Stronger Through Him

  Running Toward Light I was blessed to have missionaries in my home for dinner tonight.   After our meal, as is customary, they shared a message with us. The sister shared of a time when she was working near the Grand Canyon to build a trail and had been working in seclusion on this day and lost track of time.   With a sudden awareness of the sun setting and the impending darkness that would be enveloping the mountain, and not having equipment for night with her, she dropped her tools and began to run from the darkness. That image made me ponder on several questions.  When the darkness of evil influences begins to creep in, do I run from it? Have I taught my children, through word and through action to do the same? How is my backup source of light? Am I prepared for encounters with darkness? Am I so busy building trails that I don’t even pay attention to the light levels around me?  Jesus Christ is our source for light. As Abinadi taught, “He is the light and lif

 I am a planner by nature. I remember my friend in high school asking me my plans after graduation. I pulled out a written plan that covered my next ten years in minute detail. And my friend looked it over and started laughing!  I was taken back by her response.   She exclaimed, “Do you seriously think you have control over all of this?” Defensively, I pulled my paper back and replied, “It’s a good plan!” It was a good plan.  And the underlying important principles and events- temple marriage, college graduation, family, service - all did happen.  But not once in the way and time that 18 year old me had predicted. Today is the anniversary of the establishment of the organization of Relief Society.  When Emma Smith and other women in Nauvoo met and organized the group using their current wisdom and knowledge, they took their proposal to Joseph Smith for his blessing.  He said it was “the best that he had ever seen” but that the Lord had “something better”. That’s how my life has been.  

 We had to put our dog, Onyx, down today.   And like has often happened, some Christ-like love from another helped lift me. As I go through life, I am always watching and learning for new ways to add to my “how to serve and minister to others” list. George reached out to our neighbor to see if we could bury Onyx in his field  behind our house where Onyx loved to walk and chase squirrels.   His response was not only sweet, but also a simple but profound example of how to mourn with those who mourn. He texted George saying, “I placed a couple of shovels in the back along the driveway.  The ground there is really sandy and there’s no roots/grass clumps.  I would be happy to help you dig.” He put things he knew we would need in easy reach.   He thought about possible obstacles.   He offered specific help. And then he shared his condolences. Bishop H Burke Petersen reminded, “He has stated simply: If we are to be the Savior’s disciples, if we are to become like him, then we must serve one a

  Even after a full semester, the young 7th grader, who I will call Anna, didn’t seem to have any friends. She said didn’t mind and felt anxious around people.   I rotated her through groups and she would participate as directed but rarely smiled, although she didn’t seem particularly sad or distraught either.   More of an acceptance that this was her life. She didn’t ever talk back or ask questions but she also didn’t complete assignments quite right.  Her other teachers also said that she didn’t follow directions well.   I was patient.  Building trust.  With her and within our classroom.  This had to be a safe place to share the hard parts. And two months ago she finally told me.  She couldn’t see the board.   As in she couldn’t read it without getting within 6 inches of the board! I immediately emailed our school nurse who gave her a screening.  When I asked Anna she said that the test was fine. But the troubles persisted and finally I reached out to her mom and expla

 3,925. The number of times Jesus Christ is mentioned in the Book of Mormon. And more than 100 names and titles. Today at seminary I had my students create word art about the names that were meaningful to them. They turned through the pages, and words began to appear.   Healer.  Savior. Deliverer.  Comforter. The God of Jacob and Abraham.  Lord of Lords.   My own current favorite isn’t on the pages, but he is my bridge.  Between who I am and who I can be. And just like each of the students had a unique and different word art, our testimonies are growing and changing, creating new beauty. And the Savior’s relationship with us is profoundly personal. And a work of art.