Words into Action

"Prepare the child for the path...Not the path for the child..."

Youth Conference is Thursday through Saturday...3 days to make sure they all receive a "life-changing experience"...or at least feel loved ; )
I have my pink and army green camo-themed t-shirts and capris all ready to go...A LOT of Excedrin, hideous "modesty clothes" in case the youth forget the dress code (he he he), coupled with a sincere love of these youth...

We are an "Army of One"....

Now drop and give me twenty!!

Thursday Aftermath...A Sequel...

Wednesday morning I found myself at 2am at my computer, writing this sister an email...I simply and unconfrontationally (impressive for me, I know!) let her know how I felt, especially from that night, and from other instances how I was feeling, as well as the thoughts and emotions that had been in my heart. I even was bold enough to tell her how I felt she was sometimes perceived by me ( and others ), and that I knew for assuredly, that one of my purposes was to bring those "unconventional" ideas to the table...

*Priceless* She had been just as tormented about what had transpired as I, and had been equally worried about how I was feeling...It was a completely different side to her...

It was also a completely different atmosphere later that evening at our meeting...

What stood out to me most from this situation, was not necessarily "you need to let others know how you are feeling," which is not a real problem for me, but the lesson to be true to yourself and who you are...I am the "black sheep," ultra- liberal-appearing, "unconventional," "outspoken," limb of the Stake YW Presidency...And I am okay with that, and I know that is why I was called to serve in this capacity. This experience simply (though stressfully!) reaffirmed my place, and validated my persona and how I think about things. Perhaps I needed to learn this, so I would be able to remain strong in my positions, regardless of the looks I get from others?!

Well...Youth Conference is next week, and it will be AMAZING!! (And I can be my strong, obnoxious, rowdy-self while I'm there!!!)

Tuesday Aftermath

I'm in a real mood...A pissy one at that! I am so frustrated! I'm supposed to be 1st Counselor in my new calling, and nothing I do, say, offer, etc. is taken with a grain of salt. I worked REALLY hard on something for a meeting, that saved (I think) a lot of time--turning what could have been a 6-8 hour meeting, into a mere 3 1/2...Do I get thanks? No...I get "well...we just want to be really sure we are arranging this correctly.............." My poor husband had to listen to me at midnight, as I came home and vented! (What a trooper!) Not only that, but I feel that some of the leaders I work with try so hard to avoid certain groupings/situations, that they are inevitably doing the youth a disservice...going against one of my favorite creeds, "Prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child..." type of thing.

I believe that some of the biggest and most important lessons learned come from those trials or obstacles that are hard or uncomfortable..Now, don't get me wrong...I'm not saying "yeah, just let the youth run amuck and figure things out on their own....", I'm just saying, I think we need to try and teach the youth how to handle certain situations that will help them in life...For, we all know that life is not fair, perfect, or easy...In planning our upcoming Youth Conference, this has been a big frustration for me.

I'm the oldest one in the Presidency, and although age doesn't necessarily mean wisdom, I feel that sometimes the "big picture" is missed...That in this day and age, the youth deserve leaders who are going to, tactfully and correctly, "tell it like it is," and not give all the textbook or "primary" answers, especially because a lot of the youth are a lot wiser than their years upon this earth!!

I may be "flighty" and unconventional, but that does not mean I don't have a testimony or a view that perhaps might be worthy of applying to the world?...I feel unappreciated, and patronized...Two things that make my type A personality cringe...

Okay...I'm done...

I'm going to go drink my "illegal" drink, and take two Excedrin....

Random Thoughts on Father's Day

The picture is in tribute to my husband...Who loves being a father only slightly more than being on the golf course!!


-I let my husband begin his Father's Day celebration by taking the older kids to church...alone! I elected to stay home with our sick 5 year old...So I think he ended up with the better deal!

-We went and saw "Iron Man" yesterday as a family. It was okay, although I really liked Robert Downey Jr. in his character...it was a good fit!

-We got our date for Girls Camp next year (which I am "supposedly" in charge of...) I dry-heaved as I read the email...

-I still love Lisa, even though we both think the other's candidate is, shall I say, "not to our liking? (love ya, girl!)

-I found the best recipe for homemade, white bread...here is is:
1 and 1/2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon yeast
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
Mix the above ingredients together in a mixer with the kneading attachment. Add the following, in two cup increments, to the liquid mix above, until the dough is soft and elastic (about 2 minutes). Put in oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 60 minutes. Grease 2 bread pans with Crisco. Turn dough over on floured surface. Divide in half. Roll dough into loaf shapes, and place in pans. Let rise for about 30 minutes, and bake in preheated oven at 350, for 25 minutes until golden.

-We are making scones for lunch, with the above recipe (yum!)

-My daughter bought a Holland Lop bunny with her own money, and I must say, it is one of the CUTEST things I have ever seen!!

-I finished reading "Pillars of the Earth," and it was a really good story...It's over 900 pages, and yet, it didn't seem that long!

-Using my final paycheck from the magazine, I bought a cool wall mural to hang in our family room....I'll post pictures in a few weeks!

-My mom has finished radiation, has the cutest short, choppy hair growing in, and only has chemo (a kind with minimal side effects) once a week for the next 9 months...I am so amazed by her!!

-My husband is wonderful...I don't know what I'd do without him!!

Let It Begin

Yup...I'm supporting Obama...I hope you all find a candidate that you can be passionate about, as well...

So...me and my Obama-lovin booty are off to go visit one of MANY ward Girls Camps this month...in the rain...in the cold...wondering if they'll be serving "pop-tarts" for dinner, because there's no way anyone is getting a fire going anytime soon!

Obama and Girls Camps...Let it begin!!