Wrap Your Arms Around

My heart is tender toward our family, Becky and our four children specifically, because of an unfortunate situation here in our neighborhood.  I feel strongly about stating the fact that the time we spend together as families is a real thing.  It should be something that we do because we want to strengthen family relationships and we want those relationships to be the greatest ones we have.  You never know what tomorrow will bring.  I'm not saying that we ever live in fear that something expected may happen rather be prepared so that when something does happen our relationships are strong and intact.
I have receieved a clear reminder of this while making a couple of good visits this evening.  Becky and I sat and visited with our children and put our arms around them and expressed our love for them. 
Take the time to let your family know that you care about them.  Make sure that they know of your sincere feelings for them. 
I am grateful for this life.  It is well worth living for and the various things that I learn are molding me into the person I am supposed to become. 
We are all important in the sight of a loving Father.  He understands what we think and how we feel.  He is very close by and will help us with anything.  We just need to ask and He will give us answers to those pleas.
Thank Him for all that you have and find contentment in the joys of this mortal journey.  In the end we will be grateful for the endurance that is required of us and the patience we will have learned will be beneficial to us throughout eternity.
Life is worth living.  Life yields grand rewards even through the trials that we are required to overcome.  The eternal award awaits us so lets give our all and do our very best!

Hard Work And Determination

A good night's rest is a wonderful thing!  Yesterday we worked hard to get some necessary things done in our yard before the snow falls.

During a conversation this week I spoke with a man who expressed his opinion about work with regards to his children.  Our viewpoints differ on the importance that our children learn what hard work is and that they participate in it often.  I listened as he spoke of the fact that they would have to work their whole lives and that they shouldn't be burdened with it while in their youth.  After he said that he began to share with me his frustration with the way his children currently live their lives.  I couldn't help but think about the absence of learning to work in their lives when they were young.  As grown people they were  now lazy and unwilling to do any more than was actually required--the bare minimum.

I am personally grateful for hard work and the satisfaction I receive by accomplishing the various tasks that are a part of every day life.

"In all labour there is profit..." (Proverbs 14:23)

I love the parable that the Savior teaches in the New Testament.  This account teaches us the pure value of hard work.

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.  Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?  So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (Matthew 20:1-16)

 

Going back to the discussion I had with this man, we will be better suited and prepared to take on the many influences of the world and accomplish all that is required in our lives if we will learn how to work and then teach our children the importance of it also.  It has always been a desire for Becky and I to know that our children know how to work hard and are confident to do anything that is required to live a good and productive life.

 

It's a great life!  I'm thankful for every single day.  I hope that this finds everybody well.

The Different People You Meet

I have talked before about the people in life that make a positive impact.  Let me take a minute to tell you about somebody that taught me a valuable lesson.
I watched our youngest child, our son Danny.  He asked me how I learned to whistle so loud.  How old were you when you learned?  He loves to learn and he's not afraid to do what it takes to learn something new.  He wanted to know how to whistle.  We took a few minutes and I showed him how to shape his lips and to place his tongue.  Remember, he wants to know how to whistle really loud.  After I showed him I told him that it would take a lot of practice to fully learn.  He began to practice. With each day, the whistle has gotten increasingly better.  He can't whistle loud yet but it will come eventually.
I love to watch when people get excited about something and their determination to conquer kicks in.
I want to be that way.  Thanks Danny for your example!

Work It!

I am amazed at the hustle and determination of people that I watch.  While at soccer practice, I watched as the kids followed the instructions that were given them.  I understand that in the evening after their day has already been full of activities they come with inner strength and they give it their best.  I help coach on Danny's team and I am always thrilled by the effort given by all of the kids on the team.  We instructed them to do a specific drill where the ball was tossed into the air and each player was then required to stop the ball, only using their feet to gain full control of it.  That isn't always the easiest task because depending on how the ball is tossed dictates the players body position to gain control of the soccer ball.  We practiced that over and over with a clear explanation of why we were running this drill.  After a while the kids were 'catchingon' to the concept and now they can implement that skill into their play.  Practice is a beautiful way to hone skills that make you better.

Work Is A Good Thing

I have always felt that good hard work is a blessing.  At this point in my life I feel especially grateful for good employment and the opportunity to support my family. 
A recent conversation with a man I know solidified the fact that to work hard is imperative.  It doesn't mean that everything is always just the way you hope it will be but through dedication and hard work things seem to work out the way they need to.
I am thankful for the vision I have been blessed with to start something and then work hard to see it through.

I Will Do It Too

I have always had the belief that the things we ask our children to do, we should be willing to do ourselves. Today, our youngest son, Danny, asked if he could mow the lawn. He is eight years old and a hard worker. I told him that he could. While he mowed the grass, I edge around the sidewalk and the fence. I was amazed at his willingness to not only do the job but he did a neat and thorough job of it. I remained out there the entire time and after he had completed the front yard, I did the back. From the time our kids were little, Becky and I have felt it important to work alongside them. The job becomes a family effort not a mandated chore that the kids learn to dislike. When I was a young boy, my parents worked by my side and made the work enjoyable. I felt that their approach was wise. I feel grateful that Becky is a hard worker. In the arenas of employment, those people who manage others might find it helpful to take this same approach. The old saying, "many hands make light work" is very true. There is great value in hard work. Hard work brings productivity into our lives. Self-confidence is strengthened. Families Are strengthened and relationships are solidified. Hard work makes the world a better place!

Honest Day's Work

I remembered some advice that I got a long time ago.  Give an honest day's work for an honest day's pay.
I have tried to remember that each and every day.  It is good sound advice.  I believe that giving an honest effort to my employer is extremely important.
This simple principle goes a long way!