Stronger Through Him

 I had a tricky situation that I went to talk to my principal about. After explaining things she said, “That is tricky.  Let’s start how I always do.” She picked up a Magic 8 Ball and after shaking it looked down and then glanced up and said, “That’s what I thought.  You will never go wrong with integrity…so no matter how we proceed we will maintain honesty and integrity no matter what.” It was a humorous way to address it but I really appreciated her dedication to what is right, and it gave me great comfort in knowing that my boss had that guiding principle.   It gave me some sure footing to lean on her for. It made me trust her more. And it enabled me to move forward with the situation without having to compromise my own principles. “You will never go wrong with integrity.” Psalm 26:11 “But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity”. Words to live by.

 Our 8th graders are preparing for their biggest project of the year.   The presidential debates. Each student selects a president and has to prepare a speech about why that particular president should be remembered as “the best”.   They then face off against another student and the winners continue through the competition of each round until the final debates are held in the auditorium with guests from the community leaders as judges.  While many people get butterflies or full-on nausea at the very thought of speaking in public, this generation definitely feels more confident behind a keyboard.  So I spend lots of time encouraging and helping students prepare since we have a goal of 100% participation. So how do I help them prepare? I read through their speech out loud to help them hear gramatical  errors and the correct pronunciation of words. They read it many times until their pronunciation and flow is smooth. They practice reading in front of peers.  ...

  Today I had an interesting conversation with a gentleman who once was part of the Harlem Globetrotters and then spent years as both a high school official and volunteer for youth programs. He said that of all the traits he had seen in his 40 years of experience, one stood out above all the rest in predicting who would be successful, not only in higher level athletics, but also in life. He said, “Show me a kid who shows respect to his  (or her) coach and parents and that’s the one who will make something of themselves.” “Yeah, they gotta work hard.  And a few of them might have some real talent.  But without that respect - they are going to lose all their chances.” As parents, this is our responsibility to teach our children. In one of my favorite addresses given by President James E Faust he instructed, “Among the other values children should be taught are respect for others, beginning with the child’s own parents and family; respect for the symbols of faith and pa...

 This week in Come Follow Me I was reading and pondering on this paragraph: What does it mean to say that Jesus Christ is “he who liveth”? It doesn’t just mean that He rose from the tomb and appeared to His disciples in Galilee. It means that He lives today. He speaks through prophets today. He leads His Church today. He heals wounded souls and broken hearts today. So we can echo the words of Joseph Smith’s powerful testimony: “After the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony … which we give of him: That he lives!” (⁠Doctrine and Covenants 76:22⁠). We can hear His voice in these revelations, witness His hand in our lives, and feel “the joy this sentence gives: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives!’”  The question in my mind, which is one I’ve been asked by others, is what does it really mean to KNOW something?  I spent sometime studying the etymology, or history and meaning of the word. The word “know” is actually a great example of a word that has...

 This week in a neighboring community, an unthinkable tragedy happened.  A teen driver struck a pony cart with three Amish children on their way to school.   This is the incredible message the driver’s mother posted: “A horrific tragedy happened in our community. My daughter struck a pony cart carrying 3 children who were headed to school. All 3 children were killed. She turned her phone over to prove she wasn’t texting, we relinquished the black box from her car to show she wasn’t speeding and she did a toxicology test to show there were no drugs or alcohol in her system. Pony carts are smaller than buggies. And due to a small hill and valley she simply did not see them until it was too late. My daughter is shattered as well as the beautiful Yoder family. This beautiful family invited my daughter into their home. Hugged her. Told her they love her. Told her that they’re so sorry this happened to her and they forgive her. They believe it was a freak accident and do not ho...

  I was at a workshop this weekend and the question was raised- Do we have reason to be optimistic? The presenter’s answer was a hearty yes but for a different reason than I would give. How can we look at the Holy Week and not find hope and optimism in He who is the very source of these things?  On this Palm Sunday, we can reflect on the shouts of Hosanna, both a plea for deliverance and a joyous shout filled with hope and reverence for Jesus Christ and His role as Savior. And in this reflection, I pause and ask myself- In what ways am I currently calling out “Hosanna”—asking the Lord to save, guide, or strengthen me? And how can I also use “Hosanna” as a form of praise—thanking Him even in the middle of struggles? How then, could I possibly not have reason for optimism?

 Walking on the beach this week,my family and I were collecting shells and came to a section of the beach that almost looked like cobblestones. Stepping barefoot on shells can be the equivalent of night-time lego stepping at home- surely one of the worst pains there is.   Except shells are also sharp enough to slice into the soft flesh of human feet. So how could I cross the surface of hundreds of  individual crevices, broken edges and ridges with no pain? The wet sand filled in the low spots, smoothed the edges and created an intricate mosaic of beauty. Each of us also has broken edges, varying patterns and individual beauty.   The Gospel of Jesus Christ can be our “wet sand”.   It helps soften our edges, and piece by piece a beautiful design comes together that is so much greater than any one facet of any individual. Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf just spoke of this when he shared, “Those who love God and want to know Him better and seek to keep the commandments are ...

  This week is our Spring Break and we wanted to spend the time connecting and building cherished memories. Funds are more limited this trip, but making memories doesn’t have to be expensive. And we were blessed with some tender mercies.  Life has taught me that the redemption of tender mercies often come with some effort and inspiration on our part.   George was able to work an extra tournament for extra cash and we delayed the trip by a day which ended up being a health blessing for me as well. I was awarded a fellowship that also took some effort but will offset our transportation expenses. And the focus is on the time together and building positive memories together.  Building family ties. President Russell M Nelson said of his parents, “Marion and Edna considered storing up happy memories as one of their most important responsibilities.” I too want to continue that work of storing up, remembering and sharing those happy memories that bind us together. Does it me...

  The very first thing I noticed this General Conference weekend was a phrase in the Saturday morning opening prayer. He said something to the effect of “we acknowledge that the Holy Ghost is the teacher”. It made me better pay attention to what I was feeling and thinking during the messages. What was I personally needing to learn, change and be reminded of?  I was able to better recognize promptings, phrases, answers and to feel the love of my Savior and Heavenly Parents.   It also has invited me to explore the matter of what type of student I am. That part is up to me.   But what a blessed gift it is to have that gifted teacher with us all the time.  

 One of my favorite parts of the Doctrine & Covenants is how many times the Savior says “thy sins are forgiven thee.” One of Satan’s favorite tactics is to make us want to run or hide when we mess up.   But that is not who Jesus Christ is.   Today the phrase struck me that he is someone to run to, not from. And for that I am so grateful.  Why? Because I need forgiveness often. Every. Single. Day. Even on my best days. And on my worst? Well, I feel like those days He kind of has to be the toddler parent chasing to clean up one disaster after another I manage to make. And still He is there with open arms. So I’m going to remind myself of that a little more often. Our Savior is someone to run to, not away from- no matter what the adversary says.