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 ...

  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 ...

  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...

 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 wa...

  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 oursel...