Politics and such

Now on a more serious note...I have been very preoccupied with the up coming elections and studying the candidates and the issues this past week.  I pretty much have my mind made up on most of what will be on my ballot.  The kids and I have even spent a few days campaigning for a few of our favorite candidates - very effective government lesson!  We have signs in the yard and have distributed pamphlets to the neighborhood.  We visited the campaign headquarters of a few candidates to pick up the stuff and the kids thought that was cool.  One wonderful lady delivered her signs and pamphlets right to our home and visited us for a while.  I have called several candidates to get first hand information instead of relying on second-hand biased news reports and have enjoyed talking with them very much.  I just finished watching tonight's debate for Superintendent of Public Instruction.  To me the choice is clear in that race.  I would encourage all who missed it to watch it online at www. Idahoptv.org.

The thing to remember in politics is that the Great War in Heaven was fought over agency. As much as Heavenly Father wanted all of his children to enjoy the blessing of a God like life, he rejected the use of force and gave us the eternal principle of agency. The war is still going on today on many fronts. Remember this from one of my previous posts – “the two belief systems are 1 - People are free to choose for themselves in life and will, therefore, learn to avoid pain and seek happiness and that they are responsible for the consequences of those choices. And 2- We people are not capable of making the "right" choices in life and must therefore be controlled and forced to do what others believe is best for us.”

Whether in parenting skills or government, we need to judge based on what (and who’s) plan we choose to follow.

Studying politics has strengthened my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I understand Alma 31:5 better. “And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just – yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them….” Some things just can’t be legislated.

I say, “GO BRAD!” Imagine how many social programs could be cut if people believed. Even just following the word of wisdom would change the world – but we know that legislation can’t force that (think Prohibition, bootleggers and moonshine), only desire to choose the right and knowledge of what is right. Difficult in a world of relative values.

We recently started fiddle lessons instead of violin lessons. We are LOVING it. Even Gracie gets a little lesson. The other day, we were all occupied with various things not particularly paying any attention to Grace. She went over to the violin cabinent and got out her violin. She carefully tightened her little bow and got into playing position herself. I usually get a little nervous when she practices on her own because she likes to take apart her fiddle - I am getting pretty good at replacing her bridge, fine tuners and her frog. So I was watching all this from a distance. She played a little bit, then she dropped her bow and violin on the carpet and started jumping up and down and waving her adorable little hands and yelling, "I play Shave and a Haircut, I play Shave and a haircut!!!" It was SO funny to see her so excited. I wish I had it on camera. I am also glad she told me what the song was, because I didn't quite get it when I listened. We practiced together for a minute and she is pretty good at the rhythm now. Fun Stuff!
We got to go to a fiddle Halloween party last Saturday that was so fun. Our teacher and a few other teachers invited their students to get together for a jam session and just play together. Colin and Robyn got right up on stage with the guitar players and played every song they had memorized. Colin was bumed that he didn't know more songs so he has been very motivated to practice since. It was lots more fun than a recital because it was so relaxed and the audience could talk or dance or eat or color together while they listened. The kids who wanted to play stood by the stage and the guitar guys would say come on up and then they would play for as long as they wanted to and then someone else would play. Even Grace got to do her bow song and "play" Shave and a Haircut with the guitar players. We all had a blast! I can't wait to do it again.
We are having a formal recital on November 11 at 10:30 in the morning if anyone is interested.