Urban Poly Princess

I was sooo tired at presidency meeting last night even if it was at 8:30 instead of 9:30. Melissa may be leaving soon somewhere but no one confirmed where with her yet. She is moving with Dillards. Lauresa insists she's not getting married yet but I expect this to happen pretty soon. I like her and Matt together. They are both good people. They were hinting last night that I'd become the new secretary. I emphasized how much I like my present calling. Whatever they decide to do is fine with me. If I do become the new secretary I'm not going to request an assistant secretary unless it really is needed. I don't work in retail and EXACTLY how I spend my time at work is up to me. As long as my work is completed on time no one has a problem with that. I expect Erin to get married pretty soon too. I want to get married and leave our ward asap. NOT that I don't enjoy it. I'm just OVER singles wards AND I want a family. I'm NOT ready for a family ward though UNLESS I'm married but who knows how long I'll have to wait. Maybe the next life.

I know what I've been told and I want to have faith in that but I don't. I am acting on that faith AND it is still difficult for me. I've seen him at his worst repeatedly. I haven't exactly been an angel either. I observed my friend who I've always known has a thing for my other friend be very obvious about that at our last FHE. My friend is spunky and sweet. I don't want her or anyone else to get hurt BUT that doesn't mean I'm going to support her or anyone else in their attempts to get to know MY friend better. Options are great however. I am confident if we all love our father in heaven and seek to do his will everything will work for the best outcome. I wonder if Josh is still my home teacher. ALL the Slaters are in my FHE group. If Josh is still my home teacher, I intend to encourage him to attend.

When I suggested Mike work on Monday and Wednesday nights next week he was adamantly opposed to this idea. I don't want to miss FHE or temple night which could be Wednesday. I remember them saying something about the date maybe changed to the 17th but I'm not sure. I WILL have a problem unless this is changed. I have to make my teaching moments next week polished, diverse AND fun. I want my employer to WANT me to teach ENG098 entirely. The Education Dean is on vacation so I WILL work Monday instead of attending FHE this once, BUT I'm not missing it again. I know they really want me to teach more than just my 1 class on appropriate APA use and databases they can access but I've been stubborn about it because I know how my brother kept getting more responsibilities without a corresponding pay increase. I agreed to teach the entire paper-writing process and I said I need one week. When George worked for Stevens-Henager he was made the Director of Student Services BUT instead of finding a new Dean of Computer Science, he continued to fill those duties as the powers-that-be supposedly "looked" for someone else.

Helaman 12
1 And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him.

2 Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity.
3 And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him.
4 O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world!
5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom’s paths!
6 Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide.

I love when Mormon offers commentary and writes things he hopes we glean from the Book of Mormon. He highlights the pride cycle of the Book of Mormon at the beginning of Helaman 12. It is true that my most meaningful prayers are offered when I am distraught. My friend has not been a jerk lately it is bad for me to expect him to be one but I do expect it any moment now. What does that have to do with this? NOTHING-I just thought about it so like Ulysses, I write in stream-of-consciousness.

Protect the Children - Dallin H. Oaks
“And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:5–6).
When we consider the dangers from which children should be protected, we should also include psychological abuse. Parents or other caregivers or teachers or peers who demean, bully, or humiliate children or youth can inflict harm more permanent than physical injury. Making a child or youth feel worthless, unloved, or unwanted can inflict serious and long-lasting injury on his or her emotional well-being and development. Young people struggling with any exceptional condition, including same-gender attraction, are particularly vulnerable and need loving understanding—not bullying or ostracism.
Of utmost importance to the well-being of children is whether their parents were married, the nature and duration of the marriage, and, more broadly, the culture and expectations of marriage and child care where they live. Two scholars of the family explain: “Throughout history, marriage has first and foremost been an institution for procreation and raising children. It has provided the cultural tie that seeks to connect the father to his children by binding him to the mother of his children. Yet in recent times, children have increasingly been pushed from center stage.”
Many children would have had the blessing of being raised by both of their parents if only their parents had followed this inspired teaching in the family proclamation: “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. … Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another.” The most powerful teaching of children is by the example of their parents. Divorcing parents inevitably teach a negative lesson.

A New York Times writer noted “the striking fact that even as traditional marriage has declined in the United States … the evidence has mounted for the institution’s importance to the well-being of children.”
For children, the relative stability of marriage matters.

I agree whole-heartedly with what Dallin Oaks shared. Not that an apostle needs my agreement! Dallin Oaks was the president of Chicago Law School in his former life. It was once said of him that he will fight vigorously as the apostles discuss an issue. When the decision is made however he will support it fully even if he fought against it. Oaks is brilliant BUT still humble enough to serve as an especial witness of Christ to the world. This is the BEST combination to me!!!