Thursday Night Gatherings

   Only sixteen left...hip, hip, hooray!  Have I mentioned that I don't love the Thursday night gatherings? Have I mentioned they seem to be a waste of time. The lesson material is a review of what I have done with the homework. My missionaries are not the friendliest people I have ever met. That being said, I must eat some humble pie this week. The homework this week is a continuation of exponents and the rules regarding them and more Excel. I can do the math, but I was stuck on the Excel. I asked another student for help! I have been a little proud and a humbling experience was long overdue. I did work a problem on the board, but I couldn't do the Excel portion of the homework to save my life. I received help from another student, from the Lead student and just before leaving another student. I think I am going to be able to figure it out...Yeah. The gatherings have meaning and all good things come to an end.

Tempting Fate

     Last night I posted that I would not compare myself to others. It does not change my situation and more often than not it creates negative feelings in me. I was feeling very good at work today. Diana asked me to have the Portland team sit by me as they are learning DocVelocity. It included a meet and greet, then a 15 minute session, then a lunch, then another 45 minute session. All that happened, except the last training session. In the mean time Diana came to me and asked me to help Paul order appraisals, even thought he cancels aren't caught up. Then later she came and asked me to help Andrew catch up on something he does, he will train me tomorrow. I was feeling pretty good, I feel like Diana can ask me to help and I always say yes. It was also fun to do something different, I am bored reviewing files. Well, on my ride home I find out my car pool buddy got her feelings hurt. Alison was in her office and pried out of her why and of course Keith and Diana were all apologizing and etc. Of course I remind myself that none of them would ever care if there was anything wrong with me. And I have learned to completely mask any personal feelings at work. So, instead of keeping the good feelings I had I compared myself and traded the good for negative. It wasn't until I was on my jog that I realized I had done what I didn't want to do. I must remember as the situation is happening, not after I am well into a comparison. I will try again tomorrow. I am late getting to bed and I am falling asleep.

Winding Down...The Last Week Practicum

Teancum and Bill went to see the Hobbit. Gramps got a kick out of Tank. He said he laughed during the movie and got a little scared too. After the movie Tank told Gramps that the movie was very well made. I am glad Tank and Gramps could go to a movie together and I am glad I got to stay home and work on homework, do the dishes and a load of laundry. I read a few of the essays in my new book of happiness and it was explained why we shouldn't compare ourselves. If we compare to any that have more or do better in life we feel less satisfied with ourselves and our situation. Yet, when we compare to those with less we feel gratitude. In the end comparing to either does not change our situation. I am taking note of this suggestion and plan to apply it when I find myself in the comparison mood.

Week Nine, Five To Go

   Today as I thought about what I have learned in my practicum, I believe one of the most important modifications I can make personally will be to control my thoughts. I get to choose what I think about. I believe I have spent too much time thinking about the hard experiences I have had. As I was running this evening I thought about Mom and Dad. I thought about receiving Tiny Tears for Christmas. My parents tried to provide a happy experience for me and those are the types of experiences I want to remember and think about. My worry is that I have pushed good experiences out of my memory by focusing so often on the experiences that were difficult. I am going to concentrate on remembering all the good things about my life and start writing them here. As I was running I thought about being in first grade. I knew how to read at the beginning of first grade. I was ahead of the other kids. I felt good about myself, I felt smart. I had checked books out from the bookmobile all through the summer. I wanted to read so bad. I would look at the books. I would look at the words. I would ask my brother or sister what a word said. I would sit with the book and repeat what they told me. I would have to ask them about the same word, sometimes over and over. By the time school started and I was a first grader I was reading. I still love to read. I am happy I can read. I am happy I can see. It is one of the great blessing in life, reading.

Sunday March 9, 2014 How Many Weeks Left?

Mosiah 16:11

If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation, being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation— 

Article One  The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People  #1, #2, & #3  by David Niven  PH. D.

1. Your Life Has Purpose & Meaning:  Without clearly defined purpose, 7 in 10 individuals feel unsettled in their lives. With a purpose, almost 7 in 10 feel satisfied. 

2. Use a Strategy for Happiness: Surveys show that happy and unhappy people tend to have had very similar life experiences. The difference is that the average unhappy person spends more than twice as much time thinking about unpleasant events in their lives, while happy people tend to seek and rely upon information that brightens their personal outlook. 

3. You Don't Have to Win Every Time: Competitiveness can preclude life satisfaction because no accomplishment can prove sufficient, and failures are particularly devastating. Ultra competitive rate their success with lower marks than some people rate their failures. 

Article Two  The Doctrinal Importance of Marriage and Children  by Elder Russell M Nelson

     God's plan of happiness is perfect. As we teach it in our homes, quorums, councils, and classes, we bless all with love, hope, peace, and joy here and hereafter. i so declare along with my declaration of love and appreciation for you.

Article Three  The Gifts of Christmas by President Henry B Erying

     The Savior made clear that true faith leads to keeping God's commandments and that in turn qualifies us for the gift of eternal life, which is to live with God forever in heavenly light. The lesson is not that we can have such marvelous experiences whenever we wish for them.-nor that they will come even when we feel great need from them. The lesson is that God knows our every need, that He loves us, and that He watches over us. There was a song in a film years ago with the line "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Well, you can give a great and wonderful Christmas if you remember the gifts God has given you and as best you can offer them to othrs as He would. That is the spirit of Christmas and of true happiness every day. 

Interview #1  Teancum James Hoopes  My oldest grandson  14 years old  Life time member

Scale of 1-10   Tank said, "10?"  (I am not sure if he believes he is a 10, but guessing he is is okay with me!)

Three things that make him happy:

1. Safety

2. Family

3. Something to do

Three times or events when he was happy:

1. The first Hoopes family reunion in Springville, Utah...7 years ago.

2. When his dad returned from 7 month deployment. Was stationed in Iraq.

3. When he and his dad made a computer together from scrap parts.

Three things that contribute to happiness:

1. When I read my scriptures.

2. When I hang out or talk to a family member...he has 2 brothers and 4 sisters + mom and dad.

3. Find something to do that will help take my mind off my bad mood or problem, like a video game.

Advice he would give to someone seeking advice on happiness:  I would ask them if they've read their scriptures lately. I would then ask them what they think the cause of their unhappiness is. Then I would encourage them by telling them that they will be able to work through it and problems eventually go away.

Interview #2  James William Hoopes  My oldest son and oldest child.  Thirty something. Life time member. Married with 7 children. Full time US Army, Fort Hood Texas

Scale of 1-10  James said, "7".

Three things that make him happy:

1. Family

2. Past success

3. The Gospel  (He then said, "Not in that particular order.)

Three events that made him happy:

1. The very first glimpse of each child.

2. His wedding day to Erin.  Married in 1998.

3. Moment when an art project is completed.

Three things that contribute to his happiness:

1. When family and religion are combined. 

2. When principles of the Gospel are followed and family members are together.

3. The culminations of the creative process in connection with the gospel, the mixture of elements and process of creation.

Advice to a friend seeking help on happiness:  It is interesting, but my first response would be to ask them question and listen to them, I wouldn't give advice. I would rather ask questions.

    I am happy for this experience of gathering information about happiness. I am thankful I found the book on happiness. I believe the scriptures and conference talks are most important, but the information in the book is interesting and I have not read anything contrary to church teachings. I will continue to read scriptures, talks,and my new book.

Book of Mormon Week 8 Assignment 1

Five Principles of Prayer   3 Nephi 18:15-25 1. Pray always. This is so we will not be tempted by the devil and led away captive by him.  V 15 2. Follow Jesus Christ's example in prayer.  V 16 3. Always pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. V 19 4. When we ask the Father in the name of Jesus Christ for that which is right, with faith, will be given to us.  V 20 5. Pray in families in Jesus name so wives and children will be blessed.  V 21 Bonus Points:  Hold our light that it will shine unto the world. Jesus Christ is the light we share with the world. Follow his example. V 24 Invite all to partake, pray for them, and do not push any away.  V 22,23, & 25      I set a goal this last week to pray before I did homework. I believe I felt the Spirit that evening as I worked. I also set a goal to be more specific. For example, instead of asking for my grandchildren to be blessed at school, I referred to them by name. Then, I brought a solution to an employment issue to the Lord. I am waiting for that answer or resolution. It is these types of prayers that I falter in faith. I believe I need to increase my faith and believe that the things I pray for will happen. I question myself if what is pray for is right.       I receive answers to my prayers in connection to my gospel questions. I believe prayers are answered. The gap for me is we are told we will receive what we are asking for...is right. Elder Boyd K Packer said, "Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your minds, in  your heart. Pray on your knees...Prayer is  your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil." These are all suggestions I am currently using. Elder Gene R Cook also explains important aspects of prayer, especially when we pray in public. At the end of his message he said, "Surely the Lord is not pleased with such an approach, (praying to impress an audience) nor will he answer the prayers of one who is not focused on the Lord or who does not pray with real intent. Although he is speaking about prayer in public I believe these two points also apply to personal prayer. My plan is to keep working on prayer, so I will know that I am praying for what is right. I will continue to pray often. I will pray on my knees. I will focus on who I am speaking to. I will pray to know His will for me.      When Jesus is speaking about family prayer he is speaking to the multitude. When he mentions prayer in families he says to pray always that your wives and children may be blessed. Because of those words about wives and children he may have been speaking to the heads of household, but I don't think the instructions are specific to them. I do not believe it is the responsibility of the father to always remember and always gather the family for prayer. Life is easier when everyone takes some responsibility making sure morning and evening prayers are said. I believe Jesus wants families to pray for the Spirit to be with them for protection. President Eyring said in relation to this, "It is because He knows perfectly the powerful forces that influence us and also what it means to be human...He knows what it is like to have the cares of the world press in upon us...and he knows how our human powers to cope are not constant." Jesus want us to pray always and pray for his protection.  James flew in from Texas last night. We went to Abraham's t-ball game and BBQ pizza at Jen and Dave's. It is always a happy day, spending time with the kids.

I am so glad...

I am glad it is Friday. I am glad I get to sleep and not wake up to an alarm for two mornings. I am glad I can read. I love to read and I love math. I am glad I am in school. I am glad I am a mother. I am glad I am a grandmother. I am glad I am a wife. I am glad I am a sister. I am glad I can go to bed...right now.