Thoughts and stories, by Pal

               The Biggest Wait of all!           by Joni Hilton, for Meridian Magazine, April 22, 2015. For a guy who’s known more for math skill than verbal prowess, Albert Einstein has nevertheless given us some great quotes. One of my favorites is “Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That’s relativity.” Indeed, our perception of time varies tremendously. A pregnant woman can feel as if it takes an eternity for those nine months to conclude, yet her child grows up in the blink of an eye. Waiting five minutes on hold during a phone call seems unconscionable. But a five minute wait to see our doctor could find us smiling, “Oh, wow—already?” I think we can all agree that life is filled with waiting. We wait for our children to learn good behavior. We wait for crops to grow, cakes to bake, trains to ar...

I love to read anything by Truman G. Madsen.  These are amazing ideas from his writings. 5 Tips to Make the Sacrament More Meaningful TRUMAN G. MADSEN -  Having a hard time staying focused on the Savior during the sacrament? Try using these amazing ideas from the writings of beloved religious scholar Truman G. Madsen. 1. Get Inspired Introspection In His sacrament—and in all the other ordinances—the Lord gives us glimpses of ourselves. In self-examination we are most blessed when we begin to see ourselves as we are seen by Him and know ourselves as we are known by Him (see D&C 76:94). Knowledge of the Savior and self-knowledge flow together. “Let a man examine himself,” Paul counseled (1 Corinthians 11:28). . . . Whatever our present soul-sicknesses, the Savior sees beyond them. He knows our glorious past—who we were in the premortal spheres. And He can and does envision our destiny and what we are to become. In contrast, we live under the blur of a...

This was in LDS Living, and from experience, I know it has a lot of wisdom. How to Ruin Your Relationship With Your Teenager by Michelle Lehnardt Photo from ThinkStock MR says: Parents always mean well--and your kids can tell! So apologize sometimes, take time to listen, and  avoid behaviors  that can accidentally push  your teen  away. One evening my sons came home with the same exclamation, "It's amazing how many kids hate their parents!" We talked for an hour or so about why, and I've interviewed several teenagers over the last few months for further clarity. The good news: most teenagers are very forgiving of parental missteps; they recognize their own faults and readily forgive others'. Even better, in a healthy relationship, teenagers love you for who you are. Yes, they might act embarrassed when you hug them in front of their friends or even drop them off in front of the high school. But they really don't care if you're overweight,...

This is a very interesting article, for those who may feel "burned out" trying to become perfect.  Yes, it is important to try to improve ourselves, but the author, a clinical therapist, helps us learn to use wisdom.  LINE UPON LINE 3 Common Cultural Myths that Make  Mormons Miserable By Julie de Azevedo Hanks  · April 16, 2015 It’s no secret that there are some very specific myths in Mormon culture. These can range from our family size (15 kids and counting!) to our vocabulary (“oh, my heck!”), and even to our food (green jello, anyone?). While certainly not all (or even most) Mormons embody these stereotypes, most of us can have a good laugh at them from time to time. Other myths concerning our faith, however, are not as funny or lighthearted, During my years as a clinical therapist, I’ve witnessed how faulty spiritual equations can cause some Latter-day Saints great emotional pain and rob them of happiness and peace. These i...

Dear friends, all over the world!  I have put a note now and then about the health problems my dear husband Wayne has had.  Tonight I'm putting on an e mail I sent to our family and friends, many of whom haven't been aware of some of our recent challenges.  He was 84 last September, and actually his health problems mostly started with his having pneumonia in September, and coming out of the hospital a day after he turned 84, on September 18, 2014.  This is the Wayne we have all known and loved.  This picture was taken in Menan, Idaho 3 or 4 years back on July 4th!  He has been the life of the party! This was taken last Sept. 20th, at my 80th birthday celebration, just after he came out of the hospital after having pneumonia, us with our daughter Tacy. This was taken the same day with our daughter Angela.  Wayne was quite well until Christmas week, when he spent 2 days before Christmas in the hospital, was home over Christmas, and ...

I found this lovely blog by Chelsea Dyreng on LDS Living, and thought my readers would like it.  Her blog is named "Vitamin C"  The Secret of Talking to a Child Who  Does Not Want to Talk to You Several years ago I was in a quaint, small-town bookstore. As I chatted with the sixties-something bookstore owner she noticed my three daughters. “Are those girls yours?” she asked. “Yes,” I said proudly. “Hmmm . . . ” she said, stroking her chin. “Come with me.” She beckoned me to an obscure corner of her store, and, glancing furtively at my girls, she leaned in close to my ear.  “Let me give you some advice,” she said in a low voice. “Someday, when your girls get older they will want nothing to do with you. They will not even want to  talk  to you.” “No,” I reassured her, “Not  my  gir–” “Listen closely,” she interrupted, “and I will tell you what to do when that happens.” Then she whispered to me he...

This is a very fascinating article about people who missed their voyage on the Titanic, and others who died.  I hope you enjoy reading it.  Tonight, my husband Wayne is out of the hospital, on kidney dialysis, and in a rehab, doing quite a bit better it seems. The Titanic: 6 Missionaries Who Missed Their Voyage + 5 More LDS Connections LDS LIVING STAFF -  In honor of the 103rd anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, here's a look at LDS connections to that fateful voyage, including six missionaries, a mother, and a defender of LDS rights. On the cold evening of April 14, 1912, the  Titanic , a brand-new ocean liner carrying 2,224 people, struck an iceberg, creating a large gash on the ship’s side. Hours later, at 2:20 a.m. on April 15, the massive ship sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Millions around the world mourned the loss of more than 1,500 people when the “near unsinkable”  Titanic  sank on its maiden voyage from England t...