rev 19:16) Ou kids had also learned that they are children of God. (Gal 3:26 “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith...”) So, without missing a beat, our oldest daughter put two and two together and came to the conclusion that if she was God's daughter and He was the King, then, she must be a princess.

And who are we to tell her any differently? She is a princess. Not only through supreme lineage but also in attire and attitude.

Rebekah takes great pride in her appearance. Her nails—both toes and fingers—are always painted (usually pink!) and looking pretty. She has an enormous set of head bands, scrunchies, bows and, of course, crowns and tiaras. And she is rarely ever seen not wearing a dress. Her overall outlook on clothing is that “only workers wear jeans”.

Then there is her attitude. She really does think she is a princess. She tries to act like royalty. The problem is that she really only has one role model to set the example of how to be a true princess and that living example lives on the other side on the pond. She also expects to be treated like a princess. She repeatedly reminds her classmates that she is a princess and should always get to choose the game, movie or other activity for the day. Which, as you can only imagine, does not go over well with her friends.

If only she realized that most of her classmates and friends are children of the King too. That they are also princes and princesses. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. But, maybe all of us need to realized that we are also princes and princesses and we should start acting like it. Because Kate might live on the other side of the world but our father is the ruler of the world.

Happy 7^th birthday Princess Rebekah. You have truly been a delight. You are an outstanding student—even though you hate school. You are an amazing artist—even if it is coloring just about everything. You are an spectacular shopper—no matter what store we are conquering. You bring a smile to my face every time I see you—even in the morning when you have no desire to get out of bed. Six was great. I am hopeful that seven will be even more wonderful!

Life Goals

I remember the day so well. I was working part-time at a car dealership. I walked through the shop to clock in for my last couple of shifts. As I walked passed everyone I realized no one noticed. Not one person mentioned. I doubt any of them had even heard. I am sure none of them even cared.

You see, less than 24 hours prior I had accomplished a goal that many of them have never nor will ever achieve. Most of them haven’t even attempted to obtain it. I had just graduated from college. The first in my family. With a 3.8 GPA. While working 3-4 part-time jobs. But I did it. I officially earned a Bachelor’s degree.

I am not sure what I expected from my co-workers. It is not like my education effected their lives at all. I guess I was just expecting some form of recognition. A pat on the back. A job well done.

My next life changing event was slightly different. I got married. I had my dream wedding including the horse-drawn carriage. Many took part of the celebration. This time everyone had heard. Everyone knew. Numerous friends and family acknowledged this life goal. I was even introduced to the congregation the next day by my new uncle with my new name.

The only problem is that pulling off an impressive wedding is not the same as making it to the “death do us part” part. Marriage is hard work. There are days that I need someone to realize the struggle and give me compliments for staying in for the long haul. Sometimes a pat on the back can go a long way in making it happily ever after.

Last week I accomplished yet another life goal. I ran a half marathon. (Now before you go judging me on only running a half marathon, let me inform you that it is still 13 very long miles. So unless you can do it, don't judge. And as my new bumper sticker clearly states: “13.1 because I am only half crazy!”) But I did it. I can now mark that goal off the list. (Mostly because I will never run one again!) This time I had several individuals encouraging me along the way. Literally and from home. I crossed that finish line and that was the goal.

Now I only have one more finish line to cross. And much like the marathon one, it seems like it will be forever before I get there. Some of the things that I will do before I finish will be noticed. Some will not. I anticipate many days being difficult and tiresome. I just hope not all of them. Some people will support me. Some will not. But my only desire is to cross that line and hear “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Because it doesn't matter what degree I earned, who I married or how many miles I ran, It's about doing my best and pleasing Him. Not only will He give me a well deserved and much anticipated pat on the back, I will also get my crown of life. And then I will know it was all worth it.

Go run your race. Do your best. Accomplish your goals. I will see you at the finish line. We can share stories and battle scars. Then we can take our crowns over and place them at the feet of the One who deserves them.

I just hope His aren't as blistered as mine.

Get It First Hand

In the judicial system it is referred to as hear say. When a witness didn't hear the information directly but rather from a second person. It is often dismissed or overruled by the judge.

So it is no wonder The Judge overrules a misdemeanor in the Garden of Eden case. You see, when Eve gets confused by the snake, she has an excuse. She received the rules about the Garden second-hand. Actually, she wasn't even created yet when the instructions were given. Check it out:

Genesis 2:15-17: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.'”


It is not until the next verse (v 18) that God realizes that Adam is lonely. “The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”


Eve wasn't there to get the word directly. She had no way of going back and checking the records to see exactly what God said was permitted and what wasn't.


We do.


The problem is that we don't go back and check it. Centuries ago, when most Christians were illiterate, many of them relied on their preacher to teach them about God and His ways. They had to trust that their clergyman was teaching them correctly. However, today, we have Bibles readily available for our use. We have internet sites that have the Word of God acceptable in any language and translation. (check out Biblegateway.com.) We have the knowledge and freedoms to read the printed Word anywhere, anytime. But we choose not to.


No, many of us just sit back and let others do the reading. We expect them to have all the answers. We let them decide for us what is right and wrong. We hope that someone else knows what God really wants.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how we end up believing lies from talking snakes. How the truth gets distorted. Why there is so much debate over what is acceptable or not.


Get it first hand. Check out the answer key. It is all right there for you. Provided for you by The Author of life.

How Could She?

Within the last month I have added a different form of exercise into my workout routine. I swim. I am actually starting to like this part of my training. Partly because the pool at our gym is almost always empty in the mornings when I go. Partly because it is very quiet in the water without the ability to plug my headphones into a media socket. But mostly to break up the monotony of the treadmill.

In the beginning only three problems stood between me and the pool. First, I did not own a swimsuit in which I could actually do laps. The ones I owned were more like the fashion kind used to sit on the beach and look cute. And finding a modest suit that actually covered my not-so-small breasts proved to be quite a challenge. Secondly, in order to get in the pool I needed to get half naked in said swim suit. Thirdly, the life guards at our gym are also the teenage boys from our church's youth group! So I had to find a swimsuit that held all of me that I could strip down to in front of impressionable young men that I needed to have respect for me come Sunday morning. That was a challenge.

But I did it. After much searching, I found a suit. I have gotten over my fear of allowing this much of my skin to been seen. And, the best part is that I have even more respect (and I think it is even reciprocated) for the teens that have to sit in the patrolman's chair and watch my attempts to learn how to swim.

On most days I am the only person in the pool. If I ever do have to share the water it is usually with a retired US Navy sailor who has to be in his 70's but has one mean backstroke.

But today's swim was different.

Today a woman walked in the pool area carrying a size 6, B-cup, athletic frame. (I am certain she had no problem trying to find a lap suit that would fit her.) She eased herself into the water. Placed her goggles over her eyes and off she went. She glided across the water with no effort. She swam like a dolphin. Such ease. Such perfectionism. She even knew how to swim in a straight line with her eyes shut. A task I still haven’t seem to master.

She lapped me many many times. (Something I should be used to being that one of my running partners run circles around me—literally!)

By the time she had completed her workout I was only 2/3's of the way done with my mile. I felt like such a schmuck. I was convicted that her only intention of working out this morning was to make me feel like an inadequate beached whale who was struggling to breathe with each stroke. I just knew that her only purpose in life was to make me look horrible. She had reached her goal.

Then she left. Of course she did. She was done with her mile. I started to feel better. I realized that she probably didn't come to hurt me or even think twice about me. I also realized that if an Olympic swimmer came in she might actually feel the same way I did—but I doubt it.

Then I realized that is how we are with our Christian walks. Some of us are beginners and have only been in the pool for a month. Some of us have had professional training for years or decades. But all of us are doing our best. And as long as we are swimming better than we were a year ago...and we will be swimming better a year from now, that is all God wants. He doesn't expect us to have everything mastered—not even the swimming straight thing. He just wants us to keep learning. Keep doing His will. Keep breathing. Keep swimming. No matter who is looking or in the lane next to you.

He loves you and your efforts. Just as much as I am sure the lifeguards love me and my efforts. Because they aren't laughing at me—well, at least not out loud anyway.

End of an Era

Well folks. It's the last one. The last time I can honestly answer someone and say I am in my 30's.

Yep, that's right. It's my birthday. My 39^th birthday to be exact. A day of celebration of sorts. Trust me when I tell you that I am handling it much better than my mother. She is in hysterics that her “baby” is (almost) 40.

The number really isn't bothering me as much as I thought it would. It helps that I have close friends already in their 40's and they don't seem “old”. It also helps that my children are the ages that they are. For some reason, no one considers me (almost) 40 because my kids are all under 10. I am alright with that.

I have been told that many changes are headed my way. Women who are (almost) 40 tend to lose hearing, seeing, height, strength, hair, bone density, estrogen and metabolism. However, I doubt I will wake up tomorrow as a short, bald, deaf-blind, weak, fragile menopausal woman . But you never know.

Actually, there are many things I wanted to accomplish before I turned the big 4-0.

Graduate from college and have a career (check, check).

Buy a house (Check.)

Get married and start a family (check, check).

Travel around the country and see the states (38 down, 11 to go.)

Celebrate the 4th of July in Washington DC (check.)

Travel the world (not quite the world yet but working on it).

Ride on an elephant. (check.)

Celebrate Fat Tuesday and Madi Gras in NOLA. (check.)

Learn to belly dance. (Does line dancing count?)

Ride in a hot air balloon (check--with my son!)

Donate a gallon of blood (almost, but I was pregnant for the past decade.)

Mark “organ donor” on my driver's license. (I don't need them where I am going.)

Teach college classes (check.)

Learn a foreign language (that's the class I teach.)

Land on the most dangerous airstrip in the world. (I landed in the second most difficult one and that was enough for me.)

Run a marathon (well, if you add all the “little” races together that I have done and the one I have in a couple of months, they would total over 26 miles. Does that count?)

See Niagara Falls, The Grand Canyon and The Great Wall (yes, no, no)

Celebrate the New Year in NYC, watching the ball drop at midnight (not yet.)

Visit the Holy Land (Due to finances, our children's ages and the political issues there, I have a feeling that this one will have to wait until after my 40^th.)

Looks like I have a busy year ahead of me. But that's OK because I am still young and adventurous. But looking back over my list I can see how truly blessed I am, the places I have been, the things I have done and the people God has put into my life to accomplish them all.

What;s on your list? What do you still have left to check off? What can you write on there today? Go out there and live. Live life to the fullest because you never know when you are going to turn (almost) 40.

Suck a Bucket!

There is an expression heard often in our house. I don’t know where it came from. I don’t know what it means. I am not even sure it is physically possible. What I do know is that when I am frustrated instead of saying some other more explicit words that would receive an R rating I say, “Suck a bucket”.

I never really put much thought into it. It just pops right out when I stub my toe, or burn my finger or drop something unexpectedly. I never really put much thought into it until one of my kids repeated it the other day. Just to hear those words come out of his mouth made me stop and consider how much influence I really have on my children.

Some influence is good. Reading our Bible everyday. Saying please and thank you. Praying before meals and bedtime. Opening doors for ladies. Signing hymns—opposed to screaming—in the car when you are scared. The list goes on.

But we also have the ability to pass down not-so-good traits. Like the time when I was pregnant with our oldest. I was getting my hair cut. As I sat in the salon chair another woman was sitting in the one across from me. Her two year old accidentally knocked over the trash can. The contents spilled out over the floor. He promptly said some words that a child that young should have never heard-- let alone say. Shocked and astonished, I looked at the mom to see what her reaction would be. It only shocked me more.

As her son was expressing his frustrations with profanities, she laughed. She thought it was cute. I did not. I vowed, right then and there, that I wouldn't say “illegal” words in the presence of my children.

I may not talk like a sailor in front of my kids but I do, however, pass down some not-so-good traits. My children have seen me on numerous occasions eat way too much chocolate cake. They have experienced me throwing tantrums when a plan doesn't go the way I expected it to go. They have heard me whine and complain. And I am pretty sure that they have caught onto my ophidiophobia due to the fact that I refuse to take them into the deserts section of the zoo.

No, I am not a perfect mom. By no means. I doubt you are either. But we all are doing our best with what we have and that is all God expects from us. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we are to “...bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (6:4)

So keep on training and instructing just make sure you aren't telling them to go suck on buckets of any kind.