News

I may stop watching the news. That would be hard for me - I like to feel at least somewhat informed about the world's happenings. But I tend to get either extremely sad or irritated after every news cast I tune in to. Last night Bry and I were discussing all this drama over the gun control debate. We are not for extremely restrictive laws or outright banning of guns, but this whole issue has gotten bloated. Obviously it inflames a lot of passions across the board - and the tragedy at Newtown brought those passions back to the forefront of public discussion. But rather than come together as a unified country, we are polarizing ourselves even further. It's frustrating - but just as I feel strongly about my opinions, I can't blame the other side for the same. I suppose I'm just wishing we could have more intelligent debates.

It's good to keep up on the news though. I would love to live in bliss but not if it means ignorance. The frustration really boils down to my feeling that I cannot make a difference, no matter how strongly I feel one way or the other about the issues at hand. I feel like I could contribute somehow - but in what way? I'm just another person in this country. So, I've decided that my contribution and service is how I raise my children. I will teach Ellinor and Evelyn all of the important values that seem to be disappearing ever more rapidly in our world. I will strive to mold them into amazing, helpful, kind, loving and smart citizens. If every home had that as its goal, we may just find these world issues resolving themselves.

The Gospel and church leaders have had it right all along - true success has to be achieved in our home. Without loving, strong families there really are no solutions to the calamities on the news. I will try to focus on the Gospel, my family and the important things that transcend the superficial of this world. Maybe this way watching the news won't be so intolerable. Or it will - in that case, I just pray harder. ;)