Worn Out

Sorry everyone, for being late on my post. This past week my daughter and her husband went out of town for a couple of days and I had the privilege of caring for my two grandsons, one being 2 years old and the other 6 months.

I have been blessed with five wonderful children of my own and have handled raising them just fine; but by the end of this weekend, taking care of my grandsons, I found myself totally exhausted. My hair looked wild and out of control, no makeup, and clothes dirty from misc children things (throw up, dirt from the play ground, baby slobber, etc).

I love my grandchildren with all my heart and enjoy spending lots of time with them but I think I have forgotten how hard it was to take care of little ones. God, in his infinite wisdom, knew that having children were for the young because us older women just can't keep up as well.

Personally, I think some of it has to do with the fact that as a mom you are in your children's daily life and you don't realize how much you do because you just do it, every day. But once your children are grown and you don't have little ones to take care of and then you are thrown back into the ring with them, well, its a real wake up call to how much work goes into their daily needs. Who ever said that a stay at home mom wasn't a job was definitely not a mom.

Ladies, we older women need to remember what it was liking taking care of our children and offer some help from time to time to the younger moms who can get quite overwhelmed with the awesome responsibility of raising children. We could offer to babysit a couple of hours, take food for dinner, do some laundry or housekeeping, or maybe even take time to just sit and talk (meaning let them talk, you listen).

I know I am still grateful for those wonderful ladies who helped me out when I was a young mom trying to balance life. Their kindness was so welcome. Who knows maybe someday they can return the favor when you are too old to do some simple things around the house or need  transportation to a doctors appointment.

Doing good for one another is the way our Savior showed us in His wonderful example while here on earth. I want to be more like him and this can be a way for me to reach that goal.

Lack of Responsibility Today

Hello,

I don't know about you but I have noticed a lot of disrespect and lack of responsibility in many people today. Let me give you a for instance of something that happened to me this past week.

I was on my way home from work and was sitting at a light where there was about 3-4 cars in front of me. A car behind me wanted to get in the turn lane because there was only one car waiting to turn left at the time. I was sitting at the spot where the turn lane formed so this car went around me but he was a little too close and his side mirror hit my side mirror knocking it backwards, thank goodness someone was smart enough to create a flexible mirror or he would have broken it. But the point is he didn't stop to see if he did any damage to my car, he just kept going in the turn lane. I found myself fuming a little because he wasn't getting out to see if everything was ok, or anything. Where was the responsibility in this? Was this considered hit and run?

So when the light changed his lane didn't move which gave me an opportunity to say something. So I rolled down my window and he did the same, he had a huge smile on his face. I told him, "I just want to let you know that my mirror is fine, but it would have been nice if you had stopped to say I'm so sorry, is everything ok?" Of course he had an excuse for everything and I had several cars behind me honking their horn (rude), but I felt better letting him know how I felt about his lack of responsibility.

There was no excuse for him not stopping and making sure all was well. But it made me think about how people seem to be more and more irresponsible today with the day to day events; when did this change? I remember as a kid being taught responsibility when  I did damage to any one's belongings. My parents were very strict with teaching us manners and responsibility of ones self. I knew as I became a parent that it was something I would teach my children.

Just a few years ago my youngest son and his friend was playing with a paint ball gun in his friends back yard, which was next door to our house. It went off by accident and hit the metal shed in the yard next to his house. They went running, and my son came home. After a few minutes of hiding he came to me and told me what had happened. So we discussed it and went to the old mans house and told him what had happened. We asked how my son could fix the damage but the old man was kind enough to let it pass, however, he did reprimand my son but also praised him for being honest.

I went to the father of my sons friend and explained what we did thinking he might do the same since it was actually his neighbor, but no, he did nothing about it; I was amazed. How does he teach his children to become responsible? I guess he doesn't.

I just can't stand it when people do this. We, as righteous women need to teach our young to be responsible for their actions. This helps to mold them into good citizens and kind people. It helps them to be ready to answer to the Lord for all they have done in this life.

 Can you imagine the excuses on Judgement Day? I might like to be around to hear some of those, how do you hide the truth from God? You don't, you take responsibility and make it right, "...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Doing Good Daily

My church ward has a sign that says the "simple six things we should be doing daily". One of those things are to do a good deed daily for someone else. And then in General Conference we heard several talks that revolved around doing good for others. Needless to say I have been thinking a lot about service.

So I gave it a try last week and here is what I did:

Monday - Called my in-laws to see how my father-in-law was doing after surgery
Tuesday - Picked up my daughter from her meeting when she could have taken the taxi home
Wednesday - Helped some people with their genealogy research
Thursday - Took a meal to a sister from church who broke her arm
Friday - Took a 3 hour trip to take an extra vehicle to my daughter
Saturday - Joked with a cashier at the grocery store
Sunday - Listened for 3 hours while an elderly gentleman talked and talked about his life

Service isn't just about the big stuff, it's just...doing something good for someone when they need it.

In the Book of Mormon, Alma 37:6-7 says," . . . behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass...".

I don't know what great things have been brought to pass with my small acts of good deeds this past week but I know how I feel. I find myself opening my eyes a little more by seeking what good I can do for others. I am more aware of the people around me and their needs. I have to admit some days I had to really think about what I did good and was pleased that some things I did, that were not listed, I did just because it felt like the right thing to do.

Our Savior tells us over and over again that we need to take care of one another and when we do we will receive great blessings in our lives. I think one of those great blessings is in our health and the way we feel about life. It feels good to do good.

I have read some research that has been done on this and it says that when people do acts of service it does something good for their health (see the link below). We can all use a little lift in our health, right?

www.webmd.com/balance/features/science-good-deeds

I have been thinking very seriously about adding something new to my blog by asking you to share your acts of service with me and my readers. But I'm not sure how to do this yet. I will let you know in the near future when I get my thoughts together on how to make this work.

But until then I would love to hear about some of your random acts of kindness that you have shared with others or that others have shared with you. I think we really could see miracles happen if everyone started making that commitment to serve others daily.

When Opportunities Arise

So back a couple of years ago my daughter and my son-in-law gave me a surprise visit; they lived out of state in Utah. While we were visiting in the lobby of my work place another employee came by. I introduced my family to her and she said she lived in Utah once, so my return missionary son-in-law asks her if she is a Mormon. She replied only when she was little. After she left he turned to me and said there is your missionary opportunity.

A few months ago I received a quick phone call from her saying that I was the only person she could think of to share this exciting find that she had gotten involved in...Genealogy. She started sharing her stories of what she found and how far back she had gone, I informed her that I was the Family History Consultant at church so I could be of some help to her.

Just this week she called me again and shared some more news about a distant family member that she did not know, who she was able to contact her regarding a great-great grandparent. I was so excited for her. So we made plans to have lunch this month and see what all she has discovered since we last talked.

I am not a good missionary. I don't start conversations with people about the gospel but I have no problem discussing the gospel with people who ask questions and really want to know what we believe. I know a lot about the gospel and can probably answer just about any question. I have a strong testimony of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ but I have a hard time starting the discussions.

Now I have this opportunity to share the gospel through this love of genealogy that we both have, to help this wonderful daughter of God restore what she once had as a child. But I don't know how to make it happen. She has been placed in my path and I can't walk away without giving her something to think about.

As a righteous woman it is my responsibility to share what I know with people. The first thing I think I have to do is take this in prayer to my Heavenly Father and ask for direction because He knows her and what curiosities she might have. Next, I will probably try to share as much information as I can while we talk about the importance of family history. Perhaps this will be a start, all I know is here is an opportunity and I will have to answer for it if I don't act upon it.

She may not want to hear anything I have to say except for the genealogy tips and I will honor her wishes if that is the case but I will never know if I don't try.

Renewed Commitment

I just finished watching General Conference this weekend. Wow, such inspiring messages have been presented to millions of us faithfully watching. I have been spiritually fed from this weekend. It feels so good to listen to what things I should be doing and then plan to put it into play.

I reevaluated my life and have reset my goals. I prayed to know some things for my life and sure enough, I received answers to my prayers.

One question I asked about has to do with my career. I have been trying so hard to increase in my job. I have earned my masters degree since I worked for this company but I have not been promoted even once since. I couldn't figure out why but now I know, after this weekend.

Here is what I usually do once I get an interview with a different department. I feel real good about my interviews and the interviewer even says so. However, I pray before the interview to do real good, that is a;ways met. Then after, I pray that if it is a good direction and one that will not take more time away from my family then please help them to remember me and hire me for the position. But if it is not a good choice then please don't let me get it. Well...I don't get it. I get sad but then I think I did put it in His hands and now I have to have faith.

Well, again I have been praying about what he would have me do, and can I increase in my position? Well, this weekend I heard an answer that said my family must come first, to progress in my work needs to wait until they are grown ( my youngest is 16). It wasn't in those words exactly but that was the impression I got from the words that I did hear. So I will be content in my current job and when my youngest goes on his mission then I will see about changes in my job. My family needs me and that has to be first.

Also, I heard that I should be focusing more on my family history and temple work. I am already working on it but I think I need to focus even more on it. I'm not as organized as I want to be. I want my kids to be able to see what I have and be able to take over when the time comes. So now I am recommitted to my path that my Father has directed me to.

I will continue to strengthen my knowledge of the gospel and will prepare my son and possible my daughter for a mission. I will organize my family history work better and spend more time at the temple. If I can find success in the work that means the most in my life then, I know everything else will fall into place.

Man, I love feeling spiritually fed, I will be walking on clouds for days. I do love the gospel of Jesus Christ with all my heart. I am renewed with a new commitment for my life to serve the Lord with all my heart, mind and strength.

Stand Against Evil in Last Days

Hello,

Today, I took a short walk with a friend at work. We started talking about things and came around to the news of late revolving around young people, mostly teens. The news showed three teens arrested for killing someone, the youngest was 14 years old. Another news story mentioned a 14 year old girl who killed her full term baby because she didn't want to answer to her mother. We discussed why this could be happening so much in today's world.

Paul said in 2 Timothy Chapter 3;

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth

I think we see this today more than ever; we are in the last days. We see our young people, our future leaders, making decisions that turn all away from God.  How does a thing like this happen?

Satan's goal is to destroy mankind for eternity, he does this by focusing on the family. He wants to tear the family apart and he is doing a good job at it. If we are to protect our young we need to focus on ways to strengthen the family unit. We need to help our children learn to be responsible, productive citizens of this world. We need to help them learn to make good decisions and pay consequences when they make bad choices.

There are many helpful programs available through churches and community organizations, as well as online. We just have to seek for direction through prayer to our Heavenly Father and then get to work to save our future. Even us grandparents can help if we put our mind to it; actually I think we have no choice but to help. As a family we need to bond together and fight the battle that rages against us as spirit children of a Heavenly Father.

The steps are easy, we have to first recognize the problem, then pray and seek for direction, then act upon the answers we receive.Maybe we can't save all our youth but we as righteous woman can save as many as God directs us to save. God is in control of this world but we have to do our part to help build His Kingdom here on this earth. We have to stand up to the evil that is now becoming the norm.

If you are a young person reading this, then please read the scripture above, and do the opposite. Stand up for what you know is right and true. God gave us all the ability to know right from wrong so use it responsibly and help others to see your example in good. You are beloved children of God and he needs you more today than ever to stand up for truth and righteousness. Don't let Satan win, God made you stronger than Satan so show him by doing the right things.

Together we can win this battle, God, please bless our efforts and our youth!!!

Insurance for All

I am not a fan of politics because I think "we the people" get the raw end of the deal every time; I'm sure there are things we can do about that but that topic is for another time.

Obamacare seems to be in the middle of the political controversy lately. I really tried to think about the pros and cons of it but I won't bore you with my thoughts on it at this time. However, I will tell you my thoughts about a guaranteed insurance policy that is available to anyone who wants a part of it but it does require many helping hands to avoid a cost to those that need this insurance. There is a big need for insurance providers, so let's talk about how you can become a provider.

This insurance policy has health, short-term, long-term, disability, and life policies available. The following are ways you can help provide for this policy to become successful and desirable.

Health care:  This can be provided by sharing a smile, or a hand when a neighbor needs some help carrying in groceries. It can be provided by picking up garbage in your neighborhood or community. It can be provided by doing things like opening doors for others, taking a moment to listen to someone, and even talking to a shy person. These simply acts and many others can lift the hearts of the low in spirit.

Short-term insurance: This can be done by doing things like a providing a meal one night for a new mom, or someone who had minor surgery. It could be taking care of children one afternoon so a mom can rest for a while, or reading to an elderly or bed bound person. There are so many options to short-term insurance that can be beneficial to the health of others and it only requires anywhere from a few hours to a day or two of service.

Long-term insurance: This can be things like mowing a lawn weekly for an elderly person, or shoveling snow during the winter  months. It can be things like taking people to doctors appointments, or volunteering at a charitable organization. Long-term insurance is one that will last more than a day or two. There is a great need for this kind of insurance because its hard to commit to doing things for an extended length of time, but it just requires of good heart.

Disability insurance: This insurance is for those who are down and depressed, and can use a hand up from their lowest feelings of hopelessness. We can mourn with those that mourn and help them find peace in their hearts.  We can help those who feel lost find their way simply by listening to what they are saying and letting the spirit guide us in finding ways to uplift their souls. They are searching for His love but don't recognize what they are truly looking for. We can provide this form of insurance to those who can do it alone.

Life insurance: This is the best investment of insurance available because it is providing a source of help to others by guiding them to Heavenly Father. We know that the only way to eternal life is through our Savior. This policy can be for all who want it at no cost to them because the price has already been paid by our Gracious and Loving Savior, Jesus Christ. It is important that we offer this insurance to everyone who crosses our path. It is a free policy for all takers.

Anyone can have any or all of these insurances at anytime, even those with pre-existing conditions, especially those with pre-existing conditions. We all can benefit from this kind of care more than we know and we can all help provide the care that is needed, we just have to be willing to open our eyes  and hearts then act to provide for the needs of others. The cost to us is low because it just requires our time to help others. I know we can all find a few minutes in our day to make life a little better for someone else.

If we would act today in simple little ways we will see a mighty change in the health and well being of all mankind. It is available only if we are willing to be the providers of this insurance policy. This plan will uplift others and provide us with the best health care around. Who needs Obamacare when we have Eternal Care waiting for us. Let's not waste it.