Best laid plans ... ha.

Well, I'm still recuperating from my plague.
And hoping that I didn't pass it on to Michael (thankfully, his symptoms are more in line with allergies. Still sucks, but ... well, at least it's one thing that I can't feel guilty about, right?).

Bubbles had a few nights where her sleep schedule was TOTES borked up.
Turns out babycakes is getting another tooth in. I finally figured that out yesterday, as I was TRYING to get her to nap in the car (since I was DONE fighting that cranky nap-needer inside the church) ... I got called out a couple times for being on Facebook in the car. Good thing people still like me. ;P

(In my defense, I HAD just finished checking my email. AND I was about to read a book about LDS urban legends, too.)

But, what with giving Bubbles some Ibuprofen and acetaminophen, she's back to sleeping SO WELL again. Phew. Because I was REALLY not loving being her mom there for a little. Since, Saturday night, she was waking up about every hour to SCREAM. It took Michael taking her out for a drive in the car. Poor guy. He took one for the team, knowing that if I'm not getting sleep, I'll never get over the creeping crud.

He was exhausted, though. He and the kids had grand plans to make me breakfast in bed (Bruise was QUITE put-out that those plans didn't come to fruition), but I was up around 8, since Bruise and Bucket were playing (loudly). And Michael slept in until about 9 ... since he didn't get home until after 1:30, with Miss Bubbles.

I was tired and cranky, though. And felt like a crap mom, since I wasn't absolutely enamored of my youngest offspring (who wouldn't take a nap for love nor money, despite being a CRANKYPANTS). Bruise and Bucket were pretty darn well-behaved. They snuggled with me (as Michael had to take Bubbles out so she MIGHT get a nap). And they both sang in the Primary (children's) group song.

Michael went to class after Sacrament meeting ... I wasn't about to try and corral Bubbles in Sunday School, so I nursed her, she ate some Cheerios, and I followed her around the halls for a bit. Until she got crankier. Then I took her out to the car, opened some windows (it was REALLY WARM), and hoped that she'd take a nap since there were fewer distractions.

NOPE.

So, after about an hour (with me passing her a water bottle, some snacks, a book), I finally climbed into the middle row ... and tried to get her calmer. And, I did put my finger into her mouth, since I wondered a little if she could be getting a tooth. Yup. So I gave her a dose of Ibuprofen. And that helped. She also got a cool bath after we got home (shortly thereafter), and food, and another bit of nursing, and some play ... and then she took a GOOD NAP. Almost three hours.

And we let her stay up a bit later, and gave her another dose of Ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and she slept through the night perfectly well. Phew.

I dreamed last night, that we were back at the old apartments. And there were all these Disney characters (like the ones that walk around the park) there. And I was working to get their autographs for the kids before the actors got out of costume. And most of them all got together in the yard to play games.
What's up with that?
At first, the Fairy Godmother totally blew me off. But she (and everyone else) eventually consented so that Bruise, Bucket, and Bubbles all had a great autograph collection.

I'm still getting my sense of smell and taste back. My plague started to go into my lungs. But I've been breathing deeply. A LOT. Enough so it sounds like a death rattle is going on. Michael has to ask me if I'm okay, it sounds THAT bad. But, thankfully, it's not gathering too much in my bronchioles.

Remember how I mentioned the one neighbor kid who came into our house? Well, he worked on our yard Saturday. We thought he'd only work for a couple hours ... NOPE. He's got a GREAT work ethic. He was still working when we went to run errands more than four hours after he started (Michael worked out there with him for a bit. And I went to clean off the front porch for a little. Bruise and Bucket were out riding bikes ... He tied Bruise's shoe for him.) ... The more that I see him around, the more that I'm impressed that he is NOT a bad kid. He's a kid who made a bad choice. And he knows that he's working it off.
I had asked Michael if maybe we were hard on him, since the deal is that he'll be working on the yard weekly for the whole summer. Michael said that he'd talked to the boy's mom. And she was on board with the punishment. Of course, neither Michael or I thought he'd work THIS hard on the yard. It is looking REALLY nice already.
Now I need to actually PLAN what I'd like the yard to look like. It'd be nice to have a small garden. Maybe raspberries and some potatoes at first. Then I can branch out.
Shocking, I know. Since I barely leave the house ... and I'm thinking of a GARDEN, something that REQUIRES me to go outside into the AIR and SUNSHINE.

I managed to get bottles of water to the teacher appreciation lunch for our school. So, yeah.
I think it's kinda funny ... when people ask for food/drink donations, I ask what they can use. And I get to bring the water. I know that it's useful. It just makes me laugh a bit.

Of course, that TOTALLY worked even MORE in my favor, since I couldn't smell or taste ANYTHING (well, beyond if something was REALLY sour -- like a chaser of Apple Cider Vinegar. Yeah.) ... So, I was REALLY thankful that I was assigned to bring something that I didn't have to cook. Because, well, what if it tasted AWFUL?!?!? I'd have no idea!
So, waters and some drink mix packets was totally perfect for me.

We were assigned to clean the church this weekend.
There are different assignments ... and multiple families from each ward are assigned, so it's not like it's a huge hardship (unless no one else shows up). We went Friday evening. We cleaned the bathrooms (three women's rooms, two men's rooms, one single/unisex bathroom, and the Mother's Lounge) and the drinking fountains. Then we went out for ice cream.

Since Michael gets home early from work on Fridays, we get some time together. It's our unofficial date-time. So, we went to a store that was celebrating its anniversary and browsed around. Then he got a call from the elder missionaries, asking if he could come in a half-hour to help move some furniture.
Apparently, they'd called him Thursday, while he was at work, to ask if he could do it. He gave them the numbers of some brothers in the ward with trucks that might be available. He also told them that, if those brethren weren't available, that he could do it Friday afternoon.

He had REALLY hoped that they'd think ahead to set up appointments. But that wasn't the case. So he was a little irritated. I told him to let them know, so they could NOT do it in the future. All he had to say was, "Hey, please set up an appointment. Because I had to leave my date with my wife to help."
Yeah, I'm so nice.

Chalk it up to the plague, right?

But, yeah, Mother's Day was really quiet. The kids made me some cards before church. And they nabbed a marigold plant for me on the way out of church (since I was in the car with Bubbles). Michael made lunch while I gave Bubbles a (bubble) bath. Then, since his allergies were acting up, he took a Benadryl ... and was sacked out on the couch for a couple hours. I just puttered around and played some games on Facebook.

The kids and I called my Nana (and left a message for her) in the morning. We called and talked to my mom in the afternoon. I had sent out e-cards to some of my relatives (and some of Michael's) ... since I didn't make it to the store to BUY cards for people this year. Yeah ... sucks.

I made nachos for dinner. We got the older kids in bed ... then we watched "Scary Tales" (retellings and breakdowns of some of the darker fairie tales ... last night, we watched the episode covering "Cinderella" and "The Juniper Tree." The effects are crazy cheap ... but it's interesting to hear some of the interpretations of the tales. And Michael was completely unfamiliar with "The Juniper Tree." I was able to give him a 90% accurate recap of it the previous night. I mixed up who got the necklace and who got the second gift (I thought it was a purse of gold. It was shoes. Whoops!))

I still have NOT gotten caught up on scriptures or General Conference Talks. I'm behind enough that I think I'll just read the ones I didn't get to earlier on my own. And I'll just start fresh and current here.

So, what's coming up this week ... I need to take the car back to the shop, just so they can check the transmission fluid. But I can say that the car's running a whole lot better. Shifting between gears is much nicer. Phew.
There's a PTC meeting ... finally it's NOT on the same evening as a Relief Society activity. Phew!
Then we'll be meeting with a friend who's started selling life insurance. I don't have life insurance. I have auto insurance. ... That's about it. (And it's yet another reason why I cannot die anytime soon. Because I'm no good to anyone dead.)
The kids' school is having a Science Night. Which is always a fun thing.
The local mall has their kids' club activity. And we're going to (finally) get to the Farmers' Market this weekend.
Also, Michael's baby sister is having a birthday. And it'll be good to see her again.
I'll be back to volunteering ... it's been a few weeks since I was there last. (Being sick does that. As does being on vacation.)

Then it's gearing up for a 3-/4/day weekend. (The kids have 4 days off. Michael only has a three-day weekend. But he only works in the morning on the day that only the kids have off.) ... If he wanted to take those four hours off, I wouldn't complain. Maybe we could go to the aquarium or something? It's a nice thought.

I need to get my Visiting Teaching done. I've touched bases with each of my gals ... so, at least they know that I'm thinking about them. But ... well, I feel that I should do more. I'm really crap at that.

I've gotten the laundry and dishes started. I need to watch the Netflix DVD, so that we can get something else soon. (Michael has NO INTEREST in Upstairs, Downstairs. ... And, apparently, I'm rubbish at watching things on my own.) ... and I need to read about six library books. Because I WANT to read them ... I'm just bad at DOING anything lately.

Oh well. I'll get things done. I have a list of stuff to do. And I can get it done. Eventually. Hopefully today and tomorrow. Because, dang it, I just want my house to be (mostly) clean ... and stay that way. Because I'm too tired to clean it all the time.

Vacation Recap

I'm not even getting into HOW far behind I am on scripture study and reading General Conference Talks. Not even going to go there ...

But let's see ... you probably want to know how vacation went! Yes?
Well, you're getting the report anyway. So there!

Friday, Michael stayed home from work and we ran last-minute errands and got everything packed (so when the kids got home, we just had to have them unpack their lunch pails, go to the bathroom, and jump in the van).

Then we drove down to my mom's and spent the night (Going down, we really spread out the traveling, which was nice).
From there, we headed down into California ... hit In-N-Out Burger (first time!) and stayed over at Michael's aunt and uncle's (with most of the rest of the family) that night.
THEN, we drove down to Anaheim and checked into the hotel.

I can say that we weren't terribly impressed with the Hotel del Sol ... we had to change rooms, in fact, because the air conditioner was BROKEN. Poor us. But it was nice to have family in the same hotel. It'd have been nicer if the pool had been open a bit later ... we only went swimming once ... and soaked our feet on another night. The last night we stayed there, we got back and changed into swimsuits ... and got to the stairs JUST as they had locked up the pool. *sigh* So the kids and I did showers instead.

The kids were surprised to go to Disneyland and California Adventures. They loved it, though ... even though Bruise was too short to ride California Screamin', the BIG roller coaster (I rode it with my brother-in-law, since Michael's not a fan of roller coasters.) ... Bruise DID get turned away ONCE from the Indiana Jones ride ... but we stuffed a couple Kleenex in his shoes and he was FIIIIIINE. (Bucket did not care for the Indiana Jones Adventure at all, really).
Bruise also REALLY loved the Twilight Zone Hollywood Tower of Terror. Bucket wasn't wild about it, but did go on it a second time. I'm talking Michael into going on it next time. I think he could handle it. ^_^

The one BIG thing that wasn't good was that our first memory card in the DSLR camera stopped working. So ... Michael's taking it to the IT guys at work today. If nothing else, I'll mail it to a digital image recovery place in Rexburg (I've heard good things about them ... and they have a 95% recovery rate for a lot less than the company in Dresden). I'd really, really like those pictures. I cried myself sick about it after we got home ... but I got a blessing and feel better (and was reassured in the blessing that things will work out).

Also, while we were out of town, a boy in the neighborhood found the spare key and got in out house. Didn't take anything, really (Well, a condom. Probably expired, really. Whatever.) ... It was really weird. But he came and apologized (after I'd gotten off the phone with Staples, who told me that if an SD card goes, there's no hope ... which I know is NOT true. But I cried anyways).  ... Now, when he saw that I'd been crying, he visibly blanched. He did apologize, saying that he wasn't thinking and didn't know what he was thinking.
Instead of berating him, like Michael thought I might ... because, really, I was VERY IRKED ... and hormonal and tired ... I was calm and told him that he NEEDS to think. That he's in control of his actions. That he has an incredible potential for good ... and that he needs to use it. And I asked for a hug, which he gave me.
He was quite abashed ... and I really, really, really hope that this makes him think and make better choices.
That and the fact that he's working in our yard for free for the summer. Our yard is going to look AWESOME.

It could have been way, way worse. Nothing was missing, really. Nothing was damaged.
We had lent the guns to a friend while we were gone. We didn't have any money lying around (I had a $5 bill in a jewelry box. It's still there). I'd already put the external hard drive with the kids' updated baby pictures and all into the (fire-proof) safe ... There wasn't much that could have been taken easily.

So, yes, we were VERY BLESSED.

Also, the other worrisome thing about the trip was that the transmission started to act up. My van doesn't like to shift a whole lot after a LOT of driving. But, after we got home, I had the transmission flushed. We'll see how that helps. But, like I told Michael, if I got an ulcer, we'd know why. :P

Where was I? ... Disneyland, that's right!
Here's a bit of what all we did:

• We did almost EVERYTHING in California Adventures.
• According to Google Maps on my phone, we walked about 16 miles total that first day.
  I can believe it, due to the five blisters that I ended up with. Youch!
• I also got a crazy bad sunburn on one of my shoulders. Dad C was shocked, since he WATCHED me put on a ton of sunscreen. It's mostly all healed now. It still feels all dry and leathery in comparison to the rest of my skin.
• Bubbles got a sunburn across her little nose and cheeks. It's about all faded now.
  She also ended up with Prickly Heat ... so I felt like a crap mom.
• The kids chose their souvenirs: Bruise wound up with a little (cheap) pirate sword at D-land. Bucket got a little Princess Leia dress-up doll kit (with little plastic dresses and different hairstyles). I got Bubbles a stuffed baby Pegasus (from Hercules) wrapped in a blanket. I got a hoodie.
• Bruise and Bucket got picked to be in Jedi training! They had a great time. Bruise dueled with Darth Vader and Bucket battled Darth Maul.
• We met a lot of the princesses: Snow White, Merida, Cinderella, Tiana, Aurora, and Jasmine (Snow White and Jasmine are, sadly, on the malfunctioning SD card. And Jasmine is Bucket's current favorite). We also met with the fairies, Rosetta and Tinker Bell ... two of Bucket's favorites (Silvermist was the missing one of the trifecta). We also got to see Chip and Dale, Brer Fox, Duffy (the Disney bear), Donald Duck, and Aladdin. (Aladdin is ALSO on the other SD card. *sigh*)
• We really could have used another day or two in order to get through all of Disneyland. And we didn't do Radiator Springs, since it was SO, SO crowded (and Bubbles was too small to go on many rides, poor gal).
• We did make sure to hit Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion ... those are dealbreakers for me.
• We shared Dole Whips (yum) and beignets (yummm!!!) ... Cafe Orleans is a bit spendy, but the servers were so, so nice ... and the dipping sauces for the beignets were so good. There's a Creme Anglaise (a vanilla-creme sauce. They described it as a "liquid creme brulee") and a raspberry cloutis ("clew-ee"), which I wanted to drink through a straw. Very good.
• The kids loved going on so many rides ... Splash Mountain was one they really liked. As was the Grizzly River Run (you can't NOT get splashed/soaked on that one). 
• We watched the Aladdin musical show. VERY GOOD. The genie was GREAT. And the scenery and costumes ... I mean, there wasn't anything NOT to love about it. Even Bubbles had a great time. And she's a little with a little's attention span. She clapped, even.
• We also met Mickey Mouse ... and Bubbles was ENTRANCED. She waved to him later, when the parade was starting (we were in line for "It's a Small World," which she enjoyed).
• The characters are all so great ... very in character. Rosetta declared, in a Southern drawl, as she signed Bucket's autograph book that Bucket's dress (her Princess Aurora dress) "It's PINK and SPARKLY, so she's dressed like ME!" ... Tiana was so hospitable. Cinderella was so gracious. Aurora was sweet. Merida ... she was wonderful, and quite taken with Bubbles, "the wee babby!"
• The kids and I went on Goofy's Flight School roller coaster. It's VERY jerky (unlike the smooth speed of California Screamin' ... yes, I'm spoiled forever now). The kids were in front of me ... and I had a single rider next to me.
  "Hi!" I chirped. What?? I'm friendly, okay?
  "Hello, luv," he replied.
  "...Where are you from?"
  "I'm from the UK."
  "Oh, cool! Which part?"
  Turns out he was from Scotland and works for Disney in Florida. He did NOT care for that roller coaster, which made me feel better about it's not being in my favorites, either. And he worked to control himself ... though I heard many "bloody!" things.
  And he rescued my ticket holder when it fell off my lanyard.
  Michael's lucky that I'm so faithful ... ^_^
• I think Bucket's favorite ride was Soarin' Over California ... It's a simulated flying/hang-gliding ride over California vistas, over a huge, curved movie screen. It was a great ride.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, and the Jungle Cruise were closed when we were there. Sad. But we'll just have to ride those next time.
• Bubbles really liked ... well, anything. We didn't take her to World of Color, she stayed with Mom and Dad C for that ... but she would have liked it, I think. She loves anything with music (like Ariel's Undersea Adventure and It's a Small World) ... and seeing Mickey.

And that's most of what I really remember about Disneyland.
(Michael, if you want to share anything, go ahead!!)

Then, we packed up and headed south to Carlsbad to LEGOland!
We actually stayed at the resort ... and I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend it!

The hotel itself is designed and decorated with kids in mind ... I mean, the elevators alone ... If you're staying on the ground floor (Kingdom themed), you have to ride the elevator anyways!
(If you check my Facebook, I have a short video of it!)

The pool is VERY nice. Bruise, Bucket and I went for a little splash-about while Bubbles and Michael relaxed in the room.

The buffet is a little expensive, but VERY good. The food choices are great ... There were MUSHROOMS!! And I barely ever get to eat mushrooms since I'm about the only person in this house who likes them. So, don't judge me if I gorged myself on mushrooms. And Vegetable curry ... and all sorts of other things (Though, next time, we will try the other two restaurants in the hotel -- the cafe and the lounge). The toilets have a kids' training seat built into the lid ... The decorations are great ... Really, I can't think of anything we DIDN'T like!

Bruise and Bucket LOVED having a TV to themselves. And lights in their bunks.
When they got to the room, there's a little safe for them to open. Inside were chocolate coins (which I knew about) and they each got a new minifig (Series 10): Bucket got Medusa (which was the one she wanted most of all) and Bruise got a skydiver.

LEGOland is smaller than Disneyland ... so we were able to do just about every ride (except for a couple that were closed, the water park -- closed, and a few that we skipped) and the Sea Life aquarium in the two days that we were there. And LEGOland is geared primarily for kids ages 2-12, so Bruise and Bucket were tall enough to go on ALL the rides, including the roller coasters.

Michael was thrilled to be there and see all the LEGO sculptures. We did the factory tour and the kids got to play in the splash park(s) in Pirate's Cove.

After the rides at Disneyland, Bruise and Bucket were a little jaded (because the Disney rides are generally longer) ... but the wait times at LEGOland were not bad at all ... and the Pirate's Reef ride made up for it.
It's a short ride, don't get me wrong ... you go up an incline, come down FAST ... and you WILL get wet. No matter where you sit.
When we got in, there was already about an inch-and-a-half of standing water in the boat. (Felt SO good to my flip-flopped feet after how many days of walking around parks!) ... And, when we finished, the only spots that WEREN'T wet were where my back and butt were against the seat and between my thighs, since I sat with my knees together. The rest of me was SOAKED. So I was REALLY GLAD that I had worn light layers, including leggings, instead of jeans. And that it was a warm, sunny day ... since that helped me to dry off quickly.

Like I mentioned, Bubbles couldn't go on a lot of the rides (she's NOT 36" by a long shot. Yet), but she and Michael had fun looking around at things. And she LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the aquarium. She waved to all the fish ... we think her first real word might end up being "fish." She's getting close ... "ffffsh!!!!" But, then again, it might be "hi!"

We bought our souvenirs before the aquarium ... then picked them up right before we left the park. Michael got two LEGO sets (Y-wing and the LEGOCity Pet Store). Bruise got the LEGO Kingdom chess set and an Iron Man 3 set. Bucket got two stuffed LEGO Friends animals (the grey cat and the brown horse), and ... um ... two Lego Friends sets, I think? Michael gave her an amount to spend ... and she really used it well. We got Bucket a little stuffed panda with a Lego block embroidered on its foot pad and a little Duplo set (polar bear and penguin). I grabbed a hoodie, a bag, a magnet, a couple ice trays, and a DVD for the kids (they still don't know about that, though. Shhh!!). Lots of LEGO loot.

The drive home, after getting out of the aquarium, was LONG. We took off around 4 and drove. Got caught in LA traffic, which was discouraging.

Michael: Why do I even TRY to get up to 60mph? (as we're going around 20 and maxing out around 40mph).
Me: Optimism.

He's so lucky to have me.

As I mentioned, the transmission wasn't wanting to switch gears easily ... so that was nervous-making. But we prayed. And prayed.

We grabbed dinner at McDonald's and filled the gas tank ... and kept driving. I fell asleep around 11 or so. We pulled over at a couple of rest stops so Michael could get a nap (but he couldn't, since Bubbles' car seat is RIGHT behind the driver's seat, so he couldn't recline it much).
We traded off driving when we got gas next. I grabbed a Cherry Coke and drove from around 4am-6ish ... Then we traded when we got gas (and breakfast at IHOP while the van rested a little and I tried not to cry or throw up ... Yeah, I don't handle stress well. I just wanted to be HOME).

We decided that we weren't going to go through Brookings (Michael would like to go there sometime and check out a job site that his company has worked on ... This was NOT that time, though. Poo.), but that we'd just head straight home on the freeway.

And we made it home ... around 3 PM. We checked out the house, figured out that the neighbor kid didn't steal anything, unpacked, started laundry, started loading pictures, got the kids ready for baths and bed ...

We made it to Sacrament meeting on Sunday ... and I went home afterwards ... Bubbles was tired ... and I almost fell asleep three times during Testimony meeting. So, Michael drove us home (the kids were in Primary and he wanted to be at EQ), where we took naps.

Monday, we took the kids out for frozen yogurt (since Bucket was Student of the Month) ... and I was sick with a cold ... and had JUST lost my sense of smell and taste.
Tuesday, my cold got worse and is starting to get better ... moving from my sinuses into my chest. FUN! But, at least, I'm not throwing up due to all the mucus ... so that's a benefit, right? And I don't think I'm running a fever anymore, like I was last night.

So ... just wish us luck on getting all the pictures off of the one SD card ... And that my mom and I get healthy again FAST. I hate being sick. It makes me grumpy. And that Bubbles' heat-rash clears up totally. And that the one neighbor kid turns his life around. Because ... I get the feeling, after meeting him, that he's a good kid. And he needs to KNOW that he's a good person ... and that he's capable of controlling impulses.

... I'll try and get caught up on scriptures and talks soon. It might not be today, though.

Yes, I've totally missed a day. Yikes!

So, yeah ... I was busybusybusy ... and tired.

The house is still mostly clean and ready. Freyja-cat is kinda drugged out (yay for kitty prozac! Taking the anxiety out of social anxiety) ... but she did eventually come lay by me in bed and get some loves when I woke up in the middle of the night.

I dreamed that the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Doctors were all concurrently alive and had disappeared. And there was only one way to get them back. I had to kiss whoever was going to be on an asphalt pad. And it was Sherlock ... well, it was going to be. There were a couple chalk outlines of him. one was of his shadow all splayed out like when he fell. And ... well, Sherlock is NOT that kind of guy. It'd be like kissing Sheldon Cooper. Just not done.

And then I woke up. So , yeah ... apparently my dreams are now sponsored by the BBC?

I volunteered and came home. Mom and I went out to lunch and to pick up some last-minute supplies for packing. I finished making the kids' autograph books (just made a collage on MS publisher and taped it to the front of a sketch diary ... then covered it with clean shelf liner) this morning. Michael and I ran some errands and are having some quiet time before the kids get home. Bubbles got a bath and is NOT taking a nap. Silly girl.

Okay, so I have scriptures and talks to catch up on:

Mosiah 16-17

• Chapter 16 - REPENTANCE. And lots about Christ's role in the Atonement.
• Chapter 17 starts with  Abinadi having finished speaking ... and what does the king do?
  IMMEDIATE declares that Abinadi is to be put to death.
  Dude, Noah ... don't you think you're being a little hasty? How's about you ruminate on the message, do a little soulsearching? ... Apparently not.
  (Bad choice, Noah. Bad choice.)
• There is ONE priest of all the people there, Alma, who listened to Abinadi's words ...He believed. He even petitioned King Noah and the other priests to let Abinadi go safely.
  but Noah's all, "NO! I KILL HIM!! AND I KILL YOU!!"
  So Alma has to run away to the wilderness.
  He hides and writes all of Abinadi's words
• Abinadi is thrown into prison for three days. Then the guards bring him out again.
  Noah tells him to recant. Abinadi won't. He (Abinadi, not Noah) tells them that if they slay him, it will be shedding innocent blood ... and that testimony will stand against them at Judgment Day.
  Noah is about to let him go, since that's a strong threat ... but the priests are all, "No, he needs to die."
  And, as Abinadi's put to death (burned alive), he proclaims that Noah will meet the same fate. And there will be punishments for killing a prophet of God. (No, really ... BAD THINGS ARE GONNA HAPPEN.
  And then Abinadi dies.

As John Bytheway wonders, did Abinadi KNOW that Alma listened and believed?
That's a pretty powerful question. 

Okay, the talks that I need to go over ...

First is "The Lord's Way" by Elder Stanley G. Ellis

• We are not spiritual orphans! We are direct spiritual descendants of a loving Heavenly Father.
•  "What are the advantages of having parents—of not being an orphan? We can learn from them, benefit from their experience, avoid pitfalls they warn us about, and understand better because of their perspective. We don’t have to be lost, confused, deceived, or less effective. This is especially true in the case of our Heavenly Father, who has taught us and shown us not just a way but the way."
• God has a plan for us. If we follow his way, we will receive wonderful blessings of guidance and strength.
• There are guidelines that He has given us ... in helping the poor, we are encouraged to give help when and how we can ... but we must not do for others what they can and should do for themselves (He has also commanded us to be self-sufficent).
  "The Lord has His way, or the way, to love. Those of the world say that what really matters is that two people love each other. Our Father in Heaven teaches that this is important, but He teaches us more: that there is an authorized way and time to express that love."
• We need to govern ourselves. And to do what we can IN HIS WAY. Because HE knows best. He will help us in our efforts to help ourselves and others.

Today's talk is "The Gospel to All the World" by Elder John. B. Dickson

• After the resurrection  Christ appeared to His apostles. He taught them ... and He commanded them to go forth and to preach the gospel to all the world. At first, the gospel was only taken to Israel, then (after revelation to Peter), it was given to others.
• This mandate is still in place.
• When the Church was restored in 1830, missionaries were sent to preach.
  In 1978, the priesthood was extended to all worthy males.
  These are in preparation for Christ's second coming.
• The gospel is going to people all over the world. It is not just an American religion. It is a worldwide religion ... many different cultures have accepted the restored Gospel.
• "How I wish you could join the Saints in the temple in Aba, Nigeria, or Accra, Ghana, where you would sense the commitment of the Saints and come to know the all-African temple presidencies. Or how I wish I could introduce you to the African Area Seventies, who are assembled with us here in the Conference Center today and are attorneys, professors, and business managers, or have you become acquainted with the African stake and ward leaders and their families.
  Across Africa, to join a Sunday School, auxiliary, or priesthood class is a sacred experience, where the Church curriculum is followed and there is great gospel understanding, teaching, and learning by the Spirit.
  The gospel in Africa is going to a happy people, very unencumbered by the trappings that affect the lives of many in the West. They are not concerned about having endless material possessions.
  It has been said of Africans that they have very little of that which matters least and a great deal of that which matters most. They have little interest in enormous homes and the finest cars but great interest in knowing their Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and in having eternal families. As a natural result of their faith, the Lord is lifting them in meaningful ways.
  Knowing them as we do, we are not surprised that they would be such an important part of the expansion of the Church of Jesus Christ in the last days. Given that Daniel, the Old Testament prophet, envisioned the kingdom of God in the last days “roll[ing] forth unto the ends of the earth, as [a] stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands [would] roll forth, until it [had] filled the whole earth” (D&C 65:2), it is very fitting that our wonderful African brothers and sisters would be an important part of the fulfillment of that prophecy and that the revelations making it so would follow the Lord’s established patterns."
• This talk just makes me smile. And get a little misty-eyed. I'm so grateful to know that Heavenly Father loves ALL His children. And that His gospel will be made available to all people (they don't have to all accept it. It's totally their choice. But they will have an opportunity to hear it. Maybe not all will hear it during their mortal life ... but, well, it just makes me happy.

So, I don't know how often I'll be near a computer to blog for the next few days. But (1) please don't break into our house. You'll scare the sitter. And Freyja-cat won't think highly of it either. Nor will our neighbors. and (2) I hope that you are all healthy and happy and won't miss me too much. ;P

I'm on fyyyah!

But not literally ... because I cannot afford to be suffering from 3rd-degree burns right now.

I spent most of the day either entertaining Bubbles or cleaning the bathroom counters in our bathroom.
(I have a LOT of stuff on the counters. But it's now organized and the counters are clean.)

Mom didn't come up today, since she had to take my stepdad to the doctor's ... Had to change some medicine.

Got fast food for dinner (had birthday coupons for myself and bruise and Bucket to use). The employees were so great. We came in to order to-go, since Michael had a meeting shortly after he would get home from work. On the way in, Bubbles lost BOTH shoes (one outside) and, I had a drink holder AND a baby in my hands for the way out ... so one employee got BOTH of Bubbles' shoes ... and a volunteer there carried the bags of food out to the car. Isn't that so sweet?

But, yeah ... now to get everyone's clothes packed (and my makeup). Then maybe my brain will solidify again ... I wrote an email and instead of referring to an event on a date NEXT week, I wrote it as a date that had already passed. >.< Whoops!!

Okay ... So Mom is coming up tomorrow. I have volunteering, then packing and running out for some supplies (which I might save until Friday. Maybe.) ... But the house is clean(ish). Phew.

And my sinuses are a LOT clearer (even though I spaced taking my allergy medicine ... I'll do that when I go to bed, I think.) ... yay for Priesthood blessings!
(I'm not even going to TELL you how dark and huge what came out of my head after using a neti pot today. SO GROSS. Don't even think about it. Think about unicorns or pansies or the exact timbre and cadence of Alan Rickman's voice!)

So, I should do my reading, yes? (YES.)

Today's section is Mosiah 15:10 -15:31

• Abinadi is still talking (hey, he knows it's his last chance with these folk).
• He talks of the role of the Savior, the Atonement, repentance, the resurrection ... there's a lot there.

Yeah, I'm not going to sum up because I. AM. TIRED.

And now to read "Personal Peace: The Reward of Righteousness" by Elder Quentin L. Cook

• The main idea is the role of Jesus Christ in helping us each obtain peace -- lasting, personal peace.
• There are events in life that will take away our peace and make us feel vulnerable.
  Compare: The birth of the Savior vs. the slaughter of the innocents ordered by Herod.
• Agency is central to the plan of happiness/the plan of salvation (what the Gospel is all about/why we NEED a savior)
• Agency allows wonderful things (love, growth), but also allows terrible things (pain, suffering, ... anything that makes headlines in the news ...). Sometimes the bad things will be caused by things we don't understand (like natural events) or by other people's poor choices.
• We are not going to have universal peace in this life
• Good people everywhere have and will always strive for peace. Never give up ... once everyone receives God's truth and message, and acknowledges His power and authority, we will have peace.
• We can have peace in our lives through our righteousness. It's promised in the atonement. We will have an abiding happiness and spiritual contentment.
•  "Peace is not just safety or lack of war, violence, conflict, and contention. Peace comes from knowing that the Savior knows who we are and knows that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, even and especially amid life’s devastating trials and tragedies."
• The source of peace is the Savior, the author and Prince of peace.
• Th stay close to the Savior, we must humbles ourselves. Pray always. Repent of our since. Be baptized. Be true disciples. Be righteous.
  If we do these things, we will have peace of conscience ... which is essential for being content.
• We can gain peace through church and through the temple.
•  "Lift up your hearts in praise to God;
  Let your rejoicings never cease.
  Though tribulations rage abroad,
  Christ says, “In me ye shall have peace.” (Eliza R. Snow
• So ... basically, if you want peace, start with yourself. And you need Jesus for it. Because, like the church signs/billboards say: "No Jesus = no peace. Know Jesus = know peace."

It really is just that simple ... so, yeah.

Okay, I need to close up and pay attention to Michael.

Busy, busy, busy

Today is a bullet point type of blogging day.
(And not just the Scripture part of it.)

Today, I:

• got up
• made the kids' lunches
• had them clean off their tables (since Bubbles was asleep and they couldn't work on their room, which REALLY needed LOTS of work)
• Got the kids off to school
• Did dishes
• Filled up a crapload of water bottles
• Put Bubbles to nap
• Cleaned out some cabinets (Rubbermaid food containers, glass cookware, other cookware, small appliances, pots and pans, glasses)
• Grabbed a shower, got dressed, got Bubbles up and dressed, went Visiting Teaching
• Fed Bubbles
• Blew up the air mattress (to be sure that the patch job is holding)
• Cleaned up the laundry room (took out bags of plastic bags, got laundry started again, vacuumed the floors, tidied up the counters, put the water bottles in that fridge
• Put Bubbles back down for a nap
• Cleaned out the fridges and the laundry room freezer
• Cleaned the hall bathroom
• Cleaned more cabinets (mugs, kids' stuff -- like arts and crafts things)
• Kids got home
• I let them go out to play while I ... did something ... I don't even know. Oh, I made dinner.
• I helped them clean their room a little ... until I got frustrated with Bucket trying to outsmart us by hiding clean clothes (rather than PUT. THEM. AWAY.) ... which is only SLIGHTLY better than throwing clean clothes back into the laundry.
• Cleaned out my purse and diaper bag.
• Cleaned off memory cards for the cameras.
• Made a list of what all to pack ... must remember to pack Bumbo seat. It'll make life easier.
• Cleaned the fish tank

Tomorrow, my plan is to clean our bathroom ... the hardest part will be organizing the counters. Then Mom will be up. She and I will watch the Netflix DVD (Michael's on a No-Media Week challenge. I was honest from the start that I was NOT going to be able to do that. AT ALL.) ... then, um ... I don't know what'll happen then.

I'm fighting off a nasal-thing. I know that one side of my nose is all stuffed up and inflamed. But Michael gave me a blessing, so it'll all be good.

I'm just about caught up on dishes. And I'm caught up on laundry ... now to KEEP it that way, right?

Now to read my scriptures and the conference talk ... I know I should have done it earlier. But they only posted today's reading ... not very long ago. So, really, I'm not all that behind!

Mosiah 14:1-15:9

• You should just read it. Abinadi testifies of the Savior. His appearance to the Nephites is foretold ... Seriously, just read it. It's not terribly long. And it's good.
• I mean, really ... Abinadi just wants them to understand about Jesus.

Conference Talk - "For Peace at Home" - Richard G. Scott

• "The ideal place for that peace is within the walls of our own homes, where we have done all we can to make the Lord Jesus Christ the centerpiece."
• Regardless of our circumstances (married, single, if we have a worthy priesthood member in the home or not), we can center our homes and lives on Jesus Christ.
• It's not just up to parents to determine the spirituality of the home; Children can help to assist in maintaining peace in the home and being a good example.
• Obey the commandments.
• Technology can be used as an enhancement to spiritual communication (e.g., reading your scriptures on your smartphone). Be wise in how you embrace technology. 
• "When we obey the commandments of the Lord and serve His children unselfishly, the natural consequence is power from God—power to do more than we can do by ourselves. Our insights, our talents, our abilities are expanded because we receive strength and power from the Lord." 
• "One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds."
• "Recognize the good in others, not their stains. At times a stain needs appropriate attention to be cleansed, but always build on his or her virtues."
• Don't try to accomplish everything at once. If we do our best, and turn to the Lord in prayer, He will guide us to do the most-needed things. 
• There will still be trials ... but, a Christ-centered home will be a place of strength, peace, and refuge.

Okay ... I'm really, really tired. It was hard to type this all correctly. If there are any glaring errors, please bear with me, okay?

I don't have a lot to say about this talk. It's good ... don't get me wrong. But I don't have anything really to add.

Except that I liked the shout-out to good technology! Whoo!! ... Yeah. Wow, I'm tired.

Okay. Shutting up now.

A clean desk ...

So, yeah, I cleaned my desktop. No, the PHYSICAL one. Not just the one on my computer screen.

And ... well, let me tell you, it's a little surreal. And it's not PRISTINE clean. OH HECK NO. But it's a TON cleaner and less cluttered. I had a HUUUUUUUGE pile of recycling and a bunch of junk on there. And it's a lot less dusty, too.

Effective use of Bubbles' naptime? I think YES.

So, I'm rewarding myself with ice cream.
SHUSH. I EARNED IT.

So, I came home early from church. Bubbles was tired, but was not going to take a nap at church. No matter what. So ... well, I took her home and she napped. And I had some quiet time and felt like a loser for missing Relief Society. (I'm about to count the weeks down until Bubbles starts Nursery. (18-month-olds enter a Nursery class until they're three. Then they start Sunday School properly. LOTS of parents get to the point where they look forward to Nursery starting. With Bruise and Bucket, we were invited to bring them in a little early ... like a month or so before ... and stay in Nursery with them. This was a nice way to get them acclimated to it. On their first REAL day of Nursery, Bruise ran in, ready to go. Didn't even want to give us kisses or say "bye" since there were SUCH FUN TO BE HAD! ... Bucket, however, needed a little encouragement.)

I will admit, I'm tempted to just go hang out in Nursery. At least I'd be able to hear a lesson without having to attempt to keep Bubbles quiet and from toddling up to the front of the classroom.

LOTS of people at church (especially considering how short of a time period I was there) remarked on my hair. So, that lets you know how much brighter a red it is now. Do I mind? Nope. If someone didn't like it, would I care? Nope. My hair, my rules. And I know how to deliver a "stop talking" type of line while maintaining a "butter wouldn't melt in my mouth" expression.

Well, I'm pretty much caught up on laundry ... the washing and drying part of it. I should have another load to wash by the end of the day. So, that's good.
I should wash a couple loads of dishes (maybe I can fit it all into just one load?) ... and that'll be caught up.
Then to clean off all the kitchen counters ... and clean some cupboards, too. Then to sweep and scrub the floor. Then to clean up the laundry room and the hall bathroom. AND, if I have time this week, clean up OUR bathroom and the floor on my side of the bed. Then vacuum it. And the kids' room.

(The kids have their own jobs to get done this week:

• Monday - Clean up books/magazines by their bookshelf
• Tuesday - Clean their room (includes putting away clothes properly)
• Wednesday - Clean their tables
• Thursday - Just keep the house clean!! And make sure that they're packed!)

So, yeah ... things are getting into gear. We have a housesitter all lined up. Our neighbors are going to keep an eye on the place, too. So, if you're reading, please don't break into the house. I'm sure you're much too pretty and kind to go to prison. So don't take any chances!

I've worked at getting music updated on my iPod (5th generation, baby ... it's practically an antique by now! That's how I roll with Apple products, apparently. ;P) ... so, there's that. Got all the passes and reservation papers and coupons printed out. *phew*

Now to just get packed and the house ready for everything. I can do this.
I mean, heck, my desk and 90% of the front room is ready. Now to get the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and laundry room ready! And pack up that car! It's going to be so full.
(Someday we'll be able to afford to just travel with the clothes on our back and a toiletry kit. THIS is NOT that trip. :P)

Michael figured out what was wrong with the air mattress. Last week, my mom ended up on the floor twice. There's a hole in it. We'll patch that tonight. And finish getting the bedroom doorknob aright. Since it still doesn't have the two screws to keep it together, Bruise and I (at different times) have been trapped inside the bedroom. Whoops!

I did my Lumnosity (brain stuff) practice. And I practiced Spanish (went pretty well for how much I neglected it) and German (verdammt. ... Could have been better. But, hey, at least I practiced, right?).

So I NEED to get my reading/study assignments done, right? RIGHT.

Today's reading is Mosiah 13:5-13:15

• Abinadi was right when he told the priests not to touch him (or else they'd die). He preaches (while glowing, like Moses on Sinai) with authority from the Lord. And he states that, after his message is finished, it doesn't matter what happens to him. He knows that he's right with the Lord. He preaches of the Ten Commandments and of the Law of Moses. He foretells of the fulfillment of the Law of Moses, when we will need to keep a higher law (Christ's commandments).
  He explains WHY we have the law of Moses, why God didn't just give us the higher law THEN. He tells of the coming of the Son of God.
• I ... I just don't get why people didn't listen to Abinadi. I mean ... he's GLOWING.
  Maybe they were really distracted by that? But still, why would you be mean to a guy who glows? I think that it'd be rather scary, especially if you weren't already on his side.
• It's good to be reminded of (as in Exodus) why Moses' people didn't get the higher law. God was all ready to give it to them ... but they grew tired of waiting for Moses to come back from the mountain and thought that worshipping an idol and being VERY naughty was some type of a good idea.
  So, Moses comes down with the higher law ... and sees what's going on. And he KNOWS that these people are NOT AT ALL ready for these commandments. So, to protect them from themselves, he goes back and gets commandments that they CAN manage to keep. Like how we get a learner's permit and have to practice a lot before we can get a driver's license (at least, as a teenager). Or how we have prerequisites for high school and college classes. Because, most times, we all NEED to take those preparatory classes first so that  we won't fail.
• But ... he was GLOWING!!!!! Seriously ... glowing.

Today's talk is ... well, it's a bunch of things:

1. The Sustaining of Church Officers (Dieter F. Uchtdorf)
2. Church Auditing Department Report, 2012 (Robert W. Cantwell)
3. Statistical Report, 2012 (Brook P. Hales)

• So, this is all the start of the Saturday Afternoon Session of Conference ... In case you wondered what was going on (if you want, you can always head over to lds.org and read/watch it yourselves. No pressure, though. I know that I don't always want to be told what to do.)
• So, first things first, we all have the opportunity to sustain our General Authorities ... those leaders over the wider geographical regions of the church (as opposed to Stake or Ward leaders, who have much, much smaller geographical regions to preside over). Like, how the prophet leads the whole church. And the General Relief Society Board is over all the adult women, since they're in charge of the other Relief Society leaders.
• It's quite powerful to see all the hands be raised to show support for our leaders. It's also a great experience to be able to do so yourself ... a little bit of a testimony to yourself, "This man/these leaders is/are called of God. They are all here to serve us. I will do what I can to support them in their efforts."
• Wow, there are a LOT of people serving us in the church. LOTS.
  And, remember, we have a lay clergy ... so they're doing this for US, not for any paycheck. And it's not like they have fan clubs or get a lot of acclaim. So, wow, they must really love us.
• On to the Auditing Report ... It's really short. Elder Cantwell (I wonder if people call him "CountWell" since he works with finances ...), well, Michael says that he, indeed, sounds like an auditor. I am always intrigued by how he sounds as he talks. His voice is so far back in his throat that it sounds like he's swallowing his words as he delivers them. 
• The Auditing Report avows that the Church has been using its funds responsibly and reporting their use accurately.
• (Truth be told, I really never listen much to this ... So it's good to read it. Not exactly thrilling, mind you. But reassuring. And it's good to know that SOMEONE out there can follow a budget ... Too bad our political leaders can't follow that example. :/ )
• The Statistical Report is also rather dry ... until you compare it over time. It's amazing to see how the church has grown (Started out with six guys in one ward back in 1830 to 14,782,4773 members  worldwide by the end of 2012). We have 140 temples in service now ... Pretty big stuff.

I didn't really get any huge spiritual insights from this section of Conference ... but it is reassuring: I support and sustain our leaders. I have a testimony that they are called of God, that they serve us because they love us, that God wants these men and women in these positions. I'm glad that the Church manages its funds well and honestly. Tithing doesn't seem like such a sacrifice if you know that the funds are doing what is best for the world ... and not just going to line someone's cashmere pockets or something. And the Church is still growing. Missionaries are doing their work. Good stuff.

More stuff ... Nothing exceedingly clever ...

Okay, Bubbles is MOSTLY napping before church. Mostly.
And the kids and I are all dressed. And I have a little bit of time. Instead of eating breakfast so that I'm not a crankypants, I'm going to blog, instead.

We had to replace the bathroom hall's doorknob. The spring inside the old one was giving out ... so we couldn't get IN to that bathroom. Yeah. Not cool. Since we HAVE to close that door to keep Bubbles from playing in the toilet.

We also put a new doorknob on our bedroom door, so we can lock ourselves in (PHWOAR!), but it didn't come with the needed screws (NOT a pun), so Michael will need to go back to Home Depot ... but not today, because it's the Sabbath.

I've gotten Bucket's hair done ... and, well, there's a lot of yelling going on. And she and Bruise are crashing around like a small herd of elephants ... and since Bubbles IS down for a nap, I'd like her to GET that nap.
So, no matter what, I DO sound like a cranky McCrankerpants.

Well, let's get somewhat spiritual ... let's read.

Today's section is Mosiah (duh, right) 12:17-13:4

• King Noah puts Abinadi in prison and he and his dudes council together what to do with him. They question him, hoping that he'll get tripped up in his words and they can accuse him of lying and then put him to death. But, instead, they're confounded in THEIR words.
• Abinadi teaches of Christ and His commandments. The priests say that they teach the law of Moses. And Abinadi's all (paraphrasing), "If you teach the law of Moses, why aren't you keeping it? You know that I'm telling the truth. So, tell me, does salvation come by the law of Moses?"
  And they're all, "Um ... yes?" But Abinadi's all, "Dudes, if you KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS, yes, you will be saved ... and here's what those commandments ARE ... (and he lists some of them) ... And REALLY, dudes, you're not even TRYING. And, even more than that, you've led the people astray."
• King Noah is getting REALLY angry at this. And he commands the priests to take Abinadi away and kill him ... because he's crazy (or so Noah says).
• BUT!! When the priests go to grab Abinadi, he's all, "Don't touch me. Because, if you do, God is going to smite you DOWN. I'm commanded to deliver this message. And I am going to do it. Besides, you've asked me questions and demanded answers ... and I haven't finished. You might think that I'm crazy, but that's just because you're angry with what I'm saying." (YES, it's paraphrased. Do you even have to ask?)

So, yeah. do NOT mess with Abinadi when he's got a message to deliver.
(The cast of Romeo and Juliet, what with all their messages to deliver, could have learned a lesson or two, amirite?)

Okay, now for the talk of the day:  "Come Unto Me" by Henry B. Eyring

Before I start, I'll confess that I'm a bit of an Eyring fangirl. A few years back, pre-children, our University Ward choir had the opportunity to provide the music for a Stake Conference ... where President Eyring was presiding (and spoke at). It was pretty amazing, being able to sing for him. We didn't get to shake his hand or anything; he was kept REALLY busy ... but he's amazing. And I was so very sad when he had to go ... because it was so awesome, being in the same room as he was. You could FEEL the difference when he left the room.

Okay, so let's go through the talk ...

• Doctrine and Covenants 88:63 - The Lord instructs us that how close of a relationship we have with Him depends on us. (We KNOW that He is always there ... we just have to make the effort. And, through making that effort, we will feel Him ever so much nearer.)
• President Eyring testifies that he, himself, has experienced that joy that comes from coming closer to the Savior. He has accomplished this mostly through simply keeping the commandments. He shares an example of one of those times.
• He then speaks of, after the crucifixion and burial of Christ, how He appeared on the road to Emmaus, how He spoke to his disciples. Even though they did not recognize him, He taught and testified to them. And walked with them. And, when the day was over, they entreated Him to stay with them.
  And He did.
  They ate together ... and their eyes were opened. They recognized Him ... and He vanished from their sight. They KNEW, they had a testimony of His identity. And they rushed off immediately to share this good news with the eleven Apostles ... And, as they did so, He appeared again.
  And, after teaching them again, He declared to them that they were all witnesses of these things.
• We, also are called as witnesses. We are entreated to keep the covenants stated in Mosiah 18:8-11.
• We have also been entreated by modern-day prophets who have reminded us of the Savior's promise -- that He will be with us (Doctine and Covenants 84:88)
• Other times that President Eyring has especially felt himself coming closer to the Lord has been when he partakes in acts of service. The Lord will also draw closer to our family members. There are loving servants and opportunities that will be given to draw our families closer to Christ.
• As we pray and serve the Lord, we may not have EVERY blessing that we desire, BUT we will have the Savior close to us and our families. He will bless us with what is best. We will feel His love and comfort. As we serve, we will be strengthened through His power. In the end, we will witness the promises made by the Lord.
• Follow His example. Come unto Him.
• And President Eyring closes with his testimony. And in it, he states:
  
  I am a witness of the Resurrection of the Lord as surely as if I had been there in the evening with the two disciples in the house on Emmaus road. I know that He lives as surely as did Joseph Smith when he saw the Father and the Son in the light of a brilliant morning in a grove of trees in Palmyra.
  This is the true Church of Jesus Christ. Only in the priesthood keys held by President Thomas S. Monson is the power for us to be sealed in families to live forever with our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We will on the Day of Judgment stand before the Savior, face to face. It will be a time of joy for those who have drawn close to Him in His service in this life. It will be a joy to hear the words: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”¹⁹ I so testify as a witness of the risen Savior and our Redeemer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Yes, I really did like this talk a lot, too. It's wonderful to be made aware of such (for lack of a better word) amazing blessings that are available to us ... all we have to do is make an honest effort.

Okay, I have about ten minutes to get us ready for church.
I have enough time to wake the baby, get her dressed, make sure that Bruise and Bucket have their stuff for church, and get in the car. We can do this.