j . a . m . k . m . b: The latest ... and STAR!

Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Oct 2008

"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

... Professor Harold Hill, one of the principal characters in [The Music Man], voices a caution that I share with you. Says he, “You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty yesterdays.”

f you have children who are grown and gone, in all likelihood you have occasionally felt pangs of loss and the recognition that you didn’t appreciate that time of life as much as you should have. Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.”³ We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”

In the 1960s, during the Vietnam War, Church member Jay Hess, an airman, was shot down over North Vietnam. For two years his family had no idea whether he was dead or alive. His captors in Hanoi eventually allowed him to write home but limited his message to less than 25 words. What would you and I say to our families if we were in the same situation—not having seen them for over two years and not knowing if we would ever see them again? Wanting to provide something his family could recognize as having come from him and also wanting to give them valuable counsel, Brother Hess wrote—and I quote: “These things are important: temple marriage, mission, college. Press on, set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year.”

Said one well-known author: “Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend . . . when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”

Said the Lord in a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, “In nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things.”¹⁰ May we be found among those who give our thanks to our Heavenly Father. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.

Brothers and sisters, my sincere prayer is that we may adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey."

Friday, May 18, 2007

The latest ... and STAR!

If you were to look back, I'm sure every Friday entry probably sounds very similar. There will always be some sort of reference to the weekend and how nice it will be, and likely the mood is always pretty upbeat. I guess this will be no different...

Angela and I both ran this morning - she at 5 with her friends and me at 6 with mine. I don't know how far she ran, but I went 7 miles with a big hill climb in the middle section. Felt good but was pretty tired. I just HAD to replenish my energy so I succumbed to the temptation and had 2 very delicious donuts with my oatmeal and OJ this morning when I got into work. Oh well, so much for the calories burned out on the road. It's so enjoyable to get out early in the morning because it's beautiful and quiet.

I'm really looking forward to playing golf with Dad tomorrow morning at 6:30! It will be great to have them here. The kids can't wait to see them, and to see their new bunk bed Grandpa made and is bringing.

I'm also excited to have Dad be here for my ordination and setting apart. I'm very nervous for how everyone in the ward will react when it's announced on Sunday, but I'm also anxious to get going and not be waiting any more. The kids don't know yet - they're going to be like, "you're what?!"

And now, without further ado...YOUR Star of the Week:

Anne LeBras

Well my life is none too exciting right now, so I hope I don't bore you all silly. My teaching job at Hillcrest High in Midvale, is beginning to wind down
as it is getting close to the end of the school year! Hoo-ray! I'm just getting through some of the busiest few weeks that we've had all year. We wrapped up our school art show last week and it was a big success! Teaching is really fun and I've enjoyed one of my best years so far.

This year I had a student teacher from the U of U and as a benefit of that I get half tuition there, so this past semester I signed up for a Yoga Class, Figure Drawing, and an Elementary Martial Arts class and will be taking a painting class starting next week! So my yoga class was awesome! If you never done yoga before you are missing out! I really loved it and still do it every week on my own.

I actually ended up dropping my Elementary Martial Arts class. That's actually kind of an amusing story. I've always wanted to take a Martial Arts, and I was looking over the schedule at the U and saw that class and assumed it was like an intro to the basics of a bunch of Martial Arts. Boy was I wrong! I went the first day to discover that it was actually a Mixed Martial Arts class. If you've ever watched Ultimate Fighting on T.V. well that's what it's all about! Basically wrestling and trying to punch people in the face! Not only that, I was the only girl in the class! And it wasn't just beginners in there! In fact the MMA club meets during that class so there were some tough guys in there that have competed and everthing! I was like a deer caught in the headlights!

I actually was going to try to stick it out, and not be a girly girl, but as luck would have it, I had
sprained my MCL in my knee a couple of weeks before when I was skiing with John, Angela and the kiddos and after going to the doctor she recommended that I drop the class until my knee was healed. So after a few sessions of physical therapy my knee is nearly 100% back to normal and am getting back to my jogging routine. Which is nothing like John's and Angela's, just a few miles two or three times per week. I'm loving the warm weather and getting to run outside!

So anyway as far as church, I'm in charge of Family Home Evening and have enjoyed that. I've gotten to know the young single adults in my ward really well and have had some really good activities.

I'm in the process of perhaps purchasing a condo that is currently under construction and will be finishing this fall. I'm still figuring out the financing so it's not a for sure yet. It's kind of overwhelming actually thinking about all that money!

I've still got my horse (perhaps for not much longer if I decide to sell him to help out with my condo situation) and I just got his papers, after 4 years of owning him, and found out his full name is Mr. Dee Dee Bug! Kind of silly, but that's how they do registered names.

As far as favorite things, here goes, color: red and black, food: any thing asian, movie: The Goonies (all time favorite) been pretty disappointed in new movies that have come out, Music: love the I Tunes and am just into everything and anything good, T.V. show: The Office, Lost, Prison Break. Hobbies: riding my horse and doing art.

Well there you go a little window into what is my life!

Annie

j . a . m . k . m . b

Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Oct 2008

Friday, May 18, 2007

The latest ... and STAR!

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