Thoughts and stories, by Pal

Great article I saved for a day like this -- where we all can use some inspiration, and learn to listen to the Lord -- and the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. Listening to the Lord By Ted Gibbons  · May 26, 2015 I had an interesting insight last week as I was studying D&C 63-65.  The first verse of D&C 63 looks like this: Hearken, O ye people, and open your hearts and give ear from afar; and listen, you that call yourselves the people of the Lord, and hear the word of the Lord and his will concerning you (D&C 63:1). The material sounds like a lot of other material in the D&C, but I noticed something.  Here is the verse with some parts emphasized: Hearken , O ye people, and  open your hearts  and  give ear  from afar; and  listen , you that call yourselves the people of the Lord, and  hear  the word of the Lord and his will concerning you (D&C 63:1). At the beginning of this reve...

These are great stories that appeared in LDS Living this past year of 2015.  You can click on the links and read more about them.  Some of them I have put in this blog throughout the year.   Today, on New Year's Day, 2016, life here in the Wayne and Paralee Eckman home is not normal, to say the least.  Wayne's health seems to be on the edge almost every day, and he is at this moment, at dialysis.  We hope he survives this year, but with heart, kidney, lungs, and cancer problems, we just pray the Lord's will to be done.   We have a daughter and a grandson now living with us.  How many of you out there have a family member living with you?  Life isn't easy for many of us, and our posterity.  We have a grandson coming home from his mission in Indonesia in August.  We have a son who is engaged, and will be married this year.  Life is continually changing!  Some days have many problems, and others are true joy!  This...

 Pres. Thomas S. Monson quote, and  an article from Meridian Magazine:  "15 New Year's Resolutions from the Prophets for 2015."  I posted it last year, and it's great for this year also! At the advent of a new year, I challenge Latter-day Saints everywhere to undertake a personal, diligent, significant quest for what I call the abundant life—a life filled with an abundance of success, goodness, and blessings. Just as we learned the ABCs in school, I offer my own ABCs to help us all gain the abundant life. A in my ABCs refers to attitude. B is for believe—in yourself, in those around you, and in eternal principles. C is for courage. Courage becomes a worthwhile and meaningful virtue when it is regarded not so much as a willingness to die manfully but as a determination to live decently. 15 New Year’s Resolutions from the prophets for 2015 Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve speaks at general conference. (Im...

Is there someone you can visit, or call and talk to, before the holidays are over?   Many of us have a bit more time now before we head back to our usual work and duties after New Years.  This is a beautifully written article, telling how much our "presence" means to loved family and friends.   WORTH READING!   Presence Means More Than Presents By Darla Isackson  · December 29, 2015 This week after Christmas is often a let down. The presents are all opened and some already broken. The weariness from all the buildup and activity settles in. We might draw a deep breath and reflect about what really matters. In that frame of mind, I thought of times when a grandchild has been sick. When a little body aches and fever rages and a little head hurts, that child doesn’t want new toys. He only wants to be held by someone who loves him. When I am hurting emotionally, I don’t want my husband to give me a gift. I too just want to be held and...

I came across this article in LDS Living, and I couldn't copy it.  So I'm including the link, so you yourself can go in and read it.  It is so inspiring! You'll have to copy and paste the link right below, to make it work, but it's worth it!  Be sure and wait until the pictures have loaded! http://www.ldsliving.com/Our-Favorite-Facebook-Posts-from-the-Apostles-in-2015/s/80878?utm_source=ldsliving&utm_medium=email Our Favorite Facebook Posts from the Apostles in 2015 by LDS Living Staff  | Dec. 29, 2015 Famous Mormons Humor Fun Mormon Life Comments It seems like just yesterday that we heard the announcement that the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve would be opening their own Facebook accounts, and now our week just wouldn't be complete without seeing at least one of their inspiring posts! Though some post more frequently than others, each of these inspiring men have shared some fun and uplift...