A spark of freedom

Got into a very heated... "conversation" (I won't call it a full blown argument, because I never cared that we were in the conversation, but the other party may have felt it was a full throw down) with someone tonight. I had never met this person before. And for the record, he started it.
He made it very, very clear that he has strong political feelings about all refugees being evil. And how we shouldn't allow them into our country when (and I quote) "my buddy has to wait 4 months to get glasses at the VA hospital."
He was quite adamant that "all those liberals who say let them in, let them in" are fine with the government paying for it, but would "never let them into their homes."
(I silently laughed on the inside that I was being called a liberal. That was a first, for sure.)
I told him that I would be more than happy to allow refugees into my home. I told him how much I have donated and given to refugee aid programs.
His response was colorful. He provided a few interesting ways that he is superior to others because of the good deeds he has done. And then basically challenged me to prove that I both "walk the walk and talk the talk."
It comes down to this- in the heat of the "conversation" I've never been more grateful for the opportunities that have come my way to serve others. I am grateful that I can proudly stand up and say that I don't just vent and complain or protest. But that I have gone out there and served and worked to solve problems.
The other person wasn't happy. He certainly didn't expect my response. He didn't back down. But it sure felt good to know that I have nothing to be ashamed of. I've done my part. And always will.

Alma 60:27-28

 27 And I will come unto you, and if there be any among you that has a desire for freedom, yea, if there be even a spark of freedom remaining, behold I will stir up insurrections among you, even until those who have desires to usurp power and authority shall become extinct.

 28 Yea, behold I do not fear your power nor your authority, but it is my God whom I fear; and it is according to his commandments that I do take my sword to defend the cause of my country, and it is because of your iniquity that we have suffered so much loss.

Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day:
How many people can say going to live in a hut in Africa is the more logical choice?

Favorite Conversation with Lexi:
(I was wearing my completely foxy and awesome "4 Little Ponies of the Apocalypse" t-shirt. As you can see in the image above of the shirt, one of the ponies is wearing an eyepatch.)
Lexi (age 5): Erin Ann, are you wearing a pirate ponies shirt?
Me: No, I'm wearing the little ponies of the apocalypse.
Lexi gives me a classic "WTF" look.
Lexi: No. I think you are wearing pirate ponies. That just makes more sense.

More amusing conversations with children

Some of the conversational gems from the Christmas weekend!

Stephanie's self-portrait

Stephanie (sister, age 21): I feel like a fat sow! I ate a whole box of chocolate covered turtle doves!


Lexi (cousin, age 5): Erin, are you old enough to get married?
Me: Yes, but I have to meet a nice boy first.
Lexi: Do you know Stephen? (her brother-in-law, married to my cousin, standing about 5 ft away)
Me: yes, but Stephen is married already!
Lexi: Oh, (long pause) how about Remington (her brother, age 15, also standing about 5 ft away)?
Me: Well, Remmy is my cousin. I can't marry my cousin.
Lexi: You can't marry cousins?
Me: Nope!
Lexi (head hangs down sadly in disappointment): Oh. (pause) Let's go play a game!



Different day. Same Lexi. Outside, walking through the snow, a good 20 feet from her house.This joke will only make sense if you were raised Mormon.
Lexi: We're walking, and walking, and walking, and walking, and walking, like the Primary children.
Me: You mean the pioneer children?
Lexi gives me a look of discipline and shakes her head no.

More amusing conversations with children

I recently took Cousin #32 (Miss L) out on a playdate (she's 5). From the moment we got in the car she had a lot to say, not unlike a windup doll that talks a lot. Here are a few gems from that conversation.

Me: Your [big sister] is going to have a baby soon! Are you excited to be an aunt?
Miss L: I am NOT an aunt! Aunts are OLD!
(sidenote- her sister is 20 years older than her. Her youngest aunt is 42 years older than her.)
Me: Oh, so the baby won't call you Aunt L?
Miss L rolls her eyes and in her best DUH voice: No! It's just a tiny baby, it can't talk yet!
the conversation continues on regarding a cupcake we were eating
Me: So what will your sister name the baby?
Miss L: I don't know! I have lots of ideas, but she thinks they are all DUMB!
(i can assure you her sister did not say that to her)
Me: Like what?
Miss L: Well, I think House, or Cat would be nice. But she doesn't like those!
I maintain a straight face.
Miss L: My other sister (age 11) likes the name Katie, but Big Sister thinks that is too much like my friend Kaylee.
Me: You mean your cousin Kaylee?
Miss L: Right, my friend cousin's name is Kaylee. And I have a cousin named Peter. And a (uses hand motions to indicate very tiny, and switches to a munchkin voice) a little tiny cousin name Kendon!
Miss L is about 10 pounds and 3 inches taller than Kendon. They are both little tiny people.

The "little tiny cousin named Kendon" questions Miss L's authority.

We drove past a bright yellow sports car. Historical background: her sister drives a small, tan, compact car.
Miss L: That looks like [big sister's] car. She probably shops there sometimes. That's where we turn to go to my pre-school.
Me: What's the name of your pre-school?
Miss L: Hmm... I don't know. I forget sometimes. I have a brother named Sterling he goes to college because he knows lots of things. I know a lot of things. Like (breaks into full song voice) "God rest ye merry, gentle mint, Let nothing you DISMAY! Remember, Christ, our Saviour,Was born on Christmas DAY! To save us all from Satan's power, bah bah bah bah bah bah, Good tidings of comfort and joy, BAH BAH BAH BAH, Good tidings of comfort and JOY!" Sometimes I just sing bah bah bah bah when I don't know the words and nobody notices. 

Mental illness? Or just from Springville, Utah?

Actual conversation at the grocery store:

Pregnant Clerk: (holding up large red and green fruit) Ooh, what is this one called?

Me: That's a mango.

Pregnant Clerk: I've never tried one of those. You're really adventurous!

Me- blank stare back

Pregnant Clerk: Ooh, green peppers! I just tried my first one a few days ago.

Me: Your first green pepper?

PregnantClerk: Yeah, it wasn't what I thought at all. It wasn't spicy like I thought. And it was real crunchy.

Me: Wow. That's crazy.

Pregnant Clerk: Yeah, some people even put green peppers on their pizza. I bet you're one of those people who tries everything, aren't you?

Me: That's not a green pepper, those are granny smith apples.

Pregnant Clerk: Oh, I know, but they're green like peppers. I don't eat green.

Me: Oh.

I fear for the unborn.