Ok ok ok people, I'll satisfy your need for Levi and Asher pictures. This one doesn't really show their faces, but I love it anyway. They both fell asleep during tummy time and can I just point out that they are in the exact same positions (head, arms, legs, everything) only mirrored. Gosh I love these boys.
I read a blog tonight about a little baby named Gracie who was born March 20, 2008 with a heart defect that caused her left ventricle to be to small to work. So they did open heart surgery on her only a few days after she was born in order to make it so her right ventricle would do all the work. Unfortunately she ended up needing a heart transplant, which her body ultimately rejected and she passed away just 11 days ago, 18 days shy of her 1 year birthday. Needless to day, I was in tears...quietly, since I'm at work. Do yourself a favor...unless you feel like crying or have some exceptionally happy things to cheer you afterwards, don't read this blog. I will have to say, however, that this family's unshakable faith is a strong testament to me of the strength God gives us in our hardest of times.
And now I just have to get something off my chest. I have several LDS friends, all of whom I have the utmost respect for. And through those friendships, I've come to wonder why it is that those of us Christians who are not LDS hold such a negative view of Mormons. As in, we can be downright nasty and hateful. Why? No, I'm not going to convert to Mormonism, so quit asking. My way of celebrating and growing my faith is working just fine for me, thank you. Carly has been good enough to answer some (I must admit, pretty dumb) questions for me, simply because I'm tired of judging in ignorance. My discovery; there are a lot of traditions that we "non-Mormons" believe the LDS church practices that are completely bogus. Yes, maybe they do have some beliefs and traditions that some of us don't agree with or believe in, but how is that any different from any other tradition-based Christian religion?
One of the more ridiculous claims I've heard is that Mormons believe that, when they die, they will be given their own worlds to populate, which is why they have so many kids here. Oy. Yes, they believe that families are eternal...but come to think of it, so do I. I sure as heck want to believe that my husband and sons will continue to be my husband and sons once we reach Heaven.
So here's my proposal: back off. Rather than judging, use that time reaching out instead. The same can be said for other denominations as well. There's only one really important thing that marks you as a Christian, and that is the belief that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light, the one path to God. Where in there does it say, "Thou shalt judge and disdain all Christians who do not follow the same traditions you do"? How about showing a little love? You know, the proverbial, "Why can't be we be friends?"
Ok, I need some more chubby cheeks.
That's better. Asher on the left, Levi on the right, being goofs together. I can't wait to see these two get old enough to play together, I think it's going to be so much fun to watch. Either that or they're going to be running circles around me. Either way, I'll take it, as long as it means they are happy and healthy.
3 comments:
Cute boys!! How do you get so many pictures of them smiling? Everytime I break out the camera Nathan gets way to interested to smile...
More cuteness :-). I can't wait till you have to put leashes on those little monkeys! hehehe
As for the Mormonism thing, I have a few books about it that you are welcome to borrow if your want to educate yourself a bit more about it. One is Out of Mormonism which is a true story of a woman who tried to leave the church and was threatened with her life, her family, and everything she owned. Another is John Krakauer's Under the Banner of Heaven which talks about the origins of the LDS church and the FLDS church that eventually split off to continue practicing polygamy. The history is factual, though, for the main LDS church and even though he isn't a Christian it is a good read for more understanding about what the Mormons believe. Let me know if you want to borrow the books.
Just for an example of one difference you'll find between LDS and Christianity is that the Mormons almost exclusively use the Book of Mormon and another document called the Doctrine of Covenants and not so much the Bible (all though they will use the Bible to back up their claims). I have lots of Mormon friends and I still love them all, and I apologize to any Mormons that might read this and be offended, but please don't be fooled by the LDS church...it's definitely not Christian when you get down to what they truly believe.
Here is a chart of the differences between Christianity and Mormonism. Hope it helps. http://contenderministries.org/mormonism/comparison.php
Arly-
The boys love it when I make that squeaky kissy noise at them, makes them smile every time. That's my secret to getting them to smile for pictures, otherwise they'd just stare at the camera with blank looks on their faces.
Kate-
All good points, and sometime when I have the time to read (you know, when the boys turn 18 and move out) I'd love to borrow those books from you. I guess what I was trying to get across was that I really wish we'd stop judging people and just love them. We, as Christians, can be so cruel to those who believe in different things. The greatest command Jesus gave us was to love our neighbor. Not "love your fellow Christians exclusively, but only if they don't do something you don't like", love your neighbor, period. Because I have a close Mormon friend who has been pretty much my exclusive contact with the outside world, I guess that was the direction my mind took the subject in. I'm just tired of getting told not to let my friends convert me, like they have some disease or something.
Both of you-
The boys thank you for your compliments, and can't wait to see you soon Auntie Kate!
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