Shades of Gray

I remember a story told to my seminary class years ago by our seminary teacher.  He said he was walking up a hill on a dark snowy night.  There was a street light at the top of the hill shining down.   From his vantage point at the bottom of the hill the light was not clearly defined, with most of the light showing as a swirling mist of gray.  As he got closer and closer to the light, the gray area seemed smaller and smaller, until he was standing directly under the street light.  Once he was standing directly under  the light, the perimeter was clearly defined between light and dark.  There was no longer any "gray area."

So often I hear the excuse that somethings is a "gray area."  It always reminds me of this story, and I wonder....if what we are seeing is really a "gray area" or is the problem that we are just too far away from the light?   Make no mistake....I am definitely standing at the bottom of the hill.  I know that I can not always see the "Light" as clearly as I should.  That is the reason why it is imperative to me that I look to the Prophet and and other leaders to help me successfully navigate the darkness.  Without them I would be lost.

Simple Joys

Hubby calls me every day at lunch.  Sometimes our conversations revolved entirely around what we have going on in a day, arranging rides for kids, or deciding what is for dinner.  Sometimes our ten little minutes are filled with "I love You" and "I miss you."  Either way I just love hearing his voice.

I love Hubby's walk.  I can spot him from across a busy room, just by the way he walks.  It always makes me smile.  

Pretty much any time I get a text from Hubby in the middle of the day.  It makes me smile every time. 

I love that Hubby would rather spend time with me than anyone else.  Even if it is just a quick trip to the gas station he wasn't me to go with him.  

He always kisses me goodbye.  I think he learned that from my Grandfather.  

Another view

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak in Sacrament meeting.  Now, I know you are supposed to hate that assignment.  I actually quite enjoy public speaking opportunities, and love giving a talk in Sacrament even more.  We got to church a bit early, and I took my place on the stand.  From there I could watch my children and my husband. After a few minutes I noticed something.  I really missed sitting with my family.  I could see from the stand that they were being the same wiggly children I feel frustrated with every week for not being quiet enough and not holding still enough.  I missed it.  I missed the weight of my Little Man on my lap.  I missed my daughters fluffy blond hair resting on my shoulder.  I think that it gave me an opportunity to appreciate what a blessing it is to be able to go to church with my family is.  I hope it makes me a more patient mom.  

Heartbroken Part 2?

The last few weeks have been so overwhelming to me.  Last week I turned on the computer to find the news that an old friend had received the news that she has terminal cancer.  She is just a couple years older than I am, with 4 children.  There was a time that we were really close and spoke daily, but life went on.  She moved, and I moved.  Until I joined Facebook a few years ago, we had lost touch.  My heart aches for her, for her husband and her children.

It only a few hours later that I received the news that a childhood friend was in a coma.  Something had gone horribly wrong in surgery and she had had a stroke.  We had been close friends as children and lost touch. Of course, we were reunited again through Facebook.  The next day, this sweet woman passed away.

By lunch time my husband had called to tell me that a co-worker and friend of ours had been lost his job.  He has a large family and some pretty severe health issues.  We are worried for them.

Another dear friend suffered a stroke.  Yet another had been recently diagnosed with MS.

Bad news seemed to pour in throughout the day, leaving me overwhelmed and heartbroken.  I felt totally unable to offer comfort to those people that I love so much.  Time and distance stood between us.  I  have cried so many tears for my friend Kristen, and the lost memories that she would never have, that her children and husband would never have.

The flood of bad news seems to have subsided and a new normal is taking its place.  I am so thankful today for our Savior, for the plan of salvation and the knowledge that our broken hearts will one day be mended and our families whole once more.

Happy Easter!

What a wonderful  day to celebrate the Atonement and Savior.