Feeling Good

I love good stories.  May I share one with you. 

"Royals outfielder Jeff Francoeur rules at life, basically.

We've written about the fun he's had with fans in Oakland and Kansas City, but this is an even more personal and touching story.

Houston's Tammy Blanchard Robertson posted this note (along with the photo above) on the Royals' Facebook page on Wednesday, and, well, I'll let her tell the story.

Dear Jeff Francoeur,
Just last night my husband, daughter and 7 year old son attended the Royals vs Astros game here in Houston. My husband was born and raised in KC and our family lived there for 5 years before we were transferred to Houston.
Last year my son was diagnosed with Autism. Going to large stadiums that are really loud are out of my sons comfort zone, we told him we were going to see the KC Royals and he was instantly excited.
We made sure to get to the game early so that we could find our seats before the stadium filled up. We were lucky enough to get to the stadium while the Royals were having their batting practice.
My husband told our son that he should call you over and that you may autograph his cap for him. As my son yelled with hope in his voice, you came jogging over to us. My son was so excited when he saw you coming over that he fell while trying to climb over the seats to the front row. It is rare that we see our son get excited over anything to do with sports as Autistic children tend to be more interested in books, and computers rather than sports.
Our son stared up at you with tears in his eyes, you took the time to coddle him, ask his name and make him feel special.
We just wanted to say thank you for not only taking the time to come over to see our son, but for signing his hat, and posing for a picture with him. It is truly a day that our son will never forget. You are a true role model, this was a day our family will always remember."

There are people all about who are doing the best that they can.  While reading in the various newspapers around the country, I come across articles that lift my spirits and remind me that the future is bright!  There are a lot of great things going on.

It's A Blessed Day

Today is my dad's birthday.  I am thankful every day to have a dad who has always wanted to be a good husband and father.  Thank you for being involved in my life and taking the time to teach good solid principles.  I have always watched my dad very carefully.  It has been a real treat!
I am trying to learn from my dad and I am confident that if I will try to do the things the way he does I will be in good shape.
I am a boy richly blessed to have a mother and father who strive to live and love one another in harmony.
Thank you very much!  I love you.

Truth Download

I really love it when something hits me and makes me feel good.  From the time that I was a young boy, religion has played an important role in my life--a central role.  I was taught in a home the good things of life and I saw and felt the truth.  I was taught to gain a love for the scriptures.  I gained a natural love for the Book of Mormon.  It spoke plainly and I felt of the power of that book.  As a full-time missionary I learned of its truthfulness, for myself, and then I spent two years teaching and testifying to people the truth that I had found for myself.  I was reading in the Book of Mormon and a scripture 'popped out' at me.

"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."  (Ether 12:4)

Guidance and a clear direction are very important to me.  As people, we all get that from different sources.  I am grateful to good parents who showed me the way.  I still had to choose but they helped me.  I give thanks to Becky for wanting to go the same way.  She is a great source of strength and unconditional love.
The 'lights' came on again for me just like they have many other times before for which I am most grateful.

Will Somebody Really Listen?

I have found it very interesting how many people there are who spend their lives with nobody to listen to them. I knew a young man when I was a teenager who never did feel validated by his parents because they were both so busy talking that they wouldn't listen to anything that was going in his life. His important accomplishments were only important to him. Last night, our oldest son Brady and I were shooting some hoop on the driveway. Brady loves basketball. It is also a time that I enjoy a great deal because it gives me some alone time with him to visit and talk about life. He had kind of a rough day and so the combination of that for him and a lack of patience on my end had a lousy outcome. We ended the night with tears because when something didn't go his way it saddened him. Once that had happened all he wanted was some love from me and I told him that there was nothing to cry about. I realized afterward that I had errored in judgement. I apologized and we ended the night on a better note. He needed me to listen and then show forth some extra love. Each of us has or will be approached by someone in real need. In that time of need, I hope that I will stop, listen, and then show an increased measure of love.

I'm Not Surprised

When I got to work, this morning, there was a basket neatly wrapped with an assortment of treats and goodies from my good friend at work and his wife to give to Becky. She has hurt her knee and we have felt love from a few people who trully care about us, and we can feel it. I have said it many times but I will state it again. There are a lot of really good people out there who are sincere in their approach to love and look out for those that they really care about. I have a long way to go on perfecting this particular characteristic in my life. I will probably spend a lifetime trying and hopefully I'll get close to mastering it.

It's Nice To Meet You Too

I was in the store and I ended up having a conversation with a man who needed somebody to talk to. I like to visit and I come by that naturally from my dad. He asked me several questions about life and my opinion on a few things. I answered them honestly and thoroughly. One thing really struck me hard. He said that it was nice for him to meet me. I haven't ever really given that comment any attention before. I replied that it was likewise nice to meet him. You may be wondering why that was such a big deal for me. It's very simple. We are all children of a God. He loves us and the reality is that we are spiritual children of Him. That makes us all related in an eternal perspective. This man is an eternal relative of mine and it was so nice to find him a stranger but after talking to him I found a brother indeed. What a neat principle. I was touched and deeply moved, in my heart by that reality.

Turn Here

When was the last time you came upon a sign with the word 'Detour' printed on it? It is quite often, these days with all of the construction that is going on. We live in a time when the necessities of people that live around us need our assistance, sometimes at the most inconvenient times. I am reminded about this concept whenever I see a 'Detour' sign. May I suggest that when the 'detours' of life come that we are willing to confront them with patience, realizing they there is quite possibly something very valuable that we will learn along the way. These detours come unexpectedly and they knock us off guard but we can overcome the frustrations that come with these particular times. Be sensitive to your feelings and be willing and courageous to act on those feelings. So the next time you see the sign, remember that a detour might be needed, from you to help encourage and lift somebody that needs your help. Be ready and be prepared for the times yet to come.