Who do you love and WHY?

My kinda Man, These things I love...

Where did you get your list of Character traits you want in a spouse?  What is, or was the list like that you made of that special someone out there in your future that you "wanted to be with for eternity"?
A really good book?  I'm sure Apryl has a list from some Jane Austin Book or Doctor Who! How bout a movie, soap operas, a TV show, Maybe more appropriately a Father or Mother
Where or where???  Were you always rootin for the bad guy? Did you pick the Vixen or the the "Love to Hate him guy"? Was your person to beat all persons the Diva or the honorable clean cut guy? Did you always root for the couple that shouldn't be together but you love the Drama! or Turn off or close the book because you just couldn't stand that "they" were together.  Maybe when "that couple" you love was finally together you stop watching or listening because you want your own "Happily everafter".  Who was the couple you always set your goals and dreams to be like to exemplify? To reflect.  The notebook? Your parents?

In 2 Timothy 3:1-7 it warns of a whole slew of chartacter traits that we should avoid that hopefully nobody sets the goal to be like or around to exemply or reflect in any way.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

So with my past experience and all the lists collected over the decades of my life, I've created a list of character traits and the role models I learned them from. I think together it would make the Perfect Eternal Companion - so here goes, just for fun!!!

Ricky: first love, well he was trouble - avoid trouble no when to shut the door! He loved my mom and was kind to her.
Maurice: loves his wife and kids - good dad - honors his priesthood

Blaine taylor: reeked of really good taste in cars!

Jesse: a compassionate listener, not only Temple worthy, but attends the Temple often

Christian: a kind teacher

Tyler: charastamatic and an enthusiastic convert creative hardworker

Ron: trustworthy, a desire to go and do family history
Logan: athletic and competitive honors his priesthood
Mikel: integrity
Zane: provider and protector, staunch, isn't afraid to whoop your BUTT if you have hurt someone he cares about

Earl: stalwart COWBOY!, endured to the end.

Austin: smart , provider, funny honors his parents

Hyrum: sense of humor and both of us love his mother
Tom: Protector fun loving cowboy!
Buddy: Trustworthy, candid
jWayne: loves to sing, great friend

Ben: humble, a good friend, honors, his priesthood
Seane: Affectionate, peacemaker

Colin: a gentelman
Amric: sincere, warrior, honest, loves from the bottom of his heart, hard worker, dedicated, determined
Matthew: sensitive, honors his parents
Deacon: Spontaneous he's "Done Talkin'"!

Robert: Romantic

Kirk: Willing to go the distance to surprise me, confident

Paul: welcoming, concerned for well-being

Brandon: likes to watch my TV with me

Calvin: loves my family, hard worker, good businssman, we both love his mom!

Jake: a protector sense of humor honorable priesthood holder
Curt: A leader in Righteousness - Family Prayer and prayed with kids by bed every night

Terry: honest and a desire to serve a mission
Timmy: Captain and defender of country

Sean: repentant
Otis: Frugal, knows how to budget

Darcy: non judgmental

Glenn: DANG FUN! Spoiled me :) Integrity

Bryan: Does his calling

Vincent: patient and Generous, Family First
Tod: kind, wants the best for you, willing to lend a hand when needed

Olaf: thinker, family man, fun

Dave: honest - Great Ethics

Richard: Provider, forgiving and loves me more than anyone else! (I just can't not have that!)

Being the Right Person is just as important if not more than "finding the right person", so all these character traits I want in my man, I need to develop in myself.  This is who I strive to be (I've got along way to go!);

Proverbs 31

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

AGAIN - wish me luck!!!

We are all working at being better people
and being with the ONEs we LOVE.

ideas for reference other than mine!--

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2008/10/preparing-yourself-for-marriage

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2002/09/choosing-and-being-the-right-spouse 

I can't give Up

I'm strong and immovable
then I'm weak and wilted
I'm determined
and then I'm jilted.

I'm strong and courageous
 then I'm melted to not
I'm fearless
and then I'm bought.

I'm strong and hopeful
then I'm doubtful
I'm organized
then I'm drowning in a pool.

I'm strong and spiritual
then I'm tempted
I'm wise
then I'm cheated.

I'm strong and a teacher
then I'm wrong
I'm a student
then I'm made Strong.

I "POaST" about my Life ... 1960

1960

must have been a bad year ... no pics of family!

The Kennedys

THE WORLD and their Stars

Jan 2013 I wrote this about me and the way I was feeling about life...

I'm strong and immovable

then I'm weak and wilted

I'm determined

and then I'm jilted

I'm strong and courageous

then I'm melted to not

I'm fearless

and then I'm bought.

I'm strong and hopeful

then I'm doubtful

I'm organized

then I'm drowning in a pool.

I'm strong and spiritual

then I'm tempted

I'm wise

then I'm cheated.

I'm strong and a teacher

then I'm wrong

...I'm a student.

I "POaST" about my life ...1959

AGE TWO:

My first Hair cut!
Remember the "color of a carrot" when I was born!

again,

I don't remember much but for the sake of History!

I "POaST" about my life ... 1958

Age One!

I don't really remember much!  But visually it looked like this:
 but for the sake of this goal/life History project her goes...

Introducing The siblings that year;

Timmy

Judyann

Toy Trucks of the day

News 1958

Movie Stars and
famous movies

Vampires of the 1950's

For the results of the influence you exert you are held accountable

Exert yourself reflect as Jesus Christ did the Love of God.

Oh that I could always love like this:  Romans 8:37-39http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rom/8?lang=eng

Because of this love we find our strength to His love of God and us.

(If you don't have time to read at least watch the video at the end...)   

Definitions:

Reflection; n. Act of casting back an image, as with a mirror, or a blueprint.

In computer science it is the process which a computer program will observe and modify its own structure and behavior.

In geometry the reflected image is always the same size, it just faces the other way. As in a pattern for sewing.

Reflecting; v. the act of being reflected. An image; representation or counterpart. resemble.  Synonyms with an echo.

Reflecting is a technique well worth learning

Quotes:

It’s been said that

“A man knows when he is growing old because he begins to look like his father.”

From Lorenzo Snow we learn

“You exert a certain degree of influence, and be it ever so small, it affects some person or persons, and for the results of the influence you exert you are held accountable. You, therefore, whether you acknowledge it or not, have assumed an importance before God and man that cannot be overlooked. ”

M. Russell Ballard put it this way….

“what I say applies equally to grandmothers, aunts, sisters, stepmothers, mothers-in-law, leaders, and other mentors who sometimes fill the gaps for these significant mother-daughter relationships.

”If the mothers are modest so are the girls. If the mothers wear flip-flops and other casual clothing to sacrament meeting, so do their daughters. ..Throughout history of the world, women have always been teachers of moral values...show them how to make good choices. As mothers in Israel, you are your daughters’ first line of defense against the wiles of the world.”… “When you are willing to listen and learn, some of life’s most meaningful teachings come from those who have gone before you. . . . How much better your life will be if you will follow the noble example of the faithful followers of Christ 

                     and to not leave out the men he added:   Last October I spoke to fathers and sons in priesthood meeting, and today I have spoken mostly to mothers and daughters. In each case my message has been different but similar. I hope you are listening and see a pattern and hear a steady, consistent message that in these last days it is essential—even critical—that parents and children listen to and learn from one another. These are not just ethereal (or light) concepts about which I have been speaking. They are the essence, the center, of God’s plan for our eternal happiness and peace."

In searching this week for where we go to find our pattern, blueprint, image, technique there are so many scripture stories and of course the portrait of Jesus Christ to follow, it's His behavior, His Love of God that motivates Him, that we are striving to reflect in ourselves as in Alma chapter 5, http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/5?lang=eng  where there are about 50 questions for us to evaluate how well we are doing at exerting ourselves to reflect His image in our countenance.

President Harold B. Lee said the sermon on the mount is “The constitution for a perfect life”.  President Joseph Fielding Smith called the Matthew chapter 5-7 ‘the greatest sermon that was ever preached” President Hinckley created and issued 9 B’s for us to follow in our lives I'm relating them to the beatitudes here.  They being given to us by the Savior in both the New Testament and third Nephi in the Book of Mormon.  One of the points of interest I found  in my studies this week was that in the Matthew version He tells us to “Be perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”  (Knowing, that every thing He did He did out of the Love that He has for both His Father and us).  The difference in 3 nephi being “be perfect even as I or your Father in Heaven is perfect.

So what things did Jesus do that perfected Him that we can be choosing to do also?

http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/5?lang=eng

AND seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:  And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Be Grateful 1. BLESSED ARE the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Vs 3
Be Involved 2. BLESSED ARE they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.              Vs4
Be Humble  3. BLESSED ARE the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.                    Vs5
Be Smart    4. BLESSED ARE they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:   vs6
Be Positive  5. BLESSED ARE the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Vs7
Be Clean     6. BLESSED ARE the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Vs8
Be Still        7. BLESSED ARE the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of god. Vs9
Be Smart     8. BLESSED ARE they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: vs 10and 11

Be Prayerful 9. Chapter 6 or 3 nephi 13 cease not to pray but pray in an order pleasing to God.

If we've done or are DOING these things, have these charater traits, which are a reflection of Jesus Christ  then we are; as it states in Matthew chapter Matthew Chapter 5:

14: the ^alight of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

 15 Neither do men light a ^acandle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

 16 Let your ^alight so shine before men, that they may see your good ^bworks, and ^cglorify your Father which is in heaven.

The sermon continues: He teaches them the 10 commandements and the new law of Christ which is Not only Thou shalt not kill but now Just don’t be angry! 

BEATITUDE #9!!!  Be prayerful...

Then in vs  44-48 But I say unto you, ^aLove your ^benemies, ^cbless them that^dcurse you, do ^egood to them that ^fhate you, and ^gpray for them which despitefully use you, and ^hpersecute you;

 45 That ye ^amay be the ^bchildren of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth ^crain on the just and on the unjust.

 46 For if ye ^alove them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

 48 ^aBe ye therefore ^bperfect, even as your ^cFather which is in heaven is ^dperfect.

Again he teaches us to pray and how to pray

Not to be a hypocrite in prayer or action

The importance of fasting – do it often!

And not to put material things or extracurricular activitites  as a priority

Vs 24 “no man can serve two master: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and depise the other. Ye, cannot serve God and mammon”.

He concludes with teaching us not to judge. Again reminding us not be hypocrites.  Reminding us to stay on the strait and narrow  - and I always like the comparison between us and trees, branches roots and fruit.  Where for by their fruits ye shall know them vs 20.

He reminds us that floaters don’t get into the celestial kingdom …

vs 21-23 Not every one that ^asaith unto me, ^bLord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that ^cdoeth the ^dwill of my Father which is in ^eheaven.

I am going to come back to this.

And concludes with the image of the house in the sand or the rock that the man or woman, teenager or child that builds his house upon a foundation of rock which is Jesus Christ will not wash away in the storms of life.  And is says “He taught this as one having authority…”

I like this childhood Primary song:

.    Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
Things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here;
Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

I’d like to just share a couple of ideas, inspirations if you will that I felt that I learned from the study of The Sermon on the mount or my new “program for exerting myself to reflect the love of God as Jesus Christ did.”  I like to add to it there that he didn’t ask us to DO anything He didn’t do.  I personally think that’s the best teacher.  Really there are so many points, patterns, images it’s overwhelming thus my huge stack of talks and scripture references … so just will focus on a few. Maybe one with the time!!!!

1.    to reflect God’s love we can’t be a hypocrite.

A talk given by Quentin Cook “Don’t wear Masks” http://www.lds.org/liahona/2013/03/dont-wear-masks?lang=eng&query=masks  a really, really good talk. In it he reminds us of the anonymous ways we can wear masks to do things we wouldn’t do otherwise do.  When Prayer is mentioned in the scriptures it is often metnioned with no being a hypocrite.  Matthew 6:5 and Alma 31 just to name 2. http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/31?lang=eng

2.    To reflect God’s love we pray and fast often.

The Savior fasted.  One way He had the spirit with him to be able to discern when satan was tempting him.  In the garden the Savior prayed "Thy Will be done", he prayed for those that persecuted him, he knew what was happening, he was suffering life wasn’t good right then but He said "Thy will be done".http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/26.42?lang=eng#41

3.    To reflect God’s love we do our callings over the things of the world.

Heavenly Father knows our hearts better than we do.  My mom taught me; "Actions speak louder than words".  What are our roots? The service that we give is the oil in our lamps. Alma chapter 5 (mentioned earlier) has like 50 questions to review asking the question "is His image in our Countenance?" What are our priorities, our treasures, Jesus Christ picks simple, peculiar people to do His work because He was simple and peculiar He loved doing His calling. Many Many people in the scriptures pattern, shadow, reflect the Savior and help us to understand Magnigying our callings.  Today in Sunday School in Section 20 I was reminded that our callings sancitify us - how cool is that! http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/jacob/1?lang=eng (Jacob 1 and 2 great examples of this vs 19 in Chapter 1 - short version!)

4.     To reflect God’s love sometimes we shut the door.  Satan has character traits that can be magnified also, they too can be found in the scriptures a great example is 2 Nephi 28:21-23 http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/28?lang=eng (hate, pacify, lull, carnal, cheater,liar, deceiver,procrastinator,bondage) choose to shut the door on these character traits and darkness - Open the door to the Light...this thought brought me back to about 2006 -I taught a jr/Snr seminary class of 24 teenagers. I’ll never forget the morning I showed the video that goes with Matthew 25 the parable of the 10 virgins.  When Ethan ask? He wouldn’t really shut the door like that would he? I saw his face, heard his voice as I do to this day. The answer unfortunately is Yes he will shut the door, He has warned and forewarned us, as a parent He has given us commandements to choose follow or NOT!  Sometimes we make ourselves sick with guilt thinking we are being Christ Like when we are only be abused, abandoned, in someway hurting our own self esteem which in turns messes with our salvation.  Sometimes, we can shut the door and reflect God's love.

Coming back to the Beatitudes...

If we use as President Benson states “The ten commandments and the sermon on the Mount are the foundation principles upon which all civilized government and our present civilization`1 are built . To disregard them will lead to inevitable personal character loss and ruin.  To disregard them as a nation inevitably will lead that nation to destruction.”

It’s my prayer that we choose daily to reflect the Love we have for God in our image as did the Savior.  The we can exert ourselves to live the 9 B’s. and that we are so prayerful that we can discern even to know when as Jesus will do we can shut the door on friends, family, habits, when They bring us down.  A fine line between being a peacemaker that gets used and abused and knowing this is harmful to my salvation so I am not even reflecting the light any more.  We can’t control other peoples free agency.

Use ALma Chapter 5 to evaluate and reevaluate our lives so that the door will be open and as in Alma 5:14-16http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.16?lang=eng#15 we can answer the Lord with;  "I'm Coming" because I am a reflection of thee and you know me" I am prepared and have my oil in my lamp.

The video:
https://www.google.com/search?q=parable+10+virgins+lds+video&aq=f&oq=parable&aqs=chrome.3.0l2j57j59j61j60&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8