Stand Tall and Look Up

     When life gets hard and sends you down an unexpected road, it is easy to slip into a "Why me?" self pity type of thinking. It's easy to think of all the things you don't have or all the things you can't do. It takes consistent effort to think, instead, of what you have and what you can do. In my life, I have found consistent strength in the phrase, "I am lovable and capable." This phrase changes the focus from discouragement to capacity. Things may not happen the way I planned but I am still capable of creating something out of what I have been given. I can choose to stand tall regardless of the situation.      This past week I was visiting with a man whose wife had a stroke similar to Mike's. I have spoken with him a few times and every time he tells me all the things his wife cannot do. He tells me how she is not strong enough and how discouraged she gets. At first I listened and could definitely relate. Now I am realizing that I am not doin

Last Saturday I was finishing up a few things hoping to get to bed early. We had planned to drive to California for a few days of spring break to see my parents and I knew I would need a good night's sleep to make the trip safely. We had company and I was waiting for Bri to get home from a charity event where she was performing. I checked my phone for a message from Bri and saw that I had a voicemail. It was strange because, only minutes before, Bri had sent me a text saying she was leaving the concert and was heading home. I listened to the message and heard the voice of a very scared young lady who said, "Mom, I just got hit. I need you to come right now." I called her back and immediately got into the car.  She was only about a mile away but it felt like it was a lot further. She was very shaken up but seemed okay. In addition to the trauma of the accident, the people who had hit her had yelled and swore at her and told her the accident was her fault (even though th

      Several weeks ago, as I ran on the treadmill, I listened to podcast by Neal A. Maxwell entitled "Meekly Drenched in Destiny." Elder Maxwell was a gifted orator and I found myself listening to his speech again and again over the next few days. Then I went to the computer and found a written copy and printed it so I could highlight my favorite parts. Now, this morning, I find myself wanting to share some of those highlights:        Meekness is an attribute that is essential to developing other crucial virtues such as faith, hope and charity. The Savior described himself as being "meek and lowly in heart."  Our Father in Heaven loves us enough to have made us free to learn, to choose and to experience. According to Maxwell, "Agency is essential to perfectibility, and meekness is essential to the wise use of agency - and to our recovery when we have misused our agency." I learned many years ago, that the sooner I can repent, the better off I am. When I

              I woke up earlier than normal this morning with worries on my mind. The house was quiet because it was only 5:00 a.m.  I lay on my pillow for a short time passing worries about in my mind like an unfriendly game of tennis. Then I chose to get up. I grabbed my phone where I frequently listen to podcasts and chose, for the third time, to a talk called "Meekly Drenched in Destiny" by Neal A. Maxwell ( http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=622 ) With my morning brain training in hand, I got onto the treadmill. It is amazing how quickly perspective can change when we fill our minds with hope and courage.           I walked and ran on the treadmill as the sun came up over the mountains and brought natural light into the room. Discouragement was replaced by perspective and feelings of despair were replaced by hope. I learned some powerful principles that I know I need to teach as a parent, as a wife, and as a professional. One of those principles is that God do

People have frequently ask me if I am feeling discouraged because of  Michael Ray 's stroke. It feels like a good day to share a bit of my world. The truth is that everyday I count my blessings , thank God for giving me strength and vision , and then I go to work. Life is good and I am blessed . I see miracles everyday. Last Saturday night I drove Mike and our son to their church meeting. I watched as my 14 year old son stood tall walking next to his father. I saw the miracle in each of Mi ke's steps. After the meeting I drove them to get a smoothie together. I stayed in the car so they could have time alone but, when I peeked in, I and them laughing and talking together. Another miracle. As a family we enjoy sunsets and rejoice in new days . We know that difficult moments pass and that kind words matter. We are learning life's lessons and striving to become a little better each day. We are blessed with incredible people in our lives who give us strength when we are weak.

    During the first week of August,  Mike went to an intensive Stroke Recovery Camp at the University of Utah Rehab Center. The "camp" was 6 hours a day; 5 days / week for 3 weeks.  Two of his goals were to walk consistently without the cane and increase his ability to use his right arm and hand.  From the minute we arrived at the camp, Mike was expected to use his right arm. When he gets out of the car, I put the strap to his lunchbox in his right hand and he holds it as he walks into the building. This may sound like a simple thing but it is HUGE. This morning Mike had trouble maintaing his grip on the strap and the lunchbox would fall to the ground. I would pick it up and put it back into his hand, reminding him to squeeze his fingers into a fist. After dropping the lunchbox four or five times, Mike said, "You just do it." Of course, you know my answer, " No Way!"  I told Mike, "I don't care how many times you drop it. I care how many times yo