Hugs From My Boys

I absolutely love the way my boys put their arms around me and give me a hug before going to sleep.  It is some of the small and simple things that I love best.  Both Derek and Nathan fell asleep in my arms tonight.  Daniel fell asleep in Lisa's arms.  Some other simple things that brings me happiness:

1. Seeing them hug each other or comfort them when they are sad.
2. Reading books with them.
3. Singing primary songs with them.
4. Hearing them say thank you so readily
5. Wrestling on the floor with them.
6. Seeing the way they love to play with their cousins and be with their grandparents (great grandparents too).
7. Watching them ride thier bicycles together.
8. ....and so much more I don't have time to type right now.

The Tender Mercies of the Lord

I love the mormon messages found on you tube.  This is one that I really like.  I think I'll periodically post these videos, and I'll try to make a comment about them when I do.  I will post them because they speak to a part of me...they help me want to be better and/or remind me of the tender mercies of the Lord (as explained in this one).

With regards to this video, I believe that the Lord has had his hand in my life from the beginning.  I see evidence of that everywhere I look.  When I stray from the path, He is there to welcome me back.  When I am tempted, He is there to strengthen me.  When I succeed, it is because of His love that I was able to do so.  He has blessed me with life and all I have.  He has guided me in my personal, family, educational, and professional pursuits.  I don't believe in spiritual coincidences.  He, in his infinite love, is always doing what he can to bring us home and make us happy.  We just need to go to Him.

Ask and Ye Shall Recieve

This is another section fo scripture that I really like a lot.  I particulary like the way the Savior explains it using the love of an earthy father.  This is from 3 Nephi, Chapter 14.

Ask, and it shall be given unto you; ^bseek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone?

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, ^ado ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets.

Things that Matter Most

I love these words of President Uchtdorf about focusing on the things that matter most.  This was taken from the last General Conference address. 

"My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. Let us be mindful of the foundational precepts our Heavenly Father has given to His children that will establish the basis of a rich and fruitful mortal life with promises of eternal happiness. They will teach us to do “all these things … in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength. [But] it is expedient that [we] should be diligent, [and] thereby … win the prize.” ⁷

Brothers and sisters, diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world. That is why “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, … that [we] may know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins.” ⁸ In the complexity, confusion, and rush of modern living, this is the “more excellent way.” ⁹

So What Are the Basics?

As we turn to our Heavenly Father and seek His wisdom regarding the things that matter most, we learn over and over again the importance of four key relationships: with our God, with our families, with our fellowman, and with ourselves. As we evaluate our own lives with a willing mind, we will see where we have drifted from the more excellent way. The eyes of our understanding will be opened, and we will recognize what needs to be done to purify our heart and refocus our life.

First, our relationship with God is most sacred and vital. We are His spirit children. He is our Father. He desires our happiness. As we seek Him, as we learn of His Son, Jesus Christ, as we open our hearts to the influence of the Holy Spirit, our lives become more stable and secure. We experience greater peace, joy, and fulfillment as we give our best to live according to God’s eternal plan and keep His commandments.

We improve our relationship with our Heavenly Father by learning of Him, by communing with Him, by repenting of our sins, and by actively following Jesus Christ, for “no man cometh unto the Father, but by [Christ].” ¹⁰ To strengthen our relationship with God, we need some meaningful time alone with Him. Quietly focusing on daily personal prayer and scripture study, always aiming to be worthy of a current temple recommend—these will be some wise investments of our time and efforts to draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Let us heed the invitation in Psalms: “Be still, and know that I am God.” ¹¹

 

Our second key relationship is with our families. Since “no other success can compensate for failure” ¹² here, we must place high priority on our families. We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship.

The third key relationship we have is with our fellowman. We build this relationship one person at a time—by being sensitive to the needs of others, serving them, and giving of our time and talents. I was deeply impressed by one sister who was burdened with the challenges of age and illness but decided that although she couldn’t do much, she could listen. And so each week she watched for people who looked troubled or discouraged, and she spent time with them, listening. What a blessing she was in the lives of so many people.

The fourth key relationship is with ourselves. It may seem odd to think of having a relationship with ourselves, but we do. Some people can’t get along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day long until they begin to hate themselves. May I suggest that you reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better. Walk in nature, watch a sunrise, enjoy God’s creations, ponder the truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean for you personally. Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you—as His precious daughter or son with divine potential."

Some of my Favorite Scripture

O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! For behold, if the ^dflesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who ^efell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the ^fdevil, to rise no more.

And our spirits must have become ^alike unto him, and we become devils, ^bangels to a ^cdevil, to be ^dshut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of ^elies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who ^fbeguiled our first parents, who ^gtransformeth himself nigh unto an ^hangel of light, and ⁱstirreth up the children of men unto ^jsecret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness.

O how great the ^agoodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our ^bescape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, ^cdeath and ^dhell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.

O the greatness and the ^ajustice of our God! For he executeth all his words, and they have gone forth out of his mouth, and his law must be ^bfulfilled.

But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever.

O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.

O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.

And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.

O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.

O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.

Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God.

This was taken from 2nd Nephi, Chapter 9 in the Book of Mormon

New Tab Added--Faith

I've added a new page to my blog.  It's entitled Faith.  I've included a poem I recently wrote.

Families Can Be Together Forever

Modification to Purpose of this Blog

As I've worked on this blog, it's become apparent to me that I have a dual purpose to this blog.  As I mentioned in my first post, a major reason for this blog is to preserve some of my most important thoughts and feelings about the topics I feel most deeply about.  But I've also realized that I also want to share these with my friends and family, for whatever value it might be to them.  I guess this is why I decided to allow for some feedback (i.e. check boxes).  However, as I stated, I do not have the time, or desire, to make this a discussion blog.  I know there will be those who disagree with me.  That is fine.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  But because I am writing the things that are of significant value to me, I am sure you can understand why I would block any attempt for others to voice their disagreement with me.  These things I hold very close to me and I have no interest in a debate.  If I am wrong, let me be wrong.  I feel so stongly with these things that a debate would prove fruitless.  Only a combination of time, God's influence, and perhaps wisdom coming from age and experience might change my opinion on these things.  And if an when they do, I will add/modify the content of this blog to reflect that.

Having said that I do hope that my family, friends, and any other reader may find some sort of enjoyement, feeling of inspiration or fulfilment by reading the things I've selected in this blog.  Please feel free to share with anyone if you so desire.