Happy Birthday Jennifer!

"All the World's a Stage, and men and women merely players...."

Boyd K Packer said, “The plan of redemption, with its three divisions, might be likened to a grand three-act play. Act I is entitled “Premortal Life.” The scriptures describe it as our First Estate. (See Jude 1:6; Abr. 3:26-28)  Act II, from birth to the time of resurrection, the “Second Estate.” And Act III, “Life After Death or Eternal Life.

In mortality, we are like one who enters a theater just as the curtain goes up on the second act. We have missed Act I. The production has many plots and sub-plots that interweave, making it difficult to figure out who relates to whom and what relates to what, who are the heroes and who are the villains. It is further complicated because you are not just a spectator; you are a member of the cast, on stage, in the middle of it all!” (from The Play and the Plan – May 7, 1995)

So - Shakespeare was right.  The world is a stage and we are but players.  The truth is our lives ARE a three act play.  Act I  IS the pre-existence – the spirit world from which we came.  Act II is our life on earth – where too many people expect to live the happy ever after fairy tale.  But the truth is, you don’t have “happy endings’ in the second act.  Act III is our life after death – THAT is the happy ending we are all seeking.

Our job is to “seek” happiness.  In order to find happiness here on earth, we need to re-evaluate what makes us happy.  Make a list of what you think makes you happy.  How is that going for you?   If you think riches and power will make you happy, you will never be happy.  Happiness is closer than you think.  Your happiness lies within your reach.  It is the people who surround you that can and should be your source of happiness. 

To get closer to those people, you need to change your focus from  “how can they make me happy?” to “what can I do to make THEM happy?”  If everyone did that, we’d ALL be happy. (or, as George Bernard Shaw once said, "We have no more right to consume happiness without producing it than to consume wealth without producing it."   Amen.)

What IS the American Dream?

I just ran across this article on AOL and wondered if this could possibly be true:

'American Idol' and the Death of the American Dream
By Jam Donaldson
Some would look at "American Idol" and think it was the living and breathing personification of the American dream. Nobodies getting a chance to be international superstars; it is a once-in-a-lifetime chance at fame and fortune. Only in America! But somehow I don't see it as a great testimony to hope and the American dream. In my eyes, it shows just how hope-less so many of us have become.
Celebrity is our new religion. You don't want to be the best, or the smartest or the most honest or the person who worked the hardest. You just want to be the most famous. However you get there, it's fame that counts now. Those poor schmucks just want a chance to be somebody, anybody. America has taught us that celebrity is really the only thing that really counts. The only time YOU count.

I'm afraid she's got something here. This is what our kids have been taught. What are we going to do about it? Even if your kids are grown, there is still something you can do.  I don't know about you, but I have grandchildren - and I plan to fill their little heads with a different vision of what is admirable and what should be sought after.  Let's turn this around!

A Case Against Obama's Health Care Plan - MUST SEE!

Teaching your Children to Pray

My cousin had this handy hint in her Christmas newsletter. I wish I had heard this when my kids were learning to pray. It's called the "Five Finger Prayer."

First, put your hands together in front of you as if you are praying. The closest finger to you is the thumb. Since it is the closest to you, the thumb reminds you to pray for those that are closest to you. Pray for your parents and your brothers and/or sisters.

The next finger is your index finger. It is used for pointing. Let this finger remind you to pray for those that point you in the right direction. Pray for your teachers at school, your Sunday School teacher, and your bishop or pastor.

The next finger is the tallest finger. This finger reminds us to pray for our leaders. Pray for the president and other leaders in our government and those who are leaders in our town.

The fourth finger is the called the ring finger. Did you know that this is the weakest of all the fingers? Just ask any one who plays the piano and they will tell you that is true. Let this finger remind you to pray for those who are sick or in need.

The next finger is the smallest finger. The Bible says, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought." Let the little finger remind you to pray for yourself. Ask God to bless you and meet your needs.

Public Prayers

"I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin , but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his Theory of Evolution.

Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.

But it's a Christian prayer, some will argue.

Yes, and this is the United States of America , a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect -- somebody chanting Hare Krishna?

If I went to a football game in Jerusalem , I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.

If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad , I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.

If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.

And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit.

But what about the atheists?

What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.

God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me."



The majority of this article was written September 5, 1999 by Nick Gholson in the Times Record News (Wichita Falls, Texas)  a little of Mr. Gholson’s original article has been deleted and a few other paragraphs have been added since then by unknown authors.

Ainsley's Birth Announcement

Ainsley Elizabeth - born November 22, 2009

New Year's Resolution:

Volunteer and Help Others

Volunteering has risen sharply in recent years. This suggests the possible emergence of a new civic generation and a resolve to make a bigger and better difference with your life.

Resolve to replace the pursuit of success and materialism with the pursuit of contribution and generosity. For this to occur, the critical question must move from, “How can I become successful?” to, “What can I contribute that will significantly impact other people's lives?” By focusing on what we can contribute, we automatically become successful.

If you'd like to help others, but have no time and no money, go to:  youngmothersservingothers.blogspot.com
(you don't have to be a "young mother" to benefit from this site. It is for ANYONE who doesn't have the time or the money to serve, but would like to do something.)

My Personal New Year's Resolutions

 

1. Lose Weight and Get in Better Physical Shape (yeah right.  This has been on my list every year. How’s that working for me?  It’s not.
2. Enjoy More Quality Time with Family & Friends (This I WILL do!)
3. Volunteer and Help Others (What I don’t do myself, I get others to do – does that count?)
4. Get Organized (on my honor, I will try…)

What are YOURS????

Happy New Year ...2010 !