Stronger Through Him

  My boss brought me and another coworker each this gift today.  We know we don't agree on all our points of theology but we agree on seeking the best in others and helping one another see the best in ourselves.  We agree that we can build on our commonalities.   We are facing some work challenges, and she wanted us to remember where we should consistently be anchored as we work through them.    Isn't it a beautiful thing that we can feel the love of Heavenly Parents in so many different ways and through beautiful people?  The fear won't necessarily go away, but our faith can bridge across the top and help us reach unimaginable destinations!

 It's been raining all day.  And while I am a sunshine and blue sky kind of person, I've learned to be grateful for the rain.  The steady drizzle turns us homeward.  It keeps us inside, facing one another, spending time together. I am more likely to curl up and read a book.  Or bake or work on some home projects.   I am more likely to feel and be present in my home. Today it meant enjoying Stake Conference together, touching base with my adult kids and thinking through my upcoming week. It gave me some time to reflect on goals, study the scriptures and take a hot bath.   Psalm 147:7-8 "Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains." Sometimes my songs of Thanksgiving look a little more like hot dinner rolls as my family gathers together around the table, a message of gratitude sent to a friend, or a prayerful look at the up

  I have seen much evidence this week that speaks against the pessimistic views and mood hanging over our society.   I believe that good people are all around us.  I see them.  I'm blessed by them. I learn from their example. I'm working on becoming more like them.   With the help of my Savior. But every now and then I need concrete tips.  Not just a general "try harder".  Tell me how! Lead me, guide me, walk beside me! So I spent some time studying the words of our prophets.   President Gordon B Hinckley gave this fabulous counsel on being good people, "We can lower our voices a few decibels. We can return good for evil. We can smile when anger might be so much easier. We can exercise self-control and self-discipline and dismiss any affront levied against us. Let us be a happy people. The Lord’s plan is a plan of happiness. The way will be lighter, the worries will be fewer, the confrontations will be less difficult if we cultivate a spirit of happ

  I had the opportunity to drive my new elderly friend Sheila to meet up with her son.  She's had a fascinating life. I believe that can be said of most people by the time they are 80! She told of her immigration to America and her work as a food prepper in a variety of restaurants over the years.  When they got tired of eating Chinese food, she moved on and worked at a Mexican one, and so on.  She loves trying new things and learning from the people around her.  She talked about the sacrifices made so her children could go to school and have increased opportunities.  She also said none of that mattered if your kids didn't know deep down that they were loved by their parents and God.   She talked about appreciating the little things.  She can't have a glass with ice in it without being grateful for ice- it was something non-existent on the island where she grew up.   She said so much more. In her loneliness she was literally exploding at the opportunity to have a listening

  There are many times when I can't answer calls for help.  When I know I don't meet expectations- at work, socially, in my home.  It's those times I am most thankful for those who help pick up my slack.  Because if it was all on me; if ANYTHING was all on me, we would be in serious trouble.   But occasionally a call comes that I can answer.  One of these happened today.   I had just had a nice lunch with my friend Carla, and was feeling recharged.  I don't connect as much as I could and it was a good reminder.  As I drove home I got a text asking for help.  An elderly woman needed assistance.   I didn't know her but the call came and it was on a day of my fall break that I could push other things aside and assist.  So I went.  I ignored my laptop and my to-do list and I headed to the hospital.  Where I tried to explain to the staff that I didn't actually know the lady but her son had asked me to come and get her.   No, I didn't actually know her son, I have

  I am not a great gardener.  I am even worse at keeping house plants alive.  So after several years of my autumn mums dying in their pots on my porch, I now just buy one every season and plant it and see what comes of it.   The one from three years ago is amazing.  It is full and a gorgeous deep color and makes me smile every time I see it.   But you know what? In April, when my tulips looked grand, that mum was pretty plain and barely noticeable.  In May and June when the roses came with a burst of fragrance, color and beauty, the mum quietly took back seat.  Through the irises, peonies and all the other flowers whose names I don't remember, it kept nourishing it's core and waiting.   And then in October, when the days were shorter and the nights were cooler, it's time came and in full splendor and glory the mum had its turn for beauty and success.   The mum didn't worry about what the other plants were doing or how it compared.   Neither should we. F

  One of my coworkers unexpectedly lost her husband last year.  He had a catastrophic stroke at an age much too young (when is a stroke not too young?) leaving not only his wife but three young  adult children. I was talking to her today and asking her how she was doing.  I always leave conversations with her feeling uplifted. Today she talked about how she has spent some time in recent years buying and selling jewelry and gem stones.  She has a particular affinity for those that are the most smooth and unique in their formation but commented on how it is the pressure during their formation and how they respond that gives them their identity and allure and value. She said that she's never been one to shy away from adversity and discomfort because it allows her to become more than she could have without it.  Obviously she wouldn't have chosen to lose her beloved spouse, but since she did she will use the opportunity to learn and grow and bless others. I explained that w

  One of the talks that spoke to me personally last week was by Elder Anthony D Perkins.  "The Lord told His covenant people, “I have refined thee … ; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.”Whatever the cause of your sufferings, your loving Heavenly Father can direct them to refine your soul. Refined souls can bear others’ burdens with true empathy and compassion.  Refined souls who have come “out of great tribulation” are prepared to joyfully live in God’s presence forever, and “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” In my moments of the most exhaustion and the most hurting, it is infinitely helpful to know that He can make amazing things out of even my most desperate and devastating situations.  It is something I have first hand experienced.

 I learned something from a music teacher today.  She explained how when kids are trying to vocally match a pitch, it is easier in small groups than individually.   I found this fascinating that all of their deviations whether flat or sharp tend to cancel each other out and help guide them all toward the desired pitch.  While it's not a perfect science, I found it beautiful that together they make up for each other's flaws as they try to match the pitch pipe.   I think that is a great analogy to our lives and how we come together in families, friendships and congregations.  Our weaknesses can actually be balanced by others' if we allow it.  We can subtly learn and adjust from one another and begin to come into tune.  But only if we are also listening to the perfect pitch from the Savior and using that as our source.  If I think that just finding someone else who sings like me  is enough and stop checking in for that true pitch, I can quickly find myself singing far off key,

  Many years back George and I were headed to St Louis where he had a conference to attend and I was joining him for a get away.  As we were driving, we encountered a traffic jam in an unexpected place along the interstate.   This is what I recorded in my journal: "Human nature is an amazing thing. We have been stopped in traffic - stand still traffic- for more than an hour.  People were getting cranky. Horns were starting to beep. Some tried to creep up the shoulder to get some sort of advantage. Lots of impatience was showing, including by my dear husband.  Finally I decided something must be up. An Internet search on my iPhone quickly turned up the cause.  A cement truck has flipped onto another vehicle.  Crews are desperately working to lift the truck and get to those inside clinging to hope. Lifeflight waits in our lane ever hopeful. The interstate will be shut down for at least two hours.  We told the lady next to us who was pacing irritably. Her response was to bow her head

  Sometimes I actually miss the summer storms of southern Indiana.  But one of the worst I ever drove through was in August of 2012. At that time our ward had monthly youth temple trips.  It was a beautiful thing that greatly influenced my older two children for good. That particular night the carpools left before Colton and Kyrie were out of practice.  George had to work, so I drove them down to Louisville and brought the little girls with us. We had a lovely visit to the grounds with the girls and I walking around and singing primary songs while the youth were inside.   I also got some gorgeous photos of the temple against the incoming stormy sky.  We made the requisite stop at Dairy Queen for ice cream on our way home and it was raining by the time we left.  Having driven through many storms I wasn't worried, but that soon changed.  It was a massive storm system that quickly became terrifying as I knew it was my responsibility to keep my kids safe.  At one point on the interstat

  One of the most anticipated days each year at our children's experience at Emerson Elementary was the Emerson 500.   Located just 68 miles south of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, each May parents and families gathered to watch the kindergarten and first grade students race peddle carts around the course constructed on the playground.   Fifth graders were the ones to push start the kids, while others cheered them on. Naturally, the goal in any race is to win so there were occasional tears of frustration and disappointment. When Ella was in first grade, it was her turn.  She knew she was smaller than most of her classmates.  We also knew that she had suffered a lengthy hospital stay and medical issues just weeks before that left her significantly weaker. She said that going in she was certain she would get last.  And yet look at her face for just getting to be on the track.  Her enthusiasm and joy was not in anyway diminished by the ugly head of comparison.  Not when she hit a ba

  Years ago a good friend stopped by my home on a Monday and commented that she had driven by the previous day and noted that our van was home in the driveway even though it was Sunday morning.  She wondered if everything was okay. I explained that it had been General Conference, a time when we gather (virtually if not literally) and hear inspired messages from our prophet and church leaders.  She spoke of the importance of prophets and studying their words in her own Jewish faith and then commented, "It must give you a lot of comfort and assurance to have a prophet speaking to you.  What did he say?" I don't remember exactly what I told her that day, but I do remember the overwhelming recognition that I took having a prophet and hearing him speak for granted.   D&C 1:38 "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own

 The overdue library books have been on the back seat of my car for almost a week.   Next to the bag of Goodwill donations that has been there slightly longer.  And now that we only have one child at home I don't even have to move that bag back out when people need transported.  It can truly stay indefinitely.   It was a bit foolish leaving them there and having the fines slowly accrue- and if I'm being totally honest they were overdue for weeks before sitting at home.   But after I picked up Ella today, I saw them there and this time the image actually completed my mental circuit and I drove the extra two blocks to the library.   My teenager promptly announced she was good on books and staying in the car and I went inside and dropped them into the slot.  I started to leave, but it's the library and we go there to get books even if we don't have time to read them.  How else will I build up next month's charges?  So I headed over to peruse the new fiction shelf and e