Oh the bittersweet of it all.

Bittersweet. It's an interesting word. I have seen it play out before me many times, leaving for my mission to London is one. Returning from my mission, another. Some examples have a great distance between the two intrinsically linked experiences. However yesterday they were separated by only a breath and a heartbeat as my Bishop was released, and my new Bishop was sustained. The words suddenly collided forcefully in my reality.

Six years ago, at our first ward party after moving into this home, Steve & Heather Stewart (whom we'd never met, although we did realize much later that our daughters Kylee & Whitney, and Amanda Ricks knew each other from school) made us feel so welcome as they chatted with us, introduced us to many of the ward members and honestly sealed-the-deal for capturing our hearts. I have never forgotten that initial meeting of hearts. And a year later even though Steve had a deer-in-headlights look about him that Sunday, he humbly accepted the call to be our Bishop. And since that moment til yesterday morning, he has never laid down the torch. He has served with such love and devotion to our Savior, Jesus Christ, and by extension he has ministered to a very large and diverse ward as a true disciple of Christ. Kindness, gentleness, love, strength, and yes even joy, lots of Joy! He has led by righteous example, and showing us he was very mortal and continued to learn and grow. He was willing to do whatever was asked of him. He set aside his own desires to serve others whenever and wherever he was needed. And then when it was also asked of him, we watched as that mantle of God-given authority gently lifted from his shoulders and was placed on another disciple of Christ.

The spirit had confirmed my belief, just moments before as we drove into the parking lot, when I saw Brook & Val Blackhurst step out of their car. This was the newly called Bishop and his sweet wife. My church callings over the last five years had brought these two into my life in close and tender ways. When Bishop Blackhurst took the stand to share his feelings it was a visible witness to me that the mantle had just come to gently rest on his shoulders. Remarkable. And it was in this moment, between hearing former Bishop Stewart's testimony, followed by newly-sustained Bishop Blackhurst, that the bittersweet moment registered in my brain.

It was bitter, in one way, to be losing the loving leadership of my trusted friend Steve, but sweet in almost the next heartbeat, to have this incredible man Brook to be stepping into this sacred calling. Time after time I had watched Brook speak to, and associate with, our Stake youth, he was the High Council representative for us in the Stake Young Women Presidency. I recalled with ease one particular occasion. Something hadn't gone to plan during a Stake Standards night and we were left with some extra time. I was sitting with Jodi on the stand when we realized the situation. Brook was also on the stand with us, and prompted by the Spirit I said to Jodi- ask Brook to bear his testimony. She said no I couldn't do that. I repeated, ask Brooke. So she did, and we sat in awe listening to him teach and testify to the kids, he totally nailed it! Saying exactly what we had hoped the kids would be hearing that night. I quickly learned this was going to happen every time he was with the youth. His love for the youth was/is legendary.

And then I realized with the new focus of Bishop's callings- with the youth taking center stage,  Bishop Blackhurst, was exactly where the Lord wanted him. And I knew already that he would do exactly what the Lord wanted him to. And I knew my dear friend Val would be the perfect Bishop's wife (just as I had seen sweet Heather be for Steve) Val is all heart and lots of fun, and one of my favorite people, and she would continue to be the amazing Matriarch in her family. And now I know why she was on my mind so much this last two weeks.

Then we were thrilled to sustain some of our other favorite people, Matt Beck & Jake Hoyt as counselors to Bishop Brook Blackhurst. (B³ and his posse!) It will be a dynamic and powerful youthful and youth-focused Bishopric!  

And so after a veritable spiritual feast yesterday the bittersweet of the heart is fading into joy both past, present and future. God is good! And my prayers will again be to sustain God's chosen Bishop today. And added blessing...we still get to have Steve as part of our lives.

Pandemic Miracles..if only...

In the pre-dawn stillness, the pull to write was strong. Words poured into my heart as sleep fled in the face of such light. The ever-present personal hesitancy of not knowing what would evolve in this experience, was replaced by the desire to be obedient in the use of His gift of language to bless others, and myself. In the darkness I heard Him and quietly made my way downstairs and began to write.

I had awoken from a vivid dream about my friend Lynne Bentley. She is currently serving with her sweetheart as companion in the Presidency of the Chile Santiago North Mission. She has been on my mind a lot recently as I have watched them dig deep into their faith and lead their precious missionaries through circumstances no one could have imagined two years ago. You see their call was changed from California to Chile, just prior to their departure. No one was more surprised than this powerhouse couple. Yet in obedience, faith, and strength in the Lord, and standing shoulder to shoulder with her best friend, she has taken on every challenge before her. Two months and 5 days ago I followed the Lord's direction, and feeling a great urgency, I put together a package of home baked goodies and an unusual print I stumbled across of the Savior's hand holding the gloved hand of a physician. I knew immediately it was for President Bentley, formerly Doctor Bentley, who was now ministering to the spiritual bodies of those he was called to serve in Chile. Within  days of shipping my little package, I was surprised I hadn't heard from Lynne. We began to message and I told her what I had done. She hadn't received the packaged and assured me that my offering and subsequent messaging came at the perfect moment. She knew her prayers had been answered, she knew her Heavenly Father, and His Son, were aware of her and her needs in that moment. I was stunned, as I often am when I think something was my idea, only to take a step back and see the Lord's Perfect Plan working. 

I was however more focused on why the delivery was hung up in customs, especially since a previous package just about six weeks earlier arrived to her within two days of my shipping it. And so for two months now I have been fighting with FedEx to get the package delivered, to no avail. It is exactly where it has been, undelivered, for these last two months. As I came out of the dream this morning, I wondered at it's meaning. I recalled in my dream, that I was with Lynne, in Chile, and I was delighted to be helping her prepare for the visiting authority, who was coming to minister to her and President Bentley and their precious missionaries. We were busy making sure everything was ready, and my heart was so happy to be assisting her. 

Then this morning as I was walking through the dark to my computer, suddenly my mind was filled with His light and the meaning was clear. His miracle had been delivered two months ago! It wasn't in the now-moldy sweet bread inside the package. It wasn't the painting that I knew wasn't for President Bentley. (I remembered explaining in the accompanying note that I wasn't sure who it was for, but that President & Sis Bentley would know.) In the very moment Lynne first knew about the package, she had her miracle. She didn't need the package, just the moment she knew her prayers had been answered. That was His miracle for her. He had heard her pleas, He had provided a miracle for her to know He had heard her.

Yet in these last two months I have been on so many phone calls, pursuing the delivery, completely missing the miracle that was right in front of me. Lynne had told me that first conversation, that just knowing the Lord was aware of her was all she needed in that sacred moment. And so this morning I am repenting of trying to make the miracle happen, when it had already been made manifest to the one who needed it, and the one who recognized the true miracle in the very moment the Lord delivered that miracle to Lynne.

So just ignore me over here thinking I know what the true intent of that experience was. I know the Lord has a good sense of humor when it comes to me. Stay calm and carry on. He's got this! And when I get out of His way, He kindly shows me His Perfect Plan. And I get better at repenting!

I have learned that years ago as my memories of my sexual abuse came to light, there were many who ridiculed me because they didn't believe my truth. As I healed I took comfort in knowing Heavenly Father & my Elder Brother Jesus Christ, knew the truth. I also came to know truth is not dependent on someone's belief of it, truth always stands alone. And I realize now, amidst the chaos of the world, again truth stands unmarred, alone, and eternal. We may not have the full understanding of what is true about this pandemic now, but in that day when all truth is revealed to all people, we will see His Perfect Plan unfold. I realized recently, this simple act of faith, has for me, brought early, undeniable peace. I didn't fully understand why I was given such a gift of peace when literally the world was falling apart around me. But throughout these last five months, even when I was criticized and ridiculed for recognizing truth, I knew peace. I still know peace, and I am grateful for that gift.

My list of Pandemic blessings is growing. I love to see the Lord's hand in my life. I love to #HearHim. Hearing Him in the chaos of our new 'abnormal' because I am determined to grow my list has been such a joy. The latest one came in the life-altering broken leg of my grandson Paul, in his first football game of his high school experience. All the things that happened to line up perfectly for him to receive the very best care possible. Not the least of which is the Pandemic blessing of both parents working from home who can adjust their schedules to care for him as he is immobile for this first week. The many prayers that were answered before our eyes, as this horrific drama unfolded. And then yesterday, because of the Pandemic, I am not working (because of the dismantling of my industry during this chaotic time) and was able to take Kylee to her Doctor appointment. Suddenly, and quite unexpectedly, I was able to feel her little Princess move for the first time! Oh what joy! I couldn't contain my excitement and may or may not have screamed out loud! I am still in awe of her existence. I never expected to have another grand daughter! 

And so it goes, miracles everywhere, if only I open my eyes and remember how much He loves me! If only I remember to look for His Hand in my daily life. If only I continue to acknowledge, and give thanks for His miracles, I will continue to #HearHim. He lives!  He loves!  He blesses! He guides! He protects! He answers every prayer, very often through others, and in His timing! God is Good!

The Lost Doll

Last Friday we headed out for an overnight stay to celebrate our 38 years of marriage. We arrived with a couple of hours to kill, so opted for some outlet shopping. We parked near the most likely stores we would visit and began. We had been on this seemingly spontaneous and rather random adventure for about an hour, when we discovered a little Frozen doll on the ground. Clark picked it up and I noticed it still had it's tag on it, so we assumed she had just been purchased. We continued on, passing up one of the stores I thought for sure we would go in to.

Then we realized there was a little girl ahead of us crying, probably about three or four years old. Occasionally she would stop and look at her knee. As the crowd kept moving around her I suddenly realized she was alone!

Still following her closely, I passed one store who was restricting numbers of shoppers I quickly said to the employee standing at the door, "Call Security, she's alone! Please call security quickly!" I realized I couldn't wait for security to arrive-I had to act NOW, I walked faster catching up to her and bending down I said, "Did you hurt yourself?" She said yes and I asked where is your Mom? She began to cry harder and said "I don't know." Clark held out the discarded doll and I asked her if it was hers, she looked confused and then looked at the empty bag she was carrying. And we all knew it was hers. I recognized the store it had come from, and thought to myself...hmmm that was one of the stores we passed that I thought I had wanted to go into...

I said "Come with me I think I know where your Mommy is" I turned around and we headed back- as I took her hand and made small talk with her. Suddenly I looked up and a very frantic woman was rushing towards us. She was obviously terrified, and embarrassed, and her tone was ready to give her daughter a total scolding, so I said to my little charge, "She's not mad at you, she's just very scared."

And that was all it took as this Mom folded her little girl into her arms and the damn of tears broke. She cuddled her daughter as tears streamed down her face. Then she looked at me and said, "Oh my gosh you are my angel today, thank you!" over and over as the tears continued to fall. 

We both were kinda quiet as we walked away and then suddenly it hit us both at the same time, and we both said, "Apparently we were meant to be here for this little family today." While we thought we'd made this random decision, we had picked one store to go into, and suddenly we could see that everything we had done in those preceding hours lined up perfectly for us to be present to step into a terrifying, and potentially dangerous situation, literally becoming instruments in His hands.

We were His hands in those few moments.
He knew where we'd be and when.
He was also watching out for that little girl.
He was also answering fear-filled prayers of her Mother & Grandmother.

We quietly walked the remainder of the stores as we both pondered what had just happened. I could relate, I think losing a child in a public place is every parents worst nightmare. I thought back to the time we were in a Hotel with our Texas Mosses and Kenton ran ahead and jumped into the elevator as it closed. He was alone and we had no idea which floor he would get out on. I knew exactly what I had to do as I sprinted up one side of the building stairs and stuck my head out the stairwell door on every floor, until i reached the top floor...which was ours. He apparently knew which floor we were on and had even gone to our room and was found by a neighbor as Kenton knocking on our door-alone. And decided to stay with him til someone came!
I had been given a warning through a very vivid dream the night before and had been sick about the thought of losing Kenton. And while I couldn't have prevented his actions, I was prepared to think clearly about the plan of what I needed to do. And so I could act immediately.

This experience has continued to press upon my heart. I doubt I'll ever forget it. But again I marvel that we can be instruments in His hands whenever He needs us. I am always amazed when it happens though. It was such a simple thing. A simple kindness. But in comparison it may well have been the most important thing to that Mommy that day. 
And it may have been the most important thing that day for me too. 

We often talk about how we "Hear Him" and hearing Him does come in many different ways, the fact that we continue to try to Hear Him is very significant. Within 24 hours of this experience Clark then heard two divine directives about something completely new to us. He was listening. And He heard Him. What if we hadn't had the little girl experience, would Clark have been as willing to Hear Him? I'd like to think so, but we'll never know. But we do know that as we prepare ourselves to hear Him and then act upon these experiences we are blessed with more. 

#Godisgood
#HearHim
#HappyAnniversarytous
#Iamproudofus
#Thejourneycontinues

4EVRBLU

It has become increasingly harder, to live without the opportunity to go wherever, whenever, as this Pandemic has grounded us all. This image spoke to my soul this morning and sealed the deal for me. I have come to a new level of peace as I have been praying and weighing, my personal options about my job. Through the myriad of emotions these last few days, gradually my decision to stay with JetBlue has come into focus. I am putting great faith and trust in my nine and a half year goal of retirement in May next year. Much as I have loved my job, the airline industry (like many others) has forever been changed by our world circumstances. I opted to take the Summer Off without pay in doing my part to ease the financial bleed forced on JetBlue by the Pandemic. And I was faced with a very difficult decision, as the Opt Out Options were unveiled, as my airline scrambles to reinvent themselves as a much smaller company to survive this financial devastation. It has been a mentally exhaustive experience. Added into the mix, my heart has been badly bruised as I have lost my Darling Declan privileges also. With Clark working in Texas until next month, and Bryce on a temporary suicide watch again, feeling a little overwhelmed likely would be not just an understatement...but a big fat lie! However the Lord has not left me comfortless, His loving support to lift and carry me is beautifully evident yet again. I am so richly blessed! 

 As I have humbly turned over the next few months into the Lord's most capable hands, gently as the dew from Heaven, my peace has come. Sweetly. Softly. Completely. And by degrees my happiness has returned. 

I have found my smile again. I find joy in the smallest things. I am seeing beauty in my home- and beautiful yard particularly, as I have had the time ( and physical ability) to care for it again. I have seen so many miracles as the Lord has blessed me with strength beyond my own, helpers who appear as answers to my prayers, doing the things I physically cannot. As I have responded to the promptings of the Spirit when to stop, I have been blessed. I am not one to stop midway through any project, my compulsive nature wants to rush unwittingly toward the finish line, so this has been a whole new experience for me. I will be working away outside, and gently the Spirit whispers, "It is enough." And I return to the house, rest a little, cross-stitch a little more, and then later return outside to pick up where I left off. It has been remarkable. And now as I am seeing the fruits of my labor the jungle is slowly being tamed. I made the decision to break up this acre lot into more manageable size projects, as I view each "area" or project I see progression. Once I have completed one area, I happily move on to the next, no longer drowning in my to-do list! And while there is still much to be done, without work or Declan I know I have the time, and I can breathe and try out my new level of patience. 

In the stillness of these summer mornings I can reflect on my many blessings, I can look ahead with faith, not fear. I can see the Lord's miraculous hand in my life, and know with surety all will be well. How that 'well' will look I couldn't exactly say, but for today there is peace and joy within my heart. God is good!

Faith-colored Glasses

"When we look at the world and our experiences with faith-colored glasses, we will see proof of God everywhere." 
This speaks to my soul! Years ago Pres Eyring shared that in the time he was Bishop he began a daily written acknowledgement of the Saviors Hand in his life. He said there were many times he would come through the door exhausted at the end of a very long hard day and would be tempted to skip it, or thought "I'll do it tomorrow" but he never once succumbed to those temptations. Every day he would write about how he saw the Hand of God in that day. He said he did it so that some day his descendants could read it and know wherein his faith had it's roots. I know Pres Eyring, I met him through a mutual friend, and took Pres Eyring at his word when he said, "Anytime you need to talk to me, please just come to my office." And I did, when he was President of then Ricks College, later when he was Commissioner of Education in the Church office building. Later we would continue to communicate, one letter arriving when I was in the MTC prior to my mission. I wept tears of joy when he was called as an Apostle. I remember Clark gathering the children around our TV as we sustained him the following day and Clark said "He's Mom's friend!" So when he speaks for me it's my friend speaking, as well as the Lord's anointed Apostle.

And so I began a daily journal of His Tender Mercies. Those of you who have read my blog, know those Tender Mercies are both real and deeply appreciated. And yesterday sweet Bryce made a comment in passing to me (can't even remember what we were talking about) he said, "I love that you look for the Lord's hand all the time." That was it. And I felt grateful that Bryce could see that, and voiced it to me. While Bryce is doing really well he still battles daily with the devil, and I am so proud of him for that.

So when I wanted to read something uplifting today I went to Come Follow Me daily on my FB feed. and when Mary said this, "When we look at the world and our experiences with faith-colored glasses, we will see proof of God everywhere." It filled my heart. And I know it is true. I challenge anyone to try it for one week. And I hope each of us would follow Pres Eyring's example and then record those Tender Mercies. In dark days when our hearts and minds may be wrestling with chaos, uncertainty, and faith challenges, we can return to this Tender Mercies Journal and remember the Lord is real, remember He is loving, remember the Lord is walking this journey with you! And when we lift up our head and put on those faith-colored glasses, the world is an amazing place. And maybe our personal struggles haven't changed, perhaps with our new glasses of faith we can see things a little differently, maybe we can get a reprieve from the burden, maybe we can believe Christ is on the details of our life, not the devil after all.

Faith-colored glasses...I so love this! God is good. We may be in this together...but we are not social distancing from the source of love & truth. Christ doesn't have COVID-19...we don't need to pull away from Him! Happy Sabbath!

#hearhim

After another episode late last night that Clark worked through with me, including a priesthood blessing, I woke early with thoughts tumbling around in my head. I have only had three episodes since starting with the Chiropractor about 7 weeks ago. Throughout this experience we have learned what can be addressed at home, and what needs medical intervention. So I am so grateful for Clark's loving and gentle attention as we worked through total body weakness, uncontrollable seizure-like movements, disrupted language, severe nausea and brain scramble. 
So I got up early to journal a couple of Tender Mercies yesterday, and that makes me realize again the blessing of seeing the Lord's hand in the most minute details of my life.

This week has been very different for me. Last Saturday we enjoyed a much-needed visit with Kylee, Jonny & Nadja. Their little family has had some struggles with the circumstances the virus has left in their lives. We weeded together, worked on our burn pile, and enjoyed a 'picnic' lunch. They left with lighter hearts and reminded of how much we love them. Unfortunately we didn't physical-distance well enough, and so I am isolated from my Darling Declan & his family for two weeks. Regardless of how much I hate this, I also respect Dani & Paul for protecting their little family also. So without work or Darling Declan, suddenly I had a ton more time on my hands. So I have spent a lot of time trying to tame my backyard, which always allow a lot of personal reflection. 

I had just sat down in the early afternoon yesterday, at my kitchen table, where I have an unobstructed view of my back door. I looked up as Bryce walked back inside, and said, 
"I need to go see the Doctor." And then the tears rolled down his face. I quickly went to him and hugged him while he cried and he said his depression was making this new normal soooo hard. He knew he was doing well at work (from home- he's been working full-time since last September-ish) but his negative thought pattern was not allowing him to see the good...only that he wasn't good enough! We talked through some ideas and points while he took the suggested Reliv Shake. Immediately feeling better he started back down the stairs and paused before saying, "I am sure glad you were sitting right there when I came in." He disappeared downstairs and I thought to myself...wow! Had I still been working and tending Darling Declan I most certainly would not have been 'sitting right there' then! God is good! And so mindful of  every one of His children! He is also still fulfilling His promise to me that "when the time is right you will be an instrument in my Hands." 

After that I felt the impression come again to submit my manuscript to another publisher. 
Editors note: In defense of full transparency, please don't judge me...I blame my scrambled brain.
So I sat down to compose an email to a friend of Clark's who had offered to help in this process. As I started to bring him up to date on this journey...I suddenly had a funny feeling. Crossing my office to the bookshelf I picked up another friends book and flipped it over to see the publisher, remembering why the book was lying out. I recently met Merrilee Boyack and told her I had used one of her quotes in the manuscript to which she replied, "If Covenant says no go to Cedar Fort, I had to do that a couple of times." I came home that night, pulled out my friends book to verify they both had published through Cedar Fort. Returning to my computer I went to Shadow Mountain Publishing and saw again they were not accepting manuscripts til September! I had almost submitted to the wrong publisher again. So I paused my email and instead submitted my manuscript to Cedar Fort. I was pleasantly surprised that they were actually soliciting manuscripts in Genre's my manuscript could easily fall under. It was a pleasant, seamless process that I actually enjoyed this time. Within a couple of hours I received the auto-response email advising me they had received my manuscript and advised it would take about a month for their response.

So this morning with a bit clearer brain, I am delighted to recognize  the Tender Mercies that continue to unfold in my life. I feel the Lord's blessings as if I am wrapped in a warm blanket, you know the ones the hospital heats up for you? And when I see Him working through me to bless His other children I am in awe. I am well aware of my shortcomings and straight-up failures, yet in all my less-than-perfect self, He still sees "I am enough for Him", and He uses me accordingly. What a gift to remember. As King Benjamin would say..."O remember, remember that these things are true..." I love his final General Conference talk! 

I think one of the greatest blessings of this pandemic is the forced slowing down of the world and all it's trappings and noise, in such a way that, in silencing the worlds influence, the things of the Spirit, and those things which we do that are of the most importance and of eternal worth, seem to be increasing in our lives. With less worldly noise, I hear Him more often and more clearly see His works in my life. I keep reminding myself we are living in remarkable times, but not left alone by our God, His Son Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost. 

Enjoy the silence, remember to take time to see His hand and #hearhim as often as possible. Notice the spring time around us. And breath deep! Happy Friday!

Finding peace & joy amidst the chaos

I feel the pull to blog again...but without any clear direction that He wants me to go. So I sit here alone in the dark, just my computer & me. I reflect on life today as we know it. We are in very unusual times, I read so often of individuals who experience fear, loss & plenty of uncertainty. Yet underlining these emotions I personally feel the hum of peace, yes even joy and know this is all part of His divine plan for us. Did He give us this Pandemic...no, but He gave us  prophet who is a Doctor. This great man knows better than most what this will likely do to our world. This great man who has for so many years has also cultivated Chinese relationships so that when we asked for the impossible in China...permission to use an existing meeting house for our Temporary Temple, the answer was a resounding yes. Shocking the entire world! Then to be invited to build a temple in Dubai, which was likely not even on the Temple Departments radar....all because they saw something in our leaders & members that made this request a reality.

Then to now look back on the signs along the way preparing us for surviving today in this new world. Home-centered, Church supported learning. Yep! We were pretty excited when Church went to a two-hour block...who could have imagined NO Church at our buildings, at all!

We all know by now that the Salt Lake Temple Dedicatory prayer that sacred day so long ago, contained a plea that when we couldn't be in the Temple we would be protected by the Sacred Covenants we will make in the Temple. I think that phrase must have sounded a little strange to those in attendance. Who would have thought we would ever seen a time when every Temple is closed across the globe? And yet we are still being protected and sustained because of our sacred covenants made within those Holy Edifices !! 

In my calling as a  Councillor in our Stake Young Women Presidency, I often admonished our Young Women, to go to the Temple. And if they weren't ready to go inside the Temple, to remember the entire Temple grounds are dedicated as Holy Places. Touch the Temple physically, until you can go inside and have the Temple touch you! It is always a reminder to us of the Sacred Covenants we have made, and a way to remember to stay in the very center of our own Covenant Path.

Then our Prophet changed the time requirement when a Temple Sealing isn't how we got married. That surprised us all, and now we are seeing faithful couples getting married civilly until their marriage can be Sealed later in the House of the Lord. No less worthy or protected for being obedient and prepared for that sacred blessing.

Now thousands of missionaries have been called to come home, some to end their faithful service early, others to accept new assignments within their home country. Each of these scenarios carry their own challenges, and therefore blessings previously unrealized with these new circumstances. 

And so amidst these uncertain, chaotic & challenging times, I marvel at the steady, trusting, faithful families, who are reaping unprecedented blessings as they turn down the volume, if you will, on the things of the world, and witness the ability to see & hear those sacred, spiritual scenarios that surround us now. Some have spoken of this being a time to reset. To remember what matters most. To see ourselves and others through the eyes of our loving Savior Jesus Christ. To yearn for the fellowship of the saints we love & worship with. To seek Fathers guidance on how to navigate this treacherous terrain before us. To re-learn what our faithful Pioneers lived so long ago...simple lives centered in Christ. Finding joy in our families, lifting and helping those who may be hurting or lonely around us. Sharing the peace & joy of the Gospel of Christ, with all fellow-travelers, without apology.

And so as we adjust to a new normal may we each pause and reflect, and realize just what a precious gift we have been given. What will we look back and see, after the malls are filled again, the grocery stores are fully stocked, the busy schedule of work, church callings and family life fill our days again? How will we remember these challenging days? Will we come out the other-side stronger, more centered on Christ and His on-going restoration? Will our loved ones be the center of our focus, that we may all be on the covenant path together?

My prayer for each of us is just that. That tomorrow we will be better for having survived this century's worst Pandemic ever...COVID-19. I hope & pray we will be kinder, more intuitive to those around us, more focused on Christ and having found more peace & joy in His Eternal Gospel. 

The tulips are blooming at the Mount Timpanogos Temple, ushering in springtime. Better days are ahead. Look up, trust God, and continue to hope for a better day tomorrow. Express heartfelt gratitude, and see God's Tender Mercies all around. 

God is in His Heaven, and all's right with His Eternal Perfect Plan!