DoddemaGen

It’s only a week until Thanksgiving. While it’s supposed to be a time to be grateful for all that we’ve been blessed with, it’s also time for hair-pulling, shopping carts slamming into one another in crowded supermarket aisles and family. This year instead of having close friends over we decided to spend the holiday with Kara’s family. Originally it was supposed to be at her mother’s but it’s since been moved to our house. The maddening part is that we’ve just completely and I mean completely moved our house around.  All the kids have moved to new rooms and we’re just finishing up the cleaning. Imagine what we’re doing this weekend?!

So why is it being held at my house? Supposedly it’s more kid friendly.  Personally, I think it’s because of my new 42″ plasma tv but that’s just me talking. If the family only remembered that I’m not a football fan and would rather pull my eyelids over my head than watch it they might have reconsidered. Despite that, I’ve been helping Kara decide on appetizers, dishes served, etc.  To me that’s the fun part…helping plan the meal and watching it all pull together. Kara’s been making Thanksgiving dinner ever since we’ve been married so she’s only gotten better at it. Hats off to her!

So what am I thankful for? A wonderful wife that loves to cook and cook big, my family and the plasma tv to keep them occupied!

As the season’s change and we say goodbye to orange hue trees desperately trying to keep ahold of their brightly multicolored leaves from the wind that whistles down the street. We celebrate the new arrival of the first snow of the year. We had a plethora of leaves in our yard this fall it was bittersweet to rake and shovel them to the curb! So much leaves even the neighbors down the street and casual street walkers would come down to our home and pick the red and orange leaves. The other houses on the street only had yellow leaves.As we get closer to gathering w/family and friends, remember to “pass the gravy” and think of the moments you’ve had this year that inspired you to be a better person and share those thoughts w/others.

I’ve read books that I just couldn’t finish…not because it was bad writing, it just didn’t hold my interest at that time. I’ve never stopped reading a book because it offended me…until now.

I’ve read all the Left Behind books and really liked them. Although LDS views are somewhat different about the latter days, it was interesting to see how the story unfolded and what the world could possibly be like during that time period before Christ’s return. Kingdom Come, the last book in the series (13 in total) takes us into the Millennium.

What should be a wondrous occasion turns into a future that I want no part of or at least this interpretation. Husband and wife are no longer together…they’re platonic buddies. Family ties are separated and we’re just brothers and sisters working for the “Cause”.

If marriage isn’t possible in the Millennium and beyond for those that lived before it’s beginning, then why even have marriage? Why go through all the trials and tribulations of marriage? Why has our Heavenly Father told us to “cleave one to another” if only to separate us at death?

This is where I take a LDS viewpoint. Families are forever…..literally. In 1995, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came out with the Family Proclamation where it specifically states that “ The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.”

It further states:

“The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.”

I believe, no I know that this is true. I’ve prayed and fasted about it and know that my wife and I can be together forever if we but continue to keep the faith and strive to do our best by others, ourselves and our God. I can do no less.

That’s why I quit the book. I tried but after reading 100 pages and listening to the drivel of meaningless human marriage, I had to stop. Obviously, it’s only my opinion. If you thought differently, comment but do so tactfully.

The proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah. For the whole revelation, please go to Family Proclamation.

Explore Strange New Worlds-Day One–We left for my parents on December 23rd. We figured with the possibility of us moving in a few months that we would spend a little extra time with family. The trip normally takes around 2 1/2 hours, depending on bathroom breaks, fights, etc.. Regardless of the season, it’s a beautiful drive through the mountains. We finally arrived in Trout Creek, Montana at the Trout Creek Motel where my parents had graciously lodged us for the next couple of night. The outside had been totally redone, giving it a rustic, outdoorsy look. Although the inside was pretty standard for a motel, what really made it appealing was that the manager had made my family a plate of home-made goodies–from cookies, fudge, etc. There was something with chocolate and coconut and that’s all I seem to be able to remember for a few moments. Along with the goodies was a Christmas card. Now that’s cool!