Gratitude
True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are...
Simple Gifts
I’m inspired by simplicity. Amazing, complex concepts can often be meaningfully summed up and expressed with a simple symbol. My heart sings to the words of “Simple Gifts,” a Shaker song written by Joseph Brackett: “‘Tis a gift to be simple, ‘Tis a gift to be free.”...
Forever Connected
Occasionally, someone captures the essence of feeling by articulating our sentiments perfectly. This happened for me in a round-about way when President and Sister Monson’s daughter, Ann Monson Dibb, spoke recently of her mother. As the children were growing up, her...
My Artist
What does my Down syndrome son do with his time? I am so accustomed to his routine now that it just occurred to me that the way my son spends his time might seem remarkable to other people. Virtually every minute of every day when he is at home he is positioned in...
Blessings Granted
“What if we lived each day as if the promised blessings we seek were already granted?” This question from a friend has truly caused my mind to ponder and I have come to one very important conclusion. God really, actually does want us to be happy. However obvious this...
Family Movie Night: Fox and the Hound
Anyone who knows me knows I am a Disney nut. I love animation and particularly almost anything from the house of mouse. However, it is no secret that the 70s and 80s were a bit of a rough patch for their animated films. In fact, with the massive disaster at the box...
The Fall and Atonement–Step by Step
This article was previously published on Mormonbasics.com Let me just say up front that I, like everyone else in the world, am incapable of understanding the true measure of the Fall of Adam and the Atonement of Christ as parts of one large event. Exactly how it was...
A Time To Be Thankful
Holidays are a time for traditions, and gatherings with family and friends. In fact some of my fondest childhood memories are from time spent with my family at our Grandparent’s home. Living in Michigan you could count on Thanksgiving being cold, and a bit of snow...
Service
GOAL: To focus on living the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) for one year. Shootings in Paris. Syrian refugees. Homeless veterans. What can I do? My weekly goal seems a pittance and insignificant in the face of such desperate need. I would open my home...
Be Grateful for Life on Earth
Over the summer months our air conditioning was out most of a week. We needed to get someone on it right away but it didn’t happen because of other circumstance. I was always very grateful for air conditioning as I live in the southern tip of Alabama where it is so...
Marriage: The Original Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Marriage, the family unit, was the “original Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.” — Michael Novak Since all my articles for this site in 2014 dealt with marriage, I promised myself that I would not do an article on marriage this year—then I saw this quote....
Recognizing The Holy Ghost
I sat forward riveted to the chair while my young women’s president taught us about Light and Truth. I remember finding our surroundings ironic. We sat in the darkest room in the building—the windowless classroom on the stage. But, light and truth burst onto the stage...
Facing Friendly Fire
Treachery. Nothing burns more than a family member or friend who is disloyal. It is true personally and in our families and teams. My oldest daughter is studying law. Because some men have committed horrible crimes, it seems to her like the professors are...
My Teacher Made A Difference
It was back in 1978, and I was a struggling high school student. In those days woodshop, PE, and auto mechanics were my favorite subjects—these classes meant fun and that was different. Oh and there was one other class I liked that year: English Admittedly, I felt...
Be Brave
The way back for me has not been an easy one. Thinking about it during my drive into work today, I was trying to think about how to pull my loved one away from the people that influence his choices, habits and thoughts. Then I thought about how long it has taken me...
Pain Is A Choice
One day I received a priesthood blessing in which I was told that God wanted me to know that He was aware I had received more than my fair share of trials over my lifetime. He also wanted me to know that He loved me and that every one of those trials had a purpose....
What Do You Really Know About Hell?
This article was previously published on Mormonbasics.com Most Christians think of Heaven or Hell as an either/or proposition. Not so. Mormon (LDS) scripture reveals that there is a lot more to Heaven, and a lot more to Hell than one typically thinks. This article...
Family Movie Night: Disney Animated Shorts Collection
Walt Disney Animated Shorts Collection- This week for Family Movie Night we have a special selection that any animation and Disney fan will love. This week we are talking about the recently released Walt Disney Animated Shorts Collection, which has just become...
Trials and Blessings–Be Grateful in All
There is a favorite hymn in my church called, “Count Your Many Blessings.” The first verse goes like this: When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings name them one by one, And it will...
To Your Health
This morning as I was fixing breakfast for my children I received a Facebook message from a friend. She wasn’t feeling well and was asking my advice on what she could do that wouldn’t involve drugs and or a costly doctor’s office visit. I inquired about her symptoms,...
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