Stand in the Light!

My son Lee called the other day and told me to look up this music video by Jordan Smith. The song is called Stand in the Light
Funny that he would send that to me this week, as I am trying hard to get ready for this first paid LynnMade video, and for a presentation that I am going to give at a Quilt Guild on Monday.
I am excited for this new venture... but I'm still a bit unsure of myself. I want it to work, because I love to people and teaching others how to create and feel good about themselves. I love that my family believes in me and so ...
I am going to stand in the light and be seen as I am!
Wish me luck!
Good Night dear friends!

Listen and watch the video here:

Didn't I tell you I hear what you say
Never look back as you're walking away
Carry the music the memories and keep them ins
You laugh everyday
Don't stop those tears from falling down

This is who I am inside
This is who I am I'm not gonna hide
Cause the greatest risk we'll ever take is by far
To stand in the light and be seen as we are
So stand in the light and be seen as we are

With courage and kindness hold on to your faith
You get what you give and it's never to late
To reach for the branch and climb up leaving sadness behind
You fight hard for love
We can never give enough

This is who I am inside
This is who I am I'm not gonna hide
Cause the greatest risk we'll ever take is by far
To stand in the light and be seen as we are
So stand in the light and be seen as we are

Riding the storms that come raging toward us we dive
Holding our breathe as we break through the surface
With arms open wide, with arms open wide

This is who I am inside
This is who I am I'm not gonna hide
Cause the greatest risk we'll ever take is by far
To stand in the light and be seen as we are
So stand in the light and be seen as we are

Cause the greatest risk we'll ever take is by far
To stand in the light and be seen as we are
So stand in the light and be seen as we are

So stand in the light and be seen as we are

Cinderella came by today!

  I am so grateful for Sundays, even though they are the days I miss my kids the most! When the kids were little, Sunday was always our family day, we knew nothing would be on the schedule...except going to Church and family time for the rest of the day. I miss the days when after church, we would either make cards and letters to send to Grandma and Grandpa, or make treats and secretly drop them off to a family or friend in need. Yes, I love the spiritual recharge Sundays are but... sometimes it is a bit lonely for us Empty Nesters!
A dear friend of mine ( young friend ) asked if I could fix her Cinderella doll. As I was walking into church today, she came up to me with her injured Cinderella in a bag. I told her that I wouldn't take it into church but would put it in the car until I could personally take her to the Woodard Hospital. Right after church, she ran up to me and asked if I had fixed her yet :) I smiled and said not yet.

After dinner and getting to spend some time on Face Time with our kids, I went downstairs to see how serious the injuries were on Cinderella.
I quickly realized this might take a bit longer than I thought so I sent my young friend this photo and  text on her Mom's phone...
Dear_______,        I've take a look at Cinderella, and it looks like we might have to keep her overnight, since we have to fix the problem on her back and her arm. But the good news is, she is resting well and not too scared. And as you can see, she has already made a new friend. Good Night!
Dr. Woodard

She had a band- aid on her back when she first arrived at the hospital!

 
She ended up needing...12 Stitches in her left arm, 7 in her left hand and 28 stitches in her back ( lower lumbar area )...ouch!

 The laceration on her left arm was worse than I thought, but I made sure on my medical notes to give her strict instructions. She was to leave the bandage on for a couple of days so that the stitches wouldn't get wet! :) 

I am so grateful that she was a sweet patient and had lots of courage!

 Even though she had lots of different injuries, I think she will be fine to go home tomorrow. I think she will probably be released after lunch some time!

Jeff, just kept laughing at me and all I was doing for my little friend. He said when another little kid sees what all you have done for Cinderella, they are all going to want to bring their injured dolls or animals to the Woodard Hospital for Dr. Woodard to take a look at them.:) No I don't want to get into that business, but it was sure hard to tell this sweet little girl...that Dr. Woodard was too busy to take any new patients! Sure I had the time!

Doing this for my little friend tonight made me remember these 2 quotes that I love about faith, healing and hope!
Good Night dear friend, Dr Woodard is going to bed! :)


Don’t say, “No one understands me; I can’t sort it out, or get the help I need.” Those comments are self-defeating. No one can help you without faith and effort on your part. ⁹ Your personal growth requires that. Don’t look for a life virtually free from discomfort, pain, pressure, challenge, or grief, for those are the tools a loving Father uses to stimulate our personal growth and understanding. As the scriptures repeatedly affirm, you will be helped as you exercise faith in Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ That faith is demonstrated by a willingness to trust His promises given through His prophets ¹¹ and in His scriptures, which contain His own words. You may not fully understand how to do this yet, but trust that He will help you use your agency to open the doors for His healing to occur. Faith in Christ means we trust Him; we trust His teachings. That leads to hope, and hope brings charity, the pure love of Christ—that peaceful feeling that comes when we sense His concern, His love, and His capacity to cure us or to ease our burdens with His healing power. ~ Richard G. Scott

“Be assured that there is a safe harbor. You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you. Your Heavenly Father—who knows when even a sparrow falls—knows of your heartache and suffering. He loves you and wants the best for you. Never doubt this. While He allows all of us to make choices that may not always be for our own or even others’ well-being, and while He does not always intervene in the course of events, He has promised the faithful peace even in their trials and tribulations.” ~ Joseph B. Wirthlin

What do I want to be when I grow up? "HAPPY!"

I loved this article from a Mom to her Daughter. I am assuming the Mother isn't that old...if her child is only 3, but what wisdom she has already learned! I think these Life Lessons, are good for your daughter, granddaughter, son, grandson, niece, nephew, husband, friend and especially for yourself! Take the time to read them, they are a great reminder of what we all should want to be when we grow up...and that is HAPPY!
Good Night dear friends!

My Dear C-Monkey,

In your 3 years of living on this planet you have already learned so much. You’ve learned how to walk, run, climb, and dance. You’ve learned how to say “please” and “thank you” …and how to throw an impressive tantrum. You’ve learned that life isn’t always fair, that sharing isn’t always easy, and that bedtime comes too early every day (for you).

There is plenty more lessons life has to offer; plenty more things for your inquisitive mind and curious heart to learn. In my own 30+ years on this earth I’ve had my share of lessons, too… some learned through hard work and dedication, others learned through failure and mistakes.

I’ve learned that I can’t control you or force you to fit into some preconceived ideal. To be honest, many of my parenthood expectations have been shattered by the beautiful reality that you are your own person, and have been from the very beginning. That reality has taught me more about love, patience, and what really matters most in life… so thank you. I’m sure I’ll need constant reminders, so please be patient.

Even though I can’t (nor desire to) control you, I can hopefully teach you. As I look to your future I have many questions and concerns. I wonder how you’ll adapt to social pressures, maneuver through difficult circumstances, and mold your life with the unique and diverse experiences awaiting you.

I don’t pretend to know all the answers, but I do know that there are some things that matter more than others. My hope is that you can sift through the unimportant to help you create the life of your dreams… whatever they may be.

31 Life Lessons for a Happy Life

1. Comparisons will steal your joy.

The temptation to base your own value by comparing how much better or worse your situation is than the person next to you will rob you of happiness. Worrying about what others think of you will poison your heart.

Value what you bring to the world. And then give that same gift to others by valuing their unique strengths and beauties. There are a millions ways to be beautiful, wise, talented, and useful in this world. Don’t fall victim to a life of shallow comparisons. There is no need for it.

2. Make food your friend.

People have turned food into some sort of enemy, plaguing certain foods with villain-like qualities. We are made to feel ashamed when eating certain things. We are celebrated for “turning down temptation” or being diligent in highly restrictive diets.

Please, don’t turn food into an enemy. Don’t attach feelings of guilt, shame, or fear to the thing that should nourish your body. Choose good foods as often as you can, but enjoy the pleasure of community and celebration when the time is appropriate. Don’t diet.Don’t count calories. Just eat good food and worry about more important things in your life.

3. Wear comfortable shoes.

Forget the heels. They’re bad for your posture, bad for your feet, and most women look ridiculous walking in them. If you really like wearing them, fine… but keep them for special occasions and always have a pair of comfortable shoes nearby. Comfortable shoes will ensure you feel good enough to MOVE. Don’t believe the hype that heels make you look more powerful or more sexy… trust me, they are just silly shoes.

4. Love unconditionally.

There’s enough hate in the world, and not enough love.

5. Never forget: You have the ability to change the world.

Whether you want to be a powerful politician or a powerful stay-at-home mother, you have the ability to change the world in both small and large ways.

6. Don’t be afraid to take risks, but do so wisely.

Risks are a part of life. But there are good and bad risks. Don’t risk your life by driving recklessly. Don’t risk your life’s earnings on a slot machine. These are dumb risks.

The risk of failure, vulnerability, looking stupid, or making mistakes for the chance achieve greatness are risks worth taking. Relationships, passions, and incredible opportunities are usually only realized through risk.

7. Your body is a miracle. Love it deeply. Be comfortable in your own skin.

Look yourself in the mirror every day and recognize how amazing you are. Take care of your body. Cherish your strengths. Value wholeness instead of picking out insignificant “flaws.” Tell yourself you are beautiful. I will remind you, too. Believe it always.

8. Find friends who make you a better person. Let go of toxic relationships.

True friends will love you. They will make you feel good. They will be on your side, challenge you if they need to, and never try to make you feel less than a whole person. If a friend doesn’t do those things, let them go. There are billions of wonderful people in the world, don’t waste time on anyone who makes you feel otherwise.

9. Shine with optimism.

There is so much cynicism, anger, and entitlement in the world. Be a beacon of light through hope and optimism. Good things are attracted to good things. Challenges will come no matter what, but those who choose to see the bright side are just happier. It’s that simple.

10. Failing is one of life’s greatest gifts.

Our current education system is majorly broken. And one of the problems is the fear of failure that is instilled in our minds from the very beginning. Failure is one of life’s greatest teachers if we are willing to listen, learn, and progress forward. Never, ever, EVER be afraid of failing. True greatness only ever comes from learning from our mistakes.

11. You are so much more than what you do. Take time to learn who you really are.

Whether you choose to be a hair stylist, farmer, lawyer, doctor, or retail store clerk… you will always be more than what you do. You will always be more than a job title. That’s true for your actions as well. We all make mistakes (see #10 for a reminder), but they don’t define us.

12. Let kindness be your default.

Be kind to others. Be kind to yourself. A simple rule that we far too often forget.

13. Be happy.

Happiness is a choice. It’s also a practice. Choose happiness. That doesn’t mean you can’t feel and express other emotions… after all, we can only really know happiness if we know misery. Allow yourself to feel every emotion deeply, but don’t dwell on the negative. Make happy your home base.

14. Know I am here for you… No matter what.

Always.

15. Find your core, and then explore your edges.

Take time to find your core beliefs, your core purpose. Discover the fundamental principles that keep you stable, connected, and strong. Then move out and explore the world. Go beyond your comfort zone. Expand your understanding, knowing that your core beliefs will give you the power to stay connected to yourself as you practice walking in other people’s shoes (just not their heels).

16. Breathe deeply. Learn the power of being.

Take time to meditate daily. Learn to listen to your breath. Value the art of being still, of mindfulness, of simply being. Reminder yourself daily: We are human beings, not human doings.

17. Have fun.

Laugh. Be silly. Be creative. Play. These are the traits that allow children to master new skills, explore the world, and enjoy life. Unfortunately the qualities of fun are undervalued in the adult world. Find the fun in everything.

18. Question everything.

Yes, everything.

19. Don’t be ashamed of abundance.

Happiness, peace, and love are far more important than any paycheck. But also recognize that abundance comes in many forms, including financial abundance. Don’t be ashamed to seek wealth. Maintain an attitude of abundance; that there is enough for everyone. And then do good with the abundance you are blessed with. Never be ashamed of it.

20. Use your voice.

Speak your truth, tell your story. Help others tell their stories, too. Stories change people. Stories connect us. Stories transcend time. We need to hear the good stories of the world, and not just what the news or Hollywood decides to share.

21. Spend time outside everyday.

Nature heals. Nature enlivens. Nature gives us so much. Get outside as much as possible. (Barefoot, is even better.)

22. There is a fine balance between what you can and cannot control. Be okay with both.

You can not control others. You can not control the weather. And there will be many situations where the outcome is simply out of your control. Be okay with that. Sometimes when we let go of our need to control we find the greatest freedom in the world.

You can control your actions, reactions, and attitude. Be gracious, forgiving, and adaptable.

23. Forget makeup.

You may not believe me on this one, but trust me: You don’t need it. There is power in taking a stand against a world that tells us we need to spend billions of dollars on toxic crap to cover our face. Of course, if you choose to wear it I’ll still think you’re beautiful, but try taking a day off every now and then and realize how beautiful you are on your own.

24. Be powerful, gentle, strong, and delicate.

You are a magnificently complicated creature who can be powerful, strong, gentle, and delicate all at the same time. Power doesn’t mean aggressive. Delicate doesn’t mean weak. Be firm in your ability to be a force for good without giving up the ability to connect with lightness.

25. Don’t worry about what you’re going to be when you grow up.

People are obsessed with this question. Know that you can be anything you want, and it can change all the time… even in your thirties, forties, and beyond. When asked what you want to be, tell them you want to be happy.

26. Have vision. Take action. Be passionate. Be patient.

This is the recipe for success. You won’t get very far without all four. Know where you want to go, move in that direction, find your “why” to keep your going, and be patient as life will often throw detours and obstacles along the way. And remember to enjoy the ride. Life isn’t at the end of your goals. It’s happening right now.

27. Don’t underestimate the power of stress or sleep.

Forget all the debates about which nutrient is more important or what food you should avoid. Keep your stress down and get enough sleep and you’ll be doing better than most people. Learn how to breathe, manage, and adapt. Only sacrifice your sleep for the most precious things… like your own daughter some day.

28. Learn when to lead and when to follow.

The biggest problem is when people don’t do either and just sit around waiting for something to happen. Sometimes you’ll be called to lead, other times you’ll be needed to follow. Lead with love, passion, and a whole lot of wisdom. Follow with your heart and gut.

29. Nourish your soul.

You know I have a thing for healthy living, but as important as it is to nourish your body you also have to nourish your soul.  Foster your faith. Pray daily. Stand for something. Believe.

30. Remember: You are enough, just the way you are.

Repeat as needed.

31. Come home often.

I want you to have the courage and curiosity to explore this big world, both literally and figuratively. But make sure you come home to me every now and then (both literally and figuratively). I will do my best to ensure our home is a safe haven, a place where you’ll be loved and encouraged. There will always be hugs, love, and cookies.

Love always,

Mom

I found it HERE:

What an amazing story!

I just found Noah Galloway's story HERE:



What an amazing story of sacrifice and courage.

I am always impressed to see people who have adversities that come into their lives, and yet they come out the better and stronger for it.
Of course I don't have to look very far to see that type of strength and courage... because my oldest brother Mike is one of those amazing people.


He was severely injured in the Vietnam War when he was only 19 years old.
I have watched him my whole life since then, work and fight to make it back to some sort of normal life and that he has done. He is a Husband, Father, Grandfather, Teacher and Coach. I would say he far exceeded a normal life, it is more like an amazing life!





He never gave up, and for that courage and example, I am very grateful!
Thanks to all those men and women who have served and sacrificed so much for our Country!
We are eternally grateful!

So now you probably understand why I can't feel sorry for myself for too long with having a big brother like that! Although I have had to call him a few times... to help me get my perspective back, and I am very grateful that he truly knows how to help me do that.

Good night dear friends!

A true work of art!

I have loved this photo of Michelangelo's statue.
It is a depiction of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion, on the lap of His Mother.
I have always had a special feeling about Mary ( the Mother of Christ ). She was such a faithful and confident women who obeyed the incredible mission that Heavenly Father gave her, to be the Mother of the Son of God.
How I want to be like her,to have great faith and be willing to do what ever is asked of me.
 As a Mother, I have no idea how her heart was able to hold all the things she had to go through as the Mother of Christ. This part of her son's life (the end ) would be one of the hardest I would think. To watch your child suffer is one of the toughest things I have experienced as a Mother, so I admire Mary with an admiration that is hard to explain.
I am grateful for Mary's strength and courage and for this artist's talent... to bring such a beautiful piece of art to the world, as a reminder of that.
Good night dear friends!

Found the photo HERE:

Pietà (Michelangelo)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pietà

Artist	Michelangelo
Year	1498–1499
Type	Marble
Dimensions	174 cm × 195 cm (68.5 in × 76.8 in)
Location	St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

The Pietà (1498–1499) is a world-famous work of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. It is the first of a number of works of the same theme by the artist. The statue was commissioned for the French Cardinal Jean de Bilhères, who was a representative in Rome. The sculpture, in Carrara marble, was made for the cardinal's funeral monument, but was moved to its current location, the first chapel on the right as one enters the basilica, in the 18th century. It is the only piece Michelangelo ever signed.

This famous work of art depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the Crucifixion. The theme is of Northern origin, popular by that time in France but not yet in Italy. Michelangelo's interpretation of the Pietà is unprecedented in Italian sculpture. It is an important work as it balances the Renaissance ideals of classical beauty with naturalism.

§Description[edit]

The structure is pyramidal, and the vertex coincides with Mary's head. The statue widens progressively down the drapery of Mary's dress, to the base, the rock of Golgotha. The figures are quite out of proportion, owing to the difficulty of depicting a fully-grown man cradled full-length in a woman's lap. Much of Mary's body is concealed by her monumental drapery, and the relationship of the figures appears quite natural. Michelangelo's interpretation of the Pietà was far different from those previously created by other artists, as he sculpted a young and beautiful Mary rather than an older woman around 50 years of age.^[1]

The marks of the Crucifixion are limited to very small nail marks and an indication of the wound in Jesus' side.

Christ's face does not reveal signs of The Passion. Michelangelo did not want his version of The Pietà to represent death, but rather to show the "religious vision of abandonment and a serene face of the Son",^[2] thus the representation of the communion between man and God by the sanctification through Christ.

It is our job to protect!

This quote is so true. That is just what I thought of about Amy ( who is now a Mom ) and each one of my kids as they came along. Most of her early years was when I first came out with my abuse and began to get counseling. It was some of the toughest years of my life...but so worth it because I knew I had children who needed to be protected. I also knew they needed to understand how to protect themselves, that is what gave me strength and courage when times got tough. Parenthood isn't easy, but oh soooo worth it!

A Courageous Mother!

14 years ago today, my Mother passed away. I miss her still every day. I thought that I would post a great story about a Mother. 

Good night dear friends! 

Mother celebrates Thanksgiving with family, faith, sobriety

                 

Sarah Van Dam has a lot to be thankful for this year. She’s blessed with a supportive husband and a network of family and friends who love and believe in her.

On Thanksgiving Day, she will celebrate another 57 reasons to be thankful. As in, 57 days clean.

Van Dam, a personal friend and member of my “early-readers” group, started struggling with a serious addiction to prescription drugs in the fall of 2012, shortly after giving birth to her third child. Because she suffered from back pain after labor and delivery, doctors continued prescribing painkillers. Before she knew it, the pills snowballed into an addiction no one could have predicted.

This good wife and mother, with absolutely no history of addiction, suddenly became an addict. Like dark storm clouds that moved wherever she did, Van Dam had a singular focus.

“I became obsessed with my next dose,” Van Dam told me recently. She also described her relationship with her husband, and how it morphed from husband and wife into something more resembling a parent and a child. “I relied on him to give me my pills every day.”

It was the Van Dam family’s new normal. “I was always out of it, tired, groggy and constantly wanting more. I was a slave to the drug. It became the most important thing in my life and I thought I needed it to survive.”

Van Dam, a devout Christian, admitted she needed help on the day she recognized she was losing what mattered most. “I lost faith in my Heavenly Father. I lost faith in myself.”

After prayer and family counsel, the Van Dams decided Sarah needed to check in to a residential treatment facility. “We also spoke with all my doctors and got their thoughts. We felt right away that it was the best thing for our family. We knew it would be hard, but that it would be best. I knew that Heavenly Father would be with me and with my family for the time I was away.”

Van Dam knows she went not just to detox, but also to learn tools and habits to help her become healthy again.

She came out a new person. “It was hard being away, but it was worth it. It made me stronger and made my relationships stronger.”

When I asked for the most important thing she took home, the positive answers spiraled almost as fast as the addiction. She learned to be confident in herself, to have faith, courage and strength. “I also learned to take life one day at a time and to not be so hard on myself. I came to know I can be a good mother, and that I don’t need pills to do it.”

Van Dam is adamant that her faith was a critical tool in the traditional recovery process. “I could not have done it without the help from my Heavenly Father. I found personal prayer and scripture study key to my recovery.”

She also participated in the LDS Church’s 12-step recovery program. “It opened my heart to the kindness of God. And the LDS missionaries that run the program are wonderful! Hearing others’ stories and seeing how strong they were gave me so much hope and strength. I really believe God always walks beside us and helps us through the good times and the bad. I know that he helped me through my struggle.”

Now, Van Dam hopes to help others by going very public with her private trial. “I want people to know that it’s all right to admit that you have a problem and to ask for help. As you do this, it’s important to rely on your Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ. They will guide you and walk with you through your hardest times.”

She adds the importance of an open mind and an open heart. “And forgive yourself. It’s the first step to recovery.”

With Thanksgiving on their minds, Sarah and her husband, Rob, have more to be thankful for than ever. “Sobriety, health and, most importantly, our family,” she said.

The Van Dams know they’re not alone. During this holiday season, friends and neighbors all around us are working their way along the addiction and recovery curve. Like Sarah, many count the clean days in double, triple digits or more. Others are braving their way through treatment today.

But many — far too many — still remain in quiet struggles and have not yet asked for help.

“Please, don’t be afraid,” Van Dam says. “These challenges are more common than you think and there is so much support available.”

Van Dam pledges that for the rest of her life, she will express gratitude for all the temporal support she’s felt from this world, and heavenly support from the one that awaits.

Indeed, Sarah Van Dam has a lot to be thankful for. And because of her strength and so many like her, the rest of us have a lot to be thankful for, too.

I read this story from Jason F. Wright HERE:

Esther's Courage

I watched this video about the story of Queen Esther in the Old Testament HERE:

It was just what I needed to see and hear today. I am struggling right now with a trial that I survived already once in my life...yet here I am confronting it again. I can't mention any more than that, but am reminded that sometimes even though you have fought a battle... doesn't mean you won't have to fight it again. I learned that quickly when I had Cancer for the 2nd time.
No, I am not battling Cancer again or anything like that, but life does throw us some trials over more than once. Obviously there is something still there to learn.

Some of the comments that were made in this you tube...hit close to home to me, and I wanted to share them with you....

Here are a few of them, still if you have 3 minutes...watch it, my words don't do it justice!
Just like the story of the courageous Queen Esther who did what had to be done to save her people, the same is true about all of us that are facing trials...like I said ...all of us! I loved what these women (on the you tube) that were struggling said about their experiences.

..."Courage and Faith is what pulled me through"
...Being Brave isn't always about not being scared, but going ahead anyway and doing what has to be done"
..."I pray and realize that trials actually have something to teach us"
..."One moment can change the course of our lives"
..."Stand up for what you say you stand up for and do what you need to do"
..."You don't ever realize how strong you are, until being strong is all you have left"
..."Being brave doesn't mean I'm not afraid"
..."There are many things that we don't want to face but we don't have any other choice"
..." We don't always know what the Lord is trying to teach us"
..." But if we have courage and faith, we can trust that He will always do what is right for us"
..."Brave is just acting in faith, we must just push forward"
..."God's plan is not always easier but it is always better"

Esther's courage saved her people, how grateful I am for her example!
Good night dear friends!

Abundant Life

Read this quote by Thomas S. Monson and thought...oh that is so true!


"Living an Abundant Life
A ...have a positive Attitude
B ... Belief in yourself
C ...Face Challenges with Courage

For some reasons the last week has been extra challenging. Probably because my family was all together for the holidays and I came down sick with this cold. I haven't had nearly as bad as many of you have, but... I still have been wiped out from it.
I got up and just showered first thing this morning before I almost had time to ask myself how I felt. Then on of my kids was in need of my attention and so my Motherly Instincts and Protector came out and I seemed to have enough adrenaline to keep me up and going. Then I went right to work and I always ( no matter how I seem ) seem to get more energy GOOD energy when I am there surrounded by all that FABRIC! Sounds more like an addiction right? Don't answer that. Still I could tell my body was getting pretty worn out when it was time to go home. Even though I was really dragging by the time I got out of there, I still didn't go home. I stopped by a store to just look around and kill time till I knew Jeff would be coming home. I don't like coming into an empty and quite house. I know I will get use to it but remember, it has only been a week.
So when I saw this quote it just made me think of my life.
First I think I do have a very ABUNDANT LIFE
but A...sometimes I have to make sure my attitude is positive and not dwell on things that are wrong or what I didn't accomplish today. Then B...I have to always remember to like what I see in the mirror and belief in myself and my abilities. Last C... I know that I need to round out my Courage to do the things in life that seem so hard. Yes, this quote reminded me of my day, of my family and of myself!
Good night dear friends
Found this photo here:

Look up and be thankful!

I am grateful for stories like these, or I should say people who like these, who have chosen light, hope, and faith...instead of fear. Having had cancer twice myself, I can relate to many of the things this family has gone through. I some times get scared about cancer returning again, but it is such a fearful place and...it doesn't bring anything good or positive with it. So I have tried and tried, to pray each day and first say Thank You that I have another day here on the earth, and then I pray to know exactly what I need to do,who needs me and what I can do for my family. Gratitude truly does make life so much better.
A good friend of mine, that I hadn't seen for awhile came over the other day. As we talked she shared with me that cancer has returned and has already spread to two places in her body. It broke my heart because no one should have to battle this terrible disease, my heart ached for her and her family. Grateful that she told me though, so I can keep her and her family in my prayers. My heart ached from worry that some day that could be me. I guess it could be anybody actually, but having had it twice before...makes me think of it probably a bit more.
So I was thankful today for this couple and their courage...that will bless their lives and the lives of their children forever!
I am grateful for the knowledge that my Heavenly Father is in charge, and I have a strong conviction that He will never give me anything that I or my family can't handle. I will leave the future up to Him, and once again express my gratitude for another great day! I am truly blessed!

One man's 7-year battle with cancer yielded gratitude, a 'thankful app' despite the hardships.

When Rich Goade died after battling cancer for seven-years, he wasn’t thinking about his own pain and difficulties. He was one to reach out to others and to express gratitude for what he had.

 

“The blessing is that I have learned that choosing to look up and be thankful for the joy that surrounds me allows me to balance that grief with joy. It's been a common theme throughout our family's fight with cancer. We have learned that faith always conquers fear. That darkness always gives way to light.”

Amy Goade

Even as Rich Goade faced death after a seven-year battle with cancer, he wasn’t thinking about his own pain and difficulties. He was one to reach out to others and to express gratitude for what he had.
“Even the day that he died, he was still asking people how their day was,” said Rich’s wife, Amy Goade, in an interview with Deseret News. “He was always asking them how they were doing, what their plans were, and he was dying.”
In April 2006, Rich was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. Doctors gave him the probability of living two to five more years, but he outlived their predictions and lived seven more years. Rich died on May 2, 2013, his 41 birthday.
But during the Goade family's fight with cancer, Rich, Amy and their three daughters chose to be positive and show thanks as he worked through cancer treatments, which helped carry them through the challenges they faced.
“Everybody has trials. Everybody has tragedies,” Amy said. “That’s why we come to this earth, and we came to a place where we realized we weren’t being picked on, that this was just the deal. … And so we found something that worked for us, and that was to count our blessings and to notice what was good. … It helped us be able to enjoy each other instead of being weighed down by all the fear, it helped lift us up.”
Two years after Rich's diagnosis, the Goade family moved from Washington to Lehi, Utah. In facing the challenges that accompanied cancer, the family worked at expressing gratitude for blessings.
“I remember when he first was diagnosed, we had a month, I will never forget, it was a very dark month where we just felt like our whole world was coming down around us and all our future plans were done,” Amy said. “And I remember praying, and we both felt like we came to a place where we needed to get to work. You know that it was just kind of like, this isn’t helping anything … it’s not helping our family be strong, it’s only hurting us, and so we made a conscious decision that we were just going to go to work.”
A designer by profession, Rich worked for numerous companies, including Starbucks, Apple, Microsoft and FamilySearch. On the side, he and his brothers, Jerry and Paul, created an app called “thankful,” which allows users to record, store and share what they are thankful for. According to the app’s description online, “Numerous studies have linked counting one’s blessings to healthy and improved mental and physical health.”
Over time, family and friends who supported Rich through his struggles with cancer acquired the name “Team Goade.” The group showed support by including the hashtag #thankful in its social media use.
“We use the hashtag #thankful a lot every time that we say we’re thankful for,” Amy said. “It’s been fun to see that kind of branching out. We’ve been seeing it places where people we don’t know are using it too, and I don’t know if it had anything to do with us, but it’s been fun to see. … Maybe it could spread from there and really help people be thankful for what is good in the world.”
Rich joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was 18-years-old. He was quick to turn to the scriptures to find comfort during his suffering, and his faith helped give him and his friends and family perspective.
“I remember Rich, he was really struggling, and he decided he was going to read his scriptures just front to back,” Amy said. “And he just, for a couple of weeks just read scriptures front to back, and that was a tool that he used over and over again. When things would get hard, he would start reading his scriptures like crazy, and that would just give him peace. … We have all this bad that’s all we can see, all this hard stuff that we can see, but there’s all this good stuff, too. And over the course of seven years, Heavenly Father really made it clear to us that there was a lot of good.”
Amy is thankful to have learned the importance of gratitude and “looking up.”
“September especially was really, really hard for me. And it was hard because I forgot to be thankful, and I didn’t even realize it until a month had gone by that … looking back I realized that I had been getting all these blessings, but I hadn’t even noticed. I didn’t lift my head up to look for them. But as soon as I started looking for the blessings, I stopped being so sad.”
Although Rich is missed by many, the attitude of gratitude he employed continues to bless those who regularly use it.
“I used to think that fighting cancer and watching Rich suffer so much was the hardest thing I would ever have to do, but I have to say that living without him has proven to be harder,” Amy said. “To say that I miss him doesn't begin to explain my feelings. We were high school sweethearts. We were married for more than 20 years. We fought cancer together for seven years. He was my best friend, my confidant, my sweetheart, my comedic relief. He made life fun. I have to fight daily to not let my grief take over.
“The blessing is that I have learned that choosing to look up and be thankful for the joy that surrounds me allows me to balance that grief with joy. It's been a common theme throughout our family's fight with cancer. We have learned that faith always conquers fear. That darkness always gives way to light. I know that to be true, and if I remember to open my eyes, lift up my head and notice, there is light all around me.” I found the article HERE:
.

 

Never give up on yourself

I love this article by Jason F. Wright. He always seems to make me think, lightens my day or inspires me to be better. Yes, we need more authors like him!
Hope you enjoy this... it is a great one!
Good night dear friends!
YOU CAN READ MORE OF JASON'S ARTICLES HERE:

A seventh-grade student sat at his desk fearing the absolute worst. It was Friday, June 8, 1984. It was also the last day of school before summer vacation.
His knobby knees knocked. His heart raced. His palms were so sweaty, he needed a "wet floor” sign next to his desk.
The 13-year-old had slogged through a challenging year at home and, moments earlier, his homeroom teacher had revealed in dramatic fashion that when the report cards were distributed at the end of class, one would show that someone had failed the seventh grade and would be retained.
Someone in the back of the room asked what the word meant. “In this case,” the teacher announced, “retained means he’s going to repeat the seventh grade.”
The young man sat at his desk and wondered how he would ever tell his parents that their son, a student with a history of good grades, had collapsed and would not advance to the eighth grade with his friends.
He’d qualified for the county science fair earlier that year and placed third among hundreds of entries. He’d won awards for his writing and excelled at band. He’d won speech and history contests. But now he was poised to walk up the driveway carrying a report card that weighed more than he did.
Disclosure: I have not researched this story and it hasn’t been fact-checked. So how do I know it so well? Because this is my story.
I, Jason Wright, failed the seventh grade.
I closed my eyes and with my fingertips traced the carved-in pencil slot on the bottom of the slanted desktop. In that moment, I remembered hearing the news that doctors had discovered a tumor the size of a grapefruit attached to one of my father’s kidneys. In the next moment I wondered whether my father would live to see me graduate — not from high school, but from middle.
The teacher began handing out the report cards and I felt my pulse skip and pop like an old vinyl record. I wiped my hands on my Levis and studied my desk until the report card slid into view. I unwound the red piece of string that held the flap closed and removed the tri-fold piece of canary cardstock. At the top of the paper my eyes immediately found the word written and circled in cherry red magic marker: “Retained."
I quickly folded and returned the paper to its envelope, like a body exhumed and returned to its casket. I fought tears, left for the restroom without permission and gazed at my reflection in the cracked mirror with graffiti scrawled in the corners.
I wondered, “Will my parents still love me?”
A few days after the school year ended, I returned with my mother and father to meet with the principal and discuss my options. We learned I could repeat the year, earn satisfactory grades and advance to the eighth grade. Or, I could attend two classes — math and English — at a local high school’s summer school program. If my grades were acceptable, I would begin the eighth grade as if nothing had ever happened.
The discussion was a short one — I would not be retained.
In the car on the way home, in a word picture framed by enormous love and faith, my parents explained how the summer school commitment would be a sacrifice for our entire family. No doubt it would mean a different sort of summer than I’d hoped for.
While I participated in summer school, my friends went swimming at the local pool. While I studied for math tests, the gang from church went to scout camp. While I wrote essays, my best friend spent a week at Virginia Beach.

I learned a lot from my two teachers that summer. I got better at math and learned to solve problems without the help of Texas Instruments. I got better at writing fiction and wrote a lengthy piece that was read aloud in class on our last day of summer school. I got better at balancing home stress and school responsibilities.
I got A’s.
I learned a lot at home that summer, too. I learned that my parents loved me deeply, even though I’d let school slip. I learned my three older siblings believed I was capable of anything. I learned to take more responsibility for my actions and to look inward at problems and upward to heaven for solutions.
I learned to pray.
I sailed through the next year and did well as my father lived cancer-free until my junior year of high school. When it returned and later claimed his life during the winter break between semesters, I easily remembered the lessons of 1984.
It's summer again and every year I spend some time counting and reflecting on those lessons. I suppose I also count my failures since that heavy report card, and I find there have been many. But, thankfully, I’ve also been blessed with just enough successes like summer school to remind me that I am not defined by the failure, but by the response.
Sometimes I think I hear the voice of that nervous 13-year-old boy reminding me that with faith, love, perseverance and by forgiving myself, I will always be capable of advancing from one trial to the next with straight A's.
He tells me that I am not destined to be retained.
Neither are you.