Thoughts and stories, by Pal

This is how I hope to live my life -- In CRESCENDO! What We Can Learn from Church Leaders About Growing Older, "Living Life in Crescendo" by LDS Living  | Aug. 24, 2018 Makes You Think On December 19, 2008, Steven R. Covey wrote in a blog post, “I am now 76 years old and could easily retire. But I’m not retired and I don’t plan to retire. I don’t believe in retirement. Why, people ask me? Simply, I have a life motto. It is: Live life in crescendo.”  This week, my friend Randal Wright gave 11 talks at BYU Education Week 2018. I first met Wright as an EFY counselor in Illinois in 2011 and he has remained a mentor and friend, so I was intrigued to see that he would be teaching 11 classes over the course of Education Week with the same title “Living Life in Crescendo.” I wasn’t familiar with the Steven R. Covey quote beforehand, so when I sat down with Wright on Wednesday afternoon, I asked what inspired this theme. After making it c...

This is a touching story about the distraught teen age son of a woman who died of cancer, and how he was comforted. TOPICS POPULAR MORMON REPORT LESSON HELPS How Meeting 8 Apostles and the Prophet in One Day Answered a Young Man's Desperate Questions by M. Russell Ballard, adapted from "When Thou Art Converted: Continuing Our Search for Happiness"  | Aug. 11, 2018 Makes You Think Mormon Life Comments Some years ago there was a rather serious tragedy in our ward. A great woman, the wife of our former bishop and a woman beloved and respected in our ward family, contracted cancer of the worst kind. This was a vivacious, effervescent woman who lifted and inspired everyone she met. As the disease became worse, I gave her blessings. Other General Authorities gave her blessings. One of the blessings I gave was in the presence of her seventeen-year-old son. Another blessing was given to her when her son was e...

I've been traveling recently,  a family wedding, and other important events, and  will tell about them later.  These are beautiful thoughts for you! President Nelson Shares 9 Crucial Things Parents Should Teach Their Children by LDS Living Staff  | Aug. 22, 2018 Makes You Think Mormon Life While traveling with President Russell M. Nelson throughout Canada, Elder Neil L. Andersen has been recording powerful teachings and insights he has learned from the prophet. During an address titled, “The Sacred Responsibility to Teach Our Children,” President Nelson shared crucial principles parents should focus on teaching their children: "Tonight was another marvelous experience with the Canadian saints. Eight thousand members from the surrounding stakes of Toronto gathered in a large arena in Hamilton. The choir was exceptional, and President Nelson took time following the meeting to invite the children in the 80-person choir t...

Today I want to re-share a blog about my dear departed husband, Wayne!  It was written just after he started radiation for esophageal cancer, on August 29th, 2015, and he lived to February, 21, 2016, about 6 months.       This is one of my favorite photos of him, his missionary photo, 1950. 491. My husband Wayne D Eckman, twin with Blaine, has esophageal cancer, dialysis, and 9 lives! Wayne D Eckman, and his 9 lives!   He will be 85 this September 18th, and on September 24th we will have been married 60 years.  I want to record our latest adventure with my husband Wayne D Eckman, and add updates often.   He started radiation for esophageal cancer just yesterday, and had a treatment again today, and also today will have a dialysis treatment.   This entry below was only the 3rd entry I put in my new blog, which I started Nov. 14, 2013.  Then I will add some recent history. ------------------ ...