So lately in my Laurels class I've been stressing a few things.
First, no matter how hard you try, you can't change a person. Not only that, don't delude yourself into thinking that someone will change themselves for you. Sorry girls and anyone else who may be reading, it just isn't going to happen.
Second, you can control only one thing in the world. Having said that, if you can control that one thing, you control absolutely everything else. That one thing is your thoughts.
When you have control over your thoughts, you act rather than react to situations and people. Let me give you an example...
Most of us have been around a toddler who doesn't get their way. The first thing the little one will do is usually throw a temper tantrum. I'm sure that most of us have also done the one thing we shouldn't do at one point or another and have given in to the tantrum and given the child what they wanted. We reacted to their behavior.
A wise lady who I highly respect taught a great lesson the other day. Her beautiful granddaughter who is two was throwing one of those tantrums I mentioned above. This wise friend of mine calmly smiled at her little granddaughter. She then said, "Addie, you can invite us to your tantrum but we don't have to attend." She then calmly walked away. I don't know what Addie did but my friend acted rather than reacted. I'm sure the tantrum didn't last long.
One other point I've talked with my beautiful Laurels about is the fact that a belief comes from the head but to know something comes from the heart. The most obvious example is a person's testimony of their faith. If they believe their religion to be true, they may or may not live the principles that are taught. If they know in their heart that it is true, they have to live the principles in order to be congruent with their heart. A person can not live a lie, despite what people would have us believe.
So, here's my words of wisdom...
1. You can't change anyone or anything. If you don't like their behavior, look at yourself. That reminds me of a quote I heard the other day. "You train others how to treat you."
2. You can only control your thoughts and nothing more, nothing less. However, if you master your thoughts, you control everything around you.
3. A belief comes from your head, a fact or true knowledge comes from the heart.
Family is Wonderful!
What a wonderful time we had this past week with Craig and Marilyn. We hiked up to the top of Clifty View Mountain and saw the spectacular country side. Along the way we picked wild huckleberries.Thank you Craig and Marilyn for being so much fun and taking the time to come visit us when you could have chosen to go anywhere. We so appreciated your visit!
The dogs will never be the same. Juneau is still looking for his buddy and Denali is just looking for someone to let her curl up next to.
We love you!
Dustin and his Mission President and Wife
Well, Elder Northrup is doing well! Here he is with his Mission President and Wife, President and Sister Viera.It's been somewhat of a struggle for Dust. His mission president entered the mission around the same time Dustin did. President Viera doesn't speak any English. Dustin's first companion is also an Elder from Brazil who doesn't speak any English. Needless to say, the first week or so of communication was somewhat difficult and as Dustin says, "made his head hurt".
He informs me that he is now thinking in Portuguese and has trouble writing us emails in English. To me, that is perfect!
He has had an opportunity to baptize and last Sunday he confirmed a member. He said it was awesome.
Anyway, if anyone would like to write to him, his address is as follows:
Elder Dustin Shawn Northrup
Brazil Ribeirao Preto Mission
Rua Cerqueira Cesa, 481, Sala 606
Centro
Ribeirao, Preto-SP
14010-130
He would love to hear from you!
New Addition to Our Home!
I know it's been a month since our latest addition arrived at our home. Things just got a little out of hand with Girl's Camp and all that.
This is our little German Shepherd puppy named Juneau. Hannah saved up her hard earned cash and bought this little guy from a breeder in Chattaroy, Washington. He is going to go up and be a big boy! His grandparents are Spokane police dogs so he comes from nice stock. He is a little spitfire!
Freedom and Power are better than momentary pleasure!
O.K. so what does that mean? Take a minute to think about how profound the statement is!
Have you ever been caught in the trap of buying something because everyone else has it? Our youth are extremely vulnerable to this mentality. “Mom, I need to have this, that or the other thing!” I need a Wii, a car, a new iPod. Where did they learn this behavior?
I came across a quote from Will Smith that sums it all up beautifully!
Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like!
Freedom and power come from being in control of your actions. I chose spending to illustrate my point but this also applies to other areas as well. Just think of mankind’s sexual drive. Hmmm, freedom and power are better than momentary pleasure. Think about peer pressure. The list goes on and on.
The next time you feel that you absolutely have to have, do or experience something ask yourself if you really need to or is it just a momentary pleasure.
An awesome opportunity with iLearningGlobal!
So, many of you know that I've been involved with a company called Bookwise. Well, Bookwise has merged with a company based in Phoenix called iLearningGlobal. Talk about an incredible product...
Just imagine the following:
If you are interested in knowing more...shoot me an email!
Just imagine the following:
- Imagine having access to the best in the business training, tax strategies, personal development and so much more right at your fingertips any hour of any day.
- Imagine that training being in the form of high definition video clips, audio clips, webcasts and teleconferences.
- Imagine being anywhere in the world and being able to access this valuable training.
- Now imagine an income opportunity where the product you sell actually trains you to become more successful.
- Taking Charge of Your Life
- The Power of Letting Go
- Into to Tax Savings
- Wealth Secrets
- Leadership that Inspires
- Change
- Communication
- Negotiation
- Law of Attraction
- And so many more
If you are interested in knowing more...shoot me an email!
We Survived Girl's Camp! YEA!
WOW! Girl's camp was a hoot! It was also a tremendous amount of work!
Ahhh, to have the days back in Mesa where we camped in cabins, had bunks, had a cafeteria and nice wonderful warm showers. Alas, it wasn't meant to be...
O.K., so it wasn't all that bad but let's take inventory:
1. Camp leaders consisted of myself and my 1st counselor
2. We had the largest camp out of all the wards in the stake
3. We camped in tents with port-a-potties for the bathrooms and Lake Pend Oreille for a shower/bathtub.
4. We cooked all our own meals with the exception of one meal a day which was usually lunch.
5. We had the best YCL's in the church!
6. We learned that even girls like to play with fire.
7. We learned that the Lord can be present anywhere we allow him to be.
It was a lot of fun. I was so impressed with my Laurels. They stepped up, took charge, loved and served with wisdom, kindness, charity and hope. I might add that they continue to do so even though camp is over. They have taken upon themselves to personally seek out those who are less active and struggling and showering them with love and their testimony. They are amazing! These six young women truly understand they are daughters of God.
Schools out for the Summer!
Its been a crazy couple of months! Dustin is in Brazil and loving it. The only drawback he has is that he is going crazy in the CTM (MTC). He wants to be out preaching the gospel.
Hannah survived the last month of school while competing in track. She is enjoying the life of a teenager which translates to sleeping in.
Kevin has been on several business trips but should now be home for the next few months straight.
I'm just trying to make it through Youth Conference and help plan Girls Camp.
We hope everyone is doing well!
Hannah survived the last month of school while competing in track. She is enjoying the life of a teenager which translates to sleeping in.
Kevin has been on several business trips but should now be home for the next few months straight.
I'm just trying to make it through Youth Conference and help plan Girls Camp.
We hope everyone is doing well!
Back Home Again!
Well, we made it back home again! We had a wonderful time visiting family.
This trip was very spiritual! It started with an awesome visit with Malachi, Lauren, and Ava Goff...some wonderful new additions to our family. A special thank you to the Goff's for being so gracious and open.
We then spent a lot time and a small fortune shopping for Dustin's missionary gear. He is extremely excited.
We then took Dustin through the Salt Lake Temple as well as the Mt. Timpanogas Temple.
Anyway, we enjoyed our visit. Thanks Mom and Dad for being such a wonderful motel!
This trip was very spiritual! It started with an awesome visit with Malachi, Lauren, and Ava Goff...some wonderful new additions to our family. A special thank you to the Goff's for being so gracious and open.
We then spent a lot time and a small fortune shopping for Dustin's missionary gear. He is extremely excited.
We then took Dustin through the Salt Lake Temple as well as the Mt. Timpanogas Temple.
Anyway, we enjoyed our visit. Thanks Mom and Dad for being such a wonderful motel!
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