j . a . m . k . m . b: That would be a first...

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."

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

That would be a first...

Here's a screen shot of the weather forecast for St George for the next few days. Notice 90s through Friday, and then all of a sudden, 77 and a chance of isolated thunderstorms on Saturday? Saturday is the 32nd annual St George Marathon. Of the previous 31 years, it has never once rained on race day. And you know what, it's not going to rain this race day either. They can talk about isolated t-storms till they're blue in the face, but it's going to be sunny and warm all day - mark my words.

Here are a few interesting facts about the race:

The marathon is 26 miles, 385 yards (funny how often you get the question, how long is this one? ... all marathons are the same)
It is the 15th largest marathon in the US
60% of runners are male, 40% are female
63% of runners are from Utah, with the next highest state being California with 12%
Over 200,000 cups are used at the 15 aid stations along the route
4,250 gallons of water will be given at aid stations
1,960 gallons of gatorade will be given at aid stations
800 people are in the 10-year club, and 53 runners in the 20-year club
Runners from 9 different countries will be running

I'm looking forward to cheering for Angela and a few friends. It will also be fun to spend some quality time with Spencer and Molly, who we're staying with down there, as well as seeing many friends who make the pilgrimage to St George this time every year. Really wish I was running, but it will be fun to be there nonetheless. I hope to get in some golf with Spencer, probably some tennis too. We'll most likely go see the new Highland Rugby movie, Forever Strong, and we'll for sure watch the BYU football game on Friday night. All in all, it will be a nice relaxing vacation for a few days. We'll pull out tomorrow around lunch and make the drive. Thanks to our great friends who are watching the kids, which comes with a LOT of coordination due to their busy schedules.

Good luck to Ang - I know she'll do a GREAT job!!! Love you babe!

j . a . m . k . m . b

Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Oct 2008

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

That would be a first...

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