Integrity is the golden key to the door of success.

"One of the greatest accomplishments of our lives is to promote an honest, earnest integrity within ourselves. This means that we become spiritually sound, intellectually sincere, morally honest, and always personally responsible to God. Integrity is that golden key which will unlock the door to almost any success." Teachings of Howard W. Hunter

Can you imagine what the world we be like if everyone was honest? It starts with ourselves.

SMTD

Last night before family prayers, my daughter had fallen to sleep. I was trying to wake her up to come say prayers. It was one of those moments, where it did not matter what tactics I used, she was not coming. So, we ended up doing them without her. This morning she came into my office and I asked her what happened last night. She started commenting on me missing our PPI (personal priesthood interview) last Sunday. She said there should be a book that tells you what to do when kids act the way she did last night. Then she said that I needed to spend a whole day with her alone. She said instead of calling it PPI, they should call it SMTD. I asked her what that stood for. She said, "Spend More Time with Dad." This meant a lot to me, and I thought it was important to write down and share. Always be ready to catch golden nuggets that your kids drop here and there. This was one I was given this morning.

We should be willing to server and grow quietly....

"We should be willing to server and grow quietly. If you feel that much of what you do this year or in the years to come does not make you very famous, take heart. Most of the best people who ever lived weren't very famous either. Serve and grow, faithfully and quietly. Be on guard regarding the praise of men."

Teachings of Howard W. Hunter

Wo is me....maybe not so much.

Have you ever woke up in the morning flooded with thoughts of "Wo is me." Things that irritate you come to your mind, stuff like,

"Why did I ever keep that dog, it is scratching up the wood floor, it is chewing up the chairs."
"When am I ever going to finish that shed."
"I seem to start a lot of things and never finish them."
"I'm never going to learn to play the violin, I don't have the time to practice."
"My house is not good enough, or big enough."
"This person has more than me."

The list goes on and on. I woke up with one of those mornings. It is amazing how these negative thoughts can drag you down into the dumps. I needed an attitude change, and it started with a simple thought of gratitude. I thought back in time when I was complaining about an inconvenience I had previously that I don't have now. In our old house there was a toilet that would always get clogged. I hated that thing! Don't have that problem in my current home. Then I thought, there are people in this world that don't have running toilets. Now I began to feel pretty shallow in even having these thoughts. Then the most precious thought that was and will always be a game changer. I have something that everybody else can have and cannot take away. I'm a son of God, I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. He sent His Only Begotten Son, who died and lives again for me. It doesn't matter who you are, or what you have, or where you live in this world. All can have this knowledge, and have this same privilege. They can enjoy this same happiness that this thought brought to me this morning. Jesus died for all of us here, not just for me. The Spirit touched me and my heart was filled with love. My thoughts now turned to hope, faith, and joy. I saw opportunities to improve and help others.

It is the last day of 2010. A new year is before us. I pray and hope all can look forward to what life can and will bring. May we look forward with hope, faith, and gratitude. With this attitude, then, take one step at a time, in making ourselves and those around us better.

"To dig a straight furrow, the plowman needs to keep his eyes on a fixed point ahead of him. That keeps him on a true course. If, however, he happens to look back to see where he has been, his chances of straying are increased. The results are crooked and irregular furrows....Fix your attention on your.... goal[s] and never look back on your earlier problems....If our energies are focused not behind us but ahead of us--on eternal life and the joy of salvation--we assuredly will obtain it." Teachings of Howard W. Hunter.

Determination to serve Him to the end

In Moroni 6:3 it reads:

"And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end."

Am I determined to serve Him to the end? Are you? How are we serving Him today?

I want to see thee again.....

The words of a song I wrote years ago flooded my mind this morning. The title of the song was called, I want to see thee again. I expressed this desire to my Father in Heaven this morning in my prayers. I wrote this song while serving a LDS mission in Portugal. I later had it recorded on a CD called "Gentle" by Becky Garrett.

(daughter)
Here I am, am I all alone
Is someone really listening
Father, art thou, really there?
Wilt thou answer this child's prayer?

(Heavenly Father)
My little one don't you shed a tear
I have been here every step of the way
I hear each sincere word that you pray
I want to see you again

(together)
Something within I feel
A love so real
Father art thou near
Daughter I am here

(Daughter)
I have not fear
And Father, I feel thee here
Help me find the way
I want to see thee again

(together)
(Heavenly Father)
My little one don't you shed a tear
I have been here every step of the way
I hear each sincere word that you pray
(Daughter)
I have not fear
And Father, I feel thee here
Help me find the way
(Heavenly Father)
I want to see you again
(Daughter)
I want to see thee again

The phrase "I want to see thee again" was very powerful to me this morning. It truly is a desire of my heart.

Seek this Jesus

Ether chapter 12:39,41

39And then shall ye know that I have ^aseen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me ^bface to face, and that he told me in ^cplain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things;
41And now, I would commend you to ^aseek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth ^brecord of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen.

Especially during this time of year, may we seek the Almighty with all our hearts, minds, and strength, that He may abide in us forever.