I've had a lot on my mind lately, I am hoping if I put it out there my mind can rest a little. Earlier this year I went to Time Out for Women. It wasn't my favorite year, I had Callen and it was hard to pay attention and I also wasn't able to take notes and sometimes I had to go out in the hall. So I did miss some of it However, there are two presentations that have stuck with me. The first was Sheri Dew, she talked about life not being ideal. At the time my life was pretty ideal, so I thought I didn't get much out of her talk. Well let me tell you, six months down the road life is not ideal. We have had one trial after another this year. And I think back to the things that Sheri Dew said about her life, and while things are not ideal she carries on, she makes the best of it. She still lives her life and fulfills her callings and her dreams.
The second talk that has stuck with me was Chris Belcher. I think we could be great friends, she was hilarious! She has recently become blind but her testimony remains so strong and she continues to persevere and prosper.
Another example in my life is my sweet friend Janelle. She is the strongest person I have ever known. She has had cancer for the past 6 years and she would always tell me that it was such a blessing for her. I remember a day a few months ago when we sat in the chapel talking, her mouth was bleeding from the chemo and she was listing the ways that she has been blessed by having cancer. I have never heard her complain, never. I think of her often when I feel sorry for myself, when I want to ask God why these things are happening to our family, when I want to be angry. And I know that this is one of the blessings of Janelle's cancer, I'm sure she will never know the influence that she has had on people.
I saw a sign that said "I Can Do Hard Things". I've started to think of this when I want to complain or when I want to ask why. God gives us hard things so that we will learn and grow. And while these things are not ideal, they are good for us. They make us search deep in our souls for the strength to keep moving forward, to not just survive but to flourish, to gain a knowledge that just because life is hard does not mean it is not worth living. Because life is hard is not a reason to be unhappy, happiness can be found everywhere. Sometimes you have to work harder to find it than others, but if you look, you will see God's hand in the little blessings around you. You might see someone who would do anything for you that you hadn't thought would. You might see a best friend in your husband. You might see the love that other people have for you as they cry with you and help you. You might see good things in people you thought had no good in them.
I can do hard things. Sometimes I cry about it, sometimes I'm exhausted, sometimes I just want a break! But even when those things happen, I carry on. I get the things done that need to be done. I take care of my family, I do my calling, I read my scriptures and say my prayers, sometimes I even sneak a little fun in my day all while life is not ideal. And you know what, I'm grateful for it. I am stronger today than I was in June. I'm stronger today than I was last month and I pray that I will keep progressing until I am where my Heavenly Father wants me to be and I won't need anymore trials and life can be easy! ;)
I know Heavenly Father loves me. I know that it is difficult for Him to see me in pain, just like it would be for me to see my child in pain. I know He has a plan for me and for my family, I have faith that whatever this plan is will be for my good and the good of my husband and my children. I am blessed. I have beautiful children, a loving and hard working husband (who thinks I'm funny) parents that have taught me well and love me, awesome friends and extended family, a wonderful ward family, the words of God and His prophets at my fingertips, a beautiful home, a healthy body, a smart phone, a car that runs well, fits my whole family, has AC and an ipod jack! I have more blessings than I can count!
I'll be ok. Life is what it is. I can do hard things.
