Melva Gifford

These are notes from a toastmaster’s meeting.

How do you feel about your child’s progress in school? Everything you hoped for? Do you have an integral part or no info at all? You have control over your child’s educational setting and circumstances. As to control your child, the only person you can control is yourself.
The goal is to persuade you to use your influence and steps to provide an opportunity to be very successful in school.
How influence them? It begins with your attitude about education. Mark Twain said never let your boy’s schooling interfere with his education. Do you see it as a necessary event or opportunity to learn? Is attending school the goal or learning? Does your child see you read or do you read to your child?
Do you talk about a new skill you learned, a new job, do you value learning, and does your child know this? Does the child see you and their school as a team? You can pick your child’s school. Visit the school and get a feel of the atmosphere. Will it encourage and motivate your child. Professionals and how they interact with your child. Programs and teaching methods to match your child’s learning style.
Are charter schools available? They have a focus and contracted agreements. Private schools, online schools, parent coops, homeschools. Family resources and the child’s needs. What is best for your child.
Once you find the school, be an active participant. Take the lead on this team . Bring your positive energy. Volunteer to help at school.

If you have something to add, please do so in the comment section of this blog.

Here are some notes from a church talk. Any misinformation is the fault of the note taker.

– You are happier when you have gratitude in your heart.
– Urdorf: sooner or later we experience times when the fabric of our world feels torn. (Paraphrase) Details of each life are unique. Something that can take bitterness. One thing that can make things less bitter. We can be more faithful.
– Write a hundred things you’re thankful for. But all kinds of things such as inventions, places, people, experiences, etc.
– President Monson: difficult to view problems and not be discouraged. (Paraphrase) We need to look at overlooked blessings. Take an inventory of your life and see the small and large blessings you’ve received.
– Urdorf: instead of the focus of things your grateful focus be thankful for what circumstances we are in. We can experience gentle peace in tribulation.
– We can find it difficult to be in gratitude if we compare ourselves to others.
– Comparison is the thief of joy Roosevelt?
– Sometimes we take things for granted. The more we see things around us, we take them for granted.
– Notice the people you care about and the sights and smells and the beauty of this land.
– The lord has given us so much in our lives. He wants us to acknowledge his hand.
– Just a child may not thank a parent for all the things the parent has done. We can often neglect the blessings from our heavenly father.
– Gratitude makes us happy and others happy.
– How blessed we are if we recognize God’s work in the tapestry of life. Urdorf (Paraphrase)
– How to show gratitude
– Recognize blessings
– Make a list of what you’re grateful for.
– Song: what upon life’s billows.
– We can lift others and ourselves when we avoid the negative mindset.
– Write down the blessings you have so that your ascenders will see how your life was blessed.
– Give thanks to God and to others. In mind verbally
– When you don’t thank someone, it is like you wrapping a present and not giving it to them.
– Hymn: because I have been given much I too must give.
– He who is grateful in all things will become glorious.

Have something to add? Do so in the comment section of this blog.

The Utah County attorney gave a presentation about the current state of the judicial systems in Utah county. He also wants us to help him with a project that he feels will improving matters of crime repeats. More details on that the end of these notes. Any misinformation is the fault of the note taker. These notes are in my words.

This is a submission to my caucus corner occasional blog.

– We have a justice system for two keys reasons. 1. We all want to be safe and 2. We want to keep free. In the end, you have to choose when the two get too close and then you have to prioritize.
– Courts exist for one of two purposes to maintain social order / keep us safe. Or exist to keep us free.
– US courts were created to protect from the abuse of the governmental system. It was based on our founding fathers. Their notion was to keep us free from the government. This is illustrated in the Bill of rights and the constitution.
– The founders had legislative, prosecutors, to say what is illegal. We need an executive to execute the law and judicial system.
– Citizens have the power to determine who has done a crime and can report it. A Jury has the power to see if that person is innocent or guilty.
– After the civil war, it was tough to convene a jury. The plea bargain was created. State gives a charge. A person comes and an agreement is made. Lasted until 1960. The Supreme court said pleas bargains are legal.
– From 1970-200K IN jail jumped to 2.3 million today.
– The United States puts more people in jail than any other country in the world.
– Plea bargains began to increase. Up to 99% of cases are handled by the plea bargain.
– People avoid going the court for different reasons.
– There are 2400 elected prosecutors across the nation. They have the power to investigate anyone they want to investigate. They have 100% immunity for their actions.
– When Russia broke up into 15 countries and you only had what you possessed.
– Our systems were intended to regulate the conduct that hurt people. The government will restrict our freedom if we hurt someone.
– Felonies are intentional crimes.
– Estimate 80-90% of people in jails are not violent people. They are not hardened criminals. We as a society who are so interested in being protected, that we give up our freedom.
– We have put people in jail because we don’t want to deal with other people’s problems.
– County attorney Leavitt sees a system that needs to change. He wants to have an alternative to jail. He suggests Redemptive justice as an option. Just like a stock certificate can be redeemed to an item of greater value. We want to make people become better than they were before.
– The primary goal of redemption justice we want to redeem on how we will address our social issues.
– He works part-time as a luggage handler. He has noticed how he gets treated differently as a luggage handler then when he is dressed as an attorney. Having a different skin color, dress and other unique traits can cause people to be treated differently.
– He suggests we have a grand jury like the founders.
– 66% of rape victims never reach it to the district attorney office.
– 4500 victims a yr. comes to his office.
– We become fixated on being obeyed that we expend our resources.

Now county attorney wants our community to consider and do the following:

– Think of the TV Andy Griffith show. There was the weekend drunk Ottos. He was told to improve his ways but he continued his behavior.
– We have oblations to save our society which means an obligation to save individual people.
– What prevents us from helping others? We are fearful of helping.
– David is looking for people who are willing to help other people. He would like to match citizens up with people that are having private challenges. Having positive, emotional support can give people facing challenges to stay being good people. It’s hard when you are alone or don’t have a support system. The government is not the only person who needs your help. Your neighbor needs your help. He is looking to match people up with people needing emotional support.

I find this to be a good cause.

Here is his Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/DavidLeavittUTCoAttorney/

A descent can be a child of human parents. Just like a SCENT is a lingering aroma of something that is or was present previously so a deSCENT continues the bloodline of the parent.

If you have a better idea, please feel free to share it in the commend section of this blog.

These notes are from a Fidelity presentation offered by my employer. Good for future reference as I and my friends near retirement. Any misinformation is the fault of the note taker.

– Males 22 % live age 90
– Females 34% live to age 90

– Medical advances enable us to live longer but medical expenses go up.
– Inflation showing in stamps 15C decades ago and 55 cents in 2019
– Healthcare costs are not immune to inflation. 2026 health care costs will be higher than 3% in other areas. Health inflation will grow at 5.5 % to yr. 2026 based on medicate sensors.
– Retirement healthcare expenses will increase.
Step 1: determine the employer and other health benefits.
– Most corporate jobs are deferred to Medicare as their primary insurance at age 65
– Government jobs have government-provided health benefits for a couple.
– Questions to ask a. Will have higher medical coverage costs b. Will additional assets be required? Yes (deductibles and co-pay)
– At 63 1/2 get cobra benefits until age 65. The corporation doesn’t pay. At age 65 jump on Medicare.
– 65 is the Medicare start date not influence by SS dates.
– ACA (affordable care act) gives you access to get a government subsidy for government help. Healthcare.gov is the website.
– Think of health care as knowing what you’re out of pocket costs will be by mo. and by yr. add that total up.

Step 2: understanding your Medicare benefits.
– You are automatically enrolled at age 65.
– Contact Medicare 3 months before becomes age 65.
– Medicare part of the traditional form. Hospital insurance. Funded by payroll taxes.
– Jan to march can change insurance
– Medicare part b is the dr. visits. Traditionally paid by social security. The monthly payment 135.50 – 500 a month if you happen to sell a stock
– The funding is based upon taxable/ taxable gross income two years ago.
– Medigap: Is extra health insurance provided by private insurances. You have to pay 20% of a hospital bill, while Medicare part A pays 80%. This gap insurance can help you in coverage other insurance does not over.
– Married partners don’t have to have the same insurance.
– Medicare advance part c
– Medicare part d Prescriptions pay $33 a month.
– Medicare and Medigap do not cover:
– Most dental care and dentures, Acupuncture, Eye examinations related to prescription glasses Hearing aids and exams for fitting them.
Step 3: understanding our Medicare costs.
– 15% of the average retirees’ annual expenses will be used for healthcare-related expenses including Medicare premiums and out of pocket expenses.
– In 1965 Medicare paid benefits of $60. 2017 paid 1626-5 K
– Not all investments count as income by Medicare:
– Distributions from health savings accts, roh irsa or Roth 101
– Proceeds from a reverse mortgage
– Build a tax diversified portfolios by having assets that are taxed differently. Suggests moving retirements to a Roth or put money into a health account.
Step 4: think about long term care.
– Long term care costs can be very high and are not typically covered by traditional health insurance plans.
– Medicare will cover the first 100 days of rehab (sp). After that, you are on your own.
Q: would it be wise to transfer 401 to Roth? Currently, it is friendly so it might be advisable.

If you have suggestions to add, please do so in the comment section of this blog. Thanks.

These are notes taken at church. Any misinformation or inaccuracies is the fault of the note taker.

– Service is an act of helpful activity.
– Alternative words to service are assistance, ministrations, help, support encouragements, favor, and reinforcement.
– Luke 10:25 the Good Samaritan.
– Pharisees had the interpretation that a neighbor was another faithful Jew. The questioner was trying to trick him. Christ says all to be served.
– It is harder to serve others who are different than you or who are the opposite such as feliefs, race, sexual orientation, politics.
– Mosiah 18:8-9
– Brian Stevenson: book just mercy.
– To be of service to fellow beings. Seek the Holy Ghost, follow the example of savior as you serer other. Service is a say to overcome unhappiness. You capacities will increase.
– There is no perfect way to server just start anywhere.
– If you have administrating brothers and sisters start there.
– Serve.org is a good source
– Serve your fellow neighbors.

Service 2:
– Food or treats may be the end is a motivation for a child to do a service activity. In spite of the food, the child felt happy about servicing.
– On a mission can be hard but can offer wonderful experiences of sharing the gospel with others.
– Christ washes his disciples’ feet.
– Christ touchers the lepers physically. Their decayed skin and physical condition did not restrain Christ’s physical contact.
– Christ has stretched his arms out with an invitation for us to come unto him.
– As you show others your love and care you will feel happy
– It can be tempting to come home and occupy our time watching YouTube or other media but be careful of it taking too much of your time.
– The best medicine of despair is service.
– Romans 12:1 present your bodies a living practice, holy and acceptable under God in reasonable service (paraphrase)
– Christ wants us to offer our life in service.

Have something to add? Do so in the comment section of this blog.

Glenn Beck Presents:

Here are the links mentioned by the program. I tried to post them on facebook but my post was rejected.
Said:
You can’t share this link
Close
http://usembassykyiv.wordpress.com/tag Your content couldn’t be shared, because this link goes against our Community Standards

I tried to search my list of links of Beck’s sources and could not find the offending link.

How can I remember the waist is part of the human body and not waste? I consistently do it wrong. I thought of this visual image. Waist has an i. Think of the dot of the i as the head of a person. So remember waist as part of the human body.

We’ll see if that works. If you have a better idea, please feel free to share it in the commend section of this blog.