A sweet tender mercy showed up at my door

The other day, I was thinking about something a relative told me about my life....that I needed to simplify. I had searched what to drop....cannot drop my family events (kids are each in 1 activity right now and I think it's good for them to be involved in something that develops their talents further and gives them an opportunity to grow); cannot drop my calling (I would be scared of what would be left of myself since everytime I give of myself, I find so much more than what was before); cannot drop the housekeeping (that's just too gross to contemplate); so I guess I could just tell the missionaries next time they called that I cannot go with them to visit a new convert when they ask me to accompany them to their visit. I was almost set on that course of action....when later that day, I heard a knock at my door. I looked out the window in the upstairs playroom and saw a grey truck. I didn't recognize it, so I made sure to walk quietly down the stairs so that whoever was standing behind the door wouldn't hear me and know someone was home when I didn't open the door.
I peeked through the peephole and saw two young men dressed in white shirts and ties with a black plaque. I quickly unlatched the door and greeted them with a smile.
They said that they just wanted to hand me a letter. Spoke briefly about the family with whom I accompanied them on their visit, and left.
Once the door was closed and re-latched, I opened the card. It was a few lines of thanks for always being willing to join them on a visit with an investigator or recent convert. They were so appreciative and wanted to let me know it mattered.
That meant so much to me. It meant that God had heard the thoughts of my heart. He understood my efforts to simplify and desire to do the best things with my time. I was so grateful for that little card that the missionaries took the time to write and hand deliver.
It meant more than they will probably ever know.

Patience and Success....grateful for the lesson, kids.

There was one day where it seemed as though everything went wrong. I couldn't get any task accomplished. None of the kids were getting along with each other. I tried to think of constructive and useful games for them to play and it all ended in fights and struggle. At one point, at the end of the day, during family scripture study, I remember feeling excited that tomorrow was a new day and that the effects and events of this day didn't have to carry on to tomorrow. I was so happy for that.
Then, the next day happened. And everything was different. The kids were listening and obedient. They were happy and cheerful. We smiled and had a good time together.

Then, at the end of that day, it felt so sweet. It was as though if I had not experienced the hard day before, this good day would not have been as sweet.

Because of the difficulty, the good was more valued. More welcomed, more cherished.

Kids taught me a good lesson. As with anything, it is not the external circumstances that determine the person who I am. It is how I deal with those difficulties. Do I loose hope? Do I crumble? Wish for better days and give up? Or keep trying no matter how futile my efforts seem?

I am never a failure as long as I keep trying. I want to be successful. And success doesn't look like roses and sweet tones floating through the air. Success looks a lot more like a big breath, another prayer, a plea for help to keep my spirits high, and my patience strengthened like a muscle that gets a good workout.
Like regular weight training, the muscles only grow strong when they are used through repetition.
If I wilt at the first sign of trial, my patience will not have the opportunity to grow....I have not used it. On days when the kids, housework, tasks, etc seem to require my patience at every turn, I will have enjoyed a very good workout that day and my muscle of patience will have grown strong...and that is success.

Kindess

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/remember-this-kindness-begins-with-me?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/the-virtue-of-kindness?lang=eng
http://www.cknscratch.com/teaching-tips-and-tricks/what-primary-presidencies-wish-all-teachers-remembered


Why is it hard to be kind?

I'm serious. It seems as though it's the "harder wrong" when the "easier right" is to just spout off whatever comes to mind and



When a man grows old he develops a softer touch, a kindlier manner. I have thought of this much of late.

Now I indicated earlier that I did not know why there was so much conflict and hatred and bitterness in the world. Of course, I know that all of this is the work of the adversary. He works on us as individuals. He destroys strong men. From the time of the organization of this Church he has done so. President Wilford Woodruff said this: “I have seen Oliver Cowdery when it seemed as though the earth trembled under his feet. I never heard a man bear a stronger testimony than he did when under the influence of the Spirit. But the moment he left the kingdom of God, that moment his power fell. … He was shorn of his strength, like Samson in the lap of Delilah. He lost the power and testimony which he had enjoyed, and he never recovered it again in its fulness while in the flesh, although he died [a member of] the Church” 
This kind of miracle can happen and will happen when there is kindness, respect, and love. Why do any of us have to be so mean and unkind to others? Why can’t all of us reach out in friendship to everyone about us? Why is there so much bitterness and animosity? It is not a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We all stumble occasionally. We all make mistakes. I paraphrase the words of Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer: “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us” (see Matt. 6:12
William W. Phelps, who was close to the Prophet Joseph, betrayed him in 1838, which led to Joseph’s incarceration in Missouri. Recognizing the great evil of the thing he had done, Brother Phelps wrote to the Prophet, asking forgiveness. The Prophet replied in part as follows:
“It is true, that we have suffered much in consequence of your behavior—the cup of gall, already full enough for mortals to drink, was indeed filled to overflowing when you turned against us.
“Believing your confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, I shall be happy once again to give you the right hand of fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal.
Brethren, it is this spirit, expressed by the Prophet, which we must cultivate in our lives. We cannot be complacent about it. We are members of the Church of our Lord. We have an obligation to Him as well as to ourselves and others. This sinful old world so much needs men of strength, men of virtue, men of faith and righteousness, men willing to forgive and forget. 
There is no end to the good we can do, to the influence we can have with others. Let us not dwell on the critical or the negative. Let us pray for strength; let us pray for capacity and desire to assist others. Let us radiate the light of the gospel at all times and all places, that the Spirit of the Redeemer may radiate from us.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/the-need-for-greater-kindness?lang=eng


Mary N. Cook, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, said of a Young Woman: "She’s loving, kind, and obedient. She comes from a single-parent home, and her life has not been without challenges, so I’ve wondered how she maintains her happy, kind spirit. When this young woman testified, “I center my life on Jesus Christ,” I had the answer.
I would like to focus on just one of these words—benevolent.Benevolent is a lovely word that we don’t hear very often. Its roots are Latin, and it means “to wish someone well.”2 To be benevolent is to be kind, well meaning, and charitable. Many of you learned about the idea of benevolence when you were in Primary and committed this song to memory:

I want to be kind to ev’ryone,

For that is right, you see.

So I say to myself, “Remember this:

Kindness begins with me.”

For us to develop these same Christlike attributes, we must learn about the Savior and “follow in His ways.”

“Unity is a spiritual quality. It’s the sweet feelings of peace and purpose that come from belonging to a family. … It’s wanting the best for others as much as you want it for yourself. … It’s knowing that no one is out to harm you. [It means you will never be lonely.]”

We build that unity and share our unique colors through benevolence: individual acts of kindness.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/remember-this-kindness-begins-with-me?lang=eng


Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." 

Ephesians 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Kids beginning new school year

As a child, there is no question: summer is the best! No homework, long, lazy days and lots of vacations and activities with friends and family.
As a parent, there is some question: for a variety of reasons, it's nice to have the kids at school. But the thing I am more concerned with....more than hours of homework and early rise times.....is the outside influence. During summer, I can have direct control over the media, books, friends, conversation and teachings of my kids. Once they hit the school grounds, I can {mostly} just hope for the best.

Of course, as parents, it's our duty and God-given privilege to teach our children the correct principles. I must be the first to teach them to say "I'm sorry" when they make a mistake or do something wrong. I have to be the one to help them understand that they are not entitled to anything they see on God's green earth. Hard work and honesty will bring the greatest, lasting dividends. Be kind, wait your turn, make a friend to the lonely, try your best and don't give up.
I cannot expect the teacher or other students to teach these things to my kids. I cannot shirk this responsibility. It has to be done. And on the daily.  (That's the hard part! Sometimes I swear my words will never sink in. But that's the adversary's propaganda: give up, not worth the effort, never going to get it.) So I keep trying. Try different tactics. Time out, extra chores, writing letter, giving hugs,