tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3400016922128650582024-03-12T18:59:08.316-06:00BatyahLauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-85630123034108952972011-12-31T11:00:00.000-07:002011-12-31T20:32:47.625-07:00My New Year's Wish<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">I'm on my way down to St. George to ring in the New Year with a little bit more heat and a few new friends...</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">But I couldn't go without telling you my New Year's wish!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">My hope for both of us – you and I – is that</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">we spend a little less time creating worry lines,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">more time creating laugh lines.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">That we live a bit more simply,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">but also a bit more glamorously.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">That we place fewer restraints on ourselves,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">one another,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">and God.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">That our eyes might see those things that help us grow,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">good and bad, happy and hurtful.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">And, most of all, that we might feel each day that we acted</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">instead of being acted upon.</span></span></div>Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-52871442855409300292011-12-28T09:00:00.000-07:002011-12-28T09:00:03.463-07:00This girl.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k2G6xXBM5P0/TvqvWbymIzI/AAAAAAAAA7M/gfLqVD5VBkQ/s1600/mad+laughing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k2G6xXBM5P0/TvqvWbymIzI/AAAAAAAAA7M/gfLqVD5VBkQ/s640/mad+laughing.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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She's awesome.Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-67805805544788127712011-12-27T22:08:00.001-07:002011-12-27T22:47:47.068-07:00I simply remember my favorite things.Days have slipped by in blogging silence. Desolee, my sweets. In the interim between then and now have come finals, food poisoning, miracles, and holidays filled with laughter, merriment and – best of all – lots and lots of reading. <br />
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I have flipped through the pages of Tolkien (my first time!) and pondered the emotional life of boys in America. I have procured, to my great delight, vintage beauties from an idyllic second-hand bookshop in Bountiful and stacked high tomes from the library. I think I had forgotten this past semester what joy I find in reading. <br />
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That got me thinking about some of the other things that are such boons to me:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Waking up to NPR.</li>
<li>Falling asleep to NPR.</li>
<li>Ira Glass' infinite Ira-Glass-iness.</li>
<li>Making things. </li>
<li>Giving (humble) gifts.</li>
<li>Writing letters... <i>real</i> letters!</li>
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My list is decidedly more pedantic than Maria's cat whiskers and brown paper packages tied with twine. But, still. </div>
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I'm not one to really make New Year's resolutions, if only because calling them such dooms them to failure. I am, however, one to readdress priorities. And so, I will say this: I have found much value in pausing and engaging in those things that bring me stillness and fullness; this year – and, hopefully, much longer than that – I will place a higher priority on items that seem to continually get pushed to the bottom of the list in favor of the much more pressing, and stillness-snatching, idle to-do's.</div>Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-65708748563757777822011-12-05T23:56:00.001-07:002011-12-06T00:02:36.759-07:00Advent: December 5th<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">DAY FIVE</span></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">20 Days Left!</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiH_cn7tIWWmmjUiw_ctuYHT-MQJ6MFJuMwpzsfxxiIJBtUfTnrvkAcgtYewEsJmTTp5OURpmtN21NxAsFYf1mKhtS5QN3Igk8YFeaT48-83pmr5osPY9mmdCWA6-RuCtLk36ylNnc2_Y/s1600/Picking+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiH_cn7tIWWmmjUiw_ctuYHT-MQJ6MFJuMwpzsfxxiIJBtUfTnrvkAcgtYewEsJmTTp5OURpmtN21NxAsFYf1mKhtS5QN3Igk8YFeaT48-83pmr5osPY9mmdCWA6-RuCtLk36ylNnc2_Y/s400/Picking+Tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Before Christ’s birth, the angel Gabriel visited Mary.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God
unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the
house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that
art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women...For thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring
forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.” (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/1.26-28,30-31?lang=eng#25">Luke 1:26–28, 30–31</a>)</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-73041905462058287872011-12-03T21:56:00.001-07:002011-12-03T22:07:48.645-07:00A Vintage BirthdayYou guys, I love you all. Thanks for making my birthday eve and my birthday day so. freaking. awesome. I am <i>so </i>tired from the party last night (Mad and I stayed up until 3 partying and talking and generally being awesome), so this one's going to be short.<br />
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...But first some of my favorite pictures from the vintage photo booth we had...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1SWqjiBIQkaWBrDpAKYsVhBZD_U51HoXw8Z8EJ45Io1LY9SJ8kSHIRBWiZplGGjtF9bRkyY_iUQurI90b8gcYf5UGw3lC-FkGIPg-QHvqvMEIhz4rkZIS3t8ZrMBDAik3CO5-H4IMsE/s1600/Christian+%2526+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1SWqjiBIQkaWBrDpAKYsVhBZD_U51HoXw8Z8EJ45Io1LY9SJ8kSHIRBWiZplGGjtF9bRkyY_iUQurI90b8gcYf5UGw3lC-FkGIPg-QHvqvMEIhz4rkZIS3t8ZrMBDAik3CO5-H4IMsE/s320/Christian+%2526+L.jpg" width="127" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41QGXebgk0_LW2UjgiR0yQUGxKN5pyEGnO0lECP-cIkzUSKhy2VJGjyaiGqweEADpZ9QhjYFrEi1k-6fql0IOTgZtNkqj8QyUm60Zo-oVpKmLmYWQv_fFyjCjrtuP_BenF9JcF0BJ_4I/s1600/Heather+and+Steven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41QGXebgk0_LW2UjgiR0yQUGxKN5pyEGnO0lECP-cIkzUSKhy2VJGjyaiGqweEADpZ9QhjYFrEi1k-6fql0IOTgZtNkqj8QyUm60Zo-oVpKmLmYWQv_fFyjCjrtuP_BenF9JcF0BJ_4I/s320/Heather+and+Steven.jpg" width="126" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONojzxpGDrYcu3CDojKhL7RTjvxy1tb5yGhQE0nHR2lUzz7jp6RqiKr-GBUNoqJBBo1LFdvR5bJlFtw1cQHjjLTAs55OVRVNb2CglgDV0NdizALOAk1VVcXZWhemfNOIvAkyuO6rBqds/s1600/L+and+Bill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONojzxpGDrYcu3CDojKhL7RTjvxy1tb5yGhQE0nHR2lUzz7jp6RqiKr-GBUNoqJBBo1LFdvR5bJlFtw1cQHjjLTAs55OVRVNb2CglgDV0NdizALOAk1VVcXZWhemfNOIvAkyuO6rBqds/s320/L+and+Bill.jpg" width="127" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRhcTLJiDNkCx2ywA1ZOFfd4tSXO3u17CpgpTckLtvAOITdnpytsDLvT_Pfqxduwu9oDk1Y89kP7LwsLT1u10iPmmKG3CZAlBFnHBqGNLjoZnWFGaUkf-AntcRCbB1zcTJNqL_WnsJvc/s1600/Mad+%2526+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRhcTLJiDNkCx2ywA1ZOFfd4tSXO3u17CpgpTckLtvAOITdnpytsDLvT_Pfqxduwu9oDk1Y89kP7LwsLT1u10iPmmKG3CZAlBFnHBqGNLjoZnWFGaUkf-AntcRCbB1zcTJNqL_WnsJvc/s320/Mad+%2526+L.jpg" width="127" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlDlVNHLpSeX1O77ExfE2cCD6ZY_NbpatVCdh1lQo8my7pWtDsMEO3X1t7DOQdFo_r2gM5SjMXMGE4wTep9vjEU-cYa_k3Vsq8gHUjFFC2Mwpa3HLyyEId9vXokhsXykOTwb2MY5DL3U/s1600/Mad+%2526+L+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlDlVNHLpSeX1O77ExfE2cCD6ZY_NbpatVCdh1lQo8my7pWtDsMEO3X1t7DOQdFo_r2gM5SjMXMGE4wTep9vjEU-cYa_k3Vsq8gHUjFFC2Mwpa3HLyyEId9vXokhsXykOTwb2MY5DL3U/s320/Mad+%2526+L+2.jpg" width="127" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgta8hf92f7ebK4beFx1S753vT6GI7-lNHzJzdNlu3y1bJ0zcKbHVs_ZAvdjxqVJ2jYAisd0ljdYNd26WY-IVezjNeoThkM2JFyB-6dg6tZzNdmawdUgeAeXlKi1zbUY0qt1gK4C9A_IJ4/s1600/Mad+Mark+%2526+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgta8hf92f7ebK4beFx1S753vT6GI7-lNHzJzdNlu3y1bJ0zcKbHVs_ZAvdjxqVJ2jYAisd0ljdYNd26WY-IVezjNeoThkM2JFyB-6dg6tZzNdmawdUgeAeXlKi1zbUY0qt1gK4C9A_IJ4/s320/Mad+Mark+%2526+L.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
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<br />Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-35188778208865747472011-12-01T14:07:00.001-07:002011-12-05T23:53:52.958-07:00Advent: December 4th<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">DAY FOUR</span></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">21 Days Left!</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlY1j9dSS5y98-v-B3vDoNU0xRL65MEct0UiAWsPPgKVuN_QzmLd0UTWdWU-egf0dEKlQRiRizjwf1N6obNSJl5B_qLwkbAUPFZ24G6yz0WpcLs7EKiADCwHP_DkBTuTqurgVV_NnxsY/s1600/Day+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlY1j9dSS5y98-v-B3vDoNU0xRL65MEct0UiAWsPPgKVuN_QzmLd0UTWdWU-egf0dEKlQRiRizjwf1N6obNSJl5B_qLwkbAUPFZ24G6yz0WpcLs7EKiADCwHP_DkBTuTqurgVV_NnxsY/s320/Day+4.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br /></span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Samuel the
Lamanite’s Prophesying of the Signs of Christ’s Birth, 5 BC<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“Behold, I give unto
you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God
to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“… There shall be
great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall
be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. …</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“And behold, there
shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also
shall be a sign unto you” (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/14?lang=eng">Helaman 14:2–3, 5</a>).</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-29412935996304691152011-12-01T13:55:00.001-07:002011-12-03T21:13:14.925-07:00Advent: December 3rd<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">DAY THREE</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">22 Days Left!</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOWhpsciQwnfVlhiLWzIFIfOHghP-6KygVKvvKeC8-1l1Mg0jrKthzu0tHj2rifJSbsK5OCcprrPl9gSZv5O0pQG0nUnDqD_MeMkZoSx_JRZIlaa-LJmUsIRkyGC_lTfg-C7IGhQAKoU/s1600/Day+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOWhpsciQwnfVlhiLWzIFIfOHghP-6KygVKvvKeC8-1l1Mg0jrKthzu0tHj2rifJSbsK5OCcprrPl9gSZv5O0pQG0nUnDqD_MeMkZoSx_JRZIlaa-LJmUsIRkyGC_lTfg-C7IGhQAKoU/s320/Day+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Alma’s Vision
of Christ’s Birth and Death, 83 BC<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“The Son of God
cometh upon the face of the earth. …</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“And behold, he shall
be born of Mary, … she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall
be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a
son, yea, even the Son of God.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“And he shall go
forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this
that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains
and the sicknesses of the people.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“And he will take
upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and
he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with
mercy” (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/7?lang=eng">Alma 7:9–12</a>).</span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></i></div>Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-91192761618844161292011-12-01T13:53:00.001-07:002011-12-02T13:09:39.916-07:00Advent: December 2nd<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">DAY TWO</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">23 Days Left!</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYxT_pzlN8SHPpRzu7UU5_T6vajfFcdV7bsSZw4OF07BCnahyoqaLppjWMEMPq2WZdLFfwILxSxl_4yOaIgkErXapt0PXU0VTdtOCp5SHU9YRAdZVjUM4IqRU4SZxxJR8QuREJL5dClw/s1600/Day+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYxT_pzlN8SHPpRzu7UU5_T6vajfFcdV7bsSZw4OF07BCnahyoqaLppjWMEMPq2WZdLFfwILxSxl_4yOaIgkErXapt0PXU0VTdtOCp5SHU9YRAdZVjUM4IqRU4SZxxJR8QuREJL5dClw/s400/Day+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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</div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Nephi’s Vision
of the Virgin Birth, Circa 600 BC<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“And he said unto me:
Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the
manner of the flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“And it came to pass
that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been
carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me,
saying: Look!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“And I looked and
beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“And the angel said
unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!” (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/11.18%20-%2021?lang=eng#17">1Nephi 11:18–21</a>).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-82220409423970016572011-12-01T13:32:00.001-07:002011-12-01T13:38:33.536-07:00Advent: December 1st<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I made an advent calendar for Mad this year, and each day has a scripture inside with a nice little treat. While I can't send you twix bars through the 'net, I thought I might share the scripture every day so that we can share in the holiday of His gift.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">DAY ONE</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">24 to go!</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gs_yWq4GhVQlSkYqmbTS5aUMd1EYIzMEyzkd6_Hvg-2HbaMgIOJ-sV4k9eEiHkdZw7mag5F0_QPmoDahkUbqmGN5BW5FW6n250y3Ai67opKmiuDi86k6W4P5NXHHAQaQZdibDQp_ghc/s1600/Day+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gs_yWq4GhVQlSkYqmbTS5aUMd1EYIzMEyzkd6_Hvg-2HbaMgIOJ-sV4k9eEiHkdZw7mag5F0_QPmoDahkUbqmGN5BW5FW6n250y3Ai67opKmiuDi86k6W4P5NXHHAQaQZdibDQp_ghc/s400/Day+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Isaiah’s Vision
of the Christ to Come, Circa 740 BC<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“Behold, a virgin
shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/ot/isa/7.14?lang=eng#13">Isaiah 7:14</a>;
see also <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/17.14?lang=eng#13">2 Nephi 17:14</a>).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“For unto us a child
is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/ot/isa/9.6?lang=eng#5">Isaiah 9:6</a>; see also <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/19.6?lang=eng#5">2 Nephi 19:6</a>).</span></div>Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-60230066262532438112011-11-30T21:28:00.001-07:002011-12-01T14:15:37.632-07:00Dad: The Original HipsterI recently scanned in a bunch of old family photos and found myself realizing that<a href="http://dadsaretheoriginalhipster.tumblr.com/"> my dad was the original hipster</a>...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AGqOA5mD4a2kY6gsr35n7PNGmWm4mNPmhvRNn2Qo1JHnGDj9qAtZUB2p6dO5HIebKA01rU3ERiEwtng0ZptpKDFNwtPca_F8nPWUM71Q67x6hkCs5RoD5xe4nK8FqMT-ZZcRyxttHIk/s1600/Concert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AGqOA5mD4a2kY6gsr35n7PNGmWm4mNPmhvRNn2Qo1JHnGDj9qAtZUB2p6dO5HIebKA01rU3ERiEwtng0ZptpKDFNwtPca_F8nPWUM71Q67x6hkCs5RoD5xe4nK8FqMT-ZZcRyxttHIk/s320/Concert.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He played guitar in seedy clubs...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-OuoR9f-BEWa-njkvubRRDCC0p5TOkmuB5wXPI2XX1h5J4Te-Ypp47_RpHLVoixG6dpxNoGBAR94zy_kRuf3kaA7NZ6FB-rT4XzqnOcjJhS7tLSnXa9tKKdmTOadwsPv0DYUY_QV06o/s1600/Harmonica+in+Navy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-OuoR9f-BEWa-njkvubRRDCC0p5TOkmuB5wXPI2XX1h5J4Te-Ypp47_RpHLVoixG6dpxNoGBAR94zy_kRuf3kaA7NZ6FB-rT4XzqnOcjJhS7tLSnXa9tKKdmTOadwsPv0DYUY_QV06o/s320/Harmonica+in+Navy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...but his musical talent didn't stop there. He <i>also </i>played the highly technical harmonica.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHb9DGGVs514iRfaigo8yRoA8QtgQW_jvvpbeGPJ0_3v8hjB3jWM-3oG24Rl3o4CZeAykhpd0bAGENe_1vp_KraLzC20py5b2VO_O8FX0lAsE_Fr87jorg1dsofjK7Rhpi2-s-JKiEe0/s1600/Dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHb9DGGVs514iRfaigo8yRoA8QtgQW_jvvpbeGPJ0_3v8hjB3jWM-3oG24Rl3o4CZeAykhpd0bAGENe_1vp_KraLzC20py5b2VO_O8FX0lAsE_Fr87jorg1dsofjK7Rhpi2-s-JKiEe0/s320/Dad.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And look at that apathy!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwWAJGiBmwij1u3ZyMWaOxLOxj7SZIHpkMzqsZjPY_P1jwWd5tKOlfyKOQo4WQ5VKPCR3eHNyehspP0EIWI9vJ3m7uoqZNtlKEttULiQDuMtLDIYsIWkLz9vIrbyfoOzsGPX61qJc7kE/s1600/Fuzzy+Polaroid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwWAJGiBmwij1u3ZyMWaOxLOxj7SZIHpkMzqsZjPY_P1jwWd5tKOlfyKOQo4WQ5VKPCR3eHNyehspP0EIWI9vJ3m7uoqZNtlKEttULiQDuMtLDIYsIWkLz9vIrbyfoOzsGPX61qJc7kE/s320/Fuzzy+Polaroid.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He used the hipsterest of the hipster photo forms: the classic Polaroid.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4GcaPddW4fce9PHVg1IQNBv8q1sfxlstsANLLLbLm69dIu_nRbRGtHnE_hkL6WB09WOyz1JVA9ePUbY5fAYnJI9AwMxoO9we1M0sZfd7MM_KcaD2VDi-STUjx9TLDI5y_rEILE8lKRM/s1600/Baseball+Tee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4GcaPddW4fce9PHVg1IQNBv8q1sfxlstsANLLLbLm69dIu_nRbRGtHnE_hkL6WB09WOyz1JVA9ePUbY5fAYnJI9AwMxoO9we1M0sZfd7MM_KcaD2VDi-STUjx9TLDI5y_rEILE8lKRM/s320/Baseball+Tee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And, oh! The facial hair! How could we forget that facial hair?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9Rn05PxzAFuhGEKU7ueLAR9oi121FIyztOn0TpwpgXmD_FhU4oBX-mChHTb-wXyKr0l-VmFOkKPlgh6JO_RyVRa-DiFnLftOh4eWDgSjRob3KGcbhV1Lg1nADTCGZ48NuESaTkMsujE/s1600/Mom+and+Dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9Rn05PxzAFuhGEKU7ueLAR9oi121FIyztOn0TpwpgXmD_FhU4oBX-mChHTb-wXyKr0l-VmFOkKPlgh6JO_RyVRa-DiFnLftOh4eWDgSjRob3KGcbhV1Lg1nADTCGZ48NuESaTkMsujE/s320/Mom+and+Dad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look at his wonderfully un-ironic wearing of leather moccasins and stripy too-small track jacket (on the chair). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And, yes, that is my mom. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>While we're on mom, take a look at these:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBVIrttAFlyG8ahCzUGXa3QRXc1NNHfZv3TAQd0E3wzM_Khc0Xh0F-3biW9Q7-yTHLQxFLki6LN50sIUq0Y9WRrIvfq9mvzGpXEGHWpLTnN6rOeAh_az2DTDr44-eI0R0HjhCklFD00A/s1600/Striped+Shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBVIrttAFlyG8ahCzUGXa3QRXc1NNHfZv3TAQd0E3wzM_Khc0Xh0F-3biW9Q7-yTHLQxFLki6LN50sIUq0Y9WRrIvfq9mvzGpXEGHWpLTnN6rOeAh_az2DTDr44-eI0R0HjhCklFD00A/s320/Striped+Shirt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6g7YV7nbXmwLnfib5K6nLbj2crNkl2zTAebz959ZE6VVSUEsRYN0PbRubGZAUw0lWG-QZNNdqXsZQi1qPAQwaD6q9s_CJua6-zmDz-sGkd76zKa9oWSlSprqitNZV3O58vBphmVI5nyk/s1600/Ugly+Sweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6g7YV7nbXmwLnfib5K6nLbj2crNkl2zTAebz959ZE6VVSUEsRYN0PbRubGZAUw0lWG-QZNNdqXsZQi1qPAQwaD6q9s_CJua6-zmDz-sGkd76zKa9oWSlSprqitNZV3O58vBphmVI5nyk/s320/Ugly+Sweater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I guess now, all that's left to be said is that I come from good hipster stock. Hence:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUkLYIznNJVrsoW2qGC7Su2wf1gMXfo_vHhIYvfU2N5ajy3JubrmZ0E7Ugds3w_vjSEHV7D0BUVs8D5uvL3DE8HPFVrjTCjzVoMrkV8Ce3NVNp_3AQ8MPQqNG5hmBNXUw8eMU1TVwSUw/s1600/Photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUkLYIznNJVrsoW2qGC7Su2wf1gMXfo_vHhIYvfU2N5ajy3JubrmZ0E7Ugds3w_vjSEHV7D0BUVs8D5uvL3DE8HPFVrjTCjzVoMrkV8Ce3NVNp_3AQ8MPQqNG5hmBNXUw8eMU1TVwSUw/s320/Photo+4.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-26768984189406347012011-11-28T14:52:00.001-07:002011-11-28T22:30:42.588-07:00If You Love Me...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The count down to my birthday has officially begun. I have decided to celebrate in a bit of an unconventional way this year. Read below to learn how. I really ask you to join me, it will mean so much as the texts and emails come flooding in. I have already had some come to me from overseas, and I almost started crying when I heard the touching stories!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5D4hAcpxyXbpIv0lrGuk4TMjgWjXdRnikYTrTbWkfs0nXCO0j9rJgbr_v65PvpnHdEQ-jaObhC5FPmyZOs-V0IQFaeQ3_HcxChagz91iJMeLgCwqBkG68h6sSVhm5zOv6ZOzmzZSBUg/s1600/25RAOK+Postcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5D4hAcpxyXbpIv0lrGuk4TMjgWjXdRnikYTrTbWkfs0nXCO0j9rJgbr_v65PvpnHdEQ-jaObhC5FPmyZOs-V0IQFaeQ3_HcxChagz91iJMeLgCwqBkG68h6sSVhm5zOv6ZOzmzZSBUg/s640/25RAOK+Postcard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-6141148959322201902011-11-25T23:38:00.001-07:002011-11-26T00:06:16.425-07:00Leftover Turkey Sandwiches and Other Such NonsenseThe scent of sweet potato and rosemary is wafting through the house tonight - I'm making baked sweet potato fries (which I will enjoy with Vanilla Honey Chamomile tea, thankyouverymuch). The smell reminded me of yesterday, Thanksgiving, and how I probably should have sat down and written a little something about what I'm thankful for... because I'm a blogger, you know?<br />
<br />
...But then I sat here, staring at the blinking cursor on this very large, very grey page, and I thought, <i>Am I really going to write one of those run-of-the-mill Thanksgiving posts? I'm so thankful for my family and my friends and my house, blah, blah, blah.</i> (I mean, I <i>am </i>grateful for those things, but who isn't?) <br />
<br />
So I decided to do something a little bit different. <br />
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...which, let's face it, might end up being not that different at all.</div>
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All I could think I wanted to write about is how gratitude changes everything in my life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzjzavaqokHxS3ZxApk2xuiUqfkXf4pTnfQtf2smrngUQ7ewIxpqsIy0JBoFM_uFN_jNrOnu6PWNVB4sIVS66eeBOUEuPKQigODTkOhhVZhSITmKPtHZ4GV1vHE_xS8cJvYv9Ng4d2Xg/s1600/Gratitude+Post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzjzavaqokHxS3ZxApk2xuiUqfkXf4pTnfQtf2smrngUQ7ewIxpqsIy0JBoFM_uFN_jNrOnu6PWNVB4sIVS66eeBOUEuPKQigODTkOhhVZhSITmKPtHZ4GV1vHE_xS8cJvYv9Ng4d2Xg/s1600/Gratitude+Post.jpg" /></a></div>
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Gratitude has given breath and life to the joy that I cultivate. Gratitude is the bellows that stokes the fire of passion and excitement to my every day. Gratitude gives way to the glorious <i>yes!</i> of my life.<br />
<br />
Even knowing these things, even feeling them down to the immaterial elements of my spirit, mustering gratitude sometimes seems to be a heroic act beyond my reach. At times, gratitude seems something Godly and distant. And while I often admire its Godliness, I never, ever acknowledge its distance, for - if I choose - I feel its ever present closeness... like it is perpetually sitting on the tip of my nose and I just have to choose to fix my eyes a certain way so that I might glimpse it.<br />
<br />
Gratitude is the lens which opens this dark and dreary world into something much more heavenly. Gratitude forms the walls of the temple within. My worship is nothing without the gratitude that supports it.<br />
<br />
I sat, yesterday, with a smile on my face as I peered through a jungle of candlesticks, gravy boats and fizzing Martinelli's bottles, observing a family that has made excellent practice of gratitude. Not only do they love one another (because familial love is often not a conscious choice), but they are <i>so grateful </i>for one another. It was beautiful; gratitude - not mere love - changed the tenor of that home. <br />
<br />
I hope that we will each determine to grasp that benevolent creature, gratitude, and welcome it into our hearts with more fervency. I hope that we will not detain ourselves from this gift for another year, until another Thanksgiving marches into our attention. I hope that we might play architect with our inner selves and make gratitude the very beams of support upon which we might erect our holy of holies.Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-39266635319679341732011-11-07T23:12:00.003-07:002011-12-01T14:24:03.233-07:00DIY: Hand WarmersYou guys. I don't know if you know this about me - because I have been suppressing it these past few months in favor of long days in the library and long nights with my nose in a book - but I really am a creative person. So, when I saw <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/74063857/pocket-hand-warmers-wool-red-hot-hearts">these cute hand warmers</a> on my Etsy news feed (did you know Etsy even <i>had </i>a news feed? Me neither...), my normal thought of "Hey, I could make that." turned into a resounding "I am GOING to make that. Tonight." Plus, Mad has been absolutely awesome lately (...<i>always...</i>) and I wanted to do something nice for her...<br />
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...especially since wintumn is just descending upon us and she gets cold super easily.</div>
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So! Even though no part of this blog is a crafting blog, gird up your loins and get ready. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfqfYaSE-G4Wxtnof0EAge7b4DURMuH_ZJHWhhZjsndjALk6Hw3O8WjQeJtfJGWhyePWuOyvwR85v43k39kc-RhqzZ4GyOPTq4oOkkoGGNoj-gpT3plf2v_nq4EYy29sQS_5q93TBdgs/s1600/IMG_2319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfqfYaSE-G4Wxtnof0EAge7b4DURMuH_ZJHWhhZjsndjALk6Hw3O8WjQeJtfJGWhyePWuOyvwR85v43k39kc-RhqzZ4GyOPTq4oOkkoGGNoj-gpT3plf2v_nq4EYy29sQS_5q93TBdgs/s400/IMG_2319.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 1: Cut out felt hearts (or stars, or monkeys, whatever...). You want them to be a little bigger than the size of your palm.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_36iq3SsTijPUbAEZKos2f0EHGd97nCu1KTptkiPZAJ9iYxKPbQdFBgexNFeJeeXWxMB1YThGtjDGPcf485FUN8Gjr6-mGH4f1PgH9FVn2fJqBkShK2beJrL5yVnPEl4CVsLjFZWVTw/s1600/IMG_2320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_36iq3SsTijPUbAEZKos2f0EHGd97nCu1KTptkiPZAJ9iYxKPbQdFBgexNFeJeeXWxMB1YThGtjDGPcf485FUN8Gjr6-mGH4f1PgH9FVn2fJqBkShK2beJrL5yVnPEl4CVsLjFZWVTw/s400/IMG_2320.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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(You need 4 total - 2 for each hand.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq17bq7AwS55lJPlLhv6NBHR76jI_SAowS_GR1y9enfT4qXFeXqR216lCftcOLz1oVFxct1TVjd9ZH9sFsasyLr4szeKZMXxiwWz5Im9msUU3dmmM4mpLsMGUnZpWasaaUBMSVS4p7oGE/s1600/IMG_2321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq17bq7AwS55lJPlLhv6NBHR76jI_SAowS_GR1y9enfT4qXFeXqR216lCftcOLz1oVFxct1TVjd9ZH9sFsasyLr4szeKZMXxiwWz5Im9msUU3dmmM4mpLsMGUnZpWasaaUBMSVS4p7oGE/s400/IMG_2321.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 2: Gather your Bondex iron-on letters...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QKOqZSohisI1XgOOFgsYqUwbbotudSxTmP1qORAGb62rQIO0zqsvsxSpirl5R0NSnz8r7WCtVqBdLE2Q6cFsY24PUC3g3THMMimQn-MW64Z9WAgTVUszdRPnutUU47e-5voGF4KZ2Ys/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QKOqZSohisI1XgOOFgsYqUwbbotudSxTmP1qORAGb62rQIO0zqsvsxSpirl5R0NSnz8r7WCtVqBdLE2Q6cFsY24PUC3g3THMMimQn-MW64Z9WAgTVUszdRPnutUU47e-5voGF4KZ2Ys/s400/IMG_2322.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...and your iron. (Set it to the cotton setting and make it so the steam is <i>off </i>or it will ruin the felt.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJFMcXSndD6R8Byy7ndyVq18HRx1b-AHjpEyuR3g93EoZHqUUqZeCQZl-BqxONgh4TfOkC9Dw41vMbIxbzIhrIrIqxyyLz6T-bUtfcqTX4dtuJJQCuEzMYUlKOwMoS6Yt2UEKqWuVYYU/s1600/IMG_2324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJFMcXSndD6R8Byy7ndyVq18HRx1b-AHjpEyuR3g93EoZHqUUqZeCQZl-BqxONgh4TfOkC9Dw41vMbIxbzIhrIrIqxyyLz6T-bUtfcqTX4dtuJJQCuEzMYUlKOwMoS6Yt2UEKqWuVYYU/s400/IMG_2324.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 3: Cut out the letters you're going to use. I did Madie's initials, with red initials on the white felt and black initials on the red felt. Place them where you want it on the felt and then put a piece of thin cotton (I used one of my cotton button-down shirts) over the felt/letters to protect it from burning. Press down for 30 seconds and then let the fabric cool to the touch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SBr0Ep1N3gQ8-qPgzJ-AxGCIVn8mk1QX5DgpbPJo09_86yUS7Y5S-NDbLH1bCiBcbPagjyMEM9po2Q6geTS51HwHl1hEnkTJaeSl27G64Gm9sA_qGC9_IQIAkfoFMDOJWzzhokFWU58/s1600/IMG_2325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SBr0Ep1N3gQ8-qPgzJ-AxGCIVn8mk1QX5DgpbPJo09_86yUS7Y5S-NDbLH1bCiBcbPagjyMEM9po2Q6geTS51HwHl1hEnkTJaeSl27G64Gm9sA_qGC9_IQIAkfoFMDOJWzzhokFWU58/s400/IMG_2325.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 4: Carefully (ie. slowly) pull the paper backing off of the letters.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuNKG96zvNZe4HBPOLZe1N-oqxonZImwoCqJt7El3LzqQSMDsEWNR9HqxpjNKkyqvD9_bytBAmQvh6yAN5BJOoc9qveMb16PhxuZXwFmr8UdrEN-WfzxMY6UaT2APhmx8f_P6_1pgPx8/s1600/IMG_2326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuNKG96zvNZe4HBPOLZe1N-oqxonZImwoCqJt7El3LzqQSMDsEWNR9HqxpjNKkyqvD9_bytBAmQvh6yAN5BJOoc9qveMb16PhxuZXwFmr8UdrEN-WfzxMY6UaT2APhmx8f_P6_1pgPx8/s400/IMG_2326.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 5: Get out your needle and thread. (I whipstitched the hearts together because I like the home-made feel of it and I love the contrasting red thread with the cream felt...but if you prefer something a bit more professional-looking, then do the professional thing, turn the suckers inside out, sew it and flip 'em back out.) Remember to leave a whole for the rice to go in. <b>NOTE: </b>I thought I was going to be all smart and just use hot glue for this project. Then I thought about it - these are going into the <i>microwave</i>. Just sayin'.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFo25oCw5sqNaKqi4q4ZFd1hBRqJBBGEJ8PyVlSd9vngb5ThAkWjbNPg5fGP6KgWWYHI4ilmPChTAQiSCL5D964bLWh4p2pZq4X0ZqIlyzG45MPM_ll8hhJaK_2ph3Y5s9mEEXhuPg10/s1600/IMG_2328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFo25oCw5sqNaKqi4q4ZFd1hBRqJBBGEJ8PyVlSd9vngb5ThAkWjbNPg5fGP6KgWWYHI4ilmPChTAQiSCL5D964bLWh4p2pZq4X0ZqIlyzG45MPM_ll8hhJaK_2ph3Y5s9mEEXhuPg10/s400/IMG_2328.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 6: Get your rice and fill the heart envelopes about 85% of the way. Make sure you move the rice around when you're filling so you don't have weird pockets of emptiness. Also, I took an index card and created a little funnel... but only <i>after</i> I had already ended up with a lap full of rice.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfsAnr-sSQfdpmUNnEcGpKq2Lb4noZm8iYJBB2-OqJsmWSc_UbhjTXTqEjdoXf9_oKkKbfzvYkC0o7qf-rQ011_I2kyc_rbaXnPJ8YrXAYD_VBIpIB7N7N-mjMP-KvWpuGWvtOoU9rEM/s1600/IMG_2329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfsAnr-sSQfdpmUNnEcGpKq2Lb4noZm8iYJBB2-OqJsmWSc_UbhjTXTqEjdoXf9_oKkKbfzvYkC0o7qf-rQ011_I2kyc_rbaXnPJ8YrXAYD_VBIpIB7N7N-mjMP-KvWpuGWvtOoU9rEM/s400/IMG_2329.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 7: Finish the stitch! </div>
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To use, you just pop these cute little hearts into the microwave for 1 minute and then into your coat pockets. </div>
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Word to the wise: all my friends all over the globe might be receiving these for Christmas.Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-13298888290390260722011-11-07T14:46:00.001-07:002011-12-01T14:24:15.908-07:00Kim Kardashian and MarriageNo, you didn't read that wrong. I am actually posting about Kim Kardashian. (<i>Well, sort of.</i>) Xochitl Gonzalez had a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/xochitl-gonzalez/what-kim-kardashians-divo_b_1068060.html?ref=mostpopular">really fantastic article</a> that was picked up by HuffPo today, and I want to share it and maybe make a few comments.<br />
<br />
My compliment to Ms. Gonzalez: you are absolutely brilliant.<br />
<br />
Check out the main body of her argument, addressed to the Kardashian herself, below.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarupAq2myiDZnziK6pF3Xj-7pHtCLpNuVKA2tIqkWLRtOAEBf4KydpGb3Q43hfha1ktCUbhgJ_XTQrYZ5ddBfKdlnabkAOZjQLO6CLEEJPuPH_9SIxPZd_8D7RLxr7bjJwUO4a8hRAQU/s1600/Kardashian+Wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarupAq2myiDZnziK6pF3Xj-7pHtCLpNuVKA2tIqkWLRtOAEBf4KydpGb3Q43hfha1ktCUbhgJ_XTQrYZ5ddBfKdlnabkAOZjQLO6CLEEJPuPH_9SIxPZd_8D7RLxr7bjJwUO4a8hRAQU/s320/Kardashian+Wedding.jpg" width="236" /></a>Kim, despite being an actual celebrity, you were still
blinded by the excitement of starring in a wedding.<br />
<br />
Actually, ladies and gentlemen, Kim K's extravagant wedding
was a slightly larger than life version of what is happening all across the
country: we are WEDDING obsessed. Not marriage obsessed, but wedding obsessed.
We are obsessed with the opportunity to be, the experience of, and the
reminiscing about being a bride and all that it entails. From the chance to
take styled staged engagement photos with matching outfits down to the getting
to "splurge" on $5,000 designer gowns and red-soled Louboutins the
average girl would never purchase, the wedding celebration has become in our
culture an occasion for grown women to treat themselves like a celebrity for a
day, the allure of which is so compelling, even REAL celebrities can't resist
it!
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
Okay, call me crazy. I am just not into weddings. Like, at all. Not even a little bit. And while I sit, planning on how to prepare myself for a rock solid marriage, it seems that most others around me daydream of a wedding fit for a princess, regardless of the costs (both monetary and otherwise). To tell the truth, sometimes, I think I'm a bit crazy in my non-wedding interest. <br />
<br />
That being said, when I read Xochitl's article, a big part of me just screamed <i>YES!</i> She continues by asking<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
If it were suddenly a universally socially acceptable custom
to take 20K-100K to celebrate our 30th birthdays in a lavish and extravagant
way, would we have as many weddings? Would we have as many divorces? I ask this
as someone who makes a living from lavish wedding celebrations.</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
I don't have an answer. I have my own feelings, for sure, but no concrete answers. <br />
<br />
...But I do think it's an important question to ask.Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-9317522011439869392011-11-05T23:49:00.000-06:002011-11-05T23:49:10.191-06:00On Patriotism and Mistakes<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In one of my classes the other day, a professor shared a
quote that sparked an idea. Orson
Hyde spoke on July 4, 1854 in the SLC Tabernacle on patriotism, liberty, the
Declaration of Independence and more. While speaking of the American
Revolution, Orson said, <o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In those early and perilous times, our men were few, and our
resources limited. Poverty was among the most potent enemies we had to
encounter; yet our arms were successful; and it may not be amiss to ask here,
by whose power victory so often perched on our banner? It was by the agency of
that same angel of God that appeared unto Joseph Smith, and revealed to him the
history of the early inhabitants of this country . . . This same angel presides
over the destinies of America, and feels a lively interest in all our doings.
He was in the camp of Washington; and, by an invisible hand, led on our fathers
to conquest and victory; and all this to open and prepare the way for the
Church and kingdom of God to be established on the western hemisphere, for the redemption
of Israel and the salvation of the world. This same angel was with Columbus,
and gave him deep impressions, by dreams and by visions, respecting this New
World. Trammelled by poverty and by an unpopular cause, yet his persevering and
unyielding heart would not allow an obstacle in his way too great for him to
overcome; and the angel of God helped him—was with him on the stormy deep,
calmed the troubled elements, and guided his frail vessel to the desired haven.
Under the guardianship of this same angel, or Prince of America, have the
United States grown, increased, and flourished, like the sturdy oak by the
rivers of water. (*Orson Hyde, “Celebration of the Fourth of July,” JD 6:368).</blockquote>
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Now, I'm not the most patriotic person in the world (*cough cough* understatement), but I think that's pretty cool.<br />
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But also...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qBs20A1yTrwPwY0lGKxxDDcqx2pOxfFmwO2dQCma8FmjZzQ8oAhxbxGO10OGoR8Y49yen2juu00w3zPWM2yCTXvbilWbg7o0jeenoifwpMuoOkESfSYQqKwvXVKreKStwlglrXBOea4/s1600/Columbus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qBs20A1yTrwPwY0lGKxxDDcqx2pOxfFmwO2dQCma8FmjZzQ8oAhxbxGO10OGoR8Y49yen2juu00w3zPWM2yCTXvbilWbg7o0jeenoifwpMuoOkESfSYQqKwvXVKreKStwlglrXBOea4/s400/Columbus.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
It got me thinking about our lives - my life in particular. You see, the history books have all been printed concerning Christopher Columbus and, as far as my (limited) knowledge is concerned, historians have come to agree that his stumbling upon the North American continent is one of the greatest mistakes of modern history. He set out for the East Indies; he came upon <i>not </i>the East Indies. Seems pretty clear that he made some errors.<br />
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...Or does it?<br />
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This quote got me thinking about the nature of mistakes. Perhaps they are mistakes, or follies, only in our human eyes, for it seems clearly evident in the quote above that Orson Hyde (and by synecdoche, the early Church leadership) believed that there was no such mistake made. He states quite plainly that our silly Columbus was guided purposefully to arrive where he did not intend to go. And this, <i>this!, </i>is the point! <br />
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When in our lives do we think that we have made huge errors in judgment? ...That we intended to go one way, to fulfill the carefully schemed tenets of our best laid plans, and ended up somewhere entirely <i>other</i>, feeling ashamed and foolish and wringing our hands in despair. Do we, I wonder, arrest our pain and think that, perhaps, we have been led by an invisible hand, as Elder Hyde mentions above? Do we pause to essay to see with spiritual eyes the significance of veering off our humanly-conceived course?<br />
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<b>I wonder: do we miss the <i>America</i>s in our lives, looking desperately around us for our<i> East Indies</i>?</b>Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-51030439600371119682011-11-03T12:56:00.001-06:002011-11-03T12:56:22.836-06:00Dutch Dreams of a White ChristmasI was alerted to an absolute black hole of time - the <a href="http://www.gahetna.nl/">national photographic archives of the Netherlands</a>. I am in love. But also, incapable of ripping myself away from my computer. I searched for "sneeuw" (snow)...and here are my favorites of the 238 pages of pictures that popped up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahOSm25DsaaSjUQMjsSlA2Ra5s5FW0pyhBOru_zZX5W6WEHj2T5cP2283O5ks7kr3dIc4cCEmiqvlKmOK0ftGIFPtirdvQJZxMXqSf7m8yLI5bWVSUZ-NuWFVbyGZxG8ZH7nXzqQen1E/s1600/couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahOSm25DsaaSjUQMjsSlA2Ra5s5FW0pyhBOru_zZX5W6WEHj2T5cP2283O5ks7kr3dIc4cCEmiqvlKmOK0ftGIFPtirdvQJZxMXqSf7m8yLI5bWVSUZ-NuWFVbyGZxG8ZH7nXzqQen1E/s400/couple.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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So beautiful, no? </div>
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Oh, and, by the way, I'm dreaming of a white (and gloriously black and white) Christmas.</div>
</div>Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-27599031962096906962011-11-02T08:00:00.000-06:002011-11-02T08:00:07.486-06:00The Downward Slope into the HolidaysYou guys. I just finished drinking a cup of hot cocoa. <br />
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It. </div>
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Was. </div>
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Amazing.</div>
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I was talking with Mad this morning and all the sudden I realized that it's <i>November</i>. NOVEMBER! Doesn't that make it officially winter?! (Okay, with all these leaves on the trees, it's a little more like flinter or wintumn or something, but still... WINTER is involved.)<br />
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That being said, as I was talking with my mom tonight on the phone, little flurries started falling from the sky and I just felt the perfection of this world, of our God's creation. I just had to smile. (My mom on the other hand - who lives in Upstate New York - said, "Uh huh. You like it now, but you just wait until all you have seen in four months is white, white, white." <i>To which I wanted to reply, but didn't, "Oh, mom, all I see in Utah <b>every day</b> is white, white, super white."</i>)<br />
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With all this wintumn glory around me, I have started to scheme in my head: <br />
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Mason jars with candles hung all over the tree out front. </div>
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Fires in the fireplace as often as humanly possible (which will mean that I have to figure out how to start a fire without going through 2 whole boxes of matches and 6 newspapers).</div>
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Advent calendar, anyone?</div>
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Holiday decorations.</div>
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Baking.</div>
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Anyone else totally overjoyed with the change of season? (If not, please don't burst my joyful little bubble!) Want to scheme with me, my darlings?</div>Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-77364474575225155962011-11-01T22:17:00.000-06:002011-11-01T22:17:13.026-06:00The Savior as a Role Model for Men and WomenEvery once in awhile, I find a gem in <i>The Ensign</i>, the monthly magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that makes me fall off my metaphorical chair. <br />
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Thus was the case yesterday, when I happened to stumble upon an article entitled "The Lord as a Role Model for Men and Women." It was written by Ida Smith, former director of the Women's Research Institute at BYU. <br />
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Guys. It knocked. off. my. socks. So, I want to share it. You can find the <a href="http://lds.org/ensign/1980/08/the-lord-as-a-role-model-for-men-and-women?lang=eng">full text here</a>, but also my favorite bits below.<br />
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />...... </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
It is important for a woman to learn in this life her
eternal role so that when she is sealed she will be prepared and ready—with all
her heart—to function in and glorify that role. That means being ready and
prepared to function as a full partner in a celestial team—without having to
look up because of any feeling of inferiority, or look down because of any
feeling of superiority, but look across into the eyes of an equally prepared,
equally magnificent eternal mate.</div>
</blockquote>
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This made me think of the equality in kneeling at an altar together - equal and whole and looking into one another's eyes. Amazing.<br />
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...... </div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Some women complain that they have no strong role models in
the scriptures. That is not true. We have many models there. And our main one
is the Savior, himself. Nowhere is it written that he is a model for men only;
and nowhere is it written that men and women should each be allowed only half
of his traits! The world has divided up personality traits that should be
characteristic of both men and women, and has labeled some of them “masculine”
and some of them “feminine.” Latter-day prophets do teach that men and women
have biological, emotional, and other differences, but we should be careful
about assigning mutually exclusive traits to one sex or the other. Nowhere, for
example, does the Lord say that tenderness, kindness, charity, faithfulness,
patience, gentleness, and compassion are strictly female traits and should be
utilized by women only. And nowhere does he say that courage, strength,
determination, and leadership should be the exclusive prerogative of men. Any
notion that God desired that women be passive should have been dispelled when
the Prophet told women that they were responsible for their own salvation.<br /><br />Women aren’t the only ones who suffer from sexual
categorization; since men are also charged to become Christlike, a heavy burden
is placed on a man when he realizes that many of the traits that will make him
Christlike have been labeled by the world as feminine—and that by taking upon
himself those characteristics he runs the risk of having his masculinity
seriously questioned by his peers.</blockquote>
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This was especially poignant for me: that Christ, my Savior, is my role model as much as He is for the men in the world... and that the categorization of traits as feminine and masculine are, by and large, inappropriate before the Lord.<br />
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...... </div>
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If our sexual identity is based solely on our outward
visible activities, the situation is serious—and complicated—indeed. The Savior
was not effeminate when he clasped the Nephite children to his bosom and
blessed them and wept; neither was my great-great-grandmother unwomanly when
she, as a widow, took the reins in her own hands and drove a team of oxen
across the plains to Utah. If we feel a woman lacks femininity simply because
she is magnificent on the playing field, or a man lacks masculinity simply because
he is a great artist, I think we are missing the point.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--></blockquote>
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Gahhh! So amazing! I hope you made it through this post, and I encourage you to take a look at the whole article. Leave comments if you'd like.Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-669627023281156452011-10-19T10:00:00.000-06:002011-10-19T10:00:00.634-06:00Abracadabra!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Friends. I have made a monumental discovery.<br />
<br />
Errrrrrr... well, not really. Let's try that again:<br />
<br />
Friends! I have made a discovery that doesn't really have that much intrinsic value, but is cool nonetheless!<br />
<br />
(Better?)<br />
<br />
You see, I was in the Ancient Studies room the other day doing some research for an upcoming proposal and found the ancient source of the oft-yelled "Abracadabra," especially at birthday parties for 7 year old boys. And you will not believe it...<br />
<br />
Yes, the source is from ancient Judaism! (See why I study this stuff?!)<br />
<br />
In the book <i>Amulets and Superstitions </i>by E. A. Wallis Budge, the author explains that anciently, the abracadabra triangle shown above would be inscribed on an amulet of varying materials in order to cure an invalid from a fever. Here's what the book had to say on the matter:<br />
<blockquote>
The formula ABRACADABRA, which was intended to heal a man suffering from fever, belongs to the same class [of amulets]... Many attempts have been made to find a meaning for the formula, but the explanation put forward by Bischoff in his "Kabbalah" (1903) is most likely to be correct. He derives the formula from the Chaldee words אבדא כדברא <i>i.e. </i>ABBADA KE DABRA, which seem to be addressed to the fever and to mean something like "perish like the word." </blockquote>
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!!!! <br />
<br />
So, the next time you chant ABRACADABRA to get the bunny in the hat to disappear, just know that you're really telling it to "perish like the word," which isn't very nice at all.Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0Provo, UT USA40.2338438 -111.658533740.1368723 -111.8164622 40.330815300000005 -111.50060520000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-63804270421660068232011-10-18T19:00:00.002-06:002011-10-19T01:20:07.060-06:00Luxuriating in LiesI've noticed something huge that I haven't really seen before and I think it's a real problem...for me, for you, for Latter-day Saints as a people. <br />
<br />
You see, we Latter-day Saints have lots of standards and commandments that number beyond the <i>don'ts.</i> We have so many truths that, if truly believed, necessitate a change in the believer. We have a covenanted responsibility to allow them to change us; to change our thoughts. To change our behaviors.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.upv.edu.ph/upviews/april2005/upviewsapril2005_p2.pdf">Catholic Sister Estrada writes</a>,"Belief begets behavior." To this statement I would add the caveat, <i>incorporated </i>belief begets behavior. Why the caveat? Well, excuse me for the blunt delivery, but we Latter-day Saints are not the people that we should be, given the beliefs we proclaim. Either we don't really believe these things or we have built mechanisms for excusing our meandering behaviors.<br />
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So, this is the crux of the problem: I really am not positing that Latter-day Saints don't believe our most beloved truths.* What I am asking is this:<br />
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<b>What are the stories we tell ourselves to make our actions compliant with our stated values?</b></div>
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Let me illustrate my point with a fictional hypothetical: Imagine a faithful person who believes in the value of and truthfulness of the principle of prayer. This person is faithful; this person loves their God. This person has had several experiences wherein the truth of prayer has been made manifest. And yet still, this person does not pray in the morning before leaving their home. This person crawls into bed without kneeling unto their God. The morning negligences, perhaps, are explained away by saying they are too busy; the evenings, too tired. </div>
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Now, let me ask this: Does the failure to actually engage in prayer indicate this person does not <i>believe </i>in prayer? Maybe, maybe not. It certainly does not invalidate their evidences of prayer as true. They may, however, have an imperfect understanding. </div>
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That being said, I have another question: What about the excuses leveraged to explain away these behaviors? Is this person actually too busy or are they prioritizing their mornings in such a way that makes it seem like there is no time to engage in prayer? Is this person actually too tired, or rather neglecting to get on their knees<i> before</i> their eyes become weighted with fatigue? </div>
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And, perhaps more importantly, what role do these explanations play in keeping us safe and comfortable in our errant behavior? Asked in another way: am I, as a believing Latter-day Saint, unthinkingly telling myself lies so that I can justify increasingly imperfect behavior?</div>
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If the answer is no, then that's wonderful! But, we still have to explain our behaviors clearly not founded in the Truth. </div>
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If the answer is yes, then... then we have a lot of work to do, individually <i>and</i> as a community. The discomfort of our sins prick us to change. The whole repentance process is about seeking out the behaviors that are not in line with our Gospel beliefs and forsaking them. Here, in this instance, though, we find ourselves sitting quite comfortably in our sins, thereby <b><i>robbing</i></b> the Spirit, the light of Christ and the consequences of misdeeds from making us <b>uncomfortable</b>. The danger of unintentionally, unthinkingly rationalizing noncompliant behavior is that we have no motivation to change. To become like Christ. </div>
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What's the solution? Well, I don't really know. My solution might not be yours, because you and I? We're very different people. I think that only the Godhead really knows how to change us. A thought, though - or, perhaps a starting point - might be this: when we're not doing the things that we should be, whatever those things are, let us ask ourselves why. Why am I not doing FHE? Why am I not praying? Why am I not reading my Scriptures? Whatever it may be, ask <i>why? </i>and then really, truly look at the answer you give. Can I ever really consistently not have time for something?<br />
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The point is not to fit the Gospel into our lives, but to fit our lives into the Gospel.<br />
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*I wrote about a similar topic last year, and I think I got it wrong. In <a href="http://laurenkayhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/acting-with-wholeness.html">this post</a>, I asked whether we just <i>think</i> we believe or whether we cognitively understand doctrines, but don't actually believe them. While I think there's something there, some principle that can help us to examine our beliefs, I think that I only got half of the solution. The other half is what I talk about here.</div>Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-35809001968363524712011-10-11T00:42:00.000-06:002011-12-01T14:24:30.893-07:00Scripture Nerd.So, tonight we had family home evening* at our Bishop's house. After the lesson was taught and much orchard-fresh apple crisp was consumed, most people began to make their ways home. My Bishop, however, happened to pull out his iPad and I proceeded to <i><b>NERD</b></i>.<b><i> OUT</i></b>. about different apps, printed materials and websites that aid in Scripture study, thus holding the last two remaining attendees hostage (because they were dependent upon me for a ride home).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYYYu62QY8IpoDmc0qQzCtE7fxEawVaM-a2ayvkSyMlW0_gIvBz6zO44yc8o2mFRzSv669PLXnUz0tkuDW4ZbhkOmPfW05laNkb41N_QNDyF5DPZLGwIKjFtpoXNfnYTcNhHErG6Ol8w/s1600/Scripture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYYYu62QY8IpoDmc0qQzCtE7fxEawVaM-a2ayvkSyMlW0_gIvBz6zO44yc8o2mFRzSv669PLXnUz0tkuDW4ZbhkOmPfW05laNkb41N_QNDyF5DPZLGwIKjFtpoXNfnYTcNhHErG6Ol8w/s320/Scripture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My belief regarding studying the Scriptures is this: if I read something in the Scriptures - the word of God - and I don't understand it, I better make sure I take the time to understand it. Think of it! These pages have been passed down through <i>thousands </i>of years! People have made huge sacrifices to protect them! For you! And, of course, there's the promise that we will be held accountable for our own understandings of the words of the prophets.<br />
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That being said, I don't often really understand what I'm reading when I'm reading the Scriptures. Differences in place, time, cultural surroundings and word definitions stunt my ability to proximate what the prophets really meant when they wrote the words of God. And so I need tools to help me bridge the gap the aforementioned barriers create. There are a lot of them! I use them every day! Today, I want to share what they are. It didn't occur to me that not everyone has a knowledge of these resources until I got blank stares tonight when I mentioned <i>Strong's Concordance</i>. <br />
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A word of caution before I begin: while I have found these resources to be helpful, they are <i style="font-weight: bold;">not</i> infallible. The only way to discover the spiritual meanings of spiritual matters to rely upon the Holy Ghost to edify, uplift and inform.<br />
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<b><u>RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET:</u></b></div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures?lang=eng">The website</a> for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has an excellent set of digital Scriptures, complete with cross-referenced footnotes relevant passages found within the standard works. You can also find the expertly completed <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bd?lang=eng">Bible Dictionary</a> therein. (These resources are also available in print.)</li>
<li>BYU maintains an excellent website called the <a href="http://scriptures.byu.edu/">LDS Scripture Citation Index</a>. The website cross-references all the Scriptures from the standard works to every General Conference talk ever, the <i>Journal of Discourses</i>, and writings in <i>The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith</i>. </li>
<li>The <a href="http://1828.mshaffer.com/">1828 Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language</a> is really an invaluable resource for coming to a closer proximity of an old (older) English meaning of a word. Why does this matter? The Lord enabled Joseph Smith to translate <i>The Book of Mormon</i> perfectly into the English of his day... but that's a problem because the English of Joseph Smith is not the English of today. (This is also available in print.)</li>
<li>For Biblical study (especially the KJV translation, which was published in 1611), there are some "King James Bible Dictionaries" out there, but most are heavily tainted doctrinally by the publishers thereby rendering them less useful to Latter-day Saints. The <a href="http://www.oed.com/">Oxford English Dictionary</a> is really the way to go, as it lists not only current meanings, but also archaic meanings. (The bad news? It costs money. But! If you are a student, most libraries have subscriptions you can use for free!)</li>
<li>Sometimes, it's really helpful to view how different translators have translated a verse or passage. <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/compare-translations/">BibleStudyTools.com</a> has made it really easy to view and compare individual verses in <i>every </i>conceivable translation. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html">Strong's Exhaustive Concordance</a> is a magnum opus, wherein every Hebrew and Greek word in the Bible is assigned a number, which is defined and listed alongside every occurrence in the Bible for cross-referencing purposes. What's great about having this resource online is that you can search for individual words or words that are collocated as phrases (This is also available in print.)</li>
<li>While sometimes basic, the manuals produced by the Church have great, clarifying answers to confusing passages of Scripture. And! You can access them all free of charge through <a href="http://institute.lds.org/courses/">LDS Seminaries and Institutes</a>.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>RESOURCES FOR iPHONE/iPAD</u></b><br />
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The <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lds-gospel-library/id365223775?mt=8">LDS Gospel Library</a> is a great app, which is produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has all the footnotes, Bible Dictionary (both discussed above) and much more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsD6_4uLKW69mNcGo3vN1VyyfECWjPlHW0LPJ-9hH4DY_Oll8KK5uCmyAcSsMtpsAzJQY18z_C1infXOrP6TMv2ke3CEomhOs0G7JPYR9KyT5aO4wzZuwPwCcUfjQPWrfAhaBLdqfy9g/s1600/Scripture+Citation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsD6_4uLKW69mNcGo3vN1VyyfECWjPlHW0LPJ-9hH4DY_Oll8KK5uCmyAcSsMtpsAzJQY18z_C1infXOrP6TMv2ke3CEomhOs0G7JPYR9KyT5aO4wzZuwPwCcUfjQPWrfAhaBLdqfy9g/s200/Scripture+Citation.jpg" width="48" /></a></div>
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lds-scripture-citation-index/id380114655?mt=8">LDS Scripture Citation</a> is the app version of the LDS Scripture Citation Index described above. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxIBLqzw5_-NWjbSyr1HvfLH9OhY4CRQO9wMnh9cZk6oeLYXSOb39UWAIoxFrOzH59bAtLlfBr3oGDgw-SA_zsitan2gZZD2A5Y3Qt88hhhTBbtSyvCKQdYeL-uPy3oGYea3G1gJ-ADg/s1600/1828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxIBLqzw5_-NWjbSyr1HvfLH9OhY4CRQO9wMnh9cZk6oeLYXSOb39UWAIoxFrOzH59bAtLlfBr3oGDgw-SA_zsitan2gZZD2A5Y3Qt88hhhTBbtSyvCKQdYeL-uPy3oGYea3G1gJ-ADg/s200/1828.jpg" width="48" /></a></div>
The 1828 Webster's Dictionary is available in app form. Due to the breadth of its volume (you don't need the internet to access the dictionary - it stores all of it on your phone/tablet), you need to download two volumes. The <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/1828-websters-dictionary-a-m/id457118814?mt=8">first here</a> and the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/1828-websters-dictionary-n-z/id457100788?mt=8">second her</a>e.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKiSTWDV_akfy1GVX-1Ec1rYiM2JowAuJ8DjtS67OxbQiiv8QhLXgNC9whq5qXf1Kc9Av0BBXknLiPJi5krzACM5LaLVbUCMLPkzHS-Ty-kLm7_jJY37b5JRglMXpraiGradQwcb_SA8/s1600/Word.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKiSTWDV_akfy1GVX-1Ec1rYiM2JowAuJ8DjtS67OxbQiiv8QhLXgNC9whq5qXf1Kc9Av0BBXknLiPJi5krzACM5LaLVbUCMLPkzHS-Ty-kLm7_jJY37b5JRglMXpraiGradQwcb_SA8/s200/Word.jpg" width="48" /></a></div>
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cwp-istudent/id442565291?mt=8">CWP-iStudent</a> is a fantastic resource for having several Biblical translations on the go, including a Hebrew-Greek interlinear text and several (non-LDS) commentaries. By far my most used application for on-the-go studying.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KWsRukOges_Fd3jR6ERF9t_h8nF27h4nR-QZl-aaksPb4b97yuc57Eo4PzPL5fB7aYfBX_DNJKM6CRxLX1dirKBXolFqhJ7t4e1m0SakZ7OSh08jpsUiwEztYmscbR1nc8KTgF5gME0/s1600/Strongs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KWsRukOges_Fd3jR6ERF9t_h8nF27h4nR-QZl-aaksPb4b97yuc57Eo4PzPL5fB7aYfBX_DNJKM6CRxLX1dirKBXolFqhJ7t4e1m0SakZ7OSh08jpsUiwEztYmscbR1nc8KTgF5gME0/s200/Strongs.jpg" width="48" /></a></div>
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/strongs-kjv/id306366894?mt=8">Strong's Concordance</a> is available (for free!) as an app as well.<br />
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<br />
<br />
That's all I can think of at the moment. I'm sure I'll be walking to class tomorrow and think "GAH! I forgot <i>XYZ-awesome-Scripture-study-tool</i>! HOW DID I MISS THAT?!" If so, I'll edit this post to include the update. Do you have any that you would recommend?<br />
<br />
*For those of you who are not Latter-day Saints, every Monday night there is a Church-wide policy of setting aside time to spend with our families - to grow together, to learn of Christ, to strengthen ourselves and our loved ones, etc. For those who are single adults and living away from their families, the Church organizes groups of other single members with whom to gather and participate in the aforementioned activities.Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-60533196743277182702011-10-07T12:00:00.000-06:002011-10-07T12:19:57.962-06:00Don't Stop Believin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAizJ4OHZU8T9IFfrMEJ7IvUQH2Tx1fDsI25LnNST1tvbvIc3Nj5N660jWQESLHoyjQluZQl8L98PHipNKL80SvJ8FSeouGGLk7AlLr2rqR58q5Q_HNKLhwUOwFgB99Sf2LbMCewQtYY/s1600/Charlie+Brown_Journey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAizJ4OHZU8T9IFfrMEJ7IvUQH2Tx1fDsI25LnNST1tvbvIc3Nj5N660jWQESLHoyjQluZQl8L98PHipNKL80SvJ8FSeouGGLk7AlLr2rqR58q5Q_HNKLhwUOwFgB99Sf2LbMCewQtYY/s320/Charlie+Brown_Journey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I never found <i>Peanuts </i>funny as a kid. Now, I'm finding them increasingly witty.</div>
Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com1Provo, UT, USA40.2338438 -111.658533740.136867800000005 -111.8164622 40.3308198 -111.50060520000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-88670937599102653652011-10-06T18:36:00.004-06:002011-10-06T18:36:52.350-06:00The Inaccurate RulerDo you ever feel like God has been trying to teach you something, and you're just not getting it, so He has to hit you over the head with it repeatedly? All of the sudden, you see it and you think "OH! I get it!"<br />
<br />
Anyone? <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zyjLyBp64">Beuller?</a><br />
<br />
It seems to me that I have been needing to learn a very particular lesson within this past week or so, and have been inundated with texts and experiences that speak to the self-same topic, even though they have come from very disparate places. And I feel the need to share. So, here goes...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TTQ17lP-aUXIjCCDqEmrn8LezOHelOQV8y3KX7EYkuPUoG05HrqzVx3m3FpLHQaTyDJK4S0vak5Gg_wsGJC65iLPo6dlOWjQkIz5kBe3bYquXfL7lkTnRNQlZeZpBQmiVOlFEhe0fpw/s1600/Bent+Ruler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TTQ17lP-aUXIjCCDqEmrn8LezOHelOQV8y3KX7EYkuPUoG05HrqzVx3m3FpLHQaTyDJK4S0vak5Gg_wsGJC65iLPo6dlOWjQkIz5kBe3bYquXfL7lkTnRNQlZeZpBQmiVOlFEhe0fpw/s320/Bent+Ruler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just as context, I have felt strongly that my Heavenly Father has pushed me over the past year to stop trusting in my own intellect - not just in academia, but in my relationship with Him, in my relationships with others, in my relationship with myself - and I have worked diligently to connect my head with my heart, using them in tandem. I have also tried to make a clear distinction between the intellectual and the spiritual, in that I used to be very much inclined to participate in lessons at Church and Institute with my brain, thereby starving my heart from the spiritual nourishment that it needs (not to mention potentially veering others off course in the process).<br />
<br />
Enter the lesson at hand. Right now, I'm finishing up Stephen Robinson's <i>Following Christ*</i> and, in the midst of his discussion on the Fall of Adam and Eve, he plops this little gem:<br />
<blockquote>
While the physical and spiritual aspects of the Fall, death, and separation from God get a lot of attention, I would like to point out some other aspects that are often overlooked but that also have a profound impact on us here in mortality. For example, we often forget that as fallen beings we are <i>mentally </i>fallen. We humans trust reason and logic; some of us trust reason more than we trust God. We have a tendency to think that if we start with what we know to be true and proceed with correct logic, we will always arrive at correct conclusions, but that is wrong, for human reason is flawed - it is fallen...Only the gospel give us guaranteed data to start from and a guaranteed perspective from which to interpret it...intellect itself is a defective instrument. <b> </b>If a yardstick that is too long or too short is always used to measure <i>itself</i> when it is checked, the error will never be detected. Since intellect is our fallen yardstick, intellect can never detect its own distortions. </blockquote>
Now, that's a big statement with a lot of implications. But, still. Did you feel the same <i>zing</i> of "Why didn't I ever think of that before?!" that I felt the first time I read it? <i>Of course</i> our mental faculties are fallen! <i>Of course</i> we cannot trust our minds to work perfectly.<br />
<br />
...But does that stop us from worshiping human logic and reason?<br />
<br />
A few days after reading that statement, my professor for Book of Mormon studies lectured a bit on this issue. In talking about the moral agency of humans, he pointed out that true moral agency in our lives is not solely the capacity to choose, but rather, the capacity to choose <i>when we know the Truth</i> - both the Truth in the sense of knowing things as they really are <i>and </i>knowing<i> </i>He who <i>is</i> the Truth. In the climactic point of the lecture, my professor posited the following:<br />
<blockquote>
If you don't have the Truth, you are not really exercising agency because you are <b>bound</b>. You <b>cannot </b>see clearly, thus rendering you without the capacity to truly choose. When you don't see things as they really are, you can't even see the choices that you could be making...Choices that ultimately bring you unto the Father.</blockquote>
<br />
This same professor shared a quote dealing directly with this topic in <a href="http://196ward.blogspot.com/p/dating-tips.html">our ward's lecture series</a> this past Tuesday. He shared the quote from Elder Bruce R. McConkie below:<br />
<blockquote>
We ought to judge everything by gospel standards, not the reverse. Do not take a scientific principle, so-called, and try to make the gospel conform to it. Take the gospel for what it is, and, insofar as you can, make other things conform to it, and if they do not conform to it, forget them. Forget them; do not worry. They will vanish away eventually. In the true sense of the word, the gospel embraces all truth. And everything that is true is going to conform to the principles that God has revealed.</blockquote>
<br />
Then, just today I was reading <a href="http://rsc.byu.edu/blog/">the blog for the Religious Studies Center</a> and, once again, was presented with this idea - <i>right down to the same analogy.</i> Here's the quote from the blog post that struck me:<br />
<blockquote>
President Smith was emphatic about our alignment with the scriptures: 'Let us have this matter clear. We have accepted the four standard works as the measuring yardsticks, or balances, by which we measure every man's doctrine.'</blockquote>
<br />
So, with all of these experiences and texts metaphorically hitting me over the head, I think it finally clicked for me today. And what "clicked" end up not being some big epiphanic statement, but instead several searching, imposing questions. Questions that, if I search myself frankly and unapologetically, will lead me to a greater ability to see things as they actually are...<br />
<br />
While I haven't been worshiping at the altar of human intelligence per se, I have to wonder if I have been standing as a witness of Christ in <i>all </i>things? Have I taken views that put me contrary to the Gospel? (Yes.) Do I even recognize all of my trespasses in this area? (No.) Do I use my own as my own ruler, instead of the Father? Do I try to fit my understanding of the Gospel inside of my own perspective, instead of letting the Gospel expand my horizons of understanding?<br />
<br />
Also, perhaps more importantly, President Smith brings up a good point. I <i>have </i>already covenanted to use the scriptures as my measuring stick. Have been faithful to that covenant?<br />
<br />
Now, I don't want to end on doom and gloom, mainly because I feel confident that I'm already on a really good path with all of the questions above. And! While I do think there's more room for growth, I think my Father might be trying to get me to readjust my paradigm, not point out that I'm a rebellious daughter. As a matter of fact, I think that discipleship in this matter has less to do with my mind, but rather with the softness of my heart toward the Lord. And here's the big punch line, my big <i>a-ha!</i>:<br />
<br />
I think it's entirely plausible that I have been actively denying myself a fuller measure of power from on high because I have been too busy confining the capacities of the Lord and the Father to my earthly conceptions of them.<br />
<br />
* The man is a genius. If you have never read <a href="http://deseretbook.com/Following-Christ-Parable-Divers-More-Good-News-Stephen-E-Robinson/i/4752774">this book</a> or <i><a href="http://deseretbook.com/Believing-Christ-Parable-Bicycle-Other-Good-News-Stephen-E-Robinson/i/4499076">Believing Christ</a></i>, go. Now. Get it. Read it.Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0Provo, UT, USA40.2338438 -111.658533740.136867800000005 -111.8164622 40.3308198 -111.50060520000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-21437601779980283732011-09-13T18:35:00.000-06:002011-09-13T18:35:26.619-06:00Waxing Poetic<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So, I <i>should </i>be finishing the touches on my PowerPoint for my ancient history presentation for tomorrow. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">...And translating Ruth 3 for Hebrew.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">........And translating and reformatting Isaiah 14 - 18 for my parallelisms class.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And, yet, here I am. Talking to you wonderful people the cosmic void. What's sad is that I don't even have anything that earth-shattering to discuss. Nevertheless, here are the two topics that I can't get off of my brain: 1) Autumn is here almost. 2) I <i>love</i> what I am studying.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I have already waxed poetic about the latter of those two subjects, but I feel the need for just a little bit of redux. I sat in a class this morning, which was really not a class that I <i>eh-vurr</i> thought that I would be taking; and yet, as I sat there, listening to a professor who wasn't saying anything too monumentally profound, I discovered within myself a truth: deciding to follow the prompting of the Lord to enroll in that class wasn't just an exercise in obedience or faith, it put me - very literally - in the exact right place at the exact right time. And what a blessing that is. Listen, I'm not saying that these days haven't been long or that there haven't been times when I have asked myself '<i>Can I even cram one more second into this day?'<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71k5ArWpiZg&feature=related">*</a></i> But there is an undeniable wholeness in knowing that the Lord has brought me here to learn these things, and that makes each and every day exquisitely wonderful.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And that's all I have to say about that.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Now, onto the topic that has been burning a metaphorical hole in the back of my mind (oh, my bad, I'm mixing metaphors). This past Labor Day (which, I'm telling you, feels <i>forever </i>ago), some friends and I were able to have one last summery shindig at the community pool totally gratis compliments of a kind stranger. I know, I know, the very words "community pool" call to mind shrieking babies and slightly yellow pool water, but in all reality, it was awesome. Complete with legit water slides! (That I didn't go on!) We spent a few hours there playing Marco Polo (there was an unfortunate handful of a stranger's boob incident that we're not really going to delve into here) and generally laughing so hard it was hard to swim.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">But then! <i> THEN</i>, we came home and dried off and something almost palpable in me flipped the switch from Summer to Autumn and I immediately began dreaming of bobbing for apples, and picking apples, and lighting fires in the fireplace, and cozying up in a really big sweater.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR90G2r5ADNKqd5s6J_XG6HyXtf32bnnrxLeKKUet47DjvqY2vkuQSSs1C6xA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR90G2r5ADNKqd5s6J_XG6HyXtf32bnnrxLeKKUet47DjvqY2vkuQSSs1C6xA" width="200" /></a></div>So, my friends, I'm here to tell you that autumn is here. Please don't burst my very delicate bubble.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I wore my (classy) knee-high boots yesterday.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I made a pumpkin pie from a real pumpkin. (And Madie's begging me to bake another.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I made pumpkin creamy polenta.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I even layered a (thin) sweater with a(n airy) blazer and I wasn't sweltering.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It got me thinking about this poem that Austin sent me last year, which is, in my estimation, the pinnacle of autumnal perfection:</span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Autumn, </b>Elizabeth Barrett Browning<br />
<i> Go, sit upon the lofty hill,<br />
And turn your eyes around,<br />
Where waving woods and waters wild<br />
Do hymn an autumn sound.<br />
The summer sun is faint on them —<br />
The summer flowers depart —<br />
Sit still — as all transform’d to stone,<br />
Except your musing heart.<br />
<br />
How there you sat in summer-time,<br />
May yet be in your mind;<br />
And how you heard the green woods sing<br />
Beneath the freshening wind.<br />
Though the same wind now blows around,<br />
You would its blast recall;<br />
For every breath that stirs the trees,<br />
Doth cause a leaf to fall.<br />
<br />
Oh! like that wind, is all the mirth<br />
That flesh and dust impart:<br />
We cannot bear its visitings,<br />
When change is on the heart.<br />
Gay words and jests may make us smile,<br />
When Sorrow is asleep;<br />
But other things must make us smile,<br />
When Sorrow bids us weep!<br />
<br />
The dearest hands that clasp our hands, —<br />
Their presence may be o’er;<br />
The dearest voice that meets our ear,<br />
That tone may come no more!<br />
Youth fades; and then, the joys of youth,<br />
Which once refresh’d our mind,<br />
Shall come — as, on those sighing woods,<br />
The chilling autumn wind.<br />
<br />
Hear not the wind — view not the woods;<br />
Look out o’er vale and hill —<br />
In spring, the sky encircled them —<br />
The sky is round them still.<br />
Come autumn’s scathe — come winter’s cold —<br />
Come change — and human fate!<br />
Whatever prospect Heaven doth bound,<br />
Can ne’er be desolate.</i></span></blockquote>Guys, get ready for me to start saying 'autumnal' all. the. time.Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340001692212865058.post-54576047013967352942011-08-29T21:56:00.000-06:002011-08-29T21:56:48.364-06:00Nerd City.Guess what I woke up to? A bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils and a sweet note from Mad.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaNR7fHNbgIzqMeOW3YHnpQY5dVwcnANnGkJ3Dt_qvZh2rEKxO1ymgwkwMT8m1pE-o0Xkft0H1ovLc0z2Z3egO8VwJYRuWd7C-mP3b0gwK4rkSFyE1x5f3XTD7raHyenncJQ_vaY9W_8/s1600/Pencils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaNR7fHNbgIzqMeOW3YHnpQY5dVwcnANnGkJ3Dt_qvZh2rEKxO1ymgwkwMT8m1pE-o0Xkft0H1ovLc0z2Z3egO8VwJYRuWd7C-mP3b0gwK4rkSFyE1x5f3XTD7raHyenncJQ_vaY9W_8/s320/Pencils.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was, you see, the very first day of school after a long, dreadfully school-less summer. Madie, knowing my absolute love for school supplies, classes and <i>You've Got Mail</i>, planned quite the surprise. And, you must believe that it kept me smiling all day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, I guess that classifies me as a total dork. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other signs:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ol><li>I have been waiting for this day since four days after classes ended in May. For reals.</li>
<li>While others have been complaining all around me today about professors and syllabi, each class just made me actually sigh - out loud - with satisfaction.</li>
<li>I could. not. wait. to get home from FHE to do my translations. I even left a bit early so I could sit out on the lawn and make my Greek flash cards.</li>
</ol><br />
In all honesty, though, the reason I'm writing is this: yes, I confess to be guilty of succumbing to my nerd-ocity. Yes, I know, that I should be only begrudgingly engaging in using my head again, preferring instead the carefree days of summer...<br />
<br />
Yet, here I am, tired, but happy. I have to think that I am just so blessed by the Lord to have found the one discipline in this life that ignites me - head, heart and whole soul. The knowledge that I was brought here, where Deity clearly had different ideas than I about my trajectory, is, perhaps, the greatest gift I have been given since finding the Gospel itself. But perhaps that's why I love it so much: I find the Gospel in a new way each and every day.Lauren Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07880531224430402303noreply@blogger.com1