I maintain that being a "grown up" is not all it's cracked up to be...

So remember when you were a kid, and you thought being an adult was just the be all, end all? Adults just had it so easy, and you couldn't wait to be one...
Then you grew up, and learned that with all those "perks"and all that "freedom" comes a lot of responsibility. And those responsibilities aren't easy... now you have to actually make decisions for yourself, some of which can affect not only your entire life, but all of eternity!
You have to be wise and careful, and you all will probably end up making many wrong choices (though hopefully not on the most important decisions).
If you're anything like me, there's a part of you that would love to just go back to the days when your biggest concern was whether your friend could come over after school.
::Sigh::

Proud to be an American...

A friend recently posed the question: "What are we fighting for?" That got me thinking about my thoughts and feelings about this country we live in. These are my conclusions:


We are fighting against insane people who genuinely believe that the way they get into heaven is by killing you and me and destroying freedom and democracy everywhere. No, of course I don't mean the majority of Mulims by any means. Most of them are wonderful people. But there is a very frightening militant, terrorist fringe who believe anything Western or Christian must be destroyed at all costs.

IMHO... we had every right and reason to go into Afganistan and go after the sorry SOB's (pardon my french) who attacked our country, and to eradicate all who support them. Iraq is alot less clear cut... I'rm really not sure we were right to go there in the first place, but we were genuine in our belief that we had to go in and rid them of the WMD's we believed they had. But we sure can't just pull out all support now and leave them hanging.

I've talked to several soldiers, honorable men and women, about the horrors and triumph's they have experienced. I'll defy anyone who has sat at home, comfortable, for the last 8 1/2 years, who says that these soldiers don't know what they are talking about. They tell me of people, women and children especially, who are happier than they have ever been, as they emerge from the oppression of tyranny... Of people voting for the first time, emerging grinning from ear to ear... Of children who are being educated, joyous simply because they are finally learning to read. Yes there have been atrocities, and other abuses of power, but those are by far the minority. I've never been prouder to be an American than I am now, nor have I ever been happier to support those who give their time, talents, and even their lives to protect me and all that I hold dear.

I cannot understand people who see America as this horrible country that just wants to control the world. That couldn't be further from the America I know and love, which is a country founded under the direction and inspiration of God and on principles of freedom. We are not a perfect country, but neither are we fundamentally flawed. Our constitution is an inspired document, and we will always be the shining city on a hill as long as Americans believe that and stand up for their rights.

I love this country and the people who sacrifice everything to preserve it. Islamic terrorist don't want to kill us because "we keep butting into their business", but because of who we are and what we stand for. If we didn't fight them in their territory, they will bring the fight over here and kill everyone they can. I, for one, am not willing to sand by and watch that happen, without doing everything I can to make my voice heard.

I'm neither stupid nor uneducated. I've read and studied more about the history of this country than almost anyone I know, and I daily keep up with current events. You can disagree with me, but never suggest that I thiink and feel the way I do because I just don't know any better...

In closing, I'll just quote these words:

"America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea."

life...

I know this life was designed to be a test and a trial and a learning experience, but some lessons I don't like so well. I know I need to learn them, and that they are my weaknesses...obviously - or else I wouldn't have to learn them more than once, like I do. I wonder if everyone has moments where they astonish themselves with the magnitude of their own stupidity. I just have to learn better, and work harder, and not repeat so many of my mistakes. If the Lord can truely make weak things become strong, then hopefully he will help me with this.

And now...

Since you've seen the pictures of what happened to me, here's a few of what happened to my car:









(BTW... I don't know what's up with the date stamp on my pics...but these WERE taken just yesterday.)

accidents...

Okay so wrecking one's car really sucks. You're hurt, and you're without transportation, and it's just plain miserable.

Below are pics of my very colorful ankle, and burned hand (you really do have to wach out for those airbags...)

A few thought's about conference...

A few conference thoughts as posted on my FB profile:

Eliza Ruth Sewell loves General Conference. My favorite talk so far was Elder Bednar's...

"Feeling a security and constancy of love is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God, such love is a source of strength and casts out fear, such love is the desire of every human soul."
--David A. Bednar, Oct. 3rd, 2009

Eliza Ruth Sewell thinks conference is wonderful! My favorite talk thus far today has been President Monson's... service really does bring the greatest joy I've felt in this life...

Favorite quote this morning:
"Even more amazing than modern technology is our oportunity to access information directly from heaven without hardware, software, ot monthly service fees"
--Russell M. Nelson, Oct. 4th, 2009

Eliza Ruth Sewell has loved this conference! I can't wait til April, when it comes around again.

I've never heard such a powerful testimoney of the Book of Mormon as that which was borne by Elder Holland this afternoon. I love these wonderful men who lead us...

Worry...

I wish I knew what's up with my mind that I worry so much. I'll have this one teeny thought latch itself to my brain, and then it will totally blow itself out of proportion until it has taken over my whole thought process with this huge horrible worst case scenario. Do these scenarios ever actually come to pass? NO! So why won't my brain just be normal and happy?