It's Been Rough

I have most definitely not lived up to what I wanted to do with this blog. But I can none the less still show gratitude each day without writing about it.

My kiddos started school about a month ago and each has impressed me with their abilities and choices. Sure they are children and still make some unwise choices, that's what kids do. We are there for them. To teach them and lift them when they fall. They learn from us. When we get a glimpse, in them of what we have taught, shining through it gives great joy and gratitude. I love my kiddos. On my worst days, they have a knack of breaking through my "bad day shielding" to make me smile. They are incredible.

A few weeks back I found out that a contract I have fulfilled for a company for over 10 years will no longer continue. They have restructured the company and joined forces with another firm. That other firm already had an in house position that does what I did on contract. I'm not hurt at all by this emotionally, in the sense that it's not a personal thing against me. I have many other things that can fill in the time I spent doing the work, but I and my family have come to depend on that income. On the other hand the loss is devastating. We have been working with others from religious leaders to real estate agents and an attorney, even many close friends and family in order to find a way to keep our home. The challenge is formidable. We have basically been told that in order to get started with any assistance we must first miss a few house payments. This is a hard thing to do. If we make the payments we have no money for food, clothing, gas, medical... If we don't we lose good standing with our creditor. We take a hit in our credit and possibly the opportunity or ability to buy another home if we loose this one. We are receiving assistance now, until we can formulate a plan of action. We have tried to work with our bank but it doesn't look promising. Yet, with all of this (and believe me it is quite the burden to bare) it seems easy to be thankful for what I have. The reason is my Savior Jesus Christ. He is offloading the pressure of this and other burdens to where I can bare it. Otherwise I would be crushed under it's weight. I am so thankful for what He (Jesus Christ) has done for me and my family. We will be fine. Everything will work out. in the future I'll look back at this day and will be thankful for this trial and that I was able, with Christ's help, to endure it. Thank you!

Quality Time = Great Family

It just seems time slips by so quickly. Well, that is when you don't want it to. There are always those situations we get in where time doesn't seem to go fast enough.

I see my kids growing up so fast. Almost 14 years ago my fist was born. I can still see her tiny, beautiful self, as if she were just born.

At times it seems I can't wait for them to get older and more responsible. Then it happens! All you want then is more time with how they were. How they would run to, you when you got home, with their big bright smiles. The innocent looks on their face when you know they've been mischievous. Their angelic likeness when sleeping.

It hurts to see the innocence the world seems to steal away from them as they get older. Yet, to see them overcome the worldly is a prize to be cherished. Simple small steps, in the right direction - the right decisions and choices being made - Whether or not we choose to, we all have the responsibility to better ourselves. When great steps of improvement, whether big or small, are seen in your child it brings joy to your heart.

I am still learning the Time principle. Children require time. Family requires time. The more quality time spent with your family, the more positive experiences you will have with them, and the better quality your relationships with them will be. Sometimes it's difficult to give our time. It's hard when we want it for ourselves. At times it can be extremely difficult to be selfless, and many times it's easier to be selfless to those not as close to us as our family. That's interesting isn't it! It can be more difficult to get along with those we love the most, then with a friend, acquaintance or even a stranger. Time is required of us and if we let it slip away we are left with the pang of regret. Looking into the eyes of those who grew up and into the past of what was missed. I am trying to give more selfless time. It's a struggle sometimes, but it's worth it.

I love me children and my beautiful, wonderful wife that brought them into this world. What a blessing and miracle they are. I am so very thankful for them.

Freedom

We celebrated our independence this past Wednesday. Although our country is going through some tough times, I fee so blessed to live in the USA. Not to diminish any other country, but we really do have it good here. I am grateful for the blessing it is to have been born and raised here. I have met and worked with many from other countries that have come here for the American experience, some for freedom and others work. They haven't necessarily spoken bad about where they are from, but you can tell they are very happy to be here. I am thankful for them and the experiences they have shared with me. They help me to better appreciate what I have been blessed with. What a wonderful place to live!

Great week

Last week I had the opportunity to go to Moab Utah for five days. This was part of a Scout Camp. We went to Arches and biked Porcupine Rim then spent some time in Canyonlands (Island in the Sky).  Wow, this place incredible. Arches National Park is amazing. I wish I was able to do more hiking there. They have a portion of the park called The Fiery Furnace. It's an additional cost but I would pay to hike it. You have to make plans way in advance to do it. Canyonlands was also amazing and I only wish I had had more time there. So much to see and hike with just too little time. Porcupine Rim was also incredible. It was hard and I and another that biked it with me got heat exhaustion, but in the end, I think, we came out better for it. An overall amazing experience with beautiful views of Gods handy work. Moab is the ideal place to take in Gods paintbrush. I'm excited to go again. Although my next adventure is Yellowstone. I'll be there next month with the family. That is another incredible place. I am so thankful for the experiences we gain when we're able to visit such places.

Happy Mothers Day

This week leaves the wonderful scent revealed by our reflection of Mothers. How wonderful it is to be blessed with a loving mother. Here is a poem written by a good friend of mine.

Hidden Angel

Have you ever paused to gaze at the stars in our night sky
to ponder on the wonders of these jewels way up high?

Have you ever broken step for the beauty of a flower
breath in its pleasant scent or its nature for an hour?

Have you ever heard sweet whisperings from an angel to your soul
or felt the comfort of their touch that makes us each feel whole?

Have you ever caught a glimpse of your Mother’s love for you
her delicate smile and caring eyes, her true nature shining through?

Have you ever felt an angels kiss, or felt its warm embrace?
Look no further than your own Mother and her sweet angelic face.

Have you ever looked into her eyes, those jewels shining bright?
They addle even the countless stars on an awe-inspiring night.

Have you ever gazed upon your Mothers truly awesome beauty?
Unlike a flower’s that fades with time hers last a full life’s duty.

Have you ever wondered why a Mother gives us so much love?
Why, it’s in her nature as an angel, a gift from God above.

She loves us, guide’s us and off we go and we’ll sometimes face defeat,
and when we fall she’ll wade through all to lift us to our feet.

Our Mothers affection does not stop, there’s always more to come.

A gift from God, He gave us love and then He named her Mom.

                                                                    

 Written By MMT

                                                                                                        05/04/2010

 I really like this poem. It brings not only my own mother to mind but also my sweet wonderful wife. What a blessing it is to have these incredible women in my life.

Good Times

Short and to the point. I have the opportunity to work with youth. Each week we have an activity. This past week was laser tag. It was a blast. The youth are so creative and energetic, it would be hard to not have fun when around them. Anyway, the night went really well and we had a lot of fun playing and talking. We got in on three laser tag games and one go cart race. The race ended the night well. I am so thankful for these youth. They are great people. Although I, as a leader, am there to teach and counsel them, I learn a lot in return. I am so thankful to have been given this opportunity! :)

Grass Is Always Greener

Yep, grass is always greener on the other side, well at least until you get to the other side. Right!

Imagine living on one side of a fence. We'll pretend for visual sake that this fence is chain link. Chain link is a bit drab, I know. So on your side, the links in the fence are as brightly shining gold. When you turn your eyes fall upon mildly rolling hills with lush green lawns that seemingly stretch forever. You then peel your eyes from this ah inspired view only to find in the great distance enormous mountains, at the base of which you see reflected in a calm, pristine, crystalline, mirror like lake, its mountainous neighbors. It's so pure and clear as you look past the reflection you see with perfect clarity all the wonderful life it supports below its surface.  As you gaze up into the rocky green folds of these massive highlands, your heart flutters with the shocking impact of the landscape that lies before you. The vibrant colors brought forth from the wild beauty literally take your breath away. When the realization that your not breathing begins to dawn in your overwhelmed senses, you're briefly startled, yet relaxed in the cushion of your surroundings. In your calm intake of air you discover a clean and pleasing aroma. When in abundance you capture the sight of a grand assortment of eye enchanting flowers, all in an exploding array of colors, leaving a scent that freshens the air. To one side of the lake you have incredible towering trees of all kinds. Each full of luscious leaves and needles covering the most beautiful spectrum's of green. As your eyes expose Gods artistry and the grace with which each leaf dances in the breeze, you meet the tips of each tree. Each reaching high as its tender green fingers tickle the most amazing blue sky imaginable. Sparse thin wisps of white embrace the immense sea of blue, each wisp gravitating towards the pure white peaks piercing the sky. When you regain control of your senses do to the wondrous landscape, you find yourself surrounded by family and friends. Pure love isn't descriptive enough to explain your emotions and feeling, yet that's exactly what it is!

Now, noting that this may not be the ideal for well, anyone but me, nothing I described above, or could describe as far as the side of the fence we live on, can truly match the blessings we have in our lives. We could describe our side with the most grand of illusions,but whether described truthfully or not, we will inevitably leave out what matters most. Those being our blessings each day. We have a tendency to live for the moment in a selfish way. We think of what is our ideal situation or what we seek, and tend to leave others as second thoughts if at all sometimes. We each have so much we don't see. We are so blind to so much so often. Just take a moment and think of one thing your thankful for. If you can't think of anything, you may possibly be on the wrong side of the fence. Remember: All good things come from God.

Here is a little challenge. Try naming 100 things your thankful for. Wow, one hundred things! Come on it's not that bad. I got this out of the Dec. 2011 Ensign.
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Take a Gratitude Challenge

By John Hilton III and Anthony Sweat

Let’s not just talk about counting our blessings—let’s do it! Write a list of 100 things you are thankful for. If that sounds like it is too many, try this:

1. 1. 
   Write 10 physical abilities you are grateful for.
2. 2. 
   Write 10 material possessions you are grateful for.
3. 3. 
   Write 10 living people you are grateful for.
4. 4. 
   Write 10 deceased people you are grateful for.
5. 5. 
   Write 10 things about nature you are grateful for.
6. 6. 
   Write 10 things about today you are grateful for.
7. 7. 
   Write 10 places on earth you are grateful for.
8. 8. 
   Write 10 modern inventions you are grateful for.
9. 9. 
   Write 10 foods you are grateful for.
10. 10. 
    Write 10 things about the gospel you are grateful for.

When we make a list like this, we discover that a list of 100 doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of all the things God has given us.

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2011/12/the-choice-to-be-grateful?lang=eng
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It's interesting to see or hear what people will give up to even catch a peek of the other side of the fence, the wrong side of the fence. Some get trapped on that other side. Whether it be to addictions (drugs, alcohol, smoking, pornography, television, what have you) or even just to show a little rebellion because of the 'no one can tell me what to do, when really all it was is good advice' syndrome, or maybe jealously, many get trapped. The wrong side is full of greed, selfishness and pride, basically self serving individuals. Some just make a mistake and come back quickly. At one time or another everyone goes to the other side. It's just nice to know how good my side is. Wow, the good that can come from just being thankful. Be thankful for what you have. If you can improve your side of the fence then do it, and work at it, but never give up the blessings you have and don't get trapped on the wrong side with what you think you want.

The only time grass is greener on the other side is when your on the wrong side. Jesus said "Come unto to me". His side is the right side. He will pull you free from sin, free from addiction, free from mistakes. You only have to ask with sincerity in your heart. He is there for everyone, beckoning us to come to him. He gave us agency, that we may choose Him. He will not force us. I am so thankful for my blessings as I strive to make my side of the fence the same as Christ's.