Grateful for Love

No words.

Just love.

So thankful...

Tolerance verses Self Destruction

Elder Russell M. Nelson:

"Tolerance is a virtue much needed in our turbulent world. But we must recognize that there is a difference between tolerance and tolerate. Your gracious tolerance for an individual does not grant him or her license to do wrong, nor does your tolerance obligate you to tolerate his or her misdeed. That distinction is fundamental to an understanding of this vital virtue."

"Now may I offer an important note of caution. An erroneous assumption could be made that if a little of something is good, a lot must be better. Not so! Overdoses of needed medication can be toxic. Boundless mercy could oppose justice. So tolerance, without limit, could lead to spineless permissiveness."

"The Lord drew boundary lines to define acceptable limits of tolerance. Danger rises when those divine limits are disobeyed. Just as parents teach little children not to run and play in the street, the Savior taught us that we need not tolerate evil. “Jesus went into the temple of God, … and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers” (Matthew 21:12; see also Mark 11:15). Though He loves the sinner, the Lord said that He “cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance” (D&C 1:31)."

"Real love for the sinner may compel courageous confrontation—not acquiescence! Real love does not support self-destructing behavior."

*Source:  Nelson, Elder Russell M., "What is Tolerance", April 1994 General Conference Address, LDS.org online.

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Sometimes in life we have to protect ourselves, by drawing boundaries of what is and isn't acceptable behavior from others.  

Tolerance verses self destruction. 

Your boundaries may be different from mine.  

That is okay. 

Here is how I feel we should play:  I respect your boundaries, and I expect you to respect mine.  (If I intrude on your boundaries let me know--I cannot know where the fence line is if I can't see it!)  However if you don't respect my boundaries, then you don't respect me.

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"Real love for the sinner may 

compel courageous confrontation—not acquiescence! 

Real love does not support self-destructing behavior." 

(Elder Russell M. Nelson*)

Quotes

"The Lord doesn’t care at all if we spend our days working in marble halls or stable stalls. He knows where we are, no matter how humble our circumstances. He will use—in His own way and for His holy purposes—those who incline their hearts to Him."

—Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "You Matter to Him", Liahona and Ensign, November 2011

"You may sometimes be tempted to say, ‘Will my influence make any difference? I am just one. Will my service affect the work that dramatically?’ I testify to you that it will. You will never be able to measure your influence for good."

—Thomas S. Monson, "Prophet, Apostles Speak at MTC Mission Presidents' Seminar", Church News and Events, June 29, 2012
See also:  D& C 64:33-34

Friends

I just love it when you cross paths with friends you haven't spoken to in years.  

Life gets busy and we physically lose touch, 

but we still love and cherish sweet friendships!

I am very excited at the prospect of renewing "old" friendships!

Last month I traveled to Iowa to do some family history work.  Des Moines was a beautiful little city, but there was something very remarkable I learned from the drivers there.

Des Moines drivers are the most kind and considerate driver's I have ever encountered!  I was driving like a tourist, trying to read street signs and follow my navigation system.  Unintentionally, there were several times that I pulled out in front of other cars, needed to squeeze in front of someone, or drove too slow.  However, I was not honked at a single time.  Nope, not once.

It was contagious, and I noticed I began to be a more compassionate driver.  So, as I get back to Utah and am driving in traffic, I repeat to myself, "Be like an Iowa driver."

It is easy to drive "nice" when everyone is driving nice, not so easy when everyone is not driving "nice!"  Maybe I'll print up a little card to put in my car as a reminder of my travels to Iowa and a personal lesson I learned from the drivers there!

If Only

If only words could extend,
the love I feel for you,
my cherished friend.


If only lyrics of a song,
could tell my feelings,
I'd sing along.


If only I was sure you knew,
my love for you is great,
But, the words come few.

(27 August 1977)

To Me

To me you are,
The sweetness of honey,
The joy of each day,
and each dream of tomorrow.


You are,
The smile of sunshine,
A twinkle of a star,
and the shine of the moon.


You are,
The loveliest thought,
The boldness of the sea,
And the bravest of all.

To me you are,
One of God's creations;
One of His finest creations,
And, together, we are love...

(10 October 1977)

Nothing Lasts Forever

Snowflakes fall, and quickly melt.
Birds soar, and fly away.
Season's change, never stopping;
Days come and, days go;
Nothing lasts forever.


Bright days turn, into dark nights.
Clouds of white float away.
Words of anger, pass on by;
Special moments, last only seconds;
Nothing lasts forever.

Dreams change, and break,
Friends move on,
Love is only a moment;
Nothing lasts forever.

(11 November 1979)

Love

My love for you
is more than a beautiful sunset or sunrise.


My love for you
is deeper than any ocean or the sea.


My love for you
is a feeling far above all else.

(26 Jul 1979)

Daddy

There's a special man in her life,
Who tells her little stories.
She'll listen intently;
Smile, giggle, and in her tiny eyes a twinkle.

When her special man
walks into the room,
her tiny eyes will follow.
She'll stop, and stare,
and one can tell she loves him.

There's a little girl in his life,
who has a special place in his heart.

And when she smiles,
his eyes fill with love and joy.
He melts, he's proud,
And one can tell he loves her.

Together they're like
night and day;
He's big and strong,
She's small and frail.
He's wise,
She's innocent;
He's a man of the world,
And she's an angel from God.

Between them
There a special bond of love
That brings joy and happiness;
And one can tell,
She loves him,
and he loves her,
That's the way it should be
daddy and daughter.

(15 October 1982)

Family

                                  

"To us, family means putting your arms 

around each other and being there."

-Barbara Bush

Isn't that just a sweet thought!  However, I remember many days when the idea of putting my arms around my family members would have probably ended squeezing too tightly.

Crazy, but I miss those days.  I miss the business of laundry, cooking, cleaning, children fighting, and yelling.  I miss the warmth of sharing evening with loved ones, hugs, smiles, and the silly things children say.

I miss the hectic moments looking for lost items; the tired legs from baking all day; the silliness and laughs at dinner.  I miss toothpaste in the sink, dirty bedrooms and piles of laundry.  I miss crumbs on the kitchen floor, fingerprints on the windows, and lights being left on.  

I miss it all, crazy as it sounds.

I am glad I have the sweet memories.

I have been so blessed to be a mother.

My dear friend

This past week I learned that Sister & Elder H had completed their mission.  Due to health issues they are facing they are not able to serve any longer.

I am sad.

These are two of the most wonderful and beautiful people I have ever met.  I have found a dear sweet friend in Sister H.  We connected in a very special way and were able to share some very special times together.   I am very sad at the thought of not seeing seeing Sister H every Thursday, however, because of her, my life has been blessed.

Many prayers to Elder & Sister H for their health problems and may they always know I love each of them dearly.

We never really know how we affect people just by being who we are!

Happy Valentine's Day

While Joe was alive, Valentine's Day wasn't a big day.

Most of the time we would go to the store, read the cards, and he'd say, "This one is the one I'd get for you."  I would read the card, thank him for "his" thoughts, kiss him and we would place it back on the display and leave the store without spending the $2 or $3 for a card.  It was the thought that counts and who wants to pay for a thought?  It was  joke between us.

It was all good! 
We were in love all year long, Valentine's Day was just a hyped up commercial day.
The real Valentine's Day was the day he'd show up from work and surprise me with a Coke and Snickers.  Or flowers, just because.  Joe did many sweet things throughout the year, we didn't need a "Valentine's Day!"

That was it!

However, now that he is deceased and there is a big hole in my heart, the day of LOVE really annoys me!

Happy Valentine's Day!
I'm going to spend it with my sweet Valentines--my grandchildren!  (If their Daddy asks out his Valentine!)

Quotes

Have been sick. Icky cold, but at least I,m building up antibodies! Ran across these two quotes today, and thought I might share.

Heart

"The tiny flame that lights up the human heart is like a blazing torch that comes down from heaven to light up the paths of mankind.
         For in one soul are contained the hopes and feelings of all Mankind."
-Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931)
 
Love is strong, love is powerful - love makes all things possible. This same strength is within each one of us. Physically, our heart is the "engine" that drives our whole body. Emotionally, love is what keeps us going. Love lights the way for us.
-Lissa Coffey  

I believe we all want the same thing: to be loved.

Things I'm grateful for:
1. Watching the snow from my warm house.
2. No obligations so I can be sick!
3. DVR!

Visiting Teaching

I love visiting teaching.  Tuesday, I got to go, and it was, as usual wonderful!  Visiting teaching allows daughters of God, to meet, help, and teach one another. 

Since moving to my current location, visiting teaching has allowed me to make loving friendships.  I have met these sweet women by being assigned to visit teach them, or they are assigned to visit teach with me as a partner.  It is such a blessing to be welcomed into  their homes and learn from these intelligent women. 

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president said,  “In reality, visiting teaching is never finished. It is more a way of life than a task. Faithfully serving as a visiting teacher is evidence of our discipleship.” (source reference)

Visiting teaching has been such a blessing in my life.

Today I am grateful for:
1.  The Gospel
2.  Being a daughter of God
3.  visiting teaching
4.  Christ

Status

Yesterday while I was getting my hair done, the beautician who knew I was widowed, said something about my being single.  I was in a crummy mood to begin with and I snapped back, "I'm not single, I'm widowed."

This morning while I was driving into the library, I was thinking about my response and why it irritated me so much.   I wasn't using the widow card, that is a separate issue.  This is more about the title, the badge, the status of "widow" and the picture it paints. 
I realized:
I want credit for being married for 24 years.
I want credit for sticking it out.
I want credit for "better or worse".
I want credit for "winning the race" and making it to the "finish line".
I want kudos for doing his laundry, fixing his meals, and taking care of him.
I want kudos for turning the other cheek, picking my battles and keeping silent.
I want it known I still love him.
I want it known I miss him.
I want it known I did not choose this.
I want it known there was nothing I did to change my status.
I need  the sacredness and specialness of my marriage remembered.
I want it remembered he is still part of who and what I am today.
I want it known that I buried the man I loved.
I want it known that I stood over his casket and said good-bye to him.
I want it remembered that I have to visit his grave-site to be with him.
I want credit for being strong enough to keep walking down this miserable road.

Widowhood is not a badge I want to wear, however, it best paints the description of my situation; "single" does not.

Love

Heart Animations provided by MySpaceAnimations.com

"When others' needs start to matter more than our own, and when others' success are more exciting to us than our own, we are beginning to experience the kind of love that our Father in Heaven and our Savior have for us."

Selfish motives are abundant and hard to steer away from...These are necessarily evil motives; but they're not enough."

"Reaching out to others showing genuine interest and becoming acquainted brings real power."

Source:
 Osguthorpe's talk at BYU Devotional in the Marriott Center on March 8, 2011.
Harker, Monica.  "Love:  most powerful force," Church News, march 12, 2011 page 15.  Brother Russell T. Osguthorpe.