A true tribute to Mothers!

According to the National Retail Federation, you and I will drop north of $20 billion on our mothers this week. That’s a lot of flowers, jewelry and spa gift certificates.

Don’t forget the card! Grab one that sings, smells or shares a very special message written by a perfect stranger in his bathrobe in Kansas City. So tender.

Maybe we’ll make a meal, vacuum, do some dishes or get the kids out of her hair for a few hours. You might even run loads of laundry. Unless, like me, you’ve been banned from the washer since the tragic Sharpie incident of 2010. We don’t speak of it.

I get it. We love her. Who doesn’t? You might have heard that my own marvelous Mom won the handmade hot-pot holder for National Mother of the Year so often they finally discontinued the award.

It’s natural, right? We just want to lavish her with things because she’s been lavishing us with love since our first breath. Still, I’m confident 300 feet of shelf-space at Wal-Mart isn’t quite what the mother of Mother’s Day, Anna Jarvis, had in mind.

You remember Jarvis, don’t you? After her mother’s death in 1905, Jarvis wanted a day to honor the tremendous sacrifices of her mother and yours. This passion became a crusade, and, in May of 1908, the first celebration unfolded at a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia.

Jarvis encouraged celebrating moms by wearing a white carnation and spending extra time at her side, perhaps by sitting next to her in church. It was a personal celebration of life between children and the one who made life possible in the first place.

The day was a hit, but Jarvis wasn’t done. Her tireless efforts culminated in 1914 with the official declaration of a national Mother’s Day by President Woodrow Wilson.

It was all downhill from there.

Before you could say “overpriced greeting cards,” the holiday slipped into commercialized quicksand. Jarvis was so disappointed with retailers distorting the day, she urged Americans to quit spending money on their Mother’s Day loot. After all that effort, Jarvis spent much of her adult life campaigning to undo the day.

Remarkably, when she died in 1948, she had completely disowned the holiday. If she’d had a Twitter account, it would have been @mothersdayremorse with the hashtag #thestruggleisreal

Thanks to my wife, I feel Anna’s pain.

A few years ago, Kodi lovingly suggested that while flowers were nice on Mother’s Day, and I was welcome to do the dishes, make dinner or buy a bracelet, she’d much rather I do those things on a random Tuesday.

The subtle message was simple and I began paying more attention. Women deserve this everyday, not just on a manufactured holiday meant to lure us to the seasonal gift aisle.

There’s certainly nothing wrong with doing something extra on the second Sunday in May. I’ve been blessed with a wonderful mother, mothers-in-law, sisters and a wife with more patience than Job. Not to mention the other strong women in my life who’ve impacted my journey in eternal ways. They deserve recognition.

But what good is it to spend $20 billion on Mother’s Day and drop our dirty clothes on the floor Monday morning? (Guilty.) Do we fawn over our moms on Sunday and then spend Monday evening watching SportsCenter while she does the dishes? (Awkward pause.) Do we call her on Mother’s Day and then not again until we need something? (Guilty of that, too.)

Women deserve to be held in heavenly esteem every day of the year. We shouldn’t honor and remember them just on a day in May anymore than we would honor and remember Christ simply on a single day in December.

Cherishing and respecting our mothers is an attitude, not just a behavior. Surely it’s a lot more than a $5 greeting card with a dancing monkey.

While we’re at it, the same should be true for our children. I’m more than happy to help them wrap another set of handmade salt and pepper shakers in the shape of potbelly pigs, and I know she would genuinely appreciate the gift, but I’d prefer they honor their mother by responding the first time she asks them to get in the bath, by cleaning up their room and by quickly loading up in the car when it’s time for church.

Want to demonstrate to the women in your world their true value this Sunday? Want them to truly grasp how grateful you are for their influence in your life? Do your part. And remember, they’re divine daughters of God. So, treat them that way — no matter what the calendar says.

Read more of Jason's articles HERE:

Hello World!

Today is our youngest daughter Lauren's birthday!
It was only 24 years ago today, and it seemed from the moment she came out that she was ready to take on the world. Here she is at 2 years old, holding her new brother Lee!

 She totally saw the world in her on different way and this sign for a baby's room seemed to be made just for her.


There was never a dull moment in our home from the time she was born, she has brighten our days, shocked us beyond imagination, kept us laughing and crying when she is gone. Now this 24 year old sweet girl is graduated from college, working, and married!


 How proud we are of her and how BAD we miss her. But she is where she is suppose to be, and blessing the lives of the people in Idaho.
So Happy Birthday dear Lauren! We love you and are so proud of the beautiful young woman you have become!

Ok now for my motivational part of my blog...

I just watched this music video...
The song is called Hello World
Sweet message, great reminder to slow down, be patient, be forgiving and to be grateful for each MOMENT!
Good Night dear friends!

 Watch it HERE:

Hello World

by Lady Antebellum

Traffic crawls, cell phone calls
Talk radio screams at me through my tinted window I see
A little girl, rust red minivan, she’s got chocolate on her face
Got little hands and she waves at me
Yeah, she smiles at me

Well, hello world
How you been
Good to see you, my old friend
Sometimes I feel cold as steel
Broken like I’m never gonna heal
And I see a light, a little hope in a little girl
Hello world

Every day I drive by a little white church
It’s got these little white crosses
Like angels in the yard
Maybe I should stop on in, say a prayer
Maybe talk to God like he is there
Oh, I know he’s there
Yeah, I know he’s there

Well hello world
How you been
Good to see you, my old friend
Sometimes I feel as cold as steel
And broken like I’m never gonna heal
And I see a light, a little grace, a little faith unfurls
Well hello world

Sometimes I forget what living’s for
And I hear my life through my front door
And I breathe it in
Oh, I’m home again
And I see my wife
Little boy and little girl
Hello world
Hello world

Well the empty disappears
I remember why I’m here
Just surrender and believe
I fall down on my knees
Well hello world
Hello world
Hello world

Life's lessons...and I am still learning.

I have to admit  that I have wondered lately ...what it is I need to learn from my illnesses these last 6 months.


Yesterday the Doctor had me come in to talk about my blood results from last week.
Good news is...I don't have Step Throat like she thought, but I do have Mono and that would explain
why I have been feeling so bad for so long. I am struggling to do just the basics and when I go and do a little bit more than that, then I get very fatigued and tired.
So I am working on trying to be patient, trying to understand what it is that I need to change in my life and what I am suppose to learn from all of this. Life certainly is about lessons, yes it is and I am trying hard to learn them!
Good night dear friends!

Day 3 and still counting!

Today is... day 3 of feeling good! It was also sunny and beautiful, plus some dear friends came over to help me take down my Christmas decorations. I love Christmas, but it's March and it does feel like it's time to finally take it down. I mean I actually care that it's been up too long. That only happened this week, so I am grateful. Not sure if I am going to be able to decorate for St. Patrick's Day this year but hopefully I can at least get my house back to normal and not looking like we just moved in.
I love this quote about Patience, that is something I started lacking after 5 weeks of being so sick. The last 4 weeks I felt like I might never get to see the outside world again, I would cry when Jeff left for work. I was turning into a basket case. The asthma was such a big deal, and maybe to give myself a break...not having enough oxygen could cause one to lose hope, among other things.
So whether it was the vitamin injections that I started taking, or the asthma medicine that started working... or my body finally decided to fight after 9 long weeks....I am just grateful. I pray that the lessons I learned from this, will be something that I will remember for a long time.
Thank you for your love, concern and prayers.
It made all the difference.
Good night dear friends!

Bigger Than Me Day!

Well, I was totally shocked today when I woke up SCARED! Then came the tears...it took me a minute to try to understand what these feelings were and why they hit me so hard? A couple of things came to mind, my Doctor of the past 6 years is moving....I knew that and thought I had already wrapped my head around it; but then I started thinking that means we will have to get a new Doctor for all of our family, not just me. However, I am the hardest one to get one for because of being a Cancer Survivor and especially because I didn't treat it traditionally! Now I know DEEP DOWN in my heart that I will find the right one for me, but it just hit me that he is leaving and I have to start over. Gaining that type of trust in a Doctor...is no easy thing for me!
The second thing that I realized is....I have my yearly Cancer Check Up on Friday, and that always throws a bit of fear into my life. I know it is normal but I don't like feeling this way. To top that off, Jeff will be out of town that day and won't be able to go with me. They don't let him go in with me any more ( new office policy) but it is nice to know that my Knight is outside waiting for me. I have many dear friends that have offered to go..so I will be fine.
Two dear friends came by to visit  me yesterday, what a blessing to have such wonderful Friends! They remembered that I was going in for my Check Up on Friday, and so they brought me a book it is called HOWEVER LONG & HARD THE ROAD by Jeffrey R. Holland. I decided after finally pulling myself together this morning, to start readying it and what a good idea that was!
I will only share a couple of things with you that I have read so far but they were pretty profound to me today!
It begins by talking about all the terrible things you hear in the news each day and how that can make one anxious. Then he quoted F. Scott Fitzgerald when he said " TROUBLE HAS NO NECESSARY CONNECTION WITH DISCOURAGEMENT- DISCOURAGEMENT HAS A GERM OF ITS OWN, AS DIFFERENT FROM TROUBLE AS ARTHRITIS IS DIFFERENT FROM A STIFF JOINT."
He goes on to say that the "germ" of discouragement is not in trouble, but in us. It's frequently a small germ, hardly worth going to the doctor for, but it will work and it will grow and it will spread. In fact, it can become almost a habit, a way of living and thinking, and there the greatest damage is done. As with any other germ, a little preventive medicine out to be practiced in terms of those things that get us down. 
" The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining."  ~ John F. Kennedy The Boy Scout Motto is " Be Prepared".  
Of course there are some disappointments that we can not totally be prepared for, but he mentions that we need to face down those disappointments and see what it is that we are to learn from them, and then keep going.  He mentions many people in the scriptures that had tons of disappointments but they turned them into successes, with the Lord's help of course...such as Moses, Noah and many others. They had hard things that they had to overcome and many disappointments. In the book of Joshua 3:5, Joshua tells the tribe of Israel as they faced one of their most difficult trials, " Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." 
Being prepared each day to see what the Lord will make of you is exciting, if we would just believe and not be so fearful. Trust in Him.
He suggest 5things in the book to be prepared... I know these and that is exactly what I try to do in situations like this...
Pray...really pour out my soul to God
Study the scriptures... learn from others who have been there or through something worse, and still they make it.
Serve Others.. .I have a strong conviction of this. I know when I am feeling down with myself. that I can change my whole mind set, when I forget myself and Serve someone else
Be Patient...yes, things don't always happen when or how I want them too, when I am patient the reward is seeing exactly what it is the Lord wants me to do or learn.
Have faith...I know that miracles happen every day. I know that the impossible becomes possible! I just need to have more faith! Don't let the What Ifs robe us of our Faith!
Anyway, other wonderful things happened today when I decided to cancel my Pity Party early and go out. I talked to one of my sweet nieces and one of my daughters today too, they offered a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on, what a blessing that was. Then I went to lunch with a new friend, that was so fun. What an amazing lady she is! After dinner I went to Weight Watchers and sat with my friend ( who I met there a year ago ) and we talked about what did and did not work for us this year ( for our diet that is )! She has reached Life Time Membership too, and has been a great inspiration to me. So you see, I have much to be grateful for, much to be thankful for and much to be happy about..so that is what I need to remember on those Bigger Than Me Days! Good night dear friends!

Waiting!

   I love Sundays, maybe because they have always been our family day. No matter if we have had a non- stop and busy week, we always knew we would be together on Sunday. I have to say, I do realize I get more homesick for my kids who live away from home, on Sundays too.
    I think though the best thing about Sundays is I get my spiritual batteries recharged. I feel like we are focused on what really matters in life, and that makes the coming week a lot easier to handle and prepare for.
   One principle that I learned today was about Waiting, particularly about Waiting on the Lord. It was an article that I was reading which talked about how important it is to wait upon the Lord. The scripture that was mentioned was Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings on eagles;they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint"
Still, it seems as if we all think of waiting as a time of anxiety and anticipation. Some times we get frustrated and impatient when we have to wait. I think many times we all might feel that way, but especially when things are hard and painful. During those trials, time seems to stand still, is that the type of waiting that Isaiah was talking about? The Hebrew word translated as wait also means "hope for" and "anticipate"
   When you think of it that way, then it makes more sense. If you believe that you are a child of God, that He is literally our Heavenly Father who loves us, then we can know that everything that happens...happens for a reason. Some of the greatest lessons I have learned in my life...have come from some of the hardest things I ever had to do; and many times after waiting for what seemed a long time before I understood their meaning or purpose. But I had a strong faith and hope that things would work out. There were many times I had to wait to know why I went through some of the hard lessons that I did. When I think of waiting and hoping for the Lord to help me become equal to the test is a whole lot better, than blaming others for my problems or always asking the Lord " Why me?" over and over again. I think changing our attitude and learning to wait upon the Lord, truly believing He will never leave us alone or let us down, is a whole lot better and a more positive way to live also.
    I have to admit, when I have waited and gone to my Heavenly Father during my darkest times, He has renewed my strength, I can never deny that, and I am eternally grateful because of it.
Good night dear friends!

  "Never was a faithful prayer lost. Some prayers have a longer voyage than others, but then they return with their richer lading at last, so that the praying soul is a gainer by waiting for an answer."  ~ William Gurnall


  “God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as he always has. But he can't if you don't pray, and he can't if you don't dream. In short, he can't if you don't believe.”
~Jeffrey R. Holland
You can read the whole article HERE:

Devoted Husband

I have to admit, some times I wonder how in the world Jeff and I have been married almost 29 years? We definitely have our differences, and yet I can't even imagine without him. I have said this more than once, but marriage is really hard. It helps to keep things in perspective and to realize that we are suppose to be different, we were actually made that way. We are also suppose to keep a sense of humor because sometimes you are going to cry... IF you don't just laugh about it. I have to remember how he sees things are totally different than how I do, and that can make the situation maybe a little more understandable. Yes, being married to your best friend is the greatest thing in the world and also the toughest! So we just keep working at it because in the end ...there is no one that I would rather be with ...than Jeff!

I thought instead of writing much tonight, I would just share these funny photos with you! I hope it makes you smile and I hope it helps you to remember to ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

 

I am assuming that this husband just got tired of the story she was telling? Still I don't like the look on his face! :)

Sort of brings a tear to your eye, don't it?

A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity.  The order varies for any given year.  ~Paul Sweeney

My wife says I never listen to her.  At least I think that's what she said.  ~Author Unknown

Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without.  ~James C. Dobson

Tonight was our last marriage class

We have really enjoyed the 5 week marriage classes that we have been going to. I have mentioned some of things before that we have learned, but what I think was most important is... understanding and recognizing that men and women are different. We think differently, we communicate differently, we talk differently, we listen differently and that is the way we are suppose to be. That is the way we were created. The trick in marriage is to, not only pick the right person that makes you whole, but to also be patient and understanding in this journey... we call marriage. To not only hang in there throughout the years, but learn to have Joy in our Journey together. When things are going right in our marriages and we are truly one, there isn't a better feeling in the world. There is a great synergy that comes from truly being connected. Life is just better, when our marriages are good.

So tonight we discussed  how to take the things we learned and apply them in our lives.They say the best way to learn something is to internalize it, live it and then teach it. It is a healthier way to live...when we are happy in our marriages, it is healthier for our children , it gives them a stronger foundation, and us too!

So here are some of the points that we reviewed from the last 4 weeks...

Have weekly date nights ...it is vital to reconnect and just spend time with each other each week, life is busy it is important to take that time out together.

Pray together... working and praying together about your struggles, you decisions with life or the kids. There is a great bonding power when you kneel down and pray as a couple.

Check in's ....once a month sit down with each other and check in. Ask each other these two questions. What is it that I am doing well? What is it that I can improve on?  Be honest with each other and make sure that both of you feel safe to share your honest opinions.

Meet each other's needs...As a companion it is important to tell what you needs are, in order to be met, they have to first be known. If you strive to always fulfill your partner's needs, your's will automatically be filled. Put your companion's needs first. Be aware of what those needs are daily.

Be loyal...that is vital in a great marriage, be loyal in not only your actions, but also in your thoughts!

Understand the differences... we were not make alike, so be aware of those differences and be patient with them.

Say you are sorry... not forgiving someone is like taking a little bit of poison every day, and expecting the other person to die! Not forgiving someone hurts you more. It is not always that important to be right. Learn to say you are sorry and really mean it!

Take the time...how much time are we willing to put into our relationship as husband and wife? Where on the priority list does that fall? It is vital to take the time because marriage can either be the happiest experience in your life, or the most painful and miserable experience in your life. You will get out of it... just what you are willing to put into it!

Jeff and I have been married 29 years this June and believe it or not...we are still working at it EVERY DAY! It is hard, but he is the love of my life and I want to do all that I can to try and make it better. When I take my eye off that goal, then I see all the things he does that bug me, I remember all the hurtful things he has done or said. I forget all the good things we have done and accomplished together. Yes, focus is important in a marriage. I need to try and focus more on the good, be patient with our differences and remember why I wanted to marry him in the first place...because I knew he was the one for me! Our marriage has not been a fairy tale, but a real life drama good and bad, the goal is to have more good times and less bad times. That means work, and that is what this class reminded me of. I am truly grateful we attended it. Grateful for the teachers that spent so much time and effort in sharing all these things with us. Yes, life is good... and I need to remember that more often!

" The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."  ~ Therodore Hesburgh 
"And the same goes for the mother."~  Lynn Woodard

"A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' come together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences."
-- Dave Meurer

"One of the great illusions of our time is that love is self-sustaining. It is not. Love must be fed and nurtured, constantly renewed. That demands ingenuity and consideration, but first and foremost, it demands time."
-- David Mace

Marriage class number 4!

Tonight was our 4th marriage class. I have to admit, at first I wasn't sure I wanted to go, because I was sure I probably already knew most of the stuff that we should or should not do in our marriage. We had some friends that wanted to go and so we decided to do it as a foursome. It has been incredible, and maybe I did already know most of the things that have been taught, but the teacher is so passionate about making  your marriage not only work... but making it be the BEST, has been very enlightening.

I am guilty of just getting stuck at times in my marriage. I let my perspective get out of focus and that is detrimental to our relationship. Pretty soon all I can see if the things that drive me crazy or things that are still not working, and I focus in on them and as you can imagine ...that doesn't bring very much happiness into the home. I have learned that even though I am pretty sure that most of our problems are because of Jeff  :) ( just kidding )  ,it doesn't take long for me to learn that the only person I can change is me. I usually have to start with changing my thoughts, and then focus only on the good. It is funny that you have to work that hard at times but ...I think marriage is hard, one of the hardest (but best) things I have ever done.

Not only do you start with opposites, a man and a woman (which we have learned all the differences that come from that) but then you also come from different life experiences and backgrounds, so that changes how you see or act toward certain things. Then you add in children to that mix and your different experiences or opinions on how to raise and parent them. Then you add in finances, health or lack of it and ....well, did I already say how hard marriage is?

Tonight our focus was ...it is worth the effort we put into it! We should never give up, but continue to try to make it the very best we can. Forgiving, forgetting and practicing patience every single day, hour and minute. We need to be careful on how hard we judge each other, and truly try to focus on the positive. We talked about how the good and bad in our marriages, effect our children, and how we need to be very aware of that. How we need to understand it is our responsibility to make our marriages the best, so that we set the proper example for our kids. We need to put each other first, even before ourselves. Yes, I am glad that our friends and us decided to take this class, I don't think any one can learn TOO MUCH about preserving our relationships and our marriages. It is a vital part of our lives and our home and we need to keep working on it! The bottom line is ...you need to keep trying, over and over again! Because when all is right between Jeff and I, everything is right with the world! It truly is worth it!

 

"The more you invest in a marriages, the more valuable it becomes."  ~ Amy Grant 

"Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate."  ~Barnett R. Brickner

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."  ~Mignon McLaughlin

What I learned today...

I am always so grateful for the chance to be healthy enough to go to church. Jeff and I only went for part of it ( he is still trying to get better from his pneumonia, and I am still trying to NOT catch it ) but I did learn something during that little bit of time. The theme today was about patience. The speakers gave some great points about it. I will only share a few of them, especially the ones that touched my heart. In a world where we want what we want and we want it now, I think that this topic is something we all could be the better for...if you remember it and work on it!

pa·tience  –noun

1.the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.

2.an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner.

3.quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.

—Synonyms
1. composure, stability, self-possession; submissiveness, sufferance. Patience, endurance, fortitude, stoicism imply qualities of calmness, stability, and persistent courage in trying circumstances

"A certain amount of impatience may be useful to stimulate and motivate us to action. However, I believe that a lack of patience is a major cause of the difficulties and unhappiness in the world today. Too often, we are impatient with ourselves, with our family members and friends, and even with the Lord. We seem to demand what we want right now, regardless of whether we have earned it, whether it would be good for us, or whether it is right. Some seek immediate gratification or numbing of every impulse by turning to alcohol and drugs, while others seek instant material wealth by questionable investments or by dishonesty, with little or no regard for the consequences. Perhaps the practice of patience is more difficult, yet more necessary, now than at any previous time." ~Joseph B. Wirthlin

"We should learn to be patient with ourselves. Recognizing our strengths and our weaknesses, we should strive to use good judgment in all of our choices and decisions, make good use of every opportunity, and do our best in every task we undertake. We should not be unduly discouraged nor in despair at any time when we are doing the best we can. Rather, we should be satisfied with our progress even though it may come slowly at times." ~ Joseph B. Wirthlin

"Patience sometimes needs to be acquired"

"We need to take action in the midst of our patience, not just simply wait for something to happen"

It's personal!

I read an article the other day in the news, of an elderly woman who had died. In the article it talked all about what this elderly lady had accomplished in her 80 some years. I like that her daughter mentioned to the reporter  "that elderly lady was my MOM! "  Life is very personal or at least it should be. When our lives get busy, I think we tend to forget that person in the car in front of us going  unbelievably slow...is someone's father or grandfather, and maybe they are just learning how to drive. Or when we are waiting a long time in the check out lane because the check-out lady is taking forever...we need to remember that is someone's mother or sister, who may have just had a situation in her life that forced her back into the work field at her age, or she is just new at her job. Yes, taking time to see people for who they are or try to understand why they do what they do... that takes time and patience.

Once again for our DATE NIGHT, Jeff and I watched a movie ( we didn't get out much when I had pneumonia ). The movie that we watched was a lot about this same line of thinking. It was about a kid who nobody really cared much about and nobody really wanted to get involved with. Then along came a family, who personally took it upon themselves to get to know all about this kid and he eventually became family to them. It was not easy, the family and the boy came from 2 different sides of life, but still they took took the time and effort to get to know him and no judge him on face value only. Because of their patience, unconditional love and help, this boy's life was transformed for the better. He had a very rough start in life and yet because someone personally cared, his life was never the same!

I love the story in the book of John, chapter 5 verses 1-9.  In Jerusalem there by the sheep market was a pool which was called (in the Hebrew language) Bethesda. This pool (like a hot springs or mineral springs) was known for it's healing powers at certain times. When the water was moving( troubled ), then the first person who got in, was to be made whole from their disease. Great multitudes of people with various problems waited by the pool, to be the first one in. The story goes on to tell about a invalid man who lived in Jerusalem and had suffered with his disease for 38 years. Jesus saw him at the pool and knowing he had been in that condition for a long time said unto him "Wilt thou be made whole?" The impotent man answered him, 'Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool; but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me' Jesus saith to him 'Rise, take up thy bed, and walk'. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked.

I guess the obvious moral of the story is that with the Savior's help there were many miracles that happened on a daily basis, but I also thought about what this man must have felt like. Everyone was pushing and walking over or ahead of him to help themselves. How many times do we rush by in life and not see, someone who is in need of help. That takes time and patience. That takes really looking outside of ourselves. It was a wonderful story and once again the Savior's example was a perfect lesson for us all ...to slow down and personally get involved with other people's lives. It not only will bless them, but our lives will be better too. Service does that to you!

Thanks to all of you who have personally taken the time out of your life to help me and my family. We are truly grateful for your Christ-like example!

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light."
Albert Schweitzer

"Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have." ~ Jim Rohn 

“Do something for somebody every day for which you do not get paid.” ~Albert Schweitzer

Patience

I asked myself this past week what I am suppose to be learning? I am just sitting, not really able to do more, or my breathing gets quite labored. Usually even if I am sick, I still feel like doing something. That is not the case when I have pneumonia, it drains me in a way that I have no desire to do anything. I realize that I need to be more patient. That is hard to do some times, especially when the world and everyone in it, seemed to be going on around me. I ask in my prayers, how can I serve others when I can't even take care of my home and family? Yes, patience is obviously what I need to work on.

Tonight for Family Home Evening, we were going over our calendar for the week and then our lesson was on Patience...how appropriate for me. I will share some of the lesson with you, in hopes that it might be of some benefit.

In the Bible in the book of Romans 5:3-5 we read, through our trials we gain 3 things...Hope, Experience and Patience. In our lesson tonight we learned that from Patience we will cultivate our character, lift our lives and heighten our happiness. All good reasons to have more patience in our trials!

In the lesson we read...Waiting can be hard. Children know it, and so do adults. We live in a world offering fast food, instant messaging, on-demand movies, and immediate answers to the most trivial or profound questions. We don't like to wait. Some even feel their blood pressure rise when their line at the grocery store moves slower than those around them.

Patience----- the ability to put our desires on hold for a time-----is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want, and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter.

I learned that patience was far more than simply waiting for something to happen--- patience required actively working toward worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results didn't appear instantly or without effort.

There is an important concept here: patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can----working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!  ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

So once again, I will remember to try and be more patient. Try to remember the lessons I need to be learning. And I realize, that I only will learn them if I will be more faithful, hopeful and strive to endure my life's experiences well...even when they don't seem fair. Life...it is certainly a learning experience.

 

"PATIENCE IS WAITING. NOT PASSIVELY WAITING. THAT IS LAZINESS. BUT TO KEEP GOING WHEN THE GOING IS HARD AND SLOW--THAT IS PATIENCE." ~ Unknown

"Patience is the companion of wisdom."  ~Saint Augustine

"PATIENCE AND FORTITUDE CONQUER ALL THINGS"   ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

( My dear daughter-in-law is good at photography too, I am surrounded by a whole family of talented people, aren't I lucky? )

Not forgotten

Today I went to recieve my last of the gel injections for my knees ( ouch! ) but my knees are feeling much better when I walk up and down the stairs now, and for that I am grateful. Then I went to my regular doctor to have him check my lungs again. I am better than I was last week, but I still have the bronchitis and the pneumonia so another week down and staying home is the verdict. I have to admit, although I am missing seeing my friends and going places, I really don't feel good enough or have the energy to do hardly anything so, another week it is! Time sure seems to slow down when you're sick, why is that?

Anyway, I have been struggling (as you well know from my posts) from being sick so much and having one trial after another. Some times I wonder if people even miss me? See, that is a thought from a girl who has been hanging out at her own pity party too long. Well, the reason I brought this up, was not to complain but to tell you how grateful I am to know that I have not been forgotten. I have gotten emails with friends checking up on me and my progress. I recieved cards today from dear friends, I talked to another dear friend of mine, who told me how worried she was about me and reminded me that she missed me and loved me. I have had tons of calls from family and friends checking on me and tonight, I recieved a beautiful bouquet of flowers from two friends who wanted to remind me that they loved and missed me. Now all those people today might not have thought what they did, was very big ....but it was HUGE to me and I am honored to have so many dear friends and family members who love me.

So tonight, I wanted to remind those of you, who are going through big struggles and challenges in your life ...to not to do what I have been doing lately... feeling sorry for myself. Trust me, it hasn't gotten me anywhere!  Yes, it is natural to get down and discouraged, but to stay there is a very unhealthy place. So try to stop and remember like I am tonight, all the blessings that you have. Remember your sweet friends and family who love and care about you, and remember that they believe in you and certainly don't want you to quit or to give up. They know you have it in  you to handle whatever comes your way. I pray that we all can be a bit more PATIENT in our challenges.

It is late and I need to head to bed. Good night dear friends and thank you very much for being there for me!

"Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say."
- Anon

"When we don't have patience...we will see less, we will hear less and we will feel less!"

A Better Day!

Last night was pretty tough, my knees kept throbbing and so I got up to take some more medicine. Finally I was able to get back to sleep. Today was much better and I was very surprised, usually the 3rd day after surgery has always been my toughest. But actually the toughest part today was having to just sit down all day, but I know I need to for awhile. But the family is taking great care of me and only once or twice, have I had to yell upstairs and ask for some food. :)  So life is good.

I will go to the Doctor on Monday and have my dressings changed and then a week later for the stitches out, not sure what happens after that. So I will have to be patient and lay low. It is late and I need to head to bed, thanks so much for checking in on me and keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.

"Patience is the art of hoping" ~ Marquis de

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it."  ~ Helen Keller

Habits

Today at church the message was about Patience. I loved the quote that went with it.

"IF WE DON'T HAVE PATIENCE...

WE WILL SEE LESS, WE WILL HEAR LESS, AND WE WILL FEEL LESS"

I think some people believe that either you were born with patience or not. I don't believe it is completely true. I mean sure, there are some more patient people in the world but... I do believe that any could learn to have more patience. I would wager that most of us could use a little more of it in our lives. Sometimes I believe that we just get into habits and we really need to watch what our habits are. It makes me think of the quote..."WE FIRST MAKE OUR HABITS, AND THEN OUR HABITS MAKE US."

Yes, everything is about our choices.

 

"You are always only one choice away from changing your life." ~Marcy Blochowack

"Our patience will achieve more than our force."  ~ Edmund Burke

"Patience can't be acquired overnight. It is just like building up a muscle. 
Every day you need to work on it."  ~ Eknath Easwaran

Good night dear friends, thanks for the example and friendship.