Five Things For Friday, 28th Edition

The other morning I was upstairs getting ready when I heard peals of giggles coming from downstairs. I’d left Asher and Rose down there while I showered and got dressed and the whole time I’d been getting ready I had this sinking suspicion that they were up to something. And boy was I right. When I finally came down I discovered that they had gotten into the flour bucket and had covered the whole family room in flour. It was everywhere. On the chair, in their toys, on the computer, in the closet, all over the pile of clean clothes I’d just folded, on my sewing machine, in the baby’s swing (luckily I’d taken him up stairs with me) and the whole floor was covered with a white layer.

I was in shock. I couldn’t believe what they had done in the 15 minutes I’d been upstairs. I am really proud of myself because I didn’t scream and I didn’t spank anyone, even though I really wanted to, but I did rampage around the house like a madwoman and put just about every toy they owned in time out. Later, Jon told me about this YouTube video that went viral a few months ago where two little boys did just about the same thing! And watching it made me feel better, because my kids didn’t make nearly as big a mess as these two little boys did.

Still, I wish I’d been as calm and collected this mom was and instead of being so angry like I was. Because really it was pretty funny… after the fact.

I was excited to see that the 1828 Websters’ Dictionary of the American Language is online! One of the best scripture study tips I was ever taught was to, when I came across a word in the Bible I didn’t fully understand, to look up the meaning of word in an old dictionary. My seminary teacher explained that over the last 400 years the English language has under gone a lot of changes. Words that you think you understand the meaning of may actually have had a much different usage at the time the Bible was translated. It is really amazing how looking up words, even that you think you know the meaning of, can really deepen your understanding of the scriptures. I’ve never had access to a dictionary this old before and so I am super excited to have such easy access to it.

The other great thing about the 1828 version of the dictionary is that Noah Webster often referenced scriptures in his definitions and always favored the Biblical explanation of concepts over the secular ones. For example, the first entry in the word “Love” is:

1. In a general sense to be pleased with; to regard with affection, on account of some qualities which excite pleasing sensations or desire of gratification. We love a friend, on account of some qualities which give us pleasure in his society. We love a man who has done us a favor; in which case, gratitude enters into the composition of our affection. We love our parents and our children, on account of their connection with us, and on account of many qualities which please us. We love to retire to a cool shade in summer. We love a warm room in winter. we love to hear an eloquent advocate. The christian loves his Bible. In short, we love whatever gives us pleasure and delight, whether animal or intellectual; and if our hearts are right, we love God above all things, as the sum of all excellence and all the attributes which can communicate happiness to intelligent beings. In other words, the christian loves God with the love of complacency in his attributes, the love of benevolence towards the interest of his kingdom, and the love of gratitude for favors received. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind – Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Matt. 22.

It really is a great tool for scripture study. I’d love to have a copy of this dictionary in hard print one of these days (but it is $60!) or even better if they’d make an iPad app for it!

Speaking of scriptures I just got a new set of scriptures for Christmas, which I really needed because this is what my old scriptures look like

They were falling apart in pieces and it is nice to have a new higher quality set. But it is so hard to transition over to new set of scriptures because I have put so much of my heart and testimony into my old set. When I pick them up it is like holding an old friend. My new scriptures on the other hand feel like strangers. When I mark or write in them I feel sort of guilty. But hopefully as I start studying and using them they will become as beloved (and useful) as my old ones are.

Last week in church this poem called “New and Used” by A. Jonathan Vance was printed on the front of the program and it captures how I feel about my old scripture perfectly.

None of my pants fit me. I’d forgotten that it takes several months after having a baby before my body gets back down to its normal size (hopefully). So to make myself feel better about myself, and a little less like an overstuffed potato, I’ve been wearing skirts a lot the last few weeks. I’ve never been a big skirt wearer but I’ve discovered that I really like wearing skirts! It came as a surprise to me and as I’ve tried to figure it out here is what I’ve come up with for why I like wearing skirts. 1st, with a pair on tights (not nylons) on under my skirt my legs actually stay warmer than in pants, even if my skirt is short. It is magic. 2nd, wearing a skirt makes me feel different. Its not just feeling more feminine (which it does) but it is also seems to give a simple elegance to even the most mundane tasks. Somehow it seems to make vacuuming up 5lbs of flour off my floor seem much more glamorous than it really is. 3rd, people (especially men) treat me differently when I am wearing a skirt, or at least I think they do. I’m not sure if this is all in my head but all I can say is that wearing a skirt everyday does something to me, even though I’m not quite sure what that something is… yet.

Any other skirt wearers out there know what I am talking about?

Or am I just a wee bit crazy?

Because that is totally a possibility.

And I promise that one of these days, in the not so distant future, that I will post about a woman from the scriptures! I realize that a new comer to my blog might wonder why in the world I call my blog “Women in the Scriptures” when it has been a good 2 months since I’ve actually wrote about a woman from the scriptures. So hang in there, I have one in the works and will try to get her posted soon.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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