"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." -James Barrie author of Peter Pan

I was thinking last night about leaving my mark on the world. How well have I done at the things I have set out to do and was it worth the doing? During this time and season in my life I find that most of my time is focused on raising my children and creating a nurturing environment. This is of course as it should be and I find fulfillment through them, their accomplishments and through all that I create. I read a talk by Pres. Uchtdorf this morning and it seems to have been written just for me so I had to share.

Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf said "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before- colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter. The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create...you improve not only the world around you but also the world within."

I am trying to enrich my life with service as well. Last night I was thinking that my first great work is my family, my posterity. This is how I can improve the world around me. I hope my children will always remember the time at home as one of peace, love and happiness. I hope to prepare them to be amazing people who will accomplish whatever they put their minds to.

My second great work is service. I am trying to make sacrafice and service flow from me as an easy, natural reaction and extention of being a wife and mother.

However, how can I reach beyond the comfort of my home to help those around me? How do I include my children in this goal so they can learn these lessons as well? I know there is much service needed around me at my kids school, our neighborhood, my church, the community. How do we choose? I want to teach my children that "When we lift others, we rise a little higher ourselves. Pres. Spencer W. Kimball taught, "The more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls."

I have thought about bringing the kids to a nursing home down the road from us so the we can nurture and form new relationships and of course so Abe can smile his heart melting smile! This is something we could do as a family and all participate in equally. Whatever we decide to do, I know that our lives will be enriched more than those we serve. It's so important for me to teach my children about serving and creating good and beauty in a world that is so often full of darkness and selfishness. I love being alive during this exciting time in history and being able to have such a remarkable influence for good on my family, my community and ultimately myself.