Families are the basic unity of society. It should be the place for refuge and enlightenment, for love and safety. Our homes should be created in love and unity and the happiness of family relationships should transcend all other earthly joys.

I respect the love and caring of all individuals for each other, but it is my solemn testimony that families are built on marriages between a man and a woman and is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan. This doctrine is supported in scriptures through the ages. This timeless wisdom is the basis for my family and the premise for its joyful success.

I hope to assist all others who desire it, in strengthening their families and finding true happiness. My definition of happiness is not the fairy tale variety of happy ever after. My experience has been that all marriages take WORK! There are ups and downs, give and takes and especially a great deal of prayer, meditation, seeking, learning and certainly discovering who we as individuals are, and developing our gifts, expanding our talents, and recognizing the good in others around us. If we focus on the good, with gratitude, we can see more clearly and act more purposely and joyfully.

I remember the oft spoken remark, "If you are pointing your finger at others, there are three fingers pointing back at you!" Think about that. It relates to the way we look at the world around us in our family relationships, in all our relationships. If we focus on others negative, irritating habits or characteristics, we block happiness and personal growth. It does us more harm than it does others.

Charity begins in the home. Love and respect are required for families to function and grow in love and harmony. That doesn't mean there are not trying times or differences of opinions. I remember how I spent a great deal of time singing or humming. I did it when I was angry, or when the children's noise or other irritating circumstances surrounded me. It was my way of dealing with these little things. I couldn't leave and go for a walk, or shut myself up somewhere. I had six little ones to care for and this was a way for me to stay focused and it became a source of joy. Many times in stress or otherwise, I would find myself humming a tune without realizing it and when I did recognized it, they were hymns or songs with words that assisted me, giving me comfort or instruction at the very time I needed it.

Another basis of my focus on the family is my belief that by divine design, fathers are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these responsibilities fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.

This concept takes balance and when the father is frazzled in his obligation to provide and neglects his obligation to help his wife in nurturing the children, disharmony occurs. Recognize that it takes time to nurture children. I heard once that children spell love "TIME". Scheduling 10 minutes a day with each child, reading a book together, helping them brush their teeth, asking them about their day will return great dividends. Mothers, too, need to assist the father in his role as provider. Becoming a sounding board perhaps to help her husband talk through his work problems and come to solutions. Perhaps getting up and walking together in the early morning would be a solution. Think what that would do for both of you! A time together to share ideas without the interruptions of the children is priceless.

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