Family is so important to me!

I’m the Mama in my wonderful family. I’m the sister and daughter in my extended family. I am also an aunt, grandma, cousin, sister, and sister-in-law.

I love my family, all of them.

Do I always agree with them? Not always. I learned a long time ago that I can only change myself. One thing I can do to change myself is that every time someone is not acting, or choosing, in a way that I would act or choose, I remind myself not to worry about that. I can’t change other people. I can love them no matter what, though. I know for sure that I don’t know everything. I’m don’t have all the answers, and I’m not always right. But, I have experienced a lot, and when I see another person headed a direction in life that I have been, with “not so fun” results, I want to stop them, or at least warn them. I have also learned that sometimes people need to learn a lesson for themselves. No matter what you say, if you say anything, they will continue on the course they are on until they realize it’s not where they want to be. They can’t just decide not to go there, they have to go there, and then decide that they don’t want to stay there!

Since I have learned that you can’t change other people, I have been able to relax and not worry about them as much and just love them. I know and respect that they have been given the gift to choose. To me it is a little harder to relax and not worry when the person choosing something that I wouldn’t choose is someone the I love, because I do love them. I had a good friend tell me once, when my oldest was headed off to junior high, “Joy, you’re not the only one who loves him.” What she meant to me is that Heavenly Father loves all of us. He will help us as we go through life. We must have faith that they will be ok. That Father will help them just like He has helped me in my life.

So what if you are out in the world, dealing with people who are not family?

What if you are driving? Do you let others choices make you crazy? DON’T. It will well up inside you and

naughty words will come out of your mouth.

Start singing a hymn. Tell them you love them. Even if they can’t hear you. If someone is driving you nuts in your life, pray for them. Or even better, pray for yourself. Ask Father to help you to learn to love that person the way He loves them. I have done this and I know it works.

Always remember that others are placed in our lives for a reason. They are a blessing, or could be a blessing, in your life even if they are just there to teach you patience and be an example of what not to do.

Bottom line, you can’t change other people, but you can change yourself.

I am so grateful for Thanksgiving!!! I think sometimes we need a holiday to remind us to be thankful. I have learned in my life that living in gratitude is the best way to live.

There are so many good stories and quotes that remind us what a great thing being thankful is, for example: “And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.” (D&C 78:19.), and the story of the ten lepers, etc.

I have learned in my life that I need to even be thankful for my trials and struggles. I think one reason is that I learn so much during a challenge. I also believe that I get closer to God during that time. I want to feel His comfort. I want His council and direction. I am waiting on the Lord. I see people who have difficult situations in their lives who become bitter. They accuse God of not doing enough. They don’t understand why or how He could let such a thing happen in their lives.

I hope I never do that.

I understand that part of the reason for this earthly experience is to face challenges and learn from them. I choose to see the blessings in my life, they are abundant.

Last year for the first time in my life I started a gratitude journal. I had such a neat experience listing something I was grateful for each day. I was amazed at how on somedays I couldn’t think of anything that I hadn’t already listed. Can you believe it? I think that’s why it was good for me. I take so much for granted. I have an abundance of the good things of the earth, and I am truly thankful for that. I am glad we have a holiday that reminds us to be thankful. I need to not just be thankful, but say thanks. That is very important too.

May we all recognize the blessings we are given, and thank our Father in Heaven for loving us so much. His Son is the greatest blessing we have. Without Him, all would be lost. So blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

My husbands Aunt Geri passed away this last week. She is my father-in-law’s older sister. My father-in-law has a younger sister too. We had such a fun time visiting with Margo. We don’t get to see her much. She lives across the country from where we live. For the first time, I met Margo’s daughter Kelly, and granddaughter, Quincy. It was like we had known each other for years. I had a ball spending time with them, talking and sharing all about our lives to each other. How fun! I love them!

What a blessing to have wonderful people come into our lives.

I am so grateful for family.

I love that God in His infinite wisdom blessed us with families. People to go through life with. People to share ourselves with, and people who we can look to for love and examples of great living.

So a really good thing happened because a great lady passed away. Family connected who hadn’t seen each other for years. I was able to meet family I had never met before. Plans were made to do better in the future, at being a part of each others lives. And I have new friends that I will treasure.

Rest in Peace, Geri.