The End Of 2012

The end of the year has come and it's already the final post of this great year.  When I typed my first post an entire year seemed quite long but I wanted so badly to write about and focus on the positive things that happen in our lives.  My intention was to talk about the good things that people are doing and the touching acts of kindness that would impact my life and the lives of those around me.  I hope that I have sufficiently displayed that there is a lot of good going on and that just because our society highlights many of the negative things doesn't mean that those are the only things that are really happening.
Take every opportunity to seek out the joyous things of life and go out of your way to do something for somebody else that will bring the love and true happiness into their life.  It not only blesses the person that you serve but your life is also blessed for your kindness.
I end this year with an experience of my own.
Not too long ago a man approached me.  This was a man who by the world's standards was poor and without anything of worth.  His clothes were tattered and the filth of his way of living was obvious.  That didn't matter at all to me.  He needed something and I listened to him as he uttered the desires of his heart.  He was hungry and he asked for some money to purchase a meal that would satisfy him for a time.  I gladly gave.  His response was sincere and he walked away.  My mind thought about many things with regards to this lonely man.  I thought about his way of life.  He understood poverty but not just because he had no food to eat, it ran much deeper.  Did he have a family who was living this sad way of life or was he literally all alone?  These were the thoughts that raced through my mind.
In 2013, I ask that each of us please try to do everything in our power to help in every way we can.  Let it not be a question of whether you can help rather the opportunity to help where you can.  Even a tiny bit of help goes a long way.
Welcome to the end of 2012 and welcome to a new year of refreshment and newness.  It's going to be a fantastic year and the blessings that we see will be life-changing. 
I love my life!  Thanks for spending a small part of my life with me through this daily work.  It's truly blessed my life.

Wrap Your Arms Around

My heart is tender toward our family, Becky and our four children specifically, because of an unfortunate situation here in our neighborhood.  I feel strongly about stating the fact that the time we spend together as families is a real thing.  It should be something that we do because we want to strengthen family relationships and we want those relationships to be the greatest ones we have.  You never know what tomorrow will bring.  I'm not saying that we ever live in fear that something expected may happen rather be prepared so that when something does happen our relationships are strong and intact.
I have receieved a clear reminder of this while making a couple of good visits this evening.  Becky and I sat and visited with our children and put our arms around them and expressed our love for them. 
Take the time to let your family know that you care about them.  Make sure that they know of your sincere feelings for them. 
I am grateful for this life.  It is well worth living for and the various things that I learn are molding me into the person I am supposed to become. 
We are all important in the sight of a loving Father.  He understands what we think and how we feel.  He is very close by and will help us with anything.  We just need to ask and He will give us answers to those pleas.
Thank Him for all that you have and find contentment in the joys of this mortal journey.  In the end we will be grateful for the endurance that is required of us and the patience we will have learned will be beneficial to us throughout eternity.
Life is worth living.  Life yields grand rewards even through the trials that we are required to overcome.  The eternal award awaits us so lets give our all and do our very best!

It's About Being Together

Last night, our family spent the evning enjoying the beautiful Christmas lights at Temple Square, in Salt Lake City, Utah.  It was a nice night.  I am always amazed at the love I feel for Becky and our children.  They bring me so much joy and I often wonder what life would be like without them and I offer a prayer of thanks that I have them in my life.
One of the highlights for me was to watch the way that they interact with one another and the outward love and affection that our children show for each other.
I realize that there are many who don't enjoy this blessing that I am talking about but I hope that love with become more prevalent within the homes of everyone and that we will all come to understand that when all is said and done, the family is all that really matters!

The Value Of A Laugh

We went for a short drive tonight and our boys, Danny and Brady, were settling in the very back seats of our van to begin a new DVD movie we had just purchased.  Danny says to Brady, "we need to laugh at least a couple of times every day, but today we have already laughed ten times."  It made Becky and I chuckle.  That started a conversation where we expressed our gratitude for happy children.
That brings me to my thought for today.  Different situations in our lives allow us opportunities to make a choice to be happy or to be sad. 
I like the approach that Danny took this evening, "we need to laugh at least a couple of times every day!"
I hope that each of us will choose to be happy even when given the opportunity where we could be justified in being sad.  Happiness is a great thing!  Choose today to wear a smile on your face and be the happy person you are destined to be.

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!