tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689143394075793882024-03-05T10:58:05.958-06:00Small and Simple Things"..by small and simple things are great things brought to pass."Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-35952151669364168532023-04-09T21:53:00.022-05:002023-04-11T20:43:12.119-05:00Love One Another as I Have Loved You<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>It was a lovely experience to prepare for this message which I delivered today, Easter Sunday. I chose my clothing carefully today for an extra boost of confidence since my body gets nervous/excited when I speak: a white blouse and yellow jacket given to me by Mom; a grey and blue scarf given to me on my 22nd birthday while I was a missionary in Nantes, France; the skirt I wore home from my wedding reception; and a pair of grey ankle boots, another gift from Mom. Axie was my fashion consultant, Michael gave me a blessing to help me be calm and to prepare well, and at church, Scott played organ for the congregation, while Ethan played piano for the choir. I was clothed in love, literally and figuratively. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy Easter! We are here to commemorate the life, the teachings, and the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ in Gethsemane and on the cross, and to celebrate his Resurrection. He is risen! He lives and loves us! </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-256a917e-7fff-7d63-7c2b-07ca976f0bca"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christ came as the embodiment of love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoso believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/3?lang=eng&id=p16#p16" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(John 3:16)</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. On the last night of his mortal life, Christ washed the feet of his disciples and gave them a new commandment, “That ye love one another; as </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> have loved you, that ye also love one another” (</span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/13?lang=eng&id=p34#p34" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John 13:34</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). </span></p></span><span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (</span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/15?lang=eng&id=p11-p13#p11" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John 15:11-13</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite our understanding and belief that He loves us, we are not always full of joy. Sometimes we feel alone, anxious, hurt, angry, or disappointed. We sorrow. We feel regret. We suffer, sometimes as a consequence of our own behavior and choices, sometimes because of the words and actions of others, and sometimes simply because we are mortal beings in a mortal world. We are wounded. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have you ever felt alone in a crowd? Last Saturday, my girls and I went to participate in a 5k. Waiting for the race to begin, with 2000 other race participants, I stood by myself. Emily had gone to the very front of the race, and Axie was running with a friend. I looked around and felt like I was the only person standing alone. I wasn’t upset -because I like to run - but I did feel like I was missing out as I saw people laughing and taking selfies together.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xF5KL8zCsj8SUJX1h58xbL3RtfGz3URu5SxM3ybpTTXawDZ9s6JLoknmodYWmTA1owRY88k-RFMoNMA8EDzOMXGdNrHRfRH604ulyWDDjU0XiySVYmFpBH8mtS6A_jT87etMReZZdAfnxMF-6jVTyHAu6ZfDfd4IRoN4DYtBW5WGx-r3G1hokYhp/s4032/IMG-3422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xF5KL8zCsj8SUJX1h58xbL3RtfGz3URu5SxM3ybpTTXawDZ9s6JLoknmodYWmTA1owRY88k-RFMoNMA8EDzOMXGdNrHRfRH604ulyWDDjU0XiySVYmFpBH8mtS6A_jT87etMReZZdAfnxMF-6jVTyHAu6ZfDfd4IRoN4DYtBW5WGx-r3G1hokYhp/s320/IMG-3422.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />Soon the race started, and I was in motion. After a little while, I could see Axie and her friend ahead and decided to try to catch up. Suddenly, on my right, I noticed a little girl. She was walking and tears were rolling down her cheeks. I slowed down to walk with her: “What’s wrong?” “I want my mommy!” We walked together for a few minutes. I knew that we could find her mom. The race route doubled back, so that there were people ahead of us in the race going past us in the other direction. “Keep your eyes on this side and tell me if you see your mom, “ I instructed her. After a few minutes, she ran to a woman running towards us who was waving and smiling. It was her mom, and they went off together in the other direction. I was alone again in the race, but I didn’t feel alone any more. </span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1st John 3 records: </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-jn/3?lang=eng&id=p16#p16" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Years ago, my friend Henry cared for his mom in her last hours. They were alone at home when she died, around midnight, but his friends were aware of the situation. One friend in particular texted him about every 20 minutes all night until his mom’s body was collected, around 5 am. “You doing ok? Do you need anything?” Henry was grateful for that support, and years later, he learned from another friend, that the friend texting him had driven 40 minutes to park outside Henry’s house, just in case he needed more tangible support. This is love in deed. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a beautiful minor aria sung by an alto voice, accompanied by intertwining oboe voices and continuo, Bach sets to music St. John’s Passion. <i>(You may have to wait a few seconds before the aria starts. I seem to only get it to start in the middle of the recitative.)</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zMf9XDQBAaI" width="320" youtube-src-id="zMf9XDQBAaI"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="286"></col><col width="295"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 20.25pt;"><td style="background-color: #fdfcf6; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0pt 5pt 0pt 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 18pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">German text</span></h2></td><td style="background-color: #fdfcf6; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: top;"><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 18pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">English translation</span></h2></td></tr><tr style="height: 20.25pt;"><td style="background-color: #fdfcf6; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0pt 5pt 0pt 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Von den Stricken meiner Sünden</span></p></blockquote></td><td style="background-color: #fdfcf6; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: top;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To untie me</span></p></blockquote></td></tr><tr style="height: 20.25pt;"><td style="background-color: #fdfcf6; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0pt 5pt 0pt 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mich zu entbinden,</span></p></blockquote></td><td style="background-color: #fdfcf6; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: top;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">from the knots of my sins,</span></p></blockquote></td></tr><tr style="height: 20.25pt;"><td style="background-color: #fdfcf6; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0pt 5pt 0pt 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wird mein Heil gebunden.</span></p></blockquote></td><td style="background-color: #fdfcf6; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: top;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my Savior is bound.</span></p></blockquote></td></tr><tr style="height: 20.25pt;"><td style="background-color: #fdfcf6; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0pt 5pt 0pt 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 14pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mich von allen Lasterbeulen</span></p></blockquote></td><td style="background-color: #fdfcf6; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: top;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 14pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To completely heal me</span></p></blockquote></td></tr><tr style="height: 20.25pt;"><td style="background-color: #fdfcf6; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0pt 5pt 0pt 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 14pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Völlig zu heilen,</span></p></blockquote></td><td style="background-color: #fdfcf6; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: top;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 14pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of all blasphemous sores,</span></p></blockquote></td></tr><tr style="height: 20.25pt;"><td style="background-color: #fdfcf6; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0pt 5pt 0pt 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 14pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Läßt er sich verwunden.</span></p></blockquote></td><td style="background-color: #fdfcf6; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: top;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 14pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He allows Himself to be wounded.</span></p></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Christ’s appearances to his disciples after his resurrection, his wounds are very important. My favorite account is from the Book of Mormon, telling of Christ’s appearance on the American continent: </span></p><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 7.15pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span></span>Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me... Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world</span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11?lang=eng&id=p10-p15#p10" target="_blank">3 Nephi 11:10-11,14</a>).</span></span></p><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We recognize him by his wounds. They are a tangible representation of his love for us. What then should we make of our own wounds? To answer that, let’s revisit the New Testament. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark 15 tells us that present at the crucifixion: “There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome... and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.” They watched him suffer and die, their friend, teacher, and healer. There is very little worse than watching someone you love who is in pain and knowing you are unable to do anything about it. These women clearly had their own wounds. But, Mark tells us in the next chapter: </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mother</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And very early in the morning the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">first</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">day</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rising</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the sun.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 7.15pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They came to the tomb because they saw a need; they wanted to further care for the body of Jesus. In other words, they were hoping to care for the wounds of another, and in doing so, they became the first witnesses of the resurrection. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Likewise, we must learn to see each other’s wounds. We have to look away from ourselves, and look with love rather than judgment, in order to see another person’s wounds. We slowly become like the Savior as we learn to see as he sees, for “</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">when our Savior, Jesus Christ, looks upon us, He sees and understands the pain and burden of our sins. He sees our addictions and challenges. He sees our struggles and afflictions of any kind—and He is filled with compassion toward us” (Elder Peter Meurs, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/24meurs?lang=eng" target="_blank">He Could Heal Me</a>, April 2023 General Conference</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christ sees our wounds, and he can heal each one of us. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Meurs continues: </span></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Savior’s healing and redeeming power applies to accidental mistakes, poor decisions, challenges, and trials of every kind—as well as to our sins. President Russell M. Nelson taught: “When the Savior atoned for all mankind, He opened a way that those who follow Him can have access to His healing, strengthening, and redeeming power. These spiritual privileges are available to all who seek to hear Him and follow Him.”</span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...whether [we] are carrying the burden of unresolved sin, suffering because of an offense committed against [us] long ago, or struggling to forgive [ourselves] for an accidental mistake, [we] have access to the healing and redeeming power of the Savior Jesus Christ."</span></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We can participate in healing the wounds of the people around us, and as we do this, we are doing the work of Christ and slowly becoming like Him. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/14gong?lang=eng" target="_blank">Garrett W. Gong</a> taught us last week: </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We become more like Jesus Christ when we do “unto … the least of these” as we would unto Him,</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> when we love our neighbor as ourselves,</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> when we “love one another; as I have loved you,”</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and when “whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.”</span> </p></blockquote><blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus Christ ministers. Angels minister.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Followers of Jesus Christ “minister one to another,”</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep,”</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “watch over [and] … nourish [the people] with things pertaining to righteousness,”</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “remember … the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted,”</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> let His name be known through our ministry.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> As we minister as He would, we witness His miracles, His blessings.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes, the wounds which are slowest to heal are wounds which we have inflicted ourselves. I remember the words of my Stake President, Richard Robb, who has since passed to the other side. He told me, as I was leaving on my mission, “When you remember your sins, allow that memory to turn you to the miracle of Christ and to fill you with gratitude and love.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212225; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I close with a quote from our prophet, <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/this-easter-find-peace-in-jesus-christ">President Russell M. Nelson</a>: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212225; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial;">"When He suffered for our sins and weaknesses, died on the cross, and rose again, the Savior rewrote humanity’s story. Because of Him, we do not have to deal with our frailties, sins, and fears alone. Because of Him, death is not the end. Resurrection will come to all who have ever lived. Because of Him, families can be together forever. Because of Him, guilt becomes peace, regret becomes relief, and despair becomes hope. We are given second chances, clean slates, and new beginnings. Because of Jesus Christ, we celebrate Easter. And Easter is all about peace and hope."</span></blockquote><p></p></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212225; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">May you feel peace and hope today and share that peace and hope all your days is my prayer. </span></p>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-6963658720757795972019-05-02T15:57:00.002-05:002019-05-02T16:15:16.421-05:00A New Heart<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-8c5a122d-7fff-07b7-5e46-a978fc2350ee" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I was asked to speak in our Sacrament meeting on Easter Sunday. This is more or less what I said, with a few links added and some sentences edited for clarity. My talk was based in part on the talk <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2019/04/28holland?lang=eng" target="_blank">Behold, the Lamb of God</a> by Elder Jeffrey Holland. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last November, a sweet baby girl entered the world. She was welcomed by her mom, her dad, a big brother, and a big sister. In February, at age three months old, her mom took baby Alizee to the doctor because she was pale, coughing, crying, and not growing much. The doctor discovered that she had a critical heart malformation that would require surgery to repair. Alizee was hospitalized for a time, and then a month later, hospitalized again. Unfortunately, in her home country of Belize, pediatric open-heart surgery is not available. Even if it were, the cost would far surpass anything that her parents could ever afford. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thankfully for Alizee, her case was referred to a non-profit organization called <a href="https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=206207079434961&ref=content_filter" target="_blank">HeartGift</a>. Alizee and her mother arrived in San Antonio in April. They stayed with a host family who provided a place to stay, meals, rides to appointments, and emotional support before and after Alizee’s hospital stay. Alizee was able to receive treatment and surgery by a medical team who donated their time, at a hospital that donated tens of thousands of dollars, to mend her broken heart and give her a new life with her family in Belize. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtnT-mFtGb46hpF2LzfOP8QFfo9j5ilBCIE-oIweLPV9updc5Zd8A8tIc-gDBIMLXTxYtuOyaP-AjQZKNhSrqjfVphQNs_UE8yLYhVPIXB6e9s5Z6syf3UiL_BXBisGw5epqjBvBhbQ0/s1600/IMG-0030c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="545" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtnT-mFtGb46hpF2LzfOP8QFfo9j5ilBCIE-oIweLPV9updc5Zd8A8tIc-gDBIMLXTxYtuOyaP-AjQZKNhSrqjfVphQNs_UE8yLYhVPIXB6e9s5Z6syf3UiL_BXBisGw5epqjBvBhbQ0/s320/IMG-0030c.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alizee going home from the hospital</td></tr>
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I see in Alizee’s experience the story of each of us.</b> Christ’s Atonement, his crucifixion, and his resurrection, which we celebrated with all Christian faiths during Holy Week and Easter, mend our broken hearts and give us new life now and the promise of eternal life in our heavenly home with our Heavenly parents, paying the price that justice demands, a price we could never hope to afford.<br />
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The plan was prepared from before the creation of the world. We would need a way to overcome physical death and the separation from God that would come about through the fall, a deliberate choice of Adam and Eve to bring us into this world, a necessary step in our journey back to God and becoming like him. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the fall, Adam and Eve were taught to <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/moses/5.6-7" target="_blank">sacrifice the first of their flock, a type or symbol of Christ</a>, who would come: the Lamb of God. <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/gen/22?lang=eng" target="_blank">Abraham’s almost-sacrifice of Isaac</a>, the continued sacrifice of a perfect first-born lamb in ancient tabernacles and temples, and the <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ex/12?lang=eng" target="_blank">Passover offering</a> of the children of Israel to escape the 10th plague of the death of the firstborn all pointed towards Christ, the Lamb of God. </span></div>
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This title, Lamb of God, testifies of his greatest act, the infinite sacrifice he made of himself. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son; that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/3.16?lang=eng#p15" style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">John 3:16</a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">). </span></span>It was prophesied by all the prophets, as their purpose was to turn those who heard them to Jesus Christ. Christ’s sacrifice fulfilled the Law of Moses and changed what he asks of us. To the believers in the new world, Christ taught:<br />
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"And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings. And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost. . . Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin"<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/9.19-21" style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">3 Nephi 9:19-21</a><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span></blockquote>
<b>We are thus commanded to offer to him a broken heart and a contrite spirit.</b> We make this offering when we take the Sacrament each week in this meeting, called our most sacred hour.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2019/04/28holland?lang=eng">Elder Holland</a> taught us to remember, as those little cups of water are passed to us, that Christ drank the most bitter cup. Was he afraid? Did he know how excruciating would be his agony in the Garden, how lonely and difficult would be his task? Maybe a more relevant question to ask is <b>how can I show him that I accept his love and honor his sacrifice? How can I keep my promise to always remember him? How can I “cast away my transgressions and make me a new heart and a new spirit”</b><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/18.31?lang=eng&clang=eng#p30" style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Ezekiel 18:31</a><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">)? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">In </span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/59?lang=eng" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Doctrine and Covenants 59: 5</a><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I think it is no coincidence that Christ teaches the early modern saints about the two great commandments: "to </span><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">love the Lord with all thy heart</span><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, with all they might, mind and strength; to </span><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">love</span><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> thy neighbor as thyself."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And then in vs 8: "Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a</span><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">broken heart</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and a contrite spirit."</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>One way that we prepare for the Sacrament and offer in sacrifice our broken hearts is by acting in Christ's place, loving and serving our neighbor, and providing evidence to God that we are his.</b> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">King Benjamin teaches, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">"</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you--that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God--I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants" (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/4.26" target="_blank">Mosiah 4:26</a>). </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to add that if you are at home with your kids, you are feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. Your children, your family, they are also your neighbors. They are your people. Ministering to your family is ministering. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we act in his place here, as his hands, as his ears, giving words of comfort, this transforms us, as he promised to the Israelites: </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"...ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, will I cleanse you. </span><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A new heart</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them" (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/36.26-27?lang=eng&clang=eng#p25" target="_blank">Ezekiel 36: 26-27</a>).</span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Another way to always remember him is to involve him, through prayer, in our life.</b> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alma instructs his son Helaman: </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="white-space: normal;">". . . cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God. . ." (Alma 37:36-37).</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">King Benjamin teaches us that God “is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another” (</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/2.21?lang=eng&clang=eng#p20" style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Mosiah 2:21</a><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">). <b>Every breath can be a reminder of God’s love for you.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Lastly, look for him in your life. </b></span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you look for him, you will find him, everywhere.</span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Every day can be a celebration of Christ’s atonement, crucifixion, and resurrection, when you see him in your life. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In Jeremiah 29, the Lord speaks to the captive Jews in Babylon through the prophet Jeremiah: "And ye shall seek me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/jer/29.13?lang=eng" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Jeremiah 29:13</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">). </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is evidence of him in all of creation. Let all things remind you of him and his love. Christ is in the wildflowers, in the rising of the full golden moon, in fields of tall grasses, in the cool morning air. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBtaYTNtHHUJMG7sV7fkiLpy-_10OxjnMQd2uLQylytiTjUjwCdNimLhXEIZpH6EsTf46fWbSwwQ3ufeHdiW1y9qwY8Lsl_bj-hf0a4JDOqRjI1OzGg9YSntHE5KuBS_VEyw7N4cYleo/s1600/IMG-0772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBtaYTNtHHUJMG7sV7fkiLpy-_10OxjnMQd2uLQylytiTjUjwCdNimLhXEIZpH6EsTf46fWbSwwQ3ufeHdiW1y9qwY8Lsl_bj-hf0a4JDOqRjI1OzGg9YSntHE5KuBS_VEyw7N4cYleo/s320/IMG-0772.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers after a morning run</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He is in the birdsong. He is in the innocent curiosity of children, in the wide-eyed alert observations of a baby, even in the sometimes belligerent choices of teenagers learning to use their agency. Let all these things fill our hearts with gratitude to God. And when we cry over the horrible events that happen every day in our world, and experience physical pain and shattering loss, let us remember, as Elder Holland said, “that Christ died from a heart broken by shouldering entirely alone the sins and sorrows of the whole human family.” He knows our pain and understands our loss. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My hope today is that we will look forward to his return and prepare as did those of old, that we will better prepare our hearts as an offering to him, that we will always remember him, and that we may have his spirit to be with us, always. </span></span></div>
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-55854540932679466302018-04-04T11:48:00.002-05:002023-04-16T21:39:52.471-05:00A God of Miracles<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Vollkorn, Palatino, Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 16px;">
<i>Written in April 2010 for <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/oneeternalround/2010/04/a-god-of-miracles/" target="_blank">One Eternal Round</a>: </i></div>
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A few years ago, it was not uncommon for me to feel beaten down. As the mother of two preschool boys, it seemed like the dishes and the laundry were never done, and the house was always messy. My husband was in grad school and was also serving as the bishop. I was lonely, I was tired, and I was grouchy. I worried that my bad temper would have lasting negative effects on my family. <span id="more-23" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span>One day, I opened my scriptures and read <a class="decorated-link" href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/26" style="border-bottom: 3px solid rgb(124, 180, 166); box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">Alma 26.</a> Though I had read this chapter many times, verses 26 and 27 had a new meaning to me, and I read them with my own interpretation:</div>
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“But behold, my beloved, we came into the wilderness of parenthood not with the intent to destroy our children, but with the intent that perhaps we might teach them and love them and prepare them for their life missions. Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said, Go amongst thy children, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.”</div>
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Reading those verses connected me to Him. I knew that He knew my struggles and frustrations. I felt less alone in my efforts as a mother. My short fuse became a little longer, at least for that day. It was a small miracle.</div>
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It always amazes me that God knows me and is aware of my needs and wants. Last Friday, I lost my keys and looked EVERYWHERE for them. I looked again on Saturday; I looked again on Sunday. On Sunday evening, after our marriage and family class at church, my husband inadvertently locked HIS keys in the car. There we were, stuck – mom, dad, 2 boys, and an infant in a car seat with no stroller. We could have walked home, but we had no way to get in to our apartment. We’re the apartment managers, and our friend with a spare key was out of town. Outside in the parking lot, my husband prepared to call roadside assistance to break in to the car and retrieve the keys. Inside the church, I put down the diaper bag and decided to look again, taking things out. Here are the wipes, here are the extra sleepers, here are the diapers, here is my planner, HERE ARE MY KEYS!!!! I shrieked with delight and ran out to the parking lot. My husband had just uttered a silent prayer. We were saved.</div>
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I know that sometimes there is no instant miracle. Sometimes things don’t work out right away. People get locked out, become sick, lose jobs, have accidents, ruin relationships, and suffer, but in the end, things work out. I really believe this. Romans 8:28 says it well: “And we know that all things <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">work</span> <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">together</span> <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">for</span> good <a class="decorated-link" href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/rom/8/28a" style="border-bottom: 3px solid rgb(124, 180, 166); box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out;" title="Ezra 8: 22; Alma 36: 3; D&C 90: 24; D&C 100: 15."><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></a>to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”</div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Do you believe in miracles? Please share your stories, if you feel so inclined.</em></div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-19260354973432126152018-04-04T11:34:00.002-05:002023-04-16T21:40:02.037-05:00Gratitude and Pain<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Vollkorn, Palatino, Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 16px;">
<i>I originally wrote this in 2010 for <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/oneeternalround/2010/05/gratitude-and-pain/" target="_blank">One Eternal Round</a>. I stumbled across it today and want to save it here. </i></div>
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A few weeks ago, I got sick. It came on steadily throughout the day. I felt tired and miserable. My body ached. When DH got home, he sent me to bed. As I laid there, I started identifying where I felt pain. My waist hurt. My toes hurt. My belly button hurt. My elbows hurt. My knees and wrists hurt. All the places in between hurt. As I was lying there feeling sorry for myself, my thoughts broadened. Some people are in constant pain because of illness or disease. I felt both grateful and ashamed – grateful that pain was rare in my life, ashamed at how much more good I could be doing with my health and energy. I remembered Christ, whose pain in Gethsemane was so exquisite that He shed drops of blood. I thanked him silently for His sacrifice and for the love that motivated it. In this mindset, I fell asleep.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "vollkorn" , "palatino" , "georgia" , serif;">When I woke up the next morning, I was much better – still tired, but not in pain.</span><br />
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I write about this because I want to remember it. It seems like I don’t fully appreciate my comfort until I feel pain. It seems like, at least in my life, pain and gratitude are linked. I wonder how many other blessings I don’t recognize because they have always been there.</div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Is pain useful in your life? </em><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">How do you help yourself to recognize blessings?</em></div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "vollkorn" , "palatino" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 20px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-88203231926764545542018-03-06T10:59:00.001-06:002018-03-06T10:59:06.476-06:00RSBC 2018: Week 4My totals for the glorious month of RSBC:<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;"><b>Running: </b>20.8 miles </span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;"><b>Swimming:</b> 0.6 miles </span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;"><b>Biking: </b>23.5 miles </span><br />
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I did not get close to Ironman distances. I did have a good time, learned some things, and, for the first month ever, did something in each of the four areas. Can't wait for next year! Thanks, Christy and Kara!<br />
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<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-11678689133989333422018-02-26T22:07:00.001-06:002018-02-26T22:27:50.287-06:00RSBC 2018: Week 3<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-size: 13px;">It wasn't much of a week for logging miles. It was a week of fighting germs, sneezing, coughing, and aching. Today was my first day back in the land of the living. Here are my mileage totals:</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;"><b>Running: </b>19.9 miles (out of 26.2) -- progress </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;"><b>Swimming:</b> 0.6 miles (out of 2.4) -- didn't swim this week</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;"><b>Biking: </b>23.5 miles (out of 112) -- didn't bike at all</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">As for cooking, I made a delicious <a href="https://plantoeat.com/recipes/9621741/" target="_blank">chicken noodle soup with a Thai twist </a>, and <a href="https://plantoeat.com/recipes/11679546/" target="_blank">super nachos</a> for dinner with a <a href="https://plantoeat.com/recipes/3247358/" target="_blank">Mexican chopped salad</a>. Guess what food I discovered that I love?! Hot, pickled jalapenos. So good! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm, beef cooked in bacon fat!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">Tune in next week for my final report. </span>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-51981535617409133572018-02-19T20:32:00.003-06:002018-02-19T20:33:51.451-06:00RSBC 2018: Week 2This will be short and sweet. <span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Here's my mileage progress to date: </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><b>Swimming:</b> 0.6 miles (out of 2.4) -- didn't swim last week</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><b>Running: </b>11.9 miles (out of 26.2)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><b>Biking: </b>23.5 miles (out of 112)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">For cooking, I followed <a href="https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/tacos-al-pastor-242132" target="_blank">this recipe</a> and made tacos al pastor. Grilled pineapple is sooooo good. So so good. Forgive my cell phone photo. Here's my grilled pork and pineapple waiting to be consumed with cilantro and onions on corn tortillas with smoky salsa. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YQ3O7mhfBfFTPp9mDKhgJhmrBUDtANehYP1BmDggDq5YlbF_WGEhUhP6EaEuWhWT4pUPUtYQgow0x8QoZJEIehLDyHDVI4Ii-besQT5x7K8l2yZ7oYUHOe-TgNhUXCI2cXjYuibz2Ug/s1600/20180213_185237+tacos+al+pastor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YQ3O7mhfBfFTPp9mDKhgJhmrBUDtANehYP1BmDggDq5YlbF_WGEhUhP6EaEuWhWT4pUPUtYQgow0x8QoZJEIehLDyHDVI4Ii-besQT5x7K8l2yZ7oYUHOe-TgNhUXCI2cXjYuibz2Ug/s320/20180213_185237+tacos+al+pastor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_pastor" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"Al pastor</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> (from </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_language" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Spanish language">Spanish</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, "shepherd style"), also known as </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">tacos al pastor</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, is a dish developed in Central Mexico that is based on </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawarma" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Shawarma">shawarma</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> spit-grilled </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meat" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Meat">meat</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> brought by the </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanese_immigration_to_Mexico" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Lebanese immigration to Mexico">Lebanese immigrants to Mexico</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">.</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_pastor#cite_note-1" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;">[1]</a></sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> Being derived from shawarma, it is also similar to the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_cuisine" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Turkish cuisine">Turkish</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%B6ner_kebab" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Döner kebab">döner kebab</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> and the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_cuisine" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Greek cuisine">Greek</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyro_(food)" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Gyro (food)">gyros</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">. Although shawarma and döner are usually lamb-based (thus the "shepherd-style" name), gyros and tacos al pastor in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Mexico">Mexico</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> are pork based. In some places of northern Mexico, as in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baja_California" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Baja California">Baja California</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, this taco is called </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">taco de <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobada" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Adobada">adobada</a></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Given the similarities with shawarma and kebabs, it's no wonder that I loved tacos al pastor when we visited Mexico City last year. Grilling it at home is not the same as having the meat sliced off a huge <i>trompo</i>, but it's still darn good. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-78319292181228671042018-02-11T22:14:00.000-06:002018-02-11T22:23:02.946-06:00RSBC 2018: Week 1<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for RSBC 2018- Run*Swim*Bike*Cook: Ironman meets Iron chef! (cue the swoopy lights)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It has been 10 years since the first RSBC, as Christy (my former roommate and current sister-in-law) <a href="http://balancefood.blogspot.com/2018/02/rsbc-2018-ten-years.html" target="_blank">reminded us</a>, although I didn't actively participate until <a href="http://alma376.blogspot.com/2012/02/run-swim-bike-cook-2012-week-2-or.html" target="_blank">2012</a>. It's fun to look back at 2008 and remember life and see how much has changed and how much is the same. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2008, I was an apartment manager in Glendale, married to a full-time grad student with a long commute to school. He was the bishop of our ward, and I was the ward budget consultant. We had two little boys, age 2 and 5. I was tired and happy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From 2008, 5<span style="color: #222222;"> things I love: </span></span><br />
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Making plans, even if they never happen (it's called a plan of the moment)</span></li>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The world as the sun is just coming up</span></li>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Live chamber music</span></li>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">New beginnings</span></li>
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In 2018, I live in a house with a yard deep in the heart of Texas. That full-time grad student has a PhD and is on faculty at UTSA, has a 7 minute commute to work, and is NOT the bishop of our ward. We have two boys, two girls, and a dog! I'm the stake Primary president and a violin teacher/wedding musician. I go to bed a lot earlier than I did in 2008, AND I do not usually get woken up in the night. I was happy then, and I feel more happy now. I still love the five things I listed in 2008.<br />
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<img height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCag4P4T_UN9_AQrk8esh2nENTlwKJ3GVlDoqv9O-qYNf3wZrVaGhWBg6T8EvJsxbErE18Xj8spchq1mKouJf1U7Z2OEdbi2VB05cgMuOf_cx4glnj08VslhQQuDZ40j4ixiZsLhYHwJm/s320/20171123_11.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Enough reminiscing. I believe this is the first year that I'm doing all three athletic activities! Here's my mileage progress: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Swimming:</b> 0.6 miles (out of 2.4)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Running: </b>4.7 miles (out of 26.2)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Biking: </b>8.4 miles (out of 112)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For the cooking, in 2018, I've been cooking more adventurous things than in recent years. Last week, my adventure was to try making <a href="http://40aprons.com/restaurant-style-chicken-tikka-masala-paleo-whole30/" target="_blank">Chicken Tikka Masala </a>and <a href="http://www.theperfectpantry.com/2013/04/recipe-for-slow-cooker-aloo-gobi-spiced-cauliflower-and-potatoes.html" target="_blank">Aloo Gobi</a>. I had visited a small local grocery last fall to attempt some other Indian recipes, so I already had a good garam masala and ghee. I've also made my own ghee which I used up in <a href="https://plantoeat.com/recipes/12449031/" target="_blank">kitcheree</a> (recipe comes from Patricia at <a href="http://www.radiantlivingayurveda.com/new/" target="_blank">Radiant Living Ayurveda</a>). I need to return to that little grocery and get some fenugreek leaves and see what a difference they make in the chicken tikka masala. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was very happy with the way both recipes turned out. Sorry, no pictures. We ate it too fast :) </span>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-59114485157473967902017-02-19T21:59:00.001-06:002023-04-11T20:41:44.246-05:00God knows you and loves you. He will answer your prayers.<span id="docs-internal-guid-36431305-599c-1d01-c0d4-bc655e694e08"></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-36431305-599c-1d01-c0d4-bc655e694e08"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Two weeks ago, I was invited to speak at our Stake Conference today, a large gathering of multiple local congregations. My assignment was to address and engage the children ages 3-11, although all ages would be present. This is an approximation of what I said this morning, expanded from the outline I used at the pulpit. </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Primary children, where are you?</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> If you can hear me, wiggle your fingers like this. If you can hear me, put your fingers on your mouth like this. If you are listening, put your hands in your lap and show me your smiling faces. I have an important message for you. Grown-ups, you can listen, too. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the message</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You are children of heavenly parents who love you. Your Heavenly Father hears your prayers and he will answer you. He is watching over you. Can you remember the words to “A Child’s Prayer”? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Pray, He is there. Speak, He is listening. You are His child. His love now surrounds you. He hears your prayer. He loves the children.” (from A Child’s Prayer)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How will you know when God is answering your prayers?</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Bible teaches us that ” the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace.. .” (Galatians 6:22) That means that the Holy Ghost talks to us through good feelings. In the Doctrine and Covenants, Jesus tells us, “... I will </span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/8?lang=eng#2a" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tell</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> you in your mind and in your </span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/8?lang=eng#2b" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">heart</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, by the </span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/8?lang=eng#2c" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Holy Ghost</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...” (D&C 8:2)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When you receive answers to your prayers,</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> when thoughts come to your mind, when you feel happy and calm, or when you feel like your heart will burst with love, this is the Holy Ghost. Write it down or ask your mom and dad to help you write it down. It will be a treasure to you, and one day, it will be a treasure to your children, and to your children's children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would like to share some of my treasures with you, true stories in which God answered prayers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have you ever been on a long car trip with your family? Did anyone get sick during the trip? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Prayer of Faith - Emma</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">161 years ago, missionaries came to the town in England where my great-great-great- grandmother Emma lived. Back then, she wasn’t a grandma yet; she was a mom, just a little older than Sister Rahn and Sister Bateman, if you know them. Emma and her husband joined the church and decided to cross the ocean with their family to America to be where most of the church members were. They sailed from England with their 6 children on a boat called the Wellfleet. This trip was going to take about six weeks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the first week, Emma’s two year old son got very sick with whooping cough and throwing up. Today we get shots to protect against whooping cough, but back then, there were none, and it was very easy to spread the sickness from person to person. The whales in the ocean smelled the sickness and started to follow the ship. Because the ship was small, a whale could easily raise his huge tail and damage the ship or tip it over. One night, the captain came to tell Emma that they would have to throw her little boy overboard to save the ship. Emma begged the captain to give her one more day. Then Emma prayed most of that night to God that if He would save her little boy and heal him, she would be faithful in living the gospel. The next morning he was all better, and there were no whales following the ship. The rest of her life Emma was faithful to her promise to live the teachings of the gospel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have you ever been to a place where it snows in the winter? What did you wear to keep warm? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Missing Boot - Susie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Susie was maybe 5 or 6, she received a new pair of beautiful, warm snow boots. They were white with white fur on the inside and buckles on the outside with sparkles. Her mom warned her not to leave the boots on the front porch, but to always put them away in the closet by the front door. Susie knew that if she lost the boots, there was no money for another pair. One day, she left her boots on the porch in a rush to come inside. When she went back to put her boots on, one of them was gone. She looked everywhere - on the steps, in the yard, in the garage. Listen to Susie tell what happened:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I felt sick inside. I finally went to my mother and told her what had happened. All she said was, "There is only one person who knows where that boot is". I went up to my bedroom and knelt down and told Heavenly Father what I had done. I told him that I did not want my feet to freeze and that if he would help me find my boot, I would try to be more obedient to my mom. As I got up, a thought popped into my head. What if the dog next door had taken my boot? I put on my shoes and coat and ran to the yard next door. Their house had a front porch that their dog sometimes played under. I crawled through the little opening under the steps and there it was. My boot had been chewed around the top and the silver buckle was gone. It was not beautiful anymore, but it was still wearable. My feet would not freeze that winter.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Susie grew up to be my mom. She taught me from a young age that God would listen to me and answer my prayers. Though I don't remember it, my baby book records that one night when I was about 3, I woke my parents up in the middle of the night, very upset. “Mommy! We forgot to say our prayers before bed!” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have received many answers to prayers in my life from my days in Primary until now. God answered my prayer to find out if the Book of Mormon was true. He answered me when I prayed about going on a mission with a strong and clear answer that I should go. My husband and each of my children were answers to prayers. He has answered my prayers when I asked for forgiveness. I want to say that sometimes it felt like the answers were slow in coming. One in particular took 20 years before I got an answer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He answered my prayers as I prepared this talk. I felt his love for me and for you so strongly as I prepared for today. I know that Heavenly Father loves you, that He will answer you, and if you write those special experiences down so that you can always remember them, they will be a guide and a treasure to you. </span></div>
</span>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-721877835010397262017-01-07T13:28:00.001-06:002018-01-07T14:11:30.663-06:00Thoughts on Faith <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>My Relief Society president (women's ministry chair) asked me to write down some thoughts on how my faith has grown this year. Here's what I wrote:</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">In the past few years, I have sometimes found my mind and heart churning over doctrinal questions or what I perceived as wrongs in church culture and practice. I started writing down questions one Sunday in March when I woke up. Before church began, I was set apart as a counselor in the Stake Primary, and I wrote: “God wants me to shepherd Primary children and Primary leaders to the temple. How do I reconcile my questions/concerns with that charge?” Ben Francisco was conducting Fast and Testimony Meeting that day. He talked about losing the study cards for his medical exams that he had been preparing for three years, doing everything he could to find them to no avail, and then getting the feeling that this was an opportunity to practice his faith. This was an answer to my question, that the right thing to do was not to quit going to the temple or studying scriptures, but to be faithful and consistent in doing those things.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">In May, I began a monthly Saturday shift in the temple laundry. It has been like a soothing balm for my spirit and helps me feel happy in the temple. There are few people and few words in laundry. There are laundry baskets, piled heavy and high with dripping white jumpsuits, towels, socks and sports bras, while enormous whirring machines wash and dry. It’s a race, a game, to empty the baskets, fold everything, put it away. The physicality of the work is somehow liberating and rejuvenating. It clears my mind and settles my spirit. Thanks in part to my laundry shifts, the temple and I are on good terms.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I had a close friend and confidante leave the church in October. I missed her at church (I still miss her), cried for weeks, as much for me as for her. Such is the power of the Atonement that out of sadness blessings can come; her absence on Sundays has made it clear to me that I am in the right place, and I want to be there. I felt that strongly in a recent Fast and Testimony Meeting. I had been feeling tired that morning and wished I could stay in bed all day. When I arrived at church, President Doug Packer was in our meeting to release Brother Francisco and call Brother Mati to the bishopric. My heart was full to overflowing with happiness to be there.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The moments described here have helped me feel more peaceful and confident in my faith. For now, I feel grounded in the personal knowledge that God is aware of me and that He loves me and He forgives me.</span>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-59406597619252046712016-03-01T15:20:00.001-06:002016-03-01T15:20:15.167-06:00RSBC FinaleIt wasn't a grand finale, but looking back over the month, the challenge definitely moved me in the right direction.<br />
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<b>Run:</b> 13.4 miles<br />
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<b>Bike: </b>29.6 miles<br />
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<b>Swim: </b>0 miles. 1 swimsuit acquired!<br />
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<b>Cook:</b> I discovered how easy and tasty (not to mention cost inexpensive) it is to make sauerkraut at home.<br />
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Thank you, Christy and Kara for hosting!<br />
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<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-51069341234162613932016-02-25T10:04:00.000-06:002016-02-25T10:04:01.340-06:00RSBC week 3It's been a slow week. My mileage is about the same as last week:<br />
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Swimming: 0 (I am determined to have swimwear by the end of the month!)<br />
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Biking: 29.6 miles<br />
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Running: 8.9 miles<br />
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On the positive side, my <a href="http://alma376.blogspot.com/2016/02/rsbc-2016-week-2.html" target="_blank">homemade sauerkraut</a> was delicious! It's been on the counter all this time (9 days). I tried some 3 days in, and it was good, though very mild. I ate more yesterday and it had much more flavor. Such an easy thing to make and feel good about! I'm going to make another batch and try to always have some on hand. $.42 for a head of cabbage and the caraway seeds are already in my pantry. <br />
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I didn't make yogurt this week, but I have all that I need ready and am about to embark on my first yougurt-making. I'll report on that next week.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-46355823430178620062016-02-16T21:19:00.004-06:002016-02-16T21:21:44.505-06:00RSBC 2016: Week 2<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QoxNO5MbiYWauIFQw37gzozdid9byEmr-i2YPfwXLInVNBD09v8P9769eGNnDP1P0ern-9FLr7_5Scy61hAcacdgbdHvPMZnvyX4VT8Li83SNpSI89iAdropy5O3SVIPgAY3jw8ebO0/s1600/20160216_184048%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QoxNO5MbiYWauIFQw37gzozdid9byEmr-i2YPfwXLInVNBD09v8P9769eGNnDP1P0ern-9FLr7_5Scy61hAcacdgbdHvPMZnvyX4VT8Li83SNpSI89iAdropy5O3SVIPgAY3jw8ebO0/s320/20160216_184048%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful baby sauerkraut, only a few minutes old</td></tr>
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<b>Running total:</b> 5.8 miles (20.4 to go)<br />
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<b>Bike total: </b>26.3 miles (85.7 to go)<br />
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<b>Swim total:</b> 0 miles. (2.4 to go) Not one of the swimsuits I ordered in the first batch fit, but another shipment of swim wear is coming in this week. My fingers are crossed.<br />
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For the sauerkraut, I followed <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-homemade-sauerkraut-in-a-mason-jar-193124#recipe" target="_blank">the recipe here</a>. I only started it today, so I can't comment yet on the flavor. I will say that the "raw" sauerkraut was delightful.<br />
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As we finish up week 2, I'm wishing there would be another challenge in March. I'm feeling motivated and having a great time. Who's with me?<br />
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<a href="http://balancefood.blogspot.com/2016/02/iron-man-meets-iron-chef-rsbc-2016.html" target="_blank">What is RSBC</a>?<br />
<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-54034394325098987002016-02-08T22:10:00.001-06:002016-02-08T22:16:04.769-06:00RSBC 2016: Week 1<br />
I'm thrilled to be back doing the <a href="http://balancefood.blogspot.com/2016/02/iron-man-meets-iron-chef-rsbc-2016.html" target="_blank">Run Swim Bike Cook Challenge</a>, which includes running 26.2 miles, biking 112 miles, and swimming 2.4 miles in February, plus a weekly cooking challenge. Let's dive right in to my progress in week 1. (See what I did there?)<br />
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I run with a friend outside on Saturdays, and I've started running a mile on the treadmill when I go to the YMCA. <b>My total for this week in running is 5.2 miles. </b><br />
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I hope to fix the flat on my husband's bike soon and take it for a spin on the trails. Meanwhile, the YMCA has upright and recumbent stationary bikes. My biking muscles are undeveloped, and I recognize the burn that I haven't felt since I was on bike as a missionary on the southwest coast of France 20 years ago. <b>Total for this week on the bike is 4.3 miles. </b><br />
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<b>My swimming total is 0 miles</b>, but I did order a swimsuit from LandsEnd.com. I wonder if I lie on my belly on the piano bench and flutter kick and make arm circles if that would be worth anything besides a laugh for my kids?<br />
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<b>For the cooking challenge (something with yeast), I made some raised waffles</b>, following <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2013/05/essential-raised-waffles/" target="_blank">this recipe from the smitten kitchen</a>. Here's a shot of the finished product, unadorned by syrup or berries. I'm not convinced that my yeast is still good; although it smelled yeasty, my mixture didn't grow much overnight. Still, my kids were delighted to have waffles for breakfast, and it's hard to go wrong with maple syrup. Next time, I think I'll try <a href="https://liegewaffle.wordpress.com/liege-waffle-recipe-liege-gaufre-recette/" target="_blank">this recipe for Liège waffles</a> that Christy suggested.<br />
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It's not too late to join the challenge! Do as much or as little as you feel like. Check out the original post (link at the top) for details.<br />
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<i>What new things are you trying this year?</i>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-89042074854870347412013-10-29T14:05:00.002-05:002013-10-29T14:05:30.216-05:00Menu for the week of 10/28<br />
It's going to be a busy, busy week around here. I'm starting with Tuesday, since that's where we are. Happy Halloween, everyone!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner in a Pumpkin is an annual meal. </td></tr>
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<b>Tuesday:</b> <a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2013/10/broccoli-cheese-bacon-soup.html" target="_blank">broccoli cheese and bacon soup</a>, crusty bread (<a href="http://foodformyfamily.com/recipes/pain-depi-wheat-stalk-bread-the-new-artisan-bread-in-five-minutes-a-day" target="_blank">pain d'epi</a>?)<br />
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<b>Wednesday:</b> <a href="http://alma376.blogspot.com/2011/10/pumpkin-surprise.html" target="_blank">dinner in a pumpkin</a>, green salad<br />
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<b>Thursday</b>: <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/halloween-cheeseburgers/">Halloween cheeseburgers</a>, <a href="http://feedingfourlittlemonkeys.blogspot.com/2008/10/veggie-skeleton.html">veggie skeleton</a>, <a href="http://themealplanner.blogspot.com/2010/11/spicy-sweet-potato-wedges.html">s</a>weet potato fries, <a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2011/10/spooky-eats-monster-pudding-cups.html">mini monster pudding cups</a> <br />
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<b>Friday:</b> pizza night<br />
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<b>Saturday:</b> bbq pulled pork in the crockpot<br />
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<b>Sunday: </b>sandwiches (ham, salami, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, avocado) , carrots sticks, cucumber slices<br />
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<i>Do you have something fun up your sleeve for Halloween dinner? More dinner ideas at </i><i><a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2013/10/menu-plan-monday-oct-2813.html" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday</a>, hosted by the Organizing Junkie.</i>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-49786677251133726072013-10-21T21:55:00.001-05:002013-10-21T21:55:26.685-05:00This week's menuIt is Monday, and I have meals planned for the week. I'm patting myself on the back. I even made for dinner what I had planned for today! Without further ado, I present this week's meal plan.<br />
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<b>Monday:</b> <a href="http://www.ziplist.com/recipes/1219971-Borsch" target="_blank">borscht</a> (ate it and forgot to photograph it. You know that means I was HUNGRY!)<br />
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<b>Tuesday:</b> BLT sandwiches, carrot sticks, celery, cucumbers<br />
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<b>Wednesday:</b> Whole wheat toast, an orange, and an omelette with bell pepper, spinach, and ham (eating alone on Wednesday)<br />
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<b>Thursday:</b> <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/moroccan-chicken-and-whole-grain-couscous/" target="_blank">couscous</a><br />
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<b>Friday:</b> homemade <a href="http://alma376.blogspot.com/2011/04/caramelized-onion-bacon-and-spinach.html" target="_blank">pizza</a><br />
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<b>Saturday:</b> tacos<br />
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<b>Sunday:</b> pork chops, <a href="http://alma376.blogspot.com/2013/09/easy-homestyle-mashed-potatoes.html" target="_blank">mashed potatoes</a>, peas, baked butternut squash<br />
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<i>What are you eating this week? For more menu ideas, visit <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2032418907"> </a></i><a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2013/10/menu-plan-monday-oct-2113.html" target="_blank"><i>I'm An Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.</i></a></div>
<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-80140370910297120082013-10-17T11:52:00.002-05:002013-10-18T09:21:02.310-05:00Save money on holiday and everyday shopping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the past, I've written about <a href="http://alma376.blogspot.com/search/label/saving%20money" target="_blank">ways to save money</a>, such as eating at home, <a href="http://alma376.blogspot.com/2011/10/menu-for-week-of-1031-and-huge-grocery.html" target="_blank">planning menus</a>, shopping with a list, <a href="http://alma376.blogspot.com/2012/03/inside-scoop-on-produce-co-op.html" target="_blank">joining a produce co-op</a>, eating homemade Wasa crackers, making bread at home... Most of those ideas are food related.<br />
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We are entering that holiday time of year when there is a lot of shopping to be done, both for ourselves and others. If we could save money on shopping, it would make a big difference. Enter GiftCardRescue.com!<br />
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<a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=0c1f81581e&view=att&th=1419e24482dcf3ee&attid=0.1&disp=thd&realattid=f_hmks1k5f0&zw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GiftCardRescue_logo_newTagline_SITE_READY.png" border="0" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=0c1f81581e&view=att&th=1419e24482dcf3ee&attid=0.1&disp=thd&realattid=f_hmks1k5f0&zw" /></a></div>
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GiftCardRescue.com is a website where you can buy or sell gift cards. If you've ever had a gift card sitting around your house, but you really wanted cash instead, this is the place for you! You can sell your <a href="http://www.giftcardrescue.com/sell/cards" target="_blank">giftcards for cash</a>. This looks so much easier than craigslist, which was previously my only hope for getting money out of giftcards.<br />
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If you hate to pay full price for anything, but love to shop, this is the place for you! You can buy <a href="http://www.giftcardrescue.com/buy" target="_blank">discounted gift cards</a> for up to 30% off at GiftCardRescue.com.<br />
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Maybe you're a person who prefers to make gifts for others instead of buy them? I found <a href="http://www.giftcardrescue.com/buy/michaels-stores" target="_blank">discounted gift cards for Michael's</a> at 23% off and <a href="http://www.giftcardrescue.com/buy/hobby-lobby" target="_blank">Hobby Lobby</a> at 10% off.<br />
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Some of the other discount gift cards I got excited about were<br />
<a href="http://www.giftcardrescue.com/buy/tj-maxx" target="_blank">TJMaxx </a>at 13% off (when you save on prices that are already low, that is a feeling of triumph!)<br />
<a href="http://www.giftcardrescue.com/buy/childrens-place" target="_blank">The Children's Place</a> at 18% off<br />
<a href="http://www.giftcardrescue.com/buy/cold-stone-creamery" target="_blank">Coldstone Creamery</a> at 15% off<br />
<a href="http://www.giftcardrescue.com/buy/itunes" target="_blank">iTunes</a> at 8% off<br />
<a href="http://www.giftcardrescue.com/buy/target" target="_blank">Target </a>at 3% off (3% may not seem like much, but every little bit helps)<br />
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I think there is something for every shopper at GiftCardRescue.com. There is free shipping and a very quick sign up process. So, if you think you might need to buy something in the future (that pretty much covers everyone), check out GiftCardRescue.com.<br />
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<i>I was not compensated with money or gift cards for writing this post, but there may be gift cards to give away in the future from GiftCardRescue.com. </i>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-39262682271686785252013-10-10T22:32:00.003-05:002013-10-10T22:32:44.023-05:00Menus for the week In my tiny corner of the world, part of my job is making sure there is nourishing food in the house for 6 people. Here is my plan for the next week or so:<br />
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<b>Tuesday:</b> stuffed peppers with onions, squash, bell peppers, and sausage (loosely based on <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robert-irvine/stuffed-peppers-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">this recipe</a>)<br />
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<b>Wednesday:</b> <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/336548/acorn-squash-bisque" target="_blank">acorn squash bisque</a>; <a href="http://alma376.blogspot.com/2011/09/easy-homemade-artisan-bread.html" target="_blank">homemade artisan bread</a> - to be savored while thinking of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2KCGQhVRTE" target="_blank">this comedy sketch</a> from my favorite show, Studio C<br />
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<b>Thursday: </b><a href="http://alma376.blogspot.com/2013/09/easy-homestyle-mashed-potatoes.html" target="_blank">mashed potatoes</a>, peas, and pork chops with apples and onions<br />
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<b>Friday</b>: black bean tostadas (use our dried beans, onions, tomatoes, cumin, avocados, lettuce, cheese) with homemade limeade<br />
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<b>Saturday</b>: pizza night (cheese for the kids; <a href="http://alma376.blogspot.com/2011/04/caramelized-onion-bacon-and-spinach.html" target="_blank">onion, spinach, and bacon</a> for me!)<br />
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<b>Sunday</b>: pig pancakes, scrambled eggs, fried ham (breakfast for dinner)<br />
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<b>Monday: </b><b> </b>ham/salami sandwiches, pickles, tomatoes, cheese, homemade baked potato chips, limeade, blonde brownies<br />
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<i>What are you eating this week? Check out <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2013/10/menu-plan-monday-oct-713.html" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday</a> for more menu ideas.</i>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-87977165790802840242013-10-07T22:50:00.002-05:002013-10-07T22:50:36.882-05:00Ack! Grocery budget blown!Last week, I posted about <a href="http://alma376.blogspot.com/2013/09/making-fresh-start.html" target="_blank">making a fresh start</a>. One of the areas I'm focusing on this month is menu planning. I've written about it before many times, but one of my favorite posts is <a href="http://alma376.blogspot.com/2011/10/menu-for-week-of-1031-and-huge-grocery.html#more" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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In the last month, I've been a haphazard cook and an impulse grocery buyer. Our family spent $1180 on food last month!!!! When I saw that, I took a deep breath and told myself, "It is time to get a grip and plan some meals!"<br />
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Here is the breakdown:<br />
$961 on groceries ($518 at Costco)<br />
$83 on school lunches (how did this happen? I thought the boys were taking lunch at least half the time.)<br />
$138 on eating out (although $20 was for a groupon that we haven't used yet)<br />
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I did plan meals for last week. It was a baby step in the right direction. So far, for the month, we have spent $105 on groceries, $31 on school lunches, and $45 on dining.<br />
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I will be back tomorrow with my meals for the week. I am waiting to see what my produce box contains before I commit to meals, but I'm thinking of stirfry, acorn squash soup with bacon and kale, and tacos.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am dreaming of stirfry this week!</td></tr>
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<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-30226381253173621662013-09-30T07:00:00.000-05:002013-10-01T19:55:18.315-05:00Easy homestyle mashed potatoes <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq6yQ_SWuIXd4fTLed2yPeyY7joRfMA63x15Ulr0Q9dRrI90u6my4sHqFA2oFAxghnZYYZYX5WIu4H-ZpZkoWC5UAfId_YT56p0_7p1lPmlsdrsdhhx0_546V7X8ksg0evmnvvZX3uec/s1600/20130930_184000text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq6yQ_SWuIXd4fTLed2yPeyY7joRfMA63x15Ulr0Q9dRrI90u6my4sHqFA2oFAxghnZYYZYX5WIu4H-ZpZkoWC5UAfId_YT56p0_7p1lPmlsdrsdhhx0_546V7X8ksg0evmnvvZX3uec/s640/20130930_184000text.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My kids, especially my boys, love mashed potatoes! I have moved to using red potatoes all the time because I don't have to peel them - just scrub and cut. I like to use a pressure cooker to make them because it's fast, but it would be fine to boil them, too.<br />
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My latest experiment involved throwing in half a cauliflower with the potatoes in the pressure cooker. It was a roaring success that made me wonder why I waited so long. My boys now ask, "Are these cauliflower mashed potatoes?" and then gobble them down without caring to wait for the answer.<br />
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<b>Hearty Mashed Potatoes with Cauliflower </b><br />
7-10 large red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into quarters or eighths<br />
1/2 head cauliflower, washed and separated<br />
butter<br />
salt and pepper to taste<br />
garlic powder (optional)<br />
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Put the potatoes and cauliflower in the pot and boil/steam until soft. (In my pressure cooker, it's 8 minutes once the whistle starts.) Drain the water. Mash the potatoes and cauliflower, adding *butter (I add 1/4 cup), salt and pepper, and a dash of garlic salt if you wish. Devour with your favorite dishes. (Tonight we had them with peas, porkchops, and apple sauce.)<br />
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*When I do mashed potatoes without cauliflower, I always add milk and butter, but I find that with the cauliflower, milk makes the texture too thin for my preference.<br />
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<i>Are you a veggie hider? Please share your favorite veggie recipes in the comments. </i><br />
<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-89524419445119537642013-09-27T15:54:00.003-05:002013-09-27T16:07:14.096-05:00Making a fresh start<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LKxWWqiqJHOUt_ZnCYqZZSGj2XtWE4jMy_F0bcIaEPL5kVQC1RxIPJ-TOdQ42F_JLyjyA8dRLKSHe4BhErkQ9xphSmdUZ_EaHxKe9_v8Uscqfjyqkb5QLm9EWW-bLSGSJj1xEoSDDw4/s1600/Every+moment+is+a+chance+to+start+over.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LKxWWqiqJHOUt_ZnCYqZZSGj2XtWE4jMy_F0bcIaEPL5kVQC1RxIPJ-TOdQ42F_JLyjyA8dRLKSHe4BhErkQ9xphSmdUZ_EaHxKe9_v8Uscqfjyqkb5QLm9EWW-bLSGSJj1xEoSDDw4/s400/Every+moment+is+a+chance+to+start+over.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have this printed, framed, and sitting on my mantle. It was a free download from ??? <br />
If you made it, please let me know so I can give you the thanks and credit you deserve. </td></tr>
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I love the idea of making a fresh start. I believe in it wholeheartedly. I love the newness of back-to-school in the fall. I love spring's awakening after a long, cold winter. I love the idea that when I wake up in the morning, I can start anew. I believe in change. I believe in second chances, third chances, and seven hundred and fifty fourth chances. I believe in forgiveness. I believe in God's grace.<br />
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Some days, like today, my new beginning is as simple as changing the burned out lightbulbs in my garage and laundry room. I'm hoping that the additional light will motivate me, as I talked about in <a href="http://alma376.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-life-is-like-kitchen-floor.html" target="_blank">this old post</a>.<br />
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<i>What helps you change? What babysteps are you taking today to be the person you want to be?</i><br />
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<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-17068169288621410702013-04-01T22:36:00.001-05:002013-04-01T23:02:48.344-05:00General Conference<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="270" id="flashObj" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=1470686243001&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lds.org%2Fgeneral-conference%2Finvite-others%3Flang%3Deng&playerID=680215106001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAnipXZ6E~,M1TCnNhLxEKd5ft3d6_opUyOzxpih9Jg&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1470686243001&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lds.org%2Fgeneral-conference%2Finvite-others%3Flang%3Deng&playerID=680215106001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAnipXZ6E~,M1TCnNhLxEKd5ft3d6_opUyOzxpih9Jg&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="480" height="270" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><br />
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General Conference weekend is one of my favorite times. I love the feeling of peace I feel as I hear the words of the prophets. This year, I'm inviting friends to join me at home to experience it on Saturday, April 6. The broadcast starts at 11 am and runs til 1 pm. I'm making pulled pork sandwiches and baked beans for those who want to join me to feast upon the words of Christ and a potluck lunch at noon. Please let me know if you'll be coming, and bring something to share. Drop ins welcome, too! (Kids are welcome to play outside in the back yard if they don't want to sit and watch. My own kids do not usually sit and watch the whole time.)Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-52179536185174100992013-02-18T20:45:00.003-06:002013-02-18T20:45:46.451-06:00RSBC 2013 Week 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My total for running miles is up to 6.9, which is actually down from last week. I discovered that I had counted something that wasn't running (it was miscategorized in my app), and I only ran once this week. Sigh... But this week can only get better, right?!</div>
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Tonight I realized I needed to cook lentils. I also had some very soft zucchini in the fridge that needed to get used. Threw together a spicy Italian lentil soup, which turned out pretty well. It would have been better with spinach, too, but for a thrown together thing, I was quite pleased. Sauteed some pepperoni, then took them out, threw in onions and carrots (chopped) and zucchini a little later. Added 1 cup of lentils, a can of diced tomatoes, 4 cups of beef broth, some garlic powder since I was out of fresh, some spices, and then simmered (well, I used the pressure cooker, but it was just fast simmering). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spicy Italian lentil soup</td></tr>
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<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-10703144460792081312013-02-10T22:19:00.002-06:002013-02-10T22:20:20.362-06:00RSBC 2013Run Swim Bike Cook 2013 has begun. For answers to all your questions (what? how? who? when?), please visit the amazing Chou at <a href="http://balancefood.blogspot.com/2013/02/ironman-meets-ironchef-rsbc-2013.html" target="_blank">her blog</a>.<br />
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Total miles run in February to date: 8 ! My plan for this week is to alternate running and biking.<br />
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As for rosemary, it is quite possibly my favorite herb. I concocted some delicious grilled sandwiches on rosemary bread which included a tangy artichoke bell pepper spread (a failed spaghetti topping that I had made a few days earlier), thinly sliced pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, tomato, and fresh spinach. My 10 year old refers to them now as gourmet sandwiches and has requested them several times already. I bought the bread from Costco and the pepperoni came off a pizza before baking. Alas, I was so focused on eating that it did not occur to me to take a picture.<br />
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I also made chicken and butternut squash quinoa stew. I followed <a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2012/10/chicken-and-butternut-squash-quinoa-stew.html" target="_blank">Mel's recipe</a> and added rosemary. It was quite tasty, despite what the picture might make you think!<br />
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<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668914339407579388.post-32399761360029006032012-11-30T13:56:00.001-06:002013-10-29T13:52:02.081-05:00Handel's Messiah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is finally here. After months of planning, and many hours of rehearsal, our performances are tonight and tomorrow. We filmed the above yesterday morning. </div>
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EDIT: For anyone stumbling upon this in 2013, our website is at http://samessiah.com, where you can find all the information about our upcoming free performances the first weekend of December.</div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765622517307104987noreply@blogger.com1