The Fragileness of Life

(This video is about a mother who confronts life's fragileness, and the comfort a young man* gives her. )

Today, my husband dropped his large, heavy ladder on his head. Well, not exactly on his head. It just grazed his forehead and left a cut a couple of inches long, but if it had hit him more solidly, he would not still be with us. 

As I sit here watching my husband sawing branches off our pine tree as he stands on a tall ladder, recent memories come to my mind. Last Saturday, I found out that my son was assaulted by a man while he and his family were at our local mall. It turned out that the man was an armed fleeing murderer. The man ended up in jail, and my son with a titanium plate in his cheek bone. 

Thinking About Why God Says "NO"

I've been thinking about this old poem, "And God said, No". It has brought thoughts to my mind about all the time I have spent ill and in bed. At first, I wondered why my pleas to be made well were not answered. As I've grown older, I have seen how my struggles have strengthened my character, helped me gain confidence in my abilities, deepened my relationship with my husband, and built a strong faith in God. Would I trade my hard earned lessons for a life of ease?

Another Birthday!

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-07-001-have-i-done-any-good-in-the-world-today?category=mormon-channel-music-videos&lang=eng

My gift to you. You can download the video here. 

In a few days I'll have another birthday. I'm excited to turn 68. I know most people try and hide their age, especially women. I don't. First of all, I so grateful to have made it this far, and second, I don't think anyone would really believe me if I said I was younger.  Let's face it, no older person really looks very young if you come within twenty feet of them.

Mainly, I'm excited about another birthday, because life keeps getting better.  Yes, I have health problems which restrict the things I can do, but I find that I'm happier now than when I was younger.  Though I admit, that I was prettier back then, I worried about everything. I compared myself to other women and saw them as more attractive and talented.  I went into a deep depression if I gained a pound, or hid in shame if I had a blemish. I listed all that others could do and neglected my own unique abilities. I worried if I was being a good wife, mother and homemaker. I worried constantly over my children's health, safety, and happiness. I made a long list of other women's strengths and expected myself to perform up to those standards, and I always felt that I was not measuring up to society's expectations. In other words, I sucked the joy out of life.

Advantages of Getting Older

https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/mormon-channel-daily-quotes-meme-april-faith-1943084?lang=eng

Yes, there really are advantages to getting older. 

• I've lived long enough to see consequences of actions. Things that seemed to be bad at the moment have turned out to be good in the long run. For example, my poor health has helped my husband become very loving and supportive.

• I've learned whose advice I can follow. I've come to respect my husband's advice. I saw the counsel of the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints come true. They counseled for years to get out of debt, live within your means, avoid Home Equity Loans, and store food and necessities. Those that followed this advice were all right when the "Down-Turn" came. 

• I've learned not to worry if children do immature things. They are learning. Have faith in them. Give them time, love, a good example, good principles, lots of encouragement, and trust God to make up the difference. Children usually become great adults because of, and in spite of, our efforts as parents.

How Do You Find Happiness?

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-06-01-we-can-find-happiness?lang=eng

I'm always surprised when people give me sympathy. By this time you wouldn't think that I would be surprised since I've been ill for over 45 years. When I tell them that I can't eat wheat or dairy, must avoid petrochemicals (plastics, perfumes, polyester etc. . . . ), and often have little energy, their eyes grow round, then they blurt out that "They couldn't live that way!" They actually seem to have a hard time believing that I could really be happy.

Do Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Believe Jesus is the God of the Old Testament?

We believe in the original teachings of The Lord Jesus Christ which He taught when He set up His Church when He lived upon the earth. The is why we are called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We do not follow the opinions of men that eventually replaced some of the Lord's teachings.

We believe that Jesus Christ was the Jehovah of the Old Testament and it was He who said:
3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.  Exodus 6:3
and                             
26 . . . ... all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.  Isaiah 49:26  https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/category/teachings-bible-images?lang=eng

You're Just Being a Pollyanna!

When someone angrily accuses me of being a "Pollyanna"*, I reply with a polite, "Thank you".  I know they are trying to make me admit that "life isn't just roses and lollipops". Being nearly seventy years old, I'm well aware that roses also have thorns and lollipops raise blood sugar. I've raised four children, had a painful restricting illness for 45 years, and known many sorrows and disappointments, and, yes, I'm proud to be a "Pollyanna". 

Faith and Signs

Written in 2012 to answer a friend's question.

Yes, I think people long to know why they are here, what is the purpose of life, and where they will go afterward. We all want our relationships to continue and want to be with our loved ones forever.

I believe there is a God and that He loves us more than we are capable of understanding. I know he loves me for I have felt His presence supporting me in my most desperate moments.

I believe that He truly is our Heavenly Father, the father of our spirits, and as our father, He wants us to grow and be happy. Our purpose for being here on earth is to learn to choose good over evil -- to learn and become more like our Heavenly Father. With His help we can progress and return and live with Him someday where we can enjoy eternal family relationships.

"Something Divine" music video

Last night I watched this video on Mormon Channel and thought I'd share it with you. This is what Mormon Channel says about the video and I agree:

"Brooke White sings “Something Divine” to remind us that we are all children of God who has given us talents and responsibilities. “Every star is different, and so is every child. Some are bright and happy, and some are meek and mild.”

But this is more than just a reminder that people are different. Our different strengths, talents, and gifts are God-given. They are an invitation for us to rise up to our potential and use them to bless lives: ours and others.

What is the Purpose of Life?

I really like this video and identified with the confusion of the young man. We really are in the middle of life and don't remember what came before and we don't see now what will happen in the future. The scriptures have helped me to not feel so lost and to have