Monthly Archives: September 2011

Preparing children for General Conference (+ packet links)

Posted in Diapers by

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[image credit]

It’s no surprise to anyone who has visited this blog before that I love General Conference.  I know many of you do, too.  To any readers who might not be familiar with General Conference or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, go here or here to learn more about both.  Today I wanted to share a few ideas of how we can help our children appreciate and look forward to General Conference.

  1. Start now to express your excitement for conference.  Today, on two different occasions in the car, I said, “Only 5 more days until General Conference.  I’m so excited!”  Use the opportunity to bear brief testimony of living prophets and how their messages have made a difference in your life.
  2. As you say family and meal prayers, remind your children to pray for the prophet and apostles as they prepare for their conference talks.  We can ask Heavenly Father to help them be inspired as they speak and to help us be inspired as we listen. Continue reading →

GCBC Week 26: “The Sanctifying Work of Welfare” by Bishop H. David Burton

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LAST week of General Conference Book Club.  Last.  Can you believe it?  This means two things:

  1. We did it.
  2. Only 6 more days until we get to hear the word of the Lord again from prophets and apostles.

This coming week will be a General Conference Extravaganza here on Diapers and Divinity as we get ready for another session to begin.  Starting tomorrow, watch for preparation ideas, a meme that you can participate in on your own blog, some highlights, packets for children, etc.  So, you know, stay tuned.

Do you want me to keep doing General Conference book club here on the blog?  There’s always a huge turnout for week one, and then it kind of dwindles off little by little.  I don’t mind continuing it for even a few people if they find it meaningful and helpful.

So whether you’re a regular or thinking of joining in, I’d like to know what you’re thinking. 

Okay, for this week, our last talk is “The Sanctifying Work of Welfare” by Bishop H. David Burton.

“The purpose, promises, and principles that reinforce our work of caring for the poor and needy extend far beyond the bounds of mortality. This sacred work is not only to benefit and bless those who suffer or are in need. As sons and daughters of God, we cannot inherit the full measure of eternal life without being fully invested in caring for each other while we are here on earth. It is in the benevolent practice of sacrifice and giving of ourselves to others that we learn the celestial principles of sacrifice and consecration.”

I feel like this message makes a lovely companion to Sister Allred’s talk from the Relief Society Broadcast last night.

What does this talk make you think or feel?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you’re visiting for the first time and you want to know more about what we do here for General Conference Book Club, click here.

Find-A-Friend Friday: Meet Erika

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[Quick announcement first:  Congratulations to Lisaway, who won the giveaway for Melanie’s new book.  To anyone else who wants a copy for yourself, you can buy Not My Type at Amazon or Deseret Book.]

Today we meet Erika.  She is a blog friend I was lucky enough to meet in real life when she came to Utah one time and graciously took family pictures for me.  See what a great job she did?

She is very kind and super talented and I’m excited for you to meet her.  Here’s Erika:


[I stole this from her blog.  Isn’t she lovely?]

My name is Erika.  I’m shockingly close to 30 and I live just outside of Portland, OR.  I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 9 years and we have 2 girls (6 and 4) and a boy(2).

I am a military brat, my dad served in the Army for 20+ years.  I was born in Germany, but we moved when I was two.  I’ve lived in all 4 corners of the US.  Having experienced many different climates and places I have decided that my two favorite places are Virginia and Washington state because of the beautiful greens.  I grew up in a family of 6 girls, no boys.  I was the 2nd oldest and did a lot of babysitting.  I met my husband in Florida when he moved into my ward.  It was pretty much love at first sight and he waited 9 months for me to turn 16 before he took my on my first date.  He was also my first kiss.  I wrote to him while he went on a mission and I went to BYU Provo. I didn’t do anything past my general electives at BYU.  Nothing interested me enough to commit.  The most interesting part of my history happens when my husband got home from his mission.  He had been challenged by his dad to beat his “dating record” of 39 girls in 1 year.  I knew that my husband had this goal, so I encouraged him to take girls out while still dating me.  But that started to get old, really fast.  He had bought my engagement ring and he was STILL DATING other girls.  I finally put my foot down and told him to choose between me and the numbers.  He made the correct choice.  Shortly after getting married I started massage school at Utah College of Massage Therapy so I am a closet massage therapist now.  I’m not currently licensed, but I would say that I am so grateful that I went to massage school because it rekindled my love of learning that I had lost.  After my husband graduated from BYU we moved up to Oregon and we plan to stay forever.  We LOVE the Pacific Northwest.  We now have 3 kids and I have discovered a passion for photography.

What’s your favorite part of motherhood? The hugs and kisses from my children.  Hearing them laughing together.  Watching how they grow and learn.

What part of motherhood would you subcontract out if you could? FEEDING my kids.  I honestly can’t STAND it when my kids come and ask me for food or tell me that they are hungry.  And if I think of something for them to eat, they don’t want it.  I wish I found satisfaction in feeding my family, but I jut don’t.

Brag for a minute.  Do it.  What are a few things that you’re pretty good at? I’m pretty good at putting things off…  hence my blog title “Erika’s Procrastination Corner.”  I am patient with projects.  I love doing things with my hands.  I am artistic and can draw fairly well.  I have been practicing and would say I’m pretty good at taking pictures, but I’m always trying to learn and improve.

What are you loving lately? Taking pictures and Pinterest.

What do you gravitate toward during your unscheduled time? The computer… I always have one project or another; editing pictures, blogging, creating Blurb books from my blog, checking Facebook/email, etc.

Tell us some of your best mom-tricks  (things you’ve figured out that work well for you).  Using one word commands when you need a child to obey you.  “Clothes”, “Teeth”, things like that.  

What’s something you don’t usually want people to know about you, but that they need to know if they’re going to be your friend?  I’m a homebody and would most likely rot at home if you don’t invite me to go somewhere.  I need friends who get me out of my comfort zone and reach out to include me.

 If you were in charge of a girls’ night out, what kind of activity would you love to plan?  If money and calories weren’t an issue- I’d do a spa night where we all got pedicures and then ate at a chocolate cafe and saw girly chick flick.

What parts of your testimony are you the most sure of?  I am most sure that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that he was telling the truth about the First Vision.  I am most sure that the power of the priesthood is real and that the Holy Ghost guides us.  I am most sure that Heavenly Father loves us and watches over us and has a hand in our lives.

 Let’s say you’re dying in your sleep tonight.  What would you eat for your last meal?  My mom’s beef enchiladas with an italian soda, followed by Snickerdoodles and Lemon Bars

What homemaking job/task gives you the most satisfaction?  Sweeping.  It’s quick and easy and you see immediate results and your house instantly feels 50% cleaner without crumbs sticking to your feet.

Give your best advice to a newlywed or expectant mom.  Stop thinking about you and think about them (husband/child).

What’s something unexpected in your life, and how have you dealt with it?  I got diagnosed with thyroid cancer when I was pregnant with my son.  That was definitely unexpected.  Getting the thyroid removed and dealing with the treatment wasn’t so bad, but trying to get my thyroid levels regulated has been hard.  Let’s just say I’m glad my husband and kids have put up with me.

If you could make a pie chart (graph) of your thoughts during the last week or so, what would take up most of the space?  A house.  I’m trying to figure out where the Lord stands on this house and my family, whether we should buy it or not.  It’s great fun.

Tell us about your blog:  My blog is Erika’s Procrastination Corner.  It is basically a family journal with LOTS of pictures.  I started blogging in 2007 or so and decided that I wanted my pictures to look better.  That’s what led me to discovering my love for photography.  

Thank you, Erika!  Please visit her blog to get to know her a little, or give her a quick hello in the comments here.

Happy weekend, everyone.

Announcements. (Good stuff.)

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Some exciting business, folks. Three exciting items of business.  I know, this place is just a party.

First of all, there’s still time to enter the contest for the free, autographed copy of Melanie’s book, Not My Type.  All you have to do is send anyone a thank-you note, and you’re in the drawing.  Go to this post to enter.  The drawing for the winner will be Wednesday night and I’ll pick up the book at the release party on Thursday.

Second, there are only TEN MORE DAYS until General Conference.  It’s no secret how I feel about conference.  (It’s my second favorite holiday after Christmas. Truly.)  Anyway, I’ll be teaming up with Lesa from Notes about Music to create some kind of General Conference meme that you can all participate in on your own blogs.  It will be a questionnaire about your experience with both the “music and the spoken word” that is conference. You’ll have it ahead of time so you can watch for answers during conference. Then we’ll have a big link-up thing where we can read all about everyone’s favorite moments and lessons.  So, basically, just get ready for that– it’s coming soon.  And as a personal side note, I can’t emphasize enough how much more you’ll get out of conference if you start now to think about questions you’d like answers to and pray about them in anticipation of hearing the Lord’s servants speak.  You’ll be amazed how many personalized answers you will receive.  Need something to get you in the mood?  Watch this video.  It’s fantastic.  And amen to its message.

Finally, I’m thinking it’s time for another Girls’ Night Out.  Mostly because I saw this and wanted some girlfriends to go with me.

LITTLE WOMEN: The Musical SCERA Showhouse II Friday, 10/7/11 7:30PM MDT

So it’s at the Scera theater in Orem, and I thought we could all meet there for the show, then go across the street (kind of) to The Chocolate, eat desserts and visit the night away.  Tickets would be just under $15 (a little cheaper if you have student I.D.). What do you think?  I’d love to have you come whether you’re a longtime blog friend or a quiet blog stalker.  It’s a great way to take a break, make new friendships, and well, you know, eat chocolate.  If it sounds fun to you and you’re available on 10/7, let me know in the comments, and I’ll send you more details.  Feel free to invite a wing[woman], daughter, girlfriend, whatever.  P.S. This invitation is null and void if you are a strange, predatory creep.  Just to be clear.  (Insert passive-aggressive smile here.)

GCBC Week 25: “Establishing a Christ-Centered Home” and “What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?”

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Okay, we are doubling up this week since we’re running out of time (ONE more week of GCBC before a new conference!), and I love, LOVE, love both of these talks. It will be worth your time to study them both this week, I promise.

Establishing a Christ-Centered Home

by Elder Richard J. Maynes of the Seventy

“Because Satan understands that true happiness in this life and in the eternities is found in the form of family, he does everything in his power to destroy it.”

and

What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?

by Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy

“A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505. Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself.”

I could put hundreds of quotes here that I loved from both talks.  How about you?  What were your favorite principles from these talks?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.  If you’re new to General Conference Book Club, get more info here.