Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Ponderize - Week 4
I am a little behind in posting my verse, but I did pick it out on Sunday night. This week I chose Isaiah 43:2. I love this verse, because it reminds me of one of my favorite hymns, How Firm a Foundation. It is a great reminder to me, that no matter what is going on in life, the Lord is with me.
Monday, October 19, 2015
A Letter to my boys, who happen to love watching sports
Dear kids,
The other night your dad and I went to a football game at our university. It was a gorgeous fall evening; not too hot, not too cold, and the clouds looked really cool as the sun was setting. We had nice tickets, and a good view of the field. We wore white and blue shirts with our school's logo. We were surrounded by passionate fans. One guy stood up every time there was third down when we were on defense. We stood up too. We sang the fight song every time we scored and at the end of the game (our team came from behind in the fourth quarter!). But there were some things that these passionate fans did that I do not agree with. Those things, and some other thoughts I have had about spectating have led me to write this letter to you. Here are a few things I hope you remember every time you watch sports.
First off, nothing that can happen during a game gives you permission to be rude. The refs may make a bad call. You may be disappointed in the result of that call,and that is OK. But never, NEVER "boo" the referees. You might moan a little when you see a flag fly, but once the call is made, get over it and move on. Maybe it is a bad call. Maybe, when we see the replay for 100 times from 18 different angles we know that the call was wrong, but that still doesn't make it OK for you to be rude. Referees are watching things happen at full speed, and I really feel like they are doing their best. Maybe they make a bad call in favor of the other team, but I am pretty sure that at some point the reverse will happen, and they will make a bad call in our favor (and you won't see our fans "boo"-ing that time, even though it was still a bad call.)
Being rude to the other teams' fans is also completely inappropriate. There is no need to boo them or cheer against their great plays. There is also no reason to taunt them. When we make a great play, cheer away! Holler, scream and clap for your team! But we don't need to brag. If their team makes a mistake, don't rub it in their faces. Yelling things like, "Thanks for helping us out!" is simply not kind.
Next, never be critical. I heard fans yelling things directed at the players; things like, "I can't believe you didn't catch that!" and "Why did you run that way?" and "Why didn't you make that tackle?" I kept my mouth shut, but what I really wanted to say to these fans is, "I would like to see you go out there and do better." Nobody's perfect. We all make mistakes, and sometimes things just don't seem to go your teams' way. These players are just doing their best. Support them, even when things aren't going perfectly!
And never criticize the coaches. Believe it or not, they may understand what is going on better than you do! They might just know something about the game, the players, the other team etc. that you do not know. Are the coaches perfect? No. But that doesn't give you the right to criticize. Once again, a real fan supports the coaches when things are going great, and even when things aren't.
Third, never celebrate an injury. This isn't something I witnessed at the game the other night, but I think sometimes our human nature wants us to be excited when a player, especially a really good one on the other team, gets hurt and can't play. I have watched many players on our team get hurt over the years, sometimes they have been season- or career-ending injuries. It is never good. I love when the crowd, no matter which team they are rooting for, clap as injured players are helped off of the field. This is one wonderful show of respect.
Fourth, control your emotions. Being disappointed in the outcome of a game, or in how a game is going, doesn't make it OK for you to take your frustrations out on anyone. I have been there. I have been cranky because my team didn't win. And now I better understand, that this wasn't fair. Your dad has been a great example to me. He really enjoys watching football. We have watched lots of great games together, and he is always calm, no matter how we are doing. I am not saying you can't feel disappointment or even sadness, but you get to choose your actions. Don't let your emotions control them.
Lastly, don't cheer against any team. I know this is hard to do, especially when your rival is playing someone else. The inclination is to cheer against your rival. But I suggest that you cheer for the team they are playing. This will lead your emotions to be aimed in a positive direction, and it will help you to better follow the above rules. This is one way of showing respect for teams and their fans. We don't all have to cheer for the same teams, but we can respect those who cheer for other teams, jsut as we hope they will respect us.
All of these really boil down to kindness. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Think about others and how they feel. (Maybe think about how you would feel in their shoes!) As you follow the golden rule you will never go wrong.
Sports are sure fun to watch. There is tradition, their is spirit and honor. There are great games and players of the past, and more yet to come. But in the long run, the sports aren't what matter. What matters are the lessons you learn from sports. Do you learn to work hard and do your best as you watch players you admire do the same? Do you learn to be honest and diligent? Do you learn the value of teamwork, unity and loyalty? Your character matters more than any play or game. Be the kind of fan that an opponent will remember for your kindness and respect.
Enjoy cheering on your team! Love you!
Mom
The other night your dad and I went to a football game at our university. It was a gorgeous fall evening; not too hot, not too cold, and the clouds looked really cool as the sun was setting. We had nice tickets, and a good view of the field. We wore white and blue shirts with our school's logo. We were surrounded by passionate fans. One guy stood up every time there was third down when we were on defense. We stood up too. We sang the fight song every time we scored and at the end of the game (our team came from behind in the fourth quarter!). But there were some things that these passionate fans did that I do not agree with. Those things, and some other thoughts I have had about spectating have led me to write this letter to you. Here are a few things I hope you remember every time you watch sports.
First off, nothing that can happen during a game gives you permission to be rude. The refs may make a bad call. You may be disappointed in the result of that call,and that is OK. But never, NEVER "boo" the referees. You might moan a little when you see a flag fly, but once the call is made, get over it and move on. Maybe it is a bad call. Maybe, when we see the replay for 100 times from 18 different angles we know that the call was wrong, but that still doesn't make it OK for you to be rude. Referees are watching things happen at full speed, and I really feel like they are doing their best. Maybe they make a bad call in favor of the other team, but I am pretty sure that at some point the reverse will happen, and they will make a bad call in our favor (and you won't see our fans "boo"-ing that time, even though it was still a bad call.)
Being rude to the other teams' fans is also completely inappropriate. There is no need to boo them or cheer against their great plays. There is also no reason to taunt them. When we make a great play, cheer away! Holler, scream and clap for your team! But we don't need to brag. If their team makes a mistake, don't rub it in their faces. Yelling things like, "Thanks for helping us out!" is simply not kind.
Next, never be critical. I heard fans yelling things directed at the players; things like, "I can't believe you didn't catch that!" and "Why did you run that way?" and "Why didn't you make that tackle?" I kept my mouth shut, but what I really wanted to say to these fans is, "I would like to see you go out there and do better." Nobody's perfect. We all make mistakes, and sometimes things just don't seem to go your teams' way. These players are just doing their best. Support them, even when things aren't going perfectly!
And never criticize the coaches. Believe it or not, they may understand what is going on better than you do! They might just know something about the game, the players, the other team etc. that you do not know. Are the coaches perfect? No. But that doesn't give you the right to criticize. Once again, a real fan supports the coaches when things are going great, and even when things aren't.
Third, never celebrate an injury. This isn't something I witnessed at the game the other night, but I think sometimes our human nature wants us to be excited when a player, especially a really good one on the other team, gets hurt and can't play. I have watched many players on our team get hurt over the years, sometimes they have been season- or career-ending injuries. It is never good. I love when the crowd, no matter which team they are rooting for, clap as injured players are helped off of the field. This is one wonderful show of respect.
Fourth, control your emotions. Being disappointed in the outcome of a game, or in how a game is going, doesn't make it OK for you to take your frustrations out on anyone. I have been there. I have been cranky because my team didn't win. And now I better understand, that this wasn't fair. Your dad has been a great example to me. He really enjoys watching football. We have watched lots of great games together, and he is always calm, no matter how we are doing. I am not saying you can't feel disappointment or even sadness, but you get to choose your actions. Don't let your emotions control them.
Lastly, don't cheer against any team. I know this is hard to do, especially when your rival is playing someone else. The inclination is to cheer against your rival. But I suggest that you cheer for the team they are playing. This will lead your emotions to be aimed in a positive direction, and it will help you to better follow the above rules. This is one way of showing respect for teams and their fans. We don't all have to cheer for the same teams, but we can respect those who cheer for other teams, jsut as we hope they will respect us.
All of these really boil down to kindness. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Think about others and how they feel. (Maybe think about how you would feel in their shoes!) As you follow the golden rule you will never go wrong.
Sports are sure fun to watch. There is tradition, their is spirit and honor. There are great games and players of the past, and more yet to come. But in the long run, the sports aren't what matter. What matters are the lessons you learn from sports. Do you learn to work hard and do your best as you watch players you admire do the same? Do you learn to be honest and diligent? Do you learn the value of teamwork, unity and loyalty? Your character matters more than any play or game. Be the kind of fan that an opponent will remember for your kindness and respect.
Enjoy cheering on your team! Love you!
Mom
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Ponderize - Week 3
This week I chose Doctrine and Covenants 58:3-4. (I promise I love the other Standard Works too, but for some reason I have felt impressed to choose scriptures from the Doctrine and Covenants the last three weeks.)
Sometimes we go through hard things. Sometimes the hard things seem "bigger" than any challenges we have recently face. Sometimes we have to watch people we love go through hard things. I am grateful for the reminder that the hard things we go through have a purpose in God's plan. All things will work together for our good (that is a scripture for another week!).
And I also love the reminder that if we are faithful, the blessings in store for us are greater than we can even comprehend.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Ponderize - Week 2
I laughing as my kids were having a hard time coming up with their ponderize verses this week. Then I sat down to find one for myself. What do I choose? There are so many choices? THen I remembered what I told my kids. You can't go wrong!
I asked Brian, "What should I pick?" He asked, "What do you want to ponder about this week?" The temple: I want to spend much of my week thinking about the temple.
Here's my choice. Doctrine and Covenants 109:22, from the dedication of the Kirtland temple, There are so many blessings available in the temple.
I asked Brian, "What should I pick?" He asked, "What do you want to ponder about this week?" The temple: I want to spend much of my week thinking about the temple.
Here's my choice. Doctrine and Covenants 109:22, from the dedication of the Kirtland temple, There are so many blessings available in the temple.
Other verses being ponderized:
Doctrine and Covenants 106:8
1 Nephi 3:16
Helaman 5:12
Moroni 5:2
Doctrine and Covenants 106:8
Monday, October 5, 2015
Ponderize - Week 1
Our whole family LOVED this talk by Devin G. Durrant at LDS General Conference this last weekend. We all have jumped right into his challenge. For this first week, Michael wanted to ponderize a verse together. He and I chose Doctrine and Covenants 13:1
Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
What's your verse?
A few other verses being ponderized at our house this week -
1 Nephi 1:12
1 Nephi 3:16
2 Nephi 4:28
Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
What's your verse?
A few other verses being ponderized at our house this week -
1 Nephi 1:12
1 Nephi 3:16
2 Nephi 4:28
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