Besides hiking, here's the other big thing to tell:
(I started this Monday, though I never remembered to finish it.)
On Sunday, Sept. 20 we had stake conference here. At that time the stake president announced that they had received permission and would be organizing a young single adult branch for our stake. At first I was a little put out--I had so been looking forward to going to my family ward. But within minutes I felt confirmation that this was the Lord's will--and that he wanted me to attend it. Later that evening I met the new branch president and his wife and started getting really excited, because they're great.
Then this latest Sunday (Sept. 27) I was called to be the 1st counselor in the new Relief Society. (If you're keeping count, that's the 3rd time to be the 1st counselor in less than 2 years.) I'm so excited for the opportunity to be a part of creating a unified branch and, especially, for having sisters to care for and serve. I have so much free time right now and I'm thrilled to have a calling that will allow me to serve and love others. Just so excited about many things with the new calling and the new branch!
One last thing. I love branches. I spent most of my growing up in branches or small wards and I like the unity in them and the importance of each individual. When I decided to move here permanently, I really searched to find an area where I could live in the boundaries of a branch. A quick search revealed that I'd have to live 1 1/2 hours away to be in the nearest branch. Um, no thanks. Not up for that commute. Yet, here I am, in the middle of a brand new branch. Isn't it wonderful?!!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Out in the Woods
Yesterday (my day off) I took my first (this go round) of many Arkansas hikes. There's a large state park just a few short miles from my house, so I chose to start there with a hike that was listed in several hiking books. 
I got all prepared for a hike--and, it wasn't really one. It was more like a stroll through nature. But it was beautiful and great. It was a perfect day of early fall weather and because it was Monday there were no other people. I spent quite some time just sitting in the trail (yes, literally) just enjoying it. Smelled lovely--the early fall just starting to smell, but not the pungent fall decay that will come in a few weeks. Sunshine streaming down through the leaves (the pictures aren't very bright, but it really much brighter and very pretty live and in person). Few colors coming on.
Last night I was thinking about the best part of my day and I knew it was the hike.
Don't you love this log--it looks like you should have it for a creative writing assignment and have to make a story about this creature.
Beaver Lake:
I love pine trees. They aren't very common in Arkansas (well, at least compared to NC) and so when I saw this bark, I was pretty happy.
I got all prepared for a hike--and, it wasn't really one. It was more like a stroll through nature. But it was beautiful and great. It was a perfect day of early fall weather and because it was Monday there were no other people. I spent quite some time just sitting in the trail (yes, literally) just enjoying it. Smelled lovely--the early fall just starting to smell, but not the pungent fall decay that will come in a few weeks. Sunshine streaming down through the leaves (the pictures aren't very bright, but it really much brighter and very pretty live and in person). Few colors coming on.Lots of seeds: the bright red dogwood seeds being my favorite.
(see them scattered like little jewels?)
(see them scattered like little jewels?)
Last night I was thinking about the best part of my day and I knew it was the hike.
A centipede. 
A little froggy. 
An erupting mushroom (can you see the dirt where it truly erupted out of the ground?) [this was got me down on the middle of the trail to start with, then I just stayed and enjoyed]
I was just so happy to be out in the woods!!
An erupting mushroom (can you see the dirt where it truly erupted out of the ground?) [this was got me down on the middle of the trail to start with, then I just stayed and enjoyed]
Don't you love this log--it looks like you should have it for a creative writing assignment and have to make a story about this creature.
Beaver Lake:
I love pine trees. They aren't very common in Arkansas (well, at least compared to NC) and so when I saw this bark, I was pretty happy.
I may not be a little child, but I still love to imagine might live in here:
Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Counting Down
Things I'm looking forward to. Really looking forward.
General Relief Society Meeting......2 days
Sunday's cool events (I'll tell you later).....3 days
Hiking (please let it not rain!).....4 days
General Conference.....1 week 2 days
A cool test I get to take.......1 week 4 days
Going to immigration court.......1 week 6 days
Getting my bar results........2 weeks 1 day
My birthday.......3 weeks 4 days
[Lots of other little things]
I'm trying hard to enjoy the present, but it's hard with so many fun or exciting or just big things to look forward to.
General Relief Society Meeting......2 days
Sunday's cool events (I'll tell you later).....3 days
Hiking (please let it not rain!).....4 days
General Conference.....1 week 2 days
A cool test I get to take.......1 week 4 days
Going to immigration court.......1 week 6 days
Getting my bar results........2 weeks 1 day
My birthday.......3 weeks 4 days
[Lots of other little things]
I'm trying hard to enjoy the present, but it's hard with so many fun or exciting or just big things to look forward to.
Happy Things 1, 2, and 3
First happy thing: The Lord is a Southerner
On Sunday (and Saturday) I had stake conference. An aside before the main story: the stake patriarch said during his Sunday a.m. talk, "I'm glad I had a reason not to watch last night BYU game." Amen, brother, echoed my feelings exactly.
On to my story. The OKC temple president is going home next month after 4 years of service here. They're sad. He told us that one of the things that he'll miss the most is being able to hug the patrons as they come in to serve. It's one of his favorite parts of his calling. "Because you give real hugs back. Real hugs, you don't pull away half-way in like those northerners. I'm going to miss that when I get home. And brothers and sisters, the Lord is a southerner. He hugs like that. He takes you in, embraces and let's you fell his love. Regardless of how the world works to change your norms [whether or not you can always hug someone that way] I hope you'll always love each other that way." :) I'm glad to know the Lord is a southerner. And, I have to say, I am enjoying being back where people give real hugs. And all kind of people hug you--it's a greeting as well as an expression of love. And I am definitely a southerner in that aspect too.
Happy thing # 2: I'm practically an attorney
Today I was walking out of the front office when some clients came in and the receptionist asked how she could help them. I was in the hallway by the time they responded, "Tenemos una cita con Ruth." That's me! The citas are always with someone else, I just help. But they have a cita conmigo. Hooray! It just kind of hit me that I'm an attorney. Only, of course I'm not really actually an attorney yet. But I'm doing the job. [It's actually kind of scary during consultations, because I'm the last word. They're relying on me! ahhh!]
Happy thing #3: I live in gorgeous country
Yesterday I stopped in Muldrow, OK on my way back from OKC (visit to the temple which was a wonderful, amazing, happy thing all by itself. but I'm not talking about that right now). After I left her house, I was driving through the Sequoyah Mountains (a part of the Ozarks) as the sun was setting. There was some cloud cover which made the world golden. The mountains were green and beautiful. And the sunset was incredibly, incredibly gorgeous. I really love, love this part of the world. (No I don't have a picture. Besides trying to hurry to get closer to civilization before dark, I also didn't have my camera).
On Sunday (and Saturday) I had stake conference. An aside before the main story: the stake patriarch said during his Sunday a.m. talk, "I'm glad I had a reason not to watch last night BYU game." Amen, brother, echoed my feelings exactly.
On to my story. The OKC temple president is going home next month after 4 years of service here. They're sad. He told us that one of the things that he'll miss the most is being able to hug the patrons as they come in to serve. It's one of his favorite parts of his calling. "Because you give real hugs back. Real hugs, you don't pull away half-way in like those northerners. I'm going to miss that when I get home. And brothers and sisters, the Lord is a southerner. He hugs like that. He takes you in, embraces and let's you fell his love. Regardless of how the world works to change your norms [whether or not you can always hug someone that way] I hope you'll always love each other that way." :) I'm glad to know the Lord is a southerner. And, I have to say, I am enjoying being back where people give real hugs. And all kind of people hug you--it's a greeting as well as an expression of love. And I am definitely a southerner in that aspect too.
Happy thing # 2: I'm practically an attorney
Today I was walking out of the front office when some clients came in and the receptionist asked how she could help them. I was in the hallway by the time they responded, "Tenemos una cita con Ruth." That's me! The citas are always with someone else, I just help. But they have a cita conmigo. Hooray! It just kind of hit me that I'm an attorney. Only, of course I'm not really actually an attorney yet. But I'm doing the job. [It's actually kind of scary during consultations, because I'm the last word. They're relying on me! ahhh!]
Happy thing #3: I live in gorgeous country
Yesterday I stopped in Muldrow, OK on my way back from OKC (visit to the temple which was a wonderful, amazing, happy thing all by itself. but I'm not talking about that right now). After I left her house, I was driving through the Sequoyah Mountains (a part of the Ozarks) as the sun was setting. There was some cloud cover which made the world golden. The mountains were green and beautiful. And the sunset was incredibly, incredibly gorgeous. I really love, love this part of the world. (No I don't have a picture. Besides trying to hurry to get closer to civilization before dark, I also didn't have my camera).
Monday, September 21, 2009
A Return to Virtue
(I realize this is a little long, but I'd consider it a personal favor if you'd read it through anyway. And would love comments.)
The week before last was a little rough for me. For whatever reason, the influence of the world and the buffetings of the adversary really got to me. On all hands I felt like was slapped, kicked and pushed around by the immoral culture that has become such a norm for our society. By books, conversations at work, t.v., internet, and just plain living I was left feeling pretty awful. I cried more than once. Including crying when I talked to my baby Benson (who is 16) and being reminded that he gets to deal with it up in his face every day. I couldn't wait for Sunday and a reprieve--which the block of meetings was.
Then along came Sunday evening and the C.E.S. fireside by Sister Elaine Dalton, General Young Women President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Whose theme for her presidency is virtue. I was hopeful. And hope won.
Sister Dalton, in no uncertain terms, called us to "lead the world in a return to virtue." She declared with boldness what virtue is. She taught powerfully how we can return to virtue and how we can lead the world. Without further ado, I will share a few excerpts from her talk. If you didn't see it, I'd highly recommend doing so. Here it is for ya.
Virtue and chastity are inseperably connected. You cannot be unchaste and virtuous.
Sexual purity is at the heart of virtue.
On leading the world: Your advent on this earth was not random.
A return to virtue is a return to the temple. And a return to the temple is a return to Christ. And it is a return, because every single one of you (including all those out in the world) chose Christ before.
You chose Him, to follow Him, because you knew Him.
Without virtue there is no purity. Without virtue there is no strength. Without virtue there is no power.
Our generation is one concerned with purity in many things (air, water, food, etc.) but which allows huge amounts of moral pollution.
There was a time when people who were not virtuous were branded with a scarlet letter. Now those who stand up for virtue are the ones branded. [how true!]
The very conviction of your strength will change your nation and the world.
Be willing to step forth out of your comfort zone to lead the world in a return to virtue.
The three great gifts of mortality are 1. a body, 2. agency, and 3. time.
And on and on. I couldn't get enough. It healed me, lifted me, comforted me, inspired me. I didn't want her to end. I wanted to be healed from all that had passed and re-vitalized for the future. It was one of the most direct, real, personal answers to pleading prayer that I've ever experienced.
And so, where much is given much is required. The Lord answered and he gave me much. Now, I need to be obedient. One of the main take-aways that the Spirit gave to me involved the importance of leading the world. It is not enough to remind myself that I know what is right and too sad for the people "out there." No, I need to step out of my comfort zone and hold my banner high. So, to start I'm posting this blog. I realize that most of you who read it know and live these things, but maybe someone else will come across it. And maybe you need to be revitalized as well and reading this will help you.
With that said, I want to declare a few points that I wanted to yell out during that awful week. Here they are:
1. Sexual intimacy is good and right and wonderful. But it is only, only to be employed between a man and woman legally and lawfully married. Adultery is wrong. And so if fornication! Sexual relations with someone to whom you are not married are never okay. Period. I love many people, many good people, who commit this sin. And I realize that it is okay from the world's point of view. But it is A SIN. It is evil. Period. Always.
[One thought on this. There are extreme circumstances when the Lord allows, even commands, his children to kill. But never, never in the scriptures does he (and based on the temple, I'd say he never will) command sexual sin. Does that tell you something?]
2. Making out, petty, necking, whatever you want to call it is also a sin. Anything where you inappropriately touch the sacred parts of another person's body is wrong. In addition, anything you do to arouse sexual desire in another person (to whom you're not married) is a sin. Do not listen to the voices around who say otherwise. It is wrong.
3. Sexual insinuations are inappropriate, will drive the Spirit away and do nothing to further Heavenly Father's work, but much to further Satan's.
4. Here's one I'd rather just "live my own life and let others live there own" but i need to say it. Joking about, writing about, or in any other way endorsing sexual sins (including making out...) is wrong. I know many people who would never commit the above sexual sins, but who engage in this. Again, think about it, it only furthers Satan's work. And, if that logic doesn't work, here's some more. Of the many scriptures and quotes that I've seen in the past couple of weeks confirming that that this is God's teaching and not just my preference, I will cit one: D&C 121:45, "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly." How can virtue possibly be garnishing your thoughts when you're joking, writing and otherwise making light of making out and other sexual sins? I don't believe it's possible.
5. Inappropriately discussing body parts of people is also wrong. For the same reasons above (and more, just give it a little thought). Everybody's body is sacred and when we demean it to just an object by our conversation, we hurt ourselves and others. It is one of the more pernicious sins that I see and hear among latter-day saints (again, who wouldn't dream of doing 1 or ever 2).
I could go on in great detail, but I will stop now. I hope you're listen (or even re-listen) to Sister Dalton's talk and hear the things you need and not just what I took note of. And if you want more, I'd be happy to send quotes, scriptures, recommend For the Strength of Youth, etc.
Finally, I want to say this. I have been impressed with the virtuous examples around me. There is hope in the world; there are many righteous, pure, virtuous people. In addition to many of you and other friends, I've been especially impressed of late with the following: my good, good, amazing righteous freshmen that are just starting college whose goodness and purity is so real that you can feel it. Just the past few months I have been in awe of the good and virtuous young men that my little brothers are--they are so unlike the world it's incredible (and, unlike me, they're "cool" too). And last Sunday--after that awful week--I based in the amazing testimonies of 4 young men in my ward--pure testimony that the Spirit could testify to. There is much hope amid the evilness of the world. Much that is good. And, the Lord will win in the end. Again.
I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I want to follow him always, always. And I am so grateful for the restored truths of the plan of salvation and living prophets and other leaders who help us stay on the straight and narrow path, regardless of how the world changes and beats down.
The week before last was a little rough for me. For whatever reason, the influence of the world and the buffetings of the adversary really got to me. On all hands I felt like was slapped, kicked and pushed around by the immoral culture that has become such a norm for our society. By books, conversations at work, t.v., internet, and just plain living I was left feeling pretty awful. I cried more than once. Including crying when I talked to my baby Benson (who is 16) and being reminded that he gets to deal with it up in his face every day. I couldn't wait for Sunday and a reprieve--which the block of meetings was.
Then along came Sunday evening and the C.E.S. fireside by Sister Elaine Dalton, General Young Women President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Whose theme for her presidency is virtue. I was hopeful. And hope won.
Sister Dalton, in no uncertain terms, called us to "lead the world in a return to virtue." She declared with boldness what virtue is. She taught powerfully how we can return to virtue and how we can lead the world. Without further ado, I will share a few excerpts from her talk. If you didn't see it, I'd highly recommend doing so. Here it is for ya.
Virtue and chastity are inseperably connected. You cannot be unchaste and virtuous.
Sexual purity is at the heart of virtue.
On leading the world: Your advent on this earth was not random.
A return to virtue is a return to the temple. And a return to the temple is a return to Christ. And it is a return, because every single one of you (including all those out in the world) chose Christ before.
You chose Him, to follow Him, because you knew Him.
Without virtue there is no purity. Without virtue there is no strength. Without virtue there is no power.
Our generation is one concerned with purity in many things (air, water, food, etc.) but which allows huge amounts of moral pollution.
There was a time when people who were not virtuous were branded with a scarlet letter. Now those who stand up for virtue are the ones branded. [how true!]
The very conviction of your strength will change your nation and the world.
Be willing to step forth out of your comfort zone to lead the world in a return to virtue.
The three great gifts of mortality are 1. a body, 2. agency, and 3. time.
And on and on. I couldn't get enough. It healed me, lifted me, comforted me, inspired me. I didn't want her to end. I wanted to be healed from all that had passed and re-vitalized for the future. It was one of the most direct, real, personal answers to pleading prayer that I've ever experienced.
And so, where much is given much is required. The Lord answered and he gave me much. Now, I need to be obedient. One of the main take-aways that the Spirit gave to me involved the importance of leading the world. It is not enough to remind myself that I know what is right and too sad for the people "out there." No, I need to step out of my comfort zone and hold my banner high. So, to start I'm posting this blog. I realize that most of you who read it know and live these things, but maybe someone else will come across it. And maybe you need to be revitalized as well and reading this will help you.
With that said, I want to declare a few points that I wanted to yell out during that awful week. Here they are:
1. Sexual intimacy is good and right and wonderful. But it is only, only to be employed between a man and woman legally and lawfully married. Adultery is wrong. And so if fornication! Sexual relations with someone to whom you are not married are never okay. Period. I love many people, many good people, who commit this sin. And I realize that it is okay from the world's point of view. But it is A SIN. It is evil. Period. Always.
[One thought on this. There are extreme circumstances when the Lord allows, even commands, his children to kill. But never, never in the scriptures does he (and based on the temple, I'd say he never will) command sexual sin. Does that tell you something?]
2. Making out, petty, necking, whatever you want to call it is also a sin. Anything where you inappropriately touch the sacred parts of another person's body is wrong. In addition, anything you do to arouse sexual desire in another person (to whom you're not married) is a sin. Do not listen to the voices around who say otherwise. It is wrong.
3. Sexual insinuations are inappropriate, will drive the Spirit away and do nothing to further Heavenly Father's work, but much to further Satan's.
4. Here's one I'd rather just "live my own life and let others live there own" but i need to say it. Joking about, writing about, or in any other way endorsing sexual sins (including making out...) is wrong. I know many people who would never commit the above sexual sins, but who engage in this. Again, think about it, it only furthers Satan's work. And, if that logic doesn't work, here's some more. Of the many scriptures and quotes that I've seen in the past couple of weeks confirming that that this is God's teaching and not just my preference, I will cit one: D&C 121:45, "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly." How can virtue possibly be garnishing your thoughts when you're joking, writing and otherwise making light of making out and other sexual sins? I don't believe it's possible.
5. Inappropriately discussing body parts of people is also wrong. For the same reasons above (and more, just give it a little thought). Everybody's body is sacred and when we demean it to just an object by our conversation, we hurt ourselves and others. It is one of the more pernicious sins that I see and hear among latter-day saints (again, who wouldn't dream of doing 1 or ever 2).
I could go on in great detail, but I will stop now. I hope you're listen (or even re-listen) to Sister Dalton's talk and hear the things you need and not just what I took note of. And if you want more, I'd be happy to send quotes, scriptures, recommend For the Strength of Youth, etc.
Finally, I want to say this. I have been impressed with the virtuous examples around me. There is hope in the world; there are many righteous, pure, virtuous people. In addition to many of you and other friends, I've been especially impressed of late with the following: my good, good, amazing righteous freshmen that are just starting college whose goodness and purity is so real that you can feel it. Just the past few months I have been in awe of the good and virtuous young men that my little brothers are--they are so unlike the world it's incredible (and, unlike me, they're "cool" too). And last Sunday--after that awful week--I based in the amazing testimonies of 4 young men in my ward--pure testimony that the Spirit could testify to. There is much hope amid the evilness of the world. Much that is good. And, the Lord will win in the end. Again.
I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I want to follow him always, always. And I am so grateful for the restored truths of the plan of salvation and living prophets and other leaders who help us stay on the straight and narrow path, regardless of how the world changes and beats down.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
11 Things in 101 days
My amazing friend, Lesli Joe, was the first person who I knew who had a blog. She had one before it was average people cool. Because she's like that--way ahead on the cool things to do. Especially things related to writing (which a blog is supposed to be, right?) and computer things (at least compared to me she's WAY ahead). Anyway, this blog won't all be about Lesli. But I have to credit her for being the inspiration for ever having a blog. And then, a few months ago she started another thing that I loved. On her blog she has "101 things she's going to do in the next 1001 days." You can check it out here (on the right, scroll down a little). Well, if you look at 101 on her list, it is "Influence 10 people to do this as well." I've wanted to be one of those people ever since I first saw it. Because I LOVE that list and I love watching it's progress. And I love lists in general. However, my life is not nearly stable enough to plan things for 11 days, much less 1001. So, I'm modifying Lesli's (and hope it's still good enough to count as one of her people). Watch this fancy mathematical work for the modification: I took a zero out of the middle of each number. Impressive, I know. So, here are
11 Things to Do in 101 Days
(That's Sept. 6 to Dec. 15. And I'll try to remember to blog about them.)
1. Submit my U-visa article to law journals and try to get it published
2. Make a 72-hour survival kit
3. Go to my home ward for a whole month
4. Learn to play Bocci ball
5. Lose 15 lbs
6. Write--I have two specific pieces that have been waiting a long time. One an essay, one a story
7. Write menus for a whole week, go shopping for them and actually carry them out (not sure why, but I've been obsessed with doing this for years now. And never managed.)
8. Post a blog entry at least once a week
9. Organize and print photos (it'll be the first time in years)
10. Go on at least one hike a month (so excited to explore more of Arkansas!)
11. ???
I have thought of and discarded several number 11s. Still not sure what to put. Any ideas from anyone? I could easily think of serious things, but I think I'd like it to to be a fun thing, since I don't have so many of those. Please share if you have any ideas.
Also, I really, really hope in that time period to become a real live attorney. But since there is nothing I can do about that at this point in the game, I don't want it on a list of things to do.
11 Things to Do in 101 Days
(That's Sept. 6 to Dec. 15. And I'll try to remember to blog about them.)
1. Submit my U-visa article to law journals and try to get it published
2. Make a 72-hour survival kit
3. Go to my home ward for a whole month
4. Learn to play Bocci ball
5. Lose 15 lbs
6. Write--I have two specific pieces that have been waiting a long time. One an essay, one a story
7. Write menus for a whole week, go shopping for them and actually carry them out (not sure why, but I've been obsessed with doing this for years now. And never managed.)
8. Post a blog entry at least once a week
9. Organize and print photos (it'll be the first time in years)
10. Go on at least one hike a month (so excited to explore more of Arkansas!)
11. ???
I have thought of and discarded several number 11s. Still not sure what to put. Any ideas from anyone? I could easily think of serious things, but I think I'd like it to to be a fun thing, since I don't have so many of those. Please share if you have any ideas.
Also, I really, really hope in that time period to become a real live attorney. But since there is nothing I can do about that at this point in the game, I don't want it on a list of things to do.
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