Tree of Life Mothering

This past week dh and I attended an amazing lecture about a new scientific model that is changing the world! The lecture was mind-blowing! You know how it is when you learn something that blows you away because it sounds so true, simple, and abolishes complicated and unreasonable things that you have been taught were true? This happened multiple times during this lecture. The whole evening as I was at this lecture I just felt that something magical was happening. All of our minds were opening up to the idea that the word of God in the Bible really does jive with science. I have a bachelor’s degree in science, so I am particularly interested in it. Decades ago,

before I graduated from college, I had decided how to fit science in with the Bible. I decided that in order for the age of the earth purported by science to go with the age of the earth you get when you calculate the people’s ages going back to Adam and Eve, then this earth must have been created with pieces of earth-like material that dated before Adam and Eve. So, in other words, that God created the earth with pieces of planet material that were floating in space before this earth began. That theory was addressed at this lecture and it satisfied me.

This lecture was so much fun because as the presenters presented, I was thinking of how to connect the dots, wondering about how dinosaurs and quartz and the Universal Flood all fit together. It was fun to be thinking about the puzzle and then have it all solved at the end.

Dean Sessions and Rod Meldrum presented the lectures at this particular meeting.  I got to personally talk to Dean after the meeting. Dean is the creator of the model, and author of the Universal Model books, which will eventually comprise three volumes. Rod has been his research assistant. Both Dean and Rod referred to the Bible during their presentations. They radiate a pure spirit, humbly seeking truth.

Here are some of the things I learned at this meeting. I don’t want to be a spoiler and give away details, for the details I highly encourage you to buy Dean’s books available here, or watch the video I have here on this post, or go listen to the radio interviews I have linked at the bottom of this post:

-what caused the extinction of the dinosaurs

-how fossils were made and how they can be made in days

-where the typical dating of the age of earth came from and how that connects to Arizona

-a little bit about how Einstein’s theory of relativity is not true

-the source of high and low pressure systems that causes the change in weather patterns

-what is really inside the earth’s core, not magma

-is global warming for real?

Here is a video of a different lecture below from the Universal Model team that mentions some of the same things I heard this past week. I live out in the boonies of southern AZ so I truly feel blessed to be able to find a meeting of such educational significance only an hour’s drive from my home! (My wonderful Veggie Gal friend Shauna tuned me into it. Thank you Shauna!  I miss going to all the educational meetings I used to be able to attend on the Wasatch Front. Thank goodness for the Internet so I can find videos and podcasts on all the subjects I am interested in!)

If you go to Dean’s web site, universalmodel.com, you can order his first volume, about the earth system, with a coupon code “firmfoundation” and save 20%  off. The digital book is available now, and the hard copy will ship in the spring. You can preorder the hard copy now, or get the digital copy and read it today!

You can read a blog post Dean’s son wrote about climate change/global warming here.

I encourage you to read this Universal Model declaration of principles, and then go sign to add your agreement to this declaration.

Who wants to discuss Laddie? I remember listening to this on audio when my first family of kids were young. Now it is 10 years later and I am raising the younger half of my family. I seriously can’t remember how this book ends so it’s like I’m reading this book for the first time! I am wanting to discuss this with people who love this book as much as I do. What I do remember is how much family love and warmth ooze from this book.

What else do I love about this book? I love that it involves healthy brother/sister relationships.  Laddie is the ideal big brother. He is so kind and strong and protective. I love that! I also love that the sister who gets married chooses to get married in her home because she loves her home and thinks it’s the best place in the world, so why would she choose to get married in a place she doesn’t love as much, like a church? Then I love how the family rallies around to get the home ready for lots of company. Of course, it’s not like the house was super dirty.

I love the part about the neighbor who is trying to be sold “kivvers” for the graves of her departed family members, and Laddie’s mom helps her realize that she doesn’t need them. She explains that it’s best just to have grass and wildflowers on the ground over the graves, instead of some metal that really serves no purpose and will just rust when it rains. That whole story reminds me of my friend Joyce and  her passion for funeral consumer advocacy.I also love how the family is big and the kids have fun working and playing together. I also love the descriptions of nature and that it gives us a slice of childhood without screens when kids would just wander around in nature. I also love the descriptions of the different romances going on and what makes up true manhood and womanhood. The book is about 3/4ths autobiographical. The author is Little Sister in the book.

Here is my friend Audrey’s take on the book:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icMfS5bXeZ0&w=560&h=315

Here are the discussion questions that Audrey suggests. Please be thinking about them as you read the book. (By the way, check out Audrey’s web site here, tenboominstitute.com)

Discussion Questions:
1- How can we love those that are different from us? What could the Stanton’s have done differently with their relationship with the ‘Princess” family?
2- Why is Laddie so determined to have the ‘Princess’? Why does she avoid him? What does he do to try and win her? What principles of courtship did you find?
3- What makes father’s prayers so powerful? How can we connect more to God?

So who will join me for a discussion of this book? Come join me to discuss how wonderful this book is!

Wed. March 29, 2017

7 PM Mountain Time

comment below and I will send you the link to the online video chatroom

Announcing my new group mentoring class focusing on overcoming emotional eating…

PIES for Moms All Year Long!

This class will target curing emotional eating but anyone who struggles with any self-defeating behavior can benefit from this class. Because emotional eating does not exist in a vacuum we will talk about many concepts to give balance to our eating, our physical, mental, and spiritual health, and our relationships.

Would you like to slim down and not feel deprived?

Do you want to “have your cake and eat it too”? Desserts don’t have to be for holidays, you can have them every day, even if you are on a diet!

Do you want to eat for nutrition AND pleasure but then stop when you feel full?

Do you want to cure your sugar addiction but still enjoy sweet treats?

Would you like to stop emotional eating and learn healthy ways to deal with your emotions?

Do you want to learn new recipes for treats and desserts that won’t pile on the weight?

Do you want to learn concepts to keep emotions from spinning out of control? Spinning out-of-control emotions lead to self-destructive behaviors, like binging and overdosing on screen time. Learn to stop these emotions dead in the tracks.

Do you want to be more consistent in your positive daily habits but just haven’t been able to keep consistent?

Do you want to work hard on your goals but still have time to play, connect, and have fun?

Do you find you have a hard time incorporating “self-care” into your schedule because you are everyone else’s “go-to” girl for getting things done?

Do you know what you need to do to succeed at your goals but need an accountability partner?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, come take this NEW class I am mentoring called

PIES for Moms All Year Long!

I will be your mentor and accountability partner!

We will be focusing on finding health and wellness in the four areas where Christ achieved growth, according to Luke 2:52. They are represented by the acronym of PIES.

Physical, Intellectual, Emotional/Social, and Spiritual

As we achieve growth in each area we move towards true liberty and health! Here are the topics we will cover in each area.

Physical (Jesus increased in “stature”)

None of us probably want to increase in stature or width, LOL, but we all want to increase physical wellness. Here is what we will cover for this part.

-The Baby Steps to slimming down while eating to satisfaction

-The Fast Track way to slimming down that worked for me to lose 70 lbs without exercise

-How to master the hormones that control hunger, fullness, and fat storage

-Easy ways to get you and your family eating real food

-How to feel at the peak of wellness with balanced hormones

-How to find a wardrobe to look your best, especially as you slim down (I had so much fun shopping for new clothes when I shrunk from size 22 to 8!)

Intellectual (Jesus “increased in wisdom”)

-How to keep intellectually stimulated no matter your life circumstance, whether you are a young single adult,  a stay-at-home mom, a student, an empty nester, or a work outside the home mom. After all, sometimes we eat out of boredom!

-How to incorporate the power of writing in you life so you feel happier and more empowered

-How to use the power of ancient language to get to the root of your challenges

Emotional/Social (Jesus increased in favor with man)

-How to keep negative emotions from spinning you out of control

-How to eat when hungry and stop eating when physically satisfied

-How to find joy in the storms and trials of life

-How to find the playful moments with your kids, if you have kids

-How to find peace when your husband habitually chooses self-defeating behaviors. Let’s face it, it’s easier to gorge when that happens!

-How to create a daily self-care routine to keep you anchored in peace and joy

-When to say no instead of yes.

Spiritual (Jesus increased in favor with God)

-How to create the spiritual strength to endure

-How to vanquish the enemy who fights to put you in bondage

-How to feel that your prayers aren’t bouncing off the ceiling

-How to feel more joy

Every week at the beginning of class I will share a recipe for a pie or other sugar free dessert that is yummy! Bring your sugar free recipes too and we will swap! We will celebrate our victories and learn concepts for conquering our bugaboos.

Friday March 10 to Friday May 12

We meet every Friday 2 to 4:15 PM Mountain Standard Time for 10 weeks

(so when some people switch to Daylight Savings time, we will be sticking with AZ time)

online in a video classroom

classes are recorded

The complete session is 10 weeks

Cost is $147 total non refundable after the first day of class

Save $30! Early  bird special is $117 if you register by Wednesday March 8, 2017 midnight.

You can pay it all up front or pay $49 in three installments to be paid before the 1st, 5th, and 8th weeks of  class.

Register by going to paypal and paying the amount you prefer, $117 if by Sat. Feb 18, $147 if after, or $49 if you want to pay by installments.

Use “info (at) treeoflifemothering (dot) com” as the recipient at paypal.com

Call or text 801-628-8753 if you want to pay by check.

Personalized mentoring sessions also available for $25 for a $30 min or $45 for 60 min. session. Call or text the above number to talk more about that.

I am giving away one free registration to this class! Please comment below if you want to enter! The random drawing will be held Saturday Feb. 11, 2017 after 6 PM MT. 

Hey, it’s time for citrus from AZ again!

Hey, if you have a homeschooled teen who wants to go to college, and live on the Wasatch Front, I highly recommend you sign up your child for this ACE the ACT boot camp. My friend Ann Meeks teaches the class and does a terrific job. Here is my review I wrote of the course years ago. So far my oldest three kids have taken the boot camp and loved it. They have all “graduated” from my homeschool efforts and been accepted into college. Two are in college right now and the third will go after he gets home from his mission.

These are words from Ann about the upcoming sessions of the ACE the ACT Boot Camp:

Are you wondering how you are going to get into college? Do you have test anxiety and fear?  Do you want to get a scholarship?  Do you simply want to keep your options open?  If so, the Ace the ACTtm Practice Test and Boot Camp are for you.  The makers of the ACT say you cannot study for this test.  WRONG!!!  Because it is standardized, it is predictable.  You can study and improve your score. I have proven this with the many students I have mentored over the years.  If you have to take the test anyway, don’t simply endure it – ACE it.  It takes work and effort but you can do it.

Classes coming up in Weber/Davis County, Utah County, Morgan County and Sevier County

I have been teaching these classes for 9 years and would love the opportunity to work with you to raise your score and ACE the ACT.

Please click here to see the schedule of classes for the next few months.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IWL3SC3ThJrSsNn8loLzwm1h8i0RSf0dV1vOA_YJCos/edit

Here are three little things for marriage that I started using around Christmastime. Two were Christmas gifts, and the third was a podcast episode I listened to just after Christmas. I hope you take a look at them and use them as well to enhance your marriage!

The first is a novel, pictured above, by the Five Love Languages guy, Gary Chapman, and a coauthor, who I’ve never heard of before, Chris Fabry. I found this book used for 50 cents at my public library’s book sale. It’s a remake of the Christmas Carol, but with a couple, named Jacob and Marlee (get it?) who are about to get a divorce on Christmas Eve. That  happens to be their anniversary. On the way to the divorce lawyer something happens to detour them which causes them to confront the ghosts of marriage past, marriage present, and marriage future. So far it’s a great book! I read aloud as much as I can at bedtime when my husband’s head hits the pillow, after I ask him a question from the book pictured below.

The book above is a journal filled with one question a day to ask your spouse and yourself for a year. Then there is space on the page to write your answers, on that day, as well as for two more years in a row, when you revisit the question a year and two from now. That way you can see how you change. There’s space for each spouse to write, with different colored lines. My husband’s answer goes on the black lines and mine go on the red lines. It’s a great way to meaningfully connect with your husband so that you talk about something everyday that isn’t the ordinary business of running a home, like the kids and the bills. I love not having to think about what to talk about. Instead of the boring “How was your day?” I ask the question of the day from this book. It totally helps me create a ritual of “Pillow Talk.” I’ve always loved the idea of Pillow Talk but most times I have felt at a loss for what to say, because no deep conversation has organically evolved yet. Most days are like that, but there was one moment when he said, “Remember when we lived in Provo and so-and-so said this about marriage during church. I came home and told you about it and we both laughed.” Then we got interrupted and he couldn’t finish telling me the rest of this mysterious story that I had no memory of. So for the rest of the day I was left wondering what this memorable quote was that had my husband still thinking about it years later. Most days aren’t like that though, we usually have a hard time thinking beyond the problems of the ordinary day. Well, now my problem is solved! I read the question of the day from this book, and then as much as I can of the Chapman book before he falls asleep. When we finish the Marriage Carol book I will get another book that relates to marriage. (Suggestions anyone?)

So far I haven’t encountered anything racy. but we are only in January! It remains to be seen if this will be something I can pass on to generations without blushing or keep it under lock and key. I can’t vouch for the whole thing being G-rated because I haven’t read all the the questions yet. So if you are sensitive to that then please beware.

The third “Christmas/New Year’s” gift I am enjoying for my marriage is an episode from Linda and Richard Eyre’s podcast, Eyres on the Road. This episode is about “New Year’s Marriage Resolutions.” They suggest the following challenges:

Sit down together and ask,
“What can we do together to make our marriage stronger?”

Then go off by yourself, and ask, “What can I do secretly, individually to make my marriage stronger?” (For those of you who have taken my Eternal Warriors/Mothers Who Know class, this would make a great Girl Goal.)

I love to listen to this podcast on Sunday evenings as I am getting ready for bed, i.e. brushing and flossing my teeth, etc. The Eyres are so gentle and soothing and encouraging that their words just set a great tone for the end of my Sabbath and the start of a new week. I’ve been reading about them ever since I was 9 and discovered an article about them in a magazine for LDS readers. I have grown up learning from them, by reading their books and listening to their interviews. They are like an aunt and uncle to me, full of so much wisdom. One suggestion they give is to set a New Year’s Resolution of giving one compliment to your spouse a day.

I enjoyed this podcast interview with Dr. Morehead, from the Wise Traditions Podcast series. After you listen to it, you will understand the different energies that come from food: cooling, cleansing, warming, and building. What types of energy do you want to eat as you get older to be healthier? You will know after listening to this episode.

Here is a copy of the description copied from the Wise Traditions podcast page:

“There is more to food than meets the eye! Food has energy that ascends and descends, and warms and cools our bodies. Conventional western medicine focuses on the physical. But Dr. Kenneth Morehead explains how limited that approach can be. He is a licensed doctor of oriental medicine and is a nationally board-certified acupuncture orthopedist. As such, he has quite a different take on how to approach wellness!

“In today’s episode, he covers a myriad of topics, originating from Asian medicinal principles. He looks at how specific foods affect our vitality. He discusses how our eating habits and diet should change as we age. And he discusses the effects of a variety of foods and how they can help address health concerns. Dr. Morehead’s main objective is to teach us to pay attention to our bodies so that we can achieve better balance and health.”