So, as things have been rough lately I have had a lot of time to think...and think...and think...and think. I especially had TONS of time to think during my drive back up from CA. It was a good long drive alone. And I was very grateful for the opportunity.
I spent the night in Cedar City with a very good friend of mine, Ya Ya, so I wouldn't have to do the drive in one day by myself. She worked with me at Oakcrest and we've been close ever since.
***Side note, I still remember the night we found out we were going to be roommates like it was yesterday...we cried like babies we were so happy!***
It was SO good to stay with her and her cute little family and to catch up! I really wish she lived closer! I honestly did not want to leave. Not only did I have a friend and someone who cared about me but its amazing the love you feel when you are around a family that is truly close to the Lord. I was especially grateful for the unconditional love that her little girl Kiley shared with me. What a doll!! I was heartbroken to leave. That little girl worked her way into my heart very fast! I am so grateful for the love they shared with me and how welcome I felt in their home!
Anyway, with all my thinking and, might I add, PRAYING...I didn't land on any special inspiration. I know...deep right? But I did come across something. I've been listening to the Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites books...TOTALLY some of my favorite books. While listening to the 4th book, The Feathered Serpent Part 1, one of the characters said something that hit me hard. In this book, Jim and his children find themselves in Book of Mormon times right before the crucifixion of Christ. At one point, Jim is talking privately to the prophet Nephi, the son of Nephi, and he's explaining to Nephi how tough things have been for him and his family lately.
Jim says to Nephi, talking about his first adventure among the Nephites as a teen "I think about those days a lot. They seemed so uncomplicated. My purpose was so clear." (**My mission**)
Nephi asks, "You don't believe your purpose is clear now?" (**My crazy life now**)
Jim responds, "It just seems more difficult."
The next line, given by Nephi, is what hit me the hardest. He says "I think if you contemplate those memories from your childhood, you'll realize they're happy because of what you accomplished, what you overcame. They were probably no less difficult. Push ahead, Jim. I'm sure you have many happy memories to come. Lasting happiness is the offspring of endurance."
Jim then says "Then I should be a very happy man one day soon."
Nephi then goes on "Never forget Jim, all of this," his eyes scanned earth and sky, "is but a moment. Then comes the glory. All we must do is endure to the end. Afterwards our sorrow will melt away so freely we'll wonder how we ever lost faith, even for an instant. It's all true Jim. Our Savior will make it true. It won't be long now."
We are happy when we accomplish things. When we overcome challenges.
Lasting happiness is the offspring of endurance.
And I don't have much longer to endure. As Nephi said, it won't be long now.
