I have said before, that two things that I am passionate about-- 1) the Gospel of Jesus Christ and 2) Women and Education.
Some women (and men) think that a woman's pursuit of a formal education is incompatible with their goals of being a wife and a mother. Some people think that only women who are interested in a "serious" career are interested in certain academic majors, and/or in going to graduate school. That opinion suggests that perhaps those who choose education are somehow choosing the less desirable or valued role, either by choice or default.
I could get on my soapbox and talk about why education for women is so important, and that preparing for a career and going to graduate school are not incompatible with aspirations of motherhood. But instead, I'll share what Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, former president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, told the young women of the Church:
"Find purpose in your life. Choose the things you would like to do, and educate yourselves to be effective in their pursuit...Study your options. Pray to the Lord earnestly for direction. Then pursue your course with resolution.
"The whole gamut of human endeavor is now open to women. There is not anything that you cannot do if you will set your mind to it. You can include in the dream of the woman you would like to be a picture of one qualified to serve society and make a significant contribution to the world of which she will be a part."
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
King Arthur
This weekend, Ms. L and I went to a King Arthur Flour demonstration in SLC. We visited King Arthur during our New England vacation last summer. Loved it! So of course we couldn't pass up a demo right here in our backyard. We went to the morning session on breads and the afternoon session on pastries. I even learned a few tips! Definitely a great day.
Ms. L. at King Arthur Flour in Vermont, 2009
Ms. L at King Arthur Demo in SLC, 2010
At the end of the demo they had a prize drawing. Here is the "before" picture. Ms. L and I both won a 5 pound bag of flour. Can't wait to try it and see if the product really is better. We also got a $10 gift card to use at kingarthurflour.com and a rubber bowl scraper. Not too bad for a day of fun!
The weather was COLD inside and out, but Ms. L was in flip-flops and I in my winter boots-- which by the way are the best investment I've made in awhile (hope Lynne and Becky are liking theirs too).
We ended the day with a stop at Orson Gygi. Definitely not King Arthur, but an adequate substitute.
Ms. L. at King Arthur Flour in Vermont, 2009
Ms. L at King Arthur Demo in SLC, 2010
At the end of the demo they had a prize drawing. Here is the "before" picture. Ms. L and I both won a 5 pound bag of flour. Can't wait to try it and see if the product really is better. We also got a $10 gift card to use at kingarthurflour.com and a rubber bowl scraper. Not too bad for a day of fun!
The weather was COLD inside and out, but Ms. L was in flip-flops and I in my winter boots-- which by the way are the best investment I've made in awhile (hope Lynne and Becky are liking theirs too).We ended the day with a stop at Orson Gygi. Definitely not King Arthur, but an adequate substitute.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Valentines 2010
Happy Valentines Day!
We had stake conference this weekend. It was fabulous! The theme was faith, hope, and charity. The talks were so very good and inspirational.
Tonight I had dinner and games with the college cousins. Mitch and David were visiting from Rexburg so they joined us. We didn't play 5 Crowns so I didn't lose (like I usually do). However, I was shut out of Apples to Apples. Oh well. We also played Scattergories.
It is always so much fun when they come over! I am grateful for their love and friendship! Family is the best!!
We had stake conference this weekend. It was fabulous! The theme was faith, hope, and charity. The talks were so very good and inspirational.
Tonight I had dinner and games with the college cousins. Mitch and David were visiting from Rexburg so they joined us. We didn't play 5 Crowns so I didn't lose (like I usually do). However, I was shut out of Apples to Apples. Oh well. We also played Scattergories.
It is always so much fun when they come over! I am grateful for their love and friendship! Family is the best!!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
LOVE
LOVE (noun) warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion
As Valentines Day approaches I've been thinking about things I love; things that fill my heart with joy. Here is my list, in no particular order, and it is not exhaustive.
1- My parents. I'm grateful that they have loved (and still love) each other for more than 40 years.
2- Six adorable nieces and nephews. They are my perpetual Valentines.
3- Having the cousins over for dinner (doing it again on Sunday)
4- Eating Aggie Ice Cream- Lemon Custard or Ben and Jerry's- Chubby Hubby
5- Traveling to historic places all over the world
6- Reading a good book, including, but not limited to, the scriptures
7- Watching major league baseball in person
8- Celestial room in the Mt. Timpanogos temple
9- Serving on the BYU Women's Conference committee
10- Looking out the window at freshly fallen snow
11- The promise of spring after a long, cold winter
12- Shopping in antique stores for depression glassware
13- A solid nights sleep sans sleeping pills
14- Going for walks
Life is Good!
As Valentines Day approaches I've been thinking about things I love; things that fill my heart with joy. Here is my list, in no particular order, and it is not exhaustive.
1- My parents. I'm grateful that they have loved (and still love) each other for more than 40 years.
2- Six adorable nieces and nephews. They are my perpetual Valentines.
3- Having the cousins over for dinner (doing it again on Sunday)
4- Eating Aggie Ice Cream- Lemon Custard or Ben and Jerry's- Chubby Hubby
5- Traveling to historic places all over the world
6- Reading a good book, including, but not limited to, the scriptures
7- Watching major league baseball in person
8- Celestial room in the Mt. Timpanogos temple
9- Serving on the BYU Women's Conference committee
10- Looking out the window at freshly fallen snow
11- The promise of spring after a long, cold winter
12- Shopping in antique stores for depression glassware
13- A solid nights sleep sans sleeping pills
14- Going for walks
Life is Good!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Fans
Jill asked me if I had "fans" from giving the devotional talk.
Well, I have at least one fan.
One of my neighbors is a 90 year old man with big bushy, white eyebrows. He still does yardwork, has a motorcycle license, drives his van, and shovels the walk when it snows. Yesterday at church he told me that he listened to my devotional talk. He said that he and his wife started out watching it at home. Then they had to go to a dentist appointment, so they listened in the car. Then not wanting to miss out, he took a portable radio so they could finish listening to the rest.
If he isn't a fan, I don't know who is?!
Well, I have at least one fan.
One of my neighbors is a 90 year old man with big bushy, white eyebrows. He still does yardwork, has a motorcycle license, drives his van, and shovels the walk when it snows. Yesterday at church he told me that he listened to my devotional talk. He said that he and his wife started out watching it at home. Then they had to go to a dentist appointment, so they listened in the car. Then not wanting to miss out, he took a portable radio so they could finish listening to the rest.
If he isn't a fan, I don't know who is?!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Ms. K Gets Baptized
Ms. K got baptized today. Doesn't she look angelic :)
Mr. J was to perform a musical number on the viola, accompanied by my sister. Thirty minutes before the service was to start, a string on his viola broke. Oops. Called all the neighbors and fortunately they found another one, though smaller than the one he is used to playing. Whew. He did fabulous! I am so proud of him and Ms. K today.
Mr. J was to perform a musical number on the viola, accompanied by my sister. Thirty minutes before the service was to start, a string on his viola broke. Oops. Called all the neighbors and fortunately they found another one, though smaller than the one he is used to playing. Whew. He did fabulous! I am so proud of him and Ms. K today.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Video Reactions to Devotional Message
I accidentally stumbled upon this tonight. I thought it was pretty cool.
http://universe.byu.edu/node/5707
http://universe.byu.edu/node/
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Day after Devotional
Last October I was invited to speak at a BYU devotional on February 2, 2010. Yesterday was a momentous day. Today I feel like a wet noodle.
At 9:30 a.m. I showed up at the Marriott Center and they let me do a dry run with the teleprompter. People had told me that it was easy to use, and they were right.
Devotional started at 11:05. Following a prayer by my friend and colleague, Brad, and musical number by a talented BYU student, I was on stage.
Amazingly, when I got up to speak, I wasn't nervous at all. I think I used up all my nerves in preparing the talk during the last several weeks. Between preparing for devotional and being Relief Society president, I've been so stressed that I've lost my appetite (a good diet plan).
I started talking at about 11:16; I ended about 11:42. My friend Wendi said I came in at 28:16. Whew. I made it. My research assistant, Katrina, gave the closing prayer.
Afterward I went with family and friends to the Brick Oven for lunch (see photos).
I went back to the office for a few hours. A couple of students stopped me on the sidewalk and told me how much they liked my talk. I also received several other compliments in the last two days. I feel quite humbled by the whole experience.
To celebrate I bought two pints of ice cream (the Mormon version of celebrating, sans alcohol). I was really craving Aggie Ice Cream- Lemon Custard, but you can't buy that in Utah County. So I settled for my regular B & J Chubby Hubby and a Haagen Dazs- Lemon. The lemon was tart, but good; not as good Aggie Ice Cream good. I ended the night by attending the BYU- TCU basketball game. It wasn't as exciting as the UofU-BYU game on Saturday night, but I wasn't up for that much excitement.
So the rest is history. I hope it is a long time (if ever) before I have to give a televised talk again. All in all I was very blessed by the experience. I was definitely "strengthened by the hand of the Lord."
Life is Good.
At 9:30 a.m. I showed up at the Marriott Center and they let me do a dry run with the teleprompter. People had told me that it was easy to use, and they were right.
Devotional started at 11:05. Following a prayer by my friend and colleague, Brad, and musical number by a talented BYU student, I was on stage.
Amazingly, when I got up to speak, I wasn't nervous at all. I think I used up all my nerves in preparing the talk during the last several weeks. Between preparing for devotional and being Relief Society president, I've been so stressed that I've lost my appetite (a good diet plan).
I started talking at about 11:16; I ended about 11:42. My friend Wendi said I came in at 28:16. Whew. I made it. My research assistant, Katrina, gave the closing prayer.
Afterward I went with family and friends to the Brick Oven for lunch (see photos).
I went back to the office for a few hours. A couple of students stopped me on the sidewalk and told me how much they liked my talk. I also received several other compliments in the last two days. I feel quite humbled by the whole experience.
To celebrate I bought two pints of ice cream (the Mormon version of celebrating, sans alcohol). I was really craving Aggie Ice Cream- Lemon Custard, but you can't buy that in Utah County. So I settled for my regular B & J Chubby Hubby and a Haagen Dazs- Lemon. The lemon was tart, but good; not as good Aggie Ice Cream good. I ended the night by attending the BYU- TCU basketball game. It wasn't as exciting as the UofU-BYU game on Saturday night, but I wasn't up for that much excitement.
So the rest is history. I hope it is a long time (if ever) before I have to give a televised talk again. All in all I was very blessed by the experience. I was definitely "strengthened by the hand of the Lord."
Life is Good.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Kindness
Today I went to Gary's funeral. It was also Patsy's funeral in Atlanta. These two events have caused me to reflect, once again, on what is most important in life. I came to the conclusion that one of the most important things is how we treat others.
What people loved about Gary was that he was so kind, always willing to listen, willing to go the second mile to help you; he was happy and always had a smile on his face. That's what I liked about him too. What I loved about Patsy is that she was so kind to me, both before I moved to Atlanta and while I lived there.
It makes me wonder what people will say about me when I die. I am certain that it will have nothing to do with the number of publications on my vitae, the presentations I've made, or any other professional accomplishments.
It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and not take time for people. Sometimes the phone call, the knock at the door, or the email seems like an inconvenience. But in the end, being nice to people is really what it is all about. Do we treat others like we would want to be treated? It's the golden rule. It's living a Christ-like life.
What people loved about Gary was that he was so kind, always willing to listen, willing to go the second mile to help you; he was happy and always had a smile on his face. That's what I liked about him too. What I loved about Patsy is that she was so kind to me, both before I moved to Atlanta and while I lived there.
It makes me wonder what people will say about me when I die. I am certain that it will have nothing to do with the number of publications on my vitae, the presentations I've made, or any other professional accomplishments.
It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and not take time for people. Sometimes the phone call, the knock at the door, or the email seems like an inconvenience. But in the end, being nice to people is really what it is all about. Do we treat others like we would want to be treated? It's the golden rule. It's living a Christ-like life.
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