Remember to Give Thanks

Thanksgiving scripture --------------- My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love. My beloved friend President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.” 2010 October General Conference, The Divine Gift of Gratitude, Sun. Morning Session - Thomas S. Monson I thought this quote went along perfectly with gratitude and Thanksgiving. I want to let each of you know how grateful I am to be a part of this family. I am truly blessed with a wonderful life and I am surrounded by amazing people to share it with. I love all of you!! Love, Cassi

Every Day Blessings

Morning all!!! Today I wanted to elaborate a little on the message my beautiful wife sent yesterday. And tell you of a blessing that has helped me get rid of all the negative around me. That blessing is my wife!!!

Everyday this month of November I have got a message from her telling me how greatful she is for me or for something I do. As I have read each message each day it has brought joy to my day and uplifted my spirit, but more than that it has reminded me of the biggest blessing in my life and that is my wife and my family.

I have the constant reminders each day if I will just look for them. they are right next to me everyday. (And some I see from afar) I am greatful for my beautiful wife and the example she is and the blessing she is in my life. hope you all have a wonderful day and can find one of these blessings in your life today. 

Love you all very much!!!!

Love, 

Kenton

Consider the Blessings

Our family is in charge of messages this week. We are excited and hope everyone enjoys them.

Today I wanted to share something from President Monson's talk called "Consider the Blessings" from last months general conference. He said-

"We live in a unique time in the worlds history. We are blessed with so very much. And yet it is sometimes difficult to view the problems and permissiveness around us and not become discouraged. I have found that, rather than dwelling on the negative, if we will take a step back and consider the blessings in our lives, including seemingly small, sometimes overlooked blessings, we can find greater happiness."

I love this and I know I am going to try to look for the little things each and every day that I have to be thankful for and I hope all of you will do the same. We are grateful for each of you!

Love Cassi and family

Two Traveling Angels

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family.
The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room.
Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.

As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied,

"Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest.

When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused. The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die.

"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied.

"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it.”

"Then last night as we slept in the farmer’s bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead.

Things aren't always what they seem."

Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way we think they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until some time later.

Have a great day! Love Vaughn and Mom

Refining Silver

Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to study the scriptures. While reading the third chapter of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse:

"And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver (Malachi 3:3)"

One lady proposed to visit a silversmith, and report to them on what he said about the subject. She went accordingly, and without telling the object of her errand, begged the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver.

After he had fully described it to her, she asked, "But Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?"

"Oh, yes madam," replied the silversmith; "I must sit with my eyes steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."

The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression,
"He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” God sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure.

Before she left, the lady asked one final question, "When do you know the process is complete?"

"Why, that is quite simple," replied the silversmith. "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished."

So let each of us ask ourselves, can I see a reflection of the Savior in my life, no matter the circumstances?

You are growing up in enemy territory. When you become mature spiritually, you will understand how the adversary has infiltrated the world around you. He is in homes, entertainment, the media, language—everything around you. In most cases, his presence is undetected.

I want to tell you that which will be of most worth and most desirable. The scriptures say, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom,” and I would add, “with all [your] getting get [going!]” (Proverbs 4:7). I do not have time to waste and neither do you. So listen up!
--Boyd K. Packer “How to Survive in Enemy Territory” Oct 2012 Ensign

You young people will need to become stronger spiritually and morally in order to withstand the temptations and snares of the world. Perhaps this is why such special spirits have been reserved for this time.
--James E. Faust – “The Devils Throat” April 2003 General Conference

“How do we, amidst the challenges of our lives, gain the vision necessary to do those things that will bring us closer to the Savior? Speaking of vision, the book of Proverbs teaches this truth: ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’ (Proverbs 29:18). If we are to prosper rather than perish, we must gain a vision of ourselves as the Savior sees us.”
--Elder O. Vincent Haleck, “Having the Vision to Do”, General Conference Apr 2012

“The attributes by which we shall be judged one day are all spiritual. These include love, virtue, integrity, compassion, and service to others. Your spirit, coupled with and housed in your body, is able to develop and manifest these attributes in ways that are vital to your eternal progression. Spiritual progress is attained through the steps of faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, including the endowment and sealing ordinances of the holy temple.”
--Elder Russell M. Nelson “Thanks Be to God”, General Conference Apr 2012

Our dear family, all but one of the quotes listed here came from Church leaders this year. There is urgency in their council! We all need to be listening and heeding. We cannot afford to procrastinate!

We love each of you VERY Much. Hope you have a ‘reflective’ day! Love Vaughn and Mom

Destiny of the Nation

The following words were spoken by the late Red Skelton on his television program as he related the story of his teacher, Mr. Laswell, who felt his students had come to think of the Pledge of Allegiance as merely something to recite in class each day.
Now, more than ever, listen to the meaning of these words.

"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester

and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you.

If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"

I

me, an individual, a committee of one.

Pledge

dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.

Allegiance

my love and my devotion.

To the flag

our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!

United

that means that we have all come together.

States

individual communities that have united into 48 great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose,

and that's love for country.

And to the republic

a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the

people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from

the leaders to the people.

For which it stands, one nation

one nation, meaning "so blessed by God"

Indivisible

incapable of being divided.

With liberty

which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice

the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.

For all

which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

***~~**~~***

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been

added to the pledge of Allegiance...

UNDER GOD

Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer and that would be eliminated from schools too?

God Bless America!

"The time will come when the destiny of the nation will hang upon a single thread. At that critical juncture, this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction. It will be so." - Joseph Smith Chapter 29, Progress of Man, by Joseph Fielding Smith

D & C 109: 54 “Have mercy, O Lord, upon all the nations of the earth; have mercy upon the rulers of our land; may those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever.” (Prayer offered at the dedication of the temple at Kirtland, Ohio, 27 March 1836 (History of the Church, 2:420–26). According to the Prophet’s written statement, this prayer was given to him by revelation.)

Why Eagles Fly....and Chickens Flutter

Once upon a time, long, long ago, the Eagle and Chicken were very good friends. Everywhere they went these friends went together. It was not uncommon for people to look up and see the Eagle and Chicken flying side by side through the air.

One day, while flying, the Chicken said to the Eagle, "Let's drop down and get a bite to eat. My stomach is growling." "Sounds like a good idea to me," replied the Eagle. So the two birds glided down to earth, saw several animals eating, and decided to join them. They landed next to the Cow. The Cow was busy eating corn, but noticed that the Eagle and the Chicken were soon sitting on the ground next to her. "Welcome," said the Cow. "Help yourself to the corn."

This took the two birds by surprise. They were not accustomed to having other animals share their food quite so readily. "Why are you willing to share your corn with us?" asked the Eagle. "Oh, we have plenty to eat here. Mr. Farmer gives us all we want," replied the Cow. Well, the Eagle and the Chicken jumped in and ate their fill. When they finished, the Chicken asked more about Mr. Farmer. "Well," said the Cow, "he grows all our food. We don't have to work for the food at all.

"You mean," said the Chicken, "that Mr. Farmer simply gives you all you want to eat?" "That's right," said the Cow. "Not only that, but he gives us shelter over our heads." The Chicken and the Eagle were shocked! They had never heard of such a thing. They had always had to search for their food and work for shelter.

When it came time to leave, the Chicken and the Eagle began to discuss the situation. "Maybe we should just stay here," said the Chicken. "We can have all the food we want without working. And that barn over there sure beats those nests we have been building. Besides, I'm getting tired of always having to work for a living."

"I don't know about all this," said the Eagle. "It sounds too good to be true. I find it hard to believe that one can get something for nothing. Besides, I kinda like flying high and free through the air. And providing for food and shelter isn't so bad. In fact, I find it quite challenging."

Well, the Chicken thought it over and decided to stay where there was free food and shelter. But the Eagle decided that he loved his freedom too much to give it up, and enjoyed the consistent challenge of making his own living. So, after saying goodbye to his old friend the Chicken, the Eagle set sail for the wild blue yonder.

Everything went fine for the Chicken. He ate all he wanted. He never worked. He grew fat and lazy. But then one day he heard the farmer say to his wife that he was yearning for fried chicken. Hearing that, the Chicken decided it was time to check out and rejoin his good friend Mr. Eagle. But when he attempted to fly he found that he had grown too fat and lazy. Instead of being able to fly, he could only flutter.

So the next day the farmer's family sat down to chicken dinner

When you give up the challenges life has in pursuit of security, your ability to fly turn into a flutter.

And that’s the reason Eagles fly and Chickens flutter.

Don’t be a chicken…get out and vote!

We love you all! Have a great day! Vaughn and Mom

The Mango Tree

There is a very ancient legend about a Persian ruler who had four sons. His sons were often critical of others. This was a habit which the father detested very much. So he decided to teach his sons a lesson about being critical.

One winter he sent one of the sons on a journey to look at a mango tree. During the following spring he sent another of the sons to visit the very same tree. When summer came he sent the third son to see the tree. And finally, that fall, he sent the fourth son to see the tree.

Then the wise old king called all the sons together and asked them about the mango tree. The one who went in the winter described the tree and an old stump. The son who went in the spring said that the tree didn't look like an old stump, but that it was a very beautiful green. The third son said that both of the reports were wrong. He was the son who had visited the tree in the summer and he said that the tree was covered over with beautiful blossoms. Finally the fourth son spoke up, the one who had visited the tree during the autumn. He said the tree had fruit which tasted like the finest of all fruits.

After each son had made his report, the father spoke."Each of you has told what you saw. And each of you is right. The difference is that each of you saw the tree at a different season. People are like that mango tree. They are bad and good, and they are ugly and beautiful. You can see them in different seasons. Try to see each person as the last of you saw the mango tree, at its best."

There is so much good in the worst of us,
And so much bad in the best of us,
That it hardly becomes any of us
To talk about the rest of us.
--E.W. Hoch

3 Nephi 14: 2-3

2. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measure to you again.

3. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thin own eye?