Hope

Because our routines vary in the extreme from day to day... it is difficult to remember exciting moments to record.

Does rearranging the living room count?

Dan just booked flights to come to the USA in two weeks.

We've done a lot of mountain biking in the evenings. Abe rolled Mary's bike and was proud of the tread marks left across his back. (He came out unscathed.)

I'm thankful that the children are picking up old friendships and starting new ones, they've mastered this skill and friends help transitions in the best way!

I have been thankful for my own little tribe and friends.

I was feeling mildly overwhelmed last week, maybe a little lack-luster, and quite short on humour (one of my most coveted traits, I'm sure...) When we attended Stake Conference. In passing, the counselor conducting the meeting said, "I feel impressed to tell you, God is mindful of you." That was it, he turned the meeting over to the next speaker and sat down. I felt so touched. I immediately felt the desire to repent of being angry over something small. Sometimes when we are angry, we withhold kindness and feel unrest. There is no peace in holding a grudge or withholding love.

I felt thankful for a tender mercy, for those who follow promptings and the opportunity for repentance. I wish I needed it less. The fact is, I need it daily. Almost to the point it could make one feel miserable, because it seems like a never ending cycle... But that's exactly what Moroni was teaching when he wrote, "Despair cometh because of iniquity (wickedness or sin)." And that is where hope comes in.

I hope to be better today than yesterday. I hope for peace that always comes with repentance. 

Like Nephi taught, "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope..." This brightness casts aside our despair and misery, the Atonement of Jesus Christ was given with the intention that we would use it, and often. If we don't use it, then we do not understand it.

Continuing with Nephi, he wrote "and a love of God and of all men..." This is peace. It allows you to work in tandem with others, to grow together towards Christ. And then, "feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."  Which, like Derrick mentioned (who also had to speak at Stake Conference), should be our greatest hope.

I do have hope. I do have faith that through the Atonement of Christ I can be better today than yesterday. This brief moment was a strong confirmation of truth that we profess, but don't live as often as we should. The knowledge that we are God's divine children and that He loves us is empowering.

This morning my friend said to me, "Faith has a short shelf life!" Another timely discussion, and a good reminder that we have to exercise our faith and replenish it frequently. "How is it that ye can attain faith, save ye shall have hope."

Ok, I feel like this echoes the daily happenings. Not much but learning, striving, and hopefully more humour to come!