Are You Alone?

I listened to a young woman as she spoke of a difficult 'window of time' in her own life.  The time of which she spoke, was just yesterday.
Let me share a small part of her trial.  During an assembly, her name was called to come forward and receive an award.  As her name was called, an isolated group of her peers began to 'boo'.  Although her heart was breaking she went to the front of the auditorium and accepted her generous honor with dignity and class.
I can't say that I've ever been 'booed' but I know that all of us, at one time or another, will have an experience that is trying in it's own right and, for a moment, you may feel completely and utterly, alone.
I remember an experience shared with me by my dad.  He was stationed in boot camp as a member of the United States Air Force.  One very early Sunday morning, the entire group of soldiers was abruptly awakened by their superior.  Sometime during the conversation, the commanding officer asked all of the men who would be attending church, that day.  Because my dad had always gone to church, he promptly raised his hand. The commander bid my dad an enjoyable day of worship and immediately ordered all others to ready themselves and report out to the 'field'. The entire group spent the remainder of the day marching, while my dad enjoyed a full day of meaningful worship. Although on that day, my dad was doing the same thing he had done on every other Sunday of his life, the lesson was very clear that you should always do what you know to be right even if it means that you're all on your own. There will be times, for all of us, when it feels like many are working against us. It's during these times that we need to find our inner strength and do what we know to be right and good. Never forget that none of us are ever completely alone. It's in these times that we call upon our Father for His help. He will send His love!

Follow-Up

While I was at work, today, my thoughts turned to the importance of following up on the personal goals I set for myself.  Let me clarify that I am not this goal-oriented guy who sits down and makes long lists of all facets of my life where I might be falling short.  I am a person who has particular expectations of myself and I am always trying to do a little bit better day by day.  Without any sort of 'follow-up' you're not able to measure personal growth.
Two weeks ago, the Mormon missionaries stopped by our home and challenged us to do a couple of things with our neighbors.  Well, tonight, they 'followed up' with us on the commitments we had made with them.  We were able to give a brief report and they challenged us with a couple more things we can do. 
I was grateful that they followed through with their challenges to us and wanted to know how things had gone.
There is some truth to 'follow-up'.  I am going to do a better job of evaluating how I'm doing and what I can improve upon to help strengthen me.
Goals help us progress. 

It Never Gets Old

Last night, our family went to see the movie, The Avengers. It was as good as we had anticipated it would be. Becky and I looked down the row of movie theater seats and saw each of our four children and wondered how the time has gone so fast and how quickly they have grown up. Brady has been excited about seeing this movie since it first was released and by watching him throughout the movie, I believe he was pleased.
I don't believe that there is too much time that we can spend together as a family. The lyrics of a song I heard on the radio ring so true to my ears. "Don't work your life away, spend the time wisely because that time might not come to you tomorrow." That song hit me. I don't even know who the artist is and what the title of the song is, but it touched me to the very core of my heart.
It is in our control to dictate how we spend our time. I hold out a personal belief that the quality time we spend with our family will pay dividends that will last throughout this life and throughout the eternities.
I'm not talking about our family members being in the same house and calling that family time. I'm talking about personal investment with our spouse and children. These valuable times will get us through the tough times, that surely lie ahead. It is these times that solidify relationships that are concrete and immovable.
I love my family and I want them to always know that without reservation.
Our quality time should never get old. If it does, then make the necessary changes to make it great!

P*A*T*R*I*O*T*I*C

Because today is Memorial Day, I felt that it would be appropriate to share my feelings about what today means to me.
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about and then feel extrememly grateful for the blessing it is to live in a land of freedom.  What a rich blessing!
I think about all of the men and women who sacrifice so much so that I can have the freedoms of every day life.
I wish to express my deepest gratitude to all who have served and who are currently serving in the military for their willingness to be courageous and 'fight' so that me and my family can be free.  It's because of all of these people that I am able to come and go as I please without fear of consequence.
I appreciate my grandfathers for their valiant service both in Europe and the South Pacific.  I am thankful for my dad's efforts as an honorable member of the United States Air Force.  I am thankful for family members and close friends who have answered their 'call of duty' to go in places of danger and fight off the enemies of this world.  It is with deep respect that I thank these people.  We remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, with their own lives. 
As you go throughout your day, please remember that it is because of so many people that our lives are what they are. 

Several years ago, a friend received his orders of 'deployment'.  He was extremely nervous about the assignment, knowing that his batallion was going into a 'hot spot' where lives had already been lost.  I felt impressed to go by and visit this young man before he left.  While I visited with him, I got another impression that I should offer him a priesthood blessing.  He gladly accepted.  As I gave him the blessing, the words came into my mind that I should tell him that as long as he would do his part and stay out of unecessary places of danger, and also stay away from alcohol and other substances that would inhibit making good and wise decisions, that he would come home and his life would be spared.  There was no promise that he would not experience injury, rather, that he would come home alive.  When the blessing concluded, I reiterated that part of the blessing.  He agreed that he would do his part, and I promised that God would definitely do His.  The months passed by and the day arrived when this young soldier came home.  He had lived up to his end of the deal and God had done His part, too. 

In God We Trust.  This is a choice land and I am grateful to be a part of it.  I thank God for His love for me.  Let today be a reminder of what we have.

I'm A Grateful Son

The way I feel today, is a daily occurrence, but I feel an urge to share with you some of my personal feelings. I was born to and raised by a wonderful and loving mother and father. They have loved me, unconditionally, my entire life. That doesn't mean that I haven't given them reason to be disappointed at some of my decisions, but all in all, I have tried to make them pleased at the way I lead my life and the decisions that I try to make. I love them so much! I married into a family who loved and accepted me from day one. They trusted me with their daughter and have loved me like their very own. Tonight, Becky's parents were here for dinner and I was reminded, again, at how blessed I am to have two sets of parents who love and adore me. What a terrific blessing that is! It is a choice blessing to be loved and accepted. My desire is to say and do those things that would make Becky, our children, and both sets of parents proud of me. I feel like the luckiest guy alive!

Happiness Even In Our Loss

It wouldn't be life if we didn't ever experience loss, in it's various forms. Yesterday, our family experienced a loss, that to most people seems very insignificant. One of our chickens died, unexpectedly. I know that most of you are thinking that it's just a chicken and that it isn't that big of a deal. Except, we love these animals as our pets and we have raised them from the time that they were a couple of days old. It was sad but it's just a real part of life. Each one of us will go through loss in some degree. Whether it's a family member, a pet, or a close friend, the knowledge is the same--it will be okay. We started with six chicks, just over two years ago. We are down to just two. They will continue to bring us joy and for that I am grateful. In our loss, opens a window of untold happiness. It has always been that way and it will continue to be so. Life is filled with many different feelings and emotions. I am grateful for how it all plays out. We learn how to deal with our various emotions and we learn to focus on the great times of our lives. This life is full of 'gems'.

'Firsts'

I was thinking about the 'firsts' in my life.  That was fun to think about but the one that really stuck out in my mind was the first date I went on with Becky.
You guessed it!  She asked me out on our first date.  I must say that I was such a 'chicken' that even throughout our dating, I wondered when we got more serious if she might have to propose to me.  I didn't let that happen.
Okay, back to the first date.  We went to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and watched the LDS church' production entitled "Legacy".  It was a great show but all I could think about is how fortunate I was to be sitting next to this beautiful girl, who was still in high school.  We went to get something to eat after the movie and then went back to her parent's house.  We 'double dated' with a guy and girl who were friends of Becky's and ended up marrying and are good friends of ours even today.
That is a quick run-down of the date but the important part to me was that before that one night, Becky and I were strangers to one another.  We had visited at church for a few minutes but no more than that.  Now all of these years later, we have shared some of life's 'firsts' that are done within the bonds of marriage.  We have four children who fill our lives with extreme joy.  I can't imagine loving anybody any more than I love Becky.  My Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ would be the only two that I would love any more because of obvious reasons.  She completes me with everything that I would ever need or want.  I am so thankful for that 'first' in March of 1994.  I love you, sweetheart!  No man has ever lived that is more blessed than I.  Thanks for being who you are and helping me to be who I am.  We make an incredible team, and it's fun!!
Think about your 'firsts' and the positive impact they have had on your life.  They are some of the times and things that make us who we are.