Sept 18, 2016 An Amazing Week

Sept. 18, 2016  An Amazing Week

Hello again to all who read our blog.  I’d like to share a  quote from Pres. Dieter F Uchtdorf that has lifted my spirits this past week.

“The joyous news of the gospel is this: because of the eternal plan of happiness provided by our loving Heavenly Father and through the infinite sacrifice of Jesus the Christ, we can not only be redeemed from our fallen state and restored to purity, but we can also transcend mortal imagination and become heirs of eternal life and partakers of God’s indescribable glory.  

My dear brothers and sisters, my dear friends, I testify that God sees us as we truly are—and He sees us worthy of rescue.

You may feel that your life is in ruins. You may have sinned. You may be afraid, angry, grieving, or tortured by doubt. But just as the Good Shepherd finds His lost sheep, if you will only lift up your heart to the Savior of the world, He will find you.

He will rescue you.

He will lift you up and place you on His shoulders.

He will carry you home.”

Can you feel the spirit of the above message? I love knowing that we have a Savior that knows us by name and loves us and will “carry us home.”

As I am being forced by my body to be what I do not want to be - discouraged, realizing what is ahead, it is forcing me to fight back and seek the Lord’s, my friend’s and my family’s strength.

Things we all take for granted : Imagine your life without these things:

Ability to drive.

The use of your right hand and arm and the beginning of losing use of your left hand. It was a cry moment when I couldn’t put a pacifier in our newborn grandbaby’s mouth as I rocked her. Imagine not  easily doing dishes, making  beds, cleaning up due to lack of strength and energy.

But gratitude comes in abundance as I can still manage to walk and climb stairs even as it is becoming a challenge. 

I have plenty of time now to spend with the 2 and 3 year olds, doing PBSkids, and holding the baby when needed. 

I have immense gratitude for my still being able to eat great food, to speak,  and breathe. I can tell my friends and loved ones daily how much I love them all. 

Blessings that we take for granted are around us each day. We all need to love more, laugh more, and forgive self, and others more. Life is beautiful. If life is so filled wIth blessings can you imagine how glorious heaven will be - where there will not be any sadness and pain? “We WILL transcend mortal imagination and become heirs of eternal life and partakers of God’s indescribable glory.”  

What a wonder to anticipate for us all.

P.S. from Ted

I have to echo Linda’s grateful thanks to the many friends in our ward that have stepped in to help us this past week.

It seems I came down with a case of Shingles. That, coupled with some changes in Linda’s ALS, seemed like it would be a major strain.  But kind friends have again stepped up and made us feel so humble and grateful for them.  It is hard for some folks (like me) to not feel inadequate when we have to accept help, so we don’t even ask for it even though it brings a lot of stress into our lives.  I was thinking I had a lot of empathy for Job, but my friends not only did not desert me, but came to our aid without having to be asked. 

I am continually grateful for the friends, neighbors and family we have.  I love them for their willingness to help.

I can only hope that I can learn from their compassion and become more like them and the Savior, bringing comfort and compassion to those in need.

We were also blessed and happy to be able to make it to the new Philadelphia LDS Temple Dedication. It was Linda’s first full day in a wheelchair, so an adventure as well.  What a joy it was to hear from two of the Savior’s Apostles and have our faith reaffirmed and energized.  But we’ll save more of that for next week.