By Alan on Mar 05 in Blog tagged done, dreams, enjoy, fun, great day, happy, lifetime, live, old, old friends, past, perfect, regrets, winter, wish, years | Comments Off

And  then  it  is Winter …

You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went.  I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

But, here it is… the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise… How did I get here so fast?  Where did the years go and where did my youth go?  I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

But, here it is… my friends are retired and getting grey… they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me… but, I see the great change… Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant… but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore… it’s mandatory! Cause if I don’t on my own free will… I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so… now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!!  But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I’m not sure how long it will last… this I know, that when it’s over on this earth… its over. A new adventure will begin!

Yes, I have regrets.  There are things I wish I hadn’t done… things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime.

So, if you’re not in your winter yet… let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think.  So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly!  Don’t put things off too long!!  Life goes by quickly.  So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!  You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life… so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember… and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!

By Alan on Nov 26 in Blog tagged Brad, Chef, cooking, Family, fusion, grain, happy, homes, kitchen | Comments Off

Homes Feel Loved And Happy
When The Kitchen Is Functioning Well

Hello, it’s Chef Brad from Fusion Grain Cooking!

I am so pleased to be able to write for the Osmonds website for the family. I love their devotion to the family and all the family represents. It is so important today as we witness forces outside the home trying to destroy the family unit and all that it means to us. I share their devotion for the family and I salute them for all they do to “Strengthen The Family” unit.

So you might be asking what does Chef Brad and Fusion Grain Cooking have to do with the family. Well, where do I start. I know! In the kitchen.

The kitchen is the heart of the home in so many ways. Think about the heart in our bodies for a moment. It is crucial for a healthy body to have a healthy heart and with out it we cannot live. A healthy heart promotes a good and happy life.

We are able to do much when our hearts are functioning in the right way. The heart in our bodies is a symbol of love and we express how we feel from the heart. So how does that apply to the kitchen. I believe the kitchen works in the same way for the home as it does for our bodies. If the kitchen is functioning well and healthy, the entire home enjoys a happier life and a healthier more active life. If the kitchen, the heart of the home, is functioning well the members of our homes feel loved and happy.

So now you might ask just what is a Heart Healthy Kitchen. Allow me to list a few things I think are important in maintaining a heart healthy kitchen.

#1. It must like out hearts in our bodies be used frequently. Exercise for the kitchen would include cooking meals from scratch involving members of the family in the process. Exercise for the kitchen would include meals eaten together often with as many members of the family as possible. Exercise for the kitchen would include involving family members in the cleanup and in keeping the kitchen orderly and a place that is inviting and warm.

#2. It must be a place where foods are prepared with thought, love, and concern for how the foods we eat effect our bodies. Cooking healthy foods does require time and effort, just as keeping our physical hearts healthy, preparing heart health foods does require time, but the end result is a much stronger physical heart and in turn it strengthens the home heart.

#3. We must come to recognize the Divine Roll of Food in the Family. I have thought a lot about this and have decided that God in his infinite wisdom created food for more than just eating. He knew that in the process of feeding the body it would bring us together and allow us doing the feeding of the body time strengthen family relationships. The more I think about this the more I am certain of the truth of the roll of food in our lives. Think of all that happens around food. And think of what brings the family back, it’s the power of food.

#4. This goes along with the Divine Roll of Food in the Family.  As we take a good look at what food is really all about, it changes from being a chore that has to be done to a service that we can find great joy in doing. As we ponder how powerful food can be in uniting the family and friend together, it becomes a service of love that we look forward to do with joy and not with the feeling we are just doing another have to chore.

I have come to love the simple act of cooking healthy food, inviting family members and friends together to enjoy the food, but more importantly, to  strengthen relationships. I have seen miracles happen when food is prepared with love and the understanding that I am not just keep my physical heart strong, but I am making the Heart of my home vibrant, strong, healthy, and filled with love.

I wish you all the success in the world as you use your kitchen to strengthen the family and in the process you will find great joy in serving. In fact I have found that I even enjoy doing the dishes now.

Have a great day.

Chef Brad

By Alan on Dec 26 in Blog tagged alone, Approved, blessed, broke, dedication, Donny Osmond, Excitement, faithful, Family, happy, Loneliness, loving, Marie, married, Mormon, One Take, Popular, religious, rich, Show Business, successful, survival in the entertainment business, tested, thankful, The Family, The Osmond Family, The Osmonds, together, work | 9 Comments

Family, Work, Dedication, Loneliness, Excitement, One Take, Loving, Popular, Rich, Broke, Tested, Religious, Approved, Married, Faithful, Mormon, Thankful, Successful, Alone, Together, Blessed, Happy . . .
Donny Osmond of The Osmond Family.

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This is a glorious time in which to live here upon the earth.

As we travel through life, there come times when we must stand up and be counted. These are times of testing. Are we on the Lord’s side, keeping his commandments? Do we sustain our leaders and uphold them? Do we stand steadfast and unwavering?  Do we compromise those things we know are true?

It is a temptation to become so involved in the things of the world that we lose sight of more important values, the things of the spirit and family.  We tried to do this with our music.

All the effort and struggle and sorrow will be well worth it, for we will have earned the greatest of all gifts, the gift of eternal life. May this be our happy lot, I humbly pray.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim. 4: 7

Families are Forever
For The Family

Alan Osmond’s Response after viewing this:

By Alan on Dec 04 in Blog tagged be obedient, be thoughtful, children should love their parents, encouragement, express concern, families, feel important, feelings, happy, honor parents, husbands and wives, kind, learn self-control, love, loyalty, never hurt, sacrifice, serve one another, share, sincere praise, value of work | Comments Off

At home, with our families, we can learn self-control, sacrifice, loyalty, and the value of work. We can learn to love, to share, and to serve one another.

Husbands and wives should be thoughtful and kind to each other.

They should never do or say anything to hurt each other’s feelings. They should also try to do everything possible to make each other happy.

As family members we can help each other feel confident by giving encouragement and sincere praise. Each child should feel important.

Parents need to show they are interested in what their children do and express love and concern for their children. Children should likewise show their love for their parents. They should be obedient and try to live the kind of life that will bring honor to their parents and to their family name. 

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old,
he will not depart from it.” Prov. 22: 6

“Strengthening The Family“

By Alan on Oct 10 in Blog tagged Alan and Suzanne osmond, happy, Jesus Christ, light and truth, loving home, mothers and fathers, osmonds second generation, productive, righteous lives | 2 Comments

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Good parenting, while very challenging at times, offers great potential for happiness. Parents can experience great joy by building a strong, loving home environment and teaching gospel principles, which can help their children lead righteous, happy, and productive lives. (See 3 John 1:4.)

The Lord has commanded parents to “bring up [their] children in light and truth” (D&C 93:40). This includes teaching them to understand the doctrines of faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost (see D&C 68:25) and to love their Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. This teaching should take place primarily in the home, with Church classes and programs supplementing and supporting parents’ efforts.

Parents can teach their children formally during family home evening and other family gatherings, such as daily family prayer and scripture study or at mealtimes. Teaching opportunities also come in unplanned moments as parents and children spend time working and playing together. Whatever the setting, the Lord will guide parents as they prayerfully seek to rear their children in love and righteousness.

Suzanne and I give thanks to our Heavenly Father above and to our Lord Jesus Christ for trusting us with eight wonderful sons, seven daughter-in-laws, and twenty wonderful grandchildren to raise and to love as a father, a mother, a grandpa and grandma.

“Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” Matt. 7: 17-18

A Mormon/Christian Family and Home,

Alan & Suzanne Osmond
For The Family

By Alan on Mar 27 in Blog tagged Accounting, australia, different, difficult, double Bachelor's degree, happy, Jesus Christ, lonely, love life, Nick Vujicic, no arms, no legs | 1 Comment

Nick Vujicic has no arms and no legs.

Imagine being born without arms. No arms to wrap around a friend ; no hands to hold the ones you love; no fingers to experience touch ; no way to lift or carry things. How much more difficult would life be if you were living without arms and hands? Or what about legs? Imagine if instead of no arms, you had no legs. No ability to dance, walk, run, or even stand. Now put both of those scenarios together… no arms and no legs. What would you do? How would that affect your everyday life?

“If just one more person finds eternal life in Jesus Christ….it is all worth it”.  You can help me spread this message today!

Meet Nick Vujicic, pronounced ‘Vooy-cheech’.

Born in 1982 in Brisbane, Australia, without any medical explanation or warning, Nicholas Vujicic came into the world with neither arms nor legs.

Imagine the shock his parents felt when they saw their first-born brand new baby boy for the first time, only to find he was what the world would consider imperfect and abnormal. A limbless son was not what nurse Dushka Vujicic, and her husband Pastor Boris Vujicic had been expecting. How would their son live a normal happy life? What could he ever do or become when living with such a massive disability? Little did they or anyone else know that this beautiful limbless baby would one day be someone who would inspire and motivate people from all walks of life. God uses Nick to touch lives and bring the hope of Jesus Christ to people across the globe.

Throughout his childhood, Nick dealt not only with the typical challenges of school and adolescence such as bullying and self-esteem issues; but also struggled with depression and loneliness.  He constantly questioned why he was different than all the other kids surrounding him; why he was the one born without arms and legs. He wondered what the purpose behind his life was, or if he even had a purpose. According to Nick, the victory over his struggles throughout his journey, as well as the strength and passion he has for life can be credited to his faith in God. His family, friends and the many people he has encountered along the way have also encouraged him.

After school, Nick went on with further study and obtained a double Bachelor’s degree, majoring in Accounting and Financial Planning from Griffith University in Logan, Australia. By the age of 19, Nick started to fulfill his dream of being able to encourage other people and bring them the gospel of Jesus through motivational speaking and sharing his testimony about how God changed his life and gave him a future and a hope. “I found the purpose of my existence, and also the purpose of my circumstance. There’s a purpose for why you’re in the fire.” Nick wholeheartedly believes that there is a purpose in each of the struggles we each encounter in our lives, and that our attitude towards those struggles, along with our faith and trust in the Lord can be the keys to overcoming the challenges we face.

Now at 28 years old, this limbless young man has accomplished more than most people accomplish in a lifetime. Nick recently made the massive move from Brisbane, Australia to California, USA, where he is the President of an international 501c3 non-profit organization; Life Without Limbs. Since his first speaking engagement back when he was 19, Nick has traveled around the world, sharing his story with millions of people, speaking to a range of different groups such as students, teachers, youth, businessmen and women, entrepreneurs, and church congregations of all sizes.  He has also told his story and been interviewed on various televised programs worldwide. “If God can use a man without arms and legs to be His hands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart!”

“I Am Happy!  I Love Living Life!”

What a great example of how we all should be!

Rick D. Nelson
For The Family

By Alan on Mar 07 in Blog tagged abusive, attraction, beliefs, casual, dating, differences, end of relationship, Family, friend, happy, interests, kindness, looking, love, marriage, men, navigating, partner, physical abuse, Proclamation To The World, romantic, serious, shy, single, smiling, spouse, talk, uncomfortable, unhealthy dating, violence, women | Comments Off

The Family: A Proclamation to the World teaches us that “marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God… Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan” (¶1, 7). Most young adults have a desire to marry and one day have a family of their own. However, the process of dating and seeking a marriage partner can be daunting, and sometimes finding your spouse can seem an impossible task. Don’t give up hope! It is possible to successfully navigate the wilderness of the dating world and make it to the promised land.

Enjoy Being Single

Sometimes singles become too focused on their goal of marriage, and they don’t enjoy their years on their own. While marriage is a righteous goal to be sought after, we should take time to enjoy our journey to reach the goal. Our years as a single can be meaningful and happy ones. You may be familiar with the counsel to become the kind of person you want to marry. In this way, you will attract that sort of person to you. Your time as a single can be a time of personal development and enrichment. Some of the most important areas in which to develop include our emotional and mental health, our self esteem, and our ability to control our impulses (Holman, Larson, & Stahmann, 2000).  Remember that we do not need to be perfect in order to have a happy life and a strong marriage. If we are aware of these areas and striving to be our best, that is enough. We should remember that we are worthy of love, and that other people are usually accepting and approachable (Holmes & Johnson, 2009). Taking this perspective will help us build healthy friendships and relationships with others in our lives, a valuable skill that is crucial to life beyond just the dating world.

What to Look For

While the idea of a soul mate is a romantic one, there is not one perfect person out there waiting for you to find him or her. Each of us probably has numerous people in the world with whom we would be very happy. None of them will be our perfect match. Some compromise is inherent in all dating. It is important that we remember this; if we focus too much on finding our perfect soul mate, we may be quicker to write off a dating relationship when conflict arises, instead of trying to work things out (Hall, 2006).

Instead of looking for a soul mate, we should look for someone similar to us in background, values, attitudes, and beliefs about marriage. Research has shown that couples who are similar in these areas tend to have higher marital quality and stability (Holman & Larson, 1994). These areas are key to a person’s identity, which means that when a couple differs in these ways, compromise becomes difficult. When you and your partner are similar in these ways, you will be able to understand one another better because you are coming from the same perspective.

With that said, realize that differences are not necessarily a bad thing. No one is exactly like you, so you shouldn’t be looking for your exact clone. There will definitely be some differences between you and your partner. Remember that compatibility is not just about sameness, but also about complementarity. The Proclamation reminds us that some differences between men and women are built into the divine design of marriage and family stewardships.

While you are searching for your mate, remember that no one is perfect. Be careful not to keep a laundry list of required traits that your mate must have. While there are some things you should not compromise on, such as shared values or kindness, you can be more flexible with other things, like whether someone has your exact taste in movies, whether they are a certain build or have a certain hair color, or whether someone is a master chef.

Initial Attraction

Sometimes the most difficult part of dating is finding someone who you are attracted to and who is attracted to you as well. Attending social events such as dances, parties or singles religious activities can be a way of meeting other singles. How do you catch someone’s attention? Start by being friendly. Eye contact, a big smile and a confident posture (no slouching!) can make you look more approachable (Cunningham & Barbee, 2010).

Don’t be afraid to approach someone you are attracted to. You don’t need a first class opening line to talk to someone. A simple “Hello” is often more effective than a cheesy pick-up line (Cunningham & Barbee, 2010).

How do you tell if someone is interested in you? Some signs you might notice include someone leaning towards you, smiling, making and keeping eye contact, staying near to you, orienting his or her body towards you, and frequent gesturing (Afifi & Lucas, 2010).  Often people have a pessimistic outlook when trying to judge another’s interest. That is, Mike may be too scared of rejection to ask Sally for a date, even though he is interested in her. Meanwhile, Sally assumes Mike must not be interested since he is not asking her, never stopping to think that maybe he is afraid. What is the solution for this? Choose not to let your fear hold you back. You may face rejection, but you may also find that your potential date has been anxiously awaiting you to ask her or him out. You won’t know until you try. Ladies, remember, we live in a time where we are allowed to do the asking too.

If you are shy, the process of attracting someone, approaching him or her, and figuring out whether or not there is mutual interest, may sound like a difficult process to go through. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends for help. Set-ups and blind dates are a great way to skip the stress of finding someone and go straight to a date|just be sure you trust the person setting you up. At social events like parties or dances, consider going with a more social friend, who can act as a bridge for you to meet others, by being the one to start conversations with those you meet.

Casual Dating

The dating climate of today may be different from the climate our parents and grandparents faced. Some modern researchers have argued that hanging out has replaced dating, making dating obsolete (Colllins & van Dulmen, 2006). However, dating is a valuable way for teens and adults to come to know someone on a more personal level. Dating can also help you develop a better idea of the traits you want in a future spouse (although those with limited opportunity to date can still make a wise mate selection).

Consider dating to build friendships and have fun, instead of focusing just on finding someone to marry. Casual dating allows dates to be laidback and fun, without commitment attached from the get go. Seeking friendship first results in lower pressure in your dating experience. When you are more relaxed, it is easier to be yourself, have fun, and get to know the other person better. Friendship dating may also lower your chance of facing heartbreak and disappointment, since you are not quickly becoming emotionally involved (McLaughlin, 2007).  A romantic relationship may evolve from friendship dating, and its base of friendship may be stronger than a relationship built only on mutual attraction (Barelds and Barelds-Dijkstra, 2007).

Although you decide to date casually, you may still encounter pressure from parents, friends, or even your dates to define your relationships early on, instead of keeping things casual. You cannot control the reactions of people around you, but that does not mean you should avoid casual dating. As with other areas in your life, in dating just do the best you can, even if at times it goes against the norms of modern society.

The Decision to Become Serious

So you have been dating for a little while, and you are wondering whether or not to get serious. How can you know when you are really in love? Noller describes the difference between immature love and mature love (as cited in Holman et al, 2000).

Immature love is possessive, easily provoked to jealousy, and anxious that the relationship might end. A person experiencing immature love may be obsessed with his or her partner. Immature love includes a belief that love is something beyond your control; an external force like Cupid’s arrow causes love. Immature love is selfish and focused on satisfying one’s own needs.

In contrast, mature love involves a lasting passion, a strong desire for companionship, and contentment with the relationship. A person experiencing mature love knows it is something you must decide. Mature love means commitment, trust, sharing, and sacrifice. It allows space for a partner to grow and change.

Unhealthy Dating

While we should not have unrealistic expectations for our future spouses, we should also be careful not to settle for an unhealthy relationship. Below are signs of emotional, psychological, and physical abuse in a relationship. If your relationship has some of these characteristics, you should seriously consider ending the relationship. You deserve to be with someone who values you and treats you with respect.

Emotional and Psychological Abuse

Saltzman, Fanslow, McMahon, and Shelley (2002) give the following list of behaviors which constitute emotional and psychological abuse:

[H]umiliating the victim, controlling what the victim can and cannot do, withholding information from the victim, deliberately doing something to make the victim feel diminished or embarrassed, isolating the victim from friends and family, and denying the victim access to money or other basic resources (p. 61).

This list is not comprehensive. Your partner may do or say other things that hurt you psychologically or emotionally. The important thing is to notice how the way you are treated makes you feel.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence involves “the intentional use of physical force with the potential for causing death, disability, injury, or harm” (Saltzman et al., 2002, p. 35). Any physical force can qualify as domestic violence, but some examples of violent behaviors include:

[S]cratching, pushing, shoving, throwing, grabbing, biting, choking, shaking, poking, hair-pulling,

slapping, punching, hitting, burning, use of a weapon (gun, knife, or other object), and use of

restraints or one’s body, size, or strength against another person (p. 35).

Some potential warning signs that violence can occur later on include extreme jealousy, controlling behavior, or verbal threats (Choose Respect). If you notice these in your relationship, you might be wise to end it now before things escalate into a worse situation.

If you are in an abusive relationship, you should know that many resources exist to help you:

• The National Domestic Violence hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) anytime day or night, 365 days a year. The hotline also has a helpful website at http://www.ndvh.org. This website features a red panic button that automatically directs you to a non-related page at a moment’s notice. In this way, you can protect yourself if your partner walks in while you are visiting the site.

• The Center for Disease Control offers information on intimate partner violence and prevention here.

When a Relationship Ends

If you are the one ending the relationship, remember to be gentle and kind when you do so. Holman et al. (2000) recommend bringing up the subject with kindness, meekness, and love. They also recommend being clear that the relationship is ending, so your partner is not confused or left with false hopes.

If your partner initiates the breakup, take care not to try to force him or her to keep dating you (Holman et al., 2000). Be respectful and allow the relationship to end. Breakups hurt, but don’t lash out and take out your hurt on your ex (Holman et al., 2000).

After the breakup, give yourself time to heal. You may find it helpful to vent your feelings to a friend or family member. Journal writing can also be helpful. Young adults often rely on media (like music, movies, and television shows) to help them process and reflect on their breakups (Hebert & Popadiuk, 2008).

While this isn’t necessarily bad, be careful what media you consume|it may prolong your sadness if you fill your days with depressive media.

Immediately after a breakup, you may find it painful to contemplate dating someone else in the future. Or perhaps you feel that you will not meet another potential mate.  Give yourself time to heal from the breakup. How much time you need will vary from person to person. But realize that someday, you will meet someone new. This was not your one and only chance for love. An optimistic attitude that you can find someone else will help you move on (Spielmann, MacDonald, & Wilson, 2009).

Dating can seem a daunting task at times, but never give up! Enjoy your time as a single. Enjoy dating, and consider friendship dating to take off some of the pressure. Do what you can to seek dating success, and don’t worry about the rest. Dating can be a fun experience rather than a stressful one, if you choose to make it so.

Written by Shelece McAllister, Research Assistant, and edited by Jason S. Carroll and Stephen F. Duncan, professors in the School of Family Life, Brigham Young University.

Forever Families
References
For The Family

By Alan on Feb 22 in Videos tagged creations, daffodile, Family, God, happy, now, time | Comments Off

There Is No Better Time Than Right Now To Be Happy.

By Alan on Feb 19 in Blog tagged answers, be wise, children, choices, fame, Family, farmer, fortune, Freedom, God, happiness, happy, home humble, Jesus, life, love, marriage, ponder, poor, pray, rich, spirit, super star, world | 1 Comment

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Do you have some important choices to make?  Do you want to be rich?  Do you want to be happy?  What should I do for a living?  Where should I live?  What does the world think?  What does God think?  What do I think?  What’s this life all about?  Who am I?  I want to be popular, yet I don’t want to lose my soul.

Dear Father in heaven.  Please hear my prayer.  I know hard times are coming.  I don’t want to miss out at my young age but I want those things that are long lasting and worth having.  Who is the one that I should marry?  Can I even afford a family?  I need some answers Father.  What would you have me do?  It’s a Great and Dreadful Day!  The storms of life are upon us.  What’s going to happen to me?  Please show me The Way.  I trust in my Lord Jesus.

“Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.  2 Ne. 10: 23

O be wise; what can I say more?  Jacob 6: 12

CLICK TO LISTEN: “It’s Gotta Be The Last Days”

WHOOOOO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

By Alan on Jan 14 in Daily Inspiration tagged alright, fine, happy, ok, person, smile, strong, tears, thinking, you | Comments Off

Thinking Of You..

A strong person knows how to keep their life in order. Even with tears in their eyes, they still manage to say “I’m ok” with a smile.