Scripture Power

Though the LDS church isn't known for it's soulful music (especially the sounds that are heard from the children's song book cd--gag), I do love a lot of the songs. There are so many of the songs that are just plain fun and silly, but there are so many more songs that have such clarity in teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One song that has change our family's approach to the day is a song called Scripture Power. Here are the lyrics:

Because I want to be like the Savior, and I can
I'm reading His instructions, I'm following His plan
Because I want the power His word will give to me
I'm changing how I live, I'm changing what I'll be

I'll find the sword of truth in each scripture that I learn.
I'll take the shield of faith from these pages that I turn.
I'll wear each vital part of the armor of the Lord
And fight my daily battles, and win a great reward

CHORUS
Scripture power keeps me safe from sin
Scripture power is the power to win!
Scripture power, everyday I need
The power that I get each time I read.

Our family tries to read the Book of Mormon in the morning and the Bible at night. It always is a good experience, but somedays it becomes an answer to prayer.

The other day I realized I lost my military ID card. For those who are unfamiliar with what this magical card contains, let me fill you in. Aside from my picture (which was hideous some much so that the man who took it had to reassure me that it wasn't a very good representation of how I really looked), and Fernando's rank and affiliation to the Airforce, it is chalk full of all sorts of identity theft wonderments. For example, Fernando's and my FULL social security numbers as well as our home address and date of birth. HELLO! The problem is that you have to keep it with you to access anything on base. Not that anyone takes the time to look at all the info, but just that you have an id card.

So, you could imagine how nervous I feel about the whole problem. Luckily, Fernando was available last Friday to go with me to obtain a new ID card. When I told them the concerns I had, I was told to call the SS office and tell them it was lost. The Social Security office said "well, unless you can prove someone has taken you identity, there is nothing we can do." So after I am knee deep in creditor calls and a ruined credit history, they can take action which just means lots of legal mess and a brand new SSN and a clean slate for me. Although that might be happy news to some people, I actually am quite proud of my credit score.

Wait, this was supposed to be a positive post!

POSITIVE SCRIPTURE POWER POINT:

So we were reading I Nephi 7:15-18. After many back and forth adventures to and from Jerusalem to pick up "forgotten" items, Nephi's brothers decide that they had it. Too gutless to just return on their own volition and full of the strange anger that comes from disobedience, they decide to tie their brother up and leave him in the wilderness to perish. Nephi does the smart thing and prays "O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound." He does receive his answer , but not in the bursting glory he was hoping for. Instead the bands were loosed from his hands and feet.

I thought of the many prayers everyone in our family has offered to Heavenly Father in hopes to find the lost ID card. I thought of how I set the parameters for how the card would be safe and that it wouldn't be found in the hands of nefarious people. I then realized that Heavenly Father knows exactly where that card is and what will happen with it. So, although my prayers are still praying for a positive outcome, I have a peaceful feeling that was missing a few days earlier.

Tuppence a Cup

For a dollar, you can get overly fed lorikeets to be your friend at the San Antonio Zoo. Mia was brave enough to have the climb on her, but the other kids were more than willing to feed from a distance. Good thing the birds I held were finished with all their bathroom needs because Fernando wasn't so lucky.


Wondering what was so gross to me at the end of the movie? Talia was licking the residue nectar from some random discarded cup. Oh well, a little bird backwash never hurt anyone, right?

Expo Marker Magic

Who said art can't come from Expo Markers? Thank heavens they made a low odor variety. Even still, the smell can knock you out or make for fun imaginary lights in you line of vision.

Sporks, Grapefruits, and Smiles

Just For Fun

We were introduced to Rhett and Link months ago and use their videos for a quick laugh. We watched this one several times with Tiago. Mia, and Talia laughing non-stop.


Here are a few other favorites. Enjoy!

Mole

Every month I host a recipe exchange at my house. The theme that I thought of for this month was an Iron Chef Challenge with the theme ingredient being Chocolate. Worried that we would all OD on the sugar, I extended the offer to Asian food as well. (why the connection. . .Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year both fall on the 14th this month)

I was more than a bit surprised when too savory dishes showed up with Chocolate in the recipe. Both recipes were amazing. One in particular had been a fear of mine since high school Spanish class: Mole. (pronounced mole-lay and not so much like the dermatological phenomenon.) Some how every teacher warned of this chocolate concoction and made me never wish to try it. I bravely scooped a big portion and was glad I did. The person used a Paula Dean recipe for this South American dish. Almost equally shock was the lack of butter in the recipe. You should give it a try. Follow the link and ignore the disgusting picture they used to illustrate how the dish should look.

If Looks Could Talk

As the dutiful visiting teacher that I am (just don't ask the people I visit), I agreed to watch my visiting teachee's kids all day Saturday. She and her husband were donating their time to work with the Habitat for Humanity and kids weren't allowed.

Fernando was in desperate need of quiet time since night float allows for very minimal sleep at best. Never you fear, that is what our minivan was built to do. With the five kids in tow, we went to my gym and then to Costco for a few necessities (aka Peanut Butter)

I should note here that their two kids look very much like they could be Mia and Tiago's respective twins. Their oldest boy shares Mia's blond hair blue eye fair skin look while their youngest girl has a more olive toned skin and brown eyes. In the cart seats were Talia and said "twin" girl. While Tiago rode in the basket of the cart all the while reading the warning labels affixed to the cart such as children shouldn't ride in the basket of the cart. Mia and her boy "twin" hung on to the sides.

I felt pretty awesome for attempting such a feat at Costco on a Saturday Morning. And with only one screaming incident over split spinach ice cream (yeah, the kids loved it. . . .those crazy Vita Mix sellers. What will they think of next?), we left with the needed groceries and every kid I came into the store with. To reward such awesomeness, we ate in the Costco food court. The whole ordeal was over an hour long and I lost count of how many disapproving gawks I received. I don't blame them. I think I would look twice if I saw a lady traipsing lazily through Costco with 5 kids under the age of 7.