Rock Star!

See that Pretty Lady? 

That is my momma! 

This past week I was totally blown away by her strength, determination, and will power. 

She is a Rock Star!

Tonia Kelm, you inspire me. 

I sure do love you, you Rock Star you! 

Keep up the fantastic work!

"At Least He's Not a Muslim"...er, wait..what?

Is this a political blog? Perhaps. Actually, I think it is more religious. And, it is long. You may skip this blog if you like, but it's been brewing in my brain for weeks now.

I have had this conversation twice, not once, but twice with two different patients. Both were women in their 70's.

Woman- "So are you Mormon?"

Me- "Yes, I am!"

Woman- "Oh that is just great. Are you voting for Romney?"

Me- "I do generally vote Republican." 

Woman- "Well I am voting for him too, and I don't care if he is Mormon." 

Me- "His religion should not stop you."

Woman- "At least his is not a Muslim like the one we have now." 

Oh dear, all credibility lost in my mind. 

Where do I start? 

1.) First of all the man himself claims to be Christian. Click here to read and article about how he found his faith and what it is based on.  He currently does not claim to follow any single denomination. That is not unusual in the U.S. Click here for a great link to look at religious affiliations in America. Here is a quote from the article-

"At the point of his decision to accept Christ, Obama says, "what was intellectual and what was emotional joined, and the belief in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, that he died for our sins, that through him we could achieve eternal life—but also that, through good works we could find order and meaning here on Earth and transcend our limits and our flaws and our foibles—I found that powerful.""

2.) I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Although the name Jesus Christ is in name itself, we often have to defend our claim that we are Christians. Mormon.org is a great source to check out doctrinal views. If a man claims to be a Christian because he believes in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, I have not place in calling him to be a liar. That being said, our criticisms of President Obama should be based on his policies and how our opinions match up with the platforms of the Democratic party.

3.) And what if Obama, or any other candidate elected were a Muslim? Not all elected government officials are Christian. Click here for statistics. There is no innate wickedness in following Islam.

Here in America the view we see predominately in the world are the extreme versions of Muslims, the radicals and the terrorists that misrepresent Islam. This week we are seeing Muslims fired up and protesting outside embassies in the Middle East over the movie mocking the prophet Muhammad who are calling for death to the evil Americans. Those extremest are no more a representation of the 1.5 Billion Muslims (21% of the worlds population) then the man who made the disgraceful film represents the views of all  314+million Americans in a world of 7+ Billion people.

4.) Double Standard. We can't fathom the idea of a Muslim as President, yet some of the most distinguished humanitarian awards that can be given in this country have been given to the legendary Muhammad Ali...a converted Muslim. Just this month he received the Liberty Medal, and in 2005 Ali received the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

5.) Finally what does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have to say about Muslims and other non-Christian faiths?

 

Elder B. H. Roberts (1857–1933) of the Seventy also spoke on this doctrine: “While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is established for the instruction of men; and it is one of God’s instrumentalities for making known the truth yet he is not limited to that institution for such purposes, neither in time nor place. God raises up wise men and prophets here and there among all the children of men, of their own tongue and nationality, speaking to them through means that they can comprehend. … All the great teachers are servants of God; among all nations and in all ages. They are inspired men, appointed to instruct God’s children according to the conditions in the midst of which he finds them.” ³

President Howard W. Hunter of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “As members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we seek to bring all truth together. We seek to enlarge the circle of love and understanding among all the peoples of the earth. Thus we strive to establish peace and happiness, not only within Christianity but among all mankind.” ⁷   

Elder Smith observed that Muhammad was “descended from Abraham and was no doubt raised up by God on purpose” to preach against idolatry. He sympathized with the plight of Muslims, who, like Latter-day Saints, found it difficult “to get an honest history” written about them. Speaking next, Elder Pratt went on to express his admiration for Muhammad’s teachings, asserting that “upon the whole, … [Muslims] have better morals and better institutions than many Christian nations.” ⁹ 

Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles focused on the common spiritual heritage of Mormons and Muslims. After quoting a verse from the Qur’an, he observed:

“God is the source of light in heaven and on earth. We share the belief with you. We resist the secular world. We believe with you that life has meaning and purpose. … We revere the institution of the family. … We salute you for your concern for the institution of the family. … Mutual respect, friendship, and love are precious things in today’s world. We feel those emotions for our Islamic brothers and sisters. Love never needs a visa. It crosses over all borders and links generations and cultures.”

 ^{That about sums it up! I just hope that your reasoning behind voting or not voting for an individual doesn't start with this phrase- "At least he's not a Muslim".} 

 

I'm Single and Freaking Amazing

My cousin in Canada posted this on my facebook wall. 

How do I feel about it?

1.) Amen! So true! How did she know? 

2.) Being single and in my early 30's has allowed me to continue developing who Tamara Christine Kelm is on a very individual level. My life experience resume keeps growing and growing. I've laid a foundation for what hopefully is the next 2/3 of my life, and it is going to rock! I am very, very fortunate!

3.) This is no way means I intend on staying single. I fully expect Mr. "Freaking Amazing" to show up one day. He WILL show up, and he WILL recognize that my amazingness and his amazingness  need to combine forces! And what an awesome match up that will be.

Nauvoo, City Beautiful

 

 

 My trip to Nauvoo, Illinois was August 23-26, 2012.

 Nauvoo was nearing a population of 12,000 people when the exodus to the West, led by Brigham Young, began. It was the 2nd largest city in Illinois, near Chicago at the time in population.  

Nauvoo was first settled in 1840. 

On the horse drawn wagon taking a tour through historic Nauvoo

Woman's Garden, full of lovely statues of women!

Browning Gun shop! Here I learned how rifling (spiral) is made in a gun barrel, and that technique is to make a shot more accurate.

"Holiness to the Lord, Our Preservation"

Browning was making semi-automatics 20 years before the Civil War.

I just love that woman- Lucy Mack Smith! She never doubted her son's testimony and prophetic call.

 “We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another, and gain instruction that we may all sit down in heaven together.”  Lucy Mack Smith

The original was began construction in 1841. Most of the Saints left Nauvoo in February 1846, but a small crew remained to finish the temple's first floor, so that it could be dedicated. Wikipedia states- "Once the first floor was finished with pulpits and benches, the building was finally dedicated in private services on 30 April 1846, and in public services on 1 May. In September 1846 the remaining Mormons were driven from the city  and vigilantes from the neighboring region,entered the near-empty city and vandalized the temple". The temple was reconstructed in 2002. The outside is a replica of the original. 

One of my ancestors was a foreman for the original temple, specifically worked on the stars.

As you travel down Parley Street west towards the Mississippi River you will find what is called the Trail of Hope. It is the path to where wagons and teams were loaded up on ferries to cross the river. As a monument the path is marked with plaques that have quotes by saints in regards to their feelings leaving their city or the hardships they bore on the exodus West. 

Grandma Aline Kelm and I on the banks of the Mississippi

In the musical that the senior missionaries perform in the old cultural hall they sang a song with the chorus that started out-

 "we left willingly because we had to", 

but by the end changed to- 

"we left willingly because we want to"

Opa Wolf Kelm and I, see the ferry behind? Can you imagine floating across the river on that? Or would you rather cross over the river frozen? I don't know which would be more scary!

This is the Iowa side of the Mississippi River, where the Saints arrived.

You can see Nauvoo in the background to the east.

Can you imagine leaving your city, and then looking back with your cherished temple behind you? The front of the Nauvoo Temple faces the West. Over 1500 miles away the Salt Lake City Temple faces the East. I like that imagery.

June 24, 1844 Joseph and Hyrum Smith left for Carthage to meet the charges against them.

"This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens; little do they know the trials that await them."

We followed the "Martyrdom Trail" by car. It is about 20 miles from Nauvoo to Carthage. Most of it was on gravel roads through corn fields. This is what the car looked like when we arrived at Carthage jail.

 What I love about this statue is that Hyrum is doing what he did to the end, he stood by, supporting his brother Joseph. Bishop Simmons point that out to me a few years ago. 

The jail itself. The upstairs window is where Joseph Smith fell as a sealed his testimony with his blood.

There were only 4 others on the tour of the jail. They were not members of the church because one lady asked about Jon Smith. As we sat in the upstairs room where the mob came through, the missionary couple asked if any of us had a comment to make. Grandma talked about how she is a convert and looked into a lot of churches before being baptized (The Salvation Army being one of her favorites). Grandpa spoke of Joseph Smith's last prophecy that Dan Jones would go on to serve a mission and that those vigilantes/mob members whose hearts were ready for blood would have more blood shed then they could stand...the interpretation of which could lend itself to the Civil war. I decided that I wanted to share my testimony of the prophet of the restoration of the church of Jesus Christ. I referred to the short video we saw prior to the tour. In it a lady approached Joseph Smith and asked if he thought he was the savior of his people. He replied no, he was just a man. I was able to testify, and do so again now, that member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints do no worship Joseph Smith. We honor him, and hold him with high and great respect, "Praise to the Man", but we do not worship him. We honor him because of what he did, he brought the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ back into the world. He restored priesthood power which gives me access to the mercy and healing power of the Atonement. Everything Joseph Smith did pointed back to the Savior of the world. That is why I say "Praise to that man".

Property of Reynolds Cahoon, at the corner of Parley and Warsaw Street.

Reynolds Cahoon was my 4th Great-grandpa on my mom's dad's side. His son Mahonri Cahoon was born in 1834. "While residing at Kirtland, Elder Reynolds Cahoon had a son born to him. One day when President Joseph Smith was passing his door he called the Prophet in and asked him to bless and name the baby. Joseph did so and gave the boy the name of Mahonri Moriancumer. When he had finished the blessing, he laid the child on the bed, and turning to Elder Cahoon he said, the name I have given your son is the name of the Brother of Jared; the Lord has just shown or revealed it to me. Elder William F. Cahoon, who was standing near heard the Prophet make this statement to his father; and this was the first time the name of the brother of Jared was known in the Church in this dispensation."^[9][10][11]

Stephen Winchester Property, on the corner of Parley and Winchester Street.

 Stephen Winchester is my 4th Great-grandfather on the maternal side.  Stephen's grandson  Henry married Reynolds Cahoon's granddaughter Nancy. Henry and Nancy were my Grandpa Jack Hutchison's grandparents on his mother side.

Miles Romney property.

Miles Romney's daughter Sarah married Mahonri Cahoon. Their daughter marred Henry, the connection previously mentioned. All of them left Nauvoo with the saints and settled in Utah, and later into Idaho.

I found the property based on records from the land and records office in Nauvoo. I plugged in Miles Romney, Stephen Winchester, Reynolds Cahoon, Sarah Romney (dtr of Miles), and Thirza Stiles (wife of Cahoon) in the database and found land records, pedigree charts, journal entries, and all kinds of information. It was all burned on to a CD for me. It made for a great souvenior.

Green X is Cahoon, Purple X is Romney, and Red X is Winchester

A few final reflections...

1.) Going to Nauvoo with my grandparents was a once in a lifetime experience. Grandpa has always told me he has Nauvooitis and has to return often for his treatments. I loved having the two of them show me their beloved city.

2.) Not only did I get to be in the Nauvoo temple with my grandparents, but we were able to do proxy work for Olive Vaile (not Olive Cox Vaile), daughter of Agnes and Charles (my paternal grandmother's grandparents). Olive was my grandma's last aunt living aunt before her passing. It was a privilege to be involved in the sealing of Agnes and Charles's last child on the other side of the veil.

3.) As already mentioned my testimony of the prophetic call of Joseph Smith was solidified. My final stop before driving through 2 hours of corn fields was temple hill. I stopped and parked by that statue of Joseph and Hyrum on horseback and I sang out loud "Praise to the Man".

4.) Having pioneer ancestry is awesome! Grandpa Kelm said he could have never been a pioneer. I told him he is wrong, he already is one. He joined the church in Berlin, escaped after WWII to Canada where he learned a new language and a new trade. And my Grandma Kelm was the first to join the church in her family. I have great respect for them. It is great to also know on my mom's side of the family I come from family who joined the church in the very start and had the faith to trek 1500+ miles west to follow a prophet's voice and word of God. It gives me great strength to know that if they could cross the Mississippi either by ferry or across the frozen ice, I can blaze trails in 2012!

For the millionth time

For the millionth time, yesterday in the pool with a patient, I was asked-

"How is a woman like you still single?"

I realize that this is not asked to be critical. 

I realize perhaps the inquirer is not meaning any harm by the statement. 

I realize it is a question asked without realizing how sensitive the subject is. 

I realized that in most cases I should take it as a compliment, they think I am a great individual and can't believe I haven't been snatched up. 

Some days I my brain reacts rationally, sometimes it reacts emotionally. Here are a few things that run through my mind, and luckily most of it stays in my head and don't leave my lips...

How is a woman like you still single?

*Are you implying there is something wrong with me? 

*You think I am too picky and looking for perfection don't you...well you are wrong!

*Oh no, you about to try to set me up with someone aren't you? AAAAAAGGGGHHHH! Run away!

* Don't feel sorry for me! 

*I ask myself that question all the time. 

*It's a mystery isn't it. 

*I know, and they say my eyelashes would attract any man.

*I know, and they say the way to a mans heart is through his stomach but my chocolate chip cookies are famous but still no ring on my finger!

*I'm still single because I am on Plan A...God's plan. Believe me I have been praying for the love of my life to show up, and my prayers aren't unanswered, they are being answered in His time.  

Then the inquirer usually answers their own question or decides they need to give me some reassurance.

*Oh don't worry, it will happen. 

 
What do I actually say? 

*The love of my life has just not showed up yet.

Until he does, I'm going to keep on trying to be amazing!

Carrying logs at Blunn Nature Preserve with Michelle Clements, proving that our muscles are for more than just vanity.

How is a woman like me still single? 

.... because I am on Plan A...God's plan.  I have been praying for the love of my life to show up, and my prayers aren't unanswered, they are being answered in His time. 

Surrounded

I had one of those weekends were life just got the best of me and I gave into the stress of it all. Translation = shed a few tears over things I cannot control. I just wanted to get back to feeling hope.  Thankfully my prayers were answered... 

Answered by the delivery I had this morning from my friend Tiffany who was listening...

Answered by my mom who knew I just needed to hang out and chill on my day off...

Answered by getting lost in service, showing off muscles, and shaking my hips on the dance floor with this awesome chica! 

 

 

 

 

 

Answered by a dad who helped build furniture and rotate my mattress and then watched a chick flick drama with mom and I.

Answered by a visit from some of my dearest best friends. (Seniors Rule!)

Answered by hugs from Amanda every time I see her! 

I am back on track! Grateful for answered prayers for hope!

Five Minute Plank!

Here is the proof! 

Over a month ago my coworkers and I started a 5 minute plank challenge. We started with 30 seconds-1 minute and added 15 seconds each time we did it. I didn't do it consistently every day, but today I reached my goal. 

BAM! 

What fitness goal do I work on now?