Compensated for Every Tear

I am truly amazed at the resiliency of the human spirit. It is unbelievable how much pain one person can endure and still survive it somehow- that our bodies don't explode under all the pressure of it is truly miraculous.

I have heard the quote "you're stronger than you think you are", and this week I gained a personal testimony that it is true for every one of us. We really can deal with ANYTHING in this life, and still Christ endured more. And he didn't break under the pressure of it. His strength gives us the power to overcome our hardships without breaking too.

Every time I think I've reached my limit of what I can bear, I realize that I really am strong enough to bear whatever things I encounter in life, because God doesn't give us more than we can bear. If it WAS more than I could bear, what would I expect to happen to anyway? Even if I passed out from the stress, I would still be normal again eventually and will have passed through it.

I just feel so empowered by the Savior's atonement for me, and the knowledge that there really isn't anything I CAN'T bear with Him. Because everything "comes to pass" and eventually, I have passed through it, and I'm okay again.

I love the scriptures Joseph Smith wrote during his stay in Liberty jail under those awful circumstances. He offers up a pleading prayer to Heavenly Father, asking him "Where art thou??" And Heavenly Father's response is so kind and gentle, and reassuring. "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou enure it well, God shall exalt thee on high." Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8

I felt this the other night when my heart was heavy with some of the devastating news I've been dealing with for the past little while- I felt the Savior's reassurance that He understands, and that He is anxious to wipe away my tears and gather me into His arms when this life of pain and hardship is over.

If you haven't read "Come What May and Love it"- it was the last conference talk given by Elder Wirthlin before he died, Nov 2008 Ensign, and I highly suggest reading it again. My favorite quote from that talk is: "The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."

And that concept that we will be blessed even for enduring hard things is beautiful to me.

Re-defining Moments

I love how so many talks in Conference can be specific to our own individual needs. Every year there is a talk that was given directly to me. I know everyone says that, which shows that the Lord knows our needs and desires. With His Spirit he can touch our hearts and teach us the things we need to learn. If we have prepared ourselves and are teachable we can grow in unexpected ways.

I was going to share with you all what I had learned, but for some reason it is feeling a little too personal. I am not one to air my dirty laundry in public and sharing what the Lord taught me would be a little too personal so I am going to have to take this a different direction.

I want to talk about the importance and beautiful calling we have as mothers. There are so many women in the world who talk about motherhood as being a burden or a chain. Being a SAHM is cumbersome and keeps them from growing and progressing. Their children are loved but are also seen as a weight and a nusiance. I know that sometimes I fall into that roll a little bit. I would never trade being home with my son for anything in the world, but there are days when I only see the hard part of it. I miss adult interaction. I miss going out and dancing or reading a book or going to the mountains and just relaxing by a stream. I cannot do that now. My life is full of picture books, playing trucks on demand and coloring. I forget the beauty of having this life.

And then I got to watch Oprah (not a normal occurrence, I assure you. This was a special occasion) the other day. Stephanie and Christian Nielson were on. A woman who hated being a SAHM got to spend the day with Stephanie and her whole outlook on motherhood changed.


Following the inspiration that Stephanie inspires, I re-read this talk on her blog. It is so wonderful in helping us redefine our roles as mothers and wives. Rarely do we understand the great power and influence we have on the world.

"Mothers who know are nurturers. This is their special assignment and role under the plan of happiness. To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Therefore, mothers who know create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes. Another word for nurturing is homemaking. Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home. Home is where women have the most power and influence; therefore, Latter-day Saint women should be the best homemakers in the world. Working beside children in homemaking tasks creates opportunities to teach and model qualities children should emulate. Nurturing mothers are knowledgeable, but all the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth. Growth happens best in a “house of order,” and women should pattern their homes after the Lord’s house (see D&C 109). Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women. "

I find that as I re-read and reapply these teachings and examples I become a better mother and wife, and my home is so much happier and full of the Spirit. I encourage you all to do the same thing. Take a few moments in quiet meditation and prayer and re-define your part of the great plan our Father has for us. As you do this you will be blessed with a testimony of your divinity and your ability to do all that you promised you would do here. More than that, you will be able to find hidden talents to help you in your calling as a wife and mother.

Cheerfully

Thanks for the theme this week, Trish!

My favorite scripture (of the moment) is Doctrine & Covenants 123:17, which reads:

"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

I love this scripture because it reminds us to be happy! Not only must we work hard and do our very best, but we must do it with a good attitude. This is so much easier said than done!

Life is stressful and trying at times, but if we can just hang in there and do our very best with a smile on our face-- we will be much better off. There is a quote by Mark Twain that I like that says:

"There is nothing in life that cannot be made worse by complaining."

We should not complain about all the duties and responsibilities we have, but live our lives cheerfully and with joy.

May you all have a joyful week!

"Be of Good Cheer"

Happy Birthday to Tricia!!!

Today in Sacrament meeting one of the speakers spoke on President Monson's talk from April Conference of this year, "Be of Good Cheer." I really felt like he was speaking to me. I have been blessed with so much, yet sometimes I focus on the things that I do not have. I get down on myself when I experience trials and I often forget to be of good cheer. I love this quote from President Monson's talk:

"None of us makes it through life without problems and challenges - and sometimes tragedies and misfortunes. After all, in large part we are here to learn and grow from such events in our lives. We know that there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we will be saddened. However, we are told, 'Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.'"

President Monson then proceeds to ask this question: How might we have joy in our lives, despite all that we may face? This is my question to all of you. How do you find joy in your lives amidst the day to day trials and challenges? Joy is essential and in my opinion we can either choose to have joy in our lives, or we can choose to have misery. I vote for choosing joy, but I am definitely still working out the details. I would love to hear your suggestions. If you want to read the full talk then click here. It's definitely inspiring!