Man's Search for Meaning

1941, Viktor Frankl was a prominent Jewish psychiatrist and neurologist in Vienna, Austria. The threat of Nazi concentration camps was increasing, but Viktor had found a way out: a visa that would allow him to take his new wife and his promising career to America and to safety.

But Viktor knew that when the Nazis came, they would take the elderly first—including, likely, his aging parents. They would need his care and support. Anguished, he searched his soul and sought heavenly guidance about what to do.

Then, one day, he came home to find a piece of marble on the table. His father explained that he had retrieved it from the rubble of a nearby synagogue that the Nazis had destroyed. Coincidentally, it was a fragment from an engraving of one of the Ten Commandments: "Honour thy father and thy mother."

Viktor had his answer. He stayed with his parents in Austria, and within a few months, Viktor, his wife, and his parents were arrested and taken to a concentration camp.

Over the next three years, Viktor discovered an important difference between those who survived the camps and those who did not: a sense of meaning. The ability to find meaning even in horrific circumstances, he observed, gave prisoners 

resilience in the face of suffering.

After the war was over, Viktor wrote a book, Man's Search for Meaning, describing what he learned. It took him nine days to write and eventually sold millions of copies. The Library of Congress has listed it as one of the 10 most influential books in the United States.

In one way or another, we are all involved in our own search for meaning. Our ability to find it depends a lot on where we're looking. We're likely to discover, as Viktor Frankl did, that life's true meaning does not come from pursuing our own happiness but from sacrificing for something bigger. Whatever that something is—family and friends, faith and community, volunteering and serving others—it can give our lives more purpose than we could ever find in just ourselves.

Lloyd D. Newell

Can you hear the answers?

Spring into it

I Am Sustained

It works

In my home

He will meet you where you are

by Emily Freeman

Yesterday I tried reading the scriptures on mute.

In my imagination I stood far away and watched the scene play out.  I didn't listen to the words, I tried to ignore them there…instead, I focused on the actions.

I had a profound learning experience.

It is a story you probably know well, the woman caught in adultery in John 8.

You are familiar with the conversation that took place…perhaps you even have it memorized…let he who is without sin cast the first stone…

But have you ever focused on the Savior's actions in this account?

In verse 1…he sat down, and taught them.
In verse 3…and when they had set her in the midst.
In verse 6…Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground
In verse 7…he lifted up himself, and said unto them,
In verse 8…and again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground
In verse 9…and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
In verse 10…when Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman standing…

All of this up and down…lifted up, stooping down…and her set in the midst.

With mute turned on, there within the watching, an important lesson is learned.

Jesus stooped to her level.  Down.  Her, set in the midst.  Humbled.  It was there that He spoke to her, stooping down to reach her.  It was there that He taught her.

And, through His words and through His teaching He lifted her up. He met her on her level until she could stand on her own again. You know, I believe He does the same for us.

He meets us on our level… Brokenhearted, discouraged, doubting…He meets us there.

In that place. He offers healing, direction, comfort, answers…

And through the process He lifts us up so we can stand on our own again.

Confidence: Children of God

From: raisinglemons.com 

Where Does Confidence Come From?

Background: I introduced you to my Confidence Cookies back in August as part of  a "Back to School Series".   Although I am fine to give my kids Confidence Cookies as a fun reminder, I knew I would eventually need to teach them about where true confidence comes from. I couldn't let them think that confidence is just about a cookie.  But I did springboard off my cookie idea to teach the concept.

I have been mulling over the idea of confidence for years.  You might say I have been obsessed with the secret to confidence, because I feel like confidence is the single greatest attribute a kid can have.  I believe if kids have true confidence, they don't do stupid stuff to get others to like them.  They don't stay in unhealthy relationships.  They don't bully or get bullied.  They don't have an eating disorder or get addicted to drugs, etc. etc.  Overall, confident kids just make better choices.

So how can children gain confidence? Where does confidence come from? Here is the Family Night lesson:

Attention Getter:  I had a jar full of m&ms and labeled it "Confidence".

Objective: Then I asked the kids, "Do you remember when we made Confidence Cookies?  Well, tonight we are going to make Confidence Cookies again, but this time we are going to talk about the real recipe to confidence and what you can do to become more confident."

Lesson:  First, it is important to define confidence: believing in yourself, trusting yourself, liking who you are, etc.

Then I showed them the jar of m&ms and asked, "Do you see how there are all different colors of confidence?  Each color stands for a different element to confidence."

Orange- Obedience

Confidence comes through making good choices over and over again.  If you don't believe me, think of this scenario: Have you ever passed a police officer when you were speeding or when your kids weren't buckled?  Compare that to passing him going the speed  limit or when everyone was all buckled up properly.  I bet you had more confidence as you passed him.  And it is a lot less stressful isn't it?

Blue- Divine Nature

Knowing who you are and where you come from fosters confidence.  Understanding your divine origin- that you are a literal child of God- that God is your Father- gives you security, certainty, perspective and purpose.  It is empowering to know that God created us, loves us and trusts us.

Brown- Doing Hard Things

Nothing builds confidence quite like doing something hard and making it through.  My divorce and college graduation forever changed my level of confidence. To bring it to the kids level, I asked Elle,  "How did you feel after you hiked Angel's Landing?"  When kids are pushed to do what they think they cannot do, they see themselves in a different light; their capacities increase and they learn to trust themselves.

Green- Learning New Skills

Every time you master a small skill your confidence grows.  It could be just learning to tie your shoes or your multiplication facts, but the more skills you learn for yourself the more confident you are.  And learning these skills takes practice- putting in your time; doing the work;  you can't be confident at a piano recital if you haven't practiced.

Red- Physical Health

When you are stronger and healthier physically, you are stronger and healthier mentally.  The spirit and the body are inextricably linked.  When one is out of whack, the other suffers.  Plus when you are physically healthy, you feel like you have the energy and capability to face whatever comes.

Yellow-   Looking Beyond Yourself

When you look beyond yourself to help and serve others, selfishness and self-absorption melt away.  When you focus on others, you are less likely to think of your own weaknesses and your own shortcomings.  And when you look for the good in others, you are more likely to see the good in yourself.  Be kind and gentle with others and you will learn be kind and gentle with yourself.

Treat: After we discussed what each M&M color represented, we made cookies and added 'Confidence'.

Disclaimer:  Confidence is a complex, complicated topic and I don't have all the answers by any means.  This lesson isn't perfect and I may change what the colors mean over the years. But I have done some study and much thought and this is just my take on confidence today.  You could change the colors to be whatever you feel develops confidence.

Broccoli-Cauliflower Casserole

Ingredients

1 head (large) Broccoli

1 head Cauliflower

6 Tablespoons Butter

1/2 whole Medium Onion, Diced

2 cloves Garlic, Minced

1/4 cup Flour

2-1/2 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth

4 ounces, weight Cream Cheese, Room Temperature

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

1/4 teaspoon Seasoned Salt, More To Taste

1/4 teaspoon Paprika

1-1/2 cup Grated Monterey Jack Cheese, More To Taste

1 Tablespoon Butter

1/3 cup Seasoned Breadcrumbs

Preparation Instructions

Break the broccoli and cauliflower into small florets, cutting off the thick stalks as you go. Steam them for 3 to 4 minutes until the broccoli is bright green, then remove them from the heat. Set aside.

In a large skillet, melt the 6 tablespoons of butter and saute the onion and garlic until the onion starts to turn translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the top, whisk to combine, and cook for another 45 seconds. Pour in broth, whisking constantly, then cook until the sauce thickens. Reduce the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese, salt, pepper, seasoned salt, and paprika. Stir to combine until the sauce is nice and smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings, making sure it's nice and flavorful! Keep warm.

In a small bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and melted butter. Set aside.

Layer half the broccoli and cauliflower in a small casserole dish. Pour on half the cream sauce, then sprinkle on half the cheese. Sprinkle a little paprika on the cheese, then repeat with another layer of broccoli, sauce, and cheese.

End with a sprinkling of breadcrumbs. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Serve warm.

Triple plate steel against water

"…The Lord indicates a…serious problem with harboring an unforgiving heart: 'Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.'  Is the Lord truly saying that refusing to forgive another is a greater sin than the offense committed against us? Yes. Truman Madsen suggests one reason for this: In refusing to forgive another, we, in effect, attempt to deny the blessings of the Atonement to that person: 'You may have reached the point of desperation in your own life when you have prayed and yearned for forgiveness of your own guilt and sin. But then you turn and say, 'But not him! Don't you forgive him! I'm not going to, he doesn't deserve it.' You will then close the channel of love

 and compassion and revelation from the Lord. 

You seek to nullify His atonement for others. 

It is like triple plate steel against water.'

Truman G. Madsen

Increased compassion along the way

I walked a mile with Pleasure;

She chattered all the way;

But left me none the wiser

For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow,

And ne'er a word said she;

But oh, the things I learned from her,

when sorrow walked with me.

Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences whileoften difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others.  We experience hard things so that we too may have increased compassion and understanding for others.

Just as Christ's suffering taught him how to succor us, we can use the compassion we learn through our own trials to be more sensitive and to better serve others who are struggling.  We can be Christ's hand in bringing comfort to others.

It's all right

Cheesy Breadsticks

Ingredients

1 (10 ounce) can prepared pizza crust
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 cup provolone cheese, shredded
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Instructions
Preheat oven to 425.
Unroll pizza dough onto a greased cookie sheet and brush with butter. Sprinkle cheeses and spices evenly over the dough. With a pizza cutter, cut dough lengthwise into 12 long strips. Then cut those in half to make 24 strips.Do not separate strips.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until light golden brown.
Recut along each strip and remove from cooking sheet. Serve sticks warm with marinara sauce.

Spinach & White Bean Soup

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, diced

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

4 cups vegetable stock

2 bay leaves

1 cup uncooked orzo pasta

2 cups baby spinach

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

Juice of 1 lemon

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook,

stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in thyme and basil

until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Whisk in vegetable stock, bay leaves and 1 cup water; bring to a boil. Stir in orzo; reduce heat and

simmer until orzo is tender, about 10-12 minutes.

Stir in baby spinach and cannellini beans until the spinach has wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in lemon

juice and parsley; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Serve immediately.

Graven upon my hands

This would be a unique way to bear ones testimony. 

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.

by Montserrat.

I originally saw this idea on pinterest, but the link didn't tell how to do it so I set about figuring it out with my kids. It really is a fun way to write creatively!

First we took our thumbprints. The clearest prints were not made with ink but with pencil! We colored a small piece of paper heavily with pencil lead, then rubbed our finger on it. Then we carefully placed our finger on the sticky side of clear packing tape. We placed the tape, sticky side down, onto another piece of paper.

We scanned those into our computer, enlarged them to cover a full sheet of paper, and printed them as lightly as possible. We tried to print them dark and then use a light tracer or window to follow the lines on another piece of paper placed over it but that proved too difficult and time consuming.

Now all that is left to do is start writing! Write anything that comes to mind about yourself making sure you follow the lines of your fingerprint. This can get pretty crazy as fingerprints either arch, loop, or whorl and not all lines follow right next to each other. Have fun writing and deciding where to go next.

Once it is all filled in you have a unique page all about you!

Blessed

When someone asks you, "How are you doing?" how do you answer? It's easy to respond to such a common greeting without giving any thought. But sometimes the way we answer this simple question can reveal much about the way we think about our lives. 

A prominent business and community leader, now well into his 70s, always responds the same way when asked how he is doing. He always—always—answers, "Blessed." If he answered some other way, it would be a great surprise to those who know and love him. 

His response says a lot about his heart: it flows with gratitude. He's grateful to God for his many blessings; he's grateful to his wife and loved ones; he's grateful to his many friends and associates; he's thankful for another day of life to help and serve others. 

Of course, this doesn't mean that his life is all sunshine and roses every day. Over the years, he's had his share of ups and downs, triumphs and heartaches. But he chooses to focus on his blessings. Yes, life could be easier, the path smoother, but he counts his blessings—and he invariably finds that they outnumber his trials. 

As a natural consequence of this grateful outlook, his life has become a legacy of selfless service, compassion, friendship, and kind actions. Those who need advice seek his optimism and wisdom. At least in part, it seems to be his "blessed" attitude that inspires his love and care for others. 

The next time someone asks how you're doing, it might be a good opportunity to reflect on how blessed you truly are. Yes, we want to be sincere, not fake. But perhaps we could also consider our blessings more often. No matter how bad things are right now, they could be worse, and they can get better. We always have blessings to count. 

The world is glorious, people are generally good, 

and life can improve in the days ahead. 

Truly, as this wise man affirms, we are blessed. 

Cheerio, chaps!

Cauliflower Chowder

INGREDIENTS

4 slices bacon, diced

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, diced

2 carrots, peeled and diced

2 stalks celery, diced

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup 2% milk

1 head cauliflower, roughly chopped

1 bay leaf

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside.

Melt butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in cauliflower and bay leaf. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes.

Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk, and cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.

Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until cauliflower are tender, about 12-15 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste. If the chowder is too thick, add more milk as needed until desired consistency is reached.

Serve immediately, garnished with bacon and parsley, if desired.

Constant Companions

Celebrate and grow

Let it be

Your own wondrous story has already begun.

Your own wondrous story has already begun. 

Your "once upon a time" is now." 

Sandwiched between their "once upon a time" and "happily every after" they all had to experience great adversity  

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

For a moment, think back about your favorite fairy tale. 

In that story the main character … must overcome adversity. 

…You will experience your own adversity. … 

It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, 

that determines how your life's story will develop. 

A Simple Carrot Soup

2 tablespoons unsalted butter or extra-virgin coconut oil
1 onion, chopped
scant 1 tablespoon red curry paste, or to taste
2 pounds carrots, peeled and chopped - 1/2-inch chunks
1 14-ounce can full-fat coconut milk
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste
1 1/2 cups water, or to cover
1 lemon or lime

topping ideas: micro greens / cilantro, chopped, toasted almonds , chile oil

In a large soup pan over medium-high heat add the butter and onion. Stir until the onions are well-coated, and allow to saute until translucent, a few minutes. Stir in the curry paste, and then the carrots. Allow to cook another minute or two, and then add the coconut milk, salt, and water, adding more water to cover if needed. Allow to simmer until the carrots are tender, 10 - 15 minutes, and then puree using a blender or hand blender until the soup is completely silky smooth. This next part is important (with any soup) - make any needed adjustments. Add more water if the consistency needs to be thinned out a bit. After that taste for salt, adding more if needed. I also like to season this soup with a great big squeeze or lemon or lime juice. Serve topped with whatever you have on hand (almonds), and a lot of something green (micro greens & cilantro).

Know it

To truly live

The search for perfection is messy

"It is imperative that we learn to see ourselves not at our worst moments but as a child fully engaged in the developmental process of mortality. Perfection is messy. Remember that discipleship is a process. It takes time." 

Keith J. Burkhart 

Wanting less is probably a better blessing than having more.

 Mary Ellen Edmunds

"No matter how small you start, start something that matters." 

"You're never too old and it's never too late to live each day with purpose and enthusiasm." 

Mary Ellen Edmunds

 Grace is not about filling gaps. It is about filling us."

"So grace is not a booster engine that kicks in once our fuel supply is exhausted. Rather, it is our constant energy source. It is not the light at the end of the tunnel but the light that moves us through the tunnel. Grace is not achieved somwhere down the road. It is received right here and right now. It is not the finishing touch; it is the Finisher's touch."

"[Don't] dwell on days now gone. The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. Once we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, we look ahead, remembering that faith is always pointed toward the future." 

Jeffrey R. Holland 

Because there is a God-given space between (external) stimulus and (internal) response, it isn't circumstances but choices that steer our journey's direction. Truly, "Decisions determine destiny." So, remember, we can't always control what happens to us, but we can decide what it will mean for us and how we will react.

God does notice us, and He watches over us.

Quadruple Chip Cookies

2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. butter, softened
1 Tbsp. melted butter
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2/3 c. milk chocolate chips
2/3 c. white chocolate chips
2/3 c. peanut butter chips
2/3 c. butterscotch chips

Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In another bowl mix together the butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Gradually mix in the flour mixture. Then stir in the chips.

Place heaping tablespoons of the batter onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes, until the edges just begin to turn golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes, then place them onto a cooking rack to cool completely.

Smile and accept everything with joy

Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. 

Accept everything with joy.

Do small things with great love. 

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.

Be kind whenever possible, it is always possible. 

There is no key to HAPPINESS. the door is always open.

The most terrible poverty is loneliness, 

and the feeling of being unloved.

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. 

We only have today. Let us begin."

"I will never understand all the good that a simple smile can achieve." 

 

Let us all meet each other with a smile, 

for the smile is the beginning of love.

 Mother Teresa 

You don't have to be perfect to love perfectly

Line upon line

Kindness: Pass it on

Asian Pepper Pork

Serves 6–8

This slow-cooker dish makes wonderful leftovers, hot or cold. Fresh garlic and ginger strengthen the immune system and aid the body in fighting off winter colds. Look for a lean pork roast to reduce calories; I usually buy tenderloin.

· 1⁄2 cup lite soy sauce

· 1/3 cup brown sugar

· 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

· 1 teaspoon sesame oil

· 3–4 garlic cloves, sliced thin

· 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger

· 1⁄2 teaspoon crushed red pepper to taste

· 2–3 pounds pork, trimmed and cut into half-fist–sized pieces

· 1 package whole wheat linguini

· 2–3 green, orange, yellow, or red bell peppers, sliced into thin strips 

· 2/3 pound snow peas, trimmed

1. Combine first seven ingredients and set aside. Place trimmed pork in a slow cooker and pour soy sauce mixture over meat to coat. Cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours until it easily pulls apart with a fork.

2. Just before serving, boil pasta according to package directions in a large pot, adding peppers and peas to boiling water during the last two minutes of cooking, being careful not to overcook veggies. Drain noodles and vegetables. Set aside.

3. Remove meat from slow cooker with a slotted spoon. Cool slightly and shred into medium-sized pieces. Strain cooking liquid (I use cheesecloth to remove any residual fat) and pour into a skillet, bringing to a boil until slightly thickened. Add shredded meat to liquid to reheat and serve with noodles and vegetables.

4. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds or chopped peanuts, if desired.

Source: LDS Living

:Do

After the fire

There's angels on their way!

Over a hundred years ago, Frances Hodgson Burnett wrote 

The Secret Garden, an enchanting novel about a young girl, Mary, 

who is orphaned during a cholera outbreak and sent away to live with relatives she has never met. Her childhood has been filled with loneliness and neglect, but Mary's personality begins to blossom as she and a young gardener bring new life to an old, neglected garden. 

Though the garden seems to be nearly dead, the gardener helps Mary see the dormant life in it, which together they nurture to full bloom. The garden becomes a place of healing not only for Mary but also for others who are suffering—including her sickly cousin and her sorrowing uncle. It is a reaffirming, hopeful message of the resilience of life that people can change, miracles can happen, and everyone's story can have a happy ending.

In a sense, we each have a secret garden that needs tending. It might be a relationship that needs a little extra care, a decision that needs to be made, a hope or a wish or a dream that needs some nurturing. Our garden may seem to be filled with weeds and thorns, but it is also filled with the potential to become lush and fragrant and beautiful. Even when life seems dark and hopeless, with some patient care and attention, 

things can always change for the better.

In the Broadway adaptation of The Secret Garden, a friendly chambermaid uplifts Mary during a moment of discouragement with this inspiring message:

When you see the storm is coming,  

See the lightning part the skies,

It's too late to run 

There's terror in your eyes!

What you do then is remember 

This old thing you heard me say:

"It's the storm, not you, 

That's bound to blow away." …

Hold on,

Hold on. The night will soon be by.  

Hold on 

Until there's nothing left to try. 

Child, hold on. There's angels on their way!

Hold on and hear them say, 

"Child, oh, child!" … 

Hold on!

"In our own storms in life the Savior is our solace and our sanctuary. 

If we seek peace, we must come unto Him."

Joseph B. Wirthlin