A Quote Full of Wisdom

"You have a choice. You can wring your hands and be consumed with
concern for the future or choose to use the counsel the Lord has given to
live with peace and happiness in a world awash with evil. If you choose to
concentrate on the dark side, this is what you will see. . . . Now the
brighter side. Despite pockets of evil, the world overall is majestically
beautiful, filled with many good and sincere people. God has provided a way
to live in this world and not be contaminated by the degrading pressures
evil agents spread throughout it. You can live a virtuous, productive,
righteous life by following the plan of protection created by your Father
in Heaven: His plan of happiness."

(Richard G. Scott, "How to Live Well amid Increasing Evil," Ensign, May 2004, 100)

I thought that this quote was appropriate for the times we live in. I rarely watch the news these days, but when I do there seems to be more stories about the bad side of humanity. Where are the human interest stories, I wonder? It's rare that they print or talk about the people doing good out in the world for each other. So here on The Silver Lining, I'm going to be printing stories from time to time-- like the one about my son in my previous blog entry.

We all need to feel lifted up. We need to know there is hope out there. There is good, there is virtue and there is a plan that our Heavenly Father has given us to live righteous lives.

His plan of happiness gives my life substance and meaning. When I pray or read the scriptures I feel hope! It's a tangible thing in my world. I do believe with all I am, that there is more good than evil in this world. We are very blessed to live here on this earth at this time in history.

"If we are prepared, we shall not fear." Is one of the quotes I love to remember best. I know that it's easy to panic with regards to food storage in these trying times. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have been taught most of my adult life to have food storage for times like these.

Food and gas prices are rising. Wheat is being imported to our country for the first time in history. War is raging....It's easy to be caught up in the fear and peril of our times. If we are prepared, the fear leaves the equation. If you carefully plan and gather information about how to store food for hard times, put enough money away for three months, get out of debt--you will be more at ease and better prepared for the times ahead. It will also be easier to be positive about your own situation in life.

We've been counseled to not panic. To carefully plan. To live within our means. We can strive to do so if we simply try. I for instance don't have a huge budget to work with. So when I go to the grocery store I pick up an extra item just for food storage. I do have my year supply of wheat and dry goods. I supplement the rest with my garden in the summer. I can a lot of fresh veggies and fruits and make stews and salsa and jams. It's very fulfilling to see the fruits of my labors on the shelf for my family. It's healthier too. Our foods these days are filled with chemicals and preservatives and things you can hardly pronounce! My health has taken a hit through the years because of those things. I now eat organic and am regaining my health a little each month. It's such a blessing!

The best thing that's happened this week was that my neighbor came over and gifted me with ten pounds of venison. I in turn was able to give him a gift of home made applesauce, salsa, plum jam and stew. He seemed to think he got the better end of the deal. It made me smile. I plan on using the venison to make him more stew next week. You see, I had run out and he was an answer to my prayers.

There are still so many good people in this world. My neighbor, had I judged him--would have been the last person I would have sought out. He works hard as a crane operator. Had a foul mouth when I first met him. He drinks and we don't. But we have been taught to not judge so I saw past the exterior and we found a family friend. As it turns out, he is the type of person who would give you the shirt off his own back if you needed it. He helped my husband get our car home last winter when the tire broke off. He gave my son a ride to work when he didn't have transportation. When we had a bunch of break ins in our neighborhood he looked out for us at night. He is such a good man, the salt of the earth and we are blessed to be his neighbors.

The other thing I must share. Our backdoor neighbor let my son barrow her truck this week. We had no way to get him to work because our wonderful car had broken down again. Smile...If she hadn't insisted on him just taking her new truck to work, he wouldn't have been able to help the homeless gentleman he assisted that day. It sure makes you grateful to know that Heavenly Father does have a plan for us each day. He is still with us and watches over us daily. He will never leave us or forget us in our hour of need. I remember this as I thank Him each day in my prayers for all the blessings in my life.

This world is indeed, full of good and sincere people. Take the time to get to know your neighbors. Your kids teachers your church members. It's time to look for the good in the world. I know you'll find it if you just try a little harder.