Journals

The members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are sometimes reminded to keep a journal.  I've sometimes heard the joke that some people have tried to keep a journal just like Wilford Woodruff, but after a couple of days, they forget to do so after a week or so because it can be overwhelming.  I mean, to keep a daily history is an overwhelming task just like any habit you want to gain.

But why keep a journal in the first place?

Perhaps, one reason is that we can follow the order of the Church which has had a historian and record keeper since the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized.  From the beginning, Joseph Smith was asked to keep a record of the Church.  Through revelation, Joseph Smith called John Whitmer to "keep a regular history, and assist...my servant Joseph, in transcribing all things...(D&C 47:1)"  John Whitmer was also asked to "keep the church record and history continually (47:3)."  So, certain men were called to keep a record of the Church and take turns transcribing for the Prophet Joseph.  And when we go back and look at further accounts of the dealings of Christ with His people, such as Nephi, we are told why he and other prophets kept a record as well (1 Nephi 9).  The records are for their posterity and for us.  Think of all that we have because these men fulfilled their callings!

Another reason, I often think that our journals can be like that of the accounts of Nephi and other prophets.  Sure we don't receive revelation for a large congregation of people, but we can have personal revelation touch our lives, and record that revelation as reminders  President Eyring gave a talk about his experience of keeping a journal.  When he was recalling the day, he said that he learned to recognize the hand of the Lord in his life, and he recognized that the Lord blessed him.  Essentially our journals can be reminders of ways the Lord loves us, and like scriptures of old.  Wouldn't that be something you would want on hand?  I mean, to recall how Our Heavenly Father can touch our lives. Our daily accounts may not always have revelation intermingled, but I think of how much you can gain from recalling and recounting your days in a journal.  What can you learn as you look back on your life and your experiences?  What can your children learn?

So, here is what I do: I have a day planner with small sections for each day for me to record the day's activities, and my thoughts.  I also like to write down my goals for the day or even the week.  Now, I don't always record everything right away-generally it's a once or twice a week recollection of my days and account.  But I highlight the most important events.  I also have an extra section to scribble in some thoughts as well.  And this is so easy!  I also have another journal that Greg gave me last Christmas.  I keep this one on my night stand for my scripture study and I try to take it to Church with me so that I can record other thoughts and ideas.  I also like to use this to make longer entries and expound on things in my life that I can't fit in my day planner.

So, my question is do you keep a journal?  If so, how often?  What insights have you gained from one?

Perspective on Work

Today, I started my first day at my new job.  I work at a local grocery store now.  Is this the job I've always dreamed of?  No.  But finding a job in this area is pretty hard.  Not just saying that, but honestly, everyone I talk to says the same thing.  I found it really frustrating to realize that even jobs like teacher's assistants in an elementary school require certain certifications!  I know that it is difficult to find full-time jobs elsewhere, but here I feel like I am having the hardest time finding a full-time job!  I hear wonderful things about benefits for full-time employees, and I've learned that employers have to shell out a lot of money for their full-time employees because they have to provide so many benefits!!  But I must say that I am grateful for this job for a few reasons.

1. Money.  Of course money is necessary for living.  And one thing that I learned today is that if you put a reasonable request for pay when you fill out your application, then that company will generally give it to you.  The minimum wage here is $10.50/hr, and I asked for $12.00/hr.  And I get $12.00/hr which I am truly grateful for because honestly, it's expensive to live here!  (So next time you fill out an application for a crappy job and they ask what you want for pay, don't necessarily ask for minimum wages!)

2. Location.  I knew that I wanted a job near by especially since I don't get paid much.  This job is a 10-minute walk from my house.   I don't have to take pay for the bus or drive (gas is $1.32/Liter here which means about $70 to fill the tank).

3. I have a different perspective as U.S. citizen working in Canada.  See, I don't think I would get paid vacation time as a part-time employee, but apparently I do get paid here. It probably doesn't add up to much, but heck, I'll take what I can get.

4.  The people are generally nice.  Funny story, however; when I went in for training, it seemed like everyone was saying, "Don't let the a__holes get you down!" or "I realize there are some real a__holes here, but just ignore them."

5. I also get to work with produce and make a bunch of healthy foods for people.  Of course, work still sucks, but it's work.  Not fun time.  See Red Foreman's speech on work here:

6. I can and I am looking for other jobs out there, but for now, this will do.  Honestly, lying about and doing nothing is horrible.  So yes, I am grateful for this wonderful, crappy job.

Recipe: Pizza

Since I've been in Canada, I've had the opportunity to cook from scratch more often.  A big part of this has been to see if I could make healthier and cheaper food items.  Plus, I've also had a lot of time on my hands to make meals from scratch.  I've pretty much enjoyed this.

Anyway, I thought it was about time for me to share one of my favorite pizza dough recipes with the world.  I first learned this recipe from another gal when we were volunteering at an after school activity.  This pizza dough recipe is really wonderful because it can be whipped up in 25 minutes or so, or you can take your time with it (15 hrs!).

Dough-
Ingredients:
1 packet yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp)
1 1/4 cups warm water
1 Tbsp honey or brown sugar
3 cups of flour, plus extra for rolling out dough
1/8 cup olive oil
1 tsp salt

In a bowl, combine yeast, water, and honey (sugar), and leave it to sit for five minutes to twelve hours.  Now, as this yeast mixture is sitting, I like to start preparing the toppings of the pizza.  For a while, I used lunch meat (I know this sounds weird, but it actually isn't too bad) such as ham, and I've been cutting it up into small pieces for the topping, but when I moved to Canada, I was inspired.  I tried bacon on my pizza.  You might be thinking, "Why didn't you use pepperoni?", but honestly I just don't like the pepperoni you buy from the store.  So, I fried up a few slices of bacon for this pizza, and I cut it up into small pieces for the pizza.  So, if you are going to try bacon on pizza, I recommend doing it after you've created your yeast mixture for the dough.  At this point, go back and add the dry ingredients to the yeast mixture, and allow the dough to sit for 20 minutes to 3 hours.  I then work on the sauce. Really, your taste buds will determine the flavor you want, so add as little or as much seasoning you want.

Sauce-
Ingredients:
2 or 3 cloves of garlic, minced or grated
Italian seasoning
salt
8 oz can of tomato paste
14 oz can of diced tomatoes
oil or butter

So, remember that bacon?  Well, here is a good use for that bacon grease.  Now, you can wipe up some of the grease because there is a lot in the pan, but use it.  It adds flavor the sauce, and honestly, what's the point of wasting it all?  Add grated garlic to greased pan, and saute it for a few minutes.  Then stir in tomato paste and diced tomatoes.  Add seasonings, and allow the tomato sauce to thicken.  Cook for five or so minutes on medium heat.  At this point, you can prepare the rest of your toppings for the pizza, and preheat the oven to 400 degrees. I like use mozzarella cheese, add bacon (of course),pineapple, onion, mushrooms, and green bell peppers to mine.  Roll out your dough onto a pizza stone, and add sauce, cheese and toppings.  Cook your pizza for 20 minutes or so (check the edges/bottom of the crust to see if it's lightly brown), and voila!  Delicious food made from scratch.

Side view. My favorite pizza now!

Aerial view. Delicious!