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Show A2 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2008 ommunity ews Covering what matters most - N E W S - Letters to the Editor Spanish Fork 280 North Main St. Spanish Fork, UT 84660 Lane Henderson Publisher Namon Bills Editor Dana Robinson . . Assoc. Editor The Spanish Fork News is published each Wednesday for $37.50 per year in area and $41.50 out of area by J-Mart, 280 North Main St., Spanish Fork Utah 84660. Email stories to editor@spfortuiews.com Email ads to ads@spforknews.com Call us at 794-4964 POSTMASTER Send address changes to Spanish Fork News 280 North Main St. Spanish Fork, Utah 84660 The entire content of this newspaper is Copyright© 2008 Spanish Fork News. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the editor or publisher. DEADLINES Weddings, anniversaries, missionaries, 1st birthdays, articles, photos, letters to the editor Friday, 12 p.m. Display advertising and classified Tribute Willing to help My wife and I have read with great interest your plans to "stimulate the economy" by giving the majority of taxpayers (oddly including illegal aliens) a tax rebate of $600 per individual or $1,200 per married couple. My wife and I will certainly be willing to spend that money to help in stimulating the economy. However, if giving us $1,200 to spend will help stimulate the economy, we have a suggestion we offer free of charge. We would gladly undertake the added effort to spend $12,000 if you would send it to us, which would help stimulate the economy JO times as much! As senior citizens, we are sure that we could find ways to use the money productively. If you think about it, this escalation of the tax rebate scheme could be almost endlessly expanded. We also offer to get as many of our family and friends as possible to join in this expanded effort. Surely, this will allow us to spend the country into prosperity. When the national debt is already some $9 trillion, what difference will a few billion more make? Albert and Dee Burns Spanish Fork On Thursday, Jan. 31, we lost a true American and patriot. We write this to you with heavy hearts. Albert V. Burns was tragically killed in an accident. In one instant he was taken from us to heaven. He went out to retrieve the mail and was hit by a car that had lost control with the snow and ice on the road. The wonderful police officers and paramedics worked hard to revive Al, but were unable to. Please know that he did not suffer. There are so many words that were never expressed, so many hugs and kisses that were never exchanged. We love Al dearly and he will be missed greatly. Whenever we needed any help or advice, we always knew we could ask Al. He was educated as an engineer, but his knowledge was not limited to that field.'He couldfixanything and tell you anything from his vast knowledge base. He was always engaged in a good work or cause. Al could be depended upon by all that knew him. His life was dedicated to his wonderful wife and family and to this great country. One reason Al seemed so young to us all was because he stayed active and stayed abreast of all the newest technology and information available. He was always learning something new and sharing it with others. Al was active in the community and in politics. He proudly proclaimed, "This is my country, land that I love" in every word and deed. With people like Al, the future seemed brighter. We must now take up where he left off and declare that we will not shun the fight. We must be the Americans he dreamed we all could be. United, we can do so much and support this great nation in the tumultuous years to come. Now, words seem so useless. We now put our trust where Al would, in God. In 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 it says, "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bringwith him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not pre- vent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with a voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Al is survived by his wonderful and loving sweetheart, Doris Burns, and wife of 52 years, two daughters, Linda and Sue, and one son, Terry. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and extended family and many friends. If you would like to send any condolences or tributes or fond memories of Al, please contact Melinda Turner at: melindajoyce@gmail.com. We will be compiling everything we receive into a book for Al's wife, Dee. You may also send your condolences directly to Dee at 2167 East 100 South, Spanish Fork, UT 84660. Melinda Christensen Turner Al's adopted granddaughter advertising Friday, 12 p.m. The secret of a joyful life practice. Because trying experiences or people never Janene Baadsgaard go away, blaming others or feeling powerless only I often have people ask serves to keep us miserable. me why I seem so happy all No person or event can the time. destroy our hope or peace of "You must have a perfect mind without our consent. We have everything we need life," they say. "We don't get to choose to feel joy, but often lack what happens to us," I an- awareness, perspective and appreciation. Our happiness swer, "only our response." Most of us search for is not a fragile commodity something out there that will forever at the mercy of finally make us happy. The friends, family and fate. secret is happiness can only Hey, I hear you thinking. be found in there. We waste Wait a dog-gone minute. too much time focusing It can't be that simple. on the difficulties of living You don't understand my alone or the imperfections circumstances and the of those we live with. To difficult people I have to have a happy home, at least deal with. one happy person has to live You're right. I don't. I do there. Since we can't control know that though we have anyone but ourself, it makes zero control over so many sense to look inside for the things in this life, we do have secrets. No person, place control over our thoughts, or possession can grant us attitude and behavior. We peace or happiness. Creating can choose to be grouchy, a joyful life is a personal bitter and negative, or we choice. can choose to be pleasant, We all have moments hopeful and positive. The when we feel overwhelmed choice is ours. It's time to and under-qualified by the stop waiting for the perfect unexpected twists and turns life. No one has a perfect in our life. Though we life — no one. This is it. can't control fate, we can Our life today is as good as control how we respond. it gets. It's not easy to find Challenging circumstances happiness inside ourselves and individuals don't make but it is impossible tofindit life miserable. What makes anywhere else. life miserable is the way Someone once said that if we think. It is possible we want to leave footprints to make hopefulness a in the sands of time we habit and optimism can be have to get off our behinds, learned. Like any other skill, because nobody can follow readjusting our thinking and a big butt print. In other subsequent behavior takes words, we need to do Life After Birth A man for our season The Galloping Geezer Gary Davis Janene Baadsgaard something positive and keep moving forward if we want to help the next generation. Life is to be savored, not just endured, and people are to be cherished not, just tolerated. There is no scarcity in the universe, only in our souls. If we want more love and joy in our lives, we have to become more loving and joyful people. It's that simple. It really is. Janene Baadsgaard M.O.M. is the author oflots of humorous and heartwarming books for families including Families Who Laugh ... Last, On the Roller Coaster Called Motherhood, Winter's Promise, Financial Freedom for LDS Families, The LDS Mother's Almanac and her most recent publication 15 Secrets to a Happy Home — available at local book stores or on-line at www. springcreekbooks.com. She can be reached at janenebaadsgaard@juno. com. Write a letter to the editor. Email editor@spforknews.com or mail to The Spanish Fork News, 280 N Main St., Spanish Fork, UT 84660 ~= \ : The story is told of a young boy sitting next to his mother at the funeral of her husband. The minister was going to great lengths in praising the virtues of the deceased, when finally, the woman turned to her son and whispered, "Go take a look in the coffin and see if that's your father in there." It's not unusual when someone dies to hear exaggerated claims about what a wonderful person this was. In the case of Gordon Bitner Hinckley, however, it would be difficult to overstate the incredible impact he had both on the millions who viewed him as a Prophet and those outside the faith who recognized in him as a man of intelligence, compassion, wit and character. He loved us and we knew it. His ministry extended not only to the millions, but to the Gordon B. Hinckley one. I have a friend who has suffered since his teens with bouts of severe depression. He renew my resolve to be more Christ-like. often questioned his value and place in God's The soft spoken eloquence you bring to kingdom. Did he count? Could he measure the issues and concerns of our people up? A personal assurance from President are a constant source of direction and reHinckley that he did and could made a major assurance. Especially impressive to me difference in his life. was your service and sacrifice during the A young friend returned from a mission difficult period when both Brother Romney in South America to find that much had and President Kimball were incapacitated changed at home since he had left. For a few and the burden of leadership fell so heavily months he struggled to adjust. Then, one on your shoulders. day he wrote a letter to the president of the 1 am an ordinary man, but 1 am a better church, asking to return to the mission field. man because of you and the extraordinary President Hinckley responded personally person you have become. with a letter of concern and counsel. My I thank you for that. I love you for that. friend is doingfinenow. Sincerely, Once I heard President Hinckley give an Gary Davis address to a meeting of the NAACP in Salt Lake City. One might think that would be a Two weeks later I received this reply: challenging audience for a Mormon prophet but he described himself as a citizen of the Dear Brother Davis, world, not of Salt Lake. And when he spoke Thank you for your letter of October 27 th. of fatherless families, it wasn't about black It was kind of you to take time to write. I families, but families everywhere suffering appreciate your generous words. They mean from the lack of a righteous man in the home. much. You say that you are "an ordinary He finished to a standing ovation. man." No man is ordinary who walks with On only one occasion in my life have I faith and fidelity tn the gospel of Jesus Christ. written to a General Authority of the LDS May you be blessed of the Lord in your Church. I share with you now that letter and important responsibilities. I send my love and the gracious response: good wishes. Sincerely, October 27, 1987 Gordon B. Hinckley Elder Hinckley, I've been meaning for some time to I am confident that he is in a better write you a note simply to say thank you place, having a joyous reunion with loved for your selfless, untiring efforts in behalf ones who preceded him in death, but I shall of the Kingdom. miss this dear man. Oh, how I shall miss Your words never fail to inspire; to him! - |
