"Get A Room"

The, We Look Happy Picture!

Lately I have been told that Cherilyn and I look very happy, this picture in particular has received many comments to that regard.  It is nice to be told one looks happy, it validates that you actually are.

This past weekend, Cherilyn and I enjoyed a wonderful time together, an extra long date.  After delivering a puppy and dropping off the girls at their dad's, (dad lives in Oklahoma City) we were off on our date.  We checked into our hotel and then went to do our service in the temple.  (for those of you who may not be aware, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we are a temple going people. For more information on LDS Temples, see my POST from earlier this year)  After our time in the temple we got a bite to eat and went back to the hotel.  Saturday morning was nice and lazy - no kids, no dogs to tend to, just each other to enjoy.  Early afternoon had us doing some shopping which took us to a large mall. - for those of you who know me well, you know I LOVE a good mall - While in Macy's, Cherilyn found some good sale racks to look through.  After picking out some things to try on, we headed to the dressing rooms.  As we were approaching the dressing room entrance, an employee approached us and asked, " Do you two need a room?"  to which Cherilyn replied, "You rent those for an hourly rate here?"  We all got a good chuckle.

This story got me to thinking about the comments that have been made of late about how we look happy.  I am glad that we look happy.  I feel happy and so does Cherilyn so it is nice that people notice. We have been told we look happy by many but we have never been told to get a room.  Were we giving off a different vibe that the Macy's employee was able to pick up on?  Things that make you go hmmmm! :-)

Cookies and Conference

Ingredients prepared and ready to be baked into cookies

Baked and ready to eat

As many of you know, I am a member of the Mormon faith and twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, we have what is known as General Conference.  This is the time of year when we have the opportunity to hear gospel messages from the leaders of the church. Just like every batch of cookies is different from the last in that the shape might be unique or the flavor might be a little different from the last time you made them, the conference messages are unique to the time they are given and just a little different from the previous conference messages.  The underlying principles are still the same with each, however, the cookies are still cookies, a recipe was followed in order to give you the end result, conference is still the same, an outline and format was followed and the messages all revolve around Jesus Christ. 

LDS Conference Center, Salt Lake City

As we add ingredients to our bowels to create the cookie dough, we may not be as exact in doing so each time we do this. We still get a cookie in the end that is good to the taste, unless of course we use a cup of salt instead of a cup of sugar. (that lesson is for another day)  As we listen to the speakers, many of whom are different from the speakers in the previous conference, we still end up with a gospel message that is good for the soul. 

What we obtain from each conference is personal and depends on our preparation. Just as in preparing the cookie dough, when seeking knowledge from on high through those our Heavenly Father has set apart to deliver that knowledge, we must be prepared. With the cookies, we prepare the kitchen by cleaning the counters where we will make the cookies.  We bring out all the ingredients we will be using and gather the bowels and utensils and preheat the oven.  When we want to be taught by God, we must prepare ourselves by doing whatever we need to set our minds at ease and put our spirits at peace.  We perhaps prepare by having enough rest, having ourselves fed so the hunger pangs do not interrupt us in our concentration. We may ponder the issues we are seeking guidance for.

When prepared, the dough is ready for the the oven.  During this time the dough bakes into cookie deliciousness. The loose ball of dough becomes a solid, thinner entity, the cookie.  When watching and listening to conference, we are baking. Once conference is over, we can go back and read the talks or watch it again, we get to eat the cookies.

Just my simple thoughts for the day as the family and I enjoyed the messages of General Conference and warm, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.

*to learn more about General Conference click the link to General Conference above
**to learn some interesting information on the design and construction of the conference center, click the link under the picture