Nine Days Until the Wedding!

Just 9 days until the wedding!! I've copied screenshots from our wedding website here for you to enjoy.  You can visit our website at:

cheliseandjustin.weddingwindow.com

Fourth of July: Apple Pie and Flat Tires

This year J and I wanted to celebrate by watching the fireworks down at the beach.  The fireworks are shot from the pier and the bursting lights reflect in the sky and light up the ocean.  We consider it a once-in-a-lifetime chance.  Anticipating the difficulties with traffic we experience on a normal beach day, we knew the drive would turn from 30 minutes into 90 minutes.

Instead, J and I made our inaugural bike ride date together down to the beach (approximately a 45 minute bike ride).  It was my favorite part of the entire night- we whizzed past nearly two miles of overcrowded street parking and took strait to the heart of the beach.  We dodged between crazy people (at only 5mph walking pace, mind you!) right to the sand's edge.  We got off our bikes, hoisted them on our shoulders, and walked out to the water for a delightful firework display.

On the ride home, J had the unfortunate luck (this is two years running- bad 4th of July luck!!!) of popping his tire.  It was flat within a single revolution.  Dead flat.  He'd rode over a nail and the entire tire was punctured.

So I took off on a mission to save my man- save him from the 6 mile walk home- and pedaled as fast as my little legs would go.  By this time it was ten o'clock, and the further I got from the beach, the less populated the streets became.  It was somewhat eerie.  My ride was punctuated with a couple random firework blasts as people would ignite illegal fireworks in their backyard.  All-in-all, I got back to my house, jumped in the car, and sped back to pick up my man.  Quite the adventure.

Earlier in the day, in attempt to be a cute and attentive fiance, I made a delicious homemade apple pie and America-flag-themed fruit pizza.  I'd purchased food for a healthy parmesan chicken and brussel sprout dinner, and J dissented.  He went out and bought hamburgers and hot dogs, and we celebrated America American style- with a barbecue.

Girlfriend Bridal Shower

A Sentimental Moment

I must be getting sentimental in my old age.  I went to the Newport Beach, CA LDS Temple for service this week, and took my camera.  I had to get a picture of the bench where J proposed.  Everything is becoming special.

A Good Man

I visited the grave of my grandfather, Lester Ottesen, last week.  It was a special and beautiful experience.  He was a good man, 'good' being used in the same way which the Lord used to describe his creations, 'good.' A very good man.

Development of Character at All Costs

The lesson for Relief Society in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this week was from the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow, Chapter 8: "Search Me, Oh God, and Know My Heart."

It documents the need for the development of strong character and moral fiber, and discusses our need to be clean before the Lord.  I particularly loved the lesson, because it was not a 'self-help' or 'make-yourself-better-by-trying-harder' lesson which so frequently attends character-building discussions.  Instead, it shows how character is an essential part of the Gospel, and how living the Gospel builds character.

"The Lord wishes to establish a closer and more intimate relationship between Himself and us; He wishes to elevate us in the scale of being and intelligence, and this can only be doen through the medium of the everlasting Gospel which is specially prepared for this purpose.  Says the Apostle John: "Ever man that has this hop in him purifieth himself, even as He (Christ) is pure." [1 John 3:3].  Are the Latter-day Saints applying the principles of the Gospel to their lives, and thus accomplishing the design of God?"

I know as I've tried to develop my righteousness, and consequently my character, I've encountered difficulties, as have we all.  With that in mind, the following statement by President Snow is overwhelmingly powerful for me, and at the same time, incredibly affirming of the efforts expended.

"Our character, as Latter-day Saints, should be preserved inviolate, at whatever cost or sacrifice.  Character, approved of God is worth securing, even at the expense of a life-time of constant self-denial."

Teaching the Law of Consecration in Nursery

When I moved into my current ward in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I met with my bishop who asked about the scope of callings I had held in the past.  I cited off some of the ways in which I'd served, and for some reason especially emphasized my time in serving in the primary several years previous (the branch of the Church that teaches young children- in my case, I taught eleven three-year olds).

Within a couple of weeks I promptly received a calling as a church service missionary, and was asked to serve in the... nursery (children 18 months to three years old).  This wouldn't be too overly spectacular except that the ward that I was attending was a 'Single's Ward,' the congregation of which was composed of young single (i.e., not married) adults aged 18-32.  Few have children.  We didn't have a nursery.  Whoa, what's happening?

Our meetinghouse is a joint building in which two wards simultaneously meet.  It even has two rooms in which the sacrament is passed.  Our adjacent ward is a 'family ward,' and meets at the same time, 9am.  My calling is to serve in the nursery of the sister ward for one hour of our three hour meeting block.  Consequently, every Sunday I show up with a big bag of lesson materials- including a mason jar of puff balls, crayons, boxes, pictures, goldfish crackers, mirrors, wands, etc. The best part- I don't wear any of my cute clothes that I'd normally don at church, but instead wear clothes that are ready for exploding diapers (we have children as young as a year old), soggy mouths, and wet little hands.  The best part?  I don't even mind.  I love those little children, and they are one of the highlights of my week.

The lesson for nursery today was titled "I Will Share," and teaches that true followers of Jesus Christ have always been known for their willingness to share what they have with others.  By sharing our blessings with those in need, we acknowledge that these blessings come from God, and we show our love for all of His children.

It's hard to 'teach' little children to share, especially because much of our teaching is my acting out, or demonstration.  Can you just image handing a little kiddo a piece of candy, and saying, "Share this with your neighbor!"  How rough would it be to give up your candy! or treat! or toy! or whatever prop we used!  It would wreck havoc, because as soon as one of our little darlings start to cry, they all start to cry.  We found ways around it, and the children were quite good.

However, I've had conflicting thoughts about teaching children to share.  Maybe I should re-phrase that as 'forcing' our children to share.  Let's pretend we have two kids, Jack and Jill.  Jack is playing with his favorite toy, and Jill comes up and want a turn.  We as parents automatically seize the opportunity for our little children to share, and Jill gets a turn.  Now, I'm only speaking theoretically because I have no practical experience, but doesn't this deep down teach our children that as soon as they want something they can get it?  We need to develop a sense, persay, of ownership.  I do submit that the 'wait your turn' principle equalizes this problem- we just have to make sure to employ both ideas.  Are we subjugating one child's 'rights' to the toy to another child's 'whim' or 'desire' for the toy?  Either way, sharing amoung our little children is interesting. 

With these completely random debates between sharing, force-sharing, and not-sharing, and the correctness of ownership and giving bumbling around in my head, I prepared to teach my lesson.  Good thing I prayed throughout my preparation, and invested time in the following scriptures:

"And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and good, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (Acts 2:44-45)

"And thus they should impart of their substance of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul." (Mosiah 18:28)

"And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift." (4 Nephi 1:3)

It quickly became obvious that what I would be teaching my nursery children, at a beautiful young age, was not a social trend or sharing tendencies just to be kind, but the doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Our time together in nursery was planting seedlings that teach about very fundamental principles- in this case- the principle of consecration. Teaching young children to share is a step along the path to teaching them about becoming consecrated, or consecrating themselves to the Gospel and Jesus Christ.  The LDS.org website explains consecrate as:

"To dedicate, to make holy, or to become righteous.  The law of consecration is a divine principle whereby men and women voluntarily dedicate their time, talents, and material wealth to the establishment and building up of God's kingdom."

After making this connection, I was solemnly humbled to teach my nursery class.  I gained a testimony that one way to practice consecration is by being willing to share, and our children desperately need to learn that principle.  I was also grateful to have been, in a small way, reminded that this church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is headed by prophets and seers, and that the manuals and doctrines they provide have great meaning and purpose.  Each lesson that is taught is an opportunity not only to develop proper social skills in our children, but to distill upon them the true doctrines of the kingdom.  In this way, their hearts will ever be open (and they will be willing to share), but they can grow to stand as disciples of Christ throughout a period of time where social trends and obligations fluctuate constantly.

B Visit's San Diego

Ben came down a-visiting San Diego with the Woods Cross High School Concert Choir, and J and I went down to watch him perform.  It's probably going to be one of the last times we see him before he leaves on his mission, and we couldn't have been more happy!

Ben's grown up in amazing ways, and I was surprised at the emotion I felt as he sang.  The songs were beautiful, and I saw a side of my little Buzzer that I've always known existed, but was not frequently privy to.  He was majestic, and the music was overpowering.  His face was pure and glowed.  It made me incredibly happy.  Oh- and WX swept the winner's platform!

Wedding China

I've been trying to define my 'style' for my wedding, and find it best expressed in classy, beautiful, heirloom items.  I find it a way to honor my heritage as well as attempt to keep my wedding budget reasonable.  I spent all morning running around to different estate sales- something that is noticeably missing from Utah- and came out with the following pretty items.  I'm ecstatic!

I purchased 19 individual sets of tea cups and saucers at one location, flowers at another, and my 1940's ham radio and vintage globe at another.  It was quite the day!

One thing I'm really finding I enjoy as I scope out local deals in my interactions with the people who sell.  Most sales take place in homes, which means I'm in their home looking at (any buying pieces from) their life, and meeting their families.  At every place, I inevitably talk with and make new friends.  Everyone gets excited for a bride-to-be, and it's something special for them to contribute to my wedding.

Marriage: Watch and Learn

Doctrine and Covenants 25:13 states,

"Wherefore, lift up your heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made."

Marriage is a covenant into which I will soon enter, and I am trying to prepare to beholden it's sacredness, and appreciate it's blessings. Therefore, as part of my preparation for marriage (in just over three months!!), I'm spending time learning the doctrines taught by our prophets and apostles, and in the holy write, concerning marriage and the marriage covenant.  I'm going to attempt to document some small snippets as I learn them.

Tonight's study is from our most recent General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, given by Elder L. Whitney Clayton titled Marriage: Watch and Learn.

I find this title both appropriate and fascinating, as a fundamental aspect of marriage is the willingness to learn, and consistently learn, about our spouse and better and proper ways to develop one's relationship.  We can't learn if we don't watch.  Also interestingly, we each bring emotional or physical tendencies into relationships that can be unhealthy or which may cause contention, and like Elder Clayton explains, one of the best ways I've found to determine if my actions or habits are appropriate is to learn about and mirror exemplary relationships.

Five Principles of a Wonderful, Faithful, and Happy Marriage

1. Marriage Worth: Husband and wife consider their relationship to be a pearl beyond price, a treasure of infinite worth.
2. Faith: Husband and wife's mutual quest is to be obedient and good. "Faith is the foundation of every virtue that strengthens marriage."
3. Repentance and Humility: Humility recognizes that no one can change someone else, but with faith, effort, and the help of God, we can undergo our own mighty change of heart.
4. Respect: Marriages are a cooperation, not a negotiation, and loyalty is a form of respect.
5. Love: "Live together in love."

A San Diego Saturday

J and me at the San Diego, CA temple (with a little shut-eye)

 J and I visited San Diego, where we performed service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's San Diego California Temple, affectionately deemed the 'princess' castle for it's amazing spires, architecture, and white reflection.  It is probably the most beautiful place I've been in my entire life.  The joy of the moment was magnified by my being able to serve with J.

We also visited the Mormon Batallion museum, which commemorates the over 500 Latter-day Saints who trekked as a standing army from Ohio down to southern California from July of 1846 to July of 1847 the request of US President James Polk.  It was both theatrical and moving- I highly recommend a visit for both young children and adults.