I have moved!

My new blog is:

http://ellenator.blogspot.com/

Please update y'allzez links.

Cre-Mation?

The idea of being cremated has always sounded more appealing to me than a fancy traditional-coffin funeral. It does seem to make life easier. No expensive coffins, no nasty make-up being put on my face (I vowed in 10th grade I would rather die before I wear make-up) and no dislocated shoulders of the coffin bearers.

And someone agrees with me!

I too, like the idea of my ashes being returned to the earth. I want my remains to be used to fertilize a tree! I know it sounds very John and Yoko-ish, but it sounds better than being left to decompose.

I spend more time arranging my funeral in my head than my wedding. You're always certain that you are going to die, and a funeral is a place where people remember you in a positive light. And it's also the one thing I'm not in control of.

Plus, if people want to stay in contact with me on this earth, by means of visiting something, they can visit my tree. And talk to it. I mean, me.

Gordon B. Hinckley 1910-2008

Thank you President.

I got the news at a Ward Dessert Night. It never occurred to me until we said a prayer: all the people in that room could be considered the Hinckley Generation. Even though there have been 2 prophets in my lifetime so far, President Hinckley is the one that had the most impact in my 'Mormondomism.'

Interesting thing. The initial reaction was shock. The second: "He's with Marjorie, his wife."

Things I wish I had said in Sunday School #1

Reading: 1 Nephi 8-11; 12:16-18; 15

Topic: Tree of life

Summary: Lehi dreams about the tree of life in chapter 8, and is interpreted in chapter 11 by Nephi.

Even though we believe that Nephi and Lehi see the same things, the context is very different. Nephi receives the interpretation directly from the Spirit of the Lord, talking to him "as a man speaketh; for [Nehpi] beheld that he was in the form of a man...and he spake unto [Nehpi] as a man speaketh with another." (v. 11)

Lehi's dream seems to be a bit more problematic. Lehi wanders around in darkness for many hours, and has to pray for the mercy of the Lord. (v. 8). Lehi also had to deal with the fact that his family is in the dream, and that Laman and Lemuel do not take of the fruit.

Poetry Dreams

A few nights ago I dreamt in poetry.

That is, I didn't have poems being recited in my head. It was the feeling you get when someone reads poetry in a soft voice, reading as if the spirit of poet was speaking through that person's physical body. When the meter and the rhythm overtake your body, synchronizing the beat of your heart with the flow of your blood.

And more happy moments on campus

Blog-a-versary

Happy Birthday little blog! Today you turn one!