Well, everyone, I sent this file to you hoping you would enjoy it. I'm a little disappointed that it didn't transfer over right. It is supposed to be a flowering plant in a flower pot. It looked really nice when it was sent to me. Oh well. I guess it's the thought that counts, isn't it? Hope you all had a good week! Tina

<< ~ * - [email protected] ~ * ' [email protected]~ -*~ ` *' -* [email protected]~ - ' [email protected]` * ~�~�' - ' ` . '*' ~�~� - ' ` ~�~ ' � - ' ~` ' ~**` ' - . ~�~ ~�~ * @- � [email protected]~' `~�~ ' ' *` ' - . ' - [email protected]~ [email protected]~ * -~ ' `@~- '~ ` * ' @ '` * ' - . ` ` ~�~ ' * - �~�-' ~�~ *� - ' `'~�~ ~ ~- . ' `*' [email protected]~�[email protected]~ :*:@~� [email protected]~ ' ` *' -�~ . ~�'~ ` '- �[email protected]~ :� [email protected] ' *` ' @--� ` ' - . *' -' * ' ` ' ~\.|./~.� -' ` ' * - . _*__|||__'__ |-----------------| . ____ ``\ /`` ____ ��v` \_____ / . May your path be strewn with flowers, Memories, friends and happy hours. May Blessings come from heaven above, And fill your life with Peace and LOVE

When I receive mail that needs to be downloaded, I download it. But then I don't know how to read it. Can anyone help?

Dear Momz, I'am pregnant! I'am very happy about it, although, when I'm pregnant I get VERY emotional and I have a hard time Not becoming a recluse. I start to feel insecure and on and on......You get the picture, right? If anyone has some great advice, help, encouragement, I would LOVE it! Today has been an emotional day and I decided to drop one class and ask to be released from my calling of teaching the 5 year olds. I feel relieved yet GUILTY! I was very depressed with my other two pregnancies and after and hence why I waited so long to get pregnant. ::sniffle:: I'm happy but scared, anyway I'd love to hear from you. Thanks so much! Lisa

MILD NOTHING IT WAS HILARIOUS. ROTFL

Cora My sister LDmy6sons taught me this. Make your own personal pizzas. Kids make their own choosing their favorite toppings. Fun to make as a family and simple. Pilsbury Refridgerated Biscuts Spagetti Sauce Your favorite pizza toppings; cheese,ham, pepperoni, sausage, peppers, olives, pineapple, tomatoes, onions, fresh spinich, mushrooms, Grease a cookie sheet and flatten biscuts one at a time into individual rounds. Spoon on a couple tablespoons of spagetti sauce and spread. Cover with remaining ingredients as desired. Bake at 350 for 10 min or until done on the bottom and all the cheese is melted. My husband will only eat vegetarian pizza and doing it this way always pleases everyone. Krista (Popeparent) Variation: Calzones. Use Rhodes Frozen Bake and Serve Rolls (where available). Thaw according to package directions. Flatten dough. Fill with cheese and toppings (but not sauce). Fold over and seal so it resembles a turnover. Bake at 375 until bread is done. Dip in Spagetti Sauce.

I agree with Shar about how to get the kids to eat. We like to tell our kids that when they go on their missions, they will be eating all kinds of unusual foods so they better get used to eating things that they may not like now. Also, we have a rule that they can't say, "I hate this!" or "Yuck!". If they do, they have to leave the table and miss dinner completely. Not only is it bad manners, it hurts the cooks feelings!! They don't have to clean their plates but they do have to at least take a few bites or .... NO DESSERT, a fate worse than death!! As they've gotten older, they like to ask, "Well, can I just make myself a sandwich instead of eating what we're having?" NO!!!! Unless there is some medical reason, or dietary restrictions, we eat as a family. My sister in law has 16 (yes, 16) kids who are all picky eaters. She must make 5 different meals a night to try to please everyone. So make a stand now. It won't be easy and you won't be popular, but when has mothering ever been a "piece of cake?" Laura

As for what time kids should go to bed... my husband works in sleep disorders and i taught a class to the Young women of my ward this past wednesday night... Teenagers are going through growth spurts similar to what they did in infancy... they need as much as 10 hours a night, although they get far less... there are several problems that kids have at that age that are considered a "sleep Disorder" Insomnia can be treated with medication and it sounds like that maybe something that you need to have him seen for... the most important thing that i tried to express to the girls i taught this week was good sleep hygene for teenagers.. here is a list 1- Don't sleep where you spend your awake time--- meaning don't do homework or just lay around on your bed, when you do this and then try to sleep, your body doesn't know how to distinguish whether it is wake time or sleep time and results in insomnia.. or just being unable to sleep.. 2- Go to bed and arise at the same time 7 days a week.... this will help your body know when it is sleep time and when you should wake up... 3- don't eat a big meal just before going to bed, a small snack is fine 4- don't consume caffine or chocolate 4 hours prior to sleeping, these are stimulants and can cause you to stay awake longer 5- exercise during the day, but reccomended not doing it just before bed 6- don't nap during the day, but if you have to, do it at mid day... not late afternoon These are just some basic things to help your kids stay healthy, and you happy... though this is the hardest time for teenagers with seminary, work, large school load etc.. if you have any questions, let me know, we can surely answer them love faith

The Pendulum There was once a pendulum waiting to be fixed on a new clock. It began to calculate how long it would be before the big wheels were worn out and its work was done. It would be expected to tick night and day, so many times a minute, sixty times that every hour, and twenty-four times that every day and three hundred and sixty-five times that every year. It was awfull Quite a row of figures, enough to stagger youl Millions of ticksl "I can never do it," said the poor pendulum. But the cloclanaster encouraged it. "You can do one tick at a timei" he said. "Oh, yes," the pendulum could do that. "Well," he said, "that is all that will be required of you." So the pendulum went to work, steadily ticking, one tick at a time, and it is ticking yet, quite cheerfully. - Dwight Lyman Moody

Sisters, I sent this to you all yesterday afternoon. It came back to me this morning saying I didn't do it right or something!!! So here goes, I'll try again. Here is the story from the Ensign. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. There were quite a few who asked for it so I am sending it to everyone. I had already decided that if just one sister wanted it I would take the time to type it. Returning to the Fold Name Withheld One day the ward clerk telephoned me and asked, "Could you come see the bishop on Tuesday night?" I had heard in casual conversation with a neighbor that the local ward had a new bishop, but the news didn't mean much to me because I had been disfellowshipped years before and had not returned to church. Now I assumed the new bishop wanted to extend a calling to me, and I imagined how awkward we would both feel when I had to explain my membership status. Still, I didn't feel right saying no to a bishop, so I agreed to the appointment. That is how I ended up sitting across the desk from the man who helped change my life forever. The bishop had a great smile and a wonderful way of letting me know I was truly welcome in his office. We chatted sociably for a little while, and then he asked me how I felt about the Church. I explained that although I didn't have any hard feelings, I had been disfellowshipped several years ago and had been told that if I repeated my transgressions, I would likely be excommunicated. Because I had been unsuccessful in repenting, I had made up my own mind that I was already excommunicated. The bishop asked me if I felt any desire to discuss with him my present life in relationship to the commandments. At that point, I realized I did want to tell him everything--and then it all sort of tumbled out, along with a lot of tears. When I was finished, he asked one simple question: "Will you just come back to church?" I said yes. The bishop said he would talk to the stake president about whether another disciplinary council needed to take place, and then he would get back to me. It is hard to describe how I felt when I left his office. Months later, a Book of Mormon scripture helped me understand what had changed in my life that night: "And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity" (Moroni 10:22). I left the bishop's office that night filled with hope! Hope that I could repent, hope that I could become a worthy daughter of my Heavenly Father, hope that I could return to live with him one day. When I came home from meeting with the bishop, I told my husband, who is not a Latter-day Saint, that I was going back to church. He said he thought that would be fine. My announcement thrilled my oldest daughter, age 11 at the time, who had always gone to church alone or with grandparents. When I called my mom and dad on the phone to let them know I had talked to the bishop and was going back to church, I heard them crying. I realized they had looked forward to this day for a long time. One of my biggest worries about going back to church was how ward members would treat me. My first Sunday back happened to be stake conference, which I welcomed because I probably wouldn't feel like such an outsider. I went to the conference feeling a little scared and a little frazzled from trying to get four children ready for church for the first time. Some neighbors were sitting a few seats away from us, and I felt reassured to see some familiar faces. The opening hymn was "I Know That My Redeemer Lives". I started crying as I followed the words, and I continued crying through the rest of the inspiring talks and hymns. Near the end of the meeting, a sister behind me passed me a note. As I looked down to read it, I noticed that my two-year-old had unbuttoned my dress. I quickly buttoned it and thought, My goodness, who else noticed? But when I read the note, all it said was that the sister was very impressed with my children and thought they must have good parents to be so well behaved. The note helped me feel a reassurance that I was in the right place and that people would accept me and my children. I never found out who the woman was, but I will never forget her simple act of kindness. The next Sunday was fast Sunday. I had hoped to make a low-key entry, but when we arrived it seemed that everyone greeted us with a smile and a kind word. Many people welcomed me to the ward and asked if I was new. However, when I quietly passed along the sacrament try without partaking, my three-year-old loudly asked, "Mom, aren't you hungry?" Then my 11-year-old stood up to bear her testimony and said how happy she was that her mom had quit drinking beer and had started coming back to church. So much for quietly sneaking in! Later, the bishop met with me again to let me know that the disciplinary council would be reconvened. His counselors handed me an official letter a few days later. I felt nervous and a little scared, but I knew it was worth going through. Since seeing the bishop the first time, I had started to change, and I found myself loving life, family, and friends so much more. I had experienced some difficult days when I wondered how I could ever spend the rest of my life without beer, but on most days I could feel hope building inside me. One reason I was nervous was that one of the bishop's counselors was the father of one of my son's friends. I feared that after hearing about my sinful past, he would not want his son to play at my house again. I resolved that if he did feel that way, I would respect his wishes. No obstacle would stand in the way of what had become the most important thing in my life: coming back into full fellowship in the Church. Shortly before my disciplinary council, I listened to general conference for the first time. At one point President Howard W. Hunter said: "To those who have transgressed or been offended, we say, come back. The path of repentance, though hard at times, lifts one ever upward and leads to a perfect forgiveness" Ensign Nov. 1994, pg. 8). I felt like he was talking directly to me. I though to myself, I am coming back. I promise. I have a special love for President Hunter because he was the first prophet I every really listened to. The night for my disciplinary council finally came. As I knelt in prayer with members of the bishopric, I felt strongly the influences of the Spirit in the room. For the first time in my life, I felt a brotherly love so strong I cannot express it. Those men hadn't known me long, but I knew they cared about me and loved me. Nevertheless, when my son's friend's father hesitated before speaking, I thought he was trying to find a way to say his son couldn't play with my son anymore. Instead, he said: "I just want you to know how impressed I have been with your son and your family. You must be good parents to raise such a boy." At the end of the meeting, the bishop said, "You are a worthy member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I felt great joy upon hearing those words. When I returned home, I wanted to laugh and cry and tell my family everything, but everyone was asleep. So I prayed to Heavenly Father, thanking him for his love and kindness, for honorable men who act as righteous judges, for family and friends who have helped me along the way, and for all the other blessings I have in my life. In the middle of the night, my husband and I both awoke and felt an evil presence in our home. Just as surely as I had felt the Holy Ghost in the bishop's office, I now felt the adversary so strongly it scared me. As I lay in my bed, I realized I had made Satan very unhappy by returning to the Church. I prayed with all my heart, and in time I felt the presence go away. My husband and I didn't have a chance to talk about the experience until the next evening, when I picked him up in a town about 30 miles away from our house. During the ride home, he asked, "What happened last night?" Because my husband believes that when a person sins it is between that person and God and should not be the concern of other people, I had told him only that I was going to a Church meeting the previous night. Now I told him all about what had happened in the bishop's office, the feelings of love and comfort and my return to full fellowship. I bore my testimony of the system Heavenly Father has set up to enable his children to repent and get their lives in order. I told him I felt the adversary was very unhappy with my actions, and that is why we had felt his influence during the night. I told him I wished I had the priesthood in my home, but I knew Heavenly Father would watch over our family. As I finished expressing myself, I felt strongly that I should close in the name of Jesus Christ, so I did. What an incredible feeling it is to bear your testimony to a love one! My husband didn't say anything until we were pulling into our driveway. Then he said, "I think you're right." Many blessings have been given to me and my family since I came back to church. One Saturday I was tearing apart the house looking for a book a friend had loaned me. It was important I return it to her by Monday, but I couldn't find it. When my husband arrived home from work, he promised he would help look. I went to a large bookstore and asked a clerk for help, but he couldn't locate the title on the computer and I didn't know the author's name. When I got home, my husband had been unable to find the book. Quite upset, I began to wonder if I should keep looking for the book at other stores or just offer my friend payment and an apology. As I was putting my baby to bed, I decided I would get on my knees and explain my dilemma to Heavenly Father. As I finished praying, I felt a clear impression to go look for the book in my daughter's room. I went downstairs to search. There were stack of books everywhere, but the first book I picked up was the one I was looking for. I had remembered the title incorrectly, which is why the bookstore clerk couldn't locate it. I let out a scream and went tearing up the stairs. My husband came running, thinking something was wrong with the baby. I told him how I had been inspired to find the book. Sometimes when I am feeling down, I think about how Heavenly Father answered my simple prayer about a relatively unimportant thing, and I remember anew the love he has for each of us. When I decided to become a full tithe payer, I felt hesitant about telling my husband. He handles the finances, and I knew the though of adding another expense when we were trying to get out of debt would not go over well. I decided to fast and pray and prepare mentally for the discussion. When the time felt right, I approached him prepared to give him a speech about the commandment and blessings of tithing. Instead, when I opened my mouth I started telling him how much I loved him and how the gospel had helped me see what a wonderful man he was. I told him everything that made me proud to be his wife, and I said that even if he never joined the Church I would always love him. I have seen my husband cry on maybe three occasions during our married life, so when I saw him tearing up a little I knew he was deeply touched. He admitted he had been worried he might lose me because, with my life in order, I wouldn't need him anymore. He had been feeling worthless as a husband because he felt he wasn't supporting me enough. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. I had been so involved with my own happiness that I hadn't realized that my husband may have been feeling left out of the picture. My Heavenly Father had guided me through the Spirit to discuss what my husband needed most. When the time did eventually come to discuss tithing with my husband, he agreed that I could pay it if I could figure out how to eliminate another bill. I didn't know how I would do it, but I resolved that January 1995 would mark the beginning of my tithe. On New Year's Day, which happened to be Sunday, I noticed several red dots on my four-year-old as I helped her undress after church. She had already been exposed to the chicken pox several times without getting sick, but now she had it. Because my daughter couldn't go to day care, I called a coworker on the graveyard shift and asked if we could switch shifts so I could stay home during the day. When I received my paycheck two weeks later, I realized that the amount I needed for tithing was the amount I would have paid a babysitter. As expected, my two -year-old broke out in chicken pox two weeks later, but I was again able to switch shifts with someone. I realized this was Heavenly Father's way of telling me I would be able to find a way to pay my tithing, and I have been able to do so ever since. At a certain point in my activation, I felt I was in a noman's-land. I loved going to church, but I still didn't feel perfectly comfortable there yet. My friends respected my decision and didn't offer me my old vices, but I had to decide if I really had a testimony of what I was doing. Was I going back for my children? For my parents? Because I wanted to feel better about myself? What exactly did it mean to have a testimony of the gospel? I listened intently to members bearing their testimonies in sacrament meeting, wondering if my testimony was real. One Sunday my Gospel Essentials teacher announced we would be discussing testimonies. When he asked the class what a testimony was, several people responded. Then he asked us how we felt a testimony started, and the room was silent. He told us that the only thing a person needs to do to begin gaining a testimony is have faith that Jesus Christ lives and presides over the Church. These words hit me so strongly that tears started streaming down my face. I knew that I knew that much. I knew that Jesus Christ lives, that he loves me, and that he presides over the Church. I also knew I had a testimony of disciplinary councils, prayer, the Word of Wisdom, tithing, and leaders who are called of God. I went home from church that day knowing Heavenly Father had answered another prayer by showing me I have a testimony. In a small way, I can understand why the early Saints sacrificed so much. When you know something is true, you can't deny it. Along the way, many people have asked me, "What made you come back?" I used to answer that a wonderful bishop had called me in when I was ready, but I realize now that the process began long before that. My parents have always been examples of righteousness, honesty, integrity, and love. I was taught correct principles all my life, and my family joined the Church when I was 12. In addition, I have worked alongside men and women who honor the priesthood and lead by example, many of whom have taken time to answer my question and give me knowledge at a level I was ready for. I am particularly grateful for exceptionally patient friends and neighbors. One neighbor with 12 children has invited my two oldest children countless times to meals, family home evenings, and Church activities. I'm certain many neighbors would have preferred us to turn down our music or end our parties earlier, but they didn't complain. I don't think I would have been as receptive to the bishop if at any point I had felt my neighbors withholding their friendship because I didn't attend church with them. Much good comes simply from loving our neighbors! I drive an old car that lacked an interior dome light when I bough it. During the day the missing light didn't matter, but at night I always felt a little nervous getting into my car because I wondered if someone was hiding in the dark. If I needed to follow written instructions, I had to pull over under street lights. If I dropped change, a baby bottle, or my keys, it was difficult to find them. Having no interior light was inconvenient, but I got use to living that way. A friend borrowed my car overnight. When she returned it, I discovered she had installed a new light. It was wonderful! She told me the bulb had cost less than a dollar and took a about a minute to install. During the next few weeks, I realized that finally having an interior car light was similar to the spiritual changes I had been going through. I had thought my life was okay the way it was, but in reality I was suffering from lack of spiritual light. Being scared to enter my car reminded me of how frightened I was to die without having repented. Looking for street lights so I could read instructions was like having gospel conversations with trusted friends--but I couldn't always rely on borrowed light. Losing items in the dark was like forgetting gospel principles, which happens easily without the light of the Spirit. I was still able to drive my car and get through life without the light, but I was missing out on blessings of peace, guidance, and understanding. All it took to start bringing back the light was seeing the bishop and attending church again. I went through the temple recently, which has further strengthened me spiritually. Now I hope I can share what I know with others who don't have as much light. My husband sometimes attends Church activities, and members go out of their way to help him feel part of the ward. I feel eternal gratitude to Heavenly Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and the people concerned for my happiness who didn't look at me as the person I was, but as the person I have potential to become.

Whew, thanks for giving permission to everyone, to answer personally. I have been doing this, because I don't have time otherwisw time to answer anyone. Love, Diane

Good afternoon, As per your request, I'm letting you know about myself. I'm 45 yrs. old, been married 26 years, and a convert to the church. When my husband and I were married, neither of us were members of the church. Two years after we were married, I found the gospel and joined the church. Unfortunately, hubby did not. Shortly aftwards we had two sons which I raised in the church. About a year after our first son was born, hubby came down with post-polio syndrome and has gotten progressively worse each year. He has extreme pain and weakness all over his body. He has been in a wheelchair and unable to work for more than 10 years. I work full time as a front desk clerk and cashier at Circusland R.V. Park and also do reflexology part time. My church callings including serving at the FHC every Fri. after work, and our Ward Church News and Magazine subscriptions, and V.T. supervisor. Our first son just completed a mission in the Chile, Osorno mission and his homecoming will be this coming Sunday. He is the bright spot in my life. Our other son is 19 and not real active in church and says he's not serving a mission. I pray every day for a miracle for him and hubby. With hubbys poor health and subsequent depression that sometimes rubs off on me, I welcome the uplifting messages you send my way. Sincerely, Donna Shindelar Las Vegas, NV aka VegasLDS in the chat room

Twelve Rules for a Happy Married Life --Author Unknown 1. Never both be angry at once. 2. Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire. 3. Yield to the wishes of the other as an exercise in self-discipline if you can't think of a better reason. 4. If you have a choice between making yourself or your mate look good--choose your mate. 5. If you feel you must criticize; do so lovingly. 6. Never bring up a mistake of the past. 7. Neglect the whole world rather than each other. 8. Never let the day end without saying at least one complimentary thing to your life's partner. 9. Never meet without an affectionate welcome. 10. Never go to bed mad. 11. When you've made a mistake, talk it out and ask for forgiveness. 12. Remember, it takes two to make an argument. The one who is wrong is the one who will be doing most of the talking.

The Parent's Prayer by Garry Cleveland Myers "O, Master, make me a better parent. "Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them, talking back to them, and contradicting them. Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Give me the courage to confess my sins against my children and to ask them for forgiveness, when I know that I have done them a wrong. "May I not vainly hurt the feelings of my children. Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes or resort to shame and ridicule as punishment. Let me not tempt my child to lie and to steal. So guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do that honesty produces happiness. "Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me. May I cease to nag; and when I am out of sorts, help me to hold my tongue. "Blind me to the little errors of my children and help me see the good things that they do. Give me a ready word for honest praise. "Help me to grow up with my children, to treat them as would those of their own age; but let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait upon themselves, to think, to choose, and to make decisions. "Forbid that I should ever punish them for my selfish satisfaction. May I grant them all their wishes that are reasonable, and have the courage always to withhold a privilege which I know will do them harm. "Make me so fair and just, so considerate and companionable to my children, that they will have a genuine esteem for me. Fit me to be loved and imitated. "With all Thy gifts, O great Master, give me calm, poise and self-control."

Sisters, This is a quick test to make sure that I am with the program! Love this group and all that it gives to me in terms of spiritual enlightenment and just basic fun! I'm always happy to get mail and to assist in any way. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you! Love Tracy

Deidre: you will love nursery. My husband and I were nursery leaders for three years. When we were called to be nursery leaders, I didn't want to do it. I cried at the thought. After three years we were released. I didn't want to be released. I cried and cried and cried. It is the only place in church where you can go to play, dance, eat snacks, take a nap if you want, and get away with it. It was a blast. Just remember: love those kids and let them know it. -Sandy [Sew with 7]

Ladies what ever happened to our daily spiritual thought. I haven't seen one in a while and I really miss them. Sonya

--------------------- Forwarded message: From: [email protected] (Heidi Weatherston) Sender: [email protected] Reply-to: [email protected] (Heidi Weatherston) To: [email protected] Date: 97-08-21 00:45:49 EDT The Marriage Stew by Will Mercier Marriage has to be like a stew. To be complete, to be perfect, to be nutritional to the body, mind and soul, it must have the right ingredients. There are no ingredients in the world that blend so well as those used to make a stew. It is the total meal. The following is an old family recipe that has proved its worth for several generations. I hope when you try it you will be more than satisfied with the outcome. Marriage Stew (two full servings) 2 concerned persons 2 cups love 2 pinches understanding 2 teaspoons patience 2 cans trust 2 well rounded measures tenderness plenty of honest friendship Directions: With the above ingredients on hand, lets get started on our happy chore of putting together a good, wholesome, hearty marriage stew. First combine the two concerned persons with the two cups love in an adequate, comfortable mixing area. Next blend in the understanding and patience and beat lightly with a spoon made of laughter until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Now add the two cans of trust and pour the mixture into the casserole of life and place over very low heat to simmer. This is also the time to add tears, dreams, touching, remembering or any other spices you feel will make your stew more exiting. As the mixture is simmering, sautee' in the tenderness and perhaps a little romance to taste. Add this to the main casserole until the desired strength is reached. While the stew is cooking, you might want to sprinkle in a little singing, dancing, playing or praying--you be the judge. Cook to taste; garnish with a kiss or two and serve with the honest friendship. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPIRIT Mailing List for LDS-oriented spiritual thoughts, items and stories For assistance, contact [email protected] http://seminary.org/spirit/

--------------------- Forwarded message: From: [email protected] (Heidi Weatherston) Sender: [email protected] Reply-to: [email protected] (Heidi Weatherston) To: [email protected] Date: 97-08-20 22:24:09 EDT The Art of Marriage by Wilford A. Peterson Happiness in marriage is something that does not just happen. A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage the little things are the big things. ..It is never too old to hold hands. ..It is remembering to say, "I Love You," at least once a day. ..It is never going to sleep angry. ..It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. ..It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship shouldn't end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years. ..It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice but in the spirit of joy. ..It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. ..It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have the wings of an angel. ..It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding, and a sense of humor. ..It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. ..It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. ..It is finding room for things of the spirit. This is a common search for the good and the beautiful. ..It is not marrying the right partner, it is BEING the right partner. ..It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best, as expressed in the words of Mark Twain used in a tribute to his wife: "Wherever she was, there was Eden." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPIRIT Mailing List for LDS-oriented spiritual thoughts, items and stories For assistance, contact [email protected] http://seminary.org/spirit/