We are spoiled

There was a young man in Africa who slept in a cot in the family kitchen, although he was about a foot taller than the cot was long. He was given a gift of a suitcase from his mother. This suitcase was battered and beat up. One that even Goodwill might reject. He placed this suitcase at the head of his cot so that he could stretch out when he slept. This suitcase was his prized possession. This suitcase though, was more than a pillow to him. You see, now he had a suitcase to take with him on his mission.

(A story Steve M. shared with me that Elder Bednar shared with him)

The worth of a "sole"...

The other day Doug noticed that one of his student had a gaping hole in his shoe...essentially, the whole sole was gone. The next day, Doug noticed the boy  was still wearing the same pair of shoes. He called me while I was at lunch with a friend. Doug called to ask me to bring the boy a pair of socks. He had found him a pair of shoes in the PE room. My friend immediately told me to find out the shoe size of the boy and said that she would like to buy him a pair of shoes. She was serious. The following day, Doug asked the boy how the shoes that he found were. He said they were fine, but a little small. Upon closer inspection Doug realized these shoes weren't even close to fitting.  Anyway, long story short-I texted my friend with the shoe size and within an hour, she dropped off to the school a brand new pair of shoes and a package of socks. And these were not spiderman shoes from Kmart either...these were a nice name brand shoe. With decorum and dignity, this boy was told that the Health Office had some shoes for him. Later that day, Doug noticed that this boy couldn't be happier with his new shoes.

Today, I am grateful for the incredible people that I have in my circle of friends. People who notice the plight of others and and do something about it (and not because the government told them too.)  My friend reminded me that when we do service for others we truly do forget ourselves for a while. Man, I have good friends.

Happy Birthday Abby!

My baby turned 11. She shares her birthday with 2 incredible men...her Uncle David and her Grandpa Hixon...

It's time to re-visit that old classic (that makes me think of my dad)

"The Men in My Little Girl's Life"

It seems like only yesterday

When I heard my little girl say

"Daddy, there's a boy outside

His name is Rod. He wants to play in our backyard.

Can he Daddy? Oh Please Daddy?

                                                     

Is it really so long ago, she'd come to me and want to know...

"Dad, there's a boy outside, His name is Lee

He wants to carry my books for me. 

Can he Daddy? Is it alright dad?

He's got freckles.

Then came pony tails and jeans 

And my little girl was in her teens...

"Popsie, there's a boy outside...

His name is Tom. he wants to take me to the prom.

OK Popsie? He's cute Popsie. We'll be home early.

Before I knew it, time had flown. And how my little one had grown.

Now it was, "Father, there's a boy outside. His name is Eddie. 

He wants to know if we can go steady. 

Can we Father? Can we borrow the car Father?

Yes, it seems like only yesterday, I heard my lovely daughter say,

"Dad, there's a boy outside. His name is Jim.

He asked me if I'd marry him. 

I said Yes, Dad.

Got something in your eye Dad? I love him Dad.

A child. An Adolescent. A young lady. A wife.

And oh, yes. There's another man in my little girl's life.

"Hi Dad. There's a boy outside. His name is Tim.

I told him Grandpa was going to babysit him.

Thanks Dad. Bless You Dad. Good Night Dad.

Happy Birthday to Abby, David and Dad!

The Prophet said to plant a garden...

I love planting and tending a garden. (Except when I find caterpillar things in there.)


Whenever I am in the garden weeding, watering or harvesting, my mind always turns heavenward.

I have discovered the the more time I spend in the garden, the easier it is to differentiate between young plants and weeds. At first glance, the weeds can appear as young plants. But as I spend time in the garden I learn what the plant is supposed to look like and I learn to recognize what the weeds look like.  I often find myself likening weeds to sins or bad habits.

I think about how the weeds, if not pulled, will take over my garden and hinder my plants growth. It makes me think of examining my own life on a regular basis looking for weeds that might be growing there. If I neglect my garden for a few days, the weeds can really take over and the task of pulling them can seem daunting.

I think about my kids, and how if some bad habits go unrecognized by me, their growth can be hindered. I often wonder if I am spending enough time with my kids. Do I recognize the weeds in their lives?

I have learned that the longer the weed is left in my garden, the deeper and bigger the root grows. It becomes harder it is to pull out. The earlier I can pluck theses offensive things out of my fertile soil, the easier it is.

I think about the things that are needed to help things grow. Soil, sunlight, water. I think about the importance of daily prayer and scripture study.

As I plant the small seed, I recognize that I am exhibiting faith that something will grow. I have faith that the person who put the seed in the packet knew what kind of seed it was. I have faith that nature will do it's thing and help my plant to grow. I think about how great it is that from a small seed, beautiful things can grow. And so it is with faith.

I think about reaping my harvest. It takes a lot of work to prepare, plant and tend for a garden. The rewards don't always come immediately. But in due time, the rewards will some. Just not on my timetable.


My heart is filled with gratitude for a Heavenly Father who as part of His plan for us gave us gardens.

Spring

Did God have to make popcorn trees so fun?

No. But he did.

My Homage to the Oscars

I'd like to thank my producer, Heavenly Father.  Without him, my life would never had happened.  This entire universe in which we live was his production. His vision. How grateful I am for him.

I'd like to thank the casting directors...my mom and dad. They chose to have me. They wanted me. They wanted me to succeed in this role.

I'd like to thank the greatest director ever...the Holy Ghost. He has been there to lead and guide me. To help me become the best me I can. When I follow his direction, life just is better.

I'd like to thank my co-stars for helping me in this role. My friends, family and children who add color and interest to my life.

I'd also like to thank my leading man-how fortunate I was to be able to work so closely with him through so many stages of my life.

I am grateful for the script. The scriptures and the words of our prophets are an incredible source of comfort and knowledge.

The the editor of our life is Jesus Christ. It is because of Him our mistakes can be corrected. How grateful I will be on that judgement day for all the scenes in my life that will be on the cutting room floor.

Did I forget anything?

ok---this is funny/sad

I just learned yesterday that my 87 1/2 year old mother-in-law instead of showering,  has been spraying herself

with Febreeze so she doesn't stink.