Noted Picks!

I have something to rave about...okay, many things to rave about. 

First: Rent the movie "Run Fat Boy Run"!  It is freakin' hilarious and you will laugh your butt off.  British comedy at its best featuring an incredible cast.  The soundtrack is amazing!  It's a mixture of old school rock- David Bowie, to updated punk The Kaiser Chiefs! 

Second:  READ the series "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins!  An amazingly talented writer who wasn't afraid to be real and go against formula writing. Two thumbs up!!

Three: Don't watch the movie "2012".  It is beyond lame, and very stupid.  Had to turn it off when I realized we were only half way through, and the movie sucked more and more as each minute ticked by slower and slower. 

Fourth: Go see the movie "RED"!  Fantastic old-school crew of cast members!  Comedic timing and script were fabulous and the zany characters hit home.  Bruce Willis is fantastic, and John Malckovich is superbly timed with his off-the-cuff remarks, "let's get pancakes".  Dame Helen Mirren is always fabulous to watch and she stitched femininity, cut-throat, and English decorum smoothly. 

Enjoy!

Reciprocity

So, I had a conversation with my sister today about when we were younger and remembering some of the people we knew at that time from church.  I was amazed in relaying how I struggled in algebra during high school and a girl from church was in my class and would invite me over to her house.  She was getting a solid A in math!  Was I invited to be helped with my math block?  To be pushed to success with positive feedback and helpful nudges in understanding this universal and eternal language?  Nope.  I was invited to be reminded of my inferiority.  I was invited so the mom could boast on how smart her daughter was.  Jumping on the trampoline with her wasn't as much fun after that. 

I did find someone to help me with my math problems.  She went to church with me also.  She didn't come from a home like the other girl with an intact family and a "strong" church testimony filled with deeply rooted ancestors.  Nope.  This girl was being raised by her grandparents, struggled with a weight problem, drugs, and abuse from her past.  She treated me like a sister.  She treated me like a friend.  She treated me like an equal.  She was awesome.  I never judged her for her outside, or vices, or what her home looked like, or how many times she had or had not read the scriptures.  What a stark difference between these two girls, these two families, and how their influence on someone else made all the difference. 

I realized that it didn't matter how nice and tidy your home is.  What kind of car you drive, the clothes you wear, or how active at church you are.  The love we show each other regardless of our past and present is what counts, and it points us to our future.  How can we extend love when it is not given? 

I was watching a video archive on Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and he spoke about the relationship between Israel and the bordering nations that rage war constantly.  He called for diplomatic relationships to begin, and that without a reciprocity of peace there can be none.  That man always moves me with his words of truth and righteousness.

It is the same with ourselves, our neighbors, friends, and families.  Without a reciprocity of love, kindness, compassion, and peace we can have none. 

I hope we can be friendly, loving,  and not big buttheads who like to put others down just to make themselves feel good.  Those people suck.

Love to all.

Summer Bliss

Winter Sky

I always forget to enjoy each season when they are in full throttle.  Summer is always so intense and makes me anxious for cooler weather with leaves falling to the ground, and the thought of pumpkins being placed on doorsteps.   Then I realize there's no way in heck I'm ready for the heat to be gone.  I'll be wimping out in the cold weather and pining for hot beaches and blazing pavement.  Yeah, I love summer!  Forget about the other seasons, and with "global warming" maybe I'll get my apocalyptic wish. 

It Shall Be, Then, Upon a Summer's Day
by: Paul Verlaine (1844-1896)
translated by Gertrude Hall

It shall be, then, upon a summer's day:
The sun, my joy's accomplice, bright shall shine,
And add, amid your silk and satin fine,
To your dear radiance still another ray;

The heavens, like a sumptuous canopy,
Shall shake out their blue folds to droop and trail
About our happy brows, that shall be pale
With so much gladness, such expectancy;

And when day closes, soft shall be the air
That in your snowy veils, caressing, plays,
And with soft-smelling eyes the stars shall gaze
Benignantly upon the wedded pair.

"DEAR JESUS, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. "

-Mother Theresa

I pray that we will not just be Christ-like during the Easter and Christmas holidays, but everyday when we encounter those who do harm, dislike, distrust us and struggle through life. May we be forgiving, and understanding to those who are in need regardless of their beliefs, situation, and personalities, because Christ loves me, us, everyone, for all the faults posessed, and misguided selfishness that keeps me, us, everyone further from Him. I pray that we will recognize and appreciate the Atonement everyday so His light may shine. I'm so thankful for His Love, Grace, and Sacrifice.

May Everyone Have a Happy Easter!

Love,
Scott & Susan

An American Hit & Run

This is how I imagine the American people must feel after our incredibly Socialist Government hit us with another takeover on our Liberties! I'm all for a Revolution- Patriot Style! Scott and I have joined the Tea Party Patriots and our local chapter. We have realized that sitting and watching idly by while others take over our country and morally bankrupt the fabric of our constitution is no longer acceptable. I hope you will join us in one of our nation's greatest fight to return to it's roots and founding father's footsteps of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Equal Rights! Not Equal Things!

Love,

AMERICAN PATRIOTS!