Becoming a “Gentleman, Husband, and Father” is just as vital to the world as becoming a “Woman, Wife, and Mother” as parents share in the blessing of raising kind, loving children who will help to make the world a better place to live. Yes, we as mothers and fathers must always maintain our optimism and eternal perspective!
Read MoreFor the past few years, I’ve been writing posts about each letter of the alphabet, A-Z, from my book, ABC’s for a Happy Marriage. I didn’t write these posts in alphabetical order—I just randomly wrote whatever I felt like writing at the time. I wanted to have all twenty-six posts written by the end of 2020, but I realized this month that I was only up to twenty-four letters of the alphabet. So, I decided to combine the last two letters, “K” and “S” together.
Read MoreI learned to get up each morning, put a smile on my face, and leave the past in the past. Everybody was given a “clean slate.” I tried to focus on today and expect the best in everyone. If a new problem occurred today, I tried to deal with it today and not bring up or recite a long list of grievances that had happened in the past.
Read MoreOf course, the hard work of being parents is a 24/7 commitment, but the joy that each of our eleven children has brought us is well worth the effort. We learned that we had to always keep an eternal perspective on the hard/sad times. We also learned to sit back and simply enjoy the delightful/happy times. As David always tells people who are overwhelmed with the number of children we chose to have, “Even having one child is a wonderful gift.”
Read MoreUnity doesn’t come all at once, but it will come. Sometimes, you will need to “agree to disagree” on a certain subject, and that’s okay, too! Let time go by. Not all issues need to be resolved right now. Be loving. Be kind. Be patient. Keep your eye on the goal of unity as you each progress in your individual lives. Marriage should always be a “win-win” relationship.
Read MoreMy husband David and I are continually saying, “Thank you!” to each other throughout the day. Around our home, we are always noticing what the other person is doing and try to make a point of showing our appreciation. It only takes a few seconds, but it reminds us to never take each other for granted.
Read MoreI had so many pent-up emotions since my childhood that I needed to talk through with someone I really trusted. Now I was married to my best friend, David, with whom I could share all my feelings. Night after night, I would cry. Night after night, David would comfort me. Night after night, I would talk about what was bothering me.
Read MoreOne of the most important times to be optimistic is when you get married. There will be many situations in marriage that will cause you and your spouse to feel discouraged. But there is no problem that an optimistic wife and an optimistic husband cannot work out together with the help of the Lord.
Read MoreMy husband and I have worked hard to spend quality time together throughout our married lives despite his time-consuming business career and raising our large, wonderful family of eleven children. We are proof it can be done! But it isn’t easy. We learned long ago to slow down a bit, cherish the simple things of life, and continually thank God for each other.
Read MoreIf you have not kept your commitments to marriage in the past, you can change. Through sincere prayer, humble repentance, and marriage counselling when necessary, you can learn to be a person of integrity. All commitments, big and small, need to be honored. Being where you say you will be, doing what you say you will do, and acting as you say you will act, are all part of keeping commitments. Complete faithfulness to your spouse in body, mind, and spirit, will bring an exultant joy in your lives.
Read MoreRead good books. Learn from history. Follow exemplary role models.
Be strong. Be courageous. Be cheerful.
And “Never, never, never give up!”
Read MoreMarriage is complex. Creating a happy marriage is a continual, day by day process. Every couple needs an anchor in marriage that never moves, is always consistent, and teaches true principles amidst the storms of life. I believe that anchor should be God.
Read MoreI have a memory of my grandmother, Lillie Dalton Gillespie, always whistling while she cooked and cleaned in the kitchen. I formed the habit years ago of turning on music when I cleaned my own kitchen. Whenever I feel negative emotions in my home, I begin humming or singing a song with a positive, happy message. I also hum or sing when I feel happy!
Read MoreOn March 15, 2019, my husband David will turn 70 years old. SEVENTY! That is unbelievable! He seems so young and acts so young! On March 30, 2019, we will celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary. Perhaps being happily married, raising eleven children, and now enjoying twenty-six delightful grandchildren has helped him stay young.
Read MoreWhile you can’t change unfortunate circumstances, you can change your attitude. The old saying, “Laughter is the best medicine” is so true.
Read MoreI’ve always liked Valentine’s Day. I think it’s a fun time to let our family and friends know how much we love and appreciate them. When our children were still at home, we would decorate lunch sacks and put homemade valentines or “love notes” in each other’s sacks, which we would read on Valentine’s Day. Now that our children all live away from our home, my husband David and I will sometimes make each other homemade valentine cards—just for old time’s sake!
Read MoreBe proactive. Say the magical words, “I love you” several times a day and show that you are sincere by expressing your love through your actions. Christ-like love is real and can transform relationships.
Read MoreFor centuries of time, there have been people on earth who have looked toward heaven to find meaning in life. We need spirituality as individuals and as married couples. We cannot form an enduring relationship with our spouse without a spiritual foundation.
Read MoreThere is no perfect marriage partner. Give each other a break! You’re all doing okay. Just keep repenting, apologizing, and picking up the pieces that fall by the wayside when you hurt each other’s feelings. Give the broken pieces to the Savior, and He will put them—and you—back together again. That is His divine calling. That is what the Atonement is all about. Let Christ be the One you turn to with your grief, pain, and sorrow.
Read MoreI want to be a nice person. When I blow it and say something unkind, I try to apologize. I’m still striving to “be nice” at all times, but I’m not there yet. However, I know I can look to my Savior as my example.
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