Our two loved ones we have been anxious about have passed away. I won’t write about it here, at least not yet.
I spend quite a bit of time at my desk which is surrounded by family photos. The serenity of this room is helpful. Our children have stayed close and that is also helpful.
Do you need some hope today? I know I do. Things are rough right now in the Ross and Sanchez families as two of our loved ones are in hospice care. Still, there are layers of experience in the sad times that I don’t want to forget. Life is never just one thing. Even within an hour there are experiences of all kinds to be found. When I have been in great physical pain, I have noticed that intense pain is not constant. I try to focus on the instants where the pain relents to see that even during painful times, there is still peace and mercy. The same is true with emotional pain.
I believe there is a universe of experiences, difficult and happy, behind every smile. So, here is a smile from my grieving face. I feel vulnerable doing this, but today I send hope in Christ to you with a smile.
I draw a lot of comfort from the doctrine of the ministering of angels. If you need some reminders that angels are all around us and helping us, here are just a few of my favorite scriptures on the topic:
2 Nephi 31:13-14
2 Nephi 32:2-3
Alma 32:23
3 Nephi 17:24
Moroni 7:29-30, 36-37
2 Kings 6:15-17
Luke 22:43
Angels serve as witnesses and guides to what is really important. “Look,” “Fear not,” and “Behold” are some of the simple words they use to redirect our attention to Christ. They are with us. They show themselves “to those of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness” (Moroni 7:29-30). We may not see angels, they but I believe they play a part in leading us to every holy and pure thing we can experience in this life.
Here is a list of kind things people did for us or gave to us this month when they knew we were stuck at home.
I feel that these things are just what our Savior would do. People are good.
The words you speak become the house you live in. -Hafiz
This borrowed wisdom is what I have for today. ♥️
When I am weary and have no words of my own, I pray by singing in my mind. This is the song that eventually helped me go to sleep last night, soothing my mind, awake to many things. Dickins was so right about the best of times and the worst of times inhabiting the same sphere. I had a wonderful day with family, and feel God’s blessings, but feel abhorrence for current events.
My sister Susan organized and compiled this masterpiece as a surprise to my parents. My dad is the reader but he didn’t know we were going to use it to make a pageant from 6 separate homes. 🤭
And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope? And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold, I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.
Moroni 7:40-41
The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
Joel 3:16
I think this is the best new Christmas arrangement and performance this year:
And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to full assurance of hope unto the end.
Hebrews 6:11