As we sat around the table for our family’s Thanksgiving feast, we all took turns saying what we were most grateful for on this special Thanksgiving Day. I shed a few tears as I spoke of the miracles of God the last few years, both big and small, which had allowed our family to be together this day. Without His divine intervention, we wouldn’t have had this day of rejoicing with our family and friends.
Read MoreI sometimes have problems sleeping. I can usually fall asleep okay, but I often wake up in the middle of the night and have difficulty falling back asleep. I’m not sure what the reason is (it doesn’t seem to be stress) as I usually go to bed feeling quite content and happy! I recently found some interesting, new information in a lengthy article, which I hadn’t read before. I decided that what I needed to do was to incorporate, slowly but surely, all 20 of its suggested “tips” into my daily routine!
Read MoreI went home and looked around my kitchen and decided to start learning to love being there much more. Instead of thinking about my kitchen as a place of drudgery where I had to do chores, I started thinking about my kitchen as a place to create happy memories and teach my children to enjoy making and eating nutritious food.
Read MoreHowever, having a few successful experiences of breaking through my fears did not bring me great courage. It was still not one of my emotional strengths. It was only through the pain of many disappointing experiences, where I totally lacked the courage I needed, when I resolved to change. I believe we can all learn to be courageous people who know how to, “DO what needs to be done WHEN it needs to be done WITHOUT hesitation.”
Read MoreI was looking online to see if the 1985 music tape, “Bounce Back!” still existed because I wanted to share it on my blog. I FOUND IT! I was so thankful to Jason Poole for taking the time to remaster this tape! I cried all the way through the last song on the album, “You’re Not Alone,” which had given me so much strength and the courage to keep going on years ago.
Read MoreA few weeks ago, I watched a weekly podcast entitled “Unleash Your Inner Goldilocks: How To Get It Just Right” that was put on by Dr. Kasthuri (Kas) Henry. She invited my sister, Robin Litster Johnson, to join her as they discussed the subjects of Gratitude and Resilience. I was so inspired by what I learned from these two amazing women that I wanted to share about Dr. Kas Henry on my blog.
Read MoreThe role of “aunt” in our family has always included nurturing newborns, playing with young children, overnight babysitting, cutting, styling, and/or braiding hair, painting fingernails, playing all kinds of games including baseball, basketball and football, helping with homework, assisting with cooking, cleaning, and house organization, being available to help family members with moves from coast to coast, and sneaking their nieces and nephews some candy and treats when their parents weren’t looking!
Read MoreWhen Dallin H. Oaks was called to have a leadership role in our church in 1984, I was delighted to begin hearing him speak again at every General Conference. In doing a little research about his life, I came across a cute anecdote by his sister Evelyn O. Moody:
“Whenever we got together for family parties, it was funny to watch because Dallin . . . was always the leader. He would tell who were the cops and who were the robbers . . . Before anyone else could turn two wheels in his brain, Dallin had the whole thing organized.”
Read MoreA few years ago, while pondering about setting a specific goal, this encouraging thought came to me, “A goal is not a cane to beat yourself with—it is a walking stick to help you climb the mountains in your life.”
Yes! Let’s not beat ourselves up for what we haven’t done. Let’s set a small goal and achieve it! Enjoy that sweet feeling of accomplishment for a few minutes and then set another small goal. Step by step we can climb all the mountains in our lives.
Read MoreWe all can be inclusive with other people as we reach out with kindness, caring, and real love to our friends, neighbors, co-workers, community organizations, church groups, and even strangers on the street. We all need to ask ourselves this question: How can I help others feel that they are important, needed, and appreciated—that they truly have a safe place of belonging with me?
Read MoreFor the past few years, I’ve been writing posts about each letter of the alphabet, A-Z, from my book, ABC’s for a Happy Marriage. I didn’t write these posts in alphabetical order—I just randomly wrote whatever I felt like writing at the time. I wanted to have all twenty-six posts written by the end of 2020, but I realized this month that I was only up to twenty-four letters of the alphabet. So, I decided to combine the last two letters, “K” and “S” together.
Read MoreLife is unpredictable. Once in a while, everything is instantly turned upside down. When it happens to you, what do you do? Do you give up hope that you can survive this crisis, or do you fight back with the conviction that you will do the best you can under the circumstances?
Read MoreI learned to get up each morning, put a smile on my face, and leave the past in the past. Everybody was given a “clean slate.” I tried to focus on today and expect the best in everyone. If a new problem occurred today, I tried to deal with it today and not bring up or recite a long list of grievances that had happened in the past.
Read MoreEach of us can define the woman we want to be today, tomorrow, and forever. This is my definition: “WOMAN—
BRIGHT. BEAUTIFUL. BRAVE. BOLD. BENEVOLENT.”
In 1983, Barbara B. Smith gave a talk entitled, “A Season of Strength” that inspired me when I first heard her speak when I was a young mother. Now, as a grandmother, I still find her words inspiring today. Whether we are single or married, young or old, the nurturing work we do as women can provide true friendship to the lonely, bring joy and love to a child, and instill hope into the hearts of discouraged souls.
Read MoreUnity doesn’t come all at once, but it will come. Sometimes, you will need to “agree to disagree” on a certain subject, and that’s okay, too! Let time go by. Not all issues need to be resolved right now. Be loving. Be kind. Be patient. Keep your eye on the goal of unity as you each progress in your individual lives. Marriage should always be a “win-win” relationship.
Read MoreMy husband David and I are continually saying, “Thank you!” to each other throughout the day. Around our home, we are always noticing what the other person is doing and try to make a point of showing our appreciation. It only takes a few seconds, but it reminds us to never take each other for granted.
Read MoreIf you aren’t currently doing any family history, begin now. Your life will be enriched by what you learn. I have gained much strength from reading the journal of my great, great grandfather Isaac Hill (1806-1879). As I reflect on all the trials and hardships he endured, it inspires me to never give up during my own trials.
Read MoreI had so many pent-up emotions since my childhood that I needed to talk through with someone I really trusted. Now I was married to my best friend, David, with whom I could share all my feelings. Night after night, I would cry. Night after night, David would comfort me. Night after night, I would talk about what was bothering me.
Read MoreThe true Spirit of Easter is the sure knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He lived. He died. He was resurrected. Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we will all be resurrected and be reunited with our loved ones once again someday. Jesus is the “Master Healer” who heals us from both sin and sorrow.
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