Changing

Blending Families, Building Character, and Finding Blessings | Harold Gretzky - 108

Children often feel mixed emotions when a new adult enters their lives. They wonder if they can trust them, laugh with them, or look up to them.  A common mistake step-parents make is expecting respect right away without considering how the child feels. My guest today, Brother Harold Gretzky, shares his experience with blending families.  He also shares how his experience serving in the United States Navy taught him lessons in honesty, integrity, and transparency that can help anyone navigate relationships and life challenges. Early Childhood Memories (00:06:34 – 00:15:07) ·  Brother Gretzky shares several memories from his childhood. He grew up near a Cold War missile base and strawberry farms, and he fondly remembers family stories about his grandfathers. ·  He talks about the family’s move from Queens to Michigan, which brought them to an engineering town because of his father’s invention in bowling technology with the Brunswick pin setter.  ·  Brother Gretzky recalls riding his red Schwinn bike and attending Catholic catechism, even though he sometimes would have preferred staying home to watch his favorite cartoons. Sailing & Family Bonding (00:19:13 – 00:24:19) ·  A major part of Brother Gretzky’s youth was competitive sailing. His father built a sailboat from scratch, a symbol of both ingenuity and family teamwork.  ·  He describes their weekly Sunday races, his father’s growing skill as a skipper, and how sailing became their main outlet. It also taught important life lessons, like sportsmanship and perseverance. Learning Accountability and Command through Navy Life (00:25:44 – 00:41:00) ·  Brother Gretzky’s time at the Naval Academy and on submarines shaped his views on leadership and responsibility.  ·  He shares dramatic moments, including surviving storms at sea, handling reactor crises, and receiving critical instructions from commanding officers.  ·  These experiences gave him a deep respect for command responsibility and the importance of owning mistakes, both in the military and later in civilian nuclear work. The Power of Honesty (00:43:16 – 00:46:38) ·  Brother Gretzky shares one of his core lessons: when something goes wrong, bring it forward. He learned this principle under high stakes on submarines and in nuclear power. ·  As he says, "If you’re honest with yourself, there’s always hope." He applies the same mindset to everyday life, including home mishaps and personal relationships. Stepfatherhood & Parenting Wisdom (00:48:07– 00:49:31) ·  Reflecting on his years as a stepfather, Brother Gretzky openly shares the ups and downs of blending families.  ·  He advises that the title "dad" must be earned and that stepfathers should not get caught up in labels.  ·  Brother Gretzky expresses pride in his three adult stepchildren’s successes, crediting their achievements to a nurturing yet realistic approach to parenting. “Don’t get wrapped up in expecting a stepchild to call you ‘dad’ because that isn’t the truth. The title ‘dad’ has to be earned. That was the mistake we made at first. When we first got married, we went through some rough spots. I am so pleased that I now have a great relationship with my three stepchildren, and that they’ve all grown into such amazing adults.” - Brother Harold Gretzky.

Faith, Family, and Finding Purpose | Kim Patton - 107

Grief is a part of the plan, not a glitch in your story. Many people see grief as an inconvenience to be endured or avoided, but as Sister Kim Patton shares in her story, it can actually become a powerful force that helps you grow. In this episode, she sets the tone for a tender and insightful conversation about resilience, faith, and healing after loss. Growing Up in Connecticut: Faith, Family & Foundations (00:03:29 – 00:08:50) ·  Kim takes us back to 1960s New England, a world shaped by politeness, community tradition, and immigrant and colonial pride. ·  She shares how her parents joined the Church after visiting the 1965 World’s Fair, and how faith became a central part of her life at just four years old.  ·  In a tiny branch where everyone felt like family, Kim learned music, belonging, and early leadership instinctively. Tragedy & Triumph: Her Father’s Accident (00:08:50 – 00:15:39) ·  At age eight, Kim’s father was catastrophically injured while serving on a welfare farm. ·  Originally quadriplegic, he fought his way back to partial mobility.  ·  His courage and stubborn faith became the foundation of a family culture built on endurance, determination, and never giving up even when outcomes are uncertain. Birth Order, Caretaking & Not Resenting the Weight (00:15:40 – 00:19:13) ·  As the oldest of eight, Kim had immense responsibility. Yet she never saw it as a burden. ·  She reflects on why she never developed the resentment many firstborns have, and how service inside her own family shaped her sense of stewardship, loyalty, and resilience. A New World: Moving from Connecticut to the Deep South (00:19:14 – 00:23:01) ·  At 13, Kim is uprooted to South Carolina and steps into a cultural shock she never saw coming.  ·  Different speech, different manners, different expectations, and an entirely different racial landscape. Integration, Identity & Learning Diversity Up Close (00:23:02 – 00:28:34) ·  Kim shares how living in the South, not the North, is what taught her the deepest lessons about diversity, empathy, and race.  ·  She saw integration not as a historical movement but as a lived reality, and it changed the trajectory of her worldview for life. BYU, Homesickness & a Relationship That Grew Slowly (00:28:35 – 00:34:55) ·  College brings independence and loneliness. Homesick and worried her youngest siblings would forget her, Kim worked intentionally to stay connected to home.  ·  And then there’s Robes, her future husband, whose courtship with her was as slow and unromantic as they come until persistence turned friendship into something lasting. Marriage, Adventure & Becoming a Mother (00:34:56 – 00:44:07) ·  The early years of marriage are filled with discovery, travel, maps, and curiosity. ·  Motherhood eventually follows and humbles Kim in unexpected ways.  ·  She learns that parenting is not about control but about truth-telling, grit, and allowing children to build their own resilience. Florida Years & Robes’ Journalism Career (00:44:08 – 00:49:13) ·  A move to Florida opens the door for Robes’ dream career covering professional sports writing during a golden era for the region.  ·  His unique voice and integrity earned him deep respect, and the family enjoyed a front-row seat to history in the making. Illness, Loss & the Sacredness of Grief (00:49:14 – 00:55:39) ·  Kim walks us through Robes’ illness and passing with stunning honesty.  ·  She describes the shock, the loneliness of widowhood, and the way community, faith, and temple covenants anchored her and her children. How to Walk With Grief and With Others in Theirs (00:55:40 – 01:06:41) ·  Kim teaches what most people don’t understand about mourning: o   Don’t fix grief; witness it. o   Don’t rush people; sit beside them. o   Offer specific help, not vague promises. ·  She shares practical, compassionate do’s and don’ts that every listener can use, whether they are grieving themselves or supporting someone who is. Closing Reflections (01:06:41 – 01:07:00) ·  Kim closes with gratitude, humility, and a reverent honesty about the beauty, complexity, and cost of a life fully lived. ·  Bonus Segment: Stick around after the closing to hear from Kim’s three adult children in a heartwarming and hilarious bonus segment that captures the humor, strength, and legacy their family shares. “Grief is part of the plan. It is part of being human. Pretending it isn’t there or trying to outrun it never really works. Grief does not disappear; it waits for you. You can ignore it for a while, but eventually it asks to be felt.” - Kim Patton

3 Things I Have Learned From The Changing Podcast | Donald Kelly - 106

This podcast, first and foremost, is about becoming who we are truly meant to be. No matter what life we are born into, we all have the power to draw closer to God. In this episode, your host Donald Kelly shares three key things he has learned from hosting this podcast – they have helped him on his journey and we hope they will help you, too.   Everyone Can Change * Some transformations can be dramatic – we hear stories of receiving revelations or miracles as a catalyst for change.  * Not all change is that visible, but that doesn’t make it any less important. God frequently comes as the “still, small voice.” The Power of the Atonement * The atonement is for everyone, whether their sins are large or small. Because of this, everyone will be resurrected. * When you don’t repent or believe in Christ, you damn yourself to be outside the presence of God in the afterlife. Studying the Word of God Brings Peace * Studying and learning the scriptures brings a certain level of peace to life that we can not reach on our own. * When we take the time to immerse ourselves in the word of God by studying, reading, and discussing, it enriches our lives and improves our relationship with God. Thank you for listening to the Changing podcast. If you know anyone who could connect with this or any other episode, consider sending it to them. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/changing/id1557153794]. If you need someone to talk to and would like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter [https://twitter.com/donaldckelly?lang=en] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/donaldckelly/?hl=en].

3 Ways to Make Sure You Have an Eternal Perspective | Donald Kelly - 105

Getting sucked into material, earthly things happens to us all. You’re not alone if you’ve ever pushed back your church-related activities to take care of work or family. So how do you balance all of the important things in life? In this episode of Changing, your host Donald Kelly gives you three ways to find your eternal perspective so that you can prioritize what truly matters.   Ask yourself, “Why do I do what I do?” * As you go about your life, do you pray, read scriptures, and attend church because you feel like you have to, or out of a love of God and desire to feel closer to Him? * Remind yourself that God is the one who created everything and He is more important than riches and possessions. Ask yourself, “How can this help me draw closer to God?” * Use the skills and talents you were given by God and improve on them. You can use your skills to serve God, your family, and others in need. * Find a balance between helping the church, tithing, etc. and spending time with your loved ones and taking care of them. Habits Matter * Have good habits that bring you closer to Christ, but not everything has to be consumed by church. It’s okay to have fun, as long as the things you do can help you be a stronger disciple of Christ in the long run. * It’s important to be mindful of how we spend our time and what mindset we have. Earthly pursuits fade, but the kingdom of God is eternal. “We need to be conscious of the things that we’re doing, of the perspectives we have. If we are so consumed only on riches, as [the man in the scripture was], if we are consumed only on basketball, or consumed only on getting buff, or consumed only on videogames or doing crime, we are going to find, in the end, that those things are going to wither away. The body’s going to wither away. Those crimes are going to be gone, and all those riches you gained are going to be gone. But – what’s your relationship like with God? What treasures have you built up, what have you saved in Heaven?” – Donald Kelly If you know someone who could connect with this message, send them this episode and encourage them to subscribe. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/changing/id1557153794]. If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter [https://twitter.com/donaldckelly?lang=en] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/donaldckelly/?hl=en].

9 Attributes to Help You Become More Christlike | Donald Kelly - 104

Following the path of Jesus Christ means many different things to different people, so how do we know what to do when we’re told to “be more Christlike”? In this episode, your host Donald Kelly shares nine attributes of Christ with you so that you can incorporate them into your life.   1. Faith in Christ * When you trust and have faith in Christ, you become closer to the spirit, and that gives you the strength to do great things. * Donald shares a story of when his faith and prayer helped him through a challenging housing situation. 2. Hope * Optimism and perseverance will help you work through all of the difficulties you face. * Hope helps us overcome discouragement and have a positive view of the future. 3. Love * Just like how Christ helped many people, even those society often would not help, we should develop the kind of love that helps us to serve others. * This kind of love has no strings attached and is not self-centered. 4. Virtue * A virtuous person will push away thoughts that are not Christlike, even when no one is watching. * Virtuous people obey God’s commandments, follow the advice of Church leaders, pray for help to overcome sinful thoughts, and quickly repent when they do make mistakes. 5. Knowledge * Study scriptures every day so that you can better understand the word of God. * When you become familiar with the scriptures, you can help teach others about your faith. 6. Patience * Patience is the ability to do God’s will and accept his timing. * Easier said than done! When you’re feeling the strain of not being happy with the way things are, take a breath, and remember that God’s timing is better than ours. 7. Humility * Humility is acceptance and acknowledgment of God’s power and love. Being humble is not a sign of weakness – it is a sign of spiritual strength. * Pride is the opposite of humility and is condemned in the scriptures. 8. Diligence * Steadfast, constant, and earnest effort in doing the Lord’s work. * When you face tough moments, stay strong and keep taking positive action. 9. Obedience * This means following the calling of God, even if you don’t always understand His reasons. * Through obedience, you achieve freedom in another sense – you gain the capability to do much more. “This is not a one-and-done thing, it’s an ongoing thing. Be more Christlike. Seek to perfect these attributes in your day-to-day life and, I promise you, you’ll have peace, you’ll have joy, you’ll have happiness.” – Donald Kelly If you know someone who could connect with this message, send them this episode and encourage them to subscribe. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/changing/id1557153794]. If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter [https://twitter.com/donaldckelly?lang=en] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/donaldckelly/?hl=en].