Choose Laughter

Recently I stood in the doorway watching my grandparents as they left the house. They walked to their car, holding hands, shuffling along.  When they reached the car, my grandpa opened the door for my grandma.  I couldn't hear what they were talking about but I could see my grandpa speak and my grandma laugh.  My heart swelled. I loved them immensely.  I felt as if I could feel the strength of their marriage fortifying my life. For years they had loved each other, laughed together and probably cried together at times. I wanted so much to grow old with my husband like they did and lean on him and laugh with him. I loved the optimism, happiness and dedication that exuded from their relationship.

Their attitude and relationship reminded me of Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Our Father in Heaven asks us to find the positive, pure, trustworthy, honest elements of our companion, and dwell on them. He wants us to find the good and lovely and true parts of life and cherish them. My grandparents made finding the good their quest.

My mom once watched my grandparents walking together, holding arms and laughing. When asked why they were laughing, my grandma responded “if we weren't laughing, we’d be crying. “

I hope I will always remember my grandparents laughing together as they walked out to their car and remember to choose and cherish the sweet parts of life and marriage.

Katharine

Having Children Enriches Your Life

My friend and her husband are featured in this video. So inspiring to me are their thoughts about having children. They are the first couple with two boys. Hope you enjoy it as well! 

Katharine

Walking Where They Walked

Growing up, I learned to love my Swedish heritage through the stories my mother told me.  Every Lucia Day celebrated, saffron bun baked, and folk song sung meant something to her, and in time, to her children.  There was always a charmed feeling about that far-away country that I longed to know more about.

Fast forward to my college years – my opportunity to see Sweden first-hand arrives.  For three glorious summer months, I immersed myself in the language, culture, and history of the country I’d grown up loving from afar.  It was a magical time.  Suddenly, everything my parents and grandparents had shared with me about my family’s history came vibrantly to life.  I walked where my ancestors had walked, and it changed the way I thought about them.

The most touching part of this experience was its final week, when my mother came to pick me up.  Together, we enjoyed Stockholm, the beautiful city where she had spent her high school years.  We traveled south to the home of my mother’s family.  We stopped by the church they attended; we walked through the forest where my great-great-great grandfather worked as forest keeper, and saw the little red house where he raised his family.

Looking out at the pristine blue lake where they did their washing, I pondered the difficult life my ancestors lived. I thought about the trials they must have experienced, struggling to provide for twelve children in a small cottage through bitter cold winters.  I found myself filled with a profound gratitude for the dedication, courage, and love for each other that pulled them through.   

Family history, or the study of one’s past, used to be an unfamiliar concept dealing with names and dates of people I knew little about.  That all changed for me when I lived where my ancestors lived, and saw what they saw.  Now I know why Sweden meant so much to my mom – it means that to me, too.

Julie

(You can learn more about your ancestors by checking out http://www.familysearch.org, a free service to help bring your family history to life).

Grace in our Family

From the time I was three to maybe when I was eight, my Mom would sing lullabies to me and my little sister at night once we were in our beds. She has a beautiful voice and would sing songs like Baby Boats a Silver Moon, Here Comes the Sandman, Lullaby and Goodnight, and the songs Stay Awake and Feed the Birds from Mary Poppins. There was a close association in our minds as children between our Mother and Mary Poppins. Never once did I think she was too busy for us. I always knew my Mother loved me, and always knew I could talk to her about things. She was heaven sent and made our lives as wonderful as she could.

No matter what I ever did, my Mom would never speak a harsh word. She would simply love us. That is not always an easy thing to do. I remember one time when I was about ten years old, I got home from school I started making a really loud sound like a goat/siren in ten second intervals just to see if I could get her to crack. I probably did it for an hour at the top of my lungs as I went about my business around the house.  For those that wonder:  Do children test their parents and try to push their buttons?  The clear answer is:  Yes.

After that hour had passed she decided to leave to run an errand. Before she left she looked at me with pleading eyes, wishing to leave on a good note, giving me a chance to stop and be a good boy. I decided to keep baying like a strange robot sheep on a loudspeaker, and she finally threw up her arms in frustration. As she quickly left, I could see tears in her eyes. I sensed she was disappointed in herself in addition to being frustrated with me. It seemed like she was disappointed for letting her frustration get the best of her.

I realized then how perfect my Mother had been to me throughout the years. She had tried with all her moral fiber to be like Jesus Christ, and follow the things she had been taught about parenting by her parents, schooling, and experience in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are all human though, and everyone cracks. Her crack was the quiver of a needle on a seismometer with an otherwise perfect history of serenity, despite the tremors which would erupt around her often. I felt terrible for trying to pull down such a righteous character. She had truly made us the center of her world every day. She would cook amazing meals for us every night, make lunches for us, and even clean our rooms on occasion. In that moment I knew she was amazing, and there was no greater thing she or anyone could ever do than what Jesus Christ has taught us to do. The book of Matthew, chapter 5, verse 44 reads, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you…”

My Mother had been trying with all her might to do that with her children, and she had been very successful. She is still very successful at it, despite challenges. In the Book of Mormon, we are taught how we can receive the will and strength to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, so we can have patience and love for our families and those around us. The book of Ether, chapter 12, verse 27 reads, “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” I know we can use the Atonement of Jesus Christ to help us accomplish good in our families, and to allow love and concern and a feeling of closeness to abound within them, just like my Mother has consistently done for our family.

Evan

Did You Think to Pray?

My mother, Marcia Peterson, was not tall. She was just 4 feet and 11 inches, but to us she was a tower of love and peace.  She had large brown eyes, beautiful soft skin and a wonderful smile.  Of course dad loved her; how could you not love her?  She was so beautiful and so sweet to us.

When we were very young, she would need to discipline us.  When I was a boy in the 1960’s spanking was common.  Mother had a balsa wood paddle adapted from a bounce-back paddle ball game with the ball removed.  This soon broke on my brother or me.  At an early age I noticed a profound change in my mother’s approach to discipline.   I did not know why she changed, but she did.

When she was frustrated with us or when we would not help or obey, before saying anything or being upset, she would walk away. Our house was small and I could see her go down the hall to her room.  Being curious and gathering all my courage to see what was happening, I went down the hall and looked in her open door.

She was kneeling in silent prayer by her bed.  Tears were coming down her usually happy cheeks.  I did not know what she was praying, but felt pain that I had caused her sadness.  I felt sure she must be asking God to help her with me.  I knew what I needed to do; I needed to pray and ask God to forgive me.  I knew I needed to ask my mother to forgive me as well.

I noticed that when mother came back from walking away and praying, she was calm, even more loving, and patient.  With prayer, it seems, we could not ruffle her.  She knew God loved her and loved her children.  She had faith that He would help her and He did.

As I grew and even now I can recall the picture of my mother in prayer.  Later I learned that in addition to asking for God’s help and guidance in her God-given role as mother, she would also plead in humility for patience and ask forgiveness of God for even being frustrated; though I am sure we gave her good cause. 

Instead of elevating conflict, she avoided it and sought heaven’s help.  I am so thankful for a wonderful mother.  Her example of love and faith blessed me then and strengthens me now.  As I think back I consider the power of a soft answer and a loving example.  I am grateful for a sweet mother whose actions set an example for me.

Brent

Date Night!

When I was a little girl, I used to love sitting on my mom’s bed in our small home and watching her get ready for a date with my dad.  I could see her face reflected in the mirror above her dresser and noted every detail of the whole process, which seemed completely elegant to me.  It was the 1960’s and I was fascinated as Mom backcombed and sprayed her bouffant hairdo to perfection.  She applied lipstick and blotted it with a tissue.  And finally, my favorite part, the jewelry: clip-on earrings and a necklace from among the glittering collection of costume jewelry that I loved to peek at in her dresser drawer and try them on myself when nobody was looking.

It was so exciting when my Dad came home from work, kissed my Mom in the kitchen, and hugged us all goodbye for the evening.  The babysitter was ready to tell wonderful bedtime stories and as I watched my parents go out the door I could see how happy they were to go out for their evening together. They treated each other with love and respect and strengthened their relationship by setting aside time for each other.  Sensing their love for each other always made me feel warm and secure.  I was sure they were the most romantic parents in the world.

Becky

Our Purpose

We have been blessed with generations of happy marriages and strong families – an inheritance of love.  We acknowledge the blessings of God and the choices of our parents, their ancestors and all our family members.  Our desire is to show our gratitude, by sharing the principles we have observed, the examples we have seen and the choices made that have blessed our families.  We want to share this with our own children to help the heritage of love continue.  We feel it a privilege and a way to show our gratitude to God to share these stories with our friends all over the world as well.

In a world of turmoil, noise and confusion we have been given the gift of peace and love at home.  In all our families we see the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The doctrines, principles and ordinances of the Gospel of Christ have shaped our relationships, our perspective, and the very desires of our hearts.  We acknowledge this as the greatest influence for good in our family’s lives.  Though none of us or our ancestors are perfect, we are continually grateful and amazed that by turning to God we have seen His strength enter the lives of each family member and His love nourish each relationship.  Our goal is to be an eternal family where each individual wants to belong and from whence each gains peace and strength to serve each other and those around us.  Our family is a bit of heaven on earth; it would not be heaven without our family.

May these writings bless the lives of our children and our friends.  

May you too be blessed with an Inheritance of Love.