Fishers of Men and Accepting Others

For my birthday (waaaaay back in October), my dad used his persuasive salesman super powers over me, and he convinced me into off shore fishing for my bday.  Yep. Me. His daughter that doesn't care for  fishing.  Red Fish fishing. In the ocean.


Anyhoo, so we set off at some ungodly hour a-headed to ole Galveston, Texas.  The only good thing about being already on the water by like 7 or whatever the time was seeing the sunset on the ocean...



please ignore my dad...



First, we started closer to shore, within the Houston Channel.  We could still see shore and there were lights and huge ships all around us.  This is where we caught what we were fishing for: Redfish.

The process was long and hard. (And gross. I didn't touch it.)  Anyhoo, it took forever to reel in.  In fact, the boat next to us (its guide was the son-in-law of our guide) full of obnoxious guys kept cat-calling and making fun of me.  They called over that I was struggling pulling in a little Rainbow Trout. HA! I showed them! It was, indeed, a perfect Redfish. 



reeling the sucker in



now ain't she a beauty?

 But this was the only one we caught...

We waited and waited, but nothing bit.  So we headed out to the jetties! 

Jetties are long, huge, ginormo rock structures that protect the ship channel (Houston is a port) from the killer ocean waves.  The South jetty is 2-3 miles while the North jetty is 4-5.  They are similar to the small jetties along Galveston beach that prevent erosion except on steriods.

  

Well, part of fishing is knowing where to look for the little guys.  Fish love to hang around structures, so we knew where to find.  We were actively engaged in seeking them.  Out by the jetties, we caught three small sharks and a sting ray.  We brought them into the boat to take out the hook. And for the sake of this super extended metaphor, let's pretend we kept the sharks. :)

upper left: shark; lower left: jellyfish; upper right: a very spastic, blurry stingray; lower left: a bonnet shark

We are taught in the New Testament (Matt 4:19) to be "fishers of men." Well, it's easy to say there are hundreds of thousands, no millions of fresh and salt water creatures out that to be "caught."  An extremely small percentage could be a "fish" that's exactly like you, but still not really.  Just as all of those creatures are extremely different, we as God's children, are all different.  As we are all different, we must be willing to invite people of all kinds into our "boat."  Just look at mormon.org to see all the different people just within our one faith.  Think of all the the people in this world still waiting for us to "catch 'em all!" (sorry, couldn't resist. I am from that generation after all. though I totally made fun of those people. oops.)  We must make that effort. 

When we went fishing, we wanted Redfish.  For October is the perfect time to catch in Galveston, because they are schooling there.  (they're all on scholarship. Bah! I just crack myself up...) So, we were expecting to catch 3 or 4.  We were out on the water from about 6:30 to 11:30am and caught one Redfish. One. 

We caught the one and only where we expected to, but we had to head out to a different location searching for more.  In our hunt, we had to search for fish who would bite.  We had to change to become more inviting.  Just like we all need to work to become better examples and spokespersons for our faith.  Of course, we are not perfect, but we are still to adhere to our standards. 

Furthermore, we actively participating in the hunt.  Very rarely do investigators approach us.  We must actively seek out in our missionary work.  Also, we must be accepting and tolerant of the differences of those around us.  Every person, every child of God, deserves the chance to accept the Gospel.  It is an amzing process to see a peson alter their lifestyle to fully live the Gospel.

But as missionaries, we mmust be willing to sacrifice and step out of our comfort zones.  Being actively engaged again comes to mind.  Defend our faith, develop your testimony, reach out to others.  Not everyone will accept the Gospel, but we can still set good examples and plant that seed of truth in their hearts.  Allow them to learn a truth and change their lives for the better.  We caught a little sting ray.  They are completely harmless unless they feel threatened.  And they feel threatened while sporting a hook lip ring. haha. Anyhoo, their barb thingies are very poisonous.  Before our guide even attempted to unhook the sucker, he cut the barb off.  (Now don't worry, it grows back.  It just won't killing any fishmen for a while.)  So the beast came into our boat and left for the better as a beast that is nicer and not so hurtful.  As we invite our fellow children into our lives, into the Gospel, they mat not all "stay in the boat," but we can still change their lives with little seeds of truth.  That "sting ray" is now a better "sea creature" for following that invitation into the Gospel.

As we work to spread the Gospel, we must be fully engaged and aware, as well as sincere.  As we accept all sorts of people into our faith, we must truly learn to love and care for them.  The church is based on the smallest family unit, then expands to include larger family units, such as wards and branches.  How are to fully function as wards and branches, if we do not exercise charity and compassion?

As we include others into our fellowship, and truly care for them, we strengthen each other.  First, accept who they are, learn to love, and then see them for who they truly without judgement.

I would like to end with an awesome quote by the big boss:

President Thomas S. Monson shared thoughts about how expressions of charity strengthen the ties of sisterhood in Relief Society:

“I consider charity—or ‘the pure love of Christ’—to be the opposite of criticism and judging. In speaking of charity, I do not at this moment have in mind the relief of the suffering through the giving of our substance. That, of course, is necessary and proper. Tonight, however, I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient.

“I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others.

“There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere.

“Needed is the charity which refuses to find satisfaction in hearing or in repeating the reports of misfortunes that come to others, unless by so doing, the unfortunate one may be benefited. …

“Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others.

“Charity, that pure love of Christ, is manifest when a group of young women from a singles ward travels hundreds of miles to attend the funeral services for the mother of one of their Relief Society sisters. Charity is shown when devoted visiting teachers return month after month, year after year to the same uninterested, somewhat critical sister. It is evident when an elderly widow is remembered and taken to ward functions and to Relief Society activities. It is felt when the sister sitting alone in Relief Society receives the invitation, ‘Come—sit by us.’

“In a hundred small ways, all of you wear the mantle of charity. Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out.

“Charity has been defined as ‘the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love,’ the ‘pure love of Christ … ; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with [her].’

“‘Charity never faileth.’ May this long-enduring Relief Society motto, this timeless truth, guide you in everything you do. May it permeate your very souls and find expression in all your thoughts and actions.”²⁵

Peace out.

Pearls and Womanhood

Forget the notion that diamonds are a girl's best friend: it's pearls.  I have always loved pearls more than any other jewelry setting or stone or whatever.  They are just so beautiful and exquisite and rare. So today, let's talk about pearls and womanhood.

Here is a quick crash course on pearls from the ever faithful WikiWorld. (tehehehe)

Pearl   From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes of pearls occur. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, and valuable.
The most valuable pearls occur spontaneously in the wild, but they are extremely rare. These wild pearls are referred to as natural pearls. Cultured or farmed pearls from pearl oysters and freshwater mussels make up the majority of those that are currently sold. Imitation or fake pearls are also widely sold in inexpensive jewelry, but the quality of their iridescence is usually very poor, and generally speaking, artificial pearls are easily distinguished from genuine pearls. Pearls have been harvested and cultivated primarily for use in jewelry and lavish clothing. Pearls have also been crushed and used in cosmetics, medicines, and in paint formulations.
Whether wild or cultured, gem quality pearls are almost always iridescent, as is the interior of the shell that produces them. However, almost all species of shelled mollusks are capable of producing pearls of lesser shine or less spherical shape.
Single, natural pearls are often sold as a collector's item, or set as centerpieces in unique jewelry. Very few matched strands of natural pearls exist, and those that do often sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. (In 1917, jeweler Pierre Cartier purchased the Fifth Avenue mansion that is now the New York Cartier store in exchange for a matched, double strand of natural pearls that he had been collecting for years; valued at the time at $1 million USD.)^[6]
The Great Depression effectively slashed the value of the natural pearl, but there is no doubt that it had been some time coming. The introduction and advance of the cultured pearl hit the pearl industry hard; it had pearl dealers publicly disputing over the authenticity of these new cultured pearls, and left many consumers uneasy and confused about the much lower prices. Essentially, it damaged the image of both natural and cultured pearls alike. By the 1950s, an era of every woman being able to own her own pearl necklace had begun, and natural pearls were reduced to a small, exclusive niche in the pearl industry.



So we basically just learned:

• They are made in concentric layers.
• The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but there many shapes of pearls.
• They are objects of beauty: metaphor for something rare, fine, admirable, and valuable.
• They are crushed and used in cosmetics, paint formulations, and medicines.
• Gem quality pearls are almost always iridescent, as is the interior of the shell that produces them.
• Imitation or fake pearls are widely sold in inexpensive jewelry, but the quality of their iridescence is usually very poor, and generally speaking, artificial pearls are easily distinguished from genuine pearls.

Now we are all experts. haha


1. Made in concentric layers (like onions and ogres...)  --->Personal Growth

      We need spiritual growth. We have the same rights men in earning the companionship of the Holy Ghost and personal revelation and education and other knowledge.  These gifts and opportunities will help us in so many ways.  All our experiences day to day should be treated as lessons.  This past year, I have learned soooo much. I am very grateful to have lived here in Huntsville going to school and learning.  So grateful.  Lessons in college extend outside the classroom.

Holy Ghost- you know the drill: baptism, worthiness, willing to listen-ness, and ACTION


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Personal Revelation: Don’t ever think this is only for men.  Samson’s mother received revelation:

"...drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: For lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines." (Judges 13: 4-5)

How important is this sort of revelation for a mother?

Samson's mother was able to know how raise and teach her son so he could fulfill his life's mission.

Education: formal, trade (informal), curiosity (documentary, museums, etc), Gospel

Once getting passed the “I want to be a medicine woman when I grow up stage,” I knew I was going to be a teacher someday.  It varied throughout the years: Elementary Education, Librarian, English, History, English and History, English, and now reading specialist.  Well, no one ever really supported me.  This includes several awkward dinner conversations at people’s homes, ugly fights and crying at home, weird stares from my peers in my GT and Honors classes.  But I knew what I wanted.  I knew what was best for myself.  I didn’t listen to anyone, but it still gave me grief.  Then I received my Patriarchal Blessing in May of 2010.  I am now blessed with the knowledge that all of my education classes will bless me as a mother.  Not only will I be a teacher to thousands of children but to my children.  My children will serve very important missions in life.  How I teach them is of great importance.  All of this knowledge I receive in school: the formal of the classroom and the informal of my experiences will help me as a mother.  My Patriarch Blessing added so much peace and strength to my own personal revelations and decisions.  I am so grateful. 



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The Atonement also teaches us:

President Spencer Kimball said, “The cultivation of Christlike qualities is a demanding and relentless task—it is not for the seasonal worker or for those who will not stretch themselves, again and again.” This wonderful charity is what we do and who we are and who we’re becoming, because we know that two or three of us gathered together in an organized way is more than one of us working in a disorganized way. Charity is a purifier. It is the Atonement working in us, purifying us, changing us. It is covenant keeping at its purest. It requires repentance and change. –Sister Julie Beck

All of these layers on our pearl of being will help us develop into wonderful women.  Each layer provides foundations for subsequent layers. So let's develop our pearls into righteous beings that are full of Gospel knowledge.

2. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but there are many shapes of pearls.

 --> Prioritize

The Girl in a Whirl

by ‘Dr. Sue’

(a.k.a. Vickie Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!

You could do what I do, If you only knew how.

I study the scriptures one hour each day;

I bake,I upholster,I scrub,and I pray.

I always keep all the commandments completely;

I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.

I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!

I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!

I memorize names of the General Authorities;

I focus on things to be done by priorities.

I play the piano! I bless with my talents!

My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!

Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;

I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)

I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,

But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all …

I track my bad habits ‘til each is abolished;

Our t-shirts are ironed! My toenails are polished!

Our family home evenings are always delightful;

The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.

I do genealogy faithfully, too.

It’s easy to do all the things that I do!

I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;

I know all the names of each youth in my stake!

I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!

I bless the community, too, with my labors.

I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;

My visiting teaching is done the first day!

(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.

It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)

I chart resolutions and check off each goal;

I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.

I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.

But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all …

I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!

Each day, I write “thank you’s” to those I admire.

My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!

My kids get straight A’s! And their bedrooms are clean!

I have a home business to help make some money;

I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.

I go to the temple at least once a week;

I change the car’s tires! I fix the sink’s leak!

I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;

I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.

I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;

My shopping for Christmas is done by July!

These things are not hard; It’s good if you do them;

You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!

It’s easy to do all the things that I do!

If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!

It’s easy!” she said …

… and then she dropped dead.

This perfect woman does not exist!! We should all have the common goal of following ALL of the Lord's commandments, but we will never be perfect without the Atonement.  Anyways, we should all have priorities.


Are we perfect? Should we run faster than we have strength? I think this poem just said it all.

I love this diagram! It shows how we must focus on one aspect of life before moving on to next.  For example, before I work in the community, I need to make sure all of my family's needs are met first.  My family takes priority over the community.

Source: womeninthescriptures@blogspot.com

I remember being so upset that the "Evie" character from the Mummy movies wasn't going to be in the third movie of the series.  I was so mad! She was my favorite.  But then I was humbled.  She chose motherhood over work.  The actress, Rachel Weisz, did not want to take her infant to China with her to shoot the movie.  Leaving her young child behind was also not an option.  I now have so much more respect for Rachel Weisz knowing she has some priorities in order.  Indeed, the needs of the community do NOT come before the needs of your family.

With the making of priorities comes sacrifice.

Also, in the General Relief Society Meeting, President Uctdorf said:

 An acceptable sacrifice is when we give up something good for something of far greater worth.  Giving up a little sleep to help a child who is having a nightmare is a good sacrifice. We all know this. Staying up all night, jeopardizing our own health, to make the perfect accessory for a daughter’s Sunday outfit may not be such a good sacrifice. Dedicating some of our time to studying the scriptures or preparing to teach a lesson is a good sacrifice. Spending many hours stitching the title of the lesson into homemade pot holders for each member of your class perhaps may not be. Every person and situation is different, and a good sacrifice in one instance might be a foolish sacrifice in another.

This was my week, last week:

Monday: “Oh, I have plenty of time to get homework done. Let’s spend too much time on pinterest.com and my fun to read blogs. Oo, let’s go to a fun Halloween party. OOPS, must get up early on Tuesday to finish my paper. After class on Tuesday, oh I’ll do my homework after I take a nap. I got up really early today… It’s Wednesday. I have 100 pages to read. For today. So I missed Institute class on Wednesday! And I really wanted to go! We were supposed to talk about differences between men and women or something to that effect! And we all know Savannah has opinions on THAT matter.  I totally missed out on a layer for my pearl.

Now for this week, should I prioritize? Yes! I have FOUR tests this week.



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I am constantly learning how to priortize my time.  It's definitely an ongoing process.

3. Objects of beauty: metaphor for something rare, fine, admirable, and valuable.

-->Virtuous

 

It has always bothered me how they are scriptures on the chastity of WOMEN. Not men.  WOMEN were white on the wedding day in our culture. Excluding temple ceremonies.  It is always discussed how the

bride is pure in her white dress.  It is mainly the body of a women that is objectified. 

BUT

The role of a man is to be a worthy priesthood holder: a leader.  Yes, they should lead by example but think about it.

The role of a women is to give birth and take on the role of a mother and nurturer.

Mankind is born of woman. The early stages of life includes depending on the mother for nourishment from her breasts.  Satan is attacking and exploiting the role of women.  Our sacred calling involves our precious virtuous bodies. 

Please treat your body as a sacred valuable. Virtue and modesty are always the best policy! :)

4.They are crushed and used in cosmetics, paint formulations, and medicines.
 -->       How do you want to be crushed?

Cosmetics: Objectify our bodies to fuel an industry of make-up, modeling, pornographic material, and to fuel a culture of crude mannerisms? Or highlight the beauty of within?

Medicines: Save a person’s life? Strengthen and lift up those around us? Or poison them with self-doubt and belittlement?

Paints: Paintings of horrible ick or of your favorite scripture hero?

Do you want to be crushed into low self esteem or crushed into humility?

5.Gem quality pearls are almost always iridescent, as is the interior of the shell that produces them. --> Who do you strive emulate?

The pearl develops to reflect what made it.  Who "makes" us?

Who do you want to emulate? Christ? An athlete who overcame hardship? A celebrity who stands for a truth you admire? A general Authority who gives talks that speak straight to your soul? An older sibling or cousin? Your aunt who fights cancer like a champ?

 When you see those cute old couples at the park who are holding hands and looking all kinds of adorable: do think “How can someone that old still be kickin’ much less walking around?!” or “aww, I want to grow old with my husband and share a happy life”?

6. Imitation or fake pearls are widely sold in inexpensive jewelry, but the quality of their iridescence is usually very poor, and generally speaking, artificial pearls are easily distinguished from genuine pearls. -->Cultured vs. Natural; Worldly Nature vs. Divine Nature

Elder Merrill J. Bateman

“When a man understands how glorious a woman is, he treats her differently. When a woman understands that a man has the seeds of divinity within him, she honors him not only for who he is but for what he may become. An understanding of the divine nature allows each person to have respect for the other. The eternal view engenders a desire in men and women to learn from and share with each other. “Men and women are created as complements. They complete one another. Paul told the Corinthians: ‘Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 11:11). Men and women complement each other not only physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. The apostle Paul taught that ‘the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband’ and through them both the children are made holy (1 Corinthians 7:14). Men and women have different strengths and weaknesses, and marriage is a synergistic relationship in which spiritual growth is enhanced because of the differences” (“The Eternal Family,” 113).

I wonder if you sisters fully understand the greatness of your gifts and talents and how all of you can achieve the “highest place of honor” in the Church and in the world. One of your unique, precious, and sublime gifts is your femininity, with its natural grace, goodness, and divinity. Femininity is not just lipstick, stylish hairdos, and trendy clothes. It is the divine adornment of humanity. It finds expression in your qualities of your capacity to love, your spirituality, delicacy, radiance, sensitivity, creativity, charm, graciousness, gentleness, dignity, and quiet strength. It is manifest differently in each girl or woman, but each of you possesses it. Femininity is part of your inner beauty.

--President James E. Faust

We each have special gifts.  They serve a purpose. Do not let the world perform identity theft on you! PLEASE.

You are special. You are loved. You are a daughter or Heavenly Father who loves you so much.



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Now it's time for an excerpt from one of the greatest fictional stories of all time: A Little Princess.

"'What ever comes,' she said, 'cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside. It would be easy to be a princess if I were dressed in cloth of gold, but it is a great deal more of a triumph to be one all the time when no one knows it [. . .]'"

Little Sara Crewe knew she was a princess.  She was daddy's little girl.  She knew the true nature of her being. No antagonist could rob her of that knowledge.  Why do we forget? Sisters, do not forget.  Always wear your invisible crown.

Do you guys have an example of a “princess”? Here is mine: Leymah Gbowee, who was just awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She was recognized for her efforts in establishing peace in Liberia through non-violent women's groups. Here is a description for the documentary "Pray the Devil Back to Hell," which highlights her work with her sisters in their non-violent women's revolution that ultimately established peace in war-torn Liberia.



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"Pray the Devil Back to Hell is the astonishing story of the Liberian women who took on the warlords and regime of dictator Charles Taylor in the midst of a brutal civil war, and won a once unimaginable peace for their shattered country in 2003. As the rebel noose tightened around the capital city of Monrovia, thousands of women – ordinary mothers, grandmothers, aunts and daughters, both Christian and Muslim – formed a thin but unshakeable line between the opposing forces. Armed only with white T-shirts and the courage of their convictions, they literally faced down the killers who had turned Liberia into hell on earth. In one memorable scene, the women barricaded the site of stalled peace talks in Ghana and refused to move until a deal was done. Their demonstrations culminated in Taylor’s exile and the rise of Africa’s first female head of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Inspiring and uplifting, Pray the Devil Back to Hell is a compelling example of how grassroots activism can alter the history of nations." (source: empoweringldswomen@blogspot.com)

What a beautiful, amazing women. A true princess of Heavenly Father who stood up for peace.

Do you want to be a princess of the world or of the divine?

Do you want to be a cultured manufactured pearl or the rare natural?

Now: everyone please form a line in front of the mirror.

Look into it and say:

I am a Princess.  I am a daughter of God.  I am beautiful inside and out.

Sisters: I invite all of you to treat yourself as you would a valuable gem. With care and respect.

We are all of the sand of Abraham’s promised blessing. We each start out as a tiny grain of sand.

Let’s form into pearls. Let us partake of that refiner’s fire.

Love ya and peace out!