Stronger Through Him

  Growing up in the Idaho Panhandle, Halloween frequently meant designing Halloween costumes that could be put over a snowsuit. I remember one Halloween in particular when a whole crew of us headed through our neighborhood with a variety of bags for candy.   We went from door to door smiling and saying "Trick-or-Treat" and then "Happy Halloween" as we had been taught before scampering on to the next house.  Down the street and then a sharp turn to the right as we hit the bottom houses, knowing every one of our neighbors.   At the very bottom after the last house we decided to cut through some snow-covered lawns to get back home more quickly.  My parents would then load us up in the station wagon and take us around to visit our many adopted grandparents from church.   At the time I thought that's just what people do on Halloween.  Now I can recognize the effort it would have taken my parents,  but also the joy it would bring those off the beaten path and

  I'm not sure who besides me needs to hear this today but you were made for great things.  But you were also made for ordinary things, and there will be a whole lot more of those along the way. You were also made for hard things and you've definitely had your share. And yet here you are - surviving, handling it, learning and progressing. Yes, you've stumbled.  And slipped, belly-flopped and sometimes stopped to rest.   But here you are.   And look at all the lives you've touched. That inborn power to make life better for others?  To get back up and keep going even after you've quit?  That spark somewhere inside of you that notices all your own failures and yet still sees the beauty in the sunset?   That is divinity.   That is your sacred inheritance.   That is the divine touch from Heavenly Parents saying simply, "You are doing better than you think.  And you are doing it with grace.  Don't give up." 

  Some days it's easy to pick out the good things, the blessings and sunshine. Other days I kind of feel like most of the world's aim is to annoy me to no end. I had had several short nights of sleep which narrowed my window of tolerance incrementally each day.  Like to the point I was fairly certain that even  the clouds were purposely blocking the sun just from me. I knew I was snapping at people and my normal go-to coping mechanisms weren't working - because the whole world was aligning against me.   I even knew my thoughts aren't particularly rational, but I was too tired to fight them and was checking my watch every three minutes to see if the day was over yet. Nope.  It was only 7:45.  I had only been there 15 minutes. We all have those kinds of days at times and sometimes those kinds of weeks, months or years. But as I opened and sort of slammed my desk drawer.  Yeah I'm a slammer when I get frustrated- I'm working on it, a packet full of le

  The 2023 Youth theme was recently announced: I can do all things through Christ. Found in Philippians 4:13, this is a popular verse, especially with Christian athletes. And rightfully so.  We can do all things with the help of our Savior.  And athletes push their bodies to the limit, seeking increased strength.   But as Brad Wilcox recently encouraged us to take that verse into context and not just read it in isolation, I spent some time this week reading and pondering it.  Paul is writing this letter to the Philippians and urging them to: 1.  Stand fast in the Lord 2. Help the women who had helped him in spreading the gospel 3. Rejoice in the Lord always (he repeats this own for good measure!) 4. Let people know why you are different.   5. Know that God is aware. 6. Pray and be grateful about everything! 7. Seek pure, virtuous and lovely things. 8. Do the things they have learned and been commanded, and find Godly peace. 9. Learn to be content no matter what. 10

 A story is told of a man flying as a passenger on a small aircraft.  Unfortunately, as they were flying, the pilot lost consciousness. The man was terrified but was able to contact radio control and plead for help as the plane continued on autopilot. The clouds around him brought complete disorientation.  But the voice on the other end of the radio said, "You can't see me,  but I can see you.  I can see where you are and I can see what you are going through." The man looked around frantically and cried out, "I'm going to die!" The voice echoed through his plane.  "Not if you follow my voice.  Do what I ask and I will bring you home safely." The man agreed and carefully followed every direction until he was able to complete a guided but very bouncy landing. Later, when an opportunity came to meet the radio control officer, the man instantly recognized his voice and threw his arms around his neck and sobbed in gratitude. We are also flying in clouds

  Years ago I was in a ward where the stake had set a goal to increase temple attendance so that the members could experience increased blessings of temple attendance. As a part of that a simple box was put on the table in the foyer and we were asked to record the number of temple ordinances completed and slip it into the box to motivate us and track our progress.   Unfortunately, after a few weeks, the Bishop got up and explained with disappointment that the box would no longer be used.   Why?  As a group we had completely missed the goal.  The number being reported did not align with the number of actual ordinances completed by our ward at the temple. Some of us were being dishonest in our reporting.  It didn't feel good.  Most of us can cringe and recognize the error in this scenario.  Thank goodness for repentance.  Thank goodness for the blessings that still came to those actually attending and completing ordinances. That was 23 years ago.  And honesty in our soci

  One of my favorite commercials right now is  Under Armour sponsored and features Morgan Freeman reading a letter from Tom Brady to young athletes. He tells kids not to be the next Tom Brady but to be YOU. I was at a leadership conference this weekend where a similar message was shared.  She said once she stopped trying to be the next Oprah, the next Mother Teresa and the next Eleanor Roosevelt, she was able to be the best Angela (her name).  It's easy for me to look around in real life or on social media and compare myself.   If only my house looked like hers... If only my baking tasted like his.... If only my kids achieved like theirs.... If only I was fit like her.... Of course I can be INSPIRED by others and emulate their good qualities. But the only person I was created to be is me. As President Joy D Jones taught, "Despite this marvelous truth, how many of us struggle, from time to time, with negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves? I do. It’s

  Satan's greatest weapon is his lies. And one of his greatest lies is that you are worth less than you are.  Not necessarily worthless, but at least worth less. When that lie is believed, we give away some of our own power and consequently begin diminishing the self-worth of others around us.   So if we KNOW that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God (D&C 18:10), then we have to draw on that knowledge and rise up. As the saying goes, when it comes to seeing your own worth, "double it and add tax".   It still won't be anywhere close to how our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ see you, but it will a really good start.   You are priceless.  More valuable than rubies.  God's entire work and glory.  Endowed with power from on high.  Full of potential and exactly what you need for what is in front of you right now. Look up.  Reach up.  Double it and add tax. 

  The bluebird blue skies. The cool snap in the air.   Quieter evenings.   Gardens done.   Last runs through the fields.   Yellows and orange and reds bursting forth in nature's own firework display.   All of it speaks to my soul, reminding me to stop and soak up the beauty of a world carefully made just for us.  As Alma Sonne eloquently testified, "I look around me, and I see the green fields, the flowers, the trees, and the shrubbery, and in the autumn I see the earth illuminated with red and gold before nature goes to rest. I witness God's handiwork. It bears the mark of a superior intelligence which is beyond my meager comprehension. I can conscientiously conclude that there is a divine plan which provides for man's future when and where mortality ends. I can join with the prophets and seers in the revelations from God and accept them as God's commandments. I am not a stranger, wandering aimlessly without purpose. I am a child of God, and I see evi

  Heavenly Father, My heart is aching for my friend.   My friend Rachael.   Her cancer is back.  I'm tired of people I love hurting.  I'm worried because this time she KNOWS what is ahead of her and she's tired before she has started.   She is strong and faithful and loves you.  And she has never expected to have a lack of trials because of that. She knows it's the plan.  But it's still so very, very hard.  So tonight I'm crying  with her, because it's not only okay to cry at the sad parts, it's what we are called to do together.  I know you know all of this.   In an intimate and personal way I can't even begin to understand. I know you are crying with her too. Because in my reading in Isaiah 63:9 today he taught, "In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old." You will stan

  Last week we got some bonus checks at work. Not a super common occurrence for teachers, and this is the last year for this fund.   The amount is based on our teacher effectiveness scores.  And the funds don't come through until the FOLLOWING school year. So we are getting paid now for last year.   Which means the new teachers at our building (we had three) would not be getting those checks. We made sure they understood how that worked and why they wouldn't get it this year. But someone, with a generous heart, left $100 and a note of gratitude for them in each of their mailboxes. President Oaks challenged us, "More of us should be recognizing the good done by others and supporting it as we have the time and means to do so." I recognize the good done by this beautiful soul.   It sent out a ripple of inquiry and wonder at who the benefactor could have been. And I can think of at least ten who I have seen do such things.  Regularly. I truly see an