Happiness amid Adversity

I just heard of a man who is depressed because his wife is seriously ill. He just joined a Christian faith and was expecting to "live happily ever after", and now it isn't happening. I can remember feeling this way when I first became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I thought nothing "bad" was ever going to happen to me, and now I would just sail through life. Instead, I've had over 50 years of health problems.  Doesn't God answer my prayers? Doesn't God love me?

Yes, God does answer prayers. I wanted to be happy, and He is giving me experiences to teach me how to do it. I wanted to grow and become more like my Heavenly Father, and He has sent challenges to strengthen me and help me grow in love and compassion. 

Lesson Learned from Mothering

Just a Mom

As a mother, grandmother, and teacher, it has been an amazing experience to help nurture others and to be a significant influence in their lives.  I've also been thinking of how much I have learned through this service. 

• Patience - growth and change take time - a lifetime
• Faith - act knowing and focused on potentiel
• Love - put your whole soul into helping others
• Acceptance - that real love often means saying, "No"
• Trust - in others' underlying goodness
• Work - relationships and developing talents takes time and effort
• Forgiveness - look inward before judging another
• Appreciation - value effort and intent, not just the product
• Compassion - see with the heart