Reflections - What Truly Matters!

These past few weeks have been wonderful! Spending time with family! Lauren and I have been able to visit Matthew and Katie and 3 very cute grandkids in Ladera, Leslie and Stephanie and 5 very cute grandkids, and of course Neal, in Houston (we will catch Mike on the next run to Mesa), Lincoln, Mimi and Julianne in Sundance, and shortly we will see Elliott and Ginger and 4 very cute grandkids in Carmel. Are you noticing the trend - 12 very cute grandkids? Our six kids and their wonderful companions are equally great. We also began what is to be more common, some down time with my parents in Orange. It would be a little easier if we could consolidate locales with all in one geographic location, but oh well; at least we are blessed with air travel to visit in the 5 critical states. Needless to say, it has been "true joy." Our goal for 2006 was to simplify and to seek for more joy in our lives! Little did we know we would have an added impetus to help along the way! Don't ever doubt the love of the Savior and His awareness of each of us individually; and the tender mercies of His outstretched hand in all things. Gratefully, we are reliant upon Him in all things!

These past few weeks have been a time for reflection on that which truly matters! How blessed we are to enjoy the goodness and bounty of a loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, for every day is a gift and with each gift we receive greater joy. For the prayers of so many - thank you!

What began some 38+ years ago with a Spring Fling at Disneyland has become the genesis of our eternal family of 25, thus far. Notwithstanding, within our own myopia and/or within the commotion of all things, we often fail to think of the majesty of His plan that binds us all as one, as one eternal family linked through extended generations, both historic and prospective. The finite nature of what we can see or experience is often so limited if not viewed with the perspective and majesty of His grand eternal plan of happiness. Even so, how grateful we are for the blessings of family, and the eternal nature of such.

As we have been visiting everyone, my thoughts have reflected upon specific priorities or efforts that we have strived to preserve and promote during our 34+ years of marriage, each of which have formed the foundation of faith in our family. Some are listed below:

1. Loving Christ through emulation (charity and meekness)
2. Family and Individual Prayer (morning and evening)
3. An appreciation, understanding and knowledge of the scriptures
4. Regular Family Time (without interruption)
5. Obedience to gospel principles (loving and serving others)
6. Respecting our Home as a place of refuge and sanctuary
a. Kind words, no raised voices or shoes worn (it is truly a holy place)
7. An appreciation of the Temple and the promises and blessings therein
a. Regular attendance
8. Uplifting music
9. Maintaining a house of order (D&C 88:119)
10. Tending to that which matters most; that of eternal consequence and not reacting to the things that matter not at all.
11. Loving each other

Sorry for the lengthy blog. I guess this happens when your mind goes away and when partially restored, you begin to think; you try to remember and reflect upon the core values and standards that bring you back and define who you really are, even to those things that really matter. I love and appreciate each of you, grateful for the joy in our lives.