I am grateful for Valentine's Day!

A great Valentine's Day quote:

"I consider charity -- or 'the pure love of Christ' -- to be the opposite of criticism and judging.  In speaking of charity, I do not at this moment have in mind the relief of the suffering through the giving of our substance.  That, of course, is necessary and proper.  Tonight, however, I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient.  

"I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others.

"There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted.  True charity is love in action.  The need for charity is everywhere. 

"Needed is the charity which refuses to find satisfaction in hearing or in repeating the reports of misfortunes that come to others, unless by so doing, the unfortunate one may be benefited ....

"Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down.  It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily.  It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings.  It is accepting people as they truly are.  It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim throughout time.  It is resisting the impulse to categorize others....

"Life is perfect for none of us.  Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life.  May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out."

President Thomas S. Monson

I am grateful for video game free Sundays.

A couple of Sundays ago my kids made a little OWS tent village.

This Sunday, they acted out an original "Lego Ninjago" play.  They made a script, gathered props, and played music to add to the intensity of the fighting scenes.  It was delightful.

I am grateful for Elder Holland

“I suppose it goes without saying that negative speaking so often flows from negative thinking about ourselves. We see our own faults, we speak--or at least think--critically of ourselves, and before long that is how we see everyone and everything. No sunshine, no roses, no promise of hope or happiness. Before long we and everybody around us are miserable.”
― Jeffrey R. Holland, Created For Greater Things

I am grateful for distractions from politics.

I just can't take the bickering, the distortions, the negativity and the bloviating anymore.  But politics in America is a lot like driving by a car crash, I want to know what is happening.  I am only comforted by the fact that the Savior is the ultimate victor in this crazy world.

I love this quote by Elder Holland:

“The FUTURE of this world has long been DECLARED; 

the final outcome between GOOD and evil is already KNOWN. 

There is absolutely no question as to who WINS because 

the VICTORY has already been posted on the SCOREBOARD. 

The only really strange thing is all of this is that we are still down here on the FIELD 

trying to decide which TEAM’S JERSEY we want to wear!”

I also love this message, click here.