I heard of a beautiful Mandarin Chinese phrase this week that is usually translated into the English word ‘welcome.’ You might use it when someone comes to your home or when someone enters your store. That does not capture the beauty of its literal meaning, though. ‘Huanying guanglin’ means something like ‘to meet with joy’ …
Influence
You’ve heard the adage that we become the sum of the 5 people we surround ourselves with the most? Expanding that thought, we tend to adopt the philosophies, energy, and values of our environment and influencers. Because we are human. We like to fit in, no matter how much we claim individuality. We tend to …
Palm Leaves and Hosannas
Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem at the beginning of his final week of mortal life. The people hailed him a king, waving palm branches and shouting ‘Hosanna!’ Palm branches were symbolic of victory and triumph, and hosanna means ‘save now.’ This man who had raised a man from the dead must be the Messiah, …
Richly Blessed
Someone I heard recently was talking about giving counsel to women whose husbands had recently been called to serve as bishops or stake presidents. They were being very kind and sensitive, but then referenced the ‘poor wives’-I am sure with the very best of intentions! We might use that phrase to describe any calling or …
Casual & Covenant Love
The legend of St. Valentine purports that in the face of great opposition he performed Christian marriages against the edicts of the rulers of the time. He refused to deny his faith in Jesus Christ and was eventually martyred on February 14. I don’t know how much of the story is true, but I love …




