My Faith Tree

Here are the buds of my faith tree that Scott and I planted last summer. In the heat of summer. Not the best time to plant a tree. The week we were to be at the MTC starting our mission to Paraguay, we were instead at home dealing with my newly diagnosed multiple-sclerosis and had just finished 4 days of intranvenious doses of strong steriods and deeply disappointed that we couldn't go to Paraguay. We were still unsure of what to do. I asked Scott if we could plant a tree in our back yard to remind us of our faith in the Lord and to remind me to TRUST IN HIM. I figured that He knew I had MS when we were called to go on a mission and that we could still go. A few weeks later we got a new call to Houston and were on our way.

Utah has had a hard winter this year. I've asked Pete a few times how my tree was doing. He sent me this picture of the buds that have made it through the spring snow storms. Sometimes you think you've made it through challenges only to realize that those tough times have strengthened you to make it through the next set of challenges. To prepare for greater blessings that the Lord stands waiting to give all of His children. I have felt the Lord's tender mercies in my life abundantly, especially this past year. Looking back over the last several years I've realized that I have been dealing with MS symptoms for quite some time. Perhaps we would never have gone on a mission if we'd known I had this disease. It's always been a great desire Scott and I have had to serve together. And it has been wonderful these past 8 1/2 months to have this experience together. Maybe not how we envisioned it, but wonderful still the same. And just like my budding tree in the midst of adversity, we look forward to the summer, to the future. I have a deep and abiding faith in my Heavenly Father and in my Savior Jesus Christ. The plan of Salvation is to bring us all back home to Them. Their gospel is one of peace and love. What a privlege it is to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to be in God's army of missionaries at this time.

Happy Easter this week.

We got to skype our kids last night, they were all together at my house having a barbecue. I am so grateful for their support and love for each other. Oh how I want to be with them ALL throughout the eternities. I know that because of Christ's Atonement we can be. That is my Hope, my hope in Christ. (Moroni 7:41)