Let's do what we can

I wish we could travel more. Why don't we ever go out to eat? My shoes are starting to look old. My coat is a little snug around the middle. My clothes don't all fit quite right. Our van is disgusting; it has crumbs and dog hair all in it. The baby's socks are stained from walking outside without shoes. The furniture in our house doesn't match. Our TV is too small. We have to go to the store again? We have too much junk in this house. Let's get another of that toy so the kids won't fight over it.

I could go on forever posting examples of complaints that I have made about life and possessions. As I look at these complaints today, I am ashamed. I realize the pettiness of it all.

Yesterday, my perspective on material possessions changed. I am a member of a Facebook group where people in the area post things they are giving away for free, or ask for things they need.

Recently there has been an outpouring of posts where people have been pleading for things I take for granted every day. There are people who have no heat in their homes, people who don't have warm clothing, people whose babies need diapers, people who feel terrible that they can't afford a Christmas tree or gifts for their kids, and people who are asking for food to eat because their cupboards are bare.

Yesterday as I was looking at some of these posts, I felt very strongly that I needed to help who I could.

I felt a very strong impression that I needed to specifically help  a mother of two boys who was on crutches and in desperate need of warm clothing, heat, and food.

I reached out to my church and my neighborhood to see if anyone had clothes to spare. I felt that the need was more urgent than the length of time it would take to find help from others, so I actually went to Goodwill and picked out three shirts and two pairs of pants for each boy. Even as my boys were screaming and yelling and fighting in the store, I felt good inside knowing I was doing something to help this family. While I was shopping, Jad was at home cooking a hot meal for this family just because I asked him to. When I got home with the boys, I gathered some food storage items and the meal, which would feed them for a couple days.

I had also agreed to help another family, one who was in desperate need of two sizes of diapers, and wipes. Before I left the house, I also gathered these items.

I kissed my children and husband goodbye, leaving them to eat dinner, while I did something I had never done before - give to the poor face to face.

I met the young mother at a gas station. I instantly liked her. She told me more about her situation, and was so grateful for the clothes and food. She had tears brimming in her eyes, and it was really humbling to me. A handful of clothes, one bag of random food items, and a meal was precious to her.
I have been working to get more help for her with food, and some members of my neighborhood have been so gracious as to donate clothes to her sons. One thing that impressed me about her is that she didn't ask for anything for herself, though it was obvious to me that she was also in need of warm clothing. All she had on that cold night was a very thin cotton jacket.

The second interaction was much shorter. I met the family at a drugstore. They were sitting in a very old vehicle. The children's grandmother got out of the car without a jacket on that cold night. She was kind to me and thanked me for the diapers and wipes. She showed me the kids in the back seat, and said that the son had just had major surgery, and has been sickly since birth. I told them I hoped they could get the other things they needed, we said goodnight, and they went on their way.

Did they have warm beds to sleep in that night? Did they have full bellies? I don't know, and it made me wish I had the money and resources to help needy families get on their feet.

As I drove home that night, I felt a new desire to help the poor. I knew that I could do more than I had been. I have always been one to help others when they need it.  Most of the service I have done in my life, though, has been for people I know. I haven't ventured out to touch the lives of people I have never met, who have such basic and crucial needs.

Helping others brings me joy, and fills me with love for them and helps me see God's love for them. To those that are recipients of help, I pray you also feel God's love, hope for tomorrow, and peace to replace your sorrows.

It takes so much humility to ask for assistance, and I have made a promise to myself to do all I can to bless other people's lives.



We don't have much to spare in my family, but I know as we give of ourselves - our time, our love, our extra resources, that we will be blessed with what we need too.

May we all do what we can to bring hope and solace to those who need it most.

Let the Memory Live Again

As I have been writing this blog, I have felt this bold, and dutiful desire - even obligation - to share my past experiences, mistakes, trials and heartaches with  anyone in the world who would read my words.

If you asked me last year if I would ever make a lot of these things public knowledge, I would have laughed and shook my head, thinking of how embarrassing and humiliating it would be.

I have pondered this change in my perspective. Why am I now so comfortable talking about really personal parts of my life? Why do I desire to pour my heart out to people I may not even know?

The conclusion I have come to is that by writing my memories down, I can help make the lives of others a little easier, and their hearts a little lighter, today.

Somebody can benefit from knowing that I was too scared to stand up for my beliefs in high school, when someone made the claim that Mormons weren't Christians - and that I regretted it for years.

Somebody will find direction in knowing that I struggled many times in my life with modesty, and that lack of it led to many poor decisions.

Somebody will find comfort in knowing that there is someone else who has felt the pains that come from a spouse with a pornography addiction, and that there is hope for those who want to change.

Somebody needs to feel the necessity of forgiving someone after years of holding a grudge, and the freedom that comes from it..

Somebody who feels overwhelmed as a parent may need to hear how their struggles can be for their ultimate good.

Somebody needs to feel that miracles do still happen, that our trials can make us stronger as we see the Lord's hand in helping us overcome, and that the Lord will lead us in the right direction as we seek His counsel.

In my blog posts, I try to bring a spirit of hope to resonate out.I try to emulate a spirit of love and compassion. I try to show that I am not perfect, but that I have learned from my mistakes. I try to show that God knows us, loves us, and helps us, that He has a plan for us, and that He allows us to endure trials to bring us closer to Him.

Sometimes we have control over what happens to us, and sometimes we don't. We have a choice to hold on to the bad, and live life in fear, bitterness and despair. Or, we can find all the good that comes despite the bad.  I have been able to forgive myself for my faults more readily now that I know I can help others find their way. I can see the hand of God in my life more, and the purpose and plan He has for me as I delve down deep into my memories of adversity.



I thank God for this new found desire to bring light to others through my thoughts and experiences.

I truly believe that every single person on this planet has memories that could benefit, and even change the world.

Tell your stories. I promise it is so rewarding. It can bring you freedom from regret and heartache. It can form friendships in unlikely places. It can save a life.

I would love to hear your stories, and I know others would too.

May God bless you in your efforts to open your mouths and hearts to your fellow brothers and sisters. 

Hate won't make us Great

Civility: polite, reasonable, and respectful behavior


Most people see the value in civility. They try to be that way; they hope others do the same; they teach their children to be civil so they will be more successful in life.


Yesterday was election day in the United States. I am sure many of you have read articles (or comments on those articles), or seen friends' social media posts regarding the election.


As I read these things, I wonder where civility has gone?


Many people have been silent on the issue, or have simply expressed their gladness or sorrow over the results.


What I have seen much more of, though, is gloating, name-calling, complaining, eye-rolling, bashing, blaming, cursing, and judging.


Judge not, that ye be not judged (Matthew 7:1).


Do we even know we are doing this? Do we realize when we do this we are alienating many of our friends, family and associates?


Here are some of the statements I have inferred from my reading:


1. My party is the supreme party and the only one that can do good for this country. 
2. America is doomed and the world is coming to an end because someone got into office.
3. The candidate that won is going to take away our freedoms and all our money.
4. The Lord sanctions one political party, and frowns upon the other.
5. Everyone who believes differently or is in a different party than me is inferior and unintelligent.


My friends, please remember that all members and leaders of political parties are imperfect people. There is no supreme party, and everyone's moral codes are to be respected. God does not choose our leaders for us, but wants us to choose with careful consideration.


...every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand (Matthew 12:25).


In order for our great country to succeed and continue to bloom, we must sustain, be respectful of, and be grateful for, our leaders. They need our support, whether we agree with everything they stand for and do, or not.





We can't afford to turn against each other. Anger and hate will never bring positive results, but love and tolerance can. Americans need to stand together. By doing this, our great country stays great.


We are the land of the free, and the home of the brave. There may be times when there are laws passed that we don't agree with. There may be policies put in place that don't make sense to us.


When that happens, we must remember and fall to our knees in gratitude that The United States of America is a choice land of diversity, freedom, and opportunity. Our government exists to serve us. We control our destinies. We can do anything we desire, and can rise up from our circumstances. We have wonderful schools, technology, and medicine. We have clean water, good food, easy access to supplies and shelter, and an advanced road system to travel on.  We have a strong and brave military, always ready to defend our liberties. We have beautiful and lush landscaping, and a rich history from which we can learn and draw inspiration.


Americans are special people - each of us, not just those of a certain political party. Every American can contribute and make a difference.


Please try to keep the golden rule in mind when discussing politics, or anything you are passionate about. It is good to take a stand. It is good to have morals and beliefs. Please just try not to judge others who are different, and instead think of how you would feel if someone bashed you, called you names, or spoke disrespectfully of you or one you revere.


Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12).


I thank God every day that I live in this wonderful country. No matter who is in office, I will always pray for them, be grateful for my citizenship, and love my fellow Americans.


God bless the USA!