The Celestial Education DVD is not pure truth
The Thomas Jefferson Education books and conferences are not pure truth
The Headgates e-book and FAQ are not pure truth
The things I write on this blog are most certainly not pure truth
Of course, I am not trying to deceive anyone. There are a few things that I do know without a doubt (see this post) and I believe the rest of the things I write for at least 2 hours after I write them. I am just trying to do my best in raising my children and am learning things line upon line, precept upon precept until one day in the very distant future, I finally get it right :-) The great thing is that I do know the atonement is real and will make up the difference for what I lack if I keep my focus on Christ in my efforts.
It is so crucial for me to make sure to be in contact with pure Truth everyday so that I can recognize it when I come across it - to pray with faith, to stay close to the word of God through scripture and words of His living prophets, and to make sure I am filled with His love - and when I am not - repent, get in tune with His Spirit - and try again.
I think Heavenly Father expects us to learn from each other, from good books, and from the other sources of truth out there, but only if we have a sure foundation on which to measure the knowledge and insights which come our way.
And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. -Helaman 5:12
What a comfort.
Now, on a lighter note, I had to post this picture of "Hummer's" grave. Two little hummingbirds flew into our garage and wouldn't come out. I left the garage door open overnight in hopes that they would leave. Bud went out to check on them before he went to bed and found one of them on the floor with a little blood on his beak. He picked it up with a blanket and brought it in the house (much to my frightened surprise). I told him to find a nice bush with flowers to put him in and that maybe he could find some food to recover with. The little bird didn't make it through the night and the kids, being attached to him after watching him in the garage throughout the previous day, made him a nice grave for a resting place:
I'm happy to report that the other humming bird survived and left our garage early in the morning.
They were burying the bird while I picked tomatoes - I'm so exited to actually have a bunch of tomatoes this year (I've tried growing tomatoes before, but I always kill them or get very few). Since I'm working on teaching the kids to work, I have to make myself go outside more often so our garden actually produced tomatoes this year! Now I have to figure out how to bottle them - does anyone have any good Salsa or sauce recipes or tips on bottling plain tomatoes?
No good salsa (other than fresh) or canning recipes, but - what I do is dry a lot of them, and then freeze the rest. I just toss them in a freezer bag, to use them rinse under water and the skin slips off.
ReplyDeleteIt's not helpful in a power outage (the freezing plan), but it works great when you don't have time to do anything else with excess tomatoes. I use the frozen tomatoes like I would canned.
A big HUGE amen, to everything you said about truth! I think it's SO easy to let every, little thing sway us to and fro, if we don't hold on to God's truth! My blog is pure evidence of this sometimes. From one post to the next, I can't seem to keep everything straight, sometimes! I am one crazy girl! LOL :0) Just last night, I spent some time really researching "patience", and wrote down a scripture chain to help me! (Patience is the big one, for me, right now!) Anyway, I appreciate your example SO much! More and more everyday, I am discovering how important it is for me to focus on finding my own way! A few great suggestions here and there, have really helped me, but at some point we have to stop searching and start implementing! (A wise friend told me that one time!) Keep on keepin' on! :0)
ReplyDeleteI don't remember, but my aunt Maris knows how and does it every year. I'm sure your mom has her number. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about truth. I think Heavenly Father does want us to learn from one another and from good books (he said so Himself!) When we are grounded by the pure truth of the gospel and seeking to have the spirit, then we can know the truth of all things.
ReplyDeleteBottling Tomatoes is super easy!
First, sterilize your bottles and put one tsp of salt into each quart.
Put the tomatoes into a pot of boiling water for a few minutes, then into a sink of ice water. The skins will then slip right off.
Cut the tomatoes up how you want and put them into the jars. I put them in juice, seeds, and all and never have to add any water.
Wipe the tops, screw on the lids, and process! Easy, cheesy.
You can also add a tsp of lemon juice to each jar with the salt.
Home bottled tomatoes are so super yummy!
"I believe the rest of the things I write for at least 2 hours after I write them."
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth? =) That's why I can't get myself to blog about these things myself!! Oh- and I don't have the gift of expressing myself in writing the way you do.
I just read your comment about Being vs. Doing and I agree- Doing is essential, but... I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to say what I mean (see, I told you I don't have the gift.) It just seems to me that I've had it backwards in some ways- Doing should be the result of Being, and not the other way around or there's no lasting effect. I think it goes along with seeking the spirit first, above all, before you proceed to do anything. Gosh, I wish I had the time to write about this. Some day, I'll get up as early as you do!
I love your posts, as always.
Thanks Cherie and Christie for the tomato tips! Those are going to come in quite handy. I never thought to freeze them, but that sounds so nice and easy. I'll do some of both! I'll have to call your mom, Lisa, I bet she has an awesome salsa recipe.
ReplyDeleteI always appreciate you guys' comments too, Ranee and Tricia, you give me things to think on. I wonder if being and doing are reciprocal. I know that I've tried living without a schedule or "agenda" and just go with what feels right at the moment, but I find that I feel somewhat lost, like I'm missing something and worrying about what I am forgetting to do. I don't know if that is just because I am not close enough to the Spirit to be always in tune with the right choice at the moment, or because Heavenly Father wants me to have righteous goals and a plan to work towards them.
Maybe it's like a spiral. You are prompted towards some action, you make plans to accomplish it, you do it, you become more in tune with the Spirit, your goals and actions are of a different nature, with these actions comes a new way of being, etc. Slowly we become closer to God.
I'm not sure. What are you thinking?
I think it's different for everyone, but your idea of it being like a spiral, resonates with me. In our family, we have to plan for things, or they don't happen. But one thing in particular, helps us see that those plans come about...we follow up! We re-evaluate our plans often, to see if they are working well or where they need to be tweaked! (This is why I LOVE FEC!) I really do think that (for us anyway), this process helps us to become worthy of, and receive, more light and knowledge about how to be! It helps us see the path that we are on! Hopefully, (as Being A Mother Who Knows wrote recently), these "systems" will help us to eventually BE who we ought to be! :0)
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I can't live without a schedule or a plan, either, and especially not without a vision that drives me. I guess what I'm thinking about, and where this all started for me is with my own "free time." There is so much in life that simply must be done, no way around it. It's the extra things we add in for one reason or another that I've been examining over the past couple of years- wondering if our noble pursuits with discretionary time are really defeating us (me) as mothers.
ReplyDeleteMy TJEd example: Is it really NEEDFUL for me to be cramming in 100s of classics right now in order to be the best mentor for my children? Should I really be trying so hard to block out time for my own studies and pursuits during the day so my children can be inspired by me to do the same? Or is this just more DOING, rather than BEING what the Lord intends me to BE as a mother right now?
I realize this is a personal issue for me that relates to the ages and stages of my children (and the fact that I have 2 year old twins who require every bit of me when they're awake) and that the answer is different for everyone at different times, but for you who have children in similar ages and number as I have, I am curious to know what you really feel about this. For me, when I have tried to force time for my own noble pursuits, it feels like I'm robbing myself and my children of something far more valuable and needful at this stage of their lives: one-on-one undivided attention from their mother during the only time of day when I can truly give it: nap time for the babies.
It is shouted from the roof-tops these days that mothers should have free time during the day for their own hobbies/studies/interests- that we are ENTITLED to it. And we gladly subscribe to the justification to DO even more- for ourselves- thinking it will help us BECOME better/happier/more fulfilled/educated women and mothers.
But I realized this year that, contrary to what I hear from every side, I am NOT entitled to Free Time. It was just someone's idea that we're all clinging to in some form or another. What a freeing realization for me, personally. I no longer "try" to block out time for myself during the day. I have a plan for what I will do if I suddenly run into a chunk of free time, but I do not intentionally schedule it in- in the hopes that during those precious afternoon hours with older (but still young) children, I can seize the opportunity to stop DOING for a time and just BE with them, and BE for them, in any way they need- before they're all grown up.
It seems to me, from the scriptures, that Christ went about with a general plan, but he wasn't in a hurry to get it all in- in a quantitative way. From what I can tell, He didn't force his days to be a certain way in order to meet an agenda for personal growth. Of course, He was perfect and I am not, but I wonder if we, as mothers (who have a mission so similar to His,) wouldn't find even greater personal growth by losing ourselves to our young children in those afternoon hours and postponing our own pursuits until later in the evening- or later in their lives- when the example of our studies has more value to them.
We have such a unique opportunity as mothers at home to shape our days and schedules- I'm just trying to examine what well-meaning voices have ingrained in me about how to find fulfillment as a mother and meet the needs of my children, and compare it to what my heart tells me now.
Which may or may not be different from what your heart tells you... =)
Thanks for being an outlet for my thoughts.
You know that picture with Christ sitting down, surrounded by the children?
ReplyDeleteThat is how I envision "Free Time" now.
I agree with you Tricia,
ReplyDeleteI have often thought that the "You not Them" principle was a bit confusing. I understood that it meant that you shouldn't be pushing your kids and instead leading by example, but it is a false principle when phrased in that way. I understand that it goes well with how the other principles are phrased, but it's confusing.
I have also found that I can not focus on getting through books either. I am trying to be in tune so that I can be directed to what I need to read and not worry about getting through a list. When I was doing the "Great Books" list, some of the books were great for me and some of them I made myself read even though I knew they weren't the books I most needed to be reading right now. I haven't been sticking to the study plan these days.
I do still think that I need to be setting an example for my older kids so I try to write and read sometimes so that they can see me doing it and enjoying it, but I try to be aware of opportunities in which I can put down a book and just be there when my kids need me. I'm finding this is more often then not, and I don't get a ton of reading in, but I don't stress about it anymore. The little I do read gets digested better that way anyway. Your comment encourages me to do this even more.
I've been thinking of reading more of the books that I want my daughter to read soon. This way I can get her curious about them now and discuss them with her when she begins to read them. This feels more right to me right now than reading Plato. I just started Les Miserables because my little boy is really into the play and I thought I could find some passages to read to him and discuss. My choices are kind of sporadic, but I'm trying to do what is best for my kids instead of worrying about my lack of knowledge. It's much more peaceful that way. The other way around just caused me stress.
I think you are right when you say that "free time" for mom is kind of inaccurate - at least if you think it means time to pursue your own interests and ignore the kids. I like to think of it as "free time" to be and do what I am prompted to do - the work is done and I can be still.
Thanks for your great insights and for getting me to put this into words. That always helps me solidify what's floating around in my mind.
I love your vision of free time, Tricia! I'm going to adopt it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts. In putting mine into words for you, I was reminded that my feelings on this subject relate to my own journey- for myself and for my children- because of our individual natures and circumstances. Of course, I want to turn it into something for everyone!
ReplyDeleteI do hope to do what you are doing this year- read the books my older children are reading, and anything else I feel impressed to read. It has worked well, so far. I was thinking about how much I lack the other day, and wondering how in the world I can ever know all I need and want to know with so little time for study (the same feeling I get every time I walk into a library) and I opened my scriptures to these verses:
1 Cor. 1:3-8
Through His grace (and the Holy Ghost, I am sure), we will be "enriched in all knowledge!" Anything we could glean from reading a thousand books can be given us in an instant through the spirit. I'd forgotten that- and fretted. Of course, this doesn't erase the admonition to seek out of the best books, but reminds me that He will surely make up where I lack, if my heart and desires are right.
On another subject- I never feel like you are advocating or promoting any one educational method on your blog. I've always had the sense that you are simply sharing your journey-- the "tale" of your quest. =) You do it in a very gentle way with no ulterior motives, and it is clear that you are "feeling your way" just like the rest of us. I so appreciate reading about your journey.
There are friends to be found everywhere- in blogs and even in conferences!
C.S. Lewis has said that "friendship can be a school of virtue" and "is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others. They are not greater than the beauties of a thousand other men; by Friendship God opens our eyes to them. They are, like all beauties, derived from Him, and then, in a good Friendship, increased by Him through the Friendship itself, so that it is His instrument for creating as well as for revealing. At this feast (of friendship) it is He who has spread the board and it is He who has chosen the guests. It is He, we may dare to hope, who sometimes does, and always should, preside. Let us not reckon without our Host."
I think that's beautiful.
Thanks for sharing Tricia - that is a beautiful scripture to ponder on. Lara and I have been talking about similar things lately - how Heavenly Father has all knowledge and we can learn directly from Him. It gives me a lot of peace to know that even though I know so little - whom the Lord calls, he qualifies and since He has called me to be a mother, He will qualify me and teach me what I need to know. Thank-you for your beautiful thoughts and getting me to think about this some more. It is such a peaceful way of seeing things.
ReplyDeleteI also love that quote on friendship! I am really grateful for my friends who teach me often - in person and through the internet. You are instruments in Heavenly Father's hands.
I am so glad your blog came up when I googled Celestial Education. I have found so many answers I have pondering. Thank you and thank you for sharing your truth.
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