Family-what this life is all about!

The Thanksgiving Holiday began as a celebration of all that God had blessed the Pilgrims with but as time and eras slid by Family became the focus for Thanksgiving, now the TV and radio world would make it  seem as though the focus is on eating a perfectly roasted Turkey with all the trimmings.

I believe that most of the United States of America are still celebrating being thankful for our country, families and God. If all we did was listen to the media's version of who we are we'd be lost! Isn't it nice to know there are talk show hosts who still love and support America and Americans as being unique and pretty darn special? Besides, without our generosity most of the world would crash and burn after hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis. We are the most generous people in the world!

What is Artistic Ancestry?

Welcome to my blog! As I was sharing with a friend just the other day, Artistic Ancestry is the next step toward bringing our families together, using our piles of family history, family videos, Photographs and poetry to create a wonderful EBook that can be shared with every family member for just a few dollars.

No big publishing costs with bulky books to mail; just a simple download through an email account will give the gift of family decorated with your unique colors, textures, patterns or pics!

Imagine being able to see your whole family tree, including your cousins, aunts and uncles without leaving the main page! It will be coming to you soon, so stay in touch!

Obedience? Why?

"At times we may rationalize that the Lord will understand our disobedience because our special circumstances make adherence to His laws difficult, embarrassing, or even painful. However, faithful obedience, regardless of the apparent size of the task, will bring the Lord's guidance, assistance, and peace." Bruce A. Carlson, "When the Lord Commands," Ensign, May 2010, 39

 

Daily Quote

“The family is the corner stone of our society. More than any other force it shapes the attitude, the hopes, the ambitions, and the values of the child. And when the family collapses it is the children that are usually damaged. When it happens on a massive scale the community itself is crippled. So, unless we work to strengthen the family, to create conditions under which most parents will stay together, all the rest — schools, playgrounds, and public assistance, and private concern — will never be enough.”-Lyndon Baines Johnson

The Apostle Paul on Temptation

"Whenever temptation comes, remember the wise counsel of the Apostle Paul, who declared, 'There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it' (1 Corinthians 10:13)."

How to move on after a Death

1. Keep busy with enjoyable activities - especially group activities. Continue with those groups and activities you previously enjoyed, and add some new ones.  Best of all, find activities that have a physical aspect. Try a book discussion group, a church or community committee, classes of any sort. Don't limit yourself. Fill your time with many activities -- both old and new.
2. Have positive conversations with your friends and family. Talk about anything other than your loss. Keep the conversations positive and focused on the future. I
3. Be of service to those who are less fortunate than yourself. There is no better way to get over feeling sorry for yourself, than being of service. Volunteer at the Red Cross blood bank, the local hospital, the library, your church... The possibilities are unlimited -- just do it.
4. Get inspirational support daily... read an inspirational book or quotations, meditate, or begin the habit of daily journaling.
5. Have patience, keep your thoughts positive, and soon you will be over your sadness and anger and moving forward into your new life.
                                                                               Johnathan Lockwood Huie

We decide how our day will go

"Your morning thoughts may determine your conduct for the day. Optimistic thoughts will make your day bright and productive, while pessimistic thinking will make it dull and wasteful. Face each day cheerfully, smilingly and courageously, and it will naturally follow that your work will be a real pleasure and progress will be a delightful accomplishment." Unknown

Courage

Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice
at the end of the day saying,
"I will try again tomorrow."
- Mary Anne Radmacher

Quote of the Day

Our "Rainbows & Butterflies" are the small miracles of our life - the little things that are so easy to overlook, yet so awe inspiring when we take a moment to notice and to pay attention. Give thanks for the rainbows, for the butterflies, for all God's creatures - large and small, for the bright blue sky and the soft fog and the gentle rain, for the tree veiled in the season's first frost, for the baby's laugh, for the touch of a hand and the whispered "I love you."
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Thought for the day

 
" Life always gives us exactly the teacher we need at every moment. This includes every mosquito, every misfortune, every red light, every traffic jam, every obnoxious supervisor (or employee), every illness, every loss, every moment of joy or depression, every addiction, every piece of garbage, every breath."
Joko Beck --- Submitted by Lauren Covington --- New Jersey