THANKFUL THURSDAY - Advocates

Today I am thankful for advocates. People that have a voice, out there in the world doing good. Naturally there must be opposition in all things, there will be those advocates with motives to sabotage anything good or wholesome, those are not the advocates I am thankful for. I am motivated by righteous advocates like the prophet who has spent his life advocating the Savior and His Gospel. Friends, family and mentors who share my sensibilities and beliefs that are not afraid to tell it like it is and share what they believe, I am draw to those people like MAGNETS and am so thankful for their influence. They empower me to do the same.

Years ago I was introduced to an organization called American Mothers and AMI (the national site). AMI is an interfaith, non-political, non-profit organization for women and men who recognize the important role of motherhood. They are out promoting the moral and ethical foundations of families.

In our area in Utah, I started a little dinner group with my friends. We participated on a monthly basis, we would gather together, have dinner and review that months chapter. At the time we were reading PHD Glen Lathams book "The Power of Positive Parenting". It was a 2 year program where we read a single chapter a month. It was such a remarkable process. When we started the group I had all the ladies write down where they saw their strengths and weakness as a parent and mother. We retested 6 months into it and what a remarkable journey we were all on. We were growing and developing as women. We were learning from our studies and the spirit but in large part from one anothers experiences. Some nights we would sit and visit about our lives and our situations and how to overcome our trails as parents,each so unique. Since there was a broad range of ages and stages of parenting, we were all able to learn something from anothers experiences. It was the best "extra curricular" activity I have ever been involved with. It made my life better, it help me become better. I wish so bad I was still doing it. I still get emails from the AMI organization and one of their Superstars from AMI is associated with 2 other groups dedicated to the fight against pornography Team Decency and Fight the New Drug. These are both really great organizations out doing many great things, creating a very real awareness about the dangers of such poison as pornography. I am seeing people all around me be effected by this and how sad it is. The adversary sure does have a firm grip on this one!

I know... life is busy. There are so many things I wish I could be a part of and be an advocate for. There are inspiring stories all over especially right now with everything that is happening around the world to bring aid to Haiti. That has got me thinking???? Where will I focus my energies? Where will I pledge my allegiance? Of course the Gospel of Jesus Christ and my family first and foremost but as time passes and I have more flexibilities, there will be more opportunities in terms of time and resources for me to get involved. It certainly provokes pondering the good better and best idea. I have high hopes that one day I will I have the privilege of making a difference in other ways, even if small. Until then I must delay, delegate, diminish or delete :)

  

Happy day!