Disney Dating vs. LDS Dating

Dating in the Disney Channel shows goes like this: Starting at 11 or 12 years old, you find someone you are superficially interested in, then you talk about it and become boyfriend/girlfriend almost immediately. This means you limit most of your social contact to this person. And it surely implies some physical relationship. You'll hold hands, hug, and experiment with kissing. There's a prestige to being connected to someone. And there's a lot of peer pressure to be linked up with someone--especially in the pre-16 years. Post-16, there's a tendency to only accept dates with a person you're interested in being boyfriend/girlfriend with. Facebook reinforces this kind of dating by allowing two status choices--"single" or "in a relationship." In my mind, a person is "single" until they are married. And being "in a relationship" would be something that happens to a couple when they are OLD--like in their 20's--and they think they might want to marry each other. LDS teens really have to fight, fight, fight to not be caught up in this cultural mindset. It is healthier for a teen and better preparation for his or her future marriage and family to learn to be a friend to LOTS of different people and avoid exclusive relationships. Lewis Generation II seems to have an excellent understanding of this concept. A hearty "good job!" to our current teens, Ryan, Rachel, Camille, Alyssa, Jaron, Megan, Amy, Krysta, McKay, Erin, Eric, Tricia, Jeremy, Justin, Jonathan, and Jamison!

Filling a hole Heidi left behind

When Rachel came home from BYU-Idaho, she started attending the single's ward in earnest.
There were a couple of people who welcomed her in immediately--Katrina...and Lacey Johnson.
One weekend, Rachel found herself at Troy Love's house partying with Katrina, Lacey, Erin Van Kommen, Austin Barker, and two of Troy's friends from his mission.
She was feeling groovy like one of the group, when she suddenly realized that these were all Heidi's friends!--21, 22 years old.
She's just 18 and she'd slipped right in.
What nice friends Heidi has.

Seeing the world through a happy child's eyes

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I was delighted with this book more than ever as I read it for the fourth time. I'm not very much like Anne, but I'm inspired by her. Then I find myself sorrowing that she's a fictional character.

This time I was able to realize that the characters, descriptions, and relationships were created by L.M. Montgomery (a real person!), so she's become the source of my admiration.

Quotes from Anne worth marking in the book:

"I'm not in the depths of despair this morning. I never can be in the morning."

"What a spendid day! Isn't it good just to be alive on a day like this? I pity the people who aren't born yet for missing it. They may have good days, of course, but they can never have this one." :)

"Isn't it nice that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?"

"But really, Marilla, one can't stay sad very long in such an interesting world, can one?"

"It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will. Of course, you must make it up firmly." :)

"I'll try to be so good. It'll be uphill work, I expect..." :)

"If you can't be cheerful, be as cheerful as you can."

Missing his brothers

Christopher said this morning in his thoughtful way,

"You know, it's kind of sad...because Daniel and Paul were like the people in the family who were the nicest to me. And they're gone. And when they get home from their missions, they'll go to college. And when they finish college, they'll get married. So I'll never get to see them very much..."

I couldn't even say anything to him because I was going to cry.

Making the connection to Jesus, Part 2

I’ve just realized that the Adam and Eve story plays out in our lives over and over and over again. That is, the Garden of Eden, the Fall, and the Atonement.

When we’re children, we’re in our home Garden of Eden—taken care of, limited responsibilities, parents who can fix any problem. Gradually—or suddenly—we’re on our own facing things that are hard to face. That’s the Fall. And if we’ve been taught and we’ve paid attention and developed a little faith along the way, we pray and latch onto a heavenly power to see us through the trouble—be it a test that’s really important to us or a friend that’s hurt us or a big decision that needs to be made.

A mission has its own Garden of Eden in the MTC. The reality when you hit the mission field demands a strong tether to Him whose Work it is.

When we’re first married, we’re in a Garden of Eden state for a time. We’re so in love…but the Fall is inevitable. And when it comes, we have to rely on the Savior. We have to rely on His teachings and example of how to get along with other people in a peaceable manner. We have to rely on His Atonement for mercy and forgiveness and more enduring love for each other.

Before Freddie was born was a time of bliss (a Creation and Garden of Eden)—Britain and Andrew glowing with anticipation of this little guy in their family. The only way to face losing him was to know of the love of a Savior and the power of His Atonement to bind families beyond the grave.

But big or little…every time we face a loss, a disappointment, a change, a sin, a hurt, a challenge, we can know the teachings of a Savior and an Atonement and bless God and feel glad.

(Moses 5:10-11)
And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.
And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.

So, to fully arm our children for life, we could teach them about Gardens of Eden, Falls, and the power of Jesus Christ's Atonement to overcome all Falls. We could teach it over and over again.

Wow! Listen to what Adam and Eve did when they realized how great the Plan was:

(Moses 5:12)
And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters.

Joining a Book Club

Our ward has a book club that's existed for quite a while. But I never thought I had the time to be a part of it. It took one of my friends giving me a personal phone call to invite me and another friend delivering the book to me when she finishes reading it each month.

So here's a book from Book Club that I never would have read on my own:
(I recommend it highly to Jr. High age boys.)

The Baseball Box Prophecy by Bruce Newbold

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was not the kind of book I usually enjoy, being fantasy and all. :) But it was well-written and there were enough true principles running through it to keep me thinking and happy all the time I read.
Themes: of following your feelings--being in tune with them--using them to determine what is wrong or right to do, of doing what's right and everything will turn out okay, of acting as far as you know how to act with the faith that you'll be given the next step as you go, of love, of redemption, of coming from afar with inborn gifts, of being connected to all people across time.



View all my reviews

Making the connection to Jesus

Something I've been thinking about:

As a child, you go to church and learn about Jesus. But you're taken care of and protected by your parents. You don't have much need for a Savior.

All of a sudden, at 12 or 15 or 19, life happens.

As a parent, how do you get your child to sync that
(1)the daily problems in their real life
and
(2)what you've been trying to teach about the redeeming and enabling power of the Atonement and Jesus' Way
go hand in hand?

It's probably a life-time process, but there's a fragile time for some young people before they begin to "get it." Why?

Pinewood Derby 2012

A most unusual thing happened at the Pinewood Derby this year...

Aaron won his first three heats!
He wasn't very happy about it, though. It was funny to see him come away from the second and third races so disappointed about his wins...then to see him so relieved when he only got second place in his fourth heat.


He ended up in 6th place and was just fine with that.
This boy doesn't have a competitive bone in his body, apparently.
I think he's so tender-hearted that he can't stand to be the reason that anyone else would feel like a loser. Very interesting.

At Parent Teacher Conferences, Aaron's teacher (who has taught five of the other kids) asked him if he feels pressure to measure up to all his older siblings. He looked at her blankly--didn't have a clue what she was talking about.

What a great character trait--to accept yourself for who you are and not worry about comparing yourself to anyone else.

Dating Organized

Happy Birthday to Quin!

I find it really hard to shop for an early January birthday. So if I don't find Quin a present while I'm Christmas shopping, it just doesn't happen. Luckily, he's a man of few material wants...coupons and certificates seem to make him as happy as anything. :)

I'm really excited about this year's gift--a dating schedule. We're specifically planned for the next two months AND have an outline for the rest of the year. Ang and Bruce nicely agreed to accompany us on some of our excursions--should be a lot of fun!

Here it is:

Quin and Alison Date Nights 2012

1st Friday
Sports and smoothie night

2nd Friday
Temple and Dinner night

3rd Friday
Movie and popcorn night

4th Friday
Fast food and Culture night

5th Friday
Surprise night

Christmas Vacation 2011

This is what I spent the better part of four days doing after the Christmas festivities were over. Yikes.


I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. The words and the idea of children looking toward God for the big board were the Primary President's inspiration. So great. Amy and Rachel were a huge help on colors and placement. Wow, am I glad it's done. It's just a bulletin board...but a project way outside of my comfort zone!

Close-up views

This is a one-of-a-kind painting of the Council in Heaven by Robert Barrett that you can get through the BYU Bookstore.

Sure appreciate the models and photographer that created this image of Children looking toward God. :)