Nothing is Permanent

I have got to love a good Charlie Chaplin quote.  Especially this one.  Nothing is permanent, even though it feels that way.  I know that sometimes things are just hard.  We struggle, we search, we wonder, we ask, we seek, we ache, we cry, we hope, we love.  All things in their won seasons and at their own times.  But I try and remember this when I am overwhelmed with adversity.  

We find friends in the strangest places.  People we never knew were going through the same things are we are.  We find hope in their courage and convictions.  I know that I have felt so filled with sorrow and pain, that I couldn't bear to face it anymore.  It just felt too hopeless.  I retreat inside myself and try and center.  I go to counseling, I go to church, I talk to friends, I keep trying, even though inside, I am so very broken.  

Funny thing is, just when I feel as if I can't walk another step or bear another burden, something happens that gives me the courage to continue on.  This morning, I discovered someone who has been through many of the heart aches that I have.  This person's strength and testimony brought me hope in my own journey.  I felt the spirit fill my heart with peace and I know that at this time, in this moment, all is well. 

You never know what those around you might be going through.  We profess to try and be Christ-like in our lives, but how many judge one another as "bad" or "good"?  How many gossip and talk about someone behind their backs.  How many mean things do we say in the course of our daily existence.  

I have learned, it doesn't matter if you can trace your roots all the way back to Adam, or if you don't know the name of your maternal Grandfather, we are all Children of God.  We are all charged to "love one another."  

My prayer today is that we will remember the Saviors wisdom when he said, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone".  And the accusers left one by one and did not stay.  Then the Savior said to "Go thy way and sin no more".  My prayer is that we will stop throwing stones at one another.  Stones of anger, hate, unkindness and words.  They do destroy.  They do cause damage.  They destroy hearts and hope and courage.  We damage each other so much by the words we choose to speak, by the names we choose to call.  

We can also heal the aching by sharing a part of ourselves with others.  We can heal by being kind, by showing compassion and love.  We can heal the breaking hearts by sharing our own.  We can build each other up.  

Absolutely nothing is permanent, but I think we can choose to make kindness permanent.  We can choose to give a smile, or share a tear.  We can choose to help one another.  

Compliments

Today, my youngest daughter taught me a lesson.  It is one I continually struggle with.  We both sang tonight at the Methodist Church.  Our community is pretty amazing.  They several things a year where different churches get together and share with each other our talents, our service, our love.  It is a very fulfilling experience for me.  I love meeting other people and making new friends.

We sang the song, "Not Too Far From Here".  I struggled with it a bit as it was a higher range than I like and I have been so tired that my voice is struggling a little bit.  She did amazing on all her solo parts and also on our duet parts.  I was so very proud of her and made sure that I told her so.  She told me how happy she was to sing with me and how good I sounded.  I told her that I wasn't that good, but she was amazing. 

She looked at me and said, "Mom, you need to just take the compliment.  I mean it.  You are amazing and you just need to accept it."  She caught me a little flat footed there.  I wasn't expecting the wisdom in her speaking.  But, I have thought about it a lot tonight, and she is so right.  I need to learn to accept a complement.  I need to trust that the person being kind is not lying.  They mean it.  I need to simply say "Thank you," no matter what my personal mantra is telling me. 

Only when I learn that, will I maybe be able to start to build my self esteem up.  Only then will I over come the incessant need to un-compliment myself. 

I love the idea that compliments are gifts.  My sweet daughter gave me a wonderful gift by loving me enough to accept me and want to sing with me today.  What a loving and kind thing to do.  Somebody's hurting, not too far from here.  I am going to work on giving more compliments and meaning them as much as my daughter did.

NOT TOO FAR FROM HERE

Somebody's down to their last dime
Somebody's running out of time
Not too far from here
Somebody's got nowhere else to go
Somebody needs a little hope
Not too far from here

And I may not know their name
But I'm praying just the same
That You'll use me, Lord
To wipe away the tears
'Cause somebody's crying
Not too far from here

Somebody's troubled and confused
Somebody's got nothing left to lose
Not too far from here
Somebody's forgotten how to trust
And somebody's dying for love
Not too far from here

It may be a stranger's face
But I'm praying for Your grace
To move in me
And take away the fear
'Cause somebody's hurting
Not too far from here

Help me, Lord, not to turn away from pain
Help me not to rest, while those around me weep
Give me Your strength and compassion
When somebody finds, the road of life too steep

Somebody's troubled and confused
Somebody's got nothing left to lose
Not too far from here
Somebody's forgotten how to trust
And somebody's dying for love
Not too far from here

Now I'm letting down my guard
And I'm opening my heart
Help me speak Your love
To every needful ear
Someone is waiting
Not too far from here
Someone is waiting
Not too far from here

Guilt and Peace

 

I am sometimes over come with guilt.  I judge myself harsher than you or anyone else could ever judge me.  I find more faults with my imperfections than anyone else I know.  I don't look at yours that way, only mine.  I am so much harder on myself and my own mistakes.  Like, somehow, I should have seen into the future to know how a person would respond.  I should have worded things differently or seen what was going to happen.  I find myself guilty in everything. 

Perhaps, that is why this quote touched me so much.  It promises that even with my guilt, I shall obtain peace.  Peace is possible for each one of us.  It is something to be desired and sought after.  It is something that might seem elusive, but actually is not.  It will happen in God's own time. 

I have found peace in many instances of my life.  I have found comfort in the words of the scriptures and in the kindness of others.  I have found peace as I seek to follow the Lord's council, even when I don't understand.  I have found peace when I finally, after fighting for so long, let go of those things that are not mine to bear.  When I give them over to His care, and let Him carry the burden. 

Peace is the opposite of anxiety.  I carry so much anxiety about the past and the future.  It is only when I am willing to let it all go that the blessing of peace comes quietly into my heart.  Peace is knowing that He has it under control.  It might not be quite the way I want it to be, but it will work out.  Peace is trusting Him. 

Soft-Hearted

BEING SOFT-HEARTED DOES NOT

MAKE YOU A WEAK PERSON. 

IT TAKES COURAGE TO STAY DELICATE

IN A WORLD THAT IS SOMETIMES CRUEL.

I am very blessed.  My husband, is one of the most soft-hearted people that I know.  He is kind, he is loving, he does what needs doing, and usually, he doesn't even complain about it.  He even puts up with me.  I think that might make him nearly perfect!  Seriously, I think that staying soft-hearted can be one of the hardest things we ever do.  We live in a crazy, mixed up world, a world that thinks that men and women should be exactly the same.  A world that rewards the courser attributes.  A world that thinks that kindness and compassion are weak. 

I know this personally, because those things have caused me a lot of trouble in my own experience.  Those traits are ridiculed and criticized.  They are not wanted in the business world that I work in.  It makes it hard to keep those things which are important, but not acknowledged or rewarded, as part of your life. 
I think that we have enough anger in our lives.  We have enough hardness, callousness, and bitterness in the world.  Maybe, just maybe, we need a little more tenderness, nurturing and soft-heartedness.  Maybe we need to try and develop those traits that are a little more gentle and caring.  Maybe we need to change what we are looking for in our personal lives.  Maybe, we just need to be a little more accepting of those God-given traits that are within each one of us. 
We are made in His image.  I think that He wants us to be soft-hearted, compassionate, and caring toward one another.  I think He wants us to be more like Him. 

Becoming Like Him - Day 26 - Visit

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

James 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Today the prompt is:

VISIT

Start

It is easy to get caught up in the busyness of our daily lives.  Sometimes, I think that might be out greatest weakness.  We don't have time to take time with others.  We are so busy making a living and getting our kids everywhere that they need to be, that it is too easy to put off other things that are just as important.  I love the scripture from James.  I think it puts things in perspective for me.
In our church, we have something called Visiting Teaching.  It is a calling where we are given several women to visit every month.  We are supposed to notice if anything is wrong and find ways to help.  It has been such a good experience for me throughout my life.  I must admit, that some of the best friends I have made have been because I visited with them as a visiting teacher.
I have a feeling that Heavenly Father does not expect us to go through our lives alone.  That He expects us to take care of each other.  He wants us to cherish the good in each other and to visit each other and be friends with each other.  I am a social creature.  It means a lot to me when someone cares enough about me to visit.
Religion is more than a church.  It is a people doing the best they can to remind each other of who they really are.  It is taking care of others and serving them.  For me, it exceeds the boundaries of any church.  I have met several good religious people that do not believe the same things that I do, nevertheless, we are all sons and daughters of God, doing our best to get home to Him.
I think often of the story of the Good Samaritan.  Samaritans were looked down upon by the Jews.  They were despised.  They were considered the lowest of the low.  Yet, a samaritan is the one who saved a man that had been robbed and beaten when no one else wanted to get involved.
It reminds me time and again that my job is never to judge.  My life is not to be lived alone.  Rather, I am to visit and love all those whom He would love also.
In becoming like Him, my life needs to reflect His service.

Stop 

Becoming Like Him - Day 13 - Work

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

You are what you do;

Not what you say you will do.

START

Our community has a yearly day of service.  All the churches work together, all the people sign up for jobs and we get things done.  I love this day.  It is a day when differences are put aside and people just learn that they are really the same at heart.  

Usually, I am part of the road crew.  Everyone gets a vest, and a garbage bag.  We have a mile area that our group is responsible for.  With so many people working together, the entire area all the way through town gets done.  

This year, I was asked to be in charge of making cards for the military.  My husband was asked to help with the food (how does he do that???).  I have a lot of crafts at home and I bought more for the event.  Everyone had a great time making cards and writing in them for those in our town that are serving, that have served, or family members that are currently serving.  

The young women liked it so much that they want to do it later in the year as a project.  I think that is a great idea.  

After our service projects, we all met at the park for a lunch of hot dogs, chips, drinks and brownies.  I am sure that is most of the communities favorite part.  Nothing costs anyone anything.  It is a day of service to make our town look better and to bring people together.  

They have already asked me to do the cards again next year.  

What a wonderful way to come together and to get to know those of other faiths.  It is an amazing way to strengthen our community and learn what it means to be a neighbor.

STOP

Becoming like Him - Day 10 - Five Minute Friday - Care

Just so you know, I wrote this on Friday, but I only had my tablet and it would not let me cut paste, or post.  So, it is getting published today in spite of all the problems of the week.  Today is five minute Friday.  This is where a group of us write for just five minutes without worrying whether it is just right or not.  The rules are simple.  Write for five minutes and link back over at Kate's place.  Then leave a comment for the person who linked up before you.  (or several if you choose).  Today the prompt is:

CARE

START

They come into your life so small and helpless.  With eyes that watch you and ears that listen to your songs.  They smell of milk and birth and heaven.  They win your heart with a single glance.  From the very first kick, before you have even seen them, you are hooked.  You can't wait to meet them.  You can't wait to get to know them.  You know, somewhere deep inside, that them come right from the arms of God.
It is so easy to care when they are small.  I will never understand how people could not care for an infant.  I will never understand how anyone could not care about a child.  And yet, we go on our way day by day and don't remember to care for those around us.  The man in the street, is somebody's son.  The women selling tamales door to door is someone's daughter, someone's wife and someone's mother.
Most of all, I find it hardest to care for myself.  When I remember the things that I have been through,  the mistakes that I have made, it is rather like watching and thinking of myself as an adult in a child's body.  Therefore, everything has always been my fault.  Yet, when I see a grand child the same age as I was, I would never, ever think of placing blame on their small shoulders.  Yet, I have placed that blame squarely on my own for years.
We need to care about others around us, those who struggle, those who are weeping, those who are hungry and those that are heartbroken.  But we also need to learn to care about ourselves.  We need to be able to look upon our selves with compassion and forgiveness.  We need to understand that we all make mistakes and we all hurt and we all are broken.
The Savior's love can heal our hearts and our minds.  His atonement can help us find forgiveness and compassion.  His teachings can help us find our way back when we have been lost and broken.  Because He cares, His words will always guide us home.

STOP

Now it's your turn.  Don't forget to join the rest of us over at Kate's Place at Heading Home.  I can't wait to see what you write in your own five minutes.  

Wordless Wednesday - Off To The Rescue

A single photo 

– no words –

capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment

I want to pause, savor and remember.

A moment

that brings a smile to my lips, 

and joy to my heart.

Sisters in Zion

"...we simply cannot call ourselves Christian and continue to judge one another—or ourselves—so harshly. No mason jar of bing cherries is worth a confrontation that robs us of our compassion
and our sisterhood."

Patricia Holland, One Thing Needful.  

Oh how I loved listening to that quote again tonight during the Women's Conference.  It was amazing.  It reminds me how important we each are as children of a Loving Heavenly Father.  He loves each and every one of us.  Not matter what we do for a living, or how good we are at it.  No matter if we like to sew or bake or clean.  No matter if we are perfect or just in training.  He still loves us.  We can be so hard on ourselves.  We can be so judgmental, not just with others, but also with ourselves.  Sometimes, I think the greatest gift we can give anyone, is just a little more kindness.  I believe that is exactly what Jesus taught.  He wants us to love one another, strengthen one another, lean on one another, and help one another through the marvelous and often difficult journey.  That is what being a Sister of God is all about. 

Five Minute Friday - Encouragement

Today is one of my favorite days of the week.  It is Friday.  Five Minute Friday to be exact.  So, I hope you all decide to join us for our weekly writing spree over at Lisa Jo's place.  You simply write for five minutes about the prompt.  Then you go back to Lisa Jo's and post your link.  I can't wait to see what you write!

“Night never had the last word. 

The dawn is always invincible.”

-Hugh B. Brown-

The prompt this week is.....

Encouragement

Go

Dawn is ALWAYS invincible.  It will come.  Sometimes, when we think the night will never end, the sun just starts to peak over the horizon.  Dawn comes sometimes softly, sometimes slowly, sometimes in a flash of colorful light, but it does come. 
It can be so hard to be encouraged when life is handing you lemons.  It can be so hard to pick yourself up and brush yourself off and just keep going on.  But you don't get anywhere if you aren't moving.  My heart has known some hard times.  My eyes have seen things I would rather forget.  Life has not always been good to me, but I have found that when I focus on the positive, things change. 
I have discovered that the best way to help myself is to encourage someone else.  I have found my testimony in bearing the burdens of another.  I have seen God in the faces of those whose hearts are aching and in the writings of their hearts.  I have become who I am, not only by being given encouragement from those around me, but by giving it to others who need it most. 
Often, when I am trying to help someone else, I find the answers I have been seeking. 
Darkness fades into the dawn.  The light does come, often when we least expect it. 

STOP

Now it is your turn to join in for Five Minute Friday.  Don't forget to go over to Lisa Jo's and share your own experience.  I hope to see you there!

Sabbath Day Scribblings - I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus

"To become as He is, 

we must also do the things 

He did."  

Lynn G. Robbins

It is not enough to wait for someone else to step up and volunteer.  We shouldn't choose to sit by while those around us are hurting and sad.  He has showed us the way and led us to the path.  Now we get to choose whether or not we are going to be like "everyone else", or whether we are going to become more like Him.

Not too far from here, someone is waiting needing and waiting and hurting and praying.    

What are you going to choose?

Five Minute Friday - Home

I love Friday's.  Not only is the toward the end of my week, I get to participate in my favorite writing challenge.  Five Minute Friday over at Lisa Jo's.  Now, set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back over on Lisa Jo's site and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

OK, are you ready? Here is my best five minutes on:::

Home…

START

Many years ago, home seemed like it ought to be a place.  Somewhere to go, somewhere to return to, somewhere to be loved.  That place for me was always Arizona, with it's cactus, baking hot days, beautiful winters and cooler nights.  I loved the smell of the air after an Arizona thunderstorm and the beauty of the evening sunsets in all their glory and magnificence.  I left Arizona, got married, had children, and still it seemed like that was home, so I came back and felt welcomed here. 
As I aged, I found the heat became too hard on me and made me sick.  I was exhausted all the time and when we had the opportunity to move to the mountains and the snow and the cold and all those things that I never grew up with, we took it with gratitude.  This is a different Arizona then the one that was home for so many years.  Dearly loved nevertheless and home to me now.
As time has passed, and my family has grown, I have come to find that home is not a single place.  It is not  a brick and mortar house.  It is not a neighborhood or a town or a city or even a state.  Home, to me, is more like a web with all these invisible strings that attach me to those I love.  For me, home is family, with all its many faces, with all its mistakes and arguments and making ups.  Home is wherever they are.  Home is my daughter and her family in Missouri.  Home is my other daughter and her family in Kansas.  Home is still in the Valley of the Sun with my many other children and their families that are there.  Home is in Prescott with our son.  Home is in the mountains with our three young daughters.  Home is the web of family that ties us all tightly together.  The sharing, the caring, the smiles, the tears, the laughter, the fears, the anger, and most of all the love.  Home, for me, can be anywhere as long as it is with the ones who mean the most to me.  As long as it is with family.  Home is Love.  

STOP

Now, what would you like to write for just five minutes?  Don't forget to link back up with the rest of us over at Lisa Jo's.  I can't wait to read you there!

To My Children's Teachers

A Teacher’s Gift
By Patricia A. Pitterle
May 2010

Years ago, a child started school.
On that very first day;
She was so afraid!
A teacher took her hand
And gave her the courage
To face her fears
In the arms of new friends.

Another day at school,
She cried.
(Life can be so hard
When you are little).
A teacher put her arms around her
And taught her courage
To carry on.

That child had moments
Of sadness;
And a teacher is the one
Who taught her about
The gift of tomorrow,
And having hope
In better days to come.

When she was disappointed;
A teacher helped her
To find her own
Talents and abilities,
And to magnify them
Into things
She could be proud of.

When she experienced
Moments of surprise;
A teacher showed her
The gift of perspective
And seeing the wonder
Of the world around her,
In all of it’s many differences.

When she was puzzled and confused;
A teacher encouraged her,
To investigate the mysteries,
One searching question
At a time,
Until at last,
She had the answers.

When she was happy;
A teacher smiled at her,
And laughed with her,
And taught her that
Learning can be fun.
And joy is often found
When we least expect it.

Her teachers have taught her: There is learning everywhere we look.
There is joy in the most surprising places.
There is beauty in teaching, caring, and loving.
Thank you for helping her to learn,
Not only the lessons that were
Prepared and taught for her mind,
But the lessons for her heart as well.

Thank you for your giving and sharing,
And for helping me to raise
A truly, beautiful daughter.
Thank you for teaching her
To see the beauty of kindness
through the eyes of her wonderful teachers.

Starting Over

 

Linking up today with Mama Kat's for her weekly "Writer's Workshop".   The rules are simple.  Just pick your prompt, write, and link up.  I picked number 4.  A poem about starting over.  Hope to see you there!

This weeks prompts:

1.) Write about a time you got in BIG trouble as a kid.
2.) Not your mother's daughter...how do you parent differently than your mother did? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?
3.) Photo Story: Share photos of your most recent trip to the beach (maybe an excuse to go!).
4.) Write a poem about starting over.
5.) Your top 10 Summer Don'ts.

Starting Over
by Patricia A. Pitterle

The baby

Just learning to walk

Takes one step

And then another.

Toddling out

Across the floor

I hold my breath

As she stumbles and falls

I help her up,

Stand her steady,

Step away,

And she

Starts over,

Once again.

The child

Starts to run

In her first event

At the school track meet.

On your mark,

Get set,

Go.

She is off!

Running like the wind

Down the track.

Every other young woman

Speeding up and soon,

Passing her by.

I hold my breath

As she continues

On the path,

Traveling the distance

And arriving home,

At last.

She may be in

The back of the pack,

But she is ready

To start over

And try again.

A woman,

Standing in her room,

Staring in her mirror

At the person she has become.

There are things

She would change,

If only she could.

Decisions she would

Do over.

Choices, she hopes,

And prays

She will never

Have to make again.

And yet,

She knows in her heart

The lesson Life has taught;

We can’t change our past,

But there is always today,

To transform our tomorrows

Into what

We would like them to be.

Our life might not end up

Quite the way

We dreamed it would;

But any one of us,

Every,

Single,

One of us,

Can start over,

Today,

And change

Who we will yet

Become.

I have learned

To love

The possibilities

And potentials of

Starting over.

Love Letter

I am linking up again with MamaKat’s.  The prompts this week are simply:

1.) If you had to go back to high school, how would you do it differently?
2.) Describe a trait that attracted you to your significant other, but that now drives you a little crazy.
3.) Your first car.
4.) Describe how you met your best friend.
5.) Write a love letter to someone (some thing?) you love.

This week, I chose prompt number 5 and decided to write a love letter to someone that I love.  It really wasn’t a hard decision, especially not with my past life to look back over.  And yet, there are so many people that I care about and who, I think, also care about me.   So many letters that I could write!  But there is one person who changed everything for me.  

He picked me up when I was down, and taught me what it means to be loved.  

That person is my sweet husband. 

Dear John,

You are amazing.  I am sure that I have said that before, but it bears repeating.  My whole life (at least in the romance department) was a series of seemingly, unfortunate events, until you came along and changed my perspective.  When we started dating, you were not like anyone that I had ever dated before.  I tried so hard to make you go away.  I don’t think that I ever planned on being happy.  Don’t get me wrong, I dreamed about happiness.  I wanted it in my heart.  I just didn’t know exactly what it was.  I didn’t understand the give and take that makes up a healthy relationship.  I didn’t understand what sticking power was.  I sometimes think that I was only comfortable with unhappiness.  I certainly never knew anything else; at least, not for any length of time.  Maybe that is the secret to change, get totally out of your comfort zone and go for it.  When you caught one of the kids smoking on the trampoline, you stayed, even though she made it clear that she hated you for it.  You helped on the paper route at night, you cooked dinner, you drove the kids places and supported them in their activities.  It never mattered to you whether it was football, track, music, or field trips.  You went where you were needed.  You loved children who were not yours by blood, but became yours by love.  You supported me through years of jobs that I did not always like.  You dried the tears and comforted the aches and just took care of me when that was what I needed.   You taught me what love is all about, the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, the give and the take.  You taught me to relax, to have fun, to laugh.  You taught me that, if we just hold on, love is always enough.

Seeing the Obvious

The purpose of life is not to be happy - but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all.  ~Leo Rosten

There was a story I heard several weeks ago that goes like this: 

A few years ago at the seattle special olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100 yard dash.
At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race, to the finish, and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back. Every one of them. One girl with down's syndrome bent down and kissed him and said," this will make it better."
Then all nine linked arms, and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, and cheered; the cheering went on for several minutes.
People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down, and changing our course.

I totally loved it!  I think that it shows some of the best things that I like about human nature.  However, I did my research (something I always try to do when I am not sure of the origins of a story) and found out that it is partially untrue.  

One of my favorite rumor busting sites is snopes.com.  For the specifics on this story you can go HERE.  Suffice it to say that the real story happened back in 1976 at a track and field event in Spokane Washington.   One of the runners fell and a couple other runners came back to help him resulting in them all crossing the finish line together.  It was only one or two, and not the entire competition.  The other kept running their individual races.  

Although this is not quite as amazing as the original story, I found it just as endearing.  I think kindness is something that should be celebrated and talked about.  That anyone at all in a group of athletes  left their own race to come back and take care of a fallen competitor is absolutely wonderful.  
We all have chances to help others and make their lives just a little better.  We might not be in a track meet, but we are busy, we are working, we are taking care of our families, we are cooking, we are cleaning, we are doing any number of good things.  But every day, I think that we have the opportunity to make someone else's life just a little better.  
It might be a simple phone call, or a visit.  It might be taking their kids (along with yours) to a dance class, or a school function.  It might be small and insignificant.  But to someone, it really mattered.  I think we can all do great good in our own world by simply being willing to stop our own race and go back to help.  
Today, I am trying to be more focused in those areas where I am able to help.  I am always willing, sometimes I just don't see the obvious around me.  


The Special Olympics oath is:  Let me win, but if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt. 


He who gives when he is asked has waited too long.  ~Sunshine Magazine
  

Not Too Far From Here

It is so easy to lose track of those around us.  Our lives are much busier today than they used to be 50 or even 100 years ago.  It is a different kind of busy.  It is the kind that mean you have to go places, do things, take people somewhere, work, go to school functions, go to the store, go to church.  Sometimes I feel as if I spend most of my life simply, "going to". 
Occasionally, I miss knowing what is going on with those around me.  I miss seeing neighbors, friends, and adults who are polite and happy.  I get so caught up in what needs to be done right now.  The girls have piano, homework, chores, flute and chelo practice, after school activities and who knows what will be on the agenda tomorrow.  Sometimes, I get so caught up in what is going on in my own life, that I don't look outside of it as I ought to.  I don't open my eyes and look around for those that might need me. 
My one regret for living in this amazing, busy world, is that it makes it so much harder for us to realize those who need us.  We don't know our neighbors like the pioneers did.  We go to work, come home and we may never see those who live on our street who need the kindness and compassion that we can bring to them.  I recently read a blog about needing help and service and how hard it was to accept that in their life.  One of the commenters  wrote something that nearly broke my hear.  She said that she wished she lived around those who wanted to serve.  That when she needed someone to help, no one came.
So today, my plea is for each of us to take the time to remember, wherever you are, that someone needs you.  That you can be of help and service.  That you are appreciated and valued in so many ways.  Today, I want to share with you one of my favorite songs.  I heard it done by Hillary Weeks and it has become a song that I have taken to heart.  I hope that you do too.
May each of us remember that we are our brother's (and sister's) keeper.

Not Too Far From Here - Kim Boyce (By Faith)
Somebody's down to their last dime,
Somebody's running out of time,
Not too far from here

Somebody's got nowhere else to go
Somebody needs a little hope
Not too far from here
And I may not know their name
But I'm praying just the same
That You'll use me Lord to wipe away a tear
'Cause somebody's crying
Not too far from here

Somebody's troubled and confused
Somebody's got nothing left to lose
Not too far from here

Somebody's forgotten how to trust
Somebody's dying for love
Not too far from here

It may be a stranger's face
But I'm praying for Your grace
To move in me and take away the fear
'Cause somebody's hurting
Not too far from here

Help me, Lord, not to turn away from pain
Help me not to rest while those around me weep
Give me Your strength and compassion
When somebody finds the road of life too steep

Now, I'm letting down my guard
And I'm opening my heart
Help me speak your love to every needful ear
Someone is waiting
Not too far from here
Jesus is waiting
Not too far from here

“We live in perilous times when many believe we are not accountable to God and that we do not have personal responsibility or stewardship for ourselves or others. Many in the world are focused on self-gratification, put themselves first, and love pleasure more than they love righteousness. They do not believe they are their brother’s keeper. In the Church, however, we believe that these stewardships are a sacred trust.”


Quentin L. Cook, “Stewardship—a Sacred Trust,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 91

A Tribute to an Amazing Teacher

When I was young, we had a Young Woman's President called in our ward.  For anyone who might not know what that is, she is a woman who is in charge of all the teenage girls.  It is her job to help us, mold us, uplift us and teach us to be better than we imagined.  It is a pretty big responsibility and I am ashamed to say that I had to get much, much older before I could come to fully appreciate her dedication to us.
I met Sister Adams before she was given the opportunity to work with all the Young Women.  She lived in a house next door to my friends that I babysat for.  They had six children, and Sister Adam's was their grandmother.  She was very nice and would help me if I needed it.  I was surprised when she was called because, usually they called young, just married women, or women with kids that were our age.  She was the first "elderly" teacher that I ever had. 
Sister Adam's went into the calling with enthusiasm for each of us.  She would listen to our ideas for activities and try and encourage us to do things that were not too difficult for her.  Nevertheless, she approached every activity with energy and enthusiasm.  She took us shopping, taught us lessons, helped decorate for weddings, took us hiking and even went camping in the snow, in a tent, with a bunch of complaining and freezing 17 year old girls.  I think she should have earned some kind of medal for all that we put her through.
In spite of everything she did, there is one thing that really stands out to me when I look back and remember her.  There is one thing that has influenced every other part of my life.  That most simple and precious thing is simply that I knew she loved me.  My life as a teenager was very hard.  Along with my personal difficulties came the ones that most girls seem to be challenged by.  I only had one or two friends in school.  I felt alone and lonely.  I did not know how to make friends.  And most of all, I did not think that I was worth anything to anyone. 
Sister Adam's never cared what other people thought of me.  She gave me opportunities to grow and learn.  She helped my testimony to strengthen, and she kept loving me through all the heartache.
Today, I am amazed when I look back and remember her.  So, my thought for you today is not to think that you are too old or too weak or too frail to serve.  Our Heavenly Father knows exactly where we need to be.  We may not realize until many years later why He put us there.  My prayer is that we can each be a "Sister Adam's" to someone else.  That we can be willing and able to do the task that is asked of us.  Believe me when I say, You can make a difference!

I love the quote that says,

"To the world, you may only be one person, but to one person, you may just be the world!" 

You are amazing!

The Grandfather

There is an old story told about a Grandfather.  I am going to retell it to you today.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass often milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about grandfather," said the son. I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather's direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.

For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.



Children can be so perceptive!  Their eyes see everything you don't want them to, their ears hear everything you say (need I say the things that you don't want them to hear!), and their minds process those things that they see and hear until they absorb your teachings and influence in thir lives.  They learn best by watching what you do and say.  Which is why they often behave like you behave and not so much how you tell them to behave.  If they see us behave patiently and provide a happy atmosphere at home, they will also imitate that same attitude in their lives.  Isn't it amazing!  We have the power to teach them to become so much better than we are if we just take the time.  We can teach them to have the God given attributes that we are striving for if we will only work on implementing those things in our own lives.  

Let us all be wise builders and role models to these sweet little ones sent from above. Take care of yourself, and those you love,each and everyday!  Those we love are infinitely more precious than any possessions which we might acquire.  May we remember, everyday, to let them know how much they really mean to us.  May we remember, that someday rarely comes.  Today is the day to let our families know that we love and honor them.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom

There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one." ~Jill Churchill

Today, I want to celebrate mothers.  All of them.  The ones who have little children, the ones whose children are grown, the birth mothers, the adoptive mothers, the step mothers, the aunts, the neighborhood 'grandmothers'.  I want to celebrate the women who have the strength to share a little of their love with children everywhere.  We, as women, have the ability to change our world, just by doing the things that we do best.  Some women will not have children in this life, but that will not make them any less of a mother.
If someone in your life has made a positive difference, let her know.  Let her know that you have been blessed because of what she shared with you.  For those whose mothers have gone before, remember them with love and gladness.  Their best traits live on in you.  This mother's day, let us rejoice in the love of our Heavenly Father who gave us the ability to love and nurture one another.   

And Jean, don't ever forget that you are amazing!  You have been a mother to me in all the ways that matter most.  I love you, I admire you, and I wish I were more like you!  Thank you for being there for me during all the difficult times in my life.  It has made a world of difference. 



"Noble and great. Courageous and determined. Faithful and fearless. That is who you are and who you have always been. And understanding it can change your life, because this knowledge carries a confidence that cannot be duplicated any other way."
— Sheri L. Dew