Celebrating Fathers Day!

To all the Fathers out there, I wish you a great Fathers Day!  You deserve it!  Of all the good and hard work you do for your family.  I know that your children love you and are glad that you are there father.  May the Lord continue to bless you by being a great father to your family. 

To those who are not fathers, like myself, I know you will be good fathers one day to your future children.  You don't have children right now, but when you do that you will be a blessed father to your child(ren) and that you will be a great father to your family. 

I am glad to my Father in Heaven who gave me life so I can come down here on Earth to become like him one day.  To have the choice of choosing right and wrong.  That I know he will never leave me and will always be there for me even when I have chosen wrong.  I know he will always love me and wishes to bless me with blessings that I deserve when I obey him. 

The Standard of Truth told from the prophet Joseph Smith

This quote from Joseph Smith which came from a letter written at the request of John Wentworth and George Barstow, Nauvoo, Illinois published in Times and Seasons, March 1, 1842, p. 709

• “The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”

So even if bad people come and try to stop the work of the Lord and his Church it will not stop.  The Lord knows this and that his gospel will spread to every people, nation and tongue.  For this is his gospel and he wants to have all his children the opportunity to hear the gospel. 

Eventually the gospel will be spread to those countries who have closed their doors on religion.  With prayer we can pray that those countries will soften their hearts and open the doors to let the gospel of Jesus Christ in and be taught to the people.  One day the gospel will be spread to the Middle East. 

Fathers Day message.

This Sunday is Fathers Day!  I myself am not a father, though one day in the future I will be a father to my children.   I want to be the best father I can be.  I know that I will not be the best father in the world.   I know that I will make mistakes raising my children.  That I will cheer when they do something good and cry when the choose something that is wrong.  Time will let me play out and see what happens. 

I know that we have a Father in Heaven who sent his son Jesus Christ to die for us so we may live again after this mortal life and take upon our sins.  That we may be able to repent of our sins and one day become like he is.  Being resurrected is a free gift given to everyone regardless of race, sex, religion, color, etc.  We are his children and are glad to be a Child of God.  I know that he loves us so much even when we do wrong he will always love us.  

Fathers Day is just as important to honor all the men in our life; brother, father, uncle, nephew, husband and grandfather.  

Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers out there!  Here is a poem I would like to share with you that I found online.

My birthday to celebrate!

This year I'll be turning 37.  Wow! I'm glad that I'm getting older!

I was thinking of all the good that I've done to my friends and family.  As my life as it is:

• Happily Married.
• Working at a part time job.
• No children yet.
• Have great and wonderful friends!
• A wonderful family!
• A car to drive.
• Being a great influence on my friends and family!
• A few nicknames (the Bomb, Kdawg, Yoda)
• Being an eternal, blood brother to my friends and family!

I've want to say thanks for being a great brother or sister to me.  That's what life is about.  Caring for each other and loving each other!  Help my brothers and sisters to come closer to Christ. We never know how long our life is here on Earth.  We just know that our life is short and to make the best of it.  I know that I'm not perfect and will never be 100% perfect, for that is a progression of a life time to achieve.  I look forward to what my next year of being 37 will be like. 

The symbols and meaning of Christmas.

I was looking for something to tell the meaning of the symbols that we use at Christmas time and came across this site that looked really good to use.  The author is unknown.  Its called Teach the Children.

                                                                  TEACH THE CHILDREN

I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house.  I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise saw Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.  He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. 

"What are you doing?" I started to ask.  The words choked up in my throat, and I saw he had a tears in his eyes.  His usual joy manner was gone.  Gone was the eager, boisterous character we all know.

He then answered me with a simple statement, "TEACH THE CHILDREN!"

I was puzzled; what did he mean? He guessed my question, and with one quick movement pulled a miniature toy bag from behind the tree.  As I stood puzzled, Santa said,  "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas.  The meaning now-a-days Christmas has forgotten."

Santa then reached into his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it in front of the fireplace.  "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree green all year round, representing the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR.   "Teach the children the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago.  God promised a Saviour for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE.   "Teach the children that the candle symbolises that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of Jesus who fills our lives with light."

Once again he reached into his bag and pulled out a WREATH and placed it on the tree.  "Teach the children that the wreath symbolises the real nature of love.  Real love never ceases, like Gods love which has no beginning or end."

He then pulled from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF.  "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus symbolise the generosity and kindness we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF.  "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality.  It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Saviour.  The red holly represents the blood shed by Him." 

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT.  "Teach the children that God so loved the world that HE gave HIS only SON...We thank God for his very special gift."  "Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy Baby and gave HIM gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."

Santa then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree.  "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook.  The crook on the staff helps to bring back the lost sheep to the flock."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL.  "Teach the children that it was the angels that announced the glorious news of the Saviour's birth.  The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth goodwill to men."

Suddenly, I heard a soft tinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL.  "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring to guide us to God.  The bell symbolises guidance and return.  It reminds us that we are all precious in the eyes of God."

Santa looked back and was pleased.  I saw the twinkle in his eyes as he said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center for I am, but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD."

My final thoughts on 10th Anniversary of 9/11.

I just want to end with some last few comments on 9/11 that just came to my mind these last few days.

Flight 93-  They had the courage to stand up to the terrorists from reaching their destination.  They knew from what they learned, that we down here on the American soil was depending on them up there in the sky.  As Todd put it "Lets Go!"  From what happened they saved millions of other lives here on the ground being killed.  They were heroes and died for what they did.  From that deal now we know that if a passenger is acting weird or in a threatening way they will get the notion that we will not let whatever they have planned happen.  We as the traveling public are more noticeable of what happens instead of just sitting back and relaxing back. 

     How things have changed over the 10 years:

• More security at airports, by taking off shoes and having pat downs, not being able to walk to the gate to pick someone up or drop someone off, liquids to a 5 oz. bottle or less, for a time shortly after military presence with F-16 guns, having the federal government take over Airport Screening by hiring TSA Agents and making a new department (Homeland Security).
• Being searched when entering Conference Center, City/Federal Courthouses, Attending any sporting events or any other big event to draw a big crowd.  Walking through a magnetometer and hoping it doesn't go off on you. 
• A lot of patriotism shortly after the event and then went away a few months to a few years later. 
• Had the Security Color Code from Blue being All Clear and then Red being Danger is imminent, but never quite got to Blue or Red only stayed in the middle Orange or Yellow.  Since it wasn't as effective as thought it would be they ended the Security Code and replaced it with something else instead.
• For those who are Muslim or Muslim belief have been targeted as hate crimes.
• We haven't had another 9/11 attack since then.
• Osama Bin Laden been killed. 
• Patriot Act is formed.Federal Government wanting to have more power and as the citizens of the US we have given up some of our rights and freedoms just to be safe. 
• Terror attacks still happen around the world.   

In another 10 years it will be the year 2021, I'll be 46 years old then and I will remember what happened on that day.  Most of the young children will be in the middle adult lives and will want to know what happened on that day.  For those who were born after 9/11 won't really have a concept on why 9/11 is so important to us.  We will have to tell our children and their children of what happened on that day.  Its already in one of my school books.  This is an important event that happened to us, yes we need to move on, but we must never forget what happened on that day.  Make sure that the memories of those who died will live on in our lives!

     Will you still remember what happened on that day when it will be 20 year anniversary of 9/11/01? 

GOD BLESS AMERICA, MY HOME SWEET HOME!



Labor Day greeting and using our senses.

Tomorrow we get to celebrate Labor Day here in America.  For that holiday I get to have a three day weekend, with no school or work.  YEAH!  So far my schooling has been good. 

We all know our senses, touch, taste, sight, etc.  There is an old saying that goes "See no evil, Speak no evil and Hear no evil"  we might as well add, "Touch no evil and Smell no evil."  Instead we should change it around to be more positive instead of negative.  "See that is good, Speak that is good, Hear that is good, Touch that is good and Smell that is good". 

• See wholesome entertainment, good books, beauty of the Earth, good websites. 
• Speak positive words, words of love, forgiving,
• Hear uplifting music, hymns, holiday music, children laughing,
• Touch good books, holding hands,
• Smell home cooking, flowers,

This is all I could think of.  Its not a complete listing of course but enough to let you know what I'm trying to say. 

                               Have a great holiday weekend and lets uses our senses for good.

The games we played as children.

I remember the games that we used to play when we were growing up.

• Kick the can
• Red Rover
• Mother, May I?
• Red light, green light
• Heads up 7up
• Freeze tag
• Capture the flag

Now that I'm grown up as an adult I don't play those games as much anymore.  Though children now are more into playing computers, cell phones, watching tv, etc. than playing these type of games.  I even played some of them when I was in elementary school in my class or with my cousins or with my friends out at the park.  These games will help them to get the exercise they need and to have fun outside while they are young.  They are easy to play and not hard to understand how to play.  I'm not saying that the electronics are bad but, it would be nice to see the young children playing these games so that these games don't get lost in the shuffle of life and that they can teach their kids these games when us adults are gone.

Fathers Day message.

Today is Fathers Day.  A day to remember all those fathers who have lived here and are currently living here.  As for me, I am not a father yet but, one day hopefully I will be to my wonderful children. 

To be a Father you need these great qualities to be one:

• Loving
• Caring
• Providing a house, clothes and food
• Playful
• Understanding
• Helpful
• Kind
• Brave
• Courageous
• Working hard

I hope that fathers have these great qualities in them.  It would be sad if they are mean, demanding, forceful, and controlling.  That is not what the Lord wants and will cause great trouble in the family if the father is that way to his family.  I know that there are no perfect fathers but at least try to do the best that you can in loving your family with kindness and loving.

The end of the world.

When we were in our youth ages, we were told that one day the world will be in turmoil and confusion will reign.  That the environment will not be the same, that we will see things from the heavens and around the Earth that is not normal to see, that good will be wrong and wrong will be good, and will see more wars and hate then ever before. 

We can huddle in our homes and survive on food storage and never come out of the house till we perish or we can live a day at a time and learn the signs and know what they mean and that we strive to do good and live and go to school, work and enjoy life. 

Yes, the world is a scary place and will be more scary for our children and their children but we are told that the things that are happening now must happen but that we can pray to be able to endure these times of the world. 

Now go to sleep and something magical will happen.

As a child you hear that at certain times when we were young.  Now you are thinking to yourself what his he talking about? I'll tell you my fellow friend.

1. Tooth Fairy - This is a fairy that will come to you in the night and take your tooth from underneath your pillow and give you money in return wither it be how rich the tooth fairy is.  It could be ($1.00, $10.00, 25 cents, or a 10 cents.) anytime you loose a baby tooth.
2. Easter Bunny- This is a animal that is different than the rest of the animals of the world.  Its a special animal that comes to you in the night and will leave you chocolate, eggs, candy, etc in a basket with your name on it and any other goodies that the Easter bunny wishes to leave you the day before Easter.
3. Santa Claus- This is a man that lives up at the North Pole and comes once a year on December 24 to visit all the children at night while they are asleep and will leave presents to open up the next morning. 

Now that I've told you the 3 types of magical beings that come to children.  What is one thing that is all in common? Give up?  Its the word NIGHT.  How interesting to know that they only come at night and not during the day when everyone is awake and doing stuff.  Now as we get older we learn the truth of these three magical beings.

• Are we sad or happy that we found out the truth?
• Do we continue on believing in these beings ourselves?
• Do we keep the myth alive when we have children of our own?
• Do we tell the truth right off when they are young, instead of making them believe in these beings?

As parents its your decision on what to do.  There is no wrong or right way to approach this situation with children.  You just do what you feel is the best thing to do.  I am not condemning to those who decide to tell the truth out front instead of the fantasy of them. 

Families are important in this life.

I don't no what its like to have children of my own yet but, I'm sure when I do I'll be busy with them. 

For those who do have children of their own are busy with them and dealing with work, school and church duties.  They struggle everything in their life to manage equally.  I know that families come first before friends and social life.  For the friends will come and go and are not living there at the house but, the family will always be there and will always need your attention.

• Getting breakfast, lunch, dinner made.
• Cleaning the bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, living room, etc.
• Taking care of pets.
• Washing windows
• Sweeping and moping floors.
• Taking out the garbage.
• Putting stuff away.
• Helping with school projects, school homework.
• Going to recitals, sports (practices, games, tournaments).
• Reading a book.

Sometimes I forget that they have to do these things, not all of them but, at least several of them.  I have tons of time on my hands and wonder why they don't reply back then I have to realize of what I typed in earlier.  I know that they don't forget about me or want me to feel bad for I will be as busy as they are when that time comes. 

Spend time with your family (spouse, children, siblings, in laws, relatives) for they are only here on the earth for a short time for you never know when it will be their time to leave and head back to the home to where they came from. 

Families are being torn apart and when families are being torn apart the fabric of society falls apart.

• Parents leaving their children in day care centers to long.
• Children and spouse being abused.
• No communication between family members.
• Divorces happening more frequent then in the past.
• Parents going on expensive trips frequently and forgetting their children needs.
• etc.

Families are important to society as a whole and individual.  Parents need to tend to their needs of the children.  Their is greater love, peace, harmony when families are together.  Children are important and they are the future generation of us living as adults as this time. For when we die, they will be left in charge of the society. 

The Lord has trust us as parents to take care of his children while here on earth.  For if we do we will be blessed in ways that we can't imagine and when we don't take care of his children properly, then the wrath of the Lord will not be good and will have to face the judgement bar to report on how we did our duties. 

Love your children be there for them for they are only so young at a short time for then they will be in turn taking care of you. 

LOVE...

• All mankind
• Yourself
• Everyone
• Your neighbor
• Is eternal
• Is powerful
• God
• Your siblings
• Your parents
• Your spouse
• Your children
• One another
• You