Where Were You When...

I'm not a hugely political individual.  I'm rather simple and plain in my beliefs.  I believe the Constitution was divinely inspired.  I believe that it will be challenged and torn in incredibly sad ways...and that it's happening now.  I also believe that the Priesthood will save it, because modern prophets have told us so.  I believe in truth, liberty and justice for all.  I believe the land on which we live is the Promised Land, and will remain so as long as we, the people, treat it as such.  Well, it's not difficult to see that we aren't treating it as such, and so many of us have forgotten, or have chosen to not acknowledge that we are children of Heavenly parents who loved us enough to bless us with this land.  Sigh.  In other words, my political beliefs are absolutely intertwined with my spiritual and religious beliefs.

There is a rally going on in DC tomorrow called Restore Honor.  It was organized by Glenn Beck.  It isn't a political rally.  It's to honor our military and other honorable individuals in our country.  There will be three awards/merit medals given out & the recipients have yet to be revealed.  I'm intrigued.  Because Mr. Beck is such a "controversial" character/host/voice, the nature of the honor rally has been twisted into a whole host of ungodly events by those who have forgotten who we are or refuse to acknowledge who we are and where we come from.  Double sigh.  I've been wanting to attend this rally to simply be a part of something bigger than myself, honorable, and journal-worthy.  I wanted my mom to go with me and she wanted to go too, but my step-dad won't let her go out of fear that the crazies will be rampant and we'll be harmed.  Perhaps he's right.  Dan won't go with me because he has stuff to do and he simply leaves all of his political notions in the voting booth.  I don't want to go by myself, but if I did go, it would not be the first time I've done a big thing on my own.  I'm a big girl.  I know how to put on my big girl panties and just do it.  But for right now, I'm left with a big choice. 

**It's now around 9 o'clock on the morning of the rally.  I began this around 11 p.m. the night before.  I was tired and frustrated, and just went to bed instead.**

The missionaries called Thursday evening inviting Dan & myself to a bbq at the stake president's house.  The bbq is for the missionaries and their investigators, and it will be held at 5 o'clock on Saturday afternoon.  If I were to attend the rally up in DC, then I would not be back in time to attend the bbq.  Now, I'm not a huge fan of attending events where I'm expected to be social with people I do not know.  I actually am a little shy that way.  A huge rally where there are tens of thousands of people is less frightening to me than a backyard bbq with 25 people and I need to mingle.  Eeek.  In any case, my choices are plainly either attend the big rally that I have longed to attend, or stay home and perhaps go to the bbq with Dan & make it another good missionary moment for him. 

Thursday night I stayed up very late.  I didn't go to bed until nearly 4 a.m.  (If I were to choose to go to the rally, the bus would leave at 4 a.m. Saturday, so a goofy sleep schedule somehow was making strange sense to me at the time)  I had dvr'd the Glenn Beck program that day just so I could see what's going on, or what's in store for the rally.  I don't religiously watch the show, so when I do catch it, I find it ever interesting.  The day's guest was Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  She is a tremendous woman.  I loved the message and peace she carried with her.  She will be speaking at the rally.  Hmm.  Well, in the middle of the night I was still unsure of what I should do regarding rally or missionary bbq.  I decided right then to pause the show and get down on my knees and ask my father in Heaven what I should do. 

I am certain that both are good choices.  I am certain given whichever option I choose, that I will wonder what the other option would've been like.  That's just who I am.  But I felt peaceful after my prayer.  I was confident that I would have an answer.  I again began watching the show and continued listening to Dr. King's words.  At one point when the host & guest were discussing the enormity of the event and day, Mr. Beck tossed out the question that we may be asked one day in the future, "where were you on 8/28?"  I heard this question once or twice before and only pondered the event itself, the largeness of it all, the message of the day.  This time, I actually heard my inner voice say "with Dan having a good missionary experience." 

My choice has been made.  I am happy with my decision.  I am at peace with my decision.  I am wondering about the Restoring Honor rally today, and wishing some way that I could still be there, but I'm okay with it.  I did just learn that it will be televised on Facebook today, but I have an obligation at 10 o'clock now, and guess what time the rally starts.  Yep, 10 a.m.  Oh well.  All is well, all is well.

Real Men Do Eat Quiche

Especially when you tell them it's Breakfast Egg Pie.

1 deep dish frozen pie shell

9 large eggs

1/3 cup milk or cream

1/4 pound Canadian bacon

1 T. finely diced red onion

1 cup shredded cheese...your favorite will suffice

2 T. flour

1 cup diced tomato minus the goo/seeds

2 T. light cream cheese

pinch of salt

freshly ground pepper

Preheat oven to 350* and take the pie shell out of its wrapper & allow to defrost just a wee.  In a mixing bowl blend together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.  Whisk in the onion, tomato, and diced meat.  

In another bowl, add the shredded cheese and flour.  Mix well, then stir into the egg mixture; pour into the pie shell.  Make sure that the tomatoes, meat, and onions appear to be evenly (or at least prettily) arranged toward the surface of the quiche/pie.  Next, take the cream cheese by 1/2 teaspoonfuls and dollop around the top of the egg mixture in a pretty, even pattern.  

Bake for 35 minutes at 350 then turn off the oven but leave in for about 10-15 minutes more.  The center should just barely be set.  Allow to sit for at least 10-15 minutes before cutting and enjoying.

Yields 6 slices.