I am posting some pictures from her first photo shoot. It was so much fun. My cousin Jessie took the pictures and she is so patient and got some really fantastic pictures. I just love her. It was so much fun to watch my baby decide if she was going to be happy or not.
Mostly I'm blogging today about a few things that I have been thinking about as of late. I hope that anyone who reads this blog doesn't get offended, but I really need to vent a little.
I have been very frustrated with the news and the world making such a big deal about Elder Packard's talk from conference. I understand that it was not what people wanted to hear, but when does conference really ever have a whole bunch of talks about things we want to hear. I'm pretty certain I remember a talk a while back about piercings that really angered me, but that doesn't mean it isn't what the Lord wanted us to and needed us to hear. I know that now the topic at the fore front all over this nation is about certain attractions that people have to each other. I do not profess to know any answers about these attractions or what really can be done except for unconditional love and being there for any person you may meet who needs you to listen. However, I do not understand how I am asked to love and accept how they feel without hesitation, but they cannot do the same for my beliefs and how I feel. I'm sorry that everyone in the world right now doesn't understand the stand that the church has on same sex and same gender attraction and marriage, but they are allowed to feel that way. If you want me to feel unconditional love and acceptance of how you choose to live your life, then please have the same respect towards how I choose to live mine.
Please know that I do have people very close to me that are dealing with some of these struggles and decisions. I have also lost people close to me that were dealing with these questions as well and I love them and I'm there for them if they need me. I also hope that they understand that I want to do as my Heavenly Father asks and that they respect me enough to know that what I believe is important to me. I will never force the way I feel on another individual so please don't force me to believe the way you feel.
Okay enough of that.....thank you for letting me vent.
On a happier note, let's see some pics of my beautiful baby!
Hopefully I can blog some more now that I am feeling better! Talk to you soon!
Elise
Those pictures are so stinkin' cute! I love the picture of you kissing her cheek, definitely one I'm sure you both will cherish as she gets older. LOVE her...you need to bring her over to visit next time you need to get out of the house. She makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteRegarding Packer's talk, I feel a lot of the same feelings you have. I have to admit that when I first heard some of the arguments regarding his talk it was hard for me not to side with the world. I have a good friend who struggled with this issue in high school and I spent many many hours talking about religion and homosexuality with him, as I tried to help him sort out his feelings he had as a member trying to deal with all of it.
Here is what I have come to conclude as I have pondered on the subject. I don't have any answers, only God does. I love this friend as I do some other friends who are also gay. I know that God as well as the Church leaders also love them. Above all else though, I love the Lord and I know that the Prophet and apostles are inspired leaders who direct the world in the way that is the best for us all. So, even when it is hard for some of us to swallow, it is all we can do just to have faith that they will never lead us astray and cling to the one thing I do know to be true in this life, and that is the gospel. I can't deny my testimony, so even when issues are brought up that my brain has a hard time accepting, that is exactly what we need to do. Accept it as counsel from the Lord through his prophets, seers, and revelators.