I am reading a fiction book about the 1949 rush to the gold fields. I have been a little disappointed with the lack of morals as I have read and had decided it would not be a book I would want my children to read. It is a Pulitzer Prize winner but I have learned that that accomplishment doesn't have to mean anything to me.
I have found it to be quite accurate on what the people went through to get to California like hunger, indians, thirst, mechanical problems, and so forth, but I have not found it to be accurate as far as the dealings with 'the Mormons'. I was very disturbed by the views that the author had on the LDS religion. It opened my eyes to some of the untruths some people might have because of the misinformation that they might gather from uneducated individuals. You have to get it "from the horse's mouth" so to speak to gather any truth.
This past week I heard of some misunderstandings that my sister in law has about my beliefs. It is hard for me to not go and tell her what I believe. From what I have found so far, whenever I say anything about religion they clam up and don't listen with their spirits - they just get defensive. The only thing I can do is to pray for them and I know that is also the most powerful thing I can do. Praying along with shouting my testimony with the way I live and choose to conduct myself are my plans of action. That can be a daunting task to constantly be aware of how I am presenting myself. I know that people watch people of other faiths to see how their religion really affects them. I know I have been guilty of judging others because I see them professing their faith with their words but not by their actions. It would be easy for me to be judged likewise for I am not perfect, very far from it actually but striving to improve daily. I love my Savior, for he truly is just that, the one who has saved me because I could not do so on my own. I want to have a relationship with him and I know to do that I should do as he has asked me to in the scriptures. Anyway, it is hard sometimes to have a burning knowledge of something and not be able to share because of prejudices that have been formed out of naivete or lack of understanding.
Back to the book. I am almost finished with it and really should have stopped but I am not of the personality to leave something undone like that. Some things take me longer to get to but I do eventually get to them - laundry is one of them.;) I am glad I read it first before turning it over to my son. I will take this experience and learn from it and move on.
Perhaps I have rambled but it sure felt good to get that off my chest!
-Elisa
P.S. I did not put the title of the book because I don't want anyone to waste their time with it.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Home Herbalist
My newest educational path has taken me to the School Of Natural Healing. My sister Kerissa had started on the path and has influence my Mom and my sister Julia in the same direction. We have had a 'get healthy club' for 3 or 4 years where we bounce ideas, inspiration, goals, and encouragement off of each other and it has led us into this path of natural healing and living. Our diets have been refined and our outlook on health completely turned around.
This past couple of months have seen me studying books written by Dr. Christopher and his son, listening to audios, and watching videos on herbs and diet. I have learned much and am propelled even further into the study of health much to the chagrin of my husband. He is not a believer though he tries to be open. My kids on the other hand ask for their cayenne, echinacea, and garlic when they need it. They have opted to eat the Mucusless Diet and have been good examples to their friends and even to me.
Yesterday I took the final quiz to be a certified Home Herbalist and passed with flying colors. The test was so easy because I have been studying this sort of thing for several years now. The only thing that is going to keep me from continuing my education from this school right now is money. Isn't that always the case with me? So many ideas and ambitions and no money. I guess it has taught me to be resourceful.
I am glad to be where I am right now. My family has wonderful health, I am no longer wondering what the best way to feed my family is, I do not have to rely on doctors to prescribe an antibiotic when an earache comes along, and it is freeing. There are some who are sceptic about what I am doing for myself. Some say I am fanatic because I choose to eat very little meat, dairy, refined sugar and flour, and I do not buy food that is processed and packaged. I buy most of my groceries in the produce section and I love it. I have been eating this way for 8 months and have never felt better. I do not need someone else's approval to do what I think is right. Of course I have to cook the occasional roast for my husband and buy him the things he likes to eat, but I can do that for him and still continue on my path.
This past couple of months have seen me studying books written by Dr. Christopher and his son, listening to audios, and watching videos on herbs and diet. I have learned much and am propelled even further into the study of health much to the chagrin of my husband. He is not a believer though he tries to be open. My kids on the other hand ask for their cayenne, echinacea, and garlic when they need it. They have opted to eat the Mucusless Diet and have been good examples to their friends and even to me.
Yesterday I took the final quiz to be a certified Home Herbalist and passed with flying colors. The test was so easy because I have been studying this sort of thing for several years now. The only thing that is going to keep me from continuing my education from this school right now is money. Isn't that always the case with me? So many ideas and ambitions and no money. I guess it has taught me to be resourceful.
I am glad to be where I am right now. My family has wonderful health, I am no longer wondering what the best way to feed my family is, I do not have to rely on doctors to prescribe an antibiotic when an earache comes along, and it is freeing. There are some who are sceptic about what I am doing for myself. Some say I am fanatic because I choose to eat very little meat, dairy, refined sugar and flour, and I do not buy food that is processed and packaged. I buy most of my groceries in the produce section and I love it. I have been eating this way for 8 months and have never felt better. I do not need someone else's approval to do what I think is right. Of course I have to cook the occasional roast for my husband and buy him the things he likes to eat, but I can do that for him and still continue on my path.
Monday, January 11, 2010
today's essay
My husband and I are reading the Bible beginning in Genesis to find all of the tips for good health that we can find. The Bible is a 'how-to' manual in many ways so why wouldn't it teach us how to treat our bodies that are temples? It does teach us how to take care of ourselves right from the very first chapter when God is telling Adam and Eve to eat fruit from the trees and to eat any herb that bears seeds. We are through chapter 4 now and so far we have been told several times to eat fruit from the trees, and herbs bearing seed. I understand that to mean fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds. There has been no mention so far of eating meat or dairy though God was pleased with the sacrifice of a lamb by Abel. It does not say that they ate the lamb, only that they sacrificed it to God.
I have looked forward every night to sitting down and reading aloud with Brian. We are keeping a notebook for writing down every health topic we find. I have not ever read the Bible aloud with someone so it has been fun to discuss things as they come up. I am a little bit apprehensive about some of the topics that might come up because he believes some things different but I am hoping that with the spirit there we will make it through without too much difficulty. This is the first time since he left my church 6 years ago that we have discussed scripture together. I hope it only brings good.
I have looked forward every night to sitting down and reading aloud with Brian. We are keeping a notebook for writing down every health topic we find. I have not ever read the Bible aloud with someone so it has been fun to discuss things as they come up. I am a little bit apprehensive about some of the topics that might come up because he believes some things different but I am hoping that with the spirit there we will make it through without too much difficulty. This is the first time since he left my church 6 years ago that we have discussed scripture together. I hope it only brings good.
Friday, November 6, 2009
It's been a while
I did not realize how long it has been since I have written on here until I logged on and sa that it was last July! We have not been taking a break from learning, I just have not written.
These days are spent practicing piano, guitar, and perfecting music. I have been painting my house while listening to books on tape. The one that had me mad right now is Tess of the D'Urbervilles. I could just punch Angel Claire in the arm and tell him what I think of him. Tess needs someone to tell her of her worth and that she has the right to be happy, and that she is never alone with a Father in Heaven who is always there for her. I have been listening to that one for free on www.librivox.org. I have listened to a couple of books from the library that I had to stop and take back. They were aweful, full of things I would never want my kids to hear so I don't want to hear them either. I think I'll stick to the classics instead of some of the stuff that is being written nowadays.
I read The China Study by Dr. Colin Campbell, and Green For Life by Victoria Boutenko. These were both very good books and have influenced the way I am eating and the way I prepare the food for my family. I hope to have us healthier since reading these books.
I am reading Anna Karenina by Tolstoy. This book is another sad tale of marital distrust and heartbreak. Why am I reading so many sad things lately? This book has shown me that adultery has been around for a loooong time. Oh how aweful.
My kids begged to go to public school. We have let them try it out on the condition that if their behavior starts to change for the worse or if any problems start to show up then they can do school at home. So far it has been great, and they still love it. We have a great school here to start with so I would not recommend that everyone try public school. There are things that I still do not agree with in the public schools like wasted time taking attendance, unhealthy school lunches(to my standards), and the wrong kind of social experience, but I am willing to let my kids try it as long as things go well for them. They are all very well aware of this, and I think a couple of them will be back home for next year. We'll see.
So far this year they have done a 4 day trip to Yellowstone National Park, a trip to a dinosaur Museum, and later there is a trip to Cody for the Wild Bill Cody Museum, ski trips, and swimming lessons. They are always coming home with some awesome thing they have done, like seeing live ballet shows, and band shows, free books, and activities that I could not have come up with. I know that there is no learning environment that can beat the home, but this school does do a pretty good job. I just wish there weren't any other kids there;) or just the well adjusted nice ones.
I am giving guitar lessons again, selling Hair Bling, and just got done selling around 50 bushels of apples. It has been busy, but happy.
These days are spent practicing piano, guitar, and perfecting music. I have been painting my house while listening to books on tape. The one that had me mad right now is Tess of the D'Urbervilles. I could just punch Angel Claire in the arm and tell him what I think of him. Tess needs someone to tell her of her worth and that she has the right to be happy, and that she is never alone with a Father in Heaven who is always there for her. I have been listening to that one for free on www.librivox.org. I have listened to a couple of books from the library that I had to stop and take back. They were aweful, full of things I would never want my kids to hear so I don't want to hear them either. I think I'll stick to the classics instead of some of the stuff that is being written nowadays.
I read The China Study by Dr. Colin Campbell, and Green For Life by Victoria Boutenko. These were both very good books and have influenced the way I am eating and the way I prepare the food for my family. I hope to have us healthier since reading these books.
I am reading Anna Karenina by Tolstoy. This book is another sad tale of marital distrust and heartbreak. Why am I reading so many sad things lately? This book has shown me that adultery has been around for a loooong time. Oh how aweful.
My kids begged to go to public school. We have let them try it out on the condition that if their behavior starts to change for the worse or if any problems start to show up then they can do school at home. So far it has been great, and they still love it. We have a great school here to start with so I would not recommend that everyone try public school. There are things that I still do not agree with in the public schools like wasted time taking attendance, unhealthy school lunches(to my standards), and the wrong kind of social experience, but I am willing to let my kids try it as long as things go well for them. They are all very well aware of this, and I think a couple of them will be back home for next year. We'll see.
So far this year they have done a 4 day trip to Yellowstone National Park, a trip to a dinosaur Museum, and later there is a trip to Cody for the Wild Bill Cody Museum, ski trips, and swimming lessons. They are always coming home with some awesome thing they have done, like seeing live ballet shows, and band shows, free books, and activities that I could not have come up with. I know that there is no learning environment that can beat the home, but this school does do a pretty good job. I just wish there weren't any other kids there;) or just the well adjusted nice ones.
I am giving guitar lessons again, selling Hair Bling, and just got done selling around 50 bushels of apples. It has been busy, but happy.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
schedules and journals
My boys and I have been making marshmallow blow guns to sell at Rendezvous. They have all done very well at sawing through PVC pipe and assembling the guns. It has been a fun project.
I had an epiphany this morning. It has to do with the book Our Home that I have been reading and enjoying. After my run this morning I went to the back yard and began irrigating my garden, pulling weeds, and working on the irrigation rows. It occurred to me for a second that I was messing up my schedule by taking this time. I quickly realized though that natural patterns in life are an important learning tool also. I don't need to plan everything for it to work out. I had a nice talk with my almost 3 year old about airplanes and radishes(which he is hooked on after his first taste today). That talk was completely spur of the moment, not planned, and it was wonderful.
I have a daily compass of what I want to accomplish with the boys. As long as we are doing those things we should be able to take care of other things that come up that might take priority. I didn't have watering the garden in my task list but it did need to be done.
Now to change the subject, I am doing something different with my journaling. I have been writing what we are doing on my blogs and not anywhere else. What if internet fails and I lose everything I have written? Today I copied and pasted all of my blog entries into a word document and printed them out. I have a binder that I keep my learning adventures in so I put the blogs in there. Now I have my journal.
I had an epiphany this morning. It has to do with the book Our Home that I have been reading and enjoying. After my run this morning I went to the back yard and began irrigating my garden, pulling weeds, and working on the irrigation rows. It occurred to me for a second that I was messing up my schedule by taking this time. I quickly realized though that natural patterns in life are an important learning tool also. I don't need to plan everything for it to work out. I had a nice talk with my almost 3 year old about airplanes and radishes(which he is hooked on after his first taste today). That talk was completely spur of the moment, not planned, and it was wonderful.
I have a daily compass of what I want to accomplish with the boys. As long as we are doing those things we should be able to take care of other things that come up that might take priority. I didn't have watering the garden in my task list but it did need to be done.
Now to change the subject, I am doing something different with my journaling. I have been writing what we are doing on my blogs and not anywhere else. What if internet fails and I lose everything I have written? Today I copied and pasted all of my blog entries into a word document and printed them out. I have a binder that I keep my learning adventures in so I put the blogs in there. Now I have my journal.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
What I am currently reading
I am reading
Our Home,
past ensigns,
a scripture study on being a virtuous woman,
The Excellent Wife,
Successful Lyric Writing,
books on Daniel Boone,
material on neuro linguistics,
running magazines,
and my scriptures.
I am also listening to Les Miserables while I clean.
This summer has been busy and I have not been writing my essays but I am forever learning. I am still taking piano lessons and try to practice about an hour a day. This past weekend we were visiting family in Utah and I did not do any studying.
The books on Daniel Boone and the the neuro linguistics are things my kids are interested in so I am studying up to be a good mentor.
Our Home,
past ensigns,
a scripture study on being a virtuous woman,
The Excellent Wife,
Successful Lyric Writing,
books on Daniel Boone,
material on neuro linguistics,
running magazines,
and my scriptures.
I am also listening to Les Miserables while I clean.
This summer has been busy and I have not been writing my essays but I am forever learning. I am still taking piano lessons and try to practice about an hour a day. This past weekend we were visiting family in Utah and I did not do any studying.
The books on Daniel Boone and the the neuro linguistics are things my kids are interested in so I am studying up to be a good mentor.
Further Developments
I have some new developments with my music. I went to a family reunion this past weekend where I was able to play music with my cousins and sing with my sisters. It was way fun. 'Way' - where did I learn to speak? Any way, I showed the music I have been working on to my cousins and they think they may have some ways to help me along.
My cousin Dave borrowed me a nice microphone and a midi keyboard so I can mess around with recording and send them things I do. They are likewise going to send me things that they are working on so I can put words to their music. That is my favorite way to write lyrics. It feels so much more musical to put words to music that is already established. My cousins are very talented and are fun to work with.
I may be able to do some professional recording in the near future to further my goals. When I do that I will be able to send my songs out to producers to hear and critique. My next goal though is much simpler. I need to write the songs, write a speaking part, and go inspire some youth God willing.
Right now I am working on some more songs and a speaking part. I am focusing on values and this time the value is virtue. It has taken a while for me to wrap my mind around the difference between value and virtue.
I need to learn how to use the recording software, the microphone, and the keyboard so I have a lot of work ahead of me. It is exciting seeing door after door open for me. I have a clear plan and can see the path ahead of me. I know what to do next and that is something that I have waited my whole life for. It is the right time.
My cousin Dave borrowed me a nice microphone and a midi keyboard so I can mess around with recording and send them things I do. They are likewise going to send me things that they are working on so I can put words to their music. That is my favorite way to write lyrics. It feels so much more musical to put words to music that is already established. My cousins are very talented and are fun to work with.
I may be able to do some professional recording in the near future to further my goals. When I do that I will be able to send my songs out to producers to hear and critique. My next goal though is much simpler. I need to write the songs, write a speaking part, and go inspire some youth God willing.
Right now I am working on some more songs and a speaking part. I am focusing on values and this time the value is virtue. It has taken a while for me to wrap my mind around the difference between value and virtue.
I need to learn how to use the recording software, the microphone, and the keyboard so I have a lot of work ahead of me. It is exciting seeing door after door open for me. I have a clear plan and can see the path ahead of me. I know what to do next and that is something that I have waited my whole life for. It is the right time.
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