Helping children with music lessons is definitely upper division training for parents. I can’t even imagine how many hours I’ve spent tutoring at the piano, encouraging from the kitchen sink, and sitting through lessons. My biggest adventure into the unknown came when my youngest daughter asked if ... Read More
“I’m Going To Count To Three and Then…” – Step 12 Having Had A Spiritual Awakening
The parenting skill that requires moms and dads to count to three, to think of a consequence that will get a child’s attention, and then follow through, must be new to my generation of parents. I don’t remember my mom or dad ever counting. I adopted the technique as a seventeen-year-old freshman at ... Read More
The Tools of the Trade
Morning prayer, a little writing in my journal, read and liken a few verses out of the Book of Mormon to myself, a few minutes in some recovery literature along with some writing, plan my food for the day, and a call to my sponsor – that’s how most of my mornings begin. Last week after coming home ... Read More
Let’s Buckle Up and Enjoy the Ride! – Step 3
Here’s a paradox. We often become involved in destructive behavior in the name of personal freedom. Then to our dismay, this sign of our independence actually leads to bondage. It is also a paradox that the only way to become truly free is to become truly submissive. Those who have practiced this ... Read More
Our “Gratitudes” and Our Prayers – The Tools of Recovery
The family van rounded the corner moving towards home. Christmas fun and celebration at the Dickens’ Festival had come to a close. The car was filled with sounds of three “over-Christmas-ed” kids. My daughter (the mother) turned the radio up one more notch, but the children could not be out done or ... Read More
“Later Grandma!” – Step 11
During lunch one day I was talking to my Granddaughter Sammy (age four) and called her my “sister.” She told me in no uncertain terms that I was not her sister. I started trying to help her understand that in a “Heavenly” context I really was. I was barely into the explanation when she bolted from ... Read More
“All Aboard?” – Step 12
My eldest daughter served a mission when communication from the field was done by post, before the days of e-mail. One morning she described a circumstance I could relate to. In fact, I can still relate. She and her companion were running late for some reason. She was on a bus, traveling to an ... Read More
The Dailies, Tools or Weapons?
The Lord and I are involved in a building project together. It’s an upgrade on me. The plans for the project are for the building of a temple. Imagine…a temple out of me…a place where the Father and the Son can one day have a permanent home. Every tool necessary has been provided for the project. ... Read More