Stronger Through Him

 It’s a Saturday morning and I was thinking about service this morning. I did some walking and errands and scripture study and reading as a service to me. I did something things around our home to serve my family. George and Ella left at 7:30 this morning for Indianapolis to serve our ward and those on the other side at the Temple. Now I am helping my friend at her daughter’s graduation party to serve my neighbor.  I have never met the women I am filling taco shells next to.  One is my age.  The other is young.  But we love the same friend and that Is enough. Which is most valuable? Which is needful? Which is “best”?  They ALL serve the Lord by showing love. They ALL bless me if I let them.   Elder Carl B Cook said it well when he exhorted, “Whatever our age or circumstance, let service be our “watchcry.”  Serve in your calling. Serve a mission. Serve your mother. Serve a stranger. Serve your neighbor. Just serve.” Don’t over think it.   Serv...

  My daughter currently lives with my amazing cousin and her family.   Their daughter Gillian LOVES Kyrie and Kyrie LOVES Gillian.   Yesterday Gillian got ready for church with excitement and matched Kyrie all the way down to the perfume they used together. Her smile shows just how ecstatic she was. Children are always watching and desperately need positive role models. We don’t get to pick IF we are teaching them, we only get to pick WHAT we are teaching them. Elder Dwan J Young gave this important advice: “Actually, we are all teachers of children—parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, priesthood leaders, ward members, neighbors. Children are always watching and learning. We teach them through our behavior as well as by what we say. They watch how we treat each other. They listen to the voices of their parents and to the voices at church. Unfortunately, they also listen to voices on television and elsewhere which sometimes teach values contrary to gospel principles. We m...

 Today was the mission farewell Sacrament Meeting for one of my daughter’s friends. As I went to also hear his remarks, I was struck by the group of youth seated together and there in support of him.  Who you choose as friends matters and can make all the difference.   Elder Malcolm Jeppsen counseled, “Choose your friends wisely.  They will provide the foundation of spiritual strength that will enable you to make difficult, extremely important decisions correctly when they come in your life.” Decisions like whether or not to serve a mission, keep your covenants, serve others  or marry in the temple.  Decisions that these kids already help each other make.   I believe it makes their Heavenly Parents smile too.

  My husband shared this today and it made me smile: “I’m working a small volleyball tournament today, and a few minutes ago I found this clothespin on the tail of my pullover.  On one side “Jesus Loves Me”. On the other, “Proverbs 3:5-6”.  Proverbs 3:5-6 reads: “5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” That is exactly what I needed to hear today! Thank you to whomever tagged me with the word of God. I’m thankful for good people in the world who spread the word (and love) of God!” What a simple and beautiful way to spread the word of God, not knowing the difference it can make for others. Sometimes we make things more difficult and complex than they need to be. Just share the love.

 Yesterday, my daughter Kyrie listened to a devotional given by BYU Coach Kalani Sitake. He shared many wise words, including the fact that you can get a C-  in American Heritage and still graduate 😂.  He also shared his testimony and understanding of putting God first and the impact that choice can have in your life.  I am grateful for good men and women who stand up as positive mentors and heroes in today’s world.  It made me reflect on who my children watch. Who are their examples? Who are mine?  Thank you, Coach Sitake, for reminding her and me that when God comes first, I can’t go wrong.

  Rocks There is a quote from novelist Wallace Stegner I spotted on the wall in the SLC airport yesterday. “The brook would lose its song if we removed the rocks."  After a trying and yet faith-promoting week, the day before I had been walking toward a waterfall letting the cool mountain air and warm spring sunshine slowly melt the tension from my shoulders and neck.  The sound of the water bubbling and rushing over the stones in the stream next to me had caused me to pause and watch in wonder as it dipped and splashed over and around the rocks, smoothed of their rough edges over time. The stones of life, including both positive and negative experiences (and those that somehow fit into both) are literally what makes our song ours.  They stretch us and grow us, sometimes tripping us and we fall.   But other times allowing us to skip joyfully from rock to rock. And still others providing an elevated view that wasn’t available from below.  Elder Richard G Edgl...