We have a lot of work to do. Have I done any good in the world today? I haven't even gotten dressed today. The world has no use for the drone. Deleted. To God each good deed will be known. And so He knows that I haven't even gotten dressed yet today.
Consider the lilies of the field. They are so beautiful and they softly shift together in the wind, making a gentle dance as the float in time on the breeze. God covers the lands with lilies and flowers of all sorts because he clothes the earth with beauty for our enjoyment.
Aren't we greater than the lilies, which toil not nor spin? We are God's children. He created the lilies and everything else for our enjoyment and for a perfect balance in this world he gave us. And He will clothe us from day to day, but he will not personally dress us. We've got to do some things on our own. But he knows us fully, and he understands us when we have not yet dressed for the day.
The lily's life is short. They will pass away as grass in an oven. Our lives here are fleeting, too. But if we improve upon our time in this life, if we learn to dress ourselves not only in our clothes, but in the whole armor of God, God will clothe us with glory from on high in the resurrection. We were not made to pass away as dust in the wind, but to live eternally in our Father's presense. We are better than lilies to Him. We were created for His enjoyment. We are His children, and His greatest desire is for us to return home to Him.
Consider the lilies. Consider your clothing. Consider your talents. Consider sharing the lilies, your clothing, your talents, your God-given blessings with those around you. There is much work to be done. Get dressed and get going. You can help to clothe others with those things that are essential for them to have in their lives, even as the Lord feeds and clothes you each day. Be His son or His daughter. Clothe the world and your brothers and sisters like he does, and then float gently in a beautiful dance. Be in harmony with God, with yourself, with others, and with the lilies.
At the end of Elder McConkies life, he was extremely ill from cancer, but every morning he would fully dress in a suit. Even while lying on his deathbed, he would pray that if God were be willing to give him the strength, he would get off of that bed and go minister. I would like to develop the faith to want to minsiter even when I don't feel like getting dressed or preparing for the day. I would like to develop the love for others so that I do not have fear. Perfect love, we are told, casts out all fear.
So even though I am getting dressed late today, it is not too late for me to get dressed, and I will be dressed earlier tomorrow. The Lord knows the good things that I have done today, and he knows that I am capable of doing more. He will gently remind us of those things that are important for us to do, those things that are important to Him. So I'll press out of my comfort zone dressed to minister. Would you like a lily?
Showing posts with label Thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thoughts. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
We All Come from the Same Parentage
A friend on Facebook posted this as her status: A girl in my class says "I cant help but be prejudiced against someone who doesn't believe like I do." This attitude is exactly whats wrong with this world!
I responded, Are you prejudiced against her for her prejudice?
My friend: lol... I actually thought about this later... And I would say no. I wouldn't decide to never associate with her because of her comment. I was shocked though, and I definitely don't agree. Disagreeing is much different than being prejudice.
My response: Too true. Plus, you can never get rid or prejudice through ignorance or ignoring. I have found that people are even opinionated over non-important things; sometimes it's hard to resolve differences on anything of significance when one or more parties are so caught up thinking that their way is the only way or the best way. You even hear people say things like, "I'll never use Facebook." That's fine; it's their choice. But it doesn't mean that they are better than those of us that do, or that they are right and we are wrong. It would be good if people really looked a little deeper at core values. They would find that they share similarities with people from all different walks of life. Cultures may be different; languages may not be understood; customs may seem confusing; but, if we really look at deep rooted values, I am convinced that we would be able to recognize each other as brothers and sisters a whole lot more easily.
I responded, Are you prejudiced against her for her prejudice?
My friend: lol... I actually thought about this later... And I would say no. I wouldn't decide to never associate with her because of her comment. I was shocked though, and I definitely don't agree. Disagreeing is much different than being prejudice.
My response: Too true. Plus, you can never get rid or prejudice through ignorance or ignoring. I have found that people are even opinionated over non-important things; sometimes it's hard to resolve differences on anything of significance when one or more parties are so caught up thinking that their way is the only way or the best way. You even hear people say things like, "I'll never use Facebook." That's fine; it's their choice. But it doesn't mean that they are better than those of us that do, or that they are right and we are wrong. It would be good if people really looked a little deeper at core values. They would find that they share similarities with people from all different walks of life. Cultures may be different; languages may not be understood; customs may seem confusing; but, if we really look at deep rooted values, I am convinced that we would be able to recognize each other as brothers and sisters a whole lot more easily.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Arrogance and Ignorance
Arrogance and ignorance do not make a good suit, but they are so often paired together.
I know that sometimes I am ignorant and sometimes I am arrogant. I just hope that I will be careful enough to not be both at the same time. It is so unbecoming.
QUAE SURSAM SUNT QUAERITE
These Latin words are on the emblem of the school uniform that I wore when I attended Friends School Lisburn.
SEEK THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE.
Good sound advice.
I know that sometimes I am ignorant and sometimes I am arrogant. I just hope that I will be careful enough to not be both at the same time. It is so unbecoming.
QUAE SURSAM SUNT QUAERITE
These Latin words are on the emblem of the school uniform that I wore when I attended Friends School Lisburn.
SEEK THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE.
Good sound advice.
Monday, February 22, 2010
"You Can Be Right; I'll Be Happy"
As you read this, please understand that I will react differently in the future. My relationships with family and friends are so much more important to me than proving my point or winning an argument. I purposely did not include the material that presented the argument issue because my intent is not to prove anyone correct or incorrect. "You may be right; I may be crazy."
I was baited into a dead end debate this past weekend. I posted a Youtube video on Facebook that was against recent propositions for health care reform. I realize that all media has its biases, but I am so against the measures that current proposals have had. Someone took offense that I would post something that he considered so erroneous. He said that it didn’t represent a real bill. (But it did cite pages and lines.) I’m sure that the video was flavored by the one who made the video, but it did get its original content from a real bill. He implied that my cousin and I were spewing lies on Facebook and that we were stupid for posting the video.
One of his comments included a site which he said proved that the video was incorrect. I didn’t find this source any more trustworthy than the source we posted. But, once again, I wasn’t trying to credit or discredit my post or credit this person and discredit myself. I just don’t think that I was leading anyone astray. I definitely was stating that I am opposed to the current ideas for healthcare reform. Socialized medicine just does not work. But I do think that all of my friends can sift through what is real and what is not on their own. I give them credit for that.
My initial reaction was just to delete his comments. That’s where I wish I had left it. But I first saw the video when my cousin had posted it, and he also left many derogatory comments on her post. So I sent a note to his in-box.
As it turns out, we all feel pretty much the same about health care issues. His intent was to prove that he was right and to get me to fess up that I was wrong. He claimed to care about just posting truth, being brutally truthful as he would call it. My point was that I had a right to post things whether they are true or not. I think that all my friends are intelligent enough to take a video expression for what it is. I think that we all know that there are biases and propaganda involved in posting different sides to an issue. But he feels like he must defend issues that he opposes if they aren’t presented as he thinks they should be. So he pursued winning an argument instead of reaching a consensus. I feel more of a responsibility to be diplomatic than manipulative. I would rather retain a friendship with someone whom I share similar values than win an argument. It must be a lonely position to have to be right always.
His claim was we were passing on scare tactics with this video. He said that just makes it so partisan and that everyone should do research and not just spew lies. If partisan means being able to have your own thoughts and not have someone else tell you what you can and cannot post, then I guess I am for partisanship. I think it is interesting that we were actually “united” in how we feel about health care proposals, and yet he felt that he had to argue the point of the truth of a video not to persuade us that it was wrong, but to tell us that we are stupid and that he is correct. I really don’t think he cared so much about whether or not it was true as he did about winning an argument.
I originally had our interactions posted on my blog in their entirety. But my intent is not to prove that I am right and he is wrong or vice versa. So I deleted them. I often post blogs even while I am drafting and revising. My intent is to say that we should be kind and gentle with one another. If we want to persuade someone to see our point of view, it should be done with respect and not criticism. We should be able to allow others to believe what they want even if we think our beliefs are better. If we really care about someone being misinformed, we should approach them with kindness and express our opinions in a thoughtful manner. It doesn’t ever work to try to force someone to see things your way.
I tried to use private interaction by writing to his inbox. He preferred public interaction that would draw more people into the argument. He said that I was childish for removing his comments and that he would never hide anyone, delete their comments, or delete them as a Facebook friend.
I woke up Sunday morning with the intent to write him an apology for carrying this on so far. Well Sunday is a busy day for me. Finishing preparations for my Sunday school lesson came first. When I did look at Facebook in the afternoon, I found that he had copied my blog notes of our conversation into his own blog. He posted it on my Facebook page for me to go see. I read it; plus I read his dad’s reaction to it which was very wise and kind. I did write him a nice letter; I told him that I deleted the video and my blog notes; I even told him good luck with his new blog post. I thought that it was finished then.
But then I saw that he was really looking for validation that he was right on his own Facebook page. A friend of his told him that she had deleted someone over a politic issue a month or so ago. She was trying to persuade him that it wasn’t worth it to argue over politics. I did post a comment saying that I agreed with her and that it was over. He continued his debate with his friend that was posting comments and a new argument ensued. So instead of being baited in again and instead of worrying about how he is trying to present me to all of his friends, I did delete him as a Facebook friend. Childish, no. I care more about him and about myself than to continue arguing over things of such little import at the expense of kind feelings. It really doesn’t matter who’s right. It matters who knows how to walk away without proving he is right. Hopefully, I can apply this lesson better next time.
I was baited into a dead end debate this past weekend. I posted a Youtube video on Facebook that was against recent propositions for health care reform. I realize that all media has its biases, but I am so against the measures that current proposals have had. Someone took offense that I would post something that he considered so erroneous. He said that it didn’t represent a real bill. (But it did cite pages and lines.) I’m sure that the video was flavored by the one who made the video, but it did get its original content from a real bill. He implied that my cousin and I were spewing lies on Facebook and that we were stupid for posting the video.
One of his comments included a site which he said proved that the video was incorrect. I didn’t find this source any more trustworthy than the source we posted. But, once again, I wasn’t trying to credit or discredit my post or credit this person and discredit myself. I just don’t think that I was leading anyone astray. I definitely was stating that I am opposed to the current ideas for healthcare reform. Socialized medicine just does not work. But I do think that all of my friends can sift through what is real and what is not on their own. I give them credit for that.
My initial reaction was just to delete his comments. That’s where I wish I had left it. But I first saw the video when my cousin had posted it, and he also left many derogatory comments on her post. So I sent a note to his in-box.
As it turns out, we all feel pretty much the same about health care issues. His intent was to prove that he was right and to get me to fess up that I was wrong. He claimed to care about just posting truth, being brutally truthful as he would call it. My point was that I had a right to post things whether they are true or not. I think that all my friends are intelligent enough to take a video expression for what it is. I think that we all know that there are biases and propaganda involved in posting different sides to an issue. But he feels like he must defend issues that he opposes if they aren’t presented as he thinks they should be. So he pursued winning an argument instead of reaching a consensus. I feel more of a responsibility to be diplomatic than manipulative. I would rather retain a friendship with someone whom I share similar values than win an argument. It must be a lonely position to have to be right always.
His claim was we were passing on scare tactics with this video. He said that just makes it so partisan and that everyone should do research and not just spew lies. If partisan means being able to have your own thoughts and not have someone else tell you what you can and cannot post, then I guess I am for partisanship. I think it is interesting that we were actually “united” in how we feel about health care proposals, and yet he felt that he had to argue the point of the truth of a video not to persuade us that it was wrong, but to tell us that we are stupid and that he is correct. I really don’t think he cared so much about whether or not it was true as he did about winning an argument.
I originally had our interactions posted on my blog in their entirety. But my intent is not to prove that I am right and he is wrong or vice versa. So I deleted them. I often post blogs even while I am drafting and revising. My intent is to say that we should be kind and gentle with one another. If we want to persuade someone to see our point of view, it should be done with respect and not criticism. We should be able to allow others to believe what they want even if we think our beliefs are better. If we really care about someone being misinformed, we should approach them with kindness and express our opinions in a thoughtful manner. It doesn’t ever work to try to force someone to see things your way.
I tried to use private interaction by writing to his inbox. He preferred public interaction that would draw more people into the argument. He said that I was childish for removing his comments and that he would never hide anyone, delete their comments, or delete them as a Facebook friend.
I woke up Sunday morning with the intent to write him an apology for carrying this on so far. Well Sunday is a busy day for me. Finishing preparations for my Sunday school lesson came first. When I did look at Facebook in the afternoon, I found that he had copied my blog notes of our conversation into his own blog. He posted it on my Facebook page for me to go see. I read it; plus I read his dad’s reaction to it which was very wise and kind. I did write him a nice letter; I told him that I deleted the video and my blog notes; I even told him good luck with his new blog post. I thought that it was finished then.
But then I saw that he was really looking for validation that he was right on his own Facebook page. A friend of his told him that she had deleted someone over a politic issue a month or so ago. She was trying to persuade him that it wasn’t worth it to argue over politics. I did post a comment saying that I agreed with her and that it was over. He continued his debate with his friend that was posting comments and a new argument ensued. So instead of being baited in again and instead of worrying about how he is trying to present me to all of his friends, I did delete him as a Facebook friend. Childish, no. I care more about him and about myself than to continue arguing over things of such little import at the expense of kind feelings. It really doesn’t matter who’s right. It matters who knows how to walk away without proving he is right. Hopefully, I can apply this lesson better next time.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
What Love Means to Me Now
http://tinyurl.com/aolsvot
When I was young, I was in love with the idea of being in love. Now that I've lived a few years, I have found that love is constancy. It is a sweetheart that listens and cares and is there for you in good times and bad, that values you at your best and your worst. It is being that sweetheart for your mate. Love is holding your newborn child in your arms, and then holding that child again when he's a teenager or a grownup. Love is enjoying the simple pleasures of life with someone else; it is sharing those things with someone else. Love is not being afraid to be yourself in your sweetheart's presence. Love is being a better self because you are whole when you are with your special someone. Love is lifting that person up and helping him be his best self. "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." The collective memories of the love I've shared with my husband take my breath away. The individual quiet moments that we share in love making take my breath away. The children God has sent to us take my breath away. The memories of all our days together take my breath away. And all these things restore my breath, restore my hope, and give me new life.
The kind of love that Jesus has for us is called Charity. It is the kind of love that we should seek to develop in our relationships with one another:
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth...And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity ( See 1 Corinthians 13:4-13). Christ's love for us will never fail. It is always His purpose to lift us up. We should follow His example and work to love each other with an everlasting love and the desire to lift each other up.
I have been blessed with a wonderful husband. I am in love and in awe of his love. Happy Valentine's Day, dearest Bobby. I am in love with our beautiful children. We have six. I am in love with our Heavenly Father's plan. Because of His love for us, He sent His Only Begotten Son.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved (See John 3:16-17).
I am thankful that because of Jesus Christ's mission of love, my love for my family and their love for me can extend beyond the grave and throughout eternity.
I Stand All Amazed
by Charles H. Gabriel
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me
Oh, it is wonderful
Wonderful to me
I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine
That he should extend his great love unto such as I
Sufficient to own, to redeem and to justify
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me
Oh, it is wonderful
Wonderful to me
I think of his hands, pierced and bleeding to pay my debt
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me
Oh, it is wonderful
Wonderful to me
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me
Secure in the promise of life in his victory
Thus ransomed from death I will live to my Savior's praise
And sing of his goodness and mercy through endless days
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me
Oh, it is wonderful
Wonderful to me
God is love. And God delights in us loving and serving one another. Happy Valentine's Day. Because of Christ's atonement, Love will conquer all.
Another blog about love:
Thankful for My Marriage
When I was young, I was in love with the idea of being in love. Now that I've lived a few years, I have found that love is constancy. It is a sweetheart that listens and cares and is there for you in good times and bad, that values you at your best and your worst. It is being that sweetheart for your mate. Love is holding your newborn child in your arms, and then holding that child again when he's a teenager or a grownup. Love is enjoying the simple pleasures of life with someone else; it is sharing those things with someone else. Love is not being afraid to be yourself in your sweetheart's presence. Love is being a better self because you are whole when you are with your special someone. Love is lifting that person up and helping him be his best self. "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." The collective memories of the love I've shared with my husband take my breath away. The individual quiet moments that we share in love making take my breath away. The children God has sent to us take my breath away. The memories of all our days together take my breath away. And all these things restore my breath, restore my hope, and give me new life.
The kind of love that Jesus has for us is called Charity. It is the kind of love that we should seek to develop in our relationships with one another:
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth...And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity ( See 1 Corinthians 13:4-13). Christ's love for us will never fail. It is always His purpose to lift us up. We should follow His example and work to love each other with an everlasting love and the desire to lift each other up.
I have been blessed with a wonderful husband. I am in love and in awe of his love. Happy Valentine's Day, dearest Bobby. I am in love with our beautiful children. We have six. I am in love with our Heavenly Father's plan. Because of His love for us, He sent His Only Begotten Son.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved (See John 3:16-17).
I am thankful that because of Jesus Christ's mission of love, my love for my family and their love for me can extend beyond the grave and throughout eternity.
I Stand All Amazed
by Charles H. Gabriel
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me
Oh, it is wonderful
Wonderful to me
I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine
That he should extend his great love unto such as I
Sufficient to own, to redeem and to justify
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me
Oh, it is wonderful
Wonderful to me
I think of his hands, pierced and bleeding to pay my debt
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me
Oh, it is wonderful
Wonderful to me
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me
Secure in the promise of life in his victory
Thus ransomed from death I will live to my Savior's praise
And sing of his goodness and mercy through endless days
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me
Oh, it is wonderful
Wonderful to me
God is love. And God delights in us loving and serving one another. Happy Valentine's Day. Because of Christ's atonement, Love will conquer all.
Another blog about love:
Thankful for My Marriage
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Again and Again
Have you ever found that the most difficult commandment is to endure to the end? I can be perfectly at peace for a minute. I can be perfectly charitable for an hour. I can be on top of the world for a day. But one small mishap can quickly shatter it all. I guess it is a little bit like Peter walking on water. He had his eyes on the Lord, and he was doing it! Then he noticed the great expanse of water all about him, and he quickly began to sink.
I remember the first time I prayed about the Book of Mormon. I was twelve. I wanted to know if it was true. So I put Moroni's challenge to the test, and I asked Heavenly Father in Jesus's name if it was true. I felt the greatest peace and calm come over me. It was beautiful. I wanted to hold onto that feeling, and I relished that experience the entire evening. I savored it.
I finished the Book of Mormon again a couple days ago. I prayed about it again, and I felt the same Spirit that I did when I was twelve. Then last night as I was reading, I felt that same Spirit. Then one small conversation brought the worries of the world back into my heart, and the peace was chased away. Why did I allow that? I guess it's because we need to be aware of the water all around us constantly, so that we don't sink. We need to look to the Lord like Peter did.
I have found grace and mercy and obtained a forgiveness of my sins. That is a sweet experience. But then I have been caught up in the struggles of daily life, and I continue to make mistakes and I constantly fall short of the glory of God. Again and again, I need to rely on Him and on His redeeming blood to save me. Plateaus are no good. Ladders do not always progress at a vertical slope. But Jesus is a constant. If I could learn to always keep my eye on Him, I know that His perfectness would carry me. How can one sink when Jesus is his focus?
I do not understand how He only did His Father's will and never followed a personal agenda. My small, insignificant tasks are often left undone because I get sidetracked by the things I want to do right now, thinking that I will do the things I should do later. And so I rob myself of peaceful free time and the satisfication of meeting some timely goals. How did He do it?
I know that I need to be more prayerful and turn over my life more to my Heavenly Father, but I'm quite content with how my life is now. I am truly uncertain of the new steps required in such an intricate dance. But I know that when I am ready to learn, He is willing, able, and ready to teach me. I need the faith; I need the courage; and I need the ability to regain focus after every time I notice all the water surrounding me.
Lord, don't let me sink. And, help Thou my unbelief. Again and again, I need Thee.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Happy Birthday, Ed
1 February 2013
This post was originally written in 2010; that was three years ago. Ed was born on 1 February 1964; He would now be 49 this year. It is hard to believe that he has been gone from us for nearly nine years. He passed away on 23 May 2004.
I'm glad that we still have contact with his wife, their son, and his brothers. We spent time with them this past August. I know that Ed is looking down smiling on those three young boys (and on their older brother, too). Like I said at his funeral, there were two things that Ed really felt sure about: the first one was the gospel and His love for the Savior; the second, he was sure he wanted to be with Melinda. It was wonderful to see and feel how much love Ed had for his wife and son when we were all at my parents for their wedding. That was a perfect day.
1 February 2010
Today my brother would have turned 46, but his life was cut short nearly 6 years ago. He died in a drowning accident leaving behind a wife and a son. Today his son is 6 1/2. I spent time with him, his mother and her sister, and his twin brothers this summer. It is delightful to still see Ed in his son's eyes.
Ed left behind many friends. I really don't know many people like Ed; he was a friend to everyone. So many people told me at his funeral, "Ed was my best friend."
I feel kind of guilty that I didn't know him much in our adult lives. I lived out of state and I was married. But I have always loved Ed. Ed was two years younger than me, and as children, we did so much together. I especially remember playing in Horman's basement. We all had a good time playing blind man's bluff in the long hallway. Briggs would somehow climb the wall and be on the ceiling above of us all.
Ed had a beautiful voice. Clear as crystal. He loved to sing. As a child, our Oma would give him money to sing to her. I didn't think that was so fair, but I'm glad she did. As an adult he would sing all the time. Melinda said that he would just break out in song in the middle of the store if he heard a song he liked. He loved to sing Karaoke. He had the most winning smile and the kindest eyes.
He loved to be with people. With Ed, the more the merrier. He never wanted to leave anyone out. He loved to color and do puzzles. He loved to watch Hawaii-Five-O and Bananza. He loved to go to movies, and to bowl, and to play tennis. he was great at tennis and basketball. He loved to laugh. To Ed, life was about fun and about being with family and friends.
I would love if any of you that knew Ed would share a memory with me, or your thoughts and impressions of Ed. Sometimes, I try to recall the good memories and all I can do is cry because I miss him. I know that he must be in a happy place, but I'm sad for his son to grow up without a father and for his wife to be without her husband. To my cousin, Nancy Ann, thank you for your thought of sending him a helium balloon today. I would really appreciate it if you do.
Let's all remember our loved ones: those with us and those far away, those already gone home to heaven and those yet to be on earth. If we remember them with love, they are alive in our hearts. If we live with love and kindess for all our brothers and sisters, we will become like God and all be together again.
Ed, thanks for being my brother. I miss you. Happy Birthday.
Notes copied from Facebook:
Heather: I could not leave a reply. I said that I loved Ed and you playing in my current home. I loved him working at Smith's and was always helpful and smiling. I was so sad when he left! Life is too short for Ed and Shelley (my sister). Celebrate a good life.
Me: Thanks, Heather, I copied your reply onto the blog. :-)
Penny: Happy birthday to your brother.
Heidi (another one): Happy birthday Ed! I'm so sorry his life was so short. I loved seiing him at Ardell Brown RV. I'm sending my love to you and all of Ed's loved ones.
Brenda: Thinking off you all today on Ed's birthday. Sorry I never got to meet him.
Me: We'll all have a big party together one day when Jesus returns. :-)
Korby: Amen Heidi! Shelley and Eddie were 2 great people that I had the chance to grow up with. I miss them both. They are great examples to me and cannot wait to see them again!
Michelle: I have so many memories of ed. Especially singing! He spent a lot of christmas time with us and one year I got a kareoke machine we sang shaniah twain for hours. I loved all the spiritual gifts he gave our family. But most of all us kids loved how he gave us boxes of cereal every year.
Sheila: Michelle is right. There are many memories of Ed. He loved to sing and it was fun doing karaoke with him. The kids loved Ed and when he was working at Smith's he would buy them a favorite box of cereal for Christmas. He also gave us Saturday's Warrior when the kids were small and they watched it over and over. Mark used to joke that Michelle would know all the songs by heart before she knew her ABC's. Great memories.
Sheila: Happy Birthday Ed. We love you.
Laurie: happy birthday to one of my best childhood friends. I was so sad to hear that he had passed away....save us a place in heaven:D love you laurie jean.
(Uncle Des liked the link. :-)
Dee:Thanks for this remembrance of Ed.
Posts from Saturday, January 30:
Me: Happy Birthday, Brother Eddie. My brother's birthday is this Monday, February 1. He would have turned 46 this year, but he passed away almost six years ago. We all love and miss him. I'm thankful he is my brother forever.
Korby: Eddie was a great guy! I miss him as well!
Michelle: I miss him so much! Sad to think about him being gone....
Wendy: Every time I hear the song "I'm already there" that was played at his funeral I think of him!
Me: Yeah, I do, too. There are so many fun and wonderful memories.
Michelle: I cry every time I hear that.
Lisa: I saw a guy the other day that looked like Eddie. I thought about him a lot after seeing this man. He was too young. I miss him.
Me: I've seen some men that look like Ed, too. He was really handsome. Thank you all for your comments. :-)
Heather: I loved his smile and laugh.
Nancy: I will send a helium balloon to heaven on Monday.
John: whoa, it's been six years? Ed was a great guy...
This post was originally written in 2010; that was three years ago. Ed was born on 1 February 1964; He would now be 49 this year. It is hard to believe that he has been gone from us for nearly nine years. He passed away on 23 May 2004.
I'm glad that we still have contact with his wife, their son, and his brothers. We spent time with them this past August. I know that Ed is looking down smiling on those three young boys (and on their older brother, too). Like I said at his funeral, there were two things that Ed really felt sure about: the first one was the gospel and His love for the Savior; the second, he was sure he wanted to be with Melinda. It was wonderful to see and feel how much love Ed had for his wife and son when we were all at my parents for their wedding. That was a perfect day.
1 February 2010
Today my brother would have turned 46, but his life was cut short nearly 6 years ago. He died in a drowning accident leaving behind a wife and a son. Today his son is 6 1/2. I spent time with him, his mother and her sister, and his twin brothers this summer. It is delightful to still see Ed in his son's eyes.
Ed left behind many friends. I really don't know many people like Ed; he was a friend to everyone. So many people told me at his funeral, "Ed was my best friend."
I feel kind of guilty that I didn't know him much in our adult lives. I lived out of state and I was married. But I have always loved Ed. Ed was two years younger than me, and as children, we did so much together. I especially remember playing in Horman's basement. We all had a good time playing blind man's bluff in the long hallway. Briggs would somehow climb the wall and be on the ceiling above of us all.
Ed had a beautiful voice. Clear as crystal. He loved to sing. As a child, our Oma would give him money to sing to her. I didn't think that was so fair, but I'm glad she did. As an adult he would sing all the time. Melinda said that he would just break out in song in the middle of the store if he heard a song he liked. He loved to sing Karaoke. He had the most winning smile and the kindest eyes.
He loved to be with people. With Ed, the more the merrier. He never wanted to leave anyone out. He loved to color and do puzzles. He loved to watch Hawaii-Five-O and Bananza. He loved to go to movies, and to bowl, and to play tennis. he was great at tennis and basketball. He loved to laugh. To Ed, life was about fun and about being with family and friends.
I would love if any of you that knew Ed would share a memory with me, or your thoughts and impressions of Ed. Sometimes, I try to recall the good memories and all I can do is cry because I miss him. I know that he must be in a happy place, but I'm sad for his son to grow up without a father and for his wife to be without her husband. To my cousin, Nancy Ann, thank you for your thought of sending him a helium balloon today. I would really appreciate it if you do.
Let's all remember our loved ones: those with us and those far away, those already gone home to heaven and those yet to be on earth. If we remember them with love, they are alive in our hearts. If we live with love and kindess for all our brothers and sisters, we will become like God and all be together again.
Ed, thanks for being my brother. I miss you. Happy Birthday.
Notes copied from Facebook:
Heather: I could not leave a reply. I said that I loved Ed and you playing in my current home. I loved him working at Smith's and was always helpful and smiling. I was so sad when he left! Life is too short for Ed and Shelley (my sister). Celebrate a good life.
Me: Thanks, Heather, I copied your reply onto the blog. :-)
Penny: Happy birthday to your brother.
Heidi (another one): Happy birthday Ed! I'm so sorry his life was so short. I loved seiing him at Ardell Brown RV. I'm sending my love to you and all of Ed's loved ones.
Brenda: Thinking off you all today on Ed's birthday. Sorry I never got to meet him.
Me: We'll all have a big party together one day when Jesus returns. :-)
Korby: Amen Heidi! Shelley and Eddie were 2 great people that I had the chance to grow up with. I miss them both. They are great examples to me and cannot wait to see them again!
Michelle: I have so many memories of ed. Especially singing! He spent a lot of christmas time with us and one year I got a kareoke machine we sang shaniah twain for hours. I loved all the spiritual gifts he gave our family. But most of all us kids loved how he gave us boxes of cereal every year.
Sheila: Michelle is right. There are many memories of Ed. He loved to sing and it was fun doing karaoke with him. The kids loved Ed and when he was working at Smith's he would buy them a favorite box of cereal for Christmas. He also gave us Saturday's Warrior when the kids were small and they watched it over and over. Mark used to joke that Michelle would know all the songs by heart before she knew her ABC's. Great memories.
Sheila: Happy Birthday Ed. We love you.
Laurie: happy birthday to one of my best childhood friends. I was so sad to hear that he had passed away....save us a place in heaven:D love you laurie jean.
(Uncle Des liked the link. :-)
Dee:Thanks for this remembrance of Ed.
Posts from Saturday, January 30:
Me: Happy Birthday, Brother Eddie. My brother's birthday is this Monday, February 1. He would have turned 46 this year, but he passed away almost six years ago. We all love and miss him. I'm thankful he is my brother forever.
Korby: Eddie was a great guy! I miss him as well!
Michelle: I miss him so much! Sad to think about him being gone....
Wendy: Every time I hear the song "I'm already there" that was played at his funeral I think of him!
Me: Yeah, I do, too. There are so many fun and wonderful memories.
Michelle: I cry every time I hear that.
Lisa: I saw a guy the other day that looked like Eddie. I thought about him a lot after seeing this man. He was too young. I miss him.
Me: I've seen some men that look like Ed, too. He was really handsome. Thank you all for your comments. :-)
Heather: I loved his smile and laugh.
Nancy: I will send a helium balloon to heaven on Monday.
John: whoa, it's been six years? Ed was a great guy...
Monday, January 25, 2010
Thankful for My Marriage
http://tinyurl.com/bfc3hdx
I just had to take a minute before getting ready for bed to say I'm thankful. Yes, I am. I have a pretty great life. I married a man that's honest and true and works hard. And best of all, he love me, and I love him. We aren't perfect by any means. But we kiss each other good-bye every morning. We greet each other with a kiss in the evening. We pray together and we talk to each other. When we are away from each other, we miss each other. I thought that all of this was fairly normal. But in today's world, we actually seem to be the exception. Thanks, Bob, I'm glad that we are on the good side of the statistics. I was going to say, thanks for breaking the rules with me, but I think we are doing okay because we are keeping the rules.
It makes me sad, and a bit crazy, to see all the sadness that couples cause each other. Stop, stop keeping score. Decide to be happy, and try to find happiness in pleasing your spouse. It works. Go out of your way to do something nice, something kind, something little that will bring a big smile. Why not? Don't you want to be happy? It's fun to do kind things for that person that you fell in love with and wanted to be with forever. Why did you stop doing the fun, happy things? Didn't you notice that when you stopped thinking about and giving to your spouse, you stopped caring like you should? Forget about it if you don't have enough money. You can't hug your money, or sleep with it, or kiss it hello or good-bye. Good grief. If you got rid of your spouse, you still wouldn't have any more money. In fact, you'd probably have a lot less.
I need to stop worrying about other people's problems so much. But afterall, you are my family and friends, too. I can't fix anything for you. But the Lord can heal the wounds you've caused each other if you let Him; He can teach you how to help each other, too. He can even give you a portion of His Spirit every day if you just ask Him and tell Him that you need His help. With that Spirt, you can be taught and learn how to do better. You can live in a more excellent world...one that you and your spouse are creating together...a happy home.
I hope that you will stop being selfish. Love your spouse. The Lord said to cleave to him or her and none else. Don't you realize that because of the covenants you've made, you and your spouse are one and the same. If you hurt your spouse, you are hurting yourself even more. Plus, you are hurting your children, and your parents, and your siblings. The people that love you all want you to be happy; they want to see you succeed. So I've vented to my Blog. I do hope that these thoughts can actually help someone. Now I'm going to get off this computer and go spend the closing minutes of my day with my husband. I am so blessed. I love him, and he loves me.
Another blog about love:
What Love Means to Me Now
I just had to take a minute before getting ready for bed to say I'm thankful. Yes, I am. I have a pretty great life. I married a man that's honest and true and works hard. And best of all, he love me, and I love him. We aren't perfect by any means. But we kiss each other good-bye every morning. We greet each other with a kiss in the evening. We pray together and we talk to each other. When we are away from each other, we miss each other. I thought that all of this was fairly normal. But in today's world, we actually seem to be the exception. Thanks, Bob, I'm glad that we are on the good side of the statistics. I was going to say, thanks for breaking the rules with me, but I think we are doing okay because we are keeping the rules.
It makes me sad, and a bit crazy, to see all the sadness that couples cause each other. Stop, stop keeping score. Decide to be happy, and try to find happiness in pleasing your spouse. It works. Go out of your way to do something nice, something kind, something little that will bring a big smile. Why not? Don't you want to be happy? It's fun to do kind things for that person that you fell in love with and wanted to be with forever. Why did you stop doing the fun, happy things? Didn't you notice that when you stopped thinking about and giving to your spouse, you stopped caring like you should? Forget about it if you don't have enough money. You can't hug your money, or sleep with it, or kiss it hello or good-bye. Good grief. If you got rid of your spouse, you still wouldn't have any more money. In fact, you'd probably have a lot less.
I need to stop worrying about other people's problems so much. But afterall, you are my family and friends, too. I can't fix anything for you. But the Lord can heal the wounds you've caused each other if you let Him; He can teach you how to help each other, too. He can even give you a portion of His Spirit every day if you just ask Him and tell Him that you need His help. With that Spirt, you can be taught and learn how to do better. You can live in a more excellent world...one that you and your spouse are creating together...a happy home.
I hope that you will stop being selfish. Love your spouse. The Lord said to cleave to him or her and none else. Don't you realize that because of the covenants you've made, you and your spouse are one and the same. If you hurt your spouse, you are hurting yourself even more. Plus, you are hurting your children, and your parents, and your siblings. The people that love you all want you to be happy; they want to see you succeed. So I've vented to my Blog. I do hope that these thoughts can actually help someone. Now I'm going to get off this computer and go spend the closing minutes of my day with my husband. I am so blessed. I love him, and he loves me.
Another blog about love:
What Love Means to Me Now
Friday, January 22, 2010
Respecting others and being True to Yourself
I posted a reply to a friend's facebook status this morning. She is driven by her concern for her country. Here is her status:
Sometimes I like to be a naysayer but then I lose facebook friends. Maybe I should just keep my feelings to myself about Twilight, the government, giant headgear bows for babies, photography, typography, personal blogs...
Here is my reply:
Leah, you could no sooner quiet your opinions than roll over and play dead. I enjoy reading what you have to write. I'm sorry that some have dropped you as a friend. I have found that politics and sports are just as strong as religion for many people. There is so much emotion involved that sometimes it blocks people from being open to see any other view. With that being said, I have also found that many forget the first two great commandments in connection with the identity they find in holding true to "their political party" or "their sports' team."
We read in the scriptures that a Zion people "see eye to eye." I really don't think that that means that everyone will be republican or democratic, or like the Lakers or the Celtics. But I do think that it means that they are willing to work together and to uphold principles that are true and just. I also think that it means that, in spite of diversity, they can still be united in a common purpose. It also means that people can communicate for understanding, even if they do not agree. Unfortunately, there is too much division in this the "United States," and many define themselves solely on dividing issues. I love you, Leah. I know that you are true to God and your faith and want the best for your fellow man. Stay true to yourself. :-)
Sometimes I like to be a naysayer but then I lose facebook friends. Maybe I should just keep my feelings to myself about Twilight, the government, giant headgear bows for babies, photography, typography, personal blogs...
Here is my reply:
Leah, you could no sooner quiet your opinions than roll over and play dead. I enjoy reading what you have to write. I'm sorry that some have dropped you as a friend. I have found that politics and sports are just as strong as religion for many people. There is so much emotion involved that sometimes it blocks people from being open to see any other view. With that being said, I have also found that many forget the first two great commandments in connection with the identity they find in holding true to "their political party" or "their sports' team."
We read in the scriptures that a Zion people "see eye to eye." I really don't think that that means that everyone will be republican or democratic, or like the Lakers or the Celtics. But I do think that it means that they are willing to work together and to uphold principles that are true and just. I also think that it means that, in spite of diversity, they can still be united in a common purpose. It also means that people can communicate for understanding, even if they do not agree. Unfortunately, there is too much division in this the "United States," and many define themselves solely on dividing issues. I love you, Leah. I know that you are true to God and your faith and want the best for your fellow man. Stay true to yourself. :-)
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