Faith Verses Logic

There are a lot of commandments that don't make sense: the conflicting commandments to Adam and Eve to not eat of the tree of knowledge but to multiply and replenish the earth, or Nephi being commanded to kill Laban and lie about being him when that would be breaking two of the ten big commandments. 

Commandment aren't about logic, they're about faith. Not blind faith, but conversing with God faith.

Andrew Whittle gave the following insight on a quote: "President Henry B. Eyring: 'Human judgment and logical thinking will not be enough to get answers to the questions that matter most in life. We need revelation from God.' This really spoke to me because I am a logical thinker and have struggled with certain things because it did not make logical sense. I have learned to increase my faith so I can one day understand things I may not know now. [Someone] asked ... what the opposite of faith was. ... The opposite of faith is logic."

My friend, Jackie wrote a blog post about it as well: Jackie's Post. She gave a great example of how sometimes your kids do something and you get mad at them without letting them explain what they were doing. Then later after you've calmed down, you go back and ask them what happened and they give a reasonable explanation that makes you feel bad for not listening before. You know your kids are good kids and next time something out of the ordinary happens, talking with them is probably the best solution.

When God, not a church and not some guys in charge, but when God decides to make a commandment, there's a good reason behind it which will only be found by talking to Him.

Faith is something that cannot be logically explained. It's something inside you which comes from an outside heavenly source. It's believing without seeing the whole picture, but knowing it's a good picture. It's opening up your heart and mind to something beyond yourself and the world you see around you. It starts small and grows. Faith defies logic.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Remade

Thanksgiving is full of wonderful foods: turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, rolls, veggies, and lots of pie. But the magic wears off after having the same dinner all week, so here are some Thanksgiving leftovers remade. (Pictures from BettyCrocker.com, thanks.)

 

 Cubed or shredded turkey + gravy + cook the carrots and celery from 

the veggie tray or any cooked veggies + pie crust = pot pie

Green beans or any other cooked veggies + can tomato soup + cooked ground beef + mashed potatoes on top (can sprinkle cheese on top of potatoes for more deliciousness) = shepherd's pie

 

 Turkey + cream of chicken + sour cream+ stuffing over the top = 

turkey casserole, can add green beans too

 

Mashed potatoes + hot dogs + cheese on top = hot dog surprise 

(also known as weenie boats if you do them in individual portions)

Leftover rolls can be turned into breadcrumbs. 

Turkey can be put in a roll for a sandwich (dip in gravy), put in salads, wraps, casseroles, 

soups, stir fry- pretty much any recipe that calls for chicken can be substituted with turkey.

Gobble gobble!

Good Book And Good Movie Day

Libraries are great for browsing, trying books and movies you don't necessarily want to pay for in case you don't like it. You can even browse your library's collection on ereaders too. 

I was looking in the comedy section for anything that looked remotely entertaining but that we could also watch in front of the kids. This movie, Mom's Night Out, caught my eye, and my husband and I actually watched it twice before we returned it.

 

It was fun and funny and very relatable if you have kids or take care of kids. The part where all she sees is salmonella all over the counter is totally me. Check it out and enjoy a fun movie night laughing about the follies of parenting and trying to get a night out.

If you're in the mood for a sweet story about being a parent through out your life, check out I Will Hold You 'Til You Sleep by Linda Zuckerman, illustrated by Jon J Muth.

My daughter picked it out at the library, and I'm glad she did because I might have looked right over it. She called it 'the mommy book'. I read it to her a couple times then decided I had to buy it. It's a sweet reminder that a parent's love lasts a lifetime.

To everyone who isn't a parent- you still make a big difference in the lives of everyone around you and are very loved and appreciated for just being who you are right now.

To all the parents out there reading this blog- hang in there! At the end of the day, the month, the year, what a child will cherish the most is every moment you loved them.

Blessings Part Two

If you have a blessing, if you have a miracle then appreciate it, hold it close, marvel that you were given it and do not take it for granted that it will always be around but enjoy the moment.

Blessings are things we have and appreciate. Usually something we have that others do not have, which makes it more special.

People say they are so blessed to have certain things. Why are they blessed to have it and not someone else? Did they earn it, win it, deserve it? I haven't figured out the rule for blessings yet.

Why are some blessed with sight while others are not? Why are some blessed with children when others are not? Why are some blessed to live in prosperity while others are not? Why are some children born into loving and safe homes while others are not? There seems to be no rhyme or reason other than God's will, pure luck, or random chance.

Miracles fall in the same category. It's a miracle he survived the car accident, survived the war, survived cancer, survived all sorts or tragedies. But why him? Why not her? It's almost more a miracle to have a miracle than the actual happenings.

So many lose their children, spouses, houses, jobs, pets, and health with no miracle. It's not a lack of faith or knowledge, a matter of choices or desire. It seems to be a matter of happenstance or unknown God's plan.


So if you have a miracle, if you have a blessing then appreciate it, hold it close, marvel that you were given it and do not take it for granted that it will always be around but enjoy the moment. Hug your children, your spouse, your cat, your car, or yourself because life is a gift.

Blessings Part One

We're told to not compare ourselves with those that are prettier, richer, smarter, have more possessions or friends, or are more successful because you usually feel worse if you don't live up to them. We're supposed to count our blessings instead.

The funny thing about counting blessings is that it's like comparing yourself to those less fortunate than yourselves. But I guess that's okay because you feel better about yourself after. :)

Wolfgang Staudt

Rarely do we hear people saying they give thanks for being the third planet from the sun so that mankind can survive at the right temperature, or giving thanks for the right mix of nitrogen, oxygen and other things that make up the air we breathe. That's because every single person, animal, and plant on Earth has this.

You do frequently hear people give thanks for the country, city, or house they live in because there are many people who do not live in that country, city, or house. You do frequently hear people complain about the bad air, but give thanks that at least it's not as bad as in other countries.

It's a funny thing, but as long as it's done in the right attitude it's fine. A humble attitude, not proud. A caring attitude for those less fortunate.

I think the best thing to compare yourself to is yourself. I'm wiser than I was in the past because of my life experiences. I'm more beautiful now because I've learned to be myself and love myself. I have a deeper level of love because I have a husband and children. I am thankful for the health I have now because I've been sick and broken in the past. I'm thankful for all these blessings because I know what it is to be without them.

Count your many blessings and give thanks.