Our Heartless Chambers of Isolation

A few weeks ago at church a lady in our ward gave a talk on Pres. Uchtdorf's talk, "Of Things That Matter Most" (Oct. 2010). Part of her talk focused on his quote: "Printed material, wide-ranging media sources, electronic tools and gadgets—all helpful if used properly—can become hurtful diversions or heartless chambers of isolation."

She told a funny story about how she went on a trip with her family, including her married kids and grandkids. She said in the car on the way there she downloaded a new game to her phone. She got so caught up in it, that she spent every spare moment of the trip playing it, and sat in the car during one activity to keep playing while everyone else went in together! She even got all of her kids to download it on to their phones so they could try to top each others' scores. It didn't dawn on her how bad it had gotten until they were all sitting at dinner on the last night of their trip, and she looked around and everyone who had a phone was playing the game instead of talking to each other. She felt so sad that she had wasted a good portion of the undivided time she could have had with her family.

So now they quote Pres. Uchtdorf every time they are paying more attention to their digital devices than each other and ask..."Are you in your heartless chamber of isolation?" It was kind of a funny story, because she is a pretty charismatic person. It has become a little catch-phrase in our ward now. So I just had to laugh a couple of days ago when I looked up and this is what I saw:  Brooke reading her Nook (electronic book reader), Megan using the iPad, Danika on my laptop, and Mike looking at Netflix on the TV! All in the same room, but each in their own "chamber of isolation." GUILTY! And even though I'm not in the picture, I am the worst one of all!!!

p.s. do you like our dog kennel "entertainment center?" lol :)

PROM!

Last night was entertaining.

Danika got asked to Junior Prom (by Karter Chisholm).

Danika did NOT want to get asked to Prom.

Danika has only been on one date since she turned 16 last April.

Danika thinks dating is awkward and avoids it like the plague.

The backstory:  Her friends talked her into asking a guy that she barely knew to the Christmas dance (Davis High's version of Sadie's). Jordyn (the friend) wanted Danika to go with their group, and Chris (the date) wanted to go but didn't have a date. Danika only did to because she said she "couldn't say no" to Jordyn who had just had her wisdom teeth out and looked like a forlorn chipmunk. So Danika asked Chris, and rented a dress, yadda yadda yadda. They went together--Danika chauffered 3 couples--and she only danced with the poor kid once on the whole date! She barely even talked to him. So ever since then she has been vehemently anti-dating. I think it was a bit too stressful of an event for her first date!

Last night Danika, Megan and I went to the library. Right after we got there Mike texted me and said "Danika is going to be surprised when she gets home." I asked why, and he called and told me there was a white bunny stuffed animal, a big chocolate bunny and a note on our doorstep. Meanwhile... Jordyn had texted Danika and asked her if she liked what was on the doorstep. Since we weren't home, Danika asked her what she was talking about, and Jordyn (who had helped Karter deliver the stuff) filled her in. So Danika was in the library quietly banging her head against the bookcase saying "I hate my life!" She likes to act melodramatic about these things.

So here she is again in a similar predicament, except she isn't the one asking and paying for the date, and she actually knows Karter and says he's a funny guy. I think she'll be fine. What she needs is to go on some dates that aren't formal dances, so she doesn't feel so awkward around guys. But I can't control that. I guess I should be grateful she isn't boy crazy. I hope eventually that she'll figure out that dating can be fun!