Be the Light

 FOR THERE IS ALWAYS LIGHT, 

IF ONLY WE'RE BRAVE ENOUGH TO SEE IT.

IF ONLY WE'RE BRAVE ENOUGH TO BE IT.

(Amanda Gorman; The Hill We Climb)

Only One Goal

    What if I woke up with only on goal in mind for the day? 

    TO BE KIND!

    To focus on the quality of my interactions with others. And in every interaction, big or small, to do my best to convey a sense of value for the other person. 

    It really shouldn't be that hard.

    When my 6-year-old is calling me to come and look at the progress he's made building lego's, for the upteenth time, can I do so with less hesitation and more genuine interest?

    When my 13-year-old needs help finding her ballet leotard that I told her to put away, can I push aside my frustration and give up a little of my time to help her find it?

    Can I be slower to react to the impatient drivers around me and quicker to thank those who serve me?

    Can I fill the world with just a little more love?

    I tend to view the success of my day by going through all the tasks I've accomplished. The more productive I am, the more successful I feel. But maybe success is more about how I make others feel and less about how many things I can check off my to-do list. 

    My day is made up of hundreds of small moments and brief interactions. But I know even the smallest and seemingly least significant of these has the power to make a difference. Even the simplest of gestures can warm a heart and brighten a day.

    I know this because I'm the recipient of many small acts of kindness. This is especially true when I'm out in the community with my disabled 16-year-old. The taller and stronger he gets, the more apparent it is how ill-equipped I am to manage him physically. 

    I remember a time when I was checking out at the grocery store. David was sitting in the berth of the cart with his knees pulled up to his chin. It was a tight fit for his lanky body, but my only assurance of containing him. When he's not in the cart, he's known to dart off, and it doesn't help that he's faster than me. 

    In that particular store he loves to ride the elevator to the upper level and take himself on a self-guided tour of the manager's office and break room. I didn't have time to play cat-and-mouse that day and I only needed a few items, so he got to ride in the cart. 

    I guess it was an unusual sight for the older Hispanic man at checkout, but he didn't respond that way. He came up to David and patted him on the back. In broken English he warmly expressed, "You a good boy. You a good boy." He then looked up at me, nodded, smiled and simply said, "I know." I know was his way of saying, I see you and I acknowledge your struggle. 

    I was touched by the warmth and sincerity of this man's genuineness. It was a short interaction, fleeting at best, but I have not forgotten it. 

    Don't underestimate the power of kindness.

    Your simple words and brief interactions have the power to make a difference in a world hungry for human contact.

 

Names for Christ in the Book of Mormon

I recorded the names for the Savior I discovered while reading the Book of Mormon. Some are repetitive and I'm sure I missed a few. Here are the 58 I found:

The Stone, Sure Foundation, Creator, Jesus Christ, Lord of Hosts, Redeemer, Savior, the Son, the Son of God, Holy One of Israel, Lord God Almighty, Messiah, Great Mediator, Holy Messiah, First Fruits unto God, Mighty One of Jacob, the God of Nature, Lamb of God, Son of the Eternal God, Savior of the World, Son of the Most High God, the Lord, the Lord God Omnipotent, God and Father of all things, Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, Beloved, My Beloved Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, Lord of the Vineyard, Supreme Being, True and Living God, Christ, Jehovah, Immanuel, Very Eternal Father of Heaven and Earth, the Beginning and the End, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, True Vine, High Priest of Good Things to Come, Master, Great Spirit, Lord of the Harvest, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, Our Great and Eternal Head, their Rock, their Salvation, the Good Shephard, the Keeper at the Gate, Him who is Mighty to Save, the Word, a More Excellent Hope.

 

HE 

is the giver 

of all good gifts

Day 7 gratitude challenge

 Gratitude challenge issued by President Nelson

#givethanks

They say it takes a village to raise a child. If so, I wonder how many villages are needed to raise an autistic child. 

There are teachers, aides, respite workers, family, friends, neighbors and total strangers.

I am so grateful for all the people who reach out in love and kindness to help us keep our David happy and safe. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We love you.

Day 6 gratitude challenge

 Gratitude challenge issued by president Nelson

#givethanks

I am thankful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is my connection to heaven which allows me to receive inspiration, comfort, teaching, warning and answers to prayer. 

With the companionship of the Spirit I never have to be alone and I'm able to feel God's love for me. 

Day 5 gratitude challenge

Gratitude challenge issued by President Nelson

#givethanks

I am thankful for my parents. They are the salt of the earth. Everything I am, I owe to them, for their teachings, faith, example and sacrifice.

 We've only been together 4 times in the past 22 years. But there is no number of miles or oceans that can separate me from the sustaining power of their faith and love.

Day 4 gratitude challenge

 Gratitude challenge issued by President Nelson

#givethanks

I'm grateful for the sacred privilege of being the mother of 4 beautiful blue-eyed babies.

For David, who is pure in heart and remains unspotted by the world.

For Emma, who is compassionate, creative, determined and energetic.

For Skye, who is generous, organized, independent and insightful.

For Levi, who is tender-hearted and filled with the wonder of learning and creating.

They fulfill the measure of my creation.

Day 3 gratitude challenge

 Gratitude challenge issued by President Nelson

#givethanks

I am thankful for this guy. My forever companion.

We've been a team for almost 20 years. Together we've travelled some hard roads, and together we've become stronger, wiser and more loving. 

What I value most about Rob is his nurturing personality. He loves to take care of plants, animals and people-and our house is filled with all three. 

I couldn't ask for a better father for my children. Family is always his first priority.