Well that was fun.. so here's another!

First Christmas

Since we aren't incredibly established and aren't yet pulling in the 7 figures we will be we decided to set a $100 budget for Christmas presents for each other. This way we could have some money to go stay in Jackson Hole or PC for a couple nights and snowboard, be romantic, etc. Well I'm convinced we will get better at sticking to budgets but we had already spent more than that by the time Black Friday rolled around. We got some great deals, but embarrassingly spent way over our allotted budget. (in our defense we are building up the things we own from the ground up)- (or from the bottom to the top). 

It was all worth it in the end to look at our beautiful, puny Christmas tree-complete with 6 ornaments. It made me even happier to put our Black Friday findings under it and our new wrapping paper beside it. 

Our four room apartment is really great. We decorated every square inch of it (read: I decorated every square inch of it). When I say four room apt it makes it sound a lot bigger. Notice I didn't say four bedroom apt. Jokes on you. Unless you've seen it. And in that case-joke on everyone, involved. 

Another thought: I think we need a puppy to dress up in Santa clothes. My sister and I took my family's dog, Mars, to Petco looking for outfits and Mars pooped right when we walked in out of pure excitement. I want to spread that kind of excitement. 

Love, sweet Love

Marriage

It's interesting that when you get married you become a lot more aware of your actions. It used to be that I could come home from a long (or short) day of school and just watch Netflix or, on the productive occasion, paint, write, read; etc-but mostly watch Netflix. My responsibilities did more than double when Todd and I got married, they quadrupled. I don't know how it happened but we rarely have any spare time and (honestly)I constantly feel like I'm not doing enough. Part of this is because of how close we are to our parents (which is wonderful) and part of it is probably just real life. I'm learning and I have a long way to go. 

Another adjustment that everyone warned me about: online shopping- and really just shopping in general. Thankfully my husband is pretty good about this, and lets me get most everything I ask for, within reason. He was not very good, understandably?, about a certain green dress I bought before our wedding from Emerson Fry for 400 bones. You only get married once though right! I intended to wear it for our engagements that we intended to do in Murfreesboro, TN, but intentions alone could not create engagement photos.. the dress became slightly worthless aaaaand after some tears we traded it in for a $400 sweater instead!

It is literally the best thing I could have ever hoped for being married to this guy. He is hard working, mostly patient, creative, more handsome than Thor AND he's even learning to laugh at my jokes.

One of my favorite things to do when we lived in Tennessee was to read the notes that Todd would write on the iPad when we he was out knocking in Nashville for Vivint, and I was back at the apartments in the Boro. For a while he didn't know that back when I was in school I had synced my iPad to my iPhone so everything was shared. He would write motivational things to help him stay driven or details he needed to remember about individuals, but he would also write different thoughts he would have throughout the day (something he did on his own phone before we moved to TN). It was the best insight into what he was thinking because he isn't always a huge sharer. One of my favorites was: "Make a joke about who the boss is," apparently a technique he would use with people on the doors. Sometimes I'm a big bully of a wife and still look at what he has written periodically. One of the more recent entries was before we had bought our Honda CRV and we still had my old Civic. He wrote I'm going to take this Civic from the bottom to the top. He must have been listening to rap music, but the message was just so positive and optimistic I died when I read it.

One of my most favorite things about Todd though is his ability to produce endless one-liners and make life a little lighter. Most of them are dirty but a few of them are funny things he doesn't even really realize he says. Like the other day I told him "you're just a bully babe" to which he responded "you're just so sensitive, like a piece of Kobe steak."

I feel like I'm writing a paper for my second grade class. One of my favorite things to do, one of my favorite things about Todd.. So, in keeping with the flow, to finish I will write one of my favorite things about being married:

I love that whatever is important to me becomes important to him. Yesterday I was outside and he text me to let me know that my shows were going to be on soon (New Girl and The Mindy Project). He listens to me complain, tries to keep up on whatever drama is going on with my friends, and tries to find a way for me to do whatever it is I want to do (instead of just talking about it). 

I hope this wasn't too sappy for you, I'll be better next time :)

The End.

Some wise, and then some humble thoughts

"Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it's yours."        -Ayn Rand

"Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark."
What incredible guidance. I think sometimes we try and sacrifice those things we want because of our love for others. Sometimes this can be noble, right and mature-but sometimes it is cowardly. Sometimes it is a silly, misguided, ignorant thing to do. We do the people we love no favor by not attempting to magnify and stretch ourselves. Sooner or later (probably sooner) we will have to find time to face the situation we have created for ourselves.
Passions are a wonderful thing; a guiding light. They add color and depth to our lives. May we always be able to feel them, and often have the opportunity and luxury to embrace and exploit them.

A large Bravo, but maybe not an Encore

I'm blown away by my dad and the perseverance, passion, and class he has shown running his campaign for Utah State Senate. To run as a democrat in the state of Utah is a feat in itself. You run the risk of being opposed on every idea you raise before you're able to articulate word one.
In defense of this beautiful state's politics-it is the way it is because that is the will and word of its people, and that is correct. But Utah, you're missing out. I firmly believe there is much to be gained by an increase in bipartisanship (in most all situations) but particularly and relevantly, here in Utah.
We are so blessed to carry different skills, thoughts and opinions. I feel like we aren't maximizing and benefiting from this truth when we have one party's candidate forever and ever voted 9.5 out of 10 times, every time (ha). I guess my real beef is the option to vote straight democrat or straight republican at the start of our ballots. Doesn't this do an extreme injustice to those candidates who put in long hours, money and faith into sharing their message and promoting those improvements they wish to implement? Instead we can just skip past ever even seeing their names.
Moving away from that... I am so happy we live in such a wonderful country-surrounded by people interested in doing good, and my hope is that these next 4 years bring necessary change and increased cooperation.

Crazy proud of my dad and the hard work he put in to participating in something he so believes in!

Car Problems

I have the patience of a mature 5 and a half year old. It's kind of like I just realized that other people have their own feelings and thoughts, and that an outside world exists outside my own mind.
So for this and many other reasons I am grateful that my darling boyfriend possesses strengths that I do not. We were up in Bear Lake for a Halloween party this past weekend thrown by my friend Courtney. Most of us stayed the night afterwards, but most did not have to leave after 3 hours of sleep like lucky Todd and I. I needed to be back to help with canvassing for my dad's campaign so we were off at first light.

Thanks to the turbo's malfunctioning on Todd's Audi, he has to add water to the coolant something or it overheats and affects his transmission. He was checking it before we left and accidentally dropped the cap somewhere in the engine area......... We spent about an hour looking for it, then drove down to his brother's gas station to continue looking with the help of better tools. Another hour later, with the assistance of the crew there we found it and we were off! Without heat (the wires had been affected). But then the light came on to tell us we were over-heating, again. So we had to stop about every 8-10 minutes to add river run off water to the coolant thing (?) which was pretty decently cracked by this point, to the extent that water was just rushing through. Todd has been working on his car for the past several months and must have been out of his mind frustrated at this point. I'm not the most help when it comes to things dealing with cars, I mean had it been a Japanese car-I would've been all over it, but German cars-I just don't know much (haha).

Finally we got to Logan and tried a couple different products the Auto Zone had to offer. The second one worked, a putty to jam up the hole that the water was leaking through. And 2.5 hours later we were leaving Logan. I tell this story in part because it was ridiculous, and in part because I am so impressed by some people's natural ability to be pleasant no matter the situation, take things as they come, and stay a healthy amount of grounded when they are upset.

In summation: It's fun to learn from people who have different strengths and skills than you, and also to feel appreciated for strengths you possess that they don't. :)

Good friends, good life, poor photo quality

Finally got to have the back-porch night I've been wanting. The weather was great and you don't find cooler people than my co-workers/bffs. I'm actually kinda obsessed with my back porch.. and my room..and the Hollywood House in general.

 Hare Krishna, back in full force. Festival of Colors is cool, but I'm too claustrophobic. And it made my car ridiculously chalky-go figure. 

Spent some good time in SLC roof sitting, enjoying a Sunday gelato, looking at road bikes (this weekend I'm committing to one!)




















Umm I wore some shoes.. made for a good picture. As did the temple. But mainly my shoes.

 Aaand my job is a pain sometimes, but every once in a while we are rewarded nicely. Nordstrom gift cards all around for helping out with the boys.  These boys:

Lastly, I don't think I could be sadder that Ms. Alex is going to be leaving me. She's been a great roommate, a really great listener and a reaaaally quiet sleeper. :) She keeps me in check and always supports me-aaaand I love her.

Asking for it

I'm not going to pretend like I've never thought, "are you kidding me-that girl is asking for it" when I see some woman running by herself at night, and I've never argued on the side of feminism.
Having said that, I do get extremely frustrated by the limitations I feel just by being a woman.
The first time I became particularly aware of how restricting it can be was in L.A about 4 years ago. Santa Monica-9:00 P.M, my sister and bro-in-law are putting the kids to sleep and aaall I wanted to do was go for a walk. There was a huge lightning storm coming in from the west and there has never been anything more tempting for me than watching lightning on the water. But could I go? Are you kidding, no way. It's dark, and even the secluded wealth of Santa Monica can't be separated from the streets of L.A, especially the closer you get to the boardwalk.  Instead I had to wait for my sister, and honestly it probably still wasn't a good idea. I let myself enjoy it regardless, but it took some effort to swallow my feelings of legitimate uneasiness.

This is a truth I experience no joy in pointing out. I would love it if we lived in a world where I could do nice things for anyone: where I could pick up hitch-hikers, and take in the homeless, and just implicitly trust everyone I passed.
And I realize this isn't that world, but I'm not going to look at the girl running by herself at night and judge her for it anymore. And I don't think anyone else should either. There is nothing more liberating (to me) than having time to think and just be, by yourself. Running at night-right up there on the top of my list of things I find extremely rewarding. Last night, I was running by a park and I got to watch the sun set with some great music in my ear and not a soul around me. I have a right to that, and so does the girl I've always berated for her ignorance.

I think we just accept the way things are too often. Then we blame those who break these norms, when really we should be fighting for them, and for their right to break them. Someday soon I'm going to buy a dog, and I'm going to live somewhere it's always warm. And I'm going to be safe, smart and practical. But especially for now, I'm also going to work on being a little less judgmental, and a little more supportive.

Liberation

I chopped my hair off about a week ago, well my hair-and my adopted Taiwanese hair. It's been weird, especially when I'm blow drying it, and turn around to look in the mirror and realize Professor Snape somehow got into my bathroom, but I really love it. It's weird how we can let physical things define who we are. Also I just feel like short-ish (long-bobbin) hair is more reflective of me at the moment.
The reactions have been interesting, obviously no one is going to tell me they hate it, so everyone has been complimentary. Especially a girl at my work who informed me that I looked much more mature, then finished with "you looked like you were in high school before."
Oh, that's cool.
Aand you're welcome for spending 5 minutes talking about my hair. I'm racking my brains for something exciting to share but I've spent the last 14 hours sitting at this table doing my homework so all I'm thinking about is Ralph Waldo Emerson and calculating age-adjusted mortality rates. Goodnight!

My senior year self

I get so frustrated and irritated when I have to listen to some of the comments freshman make on campus. Because of this, and my inclination to introspective analysis, I've been thinking a lot about the changes the past four years have wrought in me. Don't misinterpret this as me thinking I am now knowledgeable and wise, but there has been so much change it's just really interesting for me to think about.
Freshman and sophomore years for me are already a blur of emotional evenings, terrifying situations, exciting opportunities, fights and break ups- and most unfortunately, silly decisions based of an overwhelmed perspective that college would last forever. My GPA wasn't important because I'd already been in school 14+ years, why on earth would I want to do any more than the bare minimum. Plus if I did I would just figure it out when it came.
Then came the day when I started to care. I love this learning thing, I love school, and I seriously love this Public Health stuff. Not only that, I know I would be exceptionally good at whatever I did with my degree. I know this because I've learned I have a highly addictive behavior and sincerely enjoy devoting myself to a purpose I believe in. Not only that, but I thrive in being a borderline recluse when I want-which has lately been the case. So now I'm left with 16 credits/semester, 20+ hours work/week, GRE prep, abstract resume building (research with professor, volunteer work), applying for internships, and my newest and most personal favorite: contacting CEO's until I find 8 who are willing to let me interview them. Aaaaand I have to pretty much kill it in every arena so I can "spin" this GPA I so purposefully neglected.

The most outstanding thing in my mind lately in terms of development, has been my self-inducement into the world of artsy individuals. I don't know how it took me so long to take my blinders off; but somewhere between my growing love affair with painting, Philosophy 110, Sun Dance Film Festival, the Brandi Carlile Pandora station and just removing myself from the mindset of personal barriers and limitations something clicked. I so appreciated a weekend spent in Midway with some of Emily's art history friends, so so much. We stayed up for hours analyzing ever ridiculous part of a film we saw up at Sun Dance, which led to politics, which led to people and at some point, amid all our talking I figured it out. I so enjoyed these people because I am one of these people; wringing every ounce of meaning and reason out of things is pretty much ALL I do.

Anyway, like always, I have to apologize for the melodramatics. My brain has a flare for excitement, and tends to talk in absolutes and extremes. I guuuuess my point is that I'm happy for the things I've learned, overwhelmed at the moment, and seriously eager for the future.

Isn't she the greatest? Emily Larsen comin attcha Berlin, Germany 2012

WITC

Since I have been back at my parent's house, I've had a generous amount of extra time to catch up on my blog-stalking, pinterest pinning, youtubing and all around internet surfing. I've lost a lot of weight from all the verbing. Not really, but I have had a lot of time to work out.. Ogden Gold's gym. They have a track where you run above the weight machines and basketball courts. I was glad it is pants at the gym season because I'm convinced a lot of the time spent lifting weights doubles for guys as time spent watching ladies run. Not the best angle, but I guess they figure that in.

But here are some internet favorites I've found this break-

New Girl Christmas episode here. I laughed, I cried, solid episode. Zooey is so great. And SNL's holiday episode is good as always.

Re-watching most of Jenna Marbles youtube videos- how to trick people into thinking you're good looking is still a personal fav. Call me a prude, but I wish I could edit her, little crass. Also shi* girls say.. It's funny, and my mom loves it.

Found some great prints-

 

Also added fuel to the fire of my tile obsession-

And started in on a little project involving this pattern, and a mahogany cabinet door-

Little escape from the seasonal affective disorder-

   whereisthecool.com 

Which you will have to check out for yourself, as I can't figure out how to copy images from the website

Thanks to some direction from my sister, I've been enjoying the stylings of Elizabeth Kimberly Design 

Aaand I would post some pictures of recipes I've found, tried and love but.. Last night my friend, Andrew and I ate at the Copper Onion (great food) in SLC and I have been sick from it ever since halfway through Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol (great movie). 

Excited for another Christmas dinner tonight with friends I love!

Is this real life?

I vaguely remember when all nighters were super rad, but there is nothing nigh on resembling rad about the past five hours. Nothing rad about sitting on the floor halfway in the closet of our hotel room, listening to music at 5 am trying not to wake anyone up. Me and some girlfriends are in Moab for a race that starts in about... 4 hours and I have given up on sleep finding me at all. I can't even stay mad though, life is too good when you're in Moab, I can feel it even now ;)

Why

Why is it that aaaall my favorite shows get cancelled? Lipstick Jungle, Perfect Couples, The Lying Game, The Playboy Club, Cougar Town

Next thing you know, Once Upon A Time is going to get cancelled. I just can't believe it hasn't happened yet ha ha.. Maybe I watch too much Hulu. Sue me.

IT Happened!

I ate the most delicious sweet thing I've ever had. :)
Forgive the meager photo quality, my apple crisp + sea salt caramel truffle icecream

I know, I'm as surprised as any of you that it wasn't a peanut butter/chocolate combo.








Oh my goodness was this good guys. I'm sure I don't have to explain, but you put the crumble over the icecream.. bon appetit











Guess who finally got their wisdom teeth out?? This girl!

A good look for me, I daresay. I wish I could upload videos, there is an awful one of me on the drive home from the surgery (I think I was recording one as a loyalty to my friends Jessica & McKenna who had requested it) where I am mumbling incoherently and crying hahaha. My lips are moving and sounds are coming out but they aren't really words, and I give up after a couple seconds and let the phone fall to the ground.

I'm healed up enough to cook Thanksgiving dishes thank goodness! We were in the grocery store today and this little girl kept looking at me so I asked Mom if she thought it was because I looked so fat, and she said she thought it was probably because I am so pretty. Good Mama.

The Hollywood House

Today, I am particularly grateful for my house. My ex-frat, big enough to comfortably fit nine girls under one roof-house. It really is so fun, and one of those things you just do once when you're young, so you better enjoy it. Every one of my roommates is ridiculously unique and it makes for a welcomingly different atmosphere here in Provo. We all sat next to each other in Sacrament mtg today and we filled up a whole row in the middle aisle, I don't know if anyone else noticed but I thought it was hilarious. Even though they leave gross food sitting on the stove, dishes in the sink, trash overflowing, I love them and feel blessed to be here.

And yes, when you drive by on University Ave, we do have a decorated tree up in the window already. Enjoy.

Dear Pastor Jeffress, Robert Starling's eloquent response

I wanted to share this in case any of you hadn't had the opportunity to read his words. Not surprisingly, Robert's rebuttal is non-offensive, factual, and a product of careful contemplation. It's a good reminder that ours should always be a message of love; even amidst inflammatory, hurtful accusations.

-Natalie

 

A Mormon's respectful response to being called a "Cult" or "not Christians"

Dear Pastor Jeffress (of First Baptist Dallas),


I’m just one of the millions of people who saw and heard on TV news shows your statements that “Mormonism is a cult” and “not a part of orthodox Christianity”.  As a faithful lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I felt a strong reaction to those statements, as you might imagine.  My remarks here are only my personal thoughts, but I assure you they are heartfelt.


My reaction was twofold.   First, I saw your remarks as an unfortunate “below-the-belt” swipe at Mitt Romney in the hopes of advancing your own favorite political candidate.   While you certainly have the right to do that, I think many Americans join me in feeling that such a move was beneath a prominent religious leader such as yourself. 
Second, as a devoted believer and follower of Jesus Christ I was saddened that you felt the need to speak out against my faith and beliefs.  I’m sure there are those who think it was done with malice, but I’ll try to do the Christ-like thing and give you the benefit of the doubt.  Perhaps you’ve just been misinformed about “Mormonism” as many others have been.


But it might surprise you to learn that I actually agree with part of what you said, although perhaps for different reasons than you might imagine.


You said that Mitt Romney is “not a Christian” (and by association myself and the other six million-plus Americans who are Latter-day Saints).  But I believe you need to be more specific.  There are many different kinds or “flavors” of Christians.  I agree that the LDS people are not Baptist Christians or Evangelical Christians or Catholic Christians, etc.   I will even agree that we’re not part of  “orthodox” or “traditional” flavor of Christianity, if by that you mean the post-Nicene church that became the “universal” or “catholic” version of Christendom. 
I believe my faith to be the original church of the Corinthians, the Ephesians, and yes, those who were first called Christians in Antioch,  - that same church now restored in these latter days.  So I call myself a “latter-day Christian", with theological roots that precede the “historical” or “orthodox” version that was the product of the various councils and creeds.  That “orthodoxy” eventually became so corrupt and so apostate that the Reformers broke away from it in protest of its having “fallen away” from Biblical truths (2 Thess. 2) and “changed the ordinances” (Isa. 24:5) so that the “faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3) was no longer recognizable as the church that Jesus organized.


There were many enlightened Christian thinkers and theologians in history who, like Joseph Smith, believed that Christianity had become apostate and that a restoration of the New Testament church of Christ was necessary.  John Wesley the founder of Methodism wrote:


It does not appear that these extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were common in the Church for more than two or three centuries. We seldom hear of them after that fatal period when the Emperor Constantine called himself a Christian; . . . From this time they almost totally ceased; . . . The Christians had no more of the Spirit of Christ than the other Heathens . . . . This was the real cause why the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were no longer to be found in the Christian Church; because the Christians were turned Heathens again, and had only a dead form left.
The Works of John Wesley, vol. 7, pp.26-27


As I’m sure you well know, John Smythe the founder of the Baptists first left his position as a Church of England minister and joined the Separatists, but then dissolved his congregation to re-form it as the first General Baptist church among English expatriates in Amsterdam in 1609.  He felt that the “historic” or “orthodox” Christianity of his time had wandered astray, especially with regard to the apostate doctrine of infant baptism.  Those first Baptists were considered a “cult” by many Protestants in the “traditional” Christian denominations that persecuted them unmercifully.


Around 1640, Roger Williams of Providence, Rhode Island, founder of the first Baptist church in America refused to continue as pastor on the grounds that there was:


… no regularly‑constituted church on earth, nor any person authorized to administer any Church ordinance: nor could there be until new apostles are sent by the great Head of the Church, for whose coming, I am seeking.
 (Picturesque America, or the Land We Live In, ed. William Cullen Bryant, New York: D. Appleton and Co., 1872, vol. 1, p. 502.)


If I understand your words correctly your definition of a Christian (and that of most Evangelicals) is a pretty narrow one, far different from the standard meaning found in most dictionaries.  Personally I think anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God and as his/her personal Savior who died for our sins and was bodily resurrected on the third day is a Christian.  C.S. Lewis described such people as “mere” Christians.


But your narrow definition would exclude anyone who:


1. Does not believe in a closed canon of the 66 books of the Protestant Bible.
2. Does not accept the Nicene Creed as an accurate description of the nature of God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
3. Believes in living prophets and apostles as the “foundation” of Christ’s earthly church.
4. Believes in continuing revelation from God to man.
     
I could go on.  I’m very familiar with the standard arguments against “Mormonism”.
But the Bible says that believers in Christ were first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 11:26).  I would respectfully submit that those Christians:


1. Did not believe in a closed canon of scripture.  (some of the New Testament had not yet been written.)
2. Did not accept the Nicene Creed as an accurate description of the nature of God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.  (it would not be written for 300 years)
3. Believed in living apostles and prophets as the “foundation” of Christ’s earthly church.
4. Believed in continuing revelation from God to man.


So if you’re going to say that Mitt and I are not Christians based on those reasons, you’ll have to say that the believers in Antioch were not Christians either according to your definition.
You said in your Hardball interview that “Mormonism” is a “cult” because:


1. “Mormonism came 1800 years after Jesus Christ”
2. “Mormonism has its own human leader, Joseph Smith”
3. “it has its own set of doctrines”
4. “it has its own religious book, The Book of Mormon, in addition to the Bible”


Your exact following words were:  “and so by that definition it is a theological cult”.  You made a weak distinction between a theological cult and a sociological one, but most people will not even notice that fine differentiation.  It was obvious to any sophisticated viewer that your main goal was to keep repeating the word “cult”.   It’s such an inflammatory buzz word that I’m sure your goal is to use it as often as you can to scare people away from “Mormonism” without seriously considering our theology and our beliefs.  It’s a word used to end or avoid discussion, not to foster it.  As a Latter-day Saint I welcome the opportunity to “stand ready to give a reason for the faith that is in me”, but those who sling around the word “cult” with respect to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seek to cut off debate rather than to encourage dialog.  It’s as though they are afraid of an open and honest discussion.


But following your own definition of “cult” for a moment, I’d like to respectfully submit that:


1. Roman Catholicism came 300 years after Jesus Christ.
2. Roman Catholicism has its own human leader, the Pope (or Peter if you accept the Catholic claims that he was the first Pope)
3. Roman Catholicism has its own set of doctrines (Mariology, transubstantiation, priestly celibacy, veneration of  “saints”, indulgences, etc.)
4. Roman Catholicism has its own religious books (9 deuterocanonical more than those found in the Protestant Bible – also used in Eastern Orthodox churches)


And even your own Baptist flavor of Christianity in some ways fits your definition of what makes a cult;


1. “Baptistism” came 1609 years after Jesus Christ
2. “Baptistism” had its own human leader John Smythe – a Church of England minister (see footnote below from the website of  the Baptist History and Heritage Society)
3. “Baptistism” had its own unique doctrines, including the “believer’s baptism” of adults.
4. “Baptistism” was considered a cult by the “orthodox” or “traditional” or “historic” Christian denominations of the time.  In fact Baptists suffered severe persecution from other Christians who believed in the “mainline” doctrine of infant baptism prevalent in that era.  Thousands of Baptists were martyred for baptizing adults.


One of the dictionary definitions of a cult is that is a small isolated group that is out of the mainstream.  That certainly does not apply to my church.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest religion in America, and the second largest Christian church in Washington, Oregon, and California (after Catholicism).  You mentioned that there are 15 million Southern Baptists.  By 2012 at the present rate of growth there will be more Latter-day Saints than that.


Pastor Jeffress, in order to be consistent and truthful you would have to admit that the same definition you’ve used to brand “Mormonism” a cult applies at least in part to  Roman Catholicism and “Baptistism” as well.  Are you willing to say that on national television?  I would hope so.  I would hope that you’d want to be totally consistent and truthful.


Thank you for your time.  I’m attaching a summary I wrote of what I believe happened to “the faith once delivered to the saints”.  There was a great apostacy that fundamentally changed the New Testament church of Jesus Christ into something so different that those Christians at Antioch or Peter or Paul would not have recognized it in the Dark Ages that came upon the earth.   (Amos 8:12)  That apostacy required the “restitution of all things” prophesied in Acts 3:21 to occur before Christ’s return.   That restitution or restoration of original Biblical Christianity was what was looked forward to by Roger Williams.


I testify to you that that restoration has come, and the original Christianity is back on the earth in its fullness as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  If you would like to investigate these claims I’ll be happy to “bring forth my strong reasons” for “the faith that is in me.”  I would welcome a thoughtful dialog.


Cordially yours,


Robert Starling
A Latter-day Christian


(footnote to above reference to John Smyth)
BHHS -- Baptist Beginnings http://www.baptisthistory.org/baptistbeginnings.htm
The first General Baptist church, led by John Smyth, was founded in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1608/09. Its members were English refugees who had fled England to escape religious persecution. John Smyth was a minister in the Church of England. As a student and later as a pastor and teacher. …   By 1608/09, Smyth was convinced his Separatist church was not valid. Most of the members had only infant baptism, and the church was formed on the basis of a "covenant," rather than a confession of faith in Christ. Smyth therefore led the church to disband in 1608/09 and re-form on a new basis–a personal confession of faith in Christ, followed by believer’s baptism. Since none of the members had been baptized as believers, Smyth had to make a new beginning. He baptized himself and then baptized the others. His baptism was by sprinkling or pouring, but it was for believers only.

Bye bye facebook

Bye homies, I know you will miss me.

Hello sabbatical,

My name is Natalie and I have zero self control

(You can find this on pinterest, twitter and here)

Mostly pinterest and here, twitter is awfully confusing

I think I'll go to Boston

And go I did. Last week was a great week, started off with the Vivint black tie event. Good times, good people.

Then my darling roommate Alex and I went to the Thriller production put on by the Odyssey dance theatre. They did an awesome job and successfully freaked me out.

The Joker made a special appearance alongside some of the cast members.












Finally the main event: I stayed with the Jones family (my sister) at their home in Belmont. My mom stayed with them the week before I got there, and thankfully our visits overlapped for a day so that we could get another crazy humidity hair picture

This blog post isn't going to be very much fun for people I can already tell, because I'm mainly going to be bragging about how great my family is.

 

We went to the North End for some dinner and dessert. We ate at this Italian restaurant (Mother Anna's) and I can't begin to relay to you how delicious it was. I ordered the tortellini with mushrooms, spinach, and artichokes. The first thing Spencer said when he tried it was, "Oh, yeah that's not good for you." Aaand it wasn't. But it was really great for my heart. (But not actually) Should have gotten a picture of that but my phone was out of commission mostly the entire time so photos were hard to come by. Also I always feel weird when I take pictures of food. But that won't be stopping me in the future-heads up.

 Afterwards, dessert was at Mike's Pastry Shop. A must-try there, seriously everyone was carrying boxes of it. I got a boston cream puff, which I wasn't anticipating enjoying-mainly I just stress ordered because everyone was yelling and shoving around me- and I ended up loving it. It was made with custard. Which was obvious to everyone but me. Custard is good, I didn't know.

A lot of the trip was spent hanging out with my sister and the nieces and nephew, which was more than fine by me. I learn so much every time I am around Andrea and I just love those kids like they were my own. So.. I enjoyed my sister's delicious, healthy home cooking, went on a thirty-some mile bike ride with Spencer up through Lexington, saw a lot of historical monuments, ran waaay to early in the morning, donated blood at a church that had a sign posted outside about an "urgent need for blood" (made me feel really good about myself), attended our own church at a very cool chapel right below the Boston temple, walked the streets of Harvard like a sellout wannabe (Harvard is super great, I'm forcing my children to apply), watched a good amount of Iron Chef and 30 Rock, got bit by some poisonous something raking leaves, lobster rolls, did some serious 1st grade math with my best friend Kate and all in all just really enjoyed the east coast. 

Did I mention my family is the greatest? Because they really are.