True Happiness

Welcome to the Neighborhood News

There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. … It is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit”

C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses [1980]

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We are supposed to be embarked in a good cause and doing good at all times, right?

It is so easy to get distracted by circumstances, other people, or extra drama in our lives. Some of us don’t need extra drama, and some of us are a walking example of drama.  We like the attention people other than our spouse give us and we think we’re madly in love and want to start our lives anew. Is that right? Was there abuse or cheating from the ‘guilty’ party? Or was it all in our heads?

Here’s a quotation from a talk given by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, The Pathway to Discipleship, 1998:

“As striving disciples, you and I must strategically focus on the interaction of immortal individuals and immortal principles as applied to life’s changing tactical situations. It is vital, therefore, for you and for me, in the words of Jacob, to see things ‘as they really are’ and things ‘as they really will be’ (Jacob 4:13). It’s interesting that those who have eyes single to the glory of God are those who see the most of reality.

“But this road of discipleship which we are considering here is not easy. It requires sturdy, all-weather souls who are constant in every season of life and who are not easily stalled or thrown off course. Likewise, even with this accurate view of the mortal experience we still need time and the wise use of our moral agency. We still need God’s long-suffering to help us. We need all of these combined in order to gain experience in life. Amid this ongoing process, you and I can actually come to know for ourselves, like Alma of old, who ‘fasted and prayed many days that I might know ‘ that these immortal principles are true (Alma 5:46).”

So, as ballplayers say, we need to keep our eyes on the ball, and don’t lose track of what’s really important. We have our agency to decide on what’s important, no one else can make that decision for us. Eternal happiness with those we love is so much more important than the vain and short-lived things of the world.

To see the Neighborhood News for Monday, 27 June, please click here.

We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.

Personal Touch

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In today’s Personal Touch interview with Rebecca Cressman, she has a one-on-one with Vince DiCaro. Vince DiCaro is the Senior Director of Public Affairs for the National Fatherhood Institute. As such Vince runs government and press relations for the NFI and works everyday to encourage fathers to invest in their families and for society to invest in fathers. The NFI recently relaunched the website Fatherhood.org filled with parenting information, advice, and resources just for dads. Vince is a contributing writer on the NFI blog "The Father Factor" and is a graduate of The College of New Jersey, where he received a bachelor's degree in history and economics. He received a master's degree in Communications from Johns Hopkins University, where he wrote a thesis on the depiction of fathers in Hollywood films. Prior to joining National Fatherhood Initiative, Vincent worked for two years as an analyst at Goldman Sachs in New York City.  Please take time to listen to this interview.

Our first contributor is Lisa Asanuma, from Lisa's Latter-day Thoughts. It’s a sweet account of her memories with her father. If we’re female, we probably have more to say or to discuss with our moms than our dads. Every woman I talk to who has children who’ve flown the coop, will say they call and talk to her, more than they call to talk with dad. In any case, Lisa’s article is a tender read.

Our next entry comes from Elder M. Russell Ballard, and his talk is “Fathers and Sons: A Remarkable Relationship.” He gave this talk in Priesthood meeting, and it’s a good one to keep around to remind the guys what’s been said to them. He says: “Tonight I want to talk to you fathers and sons about how you talk to each other. There is no other relationship quite like that which can and should exist between a boy and his dad. It can be one of the most nurturing, joyful relationships in life, one that can have a profound impact on who boys become and also on who dads become. Now, I understand that some of you young men do not have fathers with whom you can have these kinds of conversations. And some of you men do not have sons or have lost your sons to accident or illness.” Every time I see my husband and son go out together, to a Priesthood meeting, or home teaching, or service project, or haunted house (yes, they do that) I feel so much love for the two of them, because they’ve built a friendship over the years. I don’t want it to stop. Ever.



Our last article was put together by Rachel Brunner at AboutLDS.com. Have you ever wanted to have a page with church quotes, all on the same subject? Well, she did that, by finding quotes from General Authorities, all talking about the role of fathers. Maybe you’ll want to save this page for a project.



To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 21 June's, please click here.

Father's Day Special

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Good morning everyone, the weekend is upon us. And it so happens, it's Father's day on Sunday. So take time to go visit your dad, bring a sweet --or sugar-free desert, and enjoy a good time with extended family. Let your kids see how you get along with their grandfather. Make some memories together. Growing up, I only had my maternal grandfather to relate to. My dad's father was alive, but out of the picture; I never even saw him. He drove trucks, so sometimes we'd be outside in the front yard, and I'd hear my mom say "It's your grandpa!", and I'd look and all I'd see was an arm waving out of a fast moving truck. That's my memory of my grandpa Silvano. Of course I idolized my grandpa Americo, he was the best.

Our first entry comes from Annette Lyon, and her article "Letter to the Almost Man in my Life." Annette is a published author, her latest book "Band of Sisters" is out in stores now. Her letter to her son is so sweet, tender and almost nostalgic, you want to do the same and start writing letters: to parents, your children, your siblings, anyone. Go ahead, read it, I promise you'll be inspired.

Next, we have a cute article "The Best Father's Day Gift." It comes from "Whiffs of the Bread of Life", and the author, The Door Fanner, is telling us that giving thanks is the best present we can give to Him who has everything. So, go ahead, give thanks, I think He will appreciate it.

Our last article comes from Cheri at "I am Momma Hear me Roar." She is so talented, you should check out all the items she makes, great ideas to craft and give away. This one is a "Father's Day Inspiration", and easy to make, you can change it to add your own design, if your hubby is into golf, grilling or something else. Kudos to her craftiness.

As usual, on Fridays Positive Music and Downloads offers Free Download Friday. Please enjoy the Alston sisters "Daddy's Little Girl."

Have a great weekend, spend it with family, and if you have time, drop off a few words in the comments section, we'll certainly appreciate that.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Friday, 18 June's, please click here.