2012 Election Thoughts

Well, yes. I am glad it is over. I will not miss all the political attack ads and staying up late to watch debates in which the debaters don't really answer the questions but instead tell how the other guy isn't a good candidate. I will not miss having our Romney Ryan sign vandalized in our yard (I can't tell you how fired up Seth got about that one, but our duplex neighbor Bob just put up another one :)

Although many people think that all Mormon's supported Mitt Romney, there are many who prefer President Obama. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially remains nuetral and does not choose or promote any political candidate. I was very glad to see that our prophet and the apostles (the leaders of our church) put out an important message after the election to let us know what we should do now the election is over: (I added the bold)

First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Congratulate President on Election Win

SALT LAKE CITY — 

The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement Tuesday:

We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States.

After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together. It is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints to pray for our national leaders in our personal prayers and in our congregations. We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people.

We also commend Governor Romney for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process, which, by its nature, demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service. We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors."

Despite our disappointment that Mitt Romney did not win the Presidency, and Josh Mandel didn't win a seat in the Senate, I am grateful to be an American.

I am thankful for the right to vote and that the voice of the people can choose whom they want to represent them. I am thankful that, unlike much of the world, we are not ruled by a king or a dictator, and that I will get to vote again in 4 years for the President and that I frequently get to vote for other political leaders. I am thankful especially for religious freedom, and I hope the people and the leaders of America will do all they can to protect that right. I am thankful that there is a system of checks and balances so that one governing body can't take too much power. I am grateful for the Constitution which was crafted by the inspiration of God.

The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith:
"According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;

That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. Therefore is is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.

And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood." (Doctrine and Covenants 101:77-80)
I know that this is a choice land and a blessed land. I will support and sustain my leaders and pray for President Obama and those others who lead our nation. I will support them by trying my best to be a good citizen, and to stand for truth and righteousness, and by keeping the law.

When I was a kid and used to recite The Pledge of Allegiance, when it was still allowed and encouraged to be recited in schools, I didn't really understand what it meant. But I do now, and

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
And to the Republic for which it stands,
One Nation,
Under God,
Indivisible,
For Liberty,
And Justice
For All.

It wasn't Abraham Lincoln who first said it, but it was Jesus Christ who taught us that a house divided against itself cannot stand (Luke 11:17).

Let us not be divided against each other, not Latter-day Saints, not Americans, not any one of us against each other. Let us rejoice in what we have in common. Let us be One Nation, Under God, Indivisible. I know that if we worship the Lord that He will continue to bless and prosper and protect our country.

God bless America.

John's 1st Halloween

Halloween is really not a favorite holiday of mine. I especially detest all the horror that is celebrated on this day and can't understand why people like it. However, this year I did delight in dressing baby John up in a Giraffe costume that made him even more adorable if that's even possible!

We went to our ward Halloween Party on Saturday night. John was only in his costume for a couple minutes because it was SO hot in the gym.

But he did get another opportunity to wear his costume. All day long, in fact. The Sandy storm came through Cleveland on Monday. There was a lot of rain, a little flooding and 50 mph winds. I had a hard time sleeping because it sounded so scary outside.

Monday night we lost power, which also means our heating went out. I realized that I really need to get on the ball to be better prepared for emergencies, and I need to start - this week. We were ok in the morning. We stayed under a lot of blankets for a while. Seth couldn't get into work, so he studied from home.

The heat started to drop, so we put John in his snow suit. He really hated it. But he had to stay warm. So what did we do? Put him in the Giraffe suit. He loved it. Well, we loved it, and he didn't mind, and he stayed very warm.

Our wonderful neighbor, Bob Winder, let us come over to his side of the duplex and use his gas stove and fireplace. Seth got some wood, and we stayed in front of the fire for the rest of the day and most of the evening. We had our head lamp flashlights on. I tried to change John's messy diaper with just my head lamp. It was much more difficult. I felt more and more grateful for the modern conveniences that I so easily take for granted, and my hat went off to all the mothers in the world in all eras who had to change baby's diapers in the dark and cook dinner in the fireplace.

By 10:00pm our house was getting pretty cold, in the low 50's. Now, Seth and I could certainly be fine in the low 50's, but I was worried about our little baby John. We were so thankful to all our kind friends who offered to take us in. We ended up staying over at the Foutz' home. They were so hospitable to us and provided us with everything we needed. John was nice and warm, and so were we, and I was able to work (online) all day today and care for John in a very comfortable environment. I was very grateful.

Through this experience I have been helped to see how much more grateful I should be for the blessings I have, especially that my family is safe and dry and warm. My testimony that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was strengthened. I saw that our ward was immediately mobilized to help each one in need. Visiting Teachers and Home Teachers acted to watch over those over whom they have stewardship to make sure they are ok. We had no less that 4 offers of shelter and were even asked if we'd like to borrow a generator. I felt so thankful to know that even when the disasters get much worse than this, we are in good hands, the hands of those who love the Lord and serve His children.

 My heart and prayers go out to all the people who have not been so fortunate in this hurricane/storm.

Wagner Family Photo Shoot October 2012

   

  

  

 

Our friend, Mary took these family photos for us in Chagrin Falls, and we just love them!

www.maryclarkphotography.com

General Conference - A Renewal and Recommitment

We had our good friend and adopted Grandma, Myrtle Alexander, over for brunch and to watch the Sunday morning session of General Conference. This is becoming a tradition. She got to see John for the first time and she sure loves him, and we love her. 

This General Conference and Relief Society General Broadcast were the best ones I have ever seen/listened to/participated in. Each one seems to improve upon the last and be more specific to my own needs and questions. So I wondered if the speakers are improving or more in tune with the Spirit. Are they more captivating and creative? Did they somehow gain better speaking skills since last time or the time before and so on and so on?

No. They were just as inspired and guided by the Lord, but I am changing. I am improving each time, and that is why it means more to me every time. I am thankful for that realization, that, although I am so very imperfect, I am improving little by little. There is spiritual growth occurring within me between each conference as I try to learn from my daily experiences. The change in me is so imperceptible sometimes I feel that I am not making any progress towards bettering myself. But I am very thankful for this evaluation time each 6 months to look at my life and who I am, who I am becoming, who I want to become. I know that I grew spiritually between last conference and this conference, and I was better prepared; I was seeking guidance and answers.

This was the first conference in which we heard from our new General Relief Society Presidency. I felt so much love for these righteous women, and I knew that the Lord has called them to fulfill this very difficult role. I felt so excited and happy to be one of the Lord's daughters and part of the most wonderful women's organization in the world. I felt an intense feeling of love. The love of the Lord for me and His daughters and the love I have for the Lord and His daughters.

This conference, since we have a little baby who was even sick at the time, and it's impossible to write down all the comments that I think are important (that's just about impossible even without a baby), I took notes a little differently, and I asked my questions a little differently. I didn't write down specific questions like, "How do I do this or that?" Instead, I reviewed my life and what is most important to me, what I am struggling with, what I need the Lord's help on. I wrote down and numbered different categories, My categories were:
1. Motherhood and Parenting
2. Marriage
3.Balance and Prioritizing
4. Gratitude and Contentedness
5. Selflessness and Charity
6. Temple and Family History Work
7. Revelation and Answers to Prayer
As I listened to each talk, I wrote the general topic and the number of the category it applied to. A miracle occurred. Every one of my categories was addressed during the conference. Some of the talks were focused on exactly one of my categories. I felt so bless that the Lord answers prayers, and that I can know that if I am paying attention. I received a sure witness that the Lord is leading His chosen servants on the earth; that He has called and ordained prophets, seers and revelators who are teaching us what the Lord wants us to know in our day so that we can be happy and return, with our families, back to live with Him eternally.

Watch the highlights from General Conference. You will be inspired.

In Memory of Our Dear Friend Emma Fay Williams

On Monday, September 23, 2012, our dear friend, Fay Williams passed away. She had fallen down her basement stairs and fractured her skull. It was a great shock to all. My heart filled with sorrow when I found out especially because Fay didn't get to see and hold her new great grandson, John. 

This is one of the times that Fay and George came to church with us. That day they came to hear me sing a solo. They were so supportive of both of us and were always so proud of us like we were their own grandkids.

When we moved in on Edgehill Rd. when we came to Cleveland 4 years ago, we were thrilled to meet our neighbors, Fay and George. They were so sweet and friendly to us, and we began a close and lasting friendship in which we took care of each other and shared some wonderful experiences. With Fay and George we learned that family extends beyond  age, beyond blood and beyond race. Family is love and that's what we shared. We enjoyed eating together and just bringing dinners over next door to each other when our neighbors were sick or just whenever. We visited often, and whenever we rang the doorbell, Bella, their little Yorkie would reinforce the doorbell by yapping as much as she could to alert her masters that we had arrived. Bella only listened to Fay. George is too much of a softy, but Fay could tell Bella just what to do. They loved our cat Scout. They thought she's the most beautiful cat that every lived, and George would always come over and take care of Scout when we'd go out of town.

This picture was from December 2010 when Fay and George came to my party when I graduated with my Master's Degree. George always loves to be the wise guy and to clown around. But Fay always kept George in line and made sure that he was ok.

  They would often tell us of when they met and married, and how Fay whipped George into shape and encouraged him to get higher learning and to become a teacher. They were both teachers and would tell us about the kids they taught, and I could always feel how much Fay loved them and wanted to help them have a better future. It's hard to talk about Fay without talking about George too. They were married for 52 years. George said that they had a really good marriage "We had our wars sometimes, but whenever we would argue, Granny would always leave a little present outside my door as a peace offering. So then I thought, 'well maybe I should start another one!'" He said that  while rubbing his hands together :) What a kidder. Fay always took care of George and he really appreciates all she did for him. 

This is me and Fay with my little niece, Eva. Children loved Fay and warmed right up to her because they could feel that she loved them and wanted them to be happy.

Fay and George were blessed with one daughter, Tracey. She was their miracle child, and they were thankful for her. At a very young age, Fay was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had a mastectomy. She's a fighter, and she survived. She's one of the spunkiest ladies I've ever met, but she was also one of the most loving, especially about her family. She would talk about how much she loved her mother and missed her. And I never had a day that I saw Fay that she didn't tell me all about her daughter Tracey and her grandkids, Justin and Chandler. She was always so proud of them and concerned for their welfare. She would often show us pictures of them. George always called Fay, "Granny," he still does because her most cherished role was as a mother and grandmother. She had a mother's heart.  

Fay really knew how to have a good time, and she sure loved George.

Fay loved Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. She was very active in her church and prayed often and searched the scriptures. Most importantly, she lived her faith. She was always giving so generously of anything she had, her means, her time, and her love. She was often going to visit a sick friend, feeding the homeless, working on a charity project, bringing joy and friendship to the lonely. Fay and George always loved to talk about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and "the Mormons." Actually, when I called George the other day and said "Hi George, this is Emily Wagner," he said, "The Mormon?" Yes, that's me. I was grateful we got to share with Fay and George our love so that they would know that the myth that many people they know believe, that 'Mormons hate black people,' is not true. I often talked with Fay about my brother, Trey, and sister, Ashley, who are black, and how much I love them and are concerned for them. Fay cared so much about their welfare.

Fay and George watched General Conference with us often and came to church with us sometimes. Once Fay came to Relief Society with me, which is our women's organization, and she shared her testimony of faith in Jesus Christ. Our Relief Society President later told me, "Your friend Fay is a really classy lady. She is inspiring." I agree. Fay was a seeker of truth. She and George met many times with the missionaries and read some of The Book of Mormon. I appreciated that they felt comfortable asking us questions about our life, beliefs and faith and sharing theirs with us. We had many wonderful conversations about God and how He loves His children. Fay and George rejoiced in our common beliefs and what we had in common.  Fay and George really respected us for our faith and praised us for living what we believe. They helped me want to be as good as they thought we were and to live up to their expectations and admiration for us.

My camera battery died, so I had to use my camera on my phone which didn't do as well, but this is Seth , John and George this past Sunday.

We got to visit George in his new home yesterday. It was a pleasure to talk with him, and he was overjoyed to meet baby John (and very concerned that Bella was going to jump on him - I was a bit concerned too, she was really excited). I wished so much that Fay could be there to meet John. She was at my baby shower just a few months ago full of anticipation for the birth of our son. But I felt that perhaps she was looking down on us and watching over her George, and her friends, the Wagner's.

George still talks about Fay because he loves her so. He said, "I really had a beautiful wife." He was right. Fay wasn't just beautiful on the outside but on the inside. I saw Fay was just a short time before John was born. I got to take her to her eye doctor's appointment and we got to spend the whole afternoon together and she was just so excited for our son to come and was making all sorts of plans about spoiling him. She called me 'Baby' like she always did. She was another grandmother to me. I didn't know it would be the last time in this life that I would see my friend.

But I know that it won't be the last time I will see Fay because I know that the Lord loves all His children, and I believe in God's Plan of Happiness. I know that through Jesus Christ, we will all live again, and that we  have the choice to receive eternal joy and live with God and our families again.

Thank you, Fay, for your beautiful life and example to us. Thank you for your friendship and love and faith. We'll take care of George for you. And we'll always remember the great times we had together. God bless you for all the good that you have done. We know you are just continuing on the next part of your journey, and we look forward to seeing you again someday. We love you, Fay.

Smiling and Laughing with Daddy

 Last night after Seth gave John a bath, they had a lot of fun rumpling up John's hair. 

He smiled and laughed. It was so fun!

John loves to suck on his hands.

And especially these 2 fingers. 

 Seriously, parenthood is so fun sometimes. This just brings real joy that nothing else can. I love my boys.