Day 459, Thoughts for a Sunday Afternoon

I love it when I hear a new spin on an old favorite story---particularly when that story comes from the scriptures.  I get so excited when something I have read numerous times . . . you know . . . enough that you can retell the story without blinking an eye . . . is taught from a whole new angle.  This happened today as I watched the "Discussions on the Book of Mormon" program on BYU TV.  Where do these guys get this stuff?

Today's lesson took 1 Nephi chapter 8---Lehi's dream of the Tree of Life---and compared it to Matthew Chapter 13---the Parable of the Sower.  Both describe essentially the same four groups of people.  The stories do not cross-reference each other, so I love that these scholars have made the connection for us. 

So . . . Looking first at Matthew 13 and then at 1 Nephi 8 . . . Here are the 4 groups of people decribed in the Parable of the Sower as they compare to those in Lehi's vision:

(1)  Matt. 13: 4, 19---Seeds fell by the waywside, fowls came and devoured them up.  This group is compared to those in 1Nephi 8: 31-32---Those who never pressed forward toward the tree, instead they are those feeling their way toward the great and spacious building.  Many drowned in the depths of the fountain or were found wandering in strange lands.

(2)  Matt. 13: 5-6, 20-21---Seeds sown in stony places.  They sprung up, but had no deepness of earth.  When the sun was up, they were scorched because they had no root.  They withered away.  These are those that hear the word, receive it, but when tribulation and persecution arise, they are offended.  This group is compared to those in 1 Nephi 8: 24-25, 28---They caught hold of the end of the rod of iron and clung to it thru the midst of darkness.  They made it to the tree and partook of the fruit, but those in the spacious building were pointing a finger of scorn at them and mocking them.  They became ashamed and feel away into forbidden paths and were lost. 

(3)  Matt. 13: 7, 22---Seeds sown among the thorns.  The thorns sprung up and choked them.  These are they who hear the word and embrace it, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the plant so that it becomes unfruitful.  This group of people is compared to those in 1 Nephi 8: 21, 23---They commenced in the path toward the tree, but never caught hold of the rod of iron.  They lost their way because of the midst of darkness, and they wandered off and were lost.

(4)  Matt. 13: 8, 23---Seeds sown in good soil.  These are those who hear the word, understand it, and they bear good fruit.  This group, obviously, is compared to those in 1 Nephi 8: 31-32, 33---Those who caught hold of the rod of iron and pressed forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron.  They fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.  When those in the spacious building mocked them, they heeded them not.

So there you have it . . . a new way to look at an old story.  Cool, eh?

Speaking of stories . . . Mrs. Malody, my 8th and 10th grade English teacher, called me tonight.  She is one of the reviewers of my book.  She had just finished the manuscript and called to tell me how very impressed she was.  She said my book was different, and she couldn't put it down.  She was amazed by how all the details connected.  She says when girls get hold of this book, it's going to go explode like Harry Potter.  Hahaha.... I should be so lucky, huh?  I appreciate her enthusiasm though, it made my day.  Heck, it made my whole month~!@@! 

Who knows, eh?  But wouldn't that just be the most amazing thing ever?????  I'll just have to keep my eye on that little villa in Italy after all ;-)

Day 458, Let the games begin . . .

It is time to say goodbye to another school year.  Is it my imagination or is time going faster the older I get?  Looking back, I would not say that this was a fun year.  It was difficult.  Painful at times.  Yet tremendous.  Growth is painful---but necessary if you want to achieve your dreams. 

One wonderful lesson that I take with me from this year, is that love truly is a power that can move mountains.  The situation I found myself in back at the beginning of Thanksgiving vacation ended up laying the foundation of what has become a very positive relationship between my co-worker and me.  Had I not turned to the Lord . . . had I not likened the scriptures unto myself . . . that situation would have festered into something truly ugly.  Instead, I now have a friend---someone who I admire immensely and who has taught me many things over the course of the year. 

And apparently, I still have some growing to do, because it appears I will be returning for another year in the TOSA position.  It is my goal to develop into a true "servant leader" during the next year.  Well.... and you know how good I am at serving others (cough cough).  Hey . . . It's a goal~~!!  Okay???

As for the house . . .
Here she stands . . .

We are getting very close~!!  Still, there is so much to do before it is finished, and before we are ready to move. 

Here is an updated picture of the kitchen . . .

and . . .

Yesterday, they ordered the floors.  Hopefully soon I will be uploading pictures of the finished product.

That's about it for now.  Oh, except for this . . .

I'm off for the next ten weeks :-)  Oh yeah!!!

Day 457, A Message from My Daughter...

This is actually a stolen post....from the My Friends Call Me Rae-Lo blog, but since it's about me, I figured it deserved top billing on my blog of the month.  In her own words, here is why my daughter loves her mother:

1. She gave me life.

2. She taught me correct principles and then gave me the room I needed to make my own choices, to learn, and to grow.

3. She loves Coke, and loves to use Coke as a way to bond with me.

4. She is 16 at heart.

5. She is talented! This woman is intelligent in all ways - mathematics, sciences, English, music, etc. She's got it all!

6. She is a great Grandma. Even though the only grandchildren she has so far are her step-grandkids, she still loves them as if there were no difference.

7. She is a Christmas Elf.

8. She has now perfected my Grandma's delicious chocolate cake (the only cake that I ever care to eat) so that we can keep it in the family.

9. She does the best Yoda impression I've ever heard.

10. She is MIN-DE-LICIOUS!

I Love You, Mom! 

Happy Mother's Day (yesterday)!

--
Posted By Raechel to my friends call me Rae-Lo at 5/09/2011 10:52:00 AM


Now... I don't know about you all, but I thoroughly loved this cyberspace Mother's Day card~~!!

Not to mention that she made me look thin :-)

I love my kids~~!!