I like my hands the way they are.

I love my job (veterinary technician) and love the animals I get to take care of. Of course, not all of the animals are real keen on the idea of me taking care of them. Occasionally we will get an animal that needs one of these on its chart:


This means that the animal has, at some point, shown signs of aggression and to never let your guard down when treating it. Some are not that nice.

Pretty self-explanatory.

Some really want our blood.

But this one takes it to a whole new level.

Enough said.

When are you going to stop asking socially awkward questions?

Recently I was talking to my sister about one of our pet peeves as young marrieds: when people ask, "When are you going to have a baby?" It is irritating because it is none of their business, and for couples who are trying without success, it can be especially frustrating. To deal with this question we came up with some creative responses.
Note: we acknowledge that everyone has been guilty of this at one time or another, including ourselves, so this is merely for comedy's sake, and not aimed at anyone in particular!

Random person: "When are you going to have a baby?"
Young married couple: -"What? We're supposed to do that? Can you tell me how?"
-(breaks down crying) "I just had my ovaries removed!"
-"Actually, we're trying! In fact just last night we..." (goes into graphic story)
-"When are you going to have a baby?"
-"(spouse's name) just left me!" (leaves sobbing)
-"Once Blargon succeeds in his plans to take over the world!"

Anyone have anymore good ones? I'm running out of things to say at church every week!

Imagine

I really like the song Imagine by John Lennon. It has a great tune and a good meaning behind it. I was thinking about the words today, and when I imagine these things I feel very different about them than Lennon probably did.

Imagine there's no Heaven
That is just downright depressing!
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Only sky??
Imagine all the people
Living for today
That's pretty scary!

Imagine there's no countries
I love my country! Well, Lennon was a Brit.
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
But then why are we here?
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
Even though we have nothing left to live for.

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Ever read The Giver?

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
Now this, I like.

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
This kind of sounds like some crazy Socialist world.

Like I said, I do like this song. But while Lennon pictured these things as the ideal world, I like the song because it helps me to see what's great about the world now, and how scary it would be if all those things we live for and love were gone!

Conference...

All were uplifted and edified. And rested.

All You Need is Love

After 26 years of being a member of the church, I am just beginning to learn what it is all about. Last week President Monson gave a talk at Women's Conference that has changed me. He spoke about judging vs. loving others. He said, "None of us is perfect. I know of no one who would profess to be so. And yet for some reason, despite our own imperfections, we have a tendency to point out those of others. "

Click here to watch it.

I know I have been guilty of unrighteous judgment way too many times. It is so bad for us! It gets in the way of making new friends, of current relationships progressing, of missionary moments, of helping people who truly need help, and so on. Since I watched this talk and realized the gravity of this sin that we so often overlook, I have committed myself to saving the judging for the only one who is qualified for it. And since doing so, I have been so much happier! It was a simple act but I feel a huge difference. In removing my judgments I have made room for the spirit.

Once we stop judging people we can truly begin to love them, and in doing so, love the Savior. "Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others."

I can't wait for the rest of conference this weekend!

I love this video

You are hereby called to serve in the...

My little brother (18 years old and 6 feet tall), Jacob, recently put in his mission papers to serve a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He received his call in the mail today and we all gathered for the big opening. Here it is!

Nashville, Tennessee! He reports to the Provo MTC on December 8. We are so excited and so proud!