Earthly Father, Heavenly Father

Today is Father's Day, and I hope you take a moment to express your love and gratitude to all the Father's in your life.  Happy Father's Day to my own Father, my Husband, Son's and Son-in-Law's, my Grandfathers, my Uncles, and my Brother-in-laws.  We are grateful for the positive contributions you make to our family.  And for us all, I am hopeful that you will join me in expressing love and appreciation to our Blessed Father-in-Heaven.

If you have ever questioned your role....

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Do you remember the book "Horton Hatches an Egg?" (By Dr. Seuss).  I was reminded about it today.  Just in case you need your memory jogged, here is a 'replay'.  "Mayzie" was a lazy bird who was sitting on her egg when Horton was walking by.  Listen to Mayzie:

“I’m tired and I’m bored

And I’ve kinks in my leg

From sitting, just sitting here day after day.

It’s work! How I hate it!

I’d much rather play!

I’d take a vacation, fly off for a rest

If I could find someone to stay on my nest!

If I could find someone, I’d fly away-free…”

Then Horton, the Elephant, passed by her tree.

“Hello!” called the lazy bird, smiling her best,

“You’ve nothing to do and I do need a rest.

Would you like to sit on the egg in my nest?”

Well, as you may recall, Horton agrees and Mayzie takes off far away and ends up on the Beach. She doesn't return for a long time.  Horton faithfully says with the egg despite weather, and media sensationalism. He never veered from his task.  

When Mayzie returned, it wasn't to see how her egg was doing, it was to see a circus. By now Horton and the egg had become a main event in the circus.

"And she swooped from the clouds
Through an open tent door…
“Good gracious!” gasped Mayzie,
“I’ve seen you before!”
Poor Horton looked up with his face white as chalk!
He started to speak, but before he could talk…
There rang out the noisiest ear-splitting squeaks
From the egg that he’d sat on for fifty-one weeks!
A thumping! A Bumping! A wild alive scratching!
“My egg!”  Shouted Horton. “My egg! Why, it’s hatching!”

So, now that the task is completed, Mayzie wants her day in the sun....

“But it’s Mine!” screamed the bird, when she heard the egg crack.

(the work was all done. Now she wanted it back.)

“It’s my egg!” she sputtered.  “You stole it from me!

Get off of my nest and get out of my tree!”

Poor Horton backed down

With a sad, heavy heart…

 But at that very instant, the egg burst apart!

And out of the pieces of red and white shell,

From the egg that he’d sat on so long and so well,

Horton the Elephant saw something whizz!

It had Ears

And a Tail

And a trunk just like his!

Oh the Folly of Mayzie.  She had thought that her station in life was unsuitable and that the grass was greener elsewhere.  She had delegated her duty and her influence away.

“My goodness! My gracious!” they shouted. “My Word!

It’s something brand new!

It’s an elephant-bird!!

And it should be, it should be, it should be like that!

Because Horton was faithful!  He sat and he sat!

He meant what he said

And he said what he meant…”

 …And they sent him home

Happy,

One hundred per cent!"

I loved the "100%" part.  As a parent, I know that I longed to be with my children as much as I could, but circumstances did not always allow it.  However, I made sure that practices, performances, FHE, Games, family trips, and simple things such as sleep-overs in the living-room and just snuggling under the covers were priorities of mine.  I love my children more than life...and have always felt that motherhood and being a parent has been such a great privilege that was extended to me by a loving Heavenly Father.  

I only had a handful of children to love and influence.  Imagine the role of our Heavenly Father in this same arena.  I saw this video today.....and I think it will now be one of my favorites.  Heavenly Father is a Father "100%", and he does it on such a grand scale.  How fortunate we are to be loved and respected by such a great being....who only asks us to call him "Father".

Happy Father's Day.....

Today, we have the honor and opportunity to reflect upon the influence that our Father's have had upon our very lives.  The examples, the teaching, the love that we have been offered at their knee.  Sometimes, even forgiveness to and from our Father is a needed opportunity and blessing.  May you find the time and opportunity to thank those who have are or have become Father's to us all.

Happy Father's Day....



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Well, hopefully you are enjoying this Father's Day with loved ones far and near.  We have Father's who are close by, but most are living very far away from us.  Thank goodness for technology that allows us the opportunity to span the miles and keep relationships going.

I'm sure there are wonderful gifts that have been selected and given....and hopefully you are having better weather than we are having here.

So, I thought I would include something fun that Father's and Children can do together....and of course it incorporates food storage staples.  My aim is to show you how these things are really mainstream....everyday items that you will always need and have creative and sometimes memory-building uses for as well.\

This recipe comes from Merrilyn Lloyd's Instant Delite Recipes (copyright 1988).  This booklet has many, many recipes that are really good.  Consider finding a copy for your library.

Incredible Edible Finger Paint

2 rounded Tablespoons of Instant ClearJel

1/4 Cup Sugar

1 packet unsweetened Kool-Aid, any flavor

3/4 Cup Water

Mix instant clear jel, sugar, and Kool-Aid. Add water and beat until smooth.This has the advantage of staying glossy even when it is dry.  It will also pliable.  After it is dry it will not crack or break like ordinary finger paints do The children can lick their fingers.  It tastes good and will not hurt them. 

Make some memories for Dad, or with Dad today. Times goes fleetingly by....

Good Things to Come......Happy Father's Day

On this glorious Father's Day, and in this time of great challenge in our world, President Holland reminds us that no matter what, good things will come.  View this video, and hear his wise words.

And, make breakfast in bed for the Father of your home, call your Father or Father-in-law if you live away from them , and finally remember to thank your Heavenly Father for the blessing of the Plan of Salvation.  It guides our path in all we do, and can do.

Happy Father's Day

As we celebrate a special day for Fathers, let us not just enjoy a good meal but truely treasure the great gift our Father's have been to us. Consider reflecting on the goodness and blessings that they have brought to our lives and express your thanks to them.

If you have not been blessed to have a Father's influence in your home, perhaps consider thanking a Grandfather, Uncle, or Home Teacher who have graced your home with goodness, selflessness, and the blessings of the Priesthood.

Take the opportunity to today to be grateful for the sacred role of fathers, and express it with greatness!