Dr. Laura's Wisdom

For years I listened to Dr. Laura on the radio.  She has had a big influence on my life.

As I scroll through my Facebook feed, occasionally I see quotes from her.  Here are some of my favorite gems.  Thank you Dr. Laura for your words of wisdom.  

"I felt His voice take the sword out of my hand"

Recently a friend was recounting to Scott and I a tragic and terrible relationship she was in. Lines from the movie Ben Hur came to mind.

A line from the movie sets the stage for the last lines.  "No water for him!" is our desire for revenge.

You can also see the video by clicking here

At the end of the movie, Judah Ben Hur describes the change that came over him when he saw the Christ and experienced a mighty change of heart. He repeats the last words of Jesus, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do", and then Ben Hur declares "I felt his voice take the sword out of my hand."

You can also see the video by clicking here. 

Then and Now

On Mother's Day weekend, 2015, was the last time the Scott Magnusson family were together before Sam left for his 2 year mission to Chile.  Kristine had just returned from her mission to Oregon and Sam was preparing to leave for his mission.  

Then

2015

In May, 2017 Sam returned from his mission.  Two months later in July Scott and Kathleen will leave for their mission Belize.

Last week we were blessed to gather together once again at Pineview Reservoir for a family reunion.

Now

2017

 Ogden Temple

The biggest difference is that we have more brothers!  We love that since 2015 Dave M. and Bryce have joined our family as husbands to Renee and Kristine.

We can't wait to see what changes will happen over the next two years when we'll gather again in 2019.

Great Advice from Occupational Therapist, Victoria Prooday

On my Facebook feed I saw a link to a blogpost by Victoria Prooday titled:  The silent tragedy affecting today’s children (and what to do with it).  Victoria starts out her post by saying:

“Here is my new blog post. I encourage every parent who cares about the future of his/her children to read it. I know that many would choose not to hear what I say in the article, but your children need you to hear this message. Even if you disagree with my perspective, please, just follow the recommendations at the end of the article. Once you see the positive changes in your child’s life, you will understand why I say what I say!”

I was very interested in what Victoria said on her blogpost and encourage you to go read her complete post from yourot.com by clicking here. 

  Here are the recommendations at the end of her article:  

If we want our children to grow into happy and healthy individuals, we have to wake up and go back to the basics. It is still possible! I know this because hundreds of my clients see positive changes in their kids’ emotional state within weeks (and in some cases, even days) of implementing these recommendations:

Set limits and remember that you are your child’s PARENT, not a friend

Offer kids well-balanced lifestyle filled with what kids NEED, not just what they WANT. Don’t be afraid to say “No!” to your kids if what they want is not what they need.

• Provide nutritious food and limits snacks.
• Spend one hour a day in green space: biking, hiking, fishing, watching birds/insects
• Have a daily technology-free family dinner.
• Play one board game a day. 
• Involve your child in one chore a day (folding laundry, tidying up toys, hanging clothes, unpacking groceries, setting the table etc)
• Implement consistent sleep routine to ensure that your child gets lots of sleep in a technology-free bedroom

Teach responsibility and independence. Don’t over-protect them from small failures. It trains them the skills needed to overcome greater life’s challenges:

• Don’t pack your child’s backpack, don’t carry her backpack, don’t bring to school his forgotten lunch box/agenda, and don’t peel a banana for a 5-year-old child. Teach them the skills rather than do it for them.

Teach delayed gratification and provide opportunities for “boredom” as boredom is the time when creativity awakens:

• Don’t feel responsible for being your child’s entertainment crew.
• Do not use technology as a cure for boredom.
• Avoid using technology during meals, in cars, restaurants, malls. Use these moments as opportunities to train their brains to function under “boredom”
• Help them create a “boredom first aid kit” with activity ideas for “I am bored” times.

Be emotionally available to connect with kids and teach them self-regulation and social skills:

• Turn off your phones until kids are in bed to avoid digital distraction.
• Become your child’s emotional coach. Teach them to recognize and deal with frustration and anger.
• Teach greeting, turn taking, sharing, empathy, table manners, conversation skills,
• Connect emotionally - Smile, hug, kiss, tickle, read, dance, jump, or crawl with your child.

We must make changes in our kids’ lives before this entire generation of children will be medicated! It is not too late yet, but soon it will be…

_________________________

This video is a great example of the first bullet under the heading:  Be emotionally available to connect with kids....

Picture Perfect?

My niece, Liesel, shared this video this on her Facebook wall with this comment:

I love this. We never know what's going behind the scenes of "picture perfect". Life is tough and everyone's got their junk to deal with.  "Comparison is the thief of joy." (T. Roosevelt)

The above clip was taken from a talk Elder Stevenson delivered at the BYU 2017 Woman's Conference.  You can view Elder Stevenson's whole talk below or by clicking here and going to 17:48

The project, "Removed"

I first read Erin Stewart's article titled: "Learning and failing to put down my phone and pay attention to my kids" on Deseret New's FB page.  Erin's article lead me to read this story from boardpanda.com where I got the material to do this post.

American photographer Eric Pickersgill removed the smartphones and digital devices from his portraits of everyday life. The project “Removed” aims to show our addiction to technology and hyper-connectivity, and Pickersgill knows that he’s also amongst the addicted.

The photographer was inspired by a chance encounter in a New York cafe. “Family sitting next to me at Illium café in Troy, NY is so disconnected from one another,” Pickersgill writes in his notes from that day. “Not much talking. Father and two daughters have their own phones out. Mom doesn’t have one or chooses to leave it put away. She stares out the window, sad and alone in the company of her closest family. Dad looks up every so often to announce some obscure piece of info he found online.”

He achieved the surreal effect in his photos by asking strangers and friends to remain in position, removing their cellphones, and then taking the shot.

Click on this link to see more photos from Eric Pinkersgill's project called, "Removed".

Find Lasting Peace through Jesus Christ

Sam’s two year mission is almost over.  He comes home May 2nd.  Every Monday for the past two years, we have enjoyed reading about his experiences through his weekly emails.   Todays email was especially touching as he described teaching a family who was receptive to the message he and his companion shared.   He described how the message brought them peace:

  

we found a family to teach.  they really want to listen to us because a couple of years ago their 3 month old baby died. they basically told us that they haven’t had peace in their lives since. we watched the church’s new video, Prince of Peace, and we had a super good visit with them as we introduced the Plan of Salvation.  the best part of the lesson was when a friend of theirs (who was also listening) told them that their child died as a punishment. we were then able to testify to them that that wasn’t true. that God would never do that as a punishment and that they would one day have the chance to raise their son. the spirit was so strong in that moment. we have a lesson with them on tuesday and so we are way excited for this week. 

This is the video that they shared with the family.
As you watch the video, you, too, will feel peace.  

You can also view the video by clicking here

We are blessed that Sam has been able to serve his brothers and Sisters in Chile for the past 2 years.  We’ll see you in 3 weeks, Elder Magnusson!

"Cancer is a Disease of Love"

It seems as if we will all be touched by cancer sometime in our lives.  Either ourselves, a family member, or a friend will fight this disease.  Over the past 30 years my mother has battled breast, colon, and skin cancer.  She eventually died of Parkinson's last year.

In 2007 I remember hearing a talk given by Steven Snow as he talked of his own mother's battle with cancer.  His statement, "...cancer is a disease of love" intrigued me.  His next sentence explains the opportunities that come our way as we face cancer.

"A few years before my mother passed away, she was diagnosed with cancer, a disease she fought with great courage. As a family we learned, strangely enough, that cancer is a disease of love. It provides opportunities to mend fences, say goodbyes, and express love.”

Steven E. Snow

Oct. 2007 LDS General Conference

I am grateful for the many different opportunities that have come my way to mend fences, say goodbyes, and express love.

The quote was taken from this talk by Steven E. Snow.  

You can also see the video by clicking here.

How We Celebrated Dr. Seuss's Birthday

The Marion Harris Family

I spent most of the day scanning family pictures.  These are pictures of my Dad's family.

From left to right:  Joe, Marion, Elaine, Marguerite, and my dad, Kiefer

Elaine, Kiefer, Joe

This is a picture of my dad with his siblings years later at a family picnic in Utah.  

I have happy memories with my Uncle Joe and Aunt Elaine.