Helping Hands

This is what it's all about. Thank you Joshua Brown for the video.  Please take time to watch it.
http://vimeo.com/53357089

U.S.A.

Yesterday was election day. I was really hoping Romney would win the presidency. Yet, here we are with Obama. The past four years have looked very bleak with Obama as president, but he is our nations elected leader and we need to stand behind him. We may not agree with all he does and we don't need to. We do however need to remember we live in the United States, the greatest nation on Earth. We will survive the difficult times we face. We need to look forward and do what we can to make things better. This is not a job for one man. We need to do our part. Help someone in need! Help a neighbor! Help a friend! Just be willing to help where you can! That is what this nations needs more than anything else. People willing to put themselves aside for others. Work to make your homes better! Work to make your neighborhoods better! Work to make your churches better!

I read a quote from President Harold B. Lee. today.

"Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail."

 Let us always remember this and do our part to make it even better. Keep up the hope!

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.