Ready for What's Next?

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When we make plans to take a trip, there's a lot of discussions on the subject, what way we're going to go, if we're going to fly or drive, and what we're going to pack.

Planning is part of life. We plan to go to school, or go on a mission, or go to the temple, we plan on doing our spring cleaning, or end of summer activities.

Did you ever plan on becoming inactive? Is that something we plan, or does it just happen? How about coming back to the church, is that planned?

Let's share the following excerpt from a March 2011 New Era article by Gary Leikness, A Small and Simple Rafting Trip.

In it, the author tells us how he'd been baptized at the age of eight, but through the years he and his family stopped going to meetings. Until one day after he'd spent some time with friends away from home, he comes back to find out his dad  had accepted an invitation from the bishop and had signed him up for a youth rafting trip. He met boys that he knew, but he wasn't involved with the 'church people.'

The thing is, he had fun at that trip, and noticed the difference between his worldy friends and his newfound friends. He was invited to come to church, and he said that maybe he'd come. The next Sunday he got up and got dressed, and surprised his family by going to church. He did that for a few weeks, until his family decided to join him.

He says:

"One small invitation led a family back to church. I earned my Eagle Scout Award and went on a mission. Patti and I each got married in the temple to returned missionaries. We’re now raising our own families in the gospel.

"If you invite a less-active person to an activity, it may or may not impact their lives. But if you don’t invite them, it definitely won’t."

So, tell us, what kind of trip are you prepared to take?

To see the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 7 September, please click here.

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Time with Your Kids

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Let’s talk about parenting for a bit. Some of us have children to show for and some haven’t had the chance to bring spirits to this earth yet. Sometimes if the kids are acting up we may think it’s not all fun and games or we may believe that we’re at our wit’s end and can’t go on.

The following excerpt was taken from a talk written by Elder Robert D. Hales for the Friend to Friend: I am a Child of God, March 1978.

“Adam and Eve were the very first parents on earth. They used their agency to decide what laws they would obey. They chose to become parents and to have children come into their home where they could lovingly teach them the gospel. Your parents, too, chose to bring you and your brothers and sisters into the world so that other spirit children of our Father in heaven could also come to earth.

"Heavenly Father planned for our kind and dear earthly parents to also be with us in heaven where we will live together as eternal families. Just as we show love for our Father in heaven by obeying His laws and commandments, we honor our earthly parents by loving and obeying them."

So, whether we’re enjoying ourselves with the little ones, or not, as the case may be, we’ll receive blessings for doing what’s right in the eyes of the Lord.

Have a great 4th of July!

To see the Neighborhood News for Monday, 4 July, please click here.

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Get It Done

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In May 2011 Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve visited Mexico. We'd like to share an excerpt of his teachings:

"Elder Oaks told the youth a story of two men who bought a truck, built a vegetable stand, and drove to the field on the other side of town to get a load of melons. They paid the farmer one dollar per melon. After driving back, they put the melons in their stand and sold them for one dollar each. The actions were repeated and on the third time, one partner said, 'We are not making much money. Should we buy a bigger truck?'

"The partners did not know that the melons were worth more in the stand than in the field, Elder Oaks pointed out. In the same way, youth need to decide the true value they place on the gospel, and measure their actions accordingly.

"He said all of God’s children are asked to develop holy habits such as prayer, scripture study, taking the sacrament, and serving in callings. And though all should establish such holy habits, what are called righteous routines may be different from person to person. The youth were asked to determine for themselves righteous routines that would protect them from temptations they know they have. He blessed them to have a clear vision and the strength to do what is right."

We are blessed to live in these times, when we can receive the visit of one appointed by the Lord to guide us. Let's help one another and strenghten the Church.

To see the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 29 June, please click here.

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Stop and Smell the Roses

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“Happiness is the object and design of our existence.”

 Joseph Smith

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Hello there. Are you all ready for the wonderful summer months? Is this something you prepare for every year? Whether you still have kiddos at home, or they’ve all flown the coop, summer brings its own challenges to some of us.

Let me share the following story. You can find it in its entirety in the article entitled The Purpose of Life:

“Sometimes the weaknesses the Lord uses to strengthen us are in ourselves. Other times, they are in others. Shauna Larsen of Orem, Utah, knows how faith and love—and joy—can grow out of such trials. Thirty-six years ago in Maryland her husband, Joseph, was paralyzed from the chest down in an auto accident. He spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair. In spite of his disability, Brother Larsen served as a university professor, a bishop, and a stake president. He was a remarkable man of many achievements. While he lived, Shauna says, ‘caring for him was a total commitment. I lived in his shadow, ministering to his daily needs. And that was a challenge, because he was very active. No grass grew under his wheels.’

“But through her selfless service, Shauna says, she grew closer to the Lord and ‘saw more clearly his hand in our lives. I gained a more submissive attitude than I would have otherwise. Without question, I learned the joy of love and sacrifice.’

“When Joseph and Shauna faced their final challenge together—the prospect of his imminent death—Shauna pled in prayer for Joseph’s life, offering to take care of him no matter what his condition. ‘But it was not to be,’ she says. ‘I felt as though the Lord said, ‘It’s his time to come home; it’s your time to get to know you.’ We need to get to know the Lord, and I think we know him better when we know ourselves. We need to discover our talents and use them in his service. That’s part of the joy we experience in this life.”

We may get overwhelmed from time to time, and think that we may not be able to make it through a hard time, whatever that may be (perhaps summer?), but we should slow down sometimes and enjoy what the Lord has given us.

Check out the following Mormon Messages video. It's perfect!

It’s time to smell the roses.

Don't forget to checkout our Free Download Friday.

To see the Neighborhood News for Friday, 24 June, please click here.

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Fuel Up the Family

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Well, it's here. Even though we've had a somewhat cool spring, we're about to receive summer among us, and who isn't ready?

Our first contributor in today's newsletter is Brooke Parker. She's a dietitian and a stay-at-home mom. Brooke sent her article "Fuel Up in the Morning." In it, she's bringing to our attention how important it is to start out our day the right way, by having a good breakfast and giving us a few tips. She tells us: "Whether you are a student, parent of a student, a working adult, or like me a stay-at-home mom, breakfast is definitely an important meal of the day. After years of experience in my profession as a dietitian I think I have heard all of the excuses for not eating breakfast. I would like to address some of these reasons or myths and offer some insight."

Like I said before, summer is here. And with summer we get family reunions. Sometimes we have the good fortune of attending a well put together event, where someone planned it well, and was so organized that everybody left knowing they were renewed, feeling great and loving everybody in their family. And sometimes we're not so lucky.

Our second entry comes from "Family Reunion Helper." They have a whole bunch of ideas to help people decide how to have fun. We chose the "Caveman Reunion" to showcase in today's newsletter; it looked like you could have a blast doing it. Imagine: dinosaurs and cavemen, what more can you think of? We decided we're going to bring some of these ideas for your enjoyment every week, or every other week. We hope you enjoy these entries.

Our last entry comes from "Family Reunion", and what they have to offer is group games. There are the usual ones that we've all played as children (three-legged race, anyone?). But you can find other games that are fun and entertaining and used them in your next event.

Have a great week, everyone!

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 2 June's, please click here.