Children in Church

 A little boy was in a relative's wedding.
 As he was coming down the aisle, he would take two steps,
 stop, and turn to the crowd.
 While facing the crowd, he would put his hands up like claws and roar.
 So it went, step, step, ROAR, step, step, ROAR, all the way down the aisle.
 As you can imagine, the crowd was near tears from laughing so hard
 by the time he reached the pulpit.
 When asked what he was doing, the child sniffed and said,
 "I was being the Ring Bear."

   
 One Sunday in a Midwest City ,
 a young child was "acting up" during the morning worship hour.
 The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew
 but were losing the battle.
 Finally, the father picked the little fellow up
 and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out.
 Just before reaching the safety of the foyer,
 the little one called loudly to the congregation,
 "Pray for me! Pray for me!"
  
  
 One particular four-year old prayed,
 "And forgive us our trash baskets
 as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets." 
 A little boy was overheard praying:
 "Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.
 I'm having a real good time like I am." 


 A Sunday School teacher asked her little children, as they were on the way to church service,
 "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"
 One bright little girl replied, "Because people are sleeping."


 A little boy opened the big and old family Bible with fascination,
 looking at the old pages as he turned them.
 Then something fell out of the Bible.
 He picked it up and looked at it closely.
 It was an old leaf from a tree that has been pressed in between the pages.
 "Mama, look what I found," the boy called out..
 "What have you got there, dear?" his mother asked.
 With astonishment in the young boy's voice he answered,
 "It's Adam 's suit".

 
 The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel mike,
 and as he preached, he moved briskly about the platform,
 jerking the mike cord as he went.
 Then he moved to one side,
 getting wound up in the cord and nearly tripping before jerking it again.
 After several circles and jerks,
 a little girl in the third pew leaned toward her mother and whispered,
 "If he gets loose, will he hurt us?"


 Six-year old Angie , and her four-year old brother, Joe l , were sitting together in church.
 Joe l giggled, sang and talked out loud.
 Finally, his big sister had had enough.
 "You're not supposed to talk out loud in church."
 "Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joe l asked.
 Angie pointed to the back of the church and said,
 "See those two men standing by the door?
 They're hushers."


 My grandson was visiting one day when he asked ,
 "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?"
 I mentally polished my halo, while I asked,
 "No, how are we alike?"
 "You're both old," he replied.


 A ten-year old, under the tutelage of her grandmother,
 was becoming quite knowledgeable about the Bible.
 Then, one day, she floored her grandmother by asking,
 "Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus ? The virgin Mary or the 
 King James Virgin ?"

 
 A Sunday school class was studying the Ten Commandments.
 They were ready to discuss the last one.
 The teacher asked if anyone could tell her what it was.
 Susie raised her hand, stood tall, and quoted,
 "Thou shall not take the covers off the neighbor's wife."

-- Thank you Elaine L, for sharing these!!

Faith in Times of Trial

Sunday our Relief Society lesson was on Faith in Times of Trial and Adversity.  The bad news is that trials and adversity are a necessary part of our progression.  Andrew writes a little about it in his blog. 

Our instructor team, Sisters Arriaga and Beutler, handed out note cards with some of life's challenges and asked us to share words of encouragement, counsel and faith to sisters (brothers too) facing these challenges.  Here are the results:

Here is feedback given by us (Perkins Ward Sisters) collected from the topic cards that were distributed during our April 14^th lesson.  This feedback is just to share some ideas that may be of some support as we walk through our experiences in this life. 

Diagnosis of a life-changing disease = “Sometimes it does seem that life just isn’t fair, from our perspective.  Our Heavenly Father does love you.  He knows your trials and he knows your pain.  Somehow it will be for your good.  I heard once – and I cling to it – that the day will come that all who have suffered will say everything is right and just.  All that is unfair in life will be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  In the meantime let your sisters (and brothers) support & help you.  You will lift them with your testimony.”

Pregnancy – difficult = “Hang in there.  You can do this!  To get through the hardest parts, just imagine this little person you carry and all the wonderful things you will get to watch him/her to through all the growing up milestones, all the smiles, steps, all the good you will be so blessed to share in.  Heavenly Father loves you & is so proud of your choice to be a mom.  All in all, the pregnancy will be just a blip on the timeline of your life.  Love the good, pray through the rough & count this child as a blessing.”

Parenting teenager(s) = “First of all, talk to them but really ask them questions so they share with you.  Have meals together – something they will count on.  Text them words of love.  Send a letter of them.  Get some direction from Him.  Remember they are learning.  Talk, listen, talk, listen, talk, listen.”

Underemployment = “Pray & faithful – study – fast.  Speak with Bishop & get recommend to go the LDS employment.  Update resume.  Learn how to network.  Learn to search internet for opportunities.  Update skills (i.e., Park & Rec classes – inexpensive and convenient).  Ask friends to help you find work.  Follow inspiration.”

Work environment – negative atmosphere = “Smile, Pray, Say something positive, have positive things around you, or a happy file/uplifting.”

Financial set-back = “Try to determine the cause – unemployment, illness, etc.  What can we do to alleviate the cause?  Job counseling.  Church employment services, education, etc.  Encourage the person to talk to the Bishop to get help.  Be willing to listen and not judge.  Pray with them.  Keep confidences if asked.”

Career change = “Trust God for a positive move – to help with the challenges of learning something new.”

Spouse relationships = “(Drawn triangle.  The vertices were labeled “Heavenly Father”, “Husband”, and “Wife” with Heavenly Father on the top vertex.  The closer each spouse gets/draws to Him, the closer they can be to each other.  Just working on the bottom line (two vertices “Husband” & “Wife”) is not enough for a strong eternal marriage.  Difficulties arise as a part of life.  When we choose to face them together as a couple, life, love & challenges all improve.  Even difficulties between spouses can be faced together.  If you are not able to work with your spouse, it is your responsibility to get there.  IT is MORE IMPORTANT TO BE MARRIED THAN IT IS TO BE RIGHT.  Feel it when you say, “I love you.”  LIFE IS NOT PERFET, BUT YOU CAN BE PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER & GROW TOGETHER.”

Child’s career difficulty = “I don’t have a child old enough for a career, so I will speak from personal experience . . . Listen – don’t criticize – don’t offer advice unless the child asks for it.  PRAY.  Pray that your child will be given strength and inspiration on how to overcome these challenges.  Go to the scriptures.  Give support where you can, whether it’s financial, physical, emotional or spiritual.”

Family history of addiction = “Encourage those to take advantage of ARP.  Perhaps set up a call with Jim Brazell-Born, so he can offer his success story.”

New Job  = “Be thankful to have skills to get a job.”

Needed home repairs ($/how to) = “1st think, you need to see what you wanted to do.  How much you want to pay out.  What colors & rooms – to do 1^st.  Have fun doing it.  Get family & friends to come help.  Do things little 1^st, then start looking what’s next.”

Your child’s struggle at school = “Take this problem to the Lord – and ask Him to have understanding from your child’s viewpoint, those involved at school with the struggle to understand their viewpoint, and to know how to help your child work through the struggle.  The Lord sees all sides of the struggle & can guide you so that the struggle will be resolved keeping confidence of your child, the relationships involved will be kept intact, and a positive outcome will occur. (smile)”

Building relationships after a move = “Bloom where you are planted!  The gospel is a universal binder.  Be friendly and expect the best.  Offer to be of service.  Attend R.S.  Meet people – put yourself out!”

Child’s marriage difficulty = “Remember: There will be problems in a marriage.  Everyone has a different view.  During your trials, try to remember that this will pass, whoever or child decided to marry.  We need to love their spouse as well.  And to continue to be the good person, you are meant to be.  Continue your relationship with your Heavenly Father. Hand your trouble on to Him.” 

And Then It Is Winter

You know. . . time has a way of moving qui kly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

 

But, here it is... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

 

But, here it is... my friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in

better and some worse shape than me...but, I see the great change...Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!

 

And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...its over. A new adventure will begin!

 

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.

So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!

"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after.

Make it a fantastic one.

 

LIVE IT WELL!

ENJOY TODAY!

DO SOMETHING FUN!

BE HAPPY !

Remember: "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver."

 

LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN,

YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE

SO - ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.

~Your kids are becoming you......but your grandchildren are perfect!

~Going out is good.. Coming home is better!

~You forget names.... But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!

~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything.... especially golf.

~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do,

but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.

~You sleep better on a lounge chair with theTV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".

~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..

~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!

~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

~Everybody whispers.

~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear.

~~

~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, 

and best of all, OLD FRIENDS

Thanks for sharing this, Moroni

thoughts on government

1. In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress.

                                     -- John Adams

2. If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed.

                    -- Mark Twain

3. Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of  Congress. But then I repeat myself.

                     -- Mark Twain

4. I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a   man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.

                     -- Winston Churchill

5. A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on   the support of Paul.

                -- George Bernard Shaw

6. A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off  with your money.

                   -- G. Gordon Liddy

7.  Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep

     voting on what to have for dinner.

             -- James Bovard , Civil Libertarian (1994)

8. Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer of money from poor

     people in rich countries to rich people in poor countries.

                  -- Douglas Case , Classmate of Bill Clinton at Georgetown   University .

9. Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey

    and car keys to teenage boys.

                  -- P.J. O'Rourke , Civil Libertarian

10. Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else.

-- Frederic Bastiat , French economist(1801-1850)

11. Government's view of the economy could be summed up  in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it.  If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

            -- Ronald Reagan (1986)

12. I don't make jokes.   I just  watch the government and report the facts.

             -- Will Roger s

13. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free!

                          -- P. J. O'Rourke

14. In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other. -- Voltaire (1764)

15. Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you! -- Pericles (430 B.C.)

16. No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the  legislature is in session.

                -- Mark Twain (1866)

17. Talk is cheap, except when Congress does it. -- Anonymous

18. The government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other.

                   -- Ronald Reagan

19. The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the  blessings.   The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery. --   Winston Churchill

20. The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin.                   --   Mark Twain

21. The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.                -- Herbert Spencer , nglish Philosopher (1820-1903)

22. There is no distinctly Native American criminal class, save Congress. -- Mark Twain

23. What this country needs are  more unemployed politicians

                   -- Edward Langley ,

                        Artist (1928-1995)

24. A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything  you have.  -- Thomas Jefferson

25. We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public  office. -- Aesop

FIVE SENTENCES

1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity, by legislating the

   wealthy out of prosperity.

2. What one person receives without working for, another person must

   work for without receiving.

3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.

5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to   work, because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to   get what they work for, that is the   beginning of the end of any nation!

Daily Prayer - This little light

                This little light—I’m going to let it shine---do you remember this is Sunday School?   I do.

                Our Heavenly Father—we come to you today to learn how to light our light and let it shine to show how much we love You.   Blessed all who receives this message today and every day.  Amen

“What I tell you in darkness you must speak in the daylight, and what is whispered in your ear you must shout from the housetops.”   Matthew 10:27

                Jesus is Teaching Here What The True discipleship means.  It is fearing not man, but God.  To live in His Word and to proclaim it to all, not in quiet tones or secretly, but loudly and in an abundance voice.  To shout what the Lord tells us from the rooftops.  He wants us to understand through His teachings that what we have eternally, through Him is much more important than things that can be acquired on Earth.  To fear not what man can do to our body, but what God can do to our soul.

In these passages from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us exactly like it is.  He is firm, and precise in just what is expected of Christians.  We are held accountable for the light within us.  This light must shine brightly from us to others like the far reaching effect of a lighthouse.  To whom much is given, much shall be required.  Jesus wants us to listen and trust in what we hear and to act on it.  I think this was also a prompt by Jesus for His followers to realize the importance of evangelizing and to make hast in doing it.

                But what happens when we don’t let our light shine?  In Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV), Jesus says that “You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put in under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Faith Step:   In what ways can you let your light shine today?           Lisa Watson

Prayer Each Day - Every Knee Shall Bow

    “Good morning Lord.”  Thank you for this day, a day that you have made---I will rejoice and be glad in it.

'My husband is a managing producer of a local public television affiliate.  He interacts with various celebrities as part of his work.  One day he had to call an Olympic ice-skater who hosted a project they produced.  Another day he was in meetings with a well-known actor who was narrating a documentary.

  "One night over supper he told me about his day and again mentioned several names I recognized.

   “Do you realize how cool it sounds that you chat with those people?”  I said.    

    Even though I knew they were just people---with strengths and weaknesses common to all of us---I couldn’t help but be impressed by those “big names.”             

    These names I recognized, yet I was able to sit beside them at meals, listen to their opinions, interact in some way.

    Those encounters are fun, but it’s more exciting to know the Name above all names.  Even athletes, actors, or politicians with the most famous of names will one day bow to Him.  Yet He invites us to total access.  We are always welcome into His presence.  Jesus is the encounter I can be most excited to tell others about, the name I most want to share.

“…That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”   Philippians 2:10-11

Faith Step:  Imagine you were able to meet someone famous that you’ve long admired.  How would you feel?  Go into your prayer time with that same excitement as you meet with Jesus.             Sharon  Hinch

Thanks, Don for sharing the Daily Prayer

RETARDED GRANDPARENTS

           *After Christmas, a teacher asked her young pupils how they *

           *spent their holiday away from school. *

           *One child wrote the following: *

           *We  always used to spend the Christmas holidays with
           Grandma and Grandpa. *

           *They  used to live in a big brick house but Grandpa got
           retarded and they moved to Batemans Bay where everyone lives
           in nice little houses, and so they don't have to mow the
           grass anymore! *

           *They ride around on their bicycles and scooters and wear
           name tags because they don't know who they are anymore. *

           *They  go to a building called a wreck centre, but they must
           have got it fixed because it is all okay now. They do
           exercises there, but they don't do them very well. *

           *There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down
           in it with hats on. *

           *At  their gate, there is a doll house with a little old man
           sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape.
           Sometimes they sneak out, and go cruising in their golf carts! *

           *Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. *

           *And, they eat the same thing every night --- early birds. *

           *Some of the people can't get out past the man in the doll
           house. *

           *The  ones who do get out, bring food back to the wrecked
           center for pot luck. *

           *My Grandma says that Grandpa worked all his life to earn
           his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be
           retarded someday too. *

           *When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll
           house. *

           *Then I will let people out, so they can visit their
           grandchildren. *

           *PRICELESS! *

(thank you, Elaine L)