blainebullman

1. Each Monday at the beginning of family home evening have each member of your family list the activities in which they will be involved during the week and which activities are coming up that month. Have children look through school assignments, extra-curricular activity schedules, and church activity schedules so that nothing is forgotten. 2. Also list upcoming extended family dinners, ward activities, work trips, family vacations, etc., on your calendar. Don’t forget to block out Monday evenings for family night. 3. Next, create a list of chores and determine how frequently these chores need to be done for your family. Assign each member of the family a week or a day for a specific chore (e.g., Week 1: Jessica empties dishwasher; Week 2: Trevor vacuums on Tuesday and dusts on Thursday). List each family member’s household responsibilities on your calendar. 4. Place your family calendar in a central location where everyone will be able to have easy access to it. Encourage your children to check the calendar often to be reminded of what is on the roster and to update it when necessary. 5. Learn to just say no when activities start mounting up. Creating a family schedule will help you manage your time, but if you simply don’t have the time, learn that sometimes “no” must be the answer. 6. Consider blocking out specific days for each family member during the month. This is a special day to do something fun with Mom and/or Dad.

Family Vacations with Heart: Humanitarian Travel by Lisa Macomber Family-friendly humanitarian expeditions offer the perfect blend of cultural experiences and meaningful service opportunities that will not only touch the lives of those in need but help draw your family closer together.  Recently I joined Family to Family Humanitarian Expeditions (FFHE) on a trip to Ensenada, Mexico, to experience first-hand how a trip filled with service rather than entertainment could impact someone. I believe I speak for all of us who participated when I say the experience was nothing less than life-changing, and one we will never forget. The Ensenada Expedition For our week-long expedition, fifteen people from all walks of life came together for one common goal: to make life a little better for two struggling LDS families. Grandparents and teenagers alike worked side by side on two construction projects—both of which were meant to significantly improve living conditions for these families. Among our group was the Lamoreaux family—James, Margo, and their four youngest children: Ryan, age eighteen; Aubrey, age fifteen; Jamie, age fourteen; and Corrie, age twelve. This was the first expedition for Jamie and Corrie, but Ryan and Aubrey had traveled with James and Margo on similar expeditions before. “These trips have been a great vehicle to teach values to our kids,” says Margo. “It’s a way to teach them to look outside themselves, serve others, and put the needs of others before their own. This is what you have to do to have a successful marriage, to be an effective parent, and to just contribute to the world.” The Torres Family One of the families we served was the Torres family, who live on the outskirts of Ensenada in a dry, dusty shanty town. The rows of make-shift houses are small—about the size of an average bedroom—and constructed mostly of wooden crates, scrap plywood, and sheets of plastic. And while there were webs of tangled wires hanging above each home—everyone at least enjoyed the luxury of electricity—the stench confirmed there was no plumbing or sewage system. As we stepped out of the van, Braulio Torres cheerfully greeted us from the roof of his house, waving his hammer and cracking a joke in Spanish. The red clay dust that permeated the air immediately covered us, sticking to our skin, hair, and clothes. For health reasons, we quickly donned dust masks, gloves, and head coverings. We quickly helped his wife Elia carry the family’s few belongings out of their home so we could demolish it, pour a cement floor, and rebuild a stronger, slightly larger structure. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw that the cardboard that served as wall coverings inside the home was decorated with cheerful doodles and crayon drawings by the couple’s two young sons. Working together with Braulio, Elia, and a few local ward members, we dismantled the roof and pulled the house down one wall at a time. Neighborhood children gathered to watch us work; some lying contentedly in the dust that we made every effort not to touch or breathe. At least half a dozen dogs wandered by, all starved for food and attention. After the house was demolished, we spent the rest of our time clearing debris, sorting building materials, removing rocks, raking dirt, and leveling the ground in preparation for the cement floor. “You’re helping me build my dream home,” Braulio said. A dream home that was no larger than my master bathroom, I noted. The Hernandez Family At just twenty-eight years old, Omar Hernandez is serving as the new bishop of his ward. A young husband and father, he was struggling to finish the construction of his family’s house. In the meantime, Omar, his wife, and their infant son were living with his parents. With the demands of a full-time job, family life, and his heavy responsibilities as bishop, it seemed there was no hope of finishing their small home. While the basic structure was complete, Omar did not have the skills or the time to hang or mud the drywall. It is no coincidence that James Lamoreaux hung drywall to help put himself through medical school. With Family to Family Humanitarian Expeditions, guides assess the special talents and skills of participants and seek out projects where they can best be utilized. Even with James’s expertise, however, it seemed we would not be able to finish the project in the time allotted. But every chance he got, James worked feverishly to finish the job. He got up before sunrise and worked late into the night, and we all grew accustomed to seeing him with white dust in his hair. Thanks to his efforts, the house was completed before we left Ensenada, and a tearful young bishop expressed his heartfelt gratitude. It made me wonder how often leaders who devote so much of their time to serving others could use some service themselves. The Orphanage While the majority of our time was devoted to the construction of these new homes, we were able to spend a day at a local orphanage for girls. We played games, danced, and made bracelets together. Some of the girls wouldn’t interact with us, and I can’t say that I blame them. We were, after all, only there for the day. Why bother to build bonds and grow attached? But the girls who chose to join us were happy to receive the love and attention we had to offer. At the orphanage, we were joined by the Stoddard family—an LDS family who happened to be vacationing nearby. They were also seeking to incorporate some service into their trip. “It’s wonderful to have fun together, but I firmly believe in the adage of ‘the family who works together stays together,’” says Cheryl Stoddard. “I wanted more than just fun to bind us as a family.” Bringing Children on Expeditions So, are you beginning to catch the vision of a humanitarian vacation? But what if you have young kids? The ages of your children will play a major role when deciding if they are ready to handle this type of trip. Most organizations allow children as young as twelve years old if they are accompanied by an adult. However, there are some that will allow children much younger. “One of the main reasons we started Family to Family was for the benefit of our children,” says co-founder Shaun Gogarty. “I have personally taken my kids on several trips. Whatever their ages, if you are comfortable traveling to a third-world country with your children, then you should most likely be comfortable taking them on an expedition.” Charity Anywhere Foundation is another nonprofit organization that allows young children to participate in expeditions. “As long as parents come along, we don’t have any age restrictions,” says Gordon Carter, president. Personal Progress and Duty to God If you have children in the Young Women or Young Men programs, humanitarian trips present unique opportunities to fulfill requirements for the Personal Progress or Duty to God programs with a little planning. “We’ve had girls collect and bring clothing. Several Eagle Scout projects have also been completed on trips like these,” says Shaun. “To see an adolescent boy take more than one hundred birthing kits to an undersupplied clinic was worth the entire trip.” Youth can also gain valuable leadership skills on humanitarian expeditions. Ascend Alliance, for example, offers opportunities for high school and college students to be trained as youth team leaders. They are paired with an adult leader for a unique leadership experience. While teens can accomplish goals and build leadership skills, younger children can simply enjoy making new friends. “One of the highlights for me was watching Aaron, our four-year-old grandson, interact with [the son of the orphanage director],” says Cheryl. “They played for hours with very few actual toys and no ability to understand the other’s language, but with complete abandon as they laughed, played, and shared dinner together.” Alliance for Youth Service One humanitarian program that specializes in providing service opportunities for LDS youth ages sixteen to nineteen is Alliance for Youth Service (AYS). “We want to provide an opportunity where kids can see the world and provide service opportunities while making friends with other LDS youth around the world,” says executive director Mike Riding. “This isn’t a rehabilitation program. The kids who go on these trips are very mature and have a spirit of service around them. They come back with a stronger testimony of service and are ready to go out and serve the world.” While AYS doesn’t offer family expeditions per se, they do offer opportunities for parents to travel as adult coaches on expeditions. Last summer Sandy Folkman served as an adult coach and had a once-in-a-lifetime service vacation with her daughter Rachel in Bolivia. “It was a wonderful experience to work side by side with my daughter,” says Sandy. “It adds a whole new dimension to your relationship with your child. I got to see my daughter in a different light, and it was really great to observe her reaching out and going beyond what she was asked. On these trips, you can enjoy all the great things about traveling while enjoying the satisfaction of improving people’s lives. And one of the unexpected joys of being a chaperone was getting to know the other youth. Many of them made great sacrifices to be there.”

Missionary Prep 101 by Jordan Marie Williams As Young Men leaders and parents, you share the responsibility for preparing what Elder Ballard called "the greatest generation of missionaries in the history of the Church" (Ensign, Nov. 2002). Instead of watching prospective missionaries struggling with their chin-ups at that raised bar, get down on your knees and give them a boost.  What Leaders Can Do Whether you’re a youth leader, bishop, stake president, or seminary teacher, those young men are watching you and looking to you for guidance. 1. Be That Missionary More than the summer boating outing, more than your career, your athletic prowess, or your car, the youth you teach will remember what kind of man you were. They pay attention to how you treat your wife, your kids, strangers, and each of the young men. They need to see you act with love in all you do. Share your testimony and love for the Lord often and be enthusiastic about your Church assignments. Bring your own investigators to activities and they’ll do the same. Be a representative of the love it takes to be a missionary. 2. Turn the Time Over Construct activities and lessons around Preach My Gospel, then turn the time over to the young men. Give them the opportunity to teach lessons, plan missionary firesides, and frequently share experiences they have preparing on their own. The deacons and teachers look up to the priests, so encourage them to set a good example and give them the responsibility to lead discussions and share their mission preparation experiences with the younger classes. Assign responsibilities such as taking care of the meetinghouse, visiting the elderly and less-active members, going on splits with the full-time missionaries, and doing service projects. 3. Encourage His Talents Whether he’s interested in playing chess, soccer, or the cello, support and encourage each young man to develop his talents and skills. Go to the games, concerts, or competitions and cheer him on. What Parents Can Do 1. Be a Testimony Children learn how to talk, walk, laugh, smile, eat, dance, and kiss by imitating their parents. They adopt your accent and your idiosyncrasies. They drive like you, they curl their hair like you do, and they drink out of the milk carton when no one’s looking (like you do). Certainly, as trend-setters parents can set an example. In addition to bearing your testimony in Church and whenever you stumble on one of those conversations, be sure to live your testimony. If you know the Church is true, act like it. It will strengthen your own relationship with the Lord and influence that teenager you don’t think is paying attention. 2. Be a Missionary Now, I’m not suggesting that you wake up at 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning to don your white shirt and tie for your trip to the beach, but there are a few missionary habits that are completely appropriate for parents to adopt. Create a gospel-sharing home, as Elder Ballard advised in the April 2006 general conference. Elder Ballard said, “Creating a gospel-sharing home is the easiest and most effective way that we can share the gospel with others. . . . A gospel-sharing home is not a program. It is a way of life. Creating a gospel-sharing home means inviting our friends and neighbors into the ongoing flow of family and Church activities. As we invite our friends to join us for these activities, they will also feel the Spirit.” Invite the missionaries and investigators over for dinner to demonstrate your belief and conviction in the conversion process. Missionaries love home-cooked meals, and children love learning from cool, fun, spiritually strong, older-brother-like guys. Take your children home or visiting teaching (when appropriate) and encourage them to share Church videos, magazines, and copies of the Book of Mormon with their friends (if they feel prompted to do so). Set goals as a family to give out pass-along cards and use Preach My Gospel as a regular resource for planning family home evening lessons. 3. Create a Plan Health appointments, dentist checkups, find affordable suits, and send in that passport information. Once you’ve tackled those tasks, you’ll realize that in order to finance the mission, you might need hold a yard sale every weekend for about two years. It’s simpler to start early, like when your kids are still in Primary. Start a missionary fund—you know, those cute piggy banks with a section for tithing and a section for mission money? That’s the idea. Decide which chores will reap what amount of mission money, and ask your neighbors if they need their lawns mowed or bushes clipped. Part-time jobs (or full-time in the summer) are great for high school and college students. Like Grandpa used to say, work builds character. Start while you’re ahead and those nickels will add up. Set up a plan with your spouse to set aside a certain percentage of your monthly income towards a mission fund; that way, you won’t gasp for air when you have to shell out $400 per month. And keep in mind that funding a mission shouldn’t be entirely the parents’ responsibility. The balance between what you and what your child will be contributing will be different for each family, but be sure you’re all clear on financial expectations well in advance of receiving the call. Approach mission preparation walking alongside your child, in a partnership. And don’t forget to cover basic things like cooking and the difference between fabric softener and bleach. What Teens Can Do This is your time—take advantage of the relatively few years you have to prepare and get on your feet! Missionary work is the gospel in action. The best thing you can do as a teenager is to start living a missionary life now. Talk to your friends about the gospel; better yet, invite them to church or a youth activity. Go on splits with your ward missionaries, and talk to them about how to prepare. Make a mission plan with your church leaders and parents. Get into service projects. And don’t be a seminary sleeper—be a seminary scholar. Here are some ways Earl C. Tingey suggested that young men prepare for a mission (“Missionary Service,” Ensign, May 1998): · Secure an individual testimony of Jesus Christ. · Study the Book of Mormon to receive a witness of the Restoration and Joseph Smith. · Be clean and pure—talk to your bishop if you need help. · Pay tithes and offerings and save money for your mission. · Learn how to work hard. · Fulfill your duties as a home teacher. The best thing you can do, whether you’re a parent, leader, or teenager, is to start preparing now. Your efforts will lead to a successful mission. The Top Ten Attributes of a Magnificent Missionary 1. Friendly—get to know your companion, your mission president, your investigators, your ward members, and your Savior. 2. Culturally dignified—love the land and the culture; immerse yourself in the traditions and love the people you serve. 3. Charitable—serve others and demonstrate the pure love of Christ. 4. Testifying—don’t be afraid to testify of what you believe. Show your faith and love of the Lord and His gospel. 5. Loyal—be loyal to your companion, the missionary standards, and the Church. 6. Christlike—follow the example of Jesus Christ and emulate His divine attributes. 7. Hopeful—maintain a hopeful attitude, even when you are discouraged. 8. Involved—get involved in Church activities and investigators’ lives and needs. 9. Bold—approach people without fear and knock on one more door. 10. Humble—accept and learn from trials; listen to the counsel of your leaders and

She smiled at a sorrowful stranger. The smile seemed to make him feel better. He remembered past kindness of a friend And wrote him a thank you letter. The friend was so pleased with the thank you That he left a large tip after lunch. The waitress, surprised by the size of the tip, Gave part to a man on the street. The man on the street was grateful; For two days he'd had nothing to eat. After he finished his dinner, He left for his small dingy room. He didn't know at that moment that he might be facing his doom. On the way he picked up a shivering puppy And took him home to get warm. The puppy was very grateful To be in out of the storm. That night the house caught on fire. The puppy barked the alarm. He barked till he woke the whole household And saved everybody from harm. One of the boys that he rescued Grew up to be President. All this because of a simple smile That hadn't cost a cent.S

There once was an oyster Whose story I tell, Who found that some sand Had got into his shell. It was only a grain, But it gave him great pain. For oysters have feelings Although they're so plain. Now, did he berate The harsh workings of fate That had brought him To such a deplorable state? Did he curse at the government, Cry for election, And claim that the sea should Have given him protection? "No," he said to himself As he lay on a shell, Since I cannot remove it, I shall try to improve it. Now the years have rolled around, As the years always do, And he came to his ultimate Destiny . . . stew. And the small grain of sand That had bothered him so Was a beautiful pearl All richly aglow. Now the tale has a moral, For isn't it grand What an oyster can do With a morsel of sand? What couldn't we do If we'd only begin With some of the things That get under our skin.

When I peeled away the plastic, The cover was smooth and clean. The pages were crisp, like an apple, And the gilded edges gleamed. The binding crackled as I opened the pages; The first breath of a babe, Waking up from the ages. The magnificent tome was unblemished. And wouldn't be useful till tarnished. Years later, The cover was battered, And within it, The pages were tattered. Any one leaf Would meet your gaze With a flood of colors Like the map to a maze. Each little nugget I'd found in my quest, Had been marked and noted, Then put to the test. This book had a price, years ago. Its value now? You cannot know.

A Book that is full of answers, A Book that makes you cry. A Book that makes you notice, How much harder you can try. A Book that makes you realize, What true love really is... A Book that gives you direction, for all of life’s tough biz. A Book that gives you hope, that Someone somewhere’s watching over you. A Book that helps you out, Through all the times your blue. Once you put faith into this Book, You can handle worldly fears. A gift sent down from Heaven, A treasure from above, Written proof that shows us How blessed we are with God’s love!

Six humans trapped by circumstances, in bleak and bitter cold. Each one possessed a stick of wood, or so the story told. Their dying fire in need of logs, the first man held his back, for,of the faces around the fire, he noticed one man black. The next man looking across the way, saw one not of his church, and couldn't bring himself to give the fire his stick of birch. The third one sat in tattered clothes he gave his coat a hitch. Why should his log be put to use, to warm the idle rich? The rich man just sat back and thought of the wealth he had in store, and how to keep what he had earned from the lazy, shiftless poor. The black man's face bespoke revenge as the fire passed from his sight, for all he saw in his stick of wood, was a chance to spite the white. The last man of this forlorn group did naught except for gain, giving only to those who gave, was how he played the game. Their logs held tight in death's still hand, was proof of human sin. They didn't die from the cold without, they died from the cold within.

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight Or gazed at the sun into the fading night? You better slow down Don't dance so fast Time is short The music won't last Do you run through each day on the fly When you ask "How are you?" do you hear the reply? When the day is done, do you lie in your bed With the next hundred chores running through your head? You'd better slow down Don't dance so fast Time is short The music won't last Ever told your child, We'll do it tomorrow And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch, Let a good friendship die 'Cause you never had time to call and say "Hi"? You'd better slow down Don't dance so fast Time is short The music won't last When you run so fast to get somewhere You miss half the fun of getting there. When you worry and hurry through your day, It is like an unopened gift.... Thrown away...

I asked for Strength......... And God gave me Difficulties to make me strong. I asked for Wisdom......... And God gave me Problems to solve. I asked for Prosperity......... And God gave me Brain and Brawn to work. I asked for Courage......... And God gave me Danger to overcome. I asked for Love......... And God gave me Troubled people to help. I asked for Favours......... And God gave me Opportunities. I received nothing I wanted I received everything I needed My Prayer has been answered

A woman was waiting at the airport one night, With several long hours before her flight. She hunted for a book in the airport shop, Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop. She was engrossed in her book, but happened to see, That the man beside her, as bold as could be, Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag between, Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene She read, munched cookies, and watched the clock, As the gustly "cookie thief" diminished her stock She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by, Thinking, "If I wasn't so nice, I'd blacken his eye!" With each cookie she took, he took one too. When only one was left, she wondered what he'd do. with a smile on his face and a nervous laugh, He took the last cookie and broke it in half. He offered her half, and he ate the other. She snatched it from him and thought, "Oh brother, This guy has some nerve, and he's also so rude, Why, he didn't even show any gratitude!" She had never known when she had been so galled, And sighed with relief when her flight was called. She gathered her belongings and headed for the gate, Refusing to look at the "thieving ingrate". She boarded the plane and sank in her seat, Then sought her book, which was almost complete. As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise. There were her bag of cookies in front of her eyes! "If mine are here," she moaned with despair. "Then the others were his and he tried to share!" Too late to apologize, she realized with grief, That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief!!!!

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire, If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don't know something For it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations Because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge Because it will build your strength and character. Be thankful for your mistakes They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you're tired and weary Because it means you've made a difference. It is easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.

Warm welcome watermark, That was a perfect introduction.It's good that you joined this forum because there are alot of great people here and a great spirit about it.I hope you enjoy the site and i'll talk to you again soon. :)

Nice to see you here joyfulheart, Im glad your happy to be here(i feel the exact same way).That's great news that your getting baptised,it will be one of the best days of your life :).I hope you do good in college and that's brilliant that you are fostering children.I will pray for you too.I hope you find some good friends here :)

Welcome Erin, It's good to see that you are investigating the church.It really does bless your life so much,more than you can imagine.You should watch some of the lds dvd'd(i like them alot).If you have any questions id be happy to help you and enjoy the site. :)

Welcome littlemisschatterbox, That's a long username(i nearly got confused).Welcome to the site and hope you enjoy it here.:)

Welcome to the site Sister M, There are alot of good and supportive peolple on this site so im sure you'll like it here.Well i commend you for being a stay at home mom,i know it's hard.There a good book called 'The 7 Habits of highly effective people' by stephen r covey.I think that's what it's called but it's a great book if you ever want something to read. 32 isn't old,your as old as you feel :)

Hi brother k, No there shouldn't be a problem.Im new here aswell but i don't think admin need to check or approve you.Could you please tell me what you did and i can try and help and see if you might have missed something?Thank you

Hello everyone, My name is blaine.I was just searching for advice,help and somewhere i could take to someone.I need support from somewhere.I recently broke up with my girlfriend because of the church.I know the church is true and i have made the right decision.Im here because i would like to get to know people here and share experiences i have had.This is a fantastic forum and it's great to be here.

I know exactly how you feel.I have just broke up with my girlfriend(who i was with for over 2 years)because she was hiding stuff from me and then found out she cheated on me.It really hurts and she said she loves me and whats to take things slow but she just wants sex.I think its very hard for people like this to change but what i would do is.If she wants to be with you then be friends for a while,take things slow and tell her to try.If she loves you she will but if she doesnt then don't waste time thinking about her.It will only tear you apart inside. If you stay by the lord imagine the partner you can find.Someone said to me once,maybe the lord is putting bad women in your path that one day when the right woman comes along that you will appreciate her more.Everything happens for a reason and you should learn from this.Stay strong,the lord is with you and the people in this forum.

I promise you that going to an lds church is a great thing to do.It takes alot of courage take the first step.I can imagine what your thinking because i have just broke up with my girlfriend who i was with for over 2 years because of the lds church,i felt for myself the church was true and the happiness it gave me.It's a long story but the church has helped me so much.You should definately go to church and see for yourself what it is like and what you feel.If you feel good about the church then i think you should slowly try to introduce her to the church.At the end of the day you just want to be happy with your girlfriend and the church will definately show you how.