What is Your Random Life Long Dream?

I was on Yahoo! Answers this evening for a while answering some questions when I noticed one that said: What is your random life long dream? I thought, well, that's easy. The 3 A's. Alaska, Africa and Australia. I had to say why I wanted to go to these places, so there's a little line about each. After reading it, I realized I had to add "Amazon." I thought I was finished. Nope. I added that last sentence. Then I realized, wow! That's really pretty good, I need to put that on my blog. So, here's my spiritual thought for today. At least one I'm willing to write down and share...

Spend at least a year in each of the 4 A's: Alaska, Amazon, Africa and Australia. That's my dream.

I want to watch bald eagles soar unimpeded and see huge blue glaciers calve.

I want to discover new species of animals and meet people that have never used electricity.

I want to watch a herd of elephants cross the savannah and smell the rain from 20 miles away.

I want to see Uluru and swim the Great Barrier Reef.

I want to be able to say, "I saw the face of God, and it is Beautiful."

Rubies in My Life

Proverbs 31:10 "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."

I used to hate that scripture. Rubies? Why not diamonds? EVERYONE knows how valuable and precious and spectacular diamonds are. Why would you compare a virtuous woman to a dull red stone when you could compare to her to a crystalline, clear stone that reflects light back to you in a myriad of colors, causing delight and beauty? Isn't that what a woman is/does? Rubies my foot. Another proof that the Scriptures were written by men that had absolutely no appreciation for women. Men are pigs.

THEN I watched a National Geographic Video about gemstones. My perspective about that scripture changed immensely. Every time I think of that scripture, I tear up and think of the Rubies in my life. Let me explain.

Diamonds are in fact beautiful. When properly cut, they reflect the light back in a beautiful rainbow. Diamonds are hard and will last (probably) for eternity. To the LDS, "eternity" is meaningful. We truly believe in eternity. It's not just a word; it's a concept. It's a destination we strive for in our daily lives to achieve--with our families.

Diamonds are rare, or so I thought. According to this video I watched, yes they are rare, but compared to OTHER gemstones, diamonds a dime a dozen. The purchase price of a stone is based on all of the factors in getting the stone: digging it out of the earth, polishing it, cutting it, setting it, selling it. Each step of the way, the price goes up a bit. The final purchaser gets the biggest tab. In order to mine one diamond worthy of sale, a huge amount of earth has to be moved and sifted through. I don't remember exactly what it is, let's say for argument's sake it is 1,000 lbs. You'd get about 100 diamonds out of 100,000 lbs of earth. In my ideal world with my perfect mathematical figures.

Rubies on the other hand are not so easy to find. They are a softer gemstone than a diamond is. The same process for diamonds is used for rubies: digging out of the earth, polishing, cutting, setting, selling. Each step adds money to the finished product. For every ruby worthy of sale a much larger amount of earth must be moved and sifted through than a diamond. Again I don't remember exactly the amount, but it was ridiculously more than for a diamond. Let's say 10,000 lbs of earth. So for every 100,000 of earth you move, sift, etc., you've uncovered 10 rubies.

In theory, the cost of removing the earth and searching for the stones is the exact same. It would cost the same if they were looking for amethyst or emeralds or salt for that matter. Same equipment, same gas, same overworked underpaid workers. However, one mine owner gets 100 quality gems for the endeavor. The other mine owner gets 10 quality gems for the endeavor. Who has the most precious gem?

In my 43 years, I've had a lot of women in my life. Many are diamonds. Unfortunately, some were paste. I've had the honor and privilege of knowing three rubies; I think that's a lot for one person to have. These women have given me or taught me something precious about life and about myself that no one else ever did. And they don't even know it. Next to their name on my blog page, I've written what that precious thing is.

So, to all of the diamonds in my life: Thank you. I love you. You are each special and unique and I need you. Please don't be hurt that you didn't get put on that other list. Diamonds are a girl's best friends!!

I'm a Mormon. A really lousy Mormon.

I needed to make this blog because... Well, I needed to. I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As the title of this post says, I'm a "Mormon." I'm actually a lousy Mormon. I haven't been to Church in about a year and a half. I don't know why. Well, actually I do, but it's a really dumb reason, no need to bore anyone with the particulars. Just suffice it to say, I'm too lazy to get myself out of bed and shower/dress on Sunday mornings. I don't pray. I don't read my scriptures. I pretty much don't do anything I'm supposed to do to be a good Christian.

But you know the really weird thing? I LOVE my Church. I love being a "Mormon." I have no doubt in my mind that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I have no doubt in my mind that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Jesus lives and he loves me. I know that he is my Savior. He died on the cross for my sins so I can return to my Heavenly Father. I know my Heavenly Father loves me. I know I am a Child of God. I know Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and holds all the keys/powers of the Priesthood in this dispensation. I know that Dieter F. Uchtdorf is one heck of a good-looking guy.

Too bad we stopped that plural marriage thing 150 years ago. I think he'd have all the women lined up. I know I'd knock everyone out to be first. Oh, wow! Maybe that's the key to getting me back into Church. A huge picture of President Uchtdorf behind the podium for me to stare at. It's a thought. Oops! I digress. See what I mean about being a lousy Mormon? Who actually POSTS their crushes/fantasies about the 2nd Counselor of the First Presidency? That is SICK. I should be exterminated. I mean excommunicated.

Actually, back to being serious, there are a great number of times that I get "stuck" on a topic and have no where to go with it. I don't keep a journal (see title of post). My mother is Catholic and if I mention anything remotely spiritual she manages to go on about the Catholics. Like I care? If I did, I wouldn't have changed religions eons ago, ya know, mom? (I've got nothing against the Catholics. I'm just not into them.) Actually, it's funny, if I said, "President Hinkley said..." She automatically came back with, "The Pope said..." It's like who's leader is smarter/better/closer to God. She'd pick the most obscure things out of the air.

Me: President Hinckley said not to get "body art" because it destroys the Divine body the Lord has given to you.

Mom: The Pope said "Don't eat meat on Friday even when it's not Lent."

Me: "Uh, OK. Why can't you eat meat even when it's not Lent?"

Mom: "The Pope said so."

Me: "Oh, now THAT clears everything up."

So anyway, this is turning into a stand-up monologue--so very typical of me, I decided that I needed to create a blog for my spiritual side. You might actually get to see it at some point. Obviously not now. Although I do have to explain one of the sidebars and how it came to be. You know what. I'm going to do that in its own post. Why put something sacred with something stupid?