More Photos on Jacob's Birthday

Here are more on Jacob's birthday pictures at home, mall and Ate Delia's house.

Jake, Woody, his balloon, and Buzz

Enjoying the ride...

at Ate' Delia's house...

with Mom...

and Dad!

Unselfish Service

by: Dallin H. Oaks

Our Savior teaches us to follow Him by making the sacrifices necessary to lose ourselves in unselfish service to others. Our Savior gave Himself in unselfish service. He taught that each of us should follow Him by denying ourselves of selfish interests in order to serve others. "If any man will come after me [He said], let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it" (Matthew 16:24-25; see also Matthew 10:39).

As a group, Latter-day Saints are unique in following that teaching - unique in the extent of their unselfish service.

Each year tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints submit their papers for full-time missionary service. Seniors put aside the diversions of retirement, the comforts of home, and the loving companionship of children and grandchildren and go forth to serve strangers in unfamiliar places. Young men and women put work and education on hold and make themselves available to serve wherever they are assigned. Hundreds of thousands of faithful members participate in the unselfish service we call "temple work," which has no motive other than love and service for our fellowmen, living and dead. The same unselfish service is given by legions of officers and teachers in our stakes and wards and branches. All are uncompensated in worldly terms but committed to Christlike service to their fellowmen.

It is not easy to give up our personal priorities and desires. Many years ago a new missionary in England was frustrated and discouraged. He wrote home saying he felt he was wasting his time. His wise father replied, "Forget yourself and go to work."1 Young Elder Gordon B. Hinckley went to his knees and covenanted with the Lord that he would try to forget himself and lose himself in the Lord's service.2 Years later, as a mature servant of the Lord, Elder Hinckley would say, "He who lives only unto himself withers and dies, while he who forgets himself in the service of others grows and blossoms in this life and in eternity."3

Marriage Quotes

"What God Hath Joined Together, Let No Man Put Asunder"

“The more you invest in a marriage, the more valuable it becomes.”
- Amy Grant

“A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' come together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.” -Dave Meurer

“Strike an average between what a woman thinks of her husband a month before she marries him and what she thinks of him a year afterward, and you will have the truth about him.” -H.L. Mencken

“Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years.” -Simone Signoret

“More marriages might survive if the partners realized that sometimes the better comes after the worse.” -Doug Larson

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." -Mignon McLaughlin

“Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate. “ -Barnett R. Brickner

“A man without a wife is like a vase without flowers.” -African Proverb

“Love requires a willingness to die; marriage, a willingness to live.”
-Mignon McLaughlin

“People do not marry people, not real ones anyway; they marry what they think the person is; they marry illusions and images. The exciting adventure of marriage is finding out who the partner really is. “
-James L. Framo

“I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance, A church filled with family and friends. I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for, He said one that would make me his wife.” -Author Unknown

“Between a man and his wife nothing ought to rule but love.” -William Penn

“And when will there be an end of marrying? I suppose, when there is an end of living.” -Tertullian

Humor

Humor Has Proven To Be A Powerful Ally In Enhancing Your Overall Health And Well Being.

Good Humor = "Joyfulness"

"Joyfulness keeps the heart and face young. A good laugh makes us better friends with ourselves and everybody around us." -Orison Swett Marden

Laughter is one of the best antidotes for reducing the day to day stress and anxiety that so many in this day and age experience and has proven to be an extremely effective way to increase the positive energy which is responsible and necessary for achieving Abundance, Happiness and harmony in life.

Thomas S. Monson's Quotes

"When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes."

"My faith did not come to me through science, and I will not permit so-called science to destroy it."

"Through humble prayer, diligent preparation, and faithful service, we can succeed in our sacred callings."

"Each of us should remember that he or she is a son or daughter of God, endowed with faith, gifted with courage, and guided by prayer."

"Wherever we may be, our Heavenly Father can hear and answer the prayer offered in faith."

Why Does the Music I Listen to Matter?

One reason why the music we listen to is important is that music can and does affect how we feel; therefore, music affects our ability to recognize the Holy Ghost. For the Strength of Youth teaches, “Unworthy music may seem harmless, but it can have evil effects on your mind and spirit.” The prophets specifically tell us to “pay attention to how you feel when you are listening” to music. If you don’t think music affects how you feel, ask yourself why movie producers spend so much time and money on the musical score. How different would the movie Jaws be if the theme song for Mr. Rogers Neighborhood pops on when the shark fin pops up? It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood, A beautiful day for a neighbor . . .Hello, neighbor . . . (as the shark opens his mouth on the unsuspecting victim). That simple difference in music changes the moment from nail-biting suspense to laugh-out-loud comedy.

10 Secrets to Exercising & Staying Motivated

Tips Will Get You Moving and Help Manage Your Diabetes

If you have diabetes, daily physical activity can help you manage your blood sugar levels and achieve weight loss. Being active feels good, too. And it doesn’t have to be time consuming and difficult. With just a few simple changes, you can make fitness part of your daily routine — even something you look forward to. Here are 10 tips to help jump-start your activity level.

10 Ways to Add Activity to Your Life

1. Start slowly. Fifteen minutes of physical activity is enough for a beginner. Gradually work up to more strenuous exercise for longer periods of time. Consult your health care professional for guidance.
2. Take a class. Try something new. Your budding interest in the new activity is likely to motivate you.
3. Get an exercise buddy. Set regular times with your friend that you both commit to. The social aspect will make your exercise routine more pleasant and provide added support.
4. Physical activity can take many forms; vacuuming counts. Gardening counts. Golfing, walking, and pushing the lawn mower all count as exercise. Allow yourself to feel good about the physical activity you build into your normal day.
5. Discuss the best time to check your blood sugar (before or after exercise) with your health care professional. And keep track of your results. It will help you stay motivated to continue with your diabetes weight loss and fitness goals.
6. Check out some new scenery. Plan a new walking or jogging route using our Google™ Map and Go tool.
7. Keep an activity log. Briefly jot down what you did and for how long. You can look back and feel proud of your efforts at exercise.
8. Warm up and cool down for five minutes before and after you exercise.
9. Put physical activity in your calendar, preferably at the same time of day. If exercise is scheduled into your routine, you'll be less likely to skip it.
10. Get the right gear. Wear comfortable, appropriate shoes and clothing for the activity.

Follow these 10 simple tips to jump-start activity in your life.

Source: DiabetesControlForLife.com

I Love This Image!

I took the liberty of grabbing this at my niece's blog, Be Learned, Originate Your Gains. This is cool! Follow the instructions and be amazed!
Concentrate on the four dots in the middle of the picture for about 30 seconds. Then close your eyes, or look up toward the ceiling or any clear, white surface around you. Within seconds you will see an image. Continue looking at the image…What Do You See? Is it a heavenly sign?