Here's a couple more pictures from January 28, 2009

 

Blessings

 
 

I am truly thankful for all of my blessings. Five blessings that I am thankful for are my beautiful children. This picture was taken at Salt Lake International Airport on January 28, 2009. The day that Abram returned home from serving an LDS Mission to the Chile, Osorno Mission. Abram is 21, Joshua is 17, Lyssa is 16, Nathan is 14 and Anna is 12. All of them are doing great in school and are growing strong testimonies of the gospel. They enjoy football, soccer, volleyball, singing, shopping, fishing and camping. We sure have fun together and I am thankful that Abram took the opportunity to serve a full time mission. Both Abram and Josh are Eagle Scouts. Nate is currently a Life Scout. Lyssa and Anna are working on their Young Womanhood Recognition Awards. I have so many blessings to be grateful for. Kelly is another special blessing in my life. We will celebrate our 25th Anniversary this November!! What an amazing adventure our family has had so far!

The Butterfly Effect

I recently read an excerpt from the book "The Butterfly Effect" by Andy Andrews.
In it he describes the theory of the Butterfly Effect discovered by Edward Lorenz. In 1963, he made a presentation to the New York Academy of Sciences and was literally laughed out of the room. His theory called the butterfly effect, stated that a butterfly could flap its wings and set air molecules in motion that in turn would move other air molecules - which would then move additional air molecules - eventually becoming able to influence weather patterns on the other side of the planet. For years this theory remained an interesting myth. In the mid 1990s, however, the butterfly effect was proved to be accurate and was given the status of "law" in the scientific community.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if everything that we do--every minute of every day-- made a positive difference in our lives and the lives of those around us as does the effect of the flapping of butterfly wings? I am reminded of a song sung by the children called "My Heavenly Father Loves Me".

Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by our lilac tree,
I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world
Heav’nly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see
The color of butterfly wings.
He gave me my ears that I might hear
The magical sound of things.
He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:
I thank him rev’rently
For all his creations, of which I’m a part.
Yes, I know Heav’nly Father loves me.

Words and music: Clara W. McMaster, 1904

May we all remember that every little thing we do effects someone or something for good or bad. We have the ability to make a difference in our own unique way. What difference will you make? How will you be an influence for good?