One Yellow Balloon

You will note this was at the beginning of the COVID shutdown.  This entire message came to me in the shower.  I typed it up in about 20 minutes. When I was a teenager, my sister Jaycie and I would argue often. My mom would shake her head and wonder why we just couldn’t get along.  One day one of us responded sarcastically, “what are you talking about Mom? She’s my best friend!” After that, when my mom would chastise us, one of us would respond with that comment. One day after saying it, I realized I wasn’t being sarcastic anymore. Even though we had been disagreeing, it had become true. Jaycie WAS my best friend. She knew me like no one else. She understood me like no one else. She and I came from the same place. Whenever life has knocked me over, she was there to help me get back up. The words I had said over and over had become the truth.  You know how usually when people ask you how you are, it’s easy to say...

When I was a teenager, I was invited to travel to attend the Cardston, Alberta Temple Open House.  We literally drove all night, went to the open house, and drove home.  I was surprised to see the inside of that temple.  It was done in dark wood and fall colors, not the pastels of other temples like the Seattle Temple.  It also did not have an Angel Moroni atop of it.  Not what I expected, but I definitely felt th It is significant that the Savior chose to appear to the people at the temple. It is His house. It is filled with His power. Let us never lose sight of what the Lord is doing for us now. He is making His temples more accessible. He is accelerating the pace at which we are building temples. He is increasing our ability to help gather Israel. He is also making it easier for each of us to become spiritually refined. I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can. —--------- We live in an ever busy, demanding, and...

When we were young, February was a month of feeling love and sharing love.  I remember giving a plate of cookies to a boy my junior year and hoping my feelings were returned.  (They weren’t, but that’s a subject for another day…)  As adults, February can feel different, but maybe thinking about feeling and sharing love is still a good subject. We have great desires to feel that we are loved and we belong.  President Russell M. Nelson said in October 2011, “ When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us. His law is written in our hearts. He is our God and we are His people.” Ellie Young, a professor at BYU, gave a powerful talk.  She said, “Being on the covenant path can give us a sense of belonging and connectedness, especially a connection to the Savior. Covenants bind us to Christ, and, because we are bound to Him, we can become like Him. Being bound to Christ means that we know Him. We feel His comforting ...

I recently heard a story of a pastor that had discussed with his congregation how they might decide how many children a family should have.  His advice was to not have more children than you could take care of financially and emotionally.  One day in prayer, the pastor told God, “You have too many kids.  I see people in need emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  It’s obvious You must have too many since You can’t take care of them all.”  God said, “you know my plan” and the pastor questioned, “what plan is that?”   God said, “the way it works is the ones who are able take care of the ones that are not, and the older ones take care of the younger ones.  And the well ones, they take care of the sick ones.  That’s the way it works and everyone is cared for.” This is what it should look like in our ward, in our neighborhoods, in our homes… We are each called to be Jesus’ hands.  Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “ When I think of the Savio...

As our new temple goes up brick by brick, we have been encouraged to prepare ourselves for its completion. I have considered ways to improve myself and my family, but I suggest another thing to build during this time- Unity amongst us. Bishop Gérald Caussé said in the October 2013 General Conference, “In this Church our wards and our [classes] do not belong to us. They belong to Jesus Christ. Whoever enters our meetinghouses should feel at home. The responsibility to welcome everyone has growing importance... We all need to work together to build spiritual unity within our wards and branches... It is your duty to reach out to anyone who appears at the doors of your Church buildings. Welcome them with gratitude and without prejudice. If people you do not know walk into one of your meetings, greet them warmly and invite them to sit with you. Please make the first move to help them feel welcome and loved, rather than waiting for them to come to you.” I often imagine what Jesus would do if...

I have been thinking a lot lately about light.  This time of year, I am amazed how more motivated I feel after a long, dark winter.  The longer days are refreshing and I am less weary.  I often don’t even realize how late it’s getting.  Brynne Wilcox asked in her April Relief Society lesson for us to think of examples of people who shared their light with us.  I have been reflecting on specific friends and moments when someone shared their light with me.  Usually it was nothing monumental to them, but it was profound and meaningful to me.  One friend told me often that she loved me.  A sister from this ward texted that she had been thinking of me.  I have a friend that always gives good advice.  One young woman bore her testimony of scripture study.  So many share their light with me.  It lifts me and helps me find joy.  This light gives me courage and hope. Jesus describes Himself as the “light of the world” (John 8:12)....