Movie Night!

Tonight Jeff and I went to see the movie called "MEET THE MORMONS" Now you may wonder why I am going to a movie, about what I believe but it is great because I am proud to say... that it really was a wonderful way for anyone to see and understand what we believe. It even addressed all the misconceptions about our beliefs, and I think that could be really helpful to teach people.
So I would suggest anyone who ever had any questions about what I believe, that you should go to this movie. You can watch the previews HERE:

I would invite you to go see it, so that you could at least understand what Mormons really believe.

I believe that the Lord expects all of us to treat each other with respect. I think he expects us to teach our children and our grand children to not to exclude anyone... because of religious, political or cultural differences. I am grateful to be a Mormon, grateful for my beliefs, they are what makes me who I am. My beliefs are what gives me HOPE and a HAPPINESS... that is everything to me. I hope you find the time to go see it.



Good night dear friends!
.

The good witch

What a neat quote, I do think that is true, some times it just takes us a while to figure that out.
Good night dear friends!

Tough day!

Tough day, hope you enjoy this article! Good night dear friends.

 

Teacher tells 4th grader to ‘be realistic’

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Jason Wright

Every year I speak to thousands of students in public and private schools across the country. At the end of the day, when I walk out the front door and climb back into my rental car, I always have a bit more faith that the future is in pretty good hands.
When the venue is an elementary school, I like to begin by inviting a few students to stand and share what they hope to be when they grow up. Some professions routinely make the list, no matter the age group or part of the country I’m in.
I always meet future teachers, firemen and veterinarians — or, in some hilariously mispronounced cases, vegetarians. I also get fist bumps from some aspiring future NFL or NBA stars.
There are usually a few surprises, too. Last week, one fourth-grader said he wanted to be a molecular biologist and another said she had plans to be a pediatric surgeon. “Well, of course you do,” I said. “I believe.”
No matter the size of the dream, I offer my complete, unconditional support.
They want to be a basketball player? I ask if they can dunk yet and their eyes light up that I would think it could even be possible.
They dream of being a professional ballet dancer? I put a finger on my head and do a couple of pirouettes to show off my mad skills. When they stop laughing, they suggest I never do that in public again.
If a girl dreams of being a pop star, she’s just begging me to snap my fingers like Beyonce, stick out my hip and quip, “You go, girl.”
While their classmates cheer their answers with childlike gusto, teachers and administrators nod and applaud politely, even at the most outlandish plans. If the adults find the answers unrealistic or too silly, they hide their feelings pretty well.
Usually.
On a recent visit, one teacher told a child to “be realistic.” She seemed to brag that in all her years in education, she’d only known a couple of students who’d gone on to play professional sports at any level. She was then overheard by the children telling a colleague how disappointed she was that the fourth-graders hadn’t yet moved on to considering other more reasonable professions.
I don’t know who was more disappointed — the students or me.
Certainly, there is wisdom in encouraging kids to seek as much education as possible and to develop a wide variety of skills. Then, if the young man with NBA dreams tops out at 5-foot-3 with no hand-eye coordination, he’s got a solid backup plan. But who are we to tell that little all-star he needs to “be realistic”?
The world is full of successful adults who were allowed to dream much bigger than their shoe size. I’m a full-time writer and New York Times best-selling novelist, in large part because a handful of teachers through the years looked me in the eye and said, “I believe in you.”
My very first book, a collection of awful poetry drenched in teen angst, was available in bookstores when I was just 17 because teachers believed the poems were good enough to be published and my mother said, “Why not?” With faithful adults in my corner, I beat the streets and set up wholesale accounts.
If I could have had a private moment with that doubting, downer educator, I would remind her that the harsh world is going to come at those youngsters fast enough. What’s her rush?
Experience tells us the odds are stacked against every elementary school in America pumping out a dozen Super Bowl winning quarterbacks. Still, what gives us the right to dim those colorful dreams? Life circumstances, DNA, injuries, bad luck and a bucket full of unforeseen trials will probably send that message soon enough.
As long as we can believe in their super-sized dreams, shouldn’t we?
I’ve seen firsthand how many children come from homes where flesh and blood have little faith in their kids’ ability to succeed. I’ve met little ones who first learned the word “stupid” when their own parents used it against them.
Don’t they deserve someone to believe anything is possible?
Don’t they deserve a chance to dream big?
Next time you hear a child say they want to be a Mars astronaut, an Olympian or a professional skateboarder, try looking them in the eye and offering an unequivocal, “I believe.”
They deserve nothing less.
Read the article here:

What brings me Happiness?

Many times in my life I have been asked this question, and the answer is always the same. It is what I believe, truly believe...that brings happiness in my life. I love this video, it really explains well what I believe. You can see it here:

I feel very blessed. Hope you had a wonderful Sunday!
Good night dear friends!
                                                                                                          

Sharing what is important to us!

We share our favorite restaurant - but what about our faith?

---

March 19, 2013 About a year ago, I discovered a new Asian fusion restaurant. I'm not sure how many times I drove by and saw the signs before I ventured in. But I'm sure glad I did. It's called Wok Zone in Winchester, Va., and the food is outstanding, the prices are fair and the service is fantastic. Since then, I've shared my love of Wok Zone with as many people as I possibly can. And why not? It may sound silly, but I found something delicious that's brought me happiness and I have confidence others will enjoy it, too. I'm not naive. I accept that not everyone will be interested. They may have a similar restaurant they're already happy with. Their taste may be completely different or perhaps Asian food simply isn't their thing. But has that stopped me from sharing? Absolutely not. I've offered my discovery liberally, knowing that even if they disagree, our friendships are on solid ground - I'd never know if I didn't ask. I suspect you've done the same. And it's not just great food we're excited to share. How many times have you seen a movie, read a book or tried a new diet that you couldn't wait to share with someone else? That's what people do. We exercise agency, decide what's important to us and then desire to share that discovery with others. Our instincts tell us that what's good for us will be good for those we love. Oddly enough, my restaurant experience reminds me of another discovery. As a teenager, I discovered for myself that the church I'd been attending was the most delicious thing in my life. I'd been going with my family for years to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but never really partaken of the full menu - I'd only nibbled here and there. Once I did, I loved it and I couldn't wait to share with my friends. I introduced the LDS Church to my two closest friends of that era. One joined the church a few years later while attending Brigham Young University with me and I was honored to attend his wedding in the temple. He remains an active member today. My other friend investigated the church and decided he wasn't interested, but it didn't affect our relationship in the least. I respected his faith, he respected mine and our families remain very close all these years later. In fact, he's one of the finest Christians I've ever known. How many others have I shared my faith with in the years since? Not enough. For some reason the older I've gotten, the tougher it's become. But why? Why is it easier to broadcast something as temporary as my affection for a new restaurant than to share something as eternal and lasting as my faith? Shouldn't we approach missionary work with the same level of enthusiasm? Recently, I've spent time pondering and evaluating everyone I've ever personally shared my faith with. I can't recall a single soul who's become offended, asked me never to call again or ridiculed me for opening my mouth. Some have said "Thanks, but no thank you." But none have answered, "How dare you share something that brings you such happiness." If you stop and do the same - consider everyone you've made a deliberate effort to share your religion with - can you find anyone who's ended your friendship as a result of your bold testimony? No matter our faith, whether Protestant, Presbyterian, Methodist or Mormon, we should all desire to share what's valuable to us with others. And what if we don't? I understand in the next life it's unlikely anyone will approach me with tears in their eyes and tell me how much they wish I had introduced them to my favorite Asian restaurant. But isn't it possible someone could approach me and ask why I never shared my faith? "You had something so precious in your life, a faith that I could have relied on and a community of believers that would have strengthened my family. Why didn't you tell me?" I don't want to have any of those conversations. Do you? I invite everyone to share what matters most. If it brings you happiness, share it. If it brings you comfort and peace in a troubled world, share it. If it bonds your family together, share it with other families. If it's so delicious, then tell the world why. Because it just might be the most important discovery you'll ever share.
here:

On more than one occasion, I have talked about this very subject...sharing what is important to you. Actually I do that almost every day on my blog. But I love the way that Jason explained it! I however have had a few bad experiences in sharing what I believe. I had a dear friend for over a year and once she found out I was a Mormon, she left the dinner table with her family and never spoke to me again! When I was young and growing up in West Virginia, there were many times that I got made fun of or teased because of my religion. In High School, there was on me, my brother and my cousin who were Mormons...so some times the opposition got hard. Most of the kids didn't know what I believed, but just teased and about what I would NOT participate in...smoking, drinking and drugs! The peer pressure was hard, but I knew in my heart that it was right for me, so I stayed close to the principles I held so dear. 

Now I have to say, that I have just as many friends who are not members of my faith, as I do that are. We respect each other. I am grateful for their friendship and I respect their beliefs and differences. I think Jason was right though, if we are so willing to share little things that bring us joy, then why do we hesitate to share the BIG things that bring us even more joy? I do believe the world would be a better place if we shared our beliefs more, and if we were all more excepting and respectful of each others beliefs. 
I hope my friends know that I am a MORMON, I have to admit that my faith and beliefs are truly what bring me and my family the most happiness in the world. I also hope that my friends, would feel comfortable enough around me to ask me about my beliefs if they had any questions, or wanted to know more. I have always loved the statement " if  you want to know about plumbing, then call a plumber not a electrician. If you want to know about carpentry, as a carpenter, not a plumber" The same is true of any religion, don't just take what others say about different religions, if you want to then ask the person who lives it!
Good night dear friends!
PS And by the way, I think Sushi Land is my favorite restaurant,  just in case you were wondering! :)

"To attain inner peace you must actually give your life, not just your possessions. When you at last give your life - bringing into alignment your beliefs and the way you live then, and only then, can you begin to find inner peace."  ~ Peace Pilgrim

"Live your beliefs and you can turn the world around."  ~ Henry David Thoreau

 

How you live...does matter!

   Thirty four years ago, one of my friends was in college. She was a year or two ahead of me, but everyone knew and love this girl. She was the type of person that you were naturally drawn too, her life was an example to many. During her time there at college, she was noticed by many because of the life she lived. One boy that took notice of her example was especially interested in why she had the standards and morals that she did. They later started dating and he began to ask her about her beliefs.
   When she came home on the weekends, she invited him to church with her. That is where I first met this young ( good looking ) man. However, he was dating my friend and I thought he was a lucky guy, because she was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. Time passed and I caught myself hoping each Sunday that he might be coming back to church with her...and he did! There was something special about this guy and I found myself thinking of him more than the guy I was dating ( I know that's not good ).
   To make a long story short, this guy decided to learn more and more about the church, and was baptized in March. Sometime later he and my friend broke up, and around the first part of June he asked me out, I couldn't hardly believe it... YES!!! The only bad part is that I had an old boyfriend who all of a sudden said he was driving to West Virginia to see me that weekend and I still had my boyfriend to deal with. I didn't get to go out with him that the first time he asked me, I had to get some things cleared up, but by the next Sunday when I saw him at church and he asked me out again... I was already starting to have feelings for him. He was not like any other guy that I had dated. I was surprised at how quickly he learned the principles of the Gospel and wanted to do anything and everything that his Heavenly Father expected of him. He truly lived what he believed and was so much happier because of it.

   Now you have probably guessed that this good looking guy was Jeff, my husband of almost 30 years ( in June ). I have written more than one thank you note to my friend, for the example she set and for the life she lived, that lead Jeff to want to know more. Jeff from day one, has been the spiritual giant in our family, he loves and serves the Lord in any and every way he can. Our kids know that if they follow the example of their Dad, that they will be happy people.
   So does the way we live our life really matter? You bet it does... and for that example of my friend, I will always be eternally grateful. Because she lived what she believed, I got to meet Jeff, and he in turn has become a great example to me, our children and now our Grandchildren. Yes, our lives really do make a difference!


"Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing."  ~Albert Schweitzer

Red headed temper?

Have you ever wondered where some statements, or so called well known facts, or even some habits originated from?  Like for instance, that all red heads have fiery tempers? When I know some red heads that don't . Or the comments that are made about blondes all being dumb. Or even other habits or traditions that are passed down. Like when you make a statement and then you knock on wood so you don't jinx yourself. Things like that...I have always wondered where they came from and why we keep doing them, even when we don't believe them?  Most of them are harmless but I notice that even I say and do those things many times, then I stop and realize that I just made a blanket statement or that I just knocked on wood too and I am not even superstitious. I guess some of them are just habits, but many times I have thought I probably shouldn't pass them on to another generation.
I thought about this subject when my daughter had this photo of my granddaughter, Jenny on her blog. She is fiery and she is a red head, then I quickly remember our little Lauren and her hair was brunette, and she was one fiery toddler too...so that proves that some of things are just ....passed on ...stuff, not necessarily true or correct... just passed on. It does make one stop and think though of the power of our thoughts and actions. Sometimes I wonder if the person (who first said you have to knock on wood so that you won't bring back bad luck to you or whatever the reason is behind that) knows what a powerful thing they did, because it has continued on for years? I wish I could come up with something positive that the whole world would just pick up and do every time they encountered something negative. Wonder what that would be?  Oh well, just food for thought tonight!

"Superstitions are habits rather than beliefs."  ~ Marlene Dietrich

"You'll find superstition a contagious thing. Some people let it get the better of them."  ~ Curt Siodmak

Singing your song

Last night I taught a class at church, on the importance of having Family Night. I loved preparing for it, because once again it reminded me that we can not take our family's for granted. We need to provide a home that is safe and that has a sure foundation. Taking one day a week to devote to being together as a family is important. We have always had Family Night with our kids, and they actually looked forward to it. It is a special time and a time to reinforce our love for each other, and also our values and beliefs. Yes, I believe it made all the difference in the world.
Now don't get me wrong, there were times when our Family Nights didn't turn out too successful. Attitudes were bad or someone didn't want to participate. But all in all, I am grateful we did it, week after week. I found this story and I loved it. What a powerful message it was about helping each of us remember who we are, and that we are loved. Read it and see what you think?

They're Singing Your Song 

When a woman in a certain African tribe knows
she is pregnant, she goes out into the wilderness
with a few friends and together they pray and
meditate until they hear the song of the child.
They recognize that every soul has its own vibration
that expresses its unique flavor and purpose. When
the women attune to the song, they sing it out loud. 
Then they return to the tribe and teach it to everyone
else.

When the child is born, the community gathers and sings the child's song to him or her. Later, when the child enters education, the village gathers and chants the child's song. When the child passes through the initiation to adulthood, the people again come
together and sing. At the time of marriage, the person hears his or her song.
Finally, when the soul is about to pass from this world, the family and friends gather at the person's bed, just as they did at their birth, and they sing the person to the next life.
To the African tribe there is one other occasion upon which the villagers sing to the child. If at any time during his or her life, the person commits a crime or aberrant social act, the individual is called to the center of the village and the people in the community
form a circle around them. Then they sing their song to them.
The tribe recognizes that the correction for antisocial behavior is not punishment; it is love and the remembrance of identity. When you recognize your own song, you have no desire or need to do anything that would hurt another.
A friend is someone who knows your song and sings it to you when you have forgotten it. Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.
You may not have grown up in an African tribe that sings your song to you at crucial life transitions, but life is always reminding you when you are in tune with yourself and when you are not. When you feel good, what you are doing matches your song, and when you feel awful, it doesn't. In the end, we shall all recognize our song and sing it well.
You may feel a little unsteady at the moment, but so have all the great singers. Just keep singing and you'll find your way home.

http://www.inspirationpeak.com/shortstories/singingyoursong.html

"It's surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely determined by their feelings toward themselves, and if you're not comfortable within yourself, you can't be comfortable with others."  ~ Sidney J. Harris

"The hardest challenge is to be yourself in a world where everyone is trying to make you be somebody else."
~E. E. Cummings

"You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."  ~Desmond Tutu

No Santa...impossible!

For my whole life, I have defended Santa Claus. I struggle with people who say that there isn't any such person. Now that I have found this story, I decided to rest my case! Yes, there is a Santa Claus, he is as real as we are! I hope you enjoy this story and the lesson that goes with it!

Santa Claus

I remember my first Christmas party with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything.

She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let's go"

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything.

As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobbie Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobbie Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobbie Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobbie Decker a coat. I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes," I replied shyly. "It's ... for Bobbie."

The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons, and write, "To Bobbie, From Santa Claus" on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobbie Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobbie's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobbie.

Forty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my grandma, in Bobbie Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

"Alas! How dreary would be the world if there was no Santa Claus!... There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this " ~ Francis P. Church

"Whenever you give someone a present or sing a holiday song, you're helping Santa Claus. To me, that's what Christmas is all about. Helping Santa Claus!"

Talents Part 2

As I mentioned last night we went to a presentation where Lauren's photography was being displayed. She had been asked at church if she could help the Young Women look like, different women in the scriptures? Each girl was assigned a certain scripture heroine, then they were to learn about each of their heroines. Here are a few of the posters that they printed off, for each girl to have. It was a great experience for the girls, as well as it was for Lauren.
She went right to work gathering fabric from me and collecting stuff from the second hand store, buying table clothes, shower curtains and etc. Then she and I sewed them into these beautiful costumes ( it really wasn't that much work on my part, I just did what she told me. I am so amazed that she could see the potential... in just an old shower curtain or a pair of drapes?

As I watched the girls do their presentations last night in front of their families. I realized for a moment, those girls truly felt like heroines themselves. They connected with these incredible women, they realized the strength and courage that they had to have. The spirit was so strong, I am grateful for leaders of these sweet girls, who were so inspired to give the girls something this incredible to work on. It was a wonderful night. How grateful we were that Lauren could share her talents with all of us. 

"Any human anywhere will blossom in a hundred unexpected talents and capacities simply by being given the opportunity to do so."
Doris Lessing

"As simple as it sounds, we all must try to be the best person we can: by making the best choices, by making the most of the talents we've been given."
Mary Lou Retton

Hold on to your ideals!

I am a bit tired tonight, need to head to bed. I have been getting ready for the demo that I am going to teach tomorrow at the quilt class. I am so excited, I truly love meeting all the new ladies. The world is filled with good people. I know that when you watch the news, you may doubt that, but there are a lot of great people in this world. So I will leave you tonight with this sweet and thought provoking poem. Good night dear friends!

Ideals
Remember that ideals
are like stars up in the sky,
You can never really reach them,
hanging in the heavens high....
But like the mighty mariner
who sailed the storm-tossed sea,
And used the stars to chart his course
with skill and certainty,
You too can chart your course in life
with high ideals and love,
For high ideals are like the stars
that light the sky above....
You cannot ever reach them,
but lift your heart up high
And your life will be as shining
as the stars up in the sky.
By Helen Stiener Rice

" The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully have been kindness, beauty, and truth"   ~ Albert Einstein

" I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart."                     ~ Anne Frank

Faith of a little child!

I have always loved the scripture, where the Savior says that we need to be more like a little child. Why is that? I think it is because they are kind, believing, happy and full of faith! This story is a wonderful example of that.

I want to buy a miracle
A little girl went
to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet.

She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three
times, even The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.

Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she
slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with
the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for
the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment.
Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat
with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good Finally she took a
quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of
voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,' he
said without waiting for a reply to his question.

'Well, I want to talk
to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. 'He's
really, really sick...and I want to buy a miracle.'

'I beg your pardon?'
said the pharmacist.

'His name is Andrew and he has something bad
growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now So how
much does a miracle cost?'

'We don't sell miracles here, little girl.
I'm sorry but I can't help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little.

'Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get
the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.'

The pharmacist's brother was
a well dressed man He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'What kind of a
miracle does your brother need?'

' I don't know,' Tess replied with her
eyes welling up. I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an
operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.'

'How much do you have?' asked the man from  Chicago

'One dollar
and eleven cents,' Tess answered barely audibly.

'And it's all the money
I have, but I can get some more if I need to.'

'Well, what a
coincidence,' smiled the man. 'A dollar and eleven cents---the exact price of a
miracle for little brothers. '

He took her money in one hand and with
the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want
to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you
need.'

That well dressed man was Dr.Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon,
specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it
wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well.

Mom and Dad were
happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.

'That surgery,' her Mom whispered. 'was a real miracle. I wonder how
much it would have cost?'

Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a
miracle cost..one dollar and eleven cents....plus the faith of a little child.

In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need.

"A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law."

"Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe."  ~ Gail Devers

Happy Easter!

I am so grateful that we were about to celebrate Easter today. I am glad that my children know, the very important meaning of Easter. I believe some times that kids believe and understand it better, because their minds and lives are so full of hope and faith. I am grateful to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of a living Savior. I am grateful for the peace that comes from knowing the true Easter Story. As I read it in John 20, Matthew 27-28 ...I realized that it has always meant a lot to me, there have been so many of my family and loved ones who have already passed away from this life. I realized that the Savior suffered went through all the things He did because of His love for us. I hang on to my believe and testimony that I will be able to see them again someday, if I but strive to live the commandments of God. What a beautiful statement ..."He is Risen", it gives me great HOPE!

I personally know that He lives and truly understand what He did for me, because I have had to go through my own Gethsemane. There have been times in my life that I personally know ...I couldn't have made it through without the help of the Savior.  There have been times in my life also that I have prayed with my broken heart to know that He really lives and because of his atoning sacrifice, I can be forgiven of my sins and have the opportunity to start off anew. I believe all of us, will come to a point in our lives where we will have to face our own Gethsemane. When we do, we will find ourselves down on our knees, begging to know if these things are true or not!  Yes, Easter brings to me great Hope and Peace.

I liked this poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox...

In golden youth when seems the earth
A Summer-land of singing mirth,
When souls are glad and hearts are light,
And not a shadow lurks in sight,
We do not know it, but there lies
Somewhere veiled under evening skies
A garden which we all must see—
The garden of Gethsemane.

With joyous steps we go our ways,
Love lends a halo to our days;
Light sorrows sail like clouds afar,
We laugh, and say how strong we are.
We hurry on; and hurrying, go
Close to the border-land of woe,
That waits for you, and waits for me—
Forever waits Gethsemane.

Down shadowy lanes, across strange streams,
Bridged over by our broken dreams;
Behind the misty caps of years,
Beyond the great salt fount of tears,
The garden lies. Strive as you may,
You cannot miss it in your way.
All paths that have been, or shall be,
Pass somewhere through Gethsemane.

All those who journey, soon or late,
Must pass within the garden’s gate;Must kneel alone in darkness there,
And battle with some fierce despair
God pity those who can not say,
“Not mine but thine,” who only pray,
“Let this cup pass,” and cannot see
The purpose in Gethsemane.

"The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances."  ~ Robert Flatt

"Easter is the demonstration of God that life is essentially spiritual and timeless."  ~ Charles M. Crowe

"Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness."  ~ Floyd W. Tomkins

Faith and Happiness

I believe that we all want happiness in our lives. I also believe that many of us may have trouble finding it on a daily basis. In my reading I found an article about this very subject, and I would like to share part of it with you...

" 600 years ago on the New Year of 1412 in the small village of Domremy, France a baby girl was born who, a little later, changed the political and religious landscape of her world. Through military developments and a variety of personal religious experiences, Joan of Arc, sometimes called the Maid of Orleans, was made a captain in the French army at the tender age of 16. In a rather remarkable series of battles and victories, she brought acclaim to herself and her cause, inspiring not only the men under her command but also the entire French nation. Later she was captured, tried, and put to death---burned at the stake---her life complete at 19 years of age.

As the fires were being ignited around the stake to which she was tied, Joan was given a last chance to save her life and regain her liberty if she would deny her religious---and thus some of her personally motivated political---beliefs. She refused to deny anything she believed or anything she had said about her faith, and thus chose fire above freedom, and principle above politics. Maxwell Anderson, who wrote a moving drama about this young woman and her courage, has her say in his play as the flames begin to consume her, "THE WORLD CAN USE THESE WORDS...EVERY MAN GIVES HIS LIFE FOR WHAT HE BELIEVES; EVERY WOMAN GIVES HER LIFE FOR WHAT SHE BELIEVES. SOMETIMES PEOPLE BELIEVE IN LITTLE OR NOTHING, [AND YET] THEY GIVE UP THEIR LIVES TO THAT LITTLE OR NOTHING. ONE LIFE IS ALL WE HAVE, AND WE LIVE IT AS WE BELIEVE IN LIVING IT, AND THEN IT'S GONE. BUT TO SURRENDER WHAT YOU ARE, AND LIVE WITHOUT BELIEF----THAT'S MORE TERRIBLE THAN DYING---MORE TERRIBLE THAN DYING YOUNG" (Joan of Lorraine, act 2, interlude 3)  ~ Jeffrey R. Holland

This story of Joan of Arc's life is very impressive, she had a faith and beliefs that she stood by her... whole life. I believe that is where true Happiness comes from. I think we need to remember to be like her courageous, strong, truly understand our opposition and remember above all else ....what truly matters in this world!  This article and this example of Joan of Arc, reminded me that we need to "GET SERIOUS" about our faith, beliefs, the changes we need to make in our lives and serious about the decisions we are making on a daily basis. We are all living in a world that is morally coming apart at the seams. We need to know what we believe and value, then live it!

What a great article for the beginning of a new year. I pray that we each will take a personal inventory of our beliefs and faith, then ask ourselves if we are truly as devoted to them as we should be?

No Santa Claus...ridiculous!

You guys know me, I listen to Christmas music all year long. I am teaching the songs to my granddaughters. I love this story. We are all Santa's helpers. Please remember that he is real, before we let the non-believers take over! Christmas will be here before we know it! Yeah!!!!!

I hope you enjoy this story even though it is October still, I am not trying to rush anything but just a quick reminder to keep believing!

 

Santa Claus

I remember my first Christmas party with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything.

She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let's go"

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything.

As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobbie Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobbie Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobbie Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobbie Decker a coat. I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes," I replied shyly. "It's ... for Bobbie."

The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons, and write, "To Bobbie, From Santa Claus" on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobbie Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobbie's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobbie.

Forty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my grandma, in Bobbie Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

"Alas! How dreary would be the world if there was no Santa Claus!... There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this " ~ Francis P. Church

 

,

Rising above your circumstances

I would imagine that many of us grew up in circumstances that were not always positive or the best for us. I always wondered why certain things were a certain way in our home and I also remember what my mom said to me when I would question why certain things were done certain ways in our home ... " that's just the way things are Lynn", then I would proceed with the all too famous line of " but why?" No matter how well my mom explained it, it didn't make sense to me and as a little girl, I wish that I had a voice ....so that I could explain how I thought things should be. But at last, I was just a girl and so I didn't have much leverage. I remember distinctly as a teenager thinking to myself often... that someday when I get married, things were going to be different in my home. I was going to try and change the things that upset me so much and ...that became a driving force for me throughout my dating years.

When I read this story it made me think of how grateful I was that I never believed it always had to be this way and that I couldn't change things. I truly expected my home would be different and it is. I am so grateful for that little "POT STIRRER" attitude that I had (even though I know it worried my mom). I am grateful for a knowledge that I am a child of God and that I didn't have to settle for anything less (although I did come very close to doing that a few times). I am grateful to be able to have kids who believe that they can be anything they want to be. I am so proud of them and their goals, determination and attitudes, it was definitely more positive than I had. Don't get me wrong, we had a lot of good things in our home and my parents are the ones that gave me that knowledge of who I was, but like any home not everything was perfect.

So hopefully you will read this story and remember to take time out to see your potential and not go your whole life... not living up to that potential! It is vital to remember who we are!  Thanks to so many of you, who have reminded me of my value and importance during the  many times throughout my life when I couldn't remember it for myself!

 

Song of the Bird

A man found an eagle's egg and put it in a nest of a barnyard hen. The eagle hatched with the brood of chicks and grew up with them. All his life, the eagle did what the barnyard chicks did, thinking he was a barnyard chicken. He scratched the earth for worms and insects. He clucked and cackled. And he would thrash his wings and fly a few feet in the air.

Years passed and the eagle grew very old. One day he saw a magnificent bird above him in the cloudless sky. it glided in graceful majesty among powerful wind currents, with scarcely a beat of its strong golden wings. The old eagle looked up in awe. "Who's that?" he asked. "That's the eagle, the king of the birds," said his neighbor. "He belongs to the sky. We belong to the earth-we're chickens." So the eagle lived and died a chicken, for that's what he thought he was.  ~ Anthony DeMello

"To find out what one is fitted to do, and to secure an opportunity to do it, is the key to happiness."   ~ John Dewey

"Men only take their needs into consideration, never their abilities." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

"Work while you have light. You are responsible for the talent that has been entrusted to you."                    ~ Henri Frederick Amiel

Finding your Happy Place

I have so much to be happy about. The season is changing into fall (which just so happens to be my favorite one),some of my dear friends are moving here from back East (and are staying with us right now). I have a wonderful family, good friends, a job, a nice home... and yet today I struggled to find my Happy Place. Why?

Well, a few days ago I put a couple of ribs out, just because I used the roller and tried to help my daughter paint her room. ( I know that doesn't sound like much but welcome to my fragile body!)  After struggling with the pain for a few days, I finally got to the chiropractor and he adjusted it for me. How nice it was to be able to turn my neck without pain and also being able to take a deep  breath without pain ...is a good thing. For 2 days I was getting better until I lifted something that I shouldn't have yesterday and now I am back in a lot of pain again. Once again I went back to the Chiropractor this morning and got adjusted and tried all day to rest so that the ribs don't come out again. It has been a tough day and the pain has worn me down. I have tried to put up a good front and have a happy day but I am really hurting. So I will leave you with a couple of good quotes and one of my daughter's inspirational photo cards.  I will  just check this day off, as one of those BIGGER THAN ME DAYS! I sure hope tonight I can sleep and tomorrow is a better day. Good night dear friends!

"YOU HAVE TO HAVE FAITH THAT THERE IS A REASON YOU GO THROUHG CERTAIN THINGS.  I CAN'T SAY I'M GLAD TO GO THROUGH PAIN, BUT IN A WAY ONE MUST, IN ORDER TO GAIN COURAGE AND REALLY FEEL JOY."       ~ Carol Burnett

"THE HUMAN SPIRIT CANNOT BE PARALYZED. IF YOU ARE BREATHING, YOU CAN DREAM."  ~ Mike Brown

"IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERY DIFFICULTY LIES OPPORTUNITY"  ~ Albert Einstein

"GREAT OCCASIONS DO NOT MAKE HEROS OR COWARDS; THEY SIMPLY UNVEIL THEM TO THE EYES OF MEN. SILENTLY AND IMPERCEPTIBLY, AS WE WAKE OR SLEEP, WE GROW STRONG OR WEAK; AND AT LAST SOME CRISIS SHOWS WHAT WE HAVE BECOME."  ~ Brooke Foss Westcott

Being ready and prepared

Today in church I learned a great lesson about being ready and being prepared to do what the God needs you to do. In the book of Job we read in the 32nd chapter that "there is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding".  In the book of 1 Kings chapter 19 we read where the Lord speaks to Elijah, not in the wind, nor the earthquakes, nor the fire, but in a still small voice.

The speaker today started by asking the audience to close their eyes, then be very quiet and listen very carefully to 4 different sounds. She challenged us to identify them in our minds if we knew what they were. It was a simple demonstration, but a very valuable object lesson.  After she let us hear all the sounds then she asked us to open our eyes and she then showed us what all the objects were. Then she asked us..."why do you think it was so easy to hear what each thing was?"  Her point was, it was easy because the room was quiet and the sounds were magnified. Then she talked about the scripture with Elijah and how he learned first hand that the Lord does not speak with a loud voice but a very still small voice.

The point also was.... that we listen best when we are ready and prepared to hear what is being told to us. We need to remember to find time to be quiet  and truly listen to what God wants to tell us. Many times we are so busy and there are so many things around us to drowned out that still small voice. Like the phone, TVs, computer, music and on and on. Remember the Lord whispers not shouts! So reverence invites revelation!

I have said before that I think one of the most important things you can figure out in our lives, is to know what the Lord wants us to do each day! Truly understand what our individual mission is here on earth. Knowing that, can make all the difference in the quality of our lives. Are we just wandering around, killing time or do we have a real purpose and mission?

It was a great lesson for me to remember to stop and take time each day to be quiet, pray, study, meditate and listen to that still small voice of inspiration and understanding. I have heard it many times in my life and each time I have been blessed, if I follow it. But there have also been many times in my life that I have been too busy, too many things have been going on that I didn't take the time to be quite and listen and there is a definite difference on those days. Learning how to eliminate some of those distractions (even for a little while) gives me the opportunity to know for a fact what I should be doing. Knowing what your mission is and doing it is....a great feeling!

I hope this is as good of a reminder to you, as it was for me today!  Sundays...I love them!

 

"People only see what they are prepared to see."  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"If you are prepared, you will be confident, and will do the job"  ~ Tom Landry

“I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns."   ~Spencer W. Kimball

Pain vs Service

I have heard my whole life that if you are hurting, frustrated or depressed...the best thing you can do is serve someone else. In doing so we forget (for maybe only a minute or so) our problems, pains and frustrations. It gives us a clearer view on life and it's true meaning.

I have always loved the Bible, I love reading and learning more about Christ and the type of life that He lived. I never have to wonder really what to do or say, because He simply has already shown us the way! One of my favorite scriptures is in the book of St. John 13:4-9, 15-17. It is where Christ washes the feet of his disciples. The disciples of course feel that they are not worthy for Him to do that. Knowing who He was, they felt like they should be the one giving the service to Him. His response in these verses is what I love the most. He told them that He was doing it as an example for them. He reminded them that the servant is not great then his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. He also reminded them that it was important to know these things but more important... to do them!

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."  ~Albert Einstein

Last night Lauren and I went over and gave Amy a foot massage and a pedicure (since she can't reach her feet). I know that she felt a bit uncomfortable with us serving her like that. I probably would have felt the same. She kept mentioning how bad her feet looked and how embarrassed she was at how swollen they were. She obviously was struggling with our gift to her. That is what was running through her head but I have to admit, my thoughts were much different.

I have been in a lot of pain the past few weeks with my back ( for some reason, worse than normal ) I am also having some pain and worrying about my swelling in my surgery site ( lymphodemia ) but I was so excited and forgot all about that, when I realized that we could do this gift of service for Amy last night. Yes, my back and chest still hurt, but what I was thinking sitting down there on the floor last night, was how proud I was of my daughter. How much I loved her and if I could in any way help her to relax, feel better and more loved... then I was determined to do it. I rubbed her swollen feet and I remembered ( years ago ) rubbing lotion on her little dry feet in the hospital, just after she was born. How proud I was of her last night for being brave and strong, pregnancy and especially the last few weeks....are not easy thing! I was glad to be her mom, I truly love her and would do that and anything else to serve her. And I was happy doing it! ( Sore, and still hurting, but happy!) I was grateful for an hour or so, to be able to think of something and someone else.

 

I hope we will all think of more ways that we can serve, I promise you it will ALWAYS make you feel better inside! Thank  you to each of  you that have served me and my family throughout the years

 

"Things don’t have to be good for you to be great."  ~ unknown

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little."  ~ Edmund Burke

"I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now and not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again"~ William Penn

Together Again!

Today was beautiful, the temperature was perfect in the high 80's, almost 25 degrees lower than the past few days! I was thrilled to be able to work outside on the yard. I don't do it very often because it is so tough on my back, but it was the perfect opportunity for yard work so Amy, Angie and I enjoyed the sun.  I am sure that my chiropractor will see me tomorrow :) (remember I am a 50 year old now)

I am so excited to get everything ready, because tomorrow all my kids will be home together. It will be the first time since December at Brad and Krystal's wedding, so we are excited! Lee and Lauren have been gone for a week at a Youth Camp and Brad and Krystal will be visiting for a week from Idaho. I don't know how to explain it, but having all my kids home together seems like the greatest blessing a mother can have. I love the scripture in the book of Matthew 6:21 which reads, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,". I feel blessed that for our whole marriage. I have been able to stay home and be a full time mom. Many people have asked me how I could do that and why I would do that? Well, Jeff and I decided before we got married that he would support the family and that I would stay home. We both knew that it would take a lot of sacrifice, living on just one income was interesting and forced us to be happy with less and to be very creative...not only in our finances but in our cooking and our entertainment. :)  But it was exactly what we had hoped for and though it was far from perfect, it was the exact life that I had always dreamed of.

Especially since I have battled cancer more than once in my life, I have to admit that the treasures that are in my heart have gotten more precious to me and I can't imagine life without them and hope that I never have to. We may not have a lot of money, or cars that work all the time, but I do have an incredible family and kids that make me happier than anything in this world. So knowing that they all will be home again for even just a week ...is a blessing! Our family motto is "WE MAY NOT HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER BUT TOGETHER WE HAVE IT ALL!" , I think that explains our crew better than anything else, especially for those of you that truly know us ! :)

So hopefully we will be able to get some family photos together and of course the kids are trying to convince Amy that she needs to have Miss Jenny this weekend if she can so that we can all be here for it. Amy is at 38 weeks and getting pretty uncomfortable, so I am sure she would be more than happy to have the baby two weeks early. But for me, as a mother of 4 I personally know that you usually have to have a Plan B, C and some times D ready...just in case. So we shall see!

 

 

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."
-- Jane Howard

"Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter."
-- Brad Henry