My Blog Has Moved

Although still a bit under construction, I've moved my blog to Wordpress.com. I wasn't getting everything I wanted out of Blogger. Click here to go to the new site: http://denisethinks.wordpress.com/.

I Saw God Today

I recently heard a song on the radio that made me stop, and reflect, and smile. In a world so filled with anger and bitterness and anti-religious sentiments, I found this a welcome refuge from the storm. I Saw God Today, by George Straight, is a song about a man who stops to notice all the amazing things around him, and realizes that what he is really seeing is the work of God. It was beautiful.
After listening to that, I began to reflect. Truly, everywhere we look, we can see the wondrous works of the Lord. Indeed, all things testify that there is a God. It is so comforting to know that we have a loving Father in Heaven, and His Son, Jesus Christ, who created this earth. When I really stop to think about it, and observe the little things, my testimony grows.

Humanitarian Service

“All about us there are many who are in need of help and who are deserving of rescue. Our mission in life, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, must be a mission of saving. There are the homeless, the hungry, the destitute.”
~President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Our Mission of Saving,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 59

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

~Matthew 25:40

Today I went and worked for the second time in the Humanitarian Service Room over at the Deseret Industries on Craig and Allen. It was really awesome! I just wanted to share my experience with you all, and encourage you to go, if possible.

Today we worked on making quiet books that will be sent out to orphanages. It was a blast. Not only did I get to work on solving some problems they were having with the books, but I got to do a fun and creative activity, have fun, and be spiritually uplifted. Last time I was there, I worked on finishing a baby quilt and worked on making handles for school bags. I thought that would be disastrous, as I was working on a commercial sewing machine, but the Lord must have been with me because it all worked out well. It was good practice, too. I have to tell you that these two experiences have been so rewarding, I can't wait to go again! It's just really gratifying to know that what I am doing will help a child somewhere. Sometimes we get so caught up with all that we have, that we forget how truly blessed we all have been. We have so much. It just feels so right to give something, even if it is just my time.

They have a picture on their wall there of a sweet little girl holding a little towel like she would a baby doll. The towel had been wrapped around something that had been sent over there. Since she didn't have a doll, she just used the towel. That story touched me so much. I want to do whatever I can, in my own small way, to help people like this little girl and her family. There's just something really right about it.

Both times I've gone, I haven't wanted to leave when I needed to. I would gladly stay there all day and more, if I could. I have had a ton of fun, and been very gratified. I would really encourage anyone who has a spare hour or two to go down there, and help. I think most of us could probably find and hour or two a month. There is so much stuff to do there, and you can kind of pick and choose what you want to work on. They have all the materials, and all they need is the manpower. I believe you can even get stuff to take home and work on and bring back. You can also donate things there to be sent to Salt Lake, like hygiene kits, newborn kits, etc.

They are open right now on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 am to 4 pm, but according to their newsletter, they are looking to add Mondays and Fridays soon. You can also schedule an evening if you wish (649-8191 ext 134). They ask that you schedule for big groups, but individuals can just go in whenever. Go and try it. I promise you'll love it!

For people that are not in Las Vegas, click here to find out how you can help. (And, you do not need to be a member of the Church.)

For more information on the Humanitarian Services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, click here.

Wise Words

I love and admire Ronald Reagan. I wish he were still alive and kickin' and able to run the government. However, this cannot be so. However, we should all be able to learn from him some amazing lessons. A friend sent me an e-mail with these Reagan quotes today. They hold true even now.

--'Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose.'
--'The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'
--'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.'
--'Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.'
--'I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress.'
--'The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination.'
--'Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.'
--'The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program.'
--'It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.'
--'Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.'
--'Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book.'
--'No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.'
--'If we ever forget that we're one nation under God , then we will be a nation gone under.'


Now, wasn't he wise!?

I Survived Global Warming...And All I Got Was More Regulation!

That's right, we've survived Global Warming! Boy, was that close! Whew!
Global Warming is officially OVER!
But, wait, I thought Al Gore's Nobel Prize proved it was all true! I said earlier, his Inconvenient Truth was a Convenient Lie! Turns out the predictions were wrong. What a farce this all was, and now it's finally coming to light! I mean there have been so many times it has been discounted, but now, I guess it's official! I, for one, couldn't be happier! But, you know what's coming, don't you? It's the new ice age...now it will be global cooling! Oh no! The hysteria! It happened before. Brace yourself, you know it's coming.
I wish they'd make up their minds, already! I guess they just need something to nag us about and to regulate. I wonder what it will be next year?

Clark County Republican Convention

Well, the Clark County Republican Convention was today. Wow. It was kind of nuts, but very good. Over 3000 delegates there, and pretty well organized. It was somewhat stressful at times, as I felt people were being ridiculous and wasting time, but for the most part, it was good. We had several good speakers, Gov. Jim Gibbons, Congressman Dean Heller, Senator John Ensign, and also a video message from Congressman Jon Porter. That was all pretty cool. I was bugged, however, that there was no Presidential straw poll taken. I was so excited, because I was going to vote for Ron Paul, to show my dislike of John McCain. But, alas, it was not meant to be. The biggest problem we had was trying to agree on a platform. I think most people agreed on most of the items, just a handful that raised eyebrows and caused a long debate. In the end, we had to vote for the platform as a whole, instead of item by item, so I ended up voting against it. I have yet to see the results of the voting, but they should be available soon. There were just some things that I couldn't vote for. Luckily, there will be another meeting in a couple weeks to address the platform.
All the debate on the platform issues really brought to light for me the plight of the Republican party. We are so used to worrying about what everyone else thinks of us, that we don't bother to stand up for our real values. This is absurd. We had some people saying that if we took all the pro-life references out, that it would be much more appealing to democrats so that they would vote for John McCain. Are you kidding me?! These people want to change the party to conform to the liberals, and that is just ridiculous! We had others who wanted to take out the fact that the best and ideal environment for children to be raised in is a happy two-parent home. Some wanted to take out support for a federal marriage amendment. I just don't understand this. What has happened to my party? This is not the party of Ronald Reagan anymore. Reagan believed in strong families. Now, I see this party trying to attack the family just like the liberals do. It truly disturbs me. I heard people in there today that seemed to be against capitalism, at least to some degree. I heard people that were upset that a prayer was said at the beginning of the meeting. Frankly, I heard people that I would liken unto FDR democrats. The liberals and moderates are running the party, and running it into the ground. What ever happened to strong conservative values? We need to stop catering to those not even in our party and get back to core party values: strong families, strong economy, strong military. We need to get back to the Contract With America.
I really see things sliding in a way that scares me. I'm truly worried about the future for my children and grandchildren. What kind of world am I giving them? This is why I've decided to do everything I can at a local level to see to it that strong, solid conservatives get elected to local and state offices, and to the House and Senate. The White House is lost this election, no matter who wins. So, we've got to get strong people into other offices, so real change can begin. Conservatives have got to take back the Republican party!



In response to comments left on this posting:
Folks, believe me, I'm going to do everything I can to be at that meeting on the 18th. I believe so strongly that we must take back the Republican party from the left and from the media. The liberal media selected our presidential nominee, pure and simple. We've been so worried about offending someone on the left for so long that we've lost our way. I feel it is imperative that we get back to our conservative values. Real conservative values. The thought of a world run by liberals (even liberal republicans) makes me cringe and shudder and want to cry for my children. I just must do everything I can to protect our future. I love this country! I want to preserve those values that make this THE best country in the world.

Surgery and Diamond Rings

Just a little weekly update.

On Friday, Feb. 29, I was having severe abdominal pain. On Friday night, my two wonderful friends Deb and Curtis came over, and after receiving a blessing from Curtis, Deb took me to the ER, while Curtis stayed with all our kiddos. (By the way if you are in Vegas, and need to go to the ER, go to Southern Hills Hospital!) I got right in, and they did lots of tests, all of which came back normal. They were ready to send me home, and just label it unknown cause, but we decided I should get an ultrasound since the pain just wouldn't go away. On the ultrasound, they found a cyst on my right ovary, which didn't show up on any of the other tests, including a CT Scan. Well, that explained the pain, an the ER doctor admitted me, and felt it should be taken out right away, since even 3 doses morphine didn't take away the pain. So, on Saturday afternoon, I went in for surgery to remove it. Afterwards, I was told that they were able to save my ovary, but did remove a cyst the size of a baseball! (I did ask the doctor how I could have something that big inside of me and not know it. He just said that it just happens.) So, I've a got 2 incisions in my abdomen, one little one under my belly button, and a huge one on my lower abdomen, that were all stapled up, but those have been taken out. Now I've just got some tape stuff on there, and things look like they are healing up pretty well. I'll see the doctor again in a few days. At first it was really painful, but the more I get up and move around, the better I feel. Hopefully in a week or two, I'll be all the way back to normal.

Then, on Tuesday, Adam gave me a great surprise: an engagement ring! OK, yes, I know we're already married, but there is a story to this. See, when Adam asked me to marry him, he just had the wedding band. He didn't really know what he was supposed to do in the ring department. Anyway, I've been wanting an engagement ring to go with it for over 7 years now, and he got me one. When he gave it to me, both of my parents were here, and my mom already knew about it. She called everyone in, and he gave it to me. So, it was a wonderful surprise, and he seemed really happy to be giving it to me. He also got me wedding band resized, which I haven't been able to wear in quite a while due to "baby fat." It was all really quite sweet!

Here are a couple pictures:


Now, tomorrow is the Clark County Republican Convention, and I'm a delegate. I was supposed to be going for Mitt Romney, but that's out. So, my plan is to vote for Ron Paul. Just my little way of sending the message that I do not like John McCain. I'm pretty excited about going. I'll be sure to give a full report.