Come, COME ye saints… fresh courage
take… …. Carry on, carry on, CARRY ON!
Jeff and I recently returned from a
two week road trip, during which time we saw and personally visited with every
living parent, sibling, child and grandchild in our large circle, except
for two; Jeff's brother living in New Jersey, and my brother in Alabama whom we
visited earlier this year in February. With 12 siblings, 5 children and
currently 3 grandchildren, this was a remarkable feat. It was refreshing and encouraging renewing acquaintances and making memories and sharing happy
events. As we
traveled, we attended church meetings in various states, and every time, I felt
uplifted and edified by the spirit and the messages. The hymns in
particular seemed to remain with me. On this beautiful fall day, the
first day of school here, I have several of them running through my head.
You may have noticed the heading, which combines two.
We used our many hours in the car
driving from the Northwest to Southern Utah, to read our love letters from over
30 years ago, written during the beginning of our courtship while Jeff was away
working in Alaska and I continued nursing school and worked in a nursing home. Later
the letters resumed during our engagement, when Jeff graduated from the college
I still attended in Idaho and transferred to continue his Engineering degree at BYU in Utah, leaving me to graduate for another semester. Our letters
prompted much discussion for many hours. They were immature in many ways,
silly, and shallow, but they were also filled with commitment, insight,
occasionally great wisdom and often a value of one another's characteristics, that
perhaps we have come to under-appreciate, through years of familiarity. It was
good to remind ourselves of the perception and perspective we had of
one another then and to discuss how it has altered. We considered the
hope we had for the future, our fears and concerns and discussed how those
hopes and fears have worked themselves out… We have in fact had trials, and
challenges, yet, feel over 30 years to be on the whole, remarkably blessed.
On the way home by contrast, we read a
book filled with hardship and suffering about a Muslim man, converted to
Christianity, and particularly the LDS Church. This too, prompted
discussion of how blessed we are, and how our fears for life and the future
thus far, have been so small compared to the hardships of many in the world,
and of our own heritage. My nephew Landon Winegar spoke of a few of our common
ancestors at his mission farewell we attended 3 weeks ago, and truly, their
faithful endurance of hardship in many ways, has made possible so much I now
hold dear today.
The circumstances of our world, with
it's increasing persecution of Christians throughout the world, and certainly
the rejection of moral, and Godly values, and the tremulous resulting
conditions for families and our youth around us, is a source of great worry,
concern, even fear for me. My heart is regularly burdened with these
fears for our children, grandchildren, and for our siblings, nieces and nephews
as each use the precious gift of agency to makes his or her way in life.
Thankfully, I have yet around me, many of those same family members, and
dear friends, who buoy me up when needed and remind me to "hush my
fears" and focus on Christ, and His goal for each of us, and me
personally. I had that happen today during my exercise with just such a
friend. We discussed a variety of things in our lives and then this
friend shared with me a talk she gave this summer based on Elder Bednars April
Conference Talk, "They did Hush Their fears", on page 46 of the May
2015 Ensign. I highly recommend you review it. As we talked,
I was reminded of an experience I had earlier this summer and in my mind it
suddenly became a personal parable.
Our daughter Whitney was having her
first baby in July, right at the time they planned to be preparing for her
husband to take medical boards, and move. She lived in LA and I expected
to fly there to help them during this time of many transitions. I live in
a small town, I generally avoid driving in large cities, and unfamiliar places,
and I feel challenged by weak dusk/night vision. However, I still
planned to go and to do what was needed to the best of my ability. I was
concerned… even a bit afraid, but I knew I was going anyway and chose not to
dwell on the fearful, too much.
I went, and in fact circumstances
required me to drive right at dusk, from a large hospital in Pasadena, in an
unfamiliar car, alone, an hour a way in heavy 6 lane California traffic, the
very first night; then to stay alone in an unfamiliar house, navigate shopping,
and picking up prescriptions, and then do the long drive back to the hospital
in heavier daytime traffic the next day. I really had NO clue where I
was, except that I knew I was in Pasadena, and I was going to Claremont… but
those were really names only… a starting place and ending place. But I
also had a GPS. It was well lit and I had made myself familiar with it over
months and even years of use in the past. I trusted it. I placed it
clearly in my window view on the first night with a prayer that it would
verbally warn me in time to change lanes or take exits early enough in the heavy
traffic and falling night. I felt an almost humorous sensation that all
of this was very scary…… yet, I was NOT afraid. Things went remarkable
smoothly, over all. On the return trip I am quite sure at one point I
missed an exit…. but the GPS adjusted nearly seamlessly, and in fact with out
knowing at all how it happened, I ended up back at the hospital, from a totally
different direction, and being amazed (and grateful!) that there it was!
And even sooner than I expected.
Our earth life is much like this.
We come to earth, an adventure and experience we knew was necessary, even
though it contained much that is concerning, worrisome even fearful of some us.
But we came. Fortunately,… I know where I am starting….. sort
of…... in a family who loves me, and I also know generally where I am
headed….I want to return to my Heavenly Father. I really can't tell you
where each of those are specifically, nor how long exactly the journey will
take or exactly what I will experience on the way. BUT, I do have a GPS
of sorts, that is very reliable, even if I really can't explain how it works. I
strive regularly, some times better and more consistently than others, to be
familiar with it and to use it so I can trust it. I have the spiritual
GPS of the scriptures, prayer and the Spirit. Together they really do guide,
and navigate me through most of the pitfalls of this journey. Yes, like
any real memorable and meaningful journey, there will be construction on the
road, (growing experience that challenge but can improve), tedious slow
downs, detours, even accidents. Sometimes I only observe, or hear about
the accident and pray mightily for those involved and other times I am IN the
accident, and sometimes my choices create the detours, which may be long and
dangerous. But there is always available to me a way back, if I will
patiently follow it, even through the dark when I do not see any way, nor do I
understand at all where I am or how to move forward on my own. The
Spirit, like my GPS can guide me safely through the dark and unknown.
I know that when we are striving to be
where we need to be, doing what we are needed to do, whether nurture children,
provide for families, serve in church callings or be a friend to the lonely,
infirm or afraid, we will have the ability to do fearful things without being
overcome by the fear we acknowledge. By feasting on scriptures daily, applying
them to our own lives, and praying with faith, trusting in a mighty and Loving
God to guide and aid us through the storms, and unknown paths of this life, we
will receive the peace we need even crave, and courage to hush our
fears and move forward in faith.
With the foundation of overcoming and
persevering from our Pioneer heritage, or the examples of persecuted Christians
throughout the world, "Why should we think to earn a great reward if WE
now, shun the fight?"…. yes, I can now "gird up (my) loins, fresh
courage take, (knowing that my) God will never us forsake"
I cling to the examples of the past, (hymn
36, They the builders of the Nation second verse), ….." Courage their
unfailing beacon, radiating near and far. Every day some burden lifted,
Every day some heart to cheer, Every day some hope the brighter,
blessed honored pioneer." I want to be like those then and
now, who (hymn 35, second verse) " at the hand of foul
oppressors, have born and suffered long; thou has been our help in
weakness, and thy power hath made us strong. Amid ruthless foes
outnumbered, in weariness we trod …We are watchers of a beacon, whose light
must never die; we are guardians of an altar Midst the silence of the sky.
Here the rocks yield founts of courage, struck forth as by the
rod; For the strength of hills we bless thee, our God, our fathers,'
God.."
Most of all, I find myself craving,
drawn with a mighty thirst to the songs with messages of hope, power unity and
joy; songs like Hymn 251, Behold a Royal Army, and I want to BE one of
those " soldiers, bold and strong. Who follow their Commander, and
sing their joyful song. " The song made joyful because we KNOW
victory has already been assured, "through Him that redeemed us!"
Through my savior and your savior,
even Jesus Christ our Lord, and only through him, I can be as hymn 255
"Firm as the mountains around us, stalwart and brave…" others before
and around me, have "raised His banner triumphant". I will now strive to help you hold it high during your times of fear and weakness and I trust
many of you will help me hold it up when I also, feel weak or afraid.
Thus, together, we can be for this generation "the Youth of the
noble birthright", and Carry on, Carry on, CARRY ON!
Many are widowed, most retired, some have health challenges that provide excuse for minimal activity, yet, most are so consistent in doing this good thing for their mental and physical health and much more as well. They are so welcoming, inclusive, humorous and fun! I loved just eavesdropping in on their conversations for many months at first. Their playful banter and jokes among each other drew me in. I enjoyed the witty, teasing these ladies gave to one of their friends, Leah (in her 70s) as she began dating and becoming more serious with a man she had met through another friend. They all told her they would come and be her "brides maids"... or "brides -widow's" at her wedding, they quipped. They also added that likely they'd all have to come dressed in swim suits or no-one would recognize each other in real clothes out side of swim class! When Leah did in fact become engaged, they held a large and really fun bridal shower for her. Truly, their cheer and mutual support and other examples of community service, involvement and activity whether in golfing, caring for aging parents, library volunteering, or reading with underprivileged elementary school children was and has been a source of inspiration to me. Their inclusion of me as well has been an answer my prayers. They have been my "mothers", sisters, and friends. Today they met me for lunch at a local diner to celebrate my birthday and presented me with cards, and small gifts. But I wished they could know that it is their friendship and influence that is the dearest gift to me. 
