You Gotta Love Summer!

Summer is my favorite time of year, hands down.

I love sunny days and starry, moon filled nights.

A walk in the park.

Tomatoes from the garden and lemonade stands.

Freckles on your nose and tan lines on your toes.

Flowers blooming, freshly cut grass.

Baseball games and dance recitals.

Dragging yourself out of bed for a sunrise run.

Sleeping in if you feel like it.

Running from roller coaster to roller coaster with your two favorite ten year olds.

Boating with friends.

Hanging out at the pool.

Barbecues. slurpees and ice cream cones that melt too fast.

The annual neighborhood breakfast.

Complete with a bike parade led by Uncle Sam.

Sure, it is hot.

Routine is gone.
It's easy to get lazy.

But overall....

You GOTTA
LOVESUMMER!

Changing the World, One at a Time

Meet Farrell and Marilyn Barlow.

They have been happily married for the past 40 or so years. They raised seven outstanding children and buried one precious infant son.

Marilyn found her joy in being a mom. She was a devoted cheerleader, psychologist, chauffer, seamstress, housekeeper, cook and nurse. She has been blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook.

Farrell worked hard each day to provide for such a large family. He spent most nights volunteering at church or supporting the kids in their many activities. He has a great ability to get things done and love people while doing it.

Together they built a happy life.

About a year and a half ago they entered the joyful ranks of retirement.

Some folks envision this stage of life filled with travel, golf, gardening, reading, relaxing and grandchildren.

Not these two.

They packed their bags and headed to the other side of the world. They arrived in a country called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is located in the heart of Africa.

They are currently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They have been assigned to work in the humanitairan services the church is providing for that country.

The church provides relief and development projects in countries all over the world, without regard to nationality or religion of the recipients.

In case of natural disasters, war or famine, immediate help in the form of food or supplies is given. After urgent needs are met, the church helps with long term needs of the community.

The church's approach is to help people become self-reliant by teaching skills and providing resources for a self sustained life.

Donations are principally from church members but also from others not of our faith around the world. One hundred percent of the donations received are used for relief efforts. The church absorbs its own overhead costs.

Farrell and Marilyn have worked on initiatives to help the Congolese people become more self sufficient. Including neonatal resuscitation training, clean water projects, wheelchair distribution, vision treatment and measles vaccinations.

There have been ups.

There have been downs.

It's tough at times. The DRC is primitive in many ways. The people struggle for law and order, human rights and the basic necessities of life. Although French is the official language of the country, there are mixes of up to 240 other languages spoken. Not to mention that they are there at their own expense, about 3,300.00 per month.

They miss their kids and grandkids.

They have never even met these two:

But with hearts as big as the continent they have grown to love, they are making a difference.

One cup of clean water, one wheelchair, one set of eyes that can see again, one baby saved.

Click on the video below to see how they are changing the world...

one Child of God at a time.

You can read more about their experience at http://barlowsinthedrcongo.blogspot.com/

You can learn more about the humanitarian efforts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/background-information/humanitarian-services

Confessions of a Neat Freak

I admit it.

I am somewhat of a neat freak.

I like the house in a certain order and I refuse to have any fun until everything is in its designated place.

Some people in my family have accused me of being a bit obsessive compulsive.

I differ with that observation.

I am not OCD.
I am not.

I am not.

I am not.

Today Mark and his golf clubs had a 6:00 am appointment. I heard him leave and quickly formulated a plan to get all the cleaning done while he was gone.

I started with the bathrooms. I cleaned every tub, sink, shower, mirror and toilet. With 3.5 bathrooms that is some serious scrubbing.

I polished the kitchen top to bottom including hosing down the highchair.

Furniture, lamps, pictures were dusted,
Window sills wiped down.

Beds made.

Laundry done.
I even went the extra mile and worked on the storage room.
Carpet vacuumed.
Garage and porch swept.

For my final job, I tackled the floors. We have hardwood and tile on the main level. I swept, then vacuumed then went over it all with a wet cloth. (Please note: THREE processes here)

Around 3:00 pm I finally finished.

Aaaahhhh I said to myself as I admired my hard work.

"This house is very clean!" I warned the family.

"Do not make any messes or stiff penalties will be imposed."

Tonight after dinner I put Samantha in the tub and then into a freshly washed sleeper. She crawled around behind me as I went from room to room.

Soon it was time to tuck her in.

I laid her down in her crib and this is what I saw:

So much for my three step floor routine.

Now, a girl with issues might start rescrubbing the floors. It might drive her nutty to know that there is a layer of dirt sitting there where her baby spends most of the time.

She could possibly lose sleep over the grime and obvious germ factor.

Perhaps her husband and son are away at a cub scout over nighter and her daughters are sleeping soundly in their beds. Who would know if she did a quick re-do?

I would know. And because I am not obsessive, I am not obsessive, I am not obsessive, I am going to bed now.

Good night.

Dream Big

My little brother Nate (Ok so he's really Mark's little brother but I claim him) sent a song to Lincoln a few days ago. Nate knows his nephew very well. The name of the song is Dream Big.

It got me thinking.

I'm not very good at dreaming big. I'm not even great at thinking big.

Lincoln on the other hand is very good at dreaming big. We were driving home from a ball game the other night when Rachel asked a question to the family, "If you had a store, what would the name of it be?"

Mark answered and then I answered. Then Lincoln responded, "Well, I wouldn't just have a store, I would own the company and have a national chain of stores".

Today, as we were having lunch, Lincoln wanted to know if I prefer a mountain cabin with a place for horses or a beach home in Maui. I chose the Maui option.

He said, "Mom I am going to buy that for you and Daddy." "Rach and Sam can live next door". "I will come and live with you in the off season." (When the Red Sox give him some vacation time)

Lincoln is constantly asking how much a CEO of a certain company makes. When he sees property for sale he wants to know how much it will be worth five years from now and what would be the best way to develop it.

He has visions of having his own golf course in the backyard with a large swimming pool next to it. Oh and by the way, in the middle of the pool will be a three tiered water fountain.

He expects to go to Harvard on scholarship. He is confident that he could make some very wise investments. He is sure that he would be good at designing devices that police officers could use to better catch criminals.

Lincoln will also be a good philanthropist. He's got plans to build stadiums for the Boys & Girls Club of America. They will be well equipped with cool stuff for kids and all the major league teams will want to play there.

This kid can really dream big.

Mark and I have wondered if it is good for him to have such big plans. He might be crushed if he doesn't get into Harvard. He might waste time chasing crazy ideas.

Mark had a talk with him about the odds of playing Major League Baseball. Mark was gentle and sensitive about it. "Buddy, it's hard to make it to the big leagues... " Mark gave a few facts and figures about what a long shot it is.

Lincoln thought a minute, then he said with a smile, "If I can't play for the Red Sox I will OWN the Red Sox!"

It's like the songs says, "When you dream, dream big".

What I Love About America

I love the fourth of July. It is my favorite holiday, even more than Christmas. What a great holiday weekend it has been. We celebrated with family parties, fireworks, swimming, golf and a funny play at Hale Theatre.

All of those things were fun but tonight as the weekend draws to a close, I can't help but feel so grateful for the opportunity of living in this country.

Here is what I love about America:

I love the idea of the American dream. I love that Lincoln fully expects to play baseball in the big leagues and then be a successful CEO.

I love that Rachel believes she can be a vet, an artist and also design a kitchen line similar to Martha Stewart's.

I love that my Mark and I can be on completely different sides politically, we can stay up late at night debating, we cancel each other out in the voting booth and yet we are happily married.

I love that I can practice my religion in the way I choose and respect the right of others to do the same.

I love that Lincoln's three best buddies are three different ethnicities.

I love baseball, apple pie and seeing Old Glory waving in the breeze.

I love what the Statue of Liberty represents and standing with reverence when I hear the Star Spangled Banner.

I love the soldiers who courageously kiss their loved ones goodbye and head to a war zone. I love the families they leave behind.

I love the way that I can't stop the tears when I hear God Bless the USA.

So when I say my prayers tonight, I will thank God for the fun we've had, for the memories we've made. But most of all, I will thank Him for blessing me to live in this country.

Happy Independence Day from a Little Firecracker

The Optimist's Creed

Today I promise myself....

To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person I meet.

To make my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet.

To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

Christian D. Larson