New Cigarette Box Warning Labels!

I just L.O.V.E. watching the news and seeing some good news! I'm usually disappointed and saddened by stories of murder, kidnapping, rape, robbery, or protest, but today... Today! Today there was a really great story :)

Wall Street Journal reports that FDA will soon add new graphic images to ALL cigarette boxes.

Images like these displaying the personal, health, and family trauma caused by smoking will be 

on the top half of the front box cover and the entire back of the box: 

It's said this is the biggest move the Surgeon General has made against smoking in decades.  

How exciting is that?!?!?!

Of course I think smoking is disgusting, but if I were (in some alternate universe) a smoker, these horrific images would definitely get planted in my head (and gag reflex) until I stopped!

Way to go, Government.  Way. To. Go. 

Worth Celebrating?

I am Susannah, and I love the British Monarchy.  I admit it! I never had a crush on William or planned to go to college at Cambridge or anything, but, seriously, who can resist the appeal of the royal family (well... my husband, but really... he's a boy)?

I was talking to my sister, Brett, last Thursday.  I suggested she watch the wedding coverage live because she typically wakes up with her three kids around 6 am anyway.  She retorted that I should watch it live, too! Why? I  asked.  I can sleep in.

She made a really good point to me... History is happening all around us every day.  The majority of "important" news, however, has been natural disasters, corrupt politicians, wars, and deaths.  Why not expose yourself to some good news? It just doesn't happen all that often. 


I fell for that, and watched the coverage live.  And I'm really glad I was part of that moment.  Everyone (alive at that time) remembers Diana's wedding and death, and this is one of those events that will be analyzed, talked about, and remembered for years to come.

Then I found out Monday morning that Osama Bin Laden had finally been found and killed by the U.S. Navy SEALS.

 Back to making history with terrorism and murder.

I was a freshman in high school when the Towers were struck, and vividly remember the devastation, hurt, and paranoia we witnessed through tv coverage that entire day and many, many more to follow.  It was a completely evil, senseless (to me) act.  Thousands of lives were unnecessarily cut short and affected.  I hate that that event happened, that anyone felt it could be justified, that so many of God's special spirits were taken from the earth and their families in that way, and that a decade-long war affecting even more lives shortly ensued.  

I think the capture and death of Osama Bin Laden was expected to be closure for lots of people.  Retribution, maybe. Revenge.  Fairness.  I wasn't personally affected by the attack on 9/11, but I can understand why some people would feel that way.

But this is just one of many videos of people chanting and celebrating his death.

George W. Bush stated that this act of death was "A victory for people who seek peace around the world." Really? A victory for peace? 

It's still the death of another human being.  Is that really something to celebrate? 

Bin Laden supporters were seen cheering when the towers fell.  Does this make us any better than them? 

Why we need our own spiritual gifts

I am a perfectionist.  After growing up the youngest in a family of 4 amazing siblings and an independent mother, it took me a while to figure out how to shine among them.  I wanted my own "things" and worked hard to make myself known. Now, as an adult, I've gotten used to achieving desired results with mediocre effort.  To be honest, when something is really hard for me I get so uncomfortable I usually just walk away. Hmm... I didn't realize I did that....

So, this summer Ben and I decided I should try running my own business designing and cutting vinyl decals for home decor. It's something I really love doing, and running my own business is fun, but it's also been a lesson in humility.  I have finally come to admit I can't do it by myself.

Running a business requires a lot of internet help.  I run an idea blog which took months to design, a Facebook page I just created, and a website for my store.  The problem is I do not understand technology very much and simply can't do those things on my own.

Yesterday I was trying to redesign my store website on my own, and, after hours and hours of effort of getting nowhere and actually deleting two websites (accidentally), I finally broke down and called Ben at work, frustrated and crying.  He told me to stop working, go to a new room of the house, and do something to take my mind off the business.

 I did, and when he came home he said:

"You know, I don't think setting up a website is something you should do. It's asking you to start a new project on step 26 before understanding and learning the basics." 

"That's so true.  I can do every other thing.  I can even modify the website for how I want it to look if someone else can at least set it up and show me what to do!" 

A couple hours later...

Ben: "I figured out how to change the things you wanted. It wasn't very hard, it just took some time to figure out where to start." 

Me: "Oh I'm sure it was simple... I'm just an idiot." 

Ben: "Don't say that." 

Me: "You're right. I am a daughter of God, and I shouldn't disrespect myself like that." 

It occurred to me that I was made in the sight of God with particular talents and abilities.  He also created Ben and everyone else with their own special gifts. I believe a gift of mine is the passion and vision to run this business, and a gift of Ben's is to understand technology so we can actually do it.  Together, we make a pretty good pair. If I were good at everything on my own, I wouldn't need Ben so much. But marriage is meant to complete two people.

We all need each other, because there is always someone who can pick up where we leave off. I know this seems like a simple concept, but it's one that I just had shoved in my face.  I feel so much better being able to admit that designing a website is something I tried to figure out, but really need help with, and to realize that that doesn't diminish the things I can do.

What else do we have to do?

I had one very strong impression after the Relief Society General Broadcast a couple weeks ago: I need to be a better person. There were other things, but that is what it all boils down to.

This past week I have spent every day thinking, "I need to be a better person. I need to be a better person." For me that includes trying not to judge others (even subconsciously), do my visiting teaching, think about people who may need help and call or write them, be patient and loving at home, be aware of member missionary opportunities, not complain, and serve whenever possible.

I have to admit that, while some of those things ARE natural, I generally had to actively keep them at the front of my mind. It just gets so easy to be consumed with everyday things and become too busy to do the things we SHOULD do. I'm trying to keep our house clean, do the chores, spend time with my husband, and build a business. 

Starting a business has been especially time-consuming for me. I have rented a double booth at a craft fair coming up in 2 weeks, and have been working like a dog to think of innovative ideas and products to fill the booth with and how to display them. Ugh... it's taking a lot of work and a lot of time! I often can't sleep because of all the ideas and stress I have, and will get up in the middle of the night to go into my office and get more work done. That leaves me more tired and less productive during the day, so I feel like I haven't done much work and am too guilty to sleep... a vicious cycle. But that's my life right now. 

In fact, I had even thought of a new product idea and what I would have to do to make it while Pres. Uchtdorff gave his talk on simplifying our lives. Was he talking to me, as I sat there thinking about the errands I had to run before I forgot my idea? 

So you understand why it took so much effort to actively think of others and push away those selfish, work-horse inclinations. 

The missionaries must have been in tune to my prayer and efforts to make more time to be a better person, because they kept me pretty busy this week! We had correlation meeting Wed. night, then I had a RS Pres meeting that last almost 2 hours after that. I signed up to accompany them to teach a sister on Friday, and Thursday they asked if I would be willing to teach another before the original appt. Thursday night I didn't sleep AT ALL, and I was tempted to call the Elders to tell them I wasn't feeling well and could only go to one of the two appts-- they could choose which one. But I didn't do that, I felt strongly that I should help them. 

The first lesson was with a new investigator who had a lot of questions about the Book of Mormon. She was very less-than-convinced it was real, and voiced her opinions, which really stung. The next lesson, though, was an investigator with a baptismal date who is progressing WONDERFULLY. She said the exact opposite of things the first woman had said, and it really strengthened my testimony to contrast the two lessons. I had definately needed that, even though it took a few precious hours out of my day. 

Saturday night I was, again, planning to catch up on work to get ready for the craft fair coming up and going out of town. I had extensive plans of what to work on while Ben was away at Priesthood Session, but that afternoon the Elders called and asked if I would be willing to babysit the two kids of a single investigator who wanted to go. "Sure", I said, "What else do I have to do?"

I wasn't trying to be sarcastic.  I honestly realized I had nothing better to do than help someone else-- especially someone trying to learn more about the gospel and watch our prophet.

It just didn't matter what else I had planned on doing, how stressed I felt about getting everything done, or anything else. All that mattered was that I was being asked to do someone a favor that would spread the Kingdom of God. 

It may have taken me a hard week to figure out, but the bottom line is that, if we really want to "Try a little harder to be a little better" we need to have "nothing else to do" (despite whatever else we have to do) to spread the Kingdom of God. 

I love to see the temple...

Ok, seriously, we have to talk about how awesome the temple is. Here's my contribution.... IT ROCKS!

I know the temple is a very spiritual, holy place and I'm not trying to sound like I don't respect it. I just feel really excited about it right now because I had the best night at the temple. 

(The temple is God's house on Earth. His spirit dwells there consistently and it is only in that holy, sacred of a building that essential ordinances can be performed, some for ourselves, some for those who have died without the opportunity to do it themselves including baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, washing and annointings (think Aaron and Moses here), endowment, and sealings. All necessary to enter God's presence.) 

Ben and I have been going to the temple once a week since we got engaged. I work close to the temple which encourages us to meet there, and it has been such a blessing to us-- helping us grow closer to each other and Heavenly Father. The longest ordinance to perform for those who have passed on is the Endowment (requiring 2 hours for one person v. 8 or so people in one hour for the others), so I often feel guilty if we perform a different ordinance. So we usually do an Endowment session when we attend the temple. 

Tonight Ben suggested we do washing and annointings instead. There is only room for three women to participate in that service at a time, so I was one of three tonight. A fourth came in half an hour later to join us, so I retreated so she could have a turn. As I was dressing out of the uniform I was asked by an ordinance worker (someone who has been asked to be a volunteer at the temple) if I would join a sealing session that was already in progress. So, ladies and gentlemen, I got to do washings and annointings AND sealings in one night! Two different ordinances for many different women! It felt so wonderful to be a part of so much good being done. 

YAY TEMPLE WORK!!!

When I finished I went to the women's dressing room to change back to my original clothing and talked with a volunteer who'd been assigned to keep an eye on the dressing room. 

"It took me a long time to realize the men don't have someone who stays in the dressing room." -Volunteer

"Then why do we?" -Me

"Oh because they asked me to."

"Well good for you for just doing what you're told."

"That's the only way to work for the Lord."

What a good point. I'm going to remember that. 

Sincere Service

Last Friday my fiance and I went to go to our local rock climbing gym to climb together. I really enjoy rock climbing, I’ve looked forward to him teaching me more techniques, and I really like this gym, but that night I was not excited to be going. We met there and all I could think about on the drive were excuses to not stay. he was so excited when we met up, though, and I decided to climb anyway. Well… We left the gym two hours later and my car window was smashed in and my purse stolen from inside.

I was bugged at first (I had just bought that car only five days earlier for goodness sake!), but the police explained that the gym borders woods where local homeless camp. They were 99% sure someone homeless had broken into my car (as they said happens for just the change left in the center console) and that we may even find my purse thrown away somewhere.

That made me feel so much better, then guilty. I had a lot of cash in my purse, and I would rather someone who needs it have taken it instead of a bored gym attendee. I felt guilty, though, because I feel like something of mine may have helped someone else for no effort on my part. I was glad to be helping, but it had happened to me. Not because of me. Why should I be proud of helping someone with no physical effort or intention on my part?

We get lessons all the time in church (especially RS) about being Christlike and doing service. Everyone always gives the standard answers—Go to church, help other people, be a good example, do missionary work—and I always think, “Yeah, but are you really doing it or does it just make us all feel like we’re doing our part to talk about it?” And we pat ourselves on the back for being members of a service organization.

It started to kick in to me in a more active way after my purse was stolen. See, I love doing service, but I always feel like I have to immerse myself in it to make a difference. I moved to Cambodia to volunteer and live in an orphanage. Service opportunities literally surrounded me. Same thing with being a missionary: My entire day was serving others. Before Cambodia I worked at a non-profit where all my co-workers were actively trying to make our community better. What I realized the other day is that it is so much harder to do service while living an ordinary life. We get so comfortable in our daily routines that we don’t recognize service opportunities. We aren’t opposed to them and chipping in when we can, but we just don’t see them.

I am around six people every day—the three members of the family I work for, my mom, and my fiance. Oops, make that five people a day. How can I do service when I’m in just two locations—their house and my house—and around only five people?

Well, maybe I can’t. In those circumstances. I have to make new circumstances. Right? It takes effort! If I really want to help the homeless I can’t just sit back and let them vandalize and steal my property. I need to sincerely and attentively work at it! That means finding the time, thinking of a plan of action, and fulfilling it. I can still immerse myself in service even though my day isn’t automatically organized that way. It just takes action and effort.

Phew. I’m embarrassed to admit how long that took to figure out…

Christmas Miracles

I'll be the first to admit I'm sort of a Holdiay Sourpuss. I have a few theories as to why, but those aren't important right now. What's important is to know that the last few years (especially) I really haven't enjoyed the holidays, but this year I recognized that inclination and earnestly tried to change it.

I firmly believe in daily miracles and our power to be angels on earth, so I tried to think of some over Christmas to help me recognize the Christ in Christmas in our home. Though MANY things went wrong, here are some of what went right (just to prove I fulfilled the experiment):

*My sister, her kids, and my brother all traveled here safely
*No one cried when we took all five grandkids to visit Santa
*I felt really inspired while giving a Christmas sacrament meeting talk
*Two friends got engaged
*There was another mixer available when Mom broke the first one making cookies (too bad some of the broken glass accidentally got cooked into a few cookies...)
*The right mouse button isn't stuck on the computer anymore (but now we have to use the mouse instead of the touchpad!)
*Drew really enjoyed our cookie decorating tradition (by eating the frosting off the knife)
*The kids had a lot of fun with the love log Mr. Wonderful brought over (by jumping on it until foam came out)
*Mr. Wonderful and I both gave each other gifts hand-made from materials that are important to us (We learned that I'm sentimental, and he's a true business nerd)
*I"M GOING TO WICKED!!!
*Thanks to modern-day technology we were able to video-conference my sister in from the comp to the TV to watch us open presents Christmas morning (no jokes, this one was seriously a miracle)
*Mr. Wonderful spent THREE WHOLE DAYS with me!!!!! (I think going to work every day is really over-rated)
*The Chinese buffet was open on Christmas night when our turkey didn't thaw and it was actuallly pretty good....
*I talked to a few of Mr. Wonderful's family over the phone for Christmas and met his brother and sister-in-law. They are AWESOME! (no jokes about this one, either)
* Older sis and I both felt pretty sick but got over it in 24 hours :)
*Mom bought Mr. Wonderful his own matching Christmas stocking and the whole family really embraced his being around for Christmas (I'm convinced a few of them like him more than me, actually)

Ok, ok... I'm done being sappy. Time for jokes! Here are some of my favorite quotes from this weekend:

"Um... guys.... the oven is on fire. What should I do?" --Mr. Wonderful

"He's creating."-- nephew

"What did you make the SC flag out of? A star? Give me a star." --older bro

"We're paying for his movie and his dinner. He can take the trash out!"-- older bro

"Are you going commando?"-- Mom
"I don't know, but I'm not wearing any underwear!" -- nephew

"We should be figure skaters." -- me

"I didn't cry when we saw Santa!!!!" -- niece

"Don't make cookies with glass in them and then lie about it." -- older Bro

"The turkey is still frozen. Now what?" -- Bro-in-law

"How do you say 'Sorry' in Chinese?"-- me
"I already said it three times. She says it's ok." -- Mr. Wonderful

"There's a little bag attached! Open the little bag!!" - Bro-in-law

"It's spelled Wassel but it's pronounced Wa-Sail." -- nephew

"I hope you guys aren't like this next year..." --mom to me and Mr. Wonderful
"What is she saying about us, Baby?" -- me
"There are too many things..." --Mom
"Air five!" -- friend

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!