The Year Is Winding Down

I awakened this morning to the gentle snowfall here in Magna, Utah.  I peered out the kitchen window and felt extremely grateful for the freedom that exists where we live.  I watched the snow as it fell to the ground and I felt gratitude to live in a place where I can enjoy each season of the year.  My mind remembered the days long ago when I worked out in the cold and the snow as a very young boy.  Even though it was cold and less desirable I learned the value of dedicated hard work in my life.  I love to think of those memories because those were shared alongside my older brother Brant.  We made some really good memories together.
It boggles my mind that this year has come and gone so swiftly.  It has been filled with joy and happiness.  The happenings of each day has brought a smile to my face and I have come to recognize the goodness that exists in my life and the great things others are doing to make this world a better place.
Our family has grown a lot and the things that they have taught me are beyond measure. 
There are still a few great days left this year and I plan on getting the very most out of every single one.  The new year will bring with it some different opportunities that will uplift and strengthen us all.
Look to the new year with optimism and the good is exactly what you'll find.  I love all of you whether I know you or not.  I hope that you find as much in life as I do.  Life is a journey of happiness and great joy!

A Prayer From The Heart

An experience happened today that  both brightened and enlightened my heart.  Our young niece volunteered to pray a blessing on the food.  She is a cute girl and her heart is like other children her age, pure as gold.  In her blessing there was one part that touched my heart to the very core and was a blatant reminder for me in my own life.  "Please bless us that we will remember how much we love each other."  I have thought about those words the remainder of the evening.
Look inside your own families and although the dynamic is very interesting from family to family there exists the ability and the desire to have active love.  I hope that it will be the desire of us all to "remember how much we love each other," because we do.  If there are things that are amiss within your own circle of 'family' then do what is necessary to repair and make right.
Life is too short!
I will always remember that clear piece of wisdom that was spoken from the lips of a young and innocent child.

The True Meaning

 

What an incredible time of the year it is.  With the celebration of the birth of the Savior, even Jesus Christ, comes the hope of goodness and light. 

"As I have loved you, Love one another. This new commandment: Love one another. By this shall men know Ye are my disciples, If ye have love One to another."

He is the greatest gift we have ever been given by our loving Heavenly Father.  I hope that this Christmas day will be exactly what you hoped it would be.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve 2012

It has been such a great night!  I really enjoy Christmas Eve and the family festivities that go on.  We spent the evening with Becky's parents and her brother's family.  We shared a nice meal together and then enjoyed opening gifts from each other.  We sang together and we felt of the love we have as a family.

 

 

There is great joy that comes from the valuable times we spend strengthening our family bonds.  I am a richly blessed man and I give thanks for all that I have.  It just doesn't get any better than this.



May your Christmas be filled with joy and may this time of hope and happiness bless your life.

We Can Count On Him

I sat in church today and was able to enjoy some really nice feelings.  One of those feelings came during a lesson where the discussion was about a talk given in General Conference of the LDS Church this past October.  One part of his talk touched me and I felt it appropriate to share.

"We have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord.  My beloved brothers and sisters, I am not certain just what our experience will be on Judgment Day, but I will be very surprised if at some point in that conversation, God does not ask us exactly what Christ asked Peter: “Did you love me?” I think He will want to know if in our very mortal, very inadequate, and sometimes childish grasp of things, did we at least understand one commandment, the first and greatest commandment of them all—“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.” And if at such a moment we can stammer out, “Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee,” then He may remind us that the crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty."  (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland~ Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)

The Savior, Jesus Christ is the One that we should look to at every moment of our lives.  It is He who brought about the opportunity for us to live again with our loving Father.  He did all that He did because He loves us.  I love Him!

The Temple Is Peace

We attended a performance where Laurel and Natalie were both participants.  It's their annual performance at the Assembly Hall on Temple Square, in Salt Lake City, Utah.  It was a nice evening with very nice music.  We listened and were reminded of this season of the year.  Following the performance, we were reminded of the temple and what it represents to us as a family.  We took a couple of pictures to remind us continually that the temples of God can always be with us.

 

 



I am very grateful for the meaning of the temple in my life.  If we will keep the promises we made with God in the temple, our family is promised that we will live together, forever, after this life.  The joy that we felt just the other night at the performance, and every other day, will be ours for eternity. 

What a blessing that is!

Sing Out Loud

I went to the grocery store and as soon as I got out of my car I could hear a man singing a Christmas song.  It sounded quite good and I wondered where it came from.  The closer I got to the entrance of the store I soon realized that the singing came from the voice of the older gentleman ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.  He rang the small bell and sang along with a smile on his face.  I wanted to sing along with him.  His voice brought a smile to my face.
His simple approach to the Christmas season was contagious.
Music has an immediate impact on any situation.  During this Christmas season make music an integral part.  You too will find yourself smiling.