Stronger Through Him

 Yesterday we had a beautiful family church service where my cousin shared her recent experiences with health issues including finding a brain tumor.  As she spoke with vulnerability, she said that she had come to find that even the most difficult things are “”figureoutable” with Jesus. It might be my new favorite word. Jesus has promised to succor us. To make our load lighter. To forgive us and help us get back on track.   Nothing is too hard for him. No one is too “gone” for him. He knows  2 Ne 2:24 reassures us, “But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.” So when things are tricky and it seems impossible just remember, with Jesus all things are figureoutable. Yesterday we had a beautiful family church service where my cousin shared her recent experiences with health issues including finding a brain tumor.  As she spoke with vulnerability, she said that she had come to find that even the most difficult things are “”figu...

  How to Do Things You Hate. The title of the book intrigued me.   So I added It to my reading list and a few weeks later it popped up on my shelf.   I was quickly not only pulled in, but repeatedly pausing my husband’s audiobook, so that I could tell him how to do the things he hates too.  I think he really appreciated that. But I am only in charge of changing me, so I had to revert to analyzing my own motivations and goals.  Which is something I hate. Are there things I need to do, should do, could do or would benefit from doing but I really dislike them? Yes!!!! Do I always do them anyway?   No!!! This book explains that I am not alone in this area of human failing. It is filled with nuggets of wisdom that help each reader analyze and approach their own unique reasons for giving in to procrastination, fear, ease or laziness. One of these nuggets simply states, “You already have everyday habits that you follow without thinking about it—the question is whe...

  On one of our family road trips to California as a child, I distinctly remember looking out the window of the station wagon, and seeing a group of planes flying together in an awe-inspiring formation. At first I thought the planes were crashing and was terrified but then they swooped back up and continued the show. My dad explained who the Blue Angels were and I watched until they were no more than tiny white puffs on the horizon as we continued on our journey. This morning as I was rocking my grandson, I turned on a documentary about the Blue Angels. It was well done and at one point the Boss quoted Coach Vince Lombardi saying, “Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence.” We also can chase perfection, as we emulate the  Savior.   We can choose to do so sporadically, or relentlessly, and it is this choice that will determine to a great extent our fina...

 “Why?  Why can’t I just use ChatGPT?” My student was frustrated as I was making him do each step and ensuring complete understanding of the math skills as he went. “But David did!  And he got an A on his homework and is just playing around.” I looked him in the eye and slowly said, “You aren’t David and he’s not in my class right now.  But I know you are going to be using these skills over and over for the rest of your math classes.  Students who miss out on this are cheating themselves out of what they will actually need.” He grumbled and sighed and we went back to work. He is right though.  Sometimes we look around and see others who appear to be coasting, cheating, partially keeping covenants or stepping away from them entirely.   While we are commanded not to judge, these very human feelings bubbling up can happen.   We want it to be fair.  We want the fun part right now.  We want to feel unified.  There is a verse in our Come ...

  Elder M Russell Ballard opened his remarks many years ago by sharing, “Recently I held our first grandchild in my arms and had the same feelings come to me that I had when I held each one of my own children shortly after their birth. As I looked into their innocent faces, these questions came into my mind: “Who are you, my little one? What does Heavenly Father want you to accomplish in this life?” I imagine that many of you parents have had the same thoughts as you have held your infant children.” Last night after a long day of travel we arrived at my son’s home at 1:00 am and he proudly brought Baby Casey downstairs to meet his Grandpa George for the first time.   After seeing the excitement building for the last 12 days, I knew how much this moment meant to my husband.   And having already had my own first meeting, I was able to step back and watch with love and joy.   Elder Ballard’s question echoed again.   “Who are you my little one? And what does Heavenl...

  This is one of my favorite pictures I have ever received from a student.  He was 4 when he made this for me.   He showed me through his simple pen strokes just how much encouragement means.   He wanted me to say that he was doing a good job.  I hang it back up each year to keep this important concept front and center. Nabii just completed 8th grade, but he still responds so well to encouragement and authentic praise. Sister Gayle M Clegg spoke of encouragementt when she said, “Good job!” helps the journey seem possible…….It might be as simple as a smile, a hug, or a long walk to sort things out with a friend, a husband, or a child.” Who do you know who would benefit from being told “good job”?