I have been changed for good

I LOVE the themes and messages in WICKED. I thought I'd explore a few. Before I do though, check out the very cool Wicked web site here. Take a look around. The pictures are so amazing and you can hear many of the songs!

Check out this link to You Tube (and have fun watching the other Wicked videos on the right side of the screen) and get ready to enjoy my favorite song! I makes me think of all the people in my life who have changed me for good. There are so many who fit into that category and tomorrow I'm going to highlight one special friend who changed my life for good.

(Elphaba) I'm limited
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
For both of us - now it's up to you...

(Glinda) I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba) It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

(Glinda) Because I knew you

(Both) I have been changed for good

(Elphaba) And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the thing I've done you blame me for

(Glinda) But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

(Both) And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda) Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

(Elphaba) Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

(Both) Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

(Glinda) And because I knew you...

(Elphaba) Because I knew you...

(Both) Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good.

Sexy/Modest Part II

Good! I got some of you to think about the topic and to comment. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. My niece Jamie put the entry on her blog and got some more comments from people who read her blog. Some agreed and some didn't with the general ideas I presented. That's fine, all comments are welcome.

Obviously, we don't all think the same on this topic or any other. That's as it should be. I think most of us have an opinion about the topic and I think it's interesting to hear what other people think about the topic of clothing and modesty. I was trying to target the LDS woman community mostly, but the topic is broad and has wide application. The vast majority of us pay attention to what we and other people wear. Clothing choices tell a lot about a person. First impression stuff. We draw conclusions. We make judgments, weather good or bad based on those conclusions. Not the "you're not a good person and I hate you because of what you're wearing" kind of judgments, but the "she must be having a bad day and didn't have time to get dressed" or the "she looks really nice and well put together...she cares about her appearance" kind of judgments.
I thought Jamie's blogger friend Desiree put it very well - "As far as how others dress, when I see someone who is modestly dressed and carries herself well, that raises my respect. Whereas if I see the opposite, it's disappointing to me... I admire people who refuse to give in to the temptation to try to dress sexy and show off their bodies."
Years ago my niece Madison said an interesting thing about my daughter-in-law Courtney. We were enjoying a 4th of July family swimming party and Courtney came to the pool in a cute and modest one piece bathing suit. Madi said to me, without any prompt or other dialogue when she saw Courtney: "You can tell a lot about a girl by the swimming suit she wears." When I told Courtney what Madi had said, it made her feel very good. She was being watched by younger cousins and nieces and she was setting a good example for them.

I read an interesting article in Time magazine about reality TV shows (that's a topic for another day.) The author made a very valid point that applies here in regards to body image and dress. He said: "Now even makeover shows have become about sprucing up your psyche...the secret is finding not the right bra size but the right frame of mind, shedding not pounds but psychological baggage." How true that is!!! Our psyches may have more to do with clothing choices than we think. If we're well adjusted and value ourselves, it is reflected in how we feel about our bodies and how we dress.

I do think it's a good exercise to consider WHY we do what we do when we choose clothing to wear and also consider WHO it is we're trying to impress. Clothing has power. Clothing sends messages and defines who we are at least to the point that people get to know us better. There is a time and place for all types of clothing. I just believe that certain types of clothing should be kept in the proper time and place. As LDS women, we have been given additional wise counsel to consider and to implement if we so choose. We don't need to be self righteous about any of it or be harsh with people who don't make the same choices we do. I already admitted that I'm very disappointed with LDS women who don't uphold the standards of dress as outlined in the Strength of Youth pamphlet which states: Immodest clothing includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and other revealing attire. (LDS) women should wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner. And there is no fine print that says: Except for choosing a bathing suit or a prom dress, then anything is good because it's so hard to find anything that's appropriate.
Those standards have application for all ages and when an LDS woman has been endowed in the temple, I believe the standard is even more important to observe. Even though my respect for a person may rise or fall based on what they're wearing, I can still love the person, just not their choices in clothes! I believe we just need to consider what messages we are trying to communicate by the way we dress.

Speaking of that, take a look at this link to the article about an LDS married woman Bonnie Hubert who chose to wear a modest dress while she competed in her Mrs. Texas competition. She said: "I think the world sends a message that in order to be beautiful you have to reveal your body," said Sister Hubert. "I will say that it takes work, you have to want to live your standards, but you can find clothes that are your style that are modest. "I will not wear a dress that doesn't reflect who I am," she remembers saying. "If I can find something that reflects my standards I can be an example for others.""

I respect the woman, what more can I say?

Happy B-day to R!!

Someone we all know and love had his 29th birthday today (May 2!) I want to pay tribute to a great son-in-law who we all enjoy and who takes such good care of our daughter Claire. He was raised by wonderful parents and he came from a very great family with three sisters and one brother. He was raised in an area of the country where he was the only white kid in this grade school class and was definitely in the minority most of the time. He learned to work hard and to serve others. He participated in Scouts, became an Eagle Scout and recently completed his Wood Badge requirements. He loves the out of doors and if we ever had a disaster, I hope he lives near by because he knows what to do. He is patient and kind. He served his mission in Venezuela and had a great experience there. He worked in the library as a circulation clerk when he met our daughter and didn't give up when she was a little stand-offish at first. He is an valuable attorney in his law firm and contributes to the success and prestige of his firm. He loves sports, enjoys the BYU Cougars, plays tennis, loves to hike and be outdoors and enjoys playing games and watching old movies. He is a man of good moral character and judgement. He is witty and knowledgeable about many things. He is just a good guy and we always enjoy time spent with R and Claire. He is helpful around the house and he helps Claire be all she can be. We love you R and hope you had a fun day celebrating your day of birth.

Tatting

Many of you will remember Doris Broadhead. She was our neighbor and friend in the Rupert 5th ward. She was talented in so many ways. Her oldest daughter Celia was my good friend growing up through many, many years. I recently reconnected with her after more than 20 years. It's been a pleasure to chat with her online and through Facebook and I hope to see her soon. She recently sent this email out and I wanted to send it along to all of you faithful readers. Our Grandmother (my mom's mom) was an expert at tatting as well. The picture shows some beautiful tatted pillow cases she made for me when I got married (there're purple of course!) I've never used them and keep them as a special reminder of Grandma F. If you know of anyone who would like to learn this lost art, please check out the link below. Now it is possible to learn by buying the CD and book online. Good for Janette. I wish her lots of luck! Below is the message from Celia.

Hello all,

My sister Janette recently wrote a "how to book" in reference to the lost art of tatting. My mother and grandmother were very talented, and determined to keep the almost lost art of tatting alive. They instilled a love of handwork to all my sisters, but especially Janette. She fell in love with tatting.

A few years back, Janette started to teach tatting at the college in Twin Falls, Idaho, but quickly realized that there was very little instruction collateral to support the class and her efforts to teach. That's when she went to work, and the book and instructional CD came to pass.

When my mother passed away two years ago, Janette had just finished the book and CD and decided to dedicate it to those you taught her this beautiful skill, her mother and grandmother.

The book will soon be in books stores and specialty craft stores. Until then, will you please forward this to your friends and family members who enjoy handwork? I love my sister, and I'm very proud of her accomplishment, and want to help her in any way I can. The web site is:


http://learnhowtotat.com/

Thanks everyone for your help passing this on. I appreciate your support.

Celia

Happy 85th Birthday Vern II

I have a wonderful father-in-law and today is his 85th birthday. We're having a family party later today to celebrate his life. And it's been a very important and meaningful life. He has written an autobiography that is over 1000 pages in length. It will be fascinating to read it, but for now, we get to be a part of his life and enjoy every year that we have with him. Here are some highlights:

Vernon was born and raised in SLC. His father Vernon I was born in Mexico in a polygamist family. Vern is the oldest of 8 children and each of them have accomplished much in their lives. They are all impressive people who have done a lot of good in the world. He served a faithful mission in the Eastern states. We was a army soldier in WW II and fought in the Pacific theater. We saw a lot of action and was lucky to come home alive. He is a member of the Greatest Generation and we all have a lot of respect for him. He married Pat when he got home from the service and they went off to law school at George Washington University in DC. He went back to SLC and practiced law with his father Vernon I and brother Keith. He loves Pat dearly and they have been married for more than 50 years. He served as Attorney General of the State of Utah for eight years. He ran for Governor, but lost by a close margin. The family moved to Utah County after the election and they have lived there for the last 30 plus years. Pat and Vern had two children (Robyn and Rick) and then they adopted Jim, Doug, Margie and Ann. They have had many struggles raising their family, but they have continued to set a good example and to try and help everyone succeed. Vern has served as a Bishop and Stake Patriarch. He is retired as a patriarch, but he gave each of our four children their patriarchal blessings. He served a mission with Pat in West Virginia and in LaJolla California. He was loved by all the missionaries who knew him in the field. He has a quick wit and a brilliant mind. He counts everything and anything and can tell you little facts about all sorts of things. He LOVES BYU sports, especially football and he got Rick started on his indoctrination of all things blue and white. He and Rick think alike. It's uncanny. Even Vern IV takes after his father and grandfather. It must be in the genes. Vern has diabetes and gets around with a walker, but he mostly likes to spend his time reading. He sits in his recliner chair and reads thousands of pages from books every week. He writes very well and can pick up on grammatical and spelling errors without fail. He continues to get around to attend events he enjoys and just recently attended Dave's college graduation ceremony. Rick and I have gone on summer trips with Pat and Vern these last three years. We went to North Dakota (which was the only state of the 50 they hadn't visited), Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park, Calgary Canada and this fall we are going to DC & Boston with them. He is a man of great integrity, testimony, wisdom, kindness, strength of character and will. He doesn't complain about his ailments, aches and pains and he manages to stay positive and funny. We all adore him. Happy Birthday dear Vern. I love you.