Stronger Through Him

 Today my husband gave a beautiful message and testimony on discipleship. He talked about two parts. First, coming to Christ. And second, offering our whole souls to Him. He shared his own experiences and challenged us all to reflect on if we are giving our whole souls, or just coming to Christ and not experiencing the whole joy. A quote I read earlier this week came to mind. If we are waiting to feel ready for that next step, it will never happen. Ready isn’t a feeling, it’s a choice.   Wow! Am I ready to take another step closer to my Savior? Am I willing to go all in? Like He did for me? George shared how in John we read of the many people who came to Jesus, but then just returned to their paths.   Right now, this very second, what can I place upon the altar for my Lord?  Is it time? A habit? An attitude? A grudge? A rationalization?  Make that choice and say it out loud.   “Lord, I choose you and that means I’m going to _______________ starting this ver...

 Life doesn’t always go as planned. I know.  Shocking!  But one thing I have realized is that perspective is everything.   It’s okay to be disappointed when plans have to unexpectedly change, but if we are able to focus on the true righteous goals we have, we can find joy and comfort even amidst difficulty.   My daughter and her fiancé are in town this week for a few days.  We only see her (and now them) for a few days each semester since they go to school in Boston. We had planned a fun family outing to Cedar Point  and a backyard BBQ with friends for while they were here. But my other daughter ended up needing some cardiac monitoring in the hospital for a couple of days so plans changed. I was frustrated by the circumstances and knew both daughters were too.  I hated that I couldn’t magically make her feel better.   I reminded myself that the goal was to spend quality time together and for Jack to better understand our family and how we do ...

 I could not be happier to share that Alex and Jack are engaged.  I celebrate because they are a good match and have worthy goals together. I celebrate because our world needs more young people who believe in marriage. I celebrate because they rise above the pessimism and pursuit of only self that is popularly exemplified in our society.  President Joseph F Smith declared, “Marriage is the preserver of the human race. Without it, the purposes of God would be frustrated; virtue would be destroyed to give place to vice and corruption, and the earth would be void and empty.” I celebrate because they are two good people choosing to serve God together. ❤️

  We spent so long. My student rebuilt it 5 or 6 times.   His radio project still wouldn’t work.   He asked if he could please quit and play on his iPad.   At least a dozen times. I said no, he needed to learn to find and fix his errors. He is a kid who struggles with attention and skips over details.  (While also telling me about his dream tryout for Cobra Kai and then singing the song from Arthur because “I’m just  thinkin’ bout my past!”) Those are skills I am working on with him- the details, not the karate. “What do you think could be the problem?” Maybe the batteries!  Try it out. He changed the batteries.   Still nothing.   He begged me to tell him what the problem was but I’m building a thinker, not a radio. So I finally had him scale back and do a simple series project. The lights wouldn’t work and he was getting more frustrated by the second. So this time I sat next to him and had him touch and compare each piece to the diagram as h...

  A morning prayer-  Father, I feel weak and worn out today, but I know I am not alone.  Help me take one step at a time, and let Your strength be my strength.  Calm my heart, quiet my mind, and remind me that reflecting your love —not perfection—is what matters most.  And to reflect your love, I have to accept it.  I welcome Your peace and carry it into this day.   I don’t have to feel strong for your strength to carry me.  In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and friend.  Amen

  Why do we go to church?  Last week, in Come Follow Me, the first two verses of Section 88 jumped out with undeniable clarity. “Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you who have assembled yourselves together to receive his will concerning you: Behold, this is pleasing unto your Lord, and the angels rejoice over you; the alms of your prayers have come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth⁠, and are recorded in the book of the names of the sanctified, even them of the celestial world.” So what does that say? The Lord is saying this is a truth: 1. When we gather ourselves together to learn about  what He wants for us, he is pleased! Jesus is happy when we make it to the pews and try. 2. And the angels rejoice.   They are excited and cheering for us!   3. Our prayers are heard!  4. Our names are recorded on the list of the sanctified.   We are blessed and set apart for a holy purpose and get closer to the Celestial world. There are so many other reasons, an...

  This graphic has so much powerful truth in it. It’s one of the chief issues I deal with in supporting students. What if they just don’t want to be here and are completely unmotivated?  Sometimes I feel the same, especially when I have worries, health issues or even just feel like I’m in a rut. Elder Marvin J Ashton taught, “We need to develop the courage to straightway take the first step. We need to remember that children learn to walk only because someone encourages them to take the first step.” Set that timer and read your scriptures for 5 minutes. Go walk for 15. Start on that load of laundry or a work report.  Set the microwave timer and try 30 minutes of screen free time for the family.  Pull 20 weeds from the flower bed. Just because you don’t feel like it, doesn’t mean you can’t get started. But don’t be surprised when the motion helps you build that stamina and keep going!

 I am not an adept gardener. Because I skip over the details. Things like weeding and watering…. But I went out to harvest my beans today and after a hot dry week they were puny, dry and scarce. I started to grumble as I picked a few. I certainly wasn’t going to can some like I had planned.  This meager handful wasn’t going to help us at all come winter. But then I paused and wondered when I stopped being grateful for the little things. This was enough to add to my potatoes and sausage for dinner tonight.  And I can truly be thankful for that. I looked around for more tiny bounties and suddenly they were everywhere! Psalm 100:4-5.  Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good. Don’t forget to be thankful for the little bounties!

  The NEST is up and running and my phone was busy today! It appears that the Junior High students didn’t magically outgrow all of their immaturity and difficulties over the summer. I was asked to call a specific 8th grade student down after an office referral. Knowing the student, I smiled knowing there would be a wild elaboration and dramatic story in her retelling and defense for her actions. She didn’t disappoint. She admitted she had aggressively confronted another student at dismissal.   She had made her presence known and frightened the former schoolmate. I always try to seek to understand so let her explain. She overtly stated that she hadn’t had a choice.  The other girl was mean to her in 4th grade and she herself always needs to have the last word. Four years ago she may have said something to her on the playground! They haven’t talked since. Now.  Hurt is real.   People are imperfect and unfortunately virtually all of us will be on the receiving end ...

 This beautiful artist puts into words and music the suffering that many experience each day in a song released last week. My heart hurts for her, and for those I care about who face mental health struggles.  It’s a piece that touches me personally, and one that I feel the prompting to share.   I love the powerful testimony in these lyrics,  “It's hard makin' sense of this suffering When I feel like no one knows What I go through But no one knows suffering better than You”. For most mortals there will likely be at least a season of intense pain and suffering, and for some it will plague them throughout their time on earth. We all have moments where this falsehood feels so incredibly true and demoralizing. No one knows.  No one understands.  But in reality, there is one who does indeed know each tear and sorrow and has promised to stay with us.   “There is no physical pain, no spiritual wound, no anguish of soul or heartache, no infirmity or weakness yo...

I am notorious for choosing terrible landmarks when remembering where I parked my car.  My kids call it classic Mom.  George just rolls his eyes and helps me out.   This morning my impulse was to remember I parked next to the Grove truck.  Bad idea.  Fortunately, I caught myself this time and chose a permanent light post that might actually still be there when I returned. When we choose  guideposts in our spiritual lives, they need to be those that are fixed and unchanging.   Friends and family are not, although good friends and family can certainly help us. Fads and cultural norms are not, although they can have connections to some. And many of today’s pop-cultural experts, even well-meaning, aren’t either. But don’t take my word for it. More than 30 years ago, Now-President Russell M Nelson spoke of the need to find unchanging anchors in an ever-changing world.  “Unchanging principles are so because they come from our unchanging Heavenly Father....

 I got to test myself a bit this week. My neighbor’s daughter was getting married and they had asked if I could house a guest Saturday night.   I quickly agreed, knowing their home would be overflowing with family.  The young bride sent me an urgent text at 10:50 pm on Friday night. She is here🫣🫣🫣🫣 Didn’t know she was coming tonight I’m so sorry. She is at my house right now. I’m out at the venue  I froze.  I had offered my home but the sheets weren’t on the bed, the bathroom wasn’t wiped down and I was in my pajamas in bed! I jumped up and looked at the living room with piles of tomorrow tasks and the vacuum idly waiting for me to remember it.  The kitchen sink still had pots from two nights ago. I felt a wave of panic.   And then I took a deep breath and thought of a young girl traveling to support her friend. “I was a stranger and ye took me in.” I kind of wanted to shout back at the Spirit “I know! But can you give me a minute?” Stupid scriptur...

 I was walking along a trail this morning- a harried day where I had confused schedules and was scrambling to realign and complete everything. But I had felt the urge to stop for a quick walk to collect myself. And as I walked I realized I hadn’t yet said my morning prayers even though it was now after 11:00. I specifically remember (a task that seems to get trickier as I age) thinking that the Lord would actually be good with a walk and talk together. So I shut off my audio book and just listened to the sounds of nature as I made my way around the large pond.  And I started in a whisper, “Heavenly Father….” But only two words came out. “I’m trying.” I felt a surge of love and thought of the many times my own children or students have just needed me to know they are trying!!!  Elder Uchtdorf once testified, “I testify that God is in His heaven. He lives. He knows and loves you. He is mindful of you. He hears your prayers and knows the desires of your heart. He is filled w...

  I was in a training today and the presenter was reminding us to never forget that no two brains are alike. It was a math training and she was showing us how when presented with a situational problem we came up with a myriad of different approaches. While there were some values and answers that were inherently wrong, there were also many different correct ways to get to the answer. When we fail to allow for those varying approaches, we miss out on the opportunity to make connections and help others learn and maximize their potential. We use those same unique brains in our approaches and understanding to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We read and interpret scriptures in different ways.  We are guided by the Holy Spirit and can definitely be assisted by wise and inspired leader leaders.  But we still need to remember that no two brains are alike.   2 Nephi 31:3 “For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language...

 I was scrolling through my phone in between sorting boxes for my daughter’s move and one of my favorite content creators (and her friend) popped up. “You don’t have to believe like me, for me to see the divine in you.” (Batchlor Wise Johnson IV) Sister Chieko N Okazaki phrased it well when she instructed, “And certainly we should seek to build these bridges, to be flexible and understanding. The great blessing that comes to us through the growth of the Church makes it clear that all members everywhere need to be prepared to communicate respectfully and clearly to many different kinds of religious and community groups.” Waiting until others believe like us to see the divine within them is completely backwards. We don’t control their divinity anyway, we can only choose whether or not to let our own shine.

 I was watching my son hold his young son and he spoke of the great love and peace that came from knowing when he picks up his young infant son he can comfort his cries. Casey snuggles into his arms and safely sleeps, secure and enfolded in love. It is easy for us to forget that the Lord has promised a similar safe and secure embrace for each of us. In Isaiah 66:13 He witnesses: “As one whom his mother (or father) comforteth, so will I comfort you;”. We can rest safely in His arms.   What a beautiful promise!