I have joined a writing group recently. Each week an email is sent out with ideas and tips. A recent message encouraged creating a list of important people in your life and then documenting about their influence. I love this.

Who would be on your list? I imagine family members, friends, and teachers would be foremost. It reminds me of a clip I saw on social media. The singer, Adele, was asked during a concert who had influenced her. She talked about her favorite teacher and how she touched her life. This teacher “happened” to be in the audience and a brief reunion ensued. I shared the link below. Have tissues handy.

Thinking of my own list – one of the first was my 6th grade teacher. The student gossip was you did NOT want to have her. I remember a little trepidation when I saw the class list. She was challenging and demanding, as was rumored. The best ones are. I really enjoyed her though. Except for a particular week each month. That is how she left such an impact on me.

She had a strong philosophy that EVERY person needed to know how to speak in public. So each month we had to prepare and present a short speech to the class. For an extremely shy 6th grader, this was like a death sentence. As that week approached, I would literally pray to be sick when it was time to give our speeches. Those prayers never got answered. What a blessing.

We spoke about all sorts of topics and for varying lengths – 30 seconds at first and up to a minute or so as the year progressed. It never got easier for me at the time. Yet that forced, prolonged practice helped me learn that I could do hard things that felt like they would kill me and I would come out alive on the other side.

I don’t know that she taught for very long, but I really am grateful she did long enough to influence me. The speaking assignments really helped shape the way I handled other intimidating challenges that came later.

While creating this post I actually googled her. To my surprise, she is still living in my hometown, involved in the community. I plan on writing to her.

I am so grateful for the people in my life who have perhaps just filtered through and yet left lasting impressions. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell so beautifully penned,

“The same God that placed that star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others, but warm them as well” (Maxwell, That My Family Should Partake, 1974, p. 86).

It leads me to ponder, how am I influencing others in my own orbit and how can I do better?

Adele’s teacher surprise: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1054756451768000

Alas, I have joined the infamous Failed Resolutions club – again. Yet I am sure I’m in good company. Haven’t all of us received that particular membership card in some form? Good thing we can keep trying.

I watched a Day-In-The-Life reel of a musician recently. He took the audience along, traveling to his next tour stop. Through that day, I realized just how many people it must take to allow him to do what he does. So many behind the scenes. He does not do it alone.

I thought more about that during the day. Who in my life has been behind the scenes, allowing me to do what I do?

I was reminded of a powerful movie scene. We enjoyed “Soul on Fire” over the Holiday season. It is based on the life of John O’Leary. He was severely burned at 9 years old and given a 1% chance of living. He miraculously recovered and became a successful business owner and motivational speaker despite his challenges.

The scene that made a lasting impact on me was right before he was released from the hospital. Many were gathered around his bed, celebrating his incredible recovery with his family. So many had played a part. One of the doctor’s spoke up and, as I remember, talked about the miracle they all had a part in. Then he said, one person truly saved his life and made all the difference. There is an artful pause to allow you to think who you would choose.

Was it the nurse who encouraged him to stretch through scar tissue and painfully work damaged limbs? Was it family members who prayed and spent countless hours with him, offering support as best they could. Was it the skilled doctors who knew the right procedures needed?

The doctor’s hand claps onto the shoulder and startles the janitor by his side, indicating he was the one. He explains that because of his faithful and quiet work to ensure the room was sterile, John was protected from the chance of infection in his extremely vulnerable state and granted the time he needed to recover.

Now in truth, that small army all played a vital part in the young man’s recovery. Yet there is such a beautiful truth to what the doctor pointed out. If that vital and often unheralded work of keeping the room clean would have been neglected, all the expertise and encouragement and love would not have mattered at all. John would have died.

It makes me want to see others better. I want to recognize the importance of the seemingly small but mighty impacts in my own life. Most given without fanfare. I pray for better sight in that regard. I also want to be more willing to do those small, perhaps less-noticed things to help others along their way. I want to be a quiet hero.

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.

Here is a link to the news story: https://www.ksl.com/article/50500632/fellow-racers-show-support-for-utah-teen-with-eye-condition

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.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/42dennis?lang=eng

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.

Here is a link to the digital version of the LDS Living article about Tom Holdman:

https://www.ldsliving.com/the-couple-behind-windows-in-80-temples-miracles-creating-stained-glass-for-rome-texas-and-more/s/90065

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.