God gave us families

Have you ever noticed how many times a reference to family is mentioned in Granny and Grandpa's personal histories? Let's just say dozens of times. That's because for them family is everything.

Families are how God shares his love.

The Great Plan of Happiness

“No other success can compensate for failure in the home.” ― David O. Mckay

“The most important of the Lord's work you will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your own home.” ― Harold B. Lee

God gave us families to help us become what he knows we can be.

Use us. That's what we are here for.



Verse 1:
Our Father has a family, it's me! It's you, all-others too: we are his children.
He sent each one of us to earth, through birth, to live and learn here in families.

Chorus:
God gave us families to help us become what he wants us to be.
This is how he shares his love, for the family is of God.

Verse 2:
A father's place is to preside, provide, to love and teach the gospel to his children.
A father leads in family prayer to share their love for Father in Heaven.

Verse 3:
A mother's purpose is to care, prepare, to nurture and to strengthen all her children.
She teaches children to obey, to pray, to love and serve in the family.

Verse 4:
I'll love and serve my family and be a good example to each family member.
And when I am a mom or dad, so glad, I’ll help my family remember.

Words from the wise

My dad was a master storyteller. All who knew him can attest to that. We remembered his birthday just one month ago today. I miss his smile, his eyes, and especially the times spent listening to his uplifting stories and wise counsel. Absence indeed makes the heart grow fonder.

Though our separation is relatively brief, it has been acute. Our family members and friends buoy us up during hard times. Letters from home always have that affect on me. Like letters from a family member or friend, Grandpa's journal does that for me, as well.

So instead of sharing thoughts of my own with you in this post, my message today are the comforting words of Grandpa.

Enjoy below his recently-found journal entries:

Comforting words from Grandpa

Richard Stucki memoir 

I love you

I was searching through my filing cabinet recently. Below the hanging folders, a tattered newspaper article appeared on the bottom of the drawer. I squeezed the folders together to make room and slipped my hand between them to retrieve it.

The newspaper clipping was yellowed and torn slightly. I unfolded the bends and flattened the creases best I could then lifted it to read "Don't wait for a special day to tell Dad you love him."

Of course, I remember finding this article clipping and saving it. So I sat down with anticipation, anxious to read it once again. It did not disappoint.

I went to the Stucki Cousins reunion yesterday in Bountiful. I know you all wanted to go and I fielded questions about you and our growing families.

This picture shows Margaret, Grandpa Bill, Bonnie, Barbara, Grandma Lucy, and Richard.

The words of our fathers are family scripture for us. we have manyes at our disposal to save and share their words of wisdom, advice, and warning. I found a special tribute written by Grandpa Richard regarding some observations regarding experiences in the early days of Castle Valley.

How would our lives be different today if we did not have the legacy left by our fathers and mothers?

Each time we read we should probably ask ourselves "Why did these writers choose these particular stories or events to include in the record? What value are they for us today"

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