Ipod

I just have to say that I love my ipod. I love having a little thing that I can carry around with me that has all of my favorite tunes. Music is the bomb-diggety and really does make life better, so I like that I have something that allows me to take music wherever I go. Huzzah for modern media!

Women and the Priesthood

So, this is a hot issue right now in the LDS church.I haven't gotten into the debates much, but I've been thinking a lot more about it since I read this last night. I really don't want offend anyone, and I really don't want anyone to feel attacked if you think differently; I just thought it was a well-written article that brings up some very valid points.

This woman is of the opinion that women don't really need ordination to the priesthood (widespread, anyway), and I personally am of that opinion as well. I'm posting this because she has brought up some points that I have not yet heard and that I really like.

Personally, in regards to this issue, I feel strongly that there are forces behind this principle that, as finite beings, we just don't understand yet. I have a strong testimony that God is at the head of this church, and that He will reveal what He needs to when He needs to. There are dynamics all around this that we just can't see that He can. I do not think men are more than women because of their priesthood; I believe that men and women are equal, but not the same, and that men need the responsibility of the priesthood more than women do. I have observed/read/experienced, and therefore have come to the conclusion, that women already have an innate spiritual sensitivity that men have to work at. The priesthood helps our men do that. We, as women, help them do that.

I would encourage you, if you don't know what to think, or what to do, to pray about it and ask for yourself. Your answer may be different than mine, but that's ok, because it will answer the question you  have. For I also have a strong testimony of personal revelation; it's real, and God can set your mind at ease about any question you may have, whether it's about women and the priesthood, babies, boys (or girls :), missions, or the little things, like where are my keys? or, what happened to my mascara?

God really cares, and He won't lead us astray. I have faith in that, and so I will continue to be faithful. And who knows, maybe in the next bit of time here women will be allowed to be ordained to the priesthood; if so, that's great! God will have revealed it, it will be time for it, and that will be cool. But if that time isn't right now, I'm all right with that too. God knows better than I do. Bottom line.  I don't know much, haha. But I do know He's real and that He will take care of me as long as I let him and I keep the promises I've made with him. This brings me much comfort, as this world and the direction it's going worries me (home church issues aside). But I know that with Heavenly Father on my side, I can get through this life happily. Not necessarily without fear, but he will give me the courage I need to live my life well and as a godly woman, which will (and does) take courage. So, my friends, work hard, play hard, pray harder. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Phones

After our smaller discussion on Wednesday, I've decided that I am glad cell phones exist, even though they have the potential to become a huge problem. (I hope I never, ever, ever, EVER get addicted to my phone to the point where I would rather lose my sense of smell than my phone. That ain't right).

But, it is really nice to be able to text and if you need, call someone from virtually everywhere. I was thinking about this the other day and I realized my husband and I will have a different experience than my parents did. Back when they were a young couple/parents, they didn't have phones that they could text with. He had to call the land line to find out what was going on at home, and she an office phone. Nowadays I can just text my husband and we can stay in contact all day that way. I wonder if that helps, hinders or has no effect of marriages?

Anyway. Cell phones. A cool invention, very convenient, one I'm grateful for.

One of Those Days

This last week or two has been rather difficult. I've hit the semester brick wall, in addition to which my baby girl took a nosedive off the bed at 3 am last week, is teething, and has been sick for the past couple of days. Consequently, I haven't gotten much sleep, and it's really surprising how dysfunctional you become and how hard life gets when you don't get enough sleep, haha.

The other thing I've noticed when one is sleep-deprived is that it's a lot easier for Satan to get his whispers through to you, and he's been working hard on me this week. I've had a difficult time believing that I can do any good in this world, and that it doesn't matter what I do or if I'm here, and that evil will win.

Pretty depressing, right? (Satan is a jerk).

So this morning I went looking for the spirit. One of the fastest ways for me to feel the Spirit is to watch a mormon message or two. These just really help me out. And guess what? Here's a perfect one that addressed much of what I was feeling. God is so good that way. :)

Books

So, recently I've boycotted homework and started reading books I want to read, and I really love reading. I always have. In fact, during the semester I usually can't read what I want to because nothing else will get done.

I had never thought of books as media before until I took this class, though. I've always loved books, and I've pretty much always had a love-hate relationship with "media," so I never put the one under the other. But, if they are media, they're one of my absolute favorite forms. :)

Reinforcement of today's lecture

Found this! Reminded me of our discussion today.

Miss Representation and a Good Dad

So, the movie we watched on Wednesday affected me pretty strongly as a woman, but also as a a mother, as I have a baby daughter. The movie made me grumpy and angry and sad and I wanted to throw things at men, haha. I also think it raised some really good points and questions, however. But, for a little while, I felt like I could do nothing to fight this wave of sexual-ness that is perpetuated by our culture, and I felt that I couldn't do much to bring my daughter up well in spite of all of this.

But, I can. Heavenly Father is on my side and I've got a brain in my head and a husband who feels as I do. I can do this parenting thing with their help, and bring up girls who think they're beautiful simply because they are, and I can bring up boys who respect women for more than just their rack size. This is possible. It means diligence and awareness 24/7 on my part, but I am willing to do that for my children.

I've been thinking a lot about this since Wednesday, and just this morning I ran across this blog post that just made me happy and gave me more hope. It's a letter from a dad to his daughter about the very thing we've been talking about!  It's perfect. I'd encourage you to read and see what you think.

jhttp://www.quickmeme.com/p/3vt86j

Scriptures as media

Recently my husband and I have made a concerted effort to have scripture study every morning. We've done very well since we started a week ago, and I already look forward to it. We already have a very good marriage, but I feel that it blesses our marriage even more and helps us be more patient and understanding of each other. I feel it also helps keep at the forefront of our minds Why we love each other, and so love has been expressed much more frequently and freely. It's really quite amazing, and it's only been a week!

This is a very positive example of media for me. Words really do have power and the scriptures have some of the most powerful words out there. It's been humbling to realize that my previous idea of "all media is bad" is really very wrong. God really does use all forms of media for good, just as Satan will try to use all forms of media for evil. This struggle has been going on since the world began. Right now, though, I can use media to influence my life and the lives of those around me for good. :)