Liberty of one nation, Liberty of the world.

This past Sunday, before Memorial day, I was asked to give a talk in church. I was nervous and felt long winded since the other speakers did not take that long but I was grateful to speak on the subject of Liberty. Liberty in our US nation and the liberty that will come in the near future for others.

**These are my words and though influenced by the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ throughout my life, I am to be held accountable for every word.

A Life of Liberty...

Our history is made of constant conflict, of constant war and never ending deceit to bring down the children of God.

In a first presidency address given by President Gordon B. Hinckley, he says, “There is another war that has gone on since before the world was created and that is likely to continue for a long time. It is a war that reaches beyond questions of territory or national sovereignty.” That is the war in heaven.

President Hinckley continues to talk of the war as “so bitter, so intense, [and] never ceasing. It is the war between truth and error, between agency and compulsion, between followers of Christ and those who have denied him.”

We are on this earth because we chose to follow Christ and the plan of salvation in the pre-mortal existence. We stayed true to this and received a body where we could come down and spiritually grow. We were given agency to choose for ourselves and continue our path towards eternal life or to follow the desires according to the world and our second estate.

There is no question about it that we are on this earth for a divine purpose and have been saved for a certain time to help the work move along. I do not mean for my words today to be a history lesson or to tell you things you already know but to highlight blessings in our lives that give us our agency this day.

From the start, every man was given his agency from God but on this earth our agency can be impaired by the agency of others and those who mean to rule over us. I would like to interchange the word agency with the word “liberty.”

According to the New Oxford dictionary, “While independence is usually associated with countries or nations, freedom and liberty more often apply to people. But unlike freedom, which implies an absence of restraint or compulsion, liberty implies the power to choose among alternatives. Freedom can also apply to the many different types of oppressive influences [like to come or go as you please], while liberty often connotes deliverance or release.”

Especially as a US citizen, you are given many freedoms and are granted liberties daily. As long as you do not break the laws of the land you are free from possible imprisonment and to live life without question. This soil, we call home, has been blessed by God since the beginning.

Ether 2:12 states, “Behold, this is a choice land and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the Land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.”

The history of the New America in more modern times has proven this scripture in many ways. Is not this choice land free from all other nations? Are we not sought after when help is needed and aren’t we free from bondage and have freedoms unheard of throughout the rest of the world?

The price of liberty was given by so many before us, all directed by God. It would be unfair to give all credit to the work of the founding fathers and the work shown in America alone. Plenty of times before the actual freedoms were decided, people gave their lives to breaking away from corrupt religion being blessed with certain understanding of the divinity of God even in a time of apostasy. There was so much oppression that there was a need to reform. People were burned at the stakes for teaching that salvation was not obtained through money or the church leader. For example, Martin Luther dedicated his life to teaching that salvation is a free gift from god through faith in Jesus Christ as a redeemer for our sins. He was not blessed with full understanding but was given just enough to put movements in place. He surely was not the only one and true movement to look for religious freedom could not have been implemented by one man alone.

Another man dear to this country is Christopher Columbus. Though not the first to come upon this blessed land, he could not have come across it without the lord.

2 Nephi 1:6 says, “Wherefore, I, Lehi, Prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come upon this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.”

Even in an account given by Columbus himself, it says, “In the name of the holy trinity, who inspired me with the idea and afterwards made if perfectly clear to me that I could navigate and go… westward.” He was yet another helpmate in the plan to bring liberty to us all.

Great people were put upon this earth in their own due time. It is important to remember that without anyone of the first stepping-stones, we may not have had the Gospel like we have it today. It was expedient that everything happen in its own due time. If timing was off, or if Joseph was given his vision just 10 or 20 years sooner, he could’ve been stoned or burned before the work could even have mention. The Lord truly knows what he’s doing and has the patience to wait until the perfect moment.

This nation was built upon a constitution and just like everything else was divinely brought to pass by certain miracles and knowledge that would withstand many tests and trials to come. Have you ever actually pondered on how the constitution has blessed your own life? Do you know how divine the constitution truly is and the role it plays in bringing the world the truth of the Gospel?

Section 101 of the Doctrine and Covenants is a great resource to hear what the Lord himself has to say about the Constitution. In verse 77 it says, “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.”

In the preamble, you will find that the purpose of the constitution is to “form a more perfect union.” As a later-day saint, I know that this constitution had all means to be held in the hands of the Lord to bring about Zion in this dispensation. As professed in D&C 101:80, it is “by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.”

It was not only the sanctifying blood of the atonement but also the blood shed from the Nephites and the Jaredites that were “swept off” due to iniquity so that there was none left in the land. It’s the bloodshed for the liberty of slaves after the foundation of this country and those that fought for all civil rights. This is the lords nation and (as found in 2 Nephi 1:7), “if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity…but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.”

I came across a poem that read like this,

"We are ‘One nation, under God’.

Guided by his loving light,

But we’ll be a nation ‘without’ God

If we don’t stand and fight.

God gave us freedom in this land

To worship and to pray.

How can we idly just sit by

watching it be taken away?

There is a God in Heaven.

Let’s not let His light go dim.

How can He bless us from above

If we don’t acknowledge him?”

We are one nation under God made to serve and help bring to pass the salvation of man by spreading liberty. Our Constitution does not just affect us but it has been the template for almost all other nations in the world. All but save 3 countries in the world have a constitution today and it started with the United States of America.

Lastly, I would like to touch on a subject that’s on everyone’s mind in this time as Memorial Day comes and goes. That is the purpose and the sacrifice given in time of war. Especially in more recent war comes the question of whether or not we should be in the Middle East. Many will argue it’s not our place because it’s not our fight but there is a reason for war. And there is a reason we are led by certain presidents to help the work along whether or not they know it.

This topic is close to home for me; being what some would call a “military brat” I have seen truthfulness in the necessity of war. War is devastating and not all lives are spared. With war comes separation and hardship. Even the lucky ones that are spared to come home are dramatically effected. Sometimes by post traumatic stress disorder some by severe dementia but there is need for them and they are in the Lord’s hands in all cases.

Both of my brothers have joined the Army as if it were a family business following my father’s path. In talking to one of them recently he had great knowledge in true purpose of sacrifice for countries we don’t really have a part of and that’s missionary work. First we fought for our country and it’s rights and then we help others. We fight because others are not blessed as we are and need freedoms of some kind to progress physically and spiritually.

As if it were a soldiers’ creed I heard my brother spout off words of Joseph Smith better than any other scripture I’ve thus heard. It went like this,

“The standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, wept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”

I’ve seen first hand that the freedoms that are being challenged in the Middle East will help with the work of the Lord. We cannot proselyte in these countries but the movement has been made and will soon come to pass. While in Egypt many years ago I saw a peaceful attempt to help the work with missionaries. No, they could not proselyte but they could serve those in need. Humanitarian missionaries are doing work just as soldiers; the gospel will be brought to all different countries in all different ways.

In the end, this is still the continued war in heaven to bring the whole world the liberation that comes through Christ. Our purpose is to save our brothers and sisters and to fight off and withstand the powers of hell. It’s to liberate ourselves from the natural man and return once again.

I know the Lord has brought the work forth in ways he saw fit that would last until the second coming. He has his hand in all things so the earth will not be totally wasted. He is with our leaders of the church and of this country that good things might come forth. Even our presidents that have been elected by our own votes have been saved and appointed to do great works no matter how hard situations or imperfect they are.

We are a nation saved and blessed by God. We are to serve Him and we will not be swept away like unto those in Book of Mormon times. I hope we all know or come to know the divinity of Christ and our purpose in this time. Whether we be American citizens or not, the gospel is still in our hands to find out for ourselves, to testify of Christ and to bring the world His truth that all of his children might experience liberty from their enemies and the powers of hell. We can become a Zion people.

-Ani

The Worth of Souls

May has been a funny month, I've felt every emotion known to man.You know when you wake up in the morning you could be happy or sad with what life throws at you so you better just accept it and do all you can to make the best of it. I'm a lucky one blessed with great roommates, family and really great friends to remind me that I'm loved and have great worth.

I've contemplated serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints for sometime now. It's been over two years since the words came out of my mouth as just a thought of what I wanted to do but now it's more than just words. I do not know what the immediate future has for me or if I will get another answer but this one thing I do know is that it's a privilege to share the joy I feel with those around me. With or without a specific call to go to another place for 18 months, I know sharing the gospel of Christ is what I want to do.

I'm a young woman making this decision and I've heard it all from, "don't go, you're too young," to "you shouldn't think twice about it!" I enjoy hearing advice from those around me but the intent of my writing today is not about me and my decisions but of what I know to be true and my feelings I've felt so strongly. This is my testimony to the world:

Life is not perfect and it never goes according to plan. Sometimes hurtful things are said and we feel like we're being attacked as individuals. It's no new news that confidence can be lower easily and self-esteem is diminishing among all different cultures and walks of life. Everyone just wants to be loved, right?

In the Doctrine and Covenants, a book usually found in accompaniment with the Book of Mormon, we find divine truth about the worth of souls. In chapter 18 verses 10-13, I am comforted with knowledge that every soul is of high value in the eyes of the lord. The Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ suffered the pains of death that I might not have to bear the burden on my own. What human being could actually take upon their own pains and still live through it or bring themselves to heaven in the end? It's a common phrase that I've heard it everywhere in reference to embarrassment, pain, sadness and just about everything else, "I just want to die." Well, I have news for the world! Someone did die that we might be comforted, that we might live again in peace after all of our trials and pains are through. He is, Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ may not be a physical being in my life but he's still a great influence to me. In the bible we find Christ himself talking of us as friends. St John 15:15-16, "I have called you friends." The ultimate friendship is given to us and with nurturing and commitment to live up to the call, we can live face to face with our friend again. When all the world has no more material value, I will see my friend again.

Surely the Lord would not call us his friends if we had no worth or had no potential to rise up with him. Even in our trials no matter how "unfair" they may be, they are not for nothing. Our trials give us opportunity to prove ourselves and to grow to be better. I was told today that trials come to all people. What makes the difference is how we've prepared ourselves before the storm. In St Matthew a parable is given two houses, one built on a rock and another built on the sand. The houses are us and how we weather storms. Storms will come to all people, righteous or not but we can survive if we stand strong.

I know that life is not fair. We get sick, we do not live forever and bad things simply happen and the righteous are not always spared. When obstacles stand in our way, our testimony will shine, spoken through our reactions. I know it will be better if just endure to the end.

To those who are alone, you will find comfort and companionship. To those who've lost loved ones, you will see them again. To those in pain, relief is soon at hand. To those I love, thank you. To the whole world, I know these things are true.

Never lose hope. 1 John 3:3, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." The Savior will make you whole and he is mindful of you. He can heal us because he has the power over physical things, mental things and over all elements we know. Do not doubt your worth or your place in this world. You deserve the best and can rise above whatever your past has been. Even the good can get better and the wounds will heal with time.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints and I believe in Christ. We will live again and can live forever with our families through righteousness. We have modern day prophets on this earth and the hand of God is in all things. You are never alone.

These things I am held accountable for and hope it's enough to convict me of being a believer.
Stay strong
-Ani

This one's to the future...

Well Nephi saw the future but I can't ask for those kind of dreams. So instead, I have my one minute at a time rule. I can't even think "day at a time" because even that's overwhelming. In my Book of Mormon studies I've also found two more rules to keep me safe and indeed make my life a happy one.

Alma 41:9

"Do not risk one more offense against your God upon there points of doctrine, which ye have hitherto risked to commit sin."

Alma 41:14

"Deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall you receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again"

So goals of the week:

Don't put yourself in situations where you could be tempted. You shouldn't risk playing with sin. I should also do good unto everyone, pray for my "enemies" that I might love those that it's hard to deal with. I pray everything else will fall in line as I try to love those around me and try my best in all situations I encounter.

Until next time,

always... Stephani Ray

My sunday best

Do you ever wonder what the effects of today will have on tomorrow? Do you think about the action but don't really know of the true long term consequences? I always find myself stressing over what today will do for tomorrow. More often then not the next day will pass followed by a few more and the stress is gone. Thank goodness for the ease placed on my heart over a certain period of time. I know it's not the end of the world making decisions but it can sometimes feel that way. The reason I say this is because I've finally realized the long term consequences of choices I didn't know would actually have a positive outcome.

A dear friend of mine has walked back into my life and made me think of the choices I made way back when. We were really close but polar opposites in every way and that is still true to this day. I am a mormon girl who goes to church every Sunday and I don't think twice about it. I am set on my decision to be drug and alcohol free for life and don't play with that fire. Don't get me wrong, I lack a lot in my life but smoking and drinking will never be a temptation to me. As for my friend, being German and us both in high school, he loved his culture. Spending his weekends downtown and just sitting in the local bar making conversation was comfortable for him. Every invitation he made for me to join was politely turned down but secretly, it killed me inside. For one I wanted to hang out with my friend as much as possible and I just wanted an invitation that wasn't to go downtown or hang out and watch him play PS3. For two, I didn't want to hear that my friend was still deciding to go downtown and emerge himself in the pleading danger asking for trouble. Nonetheless, I never said yes and we drifted apart. He continued on with what he did and we graduated high school as acquaintances without talking for a year and a half.

You wouldn't even guess that to my surprise he found my phone number and called me late one night while I was In Rexburg up with late night homework. He told me about how he was going into basic training and he was moving with the flow of life all too excited to be a part of the Army's best. That was the last time we could talk before he went in. I was told we would be out of touch for at least 6 months where we should then finally meet back in person. It was an even bigger surprise when I got word from him just a couple months later that he was medically discharged from the Army for the same injury he had when we first became really close. A dislocated shoulder acquired from a wrestling incident became the very reason he would be here today.

As for my side of the story. It isn't a physical injury that I had to play with to bring me to where I am today but choices of yes and no. During my first meeting with my friend I wasn't surprise to hear that he was still inviting me downtown. After all the no's I've given him it's still his comfort zone. I continued to tell him my answer won't change and that's when I heard something I would've never thought to hear from this now grown man. He actually said that he admired that I was unwavering in that aspect and if he were more like me in high school he wouldn't have had to learn some of the lessons he did. Dumping our friendship for the girl spreading rumors about me in high school hurt for a bit but I never regret standing up for all that my parents have taught. Saying no to someone I would've died for, even after getting hurt, was just a small price to pay for that one sentence that came out of his mouth that night. Heaven knows that if I would've known this positive outcome even with a 3 years wait, I would've stood up and shouted "NO!" from every rooftop in every village I could drive to. I would've even said no to a few other guys who weren't asking me to drink or smoke but were asking me to belittle myself. I would've said yes more often to the few people who lifted me up and showed me how to respect myself. And this isn't to get out all the "I would've if I could've because I should've," it's the profound impact that turning down loved ones for the right thing has had on my life.

Do you know what's most amazing? I know I'm not alone. I was convinced all my years in high school that I was alone but it was never true. I now feel obligated to apologize to the few readers I have for talking about my past once again. I think every entry I've posted has been about reflection in some way but right now all I know is where I've been and where I hope to be.

I know my life is no where close to over but this self reflection is keeping me alive and keeps me straight. I love that I was blessed this past week with the face of a dear friend though not like me has lifted me up and encourages me to walk tall in his own weird way. I don't even think he knows it. I hope that five years down the road and every five years after that I can reflect like I do now and be confident in every choice I've made. When in the moment I usually feel like a failure or a bad nightmare that nothing good would come out of but it has. Even the small choices count. I'm sober for life, drug free and know the areas I need to work on. I got friends out of it and lessons I wouldn't do over for anything. Both good and bad things have pushed me along but I can testify it's up to you whether you are being pushed for good or bad.

I know I am a daughter of God and I have worth beyond worldly price. I am here to do all I can do and be that influence that will hopefully show my friend that some things aren't worth learning. We can all guard ourselves against the things that would threaten our self esteem and lower our value. Once upon a time you chose to follow the same beliefs I choose today. We all wanted to be here in the same world together and grow. I just hope we all can remember that and live for the moment looking towards the morrow. There isn't just one path for us. we can be happy in many different directions but you have to discern the paths that are better than rest. I love you all and hope you find all of the answers you are looking for. I hope you find the joy in living and are just as happy about your past as you are about the future.

Forever here for you,

-Ani

My Manic Monday

In my dreams, I dream of love, vacations, people I haven't seen in forever and people I've never met. I dream of fighting and the things I'm scared of. I dream of the future and I dream of the past. Last night however was the first night I've dreamt about being mad. Sure I've experienced jealousy quite often in my dreams but never mad. It was so involved that I woke up just as mad. That wasn't so good since my mom woke me up and I couldn't respond. I was consumed with hate and I couldn't function.

My dream started off pleasant, I was shopping with the family planning our trip to Illinois and my dad's promotion ceremony. A day just like every other day. Then for some strange reason, we were walking around the old housing units on the base continuing our talk of the ceremony but I get bored and walk away. I'm now in the abandoned building trying to find a bathroom but I can still hear the talk of the crowd word for word as I walk up the very well lit stairwell to the 3rd floor where I find the bathroom. I start thinking about what I'm afraid of most and before I even finish my thought, that very thing happens. Someone sneaks up behinds me and grabs my ankles. Of course I scream and look to see who it is. It is a girl I have never met but she means no harm. She just touched my ankles and with a smug look slowly draws away apparently pleased with herself. I am more mad at the smug look than the fact that she scared me. At that moment I knew, I am definitely the kind of person that when put in a scary situation would go running towards the action with a metal baseball bat instead of cowering waiting for it to come back to kill me. In the mist of me yelling at her and planning the course of retaliation, my mother comes to ask me a question. Sorry mom that you had to ask a few times just to walk away without me answering. I was just so mad I couldn't stand it. I even thought about opening my mouth to tell you how mad I was at this woman I didn't know but I had a feeling you'd laugh and I was too mad to laugh :)

After I had finally woken up and shook off the emotions, it was "up and at 'em." Running to and fro like a chicken with my head cut off but the first stop was the health clinic. It used to be my summer job and it was interesting being back seeing all of the change. It wasn't even a few minutes after I sat down that one of the specialists I worked with was right there making conversation and telling me how the local Shopette burned down monday morning. That was a shock but turned into a very interesting detail as the visit went on. My brother walks into his appointment to be screened with dear Martin. Martin is quite a funny guy and my brother thinks he is the best. Temperature checked and blood pressure measured, the fire alarm starts to go off. In our temporary unit for the clinic, we just thought something got hit and it was a fake alarm. To our surprise it wasn't. We were directed outside where you could see smoke coming out of the break room and the smell of burned toast fresh in the air. Now when I say smoke, I don't mean a little stream. Whoever burned their toast REALLY burned their toast and mushroom clouds came our of the back corner. As you can imagine, this was taken very seriously due to the fire on the previous day. Mahonri got some good laughs out of it and that was just the beginning. Upon our return, we walked in to the room where Mahonri was partially screened and Martin has a few things to say. First, he talks across the hall before shutting the door, "Hey, go make me some toast!" that was just hilarious if you could see the way Martin holds himself and knowing Emerson, the person he was talking to. Giggles all around, and the door is shut. Not too long and the screening is done, Martin is walking away closing his notes when he realizes multiple internet windows are still open. As he hurries to close his windows, the only excuse heard was, "How did that get there?!" Goodbye Martin, goodbye entertainment for the next little bit.

The day drones on and I'm running around trying to figure out why the internet will not work, it was crucial to my being prepared for practice but there was no luck until after I got home. I did get in quite the work out as I ran around the entire Kapaun base. After teaching and directing dances, cheers, chants and jumps it is definitely apparent that I, Stephani Ray......have a sock tan. How depressing! I'll have to change that before the sun goes away. But I'm also praying the sun goes away fast. German houses were not made for 90 degree weather. Less than half are actually capable of keeping winters livable without complaint so the sun is definitely a new battle. Windows open all day and fans blowing in the right spots for circulation aren't even helping in the slightest and with everything closed it's like an oven! How strange for Germany. Call it global warming or whatever you will, we just call it miserable. At least Germany still has Pride and Prejudice mornings going for itself, though. I love waking up early and walking outside to a living set of the final scenes from P&P. Fields going on for miles and the fog lightly resting upon them. The sun gazes in and all that's missing is my Mr. Darcy. Oh, Mr. Darcy... Where could you be hiding?!

Well my days are interesting to say the least but it goes on without fail! The second hand on the clock never stops so it pushes the minute and hour hand along. Consequently, I am pulled along with it all. If only time could stop or better yet jump to where I want it to go. How does next April sound? Fabulous to me. But until we find that scientific pleasure, I will coach, work, clean and watch my chick flicks every night to get me through the days.

Goodnight to all and to all a goodnight

-Ani

Back to business

Now that I've been back home for a few weeks, it's time to start working. No, I may not have my job back just yet but in the meantime I work where I can. I work at home and I work out :)

Cheer season has come to an open and just after a few days my muscles are sore and my joints are yelling. After a sprint triathlon and a Lazy Ironman, I really didn't think I was this out of shape. That was less than a month ago! At least I know first hand how the girls are feeling. Coaches are there to teach, to ensure safety and to make better. However, I do not believe it's right to make players do the things you are not willing to do so I am right there with them. With every step they run and every move they make they know I am not far behind in making sure they are doing it right and staying honest. We are even hitting the season off with a new hip hop routine never seen before, choreographed by yours truly. They are all fast learners and I cannot wait to see them strike it out for the crowd. I know they will do great.

The girls are awesome and I love being back. Along with the swing of cheer is the swing of cleaning. Now that it's moving time, it's cleaning time. The Ray's are having to go through our storage and see what is good to keep and what we don't need anymore. I'm really glad I am here for this part, surprisingly. I've always wanted to go through the old boxes we haven't looked at in 7 years and find memories and pictures that might actually be worthwhile in collecting our personal history for future generations. I've found fabulous family pictures, old certificates, letters to myself and to others that I never sent. I love every moment of searching through boxes of seeming trash to find the things that mean the most.

It hasn't been until I've gotten to reflect on my past that I've gotten anxious for the future. I've made stupid mistakes and there are plenty more to be made but I don't think I can ever be as stupid as I once was now that I've learned from experience. Even the most painful memories and realizations have occurred recently to make me even more excited to move on towards the better future. What a blessing! The best part about the future is deciding for myself and for no one else. Yes, people in my life play a big part but they don't always know what's best for me and their wishes are different than mine. I must say, all my dreams are coming true and the ones I love are watching first hand.

The Ray family is growing together and we are laughing along the way. Officially, Illinois is in our near future. We shall be moving from Germany back the the United states sometime around June. As for me, I will be going back to school in January but only for one semester. I will have the pleasure to assist my family in their big move putting me back to enjoy Europe more in April. Deferring the spring semester will leave me away until the following Winter. BYU-I, you sure will be missed but I'm sure you'll understand when you find out how much I benefit from helping my family rather than myself.

So, all is well and tomorrow is bright.

-Ani

Walking taco Wednesday

During our mother-daughter time on Monday night, my mother and I decided that "Taco Tuesday" is out and "Walking-Taco Wednesday" is in. Besides the fact that it is a quick and easy meal, it feeds a family of 6 on just $10. So with no further ado, rhyme or reason, this is my WALKING-TACO WEDNESDAY.

Dr Seuss had a lot of words to say about wacky wednesday and I now know why. There is just something about themed Wednesdays that make people (and animals) go bonkers! It all started just after midnight. Our opening scene is set in my parents' bedroom where we have a TV running football movies to hype up my brother, Mahonri, so he will be excited about the up coming football season and realize his potential. We have my mother sitting in bed playing a card game on her iPhone which has become a ritual that helps her fall asleep since her bed is not as comfortable when there are 4 kids in there with her. The lights are out and alex creeps in worming his way to the middle. A 9-yr old during the summer time is restless at best but his next move he wishes he didn't make. With just a slight move left, now sitting up, I get the chance to weasel my way in right underneath him and push him to the foot of the bed. I will admit, I was not helping the sleeping situation even for those who have work in the morning but I will never be too old to crawl in bed and kick my brother out of the spot next to my mother. I just love her so.

ALAS, the craziness goes on! The movie continues and Alex can't sit still so he is commanded to settle or leave. After much contemplation and various attempts to get back in his spot, or at least squeeze comfortably between me and my mother, Alexander the Great and Wonderful decides it's time to leave. I don't like that one bit, mischievous could very well be his middle name but I leave him be for now. A few minutes later, the movie is over and it's time to get in my bed. I walk down the hall and low and behold, my dear sweet brother took his revenge by taking my spot in my very own bed. "BLASPHEME" is the only word that comes to mind but after a long night already and my mother finally asleep, my brother slides over and we quickly fall in slumber.

The morning comes and to my mothers' surprise, it's just her and Mahonri in her bed. Alex and I might have fought to the death and disappeared or been kidnapped to her very wish but with a walk down the hall, she sees we are both still there and the time has come to wake up. Oliver is at our feet and the struggle goes on between my brother and me. I sit him up and toss him out of bed because words are never enough to get him up and ready. Simeon is ready and Alex half way there, so my mother informs me she's leaving which means 30 more minutes of sleep for me :)

I finally get up and take my brother to practice and I myself head back home remembering I left the straightener on... That never happens! Wednesday strikes with harmful blows to the heart but it hasn't killed me yet. I then proceed to the climbing walls where I get to be with the 11-yr old girls in our stake to talk about the Young Women and Personal Progress programs that they are about to become a part of in the near future. Besides seeing the curiosity and wonder in those young girls eyes, the best part of the day was being with the Jacksons. Sister Jackson and Anne are always a delight to see even just in passing but it's even better to see them for a time to work, walk and talk together. However, all good things come to a temporary end at some point so It's time to go find Mahonri after practice.

After unsuccessfully looking for a certain Coach of who we call Debra, I find cheerleaders! Old and new but no Debra. I even find people who can't bare to look me in the eye but Coach Hipes is no where to be found. She forgot to tell me in our 5 years together that she has a brother and sister she doesn't talk about... Carmen, who's middle name is ironically 'San Diego' and her brother, Waldo who I believe is the last man alive on earth that looks good in stripes and isn't convicted of any crimes. Not to mention even if convicted of crimes, it would be hard to find him! I was informed that I will have better luck finding her when she is actually in Europe which means the search will go on tomorrow.

With no debra in sight, I find my brother and we rush home in the heat but it is just too irresistible. I find my towel and my bathing suit, hoping for a kiss from the sun. Roxy and I lay out to enjoy it while we can but before long I look up and realize we are not alone. Oliver joined us and Mahonri looked out but the boys cannot handle the sun. Both stay in the shade then left us be so we could soak up some Vitamin D which is very useful in keeping us happy even when moods swing faster and better than professional dancers.

30 minutes later with Roxanne panting, we rehydrate and dance to some music. The boys soon leave to mutual activities at the stake center leaving my mother and I with a grocery list and a plan to finish our Walking-Taco Wednesday. We only have a few things on the list but of course we come out with a load. Roxy taught me some good moves, of course, and I couldn't help but dance down every isle. People stare and think I'm crazy but the thrill of our themed Wednesday is getting in my soul so without embarrassment I continue and don't bother to control my body.

Finally out of the store and arrived at home, I greet Roxanne with a smile. I tell her I forgot to buy her food so she groans and shows me her teeth. My dad always said that's her way of smiling but this smile meant that since she didn't have food, she was going to eat me! I say I'm sorry and call her outside to show her I bought only the best dog food ever. I then turn around and see that she's in the car. What on Earth is she doing in the car? I have no idea! She just jumped in and curled up in protest saying she wasn't going to leave. I kissed at, I called, I whistled, and pet her but she wouldn't move! I had to close all but two doors, one for me to get in and the other to push her out. After 20 minutes she was finally out but still not talking to me. After all we went through today in bonding and girl time, it just wasn't enough to compensate for what I had said to make her mad.

So the day is finally winding down but dinner hasn't been made. The center of our Walking-Taco Wednesday isn't even on the stove yet. So my mother cooks it up, my father comes home and we enjoy our delicious dish. The last wacky thing to come out of Alex's mouth was an apology for sleeping in my bed. I reassured him he didn't have to be sorry and he was welcome anytime. My full size bed is way too empty for just me in the dark. Then to my pleasure (but really dismay), the wackiness finally stops. I suppose our fabulous meal would not let us rest until we completed our task in enjoying our dinner together.

I admit, that though it was mostly mind-boggling weird and hectically disordered, I wouldn't have this day any other way. Walking-Taco Wednesday will always be welcomed in my home to spice up our lives by enjoying the simple things. Whether near or far, the Ray family loves you all and we invite you to our next Walking-Taco Wednesday to be determined by the mother. Our door is always open to you wonderful people and we wish you safety until we meet again.

-Ani &&The Ray family