Stand Tall and Look Up

      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...

              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 ...

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...

         Today at church our friend, Jeff Hunsaker mentioned that he would be going to London on business next week. That brought a flood of memories and emotions because Jeff came to London on business about a week after Mike's stroke.   Jeff made the time to come out of his way to the hospital in High Wycombe to see us. The flood of emotions I felt as we talked today reminded me again how much that visit meant to both Mike and I. I wasn't sure how Mike would react to seeing someone from home but his entire countenance lit up as Jeff entered the room. Jeff talked with him without pity or simplicity but with normal conversation. Mike laughed and worked to speak and you helped him find the many missing words.      The visit was very important to me as well. While I had phone conversations and emails from people back home, it meant something different to have a visit - a real person in the room that somehow connected us to life back home. Jef...

This chair and I spent a lot of time together. Here I sat watching Mike while he slept. Here I sat as doctors and nurses continued treating him. Here sat when sleep finally came to my exhausted body. It was made of noisy purple vinyl but it was comfortable. Here I prayed for divine intervention and for the doctor's hands to be guided. Here I sought the comfort from the Spirit. Here I began planning how I would help Mike recover. 

      The Premier Inn only had a vacancy for one night and the other hotels near the hospital were also booked. I wasn't sure what Tenika and I would do. I called our home ward Bishop, Steven Weitzel, and asked for his help. He was able to reach the bishop from High Wycombe. It wasn't long before I received a phone call that Jo Barron, the Relief Society President in High Wycombe had offered for Tenika to stay in her home. She came to the hotel the next morning and took Tenika and most of our luggage to her home. Jo and her family were wonderful. I mostly stayed at the hospital with Mike but they picked me up and took me to their home so I could shower. They helped Tenika to feel comfortable and made sure that she made it to the airport to catch her flight home on August 12. The hospital did not have any internet access but the Barron's would let me use their international phone to call home and their internet to take care of everything else.        ...