The Power of Words

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, 

but words will never hurt me.”

I recall hearing these very words as a young child.  

I did not question their validity; 

I don’t know that I even gave them much of a thought.  

It was just something we would call out if we needed a boost of courage during an ugly moment.  

It would often end the dispute and all was well.  

As an adult, I take issue with this statement.

Words have lasting effect for good or otherwise.  

And once spoken cannot be taken back.

Words contain power; 

they have a force that penetrates deep within.  

When used correctly, our words build, support and encourage.  

When used incorrectly, the damage is far greater than any stick or stone could inflict.

Words can help us to achieve our best and highest aspirations or leave us feeling distraught and defeated.

All too often, we don’t consider how meaningful and impactful the words we share with the world may be.  

Are we building or demolishing?  

Are we cheering and sustaining 

or discouraging and condemning?  

This world needs a little more tenderness, warmth and affection…

and what better place to start than in our very homes?!

As we ponder the words that may come from our lips to the ones we most cherish in this world, we would do well to choose them wisely. 

In our home, I have the words, 
"The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice",

displayed where I see them many times each day.  

There is a purpose in this.  

I cannot say that I have always thought before speaking, 

or that I have always chosen the very best words to share with those I love.  

There are times of high frustration that I speak and wish I could take back the ugliness that flew from my mouth, but I cannot.  

Knowing all too well the lasting effect of harsh words, I strive to be better and to share words of kindness and encouragement with our kids. 

The words spoken to us 

as well as the words we tell ourselves, 

have a lasting footprint on our hearts.  

And just as the quote above states, 

the words we hear directed to us become our inner voice.  

I wish for the inner voice of my children to be filled with all the positives this world has and be spared the negative, heartbreaking thoughts they would be better off without.   

When I think of how my words impact others, I draw in a deep breath, and choose biting my tongue near in half, if necessary, just to spare the negative effects of a nasty word during moments of strife and contention.

As a mother, I would like the power of my words to be for good – to boost our children, to enlighten, to inspire, to motivate and invigorate, to embolden and fortify them against all that life may throw their way.  

The last thing they need is a mother to use words that might kill the beautiful spirit they possess, or to belittle and deprecate the amazing power they have within.  

So I will be shouting out all the beautiful words that come to mind as I think of how lucky I am to be the mother of this amazing family! 

What words would you choose to share with your kids if you had but just a few words to leave them with???

Wishing you a month filled with powerful words that will create lasting bonds between you and your sweet families!

Hugs!

Stacey

(Written as DHSA President's Message for April)

Be in the Moment...

As the month of January closes, three thoughts come to mind that I’d like to share with you.

·        Wherever you are, Be There.

·        I get to!

·        Let go of “that”… 

Wherever you are, be there. 

I have been striving to BE IN THE MOMENT, to really be where I am, in presence and in heart.  There are times that we are physically present with our kids or our spouses, but our minds, our thoughts, and our attention wander elsewhere. I don’t want to miss out on the things that are right in front of me and I realize that those who are most important in my life deserve my full attention when I am with them.  This is applicable in ALL situations of our lives.  Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, with whomever you are engaged…be there, FULLY.

I get to!  

This thought is a big one for me.  Years ago, I watched as the health of a dear friend of mine deteriorated until the disease she had been stricken with took her life much too soon.  I can still hear her voice as she answered a question I had posed to her as she sat in her wheelchair one afternoon.  My question had been a simple one, inquiring of what was most difficult for her and how I could help.  Her response touched me in a way I had not expected and has forever changed my heart.  She had one little boy that she adored, with the progression of her disease, her days of playing with him had changed.  As she pondered my question, her eyes looked upward, a smile crossed her face and then a tear welled in the corner of her eye as she told me how much she missed being able to sit on the floor and play with her little one.  She still did all she could with and for him, but life had changed for her.

 For the next several weeks, I rolled on the floor with my babies, I played Legos and Barbie’s every time I was asked; I was consumed with the time I had taken for granted and wished to capture every second of the time I had with my beautiful children.    

I also changed my thought pattern…I get to make breakfast for my kids, I don’t have to.  I get to take them here and there and everywhere, I don’t have to.   I get to do math with 5 or 6 kids all at the same time while they are all at differing levels, I don’t have to…I made this choice and I get to!  Having this pattern of thought helps me to be more grateful and aware of the blessings that surround me.

Let go of that…

“That” being anything you cannot control, change or fix.

Why hold onto these things any longer?  Let them go…let the happiness and the peace in.  We already hold so many things that we are responsible for, allowing ourselves to let the things go that just weigh us down unnecessarily is a gift we owe to ourselves.

My hope for each of you is that you focus on the things that bring joy to your lives.  Wishing you a month filled with magical moments!

Stacey

  

Looking for the Good...

Have you ever been in a room filled with others that seem to be looking at all the negative aspects of life, people and circumstance? 

What typically begins to happen to you? 

Well, unfortunately for most, 

we often follow suit and the negative images begin to enter our own minds. 

Can we help others to look for the good and see it? 

Can we separate ourselves from these feelings and thoughts? 

I think yes!!!

I often do a little exercise when I have a group of women together … 
women’s retreats are the perfect setting for this! 
My goal is to help these women focus on the good, to look for the beautiful people they are surrounded with in their lives. 
So…I ask each to share something, at least one thing, they love about their husbands. 
NO husband bashing is allowed! 
(There is a time and a place to discuss things that are unhappy in a marriage, but a group setting is never the place for such a thing.)
 
What I have found time and again is miraculous. 
Even the ladies who felt their husbands were less than desirable or nearly rotten to the core, end up searching their hearts and find things about them that they adore. 
A beautiful thing happens to these ladies and to their marriages…when they return home, a re-kindled love for that man in their life is formed and if they continue to add healthy “logs” to the fire by choosing to seek and find the good things they see in their husbands, soon the love they originally felt for this wonderful man becomes the warm, comfortable place they desire to be. 
AND with all of this, comes a BONUS… 
noticing the change in her, 
he’ll begin tossing in a log or two…
soon that little flame she started becomes a raging fire and the love between them is stronger and better than ever before. 
It really does happen!

Now, I do not wish to say that we should blind ourselves to true issues. 
BUT, I do believe that 
staying in love with your man means you continue to fall in love with him over and over and over 
and this can never happen if you are choosing to continually focus on all the bad or negative or unattractive things he may do.

I could focus on the imperfections of my husband 
OR 
I could choose to look for the beautiful person he is and see all the good he does…
it’s my choice and I will see whatever I am looking for.

Is it REALLY the end of the world if he doesn’t put his socks away? 
Should he really be tortured for the next three months because he did or said something I didn’t like or didn’t agree with? 
Am I going to hold a grudge that forms a giant wall between us because of little things he may or may not do? 
Not if I wish to have a beautiful marriage 
and not if I wish for him to look past my imperfections.

I chose to focus on marriages this month because of our MAN FEAST coming right up…but this is a beautiful exercise to do with all the wonderful people in your world, not just your hubby.

Choose a child, perhaps the one that pulls your strings the very most! 
Focus on seeing every good and desirable thing they do 
AND then let them know you notice just how fabulous they are…
that same beautiful thing will happen with your relationship with your child ~ 
a closeness, a love, an adoration that we desire to have!

During this month of THANKSgiving ~ 
let’s all do our best to look for the good, 
to focus on it and to act on it. 
Our hearts will be bursting with love and abundant joy will bless our homes!

Blessings!

Written as November Presidents Message for The Buzz

In Search of a Well-Balanced Life

Sustaining a comfortable balance while homeschooling is NOT easy, but it is possible! 

I've had friends comment that they wish they could be more efficient . . . 

my reply to that is, 

“Being a mother isn't always efficient! 

There will be good days, 

there will be not-so-good days; 

life will get in the way! 

So, relax, hold on and keep smiling--you will make it!”

There is a lot required at our hands, and it can feel overwhelming and unconquerable at times. 

We wonder how to keep it all together, 

how to make sure the kids are getting all they need 

(and deserve from us), 

how to balance the school work and the house work, 

how to keep the mountains of laundry to manageable small piles, 

how to put healthy, nutritious meals on the table 

THREE. Times. A. Day! 

Also, how to be a great wife, a great mother, a great visiting teacher, a great friend . . . 

and how to have any time at all for ourselves and for our sanity!

I want to share a couple of thoughts with you to help you achieve this balanced life we all desire.

As mothers, we spend our days running from the child most urgently in need 

to the next most-urgent event, 

and on to the next 

and the next 

and the next . . . 

In the midst of all the craziness, we tend to lose sight of the big picture. 

It’s hard to maintain your balance when you have tunnel vision. 

Widen your focus; 

keep your eyes and heart open to what is most precious, 

and you will be living that 

Well-Balanced, Intentional Life 

that we all want, 

but that looks different for each of us!

A couple of thoughts that I always keep tucked in the back of my mind to keep me focused and on the right track are:

~Mothering must come before Math 

and LOVE will always be more important than Language Arts.

~In the end, what will matter most, will be the relationships you have with your children . . . 

their secular education will not be your first concern.

~ No child ever died because they couldn’t find clean socks or underwear!

We wish only the best for our kids; 

because of that we add in various activities and obligations to our daily routine. 

While this is not a negative necessarily, if we choose to add too many things to our plate, the load begins to feel burdensome and our attitudes may wind up reflecting a touch of negativity. We start feeling a little out of whack and long for a day away or a week away from the challenges of an overwhelming routine. 

This feeling of “needing a vacation” is a red flag for me; 

it is my first “a-ha moment” indicating that I am hitting critical mass and need time to reassess and restructure to find balance.

When planning all those amazing and educational activities for your kids, don’t forget about leaving time to take care of you and your relationships. 

We have the tendency to get so caught up in wanting to provide the very best for our kids that we suffer personally.

How do we create change? 

How do we find and maintain balance in our lives?

Grab a piece of paper, get a cup of tea, and sit for a spell . . . we've got some work to do.

If you could make your life look any way you want it to, 

what would it look like? 

What things would you want to include? 

Start at the end by writing your goals, 

and then figure out what you can do right now to start on the path that will end with you achieving them. 

Imagine it,

 dream it; 

then write it and even draw it! 

It is all part of the process to help you live it!

Start that “Wish List” for your life . . .

Do you wish for more time (real, enjoyable time, hanging-out-time) with your kids?

Do you wish for more time with your spouse? 

With your friends? 

With yourself?

Do you wish for time to do a project or two? 

What would those projects be?

Do you wish to read a certain book? 

Do you wish to go explore and uncover the wonders that surround you? 

Do you wish to start a new business? 

Do you wish for time to read your scriptures each day? 

Do you wish to take a yoga class? 

Do you wish to teach classes? 

Jot it all down . . .

By jotting down our wishes, 

we create a list we can prioritize and from that--make a plan. 

Intentional Planning time is a fabulous thing to do . . . 

as you look at your wish list, 

you can dictate what you do each day, 

so go for it . . . make it amazing!

Use this list of priorities over and over—

change it, 

add to it, 

but never give up on it. 

It is part of what restores peace and balance to your mind and your heart.

We all have our “Own Way” of how this will look . . . here’s a suggestion for you if you are struggling with creating your own:

Consider breaking your day into blocks of time ~

Early mornings /Late Morning to early afternoons /Afternoons / Evenings

Consider plugging in one or two priorities from the wish list you created into each space 

. . . STOP . . . 

I said to plug in ONE or TWO, only! 

Be good to yourself!

Early morning might be a nice time for you to fill your own cup; it might be time for a little relationship building one-on-one with a certain child who needs your undivided attention, or it might be time for planning and preparing for the day.

Late mornings to early afternoons will likely include schooling your kiddos; 

remember to be gentle on yourself and don’t add in 5 other things during this time. 

Be PRESENT IN HEART AND MIND with your kids during their time. 

I promise the time will be well spent, and you will all walk away feeling pleasantly happy.

Your Afternoons might include a few household chores and dinner prep, 

maybe some time for playing with your kids; 

(Make your play time with them memorable...

BE CRAZY...

LOVE EVERY MOMENT...

SHOW THEM BEING WITH THEM MAKES YOU SMILE!)

or it may be the time for running kids to lessons or activities, or a brisk walk in the fresh air.

Evenings might be the perfect time for relationship building, 

time to work on things your heart needs, 

and maybe a little blogging time or reading time.

These blocks of time DO NOT have to stay the same each day . . . 

and these are just ideas for how to create a little balance in your life.

I think you’ll find that if you take the steps to set some priorities and intentionally make room for them in your life, you will be more peaceful and less frazzled in this ever-busy life we are all living. 

Be willing to let things go, 

and trust yourself. 

Part of creating a balance, is not trying to keep everything in the air at once.

During our DHSA Homeschool Mothers' Meeting for October, I talked with all the sweet moms about what is on their plate, what load are they responsible for...

we wrote them down on balloons 

~ enough to fill the room 

and then together we tried to keep them all in the air...

I finally asked them to just let them go 

BE willing to let some things drop...

with the exception of 

one 

that I continued to hold in the air...

The most important one we must consistently keep going 

and be so careful to be mindful of is the "ME" balloon...

our families are counting on us, 

we keep the balance and the focus for our families,

so we must remember to take care of ourselves first 

so that we are able to give and keep giving and keep giving...

Wishing you a beautifully balanced life!

((((Hugs)))))

Bucking the NORM... Embracing the Unique!

There is no one right answer, 
no perfect mold, 
no one-size-fits-all form of education that is sure to work for every person. 
So many feel that they must conform to the norm, but just because the majority is doing it still doesn’t make it right or best. 
Every family is different and unique, so embrace your uniqueness and go for what feels like the best fit for education for your family and each of your children. 
Give up being “normal” just so you can fit in with the crowd. 

Yes, you will stand out. 
Yes, others may think you’ve totally lost it. 
Yes, some days you will also think you’ve totally lost it! 
Yes, you can customize a unique education for each child within your responsibility without ruining your kids. 
Your kiddos are counting on you to be sensitive to their needs and their individuality, and to bravely and courageously buck the norm if need be! 

Time and again, I am confronted with inquiries of WHY on EARTH I would wish to keep my kids home for their education instead of sending them on their merry little way to the local school. I have nothing against the schools; I may not love everything they do, but that is NOT the reason I have chosen to have our kiddos home with us. 
It’s because I choose to embrace each and every moment with them; 
to focus on their strengths 
and to help them overcome their weaknesses; 

to help them see that there is nothing out of their reach, 
and no one knows them better than I do, so no one can do that better than I can.
Often there is some doubt and hesitation on the part of well-meaning family and friends, but I’ve decided to be happy in spite of that. 

I’ve also dealt with the opposing side of this, as we’ve seen that the most fitting situation for a certain child or two might be to give them a shot at a Math class or an elective in the public school . . . 
Some homeschooling families quiver and shake at these ideas, feeling that they are abandoning their decision to homeschool if they even allow their kids to step foot in a public school setting, or any foreign school setting. It may as well be a conversion to the Dark Side. 
Instead, I know I’m being open to inspiration for my children as individuals. 
Their needs change, 
or our circumstances change, 
and life changes; 
I need to be willing to be ready to accept new experiences. 
Again, there is no one right way to do any of this; there are many ways, and we just do our best to do our best in the circumstances. 

I wish to arm you with the 
courage to invite those difficult conversations 
and share with others the unique opportunities you are offering your children, when they’re truly interested. 
I wish for you to kick the idea of “normal” right out the window, 
and show others that may question you that you have found something that is a better, happier fit for your family (whatever that may look like). 
I wish freedom for you from all doubt and fear. 

Revisit WHY 

you chose to walk down this path in the first place, and you will feel centered again.
Others won’t always understand your choices and decisions, AND THAT’S OKAY. 
Soothe fears and worries when you feel you can, and even include them, if possible. 
Maybe throw a huge “Back-to-School Party” and invite those wary and questioning souls to join you. Your excitement and preparedness will speak volumes and may prove to be just the peace and comfort they need.

Don’t make a place in your heart for anger or resentment; 

this is your time to enlighten others, and, if they won’t be enlightened, to be happy with the plans you’ve made with your family anyway! 

As you “stay the course” and follow the path you have chosen, others’ hearts may change . . . 

and if they don’t, you can still enjoy the magic that happens when you do what you know in your heart to be right for that unique family of yours. 

August is upon us!!!

It’s that time of year again…

You know, the time when all thoughts of the homeschooling mom turn to 

school days, 

and dreams of school supply shopping.  

There might be random moments of admiring the beauty of NEW crayons and markers in their fancy little packages, planning, planning, and yet more planning; 

what to do for the rapidly approaching new year, 

how to do it all, 

how to possibly do it better, 

organizing those wonderful school supplies, 

when to start, 

what is most important, 

which curriculum to use, 

which method to give a shot, 

to co-op or not, 

this field trip or that, 

strict schedule or flexibility, 

still searching for a magical way to sneak hiring a maid into the budget, 

piano lessons or art,  

how to “socialize” these kids to the liking of this person or that, 

P.E. or drama, 

sharpening all those wonderful new pencils that STILL have erasers, 

how to teach the big ones and little ones at the same time, 

how to dream up the perfect chore chart so your house doesn't fall apart leaving you living in squalor, 

dual enrollment options or at home full-time, 

pondering whether or not they will be prepared for college/life . . . 

the list is endlessly long!

Add to that, the impending doubt and feeling of doom that will surely hit as you are trying to formulate                        "The 

         School Year" 

for you and your kiddos; all the while giving it your best shot to STOP those moments of self-defeat before they have the chance to take over!

Yes, AUGUST is upon us!!!

The time to finalize it all . . . tie up all of your loose ends.

Time to rally the troops and get them excited about the upcoming school year, time to gear up and be ready for that big 1^st Day Back to School!

Not to be a total downer, but I just have to tell you the truth, at least the truth as I see it. 

That 1^st Day back will quite possibly be a 

major disappointment 

if you set the expectation in your mind 

that it will be the perfect day; 

that your kids will perfectly love everything you put before them; 

that you will behave yourself as any perfect mother would, 

and that your house will remain in perfect order 

and dinner will magically appear in a most perfect sort of manner 

on your perfectly set and prepared dining room table.  

Oh, and lest we forget – 

your perfectly charming husband will appear at dinner time with the most perfectly arranged bouquet of flowers and decadent chocolates in gratitude for all you do for this perfect little family of yours! 

Dreamy, I know!!! 

But snap out of it . . . 

because you can’t live in a dream world and survive the job of a homeschooling momma!

After 18 years of homeschooling, 

I’ve yet to experience one of those “perfect” 1^st days that I always manage to dream up in my mind . . . I guess it’s my reality check each year . . . it tends to set me back and force me to my knees in search of new answers and new ideas . . . and generally instills in my heart a desire to slow down, watch, listen and focus on the FIRST things I had planned before ADDING in all the extra fluff that I thought would make for the perfect homeschooling world. 

Please be easy on yourselves this month . . .  

Yes, you NEED to plan, 

you REALLY NEED to buy some of those wonderful NEW school supplies and look at how marvelous they look in their boxes—

after all, it won’t be long before most of them are lost, so enjoy it while you can!  

And you need to be ready for a new year . . . 

but do your best to not over-plan 

or over-expect or over-do.  

Know that every day will not be perfect, 

every day will not be dreamy, 

but every day can be a new adventure 

and you can enjoy that adventure right alongside those amazing kiddos you have.

Wishing a Happy August to you -- 

happy planning, happy shopping, happy organizing and happy YOU time when needed.

Best Wishes ~ Stacey

(Written for THE BUZZ ~ DHSA August 2013 Newsletter)

Your Wonderful Journey

I’d like to quote President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s recent talk, “Your Wonderful Journey.” He begins by reminiscing about one of his childhood journey stories, and then moves to reminding the young women of the Church of the various journeys others have walked through their lives. These include the story of Dorothy and Toto in the Wizard of Oz, as well as Ebenezer Scrooge and Bilbo Baggins, leading the young women to ponder their own journey. As I re-read this talk, I felt prompted to share it with my family as a reminder to them of all that they once knew; even more as a help to them in their times of need, and a boost for their spiritual self. It is natural for all to question, to doubt, to wonder and to ask . . . it is challenging and discouraging when answers and assurances don’t immediately come to guide us. I believe President Uchtdorf presents a beautiful picture of “our story,” and illustrates the realities and challenges we may be faced with, and just how we can master them and realize our goals in the end. 
 
“This story begins a very long time ago, long before the earth began spinning in its orbit, long before the sun began to reach its fiery arms into the cold of space, long before creatures great and small had populated our planet. At the beginning of this story, you lived in a faraway, beautiful place. 
We do not know many details about life in that premortal sphere, but we do know some. Our Heavenly Father has revealed to us who He is, who we are, and who we can become. 
Back in that first estate, you knew with absolute certainty that God existed because you saw and heard Him. You knew Jesus Christ, who would become the Lamb of God. You had faith in Him. And you knew that your destiny was not to stay in the security of your premortal home. As much as you loved that eternal sphere, you knew you wanted and needed to embark on a journey. You would depart from the arms of your Father, pass through a veil of forgetfulness, receive a mortal body, and learn and experience things that hopefully would help you grow to become more like Father in Heaven and return to His presence.” 
“In that sacred place, surrounded by those you knew and loved, the great question on your lips and in your heart must have been ‘Will I return safely to my heavenly home?’ 
There were so many things that would be out of your control. Mortal life would be hard at times, filled with unexpected bends in the road: sickness, heartbreak, accidents, conflict. 
Without a memory of your previous existence—without remembering that you once walked with your Father in Heaven—would you still recognize His voice amid all the noise and distractions of mortal life? 
The journey ahead seemed so long and uncertain—so filled with risk. 
 
It wouldn’t be easy, but you knew it was worth every effort. 
So, there you stood on the edge of eternity, looking forward with unspeakable excitement and hope—and, I imagine, also with a degree of worry and fear. 
In the end, you knew God would be just—that His goodness would triumph. You had participated in the great heavenly councils and knew that your Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, would provide a way for you to be cleansed from sin and rescued from physical death. You had faith that, in the end, you would rejoice and join your voice with a heavenly chorus singing praises to His holy name. 
And so, you took a deep breath … 
And a great step forward … 
And here you are! 
You have, each one of you, embarked on your own wonderful journey back to your heavenly home! 
Now that you are here on earth, it might be wise to ask yourself how your journey is going. Are you on the right course? Are you becoming the person you were designed to be and wanted to become? Are you making choices that will help you to return to your Father in Heaven? 
He didn’t send you on this journey only to wander aimlessly on your own. He wants you to come home to Him.” 
I cannot help but think of my children as I read this talk again . . . I find comfort in these next words he shared: “Life can be difficult, and it can harden hearts to the point where certain people seem unreachable. Some may be filled with anger. Others may mock and ridicule those who believe in a loving God. But consider this: though they do not remember, they too at one time yearned to return to their Father in Heaven.” 
Comfort, from the standpoint of being a mother, can be found in the last line: “But consider this: though they do not remember, they too at one time yearned to return to their Father in Heaven.” 
It may well be one of our most important and trying jobs to help those we love remember what they may have forgotten. We cannot give up on them. We cannot allow them to be unreachable . . . we may just have to reach a little further, try a little harder, love a little more, believe and trust a whole lot more, pray a little harder, even plead, if necessary, with all of our hearts, but never, ever give up. 
 
We are preparing to send our daughter out next week to serve a full-time mission. This sweet girl reached a point in her life a few years back when she needed a little reminding that she was not alone, that her Heavenly Father had not forgotten her, and that IF she would continue to fervently do the things she was asked to do, that she would again feel His presence in her life. This was a time of testing for her, it was a time of growth, it was a time of tears and frustration, and it was not easy . . . but, I can now say it was worth every moment. This little girl is prepared to share her love and her testimony, she will touch hearts and change lives as she helps others to recognize the Spirit and to pray for the answers of their hearts. Her trials, her struggles, and her doubts have made her stronger and more confident—She KNOWS! 
This line from President Uchtdorf’s talk screamed out to me as I read it: “Without a memory of your previous existence—without remembering that you once walked with your Father in Heaven—would you still recognize His voice amid all the noise and distractions of mortal life?” 
There is so much “noise” in this world…so many things to contend with, so many things that get in the way of recognizing His voice. 
As I look at one of our sons who is now struggling and doubting and questioning, my heart breaks and my prayers are more intense, more sincere, more pleading . . . but I do know that IF my son will do his part, and if I gently remind him of those things he may not remember, then he will one day reach the point his sister has. His spirit will spring to life, and even if it takes a 2x4 upside the head to wake it up, I know that his day will come. 
Until that day, I will find comfort, peace and solace knowing that our Heavenly Father is merciful and loving and understanding. He waited for me to come around, and He will wait for the many children we each have to recognize His voice. He did not send us here to fail; He sent us here knowing we would find our way back to Him. He has faith in each of us. He believes in us and sees the beauty we possess. We each have our own journey to take, some of us wander about a little more than others . . . but if we find the right path and enjoy the journey, all is well. 
Wishing you a month filled with beautiful journeys! 
Love, 
Stacey 
(July President's Message for DHSA)