Family – Sentinel2Sentinel

10 Day Social Media Fast: Day 4

It was a zoo day. Little Charlie R. and I went to the zoo. The weather could not have been more lovely with the passing of Hurricane Michael. The temperatures and humidity seemed to sort themselves out as a lovely breeze flowed through the partly cloudy day. It was simply lovely weather for this time of year.

I watched Jeffy on The Blaze this morning for a bit. Love that Kris Cruz. Other than that no news for me today. Just my little 2 year old and the zoo and the things that make a 2 year old’s life turn through the day.

Charlie R. fed the giraffes. He fed the ducks and the carp. And best of all he fed himself at lunch time.

Simple joys.

My favorite part of the day was nap time once we got home from the zoo. He was singing the chorus to The Family is of God in that sweet little voice of his, as he drifted off to sleep.

“…This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God.”

4/10-DF

Learn from the Elite: Translate & Encorporate

Several years ago I watch the one and only season of STARS EARN STRIPES. It was fabulous and I am so very sorry the show was not continued because it was incredibly exciting, packed with adventure. The Military Men, and Tom Stroup — a SWAT Commander and member of Florida Orange County Sheriff’s Department, were brilliant and charming. It has been great fun to watch them move on with their lives over the last five years.

Brent L. Gleeson became a favorite when I watched him run in one episode. Dude was fast. It was like he has wings on those heels of his. He was a flash on the screen for sure. It was impressive, especially to someone like me who runs like a heard of turtles on valium, but I digress.

Brent writes for Forbes.com. I hope you will take the time to read his articles.

Over the years I have learned a lot from people in the business world. One of the best things I learned over thirty years ago was how some wise people run their homes like a business. It really resonated with me because they did so on a spiritual basis and I watched how they seemed to prosper spiritually and temporally. That is not to say everything was a bed of roses, but I watched how they were able to navigate through life with grace and dignity. (Yeah, I have a long way to go with the grace and dignity thing, so no comments from the peanut gallery.)

Another wise man taught me that two things never change and principles are one of those things. That is really how I want to tie into the title of this post. True principles never change and they are applicable everywhere and anywhere.

I really liked this short article by Brent back in October:

Strategies For Making Organizational Change Stick And Building A Bright Future

As a huge fan of continuous education for myself and for my Honey-do, Brent offers a great strategy for husbands and wives who want make changes in the home. The principles and ideas he lays out can easily be translated into a working strategy for couples and families to effect a change of course in the family dynamic.

You will get there if you steel your mindset with love of God and love for your spouse and family. It will take resolve. It will take prayer and patient practice. You will have to work with persistent effort, with consistency in action so in time you will see that cultural shift bring a joyful peace to your home.

Additional Reading:

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Day 3: #LightTheWorld ~ Sabbath day

Screen Shot 2017-12-02 at 12.09.20 PM — How can you make good use of your time on the Sabbath?

Today was the last day of the Montgomery Interfaith Nativity. My friends were singing this evening so after the Honey-do got home from Church we spent a few moments reflecting on the day, closed out our Fast Sunday with a prayer, quickly grabbed a bite to eat and then headed out the door.

We made it just in time to support our dear friends, Lana and her Grandpa Marty, singing at 5:30 p.m. They were wonderful and absolutely charming together. It was lovely to see them, as family, working in harmony to share the Spirit of Christmas with the Interfaith community.

Then we stayed for the next performance by the Christmas Trio, a women’s trio, who sang several Christmas lullabyes.

We made it home in time to feed the dogs and watch the Christmas Devotional from home. What a lovely Sabbath day of worship through music and the spoken word.

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Gratitude: It is time to set new goals

Honey-do and I set individual and family goals every year and have done so since we got married many, many years ago. It is one of my favorite times of year, this goal setting and review ritual. The accounting from where we started, to where we now are, and where we choose to go from here is a way to realign ourselves as individuals and as a couple, making those course corrections to keep us from falling off track from that which matters most.

What matters most? We do, to each other.

Generally pleased with where we now are and how we have moved through life’s unforeseen events, we are not so far off financially from where we hoped to be. Career wise has thrown some curves but with patience and trust in the Lord’s timing we are happy with how things have turned out. We have seen miracles. We have enjoyed the process of discovery.

There have been and still are times when we are not so pleased with goals we have set and we have not reached, nor whole-heartedly or even half-heartedly attempted to accomplish. Yet, the disappointment in ourselves does not lend us to our becoming incapacitated but leads us toward action, to a better structured goal. We practice attainable goals in smaller sections of success through micro-goal settings or subsets of goals.

One personal goal took me 28 years to accomplish and even now I still struggle maintaining that goal while trying to maintain other goals of great importance to me.

The goals we now review reflect a different tone of adventure. They are closer to becoming a reality for they are over thirty years old. They were our long range range goals but they are now here, ready for action.

Anticipating what will happen next, uncertain as to what life holds for us as we age, and looking forward to “retiring” within ten years time, we believe that the Lord has blessed us abundantly. As long as we step into that tunnel, with faith in every footstep, a lamp will light our path no matter how dimly lit it may be. And if we are required to step onto a darkened path without light, the light will come as we take that first step in faith. It is a win-win.

How thankful I am for the blessings that come from setting goals. From the time I was young to my older self, goal setting has been a gift of vision and of loving reflection on how much the Lord has blessed my life. And I am especially grateful that my Honey-do has done this with me for these many years of wedded bliss.

Gratitude. Sincerely.

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Caleb and his Eagle Scout Court of Honor

Caleb Eagle Scout framed

Around 1989 I became involved with my Church’s Cub and 11 year old Scout program at a Day Camp. It was so much fun. It was a spiritual experience, one that impressed upon me how important Scouting is as the activity arm of the Priesthood in my Church. It was as though, in my mind’s eye, I could see those young boys as grown men in the future, serving and becoming great leaders of other young men. And from that moment forward I have kept a place of honor in my heart for the Scouting program.

Today was another spiritual experience as I watched an exceptional young man receive his Eagle Scout. This was a presentation very well deserved. My heart was filled with incredible joy, with great pride for Caleb and his family. To see the joy and pride in the men and boys who have been true mentors and friends to him on this journey, along with those feelings radiating from his parents and grandparents, added to the sweetness of my Sabbath Day.

I love the camaraderie of the boys. I love the joy of the Scout Leaders. I love the Scouting program. And today, I love what Scouting has does for Caleb and what Caleb has become.

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S2 of The Relative Race

Having lived in Florida for the last ten years it was really exciting to see the Relative Race Season 2 start out in Miami, Florida. It was even more exciting to see the Black Team get sent to Wickham Park in Melbourne. The park is not that far from my house.

The couples are absolutely adorable and charming this season. The stories of family connections are truly incredible, very touching. And the best part is that the shows are all super family friendly, filled with happiness and joy…in the end.

If you have not seen an episode yet, you can watch them in multiple formats at BYUtv.org. The links available for both seasons are posted below to get you started.

Three Strikes and You’re Outta The Race!

Season 1 Season 2

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