Me, too

Xander: "My waist hurts."
Me: "Is your belt too tight?"
Xander: No, why?"
Me: Because you said your waist hurts."
Xander: "No, it hurts INSIDE."
Me: "Oh, like, you're hungry?"
Xander: "Yeah."
Me:"Mmm, me too."
Xander: "Cause your belt's too tight?"

'sigh'

I've Heard About This....

Tonight I went to my Stake Leadership Meeting, and it was pretty good. (I was reminded of Elder Oakes quote;"It has to be a pretty good meeting to be better than no meeting at all.") After the Relief Society class portion we met together in the gym for brownies and apple cider. (The brownies were awesome, by the way.) I was walking in and some lady I didn't know said, "OH MY GOSH! I KNEW IT!" I looked around to see who had won a door prize or something, and she was looking at me. I said, "Excuse me?" and she said, "I"m the popcorn lady! I made the popcorn for the Prairie kids today!" "Ahhh..." says I. (I'm thinking, "Is that supposed to explain something?") So I smiled and went into my, Maybe -if-we-keep-talking-something-will-make-sense mode. "Oh, hi, it's nice to see you." (?Nothing yet)She said in a rush, "I was telling my friend who was helping me that I bet you're LDS, your ears must have been burning because we were talking about you in the lunch room today! I just knew it!" (I had lunch duty) Me,"What on earth made you think that?" And here's the punch line; "Well, it's just the way you looked, in your face, in the way you carried yourself!". I have to tell you that's just about the nicest thing a stranger has ever said to me. I guess your insides can be in a knot over kids throwing lunch pails at each other, but if your spirit's at peace, your face will still show it.

kids are funny

I wanted to share a couple of moments from my Friday school day. I had asked the kids to color a picture of themselves that I intend to use for markers as they reach their reading goals. I'll put their face underneath the 25%, 50%, etc. Everyone was doing a very serious job, making their hair and eyes the actual color, putting on the shirt they were really wearing, things like that. Then one guy gave me a totally black square. He colored it very dark black, with just two small spaces not colored in completely. I was confused. I said, "Um, Ethan, I'm not gettin' this." He deadpans, "I'm a ninja."

The next funny moment was when I was doing some lunchroom duty. I walk around and open milk, stop children from poking each other, and each other's sandwiches, advise them to "remember your 12" voices, stuff like that. Toward the end some children ask if they can wipe tables as a job from the custodian.(She gives then PRIDE tickets to be used in a drawing at assembly) There was one young man among them who has long greasy hair and a longer reputation for trouble. As things were winding down this very distinctive young man looks up at me with sad eyes and says in a droll, slow, plaintive, voice, "Mrs. Seversike, dontcha even recognize me?"
I smiled and said, "Why, of course I recognize you, how are you doing?" At which point he wraps his arms around me, buries his head in my stomach, (pressing his bleach rag into my back)and says after a long,drawn out sigh, "I'm fine." Apparently the start of school is tough on all of us. Let us remember the power in being recognized and given a hug. It can make the whole day better.

Anti-Nephi-Lehies

Today the word "anti" is defined as "against or opposed, situated opposite." I learned this week that during the time the prophet Joseph Smith was translating the plates, one of the meanings of the word "anti" was "in the mirror image of."
In Alma, Chapter 23, we learn about a blood-thirsty region of the Land of Nephi where Lamanites listened to the teachings and testimony of Aaron and his bretheren, and were converted. They were convinced, by the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, that the traditions of their fathers had been wrong. They had no more desire to do evil, and thousands covenanted to live peacefully. Knowing of the earlier meaning of the word "anti" makes the choice of names by which the converted Lamanites wished to be called, The Anti-Nephi-Lehies make much more sense. They wanted to emulated their righteous ancestors, to be associated with righteous men, to make themselves over in the mirror image of good examples.
These once murderous Lamanites, wishing to show their God the sincerity of their hearts, buried their swords, their bows and arrows and other weapons of destruction deep in the earth. This commitment did many things; it made them vulnerable to their enemies, showed humility, and demonstrated their complete reliance upon their God for their safety and salvation.
Pondering the sacrifice that the Anti-Nephi-Lehies made as they tossed their weapons of sin into the pit, I wondered; what are we willing to toss into the pit to show our earnestness and commitment?
Most of us have committed to living the Word of Wisdom and tossed harmful practices to our bodies into the pit. We use our Sabbath day to worship God and to learn of his son, Jesus Christ, throwing personal entertainment on Sundays into the pit. We give up some of our earnings to help build Zion, some of our time and talents to build the Kingdom, and come to the aid of our brothers and sisters.
It seems as if today we still have to keep the pit open, and continue to throw little things in all the time. Where anger arises, we have to run to the pit and throw that in. Where pride enters our heart we have to cast that in as well. Just as soon as we empty our hands and hearts of sinful thoughts, Satan is there to try to put something back in.
If you are recognizing the battle, and the continued need to throw things into the pit, you are on the right course! Seeing the constant need to identify and eliminate sin means we are humble enough to be receptive to instruction and correction. Don't despair as you continue to see the need to run to the pit, to repent, and rid yourself of the tools to do evil. It only means that we are being steadfast in the effort to make ourselves over into the mirror image of Him whom we wish to emulate, even Jesus Christ.

And this time the pictures too...

For Somethin' New to Look At

These are cute pictures which no real purpose, I just thought you might like them.:)
The squatters in our house are still there, leaving notes that "we have people watching the house..." and, "I'll press charges next time..." you know, like Dawn said, "CRIMINAL justice system". BUT!! We joined LA Fitness, so I'm going to get fit and probably look 22 again, and blonde, I'm thinkin'. And probably drive a really nice car, too. I wouldn't be surprised if I look good in an evening gown. All this, and more can be yours...

If at First You Don't Succeed---You are like most people

This day didn't go nearly as well as I hoped. We moved our reticent renters out, with a whole long story of their lying, and put their larger belongings on the lawn and the rest of the house in the garage.
When we finished we showered and went to get milk. When we came home the cops were outside the rental, the woman actually had the nerve to call the cops. Shortest story possible: the creeps have all the rights. So I am bummed, she and her felon boyfriend are still there, with a promise to move "in a week... or ten days..." We'll start proper eviction procedures, which can take up to 3 months. Did I mention I'm really, really, bummed? Soooooooo--if this is some kind of test I'm going to pass it. Cause I'm really good at tests. You don't get a GPA like mine (graduating CummaGoomaLoudly as dad says) without being a really good test taker. Instead of any more garbage I'm going to share some more of my beautiful summer memories and just mellow out. So here's to new antiques (the youth chair)(hey, is that an oxymoron? new antiques?) Cousins are cool, aunties and porch swings go good together, friends are wonderful things, and birthdays are fun days.