LABOR OF LOVE

MY LABOR OF LOVE
Any parent can tell you that the labor that is used to raise a family is a LABOR OF LOVE that includes praying constantly, teaching, disciplining, uplifting, hugging, praising, forgiving, etc.

This coming Monday...Sep 6th...our country celebrates the labor of others who help make this country run, our cities produce, our schools succeed and our families thrive.

We use this holiday to stop and pay respect to all those who have labored in our behalf...our parents, friends, the policeman, the fireman, the doctor and nurse, the sales clerk, the teacher, the coach, the Bishop and Counselors, the waiter/waitress, the truck driver, the Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force, National Guard, Coast Guard, etc. I could go on and on and on and on....daily labor is given by many to make each of our individual lives run smoothly and enrich our lives with the good things of this earth.

I reflected lately on just what our family is doing to contribute to the society of the people of the United States. My husband Ned is a farmer and he puts in VERY long hours and lots of blood (literally), sweat (that too) and some tears. He grows hay for someone's dairy cows, corn for someone's beef, wheat for someone's bread, cereal and pasta.

Our oldest child Brad works on the farm as well as his own land...following in the footsteps of his father. Our next son Bruce works as an Human Resource Manager for an agricultural business that provides frozen foods to restaurants and markets. Our next son Craig is also working on the farm and also putting in extra long hours---never complaining, but keeps on keeping on until the snow is deep upon the ground. Then there is son Mark who is a trooper...you know the one who labors to keep the highways safe for you to drive on. Then last son Scott works for a local farm equipment company and he knows his products frontwards and backwards and is the man the farmers like to see. Our son-in-law Don is an officer in the military and has been sent to Afghanistan twice.

The women? Jackie (works for a podiatrist), Kelly(is a hair stylist), Mindi (works at the high school ) Tina (does bookkeeping for her father's business) and Julie (she is involved in the schools in doing volunteer work) and then all of these wonderful women are laboring from morning to night and then some to help provide and also do all the homemaking jobs that keep the family running smoothly. It is said that a woman's labor is never done.

Today my thoughts are jumbled as to the word "labor"...my brain is like a file cabinet with the words flashing in front of me: work, sweat, tears, blood, blisters, backaches, weeds, callouses, re-doing, pain, etc. After the labor comes the sweetness: beautiful home, flowers, lawn, organization, service, feeling of joy, pride, smiles, etc.

I am most thankful for the labor of our hands and our hearts and our brains. Those hands have brought forth the strength of mankind, the beauties of the earth and last but not least, the future leaders of the world and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have been given much through the labor of others and we thank them and honor them.

Mimi's Thought for the Day: "Be not weary in well doing." "If you do it right the first time you won't have to do it again!" "Never go to bed without straightening up the house first...you don't want to get up to 'yesterday's' work!" "A stitch in time save nine." "Teach your children to work...they will thank you one day." "God's work is never done...IT IS A LABOR OF LOVE!"

HAVE A WONDERFUL LABOR DAY HOLIDAY!!

MY 'BABY' IS 40 TODAY!

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY TO OUR WONDERFUL SCOTT

I wanted to share with you a huge event in our family that is happening today! Our last born child...known as Scott...is having his BIG birthday...the 40th. He is my 'baby'...but he certainly has changed a lot. He is tall (6'5"), very handsome and has a personality that warms the hearts of those who know him.
I would like to pay tribute to Scott on this day by listing 40 facts of my precious son:

1. He is a hard worker
2. He married an angel named Mindi
3. He brought into this world four beautiful and handsome children: Makenna, Joshua, Landon and Kyle.
4. He is dedicated and committed to his job, the Lord, his church callings and last but not least his family.
5. He loves the teenage youth and works and plays with them at every opportunity.
6. He is a terrific basketball coach.
7. He loves to tease.
8. He is sensitive to the needs of others.
9. He plays sports, games, etc., with his children.
10. He teaches his children to work and be responsible.
11. He likes to have a clean and neat yard and works hard to maintain it.
12. He is fun!
13. And funny!
14. He likes my cooking.
15. His laugh and giggle are contagious.
16. He takes seriously his calling as a member of our ward Bishopric.
17. He looks for ways to help.
18. He has vast knowledge of anything pertaining to farming, building houses, etc.
19. He is the perfect handyman. There isn't anything he cannot do.
20. He has a very intelligent mind.
21. He will never turn anyone down even though his plate is full.
22. He is a good at counseling others in his life: family, friends, co-workers.
23. He is very well respected by his older brothers (4) and his sister. He has earned it!
24. He treats his wife Mindi like a queen and "courts" her often.
25. He brings me flowers.
26. He is a good chef on the BBQ grill and in the kitchen.
27. He is a good organizer in all aspects of his life.
28. He still practices his mission language (Swedish) so he won't forget it.
29. He sees things that need to be done in my yard and takes care of it.
30. He does not spend foolishly but stays on a budget.
31. He built, with the help of Mindi's family Ray and Ode, the beautiful home they have.
32. He is compassionate and tender.
33. He is one of those kind of sons that never ask what he can do, but sees it and does it.
34. He treats me with total respect and love.
35. He is constantly putting his arms around me and holding me and telling me he loves me.
36. He shares his bounty of the garden with neighbors, friends and family.
37. He knows how to mend broken hearts.
38. He is an example of righteousness.
39. He lives up to the remark I gave right after delivering him: "this child will give us so much joy."
40. And he has...through his devotion to God, his family and to us.

We honor you Scott. We praise you for your goodness. You are a remarkable man that has brought your father and I complete joy. We know that you will continue on the path that will bring many more blessings to yourself as well to those who walk with you through this life.

We love you with all our hearts. Have a great birthday!
Mimi's Thought for the Day: Our years on earth count! Not only our birthday years, but what we do with those years. It would be wise for us to fill those years with the things that really count: God, family, home, service, etc.,