And So It Begins

I've been wanting to share this for months (MONTHS!). But needed to wait until the time was right. You can go to www.wearemakingamiracle.blogspot.com to read what I'm talking about.

XO,
Cristi

Why I'm staying away from Facebook today

I'm not usually on Facebook much anymore anyway.  I prefer Instagram and am now back into blogging. BUT on April 1st, I avoid Facebook at all costs.  And here is one of the main reasons why:


http://www.scissortailsilk.com/2014/03/28/the-joke-is-over-why-i-hope-not-to-see-pretend-pregnancy-announcements-on-april-1st/


You know, I don't mind a good prank on April Fool's day. The kids in our neighborhood cut letter "E"s out of paper and then colored them brown and delivered them, calling them "brownies." (brown - E's) Now THAT is cute! They also put a sign on all the doors in the neighborhood saying "Garage Sale." Those things I don't mind. I think it's fun to wear your clothes backwards or put food coloring in the milk.  I can appreciate anything that doesn't cause harm or pain or discomfort.

What I don't like are lies. I don't think that, just because it's April 1st, anyone should have "creative license" to tell a flat out and blatant lie.  Lying is never okay. Even under the guise of "but it's just a joke." A lie is not a joke. A lie is a lie.

So all of those status updates on Facebook saying, "I'm engaged!" Or "I'm PREGNANT!" Those aren't funny. In fact, those can be (and usually are) really hurtful to people who are single and those struggling with infertility.

Just like the author in the article link I'm sharing said - the fortunate part is that people don't do this with the intent to hurt others. They're doing it because they honestly think it's funny. So I don't fault them for it. I don't blame them in their ignorance. But I think posts like this are immensely important just to make people more aware.

Now, don't think I'm an April Fool's Day scrooge!  I'm not.  I just ask that you are respectful and don't lie or cause harm on this day.

Okay - carry on with your harmless pranks … ;)

Infertility

It's true that another one of the reasons I started blogging again was to share our journey through infertility. There are some pretty amazing things that are going to be happening in the coming months. We are still in the process of sharing everything with family members, so I will hold off on the blog posts for a bit. But just know that this is something I will be talking about quite a bit.

XO

Our fifth Sunday third hour combined class today was on the topic of bullying. All of the youth and adults were invited to attend. It was a FANTASTIC meeting. I am a passionate proponent of USING THE INTERNET FOR GOOD! My favorite social media site is Instagram (www.instagram.com/hiyapapayamommy). I love the community there and feel like it is a wonderful place where people uplift and inspire each other. But I also realized today that I can do more. This, coupled with what I wrote earlier tonight about my desire to be better at journaling, are what led me to take up blogging again. One of the reasons I actually stopped blogging in the first place was because I experienced some cyber bullying a few years ago. I know this is a very real and very current topic - especially for youth. This video was shown today in our class. It is powerful in its message and it brought me to tears. I left the meeting today, leaned over to Jeff and fist pumped the air and said, "I vow to be a CHAMPION OF KINDNESS!" I challenge each of you to not only be kind, but to be a CHAMPION of kindness as well. It's not enough to simply not be a bully. We need to be proactive in spreading love.

Thoughts From the General Women's Meeting

Last night was the first ever General Women's Meeting (for all women and girls ages 8 and up) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What a beautiful and historic and POWERFUL experience! Previously the young women of the church (ages 12-18) would have a semi-annual meeting and the women 18 and over (known as the Relief Society) would have a semi-annual meeting as well.  Now we are all united together and will meet twice a year. 

Here are some graphics I made with some of my favorite thoughts that I took away from the meeting: