Make it a good one!

I LOVE this time of year. ..
the anticipation,
the dreams,
the wonder,
the excitement,
the energy,
the determination,
the will...

Seldom does one find all of this so perfectly bundled together at any other time of the year.

I am crazy excited about the plans I have deliberately put together and cannot wait to see the beautiful results that will come from the energy I WILL be attaching to them.

Every area of my life I have spent effort and prayer as I have focused on what is thriving and what is dying...FOCUS and INTENTION are key for me.

Sooooo ready for the beautiful story 2015 is sure to tell!

In a Funk...

How can it be
that one can be
so crazy busy
they can hardly see straight,
yet feel a little "blah"
and funkish???

I am trying to wrap my head around this...

Is it that I am too busy?

Is it that I am doing the wrong things?

Is it that my heart longs for something more?

Is it that, dare I say these words,
I could be having a mid-life crisis?
NO!
that's certainly not it!
Not old enough for that.  ;)

Is it that I need to fill my own cup just a smidge?

Is it that I miss my simple life I had before all the crazy?

Is it that I need to stretch my horizons?

Is it that I have taken a very unintentional break from the things that feed my spirit?


Is it that many of my friendships are no longer being nurtured due to the busy schedules we all keep?  Both on my side and on theirs...

Is it that I just need to write more?  Think less?  Worry less?  Be grateful more?

Is it that I need to be more intentional in my life?

Is it that my kids are growing up way too fast and maybe don't need me in quite the same way they always have?

Is it that I really just need a little more time to hang out in one of my cute aprons, creating in my kitchen; whipping up new recipes and baking goodies to share...?

Is it that I don't find  make the time to do some of the things I love to do anymore?

Is it that I wish for some things that can never be?  Wishing to mend things that may not be "mended" in this lifetime... Am I resistant in accepting this?

Is it that I see my life flying by more quickly than I had planned?

Is it that I really have no control and my "plan" is something that happens only on occasion, when "real life" hasn't taken over instead?

Is it that I am not looking at the cup as half full?

Is it that I lack vision for where I am wishing to "go"?

Is it a need for escape into an amazing story that captivates my mind and stirs my thoughts?

Is it that I am too hard on myself?

Is it that I am still, after all these years, wishing to please everyone around me?   Only to realize this can never really happen.

Is it that I need to "Bloom where I'm planted"; that I should be content?

Is it that I have unresolved things that I need to forgive and forget?

Is it that I need to jump into being more productive?

Is it that I need more quiet time?

Is it that I long for more laughter?

Is it that I yearn for time building blanket forts?

Is it a need for the outdoors, the fresh air, the serenity?

Is it that I haven't found my "passion" and my "purpose" in this life?
Or is it that I am too afraid to pursue the passion that lives inside?

Is it that I am forever seeking and striving for acceptance?

Is it the fear of failure that holds me back from chasing those grandiose dreams?

Is it the lack of creative time I allow myself?

Is it that I am not quite who I think I am to become?

Or is it
that I just need another piece of chocolate and a good girlfriend to hang out with for an evening???

What 10-15 minutes a day can do for you!

A few weeks ago, I was running on empty!
No matter how I tried, there were simply not enough hours in my day to accomplish the never-ending list of things to be tackled.

I felt overwhelmed, discouraged and without hope.
The empty place I had come to forced me to turn inward and upward in search of peace.  I knew I could restore hope and the drive to keep on ~ but not at the pace I was attempting to keep.

Knowing that writing feeds my spirit, I decided to start my day intentionally.
My alarm goes off a little earlier to ensure some quiet time just for me.  I either head to my laptop or to pen and paper and write the thoughts that continually flood my mind.

I have found that without having deep intention behind this goal of writing each morning - it does not happen.
10-15 minutes will likely never magically appear in my day!
So, I have to sneak those precious minutes in!
First
thing
in
the
morning,
before emails,
before fb posts/messages,
before checking the schedule for the day,
before starting another load of laundry,
before exercise,
before waking a single child,
before my shower,
before everything...
I sneak in quiet time for me!

The result ~
a happier, more productive, less stressed, more creative me.

My suggestions for you:
*  Just set your alarm an extra 15 minutes early...yes, it is less sleep, but you will feel more rested and way more interested in tackling all that lies ahead of you!
*Read, write, ponder, drink your tea...do whatever it is that fills your cup!
*Never feel guilty for giving to yourself first!  It is truly the only way you will successfully and joyfully be able to give of yourself.

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)

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)))))

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)

My Bishop Wears a Skirt...

More news from Danielle!!!

It's me!  Your all time, favorite ever missionary! 
(Or at least one of your favorite missionaries, I hope!)

(As I read this, this is what I pictured...
with a "ta-da" inserted!!!)


Life is gooood. 

Wanna hear why? 

Miracles happen every single day. 

And I would count the change in weather as a major miracle as well... 

It is so much easier to be happy when you're not sweating through your dress. *gag* 

Also, we got a new AC!! 

Thanks to Elder Dunn telling me about how Elder Matthews keeps their apartment at 65, and how it is "so cold I get headaches" and I said, "are you kidding me, it's hotter inside than it is outside!" and he spilled the beans on up the lines (AKA: to his comps, who are the Zone Leaders, who spilled it up the lines and then begged the mission office that we got a new AC) until we got a new AC. Hooray! 

Elder Dunn tells me all the time that I look like his sister back at home, so he always makes sure to take good care of me and Sister Boman.  The other elders are slightly afraid of us, so they usually do what we tell them to do; otherwise Sister Boman throws things at them, and the members encourage her along the way.

One of the mission rules is that the junior companion (me!) gets to back the car out of the parking space, which is kind of a pain. So Sister Boman always tries to park in pull though places where we won't have to back out. And the Elders always make sure to park illegally in front of our car so that no matter where we park, we still have to back up. We haven't found a way to retaliate effectively yet, besides leaving angry sticky notes on their windshield. Who knew sharing an area with a set of elders was so hard?!

This week, we had a baptism scheduled for a girl named Aimee. 

She is AMAZING. 

Her 8 year old sister was baptized a month ago, and the rest of the family is in various stages of investigating the church. They will be temple ready soon though, I can just see it. Her date kept getting pushed back from circumstances she couldn't control, and it almost got pushed back again this week! But we were able to keep it, and she was so excited! 

Then on Saturday morning, we finished getting everything ready, and she came down with HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH. 

But that wasn't going to stop her. 

She showed up to the baptism with a mask on her face, a gigantic thing of hand sanitizer, and she sounded like Bane (from Batman...no voice at all!) And she was baptized. Her whole family came. It was so special.

The next morning Elder Dunn and I were supposed to speak. And the bishop told us, "Oh yeah, it'll only be like 10 minutes and it can be on whatever you want" 

(PS. I hope you read that in an Island accent, because he said that the week before during a meeting, in which he showed up in a skirt and was still fixing his tie. Haha) 

So we came to church with 10 minute talks, to find out we were the only speakers. 

(Good thing this little girl of ours has the gift of gab...I'm sure she had no problem at all filling the time...Undoubtedly, her Daddy would say she comes by it naturally.  ;)  )

So Aimee was confirmed (even sicker this day than the night before) and she was glowing. After I spoke, Elder Dunn got up and Looked right at her and told her, 

"Don't stop now, this is only the beginning." 

And I SAW her in the temple. 

She was so beautiful. 

I really knew at that moment that baptism makes people clean, 

because I saw it take all the past sins of her life away and she was pure. 

Miracle of the week:

Karrie is a less active returning to church. She has major issues that she is working through and really struggling with. But when I walk into her house, I feel like I'm home. And I didn't understand it until last night when she was given a blessing to help her though the hard times she is fighting with. Heavenly Father sees how hard she is trying, and even though He knows she is far from perfect, and knows she is still living in sin, He knows she is doing her best to over come it and she has the spirit in her home. I almost bawled at her house last night when I realized that. We don't have to be perfect to have the spirit with us at all times. We simply have to be doing our best to become better. Our homes can be a temple if we will put forth the effort to make them that way. 

Line of the week: 

"Yeah, I mean, it's tougher than a $2 steak!"

Meats of the week: 

BBQ beef on a roll... I did okay with it. 

Quote of the week: 

"I never aimed to hit the target 50% of the time; I aimed to hit it 100% of the time, and if I fell short, so be it." 

Even if we're only at 25%, we shouldn't aim for 50%, we should aim for 100% and if we fall short, so be it. At least our eye was on the target the whole time. 

I love the freak out of you all!! 

Keep being good! 

Sister Lytle

What I've learned about life and motherhood

I've been keeping a little notebook and jotting down some of the most important things I've learned along the way and I thought I'd share 'em with anyone who might be in need of a laugh or a pick-me-up..

1.  Be patient with yourself.  You won't get it all right the first time, but it's okay.

2.  Never stop praying, hoping and believing.

3.  Chocolate fixes most things, at least for the moment.

4.  Ya know that dream you've been dreaming ~ today is THE DAY to make it a reality.  Stop waiting for the perfect time, it's here!

5.  Sometimes giving yourself a time-out is the best choice.

6.  Hug your kids EVERY day.

7.  Life isn't always fair; enjoy it anyway.

8.  To inspire a child, show them where to look, not what to see.

9.  Ask yourself what makes you come alive, then go do that!

10.  Bask in the sunshine and dance in the rain.

11.  Let your kids see you being their biggest cheerleader.

12.  Find that place inside you where nothing is impossible.  Believe in yourself!

13.  Your heart cannot be at peace without forgiveness.

14.  Falling in love is easy; the secret is to continue falling in love with that same wonderful person over and over and over...

15.  Laugh until your tummy hurts.

16.  God still performs miracles every day.

17.  There will always be people who will treat you wrong, be sure to thank them for making you stronger.

18.  Happy is a choice!

19.  If you wish to stay young, play with your kiddos; your inner child can't help but join in on the fun!

20.  Snuggle on the couch every chance you get, they grow up fast!

21.  Surround yourself with those that allow you to be your best YOU.

22.  Don't be afraid to Shine!

23.  Teach your children HOW to think ~ not WHAT to think.

24.  It's okay to like that super hot chick sitting next to you, even if she has more muscles in her little pinkie finger than you posses in your entire body!  Just because she is beautiful doesn't mean you should hate her.

25.  Always remember that the way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.

26.  Say "I love you" every day!

27.  A bad day does not equal a bad life.

28.  If you can't find the time to pray and read your scriptures, you are way busier than God ever intended you to be.

29.  Never prize what you do not have more than what you have been abundantly blessed with.

30.  Tears are our special way of leaking out stress...

31.  You don't have to attend every argument you are invited to; and of those you choose to entertain, it isn't necessary to win them all.

32.  Embrace the little kid in you ~ growing up is overrated, especially if you forget to love life and see the wonders that surround you.

33.  Don't allow those who do so little for you to control so much of your heart and emotions. 

34.  Let go of thoughts that don't strengthen you.

35.  Sometimes all we can do is "Just Keep Swimming".

36.  Remember, every situation has a bright side, it just depends which side you look at. 

37.  Your smile is a gift to others...share it!

38.  I want to be the kind of mom that my girls look at and say, "I want to be just like her!"

39.  Some moments in life are worth remembering forever.

40.  Teach your children correct principles, love them with all of your heart and then hold on for the ride!  They will make mistakes; this does NOT constitute failure on your part.  This is their time for growth and learning and figuring out what they are made of and what they will make of themselves.  You will both survive, I promise!

41.  You might not always like them...It's okay....Loving them is enough.

42.  Keep your promises.

43.  When you look at a field of dandelions ~ do you picture only weeds?  There is so much more...at one stage there is a beautiful valley of yellow; in the next, a hundred wishes waiting to be blown in the wind.  Look a little deeper...

44.  Talk to yourself the way you speak to those you love...YOU deserve it!!

45.  If you're always racing to the next moment, you will miss enjoying the moment you're in.

46.  First and foremost, you must make yourself happy; then you can spread that happiness to others.

47.  Refuse to settle for less than you deserve.

48.  Creating, in whatever form touches your heart, is essential to a happy life.

49.  Kiss that sweet man of yours every single chance you get.

50.  You're not always the most popular when raising kids, some days they just won't like you at all. That is okay...you are here to love them through all of their stages of life and to help them become who they are meant to be. The good news is that when they begin to have children of their own ~ you, once again, are placed on that pedestal you stood on when they were young and adored every move you made.  

51.  In every day, there is a miracle ~ don't miss it by focusing on the negative.

52.  It's okay to let your children see you cry.

53.  It's even better to let them catch you loving each another, don't be afraid to kiss and hug and dance and be crazy together right smack dab in front of them...it is good for their hearts to have an example of what true love looks like.

54.  It really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of you, in fact, you will be better off never knowing...go ahead -- sing and dance in your car, try new things, keep being as silly as you wish, live your life to the fullest and never waste a single moment worrying about what others might think.

55.  Remember that comparison is the thief of Joy...just be your best YOU, it really is enough!

56.  You are living your happily ever after...enjoy it and make the most of it!

Loving the unlovable...

PEOPLE ARE NOT DISPOSABLE!!!

In my studies over the past year and a half, I have spent many hours attempting with all of my heart to understand human nature -- what makes people tick, what experiences in life help to form who we become and how we treat those we love and maybe don't love so much.  In essence, how we perceive the world around us and how we react to the experiences we are faced with.

I will be honest, I have shed more than a few tears as I've read accounts of the tragedies of children and adults...the sad state that some are dealing with is nothing short of heartbreaking.

I look around me and I wonder WHY?

I see some of our friends, neighbors, acquaintances who are falling into bad places in their personal relationships...one common thread in all is an obvious lack of "valuing" others.

I see hate and intolerance.  
I don't see love and forgiveness.  
I see grudges and resentment.  
I see little understanding and even less effort.

I see people who were once wonderful and kind and lovable become not so lovely to those they claimed to once love.

I am overcome with a thought that will not leave me...maybe I need to share it with a couple of couples that I have on my mind and on my heart:  

In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord taught:

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

“But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

“And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

“And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

“Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

“But I say unto you,

  Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, 
do good to them that hate you, 
and pray for them which despitefully use you,
 and persecute you” (Matthew 5:38–44).

Such STRONG WORDS!!!  Words that are meant for each and every one of us to hear and to act on and to be moved by.  

WOW ~ Love your enemies...that's not an easy thing to do.

Bless them that curse you...that's big!

Do good to them that hate you...my first thought is WHY?  Why would I want to do good to someone who hates me???

Pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you...that's asking an awful lot!

Perhaps we'd see more happiness if we were loving, blessing, doing good and praying for our enemies rather than seeking out an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  That mentality only brings further heartache.

Do you have enemies?  
Have you ever viewed your spouse as an enemy?  
Is it possible to still love that spouse?  
Is it possible to love one who has cursed you, mistreated you, or expressed feelings of  hatred or contempt toward you?  
Is it worth your effort?  

If not your spouse, (hopefully not your spouse), do you have another whom fits in this description?  

Do you have another who NEEDS YOU to reach out and 
find something worth LOVING, 
worth BLESSING, 
worth DOING GOOD for, 
worth your PRAYERS???

Are you willing to Find Something?  If you try, I promise it will be there...it may take a little effort, it may even take a whole truckload of effort, but if you try hard enough, you will FIND SOMETHING worth loving, worth blessing, worth doing good for and worth your prayers.

People may be unlovable at times,
we all are...
none are perfect.
But even as imperfect as we may be, Not a one of us is disposable...
My hope is that we will all look at those around us with a bigger heart,
with more understanding eyes,
more forgiving thoughts,
and arms that are willing and ready to embrace and love those who most need us.