How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

I have 2 rules and it works very well in the home, as well as in the work place and elsewhere. #1 Love, Don't Judge. #2 Choose not to be offended. If we abided by these two rules we'd have less divorce and happier families. It is not easy and it is a daily effort to be a peacemaker. I need to tell myself many times, to get a ladder and get over it, and to just let things go. The past is in the past, forgive NOW! Don't put it off. Even if they don't say I am sorry, even if it was their fault. It'll only fester and bring more grief. This is how I say it.. Sad, hurt, mad, irritated, frustrated.... Forgive, let it go... ahhh peace! Enough said. The "great 8" is another way to succeed with a happier marriage and happy home. Personal prayer, family prayer, personal scripture study, family scripture study, spouse prayer & study, family night every week (a night just for the family to do something together), financial stablity (work to be debt free). These 8 things will produce a happier home. It is hard at first, but after it is a habit it is so easy. I like to add regular date night, ie. alone time as a couple to that list. You must plan it, or it will just not happen. If your marriage is strong, your family will be strong. If your children see that their parents love each other, they will feel secure in their world. They need parents that are on the same page, and together in all things.

How has attending Church services helped you?

God has given me 6 days to do anything I want to do. He only asks me for 1 day. He is so good to us! Sunday is His day, the Sabbath. I love to go to church, it lifts me up. It is like a bowl that gets empty near the end of the week. I need to take it and go and fill it again on Sunday, to help me have enough nourishment to last me the rest of the week. When I go to church, I want to catch every drop. I partake of the holy sacrament, which was one of the last things Jesus did when He was on the earth. It helps me feel close to Him and I can make His sacrifice real to me. With His atonement, I am forgiven of my sins, if I repent. At church I can help others, which is what Jesus taught. I can learn more of God and his plan of happiness for his children. I can be instructed as to how I can more fully live the commandments. I would always take my children to church each week, so they too can feel of His love. They can then learn for themselves that He lives and is there for them. I only have my children a short time, and I need to give them every possibility to succeed. They will have that, by being at church each week, as I did growing up.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

I plan on serving a mission with my husband very soon. We have raised our 8 children and our youngest is in college now. As soon as we can retire, with enough money to support us, we will leave our family and our 9 grandchildren, to go and give our time and talents to missionary work. We will do this for the Lord, who has given us everything. Mormons go on missions to share with others, that Jesus lives and He loves them. All they want to do to help others to feel of His love, and to share knowledge of His plan of salvation, and His message of peace. Missionaries go out to all corners of the earth, because His gospel needs to reach every ear, in all nations. I know the church is true. Knowing how much my life has been blessed by being a member of His church, I just automatically want to share it with anyone I meet.

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope is a longing for something. Whether tangible or not. Such as I have hoped for forgivness. Sometimes that takes time for hurts to heal, and time to pass. The memories of my divorce, 30 years ago, makes my heart sad. To those who are going through divorce, I want to share this with you. There were things I would do differently, if I could go back and have a do over. It was such a roller coaster of emotions the last few months we were together, and for a long time after he left us too. I was so devastated. My dreams all destroyed, and at times the loss was more than I could bear. Even now, after all these years, I still cry just to think of that time. Looking back now, I have learned to realized, that while I was so overcome by my own grief, I didn't stop to think it couldn't have been easy for him, with the road he chose. The children & I did the only thing we could do. We clung to each other, trying to survive it. Which sadly left him out of our circle of love. It's understandable, as he was the one who made the hurt, but nonetheless he was left out of the circle. If I had been more mature, and could see the bigger picture, like I do now, I'd have done it differently. I kept waiting for him to say his sorry, and ask forgiveness, for way too long. I wish I hadn't carried the anger and resentment so long. I wish I had forgiven sooner and maybe we would have had a totally different outcome. He is not my husband anymore, but he is still my brother. We are not getting any younger. You get smarter as you age. But luckily there is still time to have a change of heart, as we only have one shot at this test in mortality. For you going through divorce, I hope for you that forgiveness will come easier, and sooner, rather than later.

The memories of my divorce, 30 years ago, makes my heart heavy and sad, and this is hard to write. To those who are going through divorce There were things I would do differently, if I could go back and have a do over. It was such a roller coaster of emotions the last few months we were together, and for a long time after he left us too. I was so devastated. My dreams all destroyed, and at times the loss was more than I could bear. Even now, after all these years, I still cry just to think of that time. I have learned to realized, that while I was so overcome by my own grief, I didn't stop to think it couldn't have been easy for him, with the road he chose. The children & I did the only thing we could do. We clung to each other, trying to survive it. Which sadly left him out of our circle of love. It's understandable, as he was the one who made the hurt, but nonetheless he was left out of the circle. If I had been more mature, and could see the bigger picture, like I do now, I'd have done it differently. I kept waiting for him to say his sorry, and ask forgiveness, for way too long. I wish I hadn't carried the anger and resentment so long. I wish I had forgiven sooner and maybe we would have had a totally different outcome, after all these years. He is not my husband anymore, but he is still my brother. We are not getting any younger. You get smarter as you age. But luckily there is still time to have a change of heart, as we only have one shot at this test in mortality.