Cooking and cleaning
And mending too,
Are menial tasks
I have to do...

But loving my children
And making them smile,
Makes everything else
All worthwhile.

No man achieves his supernal, exalting status or worthy fatherhood except as a gift from his wife.

***President Boyd K. Packer
(Ensign May 1998)

The word "HELLO" means:

H=How are you?
E=Everything all right?
L=Like to hear from you
L=Love to see you soon
O=Oh, and don't forget to write....

There are small ships and big ships but the best ships are friendships.

A girl asked a guy if he thought she was pretty,
He said...no.

She asked him if he would want to be with her forever...
and he said no.

She then asked him if she were to leave would he cry,
and once again he replied with a no.

She had heard enough. As she walked away, tears streaming down her face, the boy grabbed her arm and said....

You're not pretty....
you're beautiful

I don't want to be with you forever....
I NEED to be with you forever.

And I wouldn't cry if you were to leave.....
I'd die....

If you are ever plagued with doubt,
And question whether God's about,

Try thinking on some simple things;
You'll be surprised the peace it brings--

A sleeping child; A summer's day;
A puppy, awkward in its play;

The clean, washed air that follows rain;
A diamond-frosted window pane;

An apple tree all pink and white;
The stillness of a starlit night;

A fire crackling on the hearth;
The smell of freshly spaded earth;

A trail you knew once long ago;
A picket fence high-capped with snow;

A song your mother used to sing--
Why, you can pick most anything

And you will find your answer there--
It's still God's World -- He's everywhere.

"So frequently we mistakenly believe that our children need more things, when in reality their silent pleadings are simply for more of our time."

**President Thomas S. Monson
(Ensign May 1994)

Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision.
We are traveling by train, out the windows
We drink in the passing scenes of children
Waving at a crossing,
Cattle grazing on a distant hillside,
Flatlands and valleys,
Mountains and rolling hillsides
And city skylines.
*
But uppermost in our minds is the final destination.
On a certain day, we will pull into the station.
Bands will be playing and flags waving.
Once we get there, our dreams will come true
And a piece of our lives
Will fit together like a completed jigsaw puzzle.
Restlessly we pace the aisles,
Damning the minutes- waiting,
Waiting, waiting for the station.
*
"When we reach the station that will be it!" We cry.
"When I am 18." "When I buy a new 450sl Mercedes Benz!"
"When I put the last kid through college."
When I have paid off the mortgage!"
"When I get a promotion." "When I reach retirement
I shall live happily ever after!"
*
Sooner or later, we realize there is no station,
No one place to arrive.
The true joy of life is the trip.
The station is only a dream.
It constantly outdistances us.
"Relish the moment" is a good motto.
It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad.
It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow.
Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today.
Regret is reality after te facts.
*
So, stop pacing the aisles
And counting the miles.
Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream,
Go barefoot more often, swim more rivers,
Watch more sunsets, laugh more, cry less.
Life must be lived as we go along.
The station will come soon enough.
Life is a journey, enjoy the ride!
*
Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what's to be,
A resting place along the road
To sweet eternity,
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
But never meant to stay...
*
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey's quicker,
For some the journey's slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We'll claim a great reward.
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the Lord.
*********
John M. Pinto

A chocolate kiss to remind you how much you are loved.
A match to light your fire when you feel burned out.
A Tootsie Roll to remind you not to bite off more than you can chew.
Smarties to help you feel smart on days when you don't.
A Starburst to give you a burst of energy when yours is gone.
A Snickers to remind you to take time to laugh.
A candle to remind you to brighten someone else's day and,
A bag to keep it all together!

TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKINGTHROUGH THE DESERT.
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT;
AND ONE FRIEND
SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE
IN THE FACE.

THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED
WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT
SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND:
TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.

THEY KEPT ON WALKING,
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED
TO TAKE A BATH

THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN
SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE
MIRE ! AND STARTED DROWNING,
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.

AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM
THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE WROTE ON A STONE:

'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SAVED MY LIFE '.
THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED
AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND
ASKED HIM,

'AFTER I HURT YOU,
YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,
YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?'

THE FRIEND REPLIED
'WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN
IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF
FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.

BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES
SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE
WHERE NO WIND
CAN EVER ERASE IT.'

LEARN TO WRITE
YOUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR
BENEFITS IN STONE.

THEY SAY IT TAKES A
MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL
PERSON, AN HOUR TO
APPRECIATE THEM, A DAY
TO LOVE THEM, BUT THEN
AN ENTIRE LIFE
TO FORGET THEM.

Why doens't the media focus on the "good news"???
>
Higher power? You bet!!!! IN GOD WE TRUST!
>
I am sure that all of you heard about the sandstorm in the beginning of the Iraq war, (the worst in 100 years some say) and the drenching rain that followed the next day. Our troops were bogged down and couldn't move effectively. The media was already wondering if the troops were in a "quagmire" and dire predictions of gloom and doom came from the left wind media.
>
What they didn't report was that after the weather had cleared, the marine group that was mired the worst looked out at the plain they were just about to cross. What did they see? Hundreds if not thousands of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines had been uncovered by the wind and then washed off by the rain. If they had proceeded as planned, many lives would have undoubtedly been lost. As it was, they simply drove around them and let the demolition teams destroy them.
>
Someone once asked George Washington if he thought God was on his side. His reply is reported to be, "It is not that God should be on our side, but that we be on His."

1. Wake Up!!
Decide to have a good day.
"This is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalms 118:24
Flower
2. Dress Up!!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
I Samuel 16:7
Flower
3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.
"He who guards his lips guards his soul."
Proverbs 13:3
Flower
4. Stand Up!!
...for what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.
"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..."
Galatians 6:9-10
Flower
5. Look Up!!
....to the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me".
Philippians 4:13
Flower
6. Reach Up!!
...for something higher.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."
Proverbs 3:5-6
Flower
7. Lift Up!!
...your prayers.
"Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."
Philippians 4:6
Flower







Mom,
I leave my sticky fingerprints
on every single wall.
I am noisy and makes messes racing up and down the hall.
But all to soon I'll leave this house when I grow big and tall,
so here's one last precious handprint to remind you always...
of the days...
when I was small.

Shortly after the culmination of the Second World War, a devastated city in England began it's heartbreaking and wearying work of restoration. In the old city square had stood a large statue of Jesus Christ, with His hands outspread in an attitude of invitation. On the pedestal were carved the words, "Come unto me".
*
In the process of the restoration of the statue, with the aid of master artists and sculptors, the figure eventually was reassembled, except for the hands, of which no fragments could be discovered anywhere in the surrounding rubble. Someone made the suggestion that the artists, since the former hands could not be found, would have to fashion new hands.
*
Later came a public protest, couched in the words, "No, leave Him without hands!" So today, in the public square of that English city. The restored statue of Christ stands without hands, and on its base are carved the words, "Christ has no hands but ours!"

This gift of common Jell-O is to do with as you may
Create a culinary fete or tuck the box away.
Should you choose to "tuck away" and keep its promise hidden,
You will never know the masterpiece you might have hidden.
*
But if, instead, you choose to spur its creativity,
It becomes far greater than it was originally.
Within each box of Jell-O as within humanity,
Are the seeds of latent promises of something yet to be.
*
But the seeds are not so lowly within the human soul,
When fed with love and prayer, Eternal life becomes the goal.
For the greatness in each one of us is touched by Godly powers,
And when it manifest itself, our soul's potential flowers.
*
---Gloria Ashton

"No teaching is equal, more spiritually rewarding, or more exalting than that of a mother teaching her chldren."
*
---Boyd K. Packer
Ensign February 2000

Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day,
With little time to stop and pray,
For life's been anything but calm
Since You called me to be a mom-
Running errands, matching socks,
Building dreams with wooden blocks,
Cooking, cleaning, finding shoes
And other stuff that children lose,
Fitting lids on bottled bugs,
Wiping tears and giving hugs,
A stack of last week's mail to read-
So where's the quiet time I need?
Yet, when I steal a moment, Lord,
Just at the sink or ironing board,
To ask the blessings of Your grace,
I see then, in my small one's face,
That You have blessed me all the while-
And I stoop to kiss that precious smile.
***
---Unknown

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey...delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas, and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."
***
Gordon B. Hinckley

There is always someone
Who dreams of your smile
and finds in your presence
That life is worthwhile.
So when you are lonely,
Remember, it's true...
Somebody, somewhere,
Is thinking of you!!!!
***
---Unknown

Daddy, I love you so,
I wanted everyone to know,
So I designed this nifty tie,
Cause I think you're a special guy.
Wear it with pride, don't be afraid
(Wait till you see what the other kids made!)
And anyone who stops to stare
Will only see how much I care.
Love,
****
Norfolk Ward Primary

Figure it out for yourself my lad,
you've all that the greatest men have had.
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes;
and a brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
So start from the top and say I can!
*
Look them over the wise and great,
they take their food from the common plate;
And similar knives and forks they use,
With similar laces they tie their shoes.
The world considers them brave and smart,
But you've all they had when they made their start.
*
You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place.
You must decide where you want to go;
How much you will study the truth to know.
God has equipped you for life; But he
let's you decide what you want to be.
*
Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it out for yourself my lad,
You were born with all that the great have had.
With your equipment they all began;
So get hold of yourself and say, I can!

Instinctively we strive to win, no matter what the race. A still small voice within us says, "Don't slack off the pace". Not all of us can come in first, there must be also rans. He wins a special victory though, who does the best he can. And when it's run, the question's posed; Who really won the race? Was it he who did the best he could, or he who took first place?
---Unknown

All though you may not know it,
you have always been one
I've looked up to.
*
Someone I could call my friend
and I wouldn't have to worry
about the safety of my words.
*
Someone who no matter how bad I failed,
you'd say things would work
all right in the end.
*
You have helped me with so many things,
so many times.
How could I possibly count.
*
I wish for once I could help you,
as much as you have helped me,
through my hard times.
*
I know there has been times when I hurt you
and my thoughts came out
without thinking, of the pain following them.
*
Times when I cared so much
and I wanted to help that I
just hurt you in the end.
*
I'm sorry for the pain and the tears
I've cause you
through the years.
*
I want you to know
that I do love you,
and love you very much.
*
If you ever need someone to talk to
please remember that I am here.
If you every need a friend!
***
---Debbie Robison

If I could have one wish come true,
I'd make sure I wished for you.
To love and hold me every day,
To say sweet things you'd always say.
To know you loved me,
And would never let go.
Because with each day,
Our love would grow.
---Aperinity Williams

The world is always changing, and perhaps it seems to you,
The values that you've taught me are the ones that I outgrew.
In many ways we're not alike,
but yet it's still true,
The things I value most in me,
are the things I've learned from you.
---Kriss Sanchez

I have you in my heart,
I have you in my liver,
If I had you in my arms,
I'd throw you in the river.
----Unknown

Love is a peculiar thing,
Its something like a lizard.
It wraps its tail around your heart
and crawl into your gizzard.
-----Unknown

Prayer is not the last resort. It's the first.
---Unknown

"The mountains are like a high spirited horse; never take them for granted."
------------Man From Snowy River

High above the weary world, amid the stars of heaven
To men of old a wondrous sign of peace and hope was given
A brighter star was kindled there, to reign among the skies
To mark the way to Bethlehem and everlasting light
And high above the weary world, for eyes to see that will
The star of Bethlehem will shine for those who seek him still.
*
High above the weary world it shone upon their road
And thus it lead the wise men on, to seek a poor abode
And is there now no humble home to which its light may lead?
No quiet need? No tears of grief? No hungering soul to feed?
Look high above the weary world - for eyes to see that will
The star of Bethlehem will shine for those who seek him still.
*
High above the weary world his star still shines for me
It bids me seek the Holy Child, adoring on bended knee
It beckons me through ages past, by countless years undimmed
It bids me serve his children now, thus to worship him
And high above the weary world, for eyes to see that will
The star of Bethlehem will shine for those who seek him still.
---Sally DeFord

Don't let the Grinch steal YOUR Christmas
You must be on your guard.
Before retiring on Christmas Eve,
Sprinkle this dust in your yard.
The Grinch will see the magic dust,
And know you've taken great care,
To protect your home and family,
And keep Christmas joy in the air.

Perfection is being right.
Excellence is being willing to be wrong.
_____________________________
Perfection is fear.
Excellence is taking a risk
_____________________________
Perfection is anger and frustration.
Excellence is powerful
_____________________________
Perfection is control
Excellence is spontaneous
_____________________________
Perfection is judgement
Excellence is accepting
_____________________________
Perfection is taking
Excellence is giving
_____________________________
Perfection is doubt
Excellence is confidence
_____________________________
Perfection is pressure
Excellence is natural
_____________________________
Perfection is the destination
Excellence is the journey
_____________________________
---author unknown

Why do people go to the trouble,
to give other people some trouble?

Why do they bust someone's bubble,
when they know it comes back to them double?

Why do we go to the effort to hurt
someone we actually love?

Why can't we say something sweet, 'stead of curt?
A push only leave to a shove.

Why can't we treat other folks with respect?
With a smile or a kind word or two.

Treat them with honor, the way you'd expect they should act,
when they're dealing with you.

Why can't we overlook others mistakes?
We've all surely been there before.

Love and forgiveness is all that it takes,
to boot Satan's butt out the door.

---Johnny Hart
B.C. Cartoon

Youth is not a time of life, it is a state of mind. It is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees. It is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions. It is the freshness of the deep springs of life.

Youth means the predominance of courage over timidity, of adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of sixty more than in a boy of twenty. Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.

Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, doubt, self-distrust, fear and despair--these bow the heart and turn the spirit back to dust.

Whether sixty or sixteen, there is in every human being's heart the love of wonder, the sweet amazement at the stars and the star like things, the undaunted challenge of events, the unfailing childlike appetite for what next, and the joy of the game of living.

You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt, as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear, as young as your hope, as old as your despair.

--Samuel Ullman

"It is very important that we not assume the perspectives of mortality in making the decisions that bear on eternity."

---Elder Neal A. Maxwell

"We don't have to be perfect today. We don't have to be better than someone else. All we have to do is be the very best we can."

---Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
November Ensign 2001

When it's springtime in Wyoming,
Where the gentle breezes blow about 70 miles an hour
And it is 52 below
You can tell you're in Wyoming,
When the snow drift you can cut,
And you take a breath of springtime air
And your nostrils both freeze shut.
The weather here is different,
So I guess I'll hang around,
I could never leave Wyoming,
My feet are frozen to the ground!

Rubber Band: To remind you to hug others- We are all united through Jesus Christ.
Tissue: To remind you to dry their tears, when they are sad or struggling.
Button: To remind you to "button your lips" against gossip, back biting, or talking when inappropriate.
Toothpick: To remind you to pick out the good qualities in everyone.
Band Aid: To remind you to heal any hurt feelings.
Candy: To remind you that everyone needs your sweetness.
Eraser: To remind you that everyone makes mistakes and that there is forgiveness for everyone.
Lifesaver: To remind you to think of Jesus Christ as your "lifesaver". Whenever you need to talk, He will listen.
Mint: To remind you that you are "mint" to be there for your sisters.

As we fellowship one another, we value one another in Christ.

"Marriage is perhaps the most vital of all the decisions and has the most far-reaching effects, for it has to do not only with immediate happiness, but eternal joys as well."
---Spencer W. Kimball

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because some day in life, you will have been all of these.
---George Washington Carver

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