I love when experiences are more than you anticipate. It's amazing to gain perspective, love, and a renewed sense of self and purpose. Let me explain. I traveled to Utah anticipating a great time of visiting and being with family and loved ones, and have come away with so much more. The first night I watched Nie on Oprah, see here. I loved to watch her story, but what really made me think was how hard everything is for her. It's hard for her to open a ziplock bag, she can't pick up her children. The smallest thing is enormous for her. But what gets her out of bed each day is the opportunity to do all those small things. I have recommitted to be a better mom, to enjoy being a mom and make our home an even better place to be. Saturday I went to a funeral. My mom's best friend has a son who passed away, see here. It was a tragic thing for the family and it has renewed my purpose in life, it has made me so grateful for the Gospel. Life is so uncertain, we must take advantage of all the time we are given. I know that the Plan of Salvation is real and that it allows us to live with Heavenly Father again. My purpose as a mom is to help my children to know this and live it.
On Saturday night there was a bus full of American Fork High School band students that crashed, see here. All of the students were o.k., but one teacher died. She saved them. She tried to gain control of the bus when the driver passed out. Her act potentially saved the bus from going down a ravine, thus saving the lives of everyone else on the bus. How often are we saving souls? We may not be asked to sacrifice our lives, but we must look for the opportunities where we can help save those around us. Missionary work allows us this, service allows this, following the promptings of the spirit allows this. I have gained a renewed sense of commitment to be better at doing my part to help save those around me.
Life is amazing and full of trials. It is up to us to decide how we handle the trials when they come. Are we going to let them tear us down or build us up to be better? But along with the trials come an outpouring of blessings.
This trip has truly opened my eyes and heart.
Expect the unexpected.
