Easter Time

If there ever was a time the world needed to have hope in life after death, it is today. I am so grateful to know Jesus Christ did indeed rise from his burial tomb that first Easter long ago. Thankful that he was seen of many, and that the graves of the righteous were opened; that they were allowed to show themselves to their loved ones who bore witness of it, which we may read of in the Bible today.

I have heard it said that death is the greatest test of a person’s faith in God. Sometimes death comes suddenly, shockingly. Sometimes we welcome it as a release for the suffering. Knowing the plan of our Lord has always been that we may all be resurrected into eternal life, and that our associations may continue on in joy forever is a great comfort.

Even in the midst of a grieving heart, after the loss of a loved one, there still can be that glimmer of hope that we are only separated for a short while, and that one day we will throw our arms around each other and look into each other’s eyes and never have to face separation again.

For this gift I am indebted to my Savior, and revere his holy name during this Easter time. May you feel the peace of this gift in your life today and always!

Standing Ovation!

This morning the gym parking lot was crammed with the cars of "New Year Resolutioners." My hat is off to everyone who has the fortitude to reprogram the old brain stem, yet one more time. I myself had downloaded a new goal program into my android phone called The Habit Factor, and listed eight new habits to track this year.

There is something encouraging about beginning again, when we resolve to do just a little bit better than last year!

One thing I have discovered about overcoming old habits and replacing them with better ones, is the age old idea of accountability. If I report to you and you report to me on our own goals at an appointed time, and we keep our appointment regularly we are both more likely to accomplish our goals.

My most effective use of this was to combine a reward and punishment with accountability.

If I did as I promised that I would do, I gave myself a reward, and if I didn't I set up for myself a punishment. For example, money in the travel kitty for fun, vs. washing and vacuuming out the car of my goal buddy if I didn't make it. There were many times just the thought of having to do that unsavory chore kept me in check.

Good luck on your quest to become a better than ever member of the human family! You deserve a standing ovation!

A Love for All Seasons

Dear Friends and Family,
Merry Christmas! I am sure it has occured to you, as it has to me, that just as we celebrate this month with a commitment to love a grouchy neighbor, forgive an errant co-worker, be kinder to fellow commuters, spend more time together around the dinner table, all done in rememberance of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that we could, if we really wanted, extend more love every day of the year.

Yes, there are more triggers in the music and colored lights of the season to remind us to be a little more gentle in our treatment of each other, but if we could keep Christ in our hearts after we take down the Christmas tree and heft the decorations to the attic, we know we would experience more joy all year long.

Perhaps this year we ought to place a small gift under the Christmas tree for the Christ Child, a handwritten note, an offering of the heart declaring our resolve to love more as He loved. Just imagine what our lives might be like if we developed that kind of a love for all seasons.

God Bless and Keep You Safe,
Jeanette

Sabbath Day

I love the Sabbath day. Long ago church was filled with color crayons, Cheerios and quiet books. Today it is a place for quiet reflection and searching the scriptures for messages that apply to my own situations in life.

I need the Sabbath lessons that help me stay centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ, reminding me how I should act and what to think to become more like Christ. Teachings that help me prepare for the trials that lie ahead in mortality.

I will never forget how I longed to gather together on the Sabbath for church the day after the Teton Dam burst in Idaho, when church was completely canceled. How I wished we could meet as saints to receive comfort and inspiration. We had just lost everything of a material nature, many of us were frightened, even ill.

The following week the saints were called together for a meeting with President Spencer W. Kimball and Elder Boyd K. Packer and given instructions and inspiration as we began to rebuild our lives. Meeting together as saints to hear the word of God and to feel of His love is one of the greatest blessings of my life.