Knowing

Knowledge is an amazing thing. There are very few things in my life that I really care to know about. One of the greatest blessings of my life is the knowledge that there is a purpose to this life. We are not just here for fun--although it is very enjoyable. I know that there is a God who we call our Father and He is perfectly aware of me and you. Since we left His presence we have gained a lot of knowledge that is important for not only now but for eternity, yet to come. He sent His Son, who willingly obeyed His Father, to help us overcome the imperfections that we have and to be able to be clean from those mistakes that we make and one day return to live with our Father who loves us eternally. Jesus Christ is His Son and I love Him with all of my heart. I am thankful for the love He has for me and I hope to live my life in a way that demonstrates that love. I know that the family unit is a creation of our Father and that the families we are a part can help us and teach us some principles that can help us to grow. I am grateful for Becky and each of the four children that have been 'entrusted to our care'. We are trying to teach them correct principles and to be actively engaged in their lives. That parenting never ends, no matter how old they are. I know that through the covenants (promises) Becky and I have made with God and with each other in the temple that we can be together forever. That is comforting!
All other things are great but these few truths bring me comfort and happiness.
Knowledge is a beautiful thing!

Familiar Smells

Becky and I were talking to our daughters just the other night. The conversation turned to when they were babies and I remembered bathing them each day and then lathering their entire bodies and relishing in the wonderful smell that the experience offered. I can smell that even as I write and it brings back such fond memories.
When Natalie was born I was at the end of my job training to get hired on as a full-time employee for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft. The training was stressful for me for many different reasons. It was October 2, 1995. I was in class when all of the sudden my name was called out by Becky's dad that we needed to go to the hospital because Becky was going to have a baby. At last the much anticipated moment was finally here! After she was born, I gave her first bath and the smell of that experience is very clear in my mind.
I love the smell of fresh flowers. The smell of a lilac bush reminds me of playing in my grandparents' yard. I can feel a football in my hand as I scrambled to get away from my older brother before he could tackle me. Those lilac bushes ran the perimeter of their yard.
The smell of goodness and cleanliness reminds me of the comfort I feel in the arms of my sweet wife. Becky always smells good.
The impact of a smell is powerful. We all have those smells just like I illustrated. Give it some thought and you'll find that some of your feelings are similar to mine.

Never Enough Smiles

I was with our boys and I watched as the many people walked past us with frowns on their faces.  I wondered to myself the cause of such looks. 
I can hear my mom's quiet words in my mind.  I'm forty years old and her advice seems more and more profound at the present time.
There are so many reasons to wear a smile on our faces.
I had a recent conversation with a man that I would consider a pessimist.  I made the comment that there is a lot to smile about and he rebutted with negativity.
I would suggest that a smile should be an automatic.  It sure helps turn most situations into a positive experience.
I love the words of a song that goes something like this:

"A smile is like the sunshine; It brightens up the day. It gives the eye a twinkle And chases frowns away." (Anna Johnson~LDS Children's Songbook)

Give the world a smile and show them that you are really happy.  Your actions will positively affect somebody else and brighten up their day.

A Little Clearer

I recently picked up one of those glass domes that you shake and the snow flakes engulf the entire dome. A scene is built inside the dome and the snowy effect of the tiny flakes creates a wintry atmosphere. I played with one of these from the time I was a small child but my focus is different now than it was then. As a boy I was mesmerized by all of the snow, giving little or no thought to the scene that was the essence of the dome. The snow flakes were the only thing I cared about. I shook the dome hard and tried to focus my attention on a small grouping of snowflakes. I look at the miniature figures that became covered with the flakes as they dropped ever so gently. Once I could see that all of the flakes had rested in their various places I shook the dome again, this time with a shifting focus. I tried to envision what the actual scene was about. I paid little attention to the movement of the snowflakes. I repeated this exercise one last time with my attention being placed on the entire scene as a whole. This experience taught me a couple of simple truths and reminded me of a lesson I have known all of my life.
Lesson #1--Don't become so involved with a singular act that you miss out on all of the other things that are happening all around.
Lesson #2--The small things of life are just as important as the big ones.
Lesson #3--Life is about the whole experience, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Who would have ever thought that a tiny glass dome would be impactful to me? It was. It's reminder was clear and concise. Our lives are filled with so many great things and to notice what we really have is a very integral part.
Just like it was for me the next time you shake one of those domes focus on the whole experience and not just the tiny flakes that flutter all about.

We Are A Happy Family

Last night I attended a meeting where a young woman was set apart as a full-time missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, called to serve in the Marshall Islands. It was a wonderful gathering. There were at least fifty people in attendance and the spirit that was in the room was overpowering. This is the youngest child of the family and this young woman has a sister and a brother currently serving their own missions.
Can I tell you the thing that struck me the most about this family? They are not perfect but they are trying to do their best. Some of their children have made good choices and some have not. The parents love them and you could feel it.
In the October issue of the Ensign magazine, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf teaches that one of the keys to a happy family is the forgiving of imperfections of family members. I really liked that teaching. We all know that even in the closest families the difference in personalities sometimes causes conflict but the happy families forgive and find ways to move forward. That can be difficult in varying circumstances but I know that what President Uchtdorf taught is true.
Be humble and find ways to mend differences. This life is very short and before you know it your time is finished. I don't want undone issues when I leave this existence and I don't think that many other people do either.
Let's choose today to be happy and do all that it takes to fix the things that are amiss. Life is grand!
I will remember the feeling I had last night for a very long time. Their example was a treasure to my heart.

Check Out Those Shoes

We've all experienced what I'm about to talk about. I have heard this from the mouths of our own children and other children as well.
"These new shoes can run fast!"
I can't help but smile when I have heard this.
I overheard a young boy say to his mother, "Mom, do you think that these new shoes will be able to run faster than Braxton?" The mother responded matter-of-fact to her son, "I'll bet so."
We all have things in our lives that give us the mental boost we need to overcome the trials and challenges that life 'deals' us. These psychological helps give the necessary energy we need to be the best that we can be.
Out of the mouths of young people are taught the valuable lessons we so badly need. I am grateful for these lessons that help me personally and give a perspective that I wouldn't have otherwise received. I love the outlook of children and the humor that comes with their simplicity.
The next time you face a difficulty, think about those fast running shoes that kids are convinced will sprint them to victory. If nothing else comes from that thought a smile will surely appear and a good laugh can get you through anything.

Do What You Say

When I was young my parents taught us kids to do what we say.
I have tried to follow this wisdom. It is a very important principle to follow.  Let me share something with you that will illustrate the importance of doing what you say you will do.
I was hired to clean dirt off of wooden boards that were owned by a farmer who lived in the same small Utah town where we lived.  The boards were used to place in the cages of the farmer's younger mink so that they wouldn't fall through the links of the cage.  Once the mink got to a certain age and grew bigger, the boards were removed until the following year.  This farmer hired me for the job but because of the monotony of the job I didn't ever complete what I said I would do.
The boards remained in a heap without any concern from me.  The farmer didn't pay attention to my neglect until he needed the boards the following year.
You guessed it, this man was in a predicament because I didn't follow through.
Do what you say and then there will always be situations that are good and comfortable.