In 1983, Barbara B. Smith gave a talk entitled, “A Season of Strength” that inspired me when I first heard her speak when I was a young mother. Now, as a grandmother, I still find her words inspiring today. Whether we are single or married, young or old, the nurturing work we do as women can provide true friendship to the lonely, bring joy and love to a child, and instill hope into the hearts of discouraged souls.
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 MoreWhen I first read about Covid-19 in other parts of the world, it was hard to imagine it coming to the United States and doing the same type of severe health damage and imminent death that was going on elsewhere. When I became aware that it had arrived here, I started reading the daily updates in America and in other parts of the world. I was shocked at how quickly everything shut down as “quarantine, social distancing, face masks, and hand sanitizer” became part of our daily vocabulary.
Read MoreIf you aren’t currently doing any family history, begin now. Your life will be enriched by what you learn. I have gained much strength from reading the journal of my great, great grandfather Isaac Hill (1806-1879). As I reflect on all the trials and hardships he endured, it inspires me to never give up during my own trials.
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 MoreA negative attitude about work can be changed to a positive attitude about work as you look for role models, either in real life or in books, who can help you transform yourself and find the true joy of work. Leave the past in the past. You can start fresh!
Read MoreI have always loved this talk about motherhood that was given by Julie Beck in 2007. It is entitled, “Mothers Who Know.” It gave me great confidence in myself as I continued raising my children. I hope you will enjoy this excerpt!
Read MoreAnother image came into my mind. It was a beautiful, vividly-colored field of wildflowers. As I reflected on this exhilarating scene, a poem started forming in my mind about my children. I quickly typed it up and gave a copy to each of my ten children for Valentine’s Day that year. I called it, “My Wildflowers.”
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 MoreAll of us who call ourselves “Christians,” have a sacred responsibility to follow in Jesus Christ’s footsteps and take upon ourselves His name. This not always easy to do. We wake up each morning with a desire to follow Him, but bad habits, over-busy lives, and a multitude of distractions get us off course by the end of the day. We often go to bed feeling discouraged with ourselves because we haven’t lived up to the righteous desires of our hearts.
Read MoreMany times, during Jonathan’s teenage and adult life, I didn’t know where he was living or if he were alive or dead. All I could do was keep fervently praying for him morning and night. I’ve always loved the scriptures, which reminded me of how much my Heavenly Father cared about my son. I knew the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, would not abandon Jonathan.
Read MoreFebruary 25, 2020 is the three-year anniversary of when my son, Matt, had to have emergency brain surgery to save his life. Each year at this time, we thank God that Matt is alive and still with us. We are grateful he is doing as well as he is. The main medical problem Matt is still plagued with are occasional grand mal seizures. Once I asked Matt how he deals with all these problems. He simply answered, “This is my reality, and it’s all good!”
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 MoreMy hope and prayer for each of us in 2020 is that we will all get back up whenever we fall down—literally or figuratively. If your New Year didn’t start out being very happy (as mine didn’t), don’t give up hope. As I always say to my family, “There are good things up ahead!”
Keep having faith. Keep trying. Keep doing the best you can for that particular day. Try something new or return to something old that worked well for you in the past. And always remember to be “gentle” with yourself.
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 MoreOur family is our most important treasure. Teach your children the religious doctrines and moral principles you believe in so they will have a clear vision of how to live their own lives, which they can pass on to their own children someday.
Read MoreWhen I go around the country and visit my grandchildren, I always offer to sing songs and give backrubs before bedtime. The most requested song is one that I wrote when my own children were small called, “The Love of Children.” I’m so grateful that I’ve passed on the “love of children” to my children and that they love and cherish their children as much as I always loved and cherished them.
Read MoreIn 1989, I wrote a song that I titled, “Because We Are a Family.” While it was originally written as a serious song to inspire my son Jonathan, it became a theme song for our whole family. Although it was totally a surprise to me, I was delighted when two of my teenage grandchildren got together during spring break on March 24, 2019 and made a hilarious video production of “Because We Are a Family” and put it on YouTube!
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!
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