Missed Themes and Frozen Hearts

Themes. There are so many themes and messages in the world. Themes are somewhat predictable, but get right to the core of human nature. Here's a theme, for example: Love conquers all. Ever read a story with that theme? Perhaps you've experienced a Theme park with a loved one before- such as Disneyland, Legoland or Sea World? While they rob us blind and trap us with their inventive, commercialized creations, they still have beautiful themes... Dream the impossible, explore all frontiers, reach for the stars, save the whales, etc. ! Underneath these messages about life, we all want to follow our dreams, live happily ever after and not miss the beautiful wonder of the world!

Stories like Disney/Pixar's Frozen come to mind. Two sisters are torn apart by a curse. They live in the same castle, but have become strangers. After they express themselves, face conflict and a desperate need to be loved, they must somehow find each other again. One sister ends up at a crossroads. Sacrifice herself for her sister when she needs her most or run into the arms of her true love. The ending is happy and somewhat predictable, but not exactly. Most of us expected to see a wedding and true love's kiss. (I refuse to give it away & be the spoiler; I've already said too much.) But here's the point. The message (& the music) struck a chord with every single member of my family. Here are just a few of its themes.

*With sacrifice comes great blessings.
*Life is riddled with challenges.
*Be careful who you trust and who you put your faith in.
*Be there for each other.
*It's never too late for love
*In the end, Love truly does conquer all.

I recently read a Twitter comment on someone else's view of Frozen. It was posted by someone who rallies for same sex marriages, wishing that Disney would produce a film where a "princess marries a princess". While she liked the movie, I am a little confused. First of all, did she miss the main points? (Did she also not notice that this focused on two sisters and Not Prince Charming and the Princess?) But this is the world we live in. It's all about rights and politics. Nobody cares that something good and beautiful came together. It's like she was blind to the real message. Two sisters, orphaned and alone, came together in true love and sacrifice. They conquered their foes and realized their fears. I thought it was one of Disney's best messages. While I have many points that I could make about our current legalized marriages and other such controversial topics, I will keep it simple.

We need a country more aware of the THEMES and less aware of the battle over certain "rights". There will often be a time when we should unite and battle for rights. The right of equality (in race, gender, religion), the right to worship however we please, the right to an education, free speech- these are the true rights that our forefathers fought for and painted crystal clear in our constitution. But too many in our world are lost and confused. They trample upon the Constitution. In their view- In the land of freedom and opportunity, everything should be free! For example, something that started as a sacred union between a man and a woman in Christianity (and other religions), should be given to those who wish to unite the same genders. More so, if you disagree, than you are a hater and a bigot! Tis a trap created by the one sole author of lies.

What if we respected the religious beliefs of others instead? What if we did not cry foul when these laws and traditions did not suit our purposes and lifestyle? I can respect the choices of two adults, but I cannot stand idly by when they alter the simple union of man and wife. Perhaps the government should create a common law category for such unions, if they are wishing for tax breaks. But I do not think this would appease their appetitites. They want to make a political statement. And, they want a Disney movie glamorizing this choice, which I imagine will be watched by children. Which brings me to one last point.

Why bring children into their choices? Raising a family is challenging enough in this world. If rights are the big concern, what about the rights of the child? While they can no doubt provide loving homes, what about the day when a daughter needs her father and/or a son needs his mother? This is the part that makes me sad. I can't even imagine. Cutting out the Mommies or the Daddies is not what our children need in this world. We, as a nation and world, have fallen into yet another trap. The author of lies has always waged a war on the family. He saves his best weaponry for that beautiful fortress- the family.

I absolutely loved the ice castle in Frozen. But it was a metaphor. She challenged her powers to their limits and created a cold, magnificent chasm between herself and the home she once knew. She wanted to stay there, alone, forever with her ginormous ice monster of fear. She thought she was protecting her beloved sister this way. Meanwhile, the village she once loved was buried in snow and ice. She could not return to save the village and thaw her accidental curse, for she did not know how. All were doomed. But as I told you before, Love really does conquer all. And as the snowman Olaf put it perfectly, "Some hearts are worth melting for."

Lighning Bolt Decisions

(AKA) How to Make the Right Choice In Life

By Stephany Mae Robinson

In a perfect world, life is easy. There is never any conflict. We have the most amazing friends and family??? Well, where do you think all of these great character traits and skills come from? Our families and marriages are simply impeccable. I jump at the chance to introduce my new friends, coworkers and random strangers to my parents, my siblings and even my cousin, Eddie...

To all who know me well, your concern began at the word family. Just like the rest of the world (minus the Romneys), my family is most certainly not perfect. But it's supposed to be that way; I get that. Why the sudden emphasis on my dysfunctional family? I assure you, I have taken this path for a reason: 

I must tell you that one of my favorite life lessons has recently jumped out of its storage bin and bit me on the nose again.

Life is Conflict, which is to say, that we are faced with challenges daily. Often time, the challenges are huge, but most of them are trivial. We face challenges within ourselves, in our relationships and certainly with our families. It makes me think of the great line from Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (sorry for those who feel this is a trendy movie for groupies).

As Katniss finds herself alone, scared and fighting for her life in the arena of death, she proceeds to shoot one of her allies. He responds, "Remember who the real enemies are!" It was in that moment, that she chose to enter the final stage of the climax. Prior to this, her choices were simple: kill her new ally or shoot a lightning charged arrow at the dome. But this is just the outer conflict. She must also choose to trust someone or not trust anyone and assume they all wish her dead. Imagine how the story would have ended if she made the wrong choice.

For those who know and love the story, she chooses to fry the dome instead of her new friend. Her choice breaks down the whole system and the corrupt world she is forced to live in, both in the literal and metaphorical sense.

Now back to reality. This presents two questions...1. How do we know if we are making the right choice? 2. Who is the real enemy?

Question 1-Which is the right choice? I like to pray, of course, but I also know that I am human and screw up on a regular basis. It would be an understatment to say that it's in my nature (have you met my mother?) I also admit that sometimes I'm not in tune with the Spirit like I should be. Life is hectic. I don't read my scriptures and stop to listen when I should. In other words, I don't trust my own judgment. So, I do my best to get back on track and then I use one more gage. I ponder (another crucial part of prayer) and search the choice out in my heart and mind. This is done when I determine which choice is the more difficult of the two. In my experience, the more challenging choice is usually the right one.

For example, I did not want to be a teacher for a time. I ran like an escaped convict when I saw the first open door. I missed my old life, the one where I did not worry about 100 children on top of the 4 I already had. I did not waste anytime praying over the matter, I just knew what I wanted. I also knew life was easier before I was a teacher. I had to go through several difficult detours after that bad choice before I found myself wishing I was back teaching again. Which taught me another thing. God often provides a way back to the path. Just like before, when I knew where I was supposed to be, the return path lit up and happened quickly. It was like someone above planned for my exit and re-entry. In this case, I see the fruits of my labor almost daily. Though it is a difficult sacrifice which I still find myself loathing, I have a passion for teaching. When I no longer feel that drive, the compassion and a fire for teaching, I must choose to let it go.
For now, I am blessed and honored to teach. (I'm back at the same school, but feel more resolve.) In my present position, my family still is the center of my life. I'm lucky to have a boss who supports that. I rarely get dinner on the table at 6 pm each night and the laundry often sits in its baskets, but we laugh, spend time together and enjoy each other's company. We are a family. A new favorite activity is sorting/folding laundry together during an episode of Duck Dynasty. I cherish such nights. 

Question 2- Who is the real enemy? This should be something we think about whenever we encounter a difficult decision. The father of all lies, Lucifer, Satan or Diablo, has goals very different than our own. His aim is to make us feel alone and tear us from the things that he fears most, the family and love. Life is not meant to live alone. Just like Katniss in the arena, we need each other. While it may seem difficult to keep up relationships and strive to find love and peace in our homes, this is the greatest battle we will ever fight. We must accept that it is a battle, for that is what the enemy has determined it to be. We arm ourselves daily with prayer, forgiveness, compassion and trust. It will be a struggle if this is not in our nature for a time, but then these skills will become easier. We will rely on them.

Don't listen to the lies of the adversary or from society. A strong family is more important than anything, even fame, money and a career. It will get easier and we will feel a peace and joy like no other. After great effort on our part and some patience, the fruits of our labors will be evident. 

Final summation- Remember, life is conflict and it is that way for a reason. We are not supposed to be floating down a lazy river when it comes to our families and relationships. Work hard at work, but save your true patience and best work for those you truly LOVE. After you have searched, pondered and prayed, go with those difficult choices. The outcome may surprise you, like a bolt of lightning on a clear, summer day.

A walk down Lullaby Lane

To some, a lullaby is just a trick to get a fussy baby or stubborn child to sleep. To others, however, it's a true love affair with one purpose: to soothe the angelic gift from God into a blissful slumber.
About a week ago, I was at my mother-in-laws for our Sunday dinner. My 23-yr. old niece wanted to know what lullabies I sang to my four children. As you may have guessed, she's expecting her first, sweet bundle with her husband (in the fall). She is now on a quest to learn or use as many beautiful lullabies as she can. (And she plays the piano beautifully). So, I gladly shared. I sang dozens of lullabies to my four infants from classic Christian songs (like Jesus Loves me) to Primary songs from my faith (like I Am A Child of God). But each child had their own special song, which I sang to them often.
My oldest child (about to get her permit in 2 weeks) had a simple lullaby which I'd learned from Walt Disney's Lady & the Tramp. When Lady finally meets the thing that turned her world upside down, the mother was singing "La La Loo". I really like the part of sweeping the star bells and the wandering angel.
My second child loved music from the start. She wouldn't take a binky (pacifier) and had colic, so the lullabies were literally a God send. Around the time when she was born, the Christian movie "The Prince of Egypt" came out. So, I fell in love with "Hush Now, My Baby." I really get into that song since I love soul music. The emotional part of the song  (when he drifts off down the Nile) is very beautiful to sing and recreate. Of course, I sang my oldest daughter's song to her too, so a kind of chain began. I even remember hearing my oldest daughter sing her song to her little sister.
My third child (the first boy) was given the song "All the pretty little Ponies" (or Hush-a-bye, Don't you Cry). Besides a good lullaby, he really loved having his back rubbed and still does at 11 years old. I remember that I fell in love with this song from my Kenny Loggins CD. Remember those? They are these flat, silver discs that we once could put into a boom box. The CDs replaced cassette tapes, which I won't bother to explain...
My fourth and last child (now about to turn 9) had an unusual lullaby. His sister graduated from kindergarten the year he was born, so we remade the "We Love Peanut Butter" song she sang at her graduation performance (and always sang at home) into a lullaby.
You may or may not know the tune...Peanut butter, we love peanut butter, peanut butter that's what we love best. Do you love it on your head? Yes, we love it on our head-whoa oh, oh, oh. Well, you get the idea. So we changed it to Baby Dylon, we love baby Dylon. Baby Dylon, that's who we love best. Do we love his little eyes? Yes, we love his little eyes, etc. We'd sing it to him in the car when he was fussy and I'd sing it sweetly and slowly at night as a lullaby. He loved this song so much that when he could talk, he asked me to sing it every night for months on end.
A favorite memory of mine was a camp out once when he was about 10 months old. My children had heard an owl or some scary sound and could not fall asleep in the tent. So, I talked about how they each had a lullaby and suggested that we sing each one. It worked like magic and they soon met the sandman.
Following our stroll down Memory Lane, we of course had a good laugh that Sunday dinner. My adopted (relative), now a teenager, was very intrigued by the story of the lullabies and proceeded to ask his mother what his lullaby was when he was little (he knows he's adopted by the way). Though it would not be the first time, her answer and reaction broke my heart.
With a look of disgust, she reminded him that he was three years old and not a baby when he came to their family. So, she didn't sing lullabies to him. As the oldest of his siblings, he is one of those "problem" children who has been grounded for misbehaving for most of his childhood. I wanted to stand up and shout at her, but I kept my cool. It is not my place to judge, but what a buzz kill and a cruel response. Whether he was 3, 7 or 10, she should have sang to him. In fact, he needed the lullabies more than any other child I know. If anything, she could have changed her response to "I don't remember" or something less resentful.
I was blessed to have a mother who sang to me, even with her vast array of faults. I'm also blessed to have a handsome best friend who sang to our children on many nights and early mornings. On the nights when I could barely stand, he would take over the maternal duties and be a tender father. Although I'm grateful to have passed through the diaper and crying years, I still miss their angelic baby faces and watching my husband sing or play with them. Sometimes, when no one is looking, one of the two boys asks me to sing their lullaby once more.  Just like it was yesterday, I sing their song and scratch their weary backs. Sweet dreams, little soft, fluffy sleeper...