Time for God

I got this as a handout in Young Women's a number of years ago. The author, from what I've seen online, is unknown, but if somebody knows who the author is, I would truly appreciate knowing who said it.

Hi,
As you got up this morning, I watched you and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed you were too busy trying to find the right outfit to put on and wear to work.
I waited again. When you ran around the house getting ready I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy. At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip.
I watched as you went to work and I waited patiently all day long. With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me. I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn't bow your head. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn't. That's okay. There is still more time left, and I have hope that you will talk to me.
Yet you went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done you turned on the TV, I don't know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there & you spent a lot of time each day in front of it, not thinking about anything - just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal but again you didn't talk to me.
Bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That's okay because you may not realize that I am always there for you. I've got patience more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well. I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation.
Well you are getting up again and once again I will wait with nothing but love for you hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a nice day!
Love,
Your Heavenly Father

Let me get a big "Heck yeah"!

Beliefnet has a corner called Blog Heaven: Where faith blogs go if they're good. Under "General" is a site called holyweblog.com (sporadically reviewing the good, the bad and the quirky in the religious world),
and it had an entry from a country station in Utah that did a spoof of Gretchen Wilson's Redneck Woman, and called it Mormon Woman. This is freakin' hilarious! I couldn't find the lyrics, but I did download the song, and I had to laugh at just about everything. The guy who did it, Robert Lund, is a parody song writer, and performed this very well. It's one of those things you have to hear at least once. So give it a try!

Stake Conference is this Sunday!

And we're doing something different. I seem to remember them saying something about this between sessions of General Conference, but it was kind of an interesting surprise. Instead of having a regular SC where members of the stake speak, we'll have opening and closing excercises, but the conference will be broadcast from Salt Lake! I'm not sure exactly how it'll work, but I think it's neat.
I'm hoping that hubby can come to SC on Sunday. It'll only be for two hours, and he won't have to get up too early. Well, it'll be early for him (8:30/9:00), but not as early as he would have to for regular church (7:30/8:00).
I've kinda slacked some on my Book of Mormon challenge. I'm a few days behind, but I think Sunday is a good day to catch up on where I should be. I should be up to Mosiah 11 by then.
Mira brought this up to me today. It's amazing how the Lord provides for us. Last month, we realized that I needed to find a job so we can have an income again since he's not fully healed yet. This was my first week at my new job (I work at a day-care/pre-school with 6 week to 8 month olds), and today was payday. Not only did I get my first paycheck, but I also got a check from the Board of Elections Commissioners today for working the polls for this month's elections (5 April). This means I can start paying tithing again, which is a real blessing.
Mira told me about a guy in Peru that was weary about paying tithing. "Just look at [so-and-so]. He pays his tithing and he still lives in the same old house, works at the same old job, can't read." The list went on.
Mira told him (or was it his comp?), "But he has a job that puts food on the table, he has a place to live, and all four of his children have gone to college (which is difficult in Peru)." Paying tithing does not automatically give you tons of money to buy a mansion, an expensive car, and the latest fashions, all things you may want, but it does enable you to get what you need. 10% may sound like a lot to some people, but it might be better than what you have to pay to the government in taxes very year. ^_^

The Modest Prom

I was reading the headlines of the local newspaper online when an article caught my eye. It was about the tri-stake prom for the Laurels and Priests* that was held this weekend. The authors interviewed some of the youth, and one of the gals they interviewed is the Stake President's daughter, and one of the guys is our ward chorister.
I went to see Phantom of the Opera that night with some of my family and friends (I've seen it three times now ^_^), and when we were talking in the foyer after the movie was over, I asked my dad where one of my brothers was. "Oh, he went to the dance tonight."
"So why didn't [my youngest brother] go?" I asked. My youngest brother is 14, and he can go to the dances now, so I was confused as to why he didn't.
"Because [other brother]'s a priest, and the priest/laurel prom was tonight."
"Oh that's right! He's a... wait! He's a priest?!" It had completely skipped my mind that he's a priest now! Man I feel old. "Don't feel too bad," said mom's friend Rosie. "I remember when you were a bump" she said as she pointed to my tummy. ^_^

*For non-LDS, a Laurel is a young woman in the last two years of the Young Women's program. Beehive girls are 12-13, Mia Maids are 14-15, and Laurels are 16-17. A Priest is the last two years of the Young Men's program. Deacons are 12-13, Teachers are 14-15, and Priests are 16-17.

Update: This weekend, it was on the homepage of the church website! How cool is that?

My condolences to...

First, Terri Schiavo's family (both sides). I apologize for your loss. She is no longer suffering and you'll see her again one day.
Second, to the family and friends of Mitch Hedberg, my hubby's favorite comedian. He's probably telling jokes to his Creator, and I'll bet He's laughing His head off. ^_^
Finally, to the Catholic people, and the loss of their spiritual leader, Pope John Paul II. May his life be an inspiration to Catholics (and non-Catholics) the world over.

First Vision as NDE?

I've picked up an interest in Near Death Experiences (NDE's) lately, and found an interesing site that compares Joseph Smith's first vision to a NDE. Even if you don't believe in them, it's worth at least checking out.