Loving Thy Neighbor

Today, I have a need to express a little something.  I have been frustrated lately with the way some people seem to think that they don't have to do anything except sit and bask in the completed project, or lesson, or dinner, or program.  There is an old saying that says simply:
The world is run by those who show up. 
This quote describes for me, what most of us observe in our personal lives.  People tend to fall into two groups:  Those that are involved in the world around them and activly working to make it better or those who are separated from the world around them. 
Do you ever notice when someone gets an award, you often learn that they are also coaching their children’s sports team, serving on the local school board or fire board, heading a committee, or helping their neighbors with babysitting or food?  Have you ever noticed that there are a limited number of people you can reliably can turn to when you need something done? Have you noticed that the same people substitute in Primary, or Sunday School, or who show up for the church wood project?  Is it a surprise that these same people are usually in both categories?
It is so hard to see people who don't want to participate, who don't want to serve, who don't want to help.  I just don't understand it.  It is not as if we are not all busy.  Many of us are fortunate to have loving families who want a portion of our time and attention.  But I know that I want to teach my kids to be helpers throughout their lives.  I want them to find and come to know the joy of service.  I have found that even serving in the "little things" can bring amazing joy, in ways I never planned for or expected. 
So, how can we make sure our children develope within themselves this desire to serve?  I think there are a few things that we can do to help.
The first is to remember that:  Charity begins at home.
There is nothing more important in your life than taking care of your family and raising healthy, well balanced children if you have them.  You should not feel obligated to take on more than you can reasonably be expected to accomplish, especially if those activites take you away from your family.  However, you should work at things that you can involve your family to participate with you.  We have discovered that family oriented service projects can go a long way toward teaching your children to be willing to serve.  Don't forget that service should begin at home.  As you get them involved in doing things for each other, they will be more willing to help others.  You need to be willing to make your home a place where service is practiced, not just preached.  One of the new things we are doing in our family is using a "service block".  This is a painted block of wood.  When the kids do a service for each other or their parents, they get to pass the service block.  That person has two days to do a service for someone else. They love this game.  I came home today to find my bed made and the service block placed neatly on the covers.  Kids get excited when it becomes a game that everyone plays.
The second thing is:  Be a good role model.
Children need good role models.  Those people influence them in how their attitude toward service will be for the rest of their lives.  They should learn early on that church service, public service and caring for the community are not only good things, but something that should be expected.   Balancing these priorities is what will help them make a difference. Who in your neighborhood needs your help and encouragement?  Is there a widow who needs yard work done?  A young couple who needs a date night?  As children see your willingness to serve, they will develop that willingness for themselves. 
President Monson said, in his address to the youth of the church:
"As we look heavenward, we inevitably learn of our responsibility to reach outward. To find real happiness, we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves. No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellow man. Service to others is akin to duty, the fulfillment of which brings true joy. We do not live alone—in our city, our nation, or our world. There is no dividing line between our prosperity and our neighbor’s wretchedness. “Love thy neighbor” is more than a divine truth. It is a pattern for perfection. This truth inspires the familiar charge, “Go forth to serve.” Try as some of us may, we cannot escape the influence our lives have upon the lives of others. Ours is the opportunity to build, to lift, to inspire, and indeed to lead. The New Testament teaches that it is impossible to take a right attitude toward Christ without taking an unselfish attitude toward men:
“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40)".   Thomas S. Monson, “The Joy of Service,” New Era, Oct 2009, 2–6


In this world that is filled with so much selfishness and despair, let us make sure that we are not contributing to the pain and suffering that is all around us.  Let us make sure that we are making the right choices in our lives and following the Savior's teachings.  Let us teach our children that loving their neighbor is more than simply a convenient way to show our righteousness.  It is the way to perfection. 
May we each find a small service to share with those who need us today. 

Building a Temple

In the Book of Mormon, we read in 1 Nephi 22:25  And he numbereth his sheep and they know him,  and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture.
As I read these verses today, I wondered where it was that we are trying (in our lives) to find pasture?  Is it in the "excitement" of the world?  Is it by having "fun"?  Is is your career? Or is your pasture found as you strive to follow the teachings of the Savior?
What are you looking for? 
When you continue on to the next verse, it says, "And because of the righteousness of  His people, Satan has no power, wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years, for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness and the Holy One of Israel  reigneth"
Think about this seemingly simple scripture for a moment.  When we are righteous, Satan is bound.
I find it interesting that he has no power over the hearts of the people.  As I ponder this, I think that the reason he has any power in the first place is because we give it willingly to him.  We may not realize it, but we do.  We choose his way because of our unwillingness to live the laws and the ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We choose his way when we want the path to be easy and the grass to always seem green.  We choose Satan's way when we do not lay the foundation of Christ upon our soul.   "As the foundation of the Salt Lake Temple was being laid, with footings sixteen feet wide, President Brigham Young discovered the workmen were using a soft stone. The work was halted, the soft stone taken out and replaced with giant blocks of granite. He declared: 'We are building this temple to stand through the millennium' (LeGrand Richards, Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 81.)
As big as those stone were, I doubt that it was an easy task to take out a stone and put another in it's place.  Our bodies are supposed to be temples too.  So, are we building both our bodies and spirits to last through the millennium?  Or are we just kind of coasting along with soft stone for the corners?
I think what I am trying to say is that it is up to us to make sure that Jesus Christ is our cornerstone.  If  He is not, than we need to take the steps to put Him there. 
So, what is one thing that you could do this week to bring yourself closer to God?  What is one habit you can change?  One thing you can do?  (or not do for that matter!).  What do you need to do in your life to bring Him back to the cornerstone? 
Notice, that I did not say how many things!  I just asked for one.  I have found that when I change the soft stones out of my life one at a time, they have the tendancy not to move back in.  So this week, I only want you to change one thing and see if it makes a difference.   

Sunday Devotional - Whom the Lord Loveth

The strongest tree in the forest is not the one that is sheltered from the storm and hidden from the sun.  It's the one that stands out in the open where it must struggle for its existence against the fierce winds and pouring rains and the scorching sun.

My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby (Hebrews 12:5-7, 11).

Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you — Wherefore, ye must needs be chastened and stand rebuked before my face (Doctrine and Covenants 95:1, 2).

A Simple Moment

This Moment

A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment that brings a smile to my lips, and joy to my heart.

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

I don't know the answer if you don't ask the right question!

My sweet daughter, Anya, came to me last night and wanted some help with her school project.  She was supposed to make a poster highlighting the Scientific Method, which the fourth grade is studying in school.  She had the poster half finished and had written the Acronymn SHEEP for the poster.  I looked at her and asked, "What does sheep mean?" 
"I don't know" Anya replied, "That is why I need you to help me.  If I knew the answer than I wouldn't need your help!"  She was getting just a little bit testy about the situation, as she had been working on it by herself for a while.  So, I spent an hour looking up SHEEP online and the Scientific Method along with it.  I had no luck!  I did not learn that method counting sheep, so I am not at all sure how to help her.
"Mom", she said, "you HAVE to know the answer!"
"Sweetheart, you have to ask the right questions first"
I explained to her what the scientific method was, but I could not (no matter how hard I tried) figure out how to make that method spell sheep.  Finally, she looked at me and told me that it would be alright.  She would ask for help in class.  Her teacher knew ALL the answers.  Then she went off to bed and went to sleep.
Meanwhile, I kept looking for sheep.  I was not successful.  Anya went off to school, talked with her teacher, completed her project and earned all her points.  She asked the right questions to the right person.
In desperation this morning, I called her teacher on the phone and asked.  I wanted to know what it was in case it comes up again this year.  She explained to me that the acronym was one she had made up to help the kids remember what the Scientific Method was.  Really???  No wonder I couldn't find it anywhere!  What happened to text books anyway???   Than she shared it with me.

S = See and observe

H= hypothesis

E= Form your Experiment

E= Do your Experiment

P= Proove Results

I knew about the scientific method, I learned about it and I still remember.  No where in what I learned did we have experiment twice!  I am telling you, these kids are learning things they never taught me in school.  Thank goodness they are so smart!!  If they had to wait for me to get the answer, well, lets just say that I would never be asking the right questions to the right persons!  

Sometimes, learning the Gospel is a lot like my daughters poster project.  You can't get the answers you need until you learn to ask the right questions.  Heavenly Father wants to bless us.  He is waiting to bless us.  But He is also teaching us.  Part of that process involves the need on our parts to ask for His help and guidance.  It doesn't matter how eloquent you are.  It doesn't matter how other people think of you.  The only thing that is important is your own faith and your desire to pray and ask.  Our Heavenly Father has promised us in the Doctrine and Covenants:


"If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things--that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal."  D&C 42:61
So, what questions do you need to ask?

Things Cannot Always Be Fixed

Today, I am reminded that we all go through hard times.  That, often, things are not as simple as they appear.  That others my not know or even think that we are in pain.  Today, I have watched others hurt and tried my best to comfort and found myself hurting for their pain.  Today, I realize that I cannot fix everything, or even most things.  There are things that each of us need to experience so that we can grow.  Sometimes those things, cannot be "fixed" they must simply be endured.
My daughter once asked me, "Mom, why do the bad things always happen to our family?"  I did not have the answer then, but as I have pondered this question, I have come to believe that our trials are a blessing to us.  Or rather, they will be a blessing some other time, at a later date.  Maybe now, we don't know why things are happening, or what we are supposed to learn from them.  But later, we will look back and see that every time God gives us a trial, He also sends a blessing.  Sometimes, it takes years to see it, but it is there.  The old saying, "When God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window" has been so true in my life.  We just, occasionally, have a problem seeing the window as a blessing.  
I think of Helen Keller.  She is one of my heroes!  Think how terrible it would be to be literally locked inside yourself.  To not be able to see or hear or communicate with those around you.  Yet, through this great tragedy, there came about ways and means to help literally thousands of people throughout time.  She faced trials greater than any that I have faced.  I can not even imagine what it must have been like to have a voice inside that no one else could understand.  But as terrible as her trials were, look at the blessings that took place.  She not only learned how to communicate, she learned the value and meaning of true friendship.  She spoke in public, she wrote, she continues to influence the way children with disabilities are taught today.
Our Heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom, knows exactly what we need in our lives that will help us to return to Him.  He knows us, all of our deepest, darkest secrets.  He loves us so much.  So today, my message is one of eternal love.  Never think for a moment that you are alone.  All of your hurts have been felt.  Each time you experience sadness or despair, He is there.  He loves you no matter what terrible things you think you might have done, no matter what your past has been.  He watches you, He weeps with you, He loves you.
Remember, that we only see a part of our lives.  We do not see the future nor do we always remember the past.  We live in the here and now.  We see what is right in front of us.  If we had the power to look over our entire life, than we would see the patterns and the threads.  We would see how the dark is sometimes just as important in the making of us as the light.
I believe that you can not ever start over.  You can not change the past.  Always, parts of it will come with you.  But you can start from now, right this minute, and change the ending of your life.  You can change and influence your decisions from this moment on.
You can come back to Him.

Pioneer Heritage

Pioneers

by Patricia A Pitterle

Immigrants traveled hundreds of miles

leaving behind things they had loved and handed down

from generation to generation.

They left their familiar homes, and often their friends and families.

They came to America

with firm convictions, unity of purpose

and a true love of the Lord.

Crossing the vast ocean

and the wide expanse of prairie, 

They suffered hunger and thirst

and the weather was often a bitter enemy in their midst.

Many lived through the hardships and trials

but others did not.  

Friends and family were too often left

in shallow, unmarked graves.

The survivors often gave all they had to make the crossing

and came to the valley at last

with only themselves left to give.

Their offering was complete 

and they joined the saints in Zion

building up the kingdom of God here upon the earth.

He had gathered 

His children 

home.

We too,

must find within ourselves the willingness to sacrifice,

to share with others those things which are

most sacred and dear.

With firm convictions, unity of purpose,

and the love of the gospel in our hearts

we cross the large oceans of opinion

and the prairies of disbelief and ridicule,

seeking those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.

We must hold high the lamp that leads and guides

to eternal life

so that some may see and find the way.

There are many who will choose not to look,

for they have buried themselves

in the darkness of pride and worldly persuasions.

Those of us who diligently seek

are often asked to give all that we have

to the service of our Lord

until at last, we stand before Him

with only ourselves left to give.

Our offering is complete

And we join the saints and become one, in Zion.

For He has gathered us,

His children,

home.

"Missionary work is the lifeblood of the Church and the lifesaving blessing to all who accept its message."

Ronald A. Rasband, "The Divine Call of a Missionary," Ensign, May 2010, 51

Sabbath Devotional - Beautiful Music

I love music.  It lifts my heart, brings out my emotions, and makes me feel closer to my Heavenly Father.  This is a piece that I especially love.  It was arranged by one of my fellow Choir members.  It is sung by the Northland Pioneer College Master Chorale that my daughter and I are currently singing for.  We both sang in this production.  I hope that you feel just a little closer to heaven as you listen today.

A Simple Moment

Keys Please!

This Moment

A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment that brings a smile to my lips, and joy to my heart.

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Nine Years Ago, Today

Today, I want to pause for a moment and remember history. I want to remember one of the saddest days in America. I want to remember the victims. The men, women and children who were going to work or play on a day that started out like any other.

On September 11, 2001, beginning at about 8:45 am, a series of terrorist attacks destroyed the twin towers of the World Trade Center and severely damaged the Pentagon. Commercial airliners were hijacked and flown directly into the three buildings. The first crashed into the North tower at 8:45, and about 18 minutes later the second airliner hit the South tower. At about 9:40, a third airliner crashed into the Pentagon. At about 9:58, the South tower collapsed, followed by the North tower at 10:28.

Two days later a reporter wrote: “The disaster is so great that in New York we have as yet, two days later, only guesses about how many thousands of people perished when the WTC towers collapsed. ”

At the time then-President George W Bush said: “Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes, or in their offices; secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers; moms and dads, friends and neighbours. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong.A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America — with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbours who came to give blood and help in any way they could. Immediately following the first attack"

Today, may we each take a moment to pause and remember a piece of history that we are never likely to truly forget. Where I was, and what I was doing on that day at that time is forever burned in my heart and mind. May we take a second or two to remember those who gave their lives on this day, nine years ago, as well as all those serving in the military, both here and abroad, and those who serve as firefighters and police officers in our cities today.

 

"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love."

--- Washington Irving

OH MY!

Not too long ago, I took the girls in to see their pediatrician.   We found out (much to their dismay) that the each needed one or two shots.  The first one got so upset that she fell completely apart in the doctor's office.  I decided that it would be easier to let them calm down and bring them back later.  So we waited.  I let them know the day before that we were going in to get shots.  They were not happy!  By the time we walked into the Doctor's office, Anya had worked herself up into a full blown panic attack.  We decided to do her first.  She was screaming, grabbing her arms and crying loudly.  All of a sudden, the nurse said, "see, it is all over".  Instantly her tears dried up and she got a rather stunned look on her face.  She looked up at the nurse and said, "Is that all???  That wasn't too bad!"  Than she hopped off the chair and went to sit over by the other girls and started reading her book.  The nurse looked over at me with raised eyebrows and I mouthed back to her, "They are drama queens!"  After all, what else was there to say?

I have realized that we can all be drama queens (or kings for that matter) about different things in our lives.  I know that I worry over so many things.  How I look, what people think, what I will say, what someone else will reply, and so forth.  I sometimes have a hard time just being in the moment without bringing all that extra emotion along for the ride.
What I learned from Anya is that the expectation of a problem can sometimes be worse than the actual problem.  Sometimes how bad something is or isn't, is really all in our heads.  Maybe, I need to remember to trust my Heavenly Father in the little things as well as the big ones.  Maybe I need to learn not to panic quite as often and wait to see what happens.   After all, who am I to tell Him what I really need.  I think He knows me just a little bit better than I know myself.  So, I think, just maybe, He knows how to get me back home to Him.
And isn't that what this life is really all about?

The Packages

The Packages come into the Post Office every day.  I receive anywhere from 100 to 300 every day of the week.  (Except Sunday's when there is no one in my office!)  We have ten shelving units that we place the packages on.  They wrap around in a u-shaped configuration.  They are in numerical order for the last digit of the address.  If your address ends in one, that the package is on the "1" shelf.  If your address ends in a two, than it is placed on the "2" shelf.
It is a good system, but can be just the slightest bit confusing when there are a lot of packages to look through.  Sometimes the small packages end up under a larger one and the "get lost" until something is cleared out of the way and they are "found again.  The bigger, bolder boxes are always the easiest to spot and the ones that get noticed the quickest.  The smaller the package, the easier it is to lose it in the shuffle of all the other packages.
The one thing I have noticed is that everyone wants their packages.  They don't care if they are large or small, big or little, wrapped in brightly colored paper or just a plain, brown box.  The people in my town want to receive every package that is for them.

Sometimes, I think that life is a lot like the Post Office where I work.  People are like the packages that I receive.  Some people are large in stature and importance.  They put themselves forward with flashy containers or fancy papers.  Some are quiet and reserved.  Hiding behind the bigger, more easily spotted people.  Yet, each of us are just as valuable as the other in our own way.  We each have a purpose and a calling.  It doesn't matter what we look like.  It only matters that we are willing and able to serve.  So, don't be intimidated by what you perceive as the packaging of others.   You also have your place.  It won't be the same place as anyone else.  After all, think how boring this world would be if we were all Postmasters!  Our Heavenly Father does not need or want us all to be the same.  There is a job and a purpose that only you can fill.  It is up to you to step up, step out, and just do it!

The Bulletin Board

I am a Postmaster in a small office.  I love my job, but living in a small town can be a little daunting when you have always been a city girl.  One of the first things I did when I moved here was to put up a bulletin board in the lobby.  It is not colorful, it is not fancy, it is just a write on / wipe off board that I bought with my own money at the Costco that is three hours away.  On my board, I quote a thought every day.  I spend a lot of time finding them.  I use all ten books that I own that are full of the best quotations, as well as the internet.  I always try to find something that "speaks" to my heart.
The amazing thing about my bulletin board, is that people come from all over town just to read it.  I try not to be too religious, because my goal is to lift others up, not put anyone else down.  I try to find things that are kind and thought provoking.  I have even been known to use a little humor from time to time.
There is never a day that goes by that one or two (or even more) people come in just to say how much they love reading the daily quote.  In all the years that I have done this (over four now), I have only had one complaint and that was from someone who did not live here and wanted me to do something that was against the rules.  When I would not, he claimed that I was violating my own quote (it happened to be on attitude that day!)
My point is simply this, we each have our own small corner of the world where we live, work and associate.  It is up to us what we do with it.  We can ignore everyone else.  We can wish things were different.  We can wish everyone around us would change.  Or we can work at making our own little corner just a bit better than it was before.
I started out doing the board to remind myself to be a better person.  To remind myself that I can be kind, generous, and good.  Somehow, in making myself a little bit happier, I have had the added benefit of blessing the lives of those whom I serve.
I think that is really what life is about after all.

Elder John H. Groberg once said:  "We are all missionaries. All of our words and actions have eternal consequences—for they influence not only ourselves, but others as well".

Who are you going to serve today?

The Room

Miracle's talk was a little harder as she really wanted to do a story.  We had to search for hours (I am NOT exaggerating!) to find the perfect one.  When she found this one, it touched both of our hearts and we loved it.  I loved that analogy of the Room.  I also love the visual in what the Atonement really means.  Here is her story.  I think it is amazing.  

Mosiah 4:2

And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth.  And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying:  Oh have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.

The Room by Joshua Harris

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed."

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

Happy Labor Day

The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters and Joiners Union secretary. By 1893, more than half the states were observing a "Labor Day" on one day or another, and Congress passed a bill to establish a federal holiday in 1894. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day.


Did you know???

In 1938, the first minimum wage instituted was 25 cents an hour...it's now $7.25.

President Cleveland signed the Labor Day Bill in an effort to win back votes. He had ordered federal troops to intervene in the Pullman Yards Strike which aroused sympathy across the country and more strikes were called to show solidarity with the workers.

The 8 hour day started in 1935, under the National Labor Relations Act which also provided us with the OSHA and child labor laws.

There is no federal law mandating "paid" vacations.

The "coffee break" started in 1882 in Stoughton, WI. Norwegian housewives, who were going to replace their husbands at a tobacco factory because they had left to work for another company, would not go to work unless they got a break in the afternoon for coffee.

On average, workers have been with their current employer for 4.1 years and only 10% have been there for more than 20 years.

In 2008, the average earning for male and female full time year round workers was $46,367 and $35,745 respectively.

Americans work in a wide variety of occupations. Here is a sampling:

Occupation	Number of employees
Gaming services workers	85,000
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists	718,000
Chefs and head cooks	281,000
Firefighters	258,000
Musicians, singers and related workers	179,000
Bakers	183,000
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs	286,000
Service station attendants	96,000
Farmers and ranchers	825,000
Pharmacists	232,000
Teachers	6.5 million

7.3 million
Number of workers who hold down more than one job. "Moonlighters" comprise 5 percent of the working population. Of these, 3.8 million work full time at their primary job and part time at their other job, and about 293,000 work full time at both jobs.

24.3 minutes
The average time it takes to commute to work.

Of the 233 counties with populations of 250,000 or more, Queens (41.7 minutes), Richmond (41.3 minutes), Bronx (40.8 minutes) and Kings (39.7 minutes) -– four of the five counties that comprise New York City - experienced the longest average commute-to-work times.

More Than 100 hours
The amount of time the average American spends commuting to work each year. (This exceeds the typical two weeks of vacation time taken by many U.S. workers over the course of a year.)

As we celebrate the day to honor the American Worker, be mindful that we are lucky enough to be part of the 154.4 million people that are part of the nation's labor force, we get paid vacations and paid for the holiday!

"Labor Day differs in every essential from the other holidays of the year in any country. All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."
Samuel Gompers, Founder of the American Federation of Labor

"Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received".   ~ Albert Einstein~

Sunday Devotional - The Proclamation on the Family

Today, I thought that I would start talking about the family proclamation.

The Family Proclamation was given to the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints nearly 15 years ago.  It was first read by President Hinkley in a General Relief Society Meeting on September 23, 1995.  This brief and concise document summarizes the doctrine of the church in relation to the importance of families.  It also proclaims marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, identifies methods for building successful marriages and families, and reminds individuals they will one day stand accountable before God.
Today, the wisdom in this document is becoming even more evident as the world continues to move away from the things of God.
It is a wonderful document. Our families can use it to fortify ourselves against the ways of the world.  This document has been around since before my last three children were born.  We have taught it, talked about it, posted it and used it as a tool in bettering ourselves and our family.

First and second Paragraph

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve
Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a
woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to
the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the
image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of
heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and
destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual
premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

My favorite paragraph is the second one.  It reminds me that we are each beloved sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents.    Sometimes, as I go through my day to day trials, I seem to forget that one very important concept, I am always loved, even when I don't feel particularly lovable.  As my family, is reading the proclamation and studying it this month, I am going over the parts of it that mean the most to me and sharing my own testimony of it with my children.
I want my children to have the comfort of knowing how much their Heavenly Father loves them.  I want them to know that they have a divine nature and destiny.
May we each remember that we truly are children of a loving Heavenly Father.  He knows us, He is aware of us, He never forgets us.  He allows us to make our own decisions but He does not abandon us.  He is always there, but we have to be the one to reach out and take His hand.

A Simple Moment

A Glorious Smile

This Moment

A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment that brings a smile to my lips, and joy to my heart.

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

What the Atonement means to Kayla

Well, I would be most ungrateful if I did not include my sweet middle child Mikayla in the talks.  She hates to prepare them, research them, or give them.  She struggles every step of the way to be obedient in this, but her work and efforts paid off and she was able to do a wonderful job.  I kept all the talks simple.  I figured out that I want the girls to learn from the experience and not be too stressed out with what needed to be said.   We worked very hard on these and were even able to practice on Sunday morning before church.

Jesus paid the price for our sins so that, if we repent, we can be forgiven and live with Him again.  This sacrifice is known as the Atonement.  Because He loved us enough to suffer, bleed and die for us, Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer. The Atonement is the greatest expression of the Savior’s love for each one of us.  

John Chapter 3 verse 16 says: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"

My testimony of the Savior is strengthened as I learn about Him in the scriptures.  Our family reads about Him each morning as we gather together and read His words.  I want to be obedient to His teachings.  My family has been reading some of the testimonies of the Prophets as we were getting ready for our talks.  My favorite is the testimony that President Gordon B. Hinckley shared with the children of the world.  He said:

 "Jesus is my friend. He is my exemplar. He is my teacher. He is my healer. He is my leader. He is my Savior and my Redeemer. He is my God and my King. Gratefully, and with love, I bear witness of these things"

I would like to share a poem with you that talks about the Savior.

Jesus is my Savior, for
He rescues me from me.
I’ll try to explain just how to you.
It’s very clear to see.

Heavenly Father sent me here
To learn to choose the right.
I can’t get back to live with Him
Unless I win the fight.

Each day I have to make a choice.
Some days I seem to choose
The path that leads away from Christ,
And that’s the way I lose.

But God knew that I’d need some help,
So Jesus said He’d come
And be my Savior so I can try
To be the best I can become.

And when I try to change my ways—
A better person be—
I can succeed because of Christ
Who gave His life for me.

I know that Jesus is my Savior because he died for my sins. I want to do all I can to follow his example and be worthy to live with him again someday.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

A sweet talk

My youngest child, Anya, had to speak in Sacrament on Sunday.  Actually, we all did, but she got to go first and I thought that I would post her talk here.  As you know (especially if you have children) when your family is asked to speak in Sacrament meeting, you spend a lot of time (helping them) write the talks.  We all spoke on the Atonement, so we had to have different talks about it.  It was quite a challenge.  The girls had a good time doing it and they did so well at presenting that I just might be able to give up my talk writing career one day soon.  I love it when it all goes together well.

My favorite song in primary reminds me how much Jesus loves me.  I would like to share some of the words from “I Feel My Savior’s Love” with you.  

I feel my Savior’s love.
In all the world around me.
His spirit warms my soul
Through everything I see

I feel my Savior’s love.
And know that he will bless me.
I offer him my heart;
My shepherd he will be.

He knows I will follow him.
Give all my life to him.
I feel my Savior’s love
The love he freely gives me. 

The words to this song remind me that Jesus is my Savior, he died for each of us and because he did, we can return to live with Heavenly Father again someday. 
Jesus suffered and paid the price for our sins. This is called the “Atonement”.
While we are here on earth, each of us will make mistakes and sin. Because or our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can repent and become clean again.
When we take the sacrament each Sunday, it reminds us that we can be clean again if we seek to obey His commandments, repent when we sin and always remember him. 

I know that Jesus loves me and he loves each and every one of us. We can feel our Savior’s love when we do the things that bring us closer to him like go to church, read the scriptures or say our prayers. I know that I can show my love for the Savior by following his example and obeying the commandments.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Three Strings

By Jack Riemer

On Nov. 18, 1995, Itzhak Perlman, the violinist, came on stage to give a concert at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. If you have ever been to a Perlman concert, you know that getting on stage is no small achievement for him. He was stricken with polio as a child, and so he has braces on both legs and walks with the aid of two crutches. To see him walk across the stage one step at a time, painfully and slowly, is an awesome sight. He walks painfully, yet majestically, until he reaches his chair. Then he sits down, slowly, puts his crutches on the floor, undoes the clasps on his legs, tucks one foot back and extends the other foot forward. Then he bends down and picks up the violin, puts it under his chin, nods to the conductor and proceeds to play. By now, the audience is used to this ritual. They sit quietly while he makes his way across the stage to his chair. They remain reverently silent while he undoes the clasps on his legs. They wait until he is ready to play. But this time, something went wrong. Just as he finished the first few bars, one of the strings on his violin broke. You could hear it snap - it went off like gunfire across the room. There was no mistaking what that sound meant. There was no mistaking what he had to do. We figured that he would have to get up, put on the clasps again, pick up the crutches and limp his way off stage - to either find another violin or else find another string for this one.  But he didn't. Instead, he waited a moment, closed his eyes and then signaled the conductor to begin again. The orchestra began, and he played from where he had left off. And he played with such passion and such power and such purity as they had never heard before. Of course, anyone knows that it is impossible to play a symphonic work with just three strings. I know that, and you know that, but that night Itzhak Perlman refused to know that. You could see him modulating, changing, re-composing the piece in his head. At one point, it sounded like he was de-tuning the strings to get new sounds from them that they had never made before. When he finished, there was an awesome silence in the room. And then people rose and cheered. There was an extraordinary outburst of applause from every corner of the auditorium. We were all on our feet, screaming and cheering, doing everything we could to show how much we appreciated what he had done. He smiled, wiped the sweat from this brow, raised his bow to quiet us, and then he said - not boastfully, but in a quiet, pensive, reverent tone - "You know, sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left." What a powerful line that is. It has stayed in my mind ever since I heard it. And who knows? Perhaps that is the definition of life - not just for artists but for all of us. Here is a man who has prepared all his life to make music on a violin of four strings, who, all of a sudden, in the middle of a concert, finds himself with only three strings; so he makes music with three strings, and the music he made that night with just three strings was more beautiful, more sacred, more memorable, than any that he had ever made before, when he had four strings. So, perhaps our task in this shaky, fast-changing, bewildering world in which we live is to make music, at first with all that we have, and then, when that is no longer possible, to make music with what we have left.