Sacrifices for those We Love

Originally posted on Facebook April 19, 2015

Hello Friends! Happy Sunday! Here's a little something to think about today...

As many of you saw in the picture I posted yesterday, Mike and I went to a Real Salt Lake Soccer game last night. It was a beautiful, warm spring night. We chanted and cheered and booed with the crowd and even though they lost, we had a great time. But here's the thing.... Mike doesn't really like soccer. There were probably 20 different things he would've rather done than go to that game. So whydid he? Because he knew I wanted to, and he knew it would make me happy. Yesterday morning, he had been online checking out things to do that night. He is a musician, and really wanted to go hear some live music. He is also a huge sports fan (soccer, not so much) so he was checking the hockey games, baseball games, and concerts that were going on last night. Imagine my surprise when he informed me that he had gotten soccer tickets. Why? Because sometimes we make sacrifices for people we love.

Relationships take work. They take time and effort and SACRIFICE. When you have children, you often sacrifice sleep, peace and quiet, or free time. When my children were young, I rarely had time to myself, and when I did, I worried about the kids. I ate foods I didn't really like because it was what THEY liked. I didn't have much time to do things I wanted and my days were filled with Disney movies, chicken nuggets, and constantly cleaning house, doing laundry, and changing diapers. But I didn't mind, because I loved them and was willing to do whatever I needed to help them. It goes the same with spouses. We sit through movies we don't love, watch hours of sporting events we don't really care about, or participate in activities because THEY like them. I've come to learn through the years, that it is my attitude that makes all the difference. If I do it because I know it will make him happy and not be thinking about the things I would rather be doing, I enjoy it much more. I love to surprise him with something special just to see his reaction. Please know that I don't mean we have to do EVERYTHING together, or that it's not good to have hobbies. I love me some Dancing with the Stars and don't care in the least that Mike would rather watch something (anything!) else. We have individual likes and hobbies, too. That's what makes life interesting.

Try to take some time to find something that your friend, child, or spouse enjoys (even if you don't) and enjoy watching THEM enjoy it. That's where the true happiness comes in. Love to you all. 

I am Beautiful and Smart

Originally posted on Facebook April 12, 2015

Good Morning Friends! Thought I'd share a little Sunday message before I head off to church. I have a cute little 6 year old niece who is in the 1st grade. In school, her class was told to draw a picture of themselves and then fill in the blanks on a paper about themselves. Her mom shared the picture and I love her response. The first line said "I am________." While most children filled in the blank with their name or "a student" or "a boy," My sweet niece filled in "I am beautiful and smart." How I love her confidence and self esteem! This story reminded me of another I had heard a while back. Susan W Tanner had shared a story about her 3 year old grand daughter who, when she told her how much she loves her, replied, "Everybody does, Grandma!" She went on to explain that something happens to girls (and boys) between 3 and 13 that causes their self image to deteriorate. I've been pondering why this happens, and here are some thoughts I came up with.
The world would have us think that in order to be beautiful, cool, or worthy we have to subscribe to THEIR standards. Girls starve themselves, dress inappropriately, even get expensive surgeries to change their appearances. They plaster images that are impossible to achieve and then tell us that we are not worthy if we can not duplicate them. The truth is, no matter how we look, how we dress, how much money we have, or where we live, we will never find that self-worth through others. We must find it inside ourselves. If we find that knowledge inside ourselves, we know that we are beautiful, intelligent beings that have much contribute to the world. We are ENOUGH. I hope you will all reach inside yourselves and find all the amazing qualities that you have and then encourage others to do the same. Try not to put yourself down, and be less judgmental of others. We all have infinite worth.

My name is Lori, and I am beautiful and smart. And so are you. 

Parenting WIN

Originally posted April 6, 2015

That moment when you walk into a room singing a Foreigner song and pause to read something on the counter when your 19 year old picks up right where you left off and sings the rest of the verse, then you you belt out the chorus together. Parenting WIN. 

Spend Your Time and Energy on those Who Love You for YOU

Originally Posted on Facebook March 31, 2015

You all know I don't get into political discussions on Facebook, so I'm just going to tell a little story...

I belong to a religion that is not widely accepted everywhere. I have been the victim of ignorant, unkind behavior many times in my life because of it. No matter how much we try to inform or educate people about it, there will always be those who discriminate against us. I have lost friends when they found out, been treated badly, called names. I don't believe that ANYONE should be mistreated, and I don't care what race, religion, or anything else you are, I won't treat you as lesser.
But.... I also realize that as Americans, people have a right to do so. They have a right to disagree, not associate, or even to refuse service. I think it's sad, but I also know that if someone expresses that they don't want anything to do with me, they are the LAST people to which I would want to give my money, my time, or my energy. Why fight them? I say, let them go. Spend time with those who love and appreciate you for who you are. Much love to all of you! 

Easter Week

Originally posted March 29, 2015

As we begin Easter week, for this Sunday message I would just like to share my testimony of Jesus Christ. To those who disagree or don't believe, I ask that you would refrain from making negative comments, as this is one of the most important things to me in my life.

I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows me and loves me. I know that He hears and answers my prayers. I am eternally grateful that He allowed His only begotten son to come to earth to be born, live a perfect life, and suffer unfathomable pain for me and you and every person to ever live upon this earth. I am so grateful for my brother Jesus Christ. That He loved me enough to go through trials and pains that none of us can even comprehend so that we can live with Him and His Father one day. I know that he lives! Because He lives, I can be forgiven of my sins. Because He lives, I don't have to go through my trials alone. Because He lives, all that is wrong in the world can be made right. Because He lives, I can be with my loved ones forever. And Because He lives, I know that I will live again, too. "He lives, all glory to His name....He lives, my Savior, still the same...He lives, my mansions to prepare....He lives, to bring me safely there."
No matter what you've done, been through, struggled with... He loves you and has paved the path for you to return to Him. May you all feel the incredible love that our Savior has for you.  ‪#‎BecauseHeLives‬

The Things We Take for Granted

Originally posted on Facebook March 22, 2015

I was recently visiting with a dear friend, and she was telling me how her daughter had called saying that she'd run out of gas. She went and bought a gas can, filled it, and put it in the back seat of her very nice, newer car. While transporting it to her daughter, some of the fuel leaked out from the lid onto the carpet in her car. After numerous attempts to clean it, she was frustrated that she could still smell the gas when she got into her car. "Funny," she said, "I never noticed the smell of my car before this. I wish I would have enjoyed the non-gasoline smell more!"

Often, it's not until something goes wrong that we realize how good we had it before. Just this week, I've had a plugged ear and non-stop ringing in my ear. How I wish I could have good hearing (and NO RINGING!!!) in my ear again! I'm certain it will pass with this cold, but boy am I going to enjoy the quiet in my head when it finally happens!

I hope you take the time to enjoy the little things in life that we take for granted... the sound of little feet running around, the smell of spring flowers, having running water, food to eat, the ability to read. Oh... and maybe that you don't have an incessant ringing in your ear.
Happy Sunday Friends! 

Take Time to Look Up

Originally posted on Facebook March 15, 2015

I've been noticing more often lately the amount of time everybody spends on their phones. I've been guilty of it, too. We check our Facebook, our Instagram, our SnapChat. We check our texts, our emails, our messages. We are so worried about missing out! And guess what happens? We miss out.

I've watched little ones hit a ball, kick a goal, or run a touchdown, and when they turn proudly to their parents they see them looking at their phones, more often than not, missing that special moment. They missed sharing the joy with their child, but luckily they saw the funny cat picture on Instagram! I walk Roxy every day, and a couple of years ago, I decided not to take my phone with me anymore. There have been a few times I've wished I had my camera, but for the most part, I just enjoy being disconnected for a little bit. For that time, I can think, observe, and take in the world around me.

Yesterday, I went to breakfast with Mike. I left my phone at home (not on purpose) but it was nice to not even have the temptation to look at it. I'm going to try harder to put my phone away and not check it as often. That way, if there is an emergency, someone can get a hold of me, but I don't want to miss out on those special moments because I'm always looking down.
Have a great Sunday! May you always have a reason to look up.

How Do You Want to Spend the Rest of Your Life?

Originally posted on Facebook March 8, 2015

We had our Festival of Trees banquet this week, and were finally able to hear the fruits of our labors. (We don't know how much we earned until the banquet each year.) It was so exciting that were able to make more money than ever before. Money from all donations and volunteers, with no overhead because there are no paid staff. We were able to present over 2.3 million dollars to Primary Children's Hospital, a place that holds special meaning to most women on the board.

It also reminded me of a sweet lady who had been on the board since the beginning of the Festival of Trees. After she passed away, this story was told to us... This woman had battled cancer for many years, and was in remission for a while. When she went to the Dr and learned that the cancer had returned, and that it was too advanced to be treated, she expressed concern to her Dr about not being strong enough to work at the Festival that year. His response, "How do you want to spend your life?"
She replied, "I want to spend it serving others."
To which he responded, "Then go and live your life."
-Perhaps this is a question we can all ask ourselves. How do YOU want to spend your life? I hope that we will resolve to at least spend part of our lives in service to others. I can testify that there is no better way to cure depression, raise our spirits, or feel joy than to reach outside yourself and sincerely serve another. 

Have a wonderful week, friends! May you all look for opportunities to serve.

How Would You Treat Someone Knowing it was the Last Time?

Originally posted on Facebook March 5, 2015


Exactly one year ago today, on a lazy Thursday night, I received the call that all parents dread. "Hello, Mrs. Child? This is ****. I'm a paramedic from the St George fire department. I'm just calling to let you know that your son was hit by a car, and is on his way to the hospital in an ambulance." He had been crossing the street in a crosswalk on campus and was hit by a texting driver. We waited 2 excruciating hours before hearing word back from the hospital. It's amazing how quickly your priorities change when you get a message like that. You pray like your life depends on it, because in fact, it does. All those seemingly important matters that were pressing on you only a few minutes before suddenly have no meaning whatsoever.
He was incredibly lucky and watched over by angels. It's been a long year of recovery, court decisions, and difficult times for him, but every day I thank my Heavenly Father that I can receive a text message saying "Hey mom, just wanted to tell you that I love you" or a funny soccer meme that only the two of us appreciate. So grateful to have him here with us and with only minor long-term effects from his accident.
Take a minute every day to hug those close to you and tell them that you love them. You never know when it will be the last time. 

Doing the Right Thing is ALWAYS the Right Thing

Originally posted March 1, 2015

The other day I found myself in a public restroom with a woman and her two young daughters. I was washing my hands when the mother came out of a stall with the girls and told them to wash their hands. The first one obediently went to the sink and proceeded to turn on the water while the other one threw a fit on the floor, saying she didn't want to wash hers. The mother insisted, then finally picked up the girl, swung her around to the sink and held her under her arm to wash her hands. In the process, the obedient little girl got smacked in the head by her sister's swinging feet. Her lip quivered, but she finished washing and drying her hands while her mother washed her screaming sister's hands.

I've thought about that a lot the past few days. Isn't that just the way life goes? We go about our days obediently trying to do what's right, and all the attention and focus goes to the squeaky wheel. The one that complains and cries and fights gets all the attention, while the ones who are trying to comply get ignored. Then.... we get kicked in the head. The bad decisions of some cause pain and suffering to others. Does that mean we should just forget it? Give up? Absolutely not. We must still power through, make the right decisions, try our best. The good we are doing WILL catch up to us in our lives, and we must remember that doing the right thing (even when no one notices) is STILL the right thing.

All mothers WORK

I've been feeling a little reflective lately, so I hope you'll bear with me. When I was growing up, all I ever really wanted to be was a mom. In school they would make us choose a "career path," so I just chose things that sounded exciting to me to keep them off my back. I was lucky enough to meet the right guy when I was very young, so I was married at an early age. We didn't plan to have children right away, but some things are out of your control and end up being great blessings in your life. I had a good job, but as soon as I had my baby, I knew that this was where I was supposed to be. We made the decision together that I would stay home and raise our children.

I received much support AND disdain for doing so. Sure, we would've made more money if I had gone back to work. But the time spent with them is something that cannot be bought. It passes so quickly and is fleeting. For fifteen years, I dedicated my entire life to them. I loved it. I relished in every first word, first roll, first step. I loved teaching them to pray, read, learn new things. But being a stay at home mother is not EASY. It's lonely, hard, frustrating. There is no lunch with colleagues, dropping the kids at a babysitter when they're cranky, no adult conversation. I, more often than not, felt like a failure, like I wasn't doing enough. You take the good with the bad. I was told things like "I can't do that. I WORK." "I can't help with carpool. I WORK." "You should be the PTA President, since you don't work." Truth is, I DID work. You think taking care of 3 little boys under 5 isn't work? All the time. And though the payment was not monitary, it was PRICELESS. Of all the jobs I have done, it was the most frustrating, overwheming, rewarding job I've ever had.

I've been on both sides of this situation. I know some don't have a choice whether to go back to work or not. I know that all situations are different. But please, be careful what you say. You don't know what people are going through, or why they made the decisions they did. Just because they didn't follow the same steps that you did doesn't mean they are wrong.

Happy Sunday Friends! Let's all try to be a little more understanding and compassionate. 

We FIND what we SEEK

This week I read a little story. A man had written and told about his son coming to he and his wife and telling them that he was planning to buy a Ford Fusion. They were supportive and helpful, yet they both admitted that they had never even heard of a Ford Fusion before. Shortly afterward, they began seeing the cars everywhere they would go. They were passing them on the roads, saw them in parking lots, etc. The moral of the story was this.... they hadn't seen the Fusions before because they weren't LOOKING for them.

I've been thinking about this story all week and how it relates to life. Did the Fusions not exist before this? Of course they did. They were out there, but the man wasn't looking for them. How true this is in life. That which we SEEK, we will FIND. If we seek ugliness in the world, we will find it. On the flip side, if we seek beauty, we will also find it. If we seek for goodness, or if we seek for evil, we most definitely will find it. What are we seeking? Are we so focused on the bad things that are present in our lives that we are missing the wonderful things that are happening around us? Though we are often discouraged and bombarded with negativity, I hope we will take time to seek out the wonderful, beautiful things in our lives. I promise.... peace, love, beauty, and goodness ARE out there. We just need to seek for them.

Beauty Can't Be Seen on a Movie Screen

We live in a world where women are constantly bombarded with images that are almost impossible to emulate. Magazines, TV shows, and Hollywood constantly immerse us with what is deemed as "attractive" and "beautiful." We hear stories of women starving themselves, or girls getting plastic surgery to change their appearance when they are way too young.

On the flip side, I attended a meeting about girls camp this week. As I sat there among hundreds of other women, I noticed the row in front of me. Each woman had a different hair color, cut, and style. Some were tall, some were not, some were thin, some were not. Some had conservative clothes and hair-dos, some were sassy and chic. But each of them was beautiful. Light shone from their smiling faces, and I marveled at the beauty that they emitted. They knew where their true beauty and WORTH came from. I'm sure they struggle at times with feelings of inadequacy. We all do. But some of the most beautiful women I have ever known look nothing like those Hollywood prototypes. Their beauty comes within, and they share it with all who know them.

I know my imperfections all too well. I'm a little heavier than I should be, have a few more wrinkles than I want, have crooked teeth and frizzy hair. But I know that I am a daughter of God, and being so, am heir to the only Kingdom that really matters. I hope that you all realize your worth. You are Sons and Daughters of a loving Heavenly Father who made you the way you are, and loves you unconditionally. I hope that you will recognize how much you mean to Him and to all who know you, and I hope you will reach out to lift those who are struggling to see their worth.

Love to all! 

Marriage is Hard

At the end of this month, Mike and I will celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. What I've learned in 25 years is that I still don't know much about being married, but here are a few things I've learned for those who haven't hit this mark yet. Marriage is HARD. It's WORK. It's not some "fairytale" or "Playing House" kind of thing. No matter how much you love a person, you will disagree. You will fight. You will be so frustrated at times that you want to throw things (Please don't actually throw things.) You will have good times, times of laughter, times of peace. 
But.... You will also have bad times, times of sadness, times of unrest. You will have money problems, work problems, car problems. You will have disagreements with neighbors, family members, friends. You will have times of sickness, times of mourning, times when you don't think you can go on. You will have VERY hard trials. They will either tear you apart, or make you closer. And here's the kicker.... it's YOUR choice. YOU choose how the trials can affect you. You will have times that you need to be forgiven, and times that you need to forgive and forget. We are certainly not the same people that we were when we got married. We have changed and grown and seen what is important. We know each other better than anyone. There is no such thing as a perfect partner, but a perfect marriage is just two people who refuse to give up on each other.
That being said, we have had a difficult year. Between bills and cars and
medical bills, we don't have a lot of money to go on some exotic vacation. We are going to see Styx in Wendover at the end of the month (even though we didn't get great seats this time,) and were going to count that as our Anniversary get away. BUT..... Yesterday Mike surprised me with some exciting news! We are heading to Vegas this weekend for two nights! We will see one of our favorite shows (Raiding the Rock Vault) one night, and Styx the next!!! I'm so excited!!! He still knows how to make my heart flutter. Flowers and Chocolates? Not for this girl. Give me some concert tickets!

I Learned Today that I Grew Up Rich

(Originally posted on Facebook August 10, 2014)

Happy Sunday Friends! This week, Mike and I were able to go up to our ward's overnighter at Camp Woodland. For those who don't know, it's a private, church-owned camp up in the mountains between Morgan and East Canyon. Though we didn't stay the night, we went up for dinner, entertainment, music and enjoyment, and snuck out just before the gate closed and locked for the night. 

As we were driving down the hill into the camp, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. I love this place. It holds so many memories of good times, friends, family, and testimony building experiences. Hundreds of times I've come down that road, from my earliest memories to just this week. It doesn't look the same as it did when I was young.... New bathrooms, new lodge, bigger trees, new fences.... even the river has changed course slightly... but the FEEL of the camp is the same. It's a feeling of warmth, comfort, and safety. So many hours I spent tubing that river, exploring the trails behind the lodge, finding water snakes to scare mom with (Not her favorite memory.... and now I hate snakes! What was I thinking?) playing endless hours of soccer, volleyball, baseball, and frisbee on that big grassy field during the day, and laying there looking at the bright stars (without any city lights to dim them) at night. My family would sometimes camp the entire week up there. My dad would get up and go to work from there, and mom would stay with us kids through the day. Sometimes there were a few other campers there, and sometimes we were the only ones. Then on Friday night, hoards of people would come up for family camping and ward overnighters, and we'd excitedly wait for friends to arrive. We would always leave there covered with dirt, smelling like campfire, and sporting new cuts and bruises, but filled with happy hearts.

The point I am trying to make on this trip down memory lane is this..... We didn't have a lot of money growing up. We never went without, and my parents saved up to let us play sports, take dance, etc, but there wasn't extra money for frivolous things. We didn't have the biggest house, the newest cars, or the nicest clothes. But my parents made sure to give us the things that made us TRULY rich. We have wonderful memories, parents that loved us and each other, that taught us about sticking together through trials and making the most of it. They took time to teach us to treat others kindly, respect nature, to leave a campsite cleaner than you found it, to stop and look at the clouds, the stars, the sunsets. Those things have shaped my life and made me the person I am today. Today I am rich. Not with money, but with those things that money can't buy. I'm grateful for goodly parents. For Family and Friends. For nature. For memories. 

Have a wonderful day! Remember... you don't have to have money to be rich. :)

Take a moment to be kind

(Originally posted on Facebook August 5th, 2014) The past few days I've been feeling stressed and worried. There are things coming up that I'm in charge of that need to be dealt with, and situations here at home that are leaving me feeling unrest. I've tried to be prepared, pray about it, throw myself into other projects to keep me busy, but none of it has worked.  Luckily, today I was invited to go to the temple with 2 friends. I almost made an excuse not to go, but I decided it couldn't hurt. While in there, I was filled with the most wonderful, calming Spirit, and the feeling that everything would be ok. Then I got to go to lunch with them (thanks to my sweet mom) where we could share thoughts and feelings and help lift each other.  When I got home, I decided to take Roxy with me in the car to get her a treat. I went into the store, found a little treat, and as I was walking down one of the aisles, I stopped next to the picture frames. Suddenly, everything shifted and fell forward. (CRAZY!) I put my hand out to catch some of them, but a huge one fell at my feet and shattered. I felt myself tearing up, because I can't afford to buy it, but knew it was not right to walk away. I stayed in the aisle and flagged down an employee. I told her I didn't know what happened and that I was sorry and would pay for it. She cleaned it up, assured me that it was fine, didn't need to pay for it, and that it happens all the time.  Sometimes it's the little things. Today I'm grateful for answers to prayers, good friends, tender mercies, and an under-paid retail worker that took the time to be kind. :)

Believe in the Power of Prayer

I believe in the power of prayer. There have been too many times in my life that I've received answers to prayers, that could not be coincidental. I recently remembered one such occasion, and would like to share it with you.

As we raised our children, we did our best to instill in them values. We also taught them to believe in God and in the Savior Jesus Christ. We took them to church, had family nights, and started very young teaching them to pray. We taught them to say their personal prayers, and we had family prayer every morning. We weren't perfect at it, but we did the best we could.

At the time of this story, we were living in Nashville. Dallas was 2 1/2 and Dakota was 3 months old. We lived in a nice apartment complex on the second story level. The people who lived beneath us were wonderful. They took our kids on like adoptive Grandparents and were always sweet and helpful. We had a deck that went out from our living room. It was completely enclosed by a solid 4 foot railing, so you couldn't see through it. Dallas liked to look over and talk to the neighbors as they came and went (and would occasionally throw things over so that I'd have to go get them.) He would push a patio chair up to the edge and stand on it so that he could see over the railing. I would watch him and he would entertain the neighbors as they came and went. One day, Mike was late leaving for work and was in a big hurry. As he went to leave, I had the overwhelming feeling that we should have family prayer before he left. I tried to dismiss it, thinking since he was late, I would have prayer with the kids after he left, but the feeling got stronger, so I asked him to hurry and have prayer before he left. I quickly said the prayer, feeling prompted to ask for our family to be safe and protected. Later that day, Dallas asked to go outside, so I opened the sliding glass door for him and left it open so I could watch him while I sat down to feed the baby. After several minutes of him watching the parking lot, I saw him push himself up on the railing and disappear over the edge. I froze in fear. I stared at the railing thinking I must have seen something different and didn't move until a loud pounding and yelling came at my door. It was my downstairs neighbor who grabbed the baby from me, and shouted that I needed to get to Dallas down on the grass below. They had been sitting in their living room watching tv when they saw something fall over the edge. They first thought it was just something that he had thrown over, but quickly noticed it was him. Her husband was on the phone with 911 when I got to Dallas. He was trying to get up, and I held him as carefully as I could. Soon we heard sirens, and he was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Mike was called by the neighbors and met us at the hospital. After numerous tests, x-rays, and prodding, Dallas was declared perfectly sound. They found not even one cut or bruise on him. Under our deck was a cement patio with sharp rose bushes surrounding it. He somehow missed the concrete and the bushes, and landed on his stomach on the grass next to them. The doctor said that the way he fell was the only way he could've survived a 15 foot fall with no injuries. Had he fallen any other way, he could've broken his legs, back, neck, or crushed his skull. He said it was a miracle, and I know he was right! I KNOW that I needed to say that prayer for protection that morning, and that my Heavenly Father knew it, too. I am grateful for the power of prayer and for the many times it has brought me peace, comfort, and protection in my life.

NO ONE Deserves to Be Abused

(Originally posted on Facebook August 3, 2014)

This Sunday message is a little different, so I hope you'll bear with me. I've had something on my mind for quite some time, and feel it needs to be shared. 

Several weeks ago, we went to see some friends perform with their band at a local restaurant. As we were waiting for the show to start, I saw a man walk in practically dragging a woman by the hand behind him. He was very loud and obnoxious, announcing his arrival as if it was some great event. The woman was a little plain, a little overweight, with little or no make up on and in plain clothes. She had sad, sunken eyes, with big black circles under them, and some bruises on her arms. The man walked over by the bar, plopped her down on a stool (where she remained most of the night) and promptly ordered a drink and handed her a glass of water. 
As the night went on, I found myself watching them intently. He drank more and more, and became more and more obnoxious, shouting out and blatantly checking out all the women who walked by. He wandered around, hitting on waitresses and calling attention to himself, even in the middle of the performance, which was very rude. Whenever he needed another drink, he went to the woman and demanded money, which she promptly pulled out of her purse with shaking hands and handed him. (No doubt she will be to blame when all that money is missing in the morning.) I watched her closely through the night. She rarely smiled or showed any emotion. Didn't talk to anyone, was skittish and jumpy, and mostly stared at the floor unless she was discreetly watching people. I made eye contact with her a few times, but she quickly looked down or away. I've taken enough psychology classes to know the signs of abuse, and she clearly had many of them. I saw her get up and head to the restroom, so I got up and went also, hoping to talk to her away from her man. I couldn't find her, and by the time I came out, she was already perched back on her stool. I finally made and held eye contact with her, and after a moment of trying to relay support to her, it was evident that SHE knew that I knew. Then she quickly turned away and never looked my way again. She was eventually dragged out behind the man who was so messed up he could hardly walk. It has bothered me ever since. 

Please know this. No one deserves to be abused. NO ONE. I have known dear friends and family members who have dealt with abuse. It is scary and difficult and often requires intervention from others. No matter how many times he apologizes, tells you he loves you, or says it will never happen again, it will not change. Get out. There are programs and people to help, and people who are there to keep you safe as you go through it. Please, if you or a loved one are being abused, not only physically, but emotionally or psychologically, get help. Confide in a friend or church leader or family member. It is a long, difficult process, but there is HOPE and HELP out there! 

Let's all keep our eyes open and be aware of others. If you suspect someone is being mistreated, please offer your support. Let's lift and help one another, build each other up, and relay a feeling of confidence and respect to them. Everybody deserves love and respect and to know that someone has faith in them. Love to all! Happy Sunday Friends!

July 27, 2014

Good Morning Friends! Happy Sunday! Here's a little message to think about:
Last week, Mike and I decided to go to a Friday afternoon dollar show. We decided on a movie (Heaven is for Real. Excellent!) and we were slow to get out of the house. We finally rushed out, worried that we would be late, only to realize when we got in the car that I had forgotten to bring the refillable mugs. I ran back inside, dug them out, and we were on our way.

As we were coming around the freeway on-ramp, Mike said, "Slow down. Something just happened up there." As we came onto the freeway, all the traffic was slamming on their brakes, and there was debris still flying all over the road. A minivan pulling a flatbed trailer was upside down on the side of the road. We immediately tried to pull over, but there was no where to go because of the great number of cars that had already stopped. There were people running at full speed from every direction toward the wreckage. There is a frontage road that also runs next to the freeway, and people had stopped and were actually scaling the fence to get to the van. I felt peace that there were plenty of people to help and heard sirens in the distance. I was crying at the display before me. We went on our way, praying the entire time that the people involved would be ok. (We found out later that they were taken to the hospital but didn't have any life threatening injuries.)

Two things I've learned from this experience. First, I believe that we were purposely delayed in leaving the house. I believe that had we left just a minute or two sooner, we could've been involved in this terrible accident. I am so thankful that we were being watched over. Second, I had an overwhelming feeling when I saw those people running to help. THAT, my friends, is what it means to truly love your neighbor. These people had places to be, things to do, meetings to attend, But they didn't think about how late they would be, the danger they were in, or what kind of horrible scene they may come upon. They saw a need, they stopped, and RAN to the rescue of a complete stranger. This gave me a new hope and faith in humanity. That is what life is all about. We don't always come upon a horrible accident or a blatant need, but what about those in our lives that need a shoulder to cry on, a hug, or someone to talk to? Are we dropping everything and RUNNING to their rescue? Or are we making excuses that we're too busy, too tired, or simply don't want to deal with it? There is need all around us. May we pay attention and take the time to stop and help. 

July 20, 2014

Since Pioneer Days festivities are here in Utah this week, my Sunday message will be a little different. I hope you'll bear with me. I am proud to say that I come from a long line of pioneer ancestors. I would like to share a story of my (I think) 5th great Grandfather, Charles Duncan. Charles and his family lived in Scotland, where he worked in a quarry as a stone cutter. They joined the church and prepared to cross the ocean to meet up with the Saints in America. As he was working to make enough money to make the crossing, his right arm was crushed in an accident. He was told that it would need to be amputated, but he refused to let them. They operated and removed several pieces of bone. Just before they were set to sail, gangrene set in. He was very ill, and was told by the Doctor that he was not well enough to make the journey, so he tried to convince his wife to go without him. She refused, so he agreed to come, and said that if he didn't make the trip, he would be buried at sea. The first night they were on board, his wife dreamed that she should wrap him in a quilt, lower him in a lifeboat, and he should drag his arm in the water. She had the same dream three times that night, and when she awoke, she shared it with Charles. He said that he didn't want to do it, but eventually she convinced him that she would come with him. The next night, they were tied into a life boat, and lowered into the sea. The cold salt water was horribly painful on his arm, but eventually he was able to sleep. It was the first time since his accident that he'd been able to sleep. So each night after that, they were lowered into the water and pulled behind the ship. By the time they reached America, his arm was healed and he was even able to help unload the ship. Their journey didn't end there. They still had to join the Saints, and because of extreme persecution, they had to join a handcart company to cross the plains to a desert wasteland with a giant lake filled with salt water where they could build a city and not be harassed. They buried family members along the way, some because of hunger, freezing, or illness. But they persevered and eventually made it to the Salt Lake Valley. Charles continued to work as a stone mason, and ended up cutting granite for the building of the Salt Lake Temple. I am honored to be a part of a heritage that is rich with strength, courage, endurance, and most of all... FAITH. They knew that whatever they had to endure, there was peace, comfort, and rest at the end of their journey. They knew that the most important things in life aren't things. I hope to meet them all one day and give them my thanks for the many sacrifices they made for us. Happy Sunday Friends! Hang in there! We're all in this together!

July 13, 2014

Good Morning friends! Guess what day it is? Here's a little Sunday message for you: When we first arrived at Bear Lake on Monday, we saw a nest of baby birds just outside the women's rest room. The nest was up about 10 feet high, and the mother would come and go trying to keep the babies fed. As we came and went, we enjoyed watching their little mouths begging for food. Early Wednesday morning, my sister in law approached the bathroom and realized that someone had knocked the nest down during the night. She hurried to my other sister in law, who has had experience rehabilitating birds, and told her what had happened. They realized that 2 birds had not survived the fall and quickly scooped up the remaining 3. For the rest of the trip, she painstakingly fed those 3 birds (til we lost one more) every couple of hours, coaxing their mouths open with tweezers. Some people would say, "It's part of nature" or "It's not my problem" or, of course, "They're probably not going to make it anyway, why bother!"  Do you know why? One word. HOPE. Maybe they wouldn't make it. Maybe they were too young, or had been injured too much. But.....maybe they WOULD. Hope holds a very special place in my heart. It has the power to change everything. Of course, hope has to be combined with action. But even the slightest glimmer of hope can push us to action. Hope is very powerful. To some (like me) there is hope of a Higher Being, a Heaven, a better place. We all hope for a better future for our families, our jobs, our country. In a seemingly evil world, we hope for peace, for prosperity, for good to prevail. We have all had hard times in our lives, when we have lost hope. We feel that there is nothing good to come, or that we can never make it past that time. But hope can change even the darkest times. Hope has the power to lift us from the chasms of abuse. Hope can release us from the clutches of addiction. Hope can give us strength and courage through health problems, job problems, family problems. It can change hearts, and in so doing, can change the world.  To those who are the continual optimists, who almost constantly maintain hope in their lives, I say, keep it up! You are a light and beacon to those around you. YOU make a difference.  And to those who are struggling with difficult times, I say, HANG ON. Don't give up hope. There is PEACE and LIGHT and HAPPINESS ahead.  Have a wonderful day. My hope is that all of you know that I love you and that you are important. Love to All. ♥

July 12, 2014

As I was raising my children, there were many days (more than I can count) that I felt like a failure. I tried my best to be a good mother, teach them well, keep them dressed and fed, give them skills to survive on their own. I helped with homework, volunteered in their classes, coached soccer teams. Some people would say I "Put my life on hold" to raise them as a stay at home mother. (I disagree...I feel like that IS life.) But more often than not, I felt inferior. I wasn't patient enough, lost my temper, said things I shouldn't. I felt I was too strict, or not strict enough. At times I probably made them feel they weren't good enough at school, at sports, at home. But despite all my failures as a mother, they continue to surprise me. I am so proud of them and the men they have become.   Just this week, Logan received his Phlebotomy Certification while continuing to work. Also, despite being hit by a car, losing his job, and finding out that he was one class short, Dakota stayed Summer Semester in St George, and now has officially graduated with an Associate of Science degree.  When I look at my kids (ALL of them) I figure I must have done something right. And they love me despite my inadequacies. (Most days) :)

July 6, 2014

Good morning Friends! Here's a Sunday message for you:

On the 4th of July we went to a water park with Mike's family. You all know that putting on a swimsuit leaves very little room for error. Every flaw, every roll is enhanced. We were having a great time, but sitting at the end of the pool were 4 women. These were NOT model type women, and had NO room to judge, but they sat there and mocked every woman that walked by. One would whisper, then all would turn and stare, then laugh, roll their eyes, or make rude comments. They did it to me, too. They were making everyone uncomfortable, and some would even go all the way around to avoid their taunting. Why would you do something like that? Why waste so much time and energy degrading others when we should be lifting them up? They were bitter, cynical people who were tearing others down to make themselves feel better. It's a human trait. 

It's also a guarantee that when you are at your lowest point, someone else is at their highest. It is very difficult to be happy for someone when you are having hard times. Sometimes we feel jealous or resentful of their "perfect" life. Several years ago, we were having a really hard time. Things were bad and getting worse, and no matter how hard we tried to stay above water, we kept getting knocked down and then kicked while we were down. At this same time, an acquaintance of mine on Facebook was having much luck and success. I remember thinking, "If I have to read one more post about how perfect her life is, I'm going to hide her!" Low and behold, up came another post. "No," I thought, "I don't want to be one of those people. I will just do my best to make a happy response, even if I have to fake it." So I told her how happy I was for her and wished her luck in everything she did, and you know what? Everything changed. Not my circumstances, nor hers. You know what changed? Me.
Sometimes it's still hard to suffer while others succeed or not to criticize or judge, but I'm making a conscious effort to work on it.

That being said, tomorrow I will go to Bear Lake. I will wear a swimsuit and not care what others think about me. I will ROCK this imperfect body of mine, and be happy for those who still have their perfect one. And you know what? We'll ALL have a great time. :)

June 29, 2014

I know you've all been anxiously awaiting a Sunday message from me, so here it is! 
The other day when I was sitting in the waiting room at the hospital being offended by a druggie (See Friday's post if you missed it) a woman was brought in on a gurney from an ambulance. They wheeled her through and into registration, and we didn't see her again for a while. Meanwhile, security took the man who was offending me (pretty sure they thought I was going to hurt him after he told me I looked 54), the other people were called out or went home, and I was sitting there alone. A few minutes later, the woman from the ambulance was wheeled over by me in a wheelchair. You could tell by the look on her face that she was in an excruciating amount of pain. I was looking at my phone and had a strong impression come to me. "Talk to her." 
"No," I thought, "I don't want to bother her. She looks miserable and probably isn't in the mood for conversation."
Again...."Talk to her." I glanced up and noticed she was wearing running clothes and had a Ragnar (a two day relay race along the backside of the Wasatch Mountains) "tattoo" on her upper arm.
"Are you another Ragnar casualty?" I asked. 

She looked up, gave me a half smile, and said, "Yeah, I guess I am." I asked her what happened, and she went on to tell me that as she was running, she got a sharp pain in her back, but was determined to finish her leg of the relay, so she ran another 3 miles (THREE MILES????) to the end of her leg, then collapsed on her knees and couldn't get up. She had to stop periodically through her story because she would inhale sharply and hold her breath (clearly in pain). I talked to her about back problems, how much I respect runners, and we laughed about the oxy-moron of "WAITING in an EMERGENCY Room." Finally, they came to get her to take her to a room. As the nurse went to turn her chair, she said, "Wait!" She turned her head, and with tears in her eyes, said, "Thank You."

"Sure!" I answered, and wished her luck.
"No," she said, "I really don't know how I would've sat here without someone to talk to. Having a distraction really helped." Then she said to the Nurse, "She's so nice. She was a life-saver." 

It was something so simple to me, and I almost justified my way out of it. We really don't know what others are going through. We all get those feelings, and whether we call them the Spirit, The Holy Ghost, Intuition, or just a prompting, may we listen when we get them. You just might be the answer to someone's prayer, or the light they need in their life. 
Happy Sunday Friends! Love to All! 

June 28, 2014

This weekend, here in Utah, is the annual Air Show at Hill Air Force Base. The base is only a mile or two from my house, so we've been enjoying the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds practicing the past few days. They are loud and thunderous, and I LOVE it.

The Air Show always reminds me of my Grandpa Gardner. He was a jet engine mechanic on HAFB. He even developed a tool to more efficiently work on the engines, and they made more and shipped them all over the world. He loved those planes so much. He would talk about them all the time, would take us to the base for the show, and introduce us to his buddies. He lived right by the base, so they would constantly fly over his house. I remember being over there, and anytime he heard them coming, he would look up and watch, then tell you what type of jet it was. Just after his funeral, we were standing at his grave sight while the grave was dedicated, and two jets flew right over our heads. It brought smiles and tears to all of us. Pretty sure he had something to do with it. 

I'm positive he's enjoying the Air Show today from a different angle up there. :)

June 22, 2014

Here's a little Sunday message:

Many years ago, I owned a particular slip that I hated. (Yes, just the kind that women wear under dresses and skirts.) It was fine originally, but through the years, the elastic in the waist stretched out, and it was always falling down, twisting around, or riding up. I should've gotten rid of it, but I just kept hanging on to it, mostly in case the other slips were dirty, too long, etc. but every time I wore it, it CONSUMED me. It was uncomfortable, and I would forget how much I hated it until I left to go somewhere, and then my thoughts were always on it.... checking, rearranging, pulling up, pulling down.
One day, I was in a hurry to go to a Young Women activity where I had to wear a dress. I got dressed, couldn't find my good slip, and pulled on the hated one. As we were walking down the street in a huge crowd of women to a meeting, my slip suddenly fell straight to the ground. Embarrassed, I just stepped out and kept on going. (Disclaimer.... I do NOT condone littering. I should've gone back, but I didn't.) And you know what? I felt FREE. RELIEF. I had been hanging on to that stupid slip for so long, and all I needed to do was let it fall and walk away.
How many of us have that one thing in our lives that is a constant irritant? Yet we hang on to it. Maybe we feel like we need it. Maybe we don't know how to let it go. Whether it's guilt, anger, offense, sin, feelings of inadequacy.... whatever it is that is causing us discomfort, irritability, pain, or distress, that one thing that constantly stresses you and consumes you, know that you CAN let it go. Drop that slip on the street and walk away. You will feel such a great weight removed from yourself when you do!

Happy Sunday Blessing to all of You, my friends! Keep your chin up. You are GOOD, STRONG, and ENOUGH.

June 11, 2014

Just drove past a lady running. She was quite heavy set and moving along at a slow pace. I don't know her, but my heart swells with pride for her! She has to know that people will snicker and make fun behind her back, and she's being passed constantly by tiny runners in tiny shorts, but she's out there anyway, shuffling along. 

Here's what I'd like to say to her. "Keep going. Don't give up. You'll feel so good if you make it to the end of this run. Don't compare yourself to others. I hope you see results right away, but more importantly, I hope you FEEL results right away.You go girl! You can do it!".... and most of all, "You're miles ahead of the rest of us who didn't run at all today."

June 8, 2014

It's a little later than usual, but here's a Sunday message to think about.
Yesterday I finally went to see Divergent. (I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I'll let you make that call for yourselves.) For those who don't know the story, it is about a place where people are put into groups, or "Factions" depending upon certain personality traits, inclinations, or upbringing. They are separated by intelligence, compassion, bravery, etc. Then there are an elite few who are called "Divergent's." They are the ones who show strong connections with ALL the factions. They think for themselves and thus create a threat to those in charge, fearing they can't be controlled. 

I started thinking about how this movie relates to our lives. Of course we are not forced to choose a group, but as humans, WE make our own assessments and place people in groups or classifications. In high school, there were the Jocks, the Stoners, the Cowboys. There were the Cheerleader/Drill teams, the Band/Choir Geeks, The Drama Nerds. And then there were the ones who didn't seem to fit in anywhere...The "Faction-less." As we grew older, we became classified by our schooling, careers, religion, what we wear, what we drive, where we live, what family or upbringing we came from. We are quick to judge and place people in the group that we think they belong in based on our basic knowledge of them or how they appear on the surface.

Why do we do that? I think if we took a little more time to get to know people before automatically classifying them, we would come to find out that they are all complex beings. We all have likes, dislikes, dreams, fears, and hopes. Let's give people a chance to show who they really are..... to see their HEART. And maybe we all should become a little more "Divergent," too. We can work on the things that don't come easy to us. We can face our fears, try to be more compassionate, learn something new, and by doing so, become more well-rounded and and more willing to see those traits in others. 

May 25, 2014

I've been thinking about something quite a bit lately, so I thought I would share it with you in a little Sunday message. I continually listen to and observe conversations, whether in person or here on social networking, and sometimes I hear things that bother me, but I don't want to embarrass people, so I usually don't speak up. The few times I have said something have been quipped by, "Oh that's different" or "I didn't mean you." So here goes. Be careful what you say. 

You have no idea the struggles people have been or are going through in their lives. Just because my child makes bad decisions doesn't mean that I'm a bad parent, that I didn't love and teach them correctly. Just because someone is an addict, doesn't mean they are weak. Because someone struggles with depression does not mean that they are just negative people who want attention. Because someone doesn't dress or do their hair in the latest style doesn't mean that they don't care about their appearance or that they don't yearn for acceptance. Because someone is dirty and homeless does not mean that they don't have physical needs and emotional struggles and feelings. We are so quick to judge and we forget one very important thing: MERCY.

Neither you nor I, nor anyone else on this planet is perfect. We have temptations, trials, and hardships. We make mistakes and make them again. We wouldn't want everyone to know the struggles that we go through but quickly judge others and how they handle them. So let's all try a little harder to show a little more mercy. After all, Isn't that what we all need?

April 29, 2014

There's a sweet little boy in my class who is always complimenting others, like... "That's a nice shirt!" or "You look darling today." But my favorite thing about him is that he enthusiastically shares in everyone's successes. "You did it!" "Great job!" "That's a really good picture!" And I got to thinking.... why don't the rest of us do that more often in our lives? 

We are pretty good at mourning with those who mourn, or comforting those who need comfort, but there's a little part inside the human spirit that feels that celebrating the successes of others somehow makes US less successful. We all have different talents. Some are outwardly apparent, and some are not. But NOBODY'S talents or abilities are more important than any others. I've found that by making a conscious effort to applaud other people in their successes, I've been able to find some more of my own. And the best part? It makes me a happier person. 

Let's all try a little harder to share in the excitement, joys, and achievements of others. I think you'll find it won't make you any less successful yourself. :)

March 28, 2014

I've been thinking a lot about my teen years the past few days. (Probably those throw back pictures....) and I was reminded of a little growing experience I had in Jr High, and thought I'd share... I have always loved musical theater, and was in Musical Theater and Production classes all through Jr High and High School. I am a decent dancer, so I could hold my own there, but mostly a mediocre singer. I was usually cast in a small speaking role, but mostly sang only in a chorus. When I was in the 9th grade, it was announced that we would be performing Tom Sawyer. Because of the limited number of parts, the teacher had decided to double-cast the show. The show would run 4 nights, each cast performing 2 nights. I was cast as Cousin Mary. That meant I would have to sing. SOLO. The other Mary was THAT girl. You know, the incredibly talented and beautiful one with the awesome, professionally trained voice. She was cast as the lead in almost every show. How could I compete with that? I practiced and worried myself to death. Finally, just a few days before the show, the teacher pulled me aside to practice. He asked me what was wrong. I told him my insecurities and that I didn't think I could do it, that compared to the other girl, I would sound horrible. He reminded me that we would never actually be singing together, so it didn't matter what she could do. Then he said to me, "Look at me. YOU CAN DO THIS. If I didn't think you could do it, I never would have cast you in this role." From that point I decided that good or bad, I would give it all I had. And guess what? I did it. And I DIDN'T suck. :) Remember, whether you think you can, or you think you can't.... You're right. Whatever you need to do, or whatever trial you have to get through, or whatever you are challenged with in this life, BELIEVE you can do it! You got this. I have faith in you! :)

March 7, 2014

It's funny how quickly your perspective changes when something happens to your family. I was so excited yesterday when I found out that I was a finalist in the Foreigner lip sync contest. It was totally unexpected, and a fun surprise. Then I got a call from my son Dakota who is going to college about 5 hours from here in St George. He told me what was going on and his plans for the summer. We talked for quite a while. It's always good to hear from him. 

Then Last night around 8 o'clock, I received a call from a paramedic in St George. He told me that Dakota had been hit by a car at an intersection in a crosswalk, and that he was being taken to the hospital. He did tell me that he was coherent and talking (and joking) with them. For an agonizing 2 and a half hours we waited for news. I prayed like I never have before. Suddenly everything else became insignificant. Finally a call came in, and I heard a tired voice say, "Hi Mom. Just want to let you know that I'm ok." How grateful I am for miracles in my life! He has a severe concussion and road rash and bruises all over, but he is expected to make a full recovery. He was crossing the cross walk with a walk sign when a pizza delivery driver came around the corner without stopping (he was programming his GPS) and hit him, witnesses say, at about 30 miles per hour. He was flipped completely and landed on the windshield of the car before falling to the road. Had he not hit the car, police say he would have landed on his head in the road and would most likely have been killed. So grateful for tender mercies and a loving Father in Heaven who had his eye on him! 

For those of you who know Kota, he is always the Joker, and was apparently making jokes even in the ambulance. He told the paramedic, "Just think how late that pizza is going to be!"

Love that boy! 

March 2, 2014

Here's a Sunday message for all of you. (Sorry it's so long!)

In 2009, life as we knew it was spiraling downward. Mike was struggling with health problems, the business we had built was becoming obsolete because of lending problems and the housing market tanking. We were dealing with problems at school, court dates, doctor visits, and many other issues. I was working part time, and driving everyone to their sports, activities, doctor appointments, while trying to hold church callings and take care of a household. Then I got sick. 

I struggled through it for a couple of weeks, citing I didn't have time to be sick. I was the only driver, I had to get everyone where they needed to be, my family needed me. I became DEATHLY ill, and was admitted to the hospital. I was told that at that point, I had less than 24 hours to live... severly dehydrated, organs shutting down, raging infection. Luckily they determined the problem right away, but it would take time to regain my health. I couldn't eat or drink, was fed through IV's and a PIC line. This contributed to more problems. ..insulin levels, collapsed lung due to water retention, etc.

Several days later, on a Sunday morning, I lay there in that hospital bed, so shaky and weak I could hardly move, wondering why this had to happen at the worst possible time. I needed to be home. My family needed me. Then came a knock on my door. Two men in suits asked if I would like to take the Sacrament, and if I would like them to share a message with me. They read a beautiful message, then gave it to me to keep. It lifted my spirits, and I've reflected back on it several times. I'd like to share it with you. Among other things, it states, (quote from Orson F Whitney) "No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience, is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the Children of God."

I know many friends and family are suffering trials and pain. Please know that it is not wasted. You WILL make it through and become stronger. Have a happy Sunday!

February 19, 2014

Today I was feeling a little frumpy. I was wearing my oldest battered scrubs and my old tennis shoes. I got ready for the day and did my hair and makeup, but by the time I got into the school through the crazy wind and sleet, I looked pretty hammered.  I took two of my first graders to the library with their regular ed class, and we were waiting in line to check in our books, when one little girl smiled at me and said, (keep in mind these kids don't really know me, they have just seen me a few times dropping our kids off, etc.) "I think you're the best teacher ever!" I thanked her, and the little girl behind her looked at me and said, "You look so nice today! You are so pretty!" Funny how something so small can make such a difference in your day. Maybe we all need to work on being a little more like first graders. :)

January 5, 2014

 A while ago at a Festival of Trees Board Meeting, there was a story shared with us. (My Festival friends will probably remember this.) It was about a wonderful Christian Oncologist who works for Primary Children's Hospital. He is kind, loving, prayerful, would go to worship almost every day before work, and loved the children. 
One day, he had a meeting with a little 7 year old boy and his parents. The boy had had cancer, and had gone into remission, but the latest test results revealed that the cancer had returned. He was going over treatment options and a plan on how to beat it, when the angry little boy defiantly stated,"YOU can't heal me. The only person who can make me better is Heavenly Father."
Without missing a beat, the Dr. Looked him in the eye and said, "Well, who do you think I work for?"

We were then asked to evaluate ourselves and our own lives and ask ourselves the same question, which, at the start of this New Year, I'm posing to you also. "Who do YOU work for?" In our dealings with our families, friends, neighbors, colleagues... who are we working for? Are we kind, caring, tolerant of others and beliefs that may be different than ours? Do we set a good example, love unconditionally and try to be more Christ-like? Let's all take some time and think about our own lives and the ways we can improve. I know I have a long way to go.