j . a . m . k . m . b: NEW AND EXCITING FEATURE!

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 4, 2007

NEW AND EXCITING FEATURE!

As promised a while ago, I'm instituting a new feature on the blog. I'm sure everyone's so sick of hearing about our family, and stuff that interests me as I'm writing! So here's the deal: now you guys get to tell us about yourselves, one by one, and believe me, this is going to be good. So without further ado, let me introduce you to our first STAR OF THE WEEK!

Hailey Leishman Richards (in her own words)

John asked me to share a little bit about myself, so here it is!

Who: I’m John and Angela’s sister-in-law. I married John’s little brother Dan, almost 4 years ago.

What am I doing: Dan and I are expecting our first baby. We just found out it’s a little boy, and couldn’t be more excited. He’s due September 12^th. Right now we’re living in Philadelphia, where I’m working as a nurse in the ICU and the Children’s Hospital. It’s fun and challenging and I’m learning a lot every day. I’m also serving as the Young Women’s secretary in our ward and love it. A past time enjoyment was running (I actually ran in the St. George Marathon with John…well, for about 1 second! I’m not the fastest runner!), but now that I’m pregnant, I mostly stick to walking and the elliptical to get my exercise! Other enjoyments include getting ready for the baby-which means trying to read up on all the latest baby products and ‘how to’ books on parenting! (Just ask Dan-our schedule is booked for the next few months with ‘birthing,’ infant CPR and child safety classes!)

Favorites: Well, now that I’m pregnant, old favorites, such as food, are no longer favorites! But I love reading, scrapbooking, traveling to visit family and watching my favorite TV shows (like, LOST, Grey’s Anatomy, American Idol, The Office…basically I have too many favorites!). I also love the internet-living away from family and friends, I have found the internet to be my life line! My favorite restaurants include: Hires, Café Rio, and any good ice cream shoppe.

Goals: Right now, my main goal is to become a good mommy and of course be a good wife!

Update of my family: I come from a family of 4 children. My oldest brother Chad is getting married to Jessica Hadfield on August 17^th and my little sister Lindsay is marrying Phil Parker August 23^rd. (Yes, I will be about 37 weeks pregnant at the weddings!) My little brother Tanner, is serving a mission in Guadalajara, Mexico, and has been in the field for a little over a year. My parents are doing great and looking forward to the busy summer that lies ahead! And Dan, the love of my life, is getting ready to start MBA school in August.

So, that about sums it up!

5 comments:

Matt and Becca said...: Great idea, John! Hailey, the new things we always get to learn about you...I love it! We love you! Becca; May 4, 2007 at 11:25 AM
Spencer said...: Hailey, that was nice and all but I thought this new feature was supposed to be racy, hot, steamy . . . you know, the things about you Dan's already told us but you might as well bring out in the open. Like for instance, who knew that Molly has dated twins, and actually kept score on which was a better kisser! That's hot!

Just kidding, of course, and it was nice to hear from you.

Spencer; May 4, 2007 at 1:26 PM
jamkmb said...: Wow, after that little tidbit we all know who's going to be the next Star...Molly, you've got a week.

By the way, Hailey should feel proud that she preempted all mention of the Jazz and Warriors from last night. That's quite a feat given the excitement.; May 4, 2007 at 1:42 PM
Anonymous said...: This is great! We will learn things we never knew! Now Hailey can add Texas restaurants to her list of favorite things...& the shopping! Hailey, Todd, and Matt-Max are now truly grafted in! We crossed the Alamo line together and we're ready to go! We're glad we'll get to see Hailey at 37 weeks. We already love baby boy. Now Spencer and Molly, Hailey wants to see your twins while she's still here. Thanks John for the fun! Love, Mom; May 5, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Molly said...: All I have to say is that I'm going to KILL Spencer. I will stay up at nights thinking of juicy info I can leak about him!; May 5, 2007 at 3:04 PM

j . a . m . k . m . b

Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Oct 2008

Friday, May 4, 2007

NEW AND EXCITING FEATURE!

5 comments:

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