Now Let Us Renew

Yes, I know the song is "Now Let Us Anew Our Journey Pursue." But this week, in preparation for New Year's resolutions, I've been reading scripture passages under the topic of "renew." Here's a good one I read today, from Romans 12.

"Be not conformed to the world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good . . . and perfect will of God." We need to allow ourselves to change, so that we are able to see the will of God work out in our lives.

To do this we must "Let love be without dissimulation . . .Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, given to hospitality,. . . bless them with persecute [us]. . . be not wise in your own conceits . . . live peaceably with all men.

If we strive to renew our minds in this way, we can "be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."


I also like Isaiah 40: 31--which I read yesterday:

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

January 31. Here's another good one!
Epesians 4:23+ And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. . . . put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. . . . Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

[I like the way this admonition recognizes that we WILL get angry, but encourages not to sin even when we are angry. What is the sin? read on.]

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying . . .grieve not the holy Spirit of God . . .

[I like that thought--when we are not kind, we "grieve" the Holy Ghost, cause sadness in him.]

Let all bitternes, and wrath and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you . . .

And here's the best resolution ever:

Ephesians 4:32
Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Thanks for letting me share my scriptural ramblings.

Christmas Past: Ruining Christmas

We just watched the animated Christmas Carol movie with Jim Carrey. Not my favorite version (the Muppet Christmas Carol is my vote for best CC movie)--but still good to think about. I've also been reading the book, as I do every Christmas. The book is really the best. Anybody who hasn't read it should. None of the movies do it justice.

But that is not what I want to write about tonight. I've been thinking about my Christmas Past, and what experiences have taught me. Here is the most important one I can think of.

The kids were all teens, maybe Anna a little older. Christmas was approaching, and as usual, I was overdoing on everything. That was my way at Christmas. Five children and 3 classes to teach and I would be hand-making stuffed animals for everyone. Every year, I would turn in my grades, stop at the fabric store on the way home, and then sew three Christmas dresses for my three girls in the three days before Christmas. Then there were the cookies and treats that had to be made, and plates delivered to the neighbors. And all of course there were 5 Christmas programs/band concerts/fund raisers/plays to attend. And we had to go to Salt Lake to see the temple lights and do all the other traditional activities. I felt as though I had to make everything perfect for Christmas and it was all up to me. It was all fun and I loved it, but I would get short of sleep and then short of temper and at some point, every year, I always had a total melt down.

I would yell at everyone, "Why can't you help more?" "Can't you see I need a hand?" "Why can't you pick up after yourself?" After the yelling came hysterical tears, and everyone would feel awful and then Christmas was definitely not perfect, in spite of all my efforts.

David, this particular Christmas was maybe a junior in high school. Dave was the comedian of the family. He had started a comedy group that performed at school, and he delighted in making everyone laugh.

So one evening not long before Christmas, I broke as usual. Dirty dishes were strewn all over the kitchen, shoes and coats and books littered the floor, I had presents to wrap and treats to bake. I can't remember what set me off, but I started in on the predictable pattern, yelling and working up to the hysterical tears.

Everyone was hanging their heads in misery. Except for David, who, as I recall walked in on the scene. I remember being in the family room, looking over at David standing in the kitchen.

He calmly, sweetly, in the most understanding and caring voice, said, "Don't worry, Mom. It's OK. You've already ruined Christmas." He smiled at me encouragingly. "You don't need to try so hard. It's OK."

I stoped mid-tirade, shocked. Then I started to laugh. Maybe a little hysterically, but laugh I did.

I realized he was right. I was trying so hard to make everything perfect, but by losing my temper, I just "ruined" Christmas.

But the thing was, he knew and I knew, that Christmas wasn't ruined, and it never could be. There could be no treats, no gifts, no tree, and Christmas would still be Christmas.

But, once Christmas was "ruined," all the pressure was off. We could just have a nice time together and that was enough.

So ever after that, the kids would say, "Let's ruin Christmas early and get it over with." Or, "Hey, Mom, when are you going to ruin Christmas?"

Now I don't worry so much about making Christmas perfect. And so it is--pretty perfect anyway. And I've also given up that traditional melt down. If I feel one coming on, I just curl up with a good book and figure what doesn't get done won't really matter.

It's nice to know I can ruin Christmas and we can still have a nice time.

"I Like Christmas"

I couldn't get the video of Eden's program to download, so I posted it on YouTube. Here it is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyOaT0pBxTc

Christmas Programs

This last week was an abundance of wonderful Christmas entertainment.

Actually the wonderful entertainment started last week, with Sam's fantastic second grade Christmas program. My camera was lost at that time, so I don't have video of the event, but trust me, it was great. The kids had prepared a whole hour of entertainment. (They've been practicing since September!) A couple of my favorites were "Hot C-c-c-cocoa" and "I Hate Mistletoe." Sam had a speaking part which he performed with great professionalism, and he sang super well. They did a great version of "12 Days of Christmas" where each group of children stood to sing their assigned "gift." Sam was "A Partridge in a Pear Tree" so he got lots of exercise!

Then on Thursday this week we went to Eden's preschool program. It was also wonderful, and Eden was a darling elf. I do have video of this, which is attached here so you can see just how cute it was. (Well, I tried to attach the video. Maybe later. There's a photo of Eden with Santa instead.)

Afterwards Sam regaled us with his Christmas recital piece, "Joy to the world." He is doing so well with his piano. We loved hearing him play.

Thursday evening Mark, Mary, Paul, and I returned to SLC to enjoy the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Program. It was simply wonderful, as always. Then on Friday night we went to see the Nutcracker in Provo, performed by the Utah Valley Regional Ballet, which was really very good for a non-professional company. They had the Utah Valley Orchestra accompanying--also very good. Our cultural weekend continued on Saturday afternoon when we enjoyed a play "Joyful Noise" about Handel and the composing of the Messiah. Very moving production!

Saturday evening Paul and I went to the annual Book Club Christmas party, and enjoyed singing carols together with this talented group. This year one of our number even brought bells so we could have a bell choir! So much fun.

So Merry Christmas everyone!

Santa Lucia Caroling

Yesterday Mary and I baked a bunch of cookies and some Santa Lucia breads. Then the Lymans came down after church and Sam and Eden did a great job of decorating the sugar cookies.

We piled cookies on plates and wrapped the festive braided breads. Eden donned the candle wreath and Sam took an electric candle and some jingle bells. Off we went to deliver treats and good cheer to some of our older friends in the neighborhood!

We sang as we walked: Jingle Bells, I saw Three Ships, The Holly and the Ivy, Rudolf, Angels we Have Heard on High. Eden bobbed along in her candle hat and Sam kept thinking of new songs to sing. At one point Eden requested we sing her favorite: "Mr Sun."

Indeed, I heard Angels.

Being Sick in Bed

Here I am, tucked up in my bed with a glass of water by my side, vicks on my nose, and a vaporizer steaming near by. I have a cold. A bad one. For a week I've been sniffling and coughing in various degrees. At first I was tough and just kept going. Then I stayed home for a couple of days, but got dressed and graded papers, that sort of thing. Today I am just staying in bed. I want this to be over.

Also, I can't talk. Do you know how hard this is for someone like me? I have to think before I speak, weighing the utility of each painful syllable. Normally, I just burble along, spouting words until my meaning is clear. It is also hard to speak in a pitiful little squeak when the person who mostly listens to you is partially deaf. The other day, I painfully explained something to Paul only to realize he didn't even know I was speaking.

So today I am in bed getting better, gosh darn it! Germs, you are on notice. I want you packed up and moved out within 24 hours. Or else.

This minute, little Eden is celebrating her 4th birthday party with a Dora the Explorer party organized by her good parents and big brother. Paul is there, with newly-arrived-from-Texas Mary. The party-goers will be called upon to rescue baby bears, and I'm sure the rescue will be successful. Wish I were there!

Instead I am here in bed, surrounded by newspapers, magazines, books, and of course this lap top. This is what I do: I pick up a section of newspaper, scan headlines for something that is not heavy reading (examples: Chicken in a Pot; The Resort Wear Season;The English Kitchen as the Heart of the Home; and Sarah Palin: the machine we're feeding.) Then I read, laying back on my pillow, moving my arms as little as possible, for maybe 10 minutes. Then my arms lower, my eyes close, and I rest.

It's nice.

Hmmm. Time for a nap.

Wise-hearted Women

Following the examples of my good sister-in-law Judy and sister Patty, I working on reading the entire Old Testament this year. It's been fun to read all the more obscure parts--not just the familiar Bible stories.

Yesterday I was near the end of Exodus: "And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands" (Exodus 35:25). Now in this chapter there are also wise-hearted men, and all these wise-hearted folk are working to prepare the ark of the covenant, as a dwelling place for God. From the context, "wise-hearted" seems to mean proficient in craft--but it must also mean something more, don't you think?

I think wise-hearted must mean something like knowing how to do things and why to do them too. Being both capable and understanding. Being aware of the greater purpose for which we work.

I have also been reading a lovely book called Keeping House, by Margaret Kim Peterson. It is a series of Christian reflections on how homemaking is an act of service, a kind of litany of prayer that blesses those we love. I like the way she uses litany: in many Christian faiths one act of worship is to repeat prayers. The repetition is part of the worship. She says the very repetitive nature of housework is a form of blessing. The author is obviously a very good person.

And probably "wise-hearted"--both capable and understanding of a greater purpose.

I want to be also "wise-hearted: to recognize, like those Hebrew women of Exodus, that I am not just spinning, but building the dwelling of God.

Well--it's early in the morning and I am waxing uncharacteristically philosophical. Forgive me.

Photos from Film Festival

Here's Mark on the stage doing Q and A. And dinner after with Erin, Mark, and Mary.

Mid January Fun

We've had a busy week:
Monday. We celebrated Mark's birthday. (The real event was on Friday, but Mary was out of town--Vegas with DC-- so Paul and I just took Mark to lunch.) On Monday, thanks to MLK, we had a Holiday and the Lymans could come down and everything. We order Mexican food from the "personal chef" who lives around the corner and it was delicious and fun. As the Lymans arrived Eden leaped into Mark's arms exclaiming, "Mark! It's your birthday!" And Sam made a wonderful card for Mark that said: "This happy holiday comes just once a year so happy birthday Mark, Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, Mark."

Tuesday. I had my book club meeting. We read a memoir/autobiography by Ling Ling, a famous concert pianist who is only about 28. He is from mainland china and he told how his parents made him practice 8 hours a day at least from time he was a toddler. But he said he liked it. It is quite a window into the Chinese drive to be "Number 1." His parents were both musicians who were not able to perform because of the Cultural Revolution--they put all their ambitions onto him, their only son. But, Ling Ling seems like a nice guy. And he's an amazing musician.

Thursday. Mark's film "Sundance Skippy" was shown at the LDS Film Festival. It was a real thrill to see the movie on the huge screen in the Scera Grand Theater. There was a good audience and they really loved the movie--lots of laughter at all the right places. Paul and I loved seeing it. Mark has worked so very hard on this film--it was wonderful to see an audience respond to it so favorably. After the film, Mark and Skippy himself had time on the stage to answer questions. Skippy kept saying how much he appreciated all Mark's work on the film, and even gave him a trophy-the 2010 "Skippy" for best director. That was nice of him. Afterward we went to dinner at Bajio. Erin, a nice girl Mark met through Skippy (she's in the movie) came with us.

Friday. Back to the Scera and the Festival for the screening of Mark's other film--this one made from the "Mormons" project. Mark took the photos from the book and played the interviews as a voice over. The film is really very moving. There are three sections: 1)Preaching the gospel, with interviews of missionaries; 2) Perfecting the saints, with interviews of members--a bishop, RS president, Primary president, a dad; and 3) Redeeming the dead, with an interview of a man who does family history work (Evan Eastley). Mark did a really good job of selecting the photos and timing them so they work very well with the narration.

Saturday. I spent the morning at BYU, teaching our big TA Workshop on Evaluating Writing. We had over 100 there--the logistics are a little crazy because we do breakfast and snacks. Lauren Johnson helped teach it, and we had a good time. The TAs were very appreciative, and several came up afterward to express thanks. Whew! One even came up to ask who did the fine photographs in the Brief Guide to WRiting at BYU--of course the photographer was none other than our own Mark! In the afternoon Paul and I went to the temple--so nice.

Now Mark has gone up to Park City to enjoy Sundance. He is going to stay with friends up there for a few days. It's a bit quiet here, but we're glad everyone is doing so well.

Simpsons

Mark, Paul, and I just watched the Simpson’s 20^th anniversary special. I have mixed feelings about the show. I don’t like them to make fun of religion. And they are vulgar at times. But I like the smart comedy. I like the characters; they are endearing in their disfunction. You can’t help but like them, from Apu to Milhouse to the family itself. I like the way the family sticks together, whatever crazy stupid things they do. How Marge keeps loving Homer no matter what. How Homer so sincerely repents, and then immediately messes up again. How Maggie sucks that binky and looks so wise. Watching Simpsons, you can laugh at that family’s wacky ways and come away loving your own wacky family more.

More photos from Jenny's wedding trip

Jenny Finch's Wedding

Mark and I spent the actual new year celebrating Jenny Finch's wedding in Mesa, Arizona. Here are some photos from that wedding. It was fun to see Richard's family. Jenny is Richard's granddaughter, Suzanne's daughter. It was also fun to be with my siblings. And it was fun to watch Mark work. He photographed the wedding and did a great job. His photos are much better than mine. But here are a few of mine.

Happy New Year 2010

Here it is a new year, and perhaps I will post more frequently to this blog in 2010. Here's a start anyway.

We just enjoyed a fun, if belated, new year's dinner with all the family but the Dunns. We missed them! The table was set with gold chargers, white dishes, goblets, and a centerpiece of candles and gold ornaments. We made the following predictions:
Jared, The Democrats will lose control of Congress.
David, The Democrats will maintain control of Congress.
Mary, The leader of North Korea will die (I can't remember his name.)
Jared (again), Elizabeth the II will die, but Charles will not be King
David (again), More Android handsets than Mac handsets will be sold
Margaret, The stock market will continue to go up.
Paul, There will be no military engagements between major countries.
Beth, Mark will get married.

We also toasted the new year with Martinellis and watched a slide show of 2009. It's been a great year, especially because we have had so many opportunities to be together as a family. We're thankful for airplanes!

Happy 2010. May we have health, peace, and prosperity!