Another one for the grandmas and grandpas

To Be or Not To Be.

Turning 12 is a big deal when you're a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It signifies the end of childhood. You're now with the big kids in Sunday school and youth organizations. If you're a boy, and worthy, you have the opportunity to be ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic priesthood and take on the responsibilities that come with that position.

When Jacob first turned 12 back in August I started to tease him a little when he was acting obnoxious or annoying by saying "Come on Jake... Don't be a deacon!"

My point was this...

If you've worked with the youth in any way, you KNOW that at combined activities, which include all the teens/tweens from 12-18, it's ALWAYS the deacons that are out of control. They're bouncing off the walls or into them. They're loud and silly. They're making things harder- They're being 12-13 year old boys.

It is what it has always been. I'm sure when the pioneers crossed the plains there were times when the saints were all trying to get camp settled at the end of a hard day and over to the West they'd hear some whooping and hollering and see a cloud of dust that was blowing into all the ladies' wet laundry and Brother Brigham would roll his eyes and say "Don't worry Sisters... Those are no indians descending upon us, just a tribe of Deacons!"

However....

As I've watched my son mature and grow in his responsibilities as a Deacon over the last 5 months, a few things have changed my mind and put a stop to my teasing.

1. Deacons are Reverent.

I've watched him pass the sacrament. He stands so reverent and careful as he takes care of his responsibility. I'm so proud of him, I can't help but keep my eyes and smiles on him and every once in a while he'll catch my eye and I'll get a small smile back but then I look away because I know he's been instructed to not draw attention to himself. I'm happy that he has a desire to do his duty. His whole quorum is amazing as they work together; quietly moving through the congregation each Sabbath, serving. I'm also impressed that whenever there is a problem, someone gets confused as where to go next, or the passing pattern gets off track, it is so discreetly handled. They could fall apart with embarrassment or be silly but they don't. Some eye contact, maybe a small hand wave or head nod of direction, and it's handled.

2. Deacons watch out for each other.

A little while ago, one of Jacob's good friends turned 12 and it was his first week to sit over with the Deacon's quorum and pass the sacrament. I was so excited to see him over there because I love this kid and I knew he was anxious to join the rest of the boys in his class. I watched his older brother, who was also a Deacon, notice he wasn't quite paying attention and nudge him softly in the back when it was time for the opening prayer. He quickly folded his arms and properly bowed his head. Then, when it was time to stand for their Sacrament passing responsibilities, the Deacon's quorum president quietly nudged him so he'd stand with the rest of them and wouldn't get embarrassed by standing too late. I loved watching them take care of their newest quorum member.

3. Deacons provide service.

Last week when the snow was falling on Sunday morning and coating driveways for the first time this winter, the phone rang. It was Jacob's Young Mens leader telling him the Deacon's quorum president was in a meeting and, as counselor, the responsibility was falling to him to assign the other boys in the quorum to go out and shovel snow from walks and driveways for the widows in the ward. He wrote down all the names of the women they needed to take care of on a white board and then asked me where they lived. I directed him to the ward list so he could write down exact addresses before calling other boys. He did that efficiently and without complaint and began calling and assigning the other boys. He tried to match boys with addresses closest to their homes and called them up. When he ran out of Deacon's to call and there were still 2 yards left to shovel, he said "I'll do them both"

I sent him out the door and he was off to shovel. No complaining. Wow. Maybe I can get his young Men's leader to call and assign him to wash my dishes.... or clean the bathroom.....

The bottom line is, that as a mother, when I see all that being a Deacon IS...

I have realized my little joke was disrespectful to the priesthood which he holds and to the good that Deacons accomplish in our ward, in our stake and all over the world.

So really all that is needed is a little change in punctuation when he's being obnoxious....

I can say "Don't! Be a Deacon."

Think he'll get it???? Maybe not. I may just have to drop the line altogether.

I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the organization of His church that gives my kid this incredible opportunity to refine his rambunctious 12 year old ways and although they will still come out at church activities, at home and at school- There is so much he is learning and there are glimpses of the man he can become.

It doesn't take much

I was grateful through most of December that the snow was not falling as we had two trips to Southern Utah to make and one was extremely important. I did NOT want to be impeded by a snowstorm from making it to my sister's wedding.

But as January continued sunny and warm for the season I began to worry a bit that we weren't having a normal winter.

We were grateful this past week for our first significant snowfall.

By Significant I mean "it covered the grass". It really wasn't much as far as winter storms go

However......

It doesn't take much to have fun with snow when you're 8

He came in the house after school yesterday so excited, grabbing my hand, pulling me to the family room window.

"Mom!!! Mom!!!! come see what I made!"

I went to the window and looked and then I had to go outside to take a picture...

and everyone who was home followed of course.

And then the snowballs started flying... It doesn't take much to have fun with snow when you're 12 either...

Good Times!

Jane Eyre: a movie review. sort of.

Liking the movie is always difficult when you have a favorite book, a beloved book, that you have read over and over and feel a certain ownership of the characters and your particular vision of them.

I feel that way about Jane Eyre. The first time I read it I was in my 20's. I was walking by a huge bin of 50¢ paperbacks in Wal-mart of all places. (Not a literary hotspot, I know!) I sifted through them and didn't find much that looked interesting until I happened upon Jane Eyre. I remembered having seen it in my mom's room once and although I had never heard her talk about it, I decided upon it for that reason alone. Well... the back synopsis did sound a little romantic and mysterious, both favorites of mine.

I had no expectation as I began to read.

I had no idea that it would become my favorite book of all time.

I had no idea how delighted and connected I would feel in the future when I would read my grandmother's writings about dating my grandfather:

"The next night was more than I ever dreamed. Place cards, supper table decorations, dinner served in courses, dance programs, the works. When it was over, Reed took me home to my place where I was staying and working for my room and board, The Tom Kitchen's. At the door he gave me a quick but thorough kiss on the mouth and thanked me for the evening. In true Jane Eyre style, I said "Oh, Mr. Asay," and was really giggling inside, but not so he could hear me. It shocked me that he apologized so much and acted as if I had slapped him, and he didn't try it again for a long time. "

I had no idea it was such a classic and that it had been made into 5 silent films, 3 movies between 1934 and 1970, 3 BBC miniseries between 1963 and 1983 and since I first discovered it in the 90's, it has been made into 3 more films and another miniseries by the BBC.

It gets into people's heads and everyone wants to put their spin on it I suppose. The funny thing is that it has not been modernized successfully like so many Pride & Prejudice spin-offs in film and print. I read one try this summer in a young adult novel which was AWFUL. Rochester was an aging rock star with a psycho wife he didnt' talk about because it was his fault she got hooked on drugs and went nuts.

I'm not articulate enough to explain my views on why it doesn't modernize well in 3 sentences or less so I will save that for another time or a one on one conversation if you're interested.....

I have seen several of the movies and 2 of the miniseries. I have hated all the 2 hr films but I own 2 of the miniseries and like them for different reasons.

This one was originally filmed in 1983 and it's hard to get into at first because it really feels like you are watching a play instead of a movie. I am not sure how to explain it other than that. The sound and structure of the set just isn't as seamless as most movies. But I love the way they tell the story. I feel it is the truest to the book. I like Timothy Dalton's Rochester. I think he captures Rochester well and gives me the brooding and the sensitive sides of the man I feel I know. Don't get me wrong here... Rochester is not one of my romantic ideals. Jane is the one I read the story for. He's great fun to read about but a little too damaged and brooding for my taste. I'll take Mr. Thornton from Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. Now there's a romantic ideal to sigh about......

*sigh.....*

oh sorry.... I got distracted...

Back to Jane and Rochester

Jane can be difficult to play as she is a very quiet and controlled character but also very passionate, independent and strong. I think both actresses in the miniseries do a pretty good job.

This one was made in 2006 and I have it too. The fun thing about this one is that they take some liberty in exploring what is only inferred in the book. They show us more of how the love grows and develops between Jane and Rochester, yet stay true to the characters for the most part. They do allow a little more physical contact then Jane would have allowed......

Good character portrayals overall. Love the Blanche Ingram in this one.

One of my big issues with this miniseries, however, is that in trying to connect with a "Modern" audience, they remove an essential element that is intrinsic to my love of Jane.

Jane is deeply spiritual. She has such a great belief in her Divine Nature. Although she has been told by many in her young life that she is not worth much, not worthy of love and good things, she does not believe them. She discovers from a kind friend, and then her own study, a loving, kind God who watches out for her and gives counsel to strengthen and protect her. She understands who she is in relation to him and clings to these truths and will not deny them. Jane has incredible faith in God and his laws and that they above all else will make her happy.

One of my favorite quotes:

"I wanted to be weak that I might avoid the awful passage of further suffering I saw laid out for me; and conscience, turned tyrant, held passion by the throat"

"Who in the world cares for you? or who will be injured by what you do?"

" I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad--as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth--so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane--quite insane: with my veins running fire, and my heart is beating faster than I can count its throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot"

And in the end, it is her adherence to God's laws and continued faith combined with Mr. Rochester's eventual learning of humility and submission in crying out to God for help in his trials that result in the miracle which brings them back together equal and unfettered.

This is the newest film. 2011.

I finally saw it this weekend.

I was intrigued by the trailers but didn't have high hopes as all other 2 hr versions have left me cold.

This is what I found....

It doesn't try to shove the story at you like most 2 hr versions do. It doesn't even seem to care if you understand it all. They know they don't have much time and seem to flaunt that knowledge with lots of quiet screen time but Jane is Jane; quiet and determined. Edward is Edward; bitter and intriguing.

All I could think when the screen went blank was that it was a poem.

A poem for Jane Eyre lovers.

Beautiful imagery.

Beautiful music.

Beautiful Dialogue.

Beautiful moments.

Sometimes abrupt.

Sometimes leaving you wanting more but giving you enough to imagine.

They don't eradicate the spiritual part as other versions have done. They don't give it alot of exploration either-

but it's there in a couple of beautiful moments.

I watched it twice in 2 days. I liked it even better the 2nd time.

I love it.

Bucket list #39 Ride a train

CHECK!

In Early December on a Monday afternoon we got a call from our cousins in Heber....

Did we want to ride the Heber Creeper Christmas train that night with them for Family Home Evening?

They had some extra tickets for us. There was a promotional evening ride and they were able to get free tickets for both families.

Yes!!!!!!!

Mark and I had always wanted to see what it was all about. The sad thing was he came home from work so sick that he couldn't manage anything other than sitting in his chair that night trying to recuperate for the next day. He told us to go on without him so we did.

However... we felt REALLY bad about it!

Samantha and her cousin Ava enjoyed sitting together

as did Carly and Rachel-

who were feeling very, VERY silly

In fact, they were all feeling pretty silly once they got together with their cousins.

Little elves brought around name-tags, hot chocolate and cookies for everyone after the train started moving.

It was slower than I thought it would be....

but the chairs were big and comfortable.

She's a fan of delicious flavor...

All of us agreed that the cocoa was the perfect temperature. yum.

Nothing worse than cold cocoa....

unless it's cocoa so hot it burns your tongue-

(then you're stuck with those annoying little bumpy things on the end of your tongue for the next week reminding you of your impatience!)

Mason left me behind to go sit with his cousin Grayson but Poor Jacob was stuck sitting with mom.

To compensate for that embarrassment he decided to be as goofy and silly as possible as if to prove he could embarrass me more than I could embarrass him.

The staff on the train encouraged us to sing carols and tell christmas jokes that they passed out. They read us a Christmas story and some advanced choir groups from one of the local High schools came in and sang us some carols. They were pretty good.

There was lots of laughing and joking and happiness all around-

Especially when Santa came. He boarded the train at the halfway point.

I think Samantha asked for Cheese....

Mason, who is still young and innocent, was eating up the santa visit and loved every minute of it.

He was a great Santa. He looked good and took time with each child who wanted it and talked to them and hugged them and gave them a bell.

Then we arrived back at the station and it was time to go home.

Thanks Matt and Abby for giving us this experience.