What a question!

Some sobering thoughts this morning as I read an article about kid (26 is a kid to me) that left this life from the chains of addictive destruction. It always hits home for me considering the path of addictive chains that held me once. Not too long ago I had the opportunity to speak to a group of teens at a fireside (Church meeting) about life and the choices that we have. I have had many of these opportunities over the years but this time a during a question asking moment a great question was asked. “What is it that keeps you from going back to those destructive things in your life?” How would anyone else answer this question? Because it brings up a hundred more why questions.  

So here it goes. *I didn’t like me. I didn’t like who I was and why I was and I don’t want to live that way anymore. *I didn’t feel free. I didn’t feel free to make good choices and to be able to think freely about those choices. *I though God hated me. I have come to know and feel good about the relationship I have with my Higher Power/God and I now know that he loves me. *I love my life. I love my life and know many persons in the world that also love me. *I did see a purpose in life. I did feel that me being around changed anything for any one. Now I know that even if I change the world for only one person it has meaning and that meaning changes things for me also.

I fully enjoy the opportunity to talk to people that may be in doubt, questioning their purpose in life and hurting in their life. “I’m not interested whether you’ve stood with the great. I’m interested whether you’ve sat with the broken.” Many of the great persons we know in history like Gandhi, Mandela, Christ, and others showed their greatness the most when they sat with the down trodden, the lowly of heart, and those who could in no way repay them. If we lift others where we can the world changes for good. Lift others and spread goodness to the world.

If your one of those chained by things in your life or you know personally someone who is take hope. There is a way to change if there is desire, faith, and a wiliness to do so. Feel free to message me if your one of those people out there. If by chance you’re a person who has broken free from them great. I commend your doing so and if you are willing to share with me your story I would love to hear it. Sharing the victory of breaking those chains with others not to brag by any means but to show others that there is hope and good things can and do happen in the world. God loves us and knows us personally. We need to always remember God is in control, even when we can't see his plan and we should be still and know it will work out. God bless!

Rice Lasagna recipe

For some that already know us we have some family favorites that are on the gluten free side and a few that my family will let me share.

Rice Lasagna

Ingredients:

Servings:
8
Units: US | Metric
3 cups cold cooked rice
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
2 beaten eggs
1/2 cup cottage cheese
8 ounces low-fat ricotta cheese
32 ounces spaghetti sauce
1 cup cooked ground beef
Directions:

1
Add eggs and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese to rice. Set aside.
2
Combine 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and cottage cheese. Set aside.
3
Add sauce to meat mixture, heat.
4
Spoon 1 cup rice mix into pammed glass pan, cover with 1/2 of cottage cheese mix, 1/3 sauce and 1/2 ricotta. Repeat, topping with sauce and 2 tablespoons grated parmesan.
5
Cook 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Cook longer if it is in a dense pan.
6
If desired, you can freeze and bake at a later date.

Iroquois journey in life

 There were five tribes in the original Iroquois: the Mohawk, Seneca, Oneida, Onondaga, and Cayuga tribes. Later a sixth nation, the Tuscarora tribe, joined with them. Many other tribes, such as the Huron and the Cherokee, are sometimes called "Iroquoian" tribes. This story I have used for many years for those friends who have walked a path in life in recovery and change for battles with spirts and demons whose mission is to destroy the soul. I wrote this in honor of a friend that lost his soul to the demons. May the great spirit heal him somehow and those that read this who battle for their souls also.

                            Iroquois journey in life

An Iroquois Brave was on a journey down the path of life with the Saunee (Wise elder). He first came to the dark den of the Bear and asked: “what does this mean?”

The Saunee answered him: “this is the Dark times in life (Black bead) where you may feel alone and friend less. Remember that feeling and use it to be a friend to all.”

He trudged on and the path became steep and rugged. He came to a very high, large drop off where the path crossed a ledge near the top. The Saunee said: “you must use caution and be secure.”

“What does this mean?” the Brave asked.

“You must secure (the Knots) your life with strong Braves and Elders around you.”

As he came closer to the top of the mountain, he saw the changing leaves and felt the cool crispness of the air. The Saunee asked him: “do you see the beauty (Red beads) that surrounds us?”

The brave looked and he saw much. The wise one said to him: “you must stop and look often at the beauty around us. You must stop and feel, smell, and view all that is beautiful and good around us each day for then we find our place in life.”

He came to the top of the mountain peak and looked and beheld much good all around him. The Saunee pointed to where he had come from and said: “this is the path of the past (colored bead).”

The brave looked and saw many times he had fallen and stumbled along the way. Then he looked again and saw much that was good and joyful. The wise one said: “you have learned much on the journey so far and it will help you become wise.”

The Saunee pointed where the path lead on to the next deep valley. He said to the brave: “that is the path of the future (Colored bead). Walk carefully and learn much for the path is long and winding.”

The brave asked the Wise one: “does the path end?”

The Saunee pointed toward the sun and said: “the sun rises and sets each day. The path it continues on each day, none can tell if it ends or begins (the loop of the cord). Remember my son you are not alone in your journey, because there are Braves, and others. The Braves and Great Spirit (White cord) will guide your steps.                           

                                      

                                  *Notes form a crazy soul* 

Fire And Ice!

Fire and ice

A number of years ago, some of my family and I spent some time working for a residential treatment center. I happened to work as their recreation and sports director. We came to know the person working as the secretary and my wife and I became friends with her and her family. The owner of the facility was known to be kind of a bully more often than not. I rarely saw any one set him in his place but nearing the end of the whole ta-do with us there, she (Secretary) gave him a whooping of words.

Over the years, the adventures have continued. Runs to the mountain getting fire wood to hiking. We had the opportunity to foster a boy with special needs because of her influence. That was a special time in our lives that we will never forget. A lot of growing for our family as well.

We all have our fears. She was with us once as we visited a promenade recreation spot in southern Utah. After hiking for some time there, we decided to tackle some of the shear crags with a rope or three. Rappelling is an empowering adventure that is great for concurring fear and placing trust in someone else. I learned a new expression or two also, “Brown” and “Good times”. She has a lot of quick wit snap backs that would catch a not so ready person to do battle you would be beaten down faster than a dollar store camp chair.

Mind you not everyone expects a to get blown away by small size packages but that is where ya get some “Fire and Ice”. Powerful stuff in fire and ice. All is good unless you happen to be like some crap stick of wood and stir up things ya shouldn’t. But keep in mind that most fiery people also have a heart of gold and that is why they draw people too them. If by chance you are one of those crap stick peeps, may heaven help you cause you’re on your own. Hopefully you can run fast if not as my friend would say “Sucks to be you!” Fire has a power to create its own weather and still make ashes of things. But with that in mind it has the power to warm body, and soul. When water freezes in hard places like rocks, the rocks break and scar. Cold and full of power to change things. Both fire and ice change and shape the world around us. But even when we change we need to be our selves. Be yourself, an original is worth more than a copy.

Many years have come and gone since we all came to know each other and a lot has changed but the friendship is all good. We are all miles apart but that is how life happens. Kind of reminds me about a song back a few years with words like this.

 “Just yesterday mornin', they let me know you were gone
Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can't remember who to send it to
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again
Won't you look down upon me, Jesus
You've got to help me make a stand
You've just got to see me through another day
My body's aching and my time is at hand
I won't make it any other way
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again
Been walking…

Friendships last when we understand that we have to dwell on the things we have in common and that we cross paths for a reason. Treat people with kindness and respect. My friends know who they are.

Of what can I give.

~Of what can I give.~

This and some other times of the year we often ask of ourselves what we can give to others. We try many times to spend a lot to give gifts that have a large amount of value either to the world standard or that the receiver will value our gift. Most of the time we overlook the best of gifts that are so simple but some of the hardest to give. Simply put the most valuable gifts are the ones without a monetary value that can be placed upon them. I will list a few and outline what I see as the important part of them.

Gift of- Forgiveness.

One of the hardest to pull off on every level. One of the best ways to fix lives and families. Relationships with others can be some of the most important things we have. If there are things awry with people find a way to either, make things right or take steps to change the course of the conflict. This and many gifts like it cannot in no wise be valued as its value is of the heart. We often hope that conflicts, friction, and ill feelings go away on their own. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you”. Ephesians 4:32 “We made a list of all the persons we may have harmed and where possible without causing more harm to make amends”- step 8 of 12.

Gift of- Gratitude.

Not every situation we have in life is perfect and the best but we can find some part of it to be grateful for. So, we may not have the finest car, the biggest house, the perfect head of hair, or even the latest and greatest phone but we probably have at least three persons that love us. If you’re like any one you have struggles and things that trip us up with life. Yet what we have is often things that some in the world are praying for in one way or another. Thank others that serve us but most especially thank God for where we are and the good in our lives. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful”. -Colossians 3:15

Gift of- Repentance.

We all have things that hold us back for the best of life. Sometimes we hold on to things to the point of not just holding us back but our family and friends as well. Sometimes we are convinced that it is only our problem but fail to see the small print that effects those people in our live that we may love and respect. If there is something that maybe we have done or been a part of removing it from our backs can set us free to enjoy a closer bond with those around us. I think of it as a gift because of that freedom of mind and soul. “But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven”. - Moroni 6:8

Gift of- Acceptance.

Be accepting of those around us. We may not always agree with the way someone lives, feels, or believes but we can be accepting of them just the same. We can be nice about it also. We are however we look at it Children of a loving God that would very much be happy if we could find the things we have in common and use that common ground to be empathetic to others. Even when others have done things that may not be right with laws of the land or God we can still accept them as a daughter or son of God.  ” I think we should all be tolerant of each other and embrace each other’s' strengths and differences and uniqueness and beauty”. -Martina McBride

Gift of- Kindness

We can never tell what is happening with other people that we meet or associate with each day. Some are struggling with things in their life, some may well be struggling to like themselves, and they may well be dealing with stuff the best they know how. Give them the gift of understanding and kindness. “Be kind. Be grateful that God is kind.” -Jeffery R. Holland

Gift of- Service.

Doing things for others whether or not they could do it for themselves is a gift that changes both the giver and the recipient. Some of the greatest of leaders were great because they could lead but also served the people they were leading. What may seem to be small to the giver can mean the world to others. It may not always be convenient be those are the times that we can grow from the experience. "Service doesn't have to be big and grandiose to be meaningful and make a difference." -Cheryl A. Esplin “Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others. By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves.” -Gordon B. Hinckley

Gift of- Time.

Time is the same for everyone and we are all given the same twenty-four hours in a day. Yes, we can get caught up in life and get busy. The short moments that we have when spent doing the simple but meaningful things with others like reading a book to a four-year-old, playing with a handful of small toys with a one year old or hiking with a group of teenagers. It is not the monetary value but the value of time that touches the heart. Give of your time! "Children will not remember you for the material things you provided, but for the feeling that you cherished them.” -Richard L. Evans

Give of the heart and be as Christ for he could have given to others all that money could buy but he gave instead the gift most valuable of his heart. Make Christmas and every day of our lives a Christ centered event. God is great and loves all of his children. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have ever lasting life.” John 3:16

Smile friend’s life is worth living!

Let me take a few moments to outline a short look at some of my life. Like many I could say I “was born of goodly parents”. Somewhere along the path of life I stumbled a few times and found some addictive behaviors that also found me. Recovery from those times falling down is possible because I came to know and understand finally that God does in fact not hate me but loves me in spite of the flaws that I have. I have struggled a time or three with the darkness of soul to consider “Offing it”. So, I have an idea how much the Savior battled for me. As some people that know me a bit I have a liking for the musical sounds and feels of larger two wheeled scooting machines. Yes, some have come to know me on the adventures with packs and ropes sometimes referred to as “Death marches”. Yes, I do like music as well. As boring as it may sound I like to study history and geography. Not a math person so it is good I have people surrounding me good at it.  I am grateful for God’s love and mercy. Love of family and friends in spite of me being stubborn and an introvert and a half. Smile friend’s life is worth living!

OREOS!

OREOS!

Who would have thought it could possibly be about the Oreos?

While tripp’n the country with family we decided that the house needed checked on and my friend Mozie needed someone to fill him a bowl of food maybe some attention also. Of course, we made sure to stock the house with food etc. Being gone for a week and a half is a bit much to expect someone to look after the place by the Hollar. We asked our friend what kind of things needed to be added to the food stocking as we wanted there to be some things of the delicious nature for them. The only sure answer was Oreos and ice cream. I was expecting to be given a list of the usual things like pizza, soda, chips, and a bag or two of cereal. Keep in mind most peeps don’t want to put ya out with a list of crazy food items but I would want someone to feel welcome to take care of stuff and find food that looks good too. Having had peeps work for food in the past for me and me cook up some grilled items or meat loaf and thinking I somehow was being a cheap scape at that. Upon returning home I was trying to pay them for the helpful nature of things and was given the red light. I insisted that there must be some kind of fee for a job well done. We finally were able to agree on the remaining un-opened package of Oreos. I should add I have since purchased more of them and plan to give them to this friend too.

A small lesson to anyone know your worth. Granted a package of tasty treats may not be pricey but it allows someone to let you know that you are valued. Always except some treats you can always share them with someone else. People want you to know you are appreciated. Our value is not determined by the opinion of another. Oreos taste great!