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Sunday, July 24, 2011

All is well. All is well.

While at my family reunion over the weekend, little g came running up to me with a huge grin on his face.  He handed me a beautiful white flower that he had found in the field.  After taking it from him and thanking him, I went on to tell him not to pick any more of them.  He was confused seeing how we were on the mountain and not in our backyard.  I went on to tell him about the Mormon pioneers and how the Native Americans taught them to eat the flowers' bulbs in the winter when food was scarce.  I explained how special they were to the Mormons, the people of Utah and to me.  His smile left his face.  My heart ached knowing that I had hurt him.  I tried to take a picture of the beloved Sego Lily with little g, but the damage was done.  He didn't buy into my story.  Someday perhaps.

Today at church we heard Mormon pioneer stories seeing how it's the anniversary of the LDS saints reaching the SLC valley in Utah.  Their lives of courage and faith strengthen me.  If they can do what they did, then certainly I can do what is asked of me.  I'm so grateful for those that have paved the road so that my family and I can have the gospel in our lives.  I've struggled with some anxiety this past week again.  I know what's brought it on.  I'll be visiting my therapist again Tuesday.  I think I need to talk things out, perhaps even pay her to whack me on the side of my head so that I can be normal again. 

I know I'm not having to push a handcart, bury my children or go hungry, but I have trials that try me.  I'm grateful for the simple beauty of the Sego Lilies yesterday, the pioneer stories that I heard today and the words of my favorite hymn, "Come, Come Ye Saints".  They give me the faith and courage to go on.  For in reality, I too am a pioneer paving the way for my own descendants. 

Come, come, ye saints, no toil nor labor fear;

But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell -
All is well! All is well!


Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?
'Tis not so; all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward
If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.
Our God will never us forsake;
And soon we'll have this tale to tell-
All is well! All is well!


We'll find the place which God for us prepared,
Far away, in the West ,
Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid;
Where the saints, will be blessed.
We'll make the air, with music ring,
Shout praises to our God and King;
Above the rest these words we'll tell -
All is well! All is well!


And should we die before our journey's through,
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;
With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again
To see the Saints their rest obtain,
Oh, how we'll make this chorus swell-
All is well! All is well!

2 comments:

Amy said...

Beautifully written! And I just have to say Ditto.

Erika said...

Oh they told stories and showed videos of pioneers and handcarts and gosh I bawled and bawled. We are so lucky and have it so easy. On one hand. And on the other, we have so many other problems. Life's hard either way. But I too am glad that we have such great examples.