We Seek After
These Things
Recently returned from serving the people of Honduras for 3 years

Friday, July 11, 2014

If you had $10 . . . what would you do?

If you had an extra $10 a month . . .



What would you do?
Go to lunch with a friend, pay someone to wash your car, buy dessert for the weekend BBQ,  buy popcorn and drinks at the movie house . . .

We all do that every day, don't we?

But here's an idea for you . . .


Warning:
The following is going to hurt your heart.

Yes, that's right . . .

you better stop right here if you aren't prepared for a little heartache.


Watching the following video just about destroys me  . . .  I can barely make it through without just breaking down into a puddle . . .

Take a minute and take a look . . .




Our Beloved Children from Liahona Children's Foundation on Vimeo.







(These are my photos and do not represent the Church, or the Liahona Children's foundation in any way . . . but my own personal photos I've collected along the way here in Honduras)


My Thoughts for Missionary Families and Others . . .

Many many members of the Church have served missions in developing countries of the world.  Many families have members now serving in developing counties.  Many many families hear about the heartache, the challenges of these members of the Church, and others,  through the reports of their missionaries.  Many wonder what they could possibly do to help when they are so far away . . . .

Well,  I have some information for you -





Malnutrition is a serious problem throughout the developing world.  It literally stares us in the face daily in our missionary work here in Honduras.  And it pulls at my heart strings daily.  Many severely malnourished children suffer lifelong cognitive and physical defects, leading to increased levels of poverty and decreased potential earning power.  Which in turn become a vicious cycle in the next generations.

Because of the success of the Church's (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) missionary program in bringing many people into the gospel in developing countries, it is not unusual to find severely malnourished children among the Latter-day Saints in these countries.  Honduras certainly being one of the most humble countries that is an example of malnourishment amongst it's very youngest members of the Church.





Someone Should do Something Right?

The Liahona Childrens' Foundation was created about six years ago to address malnutrition among Latter-day Saint children worldwide.  It is a federally recognized 501 (c) 3, non-profit organization, independent of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Although it is administered by faithful Latter-day Saint members, and is funded by members of the Church in the United States and other countries.

Malnutrition is a hidden condition and not easily detected, but through weights and measures based on Standard Growth charts set by the World Health Organization, the Foundations volunteer screeners can accurately identify children in need of nourishment assistance.  Re-screenings later on show that the children receiving the supplements show significant progress in a short amount of time.

Branches, wards and Stakes all over the world are currently in need of supplemental health to provide nourishment to severely malnourished children in their units.  The cost of preventing such cognitive and physical problems related to malnutrition is surprisingly reasonable . . . less than $100 a year to provide the supplemental nutrients needed to feed the brain and body during this critical period of growth and development.





The incredible returns . . .
from such a minimal investment are amazing.  You can see in the video the hope, and peace and joy that these families experience at the physical assistance for their little ones, but in turn they have the opportunity to become healthy, contributing members of the Church in their areas, branches, wards and stakes, contributing many times over the initial amount needed to provide such nourishment.

I am only suggesting . . .
that if you are searching for means to make a difference in the life of many of the members of the Church throughout the wide wide world . . . you consider taking a look at this organization and see if it is something that you can support.

I can share my own thoughts with you with every bit of energy that I possess, that the situations you see in this video, and the other videos available on their website occur everyday of the week in many homes and families throughout the world, and certainly it is widespread throughout Honduras where we are serving.





The Liahona Children's Foundation is beginning screenings this week in Honduras,  to begin to supplement and help children and families, members of the Church and their friends.  Their mission is to nourish the potential of children to lead healthy and productive lives.



Also - You can read more at this magazine article linked below:






It is so easy to donate.
(click here!)
You can make a single contribution, you can make an ongoing contribution.
You can write a check, pay with paypal, use a credit card.
If you feel this is an organization you can support, why not take just a moment
and make a contribution.  Truly . . . it's easy and only takes moment.

Friday, July 4, 2014

Land that I Love . . .

God bless America . . .

Land that I love . . .

These words have never rang truer.









 I haven't had time to share a blog post for close to three months, but couldn't let this opportunity pass by . . . and now . . .

The day is almost gone . . . and hardly a minute has passed today, in all the busy-ness, that our thoughts haven't turned to that land that we love.  I imagine even now . . .

at this moment, sparklers are sparkling . . .

fireworks are blazing . . .

crowds are cheering . . .

and anthems are sounding . . .

All over America.

Land . . . that I love.







Something that many don't know about me . . . is that I really cannot get through the first lines of  . . .

My Country 'Tis of Thee,

Oh Say can You See,

I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag,

O Beautiful for Spacious Skies,

This is My Country,

This Land is Your Land.

Without a big lump in my throat . . . tears in my eyes, and a love of country in my heart.  We were sad today to not have the opportunity to participate in festivities recognizing the birth of this great nation.  But we are celebrating in our thoughts all day!  And remembering (thus ALL the photos!) all the many special times . . . that mean so much to us . . . and to our family.






We didn't make any new 4th of July memories today . . . unless you count wishing "Happy 4 of July!" to another American couple we happened to meet in a restaurant overlooking the ocean on the coast of Honduras . . . who when they heard us speaking English, stopped by to wish us a "Happy 4th! . . .

Okay . . . So I guess we actually did create new 4th of July memories after all!


Before living outside the United States of America for over a year now . . .

I had a list a mile long . . . enumerating all the things that were wrong with America.  (Even though I love it dearly, and truly 'Pledge my allegiance" at every opportunity . . .)

And it's true . . . it is far from perfect.  And I'm sad to say, that I do believe it is becoming less perfect as each day goes by.

But now, my new list is even longer . . . in fact it's so long . . . I could go on and on and on and on about all the things that are RIGHT with America!  Many many many things . . . that truly I have not had an appreciation for in the past.

Someday, when I have more time (like in 2 years . . .) maybe I will try to really enumerate all the great blessings that I took for granted living in this grand country.  ALL the things . . . that are RIGHT with America.  And I think you would be surprised.







(One of the most inspiring Independence Day celebrations you will ever see - Enjoy!)
(Watch this . . . SERIOUSLY, all 28 minutes of it, You'll be so glad you did!)


So while you're enjoying your fireworks . . .

And lighting your sparklers . . .

And singing . . .

 "This Land is your land, this land is my land, from California, to the New York Island, from the Redwood Forests, the the Gulf Stream waters . . . this land was made for you and me!"


Remember to  . . .

Stand beside her, and guide her . . .

Land that I Love . . .

God Bless America . . .





(One thing I am sure of . . . these young people, surely are the Hope of America!)




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