☘️ March

Fast: Andrew 1) reading will click, 2) more comfortable around people, 3) improved social skills, 4) family’s increased patience with and love for him. 

James & Daniel: testimony of sabbath and attending church. 

Prepare for the 5 D’s: Divorce, Death, Disability, Depression, Disaster 

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. 

Emotionally prepare for hard times. “We’re here to help.” I’m your safe place. “There’s nothing that can be done that cannot be forgiven.” Do my boys feel like I’m their judge it their support system?

Clear my schedule both when Mike comes in and out, but also my boys (And bedtime).

They’re (Mom and Dad) the maypole and we’re the strings 

“I’m a good person and I love myself” be kind to yourself. 

Don’t write it down if later it’s going to need an explanation. (Journal) record the beautiful in your life. 

What is MY self reliance list?

Look to the future with faith in them. 

Go. Not for yourself. Somebody there needs YOU. you can have an influence on someone. 

Try empowering your own children. Teach them inner strength to withstand external influences. 

3/4: today James got the “birds and the bees” talk. Mike did a fantastic job. It was also James’s first PPI and I could not be more pleased and grateful with how Mike presented and James received the information. Our bodies are a gift... and so is Mike 💗

3/9

Thanks to James, I’ve been able to continue working out at my 7 am time even when mike drives Daniel to school and work before 8. This is what I cane home to this morning. The boys are so lucky to have a happy, adventures, creative m, outdoorsy big bro to enjoy. 

Every night I kiss and hug each boy good night... and gaze at them when their sleeping— even on date night after they’ve gone to bed. (I have to be cautious near Daniel because sometimes he throws punches). Tonight. As I went to say good night to a sleeping Andrew, all of a sudden he reaches out both his arms and wraps them around my neck. And he just held them there for a minute. I can’t believe how loved I am. 

Being a friend is a conscious decision. You can’t just be friends and then one day change your mind on it. When you decide to be someone’s friend, you decide to be there for the long haul. Available heart, arms, schedule. Even when you feel uncomfortable?

Even when their 20% surfaces and shows. 

There’s no substitute for kindness. 

“Intentional about having an awesome marriage”

Villain/victim story

Benson’s formula for a happy marriage:

Choose wisely

Unselfish 

Live the gospel (with your whole heart)

Continue courting and kindness 

“Out of kilter”: take a rest to get back into balance

If you bring up an issue, be prepared to pour on the compassion. 

“digging deep” 

There is no full life that won’t go through vehement trials. 

List of how God shows love, esp in trials. 

Let breaches be stepping stones to love and deepened relationships rather than destroying the relationship. 

“You just need to apologize.”

What breaches are there in my life that need to be addressed, mended, healed?

We need to thicken our skin a little bit. Teach kids to blow things off, to get over things, to move forward. Give people the benefit of the doubt. 

If we are fortunate enough to have a knowledge and a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives, we had better take full advantage of that knowledge and testimony and act accordingly. Acting according to our knowledge and testimony of the plan of salvation would obviously be the best and most appropriate use of your time, not only as a university student but throughout your life. Maynes

Sharky

Honey Badger

Bunny Foofoo 

Raccoon 

“None of us ever fully utilizes the people-opportunities allocated to us within our circles of friendship. You and I may call these intersectings ‘coincidence.’ This word is understandable for mortals to use, but coincidence is not an appropriate word to describe the workings of an omniscient God. He does not do things by ‘coincidence’ but … by ‘divine design.’” -Maxwell 

We are divinely designed to give love and be loved, and the deepest love comes when we are one with God.marriott

Adults are looking for novelty, but it is through familiarity that we learn. 

How precious is The Book of Mormon to you?

1. What would your life be like without The Book of Mormon?
2. What would you not know?
3. What would you not have?

Absence of a bad feeling = it’s okay to go. 

Then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Monson

-This is a wonderful time to be on earth. While there is much that is wrong in the world today, there are many things that are right and good. There are marriages that make it, parents who love their children and sacrifice for them, friends who care about us and help us, teachers who teach. Our lives are blessed in countless ways.

-“gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”

-The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life.” He continued: “Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!” Joseph F Smith

“to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven. Monson

There is nothing easy or automatic about becoming such powerful disciples. Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee. -Nelson

Happiness is the object and design of our existence. JS

We are living a miracle, and further miracles lie ahead. Hallstrom

3/23 Sometimes. More frequently now than previously, when I find myself thinking negatively about a person, instantly these words come to my mind: “I love him/ her too.” And I’m stopped in my thoughts. I know that my heavenly father loves me. He’s reminding me that he loves everyone else too. 

3/23

I was so impressed with James today at the battle of the books. We read all 20 books, studied, and prepared. But when we got to the semi finals, their team got the harder questions and they lost. Some kids got teary-eyed and some kids were bawling. James was cool as a cucumber. Is that one on the soccer team too. He cares, he prepares, and he does very best. But in end he’s ok if he doesn’t win. 

He gets up. He realizes that there’s one on the journey and that there’s more to participation and winning. Everyone worked hard, everyone prepared, everyone deserved to win. 

He gets that it’s not just about him. 

“Home life, proper teaching in the home, parental guidance and leadership--these are the panacea for the ailments of the world and its children. They are the cure for spiritual and emotional diseases and the remedy for its problems. Parents should not leave the training of children to others. 

Constant training, constant vigilance, companionship, and being watchmen of our own children are necessary in order to keep our homes intact and to bless our children in the Lord’s own way.

None of us should get so busy in our lives that we cannot contemplate with prayer. Prayer is the passport to spiritual power.” SWK ‘79

-“The success of our family will have a direct correlation to the intensity and commitment we give our scripture study.” (Prompting)

What gets me back in "kilter?" What are my anchors? (Family, ward, temple, scripture, prayer). 

The youth have so many questions. But they have so many answers as well. 

Record and share times when you (and your family) obeyed the spirit. 

Temple:

-“Get to the temple to protect your children.” -Busby prompting

-Each time we go, the power of Satan is diminished. 

-Every week. 

-able to cell upon aid; call upon the powers of heaven 

"Don’t do things for the Lord, do things with the Lord."

Fräulein