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!

 

Hands That Help Lift The Heart of Another

We live in a time when natural disasters seem to be a common occurrence.  A large hurricane swept through many parts of the east coast of the U.S.--Hurricane Sandy was her name.  As you can imagine it it wrecked many homes, businesses, and many lives.  The thing that I love about these types of happenings is the rendering of service that follows. 





These two young missionaries get to experience first-hand what it's like to offer Christ-like service.

For decades missionary work in the area has been slow, but at the end of their first day of service, when the missionaries gathered for a group picture, they were greeted with cheers from those they helped.
“It is softening hearts, and regardless of what you read in the press, these New Yorkers are resilient and are keeping their humor,” President Calderwood said. “The Lord has a way of turning calamities into His favor.”  (lds.org)

Although our opportunities to serve may not be to this extreme we have daily opportunities in our own communities to help lift the hands that hang low and the hearts that know devastation in one form or another.

In the Church of Jesus Christ there is a well-known scripture that defines the role of a missionary.  I believe that this scripture applies perfectly to our service.

"Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.

Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen." (Doctrine and Covenants 4)

 

Attitude Is Our Way To Control

I had a conversation with a man who told me about a young woman who he knows that is pregnant.  A bit of bad news came to this young woman and her husband that the baby she is carrying has some serious problems.  It caused me to think about life and the various things that we all experience.  My mind raced as I thought about the miracle of having children, even with the reality of knowing that many things can go 'wrong' during the development of a baby. 
Because there are so many things that are out of our control, in life, it becomes increasingly important to remain upbeat and optimistic. 
I shared several hours with a person who is a complete 'downer'.  I am grateful that I don't think or act that way.  It is difficult to be around a person who thinks and acts that way.
I am personally committed to being the type of person that when others are around me, they feel hopeful.  There is a lot to be said about optimism in every facet of life.
As for this young expecting mom and dad, their hope must be anchored on faith and trust that God will help them in the days and weeks ahead.  That needs to be the focus of our every day life.  Faith, hope, trust, humility.  Those are a few of the characteristics that when practiced and implemented into our own lives will help through the various challenges that we will surely face.  The other things that are in our control need to be done methodically and correctly so that our focus can be primarily placed on the obstacles that lie in front of us. 
The hopeful will always fall back on the positive.  Life is good!  Even in adversity, life is good!