Attitude

This has been my favorite quote so far - I keep going through it in my mind.  I love it so much.

"The way in which a man accepts his fate and all the suffering it entails, the way in which he takes of his cross, gives him ample opportunity, even under the most difficult circumstances, to add a deeper meaning to his life." Viktor E. Frankel

It's fascinating to hear about the Concentration Camp, just how ugly everything was, and to hear him talking about the education he and others received there about how to live in that awful place.  To think about such a starkly awful experience, it makes it powerful to think about the possibility of what a change of attitude can do in my life.  Looking for ways to be grateful, actively thinking about ways to do things better, to better my circumstances the best I can.

Great reason to rejoice...

Dear Budd Family,

I feel that we have an understanding through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ which gives us more reason to rejoice than any people who have ever lived on the earth. Just as Victor was blessed as he reflected on his experiences with his wife, we have the greatest reason to rejoice of any people who have ever lived on the earth...

To my Sweetheart, Dressed in White

By Daryl Zadok Budd

There you are, in flawless white.

As a brillient star, through gloomy night.

I love your soul, and I'm glad to be

Bound by our goal to partake from God's tree.

We're sealed forever, and though we die,

We'll soon be together, You and I.

I do not recall time preceding this life.

Yet, someday I'll know all about you my wife.

Someday this veil, which hides the past,

Itself will fail, and part at last.

I then shall know, the one by my side,

As we both go, up to God and abide.

So, before the casket closes, I'll kiss you one more time.

And know that like our roses, next spring you'll be sublime.

Yes, then I'll know you fully, as in blazing light we dwell.

In the presence of the holy, and the great immanuel.

(In regard to this poem, I echo the words of J. Paul Hunter who said, "The event described here is fictional. My wife did not actually die. I imagined this event in order to analyze and articulate how such an event might feel in certain cercumstances. A work of literature can be true without being actual.")

What do you think about the meaning that Eternal Marriage can give to our future immortal existence?

The Power of Love

Thanks to everyone who has participated in the virtual book club so far. I haven't read much yet either, but here is one part that I thought was awesome.

"But my mind clung to my wife's image, imagining it with an uncanny acuteness. I heard her answering me, saw her smile, her frank and encouraging look. Real or not, her look was then more luminous than the sun which was beginning to rise."


"A thought transfixed me: for the first time in my life I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets,
proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth - that love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is  through love and in love. I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world still may know bliss, be it only for a brief moment, in the contemplation of his beloved."


What an amazing realization to have. This came to Victor after his he had seen his wife for the last time in this life, and yet his love for her was so enduring that memories of her were enough to bring him moments of joy.

This portion of the book caused to me reflect on my loved ones, especially Laura and Alea. I think would feel the same as Dr. Frankl if I were to lose my family and were forced to endure a base and dreary existence. Something equally as beautiful though is the power that thinking of loved ones can have in our lives even if we are not in a lonely and degenerate state. Last weekend I went to a movie with my sister and her fiance. Laura stayed at my parent's house with Alea. I found myself thinking of them, and how I want to be a better husband and father. Their involvement in my life naturally lifts my thoughts and actions to be more Christ-like.

So it begins...

Welcome family, friends, and all. Here you will find thoughtful insights, trivial quibbles, and non-stop fun as the Budd family and all its friends and wanna-be friends read the book of the month and join the discussions.

The first book will be a short but powerful read, "Man's Search for Meaning" (sometimes is titled "Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy"), by Dr. Victor Frankl.

I suggest we have the first tele-book club meeting via conference call the on Friday, November 18th, 2010 at 9:PM (after the kiddos have gone to bed :).

The idea here is that about once per month we'll read a book, have discussions on the blog while we are reading, then do a one hour or shorter conference call at the end to enlighten, debate, and have a blast!

Please email any suggestions you want to implement at j.riddle0512@gmail.com.