Stronger Through Him

 A few months ago I took Ella to her annual cardiologist visit.  It's expensive but necessary.  It costs us about $4,000 every January for that 2 hr visit.  And since it's January that means our deductible just started over so we have to pay the whole thing ourselves. On top of all the other medical bills and medications that keep us going.   We are incredibly grateful for her doctors and on this particular day her EKG looked much better and they didn't come and tell us any terrible news.  Which felt like great news.   But the bills always loom there and because we know it will just repeat each year it's a heavy weight.  God has always managed to provide and then some, and we do the best we can.  But I will be honest - it's just hard.   On this day as I was leaving, my friend Anastasia sent me this text: "That’s awesome! So glad it was a great appointment!! 🥰 Thank you Jesus!! I’ll be praying for provision to get all the tests paid for....

 "Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation."  (D&C 31:3). These words were spoken to Thomas Marsh in September 1830. Isaiah 52:7 echoes this message to all: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" Sometimes it can take courage to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others.  I have learned through experience though, that sometimes my reservations are because I am trying to force it or trying to take over part of God's job.  All I really need is a willing heart and to be open to promptings to share with no expectations other than friendship and helping others. In May 2012, I was struggling with what I felt was my failure to be a better missionary.  I couldn...