A Great Day For A Few Reasons

                                       









                                            

Hooray! It snowed. Some of you are thinking to yourself, "Why is he excited?"
I have to say that it is a known fact that during this time of the year, it is supposed to snow in Utah and I'm grateful for it.


Okay, on to the thought of the day. Our family attended church today but we went to a different building to watch the program that the 'Madrigals' (the high school choir that Natalie is a part) put on in sacrament meeting. It was very well done and I was grateful to be there to listen to the vocal talents of these young people.

I love music and the universal language that it is. The spirit of Christmas is felt from the songs that are shared. I looked around the chapel on a few different occasions and observed the looks on the people's faces as they listened and enjoyed the songs that were performed.

This is a wonderful time of the year! It is a time of reflection and gratitude. It allows each of us to take a personal inventory of who we are and what we are trying to accomplish.

I banter back and forth with a co-worker. He is a 'glass half empty' type of personality and I try to be a 'glass half full'. Anyway I have stated many times to him that the future is bright. He gives me a look of doubt every time I say it but I firmly believe that the future looks bright in many ways. I feel extremely blessed and I know that we will continue to blessed for our good efforts. Optimism is a powerful tool. It's that outlook that brings hope for the things that are yet to come. Optimism is contagious. The fresh snow blanketed the Salt Lake valley today. Optimism can be just like the snow. There is brightness, hope, and a feeling of 'I can do it!' This is the season of hope. It is because of the reason for the season that we gain our greatest hope of all.

Life is great!

 

Being A Gracious Receiver

I was reminded of the importance of being gracious in my life.  That one principle is extremely vital in order to more fully understand the very essence of who each of us are and what we are ultimately destined to become. 
The story is told of a young girl who was overjoyed by the reality that the precious hand-made gift she had made for her aunt would surely thrill her on the receipt of it.  She anticipated the giving of such a gift and hoped that her excitement would be proof enough of the intense effort she had given.  The long awaited time came for her to give.  She handed the gift and set it into her aunt’s hands.  Her aunt scowled at the simple gift, grabbed it with her one finger and thumb as if it was something disgusting.  She wrinkled her brow and a strange expression enveloped her face.  She dropped it to the ground and walked away to talk to somebody else who was in the room.  The girl was devastated by the lack of interest shown on behalf of her auntie.  Many years passed by and the remembrance of such ingratitude remained freshly engrained in the mind of the grown up girl.
At this time of year may each of us have the desire to be more grateful for the simplicities of our life.  It matters not the size of the gift or the cost of the item but rather the thought and effort put into the giving of it.  Christmas will be more meaningful and our lives will be completely enriched. 

I Want To Be Thankful

I believe that being thankful is one of the most important values a person can have. It is one of the attributes of a good, decent person. From the time that I was a young boy, I have heard my mom say a million times the words, "what are the 'magic' words?" I learned then that the words 'please and thank you' were extremely important. You might be asking yourself, what does this have to do with positive thinking in our lives. Here's my take on this subject. If each of us want to raise up good decent children, who will grow up to be exceptional human beings, they need to be grateful. There are very few things, in this world, that are more concerning than the reality of someone who is ungrateful. I have a strong opinion on this topic, but I feel such an urgency when it comes to our own children. I am grateful to Becky for instilling in our children the import that this characteristic will offer throughout their lives. The implementation of this divides the good from the great, in my opinion.

Look Closely And Be Grateful

In Utah news, there has been coverage of the drowning of a four year old boy.  Not only has the news covered the accident, I have had an 'inside' view from a co-worker and friend.  The young boy is a grandson of my co-worker's brother.  It has been a sad ordeal.  Today, Becky and I attended the funeral.  I have thought a lot about this unfortunate event.
Take a moment a think about a time in your life when you 'lost' a person that you care about deeply.  The time during the loss is painful.  Our mortal perspective that involves missing the loved one makes it very difficult to deal with and during the mourning period we wonder how we will ever get over the intense loss that we feel.
I can't begin to believe that a loving and caring Creator would ever allow His children to experience pain without any kind of hope to be extended.  I know that even through the losses in our lives that there is hope for a brighter tomorrow.  I have seen it in my own life.
There were some thoughts shared today that expressed gratitude for the role of Jesus Christ in the Plan of our Heavenly Father, that allows everyone the opportunity, if we live righteously, to live with Him again some day.
This young four year old, Corbin, is in a place of peace, love, and contentment.  It is his family who feels sad because he is no longer with them.  They will see him again one day.
I'm thankful for the knowledge that I have.  It brings great comfort.

My Sincere Thanks

I am off of work, today, and I wish to spend the time to express my deepest thanks during this blog post. 
It would take a complete lifetime to adequately express my gratitude. 
Today, is an important day for several reasons.  On this day, Jesus Christ was born.  The world has never been the same since His coming.  I can't help but feel thankful for His life, mission, and Atonement for me, and you, of course.  Also, this day marks the day when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized.  Brady (our oldest son) and I discussed this a little bit and when I told him of the significance of this day, he said to me, that is not coincidental that the church would be organized on the same day as the Savior's birth.  I agreed with him.  Today, also marks the day that the Savior began His Atonement, that has eternal importance for us all.
I take each day with an attitude of trying to do my very best.  I awakened, this morning, with these things on my mind and felt very grateful for all that they mean.
There is much to learn as we work, and sometimes struggle through this life.  I watched a video clip on lds.org, that the LDS  church has produced just for Easter--entitled, "He Is Risen."  It is worth watching.  Ultimately, it is only through Him, that the errors of our ways are forgiven.  When He went into the Garden of Gethsemane, He took upon Himself all that I would do wrong, (including everyone else that would live and error) and made it right, if I would repent.  I can't even fathom all that was required of Him, but He did it lovingly and willingly, because of His love for and obedience to His Father, for which I am most grateful! 
I understand how little I know about the Plan of my Heavenly Father.  I am trying to learn and understand all that is expected of me.  The most important part is the application in my own life.  That takes a lifetime of patience and a consistent pace.  Line upon line, precept upon precept. 
I don't want this to seem like a Sunday school lesson, rather a writing filled with gratitude for the things that are of most import. 
It's a wonderful life!

We Are All Very Rich

A number of years ago, Becky and I traveled to the Mexican Riviera with my parents.  It was a wonderful time.  We enjoyed seeing a different section of the world with a varied culture from that of our own. 
I must preface this conversation by stating that Becky and I weren't completely content with our home at that time.
We took a day tour into the jungle of Mexico and were amazed at the poverty we soon encountered.  We passed by a home where an older woman was sweeping the dirt that we would call the walkway leading to the front door of the house.  She didn't seem the least bit dissatisfied with what she had.  We felt like we were being ungrateful because of our 'rich' circumstances.  In reality, the beautiful home that we have was a mansion in their eyes.  Since we arrived home from that wonderful vacation, we have felt extremely blessed for what we have been given.  As a matter of fact, we have made improvements so that our house has become our home. 
It is truly a blessing to see and experience another culture.  Our lives are blessed over and over again.
Contentment is a blessing too. 
There is a church song that I sing with our boys.  One line from the song is good sound advice.
"Count your many blessings, name them one by one."
Give it a try.  Maybe it will surprise you how many blessings are actually showered upon your life.
We are a blessed generation with opportunities that are never-ending.  I love everything that is done for our immediate family out of the love that our extended family and friends have for us. 
Have a great day!

I Watch With Great Hope

Tonight, I felt like it was a good idea to write about an observance I had today.
Our oldest daughter, Natalie, attended her first formal school dance, Sweethearts.  I have listened with anticipation of the plans for this date.  She went with a nice young man.  She has been on a date with Nathan before and we think that he is a soft spoken gentle person.  I'm grateful for people like him.
I was particularly satisfied as I walked into the house this evening to find Nat and Nathan and two of their friends sitting around a fantastically decorated table eating a yummy meal together.  I couldn't help but look at our daughter and marvel at her beauty.  She is a wonderful daughter, full of delight.  I looked and saw her and I crawling around on the floor, together, when she was a little girl.  I have felt grateful for her current station in life and all of the goodness that this time offers.
We have an obligation to love and enjoy the various stages of life that our kids will experience.  These times only happen once and now is the time to enjoy.
I am a grateful dad who thanks heaven for the choices that our children are currently making.  It doesn't mean that they are perfect but I know that they are giving their all to being the best that they can be.
There is hope for good 'todays' and better 'tomorrows'.  I have hope that the feelings I have will be duplicated over and over again. 
A grateful heart is unmatched.  I feel grateful tonight!