The Iron Rode

I'm starting a new blog that journals the things I learn from the Book of Mormon this year. I would love to have you read it, but I know there are some who only have time to read the basic updates of life. It's at theironrode.blogspot.com. The iron rod was not available, but this funny little misspelling was, so what can you do? Let me know if you want me to put you on my email list as I do for some on this blog.

Where were YOU when the Challenger blew up?

Every year on this day, I think of two things: Angie's birthday, and the Challenger space shuttle. I was in 2nd grade, just like Elsie, and our class got to go to the library to watch the launching. Boulton Elementary had a kiva in the library that dipped down about 4 steps in the center of the room. I was sitting on one of the middle steps, and I'm sure we were packed in there like sardines. As we all know, it was a very exciting launch because there was a teacher on the shuttle. Sitting there, I felt very secure. The school library was one of my favorite places because of Mrs. Smith, the librarian. We had the same dress- a blue levi one with ruffles up the front on either side of the buttons. She wore hers with a blue jade necklace and earrings that made it look like an indian dress. "I have that very same dress," she proudly told me. And I felt proud too. (If she really felt proud.) We sat there and waited, until suddenly, there was a long white stream of smoke in the air, and all of the teachers were gasping in surprise. This stream of smoke showed over and over again before any adult could talk to explain to us what had happened. As someone explained that it had exploded, he/she must have told us this was something we would always remember- where we were when the Challenger blew up. And I knew I would always remember it because it was Angie's birthday, and I wouldn't forget that. So those two things are forever intertwined in my mind on January 28th every year. Do you remember where YOU were when it blew up?

Waiting

Another thing I've been thinking about from the Book of Mormon is Sariah's trial. When Nephi and his brothers were asked to go get the plates, Sariah, Lehi, and the rest of the family had to sit in the valley where they were camped and wait. How long did it take for them to get the plates? Long enough for Sariah to think they were dead. Nephi says in 1 Nephi 5:1 that "she had truly mourned because of us." True mourning of the loss of 4 of your children. Waiting in the wilderness for your life to gain a purpose. I know one of my biggest challenges has been waiting. And I'm not sure which I think is harder- being asked to "go and do" or to wait.

Starting over the Book of Mormon- Understanding Egypt

I just started reading the Book of Mormon again, and decided to read a book by Hugh Nibley along with it. I don't want to get caught up in "deep doctrine," but my patriarchal blessing says that I should enjoy learning about the civilizations described in the Book of Mormon. He wrote some short articles for the Improvement Era in 1952-1957. I've only read one chapter, and it's helped me understand the culture in Jerusalem when Lehi left. I never understood the power Egypt had over Jerusalem at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon. In "Lehi in the Desert," Hugh Nibley says that the Egyptian influence in Jerusalem was deeply set in the culture. The leaders of Jerusalem didn't choose to be confederate with Egypt because they thought they were more powerful than Babylon; they united with Egypt because they were infatuated with the culture. The calendars found in Hebrew cities are Egyptian calendars. The handles on the pots reflect Egyptian influence. All of the things he said reminded me of the influence the United States has on parts of the world. And while Egypt exported its culture, the areas around it imported their goods and got rich from the trade with Egypt. The Jewish elders were angry with Jeremiah because he warned them to stop their infatuation with all things Egyptian- their Gods and their images. He begged them instead to make a treaty with Babylon, but they were too influenced by the culture of Egypt. Likely, Laman and Lemuel had grown up with great Egyptian influence. The money Lehi had came from trading, most likely with the Egyptians. So, for their father to side with Jeremiah against Egypt was not a smart business choice and it would hurt their inheritances. They likely saw nothing wrong with the Egyptian influence that threatened the moral decay of the society. They, along with the other people, mocked their father for his attack of their culture. We see this today, I think, as the culture of consumerism and acceptance rises in America. Anyone who warns against such decadence and "open-mindedness" is mocked. I had never realized that Lehi's danger stemmed from insulting a beloved way of life.
As I've been reading, I've been watching for mention of Egypt, which happens frequently. Of course, we know that Lehi's family spoke and wrote in Egyptian and were most likely schooled in the "language of the Egyptians," (1 Nephi 1:2). But they also knew the history of the Jews, and how interesting it is that Nephi, in convincing his brothers to have faith in the power of God, reminds them of the story of the children of Isreal coming up out of Egypt and the armies of Pharoah being drowned in the Red Sea. (1Nephi 4:3). How interesting that after escaping the physical captivity of Egypt, the Jews succumbed to a spiritual captivity to things Egyptian. And it is much harder to recognize and come up out of spiritual captivity. How much more meaningful it is that Nephi used this example to his brothers, who loved the fruits of contact with Egypt. Though Nephi says in Chapter 4 that he went forth "not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do," I think he was prepared by the spirit to know what might be required. In chapter 4, verse 3, he tells his brothers, "the Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers, and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians."
In chapter 5, once Lehi receives the golden plates, Nephi points out a very interesting irony. In verse 14, it says that Joseph was taken into Egypt to preserve his people, and in verse 15, "and they were also led out of captivity and out of the land of Egypt, by that same God who had preserved them." Going into Egypt at one point saved them; but they also needed to be saved from the very country that preserved them.
In making reference to the United States and its culture, I do not mean in any way to suggest its destruction or even directly compare it to Egypt in that day. The comparisons likely don't go too far. But I do mean to comment on the prevalent culture of loose morality and "other Gods." Just as Lehi and his family were saved from the destruction of Jerusalem, I pray that I can be guided to know how to keep my family safe from the "weapons of mass destruction" that are easily visible in our culture.

Privatized parenting

Elsie and Cy's blogs are going private. We invited grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles to view. If I missed you, let me know.

Happy Birthday Drewbie! (This is late because I couldn't get him to talk until today)

What did you get for your birthday? Trucks (A new dresser, a trip to Jungle Jim's, new pajamas, a stomp rocket from Nana and Papa, and a few trucks that cost $1.50 at DI- and he says TRUCKS?)
What would you do with $100 dollars? An ice cream cone!
If you could go anywhere in the world to visit, where would you go?Canada
Why Canada? 'Cause. (Cy yelled it while I was asking.)
What is one new thing you would like to try this year?Maybe a cool thing. I want a army rug when our house burns down.
Isn't the rug you have now an army rug? Unuh. It's just green.
What is one memory you have from this summer? The restraunt, The fun center, but we didn't go there, because. . .I . . remember, we went home?
If you could only have one present this year, what would it be? A flower.
What kind of flower? Umm. . . A kind that YOU like.
What is your favorite food? Ice cream
What is your favorite toy?Umm. . . Can you tell me, 'cause I don't know what I like. Actually, it's . . uh. . . Star Wars Helicopter (that broke the first day he had it, and Grandma soldered it back together- thanks Grandma!)
What is your favorite thing to do?Go to a place that we've never ever been to.
What makes you feel sad? What if someone punched me? What if Caleb's brother wouldn't let me in his room? He said, "Do you want some power?" and then I asked one of his biggest brothers to open the door. He's strong enough. Like that.
I like to play with ... um . . . a cool thing that I don't know what it is.
My favorite song ... The army song (The green beret)
My daddy is . . . he likes Papa
My mom is ... Janene. . . he he
My favorite holiday ... when they give out stuff
My favorite thing to do as a family ... give them presents. Give Mommy and Daddy presents too.
My favorite number ... I don't know. I don't like any numbers. (singing pop goes the weasel, which transforms into pop goes Hazel, and then pop goes Mommy. "That's the song I like."
One of the coolest things about me. . . Mommy, atually, I don't know any things about me. Atually, yes. I wish I could have an airplane so that I could fly it when I grow up. And it will be a present, and when we go places, I will fly. 'Cause when I grow up, I will fly all sorts of airplanes.

I feel frustrated ...if somebody was super mean to me.
I'm looking forward to . . . Bob and Jan's house (looking out the window at the neighbors across the street. Man, kids are literal.)
What do you want to do when you grow up...an airplane flyer, and I will just do some stuff that I don't know. Only when I'm a dad. I'll tell you guys to tell me what to do.
What is the best thing about your birthday ... I get another birthday? (Very excited,) Then that means that I can buy Cy another car that flies where the wings never come off! (He got him one that broke this year on his birthday.)
Who is your hero, the person you look up to, or want to be like when you grow up ...spider man and the incredible hulk. And Cy will be Batman. All my friends will be on my team, and Cy's friends will be on my team too. And the bad team would kill our team, and we would have a force field around us.
What is a funny thing that has happened to you? What if I disappeared into a knot-hole?
Tell me about Elsie. What if she popped out of her bed and she saw a monster that said, "Elsie . . "
Tell me about Cy. Cy is at Disneyland. Ha ha. That's a funny thing about Cy.
Tell me about Caleb. He loves me, but I hate him. Actually, I love him.
If you could say anything to everyone, what would it be? I love you. That's 'cause I love everyone in the world.

Andrew keeps our lives interesting and has the most random mind. He makes the best real jokes I've ever heard from a kid. One time, the kids were being silly at dinner, and Andrew said something really funny. Cy looked at him and asked, "Why didn't I think of that?" We are so lucky to have you, Andrew. Your care for others and unique view of life blesses ours!

Walkie Talkie

I am not a morning person so this morning when Caleb started calling for the "Mama" I brought him to bed, hoping to sleep just a few more minutes.

Caleb ended up being too loud and wormey to let me and Heather go back to be, and one point he sat on my head. When Cy came in he got really excited and said his word for Cy and then laughed. We had him go through all of the names, Elsie, Andrew, Mommy, and Daddy. He doesn't say them right but it is very obvious who he is talking about. We were giving him such positive attention and love that soon we had a bed full of kids. Sharks smell blood, kids smell love and they were ready to feast. It was a great emotional breakfast in bed.

After church I went in to my room to take a nap but was later awoken by cheering. I went into the front room to find Caleb attempting to walk. He staggered back and forth between Heather and Elsie and then Heather and me. He was getting pretty good. Again we were so happy for him that the other kids wanted in on the act. Elsie, Cy and Andrew took many turns pretending to stumble between us. Each time we would cheer and love.

It always amazes me how much our kids crave cheerleader love, the kind where you clap and shout hurray, heck, they even love it when you do the cheerleader kicks. The funny thing is that I really enjoy being a cheerleader parent because it makes me feel good to make them feel good. It makes me feel good to say hurray for Elsie, you are such a good walker when she has been walking for years.

Sometimes the kids do something to try and be funny, sometimes it is pretty elementary, once I start laughing, even if is wasn't funny at all, I feel happy and they feel happy. I guess the songs have it right, "all you need is love" for "good lovin'"