Paintball Shooting on July 4th

Uncle Jed pulled out his paintball gun and a huge box of paintballs on the 4th. The kids all took turns firing at the targets and they got pink paint all over the backyard. Luckily it washes up pretty well! When Owen first saw his Dad shooting his toys pink he said with a frown, “that makes me sad.” But he was ok after we explained that it washes off. Super fun activity for all of the kids, Thanks!

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Princess Pocket Pillow

Hannah and I were at the store buying some fabric for the wedding dresses I will soon be trying to make. (If I can just figure out how to lay out the pattern and get the pieces cut out!) She spotted this princess fabric and begged me to get it for her. I saw that all of the flannel on the shelf was on sale for $2.00/yard and thought it would make a nice pillowcase so I got a yard and a half. After waiting around forever to get my fabrics all measured and cut I made my way to the register to pay. On the receipt I noticed that the princess fabric was priced at $6.00/yard. I asked the cashier about it to which she helpfully responded, “Ya, sometimes people put things back in the wrong place.” Ok, thanks. She said I could give it back and she would void it from the receipt. But now it was already cut and my two year old is dying to get it home. So I bought it anyway. I figured since this pillow case jumped from costing only $3.00 to $9.00 I better make it a good one.

Hannah is also very attached to her binkies, and I had a brilliant idea- I would sew a large pocket onto the pillowcase so she can keep her binky in there during the day and have it only during bedtime. It’s a step in the right direction. I just can’t do the cold-turkey no binkies thing for her. She’ll just find one of Sabrina’s. So far it hasn’t been wildly successful, but now that we’re back home maybe it will work better. So, here it is in all it’s glory:

Hannah’s Princess Binky Pocket Pillow

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Blind Obedience

In Relief Society today we discussed obedience. Spencer W Kimball gave this great quote regarding the difference between blind obedience and faith obedience. I think it explains the concept so well.

“We render intelligent, constructive obedience when we voluntarily, humbly, and happily obey the commands of our Lord. To obey! To hearken! What a difficult requirement! Often we hear: “Nobody can tell me what clothes to wear, what I shall eat or drink. No one can outline my Sabbaths, appropriate my earnings, nor in any way limit my personal freedoms! I do as I please! I give no blind obedience!” Blind obedience! How little they understand! …

When men obey commands of a creator, it is not blind obedience. How different is the cowering of a subject to his totalitarian monarch and the dignified, willing obedience one gives to his God. The dictator is ambitious, selfish, and has ulterior motives. God’s every command is righteous, every directive purposeful, and all for the good of the governed. The first may be blind obedience, but the latter is certainly faith obedience. …

Is it blind obedience when one regards the sign “High Voltage—Keep Away” or is it the obedience of faith in the judgment of experts who know the hazard? Is it blind obedience when the air traveler fastens his seat belt as that sign flashes or is it confidence in the experience and wisdom of those who know more of hazards and dangers? Is it blind obedience when the little child gleefully jumps from the table into the strong arms of its smiling father, or is this implicit trust in a loving parent who feels sure of his catch and who loves the child better than life itself? …

Is it then blind obedience when we, with our limited vision, elementary knowledge, selfish desires, ulterior motives, and carnal urges, accept and follow the guidance and obey the commands of our loving Father who … created a world for us, loves us, and has planned a constructive program for us, wholly without ulterior motive, whose greatest joy and glory is to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life” of all his children? [See Moses 1:39.] It is not blind obedience, even without total understanding, to follow a Father who has proved himself.”

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