Sorry for all of those looking for more pictures of Shane. I promise we have them and it is a little hard to post them here and on Facebook. But I will earnestly try to update and post tomorrow.
However, I have important thoughts that I must get out on paper (figuratively speaking).
We (Ron and I) are LDS (Latter-day Saint) aka Mormon. I have a solid belief in Jesus Christ in ALL of his titles. We hosted the missionaries for dinner a couple of nights back (actually hosted both sets in our ward, elders first and a week later, the sisters). It was fun to see the dynamic differences between all 4 missionaries. I also attended an additional Relief Society meeting on Tuesday evening. I give all three of these scenes so that I can express my thoughts to these amazing 5 people.
First off- To the Elder P (senior companion, 18 years old, served 6 months so far, expressed he has no idea what he is doing, feels very inadequate as a missionary): Believe in yourself. You are Son of the Almighty! His name is "I Am" for a reason. He has no question who He is. He created you! Stop listening to The Evil One! You have been to serve Jesus Christ in a full-time ministry. He loves you. So start believing He knew what he was doing when you were asked to be the senior companion.
To Elder S- (junior companion, 23, has served 1 month, struggling, but faithful): I very much appreciated your thought at dinner. There are many here to learn from you and your spirit. You have the gift of faith. Utilize that gift. You are very patient and you will be blessed because of your obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to be more like you and the kindness you treat everyone with.
To Sister Q- (don't know if junior or senior, has been serving 6 months, beautiful in every way) You are a gift of faith and joy. Thank you for serving and being humble and obedient to that prompting to serve. Yes, you are very aware of yourself and your weaknesses and strengths. I promise that as you look back and see how Father's hand has brought you to this place, you will have a great ability to endure what is on your mortal sojourn. I am excited for you to continue to grow and to be happy. You have already blessed so many people's lives. Continue and you will be blessed and happy beyond your greatest imagination.
To Sister B- (see note above, serving 7.5 months and counting) You have a great mind and are open to lots of perspective. I give similar thoughts about believing in yourself. I have been study my Primary lesson on Enoch and the account in Moses 7 about watching the Lord weep over his children is what I wish to have your read.
And to Sister D- See the note for Elder P! I would, however, make it gender specific to you. Daughter of Deity! You have come so far. Believe in yourself.
I guess what I am saying to all of these people, I really am saying to myself. I hope to listen better.
-Hannah
There was once a man and a woman who fell in love... this is their story.
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Friday, October 11, 2013
What does the future hold?
Recently, I have been thinking about my job / career. I had a very good talk with Hannah the other day and think I have figured out some things, or at least think I am in the right direction. I'm going to try and duplicate what we talked about so I am going to start from the beginning.
I have pretty much been working my whole life. When I was 15 I got my first job working at a drive through convenience store in the tiny town I lived in. I started to save money the best I could and I believe I learned the value of money and work. In the subsequent years I have worked as a stocker, waiter, window washer, cart pusher, fast food worker, call center representative, customer support, salesman, cashier, field worker, sand blaster, welder assistant, graphic designer, musician, IT technician, and of course 2 years as a missionary. Work is not a foreign concept to me or maybe better to say I have no idea what life is like without working. Even in the few times when I was not working it usually only took a few days before I was board out of my mind. Most, if not all, of these jobs were not taken in the hopes of finding joy in my work, but were, in fact, taken to pay the bills. What I realized in talking to Hannah is that in the years of working at these jobs I completely forgot or perhaps never learned that you could actually WANT to go to work; that it might actually be possible to go to your job and feel accomplished or feel genuinely happy there. For years my job was just a means to stay alive and hold off until the days off, but I have realized that that is just meager living. I need to find something that fulfills me.
There is a slight problem with this. It has been said that you should find something you are passionate about and make a career out of it. Unfortunately, my three passions in life are my family, music, and art. My family being the most important.
I love music and have actually taken much of my time to learn quite a bit about it. As far back as I can remember I have been playing some sort of instrument. In order to make it in the music industry you really have to be willing to give up quite a bit. One of the biggest things that I have discovered is that you have to give up much of your family life and that is just not something I well ever be willing to give up. So that leave out music, and no, I don't want to teach it either! ;)
With art I would not have to sacrifice my family, however, the pay for any type of artist, graphic or otherwise, is not much to support a family on. The only artists that seem to make a decent amount of money are the ones that have been working at it for years and have established their artistry. I originally thought this would be the best field to go into and actually got a degree in graphic design. The problem here is that everyone is a "graphic designer" or at least thinks they are. When you are a small business owner and you need some graphic work done you are looking for the cheapest way possible. Who are you going to pick; the guy down the street that has played with Photoshop for a while and will make you a logo for free or the graphic designer that is going to charge you $20-$30 an hour? Graphic designers are a dime a dozen and they are all trying to make a name for themselves.
I haven't quite figured it out yet, but I can at least see the direction I should go, and that is encouraging. I'm just confused is all. The good news is that I am hopeful!... Don't ask me tomorrow because that might change, but right now I am good! :)
Your thoughts are appreciated.
~ Ron Beck
I have pretty much been working my whole life. When I was 15 I got my first job working at a drive through convenience store in the tiny town I lived in. I started to save money the best I could and I believe I learned the value of money and work. In the subsequent years I have worked as a stocker, waiter, window washer, cart pusher, fast food worker, call center representative, customer support, salesman, cashier, field worker, sand blaster, welder assistant, graphic designer, musician, IT technician, and of course 2 years as a missionary. Work is not a foreign concept to me or maybe better to say I have no idea what life is like without working. Even in the few times when I was not working it usually only took a few days before I was board out of my mind. Most, if not all, of these jobs were not taken in the hopes of finding joy in my work, but were, in fact, taken to pay the bills. What I realized in talking to Hannah is that in the years of working at these jobs I completely forgot or perhaps never learned that you could actually WANT to go to work; that it might actually be possible to go to your job and feel accomplished or feel genuinely happy there. For years my job was just a means to stay alive and hold off until the days off, but I have realized that that is just meager living. I need to find something that fulfills me.
There is a slight problem with this. It has been said that you should find something you are passionate about and make a career out of it. Unfortunately, my three passions in life are my family, music, and art. My family being the most important.
I love music and have actually taken much of my time to learn quite a bit about it. As far back as I can remember I have been playing some sort of instrument. In order to make it in the music industry you really have to be willing to give up quite a bit. One of the biggest things that I have discovered is that you have to give up much of your family life and that is just not something I well ever be willing to give up. So that leave out music, and no, I don't want to teach it either! ;)
With art I would not have to sacrifice my family, however, the pay for any type of artist, graphic or otherwise, is not much to support a family on. The only artists that seem to make a decent amount of money are the ones that have been working at it for years and have established their artistry. I originally thought this would be the best field to go into and actually got a degree in graphic design. The problem here is that everyone is a "graphic designer" or at least thinks they are. When you are a small business owner and you need some graphic work done you are looking for the cheapest way possible. Who are you going to pick; the guy down the street that has played with Photoshop for a while and will make you a logo for free or the graphic designer that is going to charge you $20-$30 an hour? Graphic designers are a dime a dozen and they are all trying to make a name for themselves.
I haven't quite figured it out yet, but I can at least see the direction I should go, and that is encouraging. I'm just confused is all. The good news is that I am hopeful!... Don't ask me tomorrow because that might change, but right now I am good! :)
Your thoughts are appreciated.
~ Ron Beck
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Faith, Hope, Charity
So this isn't a baby update. That is in a week and a day. But there have been many things on my mind and I wanted to write them out. It's kinda long. Basically, It is a part of my witness (testimony) of truth! Read at your own risk.
I have a boss, K, who came out and did annual inspections with me on Thursday. (Quick update: I am an apartment manager for a 51-unit complex). After a long day (like from 9 to 3 straight) my boss left. I told her we (Ron and I) were going on a date to Lake Oswego. She wished me luck. I didn't tell her that I was going to the Temple with my husband because I didn't feel like explaining what it was all about. While we were doing inspections we came across a good handful of religious people (the decor in their homes were a dead give away). I asked her if she was religious. She answered no. During the endowment session all I could think about was my boss. She is a single 32 year old woman who lives alone and works super hard. I thought about what would happen if she joined the church. I thought about how being a single adult in our church is really hard. Anything outside of the "normal" is hard. With all that being said, the answer I kept getting was "Hope". The Savior brings Hope to all of God's children. As long as we are making and keeping covenants, we have hope, and we are not lost. We are known to the Great Shepherd.
Which brings me to my next thought: I want to make it home. And the only way I can do that is by following truth and eternal laws. Today I went to the library and before going in, I was stopped by a couple of people asking if I supported Same-Sex Marriage in the state of Oregon. I had to stop and think about what they were asking because I was rushing. But this is how I responded: "I believe in equal rights, but I also believe in the institution of Marriage." I love that in a simple, non-offensive, but straightforward way, I was able to share my beliefs with others not of my faith. Too often I find it hard to "open my mouth" and share the knowledge that I have gained through personal experience. I know that Marriage is ordained of God and that anything that goes against eternal law (in this case the Law of Chastity) is not what I want.
Which brings me to my last thought: the annual general Relief Society meeting that occurs every last Saturday of September. Tonight they especially focused on making and keeping covenants and how our love for Jesus Christ is indicative of our love for him and Heavenly Father. It has become clearer to me how much God really loves His children and how he has made it possible to return to live with Him. In the endowment session with Ron, I felt the love of Heavenly Father and how important it is to him that all of his children who choose to live with him, come back to him.
Like so many other times, words fail me this evening. I have been greatly edified by the Spirit and its personal teachings to me of what this life is truly about, of how I want to get back to Heavenly Father and how to go about help others who want to return to him, return to him.
These are some of the things I KNOW:
-I am a daughter of God.
-I can return to live with him someday.
-There has been a plan given so I can become like him.
-He loves me more than any words can express. And he loves all of his children that way.
-I love him and I show him this love by making and keeping promises with him to live the way he has commanded me to live.
-The promises I have made are real and binding. They bring me peace and hope and courage to endure to the end.
-I want to live my life in a way that people can tell I love God and that that is what will bring them most happiness in this life.
-I want to shout it from the rooftops that I know God lives and loves us and has given us a way to be truly happy and return to live with him FOREVER.
These are just SOME of the things I know. I believe all things, I hope all things, I have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, I seek after these things.
-Hannah Richins Beck
I have a boss, K, who came out and did annual inspections with me on Thursday. (Quick update: I am an apartment manager for a 51-unit complex). After a long day (like from 9 to 3 straight) my boss left. I told her we (Ron and I) were going on a date to Lake Oswego. She wished me luck. I didn't tell her that I was going to the Temple with my husband because I didn't feel like explaining what it was all about. While we were doing inspections we came across a good handful of religious people (the decor in their homes were a dead give away). I asked her if she was religious. She answered no. During the endowment session all I could think about was my boss. She is a single 32 year old woman who lives alone and works super hard. I thought about what would happen if she joined the church. I thought about how being a single adult in our church is really hard. Anything outside of the "normal" is hard. With all that being said, the answer I kept getting was "Hope". The Savior brings Hope to all of God's children. As long as we are making and keeping covenants, we have hope, and we are not lost. We are known to the Great Shepherd.
Which brings me to my next thought: I want to make it home. And the only way I can do that is by following truth and eternal laws. Today I went to the library and before going in, I was stopped by a couple of people asking if I supported Same-Sex Marriage in the state of Oregon. I had to stop and think about what they were asking because I was rushing. But this is how I responded: "I believe in equal rights, but I also believe in the institution of Marriage." I love that in a simple, non-offensive, but straightforward way, I was able to share my beliefs with others not of my faith. Too often I find it hard to "open my mouth" and share the knowledge that I have gained through personal experience. I know that Marriage is ordained of God and that anything that goes against eternal law (in this case the Law of Chastity) is not what I want.
Which brings me to my last thought: the annual general Relief Society meeting that occurs every last Saturday of September. Tonight they especially focused on making and keeping covenants and how our love for Jesus Christ is indicative of our love for him and Heavenly Father. It has become clearer to me how much God really loves His children and how he has made it possible to return to live with Him. In the endowment session with Ron, I felt the love of Heavenly Father and how important it is to him that all of his children who choose to live with him, come back to him.
Like so many other times, words fail me this evening. I have been greatly edified by the Spirit and its personal teachings to me of what this life is truly about, of how I want to get back to Heavenly Father and how to go about help others who want to return to him, return to him.
These are some of the things I KNOW:
-I am a daughter of God.
-I can return to live with him someday.
-There has been a plan given so I can become like him.
-He loves me more than any words can express. And he loves all of his children that way.
-I love him and I show him this love by making and keeping promises with him to live the way he has commanded me to live.
-The promises I have made are real and binding. They bring me peace and hope and courage to endure to the end.
-I want to live my life in a way that people can tell I love God and that that is what will bring them most happiness in this life.
-I want to shout it from the rooftops that I know God lives and loves us and has given us a way to be truly happy and return to live with him FOREVER.
These are just SOME of the things I know. I believe all things, I hope all things, I have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, I seek after these things.
-Hannah Richins Beck
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
My Happiness Changes Constantly
My happiness is derived from the things I love. I love those things because I am passionate about them. My passion stems from my beliefs, and what I believe is constantly changing. Thus, my happiness changes constantly...
First, lets get off on the right foot. This idea is not always a bad thing. When I say my happiness changes constantly I do not just mean it goes down. It also goes up from time to time as well. What I would like to do is analyze this realization of mine one sentence at a time and I will explain my thoughts.
My happiness is derived from the things I love.
This is quite simple and is probably the same way most of you receive your happiness. The things I love make me happy, and by happy I mean joy. I am not talking about just laughing at a funny movie or the temporary relief that comes from various substances. I am talking about the joy you feel that stays with you. It is the joy that is always there even if you are in a bad mood or feeling down. It's the happiness that truly never leaves. These joys are hard to find and even harder to recognize. What is true joy and what is just being happy?
In my opinion this can be compared to the way a teenager feels when they meet their first "love" and the way they feel when they truly meet the love of their life. When we are in that first relationship we feel giddy and excited. We often describe this feeling with phrases like "They are all I can think about!" or "I get butterflies in my stomach!". Although these are happy feelings that are wonderful to feel, they do not last. Eventually we think about something else and the butterflies fly away. That's just life.
I love those things because I am passionate about them
For me the lasting joys that I desire come from those things I diligently search for and work hard to keep. These are the things that I am truly passionate about. Examples of these things in my life are my wife, my child, my religion, and things that I have found continual peace with such as playing guitar or being in nature. These things bring me joy, and I know this because I leave them feeling uplifted and lighter. It is not the masked feeling of "Its all I can think of!" It is the real feeling of the burdens being lifted. When you go and do something that just takes your mind of of your burdens it is like putting a bandage on a wound, but when you immerse yourself in those things that you are truly passionate about then that is like going to the doctor and taking the medicine you need to get better.
My passion stems from my beliefs
Not all things that I am passionate about stem from my beliefs, but those that do are the ones of which I speak. They are the ones that bring real joy. Although I find playing video games or buying Magic cards fun and I am actually passionate about them, they are not the things that bring true joy. This may be confusing for some to understand and even more confusing to find the difference in your own life, but try to keep up. :)
I don't know if you are like me, but my core beliefs are deep rooted. No one can change my mind about what i truly believe except myself and one of those beliefs is the importance of family. My family is everything to me. They are literally the reason why I do everything I do. This may sound bad, but I don't really care about myself. If everything were up to me and me alone I would probably be some beach bum somewhere never taking a shower with long raggedy hair, but I'm not and that's because I would be shirking my responsibilities as a husband and father. I have worked all my life to uphold the values that I believe in and those beliefs are what define my actions and therefor my life.
What I believe is constantly changing
Every single one of us work from the moment we have cognitive thought to find what it is that we truly belief in. Whether it is about religion, how we act with our friends, what our occupation is, or even what food we eat; we are constantly changing our beliefs. Some beliefs stay deep rooted and never change, others change the moment we have a significant talk with a good friend or after reading a good book. We go throughout our life trying to find what we believe without even realizing that those things we thought we knew are beginning to change. What I want everyone to know is that this is normal. And thank God for that! Can you imagine what your life would be like if you still believed everything you did when you were 5? Santa would still be real, cartoons would still be an accurate representation of everyday life, and farts would still be comedy gold!! (Ok, so maybe that's still true...) We change are beliefs constantly and this is a good thing.
Thus, my happiness changes constantly...
Finally, this brings me to the point of this post. Because of the constantly changing nature of our lives and how we change our own view points; our lives are filled with ups and downs. We all experience ups and downs and may even hate them, but they are the natural order of things. On top of all of that, you must remember that others are going through the same thing you are. Therefore, when someone gives you a snotty look or cuts you off in traffic, maybe something has changed in their life and their viewpoints have changed. Does that make them wrong? If you are thinking "yes" then remember that the next time you give someone a snotty look or cut someone off...because everyone has those days.
A good example of this is the most significant change in my life to date: the birth of my son. This was easily one of the most exciting, stressful, hard, amazing, trying, and important moments of my life. As you might expect, this even has taken me on an emotional roller coaster. Having a baby is hard! It's very taxing both mentally and physically, and yet people go through it again and again. Why do you think that is? It's because it's rewarding. and they reward outweighs the trials.
I guess what I am saying is life is hard, and it's actually meant to be that way. I constantly go through ups and downs both because of my depression and because...well, I am alive. I once heard a great quote from a book series I read and I completely agree. I don't remember it verbatim, but it basically said pain is an essential part of life and living. It is pain that helps remind us we are alive.
First, lets get off on the right foot. This idea is not always a bad thing. When I say my happiness changes constantly I do not just mean it goes down. It also goes up from time to time as well. What I would like to do is analyze this realization of mine one sentence at a time and I will explain my thoughts.
My happiness is derived from the things I love.
This is quite simple and is probably the same way most of you receive your happiness. The things I love make me happy, and by happy I mean joy. I am not talking about just laughing at a funny movie or the temporary relief that comes from various substances. I am talking about the joy you feel that stays with you. It is the joy that is always there even if you are in a bad mood or feeling down. It's the happiness that truly never leaves. These joys are hard to find and even harder to recognize. What is true joy and what is just being happy?
In my opinion this can be compared to the way a teenager feels when they meet their first "love" and the way they feel when they truly meet the love of their life. When we are in that first relationship we feel giddy and excited. We often describe this feeling with phrases like "They are all I can think about!" or "I get butterflies in my stomach!". Although these are happy feelings that are wonderful to feel, they do not last. Eventually we think about something else and the butterflies fly away. That's just life.
I love those things because I am passionate about them
For me the lasting joys that I desire come from those things I diligently search for and work hard to keep. These are the things that I am truly passionate about. Examples of these things in my life are my wife, my child, my religion, and things that I have found continual peace with such as playing guitar or being in nature. These things bring me joy, and I know this because I leave them feeling uplifted and lighter. It is not the masked feeling of "Its all I can think of!" It is the real feeling of the burdens being lifted. When you go and do something that just takes your mind of of your burdens it is like putting a bandage on a wound, but when you immerse yourself in those things that you are truly passionate about then that is like going to the doctor and taking the medicine you need to get better.
My passion stems from my beliefs
Not all things that I am passionate about stem from my beliefs, but those that do are the ones of which I speak. They are the ones that bring real joy. Although I find playing video games or buying Magic cards fun and I am actually passionate about them, they are not the things that bring true joy. This may be confusing for some to understand and even more confusing to find the difference in your own life, but try to keep up. :)
I don't know if you are like me, but my core beliefs are deep rooted. No one can change my mind about what i truly believe except myself and one of those beliefs is the importance of family. My family is everything to me. They are literally the reason why I do everything I do. This may sound bad, but I don't really care about myself. If everything were up to me and me alone I would probably be some beach bum somewhere never taking a shower with long raggedy hair, but I'm not and that's because I would be shirking my responsibilities as a husband and father. I have worked all my life to uphold the values that I believe in and those beliefs are what define my actions and therefor my life.
What I believe is constantly changing
Every single one of us work from the moment we have cognitive thought to find what it is that we truly belief in. Whether it is about religion, how we act with our friends, what our occupation is, or even what food we eat; we are constantly changing our beliefs. Some beliefs stay deep rooted and never change, others change the moment we have a significant talk with a good friend or after reading a good book. We go throughout our life trying to find what we believe without even realizing that those things we thought we knew are beginning to change. What I want everyone to know is that this is normal. And thank God for that! Can you imagine what your life would be like if you still believed everything you did when you were 5? Santa would still be real, cartoons would still be an accurate representation of everyday life, and farts would still be comedy gold!! (Ok, so maybe that's still true...) We change are beliefs constantly and this is a good thing.
Thus, my happiness changes constantly...
Finally, this brings me to the point of this post. Because of the constantly changing nature of our lives and how we change our own view points; our lives are filled with ups and downs. We all experience ups and downs and may even hate them, but they are the natural order of things. On top of all of that, you must remember that others are going through the same thing you are. Therefore, when someone gives you a snotty look or cuts you off in traffic, maybe something has changed in their life and their viewpoints have changed. Does that make them wrong? If you are thinking "yes" then remember that the next time you give someone a snotty look or cut someone off...because everyone has those days.
A good example of this is the most significant change in my life to date: the birth of my son. This was easily one of the most exciting, stressful, hard, amazing, trying, and important moments of my life. As you might expect, this even has taken me on an emotional roller coaster. Having a baby is hard! It's very taxing both mentally and physically, and yet people go through it again and again. Why do you think that is? It's because it's rewarding. and they reward outweighs the trials.
I guess what I am saying is life is hard, and it's actually meant to be that way. I constantly go through ups and downs both because of my depression and because...well, I am alive. I once heard a great quote from a book series I read and I completely agree. I don't remember it verbatim, but it basically said pain is an essential part of life and living. It is pain that helps remind us we are alive.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Sitting, Wishing, Waiting
I think I have decided that there is purpose to having labor contractions, but no baby come out. As to what purpose that is, I have no idea. I mean, God wouldn't have purposeless things like this, would he?
I certainly hope not.
Shane is kicking me awesome as I write this post. He is trying to get his word in too. He is saying, "I want to come home, just let me out!" Maybe I am just optimistic, maybe he is not going to be such a happy creature when he first comes. Needless to say, he is creating action in my abdomen.
Ron is peacefully sleeping right now. It is 5:39 am and I have been up since 5 am. Yet another thing that is hopefully not purposeless. I tend to think that is nature preparing me for the months of feedings I am about to be committed to. Maybe yes, maybe no. Only the universe knows.
Life is exciting however. I know it is a little frustrating to have to wait, but I think I am going to look back at this time and realize how special it was. Life without children. Being able to snuggle with my husband without wondering about other individuals and their wellbeing. A precious time that I do not wish away. So I guess this waiting is for a purpose: letting me soak up all the time I have left with my incredible and loving companion. Ps. Our 2nd anniversary is in week. Crazy how fast that went, yet how slow it creeped along. Love Ronald Dean Beck, Jr. more than words can say.
I certainly hope not.
Shane is kicking me awesome as I write this post. He is trying to get his word in too. He is saying, "I want to come home, just let me out!" Maybe I am just optimistic, maybe he is not going to be such a happy creature when he first comes. Needless to say, he is creating action in my abdomen.
Ron is peacefully sleeping right now. It is 5:39 am and I have been up since 5 am. Yet another thing that is hopefully not purposeless. I tend to think that is nature preparing me for the months of feedings I am about to be committed to. Maybe yes, maybe no. Only the universe knows.
Life is exciting however. I know it is a little frustrating to have to wait, but I think I am going to look back at this time and realize how special it was. Life without children. Being able to snuggle with my husband without wondering about other individuals and their wellbeing. A precious time that I do not wish away. So I guess this waiting is for a purpose: letting me soak up all the time I have left with my incredible and loving companion. Ps. Our 2nd anniversary is in week. Crazy how fast that went, yet how slow it creeped along. Love Ronald Dean Beck, Jr. more than words can say.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Going Natural....Maybe?
So I went to church yesterday and in the middle of the last speaker, I had a really sharp pain in my pelvic area, enough that it made me get up to make sure my water hadn't come splashing out.....That would have been funny to witness.
Anyways, I checked and I was fine. However, I was talking to someone later and she asked how I was doing. I told her how I had progressed and how I was just waiting. And then I said that I just felt tired. She reminded me to take comfort in the Savior and just "hold on". I spoke with my MIL the other day and she mentioned how with her daughters she had all natural births. Ron just so happened to be her emergency c-section. Subsequently, with her daughters giving birth, almost all of them had an epidural. She commented on how they were able to relax during the contractions and because of that, they were able to have faster labor.
So.....I was thinking....maybe I don't want to do this all natural thing. Maybe pain meds. are okay. I like having options for sure, and I have broken two bones and not had pain killers until after the surgery, so I know a little bit of what pain is. But after having some nights where I am for sure feeling back labor, and then I am able to go to sleep, I realize I am tired and if I am already tired going into labor, WHY ON EARTH would I not ask for relief?
Good food for thought.
Is it really all that better to do a completely natural birth? Because as I see it, it is almost a pride issue saying you went all natural and the woman next to you who had an epidural was some how WEAK!
Thoughts?
Anyways, I checked and I was fine. However, I was talking to someone later and she asked how I was doing. I told her how I had progressed and how I was just waiting. And then I said that I just felt tired. She reminded me to take comfort in the Savior and just "hold on". I spoke with my MIL the other day and she mentioned how with her daughters she had all natural births. Ron just so happened to be her emergency c-section. Subsequently, with her daughters giving birth, almost all of them had an epidural. She commented on how they were able to relax during the contractions and because of that, they were able to have faster labor.
So.....I was thinking....maybe I don't want to do this all natural thing. Maybe pain meds. are okay. I like having options for sure, and I have broken two bones and not had pain killers until after the surgery, so I know a little bit of what pain is. But after having some nights where I am for sure feeling back labor, and then I am able to go to sleep, I realize I am tired and if I am already tired going into labor, WHY ON EARTH would I not ask for relief?
Good food for thought.
Is it really all that better to do a completely natural birth? Because as I see it, it is almost a pride issue saying you went all natural and the woman next to you who had an epidural was some how WEAK!
Thoughts?
Monday, January 14, 2013
Life is Weird...
(First of all, I want to clarify that everyone's life experiences are different and the following is just a generalization of my personal experiences)
Life is weird...
As children we so much ahead of us. We can, for the most part, do anything we want and be anyone we want to be. Even when we are just playing around we dream and play as Doctors, Lawyers, Superheroes, etc. We spend those first 5 years learning how to do the basics, then spend the next 10-15 years figuring out who we are. We go through high school and go through the most influential period of our lives to that point. Every little detail about our lives seems to matter and not getting what we want is devastating.
It isn't until after high school (Generally speaking) that we find out that our small and petty problems are nothing compared to many many others in the world who go through much harder trials. It is usually at this point that we start to understand life for the first time. We are not completely there yet, but we are starting to get it. We finally start to leave our selfish little world of our mind and explore the idea that others have just as many, if not more, problems then we do. Keep in mind that this does not make our problems disappear but it does help make them lighter.
After we finally start to come into our own and accept ourselves we finally are able to accept another for who they are and find that we, in fact, where never whole without them; thus, we get married. Since this is really as far as I have traveled on the road of life I can't really say what the future holds. What I can say is that marriage brings on all sorts of new challenges and joys.
Ultimately, despite what experiences we have throughout our life we always, at any given time, think that we know about what it has to offer, and although I contradict myself because I too am in a stage of life as I say this; we never truly know what life has in store for us. It is full of ups and downs. It turns and meanders unpredictably, and although we can't predict the road we take; we can always determine where we are going.
I'm sure you're wondering, "Where did that come from?" I think it mostly came from the ever present changes that Hannah and I have experienced in our marriage. In our year and a half of being married we have moved 4 times and are contemplating moving again. So i guess I am just saying life is weird and you just cant predict it. :)
-Ron
Life is weird...
As children we so much ahead of us. We can, for the most part, do anything we want and be anyone we want to be. Even when we are just playing around we dream and play as Doctors, Lawyers, Superheroes, etc. We spend those first 5 years learning how to do the basics, then spend the next 10-15 years figuring out who we are. We go through high school and go through the most influential period of our lives to that point. Every little detail about our lives seems to matter and not getting what we want is devastating.
It isn't until after high school (Generally speaking) that we find out that our small and petty problems are nothing compared to many many others in the world who go through much harder trials. It is usually at this point that we start to understand life for the first time. We are not completely there yet, but we are starting to get it. We finally start to leave our selfish little world of our mind and explore the idea that others have just as many, if not more, problems then we do. Keep in mind that this does not make our problems disappear but it does help make them lighter.
After we finally start to come into our own and accept ourselves we finally are able to accept another for who they are and find that we, in fact, where never whole without them; thus, we get married. Since this is really as far as I have traveled on the road of life I can't really say what the future holds. What I can say is that marriage brings on all sorts of new challenges and joys.
Ultimately, despite what experiences we have throughout our life we always, at any given time, think that we know about what it has to offer, and although I contradict myself because I too am in a stage of life as I say this; we never truly know what life has in store for us. It is full of ups and downs. It turns and meanders unpredictably, and although we can't predict the road we take; we can always determine where we are going.
I'm sure you're wondering, "Where did that come from?" I think it mostly came from the ever present changes that Hannah and I have experienced in our marriage. In our year and a half of being married we have moved 4 times and are contemplating moving again. So i guess I am just saying life is weird and you just cant predict it. :)
-Ron
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Great Christmas! But no pictures...
So we had a great Christmas! I admit that this year was a tad bit strange because this was the first year that I did not fly back to Oklahoma. It was Hannah and I's first Christmas on our own..... And we didn't have a Camera... : (
Although we were not with my family back in Oklahoma, we were with our surrogate family here in Oregon, the Temperinis. I LOVE them! We had a great time with some great people. Curt and Kiley came over with their 2 children Cassey(Cubby) and Jaxon. They are some of the cutest little stinkers I have ever seen and although Cubby pretty much hates me (not really, she just gives me evil stares) I loved having them around, especially Jaxon's cute little smile.
One thing that I realized this year was how grateful I am for the family I have all around me. Hannah and I just recently moved out to the northwest and really didn't know very many people, but the few people we did know have been indispensable. If it were not for the Temperinis we would not have had a place to stay and would not have found the home we have today. If it were not for Tom Gibbons I would not have the job I have and would not be able to afford anything, let alone the new place we are renting. Also, with Hannah being pregnant we have a FLOOD of people saying how they have toys, car seats, swings, cribs, cloths, and almost everything we would need for a baby that they will give to us. We are so lucky and blessed! I know that it is no longer Thanksgiving, but I am really grateful for all the help and love we have received.
Once again, we don't have a working camera, but as soon as we do we will have pictures :)
Although we were not with my family back in Oklahoma, we were with our surrogate family here in Oregon, the Temperinis. I LOVE them! We had a great time with some great people. Curt and Kiley came over with their 2 children Cassey(Cubby) and Jaxon. They are some of the cutest little stinkers I have ever seen and although Cubby pretty much hates me (not really, she just gives me evil stares) I loved having them around, especially Jaxon's cute little smile.
One thing that I realized this year was how grateful I am for the family I have all around me. Hannah and I just recently moved out to the northwest and really didn't know very many people, but the few people we did know have been indispensable. If it were not for the Temperinis we would not have had a place to stay and would not have found the home we have today. If it were not for Tom Gibbons I would not have the job I have and would not be able to afford anything, let alone the new place we are renting. Also, with Hannah being pregnant we have a FLOOD of people saying how they have toys, car seats, swings, cribs, cloths, and almost everything we would need for a baby that they will give to us. We are so lucky and blessed! I know that it is no longer Thanksgiving, but I am really grateful for all the help and love we have received.
Once again, we don't have a working camera, but as soon as we do we will have pictures :)
Monday, December 17, 2012
"Christmas Time is Here"
I am sitting in one of my friend's house (we have been house sitting since last Wednesday, I like it, Ron is excited to go to our home) and listening to Sarah McLachlin and her Christmas album, trying to decide what I want to make for dinners and what I need to buy to make those things and where to buy them.
I had goals this Christmas, things I wanted to become traditions. I hope that I can still accomplish them before the actual day of Christmas.
-Make a gingerbread house with my love.
- Drop off goodie plates/bags to a handful of people who I have come to love much in this mortal journey.
- See my best friend (she gets here on Thursday, hopefully) and her family
- Attend the temple before Christmas
- Ponder and make a decision on what my gift to Christ will be this next year.
Writing about these things makes me feel that I can actually still accomplish what I wanted to. Hooray for adjusting expectations. It is one of the best qualities a person can possess and I think I am starting to accomplish things.
On to another note:
I taught Relief Society yesterday and it was so poignant. The lesson was titled, "Righteous Living in Perilous Times". There were two people there that are not members of my congregation. I hope that they were able to feel of what the message was: We can have peace amid such wickedness. It will be hard to maintain, but it is not unconquerable. It means making and keeping commitments. It means in essence living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have thought about the hard things that have happened in the world this past couple of weeks: two shootings, one school stabbing are just some of the big headlines. We haven't heard about the person who was murdered in our city or the various people who passed away tragically, unexpected, finally after long bouts with cancer. There is much sorrow in the world it seems. I don't wish to dwell upon them, not because I want to block them out, but because I wish to dwell upon goodness that is still going on amidst such wickedness. I was watching a talk show the other day (haven't watched it until or since that day) but they were discussing transgender children. There was a child on there, who is 7, and has male genitalia, but looks exactly like a girl. He believes God only messed up on one thing and that was his reproductive organs. He wants and believes he is a girl. His parents have given in and treated him like a girl. But there was something that came to mind when I was watching this along with reading an article written by a mother of a 13 year old boy who struggles with lots of things. I have a best friend who has a son like this, however he is only 4.5 years old. Super smart, but has lots of breakdowns.
I think about the challenges people face in this mortal experience. Some things are so hard. Some things are not. But I find that the only real thing that brings sense to it all is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And it is not just doctrine, it is PERSONAL SPIRITUAL HABITS. Every day contact with Deity. Checking in, talking with them, talking with the person you made a covenant with (your spouse). If you don't have a spouse, it is finding people to talk to. It is becoming clearer and clearer that one cannot solely rely upon their previous witnesses to help them ride out the waves of life. It is reaffirming those witnesses everyday, and when the Giver of those experiences gives those reassurances (after much asking usually) we express deep gratitude for them. My heart does weep in its silent chambers for the sorrow of man. However, my heart rejoices because of the deliverance of the Almighty, who is full of grace and truth. We will make it out of here alive, if we choose to.
Christmas time is here. Happiness and cheer. Even though the real Christmas is April 6th, I am grateful for a world that still has goodness in it. Be of Good Cheer my friends. Our future is as bright as our faith.
-Hannah
I had goals this Christmas, things I wanted to become traditions. I hope that I can still accomplish them before the actual day of Christmas.
-Make a gingerbread house with my love.
- Drop off goodie plates/bags to a handful of people who I have come to love much in this mortal journey.
- See my best friend (she gets here on Thursday, hopefully) and her family
- Attend the temple before Christmas
- Ponder and make a decision on what my gift to Christ will be this next year.
Writing about these things makes me feel that I can actually still accomplish what I wanted to. Hooray for adjusting expectations. It is one of the best qualities a person can possess and I think I am starting to accomplish things.
On to another note:
I taught Relief Society yesterday and it was so poignant. The lesson was titled, "Righteous Living in Perilous Times". There were two people there that are not members of my congregation. I hope that they were able to feel of what the message was: We can have peace amid such wickedness. It will be hard to maintain, but it is not unconquerable. It means making and keeping commitments. It means in essence living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have thought about the hard things that have happened in the world this past couple of weeks: two shootings, one school stabbing are just some of the big headlines. We haven't heard about the person who was murdered in our city or the various people who passed away tragically, unexpected, finally after long bouts with cancer. There is much sorrow in the world it seems. I don't wish to dwell upon them, not because I want to block them out, but because I wish to dwell upon goodness that is still going on amidst such wickedness. I was watching a talk show the other day (haven't watched it until or since that day) but they were discussing transgender children. There was a child on there, who is 7, and has male genitalia, but looks exactly like a girl. He believes God only messed up on one thing and that was his reproductive organs. He wants and believes he is a girl. His parents have given in and treated him like a girl. But there was something that came to mind when I was watching this along with reading an article written by a mother of a 13 year old boy who struggles with lots of things. I have a best friend who has a son like this, however he is only 4.5 years old. Super smart, but has lots of breakdowns.
I think about the challenges people face in this mortal experience. Some things are so hard. Some things are not. But I find that the only real thing that brings sense to it all is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And it is not just doctrine, it is PERSONAL SPIRITUAL HABITS. Every day contact with Deity. Checking in, talking with them, talking with the person you made a covenant with (your spouse). If you don't have a spouse, it is finding people to talk to. It is becoming clearer and clearer that one cannot solely rely upon their previous witnesses to help them ride out the waves of life. It is reaffirming those witnesses everyday, and when the Giver of those experiences gives those reassurances (after much asking usually) we express deep gratitude for them. My heart does weep in its silent chambers for the sorrow of man. However, my heart rejoices because of the deliverance of the Almighty, who is full of grace and truth. We will make it out of here alive, if we choose to.
Christmas time is here. Happiness and cheer. Even though the real Christmas is April 6th, I am grateful for a world that still has goodness in it. Be of Good Cheer my friends. Our future is as bright as our faith.
-Hannah
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The World is ENDING!
Well, I figured I should write a post since the world is going to end in 8 days!! :D I think this whole Mayan calendar/ Nostradamus/ dooms day / whatever else you want to believe in, are all kind of funny to me. Don't get me wrong, I actually do believe that eventually the world as we know it today will end, but it is my belief that it will be because of the coming of the Savior. Anyway, regardless of what you believe I think we should all still be pretty hopeful.
I've done a decent amount of research on the whole 12/21/12 thing and from everything I have found is that IF something does happen it is only going to be something to move us forward, not stop us in our tracks. Just because the Mayan calendar ends does not mean its the end of the world. They where very intelligent people who aligned everything they did with the starts and since the calendar had to end somewhere why not end it on a time that is significant to them; the ushering of a new age?
I do not see any reason why people need to be frighted, no matter what they believe. Sure, it is good to save and stock up in case a situation happens where you can't go to the store, but I don't think it needs to get to the point of expecting it. Doesn't this remind you of the Cold War?
In the Cold War almost everyone was certain there would be a nuclear fallout. They believe the world would start setting off nuclear bombs and would end all life as they knew it. It went so far as to have everyday people buying bomb shelters and and stocking up food supplies to last them for months. Some researchers even say it was a merical that we never actually got to that point and in some instances was only one button push away from launching the missiles themselves. To me, these people had much more of a reason to worry. They saw that it could happen any day and began preparing, but even int hat "sure" circumstance the threat never happened. Which leads me to think that the end is not as predictable as we may wish to believe. The bible tells us it will come as a "thief in the night" implying that nobody will know, and isn't that the point? If we knew when the end was coming we would all prepare and "Change our ways", but God doesn't want deathbed repentance. He want full and true repentance.
Ultimately, I think we just need to chill and relax a little. We should be preparing for the end constantly so if the end should come sooner or later you should be the person you want to be and have prepared for the future.
I've done a decent amount of research on the whole 12/21/12 thing and from everything I have found is that IF something does happen it is only going to be something to move us forward, not stop us in our tracks. Just because the Mayan calendar ends does not mean its the end of the world. They where very intelligent people who aligned everything they did with the starts and since the calendar had to end somewhere why not end it on a time that is significant to them; the ushering of a new age?
I do not see any reason why people need to be frighted, no matter what they believe. Sure, it is good to save and stock up in case a situation happens where you can't go to the store, but I don't think it needs to get to the point of expecting it. Doesn't this remind you of the Cold War?
In the Cold War almost everyone was certain there would be a nuclear fallout. They believe the world would start setting off nuclear bombs and would end all life as they knew it. It went so far as to have everyday people buying bomb shelters and and stocking up food supplies to last them for months. Some researchers even say it was a merical that we never actually got to that point and in some instances was only one button push away from launching the missiles themselves. To me, these people had much more of a reason to worry. They saw that it could happen any day and began preparing, but even int hat "sure" circumstance the threat never happened. Which leads me to think that the end is not as predictable as we may wish to believe. The bible tells us it will come as a "thief in the night" implying that nobody will know, and isn't that the point? If we knew when the end was coming we would all prepare and "Change our ways", but God doesn't want deathbed repentance. He want full and true repentance.
Ultimately, I think we just need to chill and relax a little. We should be preparing for the end constantly so if the end should come sooner or later you should be the person you want to be and have prepared for the future.
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