Don't Let It Be Traveled Alone

I watched a man walk down old Magna main street.  He was alone and each step that he took jotted a chapter of what his life was all about.  I knew this man and my heart ached for him.  He is a good man but has been sidetracked from the principles that he knows will bless his life.  His clothing was different and it showed to me that his once financial stability was no longer.  He carried a brown paper sack in his hand that illustrated his slavery to a bottle of sadness.  I couldn't help but think of the goodness that he had displayed in his life while helping another in a time of struggle. 
It was a reminder that life is at times a 'school of hard knocks'.  How important it is to be prepared to withstand the trials that come our way. 
When I was a young boy I never had to worry about the lack of stability in our home.  I never wondered if my parents were nice to one another.  I didn't even think about that kind of thing because I just knew that they loved each other.  I heard them tell each other that they loved each other but more important I watched them love each other.
I want our children to know that Becky and I love each other--through word and deed.  I want them to build in their hearts a desire to one day find someone who wants to share this same kind of life with them that we so richly enjoy.
I'm hopeful that this man that wanders Magna main street will one day awaken to the things that are important and foster a desire to return to the good life that he once possessed.
It's a great life that is filled with endless possibilities to find and experience goodness to enrich our souls.  Go after it and find all of the joy that you so richly deserve.  It is the designed destiny of all mankind!

Tone

The word 'tone' has a few different meanings. I wish to talk about it in the context of how we speak to others.
A person in the grocery store stands behind me in the checkstand line.  Words roll out of her mouth rapidly and I realize that nothing that has streamed from her mouth is kind.  I looke over at her and I realize that she is speaking to her aged mother who is seated in a motorized cart.  Her speech comtinued for a few moments and again I look in her direction.  This time her eyes met mine and I wanted so badly to remind her of her responsibility to respect her mother.  She got the hint and I didn't hear another cross word spoken.
As I exited the store I couldn't help but think of the many unkind  words that had and would probably continue to harm and damage the poor aged woman.  I'm sure that volumes of other things would tell the entire story but I vowed at that moment to always try to keep a kind tone in my voice.
Even in frustration, the tone we keep will dictate the outcome of the situation in so many ways.

A Sincere Desire

I have felt a subtle change in my life that hasn't always been there.  I can honestly say that throughout my life I have wanted to be a good person who wants to choose the right in everything that I do.  Lately I have felt an urging and a desire to take it one step further and always try to do the very best thing that I can.
We are children of a Heavenly Father and we carry within us characteristic traits of Him.  He wants us to be happy and to experience the joys that come from doing what is right.
I listened to a General Conference talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  He spoke of being a good and honest man. 
I believe that the best effort we can give is sufficient. 
I have always believed that to do my best is ultimately easier on my life than to settle for mediocrity.
Let me share a tiny example that can apply to life.  I once worked with a man who was a goodly man but his work ethic wasn't the greatest.  Building aircraft parts seems like a pretty important job and building them correctly seems absolutely necessary.  I watched as this man did average work and didn't seem to care about good workmanship.  One day I approached him about his work.  I asked him if he wanted to board the airplane that had been poorly constructed but was still going to fly at thirty-five thousand feet.  He told me that he didn't like to fly.  I asked if he had family members that did fly.  His answer was 'yes'.  He thought about that for a few moments and then promised that from that day on he would make the necessary changes to do better.  He did.  I was grateful for his willingness to change and  a desire to do better.
We have an obligation to do better. 
Life is so wonderful and doing the right thing contributes to a better way of living.

Doing Good Pays Off

I attended a training course where I was able to meet many wonderful people. I met one particular woman who was very bright and extremely capable in her specific field of work.

I noticed in our company's news, today, that she had been honored for her help in an orphanage based in India. I felt happy for this woman and I tip my hat to her for her contributions.  It was neat that I had met and interacted with this woman and that she was being rewarded for her hard work and dedication for something very worth while.

There is so much to learn from other people. I am grateful to be alive and to be the beneficiary of the kind acts of many others.

 

 

Moving Forward--Together

Becky and I went to Orem to visit our grandparents. My mom is in town to be with them for the next week. Grandpa's health continues to worsen but he keeps 'hanging on' through these last days.
I thought about how good life is when we go through it together. I watch my grandma as she shows her true love and devotion for my grandpa and reflect on the promises that Becky and I made the day we got married.
I want to emphasize how important it is to move forward in life, even after the stumbles that take place, and be united in all that you do.
Marriage is ordained of God and the marriages between a man and a woman are supposed to be enjoyable. Working through the struggles builds strong character and the love that can be enjoyed is endless.
I held Becky's hand yesterday and felt grateful for all that she does to make life wonderful for me and our children.
Difficult times will come to all of us and some of you might be right in the middle of one of the 'storms' of life but there is hope that eventually the sun will shine through the clouds of mortality and the refreshment of a new beginning is shortly on the horizon. That new beginning will be worth the endurance that you pursued.
Move forward with faith and with a sense of unity that will prove the worth of the one that you so desperately love. Be in it together, no matter what!

Our Children

I want to devote this entire post to our four children. they bring Becky and I untold joy. They are trying to be the best that they can be and I believe that they are succeeding in their quest to be more like their Savior, Jesus Christ.
Natalie is a huge help to us as parents. She is old enough to be responsible and to be very capable to do many things around the house. She is a terrific example of righteousness and giving her very best effort in life. Her work ethic is amazing. She sticks to the task at hand and doesn't stop until the job is done. Thanks Nat for being a great daughter. I love you.
Laurel is full of life with plenty of energy. I love the way that she tackles life. She is outgoing and doesn't seem afraid of very much. She is hard-working and dedicated to doing the things that are right. She is helpful and will do what she is asked to do. Becky and I are grateful for her presence in our family. I love you.
Brady is a gentle boy. He is a loving boy who wants to do the right. From the time that he was a little boy Becky and I have been grateful for his smile and his open affection with us. I marvel at the love he has for his mom. There aren't very many eleven year old boys that will give their mom a hug and a kiss, even out in the open when the world says that its not cool to do so. Thanks for loving us openly, Brady. I love you so much!
Danny is a happy boy. He has an enthusiasm that is infectious. His smile brightens the day. I am grateful for his accepting nature--arms wide open for the underdog. I love the energy that he brings to our family as the youngest child. I thank heaven every day for this nice boy.
There isn't a dad on this planet that is more thankful than I to have the children that Becky and I have to look after and to teach. We learn so much and I hope that Becky and I will take the opportunity to give daily thanks for these four kids. It is a true joy!

Animals

Natalie received a bird for her main birthday gift several years ago.  It is a parakeet whose name is Sky because of the beautiful blue and white coloring.  This bird has been an easy animal to care for and the sounds he makes are beautiful.

This morning, Brady began to play on the piano and Sky immediately started dancing to the music he was playing.  It made me chuckle at this small creation that has brought Natalie and our entire family a lot of joy.

I am grateful for the animals that bless our lives.  The thought that went into creating the earth in which we live is remarkable to me.  I am thankful to be a small part of it.

The dancing of this small bird has brightened my day and once again reminded me of His love for me.