Come What May, and Love it

Leading up to the start of this year, I knew I wanted some sort of quote, word, or mantra to always have in the back of my mind (and the front). Something to help me focus my year. The past couple years I've used "Hope" and "Faith" and "Joy in the Journey."

Early in December, I knew exactly what I wanted to use, but wasn't too sure. I studied several talks, read countless scriptures, thought of lots of good things to focus on. However, one phrase would never leave my mind. Right after Christmas, I knew that this was the one for my 2019 focus.

Come what may, and love it!

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin gave a talk in General Conference several years ago titled, "Come What May, and Love it" and it has always been one of my favorites.

If you've never heard it or need a refresher, here's the link:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/come-what-may-and-love-it?lang=eng

No matter what comes, any trial, any struggle, this is what I want to focus on.

Learning to love the stage of life I'm in.

Focusing on what is really important.

Becoming the best me I can.

Realistically, I know that this isn't easy. It's not something that will be fixed over night. This is something that is a conscious choice each day.

My grandma has always told me that I have a choice in every circumstance, every moment. I can choose to let something weigh me down, choose to be upset or angry or sad. Or I can choose to find joy, focus on the blessings, or learn a lesson.

So, 2019- Come what may! I'm going to love it!

I Can Do Hard Things

Have you ever just felt like you are stuck, struggling, and don't know which way to go? I've been feeling like that this week. I had the opportunity this week to go visit with some clients from work and it's about a 45 minute drive each way. So, I really had the chance to try to focus and recenter my thinking. There have been so many emotions and frustrations these last few weeks (not to mention this entire frustrating fertility journey). As I was listening to music, this song by my friend's band popped up in the mix.





What I loved while listening was remembering that I'm not alone. There are others who have had these exact same feelings. It's not unusual in this life to feel completely out of control. It is not a feeling that I like. I like being presentable. I like knowing what's going on. I like to have a plan and I like planning the plan.


One of my favorite talks from April's General Conference this year is from President Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives." President Nelson shares times through his life where he turned to Heavenly Father for guidance and direction. He bore a beautiful testimony of how Heavenly Father has guided him throughout his life and continues to do so. Even through difficult times, President Nelson turned to his Father in Heaven. It was a simple and poignant moment for me that Sunday morning and every day since: I am never alone, I only need to remember to ask.


President Nelson said, "what will your seeking open for you? What wisdom do you lack? What do you feel an urgent need to know or understand? Follow the example of the Prophet Joseph. Find a quiet place where you can regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort." He also shared, "we can pray to our Heavenly Father and receive guidance and direction, be warned about dangers and distractions, and be enabled to accomplish tings we simply could not do on our own...we will be guided in matters large and small."


How comforting is it to know that the God who created this world is concerned about the little details of my life. Your life. Each of His children's lives. But the part that I need to focus on is how much my Heavenly Father loves me and cares about me. I have shared this with the kids I teach in Primary many times, and it's interesting how the lessons always seem to be more for me than them, that the simple Primary answers are the answers we need in our every day lives. The more I learn in the gospel the more I learn that the simplicity of the gospel is also what makes it complex and beautiful. There is nothing overtly complicated, there's nothing scary, there's no secret handshakes, hidden meanings. God is the same yesterday, today, and always and He is the same God in the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and in the teachings of our modern prophets. He doesn't change.


"Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses-yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will 'grow into the principle of revelation,' President Nelson said. God DOES listen to us. We need to "stretch beyond [our] current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation...there is so much more that your Father in Heaven wants [us] to know."


"To those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, it is clear that the Father and the Son are giving away the secrets of the universe!" - Elder Neal A. Maxwell



That's why I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and share my thoughts, feelings, and journey. It definitely isn't an easy one (and something that I would never wish on anyone). One thing I have learned is that I am grateful for is my testimony and how much I am learning about myself. I can do hard things.


What quote has touched you and helped you during difficult times in your life?

Evoke Strength

Sometimes I wonder about why we have certain trials in our lives. As I think about the trials in my life, the struggles and the things I've experienced I would never wish upon anyone else. However, the struggles I've had have made me who I am today. Because of where I've been, I have a better relationship with my Heavenly Father.

I remember several years ago when I was living in Arizona. I thought that my life was exactly what I wanted it to be. I thought I knew what happiness was. Looking back, I was as happy as I knew I could be, but the ability to experience even more joy was in my future. I left Arizona in a hurry- and it was because I was following the promptings and direction from my Heavenly Father. I remember being confused and quite heartbroken that I would be leaving my home in Arizona (where I was warm and comfortable) to go back to Washington. I couldn't believe that was the path I was supposed to take.

Looking back now, I know that Heavenly Father knew better- He can see the whole picture, and I just had a little glimpse. But that's not the point of this story right now.

I talked to my dear friend Emily and was sharing my frustrations. She told me that I was brave.

Brave? Me?

I couldn't fathom that a move, and really stepping outside of where I was comfortable would equate to being brave.

But that is exactly what it was.

It wasn't an instantaneous answer. It came many months and years after for me to realize that my faith was strong....is strong. Later I realized that my trust in the Lord lead me to blessings that I never knew I needed and brought me joy I didn't know existed. We can't choose our trials, but we can choose how we react.

How will you choose to evoke strength in your trials?