My thoughts on the Role of Women

Lately I have been having a few thoughts about all that is going on in the world, the church and my life. I just wanted to have a platform to share my thoughts on my role as a woman. I don't mean to argue with anyone or create contention, but I feel a strong need to "stand for truth and righteousness." PS. Sorry this is really long but I felt like I needed to share it....And of course I needed to add some pictures to make this visually interesting. :)

The Real Role of Women

Over the past few weeks I have been studying our glorious mother Eve and her glorious companion Adam. The story of the Garden of Eden is a largely misunderstood piece of doctrine that has shaped society’s views on women through all ages of the earth. Throughout all of history women have been viewed as “less than” and have been in “bondage” to the will of men. The world thinks that Eve was beguiled and partook of the forbidden fruit and therefore was the “airhead “woman who allowed evil and death to enter the world.

Not so. Our magnificent mother Eve was taught side by side with Adam, by God. She learned about judgment, choices and all that would befall everyone who came after her if this choice was made. We (as Latter-day Saints) also believe that her mission was also foreordained before the world was even created. Our modern day prophets teach us that only a woman could unlock the gate that allows us to be mortal. Only a woman was chosen to have the special gift of allowing God’s children to enter this world. Even today, only women have the extraordinary capability to bring life into this world. It is a gift given only to women.

Was it not God’s plan that we should come to earth and face opposition that we may grow and choose right from wrong that we may become like Him? Was it not his plan that the spirits in Heaven should come down and receive bodies and enter a mortal world? It was! And our mother Eve was the most courageous woman of all. To know and understand what would happen if she partook of that fruit and still make the selfless choice so that others may gain salvation. Knowing all that women would endure in this mortal life, she was courageous enough to know that it would be for our good and our spiritual growth. And she partook. And aren’t we glad she did? I’m sure we all stood in Heaven waiting for Eve to make this choice and grant us the ability to come to earth. I’m sure we all cheered as she courageously and knowingly partook of the fruit.

Now. Lets look at Adam. Adam was also foreordained for a special gift and mission. He was to receive the priesthood and use that sacred power and responsibility to build up the kingdom and help us return to our Heavenly Father. Adam and Eve being EQUAL (but not the same) partners in the Lord have the sacred responsibility to carry out God’s plan to get us to earth, then help us return. Adam partook of the fruit after Eve partook because he also understood this necessary step and supported Eve in the grand decision that would allow all of us (the waiting spirits) to enter into mortality.

We all know that Satan works through clever design. Tempting us with things that are mostly right but only partially wrong. This is God’s church. Not the Prophet’s church. And maybe if it were The Church of President Monson, we might all have the responsibility of the priesthood. (Trust me, I would NOT want that.) But it isn’t. This is the Lords church. And our roles as men and women have been divinely appointed. Men are to move the work along with the priesthood, with their gentle guiding hands, with their loyalty, honor, and example. Women are move the work along by helping spirits obtain their earthly bodies, nurturing those spirits, and with their loyalty, succoring those in need of comfort, and their gentle demeanor and love. And we all benefit, both by the role of women and by the blessings of the priesthood.

For those of you who don’t understand why women don’t hold the priesthood in the church you can see that we hold an EQUALLY as important role in the work of the Lord. (Notice that I did not say the “Same” or that it is “More Important”).

Dear sisters, let us stand by what we know to be true and seek after our responsibilities.  I know that God has given us an important gift and I will continue to pray for those who are lost or confused on what their role is as a woman. I also hope that anyone who reads this will seek for her own answers by asking God. Pray to Him and He will tell you WHO YOU REALLY ARE and WHO YOU MAY BECOME as a daughter in His kingdom. 

-Ali 

Brian's Birthday Bash

In July, Brian turned 27. I really like to go all out with birthdays and do the whole "theme" thing but Brian would NOT choose a theme so I didn't really make one. And then in the end it sorta turned into a good ole back yard country BBQ.

This is the cake Annie and I made for the party. (Of course I had to make a Pecan Pie too seeing as Brian doesn't even like cake) But this was for the rest of the guests. And do you see the little guns on the cake? Mom...I hope you remember where I got those. :)

For anyone who is interested I posted the recipe to this frosting on my craft blog here.

The boys just hanging out and trying to get more "juice" before they actually ate any dinner.

Annie made this amazing sherbet punch that was just like dessert so the boys were going down on it.

Brian's brother Brent came in for the party and Brian's Aunt Katie was there to support him. :)

The birthday boy and love of my life. Look at that handsome devil!

Here is my little country spread. We had smoked chicken, potato salad, cake, pecan pie, chips, fresh fruit, and of course that amazing punch.

I even got all cray cray and added some mason jars to hold the silver ware to make it extra "country" :)

I think this is the only picture of me at the party and I look angry. ha ha. Gotta love it.

We had dinner and a show because we got to watch the boys play around in the yard and wrestle each other.

All the family at the party!

We decided to only put 7 candles on the cake so we didn't burn it to the ground. :) He is getting so old.

Brian didn't want to come to his cake so I awkwardly brought the cake to him so he could blow out his candles. (Funny part is, it was too windy to even light the candles so we had him pretend to blow them out so we could get an action shot.) :)

The boys goofing off on their mini trampoline.

You can tell Rett is having a really relaxing experience. :)

Hogle Zoo

On the fifth we decided to take the boys to the zoo. Everett has been really obsessed with animals lately and we knew they would both love it. And they did! We all had a blast!

We brought the double stroller so the boys wouldn't get so tired and they ended up wanting to walk the WHOLE way. They didn't even ride in the stroller at all.

After we visited the apes there was a place where you could measure yourself up to a full sized monkey. This is Everett measuring himself. :)

Warren was just wondering what was going on. :)

At the giraffes! The boys LOVED this part of the zoo and didn't want to leave.

This is me photo-bombing a cute picture of the boys...

After a few hours we stopped at this little picnic spot in the shade and had a few snacks. The boys kept chasing a squirrel and going under the fence instead of eating their food. But they had a good time. 

Love these close ups of my blue-eyed baby eating some fishy crackers. :) 

And this is a lovely picture Brian caught of me eating a grilled cheese...awesome. :)

We had to circle back around to the elephants because they weren't out when we passed by them the first time. They had two adult elephants and baby that splashed through the water and got a drink with his trunk. Everett squealed with delight the whole time. And here is a fun elephant feature we found.

We also got to see an otter show. There were three trainers that would blow whistles and do hand signals and the otters would do flips or give them high fives or turn in the water. It was so fun to watch!

Just as we were leaving the park the boys found this little water feature with a giant marble ball that spun in the water as the water ran over it. They had fun playing in that for a little while.

After the zoo we went to Litza's Pizza. It was so yummy and we had such a fun afternoon!

4th of July Parade

This year we went down this little local parade by Brian's parents house. They have been going to this parade every 4th of July for years and it was fun to take the boys to such a small parade. They had a blast. It was even the perfect weather.

The boys shared this tiny folding chair almost the whole parade and loved waiving their little flags that grandma Annie brought them.

Don't ask me what Warren is doing in this pic.

The whole gang (besides papa Rick who is taking the picture).

When the boys saw the fire truck pass through town they both started yelling, "wee-ooh!" Because that is the sound that the siren's make. :)

See that shirt I'm wearing? Grandma (the one we live with) made it about twenty years ago for square dancing with grandpa. I found it in the basement and she said I could have it so I tailored it to fit me and it made a perfect 4th of July shirt. :)

All the kids in the parade passed by on bikes with streamers and tossed SO MUCH candy. The boys totally scored and got a whole bunch. Rett was a little unsure at first but after about five minutes was picking up the candy like a mad man. He even stole a taffy from a one year old (which of course I made him return.)

Of course Warren would run into the street and try and eat the candy right then and there. He wasn't too interested in bringing it back to the community bag. :)

The parade only lasted an hour and the boys both fell right asleep on the way home. I think this is a new tradition we will have to start in our little family as well.