Sunday, July 10, 2011

the Zoo


We went to the Hogle zoo this weekend. I was supposed to be studying like crazy but some very good friends had a free ticket to share and it was hard to pass up because we really wanted to go. It was a warm day and we had a lot of fun. Julian thought all the animals were cool except for the allosaurus that growled at him (there are dinos at the Hogle zoo). That is the first time I saw him get scared by something that was scary. He must be growing up:)

Apart from that he is officially crawling as of Thursday, full on forward crawling, to where ever he wants to go and he loves to climb up on stuff. I did not think that this would all happen so soon but there you have it. Really it is pretty cute. Before when Aaron or I would leave the room he would start to cry, now if we leave I hear all this shuffling and he is trying to crawl after us as fast as he can. I thought the crying when we left was cute too but lately I noticed he cries whenever anyone leaves. I guess he loves people like he loves his toys and technology:0 Because he does the same thing when I take those away.



On a more serious note. I have been contemplating lately the scripture which is found in the book of Luke in the new testament in chapter 19, verse 24, which says:
"for whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."
I have wondered about this scripture for a long time because I don't really get it. I know that Jesus was talking to the apostles, who would end up literally giving up their lives, and one would assume that he was referring to the eternal life they would receive after death. But today, what does it mean? When reading the ensign earlier this week I read an excerpt from Pres. Monson of the LDS church, talking about this scripture and I think he has answered my question. He says (referring to this scripture):
"I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish-- and in effect save their lives."

I think this is as beautiful as it is profound and I tie it into motherhood, although it certainly applies to any person and any role in life, but I am a mother. All the discussion on children seems to focus on all that one must give up in their life in order to be a parent. Namely, to do whatever you want, whenever you want to. But I believe this scripture is true. That you may lose your life when you give up all those pre-baby freedoms, but that in losing your life you are blessed to "grow and flourish--and in effect save our lives."

5 comments:

  1. That looks like a lot of fun. I didn't know that dinosaurs had invaded the zoo :). How exciting that Julian is crawling. It's fun to see the timeframe of when Julian does stuff because then I'm not surprised when Charlie starts doing it a month later.

    Scripture is interesting in that often it is not pinpoint clear as to what it means for you and so it is up to interpretation which allows for the spirit to direct each person individually. I've always read that scripture in the way the Pres. Monson described in your post. It's interesting to hear other people's perspective.

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  2. Lovely scripture, and lovely zoo time with your wonderful family. We hope to see you guys soon.

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  3. Crawling! What fun! I tell Nate that we need a working vacuum before Charlie crawls, so that's one more reason I'm not ready for it just yet. Ha! Our floors are so gross.

    Anyway, it's hard when you're a new mom to not think about how suddenly you have a life of service--and how wonderful it is. The other day I was overwhelmed with happiness. It made me realize that one of the reasons we are commanded to multiply and replenish is because it gives us the best opportunities to serve someone other than ourselves. I look back on my life when I was single and childless, and my growth definitely was stunted. I have a hard time not seeing that in some of my friends that are still single (not all are like this). Their problems are the same, their tastes are the same, their conversations are the same--it's like they're stuck in one place, motionless. It sounds harsh of me to say that, but I only make that observation because that was me not too long ago, and I can't believe how much my life has changed since.

    And for the better!

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  4. Thank you sweet ladies! Miss hanging out, we will have to party this summer! You too Nate:)

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  5. I was just reading some of your older posts and I loved this one. These thoughts on sacrifice are so true, and what I think will make parenthood so worth it.

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