Sunday, August 31, 2014

Which Comes First? Love or Joy



Do I love because of the joy it brings me or do I love because of the joy it brings others?

After my husband and I retired, we decided we would give service. That journey has taken us many places—standing by a death bed, giving words of comfort to the family, listening as a friend shares joy and sorrow, helping a young child learn to read, caring for a family member ill with cancer, and many other cherished experiences.

The last few months we have worked with the poor. The experience has brought us great joy because of the love we feel for these people. Here are a few of the thousands of joyful experiences we have had.

We took a young eleven-year-old boy shopping for a pair of shoes. He had been wearing his teenage girl cousin's work shoes.

We bought a six-year-old a happy meal. He was so thankful. All he'd had to eat that day was a hot dog wrapped in a piece of white bread.  

A young child laid her head on my husband's shoulder and let him comfort her with a rocking motion. "Daddy? Daddy?" she asked. She had never seen her father.


"Thank you for helping me find a job," said a father who hadn't worked for many weeks.

After a scripture and prayer, a young grandmother threw her arms around us. "You've blessed our home."

There is a joy that comes from loving others that can fill one's soul to overflowing. Give away your love today. Make the world a little better for someone along your path.



Listen to a friend.
Hug a neighbor.
Touch a child's shoulder.
Smile at the grocery checker.

Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. Mother Teresa

Do I love because of the joy it brings me or do I love because of the joy it brings others?

No matter the answer. The end result is the same. Love enriches the lives of those around us, including our own.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

The Two-Minute Marriage Project





Great new book out that will enrich your relationship and change your marriage.



“Often it’s the simple daily doses of small loving actions that nurture a relationship.
The Two-Minute Marriage Project is a celebration of the little things that
can make love last. Filled with the latest marriage research, personal stories,
and anecdotes from happy partners, this book contains everyday tools that can
actually make a difference.”

Margaret Paul, PhD, best-selling author of Do I Have To Give
Up Me To Be Loved By You, Healing Your Aloneness, and Inner Bonding






Author, Heidi Poelman has great insight, every day examples and good common sense to share with readers. Buy her book, read it, and create synergy in your relationship.
 

Heidi Poelman received her degrees in communication from Brigham Young
University (BA) and Wake Forest University (MA). In graduate school, she
focused specifically on interpersonal communication and conflict management.
She loves researching and writing about subjects that help strengthen
families. In addition to The Two-Minute Marriage Project, Heidi is the author
of the children’s book A is for Abinadi: An Alphabet Book of Scripture Heroes.
She lives in Utah with her husband and three children. Learn more at www.
heidipoelman.com.