I leave you with the last lesson, the one that brings hope to anyone who might be suffering and feeling that all might be lost.
It's a lesson taught to us by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Sunday Will Come
I will not attempt to summarize what he wrote, because it is beautiful.
He states:
"I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up on the cross. On that terrible Friday the earth shook and grew dark. Frightful storms lashed at the earth.
Those evil men who sought His life rejoiced. Now that Jesus was no more, surely those who followed Him would disperse. On that day those men stood triumphant.
On that day the veil of the temple was rent in twain.
Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus, were both overcome with grief and despair. The superb man they had loved and honored hung lifeless upon the cross.
On that Friday the Apostles were devastated. Jesus, their Savior—the man who had walked on water and raised the dead—was Himself at the mercy of wicked men. They watched helplessly as He was overcome by His enemies.
On that Friday the Savior of mankind was humiliated and bruised, abused and reviled. It was a Friday filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored the Son of God.
I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world’s history, that Friday was the darkest."
And here is where the hope comes:
"But the doom of that day did not endure.
The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior of all mankind.
And in an instant the eyes that had been filled with ever-flowing tears dried. The lips that had whispered prayers of distress and grief now filled the air with wondrous praise, for Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God, stood before them as the firstfruits of the Resurrection, the proof that death is merely the beginning of a new and wondrous existence.
Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.
But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.
No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, in this life or the next, Sunday will come."
"Sunday will come!" Hang in there, things do get better. Never give up, put your trust in the Savior. The hymn "I know That My Redeemer Lives" comes to mind:
1. I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living head.
He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above,
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to bless in time of need.
2. He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears,
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives, all blessings to impart.
3. He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend,
He lives, and loves me to the end,
He lives, and while He lives I’ll sing,
He lives, my Prophet, Priest and King.
He lives, and grants me daily breath,
He lives, and I shall conquer death,
He lives, my mansion to prepare,
He lives, to bring me safely there.
4. He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
O the sweet joy this sentence gives,
“I know that my Redeemer lives.”
He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
O the sweet joy this sentence gives,
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Lesson #4- Let People Serve You
This is one I struggle with. Letting others serve me. I love to serve others, but when I need it, it's difficult for me to say yes. This is something I've been trying to work on, but I'm the type of gal that would clean before anyone came over to help me clean. I know it's my pride that gets in the way.
I have learned how important it is to accept help from those who offer it. There are many reasons why, but I'm going to focus on what I learned several months ago.
One day back in December, I was going through several difficult trials, and I felt very self focused. I was seriously going on a pity party, and I knew it. It had been months of hardness, and on top of that, a major disappointment came my way. I was hurting inside, and needed desperately to overcome the sadness I was feeling.
I knew that if I could find someone to serve, It would help me pull out of the rut I was in.
I had no idea who to serve that day, but I was hoping to find someone.
While visiting with a friend, I realized she was overwhelmed and could really use some help. Excitedly, I offered, but she declined. I could tell she was worried that she might burden me.
I left thinking, if only she knew how much I needed to serve her, surely she would have let me.
It was then that I realized, sometimes the person offering the service needs the blessing of service, more than we need to be served.
I hope I will always gladly allow others the opportunity to serve me in the future.
I have learned how important it is to accept help from those who offer it. There are many reasons why, but I'm going to focus on what I learned several months ago.
One day back in December, I was going through several difficult trials, and I felt very self focused. I was seriously going on a pity party, and I knew it. It had been months of hardness, and on top of that, a major disappointment came my way. I was hurting inside, and needed desperately to overcome the sadness I was feeling.
I knew that if I could find someone to serve, It would help me pull out of the rut I was in.
I had no idea who to serve that day, but I was hoping to find someone.
While visiting with a friend, I realized she was overwhelmed and could really use some help. Excitedly, I offered, but she declined. I could tell she was worried that she might burden me.
I left thinking, if only she knew how much I needed to serve her, surely she would have let me.
It was then that I realized, sometimes the person offering the service needs the blessing of service, more than we need to be served.
I hope I will always gladly allow others the opportunity to serve me in the future.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Lesson #3- You Can Face Any Hardship, if You Have a Close Relationship with God
One night, about a month ago, I had a lot on my mind. I was thinking about the trials that completely blindside you, the REALLY hard trials. I have gone through very difficult trials, but I've not yet faced the ones I was thinking about.
I was thinking about death, and how hard it must be to loose a loved one, especially when it's premature and unexpected.
Or, what if it's you that must leave this life sooner than expected. How difficult would it be to leave your children before they've grown up?
At some point in our lives, we all will loose a loved one from time to time, how can we endure?
I was deeply troubled by the trials that just seem unfair. I have often seen someone suffering and in despair, and have thought, "why should they have to go through something that hard, it doesn't seem fair."
This was really weighing on my mind that night. I felt afraid, and prayed.
The thought came to me that there were many Conference talks on trials. So I decided to read one. As I was reading, my mind wandered to Joseph Smith and the trials he went through. It was then that I realized, that no matter how hard our life's journey is, if we have a real and close relationship with our Father in Heaven, we can get through anything! Anything!
I thought of the happiness I have felt in serving others, and I feel that we can find happiness, real happiness, even in our darkest hour through serving others.
What peace I found through prayer, scripture reading, and the Holy Ghost. My testimony was strengthen that night, as I felt of my Heavenly Father's love for me.
I was thinking about death, and how hard it must be to loose a loved one, especially when it's premature and unexpected.
Or, what if it's you that must leave this life sooner than expected. How difficult would it be to leave your children before they've grown up?
At some point in our lives, we all will loose a loved one from time to time, how can we endure?
I was deeply troubled by the trials that just seem unfair. I have often seen someone suffering and in despair, and have thought, "why should they have to go through something that hard, it doesn't seem fair."
This was really weighing on my mind that night. I felt afraid, and prayed.
The thought came to me that there were many Conference talks on trials. So I decided to read one. As I was reading, my mind wandered to Joseph Smith and the trials he went through. It was then that I realized, that no matter how hard our life's journey is, if we have a real and close relationship with our Father in Heaven, we can get through anything! Anything!
I thought of the happiness I have felt in serving others, and I feel that we can find happiness, real happiness, even in our darkest hour through serving others.
What peace I found through prayer, scripture reading, and the Holy Ghost. My testimony was strengthen that night, as I felt of my Heavenly Father's love for me.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Lesson #2- Sometimes We Have to Figure Out the Answers to Our Problems, On Our Own
Sometimes in life, we come across a problem that seems way too big to solve on our own. During times like these, we may turn to family, friends, and even clergy for guidance and direction.
I am learning that there are times in life when you must figure things out on your own, except your really not completely alone, because our Heavenly Father will help you.
I came across this article in the Ensign the other day, and loved it! Finding Answers by Joseph Fielding McConkie
There is a key phrase in this article that stood out to me, "It is not the design of heaven that we be rescued from all difficult situations, Rather, it is the Lord's will that we learn how to handle them."
I am learning that there are times in life when you must figure things out on your own, except your really not completely alone, because our Heavenly Father will help you.
I came across this article in the Ensign the other day, and loved it! Finding Answers by Joseph Fielding McConkie
There is a key phrase in this article that stood out to me, "It is not the design of heaven that we be rescued from all difficult situations, Rather, it is the Lord's will that we learn how to handle them."
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Things I've Learned (maybe subject to change)
Isn't it strange how life has it's ups and downs? I love life when things, for the most part, are going well. You may be very busy hurrying your family from one place to another and running errands, and maybe you even have a trial or two that weighs on your mind, but for the most part-- you're happy and functioning like a normal person. Then, WHAM, your whole world goes into complete and utter chaos!
About a year and a half ago, I was a very busy, homeschooling Mom. I was serving as a Compassionate Service Leader in the Relief Society. I won't lie, I was feeling very burnt out, but happy, because I was constantly serving others.
Then our ward split. I was called to be a Visiting Teaching Supervisor, which is a very simple calling in some respects. My responsibilities are to call the Visiting Teachers assigned to me once a month, find out who they were able to visit during that month, and then submit what I have found to the Visiting Teacher Coordinator.
I'll confess, I wanted to be more involved. I missed knowing how to serve the Sisters, and I loved working hard and feeling like I was helping others. I felt that I had so much more energy to give, and wondered why I was called to such a simple calling.
Little did I know just how much my life was about to change! It seemed that everything that could go wrong did, one trial, after another! There were many times that I felt, that my calling as a Visiting Teaching Supervisor was hard. I know now, that our Heavenly Father truly knows what's best for us! I will never doubt a call again. My testimony of the work we are called to do was strengthened, we are serving where God wants us. He always knows what's best!
So, the other day I was pondering all that I have learned during this mega rough patch, and I realized I have so much to share! I thought it would be sad if I forgot any of these life's lessons, so I think I will blog about them. I hope one day my kids will read them, and will glean something from the lessons I've learned.
Lesson #1- Trials are Hard!!!
Stay tuned for:
Lesson #2- Sometimes We Have to Figure Out the Answers to our Problems, on our Own.
About a year and a half ago, I was a very busy, homeschooling Mom. I was serving as a Compassionate Service Leader in the Relief Society. I won't lie, I was feeling very burnt out, but happy, because I was constantly serving others.
Then our ward split. I was called to be a Visiting Teaching Supervisor, which is a very simple calling in some respects. My responsibilities are to call the Visiting Teachers assigned to me once a month, find out who they were able to visit during that month, and then submit what I have found to the Visiting Teacher Coordinator.
I'll confess, I wanted to be more involved. I missed knowing how to serve the Sisters, and I loved working hard and feeling like I was helping others. I felt that I had so much more energy to give, and wondered why I was called to such a simple calling.
Little did I know just how much my life was about to change! It seemed that everything that could go wrong did, one trial, after another! There were many times that I felt, that my calling as a Visiting Teaching Supervisor was hard. I know now, that our Heavenly Father truly knows what's best for us! I will never doubt a call again. My testimony of the work we are called to do was strengthened, we are serving where God wants us. He always knows what's best!
So, the other day I was pondering all that I have learned during this mega rough patch, and I realized I have so much to share! I thought it would be sad if I forgot any of these life's lessons, so I think I will blog about them. I hope one day my kids will read them, and will glean something from the lessons I've learned.
Lesson #1- Trials are Hard!!!
Stay tuned for:
Lesson #2- Sometimes We Have to Figure Out the Answers to our Problems, on our Own.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
If God Brought You to it, He'll Bring You Through It
I like this quote, because it gives me strength and courage to face the hard times in life. There is such a deep peace that comes when we're willing to believe that the Savior lives and that he's just waiting for us to draw near to him. He's ready to not only walk beside us, but to lift us and the burdens we carry.
It's been hard for me to want to leave Tucson. This has been a really good place for our family. The kids have grown so much here and have made friends with some really great kids! It seems like a perfect fit, living here. Sometimes I feel, if things are going well, why change something that is good? I even have a few favorite friends (I hope you know who you are) here, and I guess I'm feeling lazy, but I'm not looking forward to that long process of making friends again. It takes effort, time, and patience to find good friends.
Despite all of my complaining, which I'm trying not to do, I feel very strongly that this move to MN is what God wants for us. I am still working out the little details, like where we're going to live, and at times it can be a bit scary and very overwhelming. I know when I feel that way, I am lacking in faith and I try to remember the words to the song "Consider the Lilies":
Consider the lilies of the field,
How they grow, how they grow.
Consider the birds in the sky,
How they fly, how they fly.
He clothes the lilies of the field.
He feeds the birds in the sky.
And He will feed those who trust Him,
And guide them with His eye.
Consider the sheep of His fold,
How they follow where He leads.
Though the path may wind across the mountains,
He knows the meadows where they feed.
He clothes the lilies of the field.
He feeds the birds in the sky,
And He will feed those who trust Him,
And guide them with His eye.
Consider the sweet, tender children
Who must suffer on this earth.
The pains of all of them He carried
From the day of His birth.
He clothes the lilies of the field,
He feeds the lambs in His fold,
And He will heal those who trust Him,
And make their hearts as gold.
He clothes the lilies of the field,
He feeds the lambs in His fold,
And He will heal those who trust Him,
And make their hearts as gold.
I hope my Sister-in-law doesn't mind me sharing this, but I truly feel that God gave me a special gift through her. She had this dream about me, and she felt she should share it. I'm so glad she did, because ever since then, it's been enough to get me through those little patches of fear and doubt that tend to creep in from time to time. I truly believe that God works through others, to lift and sustain us throughout our lives. Living angels! Tori was my angel the other day, and what she said continues to bring me comfort. Here's what she wrote:
"Hi Trina,
When I saw your name on Dad's e-mail about Bishop Mitchell, it reminded me that I needed to write to you!! I totally meant to do it yesterday AND the day before... but, better late than never?
Anyway -- Tuesday night, I had a dream about you again. In my dream, we met up with you guys, but we were all in a strange town and none of us really knew our way around. We were trying to find a place to go and eat together before we split up and our families went on our separate ways again.
The part of the dream that struck me the most was your vehicle. (I climbed in and sat with you while Eric & Aaron were outside talking about where we wanted to go and eat.) There were not only plenty of seats for your family, but the seats were these big, white, cushiony-looking ones. From the outside, your vehicle looked the same, but once you got in there it was super-roomy, comfortable, warm, etc., and it just felt soooo safe. There was just this... "feeling" in there. I was so happy for you! It was hard saying goodbye after that, but I knew you all were going to be just fine.
Now, whenever I dream about people in my life, particularly those that I love but don't see very often, I take it as a cue from the Spirit to pray for that person specifically the next day (or in the middle of the night, if I wake up from the dream). So I started praying for you first thing Wednesday morning and have been ever since. At this point, I really feel like there is a message for you from my dream that I need to share with you, and the message is this:
You have a Big Move coming up. You're moving (again) to a place where you don't really know anyone, you don't have family, and you don't know what to expect in many ways. However, the "vehicle" taking you there is NOT just your automobile. Your Heavenly Father is taking you and your family there; He has a plan for you. I feel like the ultra-comfort of your van in my dream was a symbol of the Lord's comfort for you, through the Spirit, like a reminder to you that He is with you, he will shelter you, and no matter what it looks like from the outside, He has a place of refuge, safety, and comfort for you and your family, and He will get you safely where you need to be (and keep you safely once you're there). It's hard to put into words, but I hope you can feel from the Spirit as you read this what I am trying to convey.
Anyway ... I need to get back to work, but I wanted to share it with you and tell you -- I love you and am praying for you!! xoxoxoxo!!!
Love and hugs,
Tori"
Tori, thank you again for the tender mercy you sent my way.
It's been hard for me to want to leave Tucson. This has been a really good place for our family. The kids have grown so much here and have made friends with some really great kids! It seems like a perfect fit, living here. Sometimes I feel, if things are going well, why change something that is good? I even have a few favorite friends (I hope you know who you are) here, and I guess I'm feeling lazy, but I'm not looking forward to that long process of making friends again. It takes effort, time, and patience to find good friends.
Despite all of my complaining, which I'm trying not to do, I feel very strongly that this move to MN is what God wants for us. I am still working out the little details, like where we're going to live, and at times it can be a bit scary and very overwhelming. I know when I feel that way, I am lacking in faith and I try to remember the words to the song "Consider the Lilies":
Consider the lilies of the field,
How they grow, how they grow.
Consider the birds in the sky,
How they fly, how they fly.
He clothes the lilies of the field.
He feeds the birds in the sky.
And He will feed those who trust Him,
And guide them with His eye.
Consider the sheep of His fold,
How they follow where He leads.
Though the path may wind across the mountains,
He knows the meadows where they feed.
He clothes the lilies of the field.
He feeds the birds in the sky,
And He will feed those who trust Him,
And guide them with His eye.
Consider the sweet, tender children
Who must suffer on this earth.
The pains of all of them He carried
From the day of His birth.
He clothes the lilies of the field,
He feeds the lambs in His fold,
And He will heal those who trust Him,
And make their hearts as gold.
He clothes the lilies of the field,
He feeds the lambs in His fold,
And He will heal those who trust Him,
And make their hearts as gold.
I hope my Sister-in-law doesn't mind me sharing this, but I truly feel that God gave me a special gift through her. She had this dream about me, and she felt she should share it. I'm so glad she did, because ever since then, it's been enough to get me through those little patches of fear and doubt that tend to creep in from time to time. I truly believe that God works through others, to lift and sustain us throughout our lives. Living angels! Tori was my angel the other day, and what she said continues to bring me comfort. Here's what she wrote:
"Hi Trina,
When I saw your name on Dad's e-mail about Bishop Mitchell, it reminded me that I needed to write to you!! I totally meant to do it yesterday AND the day before... but, better late than never?
Anyway -- Tuesday night, I had a dream about you again. In my dream, we met up with you guys, but we were all in a strange town and none of us really knew our way around. We were trying to find a place to go and eat together before we split up and our families went on our separate ways again.
The part of the dream that struck me the most was your vehicle. (I climbed in and sat with you while Eric & Aaron were outside talking about where we wanted to go and eat.) There were not only plenty of seats for your family, but the seats were these big, white, cushiony-looking ones. From the outside, your vehicle looked the same, but once you got in there it was super-roomy, comfortable, warm, etc., and it just felt soooo safe. There was just this... "feeling" in there. I was so happy for you! It was hard saying goodbye after that, but I knew you all were going to be just fine.
Now, whenever I dream about people in my life, particularly those that I love but don't see very often, I take it as a cue from the Spirit to pray for that person specifically the next day (or in the middle of the night, if I wake up from the dream). So I started praying for you first thing Wednesday morning and have been ever since. At this point, I really feel like there is a message for you from my dream that I need to share with you, and the message is this:
You have a Big Move coming up. You're moving (again) to a place where you don't really know anyone, you don't have family, and you don't know what to expect in many ways. However, the "vehicle" taking you there is NOT just your automobile. Your Heavenly Father is taking you and your family there; He has a plan for you. I feel like the ultra-comfort of your van in my dream was a symbol of the Lord's comfort for you, through the Spirit, like a reminder to you that He is with you, he will shelter you, and no matter what it looks like from the outside, He has a place of refuge, safety, and comfort for you and your family, and He will get you safely where you need to be (and keep you safely once you're there). It's hard to put into words, but I hope you can feel from the Spirit as you read this what I am trying to convey.
Anyway ... I need to get back to work, but I wanted to share it with you and tell you -- I love you and am praying for you!! xoxoxoxo!!!
Love and hugs,
Tori"
Tori, thank you again for the tender mercy you sent my way.
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