Our 4th of July Celebrations

On the 4th of July, we wanted to do something fun, but we didn't want to be in the middle of a big crowd, so we went to Burraston Ponds.



Michael was nervous about sitting in the tube in the water.



But once he got in, he had a great time!



He finally talked Matt into taking him on a boat ride. (Okay, I did. Michael just kept telling me that he wanted to go in the boat with Matt.)



I love these boys of mine ♥



Afterward, we went to Michelson's and ate dinner and watched the trains. Michael loved the trains best :) Steve & Matt were totally spoiled and got steaks. I ordered cheese & bacon fries for Michael, and they were the tastiest fries I've ever had!!

Then, as it started getting dark, we went and found a spot to watch the fireworks.

It was a very good day.

♥ Melody

Thoughts on Eternity::July 5

As Steve & I were driving home from church today, my thoughts turned toward the complex message that the LDS Church has about Kingdom's in the afterlife. These kingdoms are taken very seriously, and of course, the Celestial is the one that most want to obtain.

When I was a member and I had teenagers, I realized that I never wanted to be a god - to be like God (that is the doctrine). If I went to the Celestial Kingdom, which I thought I did, I wanted to be the gardener - the groundskeeper, never an eternal parent.

Now that I have moved beyond the LDS Church, I am thinking that the kingdoms are created here on earth. We don't have to wait until the eternities to be part of those kingdoms. I also realized that the kingdom I want to be in is one where everyone is allowed and no one is held back. I am inclusive. I detest exclusion of ALL kinds. My dear LDS family members who are reading this are probably worried. Don't. If there really is Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial kingdoms, and if it is true that those in the higher kingdoms can visit those in the lower kingdom, even if I am in a lower kingdom, we can get together for Sunday dinner at my house. ;) No worries.

Anyway, back to my thoughts in the car. I want to be in an afterlife where all of God's children are welcome. Where all know of their worth and can feel God's love for them. When here, Christ didn't just associate with the ones that would have attained the highest of the kingdoms, but everyone.

I could never be happy somewhere that all aren't welcome.

I guess I believe that we are choosing and creating our kingdoms here. By who we associate with, who we worship with, and who we ourselves become.

I was led 9 months ago to the Episcopal Church, and I believe that it was by the hand of God that I was led there. I feel at home there. I love worshiping there.

God is kind and loving. He gives us just what we need when we need it. And for all of it, I am truly grateful.

♥ Melody

Presiding Bishop-elect Michael Curry::GC Closing Eucharist

I just watched this video, and I have to tell you that I am so excited to have him as our new Presiding Bishop. His message is funny and wise and powerful.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."
"We are all different. Some of us are black, and some of us are white, some of us are brown, but I like that old song that says, 'Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white. They are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.' I don't care who you are, how the Lord has made you, what the world has to say about you, if you have been baptized into Jesus, you are in the Jesus Movement, and you're God's. And therein may be the gospel message of hope for the world.

There is plenty of good room for all of God's children. For in the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me; as he died to make men holy, let us live to set all free, while God is marching on. Glory, glory hallelujah God's truth is marching on. Now, go!"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj_N3OsHxxo
♥ Melody