To see a man's reaction

I've played tricks on people just to see how they'll react. Never have I set out to harm or hurt one's feelings; but to catch someone off guard can at times bring such an amusing look to the face of an unassuming victim. I recently heard an address by President Gordon B. Hinckley where he spoke of a different kind of reaction to another's actions.

He told of two boys out playing in a farmers field. They came across the old farmers tattered shoes that he had removed for a moment. One of the boys proposed that they should hide the old man's shoes and stick around to see his confused reaction. The other boy, in considering the conditions endured by this old farmer, felt that it would be more appropriate to stick around and see the farmer's reaction to finding a silver dollar inside each of his shoes. This was their decision. They placed the coins in the shoes and waited for the farmer to return. They soon saw the farmer return to his shoes and in amazement pull out one of the silver dollars. He put on his shoe, and once again surprised pulled a second silver dollar out of his second shoe. The look on the old man's face and his actions tell the rest of the story. He immediately knelt in prayer and spoke aloud to his Father in Heaven in thanksgiving. He spoke of the hardships that he and his wife were enduring, and recognized the miracle of what had just occurred.

We definitely have choices throughout our lives on how to treat others. May we ever consider choices that will cause others to rejoice rather than distress.

Sound Advice

Pause to pray, think to thank.
-Draper L.D.S. Temple dedication

Helium Balloons

Coping with loss is something we learn throughout our sojourn here on earth.  The spectrum of things we can potentially lose runs from small to great, insignificant to beloved or sacred.  My neighbor recently lost his father to kidney to disease, another neighbor his job, and my little girl most recently lost her Dora the Explorer mylar balloon. I tied it to her wrist, yet somehow it came undone and fled into the sky.  Her experience of loss at this point in her young life is extremely limited; needless to say however, she was crushed as she watched her precious balloon get smaller and smaller and finally disappear into space. I was crushed watching the scene unfold; knowing that the sadness she felt ran pretty deep in her tender little heart.  I'm so glad that I could empathize with her, I mean who hasn't lost a helium balloon to the sky before? I think empathy and the fact that we could buy another balloon made her feel better about the situation. I got to thinking though about the precious things that can't be replaced. I think President Monson and Elder Holland most adequately shared the Savior's ability to comfort us in those situations in this last weekend's General Conference.  It is in Him that we can rely peace, comfort, and forgiveness seeing as how he rose above all sin and sorrow through His infinite atonement. From losing a dear loved one to a helium balloon and everything in between.

Love to See the Temple

We started off the new year right by heading out to the Ogden Temple after a couple busy months to end '08. It's a blessing to be so close to a temple, and a blessing to be able to visit with Becky and chat with her about the temple session we attend. The word 'Sacred' stuck in my mind throughout much of the visit. What does this word mean to me and to people in general. It is good to include that which is sacred in your life, but also to let it help govern other decisions you make is so important. For me, the temple is sacred. It is a brillient reminder of so many things that I hold near and dear, the purpose of this life, and the marvelous plan in the which we all take part. May this be one of many temple visits this year. And yes, even though the Ogden Temple does appear to look like a cupcake, I feel like it is my favorite to visit since I don't ever get lost inside.