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.

Are You Willing To Help?

It’s that time of year when our minds are turned to an increased desire to help the less-fortunate.  As the holiday season approaches there are many who will go without.  It doesn’t take much to help lift the spirits of someone who is down.

I bring this up because there is time to plan a little before the time is actually here.  There are many of you who help people constantly and I find that incredibly admirable.  Thanks for your good example.  I would like to challenge everyone to find somebody or a family that will benefit from our acts of kindness.

Our service will help them through their struggles.  Put on your thinking caps and begin thinking of what you can do. 

 

The Power of Kind Words

I know people who are heroes in my life.  They are heroes in a different way than is typical. 

No matter the situation that they find themselves in their words are the same.  They reflect a person who is willing to bridle their frustrations and speak in a respectful way—all the time!

I hope that by the time my life is through that I will be a person like this.

One of these heroes is somebody I don’t even know that well.  He works at the same place I do.  Granted, I have never been in his home and I don’t interact with him in any other venue than work but for a lot of years I have watched him treat others how he would like to be treated and always kept himself in control.  He speaks in a tone of gentleness.  I admire that a great deal.

The power that comes from gentle words is incredible.  I hope to be like one of my heroes.

 

Capital "Q" In Quality Family Time

Last night we sat around the kitchen table to frost and decorate Halloween sugar cookies that Becky had baked.  I looked around the table and thought about the time we spend together and what great memories it solidifies in our lives.  There are some that wouldn't find this kind of activity enjoyable but it felt like a small piece of heaven to me.
There are conversations that don't happen anywhere else in our lives than those than occur around the kitchen table.  I love to hear what is going on in the minds of our kids, their interests, and their desires.  I love that there is a comfortable atmosphere where they can be open without fear of anything negative happening to them.  I love that we have a safe home where we can enjoy one another.  I love that we can be frank with one another and live in peace and harmony.
Our daughter, Laurel expressed her love for her family.  It made me happy that our kids want to succeed together.  I am grateful for the joy and happiness that they all bring to mine and Becky's life.  It is a rich blessing to be a husband and father and to thoroughly enjoy myself.  My life is a dream come true and I have my family to thank for that.  I love you all!