Family Home Evening Thought - Oct. 11

I have wept in the night
For the shortness of sight
That to somebody’s need I was blind.
But I never have yet
Felt a twinge of regret
For being a little too kind.

Quoted by Pres. Monson in General Conference, Oct. 2009



As the holiday season approaches, I have thought much about the blessings we have received over the years as a family. I especially remember the great blessings we received those Christmas seasons when Clay was unemployed. Santa visited us one year, with a large box of surprises, and angels left cards with cash on at least two occasions. Friends called and brought "extras" to us, including a turkey. Family members brought and sent things that raised our spirits and encouraged us through difficult times.



We all have burdens in our lives, seen and unseen. Elder Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy said that there are three sources of burdens that we face daily that tax our souls - those that are the natural product of the world we live in, those we face because of the conduct of others, and those that we face because of our own mistakes/sins. He counseled us to remember that we are children of a loving Father, who sent us here so we could progress.



Pres. Monson counseled us that when we are having a hard time, we need to find someone who is having a hard time also, and do something for that person. In so doing, we find that we are lifted.


"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Than shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hngred, and feed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the king shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:34-40)

Be kind, find someone you can lift this week. We love you. We are so excited to have all of you here for Thanksgiving. What a great blessing that will be.

Love, Mom