Memorial Day

Usually we just ignore holidays while in Africa and try to live in the schedule of life we find here. But yesterday both Farrell and I thought all day about family and friends and all the pleasure and joy of living in the good ol' USA.

I wish everyone could live outside of our great nation for a while and have the opportunity of really missing the basic goodness of the a place that we call home. It is so much better to fill your glass half full instead of half empty, to spend your time building instead of tearing down, to support the positive and let the Lord take care of the negative. Never forget there is a plan. . .

"The Standard of Truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame. But the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, until the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah will say, ‘The work is done." (Joseph Smith)

"Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others...By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves." (GBH)

"Stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight." (GBH)

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers." (GBH)

"Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine." (GBH)

Got to love Pres. Hinckley and his to the point attitude.

There is not a day goes by here in Africa that someone doesn't tell us that their life goal is to go live in the US. There is a reason for such a desire. We have just become complacent about the life we are allowed to live in our homeland.

So this Memorial Day I salute all those who love America, all those who are working hard to make it a "promised land", all those who vote, volunteer, serve their country and have gratitude in their hearts for what God has given us.


Shame on you who waste your time finding fault, who fuel the fire, who exaggerate the negatives, who perpetuate the rumors and half truths.

So today on Memorial Day I find I have great love for my country, for all those who are seeking to make it better in a positive way, who spend their time in good works.


So, let's go do some good!