Saturday is a Special Day

Seattle Skyline


I went to the Matt's Stake Conference for the Adult meeting tonight. I was able to take notes. It was a feast of the Spirit. I wrote in my journal about it and had some very sweet impressions told to me. The theme was Tribulation and the results of those trials that bring us peace and draw us closer to the Savior and his atonement.

Speaker after speaker bore testimony of their faith being increased and embraced the atonement through illnesses, disappointments, or separation from family through death of a loved one.

Don't we all experience these trials and find solace and comfort in drawing closer to God and Jesus Christ? I do. No doubt it has been my own refinement. I know aside from divorce, losing my parents and Grandma McIntire were my most difficult trials to go through.

I am reminded of the scripture, that unless we are visit with death, tribulations etc we cannot become sanctified in Christ, so that we will always remember him and look to for our salvation.

The thoughts brought out in these talks was that unless we go through some kind of tribulation--how are we to learn compassion for others in those same situations that we have gone past? I know that my ability help others through their problems as a therapist were some that I went through myself. Our Savior descended below them all and he was perfect! But he did it for ALL of us and so willingly.

I (came away)so thankful for my own trials after hearing about others' trials with the resilience I have gained and learned much from compassion to give as I support someone else in their own deep trial. My ability to follow the Savior is also heightened. I know there is a plan of happiness with light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. I count my blessings one by one everyday!

The gospel principle of repentance is another tool that is the answer to some of the tribulations we experience. I am reminded of Enos and his plea to Father in Heaven to know if his sins had been forgiven. It is a blessing to have another chance to rewind the tape of life and erase the imperfections and faults to go forward with a clean slate and begin again.

A companionship of the Holy Ghost is my (our)reward; what more can I or anyone ask?

I am very thankful for Matt & Beth's friend (Seth) who came to my rescue to watch the boys while I went to the Saturday evening adult meeting. Evidently the youth were tied up with a dance scheduled this same evening. Amy, his wife said she had tried to find sitters but had no luck herself. I was added upon by the richness of the spirit to bouy me up as I am handling the care for Cole and Ethan for Matt and Beth while they are in Spain.




Today the boys and I went for a drive to look for Target to pick up a prescription I needed to renew. I put the address for one store in the GPS and ended up so far out into a scenic route to a couple of yard sales!! Ethel had a ball finding some treasures. I finally did find Tarpet though. The boys liked the ride and had chicken McNuggets and chocolate milk on the drive.

Washington is a beautiful place. Too bad it is so far away from Utah! It is like driving in the mountains but everywhere there are trees and more trees, tall pine treees. I like the smell of the fresh air too! This is a perfect time of year to be here with less rain and nice sunny weather in between.