"There is a terrible ailment of pessimism in the land. It’s almost endemic. We’re constantly fed a steady and sour diet of character assassination, faultfinding, evil speaking of one another. …
I come … with a plea that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I’m suggesting that we accentuate the positive. I’m asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort.
I am not asking that all criticism be silent. Growth comes with correction. Strength comes with repentance. Wise is the man or woman who, committing mistakes pointed out by others, changes his or her course. I am not suggesting that our conversation be all honey. Clever expression that is sincere and honest is a skill to be sought and cultivated. What I am suggesting and asking is that we turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good in the land and times in which we live, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults, that optimism replace pessimism. Let our faith replace our fears.
We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes. But … you can’t, you don’t, build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen.
Do not despair. Do not give up. Look for the sunlight through the clouds. Opportunities will eventually open to you. Do not let the prophets of gloom endanger your possibilities."

Gordon B. Hinckley

this is so so applicable today! love the optimism of this wise and prophetic prophet!

“I have to plant some trees each spring,” President Gordon B. Hinckley recorded in his journal at age 82. “I think I have done so for at least the last 50 years. … There is something wonderful about a tree. It starts ever so small and grows through the seasons. It affords shade from the hot summer sun. It bears delicious fruit. It carries on the remarkable process of photosynthesis. … A tree is one of the remarkable creations of the Almighty.” -President Gordon B Hinckley

I am a child of God

1. I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.

[Chorus]
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.

2. I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.

3. I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will
I'll live with him once more.

Yesterday at Sacrament meeting the kids were super wiggly and had a hard time paying attention to the speakers...but the closing hymn was "I am a child of God" and it was like the kids throughout the congregation all beamed and sang so loudly and i saw a huge grin on the choristers face! Even my kids who hardly ever sing were singing along with big smiles on their faces. A moment i never want to forget. The spirit was so thick and the ward felt so united! Young and old! There is a version of "I am a child of God" on lds.org that Oliver watches over and over again, he'll say "God, 'gain"  and watch it so happily! 

"Fifty was my favorite age.  It takes about that long to learn to quit competing-to be yourself and settle down to living.  It is the age I would like to be through all eternity!" -Marjorie Hinckley

My oldest brother just turned 50! I'm excited for him and this new stage of life he is entering. He is a grandpa of a darling and endearing one year old. He is a proud family man, a dedicated business man, and a constant disciple of Jesus Christ. So grateful to have him for a big brother. 

In the process of de-cluttering i came across a scratch piece of paper that i had written down cute kids quotes from when i worked as a child life specialist at a children's hospital....they are too priceless not to preserve somewhere, here they are:

"I wish my sister didn't put the chapstick in her cast!" -a patient's sibling in the ED

"Ok, I'll play with you. I like to play with old ladies." -a patient to my co-worker(who is not that old!)

"You're an adult. You should go talk to those adults.  I'm a kid and i don't know you." -a patient to my co-worker:)

"If it were BYU i'd let them in!" -a patient to the Jazz B-ball players that wanted to visit her in her hospital room:)

"The blood pressure cuff feels like an anaconda squeezing my arm" -a boy about to have surgery

"So, when are you going to bring out the dead bodies for us to practice on?" -a 9 year old boy at our pre-surgery class

"What do you like to do outside?" (me) "Oh, I like slaying dragons" (3 year old boy)

"A blood pressure cuff is what they use to squeeze air into your body" -a 4 yr old patient

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

                  Christmas Bells

    I HEARD the bells on Christmas Day
    Their old, familiar carols play,
        And wild and sweet
        The words repeat
    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    And thought how, as the day had come,
    The belfries of all Christendom
        Had rolled along
        The unbroken song
    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    Till ringing, singing on its way,
    The world revolved from night to day,
        A voice, a chime,
        A chant sublime
    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    Then from each black, accursed mouth
    The cannon thundered in the South,
        And with the sound
        The carols drowned
    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    It was as if an earthquake rent
    The hearth-stones of a continent,
        And made forlorn
        The households born
    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    And in despair I bowed my head;
    "There is no peace on earth," I said;
        "For hate is strong,
        And mocks the song
    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

    Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
    "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
        The Wrong shall fail,
        The Right prevail,
    With peace on earth, good-will to men."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the words to "Christmas Bells" following the death of his beloved wife Fanny and also hearing the news of his son being injured in the civil war. This poem later became the well-known Christmas hymn, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."  I love the rich history that Boston holds and remember touring the Longfellow home on Brattle street (just across the street from where i went to church while in a singles ward there)  I love Henry's humble testimony in this hymn of Christmas praise.