People

I stopped to grab a soda pop at one of the local gas stations in Magna.  As I stood at the fountain area filling my cup with soda a woman approached the fountain area.  I said good morning and she replied a good morning back to me.  The couple of short minutes that I was in the store I watched several people carefully.  I watched their mannerisms and the way that they walked and talked.  I watched what they purchased.  I found out a lot about a few people at a very early hour of the day without uttering a word to them.
What do people think of me when they are doing the same exercise I just did?  Am I somebody that they find to be happy?
I thought about this as I drove to work.  I understand that there are a lot of assumptions made when you do what I did in the store but there were some obvious things that I picked up on too.  I want to be a person that when somebody sees me they immediately feel like I am friendly.  I want to be seen as a good person who is trying to do my best.  I want people to feel comfortable when they are around me.  We are all children of the same Creator.  We are all trying to get to the same place.  It is my desire to be good in all that I do and to help others be the best that they can be.
Life is filled with joy and that joy comes from treating others with love and respect.

HEAVEN

Today was a small piece of heaven as we attended the Salt Lake temple together.  Our youngest son, Danny had a 'sleep-over' at grandma and grandpa's house and Becky and our three oldest went to the temple together. 
Brady just turned twelve and so we had promised him that we would go to the temple and enjoy the blessings that come so readily from being there and serving those who have gone before us.
This afternoon, Brady was ordained a deacon in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It was a great occasion to be able to enjoy as a family.
This is one of those 'payday' days in the life of parents.  I am so thankful for the way Brady lives his life and the opportunity that now awaits him to serve and help out as part of his priesthood responsibility.
I love my family more than words can sufficiently express. 

Remembering The Ones You Love

There was a picture that I saw of a friend who is currently in Afghanistan serving our country as a member of the United States military.  The picture was of he and several other men sitting at a table inside a hanger eating Thanksgiving dinner.  He wore a different kind of smile on his face and you knew that he would rather be sitting with his young wife and daughter.  It made me extremely grateful for his service.  
I remember the times when I was away from my family as a full-time missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I was safe and I knew that my family was thinking about me.  Those times were definitely memorable and my heart reflects on them once in awhile.
Loved ones mean so much to me.  I am thankful for those who love me and I hope that I will always remain grateful for all that I have been given.  

Happy Thanksgiving

It's such a nice day.  We went to breakfast for our yearly tradition--Grandpa Dick took the entire family.  We are now at the movie theater watching "Wreck It Ralph."  It's nice to be together as a family.  I hope that everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving.  I love family and the time we have together.  Dinner is at Mom and dad's house at 5 PM.  I'm excited for not only the food but the time to spend together.  Have a great day and may the blessings of your life be made completely clear to you today and every other day to follow.
I would feel completely ungrateful if I didn't report on our day.  We went to Becky's parent's house for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was lovely and very classy.  We took opportunity to express the gratitude we felt for many things in our lives.  We went around the table three consecutive times so that everyone could share their feelings about the specific things for which they are grateful.  What a lovely time we had.  Mom fixed a delicious meal and our time together was rich.  
I hope your day was everything you hoped it would be.  

Warmth

It's a good feeling to feel happy and warm and to have the security of knowing that life is good and that the things going on are uplifting.
Here in Utah the weather is getting colder and the coats being worn are becoming more noticeable. 
I have recently noticed that even more important than the warmth of the coats is the love that is shown from one person to another.
We are reminded that kind acts for others go a long way.
I want to be more aware of the needs of other people.  There are many people with many needs and I want to lend the help that will be the most meaningful to them.
It's a wonderful time of the year!

A Day Like Today

This is a day of significant meaning in our family.  Brady turned twelve and that is a milestone that we will remember for the rest of his life.
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a boy can receive the Priesthood.  The Priesthood is something very special--it is the authority to act in the name of our Father in Heaven.
I am so grateful for the kind of young man Brady is and the way he chooses to live his life.
On Saturday he will receive the Priesthood and be ordained a deacon.  With that responsibility comes opportunity to serve others and to thereby serve his God.
I want him to know that I love him and I am grateful for who he is.  He has looked forward to this day with great anticipation.
Happy Birthday and may our Heavenly Father continue to bless you abundantly.  I love you!

I'm Feel Thankful For Modern Blessings

I need to reflect for just a few minutes on the things that we so commonly overlook and focus on the importance they are in our lives.
It is beginning to get quite chilly in the evenings here in Utah.  I am thankful for our home that blesses us with shelter and warmth from the cold.  We have comfortable beds with thick blankets and soft pillows.  Whenever we need to go somewhere we are able to climb in one of our cars and drive to our destination.  How convenient!  There is delicious food placed before us and we consider ourselves richly blessed.
Our love spreads from one person to another in our family.  We feel the security in our family that love provides.  We are devout in our love and we do the things that uplift and edify each other.
Our faith is our life.  We have promised to serve our Father in Heaven and to take care of His children through our selfless acts of love.  We will do all that is required to do His will.
We live in a beautiful time in the existence of this earth.  Times are exciting and there is a lot to learn.
We are continually blessed with goodness.  It is a wonderful life!