JOURNALS

“Get a notebook, my young folks, a journal that will last through all time, and maybe the angels may quote from it for eternity. Begin today and write in it your goings and comings, your deepest thoughts, your achievements and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies.” – Spencer W. Kimball 

I was very good at this for many years and have some great journals to show for it. Now, NOT so good! Very sporadic journal keeping so I often miss recording important occasions. Plans are to do better! This blog is my attempt to catch up on events I've missed putting down in black and white.

GENERAL CONFERENCE OCTOBER 6, 2012

SALT LAKE CITY — Thomas S. Monson opened the first session of this October's LDS General Conference with a historic and unprecedented announcment: Women may now serve LDS missions at 19 and men at age 18.  "I am not suggesting that all young men will — or should — serve at this earlier age," Monson said. It is now simply possible for young people who meet the strict requirements set out by the LDS church to leave at a younger age. 

"I am pleased to announce that effective immediately, all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19." –President Thomas S. Monson

Green Space

Did you know that parks and greenspace have significant public health benefits?* Health studies have shown that contact with nature offers a range of medical benefits including lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, enhanced survival after a heart attack, more rapid recovery from surgery, fewer minor medical complaints, and lower self-reported stress. In children with attention disorders and in teens with behavioral disorders, contact with nature has resulted in significant improvement.

So thankful I live in a beautiful place (Utah) where I'm surrounded by nature!

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

A message every adult should read because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang
my first painting on the refrigerator,
and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat,
and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me,
and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer,
and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to,
and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a meal
and take it to a friend who was sick,
and I learned that we all have to help take care of eachother.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time
and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care of our house
and everyone in it,
and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you handled your
responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good,
and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes,
and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you cared,
and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons
that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and wanted to say,
'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'

-- ANONYMOUS