Gratitude for yet another Sabbath Day!

Today I was blessed to give a lesson in church on Charity.
It was simply amazing and as always, I think often that I get more out of the lessons than those I teach. I loved this story about what a touchstone is and how it works!

“The touchstone of compassion is a measure of our discipleship; it is a measure of our love for God and for one another.”

The two great commandments are the Lord’s touchstone for our discipleship.

In ancient times, one test of the purity of gold was performed with a smooth, black, siliceous stone called a touchstone. When rubbed across the touchstone, the gold produced a streak or mark on its surface. The goldsmith matched this mark to a color on his chart of graded colors. The mark was redder as the amount of copper or alloy increased or yellower as the percentage of gold increased. This process showed quite accurately the purity of the gold.

The touchstone method of testing the purity of gold was quick and was satisfactory for most practical purposes. But the goldsmith who still questioned the purity completed a more accurate test by using a process that involved fire.

I suggest to you that the Lord has prepared a touchstone for you and me, an outward measurement of inward discipleship that marks our faithfulness and will survive the fires yet to come.
It made me ... with my efforts, that I will be strong enough to survive the hard times yet ahead of me. Being made equal to anything that the Lord needs me to do!

On one occasion while Jesus was teaching the people, a certain lawyer approached him and posed this question: “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus, the master teacher, replied to the man, who obviously was well-versed in the law, with a counter-question, “What is written in the law? how readest thou?”

The man replied with resolute summary the two great commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”

With approval Christ responded, “This do, and thou shalt live” (Luke 10:25–28).

The Savior taught us to love everyone, including those who may be difficult to love.

As if excusing himself for asking such a simple question of the Master, the lawyer sought to justify himself by further inquiring, “And who is my neighbour?” (Luke 10:29).Of course one of the greatest parables was this one...Parable of the Good Samaritan...(Luke 10:30–35).

I love the words to one of my favorite hymns!

Savior, may I learn to love thee,

Walk the path that thou hast shown,

Pause to help and lift another,

Finding strength beyond my own. …

Who am I to judge another

When I walk imperfectly?

In the quiet heart is hidden

Sorrow that the eye can’t see. …

I would be my brother’s keeper;

I would learn the healer’s art.

To the wounded and the weary

I would show a gentle heart.

I would be my brother’s keeper—

Lord, I would follow thee.

(Hymns, 1985, no. 220.)

Charity is the pure love of Christ and will not fail.  Loving others is “a more excellent way.”

This was a sweet story of someone that truly understands what Charity really means!

As a young man, Brother Vern Crowley said he learned something of the crucial lesson the Prophet Joseph had taught the early Saints in Nauvoo when he told them to “love others, even our enemies as well as friends.” This is a good lesson for each of us.

After his father became ill, Vern Crowley took responsibility for running the family wrecking yard although he was only fifteen years of age. Some customers occasionally took unfair advantage of the young man, and parts were disappearing from the lot overnight. Vern was angry and vowed to catch someone and make an example of him. Vengeance would be his.

Just after his father had started to recover from his illness, Vern was making his rounds of the yard one night at closing time. It was nearly dark. In a distant corner of the property, he caught sight of someone carrying a large piece of machinery toward the back fence. He ran like a champion athlete and caught the young thief. His first thought was to take out his frustrations with his fists and then drag the boy to the front office and call the police. His heart was full of anger and vengeance. He had caught his thief, and he intended to get his just dues.

Out of nowhere, Vern’s father came along, put his weak and infirm hand on his son’s shoulder, and said, “I see you’re a bit upset, Vern. Can I handle this?” He then walked over to the young would-be thief and put his arm around his shoulder, looked him in the eye for a moment, and said, “Son, tell me, why are you doing this? Why were you trying to steal that transmission?” Then Mr. Crowley started walking toward the office with his arm around the boy, asking questions about the young man’s car problems as they walked. By the time they had arrived at the office, the father said, “Well, I think your clutch is gone and that’s causing your problem.”

In the meantime, Vern was fuming. “Who cares about his clutch?” he thought. “Let’s call the police and get this over with.” But his father just kept talking. “Vern, get him a clutch. Get him a throwout bearing, too. And get him a pressure plate. That should take care of it.” The father handed all of the parts to the young man who had attempted robbery and said, “Take these. And here’s the transmission, too. You don’t have to steal, young man. Just ask for it. There’s a way out of every problem. People are willing to help.”

Brother Vern Crowley said he learned an everlasting lesson in love that day. The young man came back to the lot often. Voluntarily, month by month, he paid for all of the parts Vic Crowley had given him, including the transmission. During those visits, he asked Vern why his dad was the way he was and why he did what he did. Vern told him something of their Latter-day Saint beliefs and how much his father loved the Lord and loved people. Eventually the would-be thief was baptized. Vern later said, “It’s hard now to describe the feelings I had and what I went through in that experience. I, too, was young. I had caught my crook. I was going to extract the utmost penalty. But my father taught me a different way.”

A different way? A better way? A higher way? A more excellent way? 

… Charity encompasses all other godly virtues. It distinguishes both the beginning and the end of the plan of salvation. When all else fails, charity—Christ’s love—will not fail. It is the greatest of all divine attributes.

Out of the abundance of his heart, Jesus spoke to the poor, the downtrodden, the widows, the little children; to farmers and fishermen, and those who tended goats and sheep; to strangers and foreigners, the rich, the politically powerful, as well as the unfriendly Pharisees and scribes. He ministered to the poor, the hungry, the deprived, the sick. He blessed the lame, the blind, the deaf, and other people with physical disabilities. He drove out the demons and evil spirits that had caused mental or emotional illness. He purified those who were burdened with sin. He taught lessons of love and repeatedly demonstrated unselfish service to others. All were recipients of his love.

what a great reminder today...the perfect one I needed!
Hope you guys had a great Sabbath too!

Good Night dear friends!

Boundaries...everyone needs them!

Oh how I wish I would have learned this lesson when I was much younger. I have struggled with setting Boundaries my whole life. I have tried to teach it to my children for their safety, and for their well being. But I am afraid much of it, they had to learn as they watch me suffer from not setting boundaries at times. I think the best few lines that she talked about were this...
"Empathy w/out boundaries is not empathy...compassion w/out boundaries is not genuine, vulnerablitiy w/out boundaries is not vulnerability. Boundaries are RESPECT."
We need to be able to say " Here is whats okay with me and here is whats not!"
I hope you take a minute to watch her short youtube clip...
Watch it HERE:


Sorry you haven't heard much from me. Lee was home for a week and Jeff has been sick. Trying to get my ONLINE LynnMade Business up and running very soon...so lots to do!
But I will survive this...right?
Night dear friends!

This is soooo important to remember!

For many years now I have said that I wish that we could sew clothes out of Wipe Off materials. That way we could see what everyone has been going through that week, that day...even that moment. Then if we know what they had been through, then maybe we would give them a little slack or at least have a little more compassion and understanding. Because I believe that everyone has a story, everyone is going through something..sometime in their life they will have to fight a battle!
But watch this short video...that is exactly the purpose of my Wipe Off Board outfits! Hope you take a minute to look at it...
you can watch it here:

The down side of these clothes would be ...you might not want to have everyone know your problems are...but the solution would be...don't wear it  until you need to!
But most people could use help, love and compassion sometime in their life, it just makes life better to have someone who can be on your side and be there with you. Life is hard and no one should have to do it alone.

Life and more lessons to learn!

 I have learned through out my life, that many times we joke about things that we can't  understand or things make us feel uncomfortable. As I read this article by Jason, I also realized the worse part of all this, is when it happens to one of your own children or someone you love. And it breaks your heart when even though you would give anything to make your child whole, that isn't how life always works. Many experiences in life, we have to go through personally. It seems that the only way we can learn in life... is by watching them go through it and learning step by step what we must do to either help them or be patient and have compassion for others going through some of the same things. Life is about challenges, life is about learning, life is about being patient and understanding. Each of us should be grateful for the good things in our lives, and strive hard to learn from the things that seem to bring us to our knees often.

Good night dear friends.

Bigfoot, unicorns and anxiety disorders aren’t all imaginary

One year ago, if a friend had told me he was suffering from anxiety so debilitating it prevented him from working, studying, speaking in public or even being alone, I might have suggested it was a figment of his imagination.

Panic attacks? Please. Take a deep breath, pal.

Can’t sleep? Come on. Count more sheep. Better yet, count more unicorns, since they have a lot in common with your little imagined problem.

In related news, I’ve never been nominated for “buddy of the year.”

To that hypothetical friend suffering from anxiety-related disorders, I owe you an apology. Because so much has changed in the past year, I hardly recognize my own naive, inconsiderate memories. Anxiety didn’t just knock on our front door — it joined the family.

My new understanding began last fall when, without obvious trigger or explanation, my 14-year-old daughter, Jadi, began experiencing anxiety about being away from home or being away from a parent. Unless Mom or Dad accompanied her, it was difficult to attend school, church, etc. By the time Christmas break ended, she was unable to walk back into the building without panic attacks so serious they brought tears to her eyes — and ours.

While I began to research the world of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and panic disorders, and even post-traumatic stress, my wife did the only thing she could think of to help our daughter continue progressing.

My wife enrolled in the eighth grade.

For the second semester of the school year, Jadi was never in the building without her mother. At first, Mom sat in the classroom. Later, she moved to a desk in the hallway where Jadi could see her. Finally, she set up shop in the library and spent the entire school day there as Jadi moved from class to class, occasionally stopping by to check in.

They walked into the building together at 8 a.m. and walked out at 3 p.m. — a seven-hour day. The axiom “parenting is a full-time job” had a whole new meaning in our home.

My wife’s willingness to sacrifice her time, friends, responsibilities, work and hobbies from January to June is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. If our acts of kindness are truly recorded in heaven, the angels have gone to volumes II, III and IV on my wife’s edition.

As the two of them adjusted to their new reality and Jadi began receiving professional help to better understand her trials, I dove into researching this world that previously seemed as fictional as one of my books.

The view on the other side of my foggy ignorance was staggering.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders affect roughly 40 million adults each year. That’s approximately 18 percent of all American adults, nearly one in five.

Obviously, fear and uncertainly chase our teens, too. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that about 8 percent of teens ages 13 to 18 have an anxiety disorder. Of these, only 18 percent receive health care.

Though the numbers were a surprise, nothing pried my eyes open more than meeting so many faces of anxiety. The more I opened up and sought counsel, the more I discovered that among those 40 million sufferers are many of the people I love most in this world: family members, neighbors and people I both work and worship with.

A conversation with the woman who edits most of my articles at the Deseret News, Brooke Porter, revealed that she, too, suffers and seeks regular care. She’s been open about her challenges and shared her trial with the world in this popular, praiseworthy KSL column.

One young friend of mine preparing to serve a mission was diagnosed with a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder that has remapped his life in ways he couldn’t have imagined. I’m certain that by leaning on professional and heavenly wisdom, he’ll overcome.

Those aware of our daughter’s struggles often ask how she’s doing. After an anxious summer, Jadi walked into high school with all the other terrified freshmen. With the love of a supportive older sister, as well as good friends who share her values and believe in her, she’s found a place for herself in an institution that has humbled millions.

Perhaps the greatest evidence of her growth and healing is this very column. She is willing to go on record with her challenges with the hope and prayer that someone might benefit from knowing they are not alone.

One year ago, if my daughter told me she would suffer from anxiety so debilitating it would prevent her from working, studying, speaking in public or even being alone, and, most importantly, that she was willing to share her struggles with the world, I might have suggested it was a figment of her imagination.

I’ve learned a lot at the feet of anxiety this year. I’ve learned anxiety and its related illnesses are as real as broken bones and ear infections. I’ve learned that many around me are suffering with things I cannot always see and almost always do not understand. But my failure to understand doesn’t make their suffering any less painful.

Finally, I’ve learned I don’t owe an apology to my hypothetical friend — I owe it to a real one.

You can read the article HERE:

More than just riding!

I watched this story and loved how people take their talents and compassion for others...and end up making such a difference in the world. That is what life is all about I believe!

Stepney Bank Stables is an equestrian center that provide opportunities for children and adults from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop life skills.


You can see the you tube here:

Mission statement:Stepney Bank Stables is committed to making horses and riding accessible to the whole community. We offer opportunities to volunteers of all ages to develop in confidence and skills whilst helping others.

Our Values:
We provide outstanding equestrian training. Commercial riding lessons provide the focus for all other activities and enable us to support those most in need.

We engage with vulnerable young people and adults, raising their aspirations and helping them to feel positively about themselves and their futures.

By choosing to ride with us you can not only have a fantastic time, learn valuable skills whilst keeping fit but you will also be helping local disadvantaged young people.

 

Stepney Bank Stables - More than just riding!

Christmas Spirit

I am giving a talk Sunday about Christmas...one of my favorite topics of course. As I have been studying to find just the right inspiration for my talk, I found this video HERE:

 I was touched by the small and simple acts that we show to Others that truly make all the difference in the world. Children seem to be born with that type of service and compassion, but it seems to leave us a bit as we get older and what better time than Christmas time to learn it again.
I love Christmas, I love the spirit of HOPE, PEACE and JOY that it brings to the world. Oh why can't we have Christmas every day?

"The real Christmas comes to him who has taken Christ into his life as a moving, dynamic, vitalizing force. The real spirit of Christmas lies in the life and mission of the Master....

"If you desire to find the true spirit of Christmas and partake of the sweetness of it, let me make this suggestion to you. During the hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas season, find time to turn your heart to God. Perhaps in the quiet hours, and in a quiet place, and on your knees—alone or with loved ones—give thanks for the good things that have come to you, and ask that His Spirit might dwell in you as you earnestly strive to serve Him and keep His commandments" ~ Howard W. Hunter

Just because we can't see it, doesn't mean it isn't real!

Great example of how to truly have compassion for things we have never gone through. Understanding and support are vital in these situations!
Great article, hope you take the time to read it!

Wright Words: Bigfoot, unicorns and anxiety disorders aren't all imaginary

                 

Jadi Wright, 14, poses for her mother during a recent photo shoot in Berryville, Va. She is successfully coping with anxiety.

Kodi Wright Photography

 

One year ago, if a friend had told me he was suffering from anxiety so debilitating it prevented him from working, studying, speaking in public or even being alone, I might have suggested it was a figment of his imagination.

One year ago, if a friend had told me he was suffering from anxiety so debilitating it prevented him from working, studying, speaking in public or even being alone, I might have suggested it was a figment of his imagination.
Panic attacks? Please. Take a deep breath, pal.
Can’t sleep? Come on. Count more sheep. Better yet, count more unicorns, since they have a lot in common with your little imagined problem.
In related news, I’ve never been nominated for “buddy of the year.”
To that hypothetical friend suffering from anxiety-related disorders, I owe you an apology. Because so much has changed in the past year, I hardly recognize my own naive, inconsiderate memories. Anxiety didn’t just knock on our front door — it joined the family.
My new understanding began last fall when, without obvious trigger or explanation, my 14-year-old daughter, Jadi, began experiencing anxiety about being away from home or being away from a parent. Unless Mom or Dad accompanied her, it was difficult to attend school, church, etc. By the time Christmas break ended, she was unable to walk back into the building without panic attacks so serious they brought tears to her eyes — and ours.
While I began to research the world of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and panic disorders, and even post-traumatic stress, my wife did the only thing she could think of to help our daughter continue progressing.
My wife enrolled in the eighth grade.
For the second semester of the school year, Jadi was never in the building without her mother. At first, Mom sat in the classroom. Later, she moved to a desk in the hallway where Jadi could see her. Finally, she set up shop in the library and spent the entire school day there as Jadi moved from class to class, occasionally stopping by to check in.
They walked into the building together at 8 a.m. and walked out at 3 p.m. — a seven-hour day. The axiom “parenting is a full-time job” had a whole new meaning in our home.
My wife’s willingness to sacrifice her time, friends, responsibilities, work and hobbies from January to June is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. If our acts of kindness are truly recorded in heaven, the angels have gone to volumes II, III and IV on my wife’s edition.
As the two of them adjusted to their new reality and Jadi began receiving professional help to better understand her trials, I dove into researching this world that previously seemed as fictional as one of my books.
The view on the other side of my foggy ignorance was staggering.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders affect roughly 40 million adults each year. That’s approximately 18 percent of all American adults, nearly one in five.
Obviously, fear and uncertainly chase our teens, too. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that about 8 percent of teens ages 13 to 18 have an anxiety disorder. Of these, only 18 percent receive health care.
Though the numbers were a surprise, nothing pried my eyes open more than meeting so many faces of anxiety. The more I opened up and sought counsel, the more I discovered that among those 40 million sufferers are many of the people I love most in this world: family members, neighbors and people I both work and worship with.
A conversation with the woman who edits most of my articles at the Deseret News, Brooke Porter, revealed that she, too, suffers and seeks regular care. She’s been open about her challenges and shared her trial with the world in a popular, praiseworthy KSL column.

One young friend of mine preparing to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was diagnosed with a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder that has remapped his life in ways he couldn’t have imagined. I'm certain that by leaning on professional and heavenly wisdom, he’ll overcome.
Those aware of our daughter’s struggles often ask how she’s doing. After an anxious summer, Jadi walked into high school with all the other terrified freshmen. With the love of a supportive older sister, as well as good friends who share her values and believe in her, she’s found a place for herself in an institution that has humbled millions.
Perhaps the greatest evidence of her growth and healing is this very column. She is willing to go on record with her challenges with the hope and prayer that someone might benefit from knowing they are not alone.
One year ago, if my daughter told me she would suffer from anxiety so debilitating it would prevent her from working, studying, speaking in public or even being alone, and that she was willing to share her struggles with the world, I might have suggested it was a figment of her imagination.
I’ve learned a lot at the feet of anxiety this year. I’ve learned anxiety and its related illnesses are as real as broken bones and ear infections. I’ve learned that many around me are suffering with things I cannot always see and almost always do not understand. But my failure to understand doesn’t make their suffering any less painful.
Finally, I’ve learned I don’t owe an apology to my hypothetical friend — I owe it to a real one.
I read the story here:

Going the extra mile!

Our Wow Moments of the Month are always touching, but this month’s story is particularly poignant, so grab the Kleenex everyone. You’re going to need them… Charlotte Montes, ICU nurse, was caring for a patient whose husband had just passed away while she herself was a patient in the ICU. Charlotte’s patient was afraid she wouldn’t be able to attend the funeral because she was so ill. The couple had been married just a few weeks short of 56 years and Charlotte felt it was very important that her patient get to say goodbye to her spouse.

The physician discharged the patient just in time to go to her husband’s funeral, but the patient and her son were worried that she wouldn’t do well medically. Charlotte offered to attend the funeral and sit in the back, so the family wouldn’t have to worry about the patient’s well-being.

Charlotte equipped herself with a blood pressure cuff and other medical supplies, hidden in a pretty purse bought specifically for the occasion and went to the family home to be with her patient from the beginning of the ceremony to the end. The whole family felt relieved that a nurse was there "just in case" and insisted that Charlotte ride in the limousine and sit with the family during the funeral and reception. Charlotte used her day off and attended the funeral on her own time to make sure her patient was able to say her last goodbye. We are humbled by your compassion, Charlotte.

Above and Beyond the call of duty!

I love this Above and Beyond story of this nurse. After having been with my oldest daughter when she gave birth to our 3rd granddaughter...I can totally tell you ,who really cared and who didn't ...at the hospital. Being nice and caring make a big difference and to add compassion on top of that is amazing!

Good night dear friends!

Our Wow Moments of the Month are always touching, but this month’s story is particularly poignant.

Charlotte Montes, ICU nurse, was caring for a patient whose husband had just passed away while she herself was a patient in the ICU. Charlotte’s patient was afraid she wouldn’t be able to attend the funeral because she was so ill. The couple had been married just a few weeks short of 56 years and Charlotte felt it was very important that her patient get to say goodbye to her spouse.
The physician discharged the patient just in time to go to her husband’s funeral, but the patient and her son were worried that she wouldn’t do well medically. Charlotte offered to attend the funeral and sit in the back, so the family wouldn’t have to worry about the patient’s well-being. Charlotte equipped herself with a blood pressure cuff and other medical supplies, hidden in a pretty purse bought specifically for the occasion and went to the family home to be with her patient from the beginning of the ceremony to the end.
The whole family felt relieved that a nurse was there "just in case" and insisted that Charlotte ride in the limousine and sit with the family during the funeral and reception. Charlotte used her day off and attended the funeral on her own time to make sure her patient was able to say her last goodbye.
We are humbled by your compassion, Charlotte.
 http://www.nacmem.org/news-view.php?id=79
I found the story here;

Truly making a difference!

 I read this article the other day about this small town Doctor, who still makes house calls. As I read the article found here:
I was impressed with what this sweet Doctor, and for what he was doing for the people who are his patients in this small town of Georgia.
In my quest for Doctors throughout my life and the life of my kids...I still think it is ok to uphold some of the things (standards) that this dear Doctor does every day. I understand the world has gotten bigger and more complex... but some things should always be there, when you work with people. I will highlight a few of them in this article. I know that many of you would almost laugh when you think of ever finding a Doctor who is like Dr. McMahan. Still there have been a handful of Doctors that we have found like that... and how they have blessed our lives...has been amazing. So I am grateful for their compassion and concern (real concern) for me and my family!
 
He is there to be the best Doctor for these people, money doesn't drive him. Personal connections do make all the difference!
Imagine this: You are a young doctor who has recently graduated from medical school. An excellent student, you could choose to practice almost anywhere—including Atlanta, where your advising professor has connections. Instead, you set up shop in a small southern town, much like the one you grew up in. It's the kind of place where the neighbors all know each other, where families have lived for generations and still attend the same church. It's also a place where a young doctor is unlikely to get rich.
He listens and looks them in the eye!

  I notice that with each patient, McMahan listens intently and looks them in the eye when he talks. He acknowledges later that the eye contact is deliberate. "That's the No. 1 complaint I hear about other doctors," he says. "Patients say, 'He never looks at me! He's always on the computer.' So I always look up. I put my hand on their shoulder." He shrugs. "Sometimes compassion is even more important than a prescription."
  He uses the experiences that he has had to go through in his life, to support and understand each patient!
Such personal attentiveness does take effort, McMahan admits—especially given that computerized medical records have become ever more complicated, with dozens of menus that a physician must click through during each visit. But he's sympathetic to patients who feel as if they're being ignored. When McMahan's then 24-year-old son was diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2008, the family sought treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York, and the process deepened his perspective. "When you carry some of the battle scars that your patients carry, you meet them at their level," he says.

He goes the extra mile!
Besides running his private practice, the doctor spends one morning each week making the rounds at the local nursing homes, checking medications and visiting with patients he knows. He also treats patients at the local detention center, a mixed-use facility in Ocilla that houses immigrations and customs detainees, along with federal inmates.

He is trying to teach them to over come certain habits that are damaging their health...that is a hard sale!
Starting out, McMahan provided mostly acute care, what he describes as "lumps, bumps, rashes, colds, sore throats." These days, though, he's more likely to see patients with multiple chronic diseases: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease. Most are overweight, and many smoke. (In Ocilla, smoking is still permitted on the grounds of the local hospital—a policy McMahan has been trying to change.)

As the doctor to a high-risk population, McMahan spends much of his time trying to convince his patients to eat better and to exercise: unpopular prescriptions in the rural South. "It's like the Pogo cartoon," he says ruefully. " 'We have met the enemy, and the enemy is us.' "
  As a doctor, McMahan says, he can sometimes feel powerless in the face of people's habits. "We're a bunch of hardheaded southerners," McMahan acknowledges. "But we're talking about societal issues now. Is health care a privilege or a right, and who pays for it? And how much do you get when there's a limited resource?"

Since starting out, he adds, cutbacks by insurance companies have eaten away at the modest profit margin he once relied on. "For many family doctors, it's nearly impossible to make a living now," he says. "You have to make enough to pay the light bill, and to pay your employees—while still trying to be compassionate and not overcharge patients. That's why so many physicians these days are selling their practices."

For a moment, McMahan seems glum, but then he shrugs the mood off.
He is doing what seems like the impossible but he likes what he does and knows that is what he is suppose to do!
"The truth is, this is what I want to do," he says, as we walk out into the warm night air. "I like being a family doctor. I believe all Americans deserve a physician that they can rely on. That's one thing I'd like to publicize: You can get good care in a small town. And I'm doing what I can to keep it that way.

What a great article, and what a great concept!
Good night dear friends!
 
"A physician is obligated to consider more than a diseased organ, more even than the whole man - he must view the man in his world."  ~Harvey Cushing

 A Short History of Medicine
2000 B.C. - "Here, eat this root."
1000 B.C. - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."
1850 A.D. - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."
1940 A.D. - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."
1985 A.D. - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."
2000 A.D. - "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root."
~Author Unknown

Christmas Spirit!

Tonight was our family Christmas Dinner and Party. I don't have the photos yet, so I will share with you one of my favorite Christmas poems. This is why I want Christmas to be celebrated all year long. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we did?
Good night dear friends!

I am the Christmas Spirit

I enter the home of poverty, causing pale-faced children to open their eyes wide, in pleased wonder/
I cause the miser's clutched hand to relax and thus paint a bright spot on his soul.
I cause the aged to renew their youth and to laugh in the old glad way.
I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood, and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic.
I cause the eager feet to climb dark stairways with filled baskets, leaving behind hearts amazed at the goodness of the world.
I cause the prodigal to pause a moment of his wild, wasteful way and send to anxious love some little token that releases glad tears--tears which wash away the hard times of sorrow.
I enter dark prison cells, reminding scarred manhood of what might have been and pointing forward to good days yet to be.
I come softly into the still, white home of pain, and lips that are too weak to speak just tremble in silent, eloquent gratitude.
In a thousand ways, I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God, and for a littlee moment forget the things that are small and wretched.
I am the Christmas Spirit!  ~ E.C. Baird

"The real Christmas comes to him who has taken Christ into his life as a moving, dynamic, vitalizing force. The real spirit of Christmas lies in the life and mission of the Master....

"If you desire to find the true spirit of Christmas and partake of the sweetness of it, let me make this suggestion to you. During the hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas season, find time to turn your heart to God. Perhaps in the quiet hours, and in a quiet place, and on your knees—alone or with loved ones—give thanks for the good things that have come to you, and ask that His Spirit might dwell in you as you earnestly strive to serve Him and keep His commandments" ~ Howard W. Hunter

Faces

For some reason I seem to notice people's faces alot more these days. It seems like you can tell many things by looking at a person's face or really studying their eyes and even the sound of their voice; if their voice sounds tired or weak, maybe I recognize many of these faces because some of them have been the same as mine. My kids say they can always tell when I am in pain by the look on my face, even if I try to hide it from them... I can't!
 The other day I saw a dear friend of mine, now it had been a while since we had seen each other and I noticed that when I looked in her face that she seemed to not only be tired, but very sad and worn out. After talking to her for a while..I soon realized why. She had been going through some really big trials. My heart ached for her as I listened; and wondered what I would think or feel...under the same circumstance?
Then the other day I stopped to talk and catch up with another friend, she is always so happy and positive. As we spoke she shared with me some struggles she was having as a Mother and quite frankly...I was shocked, I had NO IDEA that she had been going through so much!
My Grandmother used to always say " If everyone's problems were hung out on a line, you'd take yours and I'd take mine" sooooooooo true! Some of the things I have been going through lately have seemed so overwhelming to me as a Mom. She on the other hand never knew what I was going through either.
 So back to FACES, there are times when your faces are easy to read and at other times we put on our Happy Mask and truly masked how we are feeling. I think there is a lot of good to be said about people who TRY to be happy; but I actually think it is a bit dangerous to always try to APPEAR happy. Then no one knows your pain and can't help or comfort you.
The truth is... we are all fighting our own battles.. May we take time out to try and read people's faces a little more, see if they are ok and ask what we can do for them. Because even though we are all fighting our own battles, it doesn't mean we have to fight them ALONE!
Good night dear friend, I am going to take this FACE which has PAIN written all over it, and go to bed!
P.S. I will leave you with these
three sweet faces of my grandkids, see if you can tell what they are thinking? :)

What I should have said!

I was talking to a co worker the other day and I said ( after seeing yet another beautiful quilt that she had just designed and made ) that I really envied her. Now, on more than one occasion, I have said something in the wrong context. After looking up the word and reading the synonyms, I realized that is not what I meant at all. I am not jealous, and I do not want to take away something that she has. I don't begrudge her, because I know she has worked a long time to get where she is. And I am not unhappy or resentful because of her talents.
I thought more about this conversation I had with my friend after reading an article about the parable in the scripture Matthew chapter 20. The article pointed out some neat observations and so I am going to share them with you. Now many of you know the story, it is where the householder "went out early in the morning to hire labourers." After employing the first group at 6:00 in the morning, he returned at 9:00 a. m., at 12:00 noon, and at 3:00 in the afternoon, hiring more workers as the urgency of the harvest increased. The scripture says he came back a final time, "about the eleventh hour" (approximately 5:00 p.m.), and hired a concluding number. Then just an hour later, all the workers gathered to received their day's wage. Surprisingly, all received the same wage in spite of the different hours of labor. Immediately, those hired first were angry, saying, "These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day." When reading this parable, perhaps you, as well as those workers have felt there was an injustice being done here.
Then the author goes on to, go over some of the things we might not have seen when we first read the parable, such as...
1st... It is important to understand that no one has been treated unfairly here. The first workers agreed to the full wage of the day, and they received it. As for the last workers to be hired, probably were the most discouraged, for not being able to be picked to work except for an hour. Still they accepted it without even knowing the wage, probably knowing that anything is better than nothing. How blessed they must have felt when they got a full day's wages. What compassion the householder had on them.
Then he goes on to talk about ..that there will be times when someone else will get an unexpected blessing  and it is important for us not to be upset or hurt and certainly not to feel envious---"So lesson number one from the Lord's vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live."
Last he reminds us that" this parable ---like all parables--- is not really about laborers or wages any more than the others are about sheep and goats. This is a story about God's goodness, His patience and forgiveness, and the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Savior's concern is for the faith at which you finally arrive, not the hour of the day in which you got there."
To read the whole article you can go HERE:




So, what I should have said to my talented friend was ..."I really admire your talent and could only hope to learn how to do that some day, you do an amazing job! " Why is it, I always think too late... of what I SHOULD HAVE SAID? Oh well, it was a great lesson learned! Good night dear friends!


“Use those talents you have. You will make it. You will give joy to the world. Take this tip from nature: The woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except those who sang best.” ~Bernard Meltzer

Mandie the III arrived today.

Today was pretty wet. We have been spoiled lately because the weather has been beautiful. Still even in the rain, I truly think this is the most beautiful place to live. I was excited to get up today ( despite the weather ) because I was going to go pick up Mandie III. For those of you who don't know about Mandie, that is the name for my prosthetic. I am not sure why I named it? Maybe because I got tired of spelling and saying the word prosthetic and decided to get a bit more personal with it, since we are going to be together EVERY DAY!
The company that I used to go to for my prostheses and fittings was in Marysville. I know that is quite a ways away, but I had heard good things about them. Since my first experience with Nordstrom wasn't good, I decided to try the new place out and I really love it ( other than how far away it was ). Still it was worth it to have someone knowledgeable and very compassionate. The only problem about the place in Marysville, is that they closed and so I started worrying where I was going to have to go next, not really knowing about other places, especially on the Eastside.
But when I went to my new PT Oncologist, she recommended Martin Medical Inc. in Bellevue. And am I ever glad she did. The lady who owns it is name Donna, and she was simply amazing to say the least. She was knowledgeable and very compassionate. I really enjoyed my experience there and encourage any of you... is in need of a place like this, to go and check out her website! I was impressed with my whole experience there! Their information is found here:

I also got a swimming prosthetic today. Now you are probably wondering why that is a big deal ? Well, for the last 3 years since my mastectomy, I haven't wanted to put on a bathing suit. How could I do that? I was so self conscience about my body. I just really felt like it was time, but I knew my regular Mandie wasn't  t made for swimming and the chlorine. So they make a special one just for that! It wasn't cheap but I thought if it helps me get some exercise in of some kind, that would be worth it. My biggest problem is what to name her? :)
Of course next I will have to look into a bathing suit that will have a pocket for my prosthetic and that won't be  cheap either, that bugs me how much all these things cost. And we have good insurance, my heart goes out to those who don't even have insurance.
I just feel grateful that I am getting more comfortable with my body. I realize that what you see...isn't who I am! Sometimes I have a problem with that, but today I took the first step in overcoming that and got the swim prosthetic. I wished it wouldn't have taken me 3 years to get to this point but... that is life. We all handle things and problems in different ways. I am grateful that at least I did arrive at this point and pray that I will have the courage to actually get in the pool soon.
Donna told me that I could use the prosthetic in with my regular bathing suit, but that it might fall out or move around if there isn't a pocket to hold it in. So I think I had better look for that next. Don't want to have to be asking the life guards to help me rescue Aqua Mandie ( don't really like that name but will have to use it for the time being )! I can see that being a headlines in the news! :)
Oh well, at least I am smiling and laughing about that now, there was a time when I didn't do that and never really thought I would. So I am making progress I guess, just Baby Steps!
Good night dear friends!

Cancer is a word, not a sentence.  ~John Diamond


My cancer scare changed my life.  I'm grateful for every new, healthy day I have. It has helped me prioritize my life.  ~Olivia Newton-John

 The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.  ~C.C. Scott

What to say or do?

There are many things in life that happen to others, and if we haven’t had the same experiences we don’t really know what to say or do. As I have looked through articles ( one by Summer Thorp ) about this very thing, there were some comforting words to remind me… that I can’t change the situation for them and I can’t heal their broken hearts but I can do something! The list that was in one of these articles helped me out some,  and I hope they will help you too if you have a friend in need.

Here’s what we CAN do…

Respect Others’ Privacy…not everyone is comfortable sharing when they are hurting so bad. Some people don’t want others opinions at that time. Some don’t know how to handle this in their life, and may not feel like sharing it with others. We need to respect that.

Don’t Minimize the Loss…when I had cancer, someone said to me right before my mastectomy “at least you are only losing one breast”. Some how… I didn’t feel better and that comment hurt, even though I know it wasn’t meant to. When bad things happen, we will feel sorrow, pain and our heart will really hurt. But grieving is an important part of healing. If you have never been there, then don’t try to say something great, just remind them that they are loved and you are there, if and when they need you.

Recognize That Both Parents Experience Loss… When problems happen as a couple, we may tend to just try and comfort the Wife and Mother, yet the Father is hurting just as bad. Remember to be considerate and compassionate to him also. If he ever needed a friend… now might just be the time.

Ask How You Can Help… Many times, when you are going through a tough time, it is hard to know what to tell others they can do to help. But if they know you are really there, night or day…I think that helps and continue to offer some help. One day they just might take you up on it.

Support in Simple Ways… Some times it is the little things that are the hardest to accomplish when you are struggling or hurting so bad. Cooking, cleaning, doing little errands like grocery shopping might seem like a huge task at the time. I don’t think it hurts to do some of these simple things to help out. Just leaving a dinner by the door, not going in to talk, because some times retelling the story makes  you feel like you just keep opening the wound. So maybe a meal, a note in the mail…just some reminder to them that they are loved and thought of. Plus, remember them in your prayers. Prayer is a very powerful too in calling down the powers of Heaven to help. Never under estimate the power of prayer!

Last but certainly not the least, is to remember the Savior’s Example… The scriptures are full of examples of how the Savior took care of those who were hurting. He knew when to mourn with someone, and He knew when to help. After Lazarus’s death, Christ  traveled to Bethany to be with Martha and Mary. To Martha He offered His testimony of life after death and asked her to reaffirm her testimony. When Mary expressed her grief over the loss of her brother, the scriptures simply state, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).
The simplest acts can mean the most to your loved ones who are suffering. Let us be more like the Savior and help ease their pain.

 

“To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”   ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Thinking of Others first!

I loved this Christmas story. How I respected the Mother for what values she had taught her son. Don’t we all hope that we have taught our own kids, these very same values and virtues?

Any way it was great, hope you take the time to read it. Good night dear friends!

The Coat
 

Heber shivered in the cold.  He wrapped his thin, old coat around him.  It would soon be his birthday, and all he wanted was a warm coat.  He knew it would upset his mother if he asked for one.  They were so poor.  Sometimes they went to bed early because there was no fuel left to keep the house warm.  Sometimes they would go to bed hungry because there was not enough food.  To earn money, Heber's mother would often sew until far into the night, making clothes for other people.

On the day of Heber's birthday, his mother wished him a happy birthday and gave him a beautifully wrapped present.  He opened it up and inside the box was the most beautiful coat he had ever seen.  It was made from the material his mother had from other clothes, but it was new, and warm, and clean and fit him perfectly.  Heber could hardly wait to go out into the cold and feel its warmth.  He was so happy and grateful to his mother.

A few weeks later, Heber was on an errand on an especially cold day.  He saw a boy just his size crying in the cold snow.  The boy was only wearing ragged clothes and had no shoes on.  Heber knew how cold he must feel.  The boy looked longingly at Heber's coat.  Heber stopped and, almost without thinking, took the coat off and gave it to the boy.

That afternoon, Heber' mother saw him wearing his old coat.  She asked him, "What have you done with your lovely new coat?"  Heber wondered for a moment how to tell her.  Then he explained, "I saw a boy and he needed it lots worse than I did, so I gave it to him."

Heber's mother couldn't believe it.  She asked, "Couldn't you have given him your old coat?" 

Heber looked up at his mother, hoping she would understand, and saw her eyes fill with tears.  He threw his arms around his mother as she answered her own question.  "Of course you couldn't, Heber" she said, "of course you couldn't."

Heber had so much love in his heart that he didn't want to see anyone sad, or cold, or hungry.  Jesus was the same way.  Jesus felt great love and compassion for everyone he met.  He wants us to be like him and show compassion for all people.  ~ Heber J. Grant

Matthew 25:40  “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”

"You will find, as you look back on your life, that the moments that stand out
are the moments when you have done things for others." - Henry Drummond

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is every wasted." – Aesop

“Only a life lived for others is worth living”. - Albert Einstein

Compassion, Charity and the Cemetery!

When I read this story, it made me cry… but also reminded me of the compassion and charity of others. What a difference that can make in someone’s life! Life is hard, but often those hard blows are often softened by the small acts of charity of others. It made me remember we all could do a little bit more! Good night dear friends!

 

A Small, Snow-Covered Tree

One day, shortly before Christmas, our third child and first son, Bay, was born. As I said good-bye that evening to my exhausted but joyful wife and left the hospital, the warmth and joy that accompanied the birth of my son overwhelmed the cold chill of that clear December night.

The following December we celebrated the first birthday of our dark-eyed, dark-haired son. The day after Christmas, during an evening of games at the home of my in-laws, our revelry was interrupted by an awful shriek from my mother-in-law: “He’s not breathing!” She had gone to check on Bay, who had been sleeping on her bed, and discovered his cold, lifeless body. We immediately rushed our son to the hospital, attempting CPR on the way. We were grief-stricken to learn that nothing could be done to save his life. He had died from sudden infant death syndrome.

Since then, Christmas has been filled with a much deeper meaning for our family. Each year on Christmas Eve when we take down our other children’s stockings to fill them, one solitary stocking is left on the fireplace mantle. Throughout the remainder of the holiday the stocking serves as a reminder of Bay.

Each year, around the time of Bay’s birthday, my wife and I drive to the cemetery where he is buried. At each visit we find that someone else has arrived before us and placed something on our son’s grave: one year it was delicate, small flowers; the next year, a stuffed bear; the next, a little Christmas tree decorated with miniature ornaments. We have no idea who is responsible; the gifts, which touch us deeply, are never accompanied by a note or card.

When I hinted to my mother-in-law that I knew her secret, she denied responsibility. The following year while she and my father-in-law were serving a Church mission abroad, we again found that someone had placed a gift on our son’s grave. Even after inquiring with other family members and friends, we were unable to solve the mystery.

Ten years after our son’s death, a series of snowstorms prevented us from traveling short distances. As a result, our annual visit to our son’s grave site was delayed until several days after Christmas. When we finally made it, we saw a small, decorated Christmas tree, mostly buried in the snow, standing bravely at the head of Bay’s small grave. The effort it must have taken for someone to get to the cemetery through the heavy snowfall overwhelmed us. Tears streamed down our faces as we realized that someone still shared our grief and loss.

After that, we were more resolved than ever to discover the identity of our benefactor and thank him or her for showing us such compassion. But as we reflected more, we realized that whoever was doing these acts of kindness did not want to be identified. We decided to allow our friend to remain anonymous. We replaced our need to thank our friend with a desire to simply live better.

It is now harder for us to speak ill of or criticize any of our friends or family members, because any one of them may be our anonymous friend.

Often while doing service, my wife and I pause to examine our hearts: are we doing good things to be seen by others or for the pure love of Christ and of our fellowmen?

For us, charity—humble and never seeking its own—is symbolized by a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, half-buried in snow, resting in a quiet cemetery.   ~By Darrell Smart    Ensign, Dec. 2008

“Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does.”  ~William James

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

Compassion...we all need it!

Read this sweet short story. I am telling you, if you ever need a good example to follow...watch a child!

THE MOST CARING CHILD

Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed into his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing I just helped him cry."

"The true riches of life come naturally as we enrich the lives of others." ~ Byrd Baggett

"We are not here to merely make a living, but to enrich the world with a finer spirit of hope and achievement―and we impoverish ourselves if we forget the errand."

"Compassion is the key which opens the gates of happiness, and connects one soul to another." ~  M. H. McKee

Donating her hair!

My oldest granddaughter Angie got her hair cut this week. She and her Mommy talked about how people donate their hair to children who don't have any. Angie seemed to understand that and she was excited about getting her hair cut. I was wondering if at the last minute she would change her mind, but she didn't.

Here she is before and after! She came to my house right after to show me her hair and the first thing she said to me was " Nana, don't you think some little girl is going to be really excited when she gets my beautiful strawberry blonde hair?" What could I say but "Yes, I am sure she will be really excited and grateful"...I know that I am.

And a little child shall lead thee...

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today."  ~Stacia Tauscher

"The world is as many times new as there are children in our lives."  ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

"Children make you want to start life over."  ~Muhammad Ali

A quilt and and pillow

    I loved this cute story, one because it shows the compassion and love of a child. Plus, it shows how important quilts are to people. When I was in the Quilt Shop the other day, I got to see all the amazing quilts that were donated for the survivors in Joplin, MO. They were beautiful and there were hundreds and thousands of hours that these quitters put into each quilt. What a gift of love!
   Sorta reminded me of this . We don't have to do much, but we should do something!

   Need to head to bed, the Shop Hop begins at our Quilt Shop tomorrow, and I am working a few hours!
   I am excited and hope that my body holds up with me! :)

   Good night dear friends!

 

A Pillow And A Blanket

A long time ago, a young, wealthy girl was getting ready for bed. She was saying her prayers when she heard a muffled crying coming through her window. A little frightened, she went over to the window and leaned out.
Another girl, who seemed to be about her age and homeless was standing in the alley by the rich girl's house. Her heart went out to the homeless girl, for it was the dead of winter, and the girl had no blanket, only old newspapers someone had thrown out. The rich girl was suddenly struck with a brilliant idea. She called to the other girl and said, "You there, come to my front door, please."
The homeless girl was so startled she could only manage to nod.
As quick as her legs could take her, the young girl ran down the hall to her mothers closet, and picked out an old quilt and a beat up pillow. She had to walk slower down to the front door as to not trip over the quilt which was hanging down, but she made it eventually.
Dropping both the articles, she opened the door. Standing there was the homeless girl, looking quite scared. The rich girl smiled warmly and handed both articles to the other girl. Her smile grew wider as she watched the true amazement and happiness alight upon the other girl's face. She went to bed incredibly satisfied.
In mid-morning the next day a knock came to the door. The rich girl flew to the door hoping that it was the other little girl there. She opened the large door and looked outside. It was the other little girl. Her face looked happy, and she smiled. "I suppose you want these back."
The rich little girl opened her mouth to say that she could keep them when another idea popped into her head. "No, I want them back."
The homeless girl's face fell. This was obviously not the answer she had hoped for. She reluctantly laid down the beat up things, and turned to leave when the rich girl yelled, "Wait! Stay right there."
She turned in time to see the rich girl running up the stairs and down a long corridor. Deciding whatever the rich little girl was doing wasn't worth waiting for she started to turn around and walk away. As her foot hit the first step, she felt someone tap her on the shoulder, turning she saw the rich little girl, thrusting a new blanket and pillow at her. "Have these." she said quietly.
These were her own personal belonging made of silk and down feathers.
As the two grew older they didn't see each other much, but they were never far from each other's minds. One day, the Rich girl, who was now a Rich woman got a telephone call from someone. A lawyer, saying that she was requested to see him.
When she arrived at the office, he told her what had happened. Forty years ago, when she was nine years old, she had helped a little girl in need. That grew into a middle-class woman with a husband and two children. She had recently died and left something for her in her will. "Though," the lawyer said, "it's the most peculiar thing. She left you a pillow and a blanket."
--- Author Unknown

"America is hope. It is compassion. It is excellence. It is valor."  ~ Paul Tsongas

"And as I've gotten older, I've had more of a tendency to look for people who live by kindness, tolerance, compassion, a gentler way of looking at things."   ~ Martin Scorsese

"Those who sleep under a quilt, sleep under a blanket of love!"