I Won! Totes Adorbs!

So, I don't win anything. Ever. I think the last thing I ever won was a cake on a Cake Walk at an elementary school fair (when I was in elementary school).

So, over the years I don't usually enter many things, because, well, I don't win. (I know, perhaps my logic is flawed. Perhaps if I enter more, I will win more. But I digress.)

A few weeks ago I entered a contest on Catster.com and won this cute tote!!

The contest was pretty easy. All they asked one to do is comment on the post on their site with the answer to what our cat's dream vacation would be.

And this is what I said:

My cats would both like vacations . . . from each other! Yanni would like an abundance of cat trees, and cat treats, with someone ever ready to pet him. (He LOVES attention.) Ideally, that person would be me. But he'll take my husband, too. ^_- And, no Yuki (his sister) around. He's bothered by her.

Yuki would also like lots of pets and cuddles, and a place with lots of cubbies to hide in for naps, and as a special treat, a trip to the shaky mice factory, where ideally, someone would play fetch with her constantly, and she could take home some swag. (But, really, who am I kidding--she's terrified of leaving the house. Oh, well, maybe just the swag, then.) =^_^=

 So excited that I won!

And in other Project 52 goings on ...

I teach the 8-year-old class at church with the hubs, and here I am prepping a lesson:

And Brian and I splurged the other day and stopped off near our home after work, and got a bunch of food -- sandwiches, kimchee fries, and gourmet ice cream! Yum!

A Mostly Typical Sunday

Sundays around here are usually pretty typical.

As most of you know, I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormon), and we observe Sundays as the Sabbath day, and try to make it a day for rest and worship. We also try not to do things that are normal for the rest of the week. So, in other words, we don't shop on Sundays, or do things like go to the movies, or say, an amusement park. We try not to do chores. And, in my family personally, we listen to only classical or church music.We focus on attending church service, and also on other "quiet" and meaningful activities, like reading scriptures, or other books, visiting family and the sick, journaling, doing family history, and yes, even naps. It IS the day of rest, isn't it?

So, with that said, here's how the day went for us today. I said it was mostly typical, because it varied a little in its normality.

8:30 am -- Woke up and showered
9:00 am -- Ate breakfast while checking email/FB/news/practice music (you'll see why)
10:00 am -- Got ready for church (did hair, got dressed, put on makeup)
10:30 am -- Left for church
10:45 am -- Arrived at church, settled into pew, then checked on mic (yes, it's coming)
11:00 am -- Church begins
11 am - 2 pm -- Block of meetings at church (will explain later)
2:30 pm -- Arrive home, change clothes, eat lunch while checking email/FB/etc.

Then in the afternoon we usually watch some TV together. We cook dinner for the coming week, and just have some quality time, including calling family.

So, that's usually our Sundays. But, I know what you're thinking: 3 hours for church?! *LOL* Yep.

Our first hour (usually a teensy longer) is what we call Sacrament Meeting, because during that time we take the sacrament (aka communion). We also sing hymn and have speakers (instead of just one preacher), etc. The the second hour is Sunday School, and the third hour is when the youth, men, and women split up into separate classes. During both second and third hours, the children gather together in what we call Primary. Part of their time is spent in age-divided classes, and part of the time they are together learning about the scriptures and also singing and learning songs. [I am currently a teacher in the Primary -- my class is the 3-year-olds that turned/are turning 4 this year.] So, that's about it in a nutshell. (Please feel free to ask questions, if you want.)

However, today was a little atypical because instead of having speakers, the Primary (children) put on a program during most of the time. It usually involves them speaking parts (which they sometimes come up with) and singing songs revolving around a specific theme. (Every year they have a new theme to focus on during that year.) This year it was about the scriptures. So, remember me mentioning practicing music and checking on a mic? Well, that's because, during one of the songs, I was asked to sing the descant that is available for it. (Descant: a superimposed counterpoint to a simple melody sung typically by some or all of the sopranos.) So, yes, I can sing, but I get quite nervous singing in front of people by myself. However, as long as I know the song/part well, I'm usually okay at controlling the nerves. Luckily, this is a part I sing often when they sing this song normally, because it's just such a pretty descant.


And THAT was my slightly atypical, typical Sunday.

Day 12 - What I Believe

What one believes is probably a long, all-encompassing sort of conversation, which is played out over one's lifetime, with changes as we transition from childhood to adulthood, from hope, to faith, to knowledge in a variety of things. We are ever-learning beings, armed with many truths, but confronted by many more things that one will never be ever to know for certain.

But, this is a small part of what I believe, in regards to those things I hold most dear, most spiritual and often tied to religious beliefs.

I know that we are children of God. That He is the literal Father of our spirits. I know that He loves us far more than we will ever be able to comprehend. I have had experiences that have shown me small glimpses into that love. I know that He loves us so much that He gave us the complete ability to choose. Because of those choices that we all have, sometimes we must suffer -- many times because of our own doing, and many more times because of what others have chosen.

I know that the only one who truly understands our suffering -- every bit of it -- is my elder (spiritual) brother, Jesus Christ, who is my Savior. Even if I cannot fathom how that's possible.

I have always believed that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are real personages, and that we are created in our Father's image. I have never doubted, never questioned their existence. I believe that that is one of the spiritual gifts that I was given. And I feel blessed for that.

I believe that this world, and this life, that was created for us, was ultimately for our joy and happiness -- into the eternities. That this mortal trial that we experience, although it seems quite long and painful for many, is but a short time in the grand scheme. That I will live forever, with loved ones around me, hopefully in the presence of God, as I know that we are His heirs and can inherit all that He has to give us, even to become like Him.

I do not believe in original sin, and know that everyone has the ability to choose good.

I know that I am flawed, yet I truly wonder how I can be so blessed when so many others who are good suffer so much. Yet, I know I will probably be held more accountable, and I know that while I can strive to be perfect, I will never be so. All my Father asks is that I do my best until the end.

I know that no matter the hardships and different personalities, I love my family, and that we will all be together after this life. I am grateful for those things that I know and have partaken in, that will give me a chance for this. But I am also grateful that I know that ALL will have a chance for this, whether in this life, or the next.

I know that things happen for a reason, as cliched as that sounds. Whether we are to learn from it, or to have others learn from it, and everything in between, we came here to experience life -- we asked for this, even if we don't remember it. And while I know that God won't give us more than we can handle, He gave us those people around us -- family, friends, sometimes even strangers -- to help us.

I believe in the power of prayer, and faith. I have seen them work small and sometimes larger miracles (one of those is a very personal story).

I also, as I have gotten older, tried to believe in people. Sometimes I fail at this, but we were commanded to "love one another" and I think it's because not only is it the right thing to do, but as Mother Teresa said, "If you judge people, you have no time to love them."

I believe in the beauty all around us, that so many miss. I believe in the power of good music, that can also be a prayer unto my Heavenly Father. I admire the wonder of nature, even when it means I'm stuck at home because I can't go out on the dangerous icy/snowy roads. ^_-

I know that there is a path my life is to take, although that can be determined by my choices. I know that good things come to those who wait, even if it will take much longer than we wish it would.

I believe that true science and true religion will explain the other one day, but whether we will see it in this lifetime, who can say?

***

Truthfully, I could sit here for hours and tell you all the things I believe. There are many I believe right now, but may change as I learn, study, grow. But these things I put here, are my intrinsic, core beliefs. Maybe not all of them, but I know for the most part, these won't change. Well, if they do, I can only hope for the better.

But I do want you to know this: I know many of these things because I have thought them through. I have also prayed to know if others are true. And some, as I mentioned, I have been blessed to always hold as a truth in my heart.

This is as open and close to my heart as I have laid out on this (or my past) blog. It's not something I usually share because I don't wish to make others uncomfortable. But, what I have shared today makes my heart warm, and soft tears of happiness come to my eyes, to know that this is me, at least a part. And I hope that you will not mind my sharing some of my beliefs.

Thank you.

Spiritually Interrupted

As most of you know, in church I work with the children (aka Primary). Most of my time is taken up with tending to secretarial duties during church.

The only time I really have, during church, for spiritual nourishment is during what we call Sacrament Meeting (basically, the congregational meeting where the sacrament, or as some call it, a communion, sorta, is passed and we have speakers talk instead of just one preacher or priest teaching).

I very, very rarely have spiritual moments when I am in Primary. And usually, frankly, it's when we're singing, but I digress.

But today, and last Sunday, I had recognizable spiritual moments that were ... *sigh* ... interrupted. And it irked me! How sad is that?!

Now, granted, that doesn't mean those were the ONLY spiritual moments I had, but to have them interrupted was, well ... frustrating.

Last Sunday, a good friend was up at the pulpit speaking about one of her brothers, who happens to have been in a very similar situation like one of my brothers. I could really start to feel the truth of her words ... when a child behind me had kicked his toy under my seat and asked me if I could get it for him). No, the child didn't do it on purpose, but the child HAD brought the toy ... and ... I missed the rest of what my friend said. *sigh*

Then today, on a rare of rares, during Primary, the President was giving the lesson to the older kids, and part of what she said was really starting to make me feel the Spirit ... when the door next to me opens with a woman from the nursery needing to find the mother of the child she's leading by the hand, because he has to go potty. (His mother is one of our teachers.) And I had to help her find the teacher in one of the classrooms. I know, I know. It's not anyone's fault. I was just in the wrong spot, and I got interrupted.

But for it to happen twice, on consecutive Sundays, and it be so apparent, well ... what can I say?

Am I being a little whiny? Maybe. But ... don't you WANT to feel good when you go to church on Sundays? I guess I felt a little denied. *soft laugh*

What will next Sunday bring? Hopefully the third time IS the charm and I make it through without being spiritually interrupted.