A common beginning to many of my journal entries over the years goes something like – It has been so long since I wrote. Apparently, my blog can now claim the same. I had a very busy season. Now I find more time and feel the call to return to write. And share.
Each week of the next 52, I will take a moment to post here. My hope, as from the beginning, will be to share the good.
For Christmas, we received a thick book containing artistic depictions of Jesus. I took time to look through each page, thinking about the artwork and each artists’ unique “voice”. All the same subject, yet portrayed in a variety of ways.
I felt pulled to add my own, but to use words as the format. Inspired by my daily reading today in Mosiah 15:1 in the Book of Mormon, which reads in part, “…God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people.”
To think –
The very Creator of the earth brought Himself low enough to be subject to all. The very elements He created. Humanity in all forms.
He had ultimate power – could have countered any mistreatment, subjected any, provided any want. The Epitome of self-mastery and humility.
Continually offering His will to do the Father’s. Consistently pointing us to Heaven and our fellow travelers. Only doing the best good.
He allowed Himself to feel and experience all we ever would, lower than the lowest. So He could gather us all and lift us up. Back to Home.
How grateful I am for My Savior and yours. I know He will help us all to make the best of this next year -whatever may come.
In light of the recent passing of President Jeffrey R. Holland, one of his quotes…
“When He says to the poor in spirit, “Come unto me,” He means He knows the way out and He knows the way up. He knows it because He has walked it. He know the way because He is the way.”
I was reminded this week of the power we have inside us. Each one of us. I think we hide it sometimes. Or it gets buried by to-do’s and deadlines and stress. It may be tarnished from disuse even, but it is still there. It is the power to kindle light and hope in others.
In a recent BYU-Idaho Devotional, Bishop Gérald Caussé shared his experience of ministering to a gentleman for 7 years. When he and his companion began, the man had numerous challenges due to poor choices. They focused on trying to help him remember his worth and potential. Years later, Bishop Caussé was touched to see the man at the recommend desk of the Paris, France Temple, and was happy to hear of the good things going on in his life.
Bishop Caussé said, “When we envision the divine potential of those we encounter, it transforms the way we see them and minister to them. Imagine what would happen if every man and woman could see others as God sees them. If we could see others with the same kindness, the same love, the same trust that God has for them. What would happen if everyone was recognized by their peers for what they truly are as well as what they could become.” Isn’t that a cool thought? Do you know someone who has done that for you?
It reminded me of a scripture in 1 John 3:2.
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
I love that God sees our potential. He knows how far we might be from it, but He continually offers encouragement to keep trying and working. He knows we can reach our eternal goals through our efforts and with the help of His Son, Jesus Christ. He also knows how those efforts can be strengthened by helping one another.
The miracle is that as we encourage each other, we get farther as well. It reminds me of this proverb.
“Thee lift me, and I’ll lift thee, and we will ascend together.”
Quaker Proverb
I want to be a lifter, an encourager. I want to see others better. The way God sees us. Will you join me?
I have had a companion with me all week. It is a scripture about Sara, Abraham’s wife.
“Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.”
Hebrews 11:11
“Received strength” struck me. I thought of a discussion I recently had with a dear friend. She bore her sixth child a few months ago, a number of years after her other children. A caboose baby. My friend and I have talked often of the particular challenges. There are definite differences between having children in your 20’s and early 30’s than when approaching your 40’s. I know. We had a wonderful caboose of our own.
Maybe that is why this verse stood out to me. The realities of being an older mother being more fore-front through the experiences of my friend. I’m sure Sara was beyond grateful for the amazing blessing of a long-awaited child. I wonder if some trepidation was also mixed in though, especially as her body adjusted to the growing life inside her. Intensified discomfort making day-to-day life more difficult. What about after the birth – the slow recovery, the increased tired. There are a number of reasons why the biological clock is a thing. Yet, Sara was strengthened by the Lord. “…[She] judged him faithful who promised.”
Did that mean it was easy for her? Judging by my own life experiences and others, I would give a resounding “no.”
It has been an interesting topic to ponder. How challenging some days must have been for Sara. She must have needed to rely on her faith and trust in a loving, all-knowing God. One who not only had His promise concerning Abraham’s seed to fulfill, but also had her best interests at heart. To have faith that He was perfectly aware of her struggles and needs amidst the big picture of establishing the House of Israel.
Have you ever found yourself wondering if God was really aware of your particular hard? Perhaps moments of concern wondering if you had what it takes to persevere? Maybe you have had similar experiences with answered prayers when you found the answer not what or how you expected. Times when you have asked the Lord, “Are you sure?”
Boy, have I. Often. It is such a comfort to me to read and think about others who may have experienced the same. Who probably had moments of doubt or struggle, but who continued to trust in the Lord through the challenge. Those who have accepted the call and grown and become more because of those stretching moments. And really, that is why we are here on earth, isn’t it? To do our best to learn and to strive to be like God, Our Heavenly Father? That process shouldn’t be easy, considering how far we have to go.
I recently came across this quote from Elder Bednar. He was speaking to students at Ensign College in January of this year. I will post a link for the full address below. During the address, he taught this powerful truth.
“Most of your answers won’t be what you want when you want…Don’t expect him just to provide a delivery service. You don’t pray to tell God what you want or what you need. You pray to find out what God wants for you. Big difference. That will change what you pray forever. And many times what he wants for us, because it involves change in what we are and what we do, is not something we readily want to hear or accept…He is not interested in making our lives hard. To become what we are destined to become as his sons and daughters doesn’t come by staying the same and it doesn’t come by not having to deal with some demanding and difficult things.”
Something to think about. Something to learn from.
It has been a bit of a heart-wrenching week. You know the kind where each day brings knowledge of another friend’s or family member’s struggles, the really hard ones. The kind that you can’t help with, other than be there for them, and your prayers get longer and longer. Sometimes mortality is really heavy. In the midst of the weight though, the Lord often blesses us with a reminder that He is there.
My husband and I had the assignment to go on some visits this week as part of our respective church callings. We met at the church building at the designated time, joining with others from our ward and Stake leadership. After praying together and talking for a few minutes, we split up to visit with prayerfully selected members of our ward.
My heart was already a bit tender due to events of the week. I was also feeling a bit sentimental as these visits brought to mind previous opportunities my husband and I have enjoyed together. Over the years, we have had many chances to participate together in similar visits. It is always special. This night was no exception.
While he and I did not go together on visits, we did join back up all together at the church building after our appointments. Another discussion took place where we shared our experiences. As I sat listening to each of these good people talk about visiting a few of the amazing members of our ward, my heart was deeply touched.
I have come to know the members of the Stake leadership quite well as I am currently serving in a Stake capacity. My heart swelled with gratitude that these amazing people whom I have come to love and admire had the opportunity to meet some of the other amazing people my husband and I have loved and served over the years we have been in this ward.
I was brought to tears afterward as I reflected on the experience. I know some of the backstories of those visited. I know some of their difficulties and challenges. To see and hear of the love and Spirit shared that night was overwhelming. My heart stretched and grew in gratitude for those needs met.
It made me think of how each one of those visited was blessed, as were those who were doing the visiting. Both were edifyed. It is the Lord’s perfect plan for meeting the needs of His children. Since He is not here, He sends others to be His Hands. He asks each of us to be present and love as He does.
In Acts 17:27, we read that if we will “feel after him”, Jesus Christ, we will find him. The scripture continues, “…he be not far from every one of us”. Not very far at all. Sometimes even just next door, in the guise of a neighbor and friend. May we all live that way and act as He would.
President Russell M. Nelson has said to the rising generation, “My beloved younger brothers and sisters, you are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world. You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact on the world than any previous generation.”
I wholeheartedly believe that. Not just because a Prophet of God said it. I have seen evidence of that greatness.
Last fall, our youngest son decided to follow his brother’s footsteps and try mountain biking. As in previous years, the first race was on a cold and very rainy day. As we arrived in town, the rain fell in sheets. I remember thinking, surely they are not going to make the kids race in this.
By the time we had eaten lunch though, the rain let up. We made a quick pitstop to purchase some umbrellas just in case. When we arrived at the venue, there was a 20 minute rain delay. Things seemed to dry out a bit, and the course wasn’t too muddy when racing resumed.
Then about 45 minutes before Kam’s race, rain began again. With most of the races completed for the day, the organizers decided to push forward with the rest instead of postponing again. In the midst of a continued drizzle, Kam and the others lined up for what was to be an epic beginning to their racing season.
The race ended up looking more like a mud run or some sort of boot camp. Kids had to carry or drag their bikes through the course because of the mud. It was a mess! So many of us shook our heads and thought out loud or in our minds, “How can they make these kids do this? This is too hard!” As we continued to watch them struggle though, the mumbling quieted. Soon replaced by admiration.
We did not see one of those kids quit. Despite the repeated stops to clear out mud and grass from their tires and gear. Despite the slipping and falling and getting up again and again and again. Despite the cold and Herculean effort required to carry, pull, or push through the mud. Each participant doggedly continued, making adjustments to find what worked best for them.
They overcame. I was not the only one moved as these racers crossed the finish line. Some racers were crying from the effort. A few even carried their bikes without the wheels because of mishaps during the race. Yet they finished! I learned so much about grit, determination, and perseverance that day. I think many of us did.
Fast forward to the end of the season. During the State Mountain Biking races, a news story broke. The report was about a young man racing in what could very well be his last mountain bike race ever. This young man has a degenerative eye condition that is progressing rapidly. At the time of the story, he could only see about 10 feet in front of him. Yet this young man was competing at State in a sport where it is imperative to be able to see what obstacles are ahead. A guide with a headset rode in front of him during the race to give him instructions about upcoming difficulties. Even with the guide’s help though, he still crashes. His dad estimated he had hit the dirt about 75 times. Yet despite the hazards, the young man loves it and still raced.
That determination, that drive to act and overcome obstacles is special. This generation seems to have a significant amount of it. I have seen it again and again.
“[There] is something undeniably special about this generation of youth. Your Heavenly Father must have great confidence in you to send you to earth at this time. You were born for greatness.”
President Russell M Nelson, June 3, 2018, Worldwide Youth Devotional
Indeed they are. And I hope we help them continue to build that greatness of character and grit. The world needs them.
If you are part of the human family and interact with others at all, chances are you will eventually be yelled at some time. A member of my team at work experienced just such an episode this week. Despite the fact that she was trying to help, the disgruntled person unleashed her frustrations without restraint. It was understandably hard.
When I was informed of the exchange, my heart went out to my coworker. No one deserves to be treated like that. As we discussed the situation, I was reminded of a talk from the October 2022 General Conference.
During this past Conference, Sister J. Anette Dennis told a story about a beloved hunting dog named Cassie. Her owner, Jack, was anxious to showcase her talent to his fellow hunting friends. When the time came however, Cassie uncharacteristically would not listen and refused to leave his side. This left Jack very frustrated and embarrassed. He couldn’t understand why she refused to listen. It wasn’t until he got home that he realized the dog had been seriously injured somehow. Sister Dennis related, “Her behavior had been influenced by her pain, her suffering, and her wounds. It had nothing to do with a lack of desire to obey Jack or a lack of love for him.” I’m sure something similar could be said about the person my coworker was trying to help.
I have found that more often than not, lashing out rarely has to do with the situation itself or those on the receiving end. Rather, it is often a culmination of factors, finally building to the breaking point. Have you seen the same? The world right now is full of angry voices and contention. I wonder how much of it stems from unseen wounds?
After her conference talk, Sister Dennis had a number of concerned people reach out to her about Cassie. In response, she gave a brief “rest-of-the-story” in a Facebook post. She explained that the vet told Jack that Cassie’s wound needed to heal internally, from the inside out. It would take a lot of patience and care. At first, it would not look like any healing was taking place, but eventually, it would be as if there was never any injury.
The lessons of that story have played again and again in my mind. What if we kept in mind the idea of unseen wounds as we interacted with others? Would we have more patience? Would we be slower to take offense? Sister Dennis’s story has made me want to do better at giving people the benefit of the doubt. I wonder what would happen if we all tried to be more aware of the needs of those around us? Maybe we would recognize that many of the sharp words or harsh corners of personality stem from hidden wounds that simply need to heal from the inside out. Could we help with that healing as we give love and patience instead of mirrored anger? It has sure made me think.
I’m so grateful for the example of Jesus Christ. I am struck by His patience with ancient Israel. Again and again His chosen people refused to listen to the prophets. Yet again and again, no matter how many times He was rejected by them, the Lord still reached out in invitation to them to return. Because of His Atonement, Jesus Christ has the power to help us heal from the inside out. No matter the depth of the injury or how long the process. No matter how many times we have turned from Him or maybe even yelled at Him. Jeremiah 50:34 says, “Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is his name; he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land…”
He can help us better recognize our wounds and those of others. He can help us be more patient as we wait for needed healing. He can inspire ways to offer our love and caring to others along the way. And that will make all the difference.
Here are the links to Sister J. Anette Dennis’s talk and subsequent Facebook post.
Stained Glass Window of the San Antonio Texas Temple (Holdman Studios)
Have you ever wondered why you’ve gone through a particular situation? Maybe even asked God? I would wager most if not all of us have at one point or other. Sometimes life and trials just don’t make sense in our short-sighted view. I was reminded this week that the Lord’s vantage point is much greater, and He has the power to work those situations for our good.
Recent scripture study took me to Isaiah 54:11-13. The first verse of that grouping talks about being “afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted”. Pretty good description of life sometimes, right? Then the Lord promises to make “windows of agates”.
Written in the margins of this scripture, I have a note about an article I read years ago from the January/February 2019 LDS Living magazine. The story is about acclaimed stained-glass artist, Tom Holdman and his wife Gayle. It highlights their work for various temples around the world and related miracles they have experienced. It is a wonderful read, but the story about the windows of the San Antonio Texas Temple in particular have stayed with me.
During a preliminary visit to the temple site, Tom expressed his plans to incorporate agate in the designs to a senior construction missionary. Visibly emotional, the missionary proceeded to take Tom to a pile of “very ugly rocks” that had been excavated from the temple site. No one understood why the missionary had kept them, even teasing him about it. Those rocks were agates. The Lord in His eternal foresight provided some of the materials for His house.
I see so much truth in that story. Proof that God can take the ugly piles of rock in our lives and transform them into something of beauty and usefulness. Proof of the impossible. He can transform something that blocks the light into something that actually lets light pour in. He can turn rocks into windows. In a room. In a heart. In a life. He has done it for me.
The article mentions how the miracle sank deeper in Tom’s heart when he came across the Isaiah reference found in 3 Nephi 22:12 about “windows of agates”. If you read the following scripture though, it is even more significant. Verse 13 says “thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children”.
In this recent General Conference, President Nelson taught, “It is significant that the Savior chose to appear to the people at the temple. It is His house. It is filled with His power. Let us never lose sight of what the Lord is doing for us now. He is making His temples more accessible…He is also making it easier for each of us to become spiritually refined. I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can” (emphasis added).
I believe in the Prophet’s promise. I need those blessings. We all do. May the Lord create windows of our rocks.
Window at the Paris LDS Temple Visitor Center (Holdman Studies)
Here is a link to the digital version of the LDS Living article about Tom Holdman:
There is a particular road in my corner of the world that I love to drive. The view of our beautiful valley from that vantage point always cheers my heart. I admire the houses on that road and wonder what it would be like to have that view out your window. As we drove on that road this week, my husband and I saw a “For Sale” sign by a dirt drive. We decided to investigate just for fun.
The driveway led back behind the first set of houses to an uncultivated area. How surprised we were when just a little ways in, the landscape changed dramatically. What had been beautiful green pasture land was now stark desert and sagebrush. The difference was shocking. It would not be my first choice for a home.
Later in the week, my friend and I were walking in her neighborhood when she commented how water affects the desirability and therefore the cost of a property. I thought how true that was, remembering our earlier exploratory drive. Then a different thought hit me – water improves what it touches. Those rolling hills of desert we saw earlier in the week, simply needed water and care to transform into what it could be. It made me think of those times I had hiked in our area after a wet spring storm. It is amazing how just a little rain makes the desert areas bloom.
How similar that is to Jesus Christ – the Living Water. A life or situation touched by Him improves and blossoms beyond measure. And thankfully, He doesn’t see the way we see. He doesn’t reject a spot of barren dirt or a wandering soul, writing them off as a lost cause. He NEVER does. He sees beyond the surface, beyond the failings, and into our potential. As it says in Isaiah 11:3-4, “…He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears; But with righteousness shall he judge the poor…” The poor in hope, the poor in spirit, even the poor in choices. And if we allow Him in, our souls and situations bloom like desert flowers.
I love to hike. I always have, particularly up mountains. There is just something about seeing the world from that perspective that calls to my soul. It rejuvenates me.
One summer, my family and I climbed a 12,000 ft plus peak near our home. It was listed as one of the easiest peaks to summit. Still, at one point I wondered if we had been too ambitious in our goal. Eventually everyone made it to the top, and we were rewarded with a breathtaking sight of the rest of the mountain range. It is one of my favorite memories, but it isn’t the same for everyone.
To this day, our youngest daughter claims it was one of her worst days ever. As you can probably guess, she does not share my affinity for hiking. She will go, but it is not on her preferred to-do list. That particular hike was quite difficult for her, even as an active 5 year old. The elevation change affected her so much that on the way down she passed out.
I have often wondered what we could have done differently to help our daughter have a better experience on that hike. We had brought enough water and snacks for the trip. We were dressed adequately. I had read reviews of others taking younger kids on that particular route so I felt confident it would be fine. We probably could have prepared a little better physically, but I think the main improvement would have been to rest more often.
It is obvious that God understands the importance of rest. In the beginning, He set apart the Sabbath for that purpose. This necessity is also brought to light in the story of Elijah the prophet. He really had an uphill battle to climb in life. He was constantly trying to correct a wayward people, even calling down a severe drought and inviting the prophets of Baal to a public showdown to encourage devotion to the one true God. After that most impressive display of fire, Elijah was forced to run for his life to avoid Jezebel’s wrath. You can feel his despair when he pleads for the Lord to take his life. He was tired and ready to pass out.
I love how the Lord answers his prayer. He sends an angel who makes him a cake. The angel has him eat and rest, “because the journey is too great for thee” (1 Kings 19:7). The Lord recognized he needed a respite. After resting physically, Elijah continued his journey to Horeb. Interesting enough, it is the same “mountain of God” where Moses was called by the Lord in the burning bush (Exodus 3:1). There, Elijah was blessed with some spiritual resting and strengthening.
We all need that. In fact, I think it is only becoming more necessary as the weeks and years roll on. I don’t want to faint because I did not take the time to rest. I will follow Elder M. Russell Ballard’s council that he gave in his October 2016 General Conference talk, “To Whom Shall We Go?”.
Life can be like hikers ascending a steep and arduous trail. It is a natural and normal thing to occasionally pause on the path to catch our breath, to recalculate our bearings, and to reconsider our pace. Not everyone needs to pause on the path, but there is nothing wrong with doing so when your circumstances require. In fact, it can be a positive thing for those who take full advantage of the opportunity to refresh themselves with the living water of the gospel of Christ.
In just a week, we have a great opportunity to get that added rest. I invite you to prepare for and enjoy the feast.
I love this time of year. Spring. Renewal. An awakening after the sleep of winter. It is like opening presents each day to see what new growth and new blossoms are coming. “How many peony blossoms will I have this year? Will those new irises bloom?” I love the discoveries.
It is such a hopeful time of year. Thoughts of planning for the future and anticipation of the harvest to come fill my thoughts. And it is a lot of work.
This spring is also an end and a beginning. Our fourth child will soon walk out of high school for the last time. He will begin the plowing of his own path soon. It is incredible to me how truly fleeting these years seem to be as milestones come. I am learning so much about variety as they do.
When we were first starting our family, I imagined the future. I could see the harvest of raising our children, what I thought it should and would look like. I had grand plans, as I’m sure most parents do. Just like my garden, I had a vision of what I thought our family would be. And we worked for it.
Like raising a garden, there have been surprises along the way. Some happy, like the volunteer tomato plants that actually do better than the starters from the nursery. Some not so, like the discovery of strangle weed – a vampire-like plant. Who knew that was even a thing?! There have also been mistakes, like not checking the slope of the row so irrigation can run the full length or not keeping up on weeding. So many life lessons.
While some of the harvesting has not been as I envisioned, it has still been good. I still see great purpose and opportunities for happiness and continued growth. I see great variety in what that looks like for each of our children. And that is okay.
I was introduced to this jewel of a quote by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. It comes from an address he gave to employees of BYU-Pathway Worldwide, talking about the vast variety of students from around the world who participate in the program. “We love them for what they are and cultivate them from there. Not everyone is going to be a rose, nor should be, so do not try to make them a rose…allow them to blossom in their own soil.”
That is how God works with all of us, isn’t it? He sees our incredible, eternal potential. He knows where to find the best sun and nutrients and the right amount of water. Yet He encourages and allows us to decide where to grow. And He helps us adjust when we recognize we want better.
I love the reminder of that this time of year. I am grateful for new beginnings. For renewals. And I look forward to the harvests.
Living In The Sweet Spot 