Life...How Do I Love Thee?

In anticipation of my birthday tomorrow, I have counted 52 things I love about my wonderful life so far:

1. Health, 2. Home, 3. A Husband who Loves Me, 4. Ashley, 5. Justin, 6. Melissa, 7. Travis, 8. Shelby, 9. Laura, 10. Mom & Dad, 11. Glenn & Geraldine, 12. Gospel, 13. Brothers, 14. Sisters, 15. Good Friends, 16. Patient People 17. Experiencing Pregnancy & Childbirth, 18. Running Water, 19. Serving in the Church, 20. Our Creek, 21. Electricity 22. Dave's Salsa, 23. Massages, 24. Pedicures, 25. Facials, 26. Exercise, 27. Steam Rooms, 28. Sunny Days, 29. Laughter, 30. My Bed, 31. Having Someone to Share My Bed With, 32. A Good Night's Sleep, 33. Books to Read, 34. Plenty of Food to Eat, 35. Flowers, in All Their Varieties, 36. Learning New Things, 37. A Clean House, 38. Clean Laundry, 39. Oceans, 40. A Great Job, 41. A Dependable Car, 42. Inspiring People, Places and Things, 43. Good Movies, 44. Some Amazing Vacations 45, Clothes to Wear, 46. Dark Chocolate, 47. Eternal Families, 48. Homegrown Tomatoes, 49. My Down Comforter, 50. Shampoo, 51. Freedom, 52. Internet.

52 ways. One for each year of this amazing journey of life I call "Mine".

We are each given a finite number of years in mortality. Appreciate them, make the most of them, don't waste them.

I love you.

Mama B

Breadth vs Depth

I have spent many hours this week interviewing potential candidates as we seek to fill a drama/musical theater teaching position at our school.

One constant theme kept coming to mind as I visited with each of these candidates - You may have a passion for something and you may have talent, but that doesn't guarantee you can make a career out of it.

Each of our candidates had a college degree. Several had advanced degrees. One candidate had a plethora of degrees as a result of his fascination with education! Everyone of them had experience in some aspect of theatre (acting, tech, film, dance, radio, etc...).

So they had a college education and experience, what's the problem?

Most of them had degrees and experiences that were too narrowly focused, especially in a tight economy.

Your degree and experience must have enough breadth and depth to "fit" a number of opportunities. Becoming an expert in one tiny area may indicate you are well educated, but are you easily employable? On the other hand, collecting degrees like someone collects postage stamps is not a good idea either.

Striking the balance of combining what you love doing and are good at with a degree you can actually get work with is an important part of deciding upon a major. And combining your undergraduate degree with an MBA would definitely not hurt your future options.

Just sayin.

Love,

The Mama B

"Forgive, if ye have ought against any..."

As I was going out to water the garden today I heard a little voice reminding me that we must forgive everyone.

Even little doggies who do things like this:

Extending a forgiving heart to someone who has offended us is difficult; often it seems the least logical thing to do.

There are so many ways to justify our anger, disappointment and hurt. However, when we don't forgive others we only hurt ourselves. Our hearts are filled with darkness, our spirits feel heavy. Ultimately, it is we who suffer. (see Mark 11:25-26)

I don't believe the Lord is requiring us to be a proverbial "doormat" that people (or dogs) walk all over. We have been blessed with the ability to reason and make adjustments in our lives that help us avoid situations where we are being abused. But when offense does come, and it will, the Lord expects us to deal with it, learn from it, forgive and move forward.

I choose to feel peace and light in my life.

I hope you do to.

Love,

The Mama B

Cobblestones of Virtue

I had the privilege of teaching the Young Women this week. My lesson was based on this talk by Elaine Dalton - A Return to Virtue.

I reminded the girls that our main goal in life should be to receive the blessings of the temple, and that the path to the Temple is one "paved" with "Cobblestones of Virtue".

Did you know that paving with cobblestone is the best way to ensure a road will last over time? Anciently, roads made from cobblestones did not wear down from heavy use; they prevented the build up ruts often found in dirt roads and they did not get muddy in wet weather or dusty in dry weather. So, "paving" our life's path with Cobblestones of Virtue sounds like a wise idea.

We discussed different ways we pave our paths with Cobblestones of Virtue, using the scriptures found in Sister Dalton's talk as well as some basic ideas such as scripture study, serving others, attending our meetings, magnifying our callings, daily prayer, seminary, personal progress, living the standards in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet, etc...

Eventually, cobblestones lost their popularity as easier and cheaper options (asphalt) became available; however, asphalt cracks and erodes from heavy traffic.

Paving our life's path with Cobblestones of Virtue is not the easiest or the most popular way, but it is still the best way.

I promised the girls that as they lived a life of virtue, their path would be sure and that one day they would receive the blessings and ordinances of the temple. I extend that same promise to you and hope you choose the right way, even when it seems old-fashioned, difficult, or unpopular.

The right way is always the best way.

Remember this when you remember me.

The Mama B

Oh, Be Wise...

Sometimes...

• bad things happen to good people

Occasionally...

• good people do bad things

Every now and then...

• people do stupid things without getting caught

Eventually...

• most people get "caught" when they choose to do stupid things

Sometimes...

• you can play with "fire"

Frequently...

• the "fire" wins

My sister told me the father of her grandson overdosed on drugs this past weekend. He died. He was 25 years old. He was from a good family. He was a returned missionary. He was a good-hearted person. He was a loving father. Somewhere along the way he made some stupid choices and kept making them until they eventually killed him. He is gone. His son has lost his father. His father has lost his son. A family is shattered, now trying to make sense of it all.

Remember, every choice has a consequence.

Good consequences are those which we seek.

Be Wise in the choices you make.

I love you,

Mama B

Paying the Price

Last night I took some of the Young Women on a hike to Ensign Peak. The internet assured me it was an easy hike, appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. I approached the activity with confidence that it would be a positive experience for us all.

Glancing towards the ridge we were going to ascend, I wondered if we had been fooled by an over-zealous reviewer of this supposedly easy trail. Our goal looked even more ominous at the trailhead, but, while ignoring the murmurs of some of the girls, we moved forward with a determination to get to the top!

My body (and spirit) responded to the challenge in positive ways. I felt invigorated as the trail required more and more from me. Eventually, we did reach the summit and enjoyed breath-taking views and cooling breezes.

A view from the trail

The hard work to get to the top was so worth it. Every one of us made the goal. WE ALL SUCCEEDED at what we had started out to accomplish! Each of us got to the top. Each of us enjoyed the the views and the breezes. It didn't matter that some of us got to the top sooner or easier than others. It didn't matter that some of us made the journey with smiles and positive attitudes while others needed a little more love and encouragement. We all made it to the top because we were all willing to Pay the Price to get there.

Life is so like that! The prize is promised to anyone willing to Pay the Price - to make the sacrifices, to exercise the discipline to do what needs to be done, to choose the right, to bless the lives of others, to be kind and loving and all that good stuff. We each have to make our own journey at our own pace. I can't make it for you and you can't make it for me. The attitudes we choose determine if the journey will be happy or not, or if we are invigorated by the challenges we face or not. But, regardless of how we choose to make the journey, sticking to the path and following the guideposts along the way - Paying the Price - assures us all eventual success!

Remember this, when you remember me.

Momma B

Lessons Learned from Grandpa Merrell

A preface to any reader - My dad has cancer.  He had cancer a couple of years ago - pancreatic cancer.  He was miraculously cured.  It was a miracle because people just don't survive pancreatic cancer.  He was cancer free.  No sign of cancer.  Until this past spring, in a routine scan they found two spots on his lungs.  He is now on his second round of chemo. He is tired.  But he doesn't complain.  He doesn't let on that he is in pain or that things are bad.  But, he is, they are.  This is a letter to my children.

The point of this post is to let you know what a great man your Grandpa Merrell is.  If I can think of one word to describe him it would be generous.  He is generous with his time.  He is generous with his money (which he has very little of).  He is generous with his service.

Many years ago our family had part ownership in a couple of waterbed stores in California, when waterbeds were cool.  I sold the beds and Dad delivered them.  I remember he would do anything for a customer.  If they needed the bed set up that day, he would do it.  It was easy to sell beds because of the great customer service Chuck would provide.

When I was at BYU I knew I could call home anytime and he would send me money.  I was at the Western Union office picking up money orders so frequently, the guy who worked there eventually asked me out on a date.  My first experience at skiing - at night - Disaster!  But, I digress!  If I needed money Dad would send it.  I'm sure I abused his generosity as only children can, but he never complained.  Looking back I am certain it was a hardship on them.

Dad has always been ready to serve - anyone.  He has a happy, willing heart.  I'm grateful for his example.  

His positive attitude - even now as he is so seriously ill - has always been an inspiration to me.  I remember one time I was with a bunch of my friends.  I don't remember the details, we were on an outing and things weren't going well. Everyone else was complaining and whining.  I offered a positive outlook and one of my friends said, "You were just like your Dad just then."  I don't know why that one particular experience has stuck with me.  Maybe it was because I wanted to be like him so much.  

Dad comes from great, hard-working, simple Arizona stock.  I have always loved the heritage I can claim from his side of the family.  I wish you could have known his parents, his brothers and his sisters.  They were amazing people - just like your Grandpa.  

I would challenge each of you to spend what time you can with him while he is still here with us.  It's easy to get busy with our lives and I know we will see him again one day.  But, you can learn great things from him NOW.  You can learn to be generous from him NOW.  You can learn to work hard and be positive from him NOW.

He would love it.  I'm certain you would too.

I love you. 

Mom