May 2006

SMALL MIRACLES

I believe in MIRACLES and have felt the "love of God" in my life many times from the many "small miracles" that have been given to me and my family. The following is the Introduction to a book of the same name by Yitta Halberstam & Judith Leventhal, both of Jewish background. Althought, I'm a Christian, I believe we were all created by the same God and that He loves each of us, regardless of our religious beliefs, cultural background, race, country of origin, economic or educational status, and blesses our lives with "small miracles". After reading this article, can you identify any "small miracles" in your life?

SMALL MIRACLES . . .

Throughout our journey in life we encounter many teachers and signposts that lead us along our way. They whisper words of wisdom and encouragement to us as we struggle and yearn; they invite us into new spheres of Being and Existence. They let us know that we are not alone – that Spirit surrounds us always.

Chief among these signposts and teachers is none other than the phenomenon that some choose to call coincidence, but that we – the authors – recognize and firmly believe are nothing more and nothing less than “small miracles.”

And it is precisely at this moment in time that we need “small miracles” in our lives – now more than ever before.

Why is the identification of coincidences as “small miracles” crucial to our spiritual and personal growth?

When a person shrugs off a “coincidence” as merely a random event or pure happenstance, he is doing himself – and the universe – a grave disservice. He is failing to apprehend a divine moment that was gifted to him by God, a ripe and full moment that comes in the great flow of energy in which he is a spark. Had he recognized the coincidence for what it truly is – God’s gentle tap on the shoulder or God’s veritable shout: “Hello from Heaven!”. . . The opportunity for endless transformation and growth is lost when “coincidences” are perceived in pedestrian terms as simple “luck” or “chance.”

How much more fortunate is the individual possessing enough awareness to recognize coincidences for what they truly are – mysterious, magical, and awe-inspiring testimonials to God’s presence in our ordinary, everyday lives. This graced individual will most assuredly be filled with what we like to call “spiritual optimism.” She will believe that the events in her life have purpose, that the “coincidences” in her life have purpose and that – most important of all – her very life is hallowed by sacred purpose. She will see the holiness of day-to-day existence, the holiness of herself. And, in a world where negative forces threaten at times to submerge us, this is the greatest blessing of all.

Cultivating consciousness about the “coincidences” that come into our lives fills us with excitement and gratitude. We feel that we are truly God’s children and that He is with us, always ….

When you believe in coincidences, they pour into your life at an exhilarating, almost dizzying rate. When you require something from the universe, and you truly believe that the universe is responsive, then you most assuredly will receive its full bounty for the asking.

Here’s an example from the authors: “We had talked incessantly about approaching one of the most famous spiritual writers of our time to discuss Small Miracles. Since we were not personally acquainted with him, we faced a challenge. How to meet the man and humbly submit our request? We explored many avenues, and finally it was decided that Yitta would enroll in a one-night course that the ‘guru’ was giving. Surely at some time during the three-hour class there would be a window of opportunity that Yitta could seize to our advantage. However, a day before the course was scheduled, we were disappointed to learn that it had been canceled due to the teacher’s unexpected illness. Now what? It was a setback, but we were not discouraged. We both vibrated an intense need to meet this man.

“The very next week Judith flew to Washington, D.C., on book tour, sat in the airplane seat that had been ‘randomly’ assigned to her, and discovered . . . to her shock and delirious joy that her seatmate was none other than the spiritual guru we had resolved to meet! Not only did they engage in discussion during the entire plane ride, but after swapping personal biographies they discovered that they had lived in the exact same house in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, when Judith was a toddler and the spiritual leader was a college student, and that the spiritual leader’s parents had been Judith’s parents landlords many years ago!”

When we pray, we are speaking to God. When “coincidences” occur, it is God speaking to us. To be attuned to these moments is truly to be awake to the Divine that calls us every day.

But beyond providing us with testimonials to God’s presence in a spiritually barren landscape where there are few useful clues, “coincidences” also contain within themselves precious moral lessons and profound teachings.

When “coincidences” happen and we are aware of the messages we are being sent, a delicious sense of communion, of harmony with the universe, unfolds. We sense that everything is One, and that if we can only integrate these messages – these little bulletins from God – we can grow as moral and spiritual beings.

We are exhilarated when coincidences come into our lives, for we see them as blessings and gifts. Many people bemoan the lack of open, revealed miracles in the late twentieth century, maintaining that their absence makes the sustenance of faith that much harder. Seas don’t part; God doesn’t appear in a pillar of flame to talk with us . . . And it is true – the more grandiose, apocalyptic miracles of yesteryear do seem elusive. Nonetheless, we staunchly maintain that “small miracles” are everywhere, and that awareness of their existence can lead us to renewed faith.

“There are only two positions you can take,” Albert Einstein once said. “Either you believe that nothing in life is a miracle, or you believe that everything in life is a miracle.”

It is clear that the individual whose journey in life is more joyous, more meaningful, and more sublime, is the individual who subscribes to the second view.

An old story is told about a tough, weather-beaten, leather-skinned Alaskan nursing drink after drink in a bar in Anchorage. He tells the bartender that he has lost the faith he used to have in God.

‘I had a terrible accident in the Alaskan wilderness,’ he confides. ‘My twin-engine plane went down in the tundra, hundreds of miles away from civilization. I lay pinned in the wreckage for hours, believing that God would somehow help me. I cried out to God, I prayed with every ounce of strength I had left, I begged for rescue. But even as I started freezing to death, God didn’t lift a finger to help me and my faith in God is gone.’

The bartender squints at the Alaskan in puzzlement, ‘But I don’t understand,’ he protests. ‘You’re here, alive, telling me the story. Obviously you were saved.’

‘Oh, yeah, that’s right,’ concedes the Alaskan. ‘Because finally some Eskimo came along …’

Some people misidentify these experiences as pure coincidence, dismiss them as ‘happenstance,’ ‘random,’ or ‘just plain luck.’ But we say: There is no such thing as coincidence! There are no accidents! And these events are, in fact, nothing less than “small miracles,” awe-inspiring moments that should be celebrated, indeed consecrated, when they brush against us with their soft angel’s wings.

These miracles testify to the presence of a Higher Power in our seemingly ordinary lives; these miracles demonstrate the truth that we are all part of a larger organism and interconnected; these miracles illuminate how an invisible Hand is guiding us, gently prodding us toward our destiny. May you have eyes to see and ears to hear these “small miracles”.

And, of all the miracles that we are privileged to witness in our lifetime, there is no greater phenomenon than the all-powerful, transformative, and healing miracle of love. Love nourishes, comforts, strengthens, sustains. Love begets miracles.

Travel with us into the Light, as we bless and receive the joy that “small miracles” always bring.

**************

Love In Any Language

This is a very powerful and meaningful song that expresses the feelings of my heart. It was sung and made popular by Sandi Patti.

Love In Any Language

Je t'aime

Te amo

Ya ti-bya lyu blyu

Ani o hev ot cha

I love you

The sounds are all as different

As the lands from which they came

And though the words are all unique

Our hearts are still the same

Love in any language

Straight from the heart

Pulls us all together

Never apart

And once we learn to speak it

All the world will hear

Love in any language

Fluently spoken here

We teach the young our differences

Yet look how we're the same

We love to laugh, to dream our dreams

We know the sting of pain

From Leningrad to Lexington

The farmer loves his land

And daddies all get misty-eyed

To give their daughter's hand

Oh maybe when we realize

How much there is to share

We'll find too much in common

To pretend it isn't there

Love in any language

Straight from the heart

Pulls us all together

Never apart

And once we learn to speak it

All the world will hear

Love in any language

Fluently spoken here

Tho' the rehtoric of government

May keep us worlds apart

There's no misinterpreting

The language of the heart

Love in any language

Straight from the heart

Pulls us all together

Never apart

And once we learn to speak it

All the world will hear

Love in any language

Fluently spoken here

I LOVE Life!!!!

I’ve just returned from my morning jog. It’s a beautiful spring day here in Cache Valley Utah. Logan, the city I live in, is located very close to the beautiful Rocky Mountains which I walk toward, until I arrive at Utah State University. I walk across the most beautiful part of the campus, by a fountain and across the tradition "Aggie Hill". Then I like to jog downhill around the Temple (a very special place to me) and pass many houses back to my home. The grass and trees are all so green at this time and there are many flowers in bloom.

I thank God everyday for the beautiful world He created for us and for allowing me to live in such a wonderful, clean place. I've been so blessed in my life and when I returned home today and saw this quote on my computer, it was just how I felt:

"I always danced when mere walking would have done, so glad was I of life, so full of health." --Josephine Demott Robinson

I always feel so good after jogging and my heart is full of gratitude to God for His many blessings to me and my family. Have a GREAT DAY, I'm going too!!!

STAND TALL

STAND TALL

by Ruthie Just Braffman, a high school senior, who was filled with doubts and worries until her grandfather told her to “Stand Tall.”

It was no wonder I wasn’t looking forward to entering ninth grade. High school is well known for being a battleground, where everyone seems to be going through awkward physical changes, emotional mood swings, and low self-esteem. For me, height was my nemesis (BIG CHALLENGE).

I had always felt insecure and out of place as one of the taller members of my class in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, standing a head (about 12 inches) above the other girls and stooping at the back of the line to avoid sticking out.

I especially hated being around large groups of people, like during the social hour after services at my synagogue. Once the prayers were finished, I would leave as quickly as possible so I could avoid another well-meaning congregant (person attending the church) saying, “Ruthie! Look how tall you’re getting!” Ugh.

My grandfather would watch me grow increasingly uncomfortable, but he didn’t laugh at my self-consciousness or try to console me. Instead, he would admonish me.

“Stand straight and tall,” he’d say, as I unsuccessfully tried to shrink myself. And each time, I would sheepishly comply. Even at age 15, I understood that his advice ws about more than just feet and inches.

My Grandfather grew up in war-torn Europe. When German soldiers occupied his hometown, the beautiful and thriving city of Tarnow, Poland, he defied them and eventually wound up joining the Soviet army to fight for his country’s freedom. “Stand straight, stand tall,” meant something else back then.

It trusted my grandfather more than anyone else in my childhood. And whenever I was afraid of something, he would tell me stories of his life.

After the war, he boarded a boat for America, and on January 27, 1947, he stepped onto the dock of Pier 86 in Manhattan. He was hungry and suffering from seasickness. All alone in a new country, he was frightened about his future. Still, he marched head-on into the hustle and bustle of the streets of New York. Soon he met other European immigrants, each of them trying to find his or her own way.

If they could do it, why couldn’t he? “Stand straight, stand tall,” he would remind himself.

At first my grandfather refused to enter an American synagogue (a synagogue is a Jewish church building). He was angry with God for the loss of his entire family back in Europe. What’s the point of praying? He asked himself. Who is listening?

But soon he began to long again for the beauty of Judaism (the Jewish religion) and the comfort of the Jewish community. He felt his faith returning. When he walked into the synagogue that first time, he walked in proudly.

Standing straight and standing tall.

Thanks to the help of a loyal and trusting friend, my grandfather acquired a jewelry both on Canal Street, at that time the heart of the busy diamond district in New York City. He once told me how nervous he was on that first day of work. He was not only trying to learn this tough new business, but also a new language.

To his surprise, the men in the neighboring booths—who could have taken advantage of him—offered their help and advice. Within months, my grandfather was commanding his spot behind the counter, selling diamonds and cultured pearls as if he’d been doing it his whole life.

Stand straight. Stand tall.

In later years, my grandfather would escort both my mother and her sister down the aisle at their weddings. As he stood with each of them beneath the chuppah (the traditional Jewish wedding canopy), he thought about their new beginnings, and of the adventures and journeys they would experience together. He also thought about the children who would one day carry on his family name.

I am so proud to be one of those children. Listening to my grandfather’s remarkable experiences has changed the way I view my own life. His advice to me has become much more than a challenge to improve my posture. It tells me to be proud of who I am.

“Stand straight, stand tall,” my grandfather told me.

And I do.

(This article is from a book entitled: “The RIGHT WORDS at the RIGHT TIME” by Marlo Thomas and Friends. All the royalties (money earned from the sale of the book) are donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.)

The Village That Could

The Village That Could

By ROGER O. BURKS, JR. | May 15, 2006

Lyn Robinson remembers the tsunami's aftermath like it was yesterday.

“When I arrived, it was a scene of total devastation,” recalls Robinson, Mercy Corps’ Program Manager for the Oprah's Angel Network-funded program in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka. “The village was destroyed. Everyone had lost someone, and some people had lost their entire families.” The devastating waves of the tsunami swept away hundreds of lives, as well as the livelihoods of the survivors. Only ruins remained where hotels and restaurants had stood minutes before. More than 90% of the fishing boats were swept away or destroyed.

Today, the village has returned to life. Hotels and restaurants have re-opened, and fishermen have returned to the sea. People here recognize that a major catalyst for this rapid revitalization was the implementation of Mercy Corps’ livelihoods recovery program funded by Oprah's Angel Network. “Despite the magnitude of the disaster, the survivors began to pull their lives together within weeks and move forward,” says Lyn Robinson. “The courage and determination of the people of Arugam Bay is an inspiring example of the strength of the human spirit.”

Habibaumma, one of the few female fishermen in the community, was on the shore getting her boat and crew ready for the day’s fishing when the tsunami waves came. Older fishermen on the shore recognized that the sea was abnormal and called for her to run. She made it to safety, and watched in horror as her friends and neighbors struggled to higher ground. Already widowed, Habibaumma saw her only means of support, her boat and nets, being destroyed. Habibaumma was determined to rebuild her life. With assistance from Mercy Corps and Oprah's Angel Network, she quickly replaced her fishing nets so that she and the fifty men and women on her crew could return to sea and recover their livelihoods.

The Arugam Bay program was one of the first in Sri Lanka to focus on the recovery of livelihoods. Within days of the tsunami, Mercy Corps designed a long term, comprehensive strategy with the philosophy of “Building Back Better” which includes training, institution building and support to local businesses.

Mercy Corps, through funding from Oprah's Angel Network, supports a number of activities in Arugam Bay, including:

* The installation of street lights in town to increase security and safety

* Tourism recovery clean-up activities

* Rebuilding of restaurant and tea shop owners’ livelihoods

* Support of local fishing industry activities

* Landscaping to replace trees and plants lost in the tsunami

* Training for tourism industry employees, including hotel and restaurant management, computer support and advocacy

* Support to small groceries and stores, mostly women-owned

* The design and launch of a website to promote tourism in Arugam Bay (www.visitarugambay.com)

Fighting Back for their Future

Before the fateful tsunami on December 26, 2004, Arugam Bay was just beginning to emerge and prosper after twenty years of civil war. After peace accords were signed in 2002, it quickly became the most popular tourist destination on Sri Lanka’s east coast. One of the top surf sites in the world, it attracted surfers from abroad in search of great waves and beautiful beaches.

The white beaches and world-class waves of Arugam Bay not only caught the interest of tourists, but of outside developers as well. In the midst of struggling to rebuild their lives after the tsunami, the community of Arugam Bay was hit with another potential disaster: an attempted “land-grab” by outside business interests of their prized beaches and budding tourism industry. Thanks to the determination and spirit of the Arugam Bay community, the take-over bid has proved unsuccessful so far. The community was able to organize, fight back and win.

In June 2005, the Chairman of the Sri Lankan Tourist Board sent a letter of formal apology, retracting his previous statements that private property in Arugam Bay would be acquired by the state-controlled Tourist Board for redevelopment. To ensure that the needs of the community continue to shape and drive the rehabilitation agenda in Arugam Bay, Mercy Corps and Oprah's Angel Network have designed a series of activities to help this self-reliant community not only get back on their feet, but to determine their own future.

Mercy Corps is facilitating preparation of a Community Development Plan, in which stakeholders can share their needs and wishes for future development.

Arugam Bay has demonstrated its determination to build back stronger, as well as its fighting spirit, over the past seventeen months. It has firmly established itself as Sri Lanka's little village that could.

What Tree Did You FALL From?

Find your birthday and then find your tree. Find your tree below and see what you are like... This is really cool and somewhat accurate. For your information, I'm a "Lime Tree" ... read about that tree and tell me if you think it decribes me in someway. Do you agree with the description of your tree?

Jan 01 to Jan 11 - Fir Tree

Jan 12 to Jan 24 - Elm Tree

Jan 25 to Feb 03 - Cypress Tree

Feb 04 to Feb 08 - Poplar Tree

Feb 09 to Feb 18 - Cedar Tree

Feb 19 to Feb 28 - Pine Tree

Mar 01 to Mar 10 - Weeping Willow Tree

Mar 11 to Mar 20 - Lime Tree

Mar 21 (only) - Oak Tree

Mar 22 to Mar 31 - Hazelnut Tree

Apr 01 to Apr 10 - Rowan Tree

Apr 11 to Apr 20 - Maple Tree

Apr 21 to Apr 30 - Walnut Tree

May 01 to May 14 - Poplar Tree

May 15 to May 24 - Chestnut Tree

May 25 to Jun 03 - Ash Tree

Jun 04 to Jun 13 - Hornbeam Tree

Jun 14 to Jun 23 - Fig Tree

Jun 24 (only) - Birch Tree

Jun 25 to Jul 04 - Apple Tree

Jul 05 to Jul 14 - Fir Tree

Jul 15 to Jul 25 - Elm Tree

Jul 26 to Aug 04 - Cypress Tree

Aug 05 to Aug 13 - Poplar Tree

Aug 14 to Aug 23 - Cedar Tree

Aug 24 to Sep 02 - Pine Tree

Sep 03 to Sep 12 - Weeping Willow Tree

Sep 13 to Sep 22 - Lime Tree

Sep 23 (only) - Olive Tree

Sep 24 to Oct 03 - Hazelnut Tree

Oct 04 to Oct 13 - Rowan Tree

Oct 14 to Oct 23 - Maple Tree

Oct 24 to Nov 11 - Walnut Tree

Nov 12 to Nov 21 - Chestnut Tree

Nov 22 to Dec 01 - Ash Tree

Dec 02 to Dec 11 - Hornbeam Tree

Dec 12 to Dec 21 - Fig Tree

Dec 22 (only) - Beech Tree

Dec 23 to Jan 01 - Apple Tree

TREES (in alphabetical order)

Apple Tree (Love) -- quiet and shy at times, lots of charm, appeal, and attraction, pleasant attitude, flirtatious smile, adventurous, sensitive, loyal in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, many talents, loves children, needs affectionate partner.

Ash Tree (Ambition) -- extremely attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be very egotistic, reliable, restless lover, sometimes money rules over the heart, demands attention, needs love and much emotional support.

Beech Tree (Creative) -- has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.).

Birch Tree (Inspiration) -- vivacious, attractive, elegant,friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

Cedar Tree (Confidence) -- of rare strength, knows how to adapt, likes unexpected presents, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, a great speaker, determined, often impatient, likes to impress others, has many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waits for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

Chestnut Tree (Honesty) -- of unusual stature, impressive, well-developed sense of justice, fun to be around, a planner, born diplomat, can be irritated easily, sensitive of others feelings, hard worker, sometimes acts superior, feels not understood at times, fiercely family oriented, very loyal in love, physically fit.

Cypress Tree (Faithfulness) -- strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give but doesn't necessarily like it, strives to be content, optimistic, wants to be financially independent, wants love and affection, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered at times, can be unruly and careless, loves to gain knowledge, needs to be needed.

Elm Tree (Noble-mindedness) -- pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical.

Fig Tree (Sensibility) -- very strong minded, a bit self-willed, honest, loyal, independent, hates contradiction or arguments, hard worker when wants to be, loves life and friends, enjoys children and animals, sexually oriented, great sense of humor, has artistic talent and great intelligence.

Fir tree (Mysterious) -- extraordinary taste, handles stress well, loves anything beautiful, stubborn, tends to care for those close to them, hard to trust others, yet a social butterfly, likes idleness and laziness after long demanding hours at work, rather modest, talented, unselfish, many friends, very reliable.

Hazelnut Tree (Extraordinary) -- charming, sense of humor, very demanding but can also be very understanding, knows how to make a lasting impression, active fighter for social causes and politics, popular, quite moody, sexually oriented, honest, a perfectionist, has a precise sense of judgment and expects complete fairness.

Hornbeam Tree (Good Taste) -- of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgment in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

Lime Tree (Doubt) - intelligent, hard working, accepts what life dishes out, but not before trying to change bad circumstances into good ones, hates fighting and stress, enjoys getaway vacations, may appear tough, but is actually soft and relenting, always willing to make sacrifices for family and friends, has many talents but not always enough time to use them, great leadership qualities, is jealous at times but extremely loyal.

Maple Tree (Independence of Mind) -- no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

Oak Tree (Brave) -- robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.

Olive Tree (Wisdom) -- loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

Pine Tree (Peacemaker) -- loves agreeable company, craves peace and harmony, loves to help others, active imagination, likes to write poetry, not fashion conscious, great compassion, friendly to all, falls strongly in love but will leave if betrayed or lied to, emotionally soft, low self esteem, needs affection and reassurance.

Poplar Tree (Uncertainty) -- looks very decorative, talented, not very self-confident, extremely courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, great artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.

Rowan Tree (Sensitivity) -- full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

Walnut Tree (Passion) -- unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.

Weeping Willow (Melancholy) -- likes to be stress free, loves family life, full of hopes and dreams, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful, musically inclined, loves to travel to exotic places, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with when pressured, sometimes demanding, good intuition, suffers in love until they find that one loyal, steadfast partner; loves to make others laugh.

The ART of TEACHING . . .

I like the answer a teacher gave when asked the subjects she taught. She replied: “I do not teach subjects, I teach students.

A teacher with this spirit is our greatest servant. She does not merely fill minds, she frees minds. She does more that teach facts, she inspires growth. She does more than teach boys and girls how to make a living, she teaches them to live great lives. She does not teach them what to think, she teachs them how to think. She helps tem to know the world and to live in it as world citizens.

Such a teacher strives to pass on to her pupils the love of learning. She shares with them her knowledge of books and beauty. She strives to cultivate wonder and awareness. She helps tem to discover themselves and their infinite possibilities. She helps them to help themselves. She believes in children!

Unknown, unsung, the teacher does the noblest work on earth. She cultivates the tiny seeds of genius that they may blossom forth in all their glory. She lights candles of greatness to dissolve the darkness of ignorance and fear. She is a quiet worker building the foundations of tomorrow.

HAPPINESS

I'll be happy when...

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we are able to go on a nice vacation or when we retire. The truth is there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges.

It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with ... and remember that time waits for no one.

So, stop waiting ..

Until your car or home is paid off.

Until you get a new car or home.

Until your kids leave the house.

Until you go back to school.

Until you finish school.

Until you lose 10 lbs.

Until you gain 10 lbs.

Until you get married.

Until you get a divorce.

Until you have kids.

Until you retire.

Until summer..

Until spring.

Until winter.

Until fall.

Until you die.

There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt, and, dance like no one's watching.

LOVE is LIFE!!!

"The question of love is one that cannot be evaded. Whether or not you claim to be interested in it, from the moment you are alive you are bound to be concerned with love, because love is not just something that happens to you: It is a certain special way of being alive. Love is, in fact, an intensification of life, a completeness, a fullness, a wholeness of life." --Thomas Merton

The ART of LOVE . . .

The story of love is an endless story and love as a force is an inexhaustible power.

The love story of the universe is written by the simple acts of millions of characters. The compassion of visiting a sick friend. The joy of playing on the floor with a small child. Doing an act of kindness for a person who is having a hard time. Remembering a birthday with a surprise. Reaching out to help someone in need. Making a sacrifice for a good cause.

The great love story is not fiction, but fact. It is a huge book full of the goodness of people loving people.

Welcome to My BLOG ...

Welcome to my new, updated BLOG! I'm looking forward to communicating more with all of you. I hope you'll visit my BLOG offen to practice your English, think about some new ideas and share our lives. I'll post a variety of essays, poems, news items and stories about my family. You are invited to e-mail me at: missbecky @xmission.com to share your life happenings and stories.

Since leaving China in June of 2004, my life has been busy helping and supporting different family members; teaching a Sunday School class in my Church and serving as a volunteer teacher/facilitator for an addiction recovery group for women at our local county jail.

My husband, Ken (Smiley), has spend the last three years serving as a volunteer basketball coach at Centennial High School in Las Vegas, Nevada; where he was close to two of our children who lived there. This was living a "dream" for Ken. It was his goal in college to become a high school teacher and "coach", however he ended up working for 30 years at Utah State University in the Altheltic Department in a variety of jobs and really enjoyed his work ... much of what he did, he would have done for "free" because of his love of sports. He's had the great opportunity of being able to work as the assistant coach of the Freshman team for two seasons and last year he was the Head Coach and had the best season ever. This year, he led the Freshman team to the Championship (they lost only one region game). He really had a great group of young men to work with, one was a Chinese boy who had only been in the USA for a year.

We are both home in Logan, Utah now and Ken has started working with the Logan High School basketball team. He has already started taking some of the student/players to "camps" where they play games with other teams for practice and to learn more. He excited to be able to "coach" at the local school, as he LOVES living here in Logan ... and two our children who lived in Las Vegas have moved to different states.

Since we left China, we've welcomed two new grandchildren to our family; I lived with my son's family for four months to care for their two little girls while their mother finished teaching school that year; I've traveled to my son's home in Maryland several times to care for their children while my daughter-in-law had several medical procedures for a heart problem; I've helped move and support our daugther, Kara, to Boston where she is working on a PhD in Education -- in fact, Ken and I will be driving her car across country to her the end of this month; our son, Jason, has taken a new job in Logan, Utah and his family is living in our home now; I've spent a lot of time helping my parents who both have had health problems; my mother passed away on March 4th and I've taken my father to my daughter's home in Then just last Sunday evening, Ken (Smiley) suffered a heart attack. He is OK, the miracle of modern medicine saved his life and he is already home from the hospital and recovering well.

I promise to share more details and information about our lives on this blog and hope that you'll also share your lives with us, because YOU are part of our "extended Family" ... the family of "mankind" ... LOVE to you all ....

Miss Becky