A Positive Heart

Sunday, January 20, 2013

A Mission Call

My 2nd oldest grandson and granchild, Justin Leavitt, received his mission call for the Church of Jesus of Latter Day Saints. He is going to the England Leeds Mission. He reports to the Missionary Training Center in England on April 18th.

As everyone entered our home to hear him read his call they were given the opportunity to mark where they thought he might go on a map that was posted on a wall in our entrance way. It was cute the way his parents set the map up. Everyone was give a little flag to mark their guess. This picture was taken a couple of days after so all the flags are removed and the little "Justin missionary" was placed above England.

This picture is of everyone waiting around for Justin to open his call. We probably had about 40 to 45 people at our house to witness the opening.

This next picture is right after reading the call. His mother was overjoyed as you can see by the picture of her and others clapping their hands. I feel the spirit testified to everyone in our home that this call came from the Lord. If you haven't guessed by now, this is a big deal to us.

We are so proud of Justin's decision to serve on this mission for 24 months. For those who might read this and are not familiar with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, most young men and some young women choose to go on missions for the church when they reach a certain age. Young men can go at 18 and young women can go at 19. This just recently changed since October of 2012. The age for young men used to be 19 and young women 21. The age change was announced in the General Conference of the Church. There are 2 general sessions on Saturday and 1 Priesthood session. Then on Sunday there are 2 more general sessions. The announcement was made in the 1st session on Saturday October 6, 2012.

There's a lot of preparation involved even before the call comes. Some preparations include going to the dentist and sometimes having your wisdom teeth removed. Justin was one of the lucky ones to have his wisdom teeth out. Another thing they have to do is get a physical. And there's a lot of "paperwork" to fill out. Mainly everything that is submitted is submitted via the internet.

I read on the internet that just two weeks after President Thomas S. Monson, President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, announced the change in age, Church headquarters saw an increase in applications go from an average of 700 per week to 4,000 per week. Can you imagine how busy headquarters must be processing all these applications?

These young men and women choose to spend two years of their lives preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are ready and willing to listen. I will be anxious to see how the church membership increases over the next couple of years because of all these missionaries going out now.

Justin has always been the strong, silent type. He carries a strong spirit with him. He gave a talk a couple of weeks ago in church. You can tell he has a strong testimony. He is so anxious to get busy with the work. He has a lot to do before April 18th. He has to get a visa, passport, clothes and so many other things need to be done. It's a little overwhelming.

I know that he will do a great job and have great experiences in that great country. He also has a lot of ancestors that come from England on both sides of the family. And they have a beautiful temple in Preston which is close to the MTC.

I'm so grateful for this great and wonderful church I belong too. And I am grateful for my family, for the choices they are making.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Be Soft and Love

"Do not let the world make you hard. Be soft. Do not let pain make you hate. Love. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place." — Kurt Vonnegut

"God has a reason for allowing things to happen. . . We may never understand his wisdom but we simply have to trust His will. . ."

These quotes were posted on Facebook. The second is from a page entitled "Words to Inspire the Soul".

This time of year makes me contemplative. It is a time when we are ending one year and looking forward to beginning another. It's kind of like a new beginning.

I know we all have challenges in this life. Some may feel they have more than their share but I do believe what these quotes have to say. Things happen for a reason. We can't let them make us bitter or unforgiving. When we forgive and love the world is a better place not just for us but for everyone else. Wouldn't you much rather feel good about life instead of letting the negative stuff get you down? I know I would.

Sometimes I simply, and it can be simple, just take a deep breath and force myself to smile. This actually does wonders. Especially if you smile at yourself in the mirror.

Too many people in this world cannot let go and forgive. Forgiving doesn't necessarily mean forgetting. I think we remember things for a couple of reasons. One, so we don't repeat our mistakes and two, it's in our nature to remember these things at least for a while. We may a reach a point in our lives when we can forget. At least until something comes up that reminds us. But that doesn't mean we can't forgive. I feel all these experiences shape and mould us. It depends on our attitude as to how they shape us.

I like the words "be soft". It tells me to be kind and gentle and understanding. That's how I want to be although I fail at it often.

One thing I know, I will keep on keeping on and never give up on becoming the person I'm supposed to be.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Longings, change and hope

There's something about Fall that stirs a feeling in me. I'm not sure if it's longing or hope. I'm not sure how to describe it. I'm not even sure what causes it. Maybe it's longing for cooler days. Maybe it has to do with the upcoming holiday season. Maybe its missing people that have been taken out of my life in one way or another.

I don't have the same feeling for the other seasons. I don't necessarily have negative feelings about the rest of the year. I just can't describe it.

I know I miss those who have passed away, mainly my son and my parents.

I didn't get to share the holdiays with my second son. He was here for a short 5 months. He passed away suddenly from a condition that we had no clue he had. That was in 1972 so he would be 40 now. I often wonder what kind of a man he would have been, what he would look like or who he would take after, me or Dean. Or maybe he would have a completely different look, something that he would have pulled from our ancestors before us. I have so few pictures of him. So I like to look at my other sons and take a guess at which one he would have resembled more.

I miss my mother a lot. Don't get me wrong, I miss my father too. But my sisters and I were extremely close to our mother. She was our best friend. Both my parents passed away in 2001 within 5 months of each other. What a blessing for them but how hard for us left behind! But I still want to call my mom and talk to her and tell her of the important milestones in our lives or just simply talk.

I miss the people I worked with at the credit union I worked at for 15 years. It all ended so quickly,

I also feel bad for people that I've hurt througout my life. I was reflecting the other day and realized that I've had a lot of selfish moments in my life. How I regret any hurts I have caused! I wish I hadn't hurt anyone. But I have tried to repent of what I can, as much as I can. Will I ever hurt anyone again? I hope not. Not on purpose anyway. I would like to think I've learned from my past mistakes. However, there's always something new around the corner and I have to be prepared to deal with it.

Maybe I never had closure on these events in my life. Maybe that's what this is all about. How does one get closure? I'm not sure. If the lack of closure is the real issue what do I do about it? Maybe nothing. Maybe I just need to keep moving on looking forward to the new day, the new season, the new year and looking forward to enjoying the people in my life now and meeting new people and having new experiences. Wow! That was a long sentence.

Or maybe change is hard on me. I've contemplated what I've been through, the good and the bad, being happy and sad, and how all this has made me who I am today. Change is inevitable but there have been times in my life that change has been harder than others. Each day brings changes, some bigger than others. Each day we grow older. Some days I feel very old and others I feel like I'm a teenager.

Under the picture it says, "Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become."

I wonder how many other people feel this way? Am I an oddity or are these common feelings?

I am truly grateful for those who are in my life now. I have a wonderful, supportive, kind, forgiving, caring, gentle and loving husband. My children & grandchildren accept and love me unconditionally. The people I work for and with are good people and we get along well.

So maybe I do have longings but I also have hope. Hope for the future because I do have wonderful people in my life whether I see them every day or every so often or communicate only through email or Facebook or some other means of communication.

And I have Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They are the ones I lean heavily on. They are the ones that will always be there no matter what. And for all this I am truly grateful.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Granchildren Chapter 9

Technically this should have been Grandchildren Chapter 8 but somehow I missed my oldest grandchild's birthday post. What is wrong with me? :-( Logan Williams Leavitt is our oldest grandchild. He turned 18 on August 8, 2012. I can't believe I have an 18 year grandson. I did a graduation post with pictures of him in his graduation gown. I'm going to repost some pictures of Logan from the past year. I wished I'd been more on the ball and taken some pictures at his birthday.

Logan on his graduation day with his parents. He is now not only taller than me but both of his parents too. I remember him waiting and waiting to be taller. He made it!

From a Lamar and Betty Leavitt family reunion a couple of years ago.

Here he is having breakfast after his Eagle project. He technically has his Eagle. He just needs to have the Eagle Court of Honor to received the award.

Last year at his Senior prom.

At the same family reunion mentioned above. He still had some growing to do then.

Logan is the only grandchild that I was able to see born. He is the one that made us grandparents. He has a confidence about him that I admire. He will always give me a hug when he sees me, doesn't matter where we are or what's going on.

He has a full time job now. I can't believe how grown up he is.

I am so proud of Logan and I love him very much. He sets a wonderful example for his younger brothers and sisters.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Independence Day

Today is July 4, 2012, Independence Day. Independence Day commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence which took place on July 4th, 1776, and celebrations have taken place ever since. The following information and some fun facts, I took from the internet from searches that I performed. Enjoy!

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

2.5 million - In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation.

Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970

311.7 million - The nation's estimated population on this July Fourth.

Source: US Census Population clock

Flags

- In 2010, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags. The vast majority of this amount ($2.8 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.

Source: Foreign Trade Statistics

$486,026 - Dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2010. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $256,407 worth.

Source: Foreign Trade Statistics

$302.7 million - Annual dollar value of shipments of fabricated flags, banners and similar emblems by the nation's manufacturers, according to the latest published economic census data.

Source: 2007 Economic Census

Fireworks

$190.7 million - The value of fireworks imported from China in 2010, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($197.3 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $37.0 million in 2010, with Japan purchasing more than any other country ($6.3 million).

Source: Foreign Trade Statistics

$231.8 million - The value of U.S. manufacturers' shipments of fireworks and pyrotechnics (including flares, igniters, etc.) in 2007.

Source: 2007 Economic Census

Towns with Patriotic Names

31 - Places have “liberty” in their names. The most populous one as of April 1, 2010, is Liberty, Mo. (29,149) Iowa, with four, has more of these places than any other state: Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty.

35 - Places have “eagle” in their names. The most populous one is Eagle Pass, Texas (26,248).

11 - Places have “independence” in their names. The most populous one is Independence, Mo. (116,830).

9 - Places have “freedom” in their names. The most populous one is New Freedom, Pa. (4,464).

1 - One place with “patriot” in the name. Patriot, Ind. (209).

5 - Places have “America” in their names. The most populous is American Fork, Utah (26,263).

Source: US Census - American FactFinder

Early Presidential Last Names

138 - Ranking of the frequency of the surname of our first president, George Washington, among all last names tabulated in the 2000 Census. Other early presidential names that appear on the list, along with their ranking, were Adams (39), Jefferson (594), Madison (1,209) and Monroe (567).

Source: Census 2000 Genealogy

Fourth of July Cookouts

More than 1 in 4 - The chance that the hot dogs and pork sausages consumed on the Fourth of July originated in Iowa. The Hawkeye State was home to 19.0 million hogs and pigs on March 1, 2011. This estimate represents more than one-fourth of the nation's estimated total. North Carolina (8.6 million) and Minnesota (7.6 million) were also homes to large numbers of pigs.