Stronger Through Him

 The other night I was working at the Jr High concession stand when a mom and her son approached. As mom mentally debated on which processed, but delicious snack she wanted, I watched her young son lean up to the edge of the counter and wipe his snotty nose along the full  edge.   I wanted to throw up but I politely handed him a napkin and finished mom’s transaction. The moment they left, I urgently sprayed down the counter with disinfectant and scrubbed it clean. I did not say it wasn’t that bad. I did not say maybe I would clean it later. I did not describe someone else’s counter that’s worse. I saw the mess and I cleaned it up. I want to have that same urgency in keeping my own heart, mind, home and world as spiritually clean as possible.   I want to be able to recognize sin and root it out quickly.   Elder D Todd Christofferson shared, “At the same time, let us not justify ourselves in a casual effort. Let us not be content to retain some disposition to do e...

 This weekend, I was privileged to attend the blessing of my first grandson.  Watching my son take baby Casey up and encircling that infant with his Grandpa, Great-Grandpa and close family friends was moving. I thought of the Priesthood examples holding onto each other’s shoulders and all of the blessings and opportunities that will come as they keep their covenants and stand as worthy mentors for him. I listened to the sacred words pronounced for him from his Heavenly Father and then watched his dad hand him to his mom who literally sustains him and in whose arms he feels the safest in the world.  She was seated with her mom and my daughter and I thought of the many righteous women in his life also doing their best to follow Jesus Christ.   Sister Bonnie D Parkin once spoke of her experience at witnessing her first grandaughter’s blessing.   I’m slightly altering her words to speak of Casey instead of Jordan.   “Casey was fortunate. He was born to his pare...

 I’m sitting on a flight with people I know much better than I had planned after our flight was delayed twice….. David Archuleta’s “Glorious” was playing on Spotify through my earbuds and to distract myself from the 90 degree plane temp (the stewardess said she was sorry) I was people watching.  The lyrics began to speak to me specifically in terms of each person on here. “Each one playing a piece in their own melodies and each one so, so glorious!” Varied skin-tones, from wrinkled to smooth. Tall, short, prolific hair or bald. First-class or possibly living out of that duffel bag. Notre Dame, Purdue or IU.   Loud or quiet, sullen or smiles. Each with a story.     Each headed somewhere for something.   Each an absolutely beloved child of God and all sharing a short portion of our journeys in shared space. Oh isn’t it glorious??  And that changes everything!

  This book was recommended and is full of solid advice on how to sincerely and not-so-sincerely apologize. In the story the boy (who knocked down his classmate’s castle) starts out by simply saying “sorry”.  And then morphs that word into “I’m sorry you got mad.” His teacher guides him through the process as he tries again and again. He finally owns that he knocked over her castle, but still detaches that from her response.  “I knocked over the castle.  I’m sorry you got mad.” His teacher wisely teaches that there are three parts to a sincere apology: 1.  State what you did wrong.  2. Say you are sorry.  3. Make ammends if possible.  In NEST language we say: Own It. Apologize. Make it right. In a world where this is not inherently part of our culture and we instead focus on blame or excuses, this is something that must be concretely taught to children and reinforced and retaught to adults. Elder Ronald A Rasband, in his talk on the importance of ...

 Today my husband gave a beautiful message and testimony on discipleship. He talked about two parts. First, coming to Christ. And second, offering our whole souls to Him. He shared his own experiences and challenged us all to reflect on if we are giving our whole souls, or just coming to Christ and not experiencing the whole joy. A quote I read earlier this week came to mind. If we are waiting to feel ready for that next step, it will never happen. Ready isn’t a feeling, it’s a choice.   Wow! Am I ready to take another step closer to my Savior? Am I willing to go all in? Like He did for me? George shared how in John we read of the many people who came to Jesus, but then just returned to their paths.   Right now, this very second, what can I place upon the altar for my Lord?  Is it time? A habit? An attitude? A grudge? A rationalization?  Make that choice and say it out loud.   “Lord, I choose you and that means I’m going to _______________ starting this ver...

 Life doesn’t always go as planned. I know.  Shocking!  But one thing I have realized is that perspective is everything.   It’s okay to be disappointed when plans have to unexpectedly change, but if we are able to focus on the true righteous goals we have, we can find joy and comfort even amidst difficulty.   My daughter and her fiancé are in town this week for a few days.  We only see her (and now them) for a few days each semester since they go to school in Boston. We had planned a fun family outing to Cedar Point  and a backyard BBQ with friends for while they were here. But my other daughter ended up needing some cardiac monitoring in the hospital for a couple of days so plans changed. I was frustrated by the circumstances and knew both daughters were too.  I hated that I couldn’t magically make her feel better.   I reminded myself that the goal was to spend quality time together and for Jack to better understand our family and how we do ...