Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world.

I just read the most amazing talk by President Benson, "Born of God".

I am so excited I have to share. I have read this talk several times, but oh how quickly I forget!!

I have been pondering change and recently feeling a lack of faith that a REAL change is possible. I slip back into so many self destructive behaviors time and time again that I feel a little hopeless that a real and lasting change IS possible. But I read this talk again and I feel a renewed hope. Thank you President Benson!

"Born of God" July Ensign 1989


"The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.

“Human nature can be changed, here and now,” said President McKay, and then he quoted the following:

“You can change human nature. No man who has felt in him the Spirit of Christ even for half a minute can deny this truth. …

“You do change human nature, your own human nature, if you surrender it to Christ. Human nature can be changed here and now. Human nature has been changed in the past. Human nature must be changed on an enormous scale in the future, unless the world is to be drowned in its own blood. And only Christ can change it.

“Twelve men did quite a lot to change the world [nineteen hundred] years ago. Twelve simple men” (Quoting Beverly Nichols, in Stepping Stones to an Abundant Life, compiled by Llewelyn R. McKay, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1971, page 23, 127).

Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world."
....

"May we be convinced that Jesus is the Christ, choose to follow Him, be changed for Him, captained by Him, consumed in Him, and born again."
__________

It is beautiful and filled with hope! We can change ourselves, and then we can then go change the world. The miraculous thing is that once we are changed changing the world, or our family or relationships will just come natural because our Nature is changed. Changing will allow those things that muck up our lives to fall out of it.

I just had to share. It is so exciting to remember and to have HOPE again.


Go read the entire talk. I LOVE President Benson, he is AMAZING. If you are lacking in a testimony of the Savior or the Book of Mormon he is your man to bring you there or bring you back into remembrance.

Tortus Carma and Judson Rabbit

Tortoise and the Rabbit





May 10, 2010
Michael took the kids to the park. They had a race back home and Judson won by a long shot. Carma had a total melt down over it. She said that Judson was always faster than her.
“Judson always wins! Judson always wins trophies. He has fast running powers. Judson is like a fast fast fast rabbit and I am just a slow turtle.” Michael said she went on and on and on about it. Rambling and crying. “Rabbits have long fluffy ears and run really really really fast. Turtles don’t even HAVE ears. They just have hard shells and walk REALLY REALLY Slow..wahhhhh!” (Imagine this with all of her hilarious hand movements and exaggerations.)

Michael said “Carma your going to play softball and get a trophy.”
Carma: But Judson will ALWAYS have more trophies than me.
Michael: “That’s just because Judson is older than you are. You are faster than Wyatt because you are older.
Carma: Can we put Wyatt in T-ball?” Michael said from the way she said it that she figured that if Wyatt was in T-ball she would be able to beat him. ?? hahaha

Carma's Preschool Graduation

Carma graduated from both of her preschools. This has been a fun year for her. She loved school, there were only a few days that she didn't want to go, but she always had fun and loved it once she went. And of course her teachers LOVED her.

I can't believe how much she learned. She was in the 3 and 4 year old class at the rec center. She went into the pre-K class, but the teachers decided she was not ready. It was really hard for me, and I shed some tears over it. No parent wants to hear that their child isn't developing
"on time" and isn't on the level with the other students.

We got her tested with the district and she barely passed all of the test, which was kind of frustrating b/c she is just behind enough to make it into the regular classes. So I feared that she will be lost in the shuffle. She did qualify for the Occupational therapist and has been working with one weekly since Sept. at the Elementary school. Because she didn't qualify for Special needs preschool, it was suggested that she be a model student in the school. This was a beautiful idea, she was able to work with the most talented teachers at this school. Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Paula. AMAZING teachers who love what they do. There were also several amazing aides in the class, each student got individual attention.

She went from not even being able hold a pencil, or even WANTING to and now she is able to trace her name, skip, jump and coloring etc.... It has been INCREDIBLE. I am proud of Carma and the work that she has done. She is such a smart girl, BRILLIANT in so many ways. I wonder sometimes how her brain works, b/c she sees things so differently brilliant than most.

I wont pretend that I am not worried about how she will do in Kindergarden. I am nervous. She is so innocent and sweet, I want her to stay that way. And if anyone ever makes fun of her... I don't know if I would be able to refrain from smacking a child..hahaha

She and Judson got into a new Charter School. (I wont post the name for security reasons). There is only going to be 18 kids in her class, and it is more "Montessori" style and very art centered. Everything is Organic and solar powered, all about dance, art, performing and kids being in the class they "fit" in. We will see how it goes. It sounds too good to be true and this is the schools first year. Worse case scenario it doesn't go as planned and we put them back at the school here (which is also a great school, just big class sizes). Judson is excited b/c Garrett and Renton are going to be going too.

Judson RipStick

Here is what the caption reads "Judson got a Ripstick. Pretty scary when the warning reads "may cause serious injury or even death."....(or something to that effect) Should I be worried? haha I am a little but he is already really good. I am amazed at his skills.

Michael and I got on, but both of us didn't even want to let go of our support. I just imagined myself falling and not being able to heal b/c I am getting old... haha I am just barely getting over my rib injury.

Here is how Judson earned the money for his Ripstick. $20.00 came from making straight A's, he already had $20.00 from previous chores. He earned some more, then $5.00 for puking in a bag in the car. Yep, Michael paid him $5.00 for making it in the bag when he puked. LOL! I am still crakin up about it. But hurray that he DID make it in the bag.

Carma's Fifth Bday

Carma had so much fun at her Birthday party, I know it is hard to imagine her getting excited. haha She was talking about it EVERY DAY for a month before the party. Asking me if the party was that day. She requested Princess and the Frog party. I delivered. We invied 16 of her friends, ate pizza and watched the movie. We then had cake and opened presents. She got HOOKED up. I can't believe how many nice present everyone gave. (Thanks to those who gave her presents, SUPER nice of you!) She loves them. A Princess Tianna dress, stuffed Simba and Nala, Princess and the Frog movie, A princess Tianna Barbie, Princess Tianna purses, Hello Kitty pet, Zuzu pets, Crayola wonder colors, and that is all from the top of my head.

A few days letter, she got the Baby Alive that she had asked for, but I couldn't get b/c I didn't know they were SO expensive. Ashley brought one over and said she wanted to take Carma back to her roots. She got a black Baby Alive. It is the cutest doll I have ever seen! Carma named her Baby Tiana. Carma loves her and it is cute to see her taking care of a doll b/c she never has been interested in babies or dolls.

I love doing bday parties, esp for Carma b/c she gets so excited and loves them so much. \

We went sledding

Not too much to say about this event, but YEAH for us for finally doing something. We are a lazy family and just stay at home most of the time because hawling a baby in between naps and getting kids in snow clothes.. see LAZY. So, YEAH for us for getting out. It felt good.

Funny things kids say

Funny Carma story: I have loads of these!
Michael was reading her a book, and it wasn't really a book, but a fairy book of things to make and do. So he had to improv. There is a page full of hearts and he said "This heart fell in love with the blue heart, and then they were about to kiss...." He said she put her hands to her mouth and got all excited and squealed "OHHH, this book is getting so gooood!!"
That girl is WAAAYY too funny and girly. She is so cute.

Judson story: the older he gets the less funny stories.. sad huh. For now at least.
This was during out Christmas break, so it has been a while. He was being rude to Carma and I told him he needed to treat her like a princess. He said "Mom, Princesses aren't treated very well. They have to clean a lot for free, they have to wear clothes they don't want to wear, and no one lets them do what they want., OK, I will treat her like a princess!" HA.. how does he come up w/ this kind of stuff.

Wyatt's turn: .. he can't talk now, but he sure is trying.
When he doesn't want something he shakes his head no and tries to say it. It reminds me of an orangutan. He seriously looks like a little monkey, he is so cute. He has called and/or blank text at least three time this week using my cell phone. That kid LOVES gadgets.