Dis and Dat

1. As you all know, our family is very devoted to the Yankees. As late as about 3 days ago, I really felt they'd finish 1 or 2 games out of the wild card race....they just seem so close, yet I felt they would come up short. But I'm changing my tune after tonight....you heard it hear first: they WILL get the wild card.

2. I'm a big fan of a new kids' show: "Mickey's Mouse Clubhouse" on Disney Channel. We found it during our time with Kathryn's family while in Utah. It's really quite the rip-off of Nick's Dora, which is a tad interesting to see Disney, the former king of children's animation, stealing from the new leader. But I don't mind the rip-off (which includes a journey involving three places and a 'backpack'-like item that has solutions for obstacles. It's cute, simple and innocent. And best of all, I enjoy it. Plus, it's nice to see there's now a frame of reference for Mickey and his friends for the new generation...up til now, meeting Mickey at Disneyland didn't mean that much to them.

3. As Sept. is the new January in my book (as Kathryn says), I'm trying to make sure I read a little of the Book of Mormon FOR ME each day. I do read it to the kids each night, and read the NT (or some other church stuff) on the train, but I've decided to read a little of the BOM each day (even weekends). I'm just choosing favorite chapters to read since I'm reading so little.

A phrase I found intriquing: 2 Ne 2:5 -- "Men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil." Is that still true? Yes, we all have the light of Christ, but are today's youth (outside of the church) REALLY being instructed sufficiently on good from evil? I've been thinking lately how it is SO accepted to "live with" or "be with" one another before marriage...it's not just tolerated or not shunned...but expected and considered the new norm. Even "good" people I know outside of church follow that route. That's why I feel that most of the world is NOT being instructed sufficiently on good vs. evil. Someone preaching those values from the rooftops would be considered as out of place today as the hippies of the 60s preaching that traditional values were no longer valid.

See also 2 Nephi 2:8 (first phrase) as to the urgency and need to proclaim the gospel. That would have been a great 'rallying' Scripture when I was on a mission.

4. Does anyone else, when getting their Ensign, race to the back page to see if there are any "Name Withheld" letters to the editors?

5. The new TV season doesn't look too great. I am interested in "Back To You" as I love stories set in newsrooms. And, hate to admit it, but I actually am intriqued with the Caveman show based on Geico commercials. There's been worse places to find a premise.

Mark