"8 Things" Tag.

My cute friend Tiffany tagged me for this like a month ago. I'm finally getting to it :)

8 TV shows I watch:

1. Prison Break
2. Chuck
3. The Office
4. Bones
5. House
6. The Unit
7. Amazing Race
8. America's Next Top Model (I know...)

8 things that happened yesterday: (as you will see...my life is VERY exciting.)

1. Braxton Hicks...ughhh
2. Choir...clear up in Bountiful! But was fun anyway :)
3. Dress fitting for choir
4. Visiting teaching Charla
5. Work
6. Got some Great Harvest bread...yummm
7. Found out we need to replace all of our tires...arghhh
8. Got new AWESOME windshield wipers!!

8 favorite places to eat:

1. Cafe Rio
2. Paradise Cafe
3. Pei Wei
4. P.F. Changs
5. Spencers Steakhouse (If I had money! :)
6. Kneaders (esp. the french toast breakfast...yummm)
7. Grandma Fern's house!
8. My Mom's house!

8 things I'm looking forward to:

1. Christmas!
2. Thanksgiving
3. Weeks rolling by, really...because at the end, I'll have my little GIRL!!
4. Quitting my job :)
5. Baby Showers this weekend
6. Twilight movie--of course. I'm such a girl.
7. Obama falling on his face (not literally). Ok maybe not...for the country and all... but it would be funny. Either that or...even better, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid losing their senate seats :)
8. Being done with work today and organizing my house all night, except for a quick break to go to a little boutique in my neighborhood where they're selling CUTE BABY HEADBANDS/BOWS!! (Well, hopefully they're cute)

8 things on my wishlist:

1. A great part-time job that pays well and I can do from home, after the baby comes
2. Pay off my house and car
3. Have a healthy, cute baby girl, and that she's not TOO MUCH of a Daddy's girl!
4. I wish I could buy a whole new wardrobe after the baby's born...ahhh....to actually GO to the mall....ahh....
5. Some MAC makeup for Christmas--I just decided I need to invest in their lip gloss and eyeshadow becuase they actually stay ON... (Thanks Juliann!!) I think I'll has my in-laws just for some of that for Christmas and nothing else
6. That I won't have a double chin anymore in January...ok maybe February... :)
7. That I can lose the pregnancy weight easily as I nurse!
8. Jordan would be a TAD BIT faster at finishing that closet.... (love you Honey :)

8 people to tag:

1. Heather Barnum
2. Heather Morgan
3. Amanda
4. Kika
5. Becca
6. Ann-Marie (will you do it this time? :)
7. Becky LaClaire
8. Dayna

Soap Box Sunday

This Sunday, I had the privelage of teaching Gospel Doctrine again. It is a privelage because, of course, as always, I AM the one who learns the most! And this time, I especially needed it because the Savior was quoting...none other than...Isaiah. Yes. The prophet who's writings we are supposed to know and understand like the back of our HAND! Yes. That is true. Be very afraid if you're an Isaiah-dummy like I am!! (although I did see a book called "Isaiah for Dummies" or something like that by John Bytheway. I think I need that.)

But today, I learned some great things.

The Savior tells us how important it is to "search" not just read the words of Isaiah:

3 Nephi 23:1-3

1 And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.

2 For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles.

Elder McConkie said:

"If our eternal salvation depends upon our ability to understand the writings of Isaiah as fully and truly as Nephi understood them – and who shall say that such is not the case! – how shall we fare in that great day when with Nephi we shall stand before the pleasing bar of Him who said: Great are the words of Isaiah? It just may be that my salvation (and yours also!) does in fact depend upon our ability to understand the writings of Isaiah as fully and truly as Nephi understood them. For that matter, why should either Nephi or Isaiah know anything that is withheld from us? Does not that God who is no respecter of persons treat all his children alike? Has he not given us his promise and recited to us the terms and conditions of his law pursuant to which he will reveal to us what he has revealed to them?"

And why do we need to understand Isaiah's words? Well, because his prophecies really do pertain MAINLY to US in the Latter-days. Understanding the "signs of the times" comes from Isaiah's words, understanding the "gathering of Israel" comes from Isaiah, and knowing our role as members of the church in these last days, comes from studying Isaiah. (Ok now, I'm realizing I REALLY need to get that "Isaiah for Dummies" book...)

Another concept that Isaiah points out in his poetic way of teaching is that the Savior is the "husband" of the "married wife," or, the "members of the church." In chapter 22, Jesus quotes Isaiah as saying that as the stakes of Zion are expanded, the Lord of Hosts is with the children of the covenant--He is with the faithful members of the church who assist in the expanding of His gospel. A great way to understand the Savior's role as a "husband" to us is this, according to Cynthia L. Hallen, a Book of Mormon scholar:

"The Savior of the whole earth is her husband. The etymology of the English word husband is "one who prepares or builds a house." The Lord is Zion's husband or "house builder" because he makes the earth as a home for all creatures, he creates bodies as temples for spirit children, he builds temples as places of worship, and he prepares heavenly mansions for his children."

To me, this is a wonderful description of who the Savior is to us. He is the creator of the world, the creator of our places of worship, and the creator of the eventual world that we will live in if we so desire and do our part to attain.

And if we feel forsaken, let us remember that though we may feel this way at times, He is always there to succor us in our time of need. His "kindness shall not depart" from us. This video sums up what I think the Lord wants us to know in these times--from the words of Isaiah...one of the most beautiful songs I know, written by Rob Gardner, from his "Joseph Smith, the Prophet" music fireside I once had the opportunity to be a part of. Since then, this has been one of my favorite songs.

We have a Piano!!!!

I took piano for about 9 years. That DOESN'T mean I want a piano-calling at church. I'm not THAT good. I mean, well, let me rephrase...I'm not a good sight-reader. I can play something well if I practice.

SO, now I can PRACTICE more! Jordan and I received an early Christmas Present (for the next 10 Christmases I think, since it was a BIT more than the usual gift) from my parents!! A digital piano. They said to jump on one when we found the best deal, and we DID!!!

It is so perfect. Has a good amount of "bells and whistles" that has kept Jordan occupied ever since we picked it up today. I told him I knew he'd be "useless" around the house after he'd set it up...he agreed with a nice little grin, and has enjoyed himself as he plays with his "new toy." He loves the technical features, like "midi tracks" and the millions of different instrument sounds that you can use, accompaniment, etc. etc. I don't get too caught up in that, and frankly was a little bored at the music store as he and the salesman guy talked "tech," BUT it was SO NICE to sit and play on the piano for once!!! Especially with Christmas coming up--I've got a book of Christmas solos that I already know a few of, and will learn the rest! Jordan wants to learn (he dabbled in it when he was little), so he got the Adult Piano Book I, with the piano. At this exact moment, he's practicing "Lead Kindly Light." He's really picking it up! I didnt' know he could read notes so well! Awesome.

I'm glad we went with the Roland brand...for many reasons (more bang for your buck, for sure), but a main benefit is that the Yamaha equivalent is a little wider, and this one first PERFECTLY next to our fireplace...the ONLY place in the house that we could fit a piano. So, that's good!

So, once I have the baby and start being really poor, I'm going to try my hand at piano lessons and voice lessons! Becca, thank you in advance for all of your piano teacher training you'll be giving me :) I'm excited to teach voice too!

Anyway, that's the story. We are so excited and happy!! Thank you so much Mainha & Painho!!! You guys are the BEST BEST BEST!!!!

The Third Trimester Class

It's that time... Jordan and I went to our first (of 2) "3rd Trimester Class" this morning. VERY informative. And scary. And gross.

Some Things I learned: (just some or this would be very long)

-The baby needs to be upside down and facing toward your back for best results at delivery. If not, they try to turn her bef0rehand, and that can cause BRUISING!

-The baby turns a few times before getting "out"--so if you see your doctor twisting the baby's head after its come out (like if you want to have a mirror there and actually SEE the delivery--not sure I want to, let's be honest) don't FREAK. The body has twisted too. He's not taking your baby's head off.

-Delivery is...well...GUH-ROSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!! I was totally grossed out. (but I heard from Becca that Phil almost puked so I'm not THAT bad :)) And the baby comes out totally white, until they bathe her and she gets some oxygen in her lungs...then there's that pink complexion everyone talks about. But first, yeah, she looks like an alien. But that's okay...she'll be MY alien! (And, since Jordan's mom once told me that Jordan was "the ugliest baby" she'd ever seen, (she had the forceps though) I have hope that if she's UGLY, she may be HOT one day...like Jordan :)

-They must get...well...very NOT-vain women to do these baby delivery videos. Some of them were totally naked!! I was like, "you couldn't at least keep your shirt on??" I wonder how much they PAY them to expose themselves to the whole world. Although, my sister-in-law, Ann-Marie, wisely said that, well, you couldn't care LESS at that point, you're so miserable, AND maybe the camera crew was like, "hey, can we film you," and she was so out of it she didn't care haha...

-I feel much better about the epidural. (Especially after seeing the gross video where the ladies do it the NATURAL way). Firstly, they numb the area with a tiny needle before they jab that humungo one into your spine. I was worried about that. Secondly, the nurse said that nobody gets paralized. (pheww) Thirdly, the most you can have as far as side effects are a spinal headache (if the anestesiologist screws up and hits your spinal tissue--2 in ever 400 epidurals), or tenderness for the rest of your life--ok maybe not that long, but for a little while, in the spot the needle goes in. Apparently at IMC, the hospital I'm delivering at, 90% get epidurals, and 5% would've if they could've--they are the ones that were too late, or the "stop and drop" people that are like fully dialated once they get to the hospital!

-Of the 5% that don't get epidurals, a few of them have "porcelain babies" because they feel like they need to go to the bathroom right when they get to the hospital, haha... the teacher told all of the husbands in the class "DON'T LET HER GO TO THE BATHROOM." Isn't that hilarious?? I can't imagine having my baby in a toilet...

-I really need to milk Jordan for more "pregnancy massages." This is my time. This is my opportunity. I can get massages out of him if I really complain about the aches and pains of pregnancy. I need to remember to ask him more... the teacher showed the guys how to do the best massages in class. That was my favorite part :)

Anyway...informative, gross, and cool all at the same time. Can't wait til next week where we learn about breast feeding...ughhhhh.....I hear that's PAINFUL!!!!!

Bummer.

Well, all I can say is that I hope I remain POOR ENOUGH over the next 4 years so that my wealth isn't spread around.

Election Day

Here are some funny Obama-centered cartoons in honor of Election Day: (just in case Obama wins and freedom of speech will all start to go down the tubes via the Fairness Doctrine and I won't be able to make fun of him anymore.) I know, I'm a "such a pundit" (Nathan :))

And, my personal favorite:

Soap Box Sunday

Ok, another late one...but I've been deathly ILL!! Well, have had probably the worst cold I've ever had over the past few days, so I didn't even make it to church. However, my father in law asked me to research a little about eternal marriage for a convert he home teaches. From that I discovered something pretty insightful!

When we talk about the "New and Everlasting Covenant" I know that that the first thing that pops into my head is Eternal Marriage. According to Joseph Fielding Smith, however, it's much more than that:

"Each ordinance of the Gospel is a covenant which is new and everlasting. It is new and everlasting because it is divine truth and never grows old....This was said of baptism, and the Lord calls it "a new and an everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning." (Sec. 22:1) It is so with all the covenants and obligations in the Gospel which pertain to salvation and exaltation of man....President Brigham Young has said, that "All Latter-day Saints enter the new and everlasting covenant when they enter the Church...." (Discourses of Brigham Young. pp. 247-248.)

And he continues:

"There are some members of the Church who seem to think that the new and everlasting convenant is the covenant of celestial marriage, or marriage for eternity, but this is not so. Marriage for eternity is an everlasting covenant, because it was from the beginning. It will be, if properly performed according to the law of the Lord, eternal.

In the opening verses of Section 132, the Lord draws a distinction between a new and everlasting covenant and the new and everlasting covenant. While the definifition is given in the negative form, it is plainly discernible that the new and everlasting covenant is the fulness of the Gospel.

In the words of the Lord, [Sec. 132:7, quoted]. (CHMR, 1948, 2:157-58.) marriage, when performed by the authority of God, is here announced to be "a" new and "an" everlasting covenant. In like manner, baptism is "a" new and "an" everlasting covenant (D&C 22:1) as are all other "covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations" intended to be of "efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection" (v.7). The composite or sum of these individual covenants is "the" new and everlasting covenant." (Revelations of the Restoration, p. 1059)

I think this is very interesting because it shows that though Eternal Marriage is something we should all aspire to, look forward to, and, if we already have this blessing, it is something that we should cherish and continue to work at. However, this explanation about the difference between "a new and everlasting covenant" and "the new and everlasting covenant" really shows me that the Lord is equally concerned with EVERY ordinance we partake in while living here on the Earth. Though marriage, the endowment, could be considered the "final step" it is not to be considered the most important step, as baptism, the receiving the Holy Ghost, for example, are just as important. They also pave the way to our endowment.

I also really like that "the new and everlasting covenant" is attributed correctly to the "fulness of the Gospel" and the "sum total" of the individual covenants we make with the Lord. It really shows us that the Lord values all of the covenants we make with Him, and that we are indeed, partakers of the FULNESS of the Gospel...something that others in the history of the world have not had the privelage to partake of.

I feel truly blessed to have made all of the covenants necessary with the Lord, and hope that I can keep myself worthy to partake of the eternal blessings that will come from this.