Service Puts A Smile On My Face

Have you ever had a bad feeling when you help somebody out?
That's a dumb question of course.
Our family has been the recipient of acts of kindness throughout the years.  We have also been on the giving end and enjoy the happiness that comes from helping someone else.
Acts of kindness come in all shapes and sizes.  That is insignificant but there isn't a better feeling in the whole world than service for

I was in the grocery store and I watched as an elderly woman had dropped a couple of items out of one of the plastic grocery bags she was holding.  Without hesitation a man walking nearby quickly picked up the items and placed them back into the bag.  The elderly woman smiled and thanked the man sincerely.  I was grateful for his simple act of kindness.  Those are a big deal and they make me happy to know that there are a lot of good decent people who still care.

A Day Like Today

There are days when I think to myself, "Can life get any better?"  That is how I feel today.  I am always amazed at the blessings that are poured out into my life.  I have known for a very long time that God blesses all of His children--we just need to recognize them.
I spoke with a gentleman in Winco who told me that he had always felt like he was loved and that he never felt like God would abandon him.  I agreed with him and expressed my love for my Father who is well aware of me and the needs and wants of my heart.  He expressed similar feelings.
I have spoke about this before but I need to reiterate the importance of recognizing all of the blessings that come our way.  The 'blessing conduit' that extends from heaven and reaches to us is not closed.  That I know for sure.  It will never be closed because of the love He has for His children.  He loves us more than we can currently comprehend.  I love Him for everything!

The Different People You Meet

I have talked before about the people in life that make a positive impact.  Let me take a minute to tell you about somebody that taught me a valuable lesson.
I watched our youngest child, our son Danny.  He asked me how I learned to whistle so loud.  How old were you when you learned?  He loves to learn and he's not afraid to do what it takes to learn something new.  He wanted to know how to whistle.  We took a few minutes and I showed him how to shape his lips and to place his tongue.  Remember, he wants to know how to whistle really loud.  After I showed him I told him that it would take a lot of practice to fully learn.  He began to practice. With each day, the whistle has gotten increasingly better.  He can't whistle loud yet but it will come eventually.
I love to watch when people get excited about something and their determination to conquer kicks in.
I want to be that way.  Thanks Danny for your example!

Learn All You Can

Our family has supported Danny in his participation in soccer.  He plays on a Recreation team at the Magna Rec. Center.  I have never been interested in the game of soccer but since he began playing I have learned a lot and really enjoyed getting to know the game.
Throughout this soccer season we have watched Danny's team become a cohesive unit--a true team.
In a recent game, all twelve of the team members played an amazing game.  Their passing was flawless and their team work was phenomenal!
I have watched and learned from their hard work and dedication to improve and become better.
I have learned the game of soccer and become quite interested in it.
There is always something to learn.

Press Forward With A Renewed Energy

Today was one of those days that you 'bookmark' in the book of life.  Our family had tickets to attend the morning session of General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  It couldn't have been better if we would have planned the entire experience ourselves.  From the talks that were given, to the music that was sung, and the conversations we coincidentally had with people we didn't even know.  It was a day for the record books.
I am so grateful for the life that I have.  I am thankful for Becky and the light she brings into my life.  I am thankful for our children and the perspective that they give to me of life and the important aspects of it.  I am thankful for the knowledge that I receive through the whisperings of the 'still small voice', even the Holy Ghost.  I know that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us dearly.  He wants the very best for us and stands ready to hear and answer the desires of our hearts.  He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to show us the pathway that we must go, and then He did what only He could do.   It is only through His Atonement that we can overcome the heartache and sorrow that come from the mistakes that we make, make the necessary corrections on our part, and gain complete forgiveness for those errors and then draw closer to our Heavenly Father.  It is only by Him and through Him that we really come to understand the divine Plan of our Heavenly Father.  I am grateful for these truths that carry me forward, day by day.
There is a drive to do a little better each day that passes by.  Just a little at a time makes a huge difference.
How thankful I am for the eternal blessings that are showered upon me in my life. 

Renewal

I awakened this morning with a refreshing feeling.  I thought for a moment of how nice it is to go to bed exhausted and then to wake up feeling really good.  Now I know that the way I feel in the morning is not how everybody feels but sleep, and the healing of the body from a day’s hard work, is a beautiful thing.

Today will be another fun-filled day and so I’m even more thankful that I feel the way I do.

Renewal comes in many different forms.  I go to church on Sundays for the way it rejuvenates me and ‘fills’ my spiritual cup.  Exercise is a way for people to renew themselves and obtain energy for their body.

Of all of these things I give thanks.  Have a great day!

The Grass Is Green

In Primary, the song “Give Said The Little Stream” means a lot.  I have long been intrigued by it’s simple message.

“Give said the little stream.  Give oh give.  Give oh give.  Give said the little stream as it hurried down the hill.  I’m small I know but wherever I go, the grass grows greener still.”

We make a conscious decision to be happy and optimistic about life and all that it entails. The grass will be greener as we live with the glass half full and strive to put a smile on our face.  There is so much that we can be grateful for. 

Sometimes even the words from a simple song will brighten our day and remind us of how good life really is.  

Look for the sunshine and don't focus on the grey clouds of life.