Morning walk kids to school.

There is no sent that has ever been created by man that can compare with what I smell here in the forest.  What is it? I know I definitely smell Pine trees and wood, but what else? Can you smell moisture? Can you smell the color green? Though  there are no flowers, there is something slightly sweet.  Glade has tried to manufacture it, can it, and market it for masking odors from the bathroom. Candle companies come up with their own version to sell. Even men’s cologne and laundry detergent‘s try to mimic the smell here. None even come close. I can’t describe it to you. You must come here to experience it for yourselves. 

Adjustments with food

OK, so maybe not everything is perfect here. It is quite difficult to find ingredients that I am used to cooking with. Mostly, it is difficult to find Mexican food ingredients. I can’t find cumin or dried black beans. I finally found corn tortillas at one grocery store. But they were only six of them in the package for four dollars.  I am used to Mexican food being an inexpensive, tasty and nutritious way to eat. It has now become a quite expensive and exotic way to eat.   So, today I found an Indian 


 dried bean that I am going to use as my substitute for black beans. It’s sort of looks like a very small black bean. 

Confessions

In our scripture study this morning we were reading about how in the Second Coming the wicked will howl in remembrance of their unrighteousness. It was the writings of Isaiah —2 Nephi 23:6.   I was explaining how sometimes it’s embarrassing if you’re doing something naughty and your parents come in and find out. But, imagine what it would be like if you saw God and you were not doing something right. And I explained that it is so embarrassing and so much shame you cry really hard, hard enough to howl. William thought for a moment and then said he was really embarrassed about the bad things he had done. I asked him what he was remembering. And he confessed to throwing hotdogs and pretzels off of our 19th story apartment. So, I guess this isn’t the prefect home for our family, but it is good. It is so, so good.   

Confessions

In our scripture study this morning we were reading about how the second coming The wicked will Howell and remembrance of their unrighteousness. It was the writings of Isaiah. I was explaining how how sometimes it’s embarrassing if you’re doing something naughty and your parents come in the fuck out. But, imagine what it would be like if you saw God and you were not doing something right. And I explained that it is so embarrassing and so much shame you want to Howell. Williams thought for a moment and then said he was really embarrassed about the bad things he had done. I asked him what he was remembering. And he confessed to throwing hotdogs and pretzels off of our 19th story apartment. So, I guess this isn’t the prefect home for our family, but it is good. It is so, so good.   

However, for next home, I’m going to look for a place I can buy corn tortillas and black beans, and be able to make the kids beds

Serious Questions in Seminary

Well, so far I have absolutely loved being Isaiah's seminary teacher in the morning.  The first day of seminary we were talking about the Plan of Salvation.  We spent a lot of time on the pre-mortal life.  We looked at his scrapbook and remembered his baby blessing and the impressions that grandparents and parents had about who he was before he came to to this Earth and who he would be on this Earth.   We read parts of my patriarchal blessing about the promises about the children that I would raise. It was special.  I wouldn't have traded it for the world

This morning’s  lesson was about scripture study. I shared the experience  that Jared teaches about this lesson. Jared recalled an experience from his mission when Elder Carmack came to Puerto Rico to visit. In a conference he asked the missionaries who the best scriptorian was. Much to his chagrin, all of Jared‘s friends nominated him. So Elder Carmack gave him 10 minutes to study Acts chapter 3 verse 19 through 21. Jared said he never studied the Scriptures like that in all of his life. He looked up every footnote and considered every single word. When the 10 minutes were up, Elder Carmack asked Jared to share what he had learned. Jared spoke for about 20 minutes. When she was done other Carmack praised him for his good and thorough study, but continued to teach got even more out of those scriptures for another 20 minutes more. Jared said he had never had a better lesson on how to study the Scriptures than that one. Other Carmack then shared how he had the same experience as a young missionary when Bruce are McKonkie was the visiting general authority. This lesson has had quite an impact on Jared’s students over the years and one even painted a painting as a tribute to the lesson that Jared gave when he then studied the Scriptures with the students and show them how to Mark and get every bit of juice out of them like you were juicing the most delicious orange. 
After sharing this experience of Jared’s and trying to replicate in some small way, I got out my own orange and peeled it for Isaiah and told him that really getting into the Scriptures was like peeling an orange. Then I interrupted myself by asking him to help me find something I was searching for that I lost that morning. He told me there was no way he could help me know how to search for something if I couldn’t even tell him what it was. I thanked him for answering the question the right way and told him that we were command to search the Scriptures but we need to understand what we were searching for. And that is principles. Understanding symbolism, reading footnotes, cross-referencing, looking for repetition, understanding the historical context, understanding the deeper meanings of words—These are all tools that are similar to peeling an orange. The fruit on the inside is the principle and that is what you were truly searching for. so, we do that hard work I’m studying the Scriptures just like we peel and orange, but the purpose of it is to get to the principal so that we can apply that principal to our own lives. We then juiced our own tangible orange and scriptural oranges.  After our lesson it was a whole wheat pancakes, freshly squeezed juuce, and then a rush out the door to get to the gym before  7 AM to get his shooting it. It’s a great life of really simple joys. 

Earlier this week at the beginning of our study of the Doctrine and Covenants Isaiah said that he had a big concern.  I braced myself, remembering that nothing was more important in the prepared lesson than answering his questions.  We had just listened to portions of a conference talk from Elder Ballard about the importance of listening to the prophet, so I assumed his question sprung from something that we were listening to.  So, I was surprised by his question.  This is how he asked it,  "YSA wards?" It was said with some disgust.  I bursted out laughing because it caught me off guard and I found his evident distaste for YSA wards comical.

I explained to him why I was laughing and said to him, "I thought you had a real concern or serious question!"

"It is a serious question! What is the Church doing? Sponsoring a dating program? I don't get it."

Okay, so some days are going to be more spiritual than others.  But, in general, I am shocked by how much additional time I am getting with Isaiah this year.  I love doing seminary with him.  Also, we are making sure to focus on him in the evening in homework club and going over the kids homework together.  In addition, he comes home for lunch in the afternoon because it is an open campus and he has an hour off.  So far, it has been a really special year of being able to really focus on the kids and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The Grouse Grind

 We had a wonderful hike this weekend. We were surprised at how steep the trail was. The trail we took was called the grouse grind. The trail is broken up into four sections and we told the kids that we could take a water break every quarter of the hike. The first section of the hike I resumed her typical role that I play on a family hike. I interact with the kids, try to distract them from what they’re doing, try to add to 10 by playing games, and try to encourage them and how amazing I think that they are.   That was short lived  on this hike.    I quickly learned that I did not have the energy to talk with a concentration to be able to help drag other people along. I had only one task that I could accomplish, I need to drag myself up that mountain   It was a busy trail with many people going up. The entire way is stairs because it is so steep. It is the equivalent of going up to hundred story building.  By the end of the hike I was so exhausted I felt like I was going to throw up. I knew, I sensed, I needed to lay down. It’s like these primal instincts take over and you know what it will take for your body to survive. I needed water and I needed to lay down somewhere. I did both of those things. I was surprised to see I was drenched in sweat.  I find it deeply satisfying to push my body that hard and I am so grateful for the opportunity. I could have never done this hike without work. Never have I participated so little with the children on a hike. Never when I push myself that is in the heart on my own, let alone with the kids    I recovered after about 30 minutes. I cannot believe how beautiful British Columbia is. I am going to absolutely love this year    I am relying so heavily upon the blessings that Dad H made to the kids before we left. I think to myself as Rachel is climbing that mountain that I am being her understand and know that she is stronger than she realizes. When I said is afraid to go to school full of Asians in a different culture, I remind myself that this will prepare him for his future life work. And when I look at while I am enjoying nature, I am filled with joy because I know that this is what will comfort him and help him to be happy and these years.

The Temple

I went to the temple 2 weeks ago.  While there, I was thinking to myself that life can surprise us and seem unfair.  Then I thought about the people I was doing the work for.  The temple was the place that for them, all that was unfair in this life was beginning to be made fair through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It isn't fair that I had  the Gospel in my life, and they didn't.  But, through the Lord and through me, they can have the blessing just as if they had been born with them!!! They get all of the ones that I have enjoyed.  Thinking of that made me think of the temple as a giant symbol saying, "Someday, all that was unfair in this life will be made right through Jesus Christ."

More Precious than Gold

So, as I was getting ready for church this morning William asked me a question that I have been thinking about all day.

William:  "Mom, why are jewels so valuable? Why do people pay so much money for them?"

My words:  "I guess because humans value what is rare."

My thoughts:  What is the most rare and valuable commodity?  Wouldn't it be a happy family life? How can that even compare to a diamond?  What could bring your more happiness than a happy family? Interestingly, this goal is in reach to even the poorest, most obscure among us.  It frequently eludes the rich and famous.   We can  have that happiness as we fill our lives with love, suppress selfishness, practice self-discipline when we feel impatient, laugh, and love God.

I am so happy to say that i have had so many happy moments since moving to Vancouver.  The kids have gotten along better than they have in years.  I was so afraid that Isaiah would find our life quite dull without any kids his age. Surprisingly, he has been so willing to go along with walks in the forest and has introduced games to play as a family.   I have loved connecting with him and being his friend.

In general, it has been nice to focus more on my kids.  I have really appreciated Mark's help with task I would like to accomplish. Pulling off a family outing or  projects like unpacking the house or getting the kids ready for school are so much easier with a partner.  I feel like my kids seem happier, healthier and better adjusted.  I am having a lot of fun in this gorgeous setting. I love focusing on helping Isaiah to be successful in school with Mark.  I think it is going to be a great year