Apples Of Gold In Pictures Of Silver
T's the season of thanksgiving and gladness!  

Two  characters in literature portray the polar opposites in negativity and optimism.
D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers is so hateful that even a smile arouses his anger and hate.  
Polyanna, the namesake in Polyanna, represents the true spirit of optimism and gladness.

It is sad that today when someone says you are being "Pollyannaish", he or she is most likely not giving you a compliment.  Usually, he is she is intimating that you are very naive, childish, and unaware of the true harshness of life.

It is a truism that you can't find happiness in a negative attitude.
Gordon B. Hinckley has said, "We have every reason to be optimistic in this world.  
Tragedy is around, yes.  Problems everywhere, yes...You can't, you don't build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen."

Mark Twain once commented that he could live two months on one good compliment!

And who isn't amazed by the words of  Proverbs 25:11 painting a picture of what a kind word may look like?   "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."

Finally, the words of Johnny Mercer's song were good advice then and good advice now according to Thomas S. Monson.  Who wouldn't agree?
"Accentuate the positive;
Eliminate the negative.
Latch on to the affirmative;
Don't mess with Mr. In-between."

Church News  Be A Voice Of Gladness  Week of November 9, 2014

A Robot Warrior
Sam  Masters competed in his very first Robot Warrior Competition at California State University, Sacramento and won the competition! And, guess what, his fellow competitors were adults!

Congratulations, Sammy!

Our Very Own Sam Masters At California State University, Sacramento!

Two Ninja Turtles And A Pirate
The Masters Brothers are all prepped and ready for All Hallow's Eve!

"Hallow" means "saint".
Halloween (October 31) was the eve of All Saints Day (November 1) when Christians remembered, particularly, the canonized saints. 
The next day was All Souls Day (November 2) when ALL the departed were remembered.

Early on, it was believed that, just prior to All Saints Day, any of the dead who wanted to seek revenge or vengeance upon the living were given that opportunity on All Hallows Eve.  
So,  people began to wear costumes on this night to disguise themselves! 
Hence, the custom of wearing costumes on All Hallow's Eve or Halloween began.
 

Brandon and Kevin Masters  Halloween 2014

Ryan Masters   Halloween 2014

The Good Things Which Come Of The Earth
A home in Cambridge, Idaho has set up the best private harvest display we have ever seen!

This display depicts so beautifully and simply the bounty of this earth and the multitude of harvest blessings that grace our land.

What a noble season of thanksgiving that we are privileged to participate in year after year!

"Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart."   Doctrine and Covenants  59:18

Raise The Song Of Harvest Home

God Our Maker Doth Provide For Our Wants To Be Supplied

Gathering Of The Harvest

Off To The Pumpkin Patch

Think Walnuts, Almonds, Peanuts, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Pecans   Think Autumn!

Sunny Side Up, Over Easy, Scrambled, Hard Boiled, Soft Boiled, Poached 

The Fulness Of The Earth Is Yours

Can't Leave Out Those Idaho Potatoes